Tokyo Godfathers (2003)

Tokyo Godfathers

Call No: TEMP 1333

I thought that I might as well review one more anime film before the end. And since my previous two anime reviews (Howl’s Moving Castle and Spirited Away) were Miyazaki films, I decided to review one that wasn’t. The premise of the film is similar to that of an old Western called Three Godfathers, in which three gunslingers come across an abandoned baby and decide to try and raise it between the three of them. I was expecting something similar from Tokyo Godfathers. I was expecting more of a quiet and thought-provoking drama. While there is a great deal of drama, it’s not all subtle. There’s a shooting, a car chase, and more than one pursuit on foot. The film is a unique concoction of drama, action, suspense and silly fun, all told in a beautifully animated film.

When three homeless people find an abandoned baby while rummaging through the trash, they each have a different opinion of what to do. Miss Hana, the transvestite, has always wanted to raise a baby and wants to keep it. The cantankerous Gin wants to hand it over to the police. And the young runaway Miyuki doesn’t care what they do, so long as they can make the baby stop crying. Hana finally comes up with a compromise – let her find the baby’s mother to ask and understand why she abandoned her baby, and then she’ll turn it over to the police. The trio set out to find the mother, and find a lot more than they bargained for in the process.

Central Station (1998)

Central Station

Call No: PN1997 .C3857 1998

Every once and a while, I come across a film that uses the quest motif. This is typically a film in which the main characters must go on a journey or quest, and undergo an emotional transformation during the physical movement of travelling. I first learned about this kind of story and film motif in elementary school, where the example used was the classic The Lion King and The Lord of the Rings. While I have seen other films and read other stories that employ this technique, those two examples have always been the ones that I’ve found embody the conventions best. I’m now happy to include Central Station into that list.

When a tragic accident kills his mother, Josue is left without any family in Rio. Familiar with the boy because of a chance encounter, the unmarried and embittered Isadora offers to find somewhere for him to stay. But the stubborn Josue has plans of his own – he’s going to travel to find the father he’s never known. With a combination of guilt and anger, Isadora comes along. This is the trip that will change two complete strangers into friends, and transform their trip into a journey that will stay with them forever.

The Winslow Boy (1999)

The Winslow Boy

Call No: TEMP 1130

I seem to be on a British movies kick lately. I’m not sure what it is exactly that I love so much about them. Maybe it’s the quiet charm and elegance. Maybe it’s the simplicity of the period movies. Or maybe I’m cleansing my film palette with some quiet, subtle films before I get swept away in the inevitable tide of busy, action-packed summer blockbusters. In any rate, the subtlety of some of the films that the Brits produce manage to satisfy my craving for a good story, intriguing characters and a charming setting.

Based on a play of the same name by Terence Rattigan, The Winslow Boy is a movie about pursuing the truth, no matter what the risk and the sacrifices made. When Ronnie, the youngest Winslow, is expelled from a prominent academy on accusations of stealing, the family is determined to seek out justice. Their best chance of achieving it is in the hopes of recruiting Sir Robert Morton, an exceptional lawyer, charismatic orator and member of the House of Commons. Through the determination of Morton, Ronnie’s father and his sister Katherine, the Winslow boy’s reputation might be saved... but at what cost?

Vera Drake (2004)

Vera Drake

Call No: PN1997.2 .V47 2005

When I first came to the university three years ago, I remember looking through the DVDs and picking up this film. The description on the back sounded interesting enough and I’ve enjoyed Imelda Staunton in the smaller roles that I’ve seen her in. Somehow, I never got around to it. Finally, I pulled it from the library this week, cut some time out of my schedule, and watched it. Its heartfelt narrative combined with its content makes it a film to watch (but may impact women more strongly than men).

Vera Drake is a loving and devoted wife, mother and friend. She will do anything for anybody without thanks or praise. She is completely selfless and spends every waking moment either working her job cleaning houses or doing something for someone else out of the goodness of her heart. Sometimes these selfless acts include secretly helping unfortunate women who have gotten “into trouble” and are now pregnant. Vera Drake calmly helps them find the way out. But when a police investigation brings Vera’s world crashing down and her secrets are revealed, will she have anywhere to turn? Or have her secrets destroyed all of the good she’s ever done?

