Book v Film: Howl’s Moving Castle

“In the land of Ingary where such things as seven-league boots and cloaks of invisibility really exist, it is quite a misfortune to be born the eldest of the three. Everyone knows you are the one who will fail first, and worst, if the three of you set out to seek your fortunes.”

From the amazing Japanese animation film studio, Studio Ghibli, and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, Howl’s Moving Castle is based on British author Diana Wynne Jones‘ 1986 fantasy novel, the first in a series of three, that follows a young, unconfident girl called Sophie Hatter (voiced by Emily Mortimer) from the fairytale land of Ingary.

Film Review: Howl’s Moving Castle

From the amazing Japanese animation film studio, Studio Ghibli, and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, Howl’s Moving Castle is based on British author Diana Wynne Jones‘ 1986 fantasy novel, the first in a series of three, that follows a young, unconfident girl called Sophie Hatter (voiced by Emily Mortimer) from the fairytale land of Ingary.

For Sophie, being born the oldest of three is only the beginning of her troubles, since the oldest child is doomed to fail first. When Sophie’s father dies, her stepmother, Fanny, takes Sophie and her two sisters out of school. But whilst Lettie and Martha go off to become apprentices, Sophie is left with no one to talk to but the hats she creates. One day, the Witch of the Waste (Lauren Bacall) makes a visit to Sophie’s shop, and leaves Sophie under a horrid spell that transforms her into an old lady (Jean Simmons). Her only chance of breaking it is to find the ever-moving castle in the hills, and plead with the castle’s owner, the heartless Wizard Howl (Christian Bale). To untangle the enchantment, Sophie makes a deal with Howl’s fire demon, Calcifer (Billy Crystal): if Sophie can break his contract with Howl, then he will fix her curse. Finding herself caught up in Howl and the Witch’s conflict, Sophie soon discovers that there’s far more to Howl — and herself — than first meets the eye.

Film Review: Monsters University

This year’s Pixar computer-animated family comedy, 2001’s Monsters Inc. prequel Monsters University, looks at the relationship between the inseparable pair we came to love 10 years ago, Mike (voiced excellently by Billy Crystal) and Sulley (John Goodman), during their days at Monsters University. But Mike and Sully weren’t always the best of friends. From the moment these two mismatched monsters met they couldn’t stand each other. Monsters University unlocks the door to how Mike and Sulley overcame their differences and, ultimately, became the inseparable monster duo we all know.

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New Producer for The Oscars and Billy Crystal To Host

(Written for HeyUGuys)

It’s been a hectic few days for the for The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as the 84th Academy Awards lost producer Brett Ratner and host Eddie Murphy all within 24 hours.

Confirmation of Ratner’s replacement is here, however, and conversations of who should stand in as host have been taking place all over the internet, with The Muppets taking lead as front-runners for the spot before Billy Crystal was confirmed as host, which he revealed on Twitter today.