(no subject)

Busy day: first, Martes and I tried to join the docent tour of the burnt-out Towsley Canyon, but they were completely full! At least that's good in number of people interested in such nature-y things. Talking to the nice docent we learned that growth is indeed making a comeback and that the unfortunate critters they've found (charred carcasses) included one deer, some smaller animals (raccoons, possums) and one bobcat (sad). No coyotes were mentioned, possibly supporting their wiley reputation.

Then a quick trip to Loscon, a large local science fiction con. They often have a number of media guests (Joe Straczynsky used to hold court there when Babylon 5 was big). The dealer's room is decent-sized and has a very good mix (eclectic and traditional) of stuff to buy. Had just enough time to touch bases with a number of people before zooming off to see the film reviewed in my next post...

(no subject)

Busy day: first, Martes and I tried to join the docent tour of the burnt-out Towsley Canyon, but they were completely full! At least that's good in number of people interested in such nature-y things. Talking to the nice docent we learned that growth is indeed making a comeback and that the unfortunate critters they've found (charred carcasses) included one deer, some smaller animals (raccoons, possums) and one bobcat (sad). No coyotes were mentioned, possibly supporting their wiley reputation.

Then a quick trip to Loscon, a large local science fiction con. They often have a number of media guests (Joe Straczynsky used to hold court there when Babylon 5 was big). The dealer's room is decent-sized and has a very good mix (eclectic and traditional) of stuff to buy. Had just enough time to touch bases with a number of people before zooming off to see the film reviewed in my next post...

(no subject)

Busy day: first, Martes and I tried to join the docent tour of the burnt-out Towsley Canyon, but they were completely full! At least that's good in number of people interested in such nature-y things. Talking to the nice docent we learned that growth is indeed making a comeback and that the unfortunate critters they've found (charred carcasses) included one deer, some smaller animals (raccoons, possums) and one bobcat (sad). No coyotes were mentioned, possibly supporting their wiley reputation.

Then a quick trip to Loscon, a large local science fiction con. They often have a number of media guests (Joe Straczynsky used to hold court there when Babylon 5 was big). The dealer's room is decent-sized and has a very good mix (eclectic and traditional) of stuff to buy. Had just enough time to touch bases with a number of people before zooming off to see the film reviewed in my next post...

Those French...

[A personal review of the new French animated feature (no spoilers, but lots of opinion!]

Today I saw The Triplets of Belleville, a french animated feature that has been getting a lot of good reviews. Frankly, for me the film did not live up to its hype-- I was much more enchanted with "Spirited Away" than with this film (though I did have a decent time). European animation has a mesmerizing, oddly-timed quality to it that I find curious. What stood out to me was the immaculate, perfectly timed pacing of this film and the development of the characters as people we are interested in. This might seem slow to those who are used to the frenetic pace of American animation (or, heaven forbid, the manic pace of anime!). The three artists/animators I saw this movie with were far more impressed with this film than I. Martes was beside herself with what she considered excellent character design and all three gushed about the art and animation. YMMV. This feature reminded me of "City of Lost Children"-- a live-action (French) film which I feel does a better job with creating a completely surreal, whimsical world (a dark-yet-inspirational fantasy: HIGHLY recommended!)

One thing that did stand out to me: the French think as little of us as we currently do of them. "Belleville" is clearly New York City and "America". And all the Americans are drawn grotesquely fat (as in weighing at least six hundred pounds). Grotesquely fat and stupid. When the camera pans over the harbor, the Statue of Liberty is similarly fat and ugly. Granted, none of the characters were handsome/pretty, but I'm surprised that so little has been mentioned about the anti-American slant to this film.

Those French...

[A personal review of the new French animated feature (no spoilers, but lots of opinion!]

Today I saw The Triplets of Belleville, a french animated feature that has been getting a lot of good reviews. Frankly, for me the film did not live up to its hype-- I was much more enchanted with "Spirited Away" than with this film (though I did have a decent time). European animation has a mesmerizing, oddly-timed quality to it that I find curious. What stood out to me was the immaculate, perfectly timed pacing of this film and the development of the characters as people we are interested in. This might seem slow to those who are used to the frenetic pace of American animation (or, heaven forbid, the manic pace of anime!). The three artists/animators I saw this movie with were far more impressed with this film than I. Martes was beside herself with what she considered excellent character design and all three gushed about the art and animation. YMMV. This feature reminded me of "City of Lost Children"-- a live-action (French) film which I feel does a better job with creating a completely surreal, whimsical world (a dark-yet-inspirational fantasy: HIGHLY recommended!)

One thing that did stand out to me: the French think as little of us as we currently do of them. "Belleville" is clearly New York City and "America". And all the Americans are drawn grotesquely fat (as in weighing at least six hundred pounds). Grotesquely fat and stupid. When the camera pans over the harbor, the Statue of Liberty is similarly fat and ugly. Granted, none of the characters were handsome/pretty, but I'm surprised that so little has been mentioned about the anti-American slant to this film.

Those French...

[A personal review of the new French animated feature (no spoilers, but lots of opinion!]

Today I saw The Triplets of Belleville, a french animated feature that has been getting a lot of good reviews. Frankly, for me the film did not live up to its hype-- I was much more enchanted with "Spirited Away" than with this film (though I did have a decent time). European animation has a mesmerizing, oddly-timed quality to it that I find curious. What stood out to me was the immaculate, perfectly timed pacing of this film and the development of the characters as people we are interested in. This might seem slow to those who are used to the frenetic pace of American animation (or, heaven forbid, the manic pace of anime!). The three artists/animators I saw this movie with were far more impressed with this film than I. Martes was beside herself with what she considered excellent character design and all three gushed about the art and animation. YMMV. This feature reminded me of "City of Lost Children"-- a live-action (French) film which I feel does a better job with creating a completely surreal, whimsical world (a dark-yet-inspirational fantasy: HIGHLY recommended!)

One thing that did stand out to me: the French think as little of us as we currently do of them. "Belleville" is clearly New York City and "America". And all the Americans are drawn grotesquely fat (as in weighing at least six hundred pounds). Grotesquely fat and stupid. When the camera pans over the harbor, the Statue of Liberty is similarly fat and ugly. Granted, none of the characters were handsome/pretty, but I'm surprised that so little has been mentioned about the anti-American slant to this film.