Student Review Contest #4: Finals

[Kuzu Ryu Sen]

You know the drill. Just remember, the body of the review comes first, then any other miscellany should only be evaluated in the case of a tie.

[animanic_critic]

Wow, I guess I'm the one of the first voters of this contest. Well, I voted for Only Yesterday I basically agree with review more than the review of Howl's Moving Castle.

P.S. When's the next Student Review Contest? I may be interested in partaking the next one. I'm now a little premature to take part for this one, so I'll be opting for next time...

[Kuzu Ryu Sen]

Wow, I guess I'm the one of the first voters of this contest. Well, I voted for Only Yesterday I basically agree with review more than the review of Howl's Moving Castle.

P.S. When's the next Student Review Contest? I may be interested in partaking the next one. I'm now a little premature to take part for this one, so I'll be opting for next time...

Do you have any stylistic reasons for selecting that review, or was it purely based on who you agreed with? Remember, reviewing is not about appeasing the general population.

As for the next one, it'll be whenever the winner of this one decides it'll be (usually about 24 hours or so after the end of this one, whenever that person can think of a theme).

[animanic_critic]

Stylistic reasons, eh? Well, let me spread out my analyzing manners:

For Only Yesterday:
Mouse emphasised on how a story so simple can captivated viewers' hearts with its skillful characterisation, which I so agree. Personally, I believe that characters themselves can narrate the story instead of the writer with their sheer individualities and interactions. She also mentioned how the movie had a dreamlike approach to the landscape of the setting, which I did see myself, making it real yet surreal.

However though, Mouse claimed the movie is slow, which is a downfall to her. Personally it wasn't, because to me, a movie that wished to portray a realistic storytelling must be slow in nature (perhaps a trade-off). I don't really care about the pace, because the brilliant narrative was enough to keep me glued to the screen (just like how Rurouni Kenshin - Reminiscence did for me). Luckily this is the only portion where I disagreed with her. Personally, I would give Only Yesterday 89% myself, a close call to her own grading.

For Howl's Moving Castle:
Two-twenty said about how the story seemed to have isolated cases fatefully met each other, which appeared too coincidental. I don't agree on this; I think that cases like this happens all the time (at least in my point of view). Another disagreement is that I don't believe the ending is Disney-like. The movie presented an ending which may seem like the ones ripped out of Walt Disney pictures, eventually it's still a unique way of putting an end to the visual masterpiece.

What I do agree that the visuals and animation is breath-taking, which is expected from a high-budget Ghibli movie by Hayao Miyazaki.
A little too-paced but still enjoyable to the eyes (guess this part doesn't matter). I would give Howl's Moving Castle 84%, a little farther from Two-twenty's grading of 78%.

My gradings say it all. What do you think? No "pleasing the population" whatsoever in my vote here.

I still envy how both Mouse and Two-twenty reviewed their respective anime movies. I hope I can really give it a go for the next student review contest, if I get the chance to.

[Kuzu Ryu Sen]

Er... I still don't think you get it. This isn't "who you agree with the most," it's "who expresses their opinion about the review the best."

[Itachi Uchiha]

I voted for only yesterday... because I thought it was more cohesive and fluidly written… The only yesterday review was well organized and easy to follow. It also clearly expressed her opinion of the movie to me. On the other hand, The Howl’s Moving Castle review gave an opinion, but I found it very detached from the actual film it was supposed to be reviewing. It was almost like a pre-made review with a bunch of fill in <characters name> here, etc…

[animanic_critic]

Er... I still don't think you get it. This isn't "who you agree with the most," it's "who expresses their opinion about the review the best."
Oh, well why didn't you say so? Let's see:

Itachi Uchina said it, and I thought the same too. The review on Howl's Moving Castle does seem rather like a preview rather than a review and thus pass off sounding like it was only taken a glimpse of the movie. Plus, the review was less constructive and it doesn't flow as smoothly as a review should, in general contrary to Only Yesterday's review.

There... hope this explains all!

[Ninja Realist]

I voted for 2-20 because he is kewler.

I didn't actually read the reviews but think It's pretty safe to assume whose is better.

[sohryu]

gg Realist :/

I voted for 2-20. Mouse's review was very well written but it seemed like more of a summary than an actual review. I don't know, maybe I'm used to things being broken down into categories like plot, visuals, audio, etc. To me, it seemed like I was reading a really long, and good, summary of an anime until about the last two paragraphs. >.<;

And Howl's > j00. How can you not love it!? >.>

[Two-twenty]

Oh, well why didn't you say so? Let's see:

Itachi Uchina said it, and I thought the same too. The review on Howl's Moving Castle does seem rather like a preview rather than a review and thus pass off sounding like it was only taken a glimpse of the movie. Plus, the review was less constructive and it doesn't flow as smoothly as a review should, in general contrary to Only Yesterday's review.

