What a Wonderful Family! (2016) Japan

A long married couple in a fresh hurdle.

Original title:

Kazoku Wa Tsuraiyo (Japanese)

Genre:

Comedy.

Length:

Approximately 6-minute read.


Review:
     I thought it would be purely a Japanese style comedy, and it was, but also capable to reach out the world audience. Except the Japanese cultural influence, the story and its characters, how it all were designed can be compared to the films from the rest of the world with a similar theme. If you are a film fanatic or even common people are very familiar with this kind of storyline. So when a film talks about the family issues, some of the cliches, especially basic ones are unavoidable. But this is first such film from Japan for me, so I enjoyed every bit of it rather getting disturbed by any deja vu moments.

     The advantages were the film characters and the cast. Everybody was so good, particularly the veteran actor in the lead. I might be wrong, but it does not look like a B film from Japan. If you research about its popularity online which is less known, but received much better. This film was released last summer and I'm definitely a bit late, but on the right path as its sequel is going to hit the screens in a couple of weeks from now. Since I liked this, I am expecting the next part as well.

     It's about one big family. When a young couple just got into a fight and talking about divorce, they are going to receive an even bigger surprise when their parents announce their separation after 50 years of marriage. Now everybody from the family turn their focus on them. Some would try to fix it and some are concerned about what's behind it. But seems nothing is getting better. So all these years living together in happy and sad stages of life, now how the family is going to cooperate is prioritised in the remaining parts.

 Words don't matter. Feelings do. 

     I don't know what the different between this and 'Tokyo Family'. From the cast and crew to the storyline seems alike, except one is a comedy and the other's a drama. The only way to clarify that, I've to watch that film. By the way this is one of the best family films of the year. It stays up to the expectation of its title name. But not entirely a fun film. Preference for comedy was given only in the initial parts. At some stage it turns into a meaningful one with better dialogues.

     It might be an under-noticed film, but surely worth checking it out. The end might be too predictable, even though a very fitting solution. I did not mind that, but for some people, that would be a turning point on rating the film. I hope they won't take it very serious, rather to analyse what the film accomplish and according to respect it.

     How the issue concerns the whole family and from their individual perspective, there are some narrations. But it does not go much deeper than that to explain thoroughly which never required. The overall focus always stayed with the main couple and their daily activities. To reveal how far they have come from without noticing how their relationship shaped all these years.

     It was awesomely written screenplay, particularly at reusing the essential details to give a better new look. Almost all parts of the film maintained with the same level of rhythm, except the mood that transforms towards stretching the conclusion. It is almost a must see, but I stick with a simple recommendation for those who love drama over a comedy.



Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


Final verdict:
Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent


Similar movies:
Fukuchan of Fukufuku Flats, No More Cry, August Osage County, Everybody's Fine.


External link(s):

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Land and Shade (2015) Colombia

Not far from losing the birthplace of human civilisation.

Original title:

La Tierra y la Sombra (Spanish)

Genre:

Drama.

Length:

Approximately 4-minute read.


Review:
     Not everybody's pick of the year. Everybody does not know this film even exist. This is the director's ambitious project, to depict on the screen the world he had come from. So it is much an awareness film about struggling rural society. Usually critics favour this kind of film. But not to be watched for the entertainment purpose. Surely you will be bored to death. This is a challenging film to watch that tests your patience. Even I had a slight trouble finish watching it, but at the end I'm satisfied for it is what it is.

     Average film's runtime, so if you have been focused since the beginning, particularly without any interference, then that's good. You will get the characters and their condition, which is most important in this film. There's no complication to understand it. It is a simple story, but very realistic portrayal like a documentary film without any background commentary. Centres on the falling rural economy and how people are coping with it. I think this is a very essential film for todays people from big cities to understand the situation of the other side of the human civilisation.

     The film does not focus on entire village, but follows a small family. It is a place where they all depended on the sugar cane that grown in the field. And it is about a harvest season, everybody's working hard, but not paid enough for their effort. A man who had left the place and family behind a long ago returns. The purpose of the visit is his son who is very sick. So from his perspective the film reveals why he had left the place and the trouble the villagers facing, economically as well as environmentally.

 I couldn't stay here and see all of this disappear before my very eyes. 

