Category: animation

Bernardo Bertolucci and Stephen Hillenburg

This week saw the death of two artists, giants in their respective fields. On Monday, Italian director Bernardo Bertolucci died at age 77. Bertolucci rose to fame with the 1973 release of Last Tango in Paris, a controversial film that was earned an X rating after extensive cuts. One of these scenes depicted a middle … Continue reading “Bernardo Bertolucci and Stephen Hillenburg”

By Associazione Culturale Cinemazero from Pordenone, Italia – Bernardo Bertolucci 030, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24288846

This week saw the death of two artists, giants in their respective fields. On Monday, Italian director Bernardo Bertolucci died at age 77. Bertolucci rose to fame with the 1973 release of Last Tango in Paris, a controversial film that was earned an X rating after extensive cuts. One of these scenes depicted a middle aged man (Marlon Brando) raping his young lover (Maria Schneider), using only butter as a lubricant. Neither Bertolucci nor Brando informed Schneider that this was to take place, as Bertolucci wanted her reaction “not as an actress, but as a girl.” After filming wrapped, Schneider refused to speak to Bertolucci, as she “felt humiliated and… a little raped,” by both the director and Brando.[1]

Bertolucci eventually won the Academy Award for Best Director for 1987’s The Last Emperor, the first Western film made with the cooperation of China’s communist government.

On the opposite end of the entertainment spectrum, we mourn the passing of Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of SpongeBob SquarePants. SpongeBob is the longest running tv show in American History, and has brought joy to generations of children around the world. For those unfamiliar with this ubiquitous sea

By Carlos Cazurro Burgos (http://www.cazurro.com/) – https://www.flickr.com/photos/toonaville/6512337683/, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30282060

creature, SpongeBob is an enthusiastic, cheerful fry cook who lives in a pineapple under the sea. The show follows SpongeBob and his friends’ adventures and mishaps.

You can find Bertolucci films like The Last Emperor (DVD 4098) and Last Tango in Paris (DVD 4560) in our collection. We also have the first three seasons of SpongeBob SquarePants (DVD 14168, 14169, and 14170).  You should definitely check out the second season, which features my favorite episode—“Band Geeks.”

 

 

 

 

[1] https://www.npr.org/2018/11/26/670768954/bernardo-bertolucci-last-tango-in-paris-director-dies-at-77

Random Movie Monday — Mushi-Shi: The Complete Collection

It’s a rainy Monday, so here’s a DVD that’s appropriately atmospheric: DVD 12000, Mushi-shi: The Complete Collection. Here’s our summary: Between this world and the next, there is a point where it becomes impossible to distinguish between plant and animal; between life and death. It is a place man was never meant to tread. It … Continue reading “Random Movie Monday — Mushi-Shi: The Complete Collection”

It’s a rainy Monday, so here’s a DVD that’s appropriately atmospheric: DVD 12000, Mushi-shi: The Complete Collection. Here’s our summary:

Between this world and the next, there is a point where it becomes impossible to distinguish between plant and animal; between life and death. It is a place man was never meant to tread. It is where you will find the Mushi. Neither good nor evil, they are life in its purest form. An unseen river reshaping the path of man, through their very presence we are changed.

I saw exactly one eipsode of this anime series almost a decade ago. Not my style, but the animation is beautiful, and it’s a good binge for a rainy day.

Check out the trailer, and then check it out at the Media Services Desk!

Rotoshopping Is Creepy And Cool

There’s a really specific look to rotoshopped movies that sits right in that uncanny valley for animation. They’re just slightly too real, and so they look really creepy. The two films best known for this, A Scanner Darkly (HU DVD 2416) and Waking Life (HU DVD 364), are just unbearably creepy. So what is rotoshopping? … Continue reading “Rotoshopping Is Creepy And Cool”

There’s a really specific look to rotoshopped movies that sits right in that uncanny valley for animation. They’re just slightly too real, and so they look really creepy. The two films best known for this, A Scanner Darkly (HU DVD 2416) and Waking Life (HU DVD 364), are just unbearably creepy.

So what is rotoshopping? It’s a specific kind of rotoscoping where an artist draws keyframes and a program decides what makes sense between them. Rotoshopping actually refers to a proprietary software used by the company Flat Black Films. It reminds me in a lot of ways of the creepiness of motion capture, probably for the same reasons. It’s too human in a thing we don’t recognize as human.

