Story Mary and The Witch’s Flower is a supernatural animated film that fans of Harry Potter won’t want to miss. However, its short runtime means it can’t fully satisfy everyone’s curiosity about Mary’s wizarding world. Viewers hoping for epic magical battles or a deep dive into a sprawling magical realm might feel shortchanged. Instead, the…
While The Secret World of Arrietty (2010) wasn’t directed by Hayao Miyazaki, his involvement alongside Keiko Niwa in crafting the screenplay, combined with Studio Ghibli’s signature touch, ensures a high-quality anime. That said, it doesn’t leave the same bold mark as Ghibli’s iconic works like Spirited Away, which stirred a cultural storm, or Kiki’s Delivery…
Introduction Before diving into my review of A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon, I revisited A Shaun the Sheep Movie 2015 because I’ve been a longtime fan of this hilarious animated series. I also adore other comedic classics like The Simpsons, Oggy and the Cockroaches, Doraemon, Mr. Bean, and Pucca. Typically, Shaun the Sheep episodes…
When Your Name (2016), directed by Makoto Shinkai, hit theaters, it was a massive sensation. I heard the buzz back then but didn’t catch it, having only seen Shinkai’s earlier work, The Garden of Words (2013). It wasn’t until recently that I finally watched Your Name, admittedly late to the party compared to most fans….
Introduction I watched A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon once in theaters, and the scene where the farmer accidentally boards a spaceship, followed by Lu-La’s parents having to return, really stuck with me. The music in that moment, leading into the film’s conclusion, was so moving that I left the theater feeling emotional, even though…
If you’re tired of Western animated films—particularly from the U.S.—filled with feminist, LGBT, or racial themes like Onward, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, Terminator: Dark Fate, or Scoob!, the 2019 Italian adaptation of Pinocchio might pleasantly surprise you. Recent American movies often insert political or social statements, even briefly, which can alienate neutral viewers. Personally, despite…
The Monkey King (2023), an animated film by Stephen Chow, feels like a fresh take on a familiar tale—“new bottle, old wine,” as the saying goes. It follows a well-worn template but spins the story with a brisk, modern flair. Cramming a sprawling myth into a 90-minute runtime means the pacing is lightning-fast, which is…
Introduction I’ll start with a bit of frustration about recent animated films. Many movies, like Scooby! 2020, are based on simple fairy tales or lighthearted stories—like those from the Brothers Grimm—that have no business tackling heavy social issues. Yet, they’re packed with themes reflecting America’s current cultural debates, and it’s honestly exhausting. Scooby!, a kids’…