Paprika : Blu-ray Review

The Movie Itself is directed and written by Satoshi Kon, and based off the story — of the same name — by author Yasutaka Tsutsui.

“Paprika” tells the fantastic tale of a not-so-distant future where scientists have cracked the mind in a way that enables them to tap into a subject’s dreams — via the “DC mini” headset — and subsequently record their dreams for further analysis and interpretation. Having been designed for purely therapeutic purposes, there is little reason to think anything bad could possibly come of the innovative technology — that and the tech is still heavily guarded and tested by its creators. It isn’t until one of their engineers and a DC mini unit goes missing that the company behind the technology discovers how frighteningly powerful their creation truly is.

Satoshi Kon’s anime masterpiece effortlessly blends the real and the surreal in a dizzying and captivating way that words alone can not do justice to the material presented here. This is a film that needs to be seen in order to fully appreciate everything that Kon and Tsutsui have been able to imagine and bring to print, and subsequently to the screen.

Few anime films have gripped me as much as they dazzle and inspire like “Paprika”. This has been my first exposure to Satoshi Kon’s work, and I can assure you it won’t be my last. I won’t pretend to be a die-hard anime fan. I’m not. But I do thoroughly enjoy animated films in any fashion, and anime is no exception.

This film manages to instill such a great feeling of wonderment that you can’t help but eat up everything — imagery or not — that’s being thrown at you simultaneously. This film was just such a treat to behold, I can’t recommend it enough.

If you’re a fan of animated films, or even high quality films in general, you must give this film a look. There’s little chance that it won’t blow you away, one way or another.

The Eye [2008] : Blu-ray Review

The Movie Itself is directed by David Moreau and Xavier Palud. “The Eye” 2008 remake centers around “Sydney Wells” (Jessica Alba) and the aftermath of her most recent operation to restore her sight. By all medical accounts, the corneal transplant was a success. However, Sydney’s re acclimation to the world of the seeing isn’t going quite as smoothly as she might have hoped. Plagued with visions of dark figures and prophetic nightmares, Sydney is convinced something is wrong with her newly acquired eyes, and seeks to uncover the source of her donor.

“The Eye” is borne of the Asian — Hong Kong to be exact — horror film industry, and suffers the terrible fate of being yet another film in a long line of recent foreign horror transplants/remakes. The original, Gin Gwai [2002] wasn’t particularly stunning or scary — at least I didn’t think so — back when it debuted in 2002. In fact, the only reason I picked it up was due to the recent success of the Hollywood remake of The Ring [2002], and I was hoping for more quality remakes in the future.

As it stands, despite an enticing horror premise, The Eye — even it’s foreign predecessor — lacks any/all necessary emotional weight and realism that’s necessary to deliver bone-chilling scares and create a lasting horror masterpiece. For the majority of the running time, the film tends to plod along predictably towards the eventual, and explosive climax that was spoiled in the advertising campaign. Much to the viewer’s dismay, there are few pay-offs, and admittedly even fewer good frights to be had.

However, I will say that on a more positive note that I enjoyed the portrayal of “Sydney Wells”, even if Alba plays her a touch too “Plain Jane.” The character struck me as being the most realistic element in the film up until the moment she regained her sight — which happens rather early in the film. Of course, I’m not saying that Alba turns in an oscar-worthy performance in any way, but it appears as though both she and the filmmakers put a decent amount of work into highlighting “Sydney’s” strengths and limitations as a member of the visually impaired community.

Personally, I wasn’t frightened or thrilled by The Eye, but that’s not to say the film has got it all wrong. It just never managed to get under my skin, despite its earnest attempts.