It's unusual to find something a bit different to the usual mega-US corporations releasing family friendly films so I have a real treat to tell you about, especially if you are looking for a gentle introduction to Japanese-style movies.
Mary and The Witch's Flower is a stunning family adventure from the makers of Studio Ghibli classics Arrietty and When Marnie Was There.
The film features an outstanding voice cast including Kate Winslet, Jim Broadbent, Ewen Bremner, Louis Serkis and Ruby Barnhill as the voice of Mary, and is adapted from Mary Stewart's beloved children's classic, The Little Broomstick.
Mary is a young girl who arrives in the village of Redmanor to stay with her Great-Aunt Charlotte. After discovering a ‘fly-by-night’, a rare flower that blooms once every seven years, Mary is spirited away to Endor College, a college for young witches and warlocks.
There, she meets Madame Mumblechook and Doctor Dee, who celebrate her arrival under the belief she is an all-powerful witch. But in a world of incantations and transformations, all is not what it seems. Mary will have to summon her inner strength if she is to understand the true power of the Witch’s Flower.
Think Harry Potter in female form with an Asian twist. My children were glued to the movie which I am reluctant to describe as anime lite because the animation is top notch as you'd expect from such a stable.
However for beginners who struggle with sub-titles or are new to the sometimes quirky world of anime, this is a perfect first film - be warned, you will get hooked into this incredibly creative genre which caters for all tastes, young and old.
Intrigued? Check out this trailer giving a great taste of the movie which is out in cinemas across the UK this Bank Holiday weekend.
Full review to follow!
Mary and The Witch's Flower is a stunning family adventure from the makers of Studio Ghibli classics Arrietty and When Marnie Was There.
The film features an outstanding voice cast including Kate Winslet, Jim Broadbent, Ewen Bremner, Louis Serkis and Ruby Barnhill as the voice of Mary, and is adapted from Mary Stewart's beloved children's classic, The Little Broomstick.
Mary is a young girl who arrives in the village of Redmanor to stay with her Great-Aunt Charlotte. After discovering a ‘fly-by-night’, a rare flower that blooms once every seven years, Mary is spirited away to Endor College, a college for young witches and warlocks.
There, she meets Madame Mumblechook and Doctor Dee, who celebrate her arrival under the belief she is an all-powerful witch. But in a world of incantations and transformations, all is not what it seems. Mary will have to summon her inner strength if she is to understand the true power of the Witch’s Flower.
Think Harry Potter in female form with an Asian twist. My children were glued to the movie which I am reluctant to describe as anime lite because the animation is top notch as you'd expect from such a stable.
However for beginners who struggle with sub-titles or are new to the sometimes quirky world of anime, this is a perfect first film - be warned, you will get hooked into this incredibly creative genre which caters for all tastes, young and old.
Intrigued? Check out this trailer giving a great taste of the movie which is out in cinemas across the UK this Bank Holiday weekend.
Full review to follow!