Part of Your World

All you who love stories, gather round....

Song: "Part of Your World" (The Little Mermaid) by Disney
Lyrics: stlyrics
Theme: Duck wishing to be a girl
 Spoilers: Yes

Review: This is a great concept, and albeit I've not seen a lot of adaptions of this song, I think this one was rather well done! It's cute and sincere, and the visual and audio work together well.
The point of view of Duck mainly as a duck is nice to see. Erm, maybe that sounds weird. It's usual for everyone to accept that she's a duck, but it's not usual to see that as a focus, or at least done nicely as here. I mean... *sigh* Her longing to be a human girl, whether Tutu or not, is really palpable in this video. And it's so her. It's beautiful~ and kind-of sad at the same time ;w;
I also really like how the emphasis is on dancing itself, on simply being a human to dance, to be a part of a group. While Mytho is a main part of that, he's not the focus. He is a part. And she gets so close! The pendant, everything... the video clips work very well with matching the emotions and inquisitive nature of the words.
Especially as you near the end of the first song, around 1:40-ish. The hopelessness... ;_; It's very well partnered. It grips your heart, as it should.
Then the transition to the second song is done really well! Both clip-wise and audio-wise. And it's gorgeous how Fakir is the one who shows her that she has become part of that world, she has earned the right to be human, to have friends like him and dance. And that he will make sure she stays part of the world, his world.
I will say that as it ended, the video clips of Duck & Fakir got a bit much... I don't know - they were good to use for the sentiment, but they were piled a bit too close together, too quickly, and it felt like they were just putting them in for the fact that Duck & Fakir were shown together. While that's not bad, for one thing the scenes used are very poignant, and they lose a bit of that when just put together. Secondly, they didn't have the same effort behind them as the rest of the video. So on its own, the end may have been an average montage-type thing, but with everything else before it, it's just rather disappointing and a bit confusing.
I will say it is a cute video. It's not heart-wrenching or anything, but it does touch you in a delicate way that makes you feel warm afterwards. I really like the majority of the video, and it's fun to watch and make the comparison. But the ending throws things off a bit.

Overall Rating: 7/10

Caged Devotion

All you who love stories, gather round...

Song: "Prisoner of Love" by Utada Hikaru
Lyrics: animelyrics & metrolyrics (also in video)
Theme: Rue/Mytho, Rue's POV
Spoilers: Yes
Source: animemusicvideos  (note: better quality video if you watch it in 'preview,' if you have an account there)

Review: ;w; Rueeeeee....
*ahem*
This is a very well made video. It... it fits with Rue, so well, so... practically perfectly! The music is a steady beat that I can see her dancing to (metaphorically and not), the words share her heart's fears and strains... It's beautiful.
"Feeling loneliness, being in pain, it's not so bad; I'm just a prisoner of love." Rue deals with this. Every. Day. Especially after Mytho starts regaining his heart. It only gets worse, but she stays. She fights to stay, even though it hurts her. "I've chosen an unforseeably painful path/ and you came to support me." ... I don't even know how to list all the ways this works. There are just so many.
And... and then there's the "Since you came into my life..." and "I've loved you since that day" with little Rue! The parts are beautifully aligned, and so true...
"Don't you ever leave me."
If that doesn't scream "Rue," then I don't know what does. She's had to deal with her 'Father' threatening to abandon her or eat her at every corner, his placid soothings of love only used as a reward system to get her to do what he wants. Mytho's the only one she's been able to count on, consistently, for practically her entire life. And she tries desperately to hang onto him when his emotions start tearing him away.
"Loneliness and Pain/ I thought I could deal with them..."
Those lines, in conjunction with the horror and realization that she can't handle this, but she also can't control it...  And that Mytho is practically beyond her help...! Gah! Heartstrings!
"Stay with me./ Say you love me."
Rue uses those last words, in so many scenarios. But by this point, it's a desperate cry. It's a plea, through tears and grief and agony as she sees him moving beyond her grasp...
And then ending with her dance in the Depths of Despair, thinking on Tutu & Mytho, losing so much... ;_;
Ok, I think it's established that I love this video for its concept. And execution. But I also have to praise the editing work! It's fantastic! The clips always fit together so well, and the transitions are wonderful! Sometimes the blackout-flashes do become a bit much, though. It's a nice theme to repeat throughout with the beat, but there were times when I couldn't quite fit them with much of anything musically, and it almost felt distracting. But the rest of the video and content pretty much made up for it.

