The Boy and the Heron

The Boy and the Heron (Hayao Miyazaki, 2023)

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Rating: Q=4, P=4 / Drooling

Scale O=4, Scale P=4, Scale Q=4, Scale R=4, Scale S=4

Animation, Coming of Age, Grief and Coping, Fantasy, Adventure

I had never managed to see a Miyazaki film in the theater when first released. And I never thought I would be able to until I heard that the master filmmaker's (likely) final film, The Boy and the Heron, was finally complete.

There is so much emotion in this film and I can feel the finality of this one--from the topic/storyline to the urgent pace, and the many meanings. Miyazaki is the sage imparting his final words of wisdom on us in each moment. This story is a swirling, twisting dream-like adventure that grapples with very real and difficult questions. How do you grieve and cope? Why is life full of pain? What is the purpose of living? And the broadest one, from the novel referenced in the story and the Japanese title, How do you live? This is not a light film. There are a few cheerful moments and some occasional light-hearted humor, but it is ultimately a serious story. I will need to watch this again and again to notice everything and to understand all that is going on. I don't think Miyazaki meant for this tale to be entirely comprehensible on the first or even second viewing. Like the philosophical questions the characters seek to answer, the film viewer (and the director, too) must search in lots of places and ways to find the answers. And that takes time. A whole lifetime, maybe.

A beautiful film that I will watch many times again, I'm sure.

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Loki Season 2

Loki Season 2 (Michael Waldron, 2023)

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Rating: DSQ=11, SP=7 / Decadence

Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=3, Scale D=3, Scale E=4

Marvel, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Complex Relationships

I had high hopes for the second season of Loki, mostly because I was so surprised at how good the first season was. Season 1 brought us a new take on Marvel, with an emphasis on artistry and vibrancy that harkened back to the traditional comic books. I was again surprised by Season 2--while the show was still vibrant and visually intriguing, the emphasis impressively shifted to telling a very philosophical story about time, destiny, and the meaning of life. This is not what I would ever expect of the new MCU universe that usually chooses flashy and escapist fantasy over narrative depth. Loki Season 2 is a time travel adventure, but it is dark and deep. It's even a religious allegory, at times. Loki, as well as the other characters, must grapple with his "glorious purpose." There are hard choices, difficult realizations, deep philosophical conundrums. And all of this in serious urgency--the fate of the entire universe... needless to say, I was quite impressed by this one. 

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Napoleon

Napoleon (Ridley Scott, 2023)

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Rating: Q=6, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Biopic, 19th Century, Historical, France

I went in to the theater with no expectations, but I had seen the very mixed reviews about Ridley Scott's latest film. I knew that the French were upset and disappointed, that much was not historically accurate, and that Joaquin Phoenix's performance was...different. That being said, though, I had an open mind.

Napoleon is a beautiful, epic cinematic experience. The visuals are stunning and leap from the screen, the battle sequences are phenomenal and immersive. There are moments that are breathtaking. The costume design and art direction are mesmerizing--like being in an exquisite and intricate oil painting. But the story of one of history's most mythologized and famous (or infamous) leaders is, quite frankly, flat.

I don't know how it is possible for Scott to make a story that is simultaneously intriguing yet also boring, but somehow he manages to do that. We are shown Napoleon as a general and as a rather annoying and boorish husband. We see him as an emperor, too, but in all these situations we know nothing about him. We see his citizens and soldiers following him without blinking, but we don't know why. Why? What did he do that makes you adore him so? We don't know. We aren't shown. What makes him tick, what interests him? What is his background? And what did he do for France besides fight battles? And the part that is confusing is that we know this information--he was a real figure. Why not show us Napoleon the leader--building up the economy and making reform? Why not show us that he was intelligent off the battlefield, too? That he had...a personality?

Phoenix's portrayal is interesting, I rather enjoyed it but there was so much missing. Not necessarily his fault, though, he worked with what he had--a very lackluster script.

One thing I will say: I would watch it again and enjoy it again. And I will be watching more Napoleon films from the past, as I'm aching to see a performance of him with more depth.

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Ahsoka Season 1

Ahsoka, Season 1 (Dave Filoni, 2023)

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Rating: DSQ=11, SP=7 / Decadence

Scale A=4, Scale B=3, Scale C=4, Scale D=3, Scale E=4

Fantasy, Science Fiction, Star Wars Universe, Epic

Wow. I had high expectations for Ahsoka, mostly because I am such a fan of Rebels and Clone Wars. I knew going in that this was probably going to be Rebels season 5, and that was perfectly OK with me. I was right and not disappointed in the least.

Ahsoka starts slow, but that pace works well for me. I like the reminder that Ahsoka is much older than when we last saw her (chronologically speaking) and much wiser. She is meditative and deliberative. While the show is named for her, Ahsoka is only one of many main characters in the show. In some ways, this a show about reunion: reunion of family, friends, master and Padawan. It's a reunion of ideals and shared purpose. And what a delightful reunion it is. Since I don't want to spoil anything, I'll just say that certain characters and moments of the show had me grinning from ear to ear. This is the show for Star Wars nerds, for sure.

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