I kind of wonder if this is because a computer is making part of the decisions in rotoshopped movies. Maybe there’s more of the artist’s hand in a rotoscoped film than we really think, and that’s the difference between the styles of animation.

There is, I will mention, a little confusion about what rotoscoping itself actually is. Lots of animation uses live references. That’s not necessarily rotoscoping. That’s more like using a model for painting. Rotoscoping is when you actually trace the film frame by frame.

Oh, it’s too hard to explain. I guess to really get it, you’ll have to watch this incredible example:

You’re welcome.

Enjoy Some Lovely Stop Motion

This insanely cool video by Renana Aldor and Kobi Vogman explains the process of Lost-Wax casting. The video was made for the Israel Museum in Jerusalem and you can read more about it here: http://directorsnotes.com/2016/05/02/kobi-vogman-renana-aldor-hadrian-bronze-casting/   If you’re now in the mood for fantastic stop motion films, check out Kubo and the two strings (HU DVD … Continue reading “Enjoy Some Lovely Stop Motion”

This insanely cool video by Renana Aldor and Kobi Vogman explains the process of Lost-Wax casting. The video was made for the Israel Museum in Jerusalem and you can read more about it here: http://directorsnotes.com/2016/05/02/kobi-vogman-renana-aldor-hadrian-bronze-casting/

 

If you’re now in the mood for fantastic stop motion films, check out Kubo and the two strings (HU DVD 13637). And if you’re interested in lost-wax casting, we actually have a streaming video that covers that called Feuer & Flamme. And for more about Hadrian, check out this selection from The Great Courses on Roman Jerusalem.

10 years of LAIKA

Over the weekend, I was completely blown away by LAIKA’s Kubo and the Two Strings (HU DVD 13637). As an animation studio, LAIKA creates some of the grandest and unique worlds in film. Kubo is an incredible accomplishment, and an example of the offbeat humor, powerful storytelling, and, of course, artistic prowess LAIKA has come to … Continue reading “10 years of LAIKA”

Over the weekend, I was completely blown away by LAIKA’s Kubo and the Two Strings (HU DVD 13637). As an animation studio, LAIKA creates some of the grandest and unique worlds in film. Kubo is an incredible accomplishment, and an example of the offbeat humor, powerful storytelling, and, of course, artistic prowess LAIKA has come to be known for.

LAIKA is currently celebrating their 10 year anniversary:

Come to Media Services to check out Kubo, or LAIKA’s three other feature length films: The Boxtrolls (HU DVD 11911), ParaNorman (HU DVD 11030), and Coraline (HU DVD 7449).

Before there was Sailor Moon…there was The Dull Sword

As highlighted on Hyperallergic, the National Film Center of Japan’s National Museum of Modern Art has uploaded a ton of early Japanese animation to mark the centennial of Japan’s oldest known animated film. You can see all the films here, and the very oldest–a 1917 work discovered in an antique store in 2008!–is The Dull Sword … Continue reading “Before there was Sailor Moon…there was The Dull Sword”

As highlighted on Hyperallergic, the National Film Center of Japan’s National Museum of Modern Art has uploaded a ton of early Japanese animation to mark the centennial of Japan’s oldest known animated film.

You can see all the films here, and the very oldest–a 1917 work discovered in an antique store in 2008!–is The Dull Sword (pictured above), available here.

Take a vacation to the worlds of Studio Ghibli

Ghibli films are notoriously immersive and transporting. From the forests of Princess Mononoke, to Yubaba’s bath house in Spirited Away, the worlds of Studio Ghibli are complex, beautiful, and utterly real. How is this feat accomplished? Here’s one take: Even if you’re not an anime fan, after watching Asher Isbrucker’s video essay, you might be inspired … Continue reading “Take a vacation to the worlds of Studio Ghibli”

Ghibli films are notoriously immersive and transporting. From the forests of Princess Mononoke, to Yubaba’s bath house in Spirited Away, the worlds of Studio Ghibli are complex, beautiful, and utterly real. How is this feat accomplished? Here’s one take:

Even if you’re not an anime fan, after watching Asher Isbrucker’s video essay, you might be inspired to check out some of AU’s collection of Ghibli films:

