Paprika: It's Like Inception, But On Acid

Paprika. Well, uhh. Hold on, I need a moment to describe this film...

This is a film about what happens when your dreams are unleashed. If you've seen Inception, you can see quite a few parallels, (because this film was kind of an inspiration for Inception, any-who...) and from the first few minutes of Paprika, you are instantly transported to a surreal reality where the absurd is blended in with a simple touch of spice (and by spice I mean beautiful animation). Why not take a look at the opening credits yourself? The exotic and electronic soundtrack really helps to bring out this dreamy vision of a film:

It's that time to butcher a film with an abridged summary again: Paprika focuses on a detective and a group of psychologists trying to solve the mystery of people around them increasingly appearing deranged as their minds are affected by a stolen DC Mini (a device that taps into people's dreams to help diagnose and mend their problems). With the help of the created DC Mini avatar Paprika, they try to track down the culprit who is blending reality with dreams before it's too late.

It's hard to pinpoint the exact feeling of this film that straddles between beautiful and strange.

Paprika is presented in a stunning visual barrage of culture-induced fantastical imagination of the beloved and belated Satoshi Kon. From doll and frog parades, to our greatly clichéd film scenes, this film has a lot to say within its full bag of crazy. It's the animation, the soundtrack and it's untapped setting and story that makes this film a must-see. The only criticism I would have would be it's climax, although great, feels desensitised under all the strange that happens in that ten minute window. It's safe to say that it shouldn't phase the average viewer one bit. The first five minutes should hook the hardest critic and cynic with ease. 

Paprika is one of a kind. 

James R

Howl's Moving Castle: May All Your Bacon Burn

One of Hayao Miyazaki's sure-fire masterpieces, this beautiful film of magic, love and war strikes through the childhood of everyone who has seen it. This has got to be in my top five favourite films of all time simply because it hits all the right notes (and quite literally too, the soundtrack is amazing!). If you haven't seen this yet, now's a good time to do so. If not, our friendly fire demon Calcifer may place a curse on you:

In a quick and abridged summary that, by no means, does this do the film any sort of justice, the viewer is introduced to Sophie, an (ordinary) girl who gets swept up by a powerful wizard named Howl after succumbing to a curse by the Witch of the Waste. The once young-now-old Sophie ventures on towards a new life as she tries to find a way to break her curse all the while stumbling into magical beings and Howl's Moving Castle.

What is it that makes this film so great? Well the astoundingly magnificent animation would, for one, be a great highlight to start off with. In every scene we are introduced to a gorgeous backdrop of wilderness and town-scapes that make you feel as if you were watching a renaissance painting in animation. The absurdity of the castle is also quite the major highlight, doing this adaptation of the novel evermore justice despite the many differences between them. We also have very distinct and likeable characters, particularly our fire demon Calicfer (voiced by Billy Crystal) who is a springboard of entertainment.

It should also be noted that the film originated with a Japanese cast. The translation and voice acting quality of the English version is simply sublime (and we're bringing in the big guns here: Christian Bale and Jean Simmons). Many fans of Japanese animations and animated films cringe whenever there is an English dub. But it's safe to say that Howl's Moving Castle saves face.There is emotion and clarity in the acting, and it blends well with the overall feel of the film.

Even the fantasy elements of the film are quite unique and awe-inspiring. From dancing shadows to transformation. It's got that beautiful Victorian vibe with spices of steam punk that tend to go under the radar when the magic unfolds. And with a tale of love and war for everyone to enjoy, it would be a tragedy not to recommend this piece of art for your visual enjoyment. 

Go on and experience the wonder and excitement that is Howl's Moving Castle.

 James R