Porco Rosso

Porco Rosso

1992

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki

I love Miyazaki's films. They are often slow and meditative feeling at times, but the pacing is part of what make his films so unique and wonderful. The pace often adds to the dream-like and often surreal quality of his films.

Porco Rosso centers around the story of an Italian pilot who is cursed to have the face of a pig. Though never fully explained, the film does hint at the causes of the curse. The pilot is a bounty hunter and has his plane destroyed by some rogue air pirates. The pilot must enter a dogfight contest in order to have his repair debt paid off.

I think that I enjoy Miyazaki's later films more than his earlier ones. I did enjoy this film greatly, but I don't think that it compares well with his later films such as Kiki's Delivery Service or Spirited Away. That being said, this is still a film worth checking out... especially for animation fans.

Rustin Allison

A Century of Model Animation

A Century of Model Animation

2008

Written by Ray Harryhausen and Tony Dalton

This is a great book about the history of model animation, co-written by one of the masters himself. Obviously the book cannot cover the many different animators that have helped contribute to this fascinating form of cinema, but it provides a great overview. The great thing about the book is that it includes the thoughts and insight of Ray Harryhausen who has worked with Willis O'Brien, and then came into his own (and eventually inspiring others to pursue the artform).

I love model animation (or stop-motion). I have always been intrigued by these types of films. I remember being scared and enthralled by Clash of the Titans when I was a boy, and it is amazing to think of the dedication, concentration, and patience that went into making such great characters come to life. 

Rustin Allison