slowcando

As ever, no spoilers or plot-summary here. This review is intended to recommend it to first-timers (as I was just a few hours ago)...

I've got an elite handful of all-time favourite acting performances, some are popular choices, others perhaps less so: Choi Min-sik in Oldboy, Lupita Nyong'o in Us, Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood, Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now, Johnny Depp in Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, Nicol Williamson in Excalibur, Manuela Velasco in the first two RECs (effectively one film), Jack Nicholson in Cuckoo's Nest, Florence Pugh in Midsommar, Gary Oldman in Dracula, Peter O'Toole in Lawrence, Jill Larson in The Taking...and the only film that boasts two all-timers in the same movie: Robin Williams & Shelley Duvall in Popeye.

Now...after around 1200 films rated, I can confidently add Isabelle Adjani & Sam Neill. I got literal chills down my spine at the sheer intense emotion coming out of these two. Beyond words. Absolute hysterical insane feels. It's the kind of film that reveals something about the viewer's own personal history, depending on their reaction. Uff!

My own take on the experience (and it is an experience) is less drive to understand or to theorise, but just to feel. To feel how far it can go, from the comfort of...not actually going that far oneself.

Trigger warning: there is violence and gore. But no graphic abhorrent sexual abuse. I gather it was banned back in the 80's but nowadays - in terms of sex & violence - it's acceptable viewing for the average 18-rated film-follower. However...it's not a date-night movie haha.

Note on the dialogue: a lot of it is recorded in real-time, no overdubbing. Great for immersion, but the modest quality of the mics and the stressed shouty nature means enabling subtitles is recommended. At least for a rewind.

Recommended to anyone who has had experience with out-of-control exasperating dissonant paranoid 'confrontations' with partners, and is morbidly curious how far those highly-strung emotions can go...at least in a fictional setting. Also recommended for film fans who like a bit of 'experimental' in their flicks, and who don't require clear explanations for the shenanigans. Certainly recommended if you wanna see incredible acting performances.

Not a definite recommendation if you're expecting monstrous body-horror or Cthulhu-adventures. This isn't The Thing or In The Mouth Of Madness (both very good, but they are a different type of movie). Tho' if you appreciate the relationship-angle from Thing-adjacent The Fly (Cronenberg) or even Coppola's Dracula you'll probably like Possession...or 'Obsession' as it could also be named.

A rare 9/10 for me, making it an instant personal favourite. The Berlin-setting (my home these last 20 years) adds extra evocative immersion.

Now at 79 films with a 9/10 or above, from 1173 total rated. Always a fine pleasure adding to these, makes the hobby of film-watching feel valuable.

Tales From Earthsea is my third Ghibli, after two 8/10's (Mononoke & Grave of the Fireflies...tho' I expect Fireflies will move up to a rare 9/10 on a rewatch...from animes only Akira and Attack on Titan bag that score).

I went in blind, not knowing anything about it. Love the deeply-evocative string-heavy score and beguiling atmosphere. Appreciate how it brings a town to life, how it portrays the dark obsession with immortality...and arguably themes of mental instability, tho' this should"ve been more clearly explored. The sinister villain (seductively-voiced by the japanese voice actress) and Sparrowhawk's stoic qualities & comforting presence make for magnetic watching.

The issues preventing a higher score are threefold:

• right at the beginning there's a brutal senseless murder which is never satisfactorily dealt with. It's like a dead weight throughout the rest of the film. Similarly, right at the beginning there's an epic dragon fight...alas, don't expect much more of that sort of thing.

• the antagonist goons are too tropey, too typical. In contrast to the otherwise weighty characters. And they appear too often, clashing the vibe.

• the ending feels like it missed the mark. Not gonna give anything away, but it does feel like a weird deus-ex-machina cop-out rather than anything making sense.

Deffo worth a watch tho' if you're already enjoying japanese fantasy anime. This one is slower than Mononoke - less spectacular & less plot-clarity - but has its own unique qualities.

I watched on PAL-DVD, which unusually has no PAL-pitch-speed-up. Correct runtime and pitch right away. Audio excellent, Image is as good as it gets for DVD: sharp & colourful, clean & clear.