60-second cinema

6 out of 10 Thanks to the Tyneside Cinema 's policy of bringing popular films back for one-off showings, I finally got to see this and on the big(ish) screen. Just as with Waltz With Bashir , this was as much educational as entertaining. Hmmm... maybe entertaining's not even the right word. The story follows an Iranian girl from her early childhood fully into adulthood, as she escapes from and returns to the oppressive regime in her home country. Assuming it's a fair representation of reality, Iran's probably just dropped down my list of countries I'd like to visit. Or maybe risen up it, given the spirit of its people. I don’t know. As a film, however, it left me wanting more; not always a good thing. The story goes in cycles throughout the film, but when it comes to an end, it still feels mid-way through a cycle. It feels incomplete, and it left me unsure of what it was trying to say. Maybe that was its intent: to leave an absence of conclusion. Perhaps; it

8 out of 10 My 6th Studio Ghibli film so far and my 3rd favourite (behind Grave of the Fireflies and My Neighbour Totoro). Set in a brilliantly steampunk world (a personal favourite style), it's a story of how compassion and a good heart will be rewarded and can see you through even the most difficult situations. (If you want the literal story, you can read the IMDB page.) Toward the end of the story, it felt a little less worked through than earlier on (hence the score above), but overall, it was a joy to behold, with some wonderful characters. And the animation was never less than delightful. Incidentally, if you fancy another slice of steampunk, I can heartily recommend the short Cannon Fodder, which appears on the Memories DVD.

8 out of 10 The Cat Returns is another Studio Ghibli animation and, for once, I watched the English dubbed version. I had no choice — it was on the telly. Have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed it. :) Telling the tale of a girl drawn into a world of cats after she saves a cat prince — stay with me here — it's not a complicated story, but it is well told and with nice touches of humour. If you've got a spare hour and 15 mins, this will plug the gap very nicely indeed.