You are currently browsing the tag archive for the ‘2009’ tag.
Director: Izabela Plucińska
Release date: November 8, 2009
Rating: ★★
Review:
Based on a picture book from 1993 ‘Esterhazy’ is clay animation film in which a Viennese, supposedly aristocratic young rabbit is sent by his grandfather to Berlin to find a rabbit paradise behind the Berlin wall (which apparently really existed). Thus he gets caught in the world event of the fall of the Berlin wall, much to his own dismay.
‘Esterhazy’ mixes clay animation with after effects, and is especially noticeable for its background art, which is also made in clay. Unfortunately, the film is overlong and rather aimless, and progresses at a slow speed. Unlike his Berliner brethren Esterhazy himself is very anthropomorphized and clearly capable of communicating and socializing with humans. At the same time he gets locked up and is sold as a pet. This unclear anthropomorphization of the main character further hampers the film, as does its rather dark lighting, in which quite a bit of the action gets lost. The best part may be the composition of the invitation Esterhazy sends in the end.
Watch ‘Esterhazy’ yourself and tell me what you think:
‘Esterhazy’ is available on the DVD box set ‘The Animation Show of Shows Box Set 9’
Director: Geefwee Boedoe
Release date: November 5, 2009
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
‘Let’s Pollute’ is a cheerful film in a neo-fifties cartoon modern style in which we are encouraged by a voice over (Jim Thornton) to pollute and waste more.
The extreme sarcasm of the film is countered by the jollity of it all. Boedoe’s graphic style is very inviting, with its bold black linework and strong coloring, and his silent animation is simple and effective. The misplaced enthusiasm is even further enhanced by two songs, with the “want it, waste it” song as a particular highlight. This film was made in less cynical times, and although the pollution described was already very bad back then, its message rings even stronger today than it did then.
Watch ‘Let’s Pollute’ yourself and tell me what you think:
‘Let’s Pollute’ is available on the DVD box set ‘The Animation Show of Shows Box Set 9’
Dr. Grob's Animation Review 