Archive for September, 2008

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27th Sep 2008

Review of Rapunzel

Rapunzel is a Disney cartoon movie that talks about a lady who has been abducted and hailed by a witch since she was a baby.  The young lady, who was a daughter of a King doesn’t know anything about her past life, so all she knows now is that her mistress was the only person who took care of her since she was a baby.

This Disney cartoon movie is created sole to inspire and to motivate every young female at the age of 6 – 10 of age to become good if not great painters in the future.

Title: Rapunzel
Written by: Cliff Ruby and Elana Lesser
Produced by: Jesyca C. Durchin and Jennifer Twiner McCarron
Directed by: Owen Hurley

Character:
Protagonist: Rapunzel – a lady and a princess with long blond hair.
Antagonists: Garfield – a witch and Rapunzel’s mistress who owned the magic palace.

Supporting Characters:
Prince Stefan – future husband of Rapunzel and son of King Fredrick
King Fredrick - father of Prince Eric
King Whilhelm – father of Rapunzel
Penelope – a talking young female dragon and friend of Rapunzel
Hoby – a not-too-old male rabbit and friend of Rapunzel
Huego – a powerful dragon and father of Penelope
Otto – a cat-like animal and pet of Garfield.

Summary:
The story begins with a little girl at the age of 7 with her painting mentor.  Both were supposed to start painting, but the young girl doesn’t have any idea what to paint is hesitant to strike her brush on the canvas.

Her mentor insisted to paint whatever comes in her mind, but as young girl who doesn’t know anything about the real world really doesn’t know what to be painted.

The mentor equipped with such skills to motivate and stimulate the inner sense as the child to come beside her.  And the story begins……..

The palace owned by Garfield where Rapunzel was kept was concealed by magic.  This made the palace unknown to the nearby village and within the jurisdiction of the kingdom of King Fredrick.

One day, Rapunzel was painting together with her friend Penelope and Hoby.  Hoby the rabbit, with his ears served as an antenna detected that Garfield is arriving aboard her horse.  Rapunzel immediately took off her apron and hurriedly proceed to the door to greet her mistress.

Garfield, while walking the hallway noticed that Rapunzel was painting again.  She reminded Rapunzel that it is her duty to serve her. According the Garfield, she was served and taken care of ever since she was a child and she is required to repay it by doing all the household chores and keeping the house and proper order.  This means fixing all the things in the house that needs fixing.

After some traditional discussions with her mistress, Rapunzel went to the kitchen to prepare a tea for her mistress.  While preparing, she was distracted by her two friends hoby and Penelope which made all dishes to flew, but because of their abrupt reaction, they were able to catch all the things including the cookies.

Unknowingly, the spoon was hanged in one of the nose of an animal statue.  The three were amazed that it was a door-lock and the spoon made it open a secret underground door.

After serving the tea to her mistress upstairs, Rapunzel silently went back to the kitchen to the secret passage.  Unknowingly, the secret passage was a way though the village within the kingdom.  Rapunzel strolled the village until she arrive at a place where a two young girls and a boy.  The children were brother and sister of Prince Stefan.

While the young children were picking apples for their horse, the one young lady happen to fall on one of the traps.  Rapunzel seeing the seeing the incident immediate approached the girls and extended her help.

While helping the girl by pulling up from the hole, she unbalanced herself which made her supposed to fall, but Prince Stefan was already at her back and immediately the Prince grabbed her at the waist.

After a few minutes, the children went home, but the two, Rapunzel and Prince Stefan were left and had the chance to talk. Rapunzel had given her name to the Prince, but before the Prince had the chance to introduce himself, Rapunzel insisted him not to which made the prince become more curious about the lady.

Rapunzel insisted that they go to the village to ask someone who knew who made the magic paintbrush she is holding.  With the assistance of the Prince, they went through the smith of the village.  Luckily, the smith knew who made the paintbrush.  It was his brother.  The smith lamented that he could not brought her to him because they were long separated because of the war between the King Fredrick and King Whilhelm.

