You could argue that all of The Snowman is minimalist, since it contains no spoken dialogue, and narrative is cultivated solely through imagery and music. And what music it is.
Continue reading “Minimalist Moments: The Snowman”The Midnight Club: Cancer, Battles and Magical Realism
If you hear the phrase ‘magical realism’, the first example your mind might travel to is J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Wizards, witches, monsters. Yet, at its core, there’s a human story about self-discovery and conquering one’s inner demons. Essentially, the term encompasses fictional narratives which discuss everyday lives that are interwoven with fantastical elements. One of the first cited examples of this genre in literature is Franz Kafka’s 1915 work ‘The Metamorphosis’, but magical realism ultimately became associated with many examples of Latin American literature. The term was first coined by Cuban novelist Alejo Carpentier in the 1940s.
Continue reading “The Midnight Club: Cancer, Battles and Magical Realism”Review: Living
Adapted from Akira Kurosawa’s 1952 drama Ikuru, itself inspired by Leo Tolstoy’s 1886 novella The Death of Ivan Ilyich, Living follows Bill Nighy’s reserved bureaucrat Mr Williams, who determines to live life to the full and mend his selfish ways after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. He receives the news of his diagnosis with a torturously blunt stiff upper lip as he responds to the doctor with a brief acknowledgement (‘Quite’). A Christmas Carol this ain’t, with Williams first trying to seek refuge with brazen Lothario Mr Sutherland, experiencing decadent lap dances and alcohol in the dark hideouts of London before passing out.
Continue reading “Review: Living”Minimalist Moments: The Muppet Christmas Carol
There’s a lot to praise about the Muppets adaptation of Dicken’s yuletide tale of humbugs, ghosts and redemption. This includes one of Michael Caine’s finest performances and great tunes filled with plenty of lyrical ingenuity (‘Cheeses for us meezes’? Fewer nonsensical rhymes have made such comedic impact). The filmmakers do a great job of employing light-hearted storytelling which incorporates much of the author’s original text. They’re also particularly astute in the quieter moments, particularly during the scenes where Scrooge meets the Ghost of Christmas Past.
Continue reading “Minimalist Moments: The Muppet Christmas Carol”Animal Crossing Autumn Roasts: Jingle as Leonard Shelby (Memento)
He’s making a list, checking it twice, he’s gonna find out who’s naughty or nice. Except he isn’t, because Animal Crossing’s titular reindeer Jingle doesn’t remember so good (we’re talking City Folk here, not any of the later versions, where he just becomes lazy and makes you do his present giving for him in exchange for rewards). Upon your first meeting, he’ll happily regale you with festive cheer, give you a present, then carry on walking on his merry way around your town. And if you walk up to him again as you are, he’ll admonish you for being greedy. Who would be greedy enough to ask for another gift, after all?
Continue reading “Animal Crossing Autumn Roasts: Jingle as Leonard Shelby (Memento)”