Overall Rating: 9/10

Swan Bows & Arrows

All you who love stories, gather round...

Song: "The Crimson Bow and Arrow" (Guren no Yumiya) by Linked Horizon
Lyrics: (Jap. & Eng.) animelyrics
Theme: Series trailer/Attack on Titan mimic
Spoilers: No

Review: First off, I have to say that I've never seen Attack on Titan nor even the opening, so I cannot give any feedback on how well that particular comparison was accomplished. If anyone else has and can give feedback, I'd love to hear how well it worked. Because everything else about this is already barking awesome.
Since I first saw this video, I thought it was an epic promotional trailer for Princess Tutu, and I still think it fits that category. There aren't any spoilers because of the rapidity of the clips and tone (despite blatant use ending episodes' stuff), but the speed doesn't overwhelm you to the point of discomfort - it just blows your mind and lets you consider the pieces. XD
The opening is beautiful, jumps right into the heat of things (I mean you see the Raven!), and yet takes you back to the beginning. The sequence 'recapping' how the Prince lost his heart is excellently placed and executed. Even without knowing what's happened, you can easily guess. And then Princess Tutu is shown as the radiant swan maiden, establishing her as a central character. And then there's Fakir, shown in hesitancy and donning the cloak. Such ambiguity, uncertainty; so very fitting~ The heart shard with the claw is an excellent presentation as well, and the musical break at that point is gripping!
And then, suddenly characters! All over the place! But they seem to fit together fantastically! The montage is put together splendidly, and is enough to get you very intrigued but not enough to give anything away. And Drosselmeyer, smiling while he oversees everything. Great.
I really love the use of the sword fight scenes as well, especially put so close together! It's exciting, for both newcomers and regular fans, and brings up so many parallels that might have been missed if you know the show already.
And then the ending. Just enough solidity to give you your feet back underneath you, but you're still wobbling by the time it's over. The entire video just kind-of slams you with awesome, and then hands you the pieces back at the end so you can contemplate on your experience.
And then even looking over the lyrics (in translation), the words work excellently. It's more of an abstract interpretation to fit well, but it doesn't take a whole lot of effort for that. And then, of course, just listening to the Japanese in general I find gorgeous~
One of the most impressive things I find about this video, other than the epic use of music and clips, is how it shares so very much without giving anything at all away! I mean, not even Kraehe is revealed, even though she's seen fairly frequently! It's fantastic!!
I would definitely recommend using this video as one of the introductory videos to get others interested, although giving the disclaimer that the series doesn't have as much action in it as this video would suggest. It's all in there, but spread out over more than just a minute and a half. XD And, of course, just watching it for its epicness is always an option!

Overall Rating: 10/10

(note: I've been absent because real life sometimes demands more of me than I anticipated. Or at least I expect more of me than I should. Sometimes both. <w<' )

L'Assasymphonie

All you who love stories, gather round...

Song: "L'Assasymphonie" (or "The Assassinate Symphony") by Mozart L'Opera Rock
Lyrics: (orig and transl) lyrictranslate
Theme: Autor (and jealousy)
Spoilers: No (lack of context if it's not already known)

