Peppermint Friday Review #27: Porco Rosso

Been really wanting to do a review of a Studio Ghibli film as they are amazing, and everyone should talk about them, as I only ever really hear film buffs talk about them (like me), and Anime fans, as Studio Ghibli is the Japanese Disney. So I don't really hear that many people talk about them, well in my area I know its a multi million empire churning out classic films, but whenever I mention it too people they're like 'who?' and that annoys me. 

Porco Rosso is about a World War I veteran who was turned into a pig by a curse before the film takes place, his mannerisms are very charming, and gentleman like. At the beginning Porco take down some sky pirates, after he's finished he goes to his usual diner and bumps into an old friend Gina. The head of the sky pirates go to their diner and plan for they're next attack, which is on Porco. Porco gets attack, and is assumed dead, he then decides to head for Milan to see the mechanic Piccolo assisted by his granddaughter Fio who is very enthusiastic about mechanics.

This film is so amazing, and funny I simply adore the quick witt humour of the script. The time period its set in is 1930s and instantly its appealing to me I love the costumes, the language being used its so stunning, its delicious. Porco is just brilliant, I love how relaxed he is about his appearance, you can tell he's annoyed by it, but not too much from the outside. The story shows you should never judge a book by its cover, with Porco looking like a pig, doesn't mean he is a pig and acts like one. With Fio who is a young woman, that loves mechanics and is amazing at it, you just never know a person until you get to know them, we all have many secrets and troubles.

Gina is a a character that I love, she is so funny and beautiful, she is very streetwise and you honestly wouldn't think it considering, she is very welll off and beautiful. That's why I love Studio Ghibli so much the way they write they're characters is brilliant, I love how relatable and varied they are. There's not one character who I look at and go 'oh she's like this' or 'he's similar to him' its so different and brilliantly written. I loved that they made the main character a pig, because if Porco was a real man, I don't think it would have been as good a film or character, because it gives it an air of mystery. 

Few other minor characters I like are the members of the Gang, Porco and FIo meet. One of them has such a funny voice its so crazy, and memorable I don't know if I hate it or I like it, its like marmite. I like with Studio Ghibli that with creativity there's no limit, with every Studio Ghibli film its different from the other and thats why i love it, with Disney and I ]'m not hating Disney as they're getting better with stories, its just that most of they're stories are about Princesses. With this film its about air pirates, a man who turned into a pig, if I described it to someone who knows nothing about it, they'll think its some dark, grown up film. 

Overall you should give Studio Ghibli a go as they are amazing and make some real diamonds, and Porco Rosso is a great start! One day I will do a post on my favorite Studio Ghibli films, as they're so good everyone should watch them. I will speak to you all later and have a great day wherever you are!

Favorite Animal Films

It's funny because this week is actually the most diverse yet, because I'm talking about films of all genres and for all different ages, even in this post I have 2 very grown up, intellectual films and they have animals in of all things. 

Babe

We're gonna start with a film that was one of the first films I ever remembered, and one of the first books I ever read. Babe is such a beautiful wonderful film, about a pig who wants trains to be a sheepdog and its the journey he goes on. I adore this film so so much its so heartwarming, and uplifting it really holds a special place for me as I found it really hard to read and it was one of the first books I read cover to cover and I was obsessed with this film, it's also my dad's favorite film. Its so inherently British despite that its filmed in Australia, its got the typical farmer aspect which I love so much. 

Animal Farm

From one golden pig to a dictator pig, its a George Orwell classic. Now most of you have probably read this in school,  I didn't but I watched the 1954 version a few weeks ago but I need to read the book. As I know its so political and amazingly done to show all the parties and for someone who has only just gotten into politics its great that a story like this exists. This story is great for those who want to get into politics and learn about it, because it doesn't do it where its shoving down you're throat but very casual. I always thought it was for people who were a bit older as it got into things like politics and referenced dictators, but its something everyone should know whatever age, definitely worth a watch. 

