★★★
Hard that it is to quite keep up with the retirements and renewals of Studio Ghibli, the day of a new Japanese animation studio has dawned. Literally so, for Studio Ponoc takes its name from a Serbo-Croatian word referring to the beginning of a new day. There is, however, a great deal that is familiar about their visually gorgeous debut feature: Mary and the Witch’s Flower.
Hollywood’s best kept (here meaning not true) secret is that thirty per cent of new films are commissioned by a producer flinging darts at a list of classic movies.
★★★★
Andrew Haigh’s latest film is somewhat emblematic of his own career progression. After Weekend and 45 Years, Lean on Pete sees the director burst his spheres of British suburbia to explore new territories. Stateside, Haigh translates his favoured hues to broader horizons and brings empathy, irony and stoic realism.
The Film Blog 