Review: This. All of this. *gestures* YES.
I have to admit that this was the first time I heard this song, and I LOVE the song, so there is a wee bit of bias. BUT it and the video together are just fantastical, and that's what I'm commenting on here. I will endeavor to say what I can about this amazingtastical video, but again today I am limited on the amount of time I have, so I'll get going!
First off: That intro. Beautiful setup. It's a bit questionable in the first few seconds, but it just draws you in and within 20 seconds you have the entire premise of the tone, feelings, characters, etc. It's gorgeous.
The interspersing of talking and such with Autor's stalking is great. Really sets a 'hold-it-in-yet-ready-to-burst' feel, and the music/talking draws you in. And his utter joy at Fakir's frustrations... Throughout the video! Always gives me chills. Alwaaayyysss. And looking up the lyrics just makes it more epic! "I dedicate my nights/ to the assasymphony/ To requiems/ killing by frustration/... I confess I curse/ all those who love each other." Interspersed with the happy faces of all who are enamored with Fakir, or at least are fans... Mraaahh. Fantastical.
Then the next verse. Drosselmeyer. Even if you don't know the words, it's obvious that he's taunting Autor. A lot. And it gets to Autor. And then, he throws water on the pedigree chart, which he pretty much reveres for the connections it shows with Drosselmeyer. The words give even more light on this: "I deny/ the fatal heresy/ Which gnaws at my soul/" Immediately following, his confrontation with the bookstore owner is "I want to be reborn/ To be reborn." O___o Goodness symbolism and overlapping! I just... wow. That's epic.
And then.......... There's the... assassination of Fakir. ._. Yes. It is beautifully exemplified, the watch-checking is just like Autor, and... and... *spaz*
Then. Theeeen there's Drossy again. Muttering and being the voice in the back of Autor's head. But it's also Autor muttering to himself. And the lyrics are analogies with music, and very well done! How things seem wrong, off... Perhaps the scene with Fakir resisting Autor is a flashback or something.
Becuase then! Then we get to a part where Autor is rescuing Fakir~! Like he had second thoughts about the assassination! Or, since we see writing, perhaps Autor wrote something that actually changed things so that Fakir would live...? I don't even know.
BUT THEN. He leads Fakir into the place, and he's got crows waiting for him!! Like another assassination! Or attack or something!
But then, after a while, even though Fakir collapses, Autor lets Duck in to see him... Perhaps he's not entirely dead, just really beat up because Autor wanted revenge/to take out anger on him in some fashion. Or... maybe he didn't make it...? I can't tell. Both are crazy and awesome and just-
And then Drossylmeyer. It has to end with him. Laughing. *wide-eyed-serious-face*

Ok, so when I get frantic, especially about things I enjoy, I type more. But really. And real quick, as if the video in and of itself weren't enough, the effects/clip usage was FAN-BARKING-TASTICAL. Really. The color changes made connections yet were still slightly confusing, but in a good way that makes me want to sit down and watch it repeatedly to figure out what the meaning was or if I'm missing a deeper portion. And how everything led to one another... and just... Grah. I love this. A lot.
<3
(and just for future reference, most every one of the videos that this creator puts up is of similar quality. Those will probably get similar rants of awesome.)

Overall Rating: FF 10/10 (and normal 10/10 too, I'd think)

Hero

All you who love stories, gather round...

Song: "Hero" by Skillet
Lyrics: azlyrics
Theme: Autor/Duck, Fakir/Rue
Spoilers: No

Review: This is a very interesting video, mostly for me because I'd never heard of the Autor & Duck pairing before finding this video. Now I will have to say that, even with the video, it's not really something I can see very easily. Nor is Fakir & Rue for me, but it's at least more plausible. Although that's mostly because of a personal headcannon of mine that they're actually related... But that doesn't talk for the quality of the video.
I love this song. And it's actually rather good for the series, too. For the topic of pairings, I think it fits with Fakir & Rue fairly well - both of them are desperately trying to be their own heroes, superhumans (and sometimes partially succeeding), but never are quite enough. The need another person, they need help. I really love the overlays with Fakir and the knight symbolism, how he tries to be that but he's not. The parts with the oak tree are aptly placed, too. And then Rue, who just tries everything within her power... and it's still not enough.
With Autor and Duck, I can see the saving on Duck's side a little bit, but it's not as nicely fitted. There is a bit of a nice piece near the middle where it seems Fakir's about to get onto Autor regarding Duck, but then she (or Autor?) convinces him otherwise... It took me a few times to catch it, though.
I also kind-of like the ending. I have to say kind-of, because it also confuses me. I don't really know what's happening, or being conveyed. But it's put together well enough that I still like it.
That brings me to the overall video compilation. Tis very well put together! Despite my hesitancy regarding the theme, I still enjoy this video. The timing is great, and the effects are generally used very well. There does seem to be an abundance of effects, though, like the creator was almost having too much fun with them, but it still works pretty well overall.
I enjoy this video. It puts forth some different pairings pretty well, and it makes the clips work for the song/vise versa.
Sorry, but I'm running short on time so that' all I can say!

