✨Reel Reflections: A Cinematic Journey✨ by NUR AINA ADRIANA BINTI AHMAD RIZAL Moe

Welcome!!!

m9505764 — 2024-04-16 13:46:58 UTC

Salutations ladies and gents! Welcome to our humble blog that will be discussing about two movies of our choosing, which is "The Greatest Showman" and "Grave of The Fireflies". Both are meaningful and beautifully crafted cinematic masterpieces. Please join us as we do our best to bring you all for a deep dive into these splendid movies. In simple terms, we'll be yapping like nerds about any detail we can possibly share about our favourite movies. And before we begin, we'd like to introduce ourselves.

Welcome to the show!

m9505764 — 2024-04-17 06:57:59 UTC

Greetings from the other side! I'm Malcolm Teo Hsen Chern. My movie of choice is "The Greatest Showman". Directed by Michael Gracey, this movie is probably one if not the first musicals I have ever witnessed, and still one of my all-time favourite musicals! It features a loveable and charismatic protagonist, memorable characters, fantastic visuals, and beautiful music. The story line is quite simple but is told in a different yet entertaining fashion through song and dance with secret messages and lessons that are sprinkled in, along with a good amount of heartfelt moments that are sure to tug at your heart strings as they quietly address issues that may still be prevelant today. I'm really excited to introduce or reintroduce you all to this movie that I think deserves some spotlight.

Eternal Glimmers ⭒๋࣭ ⭑

m9677258 — 2024-04-17 14:53:56 UTC

Greetings, everyone! I'm Nur Aina Adriana. Today, I've handpicked a film that's not just a favourite of mine but a true game-changer in the world of animated dramas. Without further ado, today's spotlight is on...🥁🥁🥁
"Grave of the Fireflies" by Studio Ghibli! This animated masterpiece stands out for its heart-wrenching portrayal of two siblings, Seita and Setsuko, struggling to survive during World War II in Japan. It's a film that resonates with me deeply, capturing the essence of resilience, love, and the devastating impacts of war on civilians, especially children. Trust me, this one's a must-watch, and I can't wait to dive deep into its brilliance with you all.

The Greatest Showman

m9505764 — 2024-04-23 14:11:53 UTC

The Greatest Showman is a 2017 American biographical musical drama film directed by Michael Gracey from a screenplay written by Jenny Bicks and Bill Condon, and a story by Bicks, featuring Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, and Zendaya with a total of nine original songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and a score composed by John Debney and Joseph Trapanese. This film is a heavily fictionalized depiction of the life of P. T. Barnum, a showman and entertainer, and his creation of the Barnum & Bailey Circus and the lives of its star attractions.

The Synopsis.

m9505764 — 2024-04-23 14:15:50 UTC

Growing up in the early 1800s, P.T. Barnum displays a natural talent for publicity and promotion, selling lottery tickets by age 12. After trying his hands at various jobs, P.T. turns to show business to indulge his limitless imagination, rising from nothing to create the Barnum & Bailey circus. Featuring catchy musical numbers, exotic performers and daring acrobatic feats, Barnum's mesmerizing spectacle soon takes the world by storm to become the greatest show on Earth.

The Movie's Message

m9505764 — 2024-04-23 14:21:49 UTC

The main message shown within the movie is the message of it being okay to be unique, that you should be proud of who you are and that no matter what, there is a place for you. Prime examples include our main character, Phineas Taylor Barnum who wanted to do "The Greatest Show" the world has ever seen, an ambition that is bold and quite frankly, crazy. Even more so when he started focusing on recruiting the unique and peculiar into his show, to show the world what these recruits are capable of, and there was no harm in being "different" to everyone else. These "unique and peculiar recruits" include a bearded woman named Lettie Lutz, a dwarf man named Charles Stratton, an obese man called Lord of Leeds and an 8 foot long man.
On the topic of messages contained in the movie, there is also a message of being content with what you have, in Barnum's case, his wife and children. After all the highs and lows in the movie, at the very end of the day, all he ever needed had always been right in front of him.

Reasons why you should watch The Greatest Showman

m9505764 — 2024-04-23 14:24:55 UTC

It looks absolutely stunning! (But can very much tug at your emotions)

m9505764 — 2024-04-23 14:25:52 UTC

It's an ORIGINAL musical. Because what's better than a musical than an original one

m9505764 — 2024-04-23 14:27:15 UTC

A wonderful cast. Hugh Jackman, Zendaya and Zac Efron. What else could I say?

