I am a big kid at heart. One of the most obvious manifestations of my childlike-ness is my love of animation, which began all the way back when, at it does for so many people, when I was a kid. I have enormously fond memories of school holidays or Saturday Continue Reading
Animation
The short and the short of it: The yellow dream of one young hopeful orphan in Umbrella
SNAPSHOTInspired by true events and filled with messages of empathy and hope, Umbrella follows Joseph’s story, a boy who lives in an orphanage and dreams of having a yellow Umbrella. 2021 Oscar® Qualified Animated Short Film – Created and Produced in Brazil. (synopsis courtesy YouTube) Umbrella, written by Helen Hilario Continue Reading
Movie review: Luca
If you were ever bullied at school for not fitting in, you will be painfully familiar with the peculiar pain that comes from being singled out as different. Even if you love who you are, that kind of sustained negative barrage, especially one borne from unthinking bigotry, can have an Continue Reading
One festive bird in the hand: Robin Robin (Aardman) takes flight for Christmas)
SNAPSHOTThe story–which the directors wrote with Sam Morrison–follows a robin who is raised by a loving family of mice after her egg rolls into a dump. As she grows up, her differences become more apparent and Robin sets off on a heist to prove to her family that she can Continue Reading
Laugh, don’t scare! Monsters at Work gets ready to clock in for a very funny shift
SNAPSHOT takes place the day after the Monsters, Incorporated power plant started harvesting the laughter of children to fuel the city of Monstropolis, thanks to Mike and Sulley’s discovery that laughter generates ten times more energy than screams. It will feature the return of Billy Crystal, John Goodman, and Bonnie Continue Reading
Happiness is belonging: New trailer and poster for Swedish animation gem Ape Star
SNAPSHOTJonna is a feisty young orphan who wants to be adopted more than anything. But when her potential new mom drives up to the orphanage, she gets a big shock when the door opens and a gorilla steps out! The ape and girl quickly overcome their physical differences. But will Continue Reading
The short and the short of it: Concrete and finding your place in the world
SNAPSHOTTroubled by his own reoccurring transformations, a restless backpacker seeks his place in the world. Through a mysterious encounter in a concrete building in the midst of a barren swampland, he hopes to have finally found such a place. (synopsis via YouTube Short of the Week) Concrete, despite its many Continue Reading
Movie review: The Mitchells vs. the Machines
There is something ridiculously satisfying about an animated feature film that puts the pedal to the metal from the get-go and refuses to slam on the brakes for the duration, immersing you in technicolour hilarity for almost two gloriously good hours. Even more satisfying than that, and frankly you might Continue Reading
Tons o’ trailers! Wish Dragon, Misfits, Georgetown, Loki, Stranger Things S4, A Quiet Place II (final trailer)
These are troubling times we live in which means that reality is, most days, something not many of us really want to face. Thank goodness then for TV and streaming shows and movies, all of which give us the sweet, SWEET chance to let lose the bonds of grinding humdrum Continue Reading
Mini mass of movie trailers: Luca, The Tomorrow War, Vivo
Let’s get away from the everyday! How so, you ask? Why with movies, I say, and especially these three movies which give you a chance to live out three impactful stories from the comfort of your own bed or loungeroom chair. Or even, heaven forbid, your commute on public transport Continue Reading