Photos - Iblard Jikan (Blu-Ray)

Since we're all eagerly awaiting the arrival of Studio Ghibli's movies on Blu-Ray, with Ponyo's arrival in December, I think we should take a look at the studio's first foray into the hi-def format. This is Iblard Jikan, from famed Japanese artist Naohisa Inoue.

This short film (30 min.) is really little more than an art gallery, with sparce moments of animated characters. Iblard Jikan is mostly still photos of Inoue's surrealist-impressionist paintings set to music. This certainly won't appeal to everyone, and it's really more of a show-off title for your giant plasma screen tv, and bragging rights to being the first on your block with a Studio Ghibli Blu-Ray disc.

These screenshots look fantastic; as always, be sure to view them in their larger size. All of these come from DVD Beaver, which was gracious enough to review the disc. I don't expect Iblard Jikan to receive any attention beyond the most dedicated Ghibli Freaks. For a $60 import, you'll most likely buy something else, and as long as the movie remains on Youtube, your curiosity will be satisfied.

But if you are fortunate enough to get the Blu-Ray, you will have some wonderful paintings to admire and share with family and friends. Inoue's paintings are magnificent, wonderful, luminous and inspiring. Maybe it's because I'm an artist myself, but I really like the idea of art galleries on Blu-Ray. I could imagine doing the same with my own work one of these days.