While Ray Harryhausen was making effects-laden fantasies in the mid-20th century, the Czech filmmaker Karel Zeman was doing much the same thing behind the Iron Curtain…but with a better sense of humor. Using stop-motion animation, puppets, live action, beautiful illustrations, and a sense of comedy, he made visually striking, entertaining films that have been forgotten … Continue reading The Fantastic Journeys of Karel Zeman
Category: Animation
Animation
Miyazaki Mania: Another festival in 2019
Last month, I told you that the Another Hole in the Head Film Festival would be the last Bay Area film festival of 2019. I was wrong. Just this afternoon, I discovered another one. Five days after the Hole in the Head got plugged, Miyazaki Mania opens Friday and runs through Sunday at the Roxie. … Continue reading Miyazaki Mania: Another festival in 2019
The Big Bad Fox & the joys of simple animation
B Animated family fare Written by Benjamin Renner and Jean Regnaud Directed by Benjamin Renner and Patrick Imbert Note: I saw this family comedy last year before it screened at the SFFIM Festival. It never got a theatrical fun in the Bay Area. It appears it won't get one. But it will be available on … Continue reading The Big Bad Fox & the joys of simple animation
Three Days of Ray Harryhausen
We use the word auteur primarily when we talk about directors. Occasionally we call producers auteurs. But Ray Harryhausen was the only special effects engineer who can be reasonably called an auteur. He picked the stories and fleshed them out. His drawings guided the art direction and camerawork. And his model animation technique, which he … Continue reading Three Days of Ray Harryhausen
German Expressionism & Marvel Superheroes: How I spent my Sunday
I saw two movies on the big screen Sunday, and they couldn't have been more different. First, at BAMPFA, a late silent noir from Germany. Second, at the United Artists Berkeley 7, a new animated take on Spider-Man. I have to say that Spider-Man was the better movie. Asphalt at the BAMPFA Alas, Louise Brooks … Continue reading German Expressionism & Marvel Superheroes: How I spent my Sunday
Tito and the Birds tells us to love courage and pigeons
C+ Animated family fantasy Written by Eduardo Benaim, Gustavo Steinberg Directed by Gabriel Bitar, André Catoto, Gustavo Steinberg This Brazilian cartoon has two important messages for young children: We need to overcome our pointless fears, and we should listen to the birds - especially the wild pigeons that both beautify our cities and make a … Continue reading Tito and the Birds tells us to love courage and pigeons
Animation Week at the Parkway
San Francisco International isn't the only film festival launching next week. The New Parkway is running Animation Week from Friday, April 6 through the following Thursday, April 12. The selection includes the traditional kiddie fare, as well as movies that would probably send your young child into therapy. Movies I've seen and reviewed In order … Continue reading Animation Week at the Parkway
Have a Nice Day
D+ Animated crime film Written and directed by Jian Liu Imagine Pulp Fiction, done in limited animation, but without the clever dialog, the wit, or the sense of redemption. That's pretty much what you get with Jian Liu's cartoon noir, Have a Nice Day. And frankly, it's not enough. The movie starts with a quote … Continue reading Have a Nice Day
Movies I’ve Recently Seen: Murder on the Orient Express, The Learning Tree, Finding Oscar, The Leopard Man, & Loving Vincent
Just another selection of random movies I've finally got around to seeing. A- Murder on the Orient Express (2017), Grand Lake Theatre Much better than the stagey 1974 version, and a whole lot more fun - even if it does take considerable liberties with period details and basic plausibility. Director and star Kenneth Branagh turns Hercule … Continue reading Movies I’ve Recently Seen: Murder on the Orient Express, The Learning Tree, Finding Oscar, The Leopard Man, & Loving Vincent
The Red Turtle: A movie beyond words
A- Animated fantasy Written by Pascale Ferran & Michael Dudok de Wit Directed by Michael Dudok de Wit A man marooned on a deserted island struggles to survive, escape, and ward off loneliness in this strange, beautiful, and effecting animated tale. And in a strange way, he will find almost everything he wants. Although essentially … Continue reading The Red Turtle: A movie beyond words
