When the hacks at Disney decided to release Hiyao Miyazaki’s works on DVD, I was intrigued. I admit I’ve heard very little about Miyazaki and his works, but I was intrigued nonetheless. I’ve seen both “Kiki’s Delivery Service”, and “Princess Mononoke”, but little did I know with these movies were an actual legacy and fan following, so when I heard his films were being released on DVD, I stopped at the store and stocked up on a few of his films. The one I did hear most about though was this, and I was once again intrigued and very fascinated with what the cartoon looked like, and it’s a truly good film.
Tag Archives: Kids
Peter Pan (2003)
The millionth adaptation of the iconic kids epic written by J.M. Barrie gets a more faithful, loyal, and perhaps a darker edgier tone this time with the contemporary version directed by P.J. Hogan of “Muriel’s Wedding” who gives incredible and stunning direction this time around providing very entertaining adventure fare for all ages. I love the story of Peter Pan, J.M. Barrie created a timeless allegory about the child in everyone, and how it’s always good to reconnect with the magic that made childhood so amazing, not to mention it’s a damn fun fairy tale. P.J. Hogan whose filmography consists mostly of low-key films creates an stunning landscape with Neverland that I haven’t seen in years.
Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003)
The Looney tunes are still funny and “Back in Action” has that sparkle of what made the Looney tunes hours of fun. Right away, we do get a glimpse of the tunes during a brief skit in which Bugs and Daffy interact in their Duck Season Rabbit Season routine, not to mention we get a lot of fun cameos. While the plot has been done before it sure is a lot of fun to see an interesting Looney Tunes movie that not only has fun but really points out a lot of great pop culture references.
Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003)
Well, it’s clear by this series that Robert Rodriguez has had his influences. The first film was a throwback to the old spy movies, the second was a throwback to Ray Harryhausen and Indiana Jones, while this is more of a throwback to that amusing science fiction yarn “Tron”, that other yarn “Running Man”, and the unknown gem “Star Wars” (har har). This has been just an adorable exciting fun series with adorable stories and adorable kid actors, and this is no exception.
Freaky Friday (2003)
The classic Disney film from 1976 is redone into this entertaining and funny remake starring the duo of Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis. Writers Heather Hach, and Leslie Dixon manage to take a creaky wheeled comedy and make it fresh, of course modernizing it, but also create a cast of genuinely likable characters that people will love. In this version Jamie Lee Curtis plays Tess Coleman, an uptight, strict, and anal mother who is very busy with her career. As well as her family and her upcoming marriage to her boyfriend Ryan (Mark Harmon), and her daughter Anna, who is a drama queen who is bullied in school, failing in class and is at war with her mother almost 24/7.
Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (2003)
I’m from the generation of movie-goers who grew up on Harryhausen epics like “Sinbad” and “Jason and the Argonauts” and I also grew up on classic animation, Max Fleischer, Chuck Jones, Tex Avery, Robert McKimson, you name it. “Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas” is an epic with a great cast, and quite an enjoyable one with excellent hand-drawn animation that rivals anything I’ve seen before. It’s sleek, it’s stylish and hell, it’s damn entertaining. In yet another adaptation of the mythological tale, we meet Sinbad and his band of pirates who all specialize in something. Sinbad is a master thief and want the book of peace to sell, but on his way to take it he clashes with his old friend Proteus who wants the book as well but for more noble purposes. The two have at it, but the goddess of discord Eris captures Sinbad and makes him an offer: Take the book of peace and bring it to her and she’ll grant him paradise and luxury for his remaining years.
Daddy Day Care (2003)
Eddie Murphy’s career continues its downhill slope into oblivion with this bad and bland re-tread of “Mr. Mom.” Taking it’s cue from “Mr. Mom”, Charlie Hinton is fired from his job as an advertising exec when his department shuts down, and now he and his friend Phil are out of work and must stay home to take care of their children and are forced to be father’s again. But when they begin getting desperate to get back to work, they decide to market taking care of children and begin a daycare center despite the fact they have no real qualifications nor are they ever asked by the parents. In a skewed attempt they begin taking care of children and engage in various derivative scenes involving toilet humor, relying on children’s amusing qualities to draw laughter, and the usual falling over stuff for comedy.