The two return to the place.  Prince Stefan still doesn’t have the chance to introduce himself to Rapunzel, invited her in a ball.  Rapunzel doesn’t know that the ball will be the celebration of Prince Stefan’s 18th birthday.

In the meantime at the magic palace, in the tower where Rapunzel was kept Hoby detected that Garfield is returning.  The two didn’t know what to do, but later agreed that Penelope will be the one to go and pass through the painting of the village to look for Rapunzel.

While the Prince Stefan and Rapunzel were talking about the ball, Penelope appeared.  Stefan, seeing a dragon, reacted vehemently to protect Rapunzel, but Rapunzel, stated that this dragon is her friend.

Penelope begged Rapunzel to return to the tower immediately, because if not, Huego, Penelope’s father, will be punished.  Luckily, with the magic paintbrush at hand, Rapunzel drew a tower which served as a portal for them to return immediately at the tower.

Before Garfield had reached the tower, the Rapunzel and Penelope were already there.  Garfield through the help of her pet Otto learned that Rapunzel had gone to the village and according to Otto, Rapunzel had met Price Stefan.  Garfield wanted to know it personally and so she ask Rapunzel the name of the person whom she’d met.  But since Rapunzel really do not know the name of Prince Stefan said, “I don’t know.”

While Rapunzel, Penelope and Hoby were choosing what dress Rapunzel will wear in the ball, Otto sneaked in the tower.  Otto learned about the ball and immediately reported to her mistress Garfield.

Garfield, remembering what had been done in the past about her acquaintance with the two Kings especially that of King Whilhelm, rage and anger flamed once again her sense.  She had been revenging to King Whilhem ever since.

Immediately, Garfiled called Huego.  Huego carried Garfield on his back and flew up the tower.  She entered the tower and before she extracted another magic, she angrily instructed the Penelope and Hoby to go out.

Once again, Garfield asked Rapunzel about the name of the man whom she’d met, but Rapunzel really don’t know the name of Prince Stefan.  In fact, she doesn’t even that Stefan is a Prince.

With rage and anger, using her magic Garfield cut Rapunzel’s long blonde hair and inflicted one of her powerful magic to imprison Rapunzel in the tower forever.  The magic imposed was to imprison a person with a “lying heart.”

Garfield till full of rage and anger turned her magic to Huego because according to the mistress, he did not discipline Penelope.  The mistress, using again her magic tide Huego with a magic cable connected to tower.

While on her way to the ball, Penelope tried speak with her father explaining everything about what had been done and the help Rapunzel extended to them.  Penelope begged her father to help Rapunzel because she was not lying even before and that she has a clean conscience.

This made Huego to determine that Rapunzel could escape the prison tower and she instructed Penelope to tell Rapunzel about it.  After a few minutes, Rapunzel had escaped and thank Huego for his help, but Huego insisted the he should be the one thanking Rapunzel.

At the ball, Garfield arrived and she let Stefan see her presence.  Wearing the long blonde hair that had been cut as her disguise, Prince Stefan, at first, thought that she is Rapunzel.  Garfield ran to the labyrinth and Stefan followed.

At the labyrinth, Garfield will have the chance to destroy Price Stefan.  But Price Stefan is a well-trained warrior, and so, he had managed not to be caught by of Garfield attacks.

Meanwhile, Penelope had managed to fly up the magic wall with Rapunzel and Hoby at her back.  They are rushing to the ball to stop the possible magical attacks of Garfield.

King Whilhelm had decided and planned an attack to King Fredrick’s kingdom.  According to him, this is now the time to settle their long dispute.  King Whilhelm wanted to revenge her daughter that had been kidnapped by the other King.  Both Kings didn’t know that Garfield was the one responsible from the kidnapping.  This was revealed when all of them meet at the ball.

During the confrontation, Rapunzel arrived and learned that she was kidnapped for Garfield to avenge her frustrations with King Whlhelm.

Rapunzel had managed to catch Garfield using the magic painted prison tower.

The dispute of the two Kings was settled after and Price Stefan and Rapunzel got married.

