Student Review Contest #4

[Kuzu Ryu Sen]

And our theme (sorry 2-20, gonna steal a bit of your bandwidth there) is...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/Twotwenty/Ghiblisig.jpg

That's right, Studio Ghibli.

However, there is a slight twist to this. This review will ask the entrant to review the Studio Ghibli production of the least quality. Hopefully, this will force the entrant to think a little about the grade to assign, and how to make the review fit the grade.

While I can't really do anything about it, please don't enter a review of Princess Mononoke at 96% and say "but it's the worst in my opinion!" I mean, they're all good... but they're not all that good.

Oh, and finally, anyone who submits a review of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind will be instantaneously disqualified. If you don't know why, talk to Kain (http://www.animeacademy.com/forums/showpost.php?p=368453&postcount=16).

Rules:

1. One entry per person.
2. Only completed anime can be reviewed.
3. Reviews that are posted after the two week deadline will be disqualified.
4. Entries are final. Once a review is posted no more editing is allowed, regardless of whether it is still before the deadline.
5. The winner chooses the next theme and hosts the next contest.
6. Reviews must include at least a title, review, summary and grade.
7. The review and summary must be written by you.
8. No entering a review that has previously been entered in an Anime Academy Student Review Contest.
9. Fully clarify your theme. Do not be vague or over restrictive.
10. Plagiarism in any shape or form (including summaries) will result in immediate disqualification.

Guidelines
1. While it is not mandatory, including series details such as title alternatives; genre; company; format; dates; highs and lows; screenshots and a captioned screenshot, are looked upon favourably.
2. The preferred word count is about 300-500 words, as per the Anime Academy main page.
3. Previously written reviews are allowed to be entered as long as they don't break rule #8.

Submission Deadline: July 12, 2006, 2359 North American EST (July 13 0559 in Central Europe, July 13 1159 in China, July 13 1359 in Sydney)

[sohryu]

Enough with the rules and theme, what's the prize!?!?

[Kuzu Ryu Sen]

Er... prize... I can offer pictures of my cats?

[Sorrow-kun]

Oh, and finally, anyone who submits a review of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind will be instantaneously disqualified. If you don't know why, talk to Kain.You know, I was just in the midst of writing a PM to Kain when it dawned on me why. It's not a Studio Ghibli anime.

[sohryu]

Er... prize... I can offer pictures of my cats?
I don't want pictures of your cats! Besides, I think I already have one <_<?

Now, offer one of your cats and you, sir, have a deal!

[Kuzu Ryu Sen]

I don't want pictures of your cats! Besides, I think I already have one <_<?

Now, offer one of your cats and you, sir, have a deal!

I'll find a recipe too to sweeten the deal?

[sohryu]

I'll find a recipe too to sweeten the deal?
Damn azn, cats aren't for eating! You're horrible! I'd gladly take in your cats if it meant saving them from being eaten by a family of hungry chinks. D:

[Two-twenty]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/Twotwenty/loveheart.gif Hooray for theme! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/Twotwenty/loveheart.gif

Although I'm really going to have to put alot of effort into this because I just have to win this one!

[ShinoMatrix]

* ShinoMatrix sighs...

Ghibli...

Luckily I find most of their works not to my liking :D

[Scoot]

Having never seen one, the first one I watch will automagically become both my most..and least favourite at the same time, so I'm going to have to watch two. Words cannot express my displeasure, so this will have to do:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y233/scoot123/mawmaw.jpg

[Mouse]

I keep thinking about entering since I have more time on my hands these days but that means I'd have to re-watch a bunch of crap I didn't like the first time... >.>

[L-sama]

*Gawks at screen* But...but...I JUST DID A GHIBLI ANIME!!!! Just my luck...

Ah well. That's life. I have another one in mind, and hopefully I'll do better on this one. Best of luck to all! :)

[Kuzu Ryu Sen]

Well, yeah, but hopefully that 91% isn't your least favourite right? It's the review and the writing that matters, not the subject of the review.

[L-sama]

Yer correct in yer assumption. Mononoke wasn't my least favorite. I've got another one in mind, that I do ^_^

[Kuzu Ryu Sen]

Come on guys. I know everyone's devastated about the divers in the World Cup finals, but we've only got a week left. Let's get those reviews in!

[Ninja Realist]

It'll be hard to vote on a contest with 6 Howl reviews.

[Kuzu Ryu Sen]

Maybe, but then at least anime related bias can't get into it.

[Kuzu Ryu Sen]

And there goes the deadline... and there goes the 0 entries. (Maybe I screwed up the Australian time?)

I guess I can extend this by a week, but if really, no one's interested, we can just let it die.

