Marcel the Shell

I just discovered Marcel the Shell with Shoes On. Well, actually, I discovered Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, Two. Both are stop-motion short films written by Dean Fleischer-Camp and Jenny Slate, directed by Fleischer-Camp, and voiced by Slate. Personally, I think the second one (released this week) is just as cute but more funny. But just the idea of putting shoes and a googly eye on a shell and making it talk is awesome because it's something weird and absurd that I would likely do.

Marcel: "I used to have a sister."
Camera: "Used to have?"
Marcel: "Yeah."
Camera: "What happened to her?"
Marcel: "Someone asked her to hold a balloon."

I also love when the dog barks at the doorbell and scares Marcel, who dives into the couch cushions. I can relate. I still jump every time our shetland sheepdog barks. That shit is LOUD.

Your Hair Looks Like Starlight

Yesterday was a downer, so Ali and I decided to watch some happy animation. I felt like watching Up, but it's no longer streaming, so we settled for the English version of Hayao Miyazaki's 2004 anime film Howl's Moving Castle.

Although I enjoyed the animation, especially the castle, I only really started caring about the story when Sophie turned into an old woman and marched into the Wastes. I think this is due in part to the character's increased confidence and sense of humor and the actress Jean Simmons.

That castle's pretty bad-ass.

From the first moment Howl started speaking, I was thinking "Why is he talking so weirdly? He sounds like Christian Bale's Batman." Uh, yeah...I had no idea that the voice does indeed belong to Christian Bale and I laughed hysterically when the credits rolled. I then felt compelled to check the chronological order of HMC and Batman Begins: 2004 and 2005, respectively. So, now I'm convinced Bale channeled his wizard voice for Batman. I hate that voice regardless.

Batman voice begins.

My favorite characters: Heen and Turnip Head.

Who doesn't love a short-legged, asthmatic dog with a yellow hair tuft? And Turnip Head was such a considerate fellow. He also prompted Ali and I to wonder what turnips taste like. Is that wrong?

I should probably watch the Japanese version, if for nothing else, so I stop laughing at Howl's voice. I should also watch Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke, but I only have so much animation attention span.

Howl: "Wow, Sophie, your hair looks just like starlight! It's beautiful!"

Dad, who is silently browsing the Internet in the corner of the room, starts laughing: "I'm sorry."

Me: "You should try that line on Mom."

More chuckling from the peanut gallery.

Cotton Candy

The short film Cotton Candy by Spanish director Aritz Moreno almost made me cry.  Maybe it has something to do with my devastation over the loss of my first pet when I was 6 -- a goldfish.  Here's an excerpt:

To watch the entire film, go here.  I don't really understand the title choice, but will now be extra careful when donning turtlenecks.

Banksy + Knitting

I wanna be like these ladies when I get old and wrinkly, assuming arthritis and/or carpal tunnel doesn't destroy my knitting abilities. This image is a product of Banksy, a mysterious British artist best known for his satirical graffiti street art. I say 'mysterious' because his real identity is unknown. True, street art is technically vandalism, but Banksy actually has talent and his work is socially relevant. Then again, I don't own property nor am I responsible for any sort of building maintenance. I have yet to watch his documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop, but in January it was nominated for a 'Best Documentary' Academy Award.