Customer Reviews

Cartoon Noir

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

There is one really wonderful feature here, The Story of The Cat And The Moon. It is the story of an aging cat who is quite mad and utterly in love with the moon. Wonderful black and white imaging and exquisite story monologue. It is probably worth owning this DVD just for this one feature alone. The other five are not so much noir as just deadly boring and depressing. You should try to see this before you buy it, as it is really not for all tastes.

Jiri Barta's "Club of the Discarded" is my favorite of this bunch, a stop-animation featuring outdated and damaged mannequins. It comes across as eerie but ambiguous, leaving a lotfor the viewer to bring to the imagery. Serrazina's "Story of the Cat and the Moon" is elegant and eloquent, a sweet dessert for finishing off this visual feast. Other pieces, including "Abductees," didn't do as much for me - I just don't feel any need to respond to alien abduction stories in a serious way, and Vester missed the huge potential for commenting on the many human weaknesses involved.

It's a mixed bag with, including some very strong selections. If you like animation that explores off the beaten path, you'll probably enjoy this, or parts of it.

//wiredweird

Having been one of the lucky people who had the chance to see this remarkable anthology in theaters, I'm in the unique position of being able to recommend it to AMAZON shoppers. If you are a fan of THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS or SPIKE & MIKE'S ANIMATIONS FESTIVALS, or just an animation fan in general, I highly encourage you to pick up this disc, even if you haven't seen it. This is an accomplished piece of work that can be watched and rewatched several times, and contains some truly breathtaking pieces of animation. The filmmakers behind these pieces are truly masters of mood, not to mention ingenious for attempting to merge film noir with animation. A wonderful investment.

Anyone expecting either good animation or good noir is going to be very disappointed with this collection. By and large, the films are monumentally dull. The brief "Cat and the Moon" provides almost the only glimmer of interest; the rest of the disc feels like a bunch of student exercises.

This disc will probably bore you silly, despite the trio of five-star reviews below -- all by "A viewer from Chicago." (Wow, what a coincidence that three Windy City residents all loved this tedious DVD and used the same words to describe it.) If you're looking for great animation with a dark twist, try Jan Svankmajer or the Brothers Quay instead.

This compilation will not please the conservatives who adore Walt Disney, nor will it win any Oscars (too outrageous). But if you like underground comics, alternative music, and are interested in what the best of the experimental animators are doing - then you will love this tape. Paul Vester, Suzan Pitt, and Jiri Barta whose dark and beautifully realized work are a part of Cartoon Noir are some of the best underground animators working today. The films in this compilation are original and striking examples of where animation can take the imagination. These works ran theatrically at the Cinema Village in New York and received rave reviews throughout the United States. Don't listen to Mr. Establishment, Charles Solomon.

This is a wonderful collection of bizarre, beautiful, and dark animated films which have won many prizes internationally. You will really enjoy this- a special treat to have this "best of the underground" distributed at such a low price. Worth watching for years to come!

This is a great group of animated films from the underground: funny, dark, and beautiful