Castle In The Sky – HU DVD 2978
The Cat Returns – HU DVD 13290
From Up On Poppy Hill – HU DVD 8901
Grave Of The Fireflies – HU DVD 823
Howl’s Moving Castle – HU DVD 2979
Kiki’s Delivery Service – HU DVD 6077
My Neighbor Totoro – HU DVD 4709
(Nausicaä Of The Valley Of The Winds – HU DVD 2977)*
Only Yesterday – HU DVD 13276
Ponyo – HU DVD 6937
Porco Rosso – HU DVD 10216
Princess Mononoke – HU DVD 1206
Spirited Away – HU DVD 586
Tale Of The Princess Kaguya – HU DVD 11898
The Secret World Of Arrietty – HU DVD 7986
When Marnie Was There – HU DVD 13297
Whisper Of The Heart – HU DVD 10126
The Wind Rises – HU DVD 11597

*Did you know, Nausicaa is technically not a Ghibli film?!

New Acquisitions – September 2016

With the first week of classes almost in the bag, we have the Labor Day weekend to look forward to. And with a tropical storm possibly bearing down on us, what better way than to escape a long, stormy weekend than grabbing a few movies? We’re continuing to add new films to our collection that … Continue reading “New Acquisitions – September 2016”

With the first week of classes almost in the bag, we have the Labor Day weekend to look forward to. And with a tropical storm possibly bearing down on us, what better way than to escape a long, stormy weekend than grabbing a few movies?

We’re continuing to add new films to our collection that classes are using this semester, but we’re also getting more blockbusters, critical favorites, and historically significant movies – like BellaDonna of Sadness, a Japanese animated film that has never been available since 1973.

Other interesting titles this month include ESPN’s riveting documentary series OJ: Made in America; Miles Davis biopic Miles Ahead; and The Mermaid, the highest-grossing Chinese movie ever. (And we also got the extended cut of Batman v Superman, which runs a whopping three hours.)

We could go on and on this month, but we’ll just let you read the list. Follow the link to see what’s new for September…

Home Use Collection:

Brief Encounter – HU BLU 4233
Veep, Season 4 – HU DVD 5980
Game of Thrones, Season 5 – HU DVD 10025
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 – HU DVD 10317
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 – HU BLU 10317
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 – HU DVD 10318
Maroc en Musiques – HU DVD 13225
Cartoon Roots – HU DVD 13226
Cartoon Roots – HU BLU 13226
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice – HU DVD 13239
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice – HU BLU 13239
Eisenstein in Guanajuato – HU DVD 13245
Eye in the Sky – HU DVD 13246
Cinderella – HU DVD 13247
Emptying the Skies – HU DVD 13248
Kanashimi no Beradonna = Belladonna of Sadness – HU BLU 13255
Boy & the World – HU DVD 13257
Boy & the World – HU BLU 13257
The Great Mouse Detective – HU DVD 13262
The Great Mouse Detective – HU BLU 13262
Midnight Special – HU DVD 13263
Miles Ahead – HU DVD 13264
Sisters – HU DVD 13265
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot – HU DVD 13266
House of Cards, Season 4 – HU DVD 13270
The Walk – HU DVD 13273
Under the Cherry Moon – HU DVD 13274
The Mermaid – HU DVD 13275
Only Yesterday – HU DVD 13276
Jackie Robinson – HU DVD 13277
Knight of Cups – HU DVD 13278
Silicon Valley, Season 2 – HU DVD 13282
The X-Files, The Event Series – HU DVD 13284
Lisbon Story – HU DVD 13287
Embrace of the Serpent – HU DVD 13288
OJ: Made in America – HU BLU 13289
OJ: Made in America – HU DVD 13289
Edifício Master – HU DVD 13300
Aparecidos = The Appeared – HU DVD 13301
La Jaula de Oro – HU DVD 13302
The Last Man on Earth, Season 1 – HU DVD 14295

In-Library Titles:

Métodos Anticonceptivos = Contraceptive Choices – DVD 13187
The Complete Uncensored Private Snafu: Cartoons from World War II – DVD 13229
Dpa’ Bo’I Lung Pa = The Valley of the Heroes = Ying Xiong Gu – DVD 13235
How to Smell a Rose: A Visit With Ricky Leacock in Normandy – DVD 13236
Berlin, die Sinfonie der Großstadt; Melodie der Welt – DVD 13261
Kumu Hina: The True Meaning of Aloha – DVD 13285
The Occupation of the American Mind: Israel’s Public Relations War with the United States – DVD 13286

New Acquisitions – August 2016

One month left in summer! Everyone panic! Well, don’t actually panic. We’re getting everything set for the fall semester, and we’re stocking up on more new acquisitions. As before, we’re in the process of replacing as many of our VHSes with DVDs as possible. But we’re also plugging other holes in our collection. We’ve added … Continue reading “New Acquisitions – August 2016”

One month left in summer! Everyone panic!

