Toon Town

There is REAL MAGIC at work in this wonderful little film! How else could you explain a movie where all the characters and sets are paper cut-outs being so enthralling?

In the Brothers Grimm's rendition of the classic fairy tale, Cinderella's wicked stepsisters are ready to do anything to fit their feet into the heroine's slipper after she loses it in her haste to leave the palace before the last stroke of midnight. One of them is so desperate, she cuts off her big toe with a knife in an attempt to fool the prince. Unfortunately for her, while on the way to the castle, two birds perched on a branch draw the prince's attention to the blood dripping from the slipper, thereby exposing the fraud. The second stepsister is equally determined to enter the royal family and chops off a bit of her heel. The same situation ensues: the prince mistakes her for Cinderella, rides off with her on his horse and she is unmasked by the same two birds. Delightful, isn't? Curiously, the scenes I just described are nowhere to be found in the Disney version. I wonder why... (devious wink) Needless to say, the Mickey Mouse company went for a more family-friendly approach, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Beneath its sugar-coating, "Cinderella" is a masterpiece of fantasy and story-telling -- possibly the finest screen version of the tale that will ever be made. Lovable characters, enchanting musical numbers, a sumptuous palette and superb animation all contribute to the success of this remarkable achievement. Disney's "Cinderella" casts a spell which, unlike the Fairy Godmother's magic, remains undiminished by time.

Simply put, this movie is nothing short of supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! :P

Here's a classic that the whole family will treasure: "The Smurfs and the Magic Flute"! I distinctly remember smurfing it when I was a kid - I was totally smurfed by it!
The story involves a tribe of blue-skinned elves known as the Smurfs who must recover a magic flute that was smurfed from them by a dishonest character.
All in all, if you want to have a smurfing good time, smurf in this amazing animated classic and get ready for a wonderful kaleidoscope of colors and magical characters.
You won't regret it - it's a smurfing good flick!

For those of you who thought that Betty Boop and Jessica Rabbit were as sexy as cartoon characters could get, here is a film that may well change the way you perceive animation. Indeed, "Heavy Metal" epitomizes the expression "sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll". Featuring extensive scenes of cartoon violence and lots of naked women, this is a far cry from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs".
This being said, "Heavy Metal" is a wonderful anthology that will undoubtedly appeal to fans of science fiction and fantasy. The stories are very varied and the tone is somewhat uneven, but the animation is always very impressive. My favorite segment is probably the last one, featuring the Amazon warrior Taarna. Perverse and yet strangely beautiful and poetic, it deftly interweaves elements of sci-fi and sword & sorcery. The sketch set during World War II is also a standout. Filled with zombies and blood-curdling terror, it rivals some of George A. Romero's best efforts.
But enough talk - see this film for yourself and indulge in its dubious pleasures. "Heavy Metal" is a visual tour-de-force that must be experienced to be fully appreciated.

Marcel Pagnol's gentle pastoralism meets "Alice in Wonderland" in this delicate fable set in the Japanese countryside. Follow two adorable little girls as they explore their new home and discover an enchanted world inhabited by soot sprites and Totoros - strange furry creatures endowed with mystical powers. Their happiness is marred, however, when they receive word from the hospital that their mom's health is deteriorating. Will the Totoros help them?
Sentimental without being schmaltzy, sweet without being cloying, "My Neighbor Totoro" is a treat for all ages! It shows that one's dreams can go a long way in making the world a better place. Wonderful!