There... hope this explains all!
Firstly, I can understand the flow comment but how is it a preview or a passing glimpse? I thought I did pretty well in getting beneath the movie and explaining why it was my least favourite. Secondly, of course it's going to be less constructive if I don't have that many constructive things to say about it in the first place. :/

I still get the distinct feeling that you voted for because you agreed, rather than for the content, which really does both Mouse and I a disservice.

Ninja Realist: Appreciated, but kinda defies the purpose. :P

Mouse: Great review! It's style is different from the most of the Student Reviews here, but that's definetly a good refreshing change. It reads like a professional movie review in a magazine or newspaper. You should participate in these contests more often!

[Phate]

I struggled between the two, but I ultimately voted for Mouse's review over Two-Twenty's. Both were very well written, but I felt Two-Twenty's reiterated too much, mainly only the opinion of (paraphrase) "It wasn't as good as it should have been, but I still liked it." i.e., I felt that this quote wasn't very necessary:
Of course, you must remember this is all relative, so I reiterate: I do actually like this film.
Also, saying things like "Probably the most apparant flaw..." isn't needed; just say if it's the most apparant one or not. No need to sound unsure. Although I'm used to "probably" being used colloquially as "it is", it doesn't work so well when written.

I also give points to Mouse's for being in a different style; it was refreshing.

I'm also just posting this and voting to offset Realist's vote. Dumbass.

[animanic_critic]

Firstly, I can understand the flow comment but how is it a preview or a passing glimpse? I thought I did pretty well in getting beneath the movie and explaining why it was my least favourite. Secondly, of course it's going to be less constructive if I don't have that many constructive things to say about it in the first place. :/

I still get the distinct feeling that you voted for because you agreed, rather than for the content, which really does both Mouse and I a disservice.

Oh well, you know, sometimes I just can't help but vote based on agreement rather than content (alright, I admit it!!!). It's just so hard for me to vote against candidate that shares the same sentiments for an anime over one that has better content explanation. You know what I mean, right?

Sorry if I've done disservice... It's still a great review by you though...honest! Maybe I'll vote better next time after this experience...

[Kuzu Ryu Sen]

Maybe the next theme then should be to write a review that's the complete opposite from what you actually think.

[animanic_critic]

Maybe the next theme then should be to write a review that's the complete opposite from what you actually think.
Hey did you say that in spite or in sincerity =( ...?

To tell you the truth, I usually check out the library mainly to seek new anime to watch. But since an anime may be reviewed by more than one staff, I usually have to bank in either one of them that suits my taste better rather than who gave better review in terms of content...

... maybe it's this form of practice that influenced my vote. Been trying to kick this habit of voting for some time...

[7Raven7]

All right, I'll lay it down...

I've been out of the scene lately but it seems like this might have been a good time to take a break as these guys would have whooped me.

I opted to go with Two-twenty's summary-less review, even though he did seem a little uncertain in his analysis (don't be afraid to lay the smack-down on what I also consider to be the lesser Ghibli) over the cleverly crafted, though somewhat book-report like feel of Mouse's.

Two-twenty grabbed me just a little bit more, you've got my vote.

[Ninja Realist]

I guess I should start using sarcasm tags. I voted for 2-20's because I thought his review was more entertaining, and I think entertainment value is a reviews most important quality.

They were both fluid, cohesive, well-written reviews, but I just found 2-20's review to be more entertaining.

[Two-twenty]

I guess I should start using sarcasm tags. I voted for 2-20's because I thought his review was more entertaining, and I think entertainment value is a reviews most important quality.

They were both fluid, cohesive, well-written reviews, but I just found 2-20's review to be more entertaining.
So what you're trying to say is that I'm not kewl? YOU WOUND ME, REALIST! YOU WOUND ME!

[animanic_critic]

I guess I should start using sarcasm tags. I voted for 2-20's because I thought his review was more entertaining, and I think entertainment value is a reviews most important quality.

They were both fluid, cohesive, well-written reviews, but I just found 2-20's review to be more entertaining.
Hmm... I thought I was the only one Two-twenty believes is being afflicted with disservice.

[Kuzu Ryu Sen]

Winner: Mouse. Go for it.

[animanic_critic]

Congrats to Mouse...! Let's see when's the next student review. I wonder what the theme will be this time...

:thewave: