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Selling 'Ghost in the Shell'

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Re: Selling 'Ghost in the Shell'

#211

Post by ctchocula »

dclowd9901 wrote: post #202
XorNot wrote: post #2

Ghost In The Shell suffers from really dragging in the middle. There's a bunch a bunch of sequences which go on just way too long for the total amount of plot in the film, and there's a lot of missing context for the main character's motivation: we just kind of get a couple big exposition dumps, but no real feel for who the Major is or why the core conceit of the plot matters to her. The Stand Alone Complex series, c…

I kind of like that we’re thrown headfirst into this world without a ton of exposition around motivations and whatnot. It feels _a lot_ like Blade Runner that way (my favorite film) — sort of confounding and urgent. And you’re teased with these glances and sprinkles of a very intriguing world. All of this is to say I think the movie is just fantastic and I regularly find new things to love about it on each rewatch.

> I kind of like that we’re thrown headfirst into this world without a ton of exposition around motivations and whatnot. It feels _a lot_ like Blade Runner that way (my favorite film) — sort of confounding and urgent.

I really like this part of fiction and media as well, because it forces you to do some work piecing everything together, so you feel a bit like a detective as well. Way better than superhero movies where you are spoonfed everything. It's a common narrative device found in Phillip K. Dick books, one of which Blade Runner is based off of. I really like the way it builds suspense.

Re: Selling 'Ghost in the Shell'

#212

Post by bostik »

mmaniac wrote: post #169
bostik wrote: post #10

I hadn't realised Jin-Roh was from the same creator. And I can see why it wasn't a success: Jin-Roh is dark, properly dystopian, confusing, and unforgiving. But underneath there is a retold story of the little red riding-hood, in the original Grimm fashion. The wolf wins.

I found Jin-Roh's use of the Red Riding-Hood narrative to be much more subversive than a mere retelling. Both lead characters alternately play the role of red riding-hood and the wolf, luring each other in and betraying each others' trust at differing stages in the story. At the same time, neither truly wants to harm the other, but it's the human society they exist in which compels them to. The last shot of the movie…

Oh, I had missed the bonus context of the last shot. For me it was a way to state the obvious: the hunter comes to the rescue only in fairy tales.

In the world of the story, the difference between a wolf and a hunter is smaller than one might think.

Re: Selling 'Ghost in the Shell'

#213

Post by ctchocula »

latentsea wrote: post #197
tauwauwau wrote: post #129

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Here's a list of some old and new ones, that an old fart might enjoy Monster (Chasing a serial killer) Ergo Proxy (Can't describe it) Samurai 7 (Sci-fi variant off 7 samurai) Last Exile (Post appocapltic world with lots of flying machines) Kino's Journey Mushishi Time of Eve Gargantia Baccano Durarara Psycho Pass Arslan Senki Sunaboju (Desert Punk) Witch Hunter Robin Hunter x Hunter (old not new) Texnolyze Darker tha…

Started watching GTO and so far 3 episodes in it's about him lusting after 16 year olds?

It's a fun anime if the slapstick comedy resonates with you and don't take everything seriously. If slapstick isn't your cup of tea, then no point forcing yourself to watch it.

Re: Selling 'Ghost in the Shell'

#214

Post by amatecha »

segmondy wrote: post #108

I have literally watched this movie 10x easily, and it's my "Continue Watching" menu in Netflix right now. Such a brilliant movie.

It's usually my first thing to watch on a new monitor or projector or whatever device I might want to see how well it shows a film. Another typical "test watch" is Vampire Hunter D. That and GitS are amazing anime films, IMO.

Years ago I had a band (electronic/industrial style) and at one show we played, the venue staff were projecting stuff onto the stage and ceiling. I was super happy when I realized they were projecting GitS during my band's performance. Perfect choice! I think I thanked them afterward haha :)

Re: Selling 'Ghost in the Shell'

#215

Post by baobun »

90s cyperpunk existential anime produced with an eye for western markets could also describe Serial Experiments Lain and I am surprised to see no mention of this absolute classic.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_Experiments_Lain (spoiler-heavy article for the kind of story where trying to piece reality together is part of the experience)

Re: Selling 'Ghost in the Shell'

#216

Post by creamyhorror »

edgarvaldes wrote: post #191
YurgenJurgensen wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

All these people giving recs are doing it wrong. You can determine if an anime is worth your time by merely looking at the title and what the source material is and the following simple system: Candidates start with 5 points. If they have a positive score after applying the system, they're at least worth checking out (although they will not necessarily be good). If not, you are likely wasting your time. 1) Every word…

I'm not into anime, but I would like to see some recent series. But! I want an anime with adult MC, no power levels, no schools, not about magic, no mechas, no overtly sexual (inuendos, jokes). No exaggerated facial gestures. Something like the overall tone of Legend of the Galactic Heroes but more recent.

Give Vinland Saga a go, for some gripping historical drama.

Or Bartender: Glass of God (the ongoing 2024 series), for stories in a real-world setting.

For something more fantastical, To Your Eternity, an adventure that makes you feel and hurt. Frieren: Beyond Journey's End for an adventure that's both young and grown-up - it only came out recently, but has instantly been acclaimed as a modern classic.

For something more childlike yet endlessly creative, Delicious in Dungeon or even Ranking of Kings.

For proper literary sci-fi (despite featuring young protagonists), From the New World (Shinsekai Yori).

For true artistic cinema despite a Japanese high-school setting, Ping Pong The Animation.

Other gems mentioned that I second: ODDTAXI (a tightly written mystery-drama despite its art) and Pluto (serious thinking sci-fi with gravitas).

There are always a few upper-tier shows coming out each year that retain an artistic, mature bent. Not very many but at least they're there.

Re: Selling 'Ghost in the Shell'

#217

Post by creamyhorror »

nanna wrote: post #4

I feel like I haven't seen an anime in years that's been in the same league as Akira or the great Miyazakis (Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Totoro). Yes i'd be brutal and include Miyazakis following works in that list, from Howls Moving Castle to The Boy and the Heron. Ive seen lots of incredible animation, sure, but nothing like the cinematic depth. What am I missing? What should an old fart who's becoming convin…

You need to see Samurai Champloo if you haven't. It's twenty years old but absolutely timeless.

Reposting my comment from elsewhere here:

For something more fantastical, To Your Eternity, an adventure that makes you feel and hurt. Frieren: Beyond Journey's End for an adventure that's both young and grown-up - it only came out recently, but has instantly been acclaimed as a modern classic.

For something more childlike yet endlessly creative, Delicious in Dungeon or even Ranking of Kings.

For proper literary sci-fi (despite featuring young protagonists), From the New World (Shinsekai Yori).

For true artistic cinema despite a Japanese high-school setting, Ping Pong The Animation.

Other gems mentioned that I second: ODDTAXI (a tightly written mystery-drama despite its art) and Pluto (serious thinking sci-fi with gravitas).

There are always a few upper-tier shows coming out each year that retain an artistic, mature bent. Not very many but at least they're there.

Re: Selling 'Ghost in the Shell'

#218

Post by ChoGGi »

nanna wrote: post #4

I feel like I haven't seen an anime in years that's been in the same league as Akira or the great Miyazakis (Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Totoro). Yes i'd be brutal and include Miyazakis following works in that list, from Howls Moving Castle to The Boy and the Heron. Ive seen lots of incredible animation, sure, but nothing like the cinematic depth. What am I missing? What should an old fart who's becoming convin…

Oh, well obviously you have yet to enjoy the greatness and depth of humanity spilling from Detroit Metal City.

(s)

Re: Selling 'Ghost in the Shell'

#219

Post by tauwauwau »

latentsea wrote: post #197
tauwauwau wrote: post #129

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Here's a list of some old and new ones, that an old fart might enjoy Monster (Chasing a serial killer) Ergo Proxy (Can't describe it) Samurai 7 (Sci-fi variant off 7 samurai) Last Exile (Post appocapltic world with lots of flying machines) Kino's Journey Mushishi Time of Eve Gargantia Baccano Durarara Psycho Pass Arslan Senki Sunaboju (Desert Punk) Witch Hunter Robin Hunter x Hunter (old not new) Texnolyze Darker tha…

Started watching GTO and so far 3 episodes in it's about him lusting after 16 year olds?

There are some questionable parts of this anime as it's old and a lot of anime from that time is like that, however, it's one of those anime that got what being a hero is about. Only one that I can think of in recent times is My Hero Academia. If that doesn't sway you to watch it, I think Gigguk included Onizuka as one of the top 20 most badass characters in anime a few years ago.

Re: Selling 'Ghost in the Shell'

#220

Post by tauwauwau »

nurettin wrote: post #137
tauwauwau wrote: post #129

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Here's a list of some old and new ones, that an old fart might enjoy Monster (Chasing a serial killer) Ergo Proxy (Can't describe it) Samurai 7 (Sci-fi variant off 7 samurai) Last Exile (Post appocapltic world with lots of flying machines) Kino's Journey Mushishi Time of Eve Gargantia Baccano Durarara Psycho Pass Arslan Senki Sunaboju (Desert Punk) Witch Hunter Robin Hunter x Hunter (old not new) Texnolyze Darker tha…

Is there any reason FOTN isn't in there?

I'm not sure I'm familiar with that one.
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