Xyler852

Don't know why I'm surprised when an old silent movie is so good. Perhaps it's because the difference in the style and experience between it and modern cinema. Have patience. One trick is to watch half an hour at a time.

The excellent and appropriately morose soundtrack of The Phantom Carriage begins with a solemn drumbeat which goes on too long though later you understand it is as it should be. The story features a man taking terrible wrong turns in life, a woman with delusional hope and a mysterious spirit who collects ... I watched a poor-quality version of this film on YouTube. There are other streaming channels that have the movie for free, but they were all missing some key feature such as; no soundtrack, no subtitles, or no colored tinting e.g. Dark blue film tinting to indicate night. The murky video on YT made the story hard at times to follow. In the end, all was understood. The preview here on IMDB looks much better than what I watched. I'm guessing it's from the Blu-Ray. Strangely the online version, poor as it was, seems to have added to the gloomy ambience. No matter. Watch and beware of THE PHANTOM CARRIAGE.

Nine disagreeable Britons representing different social/economic classes are mysteriously transported to a place with a door. As they wait for the door to open, we get to know them better. Eventually the door opens, and they go explore a city which the audience never sees. T The idea is that post WW2, England should become a more fair and equitable society with people who treat each other well. When the characters find themselves in such a city they have different reactions. It's interesting how some of the selfish ones try to emotionally drag those who want to live in the city back to their miserable lives. There is an episode involving a mother and daughter that is very similar to an episode in C. S. Lewis' novel "The Great Divorce" written 12 years later. It made me wonder if Mr. Lewis ever saw the film. Note: "They Came To A City" is similar to watching a stage play. At only 66 minutes long it's worth a look.

The delightful "Choppy and the Princess" aka "Princess Knight" (English dub on Crunchyroll), tells the story of a princess who is raised as a prince by her parents, the king and Queen, since no girl can become ruler in their medieval country. Two members of the court, one who sounds a like W. C. Fields the other who wants his own son to gain the throne, are always trying to prove the prince is a girl which you'd think would be easy since she has such a high chipper voice thanks to Carole Wyand.

Princess Knight is brave and takes on all challengers including dragons, soldiers, thieves, and even supernatural beings. While she is aided by her horse and a not so helpful angel named Choppy, what is remarkable compared to modern anime heroes is that she has no magical or super powers. She fights with her own strength and sword skills and sometimes loses, at first.

The animation and soundtrack have a nostalgic style reminiscent of old Disney movies and Silly Symphonies. The episodes are fun and aimed at children under 11. Parents can enjoy it with their children.