Overall Rating: 6/10

[A/S] Pas de Deux

All you who love stories, gather round...

Song: "Lune Noir" by Sonitus Vir
Theme: Unknown|N/A
Spoilers: Yes (mild; out of context)
Awards: Honorable Mention in the Anime America's AMV Contest 2012

Review: I think this is an interesting video! I like it, but there are some parts that just throw me off too much to really allow a full endorsement/comprehension of the video. That, and there's no overall theme. While it looks pretty and fun, the lack of a theme or even overarching focus puts me off.
The beginning is great and attention-getting. I do like the sudden throw-you-into-the-fray quality of the music, and the usage of the prologue story elements is great. From about :25-:45, though, it seems a bit hectic. The timing with the music is pretty darn close, but the utter frequency and craziness of it feels a little much. I could probably handle it better if it were the only piece like that, but then it comes again at 1:45-2:05 ish. That is crazy random throw-this-together-ness. Timing was there... somewhere... The music was a similar pace as the others, but the clips just went aaaall over the place. *sigh* Maybe I'm being finicky since it is such a 'small' part, but the insane energy imparted in those little bits affects the whole video. I mean at 1:00-05, it was crazy music, but the theme of Kraehe and Mytho was still being carried. It was a bit hard to distinguish at first, but it was there.
The song itself is good, though, and the rest of the video is fantastic! Far be it to say that I didn't like the music so that's why I don't like the editing at those particular parts - it was just that it threw me off quite a bit. I mean the video started as seemingly a dance tribute in general, but then.... it just throws everything at you. Well, almost everything. Sort of. It's hard to tell, because of the speed of changes and lack of context.
But it's pretty~ :3
Back to the slower portions: they are gorgeous. Part of it is the fact that the clips were used more coherently together and with the music. Part of it may be that it was a little slower. Mostly, I think it was because they had themes! Or at least topics. Rue, Duck/Tutu, Kraehe/Mytho... Being able to single out something that unified the parts, even just to themselves, was great. Perhaps it's in contrast to the chaos of the faster parts that I also love these parts so much...
Overall, it's a crazy, random video that is good to watch for most parts, but don't expect to come away with much except a general: "That was really cool! .... But what was it?" I like it, but I still can't explain exactly why or what about it. And then there are the irritating parts. But I still will watch it repeatedly~ XD

Overall Rating: 7/10

At the Beginning

All you who love stories, gather round...

Song: "At the Beginning" (from Anastasia) by Donna Lewis and Richard Marx
Lyrics: azlyrics
Theme: Fakir and Duck, Fakiru
Spoilers: Yes

Review: This song has a wonderful theme that is fantastic to see put to such great use as in this video!
At the beginning of the first chorus, there's the desires to continue with life from when Tutu/Duck was stuck in Drosselmeyer's world. "Life is a road that I wanna keep going"; no matter what you say, Drosselmeyer! I think the thing I like best is how beginnings are highlighted, and the journey through them (lyric-wise and with footage); even though they've been through a lot, and things seem to be over, there's so much more yet ahead~ <3 I also really love the bridge verse and the following chorus (about 2:04-55); it goes through their relationship so well, or at least reviews it wonderfully.
Now, I do think that the overlaying was used a bit much. It was all to good effect, and sometimes more powerfully than others, but I think points could have been made simply by putting sequences around each other, not always overtop of one another. Also, while many of the clips were used in excellent points, lyrically and musically, there were a few places that just kind-of felt like filler. (Ex: 1:40-48, 3:04-12, 1:20-27) Not that it was bad filler; but it was filler.
So overall, I really enjoy this video. It's a great song for the couple, and in fact a great song for the series in general! Beginnings, journeys, unexpected turns... And the editing is really nicely used most of the time. I'd recommend this to a fan of the couple, but I'm not sure it'd exactly convince anyone not already on the bandwagon~ :3 (although it'd do a pretty nice go at it)

Overall Rating: 8/10

Brief Absence

Letting you all know that I'll be camping the next 3 days or so, so there won't be any updates during that time. So I'm not just being neglectful (I've been better lately!), but I shall not be with any technology for those couple of days so internet is definitely out. :p

Meantime, enjoy the videos that are up!

