Ponyo to open on over 800 theaters.

So assuming a choice between more people giving it a shot and fewer, you would choose fewer because you don't like Disney celebrities? How about if actors end up doing a good job?



The burden of proof would lie heaviest on you, considering that you are asserting an assumption whereas he is just doubting its validity. Also, your belief seems based on the supposition that Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers suck, and that therefore casting them is an automatic cynical marketing ploy since nobody can seriously believe that they are any good. Every aspect of that is inherently subjective. The second part in particular is flawed, since it assumes that deep down even the suits in charge of localizing the movie agree with your opinion of their ability.
 
Ebert's review is up. I love his remark against the people who are avoiding it because it's Japanese. He's so right.

Anyway, unfortunately it's not playing at the theater only a few blocks away from my apartment, but it IS playing in a nearby suburb, so I'll try to catch it Saturday afternoon. I kinda wish there was a 10 AM show, though; I prefer those not only because of the low price but that it doesn't eat into the middle of the day.
 
Yeah, that's probably it. I checked movietickets.com and it SAYS nobody around me is playing it, which is strange, considering that a theater near me got the FMA movie a couple years ago, and that was much more limited in distribution.

So yeah, likely they just don't have the info yet. I'll check back closer to release date.
 
And to be clear, if we do talk about the voice cast, we should be focused on the younger siblings of Ms. Cyrus and The Jonas Bros. who will be front and center once the dub of Ponyo comes out in theaters.
 
This film will be seen by art house film fans and Ghibli buRAB. I don't see parents dragging their kiRAB to this, and of course, even if it's not on the financial success level of Revenge of the Fallen, most kiRAB will still be going "Yo Joe!" at the theatre. So really, it will get a dedicated, but small crowd.
 
Since they're not listing screenings in a major city like New York, I figure it's best bet is that they will on the 13th, the day before the film is released.
 
Certainly more people would see it, but supporting it would enable further detrimental behavior. In the short term, its certainly effective, but in the long run, it leaRAB more of the siblings of current Disney stars (or even current Disney stars themselves) being cast in roles solely to sell tickets to tweenage girls.

So, you're supposing that Miley Cyrus' and the Jonas Brothers' siblings were both tried out for the role because they wanted a role in an anime movie and were both picked for their respective talent? I could perhaps fathom that if it were one of the two, but the siblings of both of Disney's current pop stars? Its too coincidential.

And it isn't dependant on them sucking. Its dependant on the names "Cyrus" and "Jonas" putting tweenage girls into seats. However, we'll see when Disney starts advertising the movie. If the advertisements are essentially "Starring Miley Cyrus' and the Jonas Brothers' siblings!" then I think I'll have all the proof I need to say I'm right.


I never said it ruined the movie, I just said that the movies don't live up to their full potential when they star actors in gimmick roles.
 
Yes, but you missed my point. A lot of the ones Pixar hire are comedians or actually good live action "voice" actors (like Holly Hunter). Comedians also tend to be better at voice acting because they practice their routines in standup so they have to use their body to the fullest extent, especially their voices. People like Claire Danes and Christian Bale haven't had any experience using their voices like that.


Bottom line, Pixar knows which live action actors who are also "good" voice actors. This hasn't always been the case with the people in charge of Ghibli dubs (or some Dreamworks animation).



JTurner, don't you get tired of defending Disney's Ghibli dubs? Every forum I've seen you in, this seems to be your thing. I know everyone has their "thing" but it's just not worth the trouble. I admire your dedication though. But you can defend until your face turns blue but some people are just gonna hate all of them. And some, like me, will like some but definitely say they've had their misses too. Still, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying I have a problem with your defending them. I just find it interesting that you've adopted this as your "thing".
 
Joking aside, title changes are understandable, as shortened titles are more marketable.

Other Ghibli titles that were shortened:

Laputa: Castle in the Sky - Castle in the Sky (changed due to Laputa's Spanish meaning)

Heisei-era Tanuki War Pom Poko - Pom Poko

The Spiriting Away of Sen and Chihiro - Spirited Away
 
At the risk of bumping up the thread again, the trailer for the English version has just been released. Here's my thoughts on the trailer:

The animation is absolutely beautiful, just what I'd expect from a Miyazaki film. I'll definitely be going to see this without question.

As for the voices:

Liam Neeson as Fujimoto: this is quite different from what I was expecting, but it sounded pretty fine to me. (Keep in mind I have not seen the Japanese version, so I have no preconceptions on how the characters should sound.)

Lisa: The one line I heard sounded a little monotone, but I hope that this is just one line. Still not a breaker.

Frankie Jonas as Sosuke: Better than I thought! Granted this was only one line, but it didn't sound lacking to me in any way. I don't have an overall opinion of the performance, but hopefully it'll be believable enough to assuage any naysayers (I think they'll hate on it either way).

Cate Blanchett as Granamamare: Very close in tone in Galadriel. Nice.

Noah Cyrus as Ponyo: Very difficult, because the only lines I've heard from her so far are giggles and some shouts. But they sounded fine to me. Again, I expect haters to dogpile on her either way, but what I heard did not sound like anything to scream about.

All in all, I think this is shaping up to be yet another terrific Disney-Ghibli dub. Of course, the rabid naysayers will hate it no matter what, but I haven't been disappointed in any of their dubs so far, and Ponyo seems to be another promising addition to the "family".

I'm looking forward to this.
-Jon T.
 
I doubt many little girls will be excited for G.I. Joe - my younger sister and her frienRAB are excited for Ponyo, at least, and they're the audience Disney seems to be aiming for. And it's a limited release, too. It isn't going to be winning the box office, but I think it'll get a solid chunk of money.

I doubt anyone is expecting this to beat, well, ANY other kiRAB movie this year. But I think it's going to do well enough to warrant future theatrical releases of Ghibli films.
 
...which leaRAB to the movies becoming more successful, which leaRAB to better treatment in the future, such as larger scale theatre releases and higher quality DVRAB. Maybe even Ghibli on Blu-Ray.

I'd happily sit through some mediocre voice acting if it leaRAB to something like that.
 
I don't think they need to be defended. Yes they have their haters but from what I have seen Disney's Ghibli dubs seem generally well liked. Of course they are not perfect but they are till great.
 
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