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Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo (2004)
More Disney Crap
Well, I'm not sure if the other person that commented on this movie watched the same one as myself. Granted, this film is geared toward children, however, it's message seems a bit off target, considering the subject matter.
To say this movie was something the entire family can enjoy together is to assume the parents have an IQ not much higher than that of their child.
But before I say anything, I'm not some religious nut.
The movie is loosely adapted from Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". Had the central holiday in question in this movie been Christmas, it's message would have made more sense. However, it was Easter, and, according to the characters, Easter is the time of year when "we show our buddies that we care." Easter is about caring and sharing, not a religious holiday celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus. In effect, the movie makes it explicitly clear that Easter isn't a religious holiday at all, but a time to celebrate the coming of Spring.
It seems to have been made in typical Disney fashion; sanitized and devoid of the true meaning behind the holiday, such as Christmas, which, as has been transformed over the years to be a celebration of Winter and, yet again, a time when "we show our buddies that we care", as opposed to its original context, that being a religious holiday to celebrate the birth of a particular religious figure.
Had Disney done the same thing to a Muslim, Jewish, or even Hindu holiday, I dare say there'd be quite the backlash and protest. However, it's just a Christian holiday and who cares if a few "believers" are even slightly taken aback by the warped rendition and interpretation Disney gives to their holiest of days.
Thankfully, my daughter is far to young to understand any of this and certainly too young to care. She just likes watching Winnie the Pooh bumble his way through life. However, with older children, I hate to sound conspiratorial, but honest to God, you really have to wonder: are the people who made this film trying to re-educate children? You can write it off as merely a fun movie for tots to sit and gawk at for an hour, but at the same time, you have to admit, children aren't entirely stupid. They understand a lot more than I think we normally give them credit. And I find it difficult to believe that of all the people who helped make this movie, from director to child psychologists, surely at least one of them had to have the same sense of it all as I did.
If I were you, I'd probably just skip this title in favor of getting some of the old Warner Brothers cartoons.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)
Excellent
Certainly one of the best movies of the year. Rare is it that you find a Hollywood release so true to the novels from which it was developed.
Although it is a fictional account, it is very accurate in its portrayal of the time, as well as life on board a British ship of war.
From what I've read of other comments, those who had cause for disent based it on relatively minor points, whether inconsequential or in keeping with a particular historical detail.
If the battle scenes seemed loud and confusing, that's an accurate portrayal of how they were (and are).
If there were times when the movie moved along sluggishly, that's because life onboard a ship in those days was even slower and largely more mundane, punctuated by brief moments of brutal fighting.
Most of the negative comments I've read seem to reflect a lack of understanding of both the novels and historiocity behind them. On the other hand, those familiar with both, even if they haven't read the books, will immediately appreciate the attention to detail down to the smallest levels.
As another commentor said, and I agree, I think those who walk away disappointed do so because they were expecting a modern car chase at sea with lots of bright flashing explosions, all moving at a rapid pace they're more accustomed towards.
Without a doubt, this movie is destined to become a classic not only in its particular genre, but on its own merits, as well.
Once in a while, Hollywood surprises me and gets it right. This is one of those times.