Well, don’t actually panic. We’re getting everything set for the fall semester, and we’re stocking up on more new acquisitions. As before, we’re in the process of replacing as many of our VHSes with DVDs as possible. But we’re also plugging other holes in our collection. We’ve added Hercules, A Bug’s Life, The Good Dinosaur, and Zootopia, which we think completely rounds out our collection of Disney animation.

We also want to highlight Gaming in Color, a documentary about queer experiences in gaming, and Anomalisa, an adult stop-motion film by Charlie Kaufman.

Hit the link for a list of what else is new for August…

Home Use Collection:

The Big Bang Theory, Season 4 – HU DVD 10355
The Big Bang Theory, Season 5 – HU DVD 10356
The Big Bang Theory, Season 6 – HU DVD 10357
When Bette Met Mae – HU DVD 13196
Michael Jackson: Video Greatest Hits: History – HU DVD 13197
History on Film: Volume 2 – HU DVD 13198
The Making of Trump – HU DVD 13199
45 Years – HU DVD 13200
Gaming in Color: A Documentary Exploring the Queer Side of Gaming – HU BLU 13201
Class Dismissed: A Film About Learning Outside of the Classroom – HU DVD 13202
Of Mice and Men – HU DVD 13216
In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto – HU DVD 13217
For Your Eyes Only – HU DVD 13222
Nûba d’or et de Lumière = Nuba of Gold and Light – HU DVD 13224
Baile Mi Rey – HU DVD 13227
Rome: Power and Glory – HU DVD 13228
Ice Age: The Meltdown – HU DVD 13237
10 Cloverfield Lane – HU DVD 13238
Concert of Wills: Making the Getty Center – HU DVD 13240
Hercules – HU DVD 13241
A Bug’s Life – HU DVD 13242
Everybody Wants Some!! – HU DVD 13243
Hello, My Name is Doris – HU DVD 13244
Anomalisa – HU DVD 13254
Fresh Off the Boat, Season 1 – HU DVD 13256
Hail, Caesar! – HU DVD 13258
Zootopia – HU DVD 13259
The Good Dinosaur – HU DVD 13260
Grace and Frankie, Season 1 – HU DVD 14323

In-Library Titles:

Mädchen in Uniform = Girls in Uniform – DVD 13221
The Trials of Spring – DVD 13230

Music Library DVDs:

The Turn of the Screw – MUSIC LIBRARY DVD 228
Un Ballo in Maschera – MUSIC LIBRARY DVD 238

Media Services at the Movies: Finding Dory

The summer blockbuster season is here! “Media Services at the Movies” will look at what big movie is coming out this week, then offer a few movies like it from our collection. We can’t think of much new to say about Pixar. The studio has some of the best talent in animation – second only … Continue reading “Media Services at the Movies: Finding Dory”

The summer blockbuster season is here! “Media Services at the Movies” will look at what big movie is coming out this week, then offer a few movies like it from our collection.

We can’t think of much new to say about Pixar. The studio has some of the best talent in animation – second only to Studio Ghibli and infinitely greater than whoever made Norm of the North. Although the quality of their films has wavered a bit in recent years, you can still depend on Pixar to bring out the heart in their stories.

Pixar sequels in particular can be hit or miss. For every Toy Story 2, they put out a Cars 2. From early impressions, Finding Dory sounds like it lands in the upper levels of Pixar for its poignant take on  disability. Dory will also be beautiful, as Pixar films tend to be. They look even more beautiful in HD; we’d go as far as recommending animation as one of the reasons to make the bump up to Blu-ray.

Don’t believe us? We have several of Pixar’s movies in Blu-ray (not all, since we bought many before Blu-rays were a thing). If you have a Blu-ray player, check one out and see the quality difference for yourself. It’ll definitely encourage you to opt for the Blu-ray of Finding Dory went it comes out.

Ratatouille – HU BLU 3814
Up – HU BLU 6690
Toy Story – HU BLU 7768
Toy Story 2 – HU BLU 7769
Toy Story 3 – HU BLU 7770
Monsters Inc. – HU BLU 8596
Inside Out – HU BLU 12881