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