My Neighbor Totoro

With only decent animation and a mediocre storyline, this Miyazaki film fails to match his more imaginative pictures, or the subdued and realistic Grave of the Fireflies, which was created and released simultaneously. In fact, there is very little to necessitate - or at least justify - this film being animated. The story begins with a father and his two young daughters moving to an old house in the Japanese countryside - their mother is ill and confined to the hospital. The girls soon discover the presence of spirits in the house and surrounding forest, including the rotund, bearlike grumbler they call Totoro. But there is surprisingly little of the curious forest dwellers (which only the children seem able to see), as the film gives in inordinate amount of time to squealing children and the bland plot. From the drawings to the story, My Neighbor Totoro is not particularly inventive (it often seems to be imitating Alice in Wonderland), and seems a little more intended for children than other Studio Ghibli projects.

Um?
2.5 out of 5
Buy this film: My Neighbor Totoro

Plot: 2
Imagery: 3
Originality: 3
Soundtrack: 2
Overall: 2.5

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen

Reality is thoroughly whipped in Terry Gilliam's grand, twisted adventure - the story of an aging baron who sets off, accompanied by a bossy, imaginative young girl, to locate his former servants (a midget with super hearing, a buffoon with super speed, an oaf with super strength, and a marksman with super sight) so they can return and free the city from the relentless siege of the Turks. Each step along their journey presents a new set of dangers, and the baron is continually tempted by women and rest in spite of their urgent quest. As with most Gilliam films, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen is full of humor, bizarre situations, and outlandish characters - but there is always a sense of menace and darkness behind it all (actually, the Baron repeatedly dodges the bony grasp of a ghoulish, screeching Death...). Though maybe a bit outdated, it is still more entertaining - and original - than most cutting edge, modern adventure films.

HIGHLY ENTERTAINING
4 out of 5
Buy this film: The Adventures of Baron Munchausen

Plot: 4
Imagery: 4
Originality: 4
Soundtrack: 4
Overall: 4

The Elephant Man

Though it begins with a segment of odd, art house imagery, David Lynch's film about a horribly deformed Englishman is mostly subdued and normal, as far as style goes. Its black and white cinematography is crisp and pleasing to the eye, and in many ways the techniques seem almost anachronistic (aside from a couple of bizarre, dreamy sequences). Anthony Hopkins plays a benevolent surgeon who locates the so-called 'Elephant Man' and attempts to save him from his depraved circumstances. Lynch provides an interesting, compassionate look at perceptions of weirdness in society, and questions both our repulsion and fascination of differences, here shown is the form of an extreme physical mutation. The scenes are unfocused at times, with some abruptly fading away when they ought to continue, and others dragging with no forwarding of the plot, but as a whole it is a very watchable, carefully-crafted film and an revealing critique of human cruelty and hypocrisy.

HIGHLY ENTERTAINING
4 out of 5
Buy this film: The Elephant Man

Plot: 4
Imagery: 4
Originality: 4
Soundtrack: 3
Overall:4

And the Ship Sails On

A grainy old black and white reel begins this maritime journey, slowly opening into color as Fellini's massive ship takes off. With the help of a bumbling journalist, we learn the purpose of our voyage, which is in fact an elaborate display of mourning for a deceased opera star. Aboard the vessel is a collection of vain, powdery opera singers, gypsies, royalty, and even a lugubrious rhinoceros. The characters battle for our attention, performing various musical stunts - at one point, the Russian basso uses his deep, low voice to put a chicken to sleep. This is a colorful, humorous, yet solemn and mysterious film. Those who have difficulty with Fellini's earlier esoteric masterpieces may find more enjoyment in this quirky, musical adventure, though it too is the unorthodox product of a peculiar kind of genius.

HIGHLY ENTERTAINING
4 out of 5
Buy this film: And the Ship Sails On - Criterion Collection

Plot: 4
Imagery: 4
Soundtrack: 4
Originality: 4
Overall: 4