Nicole's Recent Reviews
Hotaru no haka (Grave of the Fireflies)
Unrated
Tragic and somber movie, indeed. But, I just can't get over how well adapted it was. Grave of the Fireflies felt so real with capturing the emotions of the times. Anime films have a special place in my heart and this one didn't disappoint. There were some touching moments that were really beautiful and the whole thing with the fireflies is great. This movie is definitely one people should see because of the historical content and the story that can resonate with all sorts of people.
Recommended.
The Mermaid (Rusalka)
Unrated
Oh my goodness. I can't believe what I just watched. I don't think any other foreign film touched my heart the way this one did. I don't even know where to begin. First of all, the main character, Alice, was wonderful. She's magical, full of life and wonder, and imagination. There are so many good things about this movie. Some compare it to Amelie, and I can see how, but this movie really is in a category all its own. You feel for Alice because her life isn't all that great, but she ultimately comes into her own and knows what she was meant to do in her life. The surrealistic quality of this film shows beautifully, especially the scenes on the beach. The ending completely blew my mind, but, in retrospect, I couldn't see it end any other way.
Movies like this really don't come around very often and it was an amazing experience watching it. Highly recommended.




