D @ vA Have an idea for a story? M arts@theotherpress.ca Falling 1n love with a goldfish > ‘Ponyo on the Cliff’ movie review Sonam Kaloti Arts Editor keen In this column I review movies that are hugely popular in the Western world— ones which I haven't seen before. This is a fresh and unbiased take on those classic films, without the rose-coloured glasses of childhood nostalgia influencing my perspective. his Studio Ghibli film directed by Hayao Miyazaki is incredibly sweet. It features pastel colours, cute ocean critters, and the most adorable five-year-olds. The movie begins with Sosuke (Frankie Jonas) saving a goldfish trapped in the sea who is named Ponyo (Noah Cyrus). They immediately form a close bond, much to the dismay of Ponyo’s father Fujimoto (Liam Neeson). I don't fully comprehend Fujimoto’s role in the movie. At the beginning he is seen doing magic to “keep the sea at balance,” but later on he is seen cursing all humans for the pollution done to the ocean. Later on, Ponyo asked Sosuke if his dad is a “great evil wizard,’ implying that Fujimoto is just that. Through this, I believed Fujimoto hated humans, yet at the end he seemed perfectly fine with letting Ponyo become human and live with her new human family. These plot holes may be true—or they may be a result of a message being lost in translation, or even just a regular Ghibli charm. No townsfolk were worried about letting two five-year-old children go ona boating mission to find Sosuke’s mom in the wide expanse of the sea. In any other film this would clearly be outrageous, but Miyazaki implores viewers to suspend their disbelief just a bit further than most. The tension builds up to create great anxiety, yet it’s never too much if youre a frequent Ghibli viewer. I’ve only seen about six films from the studio, but it’s very apparent that no movie will ever cross the line into a scary realm. Knowing that, the viewing experience becomes much more peaceful and wholesome, even as youre watching Sosuke’s mom Lisa (Tina Fey) nearly drive her car over a cliff in every driving scene. Lisa is an especially fun and entertaining character. She’s boisterous and wears her heart on her sleeve. She’s also undeniably the funniest. In one of my favourite scenes, Sosuke’s father Koichi (Matt Damon) cancels coming home for dinner (this happens frequently to Lisa’s dismay) and decides to stay out at sea to continue working. Sosuke and Lisa use a A film that 1s better as a lullaby rather than entertainment » ‘To All the Boys: PS. I Still Love You’ movie review Tania Arora Staff Writer ke Yew YX fter the first 10 minutes of this film, I ad to pour myself a shot of espresso to get through the rest. ] recently watched the first film, To All the Boys I've Loved Before, and that movie made me reminisce about old school romance more than I ever have. Spoilers ahead! Even though I am in my early 20s, I was desperately waiting for high school romance movie To All the Boys: PS. I Still Love You to release. I was excited for the second part—I planned a date night with my best friend where I got wine and she got food. We changed into our pajamas and covered ourselves with a blanket... only to Promotional image for 'To All the Boys: P.S. | Still Love You yawn and debate whether to watch ahead or sleep. High expectations were shattered the very moment I started to watch the movie. No doubt, Noah Centineo is my celebrity crush and I envy Lana Condor’s appearance. The two together were one of the main reasons | watched the movie. I was hoping for more real time romance after they expressed their feelings for each other in the first film. Sadly, director Michael Fimognari served it like a slice of tomato or onion on the side of a dish. You hardly get to see the duo romancing each other on screen. The movie is now more about problems—which shouldn't even exist— that the couple are facing. And then, Lara Jean (Lana Condor) starts to drift towards a returned childhood ex-crush, John Ambrose (Jordan Burtchett) instead of her boyfriend Peter (Noah Centineo). “Baking is my way of destressing,” says Lara. Hence, you will find her doing that for most of the movie. Peter is still not © ‘To All the Boys: P.S. | Still Love You’ movie review ¢ ‘BLOOM*IZ’ Review e Was COVID-19 predicted by Dean Koontz? ..and more Promotional image for 'Ponyo' light signal to send Morse code messages back and forth with Koichi. Koichi apologizes to Lisa and sends an “I love you,” to which Lisa gets up off the floor and aggressively sends back “Baka baka baka baka baka baka baka baka’”—the Japanese insult for foolish and stupid. As can be expected in any Ghibli film, the score and art are beautiful. The scenery and little things remind you to find beauty in ordinary things in life. I don’t think this is Miyazaki’s best... but it’s definitely a must watch. over his ex, Genevieve (Emilija Baranac), so she is still hovering around the couple. The only constant entertainer in the film is Kitty (Anna Cathcart). Her adorable looks and dialogue delivery lifted the mood of the room whenever she was on the screen. The ending was predictable, but I also felt that it was not honest. When Lara kissed John and then realized she wasn’t into him, she ran back to Peter—who she had dumped in the morning—and kissed him too. Woah! I mean, where is the apology or regret? You kissed the frog to find your prince... but at least let the prince know that you kissed another frog while he was away. More than a love story, To All the Boys: PS. I Still Love You, is a love triangle where two guys are fighting to win a girl, and the girl is confused for no reason. So, whenever you plan to watch this movie next, prepare your coffee ahead of time and try to be anything but sober. It might teach you some lessons here and there, but nothing major.