I had Tuck Everlasting (2002) on in the background while I worked, and wasn’t very impressed. I loved the book as a child, but the film loses all the magic of the novel, and turns a fascinating exploration of what true immortality means into a rather tepid love story. YES, in the novel there is that underlying potential love between Winnie and Jesse but in the book she's 10. Their "love" is about a crush a young girl has on an older boy, and the boy recognising her soul is beautiful and when she's old enough she should drink the water. It's not about their romance; that is at-best the subplot. A solid cast wasted on pre-Twilight nonsense.
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HEISEI TANUKI GASSEN PONOKO (2006) ~ Pom Poko ~
written&directed. Isao Takahata
Voice Talent Of: Jonathan Taylor Thomas, JK Simmons, Tress MacNeille and Maurice leMarche
ONE SENTENCE SYNOPSIS: 1960s, Japan. The tanuki (racoon dogs) live in the Tama Hills, a beautiful forest outside New Tama; but an ambitious development project threatens their carefree lives and their ancient power of transformation.
THOUGHTS: RACCOON BALLS!!! Honestly, that is the image I’ll take with me: raccoon balls: big balls, small balls, balls used to smother car windows. Balls stretched to bursting, and then shaped into a giant vessel to transport raccoons into the afterlife. Balls to attack with, balls to defend with, balls to make you cringe. Balls, balls, balls. Upon research the tanuki are in Japanese folklore (as are their bizarre big, squishy balls) but so what? It's still weird, regardless of whether it's "traditional." YUKKY!!! Anyway... besides that, the film is far too long. The "depth" of the moral about man vs. nature consists of raccoons falling to the flaw going "WHY? WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO NATURE?!?!?!" Subtle is not the word I'd use to describe the script; and if you won't actually explore the idea beyond "wrong, wrong, wrong" then why make the film so long? Plus = they kill people!!! The raccoons kill at-least three men and ruin many others lives; and that is never really explored. And it's a shame, because there was much to love about it. The transformations, the middle battle, the awesome sly Fox (loved him); there was a lot of praise worthy ideas; but it was too long, too shallow and too full of balls. I'm sorry, I know it sounds like a silly reason to not enjoy a film but it was FREAKY!!!! A long time ago I saw Grave of the Fireflies (1988) and at the time found it dull and long (though I was young, maybe next time I see it I'll appreciate it more); other than that I've seen none of Takahata's work, so I have no basis of comparison. Any recommendations?
OVERALL
A brave undertaking, but one that never quite surpasses the high bar it set. Too long, too inconsistent… and too many raccoon balls. Possibly my least favourite Studio Ghibli film to date.
~ rating: 2 out of 5 [grade: C-]
Balls to the left of me, Balls to the right, here I am, stuck in the middle of hell!!!
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MIMI WO SUMASEBA (1995) ~ Whisper of the Heart ~
dir. Yoshifumi Kondô
writer. based on Aoi Hiiragi's 1989 manga of the same name
Voice Talent Of: Brittany Snow, David Gallagher, Jean Smart, James Sikking and Cary Elwes
ONE SENTENCE SYNOPSIS: Shizuku Tsukishima (Snow), a 14 year old dreaming of far away lands and magical experiences, spends her days studying for school, reading in the library and struggling to keep her family's chaotic world together... until she discovers Seiji Amasawa has checked out every book she loves... before she did.
THOUGHTS: I saw the Cat Returns (2002) (the somewhat "sequel" to this film) years ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it. While the Cat Returns is delightfully magical, here the wonderment is gently woven cleverly into reality. I loved the concept, it was so beautiful (a love story akin to the Wind Rises (2014); real, truthful, complex); and the sprinkling of magic came at just the right moments... BUT never really worked. The magical times weren't as enchanting as I feel they were written to be; even the fantasy world missed that sparkle. And it was too long. It was important to establish the mundane life Shizuku embodied, but from the moment she found the antique shop the story needed to rapidly escalate and power through. And what was the pay off? A completely inappropriate message of conforming. Don't follow your dreams kids, until you finish school and contribute to society in the way we teach you to. UGH! Really?
OVERALL
A beautifully rendered, but slow film; that never quite sparkles. A bizarre conformist ending damages the essence of the film and its characters; though a very noble effort (not as enjoyable as the Cat Returns, but more honest).
~ rating: 3 out of 5 [grade: C+]