Grave of the Fireflies (2012)

[hazelwu]

Originally Posted by Tsinitoboy

It was the first time that I tried that trick. I haven't tried it on my Battle Royale (my friend borrowed it and haven't returned it yet).

At first I was frustrated that it was region locked, then out of curiosity I tried all of the buttons on the remote just to see what will happen.

Interesting, that means the programmer didn't program it with enough consideration, just like DVD authors forgot to lock "title play".

[chrisron]

Originally Posted by hazelwu

Never seen people can do that, how often does it work for you on other Region A locked titles?

I own around 35 region A locked discs. I've got around 80% of them to work just by pressing stop and then disc menu after the screen that says my player can't play that region.

But it depends on your player if it works. I tried a couple that works on my player on my parents player and they didn't work there.

[joe_b]

Originally Posted by MOONPHASE

Though child voice actors in English dubs of Anime(or maybe even the original Japanese version) is very rare. So they usually just go with an adult voice actress who happens to have a young sounding voice.

That is exactly why the original Japanese track wins, hands down. They clearly used a young child to voice Setsuko and a teenage boy for Seita. Even in the new dub, the actress voicing Setsuko is clearly a grown woman imitating a child and the results are (typically) somewhat grating. My first viewing was with the new English dub, followed by the old. Setsuko's voice is less annoying in the updated track, but Seita's voice was very similar in both English dubs. I almost thought it was the same actor on both, though the delivery is a bit more natural on the new dub. The aunt's voice on the new track is a definite improvement. The actress on the original English dub sounded slightly southern to me and didn't quite sell the snippy attitude required of that character.

This was my first time seeing Grave of the Fireflies and it definitely lived up to it's reputation. I'm not usually one to cry during a movie, but I was left quite shaken. I even found myself putting my hand to my mouth in shock during one scene. Extremely powerful stuff... one of the most depressing things I've ever seen, but it leaves a lasting impression. A little human kindness can go a long way, folks.

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by joe_b

A little human kindness can go a long way, folks.

Ain't that the truth!

And just think if people more often considered the consequences of our [in]action on others.

[JavaJulien]

Originally Posted by joe_b

That is exactly why the original Japanese track wins, hands down. They clearly used a young child to voice Setsuko and a teenage boy for Seita. Even in the new dub, the actress voicing Setsuko is clearly a grown woman imitating a child and the results are (typically) somewhat grating. My first viewing was with the new English dub, followed by the old. Setsuko's voice is less annoying in the updated track, but Seita's voice was very similar in both English dubs. I almost thought it was the same actor on both, though the delivery is a bit more natural on the new dub. The aunt's voice on the new track is a definite improvement. The actress on the original English dub sounded slightly southern to me and didn't quite sell the snippy attitude required of that character.

This was my first time seeing Grave of the Fireflies and it definitely lived up to it's reputation. I'm not usually one to cry during a movie, but I was left quite shaken. I even found myself putting my hand to my mouth in shock during one scene. Extremely powerful stuff... one of the most depressing things I've ever seen, but it leaves a lasting impression. A little human kindness can go a long way, folks.

The original dub was actually done by a dubbing company located in Texas so that my be why.

I like this movie, but I also came across a criticism of it that does make sense as well. It is a bit emotionally manipulative.

[swifty7]

Originally Posted by James78

I haven't seen this film but several members have said it is the saddest film they have ever seen. I've put it on my rental list, but how often would one want to watch a film about starving wartime orphans? I'm sure it's brilliant, but I'm rather dreading watching it!

what is going to get you the most is love of a brother toward his little sister. This movie truly does tare your heart out in so many levels. It will be forever in my heart.

[Nielsb90]

Originally Posted by swifty7

what is going to get you the most is love of a brother toward his little sister. This movie truly does tare your heart out in so many levels. It will be forever in my heart.

I've seen it once but I want to own the BD sometime. Not one that I will watch regularly but it is a great movie that should have a place in my collection. Sometimes you just need to watch something heartbreaking to realize that you're an idiot for complaining about stuff in your life - its just human nature..

