Results tagged “animation”

Animated children's movies generally fall into one of a couple of different camps. There are kiddie flicks made just for kids, the sort of things that are visually stimulating enough to warrant 24/7 viewing by obsessive 3 to 5-year-olds, but which quickly lose their luster for anyone older. Then there are kids films that try to maintain some adult appeal, either through artful attention to great storytelling (Pixar) or through hammy pop culture references that go stale within a month of release (the collected works of Shrek). Hayao Miyazaki's latest, yet another in a long line of instant classics, fits neither of these molds: it is clearly made with children in mind, but not because it favors visual flash over storytelling, or because it is dumbed down in any way. Ponyo is that rare children's movie that actually taps into the unique imaginative power of a child's mind.

One of the selling points many children's films strive for is appeal for adults. If parents are going to be convinced to sit through films with their kids, and especially if they're going to endure bits and pieces of the endless repeated viewings that are inevitable once the DVD is purchased, they figure they need to throw a little bone to the older crowd. Unfortunately, these usually come in the form of endless in-jokes and pop culture references that, even when they are sporadically funny, tend to be completely incongruous with the surrounding material. And you're left with green ogres delivering fart jokes and making references that are destined to be dated in a year, let alone 20, or 50.

DCist's highly subjective and hardly comprehensive guide to the most interesting movies playing around town in the coming week.

FRIDAY: >> Nothing wrong with another strong all-local lineup: Washington Social Club, These United States and Let's French will be on Black Cat's mainstage. DCist has interviewed two of these bands before, and we're set to get up close and personal with the third. So check 'em out. 9:30 p.m., $10. >> We're definitely impressed with the speed at which DC Rollergirls have gotten their act together since hosting a series of recruitment happy hour/arm...