Paprika!

[Magnus]

I feel like I really need to say something about this movie. I honestly think that everyone on Keyframe should go and watch this. I'm not sure how, but it really struck a chord with me.

It is shocking to me that Paprika does not have more media coverage, as it seems to me like it has all the potential to be the next Princess Mononoke. But before you go and Google search it, just remember to avoid the Wikipedia article at all costs; it is literally just a full description of the entire plot of the movie, with just about every spoiler there is...and even if you don't plan on watching it I would still recommend avoiding the article just so as not to hurt your perception of the film. Seeing is believing with this Sotoshi Kon masterpiece.

Anyway I don't know if or when it will be released where you live, or if it already has...it was released last year in Japan, and has only recently been playing in select American theaters. I live in Michigan and I'm pretty sure there is only one theater in the entire state that is playing it, and it wasn't even listed in the online list of Paprika theater releases.

But I think I've said enough...at least until we get a profile for it. Here's one of the trailers:
http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony/paprika/trailer/

And here's the IMDB:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0851578/

Check this one out if you can. You won't regret it!

P.S. If the music in the trailer is any indication, the soundtrack for this one is worth looking into, too.

[Magnus]

For those in the States who are interested, I found a more comprehensive list of the American theater releases.
http://www.campuscircle.net/image/paprikars.htm

This site says it is playing in Canada:
http://www.twitchfilm.net/archives/010396.html

And according to forums like this one, the DVD is circulating Europe and the UK:
http://www.barbelith.com/topic/26768

[GrafSpee]

Thanks for posting the link to the theaters that will be showing Paprika. I've been waiting for it to show up in the Austin, TX, area for a number of weeks now. I'll be able to see it just before I leave for vacation (because I doubt that it'll play more than a couple of weeks).

[GrafSpee]

Well, my anticipation of seeing Paprika faded pretty quickly. That web site is not entirely correct: Paprika will be coming to the Dobie Theater in Austin but it doesn't start until July 20th so I won't be able to see it after all. There's no mention of it coming to the Arbor Cinemas either (and it isn't listed in the list of upcoming movies). Oh well, I guess that I'll just have to wait for the DVD.

[Magnus]

Darn...I wish they would just put a reliable, official list of releases on the movie's website. Well I hope you don't have to wait too long for the DVD, at least

[Magnus]

An update to my previous listing for anyone interested in the US:

According to this (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/vine/showthread.php?t=544006) Rotten Tomatoes article, Paprika is

"Still PLAYING in USA theaters!!!

August 3, 2007
Two Boots Pioneer Theater (New York,NY-8/3-31-WKNDS**)
Railroad Square Cinema (Waterville,ME)
Images Cinema (Williamstown,MA)
Naro Expanded Cinema (Norfolk,VA)
Hippodrome State Theatre (Gainesville,FL)
Carmike Bijou 7 (Chattanooga,TN)
Canal Place Cinema (New Orleans,LA)
Regal Pilot Butte 6 Theatres (Bend,OR)

HELD OVER
Palace 9 (South Burlington,VT)
Tower Theatre (Salt Lake City,UT)
Laurelhurst Theatre (Portland,OR)
Bijou Arts Cinemas (Eugene,OR)

**NYC showings:
Fri Aug 3 - 11pm
Fri Aug 10 - 11pm
Mon Aug 13 - 9pm
Fri Aug 17 - 11pm
Fri Aug 24 - 10:30pm
Sat Aug 25 - 7pm
Sat Aug 31 - 10:30pm"

For something that started out so small, this movie has been expanding and lengthening its theater releases since the day it opened. See it if you can!

[GrafSpee]

It is coming to Portland, ME, (Movies on the Exchange) on Aug 22 and will stay until Aug 27. So, it is slowly getting out to different theaters. I hope to see it while it is in Portland.

[Magnus]

Yeah...and it figures, too. At first, it was only showing in one theater in my entire state, but I drove the distance three times to see it (call me a fanatic).

Now, of course, it's suddenly playing in the theater three blocks from my house.

[GrafSpee]

At least now you can see it 3 more times at your convenience.... :)

[Magnus]

Heh...the sad thing is I probably will...
Anyway good luck seeing it in Portland!

[GrafSpee]

Nothing wrong in seeing a film over and over again if it grabs your interest. I saw The Incredibles 13 times in theaters. My friends thought I was nuts. I saw Corpse Bride about 20 times in theaters. I'd go back to see Meet the Robinsons again in a theater if it was still playing. Better to see something that really interests you than paying to see some of the dreck that is showing.

[Magnus]

Breaking news today for Paprika (http://www.keyframeonline.com/Animation/Paprika/1165/) fans and followers:
Sony Pictures has released Paprika on DVD for English-speaking audiences! (Japanese with English sub-titles.) Buy it in HD, Blu-Ray, or PSP in time for Christmas!

Buy it online at amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Paprika/dp/B000VWYJ68/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_k2a_2_txt?pf_rd_p=304485601&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-2&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000PMG1NS&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0A3W9V2Y7XFP92GS7NE9) or check it out on Sony Pictures' (http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/paprika/index.html) official website! Haven't seen it yet? Keep an eye out for it in the New Releases section at your local video rental store!

Yeah. I think I like this movie. But I'm sure you didn't already know that. :D Don't worry, I'm sure someday I'll stop reviving this thread.

[GrafSpee]

My copy of the DVD came in todays mail from amazon.com (I ordered it a few weeks ago). I was surprised to see that it has an English dub on it (...I was expecting only the English subtitles, like the theatrical version...). The dub was pretty well done.

[Magnus]

An English dub?? No kidding? I don't remember reading anything about that on the web advertisements. Glad to hear it was done well. Any familiar names among the voice actors?

[GrafSpee]

There is no listing of who did the English dub on the DVD box and the credits at the end didn't list that information. I did a web search but I couldn't find the names of the voice actors for the English dub.

The voice of the Chairman sounded very familiar but I can't quite figure out who he is.

[Magnus]

Well, I found a brief listing (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=6142) of English dub actors, as well as German and French dubs. It seems like there may even be a Polish dub...?

However, that list unfortunately does not list the entire cast, and actually leaves out the English voice of The Chairman, which for some reason they refer to as "HIM." Anyway, I'll throw out a blind guess and say, Patrick Stewart?

[GrafSpee]

I'm not sure that animenewsnetwork.com has the correct information for the English voices. I can't corroborate any of the names on that list other than David Lodge (he wrote in a blog that he played Dr Shima in the movie). Even Kari Wahlgren's web site doesn't list Paprika as part of her resume. Some other sites had these names listed as part of an English cast but all of those sites have removed the names. I suspect that those names came from some guy on a blog who guessed at who the voices were from his copy of the DVD (http://www.animeondvd.com/forum/showtopic.php?fid/18/tid/26074/)