Blu-Ray Review: Ponyo

Hayoa Myizaki has always had a soft spot in this ol' heart o' mine. I adore My Neighobr Totoro and Spirited Away, so a new film from him is always welcome. And this film is quite a show-stopper...a defenite Ghibli classic!

Sosuke is a small boy who finds a fish called Ponyo. Ponyo and Sosuke fall in love though, which angers Ponyo's father (Liam Neeson) who is also the father of the sea. Now Ponyo, Sosuke and Sosuke's mother (Tina Fey) have to save the planet...before it's too late.

What's nice the about the film is how relaxed it is. Modern day American animation is fast-paced and frentic. This film is calm and dosen't care if you doze off or not. This is a refreshing approach and one tha may make for a jarring experience for some, the rest of us will enjoy it.

The vocies are also top-notch. The Cyrus and Jonas siblings voice Ponyo and Sosuke and are surprisingly robust. Liam Neeson does well here, evoking Taken in his role as angered father. Cate Blanchett also does well as Ponyo's mother.

The film is a grand experience, one that will defenitly lift your spirits. Hayoa has delivered again!

Rating: 8.5 out of 10 or A-

SYS

Get Rid of All This Animated Dirt

Easily one of the worst pictures ever is becoming an animated TV series. Joe Dirt. David Spade is producing this show, set to air on TBS very soon. My god has everyone lost their marbles?

SYS

Blu-Ray Review: 9

9 is an intriguing concept and one you'd have to be crazy not to love it and still be an animation fan. The end result isn't QUITE as good as you may think but still a nice 'un.

9 is a ragdoll, one of 9 of his kind. It turns out humans have been killed by large machines and the ragdolls must carry on humanity.

9 has many action pieces, most of which are intense and would make many blockbuster film makers really stand in awe. The animation is brilliant and shines in Hi-Def. The only problem is the ending that fells a little too much. Spirits come out of devices and feels just a bit like they wanted to pull the heartstrings too much.

That behind, the film is awesome. It's one great film an I see a future for Shane Acker.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10 or A-

SYS

10 Days Until The Princess and The Frog

Only 10 days people!! Disney will officially be back in 10 days. I am very excited to see what will happen in this movie and hear the new musical numbers!

Cannot wait!

SSY

Canadian & PIXAR Join Forces

PIXAR*Canada has been formed. This unit will produce short films and TV shows based on the 10 films that they have created. They'll be produced via their Youtube user which has posted the shorts George and A.J. and UFM (Unidentified Flying Mater).

What's exciting about all of this is a rumour that's flying around is that one of their first projects is a Ratatouille spin-off. I loved that film (heck, I love all of PIXAR's films) I would like to see the world be continued.

SYS

3D Film Review: A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol is amazing. It is a terrific film, but before we indulge into that, let me give you a brief summary of the animation used here.

The animation in the film is Mo-Cap which is when actors dress in black suits and have their movements recorded on CGI characters. Examples of this are Gollum from Lord of The Rings and Na'avi in the upcoming Avatar.

Robert Zemeckis (the director) has now made 3 films in this format: The Polar Express, Beowulf and now A Christmas Carol, his best since Cast Away.

We all know the tale, so let me get to the point: this film is something to marvel at. There have been god knows how many adaptations of this story, and yet this never feels like it is a retread. On the contrary, this feels like you'll remember this singular tale for Christmas's to come.

Jim Carrey astounds as Scoorge (in all of his ages) and The 3 ghosts that haunt him. He really puts a fine job here and I think it's my favorite performance of him ever. He really seems to be having a lot of fun as these 4 characters. Bob Hoskins is nice as Cratchit and Fezziwig and Colin Firth is delightful as Fred, Scrooge's nephew. Robin Wright Penn is even in here as Scrooge's old girlfriend Blle, though she doesn't get to do much.


I haven't really like Mo-Cap until now. The Polar Express frightened me with it's zombie like humans and Beowulf just seemed out of place with it's actors and characters. Here all of that has been fixed with even the yes looking much better. It feels more genuine than ever before.



Another good thing is that most of this film is straight from the book by Charles Dickens. Scenes that aren't in most adaptations are in here and don't feel tacked on.

I have just noticed now that I have gone on for a while just praising this film to the high heavens, but it really is a grand christmas joy. I say, see this film the holiday season or your Christmas just won't be complete.

Rating: A or 9.4 out of 10

SYS

Film Review: Planet 51

Planet 51 is not one of the worst films of the year, but it is one of the most forgettable. In fact, there isn't much that can be said about the film except...meh.

The plot is cute though. A human has come to an alien planet. The aliens are stuck in a 1950's america type world, so aliens (or humans) are on their minds. When the human named Chuck (Dwayne Johnson) lands, he meets Lem (Justin Long). Soon, it's race against time to get Chuck back to his space module before it's too late.

Again, besides, a nice supporting character named Rover (Very adorable. He's a little space rover that acts like a dog), there really isn't much that can be said about the film. The voices seem a bit under par and the animations kind of weak. When there isn't much laughter in a kids film, you know your in trouble.

I guess the bottom line is this: if you need the kids entertained in the car when your going on that 4 hour drive, Planet 51 is perfect for that occasion. It also might look good on Blu-Ray. Other than that, there isn't much to be said except it's just average.

Rating: C or 6.3 out of 10

SYS

The Animation Genre Is Expanding

It seems the Golden Globes found that 17 animated films are trying to get into the Best Animated Feature Category, so there will be 5 nominees!! Just last week, the Oscars noted that 22 animated films would be in the running, so we will have 5 films competing there too!!

The excitement is bubbling. In a few days I will discuss the Oscars and this category. LEt's see if something like Coraline (above) or Ponyo can take a nomination.

SYS