#52: Paprika (2006)

 Dreamworld Destitution.

A device that enables one to go inside of dreams is stolen by a research psychologist to help people.

Meanwhile, the other scientists who manufactured it are having troubles, as it seems their colleagues are going insane.

It's not as trippy as one would think, perhaps Satoshi Kon thought someone wouldn't make it out alive if it was an hour and a half acid trip.

But when it trips, it trips. It's surprisingly not completely wild and abstract - in fact, it's kind of low on that, using our perceptions of real objects or insinuated fears re: real objects to add to the tense factor.

This movie has a kickass soundtrack. I dig Parade.

Also, the captions for this file are quite nice;

I feel like this is something that would benefit greatly from a theatrical re-release. It would look beautiful and be immersive.

I'm reminded of Funky Forest - a 2.5 hour Japanese movie that's really a bunch of odd skits connected through a very flimsy storytelling device.

The English voice acting is mostly okay, though some of it isn't great.

I could watch more in this dream-hopping world as some kind of mystery series, but not everything needs to be a cinematic universe.

Just from how beautifully surreal this is, easily a favorite of the year so far.