[Two-twenty]

Hold yer horses!
____________________________________________

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/Twotwenty/howl1.jpg
Beats public transport

Title: Howl’s Moving Castle; Hauru no Ugoku no Shiro
Genre: Action
Company : Studio Ghibli
Format: 1 movie
Dates : 20/11/2004

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/Twotwenty/howl2.jpg

Highs: Incredible artwork and animation; countless endearing moments.
Lows: Disjointed story leaves a confused theme and awkward characterization at times; ending is too Disney.

Grade: 78%

I must admit, while I do profess to being quite the Ghibli fanboy, I’ve had the distinct feeling that things have been going downhill ever since Princess Mononoke. I’m not saying that all their films since then are bad, quite the opposite actually, but when it comes to Studio Ghibli my standards have been set incredibly high and Howl’s Moving Castle is another, in an increasingly long line of Ghibli films, that have just fallen short of expectations.

Story, character and theme are all intertwined, so if one falls short the other two suffer for it. Unfortunately, Howl’s Moving Castle is a case-in-point. The story itself is good enough. It’s genuinely intriguing and is bursting with originality, but its execution was a little too choppy for my liking. Plot points in this film just have a habit of happening. Sophie just happens to meet Howl, and then just happens to come across the castle and there just happens to be a war which they’re drawn into. Too many times I had to stop for a moment and think ‘Okay, why did that happen just now?’.

This, in turn, affects the relationships between the characters. They’re well established, but as the movie progresses they’re not explicated enough, and in some cases, glazed right over (*cough* Markl *cough*) so at times their interactions and motivations come off as a little awkward.

If there is one thing that this film wanted to do, that was to present a theme. What that theme exactly was is up in the air. It touches on many: anti-war, feeling comfortable in your own skin, the notion of family, etc, but never manages to focus enough on any one of them, which can be attributed again to the choppy narrative.

Probably the most apparent flaw is the ending. If you had the inkling that Laputa had a Disney ending then Howl’s Moving Castle will completely blow it out of the sky. Without spoiling anything too big, the resolution to one of the main catalysts of the story is this close to being a dues ex machina.

Of course, you must remember this is all relative, so I reiterate: I do actually like this film. Anytime Ghibli decides to go European it always has marvellous results. The meticulous detail put into the artwork and animation are on full show once again, ensuring a gaping jaw for a good 115 minutes. The castle itself is a brilliant creation. The way it hobbles and belches along is a joy to behold (especially on the big screen if you ever get the chance).

What really makes the film watchable is the quirks and traits of the characters, especially Califier, Sophie and the Wicked Witch of the Waste. They’re all absolutely charming characters who provide many memorable moments that will surely set this movie aside from the rest (the stairway scene between Sophie and the Witch of the Waste immediately comes to mind). Though, once again, it was a shame that each of them weren’t given the development they deserved.

While it may seem that I am whaling into this film a lot you must remember, once again, it’s all relative. I still like and recommend this film to everyone, but, with almost every other Ghibli film, I’ve come away from it thinking to myself, ‘Wow, now that was something rare and truly incredible’. Coming away from Howl’s Moving Castle I only thought, ‘Well, that was a nice film’.

______________________________________________

One entry, this is a shame.

But keep the deadline open for another week. If the last contest was any indication, it may bear fruit. C'mon people!

[Sorrow-kun]

TBPH I didn't really like the theme. I might enter, but I'm still not even sure what my least favourite Ghibli piece is. I'd have to think about it, and thinking requires effort.

[Ninja Realist]

I think 2-20 is going to win by default.

No offense Kuzu, but such a narrow topic is a big turn off for a lot mof potential entrants.

[Kuzu Ryu Sen]

I'm not exactly sure how this is a narrow topic though. It's the same as the first one, except with a different animation studio (and it will sadden me greatly if more people have seen 1 GONZO as opposed to 1 Ghibli). The stipulation that you have to review your least favourite only means you have to put some thought into the piece selection and review process, as opposed to just hurling out another 95% for Grave of the Fireflies.

[sohryu]

This Student Review contest would be great if more people from AA weren't so lazy (myself included). :3

I would have tried to participate if I could pick my least favourite Ghibli... but I can't. I like every one I've seen, it isn't my fault! :/ And I'm too busy getting my butt handed to me in various games to go watching anime. >_>;

[aeroshadow]

*shrugs*

If I can pull myself from my laziness, I'll rewatch Grave of the Fireflies (COMPL3X told me to a long time ago after I disclosed my hatred for the movie) and conjure up a review for it.

[L-sama]

L-sama is in the process of watching Pom Poko for his attempt at the Ghibli themed challenged. Time has not been kind to L-sama this week; he has had to pull five straight 9-hour days at work, which has zapped just about all of his free time. Worry not though, for there will be an entry from L-sama by the end of this weekend. (Oh yeah, and L-sama is refering to himself in the third person due to his utter lack of mental endurance...in other words, he's just about snapped...o_O)

[Two-twenty]

(Oh yeah, and L-sama is refering to himself in the third person due to his utter lack of mental endurance...in other words, he's just about snapped...o_O)
Two-twenty thinks that reffering to oneself in third person is manly and awesome. Two-twenty also thanks L-sama and aeroshadow (possibly) for keeping this contest alive.