[retablo]

Originally Posted by JavaJulien

The original dub was actually done by a dubbing company located in Texas so that my be why.

I like this movie, but I also came across a criticism of it that does make sense as well. It is a bit emotionally manipulative.

That pretty much sums up any movie. They all manipulate emotion/action/etc to elicit a response from the audience (whether it be excitement, sadness, laughter, etc). That's what cinema does.

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by retablo

That pretty much sums up any movie. They all manipulate emotion/action/etc to elicit a response from the audience (whether it be excitement, sadness, laughter, etc). That's what cinema does.

Well put! I feel that a film's artistic success is very much how aware you are of the manipulation, which is why things like "over-rated" and "under-rated" seem silly to me; after all, such assessments are innately subjective, film-by-film, viewer-by-viewer. Just like music, poetry, literature, painting or any other art -- let alone politics.

I find it most rewarding when something crystallizes a belief, inclination, perception etc. that perhaps nothing else has done for me, or something that up-ends a pre-conceived notion I've held, thus giving me new perspective or even changing my view on something even slightly. It's a rarity, of course, and I can think of precious few who have had either of these effects on me.

I keep stalling on my re-watch, so I don't recall quite where this fits in, but the echo in my brain from previous viewings is that this film has a strong sense of empathy while avoiding many of the cinematic traps often used to illicit response. Add to that, for all the innate horrors and sentimentality baked into this narrative, it generally provides a clear-eyed view of a tragedy that is rarely looked at, and yet without being mired in heavy preaching or moralizing. It's enough for it to let the tragedy illustrate itself.

Keep in mind its at least six years since I last watched it. It's not as subtle as, say, Ozu or Kieslowski, but it is not as compromised as, for instance, Spielberg (whose Schindler's List and parts of Saving Private Ryan I hold in pretty high regard; Amistad -- with its golden hour interior lighting and hand-holding John Williams score underlining the profound speechifying -- not so much).

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by JavaJulien

The original dub was actually done by a dubbing company located in Texas so that my be why.

I like this movie, but I also came across a criticism of it that does make sense as well. It is a bit emotionally manipulative.

The new English dub was made in Texas.

[Lino11]

For anyone wanting a comparison to the DVD's supplemental features, it looks like the blu-ray is missing:


Interviews with Director Isao Takahata and Author Akiyuki Nosaka (as well as their personal biographies)

Interview from Roger Ebert

Historical Perspective: Commentary by Professor Theodore F. Cook and Hakuro Taya Cook

Video Restoration Documentary



Don't have the blu yet to truly compare.

[lkmg]

Any slipcover for this?

[Zen_Amako]

No - No Sentai Filmworks releases have slipcovers.

[lvicious]

That's unfortunate ^ but I'm still ordering this today.

[IronWaffle]

Originally Posted by lvicious

That's unfortunate ^ but I'm still ordering this today.

Glad it isn't stopping you. Difficult as this film is for many of the few who see it, it is well worth the price of entry.

I'd make a custom slip for you, but I doubt you'd like stick figures and glitter-fireflies pasted on scotch taped napkins.

[lvicious]

lol ^ Well it's the thought that counts. Can't wait and yeah I am preparing myself for the emotional ride. I've been watching ghibli and Mamoru Hosada flicks so this will be next.

[Dragun]

This is currently $9.99 on Amazon. I'm on the fence about buying this, since it was easily the most emotionally draining film I've ever seen.

[neoz]

Originally Posted by Dragun

This is currently $9.99 on Amazon. I'm on the fence about buying this, since it was easily the most emotionally draining film I've ever seen.

They are PM'ing Best Buy same with Lupin.

[eightslicesofpie]

Originally Posted by Dragun

This is currently $9.99 on Amazon. I'm on the fence about buying this, since it was easily the most emotionally draining film I've ever seen.

Thanks for the heads up! Went ahead and ordered it, great price. One step closer to a complete Ghibli collection

[bkfountain]

Originally Posted by Dragun

This is currently $9.99 on Amazon. I'm on the fence about buying this, since it was easily the most emotionally draining film I've ever seen.

neat. never seen it and i have a $5 credit from bing rewards to use.