Still Doll

All you who love stories, gather round...

Song: "Still Doll" (Vampire Knight ending theme) by Wakeshima Kanon & Mana
Lyrics: animelyrics  (also in Youtube description)
Theme: Kraehe/Rue and Duck and their love of Mytho (mainly how it causes problems)
Spoilers: No

Review: This is a really pretty video, and the song has just enough elegance and off-kilter-ness/creepiness to fit both Rue's and Duck's situations.
I love the opening with the fairytale pieces, monocromicity with the pointed cello and violin accents... Really fits well. And then the chimes come in with the girls~ Fantastic alignment!
I really like that the creator interspersed both girls throughout, but there were times when I thought maybe there could have been more focus on just one of them, like for an entire verse or something. It would have felt more composed/coherent, I believe. Still flows nice as is, though.
The lyrics go rather nicely, "my heart is torn and bleeding/ I mend it but/ the memories pierce the openings." But while this fits both girls, Rue and her memories of Kraehe (or Tutu), Tutu/Duck and her memories of the curse and her being a duck, the lack of focus on a single point kind-of detracts from the awesomeness.
I will say that I really like the violin going all crazy when Rue's accepting herself as Kraehe. Also, as it gets into the last verse, the song talks about how "I can't sing songs of love anymore," which coincides with Kraehe crying and Tutu falling. Then the poignant "Still you do not answer..." while they both cry out. The ending with Rue doing her Macabre Dance is beautiful, as well.
I feel I have to say that this piece as a whole lacks coherency, though. Even if you're not watching it for the lyrics, or don't care how those match, it seems to not quite hold together. It's beautiful, and very nice to watch, but I feel like it could've been more.

Overall Rating: 6/10

Requiem for a Swan (AU)

All you who love stories, gather round...

Song: "Sorrow" (from Resident Evil 4) by Misao Senbogi and Shusaku Uchiyama
Theme: AU where Duck is a girl granted Tutu's form by Drosselemeyer, Kraehe wins Mytho, Fakir fulfills the knight's role (as per Drosselmeyer), and Duck sinks into Despair (full summary in Youtube description)
Spoilers: No

Review:This is a rather intriguing AU. The clips are arranged well, and the music fits the simplicity of the story with elegance. The climax with Rue and the music was very nicely pulled off~ Background music has a way of helping stories, it seems.
It got a little bit bland when the underground lake scene seemed to just be put in as it was, but from a fanfiction POV it makes sense. It just felt a little repetitive to be watching most of it again.
I did like the little extra pieces that changed things up a bit, more so in the second half. More effort seemed to have been put in these.
But I will say that Fakir's part just felt like a random flourish to include him in the plot. Maybe that was all he was meant to do, but it still felt rather... pointless. Yes, I would be mortified if he truly hadn't survived, as was Tutu/Duck was. But for this particular AU, there was not enough buildup to merit such feeling. The story says she just happened to find him after getting attacked by crows, and they decided to fight Kraehe together for the Prince. Yes, she would be horrified that he got attacked and killed on principle, but that's it. Maybe I'm making a bigger deal of it than needs to be, but Fakir's part in this story/video is really unnecessary.
The last bit was rather nicely put together, but I wish there had been a little more 'explanation' time in the clips. Tutu is just one moment watching Kraehe taking over Mytho's heart and soul, the next Duck is on a bridge with Drosselmeyer. It's just a bit sudden.
Overall, it's a nice idea, and rather nice music. It gets a bit droll over time, though, mostly because of the repetition of the dance off scene and the music. If it had been just one or the other I might not have been bothered nearly as much, but together it's a bit much.

