Wiccan Biography: Nintendo Nintendo is a renowned Japanese multinational consumer electronics and video game company. It holds a significant place in the gaming industry and has been responsible for some of the most iconic video game franchises to date. The history of Nintendo dates back to 1889 when it was originally founded as Nintendo Koppai in Kyoto, Japan. Initially, the company focused on producing handmade playing cards, which became quite popular. It gradually expanded its product line and ventured into different areas, including love hotels, taxi services, and even operating a chain of TV games. However, it was the release of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1983 that truly propelled Nintendo into the global spotlight.
I came across this strange film when reading an André Bazin essay that attempts to explore "The Virtues and Limitations of Montage". Bazin uses this film as an example of montage in the children's film genre, noting it as a movie that, though it is impressively and meticulously designed, is faulted for its contrivance stemmed form the use of montage (editing). To understand what Bazin was talking about, I decided to watch this movie - the only version being in French. This is strangely amusing and a very surreal kind of fantasy through which Tourane creates the illusion of dogs, mice, birds and foxes living and interacting on a magical island. This is done through a very clear trick of…
Within the first three minutes of The Secret of Magic Island , a duck drives a truck, a dog pours a cocktail, and a family of bunnies wash up and make breakfast. The town after the wand has begun to work its dark magic is devastated, as if it had been hit by a tidal wave, and there s also a very well-done sequence where our heroes are escaping from the troll through a forest, as he casts fireballs at their vehicle.
However, it was the release of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1983 that truly propelled Nintendo into the global spotlight. This home video game console became a huge success, introducing popular game titles like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid.
The Secret of Magic Island (1957)
There are some films for which any description is likely inadequate: “You have to see it,” is certainly a cheap cop-out for critical purposes, but I can’t think of many cases where it is more warranted than here. This is a short feature (clocking in a little under an hour), set in a small town populated entirely by animals. Not puppets. Not animation. Actual animals. If you can imagine a live-action version of Zootopia – fortunately, without the heavy-handed moralizing – you’d be in the right area. The animals here do everything from drive vehicles to playing billiards: I’ve no clue how much of this was accomplished, and the truth is, I probably don’t want to know. My guess is, glue appears likely to have been involved, and also that it couldn’t be made in a first-world country under modern standards for animal use in films.
The story concerns a magic wand belonging to a fairy (the original French title translates as “ A fairy… like no other “), which is being kept safe by the town’s feline music teacher, Maestro Ericson. But envious eyes are being cast at the wand and the power it contains by a black troll – actually a monkey. He disguises himself as a baker, and bribes one of Maestro Ericson’s pupils, a dog called Charlie, into giving up the tune which opens the wand’s case. Disaster befalls the town, and it’s up to Charlie, Maestro Ericson and a duckling called Per to make their way into the troll’s castle and recover the wand, before any more damage can occur [The version I saw was dubbed into Swedish, which should explain the thoroughly un-French names! I normally avoid dubbed films, but there’s no actual dialogue here – I probably don’t have to point that out! – and it’s all narrated, so the language doesn’t matter much]
There’s two sections to the film. The first half is mostly a “day in the life of” the town, depicting the various inhabitants as they go about their business, and succeeds in provoking the entire range of emotions from “Aw, isn’t that cute?” to “This is just wrong…” The former would be the kitten getting out of bed in the morning. The latter? Probably the fox giving a beauty treatment to a chicken, which mostly left me wondering how many chickens they went through over the course of production. Then the carnival comes to town, climaxing in a firework display – because we all know how much animals love fireworks! – and we move to the second phase, which depicts the troll’s theft of the wand, and the furry band of brothers’ efforts to get it back.
This probably more successful, because there’s an actual story there, and it also allows Tourane to showcase some genuinely impressive model work. The town after the wand has begun to work its dark magic is devastated, as if it had been hit by a tidal wave, and there’s also a very well-done sequence where our heroes are escaping from the troll through a forest, as he casts fireballs at their vehicle. It’s genuinely impressive, even close to 60 years later. The sets are great, and you may find yourself actually caring about the fate of Per, Charlie and Maestro Ericsson – even if the last-named is so laid-back as to be virtually horizontal, and when it comes to the final assault, “Ericsson decided to stay behind,” according to the narration. The ending makes more sense than some fantasy films I’ve seen, and the whole thing feels more than a little influenced by Jean Cocteau.
Yes, it’s clearly a complete gimmick of a movie, and in that way also reminded me of something like The Terror of Tiny Town, the 1938 Western performed entirely by little people, including not a few former Munchkins. This doesn’t necessarily make it a bad thing: some gimmicks stand the test of time better than others, and in a case like this, you’re dealing with something that is virtually unique, and is highly likely to remain that way. For, while there have been other films starring animals – Disney had a slew of them, such as The Incredible Journey – they’ve all been playing animals. You certainly can’t judge this by anything approaching normal critical standards: “I was unconvinced by the performance of the duckling, in the role of… a duckling.” You can only look at it as a technical accomplishment: does it create a universe allowing the viewer to suspend their disbelief and accept the batshit-crazy premise?
