Disney's Christopher Robin Review - Oh my Childhood

Like with all live action remakes of Disney classics, I waited with baited breath in the cinema, hoping not to be disappointed by this new twist on an old tale from some of my favourite characters.

Keeping spoilers to a minimum, Disney's Christopher Robin follows the titular character in his adult life, seeming having lost his childhood whimsy to the world of responsibilities.

The film holds a somewhat melancholy feel, using de-saturated colours and murky fog within the 100 Acre Wood for pathetic fallacy. Until, of course, Christopher Robin finds his way once more.

From beginning to end, I found myself transported back to the days of when I was a small girl watching the cartoons. Stealing lines from those original episodes, the nostalgia was so strong that it made me emotional.

The film is such a delightful, charming homage to its source that you can forgive the human actors for playing their parts too zealously. Ewan McGregor carries the brightest of smiles, re-imagining an older Christopher both happy and mundane. He is a credit to the film. Though the rest cannot be said for other, minor human characters, they never manage to steal the shine from Pooh Bear and his friends from the wood.

I was ecstatic to find that Jim Cummings, who has voiced Pooh and Tigger since 1988 in the many animated series', continued his role in this film. It was impossible not to fall in love with the film's version of Pooh, still as nonsensical and just as silly and hungry for honey as he ever was.

I'm reserved in saying Christopher Robin was created with children in mind; more that it's a tale for those adults who are still a child at heart. There is mention of war and loss, of bankruptcy and cutbacks. Elements of the film will fly over the heads of children watching it, but Pooh is there to make them smile.

For the adults, it's a walk down memory lane, of nonsensical fun in the 100 acre wood, to remind them that there is more to life than mundane responsibilities, to tell them that loved ones are precious and that happiness can be found in the simplest of things.

I wholeheartedly recommend watching Christopher Robin. Take the family, take your friends, maybe even watch it alone and let the wonder of this innocent, loving film warm even the frostiest of hearts.

"There's always time for a smackeral of wonder" ~ Winnie the Pooh

Black Clover: A 'first impression' review.

With the new season of anime out and booming, I've had the pleasure of finding a few gems amongst the many wannabe successful shows.

Black Clover is a shonen anime from the same studio that's brought us Naruto, Bleach, Tokyo Ghoul and Yona of the Dawn. It follows a list of world-renowned shows so I had high hopes going into the first episode.

Smule Sing! - A guide for new users

Hello guys! It's been a long time and I'll admit it's because I've either been working or spending my time on Smule Sing! the karaoke app.

Review: The Last: Naruto the Movie

I'm going into this assuming that anyone who watches The Last will be aware of the Narutoverse and everything cannon that happens there. With that being said, here's my review on the final film of the main franchise.

Naruto: The Show that Built Me [Essay]

With the 500th and final episode of Naruto Shippuden having aired a couple of weeks ago on March 23rd, I thought it would be fitting to give an in-depth homage to the show that raised me.

Anime Review: First Love Monster/Hatsukoi Monster

I open by saying I stumbled onto First Love Monster on Crunchyroll. I was in the mood for a straightforward, fluffy romance and the preview image promised just that. A handful of good looking guys, a cute girl in a school uniform and a shota (a cute, young boy, typically found in fairly girlish clothing). It had the same feels of Kaichou wa Maid-sama at first glance.

Then I started watching it. I also tweeted once I'd finished it. It's a sweet and concise opinion of the whole show:

I have never said "what the fuck did I just watch" so much as when I finished First Love Monster. Holy crap 😱

— Sarah Smith (@WhenSarahSmilez) March 29, 2017

Mhmm. Cute and straightforward, it was not. Creepy, perverted and random are closer adjectives. Nevertheless, it does have some merits. Intentional or not, First Love Monster addresses some very real world issues, and does them subtly enough that it has you judging yourself continuously each episode.

3 Quotes That Changed My Life

I’ve seen a few people writing blogs about the few things they’ve had said to them that have stuck in their head and either motivated or inspired them, so I thought I’d give it a go. I’ll give you the line, then I’ll give you the explanation.