I used the long weekend to get caught up on some movie viewing. I saw Girl With a Pearl Earring, and was impressed with Colin Firth’s ability to smolder with repression. Really, I wonder if there is any role that he plays that doesn’t require him to smolder? The movie was beautifully shot. I kept thinking to myself, “That’s some great cinematography there!”
The other movie I saw was the Triplets of Belleville, every so often a movie like this comes along that confirms how cool and innovative hand drawn animation can be, even when some large companies seem wedded to only producing animated movies with a computer. It was also refreshing to watch a movie that didn’t really need any dialog to tell a story, just visuals and a good soundtrack. There was a little kid sitting behind me who seemed to laugh every other minute. The director did a fantastic job with the character designs, with bicyclists having distorted overdeveloped leg muscles and gangster characters appearing as neckless looming rectangles.
5:21 am on February 18th, 2004 1
I saw Triplets this weekend and, aside from the terrific opening sequence, was disappointed. Even at a mere 78 minutes it seemed to move as painfully slow as the cyclists climbing the Pyrenees.
Still, I agree that there are some good hand drawn animated movies still being produced, particularly in Japan. I’ve really enjoyed what I’ve seen by Hayao Miyazaki and Satoshi Kon.
10:55 pm on February 18th, 2004 2
Hmm, I didn’t find Triplets too slow, but I’d been walking around shopping for awhile and I was glad to sit
10:02 am on February 23rd, 2004 3
I agree, Triplets was phenomenal! The rectangular mooks were some of my favorite characters. Did you see it at the Kendall? I did, and they ran the Disney-Dali short beforehand. Amazing!
7:33 pm on February 23rd, 2004 4
You know, I have the hardest time finding the movie theater at Kendall
I tried to see Spirited Away there and couldn’t find the theater. I even asked for directions (something I never ever do) and person I asked for help told me that there was no movie theater near Kendall. I think it is invisible!
I saw it at the teeny tiny theater at Copley Place. Not the best movie theater but the movie itself was so great it didn’t matter.