[Sorrow-kun]

I think Realist has hit it on the head. It's not that you have to review a Ghibli piece that's the problem, it's the fact that you have to choose your least favourite, and review that. That's not totally straightforward, and sometimes it can be difficult to find the right words when reviewing anime (or writing about anything). In another contest, if you get writer's block it's easy to throw the review away and choose another title to review, but here that option doesn't exist. I think that's part of the reason why this particularly theme has had such a low response so far.

Edit: The point is, a challenge is good in the theme, but I think this particular challenge is too tough.

[AlterGenesis-X]

I think Realist has hit it on the head. It's not that you have to review a Ghibli piece that's the problem, it's the fact that you have to choose your least favourite, and review that. That's not totally straightforward, and sometimes it can be difficult to find the right words when reviewing anime (or writing about anything). In another contest, if you get writer's block it's easy to throw the review away and choose another title to review, but here that option doesn't exist. I think that's part of the reason why this particularly theme has had such a low response so far.

Edit: The point is, a challenge is good in the theme, but I think this particular challenge is too tough.

I'm inclined to agree. Had there not been the extra stipulation, I would have gladly submitted my review on Prnicess Mononoke. Although, it was not my least favorite Ghibli piece (I find it hard to not like one, period.) and I decided against posting it for fear of looking like an idiot. =p

[Kuzu Ryu Sen]

Would it help if I changed the stipulation to a Ghibli that you didn't like so much then?

[Sorrow-kun]

I think that might be best.

[Mouse]

Would it help if I changed the stipulation to a Ghibli that you didn't like so much then?
You have changed nothing! It's the same "stipulation" as before. o.O

My problem has been trying to get interested enough to watch my least favorite again. It's so long... T_T

[Kuzu Ryu Sen]

Pfft, "didn't like so much" in lawyer talk amounts to pretty much "anything not my favourite."

[Scoot]

I think if people are going to write a review for fun (i.e. not for a site in an official capacity) then most people would rather write about something which they feel strongly - which is usually the anime they liked the most, especially if the one they liked least was "ok" in their opinion - they have no strong feeling for that title.

[Taleweaver]

These are the moments that make me wish I wasn't a professor at AA and could still enter student review contests.

[C0MPL3X]

I didn't think there was anything wrong with the theme. As far as I understand, this is not just about writing your least favourite ghibli, its an opportunity to articulate your perspective on the what ghibli is as a whole, all its magics and flaws, and then use one case study anime to illustrate your points. I thought beautiful works could be made out with it, not to mention all the different peoples views on ghiblies.

I think those words 'no strong feelings for the title' is the problem, for a totally different reason stated by the person who said it. If people are apathetic to ghibli, you have nothing much you want to express, unlike people who absolutely adores ghibli but finds this one work that doesn't quite live upto it, or someone who likes ghibli for its magic but never liked how they always screwed up in such and such way, or someone who absolutely dislikes ghibli for such such reasons. So I don't think the problem was 'narrowing down' the theme to force people to review animes that they did not like, but narrowing down to a theme that AA community has a lack of passion for, or at least not as much as two twenty or kuzu.

And I dont think the stipulation has changed much to be quite honest.

[Kuzu Ryu Sen]

I never expected people to have stronger feelings towards GONZO than to Ghibli.

[aeroshadow]

Well, I find that really strong feelings towards Ghibli are in general a little rare, at least here. With GONZO, you find people who are like, "Hey, this is awesome/underrated/overrated/horrible!" But with Ghibli, most people just sort of accept that their works are excellent but don't care as much. At least, that's the way I see it. Obviously, there's a handful of exceptions on both sides, like 2-20.

[animanic_critic]

Well, I find that really strong feelings towards Ghibli are in general a little rare, at least here. With GONZO, you find people who are like, "Hey, this is awesome/underrated/overrated/horrible!" But with Ghibli, most people just sort of accept that their works are excellent but don't care as much. At least, that's the way I see it. Obviously, there's a handful of exceptions on both sides, like 2-20.
I agree with one part though: GONZO anime tends to fetch up a lot of reviews with diverging opinions.

[7Raven7]

These are the moments that make me wish I wasn't a professor at AA and could still enter student review contests.

We could always try and get you in anonymously...