     The message was loud and clear. The film does not simply shows sympathy, but falling apart countryside due to multiple issues including poverty and pollution. There's no separately layered narration to highlight them, but the family this story is based on revolves around most of those matters. I would say, it was a good writing, keeping in order and going after big topic. The director did a wonderful job. I would also say watching a film like this is definitely not a waste of time. But how far it reaches and people come to realise will be a big question. Because such small films are easily ignored globally.

     When we discuss about harming the environment, it is always cities and industries are blamed. But the truth is every corner of the earth where humans have settled down is causing the disruption in the order of nature. This film is one of the good examples of getting rid of cliche in such theme and trying to be honest. The amount of disturbance in nature might be less, but the outcome is the same. I think such film should be recognised in the bigger platforms. This is the age we live in where awareness needed about the awareness films. What we have become.

     A heartbreaking family tale, as well as their concerned environment, the film covered two topics so brilliantly. Well performed actors and I liked the locations. Even though the places are polluted, especially during the harvest, such quietness is very relaxing. I do remember in my childhood during visiting grandparents in their village, sitting lazily after having a lunch under the shades of a tree on a hot summer day was so cool experience. Now we're losing that, and I think that's the closest what this title means. The final frontier, the edge of world where humans and nature meets. Like I said the film is not for everyone, watching capacity wise, but its concern everybody. If you are okay with slow pace narration, then you should try it.



Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


Final verdict:
Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent


Similar movies:
The Wonders, The Auction, Rams, Wetlands, Baba Joon, That Evening Sun, Sunset Song.


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Ballerina (2016) Canada, France

Dreaming's easy, but chasing it needs all the effort.

Also known as:

Leap! (US)

Genre:

Animation (3D), Comedy, Family, Musical.

Length:

Approximately 4-minute read.


Review:
     Well, I praise a lot, particularly the European animations for preserving the 2D animation. That does not mean they lack behind in 3D format. The recent film 'The Little Prince' was the perfect example of a quality 3D animation outside Hollywood. Pars with Disney, Pixar standards. Technically, as well as the story contents. But the quantities are very less and also making it a bit expensive. So they usually prefer producing it in the English language for the wider/international market, keeping North America particularly in mind. This is a French English-language film that co-produced by Canada.

     This is a nice film, that particularly targets little kids and mostly the girl audience to inspire Ballerina. Cute characters and scenes, but very familiar story. Shares lots of similarities with 'August Rush', except the field of interest. I am not an expert or know all about Ballet, but some of the parts involving them were turned me off. I know the gravitation force is irrelevant in animation since they're not real world to comply with science, but maybe I'm being an adult and knowing that stuff might have influenced me to think that way. It reminds me I'm really an adult, though this film should be watched as a kid despite whatever you are. However, nothing affected me from enjoying it.

     It sets in the 80s of the 19th century France. At the time when Eiffel Tower and Statue of Libery were on the construction, a poor orphan girl named Felicie escapes orphanage with another boy to pursue her dream to be a ballerina. Then they arrive in Paris, and very soon they find their separate ways to achieve the goals. Not all smooth sail, especially for her. So she takes the opportunity that comes her way, even after knowing it was wrong to do.

 You have something that she can only dream of: passion! 

     From there, with all the complications tailing her, how far she could go to make her dream come true. Which also includes the amount of dedication put on her undertaking to meet the expectations of her trainer, rivals and many others. And to show the world the interest is not simply based on enthusiasm, but willingness to sacrifice anything for it. Her journey from nothing to the edge of something new to define her life is the film that briefs for just short of 90 minutes.

     This is not another 'Billy Elliot'. Animations are usually comedy, fantasy and musical, but recently the adventures and science fictions are surging. I don't remember I ever have seen an animated dance flick. Not the classical dance, not in the modern 3D animation format. The closest one was a decade old 'Happy Feet'. So that makes it is a unique product and comes under a must see for all the animation fans. But the storyline is predictable and many sequences were intentionally dragged to be cliche. Because it works, particularly if they're aiming for the younger generation who haven't seen many films in their lives. Only we the grownups whine.

