Pom Poko!!!
I apologize that I wasn't able to get the third set of Asbury Park photos up this weekend, but I was away. I'd do it tonight, but I'm too tired.
But I'm still here, blogging. Why? Disney's latest Region 1 Ghibli DVDs-- Pom Poko and My Neighbors the Yamadas, arrived today, via Amazon!
Yamadas I've only seen a part of before, and can't wait to view the whole thing, but Pom Poko (or Heisei-era Tanuki War Pom Poko if you want to be technical) was the one I was really wanting, as it's one of my favorite Ghibli films. I still remember being in shock when I found out that Disney would actually release this masterpiece stateside.
I already know that the tanuki are called "raccoons" in this English-language release, but that's forgivable, since tanuki are, as far as I know, native only to Japan. But the greater question is this: Considering that Pom Poko in general is very much an "all ages" film, and especially considering that the Tokuma Shoten/Disney deal to distribute Ghibli's films included strict provisions not to make a single cut, how will the testicles be explained?
I'm afraid that the tanukis' magical balls could be taken waaay out of context by Hysterical People. You know, the same types of personalities that have kept Disney's own Song of the South from reaching North American video store shelves (it's actually illegal to ship the PAL version of SotS to the US!). You see now why I had to preorder this DVD, right? I wanted to get it before a backlash began. Hopefully, there won't be one, and those of us who love this film can own it and share it with others.
At any rate, once I watch the DVD, I'll fill you all in on the shocking details about the translation in regards to the tanukis' testicles... if there are any. Shocking details, I mean-- the testicles are a given ^_^
But I'm still here, blogging. Why? Disney's latest Region 1 Ghibli DVDs-- Pom Poko and My Neighbors the Yamadas, arrived today, via Amazon!
Yamadas I've only seen a part of before, and can't wait to view the whole thing, but Pom Poko (or Heisei-era Tanuki War Pom Poko if you want to be technical) was the one I was really wanting, as it's one of my favorite Ghibli films. I still remember being in shock when I found out that Disney would actually release this masterpiece stateside.
I already know that the tanuki are called "raccoons" in this English-language release, but that's forgivable, since tanuki are, as far as I know, native only to Japan. But the greater question is this: Considering that Pom Poko in general is very much an "all ages" film, and especially considering that the Tokuma Shoten/Disney deal to distribute Ghibli's films included strict provisions not to make a single cut, how will the testicles be explained?
I'm afraid that the tanukis' magical balls could be taken waaay out of context by Hysterical People. You know, the same types of personalities that have kept Disney's own Song of the South from reaching North American video store shelves (it's actually illegal to ship the PAL version of SotS to the US!). You see now why I had to preorder this DVD, right? I wanted to get it before a backlash began. Hopefully, there won't be one, and those of us who love this film can own it and share it with others.
At any rate, once I watch the DVD, I'll fill you all in on the shocking details about the translation in regards to the tanukis' testicles... if there are any. Shocking details, I mean-- the testicles are a given ^_^