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Epidemic (1987)
Real & Surreal: A large pebble in the shoe.
Epidemic is definitely one of von Trier's more mature films with an explicit portrayal of the combination of realism and surrealism with a touch of comic and ironic expression. The minimal aesthetics further attenuates von Trier's artistic visions and tremendous talent of transforming plain scenes into something emotional, beautiful, and horrific. For example, who'd known that the act of cutting open a tube of toothpaste could be so sadistic, erotic, and disturbing!
The shots of Dr. Mesmer's story are stunningly beautiful and dreamlike. Paired with one of Wagner's most brilliant compositions, I truly felt touched by an indescribable element.
The ending of the film is both humorous and shocking, leaving a large pebble and surprise in the shoe for the audiences!
Medea (1988)
Breathtakingly intense aesthetics
A breathtakingly intense film with storytelling of the highest sophistication. The novel cinematography and stunning lighting make every single shot of the film a piece of art, which could all be rendered as paintings. The shots are surreal, dark, romantic, and disorientating - von Trier is one of few directors who can penetrate the depth a human heart!
The minimalistic script from Dreyer also powerfully complements the artistic direction and further attenuates the heartbreaking emotions - love, sorrow, and hate.
Such aesthetic approach to film making and storytelling has been lost in modern films - what a pity! This film is an inspiration to bring depth, aesthetics, and artistic expression back to cinema!
Tenkû no Esukafurône (1996)
An insult paired with the glorious compositions of Yoko Kanno
A disappointing and predictable series riding on the mesmerizing musical compositions of Yoko Kanno.
The story of Escaflowne had the opportunity to incorporate engaging and complex explorations of predeterminism and how one's state of mind is the catalyst to one's destiny. The inspirations drawn from archeology and ancient mythology could also have had immense potential to support the theme.
Nevertheless, the narrative failed to dive into the underlying philosophical and rich subject matters. It is a pity that such powerful motifs were not thoroughly illustrated or perhaps the implicit aim was to cater to the generic audience. Either this or the writer gave up on the narrative midway.
Everything from the underdeveloped drama and tension in the plot, dry characters, and unoriginal environment art are cliché and monotonous, especially being contrasted by Yoko Kanno's ingeniousness and the majestic elements of Gregorian chats in the theme song.
This anime should be considered an insult to be paired with the glorious compositions of Kanno.
Summary: only watch this if you like predictable plots or if you are a Yoko Kanno fan.
Kaubôi bibappu: Cowboy Bebop (1998)
Probably would have failed if not for Yoko Kanno's music
Motivated by the legendary composer, Yoko Kanno, I've finally finished this classic series. I must say that I am not a big fan of the space and cowboy theme and not to mention the stand alone episodes, however, I can completely understand why this is a classic to people who are into this genre. Nevertheless, subjectively, I would give the majority of its success to Yoko Kanno's compositions which govern the entire comedic and melancholic atmosphere of Cowboy Bebop. I'd have to say this is Kanno's best compositions after Ghost in the Shell SAC. The music and atmosphere also reminded me of Michiko & Hatchin - with attempts to portray comedic and sorrowful struggles for the characters while reaching their goal.
While I do appreciate the characters and the humor, I felt that the plots were not particularly exciting or unique - it seemed to me like a bad mix of Lupin the Third and Ghost in the Shell SAC, and I'd prefer Fujiko Mine over Faye Valentine any day. I'd love to see more of Ed's hacking in action, even though deep down I know it's going to be a disappointment compared to the goddess, Motoko.
There was also not much character development throughout the series. Spike started out quite interesting, but his character remained constant throughout as with the others, whom all lacked substance, which made them all rather blend. This definitely created the my dissonance between the anime. I also found the worldbuilding and visuals to be predictable and what one would "expect" of futuristic planets. To me, they are not artistic, visually striking or novel, but I can understand how this would fascinate others with less aesthetic expectations.
Regardless of the suboptimal plot and characters, I'd have to say the Saul Bass inspired opening is my favorite opening in all of anime. No matter how many times I watch it, it's so appealing while being the perfect match to the music - absolutely sexy and stylish. It is probably the only anime which I have watched all of the opening without skipping to the main story - really quite exquisite!
All in all, not one of my favorites. Just watched it to enjoy Yoko Kanno's music.
Wolf's Rain (2003)
Breathtaking worldbuilding illustrating the cycles of life
By synthesizing the breathtaking worldbuilding, artistic cinematography, and Yoko Kanno's majestic compositions - Wolf's Rain I call it the fine art of anime.
