Thursday, January 21, 2016

Nine + 9 =

...equals very good viewing! Almost by chance we saw these two, almost-identically-named films last week. Both very different, quirky, fascinating!
"Nine" is a vibrant and provocative musical that follows the life of world famous film director Guido Contini as he reaches a creative and personal crisis of epic proportion, while balancing the numerous women in his life including his wife, his mistress, his film star muse, his confidant and costume designer, an American fashion journalist, the whore from his youth, and his mother.

OK, so it's not much of a story, granted, but it's based on a Broadway musical, and there are several big, bold scenes made in stage musical style, and the whole thing is very dramatic and theatrical. We saw it on DVD. It can be bought very cheaply, and it's more than worth the money.

That was "Nine". Next was "9".
In a world destroyed in a war between man and machine, a hand-stitched doll with the number 9 written on its back comes to life. The world he has awakened in is frightening, but he quickly learns that he is not alone and that there are others like him, also with a single digit written on their back. The first one he encounters is 2 who tells him something of what happened to the world. 2 is also thrilled with the disk 9 is carrying, one with three unique symbols on the front. 9 soon learns that the disk and some of the other dolls who are prepared to die for the good of humankind may be the last hope for man's salvation.

With so many good computer-generated animations to compare with, I think I have to say this is the best of that genre. Again, the story's not complex. It's certainly not new. But it's the animation of these unique little characters from which the film derives its greatness. The DVD includes a couple of extras which you have to watch, too - the "making of", and the short film from which this one grew. This is one I'll have to watch again.

It's not all been film watching here, honest. As always, the house has its demands to make upon us, and we've been working on various of those. All dull stuff, though, and Kantara's calling from a distance. I can't wait to return! 

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