[Mouse]

Time to give 2-20 some competition! Here's my entry and subsequently my first ever student review. However, as a note, I write reviews differently than the format AA follows, and as such, include all the important details (title, company, summary, director) IN the review itself. So as you read, you'll notice I have two summaries, one separate from the review to satisfy sticklers for AA format and then a second--and original--in my review itself. I suggest just skipping the "summary" if you don't care about AA format. It's all in there. Oh, and no pics. Too bad. But most importantly.. Enjoy!
-----------------------------

Title: Only Yesterday, Omohide Poro Poro
Genre: Drama
Company: Studio Ghibli
Dates: 7/20/1991

Summary:
It is 1982 Tokyo, Japan and Taeko is a 27-year old single woman stuck in her daily routine of work. She has lived in the city her whole life, so for a 10-day vacation she has planned to visit her older sister and brother-in-law in the countryside to try her hand at farming. However, over the course of her trip, Taeko is flooded with memories of 1966 when she was 10-years old and in the 5th grade. What do these memories mean and why is she remembering the 5th grade now? Taeko must interpret them to understand her present and possibly her future.

Review:
In a day and age when animated projects focus heavily on children’s fairytales of fantasy and talking animals, it is a rare treat to stumble across a simple, human story told with the same realism and poignancy of any using live actors and sets. And what better animation studio to undertake such a task than the famed Studio Ghibli—best known for its compelling characters, gorgeous backdrops, and attention to detail. From director Takahata Isao Only Yesterday (1991) is just such a tale where imagination meets real life and the everyday person is more spectacular than the special effects.

Based on the semi-autobiographical manga, Omohide Poroporo by Okamoto Hotaru and Tone Yuko, this sentimental film version follows Taeko, a 27-year old single woman living in Tokyo who is at a crossroads in her life. She is bored with work and uncertain of what the future holds. As a change of pace, she has decided to visit her sister and brother-in-law in the countryside to help with a benibana flower harvest. On the eve of her trip, however, Taeko begins to remember a self she had forgotten—a self from 1966 when she was 10-years old and just entering the 5th grade.

Among other things, this was a time when she struggled with dividing fractions and experienced her first crush. The result is a dual narrative full of nostalgia and introspection as 1966 Japan comes alive with a time capsule look at the period. Taeko may often be seen watching the popular children’s show, “Hyokkori Hyotanjima,” the Beatles toured Japan, and her family tastes a fresh pineapple for the first time—all stressing the cultural atmosphere of the time.

However, despite the realistic treatment of Taeko’s past, some aspects of her present (1982) take a more idealistic approach. The picturesque backdrops of the Japanese countryside have the signature Ghibli-approved attention to detail, but with a surreal perfection that is rather dreamlike. Even in Toshio, the cousin of Taeko’s brother-in-law is an eager and optimistic farmer who left the corporate world behind for a more fulfilling life of cultivating the earth. He is wise beyond his years, easily able to interpret Taeko’s memories, and simply too good to be true.

The major downfall of Only Yesterday, however, is the pacing and length. At nearly 2hrs long, Taeko’s journey to emotional epiphany is, at times, slow and tedious. As touching a story as it is, it simply is not immune to the pitfalls of autobiographical work that do not always translate well to film. That is to say, the everyday details of life are just that, the mundane details. And here is where some will be lost, especially younger children, to disinterest and boredom.

Though, in every respect the people and characters that inhabit this world are endearing and charming. Add to it gorgeous scenery and a nostalgic atmosphere and many will find it difficult not to enjoy this on some level. Perhaps even enough not to notice 2hrs pass by.

Overall: 87%

[animanic_critic]

Mouse: It helps if it has one, but don't reviews usually have the Pros and Cons section? Makes it faster to read in a nutshell...

[Mouse]

You're supposed to read the whole thing. There are pros and cons IN the review.

IN THE REVIEW I SAY.

[animanic_critic]

Okay, okay, juz chill...:vampv:

[Kuzu Ryu Sen]

"1. While it is not mandatory, including series details such as title alternatives; genre; company; format; dates; highs and lows; screenshots and a captioned screenshot, are looked upon favourably."

Reviewer's discretion. Really shouldn't influence the voting unless required as a tiebreaker. And that just feels about as good as Italy winning the WC.

[DarkKanti]

Pros and Cons are retarded anyway, especially for a review contest. You shouldn't be voting on who should win based on their pros and cons, but the actual review itself.

[Kuzu Ryu Sen]

Well guys, that's a week. Do you want to go with just the two applicants?

[Mouse]

Yes. Now start the poll!

[Two-twenty]

Yes, please do! (Thanks for keeping it alive, Mouse!)

[DarkKanti]

2-20 just thinks his chances of winning are better when its one on one. :p

[Two-twenty]

2-20 just thinks his chances of winning are better when its one on one. :p
I DEMMAND SILENCE! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/Twotwenty/rapeface.gif http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/Twotwenty/argh.gif http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/Twotwenty/boo.gif

[7Raven7]

.oO(Do you automatically get disqualified for having a Nausicaa pic in your Studio Gibli Sig?)Oo.

;)