Worldbuilding: The astounding worldbuilding is doubtlessly the best I have seen in anime. The world of Wolf's Rain comprises of environment and architecture styles ranging from Art Nouveau and Gothic to Ancient Ruins, Futuristic Minimal and Dystopian Industrial. This unique and surreal blend of environment design is reminiscent of the surreal architecture from Shoujo Kakumei Utena. My favorite locations from the anime are: 1. Mine Ruins Town - with it's dreadful and seemly never-ending bridge portraying an exhausting journey and search which may lead to nothingness, 2. Aerial City (Darcia's abandoned Villa) - this magnificat high altitude waterfall town seems to have come out from a futuristic fairy tale, and 3. Jaguara's city - despite the symmetrical, sterile, and minimalistic futuristic design one can still get a glimpses of art nouveau influences such as the door of the bar and bookstore - absolute brilliance.
Cinematography: Lots of symmetry was used for the compositions - which articulated the stunning architecture immensely. The POV shift between wolf to human e.g. Kiba vs. Human Tsume/Wolf Tsume & Kiba vs. Human Hige/Wolf Hige was also very novel and intriguing. I enjoyed the story's play with repetition - from the very first episodes Tsume failed to save a human comrade and then comes deja vu he was confronted with the exact same situation with Toboe. Shockingly, this seemly innocent introduction of repetition would become the haunting and traumatizing theme of this anime. Above all, my favorite scene of the entire series would be the wolves running and howling around Cheza under the full moon. It reminded me of the painting "Dance" by Matisse. Truly artistic and beautiful.
Characters: Magnificent character development, which traumatized me profoundly in the end especially during the death of Toboe, Yaiden's tears of gratefulness, and Tsume's lament. This scene was so heart-wrenching that I could still burst into tears when I think about it. This anime really made me fall in love with wolves - I find their loyalty, devotion, independence, trustworthiness, and teamwork to be so admirable.
Story: Wolf's Rain is definitely the most poetic anime that I have seen. It reminded me of my favorite book, Jame's Hilton's Lost Horizon due to the fact that in the end the characters realized the disappointing truth behind what paradise really is. I am truly fascinated by the unpredictable and ambiguous ending ****emphasizing birth, death, and rebirth - the cycle of life and how the world continues to exist in duality with good and evil. The characters went through so much trial - beset with uncertainty, calamity, sorrow, and suffering and in the end (Darcia's) evil will continue to plague the rebirthed world - signifying that paradise is not a physical place, but rather the moment of rebirth where temporarily both good and evil crease to exist. The anime ending with modern day Tokyo filled with industrialized tall buildings shocked me greatly because it was such a huge contrast with the beautiful nature that appeared when the world was being reborn.
Wolf's Rain: an alluring story illustrating the cycles of life - its duality and repetition. With such a philosophical yet traumatizing ending, I wonder if I agree with it. Do you?
Hellsing Ultimate (2006)
Alluring, compellingly dark and omnipotent
Hellsing Ultimate - an alluring story bonded by music, cinematography, and character design so compellingly dark and omnipotent created during a period of what I, with all negligible subjectively, would call the golden age of anime.
It is a precognition that I would be in for a treat with an anime series where each episode would last ~45 minutes such as Rin the daughter of Mnemosyne (2008) and Kara no Kyoukai (2007).
Plot: Before I begin my praise for this anime, I'd like to point out the reason why this masterpiece is not a 10/10 in my opinion. The main emphasize of this series seems to have delved into the character design, development, worldbuilding, and atmosphere, which unfortunately failed to construct a non-generic and unique plot. What a pity that the war and military theme in anime has become so generic.
Music & Cinematography: Nevertheless, Hellsing Ultimate incorporates a magnificent soundtrack paired with breathtaking cinematography. I especially love the classic wartime German Leids, fragments from the opera, Der Freischütz infused with the dark, lofty, and melancholic rock tunes from Suilen - as if Yoko Kanno has become a masochist, swaying with pleasure. I enjoyed the animation, adrenaline-filled fight scenes, and gore as they were authentic depictions of violence and war. With the incredible soundtrack married with the disorientating cinematography - the handheld jitters and extreme dutch angles/tilts brought me the ultimate ecstasy of drunkness stylistically.
Characters: Alucard, the charming, cruel, and lofty gentleman. "The bird of Hermes is my name, eating my wings to make me tame". This line - how commanding, wretched, and full of vice. My body quivers with reverence for Alucard - a character for whom I wholeheartedly would become a slave for. I love the contrast between his coldness and arrogance to his loyalty, respectfulness, and love for Integra. Between his brutality and insanity to his nobleness and chivalry for the queen.
I would 100% recommend this beautiful anime!