Memoirs of a Geisha by
In 1929, an impoverished fishing village father sells his nine-year-old daughter, Chiyo, to a geisha house in Kyoto's Gion district and she becomes subjected to cruel treatment from the owners and the head geisha Hatsumomo. As she grows older, her stunning beauty attracts the vindictive jealousy of Hatsumomo. She is rescued by and taken under the wing of Hatsumomo's bitter rival, Mameha. Under Mameha's mentorship, Chiyo becomes the geisha named Sayuri, trained in all the artistic graces and social skills a geisha must master. As a renowned geisha, she enters a society of wealth, privilege, and political intrigue. With the onslaught of World War II, Japan and the geisha's world are forever changed.
This movie captured me from the first time I viewed it. Based off a book, this film depicts the story of a young girl from a small fishing village. Chiyo tragically loses her mother to illness and is then sold with her older sister Satsu. The pair are taken to Kyoto, this is where the story begins. Chiyo has such a strong character and voice throughout the movie. Her voice narrates the beginning of the film looking back on her life. Another aspect of this movie the blew me away was the sound tract. With cello performances by Yo-Yo Ma the music is an absolute work of art. The Chairman's Waltz is definitely my favorite.
Rated PG-13.
Related media: Adapted from book (available in Large Print from IRSC), available as E-book.
Witch Hat Atelier 1 by
Best of the Year - AV Club, New York Public Library, Nerdist, SYFY Wire, Chicago Public Library "Harry Pottermeets Kiki's Delivery Service!" -AV Club A beautifully-illustrated story about a girl who longs for magic in her life and learns that, on the inside, she already is what she wishes she could be. Reminiscent of Studio Ghibli, this lushly-drawn story has captured the hearts of fantasy fans worldwide. In a world where everyone takes wonders like magic spells and dragons for granted, Coco is a girl with a simple dream- She wants to be a witch. But everybody knows magicians are born, not made, and Coco was not born with a gift for magic. Resigned to her un-magical life, Coco is about to give up on her dream to become a witch...until the day she meets Qifrey, a mysterious, traveling magician. After secretly seeing Qifrey perform magic in a way she's never seen before, Coco soon learns what everybody "knows" might not be the truth, and discovers that her magical dream may not be as far away as it may seem...
This series has a great story and amazing artwork. Its good for teens and adults alike. The story follow Coco as she learns what it means to be an actual witch, something she has always wanted to be. Coco come to realize the ramification of learning magic and the price she must pay to get what she always yearned for. With a full cast of interesting characters fun and detailed creatures and a imaginative world this series is magical to read.
Audience: Young Adult/Teen
Book 1 of Witch Hat Atelier series.
Related media: Spin-off series Witch Hat Atelier Kitchen.
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