Phroobar
Well-Known Member
The first sexy Vulcan.
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The Miscellaneous Thought Thread
- Thread starter mickEblu
- Start date
Practical Pig
Well-Known Member
My late-father was a Naval Seabee who landed on Iwo Jima to install radio equipment immediately after Americans attained control . In my memory he never spoke of it.I just looked at my watch a bit ago and realized its Pearl Harbor Day. There's not many WWII Vets left, but thank you to all who served or gave their life to save the world from National Socialism and Fascism!
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Rich T
Well-Known Member
Just watched Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio on Netflix.
It’s not perfect, but… man… This is one of the most beautifully-crafted animated films I’ve ever seen. Its wonders far outweigh any nitpicks I have.
Be warned: It’s brutal. And it might not be suitable for very young children (say, under seven).
(Mild Spoilers)
The only disappointing thing for me is also what makes it unpredictable and interesting: Del Toro’s insistence on ignoring classic characters and chapters and substituting them with characters and locales more suited to the real-world issues he wanted to work into his version of this tale. The biggest example: instead of Pleasure Island, Pinocchio and other boys are taken to a military school to be trained as soldiers for Mussolini.
The songs are hit-or-miss; they reminded me of Harry Nielsen’s work for the Robin Williams Popeye movie.
The film’s big plusses include nearly everything else: great character designs, amazing sets and lighting, solid acting, a witty and emotional script, and a lot of the best animation I’ve ever seen.
The ending tore me apart emotionally. I was not expecting that, and, for me, it was the final element that makes this version of Pinocchio an uneven but wonderful and unforgettable film.
Huge Ending Spoiler ahead. Can’t not mention it:
I highly recommend this movie… Just not for very small children (under seven).
It’s not perfect, but… man… This is one of the most beautifully-crafted animated films I’ve ever seen. Its wonders far outweigh any nitpicks I have.
Be warned: It’s brutal. And it might not be suitable for very young children (say, under seven).
(Mild Spoilers)
The only disappointing thing for me is also what makes it unpredictable and interesting: Del Toro’s insistence on ignoring classic characters and chapters and substituting them with characters and locales more suited to the real-world issues he wanted to work into his version of this tale. The biggest example: instead of Pleasure Island, Pinocchio and other boys are taken to a military school to be trained as soldiers for Mussolini.
The songs are hit-or-miss; they reminded me of Harry Nielsen’s work for the Robin Williams Popeye movie.
The film’s big plusses include nearly everything else: great character designs, amazing sets and lighting, solid acting, a witty and emotional script, and a lot of the best animation I’ve ever seen.
The ending tore me apart emotionally. I was not expecting that, and, for me, it was the final element that makes this version of Pinocchio an uneven but wonderful and unforgettable film.
Huge Ending Spoiler ahead. Can’t not mention it:
I was surprised that this version has a similar approach to the ending as the recent awful Disney remake: Pinocchio does not become a real boy and Gepetto accepts him just the way he is… BUT DEL TORO DOES IT SO MUCH BETTER, and the film continues past that moment into one of the most beautifully bittersweet and heart-wrenching endings I’ve ever seen in an animated film.
I highly recommend this movie… Just not for very small children (under seven).
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Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
I didn’t know del Toro’s Pinocchio released. It will definitely be watching!
Practical Pig
Well-Known Member
I haven't had Netflix for the past year, but I may need to add it again, at least briefly.
Rich T
Well-Known Member
I’d recommend it. Between this, the new Godzilla-like Troll movie and a lineup of solid Holiday films including Klaus, there’s definitely a month-subscription’s worth there.
BasiltheBatLord
Well-Known Member
I thought it was not bad overall but I was expecting it to be a bit more mature and dark given del Toro's past work. I am actually a little surprised that you think it's not for kids as I felt it was very much a movie aimed at children. It still gets points for being an original take on the tale though, plus anything made stop motion these days gets my undying support.
Rich T
Well-Known Member
I don’t think it’s appropriate for very small children. Say… under seven. (I went back and added that age point to my post).
(Spoilers)
We have a drunken Gepetto screaming in grief as he hacks away with an ax, later waking up with a hangover and trying to drink more from a shattered bottle neck. There are thoughtful moments like when Pinocchio asks Gepetto why the crowd hates him but loves the wooden man hanging on the crucifix. Death is a central theme, and though there’s no blood or gore, each main character death is impactful (and in one case, Saruman-brutal) and it hits home. It’s all in the (brilliant) staging. But, as they say, Parental Guidance suggested. I think the movie has its own built-in warning midway through when a seagull rests on an explosive mine. Any child upset by that moment should wait a year before seeing the rest of the movie.
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Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
To be honest, the original Italian Pinocchio text is arguably not even suitable for children. At least not nowadays. It’s a very disturbing story.
Phroobar
Well-Known Member
That movie was awesome! The stop motion animation was fantastic. The story was well done and the acting as excellent. It hands down beats that crappy Disney "live action" version. Del Toro knows how to tell a story with emotional impact. He can also be scary when he wants. I love that it was created with Jim Henson company. Lisa Henson was exec producer.I don’t think it’s appropriate for very small children. Say… under seven. (I went back and added that age point to my post).
(Spoilers)
We have a drunken Gepetto screaming in grief as he hacks away with an ax, later waking up with a hangover and trying to drink more from a shattered bottle neck. There are thoughtful moments like when Pinocchio asks Gepetto why the crowd hates him but loves the wooden man hanging on the crucifix. Death is a central theme, and though there’s no blood or gore, each main character death is impactful (and in one case, Saruman-brutal) and it hits home. It’s all in the (brilliant) staging. But, as they say, Parental Guidance suggested. I think the movie has its own built-in warning midway through when a seagull rests on an explosive mine. Any child upset by that moment should wait a year before seeing the rest of the movie.
Having seen the movie first, I was shocked when I read the book.
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
Same. The hanging part was a bit much, and I was surprised about how terrible of a person Pinocchio is in the book. The Disney version removed a lot of those weird elements. That one is arguably not very suitable for young children either.
I agree. The friend who had read it before me laughed every time I came up to her wide-eyed about the latest outrageous turn.
The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi
Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by volunteers.
Disney Analyst
Well-Known Member
That’s a pretty common theme for a lot of these tales. The originals are usually pretty dark and not really small child friendly.
Sleeping Beauty is… used … while in her sleep by a king and gives birth to twins.
Snow White the evil queen has to wear a pair of red-hot iron slippers, and dance until she dies.
The Little Mermaid gets legs, but every step feels like walking on knives. The prince doesn’t love her, marries someone else. She either has to kill him or perish. She chooses to perish and becomes sea foam.
I got a survey after my last visit. I complained right away about crowds. Several questions dealt with crowds; I don't think they were triggered by my write-in comment. They also asked the usuals: cleanliness, CMs, atmosphere, attractions working, etc.
I was not kind in the essay question about the app.
I was not kind in the essay question about the app.
Model3 McQueen
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- No
I found that interesting too. Why are they asking questions about crowds? Are they going to lower the allocation of reservations, maybe continue to use it as an excuse for further, steeper price increases?
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
Exactly. Hansel and Gretel is another one. Almost nothing about that story is good lol.
Rich T
Well-Known Member
I agree, but Gretel shoving the witch in the oven is a top 10 fairytale moment.
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
Yes! And I should clarify that when I said “good,” I meant it in terms of positive things that happen in the plot, not quality. Hansel and Gretel is probably my favorite fairytale.