Fun facts!

m9505764 — 2024-04-23 14:30:32 UTC

Hugh Jackman had to go through intensive physical training to embody the physicality of P.T. Barnum. He even trained to hone his singing skills!

m9505764 — 2024-04-23 14:31:27 UTC

Zendaya, just like Hugh Jackman, trained extensively for the movie, where she had to portray Anne Wheeler, an acrobat and trapeze artist. She soars through the air in ropes and bars in several of the film's musical numbers.

m9505764 — 2024-04-23 14:32:53 UTC

The movie is inspired by the real-life achivements, struggles, and legacy of P.T. Barnum, who revolutionized the world of entertainment.

m9505764 — 2024-04-23 14:34:15 UTC

The movie underwent years and years of development. The idea was conceived in 2009, so that means the idea took around 8 years to develop into a real movie!

m9505764 — 2024-04-23 14:35:03 UTC

The Greatest Showman was a passion project, led by Hugh Jackman to make sure the movie came to the big screen.

m9505764 — 2024-04-23 14:44:44 UTC

The Greatest Showman inspired a world-wide musical phenomenon where everyone began embracing the story and music, leading to numerous stage adaptations and sing-along experiences.

The Greatest Showman's effect on pop culture

m9505764 — 2024-04-23 14:48:45 UTC

Whether you know it or not, The Greatest Showman has had it's effect on pop culture, you basically can't escape it honestly! Especially when the movie came out. It managed to catch the attention of famous figures within the music industry such as Pink and Kelly Clarkson who did their own covers of one of the songs. The songs being "A Million Dreams" and "Never Enough" respectively.
On the topic of music, The Greatest Showman's main soundtrack album managed to reach no.1 on the 200 album chart on it's 4th week of release. You may actually know a few songs that actually came from this movie such as, "Rewrite The Stars", "A Million Dreams", and "Never Enough". If so, congratulations! You can proudly say you have listened to a song from a musical.

Conclusion

m9505764 — 2024-04-23 14:50:10 UTC

The Greatest Showman is truly a cinematic masterpiece that has captivated audiences worldwide. Through its incredible music, heartfelt performances, and inspiring story, it has become a beloved film for generations to come. Whether you’re a fan of musicals or not, this movie is sure to touch your heart and leave you feeling uplifted.The film’s success can be attributed to its talented cast, led by the charismatic Hugh Jackman, who brings the character of P.T. Barnum to life with his magnetic presence. The infectious songs, composed by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, have become anthems of empowerment and self-acceptance.The Greatest Showman is not just a movie; it’s an experience that celebrates the power of dreams, the importance of inclusivity, and the beauty of embracing our uniqueness. It reminds us that no matter who we are or where we come from, we all have the potential to shine.In conclusion, The Greatest Showman is a must-watch film that will leave you feeling inspired, entertained, and eager to believe in the magic of your own dreams.

My unfiltered + honest opinion

m9505764 — 2024-04-23 14:57:29 UTC

Alright about time I actually gave my opinion on this movie as a whole, coming from someone who has rewatched the movie an unhealthy amount of times. And to be honest, it's one of the most phenomenal movies I've seen, because I was absolutely awestruck by the visuals and music to the the point that I wasn't able to focus so much on the storyline, but it was amazing nonetheless. I think you can still catch me humming songs from this movie nowadays since I finally got to revisit it. Honestly, it's so good that Im running out of words to describe the movie, so I advise you to go find out yourself instead on taking my word for it. Everyone has their preference afterall.

Grave Of The Fireflies

m9677258 — 2024-04-24 08:02:16 UTC

Grave of the Fireflies or also known as Hotaru no Haka is a 1988 Japanese animated war drama film written and directed by Isao Takahata, and produced by Studio Ghibli. It is based on the 1967 semi-autobiographical short story of the same name by Akiyuki Nosaka. The film was set in the city of Kobe, Japan in June 1945 during the final months of Would War II and the running time of the film is approximately 89 minutes. Universally acclaimed, Grave of the Fireflies has been ranked as one of the greatest war films of all time and is recognized as a major work of Japanese animation.

The Summary

m9677258 — 2024-04-24 08:05:24 UTC

The story follows Seita and his younger sister Setsuko, who lose both their mother and home due to American bombings while their father is serving in the Japanese navy, leaving them both orphaned and homeless. Because of this, they have no choice but to drift across the countryside to live with their aunt, facing starvation and disease. Along their journey, they discover that desperate circumstances can turn even the kindest of people cruel. Yet, their youthful hope shines brightly in the face of unrelenting hardship, preventing the siblings from swiftly succumbing to their inevitable fate.