Overall Rating: FF 5/10

Never Knew Daylight Could Be So Violent

All you who love stories, gather round...

Song: "No Light, No Light" by Florence + The Machine
Lyrics: azlyrics
Theme: (good question...)
Spoilers: Yes

Review: ... I like the idea of putting this song and Princess Tutu together. I like how the clips themselves were put together and synched up with the music. But I'm afraid that's all I can really gather from this video.
There were some parts where the clips seemed to match up with the lyrics a bit, but only in literal form. Any semblance of a theme or focus was... undetectable, at least for me. The effects were nice, and the video was lined up with the song's beat and rhythm well. Occasionally the lyrics matched as well, maybe in deeper-than-literal forms if you thought about it. But... I just don't see much from this video.
I wish I had more to say, but it just leaves me feeling confused. I love the song, and I love Princess Tutu. I think they would go great together. This just isn't the way to do it.
Now, that's not to say this video is horrible. I've watched it multiple times and don't feel disturbed (in a bad way) or angry or anything. Just... confused. So I keep watching it. It's one of those 'I don't hate it, but I don't like it... what the heck is it??' things. So I try to keep investigating.
Unfortunately, all I've gathered from my studies is that this video is a good idea that didn't get the focus it needed. (which is weird because the effects suggest otherwise...)

Overall Rating: 4/10

HOWL

All you who love stories, gather round...

Song: "Howl" by Florence + The Machine
Lyrics: azlyrics
Theme: Rue/Mytho
Spoilers: Yes

Review: Florence + The Machine is generally an awesome choice for a PT AMV. This video is no exception~
The symbolism of searching for a beating heart plays wonderfully into Rue and Mytho's relationship, although also almost ironically. Blood, chasing, needing... all fantastic thematic overlays. And the constant switching of lyrical matching between Rue and Mytho is really interesting, showing that they both are a part of this overpowering need for each other in their times.
That said, the constant switch also felt a bit confusing at times. Maybe I have a personal bias because I think there are more clips that seem to focus on Rue's POV so I feel like changing that POV should be more obvious or consistent, but I can also see where I might be overanalyzing it. (Perhaps I'm just partial to Rue. XD' )
One thing I cannot simply pass off though is the crazy ambiance/light/glowing. I understand the black and white theme, some flashes or a little glare on occasion for emphasis. But the overwhelming usage of it just gets distracting for me.
Alright, back to a more thematic part. I really like "Be careful of the curse that falls on young lovers/ Starts so soft and sweet and turns them to hunters." The clips used were mostly pertinent, and certainly effective. I would have liked to see a bit more played with that, though, perhaps with Rue's struggles. Which could have happened, if more verses later were used.
That's my final 'mreh' point: this doesn't use the full song! But the creator does acknowledge this and it's actually one of their first longer videos, so I feel I should cut a bit of a break there. despite frustration...
So overall this is a nice video, with a great theme/song choice. I just would have liked it to be longer, and gotten rid of the overarching glare effect.

Overall Rating: 7/10

Memories

All you who love stories, gather round...

Song: "Memories" by Within Temptation
Lyrics: metrolyrics
Theme: Post-series story video: Fakir trying to bring Duck/Tutu back. Youtube description has full 'story' (tis short)
Spoilers: Yes

