Ponyo Makes a Splash on DVD

This week a DVD came out that I’ve been waiting on for years. It’s the latest from animation master Hayao Miyazaki and his company Studio Ghibli: “Ponyo,” with American distribution by Disney. “Ponyo” is Miyazaki’s take on the fairytale of “The Little Mermaid.” But it’s better that you put any assumptions or knowledge that you have of the story aside in order to watch the film, which puts its own very unique, and at times bizarre, spin on the story. Ponyo is the eldest daughter of sea wizard Fujimoto and the ethereal spirit of the sea. While in her natural … Continue reading

Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker

Alex Rider is a typical 14-year-old. His only family is his Uncle Ian, and Jack, their housekeeper/governess. Alex believes his uncle has a really boring job as a banker, but in fact he works as a secret agent for a division of MI 6 (a British agency). When Ian is killed on a mission, Alex begins to suspect that something wasn’t right. His investigation leads him to secret, undercover MI 6 offices, where the director tells him that Ian had been training him all his life to become a spy (he holds a black belt, speaks at least three languages, … Continue reading