The Movie's Message

m9677258 — 2024-04-24 08:25:04 UTC

The film conveys a powerful and poignant message about the devastating impact of war on innocent civilians, particularly children, portraying the struggles and sacrifices they must endure to survive in a world torn apart by conflict. It also underscores the importance of family, love, and compassion in the midst of despair, as Seita and Setsuko's bond becomes their lifeline amidst the chaos and tragedy.

"Grave Of The Fireflies" serves as a powerful anti-war statement, illustrating the profound human cost of conflict and the tragic consequences it has on innocent lives. It encourages viewers to reflect on the futility and cruelty of war and to empathize with the individuals who suffer the most from its horrors.

Overall, the film's message is a poignant reminder of the importance of compassion, understanding, and the preservation of human dignity, even in the darkest of times.

My Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

m9677258 — 2024-04-24 09:05:54 UTC

The animation is both realistic and stylized, which might bother some viewers. However, that's not the main focus of this film; the primary emphasis is on the character development of the brother and sister protagonists. Their relationship is nothing short of beautiful and touching. While war is undeniably hellish, even the most reprehensible characters in the film can evoke sympathy, while the best are not beyond criticism.

Without spoiling anything, I have to say that this film touched me in a way no other film has in my 16 years of life. While one or two films have upset me and brought tears to my eyes, "Grave of the Fireflies" left me in fits of sobbing despair. I was a mess! I'm talking a total emotional breakdown. It's one of the best films I have EVER seen, animated or not. So, my advice to those wanting to watch it would be to prepare your tissues for the end of this film cause you will need it.

Interesting Facts

m9677258 — 2024-04-24 09:22:31 UTC

A social user that goes by James posted on his social media about something intriguing that can be seen throughout the film's poster. He starts by saying, "30 years after Grave Of The Fireflies was released, fans discovered something about the poster. When you turn the brightness all the way up, you'll see a B-29 bombing plane in the sky. What was thought as miracle lights of fireflies were really a rain of explosives."

Grave Of The Fireflies In Real Life

m9677258 — 2024-04-24 09:41:04 UTC

The photo above was taken by an American photojournalist, Joe O’Donnell, in Nagasaki in 1945. He recently spoke to a Japanese interviewer about this picture:

" I saw a boy about ten years old pass by with a sad face. He was carrying a baby on his back with the little head tipped back as if the baby were fast asleep. In those days in Japan, we often saw children playing with their little brothers or sisters on their backs, but this boy was clearly different. I could see that he had come to this place for a serious reason. He wasn't wearing shoes and his face was hard. The boy stood there for 5-10 minutes. Then the men in white masks (the cremator) walked over to him and quietly began to take off the rope that was holding the baby. That's when I saw that the baby was already dead.

The men held the body and placed the baby in the fire. The boy stood there straight without moving, watching the flames. He was biting his lower lip so hard that it shone with blood. The flame burned low like the sun. Until the boy turned around and walked silently away. "

Although there is no official affiliation, many viewers still associate "Grave Of The Fireflies" with this photo by photojournalist, Joe O’Donnell.

General Facts

m9677258 — 2024-04-24 09:47:21 UTC

“My Neighbor Totoro” and “Grave of the Fireflies” were both released to Japanese theaters in 1988 as a double feature, with the two directors working together to ensure they would be cohesive. Because of this, "Grave Of The Fireflies" was often overlooked as a film because whenever “Totoro” was screened first, people were left happy and did not wish to be saddened by “Grave Of The Fireflies” afterwards.
NTV in Japan produced a live-action version of "Grave of the Fireflies" in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Additional Info & Recs

m9677258 — 2024-04-24 09:52:31 UTC

Main Casts (Voice Actors)

Tsutomu Tatsumi (Seita)
Ayano Shiraishi (Setsuko)
Akemi Yamaguchi (Aunt)
Yoshiko Shinohara (Mother)

If you like this film, consider watching these :

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
Schindler's list
Come and See (Idi i smotri)
The Pianist
Life is Beautiful (La vita è bella)

m9505764 — 2024-04-24 21:30:01 UTC

Dazzling choreography! Quite self explanatory really

m9505764 — 2024-04-24 21:36:32 UTC

Romance, because who doesn't like like some forbidden love with with a little bit of angst!

m9505764 — 2024-04-24 21:53:13 UTC

Phenomenal cinematography and details! Cause what is a movie without good cinematography.