     Most of the voice-over artists are well known Americans actors which boosted the film. The character combinations are good. It brought the variety, especially slightly to ride off the main theme in a few occasions. Like the boy's interest in inventing things which were other major parts of the twist and turns in the narration. It is not a great animation if it was from Hollywood, but coming from France and the theme it focused on, the effort must be appreciated. Overall a much better film than what the average reviews and ratings around the internet says. It is a ballet film means not those who love it should watch it, but those target audience should not miss it. That means generally worth a watch, but not for everyone.



Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


Final verdict:
Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent


Similar movies:
Sing, Billy Elliot, Ballet Shoes, High Strung, August Rush, Step Up.


External link(s):

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My Life as a Courgette (2016) Switzerland, France

Seeking a second chance for the normal life.

Original title:

Ma vie de Courgette (French)

Also known as:

My Life as a Zucchini (US)

Genre:

Stop-Motion Animation, Comedy, Drama.

Length:

Approximately 6-minute read.


Review:
     Whenever I review a Stop-motion animated film, I always start with by saying it is a dying art form that needs a bigger lift from us. It gave a new life for filmmaking when there were no technology like computers hundred years ago for the creation of giant creatures to all the fantasy and magical world. I am glad that every year someone coming forward to show the world how beautiful these are.

     I think there's a quota for it and 2D animation for the Oscars. Otherwise, these formats would die sooner than we expected, so that recognition in the big stage. Every year at least one film from these two categories makes out. This year it was a double jackpot for Stop-motion animation. Including this, 'Kubo and the Two Strings' was the other one to shine in the world's biggest film awards ceremony. But winning the trophy is almost impossible in this 3D animated film world. Anyway, I'm happy for this, that I enjoyed watching it.

     It was a short film, that ran for just one hour. First, we have to understand filmmaking in this form is a most challenging one than any other. It is a manual work. I mean people get in there and frame by frame do all the work. So for this one hour film, they had done the great hard work and it paid off well by got nominated for the Oscars. It was also Switzerland's official submission for the Best Foreign Language Film, but failed to make progress in that race.

     The screenplay was based on the book. A simple story with a strong message. This is the tale of a boy with full of dreams and after his alcoholic mother died, he is taken to the orphanage. That is the last place he wanted to be where he meets a mean boy and soon becomes his close friend. Being young kids, they tend to play some pranks with officials, visitors and themselves. That's one of the ways to cope with for where they have ended. So the remaining is to tell us would they get a second chance in their lives.

 I don't know why I'm crying. Sometimes people cry because they're happy. 

     When some take up a project like this, they are not offered to make mistakes in choosing a weak screenplay. Because there are thousands of films in production around the world and in those, a handful of animated films, but probably he's only one up for a Stop-motion animated feature. Which means everyone with the knowledge of his commitment will be looking forward to it. So the filmmakers have opted to adapt a novel, which is always a best option in filmmaking.

     The next is the characters. Making them come alive, particularly initial stage, the creation of models. Yep, they have done that job as well so well. Gooding looking ones, especially among the kids for having similarity with their vision. The frame rate was good. Very smoother for viewing. So technically it was a flawless for the normal watch. An impressive storyline, which might serve as a tearjerker for a few.

     There's a little romance, but from the children's perspective of having a crush. Since the girl character was introduced, the narration takes a fresh look. The following event becomes even more adventurous and fun filled till the end. The voice-over was excellent. From the dialogues to the film scenes very impressive. It marks the directional debut for a short filmmaker. An appreciable work and I hope he makes more like them with new technics than migrating to computer animations.

     One of the advantages is it is a short and sweet film, but those who love such films might feel it is too short. Most importantly, there're not cliches like what we've seen films that takes place in the orphanages. The opening was shocking. If it was a real life, the boy would have ended in a different place. Still the emotional parts were less explored, yet very convincing for not leaning too much on that facet.

     The film is one of the best in its kind, but I agree it's not a masterpiece. Not if you have seen plenty of Stop-motion animations in your life. Yet it can't be neglected that easily and surely it is for everyone. I know there are folks who thinks this format of films are for little ones, but the truth is they are still in the pre 90s mindset. This is good, give it a try and you might love it. Anyway, for its rareness itself highly recommended, then you decided how do you liked it or not.



Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


Final verdict:
Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent


Similar movies:
A Cat in Paris, The Red Turtle, Kubo and the Two Strings, Coraline, The Boxtrolls.


External link(s):

WCA geolocation:
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