Three releases from GKids
Category: Blu-ray's and DVD's
With the recent Blu-ray combo packs of Only Yesterday, When Marnie was There, and Mune, GKids brings three very different stories to viewers. They are all filled with the charm and emotions for which Studio Ghibli and GKids are known.
Only Yesterday
The year is 1982 and 27-year-old Taeko (voiced by Daisy Ridley) leaves Tokyo for a vacation in the countryside. She longs to work the land and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. On her train ride from the city to the country, Taeko begins to remember her 5th grade year and the film flips back and forth between the young Taeko and the 27-year-old.
As Taeko works the fields, she and organic farmer Toshio (voiced by Dev Patel) become close friends. All the while she is in the country, Taeko’s younger self is brought to the forefront as incidences of puberty, her frustrations in school and with her sisters and family, and first encounters with boys overtake the memories and concerns. The past and the present meet and the young and the current Taeko discover things about their lives that will take them forward.
This is the 25th anniversary of the English language release of this Studio Ghibli animated film.
When Marnie was There
This is a heartfelt story done with wonderful animation and a character that will capture the hearts of viewers. Like the others from this Japanese studio, the film was re-recorded in English.
Anna is a morose 12-year-old who suffers from asthma. She is a great artist and loses herself in her sketching. Anna is an orphan who has lived with her foster family since she was a little girl. She knows they have her best interest at heart, yet they are not her real parents so how could they feel the love for her that real parents would? Conflicted about life and shutting out the world, Anna is quiet and stays to herself.
Sent from her foster home in the city one summer to a sleepy town by the sea in Hokkaido, Anna dreams her days away among the marshes. She believes she’s outside the invisible magic circle to which most people belong – and shuts herself off from everyone around her, wearing her “ordinary face”. Anna never expected to meet a friend like Marnie, who does not judge Anna for being just what she is. But no sooner has Anna learned the loveliness of friendship than she begins to wonder about her newfound friend.
The love and devotion between Anna and Marnie comes full circle when all is revealed. The summer proves to be a life-changing time for young Anna, who comes to terms with her past and her present.
Mune: Guardian of the Moon
In this beautiful land, there is a Guardian of the Sun and a Guardian of the Moon. They keep nature in balance.
Mune is not supposed to take over being a guardian, but fate intervenes and he is pronounced the Guardian of the Moon. This little guy has good intentions, but manages to mess up the balance of nature. And, the new Guardian of the Sun is also messing up his job.
Soon the land is thrust into darkness and all is not right with the world. It is up to little Mune to find a way to get the moon and the sun back in their proper places, even if that means dealing with the dark influences of the Underworld that have taken over.
There are many interesting characters in this classic tale of good versus evil.
About the Author
Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 20 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.
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