Friday, July 18, 2008

New Ponyo Trailer! - Opens Today in Japan

Ok, I've been studying of the Bar far too long, here is a welcomed distraction.


New Ponyo Trailer - looks great!

At the end of the clip you see Miyazaki-san, he is wearing dark-rimmed glasses with the beard. I met him once in L.A., I'll never forget that moment.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea - Reply to Amanda's inquiry

Miyazaki-san's lastest film. I can't wait to see it!!!!!!!!

Amanda wrote: "
really? I've seen some japanese shows but they usually involve pokeman or some kind of giant scary threat to man kind. does it come with subtitles?"

Reply: Amanda, Miyazaki's films are a different breed altogether. Yes, many Japanese animations are about monster as such, however Miyazaki's films are very fanciful and for the most part have intimate stories. Unlike like many American animated films, Miyazaki's films are not about the "good" guy overcoming the "bad" guy, in fact, some of his films do not have "villians" at all!

All of Miyazaki's films have been released by Disney, both subtitled and translated into English. Disney took pains to get it right, and the films reflect that work.

I highly recommend his films. "Spirited Away", "Kiki's Delivery Service", and "My Neighbor Totoro" (click to see trailer) are a great place to start. Interestingly, they all have young girls are protagonist - your girls might relate. "Ponyo" has not been released yet, so that wont be here until next year, but you can find these titles at you local video store. Check them out!



If you are curious, Hayao Miyazaki is the director of Oscar-winning "Spirited Away" and other films like "Princess Mononoke", "My Nieghbor Totoro" (Marco's Favorite), "Nausicaa", "Kiki's Delivery Service", "Castle in the Sky", "Howl's Moving Castle". A master film maker. He is well regarded around the world. See Here for more info.

You must see his films.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Fantastic Song from LA - based band, Airborne Toxic Event

This is one of those songs that take you back to that moment when you see someone you broke up with and never forgot and you are a total mess...Much how I felt when I saw Nikki some 5-6 months after we first broke up, and was utterly a mess inside unsure of what to say, do, or act, or simply run away and hide.

Well, 2 1/2 kids later, everything turned out fantastic!

Either way, this is one of the best songs I have heard in a long time, totally stopped me when I hear it the other morning on KCRW.com.

Live Version:



Recorded Version: