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Star Wars Science and Art is the big exhibition of the art works of all "Star Wars" movies. You can check out lots of models, concept drawings, production paintings, costumes, story boards, and so on. I had no permission to take pictures inside the building, so just post the photos of a poster and a ticket (left), National Science Museum (upper right), a poster and a display (lower right). I bought the catalogue of this exhibition and feel free to ask me if you want to check it out. |
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"INNOCENCE" (trailers are here) is also known as "Ghost In The Shell Part 2", directed by Mamoru Oshii ("Ghost In The Shell") and created by Production I.G.("Kill Bill Vol.1") The story describes what happens after 3 years in the same world as described in the previous movie "Ghost In The Shell" which influenced and inspired many creators like Wachowski brothers ("Matrix"). You can see the similar blended world of cyber space and real world as the "Matrix" movies. However, Innocence mainly describes the inside of human emotions and feelings rather than their actions because all characters have both a machine body and a human mind in the world. From the technical point of view, tranditional 2d animations are used for characters and 3d computer graphics are used mainly for their backgrounds. As a result, 2d and 3d animations are fully integrated in its whole visual sequences and they are fantastic!! I saw it in an IMAX theater and its amazing visual is worth watching on a huge screen. Its sound track is also awesome and this movie must be the best one in this year's animation movies. |
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"APPLESEED" (trailers are here) is fully computer generated 3d animation. Its visual is created by the composition of toon shaded characters animations based on motion capture, 2d after effects like smokes and flashes, and detailed realistic rendered background images.
The original story is written by the same author of the original manga of "Ghost In The Shell". However, this movie's way of story telling is different from the "INNOCENCE". This movie mainly focuses on the battle sequences between human and machines and 3d rendered animations work effectively for expressing the speediness and intensity of the battle. In my opinion, the facial animations can be improved because sometimes I did not feel that the characters are "acting" like human because of the lack of subtle motions on characters' faces. |
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 Around the Shibuya station is always crowded and you can see lots of advertisements on the wall of buildings and vehicles. |
 | Upper left is the ad of new stylish cell phone. Lower is the ad of the movie "The day after tommorow". They shows the view of current Tokyo and the "freezed" Tokyo in the movie. |
 | In Akihabara electric town, I found Mr. Incredible in yellow suits (lower right). Never mind. |
 | Lots of small electric toys are selling in Akihabara. |
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The menu displaying of two restaurants in Ueno. Left: noodle soup bowls. Right: sushi boxes. |
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