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Fantasia 2021 | Pompo: The Cinephile Review

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Based on the manga series of the same name by Shogo Sugitani, Pompo: The Cinephile is a delightful and beautifully entertaining film that is sure to grab your attention if you consider yourself to be a bit of a movie geek.

Pompo is a movie producer that works in “Nyallywood”, the movie capital of the world and she’s a very talented producer with the ability to spot potential in people and really bring out their talent but despite this, she only ever produces B-movies. Whilst the film’s title will make you believe that Pompo herself is a cinephile, it’s actually her assistant Gene that’s the true film buff. Gene knows everything about every movie and is completely obsessed with them. As a result, he’s doubtful of why Pompo continues to make the same sort of film over and over.

However, one day Gene discovers a really great script written by Pompo that’s full of nuance and great characters. Pompo then gives Gene- someone who’s never directed a film in his life- the opportunity to direct the film and she casts Martin Braddock, the best actor in the world, as the star of Gene’s first film.

If you’re a cinephile yourself then it’s very likely that just the title alone of this film will stand out and appeal to you. And it’s an absolute delight to watch. The film opens with a little song introducing you Nyallywood and throwing you into the world of the film. Immediately It’s very clear that Pompo has its own unique style that will help the 90 minute runtime fly past.

It’s edited in a way that makes it feel like you’re literally watching a comic book right in front of your eyes. Think Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World only more extreme. For instance where there are scenes in which Gene is editing the film or a trailer, rather than constantly seeing him sat at a computer editing the film, which would get quite tedious very quickly, instead, we see Gene physically slicing up pieces of film with a sword which makes the whole thing much more cinematic.

It’s bold and stylistic but it makes the film stand out in your memory much more for being daring and courageous, making it feel very different from other anime films that I’ve seen. As well as the unique style in the way Pompo: The Cinephile is edited, its distinctiveness is seen through the wonderful colours and the beautiful animation.

Pompo starts off as a really wonderful and delightful film but as it goes on the plot struggles a bit and it can feel a bit rushed. They finish shooting the film and then all of a sudden a crises appears and they try to solve it with crowdfunding and things that happen in the final half hour or so don’t quite fit with everything that’s come beforehand. To add to that, Gene isn’t actually a very good director. The film tries to make out like he is through his extensive knowledge of other films and a few good ideas he comes up with on the spot but he’s constantly not knowing what exactly he should be doing and asking others for help which doesn’t quite go with what the film is trying to tell us about him.

Pompo: The Cinephile is bold and stands out massively from other films due to its quirky nature and many of the fun transitions between scenes. For a film fan, there’s a lot to cherish here and it’s easy to have a lot of fun with, although the film does go off the rails a little bit in the third act towards the end of the film.

Pompo: The Cinephile was selected as part of this year’s Fantasia International Film Festival

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Animation

The Garfield Movie | Official Trailer — Starring: Chris Pratt

Animated feature film based on the popular comic strip about a sarcastic, lasagna-loving cat.

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Genre:

Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Release Date:

May 24, 2024

Director:

Mark Dindal

Cast:

Samuel L. Jackson, Nicholas Hoult, Chris Pratt

Plot Summary:

Animated feature film based on the popular comic strip about a sarcastic, lasagna-loving cat.

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Animation

‘Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie’ Review | A Pawsome Super-Powered Sequel!

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Power Up… “Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie” is a Super delightful family adventure that is sure to please the young & young at heart! The animation from Mikros Animation is absolutely adorable and the story is impactful, highlighting the importance of even the smallest members of the team can make the biggest difference!

Synopsis

When a magical meteor crash lands in Adventure City, it gives the PAW Patrol pups superpowers, transforming them into The MIGHTY PUPS! For Skye, the smallest member of the team, her new powers are a dream come true. But things take a turn for the worse when the pups’ archrival Humdinger breaks out of jail and teams up with a mad scientist to steal the superpowers for the two villains. With the fate of Adventure City hanging in the balance, the Mighty Pups have to stop the supervillains before it’s too late, and Skye will need to learn that even the smallest pup can make the biggest difference.

Review

The Paw Patrol franchise is now 10 years old which in dog years can be up to 70 years old depending on your dog and with each instalment, children and their parents have been treated to exciting adventures, wholesome characters and cool new merchandise. What began as a preschool TV series back in 2013 created by Keith Chapman finally got the Hollywood silver-screen treatment in 2021 with “PAW Patrol: The Movie” directed by Cal Brunker who returns for this mighty follow-up. The films have broadened their scale and reach alongside their lesson-learning story-driven narrative.

Much like Chase in the first film battling confidence issues against a traumatic situation, here it’s Skye’s spotlight moment. Her merit and worth are assessed when fighting her insecurities as the smallest of the group, the smallest in her litter growing up. A challenge for her resolve, seeking and affirming her niche under these rearranged dynamics. The movie explores her heart-tugging backstory as the unwanted “runt” of her litter, whom Ryder eventually rescues. As the story unfolds, Skye realises that her self-worth isn’t tied to her size but to her inner strength and resilience. Returning writer-director Cal Brunker and co-screenwriter Bob Barlen add different facets to her arc to distinguish it from Chase’s anxiety issues. Her tiny pink bandana acts as a literal and figurative tie to her past. They include a beautifully poignant and emotional tear-jerking ballad called “Learning to Fly” from Christina Aguiler with breathtaking animation.

