<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: interesting animation techniques
Review: I was dying to own this DVD after seeing film #4 on it: THe Battle at Kerzhenets. It's this incredibly beautiful animation using RUssian icon paintings, among other things. The other one I really enjoyed, once I got the DVD, was #1: Seasons, which uses antique RUssian lace to imitate snow. #10, Crane Feathers, was also quite nice. "Hedgehog in the Fog" is cute. And, random: How come in #12, Contact, the main character looks SO MUCH like the Beatles in "Yellow Submarine"? (I like the usage of the Godfather theme music on that one, by the way.)
I didn't really LOVE anything else on the DVD, but I respect each of the short films for different reasons. Namely, each film uses such creative and unique techniques! I love how they incorporate layers, fabrics, scribbly looking drawings, toys, clay figures, feathers, pools of real water, etc. I think it is is infinitely more interesting than typical american cartoons, which only use regular cell animation. Even those that are "regular" animation, like #11, Firing Range, are somehow amazingly unique looking, and I find myself unable to take my eyes off the screen. THe other amazing thing about RUssian animation versus American animation is that Russian animation often incorporates such beautiful, classical music into the films.
Most of these movies do not have dialogue, by the way, so if you dislike subtitles, that still shouldn't stop you from buying this DVD. This DVD is quite excellent, and personally, I'd pay 22 bucks for The Battle at Kerzhenets alone (and when you throw in "Seasons" and "Crane Feathers", it's even better!)
Rating: 
Summary: "Hedgehog" will incite your IMAGINATION
Review: If you have any love of animation at all - the artistry, the depth, the impact - the Masters of Russian Animation volumes are a MUST OWN. In this edition, Norstein's "Hedgehog in the Fog" will tickle and please your visual imagination like NOTHING else! I presented this short film to an American suburban community center audience and they were SPELLBOUND! I've owned a lot of films on DVD (and sold a lot - crazy recession), but I'll never relinquish any of the four volumes in this series. NEVER! Enjoy, with my regards.
Rating:
Summary: Yup, that's Russian Animation alright.
Review: It's Russian. It's animation. It's Russian animation!I have no idea why I like this stuff so much, it's not the best animation I've ever seen, even considering its age. There is something different and seductive about it, though. I think that part of the appeal is imagining a great Soviet Military/Animation complex filled with thousands of animators who 'draw or die' for Mother Russia. Complete the image with one Kommisar for each animator and you really begin to appreciate these guys! Or maybe these were underground animators, condemmed by the state and forced to live each day in fear for their right to animate! Either way, I like it! My favorite segment is one called Seasons. Imagine a painfully beautiful RANKIN/BASS flick portraying all of two seasons. Two! I wait for the day I find the other 2 seasons as well because fall and winter are just gorgeous. Maybe Russia only has fall and winter. The rest of the animation is pretty good. I recommend this if you like alternative animation or fancy yourself to be a tortured artist. If you are the latter, grab a beret, pull up an uncomfortable stool and enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Yup, that's Russian Animation alright.
Review: It's Russian. It's animation. It's Russian animation! I have no idea why I like this stuff so much, it's not the best animation I've ever seen, even considering its age. There is something different and seductive about it, though. I think that part of the appeal is imagining a great Soviet Military/Animation complex filled with thousands of animators who 'draw or die' for Mother Russia. Complete the image with one Kommisar for each animator and you really begin to appreciate these guys! Or maybe these were underground animators, condemmed by the state and forced to live each day in fear for their right to animate! Either way, I like it! My favorite segment is one called Seasons. Imagine a painfully beautiful RANKIN/BASS flick portraying all of two seasons. Two! I wait for the day I find the other 2 seasons as well because fall and winter are just gorgeous. Maybe Russia only has fall and winter. The rest of the animation is pretty good. I recommend this if you like alternative animation or fancy yourself to be a tortured artist. If you are the latter, grab a beret, pull up an uncomfortable stool and enjoy!
<< 1 >>
|
