Koji Yamamura's "Atama-yama" ("Mount Head" in English) reminded me of a story that I read in elementary school. I don't know whether or not it's based on that story, but it does offer a good lesson in selflessness. The stingy old man's experiences come across as punishment for his miserly ways. When people think of Japanese animation, it's often anime that comes to mind, but these short cartoons are among the most interesting. If a person finds the movie hard to understand, it could be a cultural thing.Whatever the case, I recommend the short. I hope to be able to see more of Koji Yamamura's work.

This film is a little difficult to digest, much like the cherry pits consumed by the main character. I personally quite enjoy Japanese film, though as another commenter posted earlier, it can sometimes take some acclimation. And even I found this a little weird, though only for the story content itself.The animation is quite striking and well done, and I disagree with some comments that objected to the singsong style of the narrator throughout the story; for myself, the Japanese language lends itself well to this type of iteration (if you've been to Tokyo, think of the "Irasshimase!" that greets you when you enter a shop) and I thought it added to the authenticity of the story.The film probably comes across as weird and bizarre to some people, and for good reason: it is indeed a bit off kilter. But I don't think that's any reason to dismiss it. There is some clear talent here, and some very nice storytelling - and the ending had me laugh out loud, proving once again that comedy is 70% delivery.

This amusing tale is based on a traditional Rakugo story in which an amusingly plump man with a waste-not-want-not mentality eats some found cherries and then finishes up his snack with the cherry pips, unleashing curious side effects.I particularly like that he's such a pack rat that he even saves the little cherry saplings that he has to repeatedly clip from the top of his head.Another favorite bit is when he shows that cherry blossoms are in bloom, salary men are in bloom and office girls are in bloom. Saku! You can grow your own DVD collection for five bucks by picking it up at www.Filmporium.com. The DVD includes "The Big Snit", a brilliant short that puts one couple's petty squabbles into a much larger context and "The Man Without A Shadow", about a man who makes a deal with a "magician".

This animated short from Japan is bizare. It is a fable I suppose about a guy who eats too many cherries so a cherry tree grows out of his head and then a bunch of people have picnics on his head. Yea, it makes no sense and features a anoyingly bombastic Japanese voice over that will enrage you more than it is entertaining. The animation is intentionaly crude but this one was somewhat hard to swallow. GRADE: B