Ending:
The ending was given emphasis on the paintings which served as the key to solve all the problems.  It is emphasized that Rapunzel is painting through her heart.  The mentor emphasized to her young student that in order for her to paint good drawings, she had to paint also from her heart.

Recommendation:
I would like to recommend that every painter should review this “Rapunzel” cartoon movie.  It should not only be watched by young female aspiring to become good painters but also to all the young children so that they will also be motivated to paint not only by a stroke of the paintbrush but to strike it with all their hearts.

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15th Sep 2008

Home Of The Fireflies

Gino Lipata

“Home of the Fireflies” is the title of the movie my daughter and I watched just recently. It is a story of a young boy named Nathan in his early adolescent period and his younger little sister Setsiko with age around 4 to 6 years old. The story setting was taken in some place in Japan during the Japanese-American war. Nathan’s and Setsiko’s father is a Naval soldier while their mother is plain housewife.

The story is a cartoon film (not animated). I bought the digital video disc (dvd) copy of the cartoon movie for my daughter. When we started to watch it, I found out that I need to watch it also to guide my child for some incomprehensible scenes for my child’s young point of understanding. Though the movie is really created for the young children like my daughter, I become interested because of the thought the story is trying to convey to its viewer.

The language used n the movie is foreign and daughter does not know what are being talked about in the movie so, I am ask all the time what is being told by the characters as we are both watching.

While watching, at the same time I am also narrating to my daughter what is being talked about based on the situation she is seeing. There are times my daughter pity Setsiko because of her situation. I noticed she is very affected by the situation of Setsiko. I noticed my daughter’s eye become even misty once in a while. This is the reason why I decided to write a narrative review of the movie.

It was almost dark then while the Japanese soldiers were conducting evacuation services to the resident because the news that their will be war coming on and their place will be affected because of its proximity to the Japanese Naval base. Nathan and Setsiko’s mother was preparing for the things to be brought in the evacuation and some preserved foods in a container was buried for future use when multiple American airplanes loaded with bombs arrive and started to drop multiple bombs in the area.

After an hour or so, the community is already burning and mother helped Nathan to tie Setsiko on his back. On a rushing move Nathan started to walk out of the house and few step away from the house where mother was still preparing for her self, a missile struck the house. Nathan did not see mother as he continues to proceed to the truck that will suppose to bring them to a safe evacuation place.

People started to panic due to lots of bombs were dropping nearby. Nathan looked for some place to hide but could not find one, but to he continues to run and run until they arrive at the nearby evacuation tunnel.

In the morning, no house or building is left standing. All were burnt down into ashes including their house. The only left for them was the evacuation center. Nathan and his sister Setsiko were helped a by Lady working as a social worker in the evacuation center. They were invited to their house.

The lady informed Nathan that his mother was in the infirmary and the lady wants him to visit her mother. Upon his arrival in the infirmary, Nathan saw his mother covered by bandages. A Soldier informed him that she severely burned. The next morning when he visited again, his other’s body is now being inhabited by maggots, falling down the floor. His mother is dead. On that day, there were lots of people died and the soldiers have to burn all the bodies. Nathan did not tell to Setsiko that mother was gone.

At the house, there were lots of times in the last three days that the siren whales, a warning that all the people, young and old should go to the evacuation tunnel because there will be again another air raid from the American forces. During these rushing times to reach the tunnel, Setsiko was being carried at the back of Nathan.

Three day after the first air bombing, Nathan returned to their bunt house. He dug those things including the preserved food that had been dug by him and her mother before the first air attack. He dug at the hole around 10 kilos of rice, dried strawberry some dresses, money 7,000 yen and a can of candy having different flavor. He remembered the candy as one of his sister Setsiko favorites. He then brought all these things to the house.

Since there were lacking supply of food especially rice, the mother of the lady who helped them suggested that their mother’s clothes should be sold and the money will be used to buy rice. When the mother got the clothes, Setsiko maybe sensed that her mother’s clothes would be sold, so she cried and cried until Nathan could no longer stand the pain Setsiko is undergoing walked away for a couple steps, but still hearing Setsiko’s whaling.