Review: First off, beautiful song choice. And with the little mini-fic/explanation, it fits wonderfully! (and the story is very plausible, too!)
Ok, brief overview of story: Duck gets killed post-series, and Fakir feels horrible. He writes about her, his memories rousing his muse. Then, Tutu awakens in a story, and as she looks around, remembers Fakir and everything that's happened. She worries about Fakir, and Fakir senses it. Fakir then proclaims his love; she hears him, and combined they have enough power to bring her through the 4th wall to him! (similar to the first time, but he's given her life again this round) (and the creator's description is nicer)
One, it's a rather clever idea that tells a future story while still using canon footage. Two, it is told very effectively. Even before I completely understood the fiction, I saw the video (I know, bad person for not reading the description first) and loved it. Greater understanding just increases that love~
Onwards now! The beginning of the entire video is evocative; the sadness and regret are practically palpable. The scenes chosen for Fakir's memories of Duck/Tutu make sense, and fit well with the tone of the music. I like the POV witch with the second verse, and the scenes chosen are put together just as well as the first ones. The parallel of "silent tears" between Fakir and Duck/Tutu is quite nice too. And then... the pair of them, calling out to each other... It's just fantastic.
Effects-wise, I really like the black & white use for memories vs color for present, although there are a few times I wasn't entirely sure if it stuck with that. It wasn't horribly distracting, though, or even something I noticed until numerous re-watches later. The timing is pretty good, and nothing feels overdone or rushed.
This isn't an analysis video, nor does it delve too much into what occurred in the series. But it's not supposed to. It's a story after the ending, reliving bits and pieces from the original but not dwelling on them excessively. It's a beautiful little piece that I really enjoy, although a bit in a different way than many Tutu videos. The story nature fits well with its source. Interestingly enough, I see this more as a fanfiction than a typical AMV, and so I feel like the rating is in a different category. (kind-of like the dark AU video earlier) So while I feel I can only rate this a 10, I also feel its a different level of 10 than the previous video (A Raven's Pride). It has something to do with the fanfiction-ness...
Hm. Alright; from now on, AU videos or ones more like fanfiction than commentary or more typical AMVs will have a different rating system. Still 1-10, but with FF in front of it. My reviews for those will be more focused on the story they tell than the video effects/portrayal, but that will still be a major component of how it is rated. That's how it's supposed to come across, after all.
And if I'm just being randomly persnikity and nonsensical, let me know. I want to actually be helpful, not just have annoying text distracting you from the video.

Overall Rating: FF 10/10

A Raven's Pride

All you who love stories, gather round...

Song: "Need To Be Proud" by Echo Image
Lyrics: lyricsmania and more fully on the amv.org page
Theme: Rue/Kraehe character profile
Awards: Drama category winner at AnimeNEXT 2008, Best Character Profile in Anime Weekend Atlanta 14's Expo (2008), finalist at Japan Expo International 2008,  finalist at Otakon 2008
Spoilers: Yes (mild)

Review: Gives me chills to watch this, and it's always so entrancing! The slightly ominous yet dramatic feel really matches well with Rue.
The lyrics also match beautifully, and the accentuation of Rue's POV through the clips is excellently done. Before the words even start, you know that Rue is angry with Tutu for changing things, for changing her Prince. Then lyrics begin telling how her world is crumbling around her, how she can't seem to do anything about it, how things are beyond her control. And then there's the reminder: "Need to be proud of what you are." She is reminded who she is, what she is: the Raven's daughter. And she can change things to her advantage, take back her Prince. But even then, even once accepting her role as the villain, she is powerless to stop her Prince from changing, from growing distant from her. Despite her eventual recognition that she had done wrong things, and her wish to fix them all, "shadows drags her/ to another black place." Learning of her past only makes things more complicated, and she questions herself mercilessly. But overall, her main concerns remain the same: being a prima ballerina, lover of the Prince, who will do anything for him, and will never stop loving him.
I have to say, I really love the brief flashes of Drosselmeyer at the end, too. Just throws in another level of questioning that I find fun~ (also, it's nice to see a video that doesn't feel the need to end with the iconic kiss or any sort of 'resolution' that's out of context for the video. Not that the ending scenes can't be used appropriately, but there are times when it feels simply thrown in for an 'end.')
The effects for this video are used stunningly. The amount of flashing and quick clips, if thought about out of context, seems like it would be a bit much - but within the video, it is beautiful. It flows wonderfully, makes epic accents, and doesn't make you feel like you can't keep up.
This is a gorgeous video, and an excellent profile of Rue/Kraehe. It's one you can watch numerous times and still find new things of interest. I'm really happy that this was shared online, because it's truly a great video.

Overall Rating: 10/10

The Crow, The Owl And The Dove

All you who love stories, gather round...

