Cute OVA

Just finished watching the 2 part OVA called Tokyo Marble Chocolate and I quite like it.

It is a simple love story that revolves around two protagonists named Yudai and Chizuru. Each part narrate the same events from its  two protagonists’ perspectives.Despite the fact that the two characters are standing in the same place at the same time, what they see, what they feel and how they perceive things turns out to be quite different. For Yuudai, he is struggling to overcome his inability to communicate his feelings for the girl. As for Chizuru, she is struggling to overcome her fear of her failed relationship and rejections. Although both love each other, yet neither of them can say it clearly because each is uncertain about the other’s feelings and is afraid of being hurt. Trapped by their insecurities in a relationship that’s going nowhere, they drift further and further apart.

Apart from the simple elegant design, the beautiful water colour background and nice instrumental score, it is the down-to-earth tale that gives me the most impact. The creator of the OVA managed to make both the story and emotions entirely real, believable and empathetic without going over the top or being dramatic. 

A few things resonated in my mind after watching this OVA. Most notable ones are:-

• Overcoming my fear of being rejected by others and being taken for granted
• Inability to gather enough courage and to communicate how I truly feel with others
• Jumping into conclusions and making assumptions thus creating miscommunication
• Wanting to show the person how much I love him but don't know how to express it
• Wanting to know the other person and trying to accept him openly and hoping he will do the same
• Wanting more than just what I have, fearing that he does not want the same and does not reciprocate my feelings

Hmmm, got to do some serious thinking...anyway here's the OVA

Part 1

[Z-F] Tokyo Marble Chocolate - OAV 1 - Revoyons-nous [43758F36] Vidéo kjm14 sélectionnée dans Animation

Part 2

[Z-F] Tokyo Marble Chocolate - OAV 2 - Un jeune homme plein d_entrain [C227F7C2] Vidéo kjm14 sélectionnée dans Animation

Ponyo - review and after thought

I have a confession to make. I have been watching "Ponyo" several times for the last couple of days. Every time I watch it, I found myself giggling with delight and I felt like a 5 year old again. I must say "Ponyo" is my next favourite movie after "Totoro".

I am a big fan of Hayao Miyazaki's works. They are all visually stunning and they are further strengthened by Joe Hisaishi's lush music score. Each of Miyazaki's film are distinctively different in terms of style, layout and presentation and yet they seemed to share the following common elements:-

• Smoke
• Cloud
• Wind
• Rain
• Water - Sea/River
• Tunnel
• Mountain/Hill
• Lush vegetation
• Magic/Sorcery
• Small children
• Mystical creatures
• The feeling of loneliness
• The blend of ancient and modern culture

When it comes to portraying childlike innocence, no one can do a better job than Hayao Miyazaki. Miyazaki captures the essence of how small children talk, move, react, look around and think, play around and enjoy the simplest of things in a very detailed and accurate manner. As a result, his 2D characters are so cute, full of liveliness and heart warming.

Some of my friends called the movie childish. The reason they would think that way is because they do not watch the movie through the eyes of a child. Instead, they tend to scrutinise it with logic and reason. Sigh, I guess as children grown up to become adults, they would lose their imagination and creativity as well as innocence.

If you want to examine the situations portrayed by this movie from adults point of view, then the following will happened:-

• Ponyo will be sent to the scientist for dissection
• Sōsuke's mother will be charged by the police for reckless driving
• Sōsuke's mother will be charged in court for leaving two toddlers alone in the house
• Sōsuke and Ponyo will be taken away by CYF and placed under social care
• Sōsuke's and his mother will be charged for kidnapping Ponyo
• Sōsuke's parents will be sent for counselling
• The "experts" will jump in the bandwagon claiming the children suffered trauma and recommended rehabilitation
• The Greenies will make a lot of noise about the dirty harbour and pollution in the parliament and yet do nothing about it
• The Greenpeace will hijack the fishing trawlers
• The local authorities will be flogged by opposition parties for not raising alarm when the typhoon and storm surge hit
• It would take days or weeks to restore the power
• All the adults will be censured for leaving Sōsuke and Ponyo on their own devices and wandered by themselves

See what I mean? Sometimes I think we adults tend to over complicate matters. Why can't we just cast aside our over analysing minds and simply just enjoy the pure childhood fantasy?

Regardless what other people say, I enjoy this movie very much. Like I said earlier, I just want to be a child again... :)

Disaster movies...

I am sure we have seen those big budget disaster movies like "Deep Impact", "The Day After Tomorrow" etc. Do you know that we have something similar in Asia cinemas? Created with a relatively small budget compared to those Hollywood blockbusters, I am amazed with the impressive visual effect and good camera work. Here are the snippets for your viewing...

The Sinking of Japan




Tsunami At Haeundae

Empathy...

Sometimes all you need is a sign...

Where do you find love? If we knew, we would all know where to look. Sometimes all you need is a sign. Check out this romantic short film directed by Patrick Hughes.



Cast:
- Nick Russell
- Kestie Morsaai

Crew:
- Directed by Patrick Hughes
- Produced by Victoria Conners-Bell
- Written by Patrick Hughes, Karl Fleet and Nick Worthington
(Radical.Media and Publics Mojo Productions)

Baby, it's cold outside...

Brrrr...It's 1 C outside at the moment. Which reminds me of the delightful song "Baby, it's cold outside" from the movie Neptune's Daughter. Found a video clip of this song performed by the handsome and dashing Richardo Montalban (Ahh...he is soo gorgeous.../blush) and Esther Williams. Enjoy.

Baby, it's cold outside

Lyrics:-

I really can't stay
(but baby it's cold outside)
I've got to go away
(but baby it's cold outside)
This evening has been
(been hoping that you'd drop in)
So very nice
(i'll hold your hands, they're just like ice)
My mother will start worry
(beautiful whats your hurry)
My father will be pacing the floor
(listen to the fireplace roar)
So really i'd better scurry
(beautiful please don't hurry)
but maybe just a half a drink more
(put some records on while i pour)
the neighbors might faint
(baby it's bad out there)
say what's in this drink
(no cabs to be had out there)
i wish i knew how
(your eyes are like starlight now)
to break this spell
(i'll take your hat, your hair looks swell)
i ought to say "no, no, no sir"
(mind if i move in closer)
at least i'm gonna say that i tried
(what's the sense in hurtin' my pride)
i really can't stay
(oh baby don't hold out)

both:baby it's cold out side

i simply must go
(but baby it's cold outside)
the answer is no
(but baby it's cold outside)
your welcome has been
(how lucky that you droped in)
so nice and warm
(look out the window at that storm)
my sister will be suspicious
(gosh your lips look delcious)
my brother will be there at the door
(waves upon the tropical shore)
my maiden aunts mind is vicious
(gosh your lips are delicous)
but maybe just a cigarette more
(never such a blizzard before)
i've gotta get home
(but baby you'd freeze out there)
say lend me a coat
(it's up to your knees out there)
you've really been grand
(i thrill when you touch my hand)
but don't you see?
(how can you do this thing to me?)
there's bound to be talk tomorrow
(think of my lifelong sorrow)
at least there will be plenty implied
(if you got namonia and died)
i really can't stay
(get over that old out)

both:baby it's cold
baby it's cold outside