In the afternoon, the mother of the house where live now, has now the rice and it was divided by two, for them and the Lady’s family. Since the two were still young and doesn’t know yet how to undergo such happenings, they just lie in there designated room. Until one day, when the rice is no longer enough for everybody, the mother started to mention some things that are not favorable for both of them and as Nathan’s young mind he conceived they need to leave the house and live for their own. As the mother states, Nathan is old enough to shoulder their living condition.

Nathan thought of the evacuation tunnel, carried Setsiko tied up on his back while explaining the things that Setsiko doesn’t really care to know. She is still young for such undertakings, but Nathan did his best to explain to her sister their situation. He said to Setsiko, “the tunnel is not being used for a couple weeks now and nobody owns it. We can stay here as long as we want.” On her young mind, Setsiko nodded in agreement to his brother and started to ask where will be the dining room, her room and she emphasized where should be the toilet. Nathan answered with out hesitation pointing some of the part and said, this is our living room, over there will be our room, here will be the kitchen and the toilet could be any where.”

Nathan brought all their things to the tunnel. They went to a store and bought a coal stove and a comb which was being used by Setsiko then while he was paying the bills. They went home (the tunnel) and Nathan immediately prepared to cook the rice. “Wow, a rice cake, ” Setsiko’s termed it as Nathan is serving it on a piece of flat wood that serves as their table. They ate and enjoyed their food with out even thinking what will happen next.

Both chatted a bit after eating while lying at the nearby stream. Nathan noticed there were too many mosquitoes already so he insisted they go now to their room inside the mosquito net. It was so dark then. Nathan notices a firefly outside the tunnel. To eliminate Setsiko’s tantrum, she ask her to go outside to catch some of the fireflies. Nathan thought these fireflies could be used as their lights in the tunnel so he started to catch as many fireflies as he can and told Setsiko to do the same. They caught lots of it and put inside the mosquito net. Setsiko was very amazed then, she even thought the fireflies as stars in the sky.

Early the next morning, Nathan left Setisko in the tunnel to buy some rice. When he got home he notice Setsiko doing some thing. He approached her and asked what she’s doing. Setsiko replied without lifting her head and said, “Why they have to die so soon,” while making a grave for the fireflies which died over the night. She continued to talk stating their mother had died also and already in the grave. The lady who helped them told to Setsiko that her mother died during the air attack. Nathan started to cry and he cried heavily that morning remembering the death of his mother. But he knew he needs to be strong for Setsiko.

The following days, Nathan doesn’t have money anymore for rice. He remembered the ring her mother gave him before they separated at the house. They don’t have enough nutritional food to sustain there living that time and Setsiko is becoming malnourished. Nathan even tried to catch bull frogs for them to eat. Remembering the ring, he carried Setsiko on his back and they went to the market to pawn the ring.

At the pawn shop, rumors that the Japanese had surrendered to America. Nathan begun to wonder what happened to his father. He father is one the soldier who is manning a war ship at the sea. He asked one of the persons there what happen to the fleet. The man answered that all the fleet were destroyed during the war. Nathan did not believe it at first, but later accepted that he and her sister were now alone in this world. Nathan did not tell anything to Setsiko what he heard.

Since the community is not yet recovered, Nathan could not find for work to sustain their living. They now seldom eat these days, and Setsiko’s condition is beginning to become weak. He brought her to the doctor, but there were no available medicine during at that time. The doctor said that Setsiko’s should be fed with nutritious foods. Nathan doesn’t know what to do. All their money is gone.

Nathan come up to stealing just to fed her hungry sister. He was even caught once and had been bitten all over his body and brought to the authority by the person who caught him stealing. Setsiko manage to go to her brother and she saw the condition of her brother. Again, Nathan cried hard for the second time telling to Setsiko he will do anything for her.

Setsiko is getting weaker and weaker. Until one morning while hugging he hugged her Setsiko no longer awake. Nathan burned Setsiko’s body and he cried again heavily as he watch his sister Setsiko’s body being burnt.

Nathan walked far away from the tunnel and he never returned even then.

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