From: chrismg@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (christian gadeken)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.anime
Subject: Siskel and Ebert Poll (Results)
Date: 12 Dec 92 17:25:53 GMT
Reply-To: chrismg@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (christian gadeken)
Organization: The University of Texas at Austin, Austin TX
Originator: chrismg@doc.cc.utexas.edu


This didn't get nearly as much response as the "favorite Ranma eps."
poll, but I think I've got enough to fake an episode of "Siskel and
Ebert"...

	[Scene from "Wings of Oneamisu," Shiro praying as he orbits
	the Earth.]

	[Scene from "Kiki's Delivery Service," Kiki flying with a
	voice-over of her mother explaining how witches leave home
	at 13.]

	[Scene from Gundam 0083 Movie, Gato discussing the dilemma
	of the Jion forces.]

	[Voice-over from Ebert.]
	
	Ebert:Tonight, we'll be looking at some films that give the
	lie to the idea that animation is just for kids

	[Cut to S&E's balcony.]

	Siskel:Some of the most thoughtful movies made in Japan
	are animated, and tonight we'll be giving you our top 5.
	Good evening, I'm Gene Siskel of the Chicago Tribune.

	Ebert:And I'm Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sum-Times.
	In fifth place is a movie that was compiled from a
	longer series of video-released episodes.  Gundam 0083
	is part of a longer cycle of stories, which date back to
	1979, describing the ongoing conflict between Earth and
	its space colonies.  This story, which takes place between
	the first and second television series, describes a mission
	by the colony-based forces to seize one of the Earth Fed-
	eradtion's newly built giant robot suits.  Despite the
	silly-sounding premise, this movie tells an engrossing
	story about people caught up in something larger than
	themselves.

	[Movie clip:Gato dicusses with the chief of the Jion
	base on Earth(OVA 4 I think) their prospects after the
	current mission.]

	Siskel:This story has several distinct levels:  An action
	film, a coming-of-age story, a political thriller, and
	even some comic elemnts.  Most violence is done between
	robot-suits, but small children might not understand all
	the complex plots.
	Our next movie is based on a popular TV series called
	Orange Road.  In the series, a young man is caught between
	a girl he loves but can't tell, and a younger girl who
	loves him that he doesn't want to hurt.  The fact that
	he has ESP creates a situation that produced many funny
	TV episodes.  The movie picks up after the TV series ends,
	and tells the story of how he finally confesses the truth
	to both of them.

	[Movie clip:Madoka telling Kyousuke she can't bear to be
	1/3 of a triangle any more.]

	Ebert:The movie is quite dramatic, in a break with the
	light-hearted tone of the TV series, and is, in some
	ways, a tragedy.  Anyone who's had a broken heart will
	definitely feel reminded by this.
	Our next film is the story of a space race, the first
	astronaut, and how he gets where he is.  The country
	of Honneamise has elements of 1960's America, Industrial
	Revolution Europe, and feudal Japan all at once.  The
	hero is a member of its Space Force, an organization
	which, at the beginning of the movie is a joke, and at
	the end has put its world's first man in space.

	[Movie clip:Shiro and Riquinni talking about the Space
	Force.]

	Siskel:The movie is also the story of Shiro's progress
	from a lackadaisical worker, through his inspiration by
	meeting a deeply religious girl, and growing out of his
	old life into, literally. another world.  There are some
	action sequences, but the story is mostly about why
	things happen the way they do.
	Our next movie is also from the Gundam cycle, this one
	a side-story to the original TV series.  It tells the
	story of a young boy who, by luck and perserverance, 
	becomes involved in a military operation on the space
	colony where he lives.  Despite the obvious wish-fulfillment
	aspects, the boy remains a believable and sympathetic
	character.

	[Movie clip:Alfred and Bernie argue about what they can
	do to save the colony.]

	Ebert:This story is about how he grows from the usual
	attitude of "war is cool" to realizing how horrible it
	really is.  It's told almost entirely from his viewpoint,
	and the story of his friendship with robot-suit pilots
	from both sides is both believable and nicely ironic.
	Our last film is from director Hayao Miyazaki, one of
	the most popular animators in Japan.  It takes place
	apparently in 19th century Europe with television, and
	is the story of a young witch who, as is the custom for
	witches, leaves home at the ripe age of 13 to make her
	place in the world.

	[Movie clip:Kiki arriving in the city and not fitting in.]

	Siskel:This is another wonderful coming-of age story, with
	beautiful animation and believable characters.  How Kiki
	makes a home for herself in an initially hostile place is
	both inspirational and enjoyable.

	Ebert:Well, that's it for tonight.  Here's a recap of
	our choices:

		Gundam 0083 Stardust Memory:Action, politics, 
	space travel, and growing up.
	Siskel:	Orange Road The Movie: The end of a love triangle,
	both happy and sad.
	Ebert:Wings of Honneamise:A space-race and tale of inspiration.
	Siskel:Gundam 0080 War in the Pocket:A young boy learns about
	the horrors of war first hand.
	Ebert:Kiki's Delivery Service:A tale of growing up and
	being special.  That's all for this time; see you next
	week and until then, the balcony is closed.

(Whew!)

-- 
			C h r i s t i a n  G a d e k e n

Yakumo: "But I really did destroy a monster in Hong Kong!
Saru  : "Ahem, ahem"
Yakumo: "Saru, do you believe me?"
Saru  : "Where's my Hong Kong souvenir?"