Some Like It Scott

Miyazaki Countdown Part 5 - Kiki’s Delivery Service

Hello everyone and welcome to Some Like It Scott's second Countdown miniseries on 2023, a podcast first focusing entirely on the works of Japanese animator, Hayao Miyazaki: the Miyazaki Countdown. To honor one of the living legends of animation, the countdown crew of Scott, Scott, and Jay will watch all 11 of Miyazaki's films to-date, rewinding all the way back to his directorial origins with 1979's action-adventure heist thriller LUPIN III: THE CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO, all the way to his then-final film, 2013's biographical epic romance drama, THE WIND RISES. Join us each week over the next 11 weeks, as we build up to what is Miyazaki's self-proclaimed now-final film (we'll see...), the fantasy epic, THE BOY AND THE HERON.

 

In Part 5 of the Miyazaki Countdown, Scott, Scott, and Jay discuss the conclusion of Hayao Miyazaki's incredible 3-year run with the 1989 fantasy coming-of-age anime film, KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE. In a rare adaptation from Miyazaki, based on the Japanese children's fantasy novel of the same name by Eiko Kaduno, KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE takes copious liberties in its telling of the coming-of-age story of a 13-year-old witch, who sets off from home with her talking black cat "familiar" named Jiji, under the good omen of a full moon. Like her witch mother before her, Kiki must spend a year in a city with no other witches in it, learn a skill, become independent, and thereby prove her worth and abilities as a witch contributing to society. Like all great coming-of-age stories (and adventures too for that matter), Kiki is quickly beset with setbacks: a great storm forces her to take shelter on a train overnight; an aviation-loving boy named Tombo is extremely forward with Kiki on the street after becoming enamored with her flying abilities; and Kiki of course has no idea what she's going to do and what of her skills she can leverage to survive and thrive in her new port-city home. The good news is that Kiki doesn't have to do it alone. She has her trusty familiar, Jiji, and a very kind bakery owner who provides Kiki with housing and a job while Kiki figures it all out. All that's left is for Kiki to navigate a new city, looking for a new job, with barely any friends! Easy enough. The countdown crew give their thoughts on Miyazaki's first real crack at a coming-of-age film, where Kiki ranks in the animation king's lead character ensemble thus far, and just how immaculate the vibes are combining the vision for the film's port city setting and Joe Hisaishi's strings-heavy European-inspired score.

Ep. 251 - The Royal Hotel

Hello and welcome to an all new episode of Some Like It Scott! On this week's episode, the two Scotts talk about THE ROYAL HOTEL, the sophomore feature from writer-director Kitty Green (THE ASSISTANT), who crafts another tale of female anxiety in the face of an oppressively misogynistic male society starring Julia Garner. After discussing the Green-Garner partnership, the success of a more expansively set tale, and whether the Australian outback is an effective setting for Green's themes, the co-hosts turn their attention to news of a MLK Jr. biopic in the works, as well as the 2nd of 3 updates from this year's New York Film Festival. See time codes below:

 

10:21 - THE ROYAL HOTEL review

1:04:23 - MLK Jr. Biopic

1:08:55 - NYFF 61 Week 1 / Weekend #2 Update

 

Next week: KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON (Theaters)

 

Patreon: www.patreon.com/MediaPlugPods

Miyazaki Countdown Part 4 - My Neighbor Totoro

Hello everyone and welcome to Some Like It Scott's second Countdown miniseries on 2023, a podcast first focusing entirely on the works of Japanese animator, Hayao Miyazaki: the Miyazaki Countdown. To honor one of the living legends of animation, the countdown crew of Scott, Scott, and Jay will watch all 11 of Miyazaki's films to-date, rewinding all the way back to his directorial origins with 1979's action-adventure heist thriller LUPIN III: THE CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO, all the way to his then-final film, 2013's biographical epic romance drama, THE WIND RISES. Join us each week over the next 11 weeks, as we build up to what is Miyazaki's self-proclaimed now-final film (we'll see...), the fantasy epic, THE BOY AND THE HERON.

 

In Part 4 of the Miyazaki Countdown, Scott, Scott, and Jay discuss one of Hayao Miyazaki's most iconic films: the family anime fantasy film, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO. Set in rural Japan in the 1950s, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO captures a slice of life of the Kusakabe family: father Tatsuo and daughters, Satsuki (10 years old) and Mei (4 years old), who recently have moved out of a larger city into the countryside, closer to Tatsuo's wife's hospital, where she is convalescing and recovering from a long-term illness. Satsuki and Mei adapt to their new life: they explore the house in search of "dust gremlins" hiding in the dark corners of the structure; they meet their neighbors - a matriarch named Granny and her children and grandchildren; and one day while Satsuki is at school, Mei wanders into the adjacent forest and stumbles upon a fantastical spirit she names Totoro, based on the sounds it makes as she plays with it. Rather than disbelieve or question her experience, Satsuki is jealous and wants to meet Totoro for herself, and Tatsuo encourages Mei and Satsuki to be watchful for these forest spirits that inhabit the land. The remainder of the film is less a quest to re-encounter Totoro and its fellow forest spirits, and more a compelling case of childhood adventure and a stark reminder that the childlike wonder and innocence of Satsuki and Mei could likely do us all a favor. The countdown crew discuss these notions, share their thoughts on the deeply emotional undertones of the film and its narrative context, and ponder the spiritual elements of Totoro and its fellow forest spirits.