The answer there, is a qualified “Yes.” Some aspects don’t work, even outside some of the more… lethargic animals, shall we say. For instance, the sound effect for mailman’s Gustaf’s truck appears to consist of someone blowing a raspberry, which doesn’t do much to foster the illusion of magical realism. You can argue too, that the first half is little more than extended scene-setting; the black troll is mentioned in the opening voice-over, than barely shows up again for the next 30 minutes. However, there’s enough that does work, and the sheer originality of what you’re seeing kept me engrossed, simply to see what happens next. Plus, I should stress, this was watched on nothing more mind-altering than a glass (admittedly, a large) of Kona Longboard Lager. It may not be something Chris and I ever watch again, yet in an era of increasingly forgettable mainstream cinema, it’s also something we’re not likely to forget anytime soon.
So: you have to see it. And courtesy of the YouTubes, below you can do just that. Closed captions can be enabled, should you desire.
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The carnival is coming to town! Unfortunately, the Good Fairy's wand is stolen by the diabolical Black Troll. And he turns The Poet's girlfriend to stone! It's up to The Poet to brave the darkness at the edge of the forest and journey to the Troll's mountain lair to save the day! Also the Black Troll is a monkey and The Poet is a duck. FYI.
These games became household names and laid the foundation for Nintendo's future success. Nintendo continued to innovate and release successful consoles and handheld devices, including the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), Game Boy, Nintendo 64, GameCube, Wii, Nintendo DS, and the Nintendo Switch. Each of these platforms introduced unique features and experiences, capturing the hearts and imaginations of gamers worldwide. Throughout its history, Nintendo has been synonymous with creative and fun gameplay. The company prioritizes gameplay over graphics, focusing on creating engaging and enjoyable experiences for players of all ages. This philosophy has set them apart from other gaming companies and has garnered a loyal fanbase, commonly referred to as "Nintendo fans." Nintendo's impact on the video game industry cannot be overstated. They have continuously introduced groundbreaking concepts, like motion controls with the Wii, portable gaming with the Game Boy, and hybrid console-portable gaming with the Nintendo Switch. These innovations have shaped the industry and inspired countless imitators. Apart from hardware, Nintendo has also given birth to numerous beloved video game franchises. These include Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, Animal Crossing, Kirby, Metroid, and many more. These franchises have become a significant part of popular culture, with characters like Mario and Link becoming household names. Today, Nintendo remains a dominant force in the gaming industry, consistently releasing new and innovative games and consoles. They strive to deliver unforgettable experiences to players and continue to surprise with their unique approach to gaming. With a rich history and a commitment to creativity, Nintendo is sure to remain a beloved name in gaming for years to come..
Reviews for "Wiccan Wisdom in the World of Nintendo: The Story of a Magic Gamer"
1. Alex - 1/5 - I was really disappointed with the "Wiccan biography nintendo". The book lacked depth and didn't provide any meaningful information about Wiccan practices or beliefs. It felt like a rushed attempt to cash in on the popularity of Nintendo. The writing was sloppy and riddled with spelling and grammatical errors. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about Wicca or Nintendo.
2. Sarah - 2/5 - As a fan of both Wicca and Nintendo, I was excited to read this biography. However, I found it to be a major letdown. The author barely scratched the surface of both topics and failed to provide any substantial information or insights. The book felt like a collection of random, unrelated facts and lacked a coherent structure. It also didn't delve into the spiritual aspects of Wicca or explore the connection between Wicca and Nintendo as I had hoped. It was a missed opportunity and left me feeling unsatisfied.
3. Mark - 3/5 - While "Wiccan biography nintendo" had its moments, overall, it fell short of my expectations. The writing style was choppy and difficult to follow, making it hard to stay engaged with the content. Additionally, the book tended to focus more on the history of Nintendo rather than providing a comprehensive exploration of Wiccan beliefs and practices. If you're looking for a detailed biography of Nintendo with a slight Wiccan twist, then this might be worth a read. However, if you're seeking in-depth knowledge about Wicca, look elsewhere.
4. Emily - 2/5 - I found "Wiccan biography nintendo" to be a confusing mix of topics that didn't blend well together. The author tried to incorporate elements of Wicca and Nintendo, but it felt forced and disjointed. The writing lacked clarity and coherence, making it difficult to extract any meaningful information. It seemed more like an amateur attempt at combining two unrelated subjects rather than a well-researched and thought-out book. Overall, it was a disappointment and I wouldn't recommend it to others.