Vampires Week: The Lost Boys (1987)

The Lost Boys

Call No: PN1995.9.S26 L881 2004

The Lost Boys seems to be one of those movies that straddle both the worlds of obscurity and nostalgia. Those who grew up with the movie have a sort of fond affection for the offbeat and campy film, while those who haven’t seen it might not even know of its existence. It’s not a groundbreaking film or something you absolutely must see. It’s not even that fantastic. It is an entertaining watch, if for nothing more than to see how comfortable Kiefer Sutherland is in his role of being the badass (a little less Jack Bauer and a little more pre-Twilight vampire).

The story is about two brothers and their single mom to live with their grandfather in a small town in California, a town that is rumoured to be overrun with vampires. Soon after arriving, the boys find themselves immediately pulled into opposite directions: the older brother becomes attracted to a mysterious girl and drawn into her circle of suspicious friends, while the younger brother meets two boys who claim to be vampire hunters. When the older brother’s personality and behaviours begin to change rapidly, the two must work together to find a way to stop it.

The Visitor (2007)

The Visitor

Call No: PC 3081

Up until a few years ago, I only ever watched the typical Hollywood type movies. It was both by choice and by interest – I was only ever exposed to Hollywood trailers, and they were more easily accessible. Over the last few years, I’ve been watching more independent, foreign and little known films. When I get tired of the typical clichés that are so frequently used in popular films, I find these types of films to be a breath of fresh air. Watching The Visitor was very much like that. It was something akin to enjoying a cup of hot tea after a busy day – calm, soothing and reflective.

The Visitor is the story of Walter Vale, a Connecticut professor whose life is a product of routines and disinterests. When he’s forced to return to New York for a conference, his quiet and boring life is shaken by the two illegal immigrants he finds living in his apartment. Feeling bad for Tarek and Zainab, that have been conned into renting the occupied but rarely used apartment, Walter invites them to stay. The three become friends, but it isn’t long before Walter’s newfound friendships are threatened when Tarek is wrongfully arrested, bringing his status to light.

Dead Poets Society (1989)

Dead Poets Society

Call No: TEMP 1091

The first time I saw Dead Poets Society was in my grade twelve English class (which, in a vague attempt not to date myself, was a number of years ago). This seems to be a recurring theme, as most of the people who I’ve met and have seen the film saw it in the same way: in a classroom. At first viewing I can understand the hype. It’s easy to get caught up in the film. But the reason you watch the film can definitely have an impact on what you get out of it.

The film opens at Welton Academy, an all boys private school. Neil and his friends Knox, Charlie and others are ready for whatever the new school year brings, including new arrival and roommate Todd and charismatic and inspiring new English teacher Mr. Keating. Though considered unorthodox by the school’s standards, Mr. Keating captures the attention of the boys and begins to help them appreciate the world around them by taking risks and living life to the fullest. Between the stresses of life and the influences of Mr. Keating, the lives of the boys in this English class are about to be changed forever.

Chocolat (2000)

Chocolat

Call No: PN1997 .C445 2000b

Chocolat has always been one of those movies that I’m familiar with, but I’ve never seen. I knew it was based on a book that I’d never read. I knew it was nominated for a few Oscars that it didn’t win. And, because I have a sister and a mother who are both die-hard fans, I knew it had Johnny Depp. I watched the film and expected some kind of romantic storyline, maybe even of the rom-com variety. What I saw was something deeper than what the general summary suggested there would be.

Make no mistake, there is some romance, but it is hardly the center of the film. Juliette Binoche plays Vianne, a single mother who moves on with her daughter to a new life every time the north wind blows. Unfortunately for her, the new town she moves into is very traditional and religious, hardly a promising place to open her new chocolate shop, especially in the middle of Lent. Despite the scorn of the mayor (Alfred Molina) and townspeople, Vianne stirs up changes and manages to befriend a cynical old woman (Judi Dench), a frightened wife (Lena Olin), and a river drifter (Johnny Depp) in the process. But the troubles of Vianne and her friends are far from simple, and it is only a matter of time before the north wind blows again.

Musicals Week: Mary Poppins (1964)

Mary Poppins

Call No: PN1997 .M364 1964

When Julie Andrews presented David Tennant with his BAFTA award for playing the title character on Doctor Who, he opened his acceptance by saying “If nothing else ever happens to me in my life, I just met Julie Andrews!” Fans across the world could relate to his excitement. The multi-talented Julie Andrews has been a darling of film and theatre for years, and for good reason. The woman brings an open honesty and charm to her roles that has not often been duplicated, and never as successfully. Her role of the title character in Mary Poppins is an excellent example of this.