Courtesy of Paramount

This time, their mission holds greater challenge and peril — raising the bar creatively and delivering a smart sequel that features bolder action, bigger stakes, and deeper resonance for all ages. Like the show on which it’s based, the Mighty Movie focuses on teamwork, courage, believing in yourself, learning from your mistakes, encouraging your friends, and being a community helper. The pups each bring different talents to the crew, and they all work together during every emergency. They all discover they have a purpose, with or without powers.

PAW Patrol to the Rescue

Adventure City is safe and secure on land, at sea and in the air thanks to the elite PAW Patrol and their efforts to quell crime and avert disasters. Team leader Ryder is so confident in their ability to keep the peace that he’s decided to take on three young, clumsy and over-eager trainees: Nano (Alan Kim), Mini (Brice Gonzalez) and Tot (North West). Though the newest member of the pack, headstrong dachshund Liberty (Marsai Martin), Liberty’s character development delves into her apparent lack of a superpower as she’s looking for a purpose, is initially opposed to the idea, she stays behind to train the trio when the others are called out to fight danger. Little do they know a lurking evil is about to upend their lives.

From her lair in an abandoned observatory, scientific mastermind Victoria Vance (Taraji P. Henson) plots to magnetically harness a meteor and mine it for its powers. However, her plan goes awry, putting citizens at risk and the pups in its path. While Vance is sent to jail for her misdeeds — where she connects with the pups’ longtime foe Mayor Humdinger and his Kitten Catastrophe Crew — the patrol learns the massive rock contains special crystals that give them amazing abilities: Starting with teeny pilot Skye, who gains super strength and the ability to fly. The others soon touch their own crystals and find their powers: Rubble turns into a wrecking ball, Zuma controls water, Chase has super speed, Marshall can manipulate fire, and Rocky becomes magnetic. But just as The Mighty Pups are honing their newfound skill sets, a trap is set that threatens their livelihood.

Courtesy of Paramount

Taraji P. Henson is a delight as this film’s villain, Victoria Vance, with a delicious evil laugh. Victoria keeps insisting she is not a mad scientist. And fans of frequent Paw Patrol nemesis, former mayor and cat-lover Humdinger, will be glad to see him turn up as Victoria’s cell-mate, who helps her escape from jail. As I am in the UK our version of “Paw Patrol The Mighty Movie” is dubbed by the original UK voice actors from the show which I believe are Lewis LaHei (Ryder), Matthew Campbell (Chase), Jacob Baker (Marshall), Archie Flint (Rocky), Kit Gibbon (Rubble), Holly Thomas (Skye), Ollie Evans (Zuma), Michael Cross (Mayor Humdinger), and Mayor Goodway (Niki Felstead) 

The Mighty Movie also boasts impressive guest stars voicing minor characters, including Kristen Bell, James Marsden, and Kim Kardashian returning as pampered poodle social media star Delores and her children. In the UK Dub Two of Britain’s best-loved celebrities have managed to score themselves cameos in the film. The British radio and television personality Roman Kemp will appear in the film as Tony. Whilst Veteran newscaster and journalist Sir Trevor McDonald will voice the character of Sam Stringer, a news reporter. Roman Kemp will replace Neil Crone as the voice of Tony, Sir Trevor McDonald will replace Lil Rel Howery as Sam Stringer.

Action sequences and their aesthetics have evolved. Scenes that show the team functioning as a well-oiled machine are exhilarating, but pull double duty narratively, propelling the characters and their conflicts further. Mikros Animation once again has done a super job in providing the pups animation, especially when they receive their powers. The quality of animation is outstanding as they have improved the quality of animation from the first film by completely reworking their facial system. working very closely with animation and rigging, to produce a more efficient, good-looking and flexible facial expression system. The new costumes of the PAW patrol team are also incredible showing how the whole paw patrol has improved. They are cooler, more complex, but also practical!

Final Thoughts

“Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie” is a Super delightful family adventure that gives young audience members the fun of a group of characters from which they can choose their favourite, a reminder about confidence and believing in themselves, and a lesson in teamwork. If there are any families looking for a new movie to take their kids to, “PAW Patrol The Mighty Movie” is a great choice. The film is preceded by a short featuring Dora the Explorer about saving the egg of an alebrijes.

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Animation

Scott Pilgrim | Official Teaser – Anime Coming Nov. 17th [Netflix]

The titular slacker and in a garage band named Sex Bob-omb with his friends. His life is turned upside down when he meets Ramona Flowers, an American girl who is recently single. But before their love can blossom, Pilgrim finds himself challenged by his love’s seven previous relationships, and must defeat them in over-the-top fashion.

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Genre:

Animation, Action, Adventure

Release Date:

November 17, 2023

Streaming:

Netflix

Cast:

Michael Cera, Chris Evans, Brandon Routh, Brie Larson, Aubry Plaza, Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Plot Summary:

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