No art, but plenty of Movies...

Okay, I apologize, didn't get much art done over the weekend, so there isn't any Monday MOAG art today, but I did get a lot of HTML/CSS work done on some websites, so that counts for something. Maybe.

I did have a good long weekend of Movie watching (along with the BYU-Washington game, horrible call, good result). Turns out the wife was gone for the weekend, so I had the kids and borrowed some animated movies from a co-worker, and that was that. Here's the list of movies, and what I thought about them.



As you can plainly see from the image, the first is another epic from Miyazaki, Nausicaa: Of the Valley of the Wind. I hadn't seen this one, but had heard it was really good. I'd have to agree. While it's not my favorite Miyazaki film, it was, as expected, very good. The kids really liked it, which surprised me, seeing as it's a little more complex and/or darker than My neighbor Totoro. But all in all, it's worth it to see it, if not just it being one of the all time epics in animated movies.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.1 Don't ask what the .1 is for, I don't know and frankly, it's none of your business.



The second is Triplets of Bellville. Bot and I watched this when it first came out a few years ago, and I have to say it's one of my favorites. This one I will recommend, but I honestly think you need to be an art snob to get it. There is hardly any dialogue in the movie (my kids kept asking why they don't talk), so it's just watching for art's sake.

Rating: 3 Bags of chips and an extra cheese dip. Again, no meaning whatsoever.



The last movie of the weekend was Brad Bird's "Iron Giant". If you're not familiar with this one, you should be shot. It was a spectacular piece done by the director of The Incredibles, and I think it's just as good. I believe Shadowwire and I saw this one, but I wanted my kids to see it. Just a sweet movie.

Rating: Ah, geeze, just go rent it okay? It's good, I promise.

So, there you have it. Anyway, let's keep the posting up. We're on track to have a record month, so bring all the finest meats and cheeses and let's do this...

Okay, it's late. That last line made no sense, and I'm starting to type double...

Pirates! And Castles! In the SKY!!!

Well, this week's movie pick of the week is Studio Ghibli's classic, Castle in the Sky (also known as Laputa:Castle in the sky). How did I come up with this particular movie as opposed to all the other masterful pieces by Miyazaki? Well, I couldn't make up my mind, so i went with the first Miyazaki film I had the pleasure to watch. And I must say, it was sweet. The animation is a little more cartoon-ish than what I really like, but as with all Miyazaki films, the story was exceptional. Plus, the kids really liked this one as well (it comes in a close second behind "My Neighbor Totoro" which I also recommend to anyone who has kids). Anyway, the Sky Pirates are my favorite part of the movie, but it was all good.

So I give Castle in the Sky a healthy 5 out of 6. I don't really know why I rate these, I'm not a critic, and I'm not going to recommend something I didn't like. So take that for what it's worth.

Since we're talking about movies, I feel I need to add a small plug about a movie that I saw in the theaters last week. If you have the opportunity to see "The Rocker", please take it. Yes Bot, I'm talking to you.

Steamboy: Bringing steam punk to the little people everywhere...

Just saw Steamboy the other day, and I have to say it was one of the best Anime movies I've ever seen. Granted, I haven't seen a lot of them, but I really liked it. If you're into Steampunk, and honestly, who isn't, I suggest picking this bad boy up whenever you can. Don't know if Hollywood or Blockbuster carries it, but man, it's awesome. The animation is excellent, the story is great, and the steampunk is... uh... steamy? Punkish? It's just really good. There. That works.

So on a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being a chick flick (pick your title...) and 7 being Slaughter in San Francisco, Steamboy ranks in at a Healthy 5 Gargonans. Because we all know 5 Gargonans are better than 3 Conars and a Macaneon. Or was it 2 Klisks and an underdeveloped Cylonquin? Who knows. Anyway, 5 stars and 500 points for those of you keeping score at home.