Almost everyone recognizes the umbrella-flying nanny (or even her counterpart from The Simpsons, Sherry Bobbins), but here’s a refresher for the story: Jane and Michael Banks, two loveable kids who have a knack for losing their nannies in the park and causing mischief typical of children, have recently driven their last nanny to leave. This upsets their strict and workaholic father, who insists on hiring the new nanny rather than his suffragette wife. Enter (with some hilarity) Mary Poppins, “practically perfect in every way” and able to effortlessly conjure magic wherever she goes. With a little help, magic and showtunes from Mary Poppins, the four Banks members might find a way to be a family again.

Toy Story (1995)

Toy Story

Call No: PN1997 .T69 2010

When the Oscar nominees for Best Picture came out last week, most of the names that I had expected to see were there. One name that I found (pleasantly) surprising was the summer blockbuster Toy Story 3, the final film in the famous toy trilogy. I remember reading about the studio’s determination to get a Best Picture nod, even going so far as to launch a series of posters, comparing scenes from the film to famous Oscar winners of the past. (You can find a collection of the posters HERE). The only other animated films to make the esteemed ballot was Beauty and the Beast in 1993 and Up in 2009. Being a fan of the Pixar and especially the series, I decided to go back and watch the first one again.

We all know the story. Andy is the boy who loves his toys, which all come to life when he’s not around. There’s Hamm the piggy bank, the cowardly dinosaur Rex, the often abrasive Mr. Potato Head, the loyal Slinky, and the pretty Bo Peep. The natural leader of the group, and favourite toy of Andy, is Sheriff Woody, a cowboy doll with a heart of gold. However, his patience and compassion for others is tested when Andy receives a new toy: a Buzz Lightyear action figure. Suddenly the toy room isn’t big enough for two favourite toys, and a fight results in both toys being separated from their owner with only days away from a house move. Buzz and Woody will have to learn to work together if they want to survive and get back to Andy, especially when the toy-destroying boy next door, Sid, gets his hands on them.

Spirited Away (2001)

Spirited Away

Call No: TEMP 1317

Back in November, I reviewed Hayao Miyazaki’s film Howl’s Moving Castle. This time, I’ll be reviewing his film Spirited Away. It was the first foreign film to win in the Best Animated Feature category at the 2003 Oscars and as a result, it gained a great deal of publicity, both for the film and the Japanese filmmaker. Many have considered it to be his masterpiece. After seeing the beauty and magic of this film, it’s hard to disagree.

The film centers around Chihiro, a young girl who wanders into a magical world inhabited by spirits, ghosts, demons and witches. When her parents are turned into pigs by Yubaba, the owner of the bathhouse where the spirits come to replenish themselves, Chihiro is forced to stay in this world until she can find a way to save them. With the help of a mysterious boy named Haku, Kamaji the boiler man, and Lin, a fellow bathhouse worker, Chihiro sets off on the adventure of a lifetime full of wonder, excitement, and enchantment.

Ikiru (1952)

Ikiru

Call No: TEMP 859
Note: Japanese film, English subtitles

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I put Ikiru into my DVD player. I’m not overly familiar with Akira Kurosawa’s work, but I did enjoy his film noir Stray Dog when I saw it a few years ago. I’m also no stranger to subtitles. I sat back and prepared myself to enjoy the movie. Believe me when I say that I was not at all disappointed.

The film is about Kanji Watanabe, an older man who has spent the last thirty years working for the city office. When he finds out that he has stomach cancer, he reflects on his life and feels that he hasn’t done anything worthwhile in his life. Though he has a few false starts, he soon finds something to drive him through the last months of his life. The film is poignant, moving, and thought-provoking.

The film is divided into two parts. The first part of the film shows us the everyday life of Watanabe and what happens when he receives the news. A little over halfway through the movie, the story shifts. The second part of the film takes place after he has passed away, while his family and co-workers talk about the wondrous change that has come over their friend and father. I felt as though the story picked up after the shift, as the co-workers try to untangle their own ideas behind Watanabe’s transformation by sharing their own experiences through flashbacks.