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey

Another classic from my childhood with the brilliant voices like Michael J Fox and Sally Field. The story is about two dogs, Chance, Shadow and a cat Sassy, they are sent to this farm while there family is in the city for the summer, they all think that they've been abandoned so they go off and find them again. Its beautiful all the scenic views across America and its accurate to what the gang (I hate that word, but they are anyway) they all thought they were abandoned and I know the family were only gone for what twelve weeks or so, but for a beloved pet even a day is long. I adore Michael J Fox anyway but him as an American Bulldog is the best, and I love how witty and funny Sally Field is as Sassy, she is the best. 

The Birds 

I need to include this as its such a good film, its one of those films that ends up as a question on TV, and its so good oh god. I love where the film is set as I went to a place very similar when I was in New Zealand called Foxton and its so beautiful and relaxed, but of course this is not as casual and easy breezy as the place its set in. Full of tension thats what a Hitchcock film needs, in this film its the birds causing the most havoc that the humans, like in Animal Farm where its mainly the humans fault. I love films that are set in this location, and just the feel of this film is so brilliant.

Pom Poko

 I'm gonna end it on a Studio Ghibli film, a film that I didn't watch until very recently first of all I love Studio Ghibli and I will be talking about them alot more on this blog as its so creative and wonderful everyone should know them. The story is about a group of Raccoons who decide to rebel against the humans in the nearby city, so they decide to transform into humans and go undercover. Studio Ghibli really makes stories as creative as possible, and brings everything to life and at the end of the film you really think about the environment and you take a really good strong look at yourself.  

Favorite Animation Films

We're gonna talk about Animation and all the ones I love, as there are many from different countries and not all Animation are for kids. Theres something so inherently beautiful about storytelling in Animation, theres an artwork to it aswell which I love.

Wallace & Gromit

I have been watching Nick Park's creations for as long as I can remember. I used to watch the full Wallace & Gromit video set until it broke that was how hardcore I was about Wallace & Gromit. Its so British and cosy, the obsession with cheese and inventions gave them a massive quirk. When they released Chicken Run oh god my younger self went crazy, its an amazing film with colourful characters. You really got to admire the stock-motion animation of it all as it takes years to make a film as the first Wallace & Gromit was in was in 1989.                                        

Up

I had to include a Pixar wouldn't be right otherwise, I have to say I think I'm more of a Pixar girl than a Disney girl, however I do love them both equally but I grew up with Pixar more as I remember Toy Story 2 when it came out and being obsessed with it. The film is brilliant for not only kids as its funny and entertaining but there are some bits in the film that I don't think some kids will get. Not to say that they won't get it but there are some elements that are so heavy, such as the first 10 minutes where you see the story of Ellie and Carl.                     

The Cat Returns

Okay this film, first of all I love Studio Ghibli like there creativity is out of this world, like there is no boundries for that company. If those of you don't know what Studio Ghibli is they are the Japanese Disney basically, and they are brilliant at making things creatively. The Cat Returns is about a girl called Haru who saves a cat from crossing the road, its then discovered he is the Cat Prince and would like to thank her by marrying her, and taking her into the Cat Kingdom where cats stand on there hind legs. I know its mad but I love it so much, and its about Cats and any film for me about animals wins me over. There are tons of Studio Ghibli films that I adore, and I will talk about them in a later post. I also feel that Studio Ghibli is amazing, and every person in the whole world needs to love it.                                                                    

Coraline

Another stock-motion film, I read the book and completely adored it. I always associate this film with being in High School as I was obessed with Dark Fantasies and Dark Comedies, and this is a very Dark Comedy. Its about a girl called Coraline who's parents are too busy to notice her, she then finds a door to another world that everyone has buttons for eyes. Its scary oh god, but its an amazing film and the director Henry Selick did a brilliant job with the artwork, and its exactly how my 12 year old self saw the world of Coraline and the Other World.

The Triplets of Belleville

I don't think this film is talked about enough, as its good I first watched this film when I was in School during Art. The story is about a Grandmother raising her Grandson, and training him for the Tour De France, until the day comes of the Tour De France and he and two other cyclists are kidnapped by the French Mafia. Its quite a grown up story, but the artwork is beautiful and so unique. I like the fact that they exaggerate the features of people, its also a very quiet film with little dialogue but its still good and you still get to know the characters and story.  

Overall Animated films are brilliant if you find the right one, and not to say there all for children because the one this Friday is definitely not for children. I hope you all are well, and adore these films as much as me, and I will see you this Friday.