Miyazaki Countdown Part 3 - Castle in the Sky

Hello everyone and welcome to Some Like It Scott's second Countdown miniseries on 2023, a podcast first focusing entirely on the works of Japanese animator, Hayao Miyazaki: the Miyazaki Countdown. To honor one of the living legends of animation, the countdown crew of Scott, Scott, and Jay will watch all 11 of Miyazaki's films to-date, rewinding all the way back to his directorial origins with 1979's action-adventure heist thriller LUPIN III: THE CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO, all the way to his then-final film, 2013's biographical epic romance drama, THE WIND RISES. Join us each week over the next 11 weeks, as we build up to what is Miyazaki's self-proclaimed now-final film (we'll see...), the fantasy epic, THE BOY AND THE HERON.

 

In Part 3 of the Miyazaki Countdown, Scott, Scott, and Jay discuss Hayao Miyazaki's first official Studio Ghibli film: the 1986 fantasy adventure anime film, CASTLE IN THE SKY. Written and directed by the Japanese master, CASTLE IN THE SKY immediately thrusts viewers into the action, as a gang of air pirates led by a woman named Dola infiltrate a government airship carrying a prisoner aboard named Sheeta. Dola's gang incapacitates Sheeta's handler, a government operative named Muska, but in an attempt to escape capture, Sheeta falls off the side of the airship. In midair, however, the precious crystal Dola's gang was attempting to steal activates and slows Sheeta's fall, until she gently lands in the arms of Pazu, a young local miner, who takes her to his home for her to rest and recover. The next day, as Sheeta and Pazu get to know each other and their shared connection to a mysterious floating city in the sky called Laputa, Dola's gang arrives at their doorstep and pursues them, with the military in toe, led by Muska. It's a race to recapture Sheeta and find out exactly what her mysterious crystal's powers are and whether they ultimately lead to the fabled castle in the sky. The countdown crew share their thoughts on Miyazaki's third outing, how he continues to set a standard for the genres he explores, and the particular magic of his template for fantasy-adventure.

Ep. 250 - The Creator

Hello and welcome to an all new episode of Some Like It Scott! On this week's episode, the two Scotts talk about THE CREATOR, a brand new sci-fi film with original IP from the mind of Gareth Edwards (GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS, ROGUE ONE). After discussing John David Washington's leading turn, how the near-futuristic AI semi-dystopia works, and whether the story and themes fully hold together, the co-hosts turn their attention to the announcement of a new award at the Golden Globes (cringe!) and one Scott gives an update on the first weekend of this year's New York Film Festival. See time codes below:

 

7:12 - THE CREATOR review

56:38 - New Golden Globes award announced

1:04:00 - NYFF 61 Weekend #1 Update

 

Next week: THE ROYAL HOTEL (Theaters)

 

Patreon: www.patreon.com/MediaPlugPods

Miyazaki Countdown Part 2 - Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

Hello everyone and welcome to Some Like It Scott's second Countdown miniseries on 2023, a podcast first focusing entirely on the works of Japanese animator, Hayao Miyazaki: the Miyazaki Countdown. To honor one of the living legends of animation, the countdown crew of Scott, Scott, and Jay will watch all 11 of Miyazaki's films to-date, rewinding all the way back to his directorial origins with 1979's action-adventure heist thriller LUPIN III: THE CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO, all the way to his then-final film, 2013's biographical epic romance drama, THE WIND RISES. Join us each week over the next 11 weeks, as we build up to what is Miyazaki's self-proclaimed now-final film (we'll see...), the fantasy epic, THE BOY AND THE HERON.

 

In Part 2 of the Miyazaki Countdown, Scott, Scott, and Jay are joined by fellow Hayao Miyazaki (and Nausicaä) fan Paul Oyama to discuss Miyazaki's sophomore directorial outing and first crack at a world and characters of his own invention, the 1984 post-apocalyptic fantasy anime film, NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND. Set in a distant future, 1000 years after an apocalyptic nuclear war that destroyed the majority of civilization and caused an ecological genocide, NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND tells the story of a 16-year-old princess, Nausicaä, from a local village-nation called the Valley of the Wind. The titular heroine excavates waste in and around the nearby Toxic Jungle that slowly grows and devours the remnants of human civilization. After rescuing her friend, Lord Yupa, from an attacking monstrous trilobite Ohm, they return to the Valley of the Wind. One night, however, the Valley's peace is disturbed when an airship from the neighboring nation-state of Tolmekia crash lands in the valley, carrying the embryo of one of the "Great Warrior" bio-weapons that were used in the apocalyptic Seven Days of Fire, 1000 years prior. Also aboard the ship was the hostage Princess of Pejite (another neighboring nation) that begs Nausicaä to destroy the embryo. Before Nausicaä can make heads or tails of the situation, Tolmekia invades the Valley setting Nausicaä on a course to try and prevent a second apocalyptic conflict. The countdown crew - and Paul - reflect on the quick evolution of Miyazaki's themes and filmmaking, whether Nausicaä and her fellow characters hold together under scrutiny, and whether the epic fantasy scope of the film delivers.