Song: 'The Crow, The Owl, and The Dove" by Nightwish
Lyrics: nightwish.com
Theme: series analogy with the song
Spoilers: Yes

Review: This was an excellent song choice. I really loved the symbolism, the song tune, and overall theme.
Kraehe, Drosselmeyer, Adel/Uzura, Tutu... wonderful matches to their associated bird. And I love that they're all 'extra' - they have things to share, to give, but Duck and Fakir need none of it. They have their own paths to create, their ways to make, without taking from anyone else. (albeit it's kind-of an incomplete metaphor, since they give to the others, and all of them are technically 'needed', but you know what, it's poetic. :3)
There were some clips where it felt like they were simply put in for singular shots of the character, rather than any other particular purpose, which was a bit at odds with other clip choices. But it wasn't a huge detriment to the video.
The effects were used quite nicely. The layering is done well, although sometimes it felt like a bit much for the scene/clip/context. Other times, you really had to look hard for the layering, and it was almost distracting, but still worked well enough.
Overall this was a great video, although there were some places not necessarily rough, but could have been better. I think it's a great montage put together for the series with the song~

Overall Rating: 8/10

Herr Drosselmeyer's Doll

All you who love stories, gather round...

Song: "Herr Drosselmeyer's Doll" by Abney Park
Lyrics: lyricsmania
Theme: Princess Tutu as a creation of Drosselmeyer's
Spoilers: No (although strange context if you don't know it)

Review: I'd not heard this song before, and it struck me as a very appropriate piece for Princess Tutu herself! (and really many of the characters, but especially her) Drosselmeyer would totally give the "I am the Creator" speech near the end of the song, and enjoy every second of it. The piece for his monologue was nicely chosen~
The use of the pieces with Tutu inside Drosselmeyer's world are very aptly used, as are the scenes with her solo pas de deux. I love the alignment of "Thank God the curtains fall" and Tutu's trembling leg en pointe, showing that she may not entirely be the tireless wonder he's created her to be.
That said, I can't help but be rather distracted by the intense amount of shine/glare/glow in every single clip. Sometimes it's hard to even tell what clip is being shown. Now if this is an effects choice or simply awkward quality video, I don't know, but the video would be better without it.
Other than that, the one place where Mytho is dancing with Duck in the practice room near the end kind-of confuses me as well. It just feels like filler, and if that was needed then there are plenty of other possible choices that focus on Tutu, such as during her numerous heart shard dances.
I do quite like the ending, though: just when you think she's finally broken free, nope! Right back into Drosselmeyer's clutches. Nicely dramatic~

Overall Rating: 7/10

Speck of Hope

All you who love stories, gather round...

Song: "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield
Lyrics: azlyrics
Theme: Duck tribute
Spoilers: Yes

Review: This is a nice video, and the song chosen is really a great song for Duck.
There are some parts that are paired up with the lyrics quite nicely. One such place is when Duck is dancing Sleeping Beauty: "Sometimes my tries, are outside the lines." Immediately follows her dance with Rue, talking about not making mistakes, which Rue is quite adamant about for herself. (interestingly enough, she tells Duck not to worry about making mistakes in context...) But Duck is not like that, as the next clip exemplifies as she falls out of her bed (again). There are also some really nice flowing sequences when the chorus comes up. I like the use of Mytho with the lines "Reaching for something in the distance," as Duck reaches for the ideal of the Prince.
That said, I feel like the clips could have been used more effectively overall. For example, I really would have liked to see some incorporation of Princess Tutu dancing with the different heart shards/individuals needing help. I feel like that would have been a nice way to show Duck sharing the advice the song is giving her/using to describe her. Also, sometimes I felt like some clips were allowed to continue on for a while simply because they happened to be going already. Not 'exactly' filler, but close enough.
This video did not use very many 'effects.' That isn't necessarily a bad thing, and with the flow of the clips it still went rather smoothly. But I feel like there were more opportunities to make statements that weren't taken advantage of. Perhaps with more variety/better use of clips, as mentioned earlier, it would have been better with the few effects used.
I still rather like this video, and it has a nice connection with Duck. So while it's not amazingtastical, it's a nice thing to watch.

Overall Rating: 6/10