Quest for Camelot (1998)

It might be easy for the rushed and hurried to quickly label this gentle animation as just another passable direct-to-video disneylike flick, but hold on, this isn?t one of them. This is a generous, colorful, thoughtful sophisticated movie, which achieved even more than it was intended. Particularly in one scene, which elevates this movie to the epic level. Kayley, is chased by bad guys, and instead of your typical Indiana Jones like, brass and drums chase scene orchestral score..you are unexpectedly treated with an lovely, gentle, vaguely eerie song, (The Prayer) providing a big contrast with the intense and aggressive horse chase. (and its NOT in slow motion) "I pray you'll be our eyes, and watch us where we go...". Instantly youre really worried with the mother, and those mildy cartoony villains become a real textured menace. They really made this work, and this movie is applause worthy for this scene alone.

Bridge to Terabithia (2007)

This one could´ve been great. This one could be this generation´s "Labyrinth" or "Princess Bride". A smart little movie about two creative kids making up their own fantasy world and completely aware this was a fantasy. This movie was smart, heartful and..smart.

But the, the writers were plagued by the curse: "I don´t know how to end this", and gave it the "Evangelion" (the anime series) treatment: lets just kill off main characters in cruel ways and begone with it...lets ruin a saturday night just "because" and put a unnecessary soar taste into a masterpiece. :O(

That was a really mean and uncalled for wallop.

Whisper of the Heart (1995)

Watching a GHIBLI Studios animated movie is always a most solemn moment here at home.

I thought that 1984´s Hayao Miyazaki´s "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" was my first overwhelming Ghibli experience, but later on i learned that some TV soap opera versions of "Heidi, Girl of the Alps" were already making me cry when i was in diapers, and later on "Marco" which was aired on its infinite entirety in brazilian TV in early 80´s. Just remembering the stranded boy who was separated from his mother and is globetrotting around the world
searching for her was enough to give me heartaches in my pre teens.

Of course, later on came the infinitely sweet All father of all Teddy Bears, "My NeighbourTotoro" , the mechanical ingenuity of "Laputa, Castle in the Sky", the love letter to Italy (or Switzerland, dunno) "Kiki´s Delivery Service", the ecological fierceness and tragedy of "Mononoke Hime" and the sweet freshness of "Spirited Away" and the recent "Howl´s moving Castle".

I was proud in saying "I´ve seen them all", then recently, to my shock, i stumble upon a copy of
an anime i´ve never heard of: "Whisper of the Heart", so I guess I was wrong.

The cover featured a familiar "GHIBLI Studio" design, with a heroine much like all of Hayao Miyazaki´s heroines (truth be said, look like the same girl in slightly different ages and haircuts). The anime fan inside me felt challenged and blushed how come i´ve never heard of this! It´s 1995´s, how come i let it pass! So let´s fix this situation immediatly. So, it was directed by someone name Yoshifumi Kondou, over Miyazaki´s screenplay, it was the same team after all.

I was strangely thrilled, watching a movie, knowing it will be great, completely not knowing anything about it. So it began, telling the story of a Shizuku, a junior-high school student, almost in real time, with long contemplative takes, as she strives to write and complete a fantasy book, to prove herself that she can do it, in parallels with a boy that she likes, which makes violins. this is a Ghibli movie alright, and I was surprised how a version of that old country song "Country Road" could sound so beautiful in japanese, complete with a violin arrangement. Darn it, they did it again! Where´s the Kleenex?

Ultimate Avengers (2006)

I enjoyed the first entry on Marvel's "Ultimate Avengers" animated movie series.

I think they reached a nice balance between the classic version of the 1960's "Avengers", and their recent reboot, the "Ultimates", which is sharper and more violent. I must say they behave more like the original 1960's series, with most of the Ultimates stories toned down, a lot.

At least, they kept some key moments, like Steve Roger's letter to his girlfriend, being narrated while he's sinking on the freezing ocean is heart breaking. Moments like that, and those very human scenes with him adapting to the modern world, collecting old vinyl records would be perfect for a Captain America movie. Albeit nothing can top DC's "Justice League" animated series, it is great to see Marvel's standing up with their own version of the "JL", the Avengers, even if it's not a regular series. I believe it should be, and i would love to see adapted not only the "Ultimate" comic book series", but also classic Avengers stories, with villains like Kang, Loki and others. I'd love to see the big three's friendship developed even more, Captain America, Iron Man and Thor. My only complaint is the shape of the Mjolnir hammer, well, it's a hammer, not an axe. But i can live with that. Nah, keep them coming, i want a collection of 10 Avengers movies at mininum, with plenty of special guest, like the Silver Surfer, Dr.Strange and Spiderman..well, the entire Marvel universe, the Watcher included! =)

Kudos to the hilarious and somewhat touching extras.

Ghost Rider (2007)

I watched "The Ghost Rider" the other day and well, Hellboy for sure this isn´t it. It has its cool moments of course, and one great moment, but most key moments just aren´t keyish enough. For example, the devil offers him to save his ill father from cancer, and instead of grabbing the opportunity and simply jumping in, take the bloody contract and go for it, he just play it retarded "Duh? Duh?" and sign devilish contract by accident. Duh!! A geniously sacrificing hero this is not.

Take for example, ARIEL, the Little Mermaid, who willingly sacrifices her voice, her most prized talent, just for the opportunity to see the boy she loves, and she consciously sign the contract with the evil witch. Wow, she has guts! The Verdict: The Little Mermaid is tougher than the Ghost Rider.