Ep. 249 - Dumb Money

Hello and welcome to an all new episode of Some Like It Scott! On this week's episode, the two Scotts talk about DUMB MONEY, the new film from Craig Gillespie educating the masses about the 2020/2021 GameStop Short Squeeze driven by subreddit r/WallStBets. After discussing the narrative choices, ensemble cast, and filmmaking style, the co-hosts turn their attention to the end of the WGA Strike and the news of the Mean Girls Musical film adaptation hitting theaters in January.

 

Next week: THE CREATOR (Theaters)

 

Patreon: www.patreon.com/MediaPlugPods

Miyazaki Countdown Part 1 - Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro

Hello everyone and welcome to Some Like It Scott's second Countdown miniseries on 2023, a podcast first focusing entirely on the works of Japanese animator, Hayao Miyazaki: the Miyazaki Countdown. To honor one of the living legends of animation, the countdown crew of Scott, Scott, and Jay will watch all 11 of Miyazaki's films to-date, rewinding all the way back to his directorial origins with 1979's action-adventure heist thriller LUPIN III: THE CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO, all the way to his then-final film, 2013's biographical epic romance drama, THE WIND RISES. Join us each week over the next 11 weeks, as we build up to what is Miyazaki's self-proclaimed now-final film (we'll see...), the fantasy epic, THE BOY AND THE HERON.

 

In Part 1 of the Miyazaki Countdown, Scott, Scott, and Jay tap into Miyazaki in his pre-Studio Ghibli days, with a discussion of Miyazaki's first feature-length directorial outing: LUPIN III: THE CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO. Based on characters from the Lupin III manga, THE CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO follows veteran gentleman thief Lupin III, who with the help of his accomplice and righthand-man, Jigen, successfully robbed a casino, only to find their newfound fortune to be counterfeit cash, originating from a small sovereign nation named Cagliostro. Intent on acquiring his treasure, Lupin and Jigen head for the countryside of Cagliostro - where Lupin himself may have a bit of history - only to be swept up in the nefarious affairs of Count Cagliostro, who plans to marry the Princess Clarisse to affirm his power over the nation and regain the fabled ancient treasure of Cagliostro, combining Clarisse's ancestral ring with his own. The Count will find his plans not so easily executed however, thanks to the interloping Lupin, Jigen, and fellow associates Goemon, Fujiko, and the rival Inspector Zenigata. The countdown crew reflect on the world's first introduction to Miyazaki, the ensemble cast of fun characters, and whether Miyazaki's "spy" / Mission Impossible-type movie goes off without a hitch.

Ep. 248 - Bottoms

Hello and welcome to an all new episode of Some Like It Scott! On this week's episode, the two Scotts return for their obligatory late summer / early fall young adult comedy, this year courtesy of Emma Seligman's sophomore directorial effort and Rachel Sennott collaboration, BOTTOMS. After discussing the humor, the ensemble cast including Sennott and Ayo Edibiri, and what else this film has or doesn't have on its mind, the two co-hosts turn their attention to news of the Eras Tour concert film hitting theaters in October, as well as news of Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio's follow-up to KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON, called THE WAGER. See time codes below:

 

6:23 - BOTTOMS review

54:45 - Eras Tour concert film in theaters

1:09:50 - Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio re-team for THE WAGER

 

In 2 weeks: A HAUNTING IN VENICE (Theaters)

 

Patreon: www.patreon.com/MediaPlugPods

Ep. 247 - Gran Turismo

Hello and welcome to an all new episode of Some Like It Scott! On this week's episode, the two Scotts return from their summer vacation with a review of the biographical racing drama, GRAN TURISMO. After discussing whether this take on a video game "adaptation" is successful, the cast lives up to the challenge, and if the racing stunts are compelling, the co-hosts turn their attention to discuss the DUNE PART TWO delay into March 2024, as well as news of Cooper Raiff's upcoming TV project. See time codes below:

 

4:20 - GRAN TURISMO review

50:59 - DUNE PART TWO delayed

1:04:13 - New Cooper Raiff project

 

Next week: BOTTOMS (Theaters)

 

Patreon: www.patreon.com/MediaPlugPods