Movie Review: ****Disney's Christopher Robin (2018)

Disney Christopher Robin

This is a fun family movie.  It is nothing like the historical biopsy Goodbye Christopher Robin, but instead uses animated and live characters to tell a delightful story, as Pooh and friends come back into the life of Christopher Robin (Ewan McGregor), after he has become a Heffalump.  However in the end, he is reminded of what is important, and turns the Heffalump label onto his boss, who had Christopher Robin work when he was scheduled for holiday so the boss could take credit while playing golf.  Very entertaining.  I think the really hit the personalities of the Pooh characters.  
Hayley Atwell portrays Robin's wife and Bronte Carmichael his daughter.

Movie Review: ****Goodbye Christopher Robin (2017)

This movie tells the story of the relationship between Christopher Robin, and his father, the author of the children's books about Winnie the Pooh.  It is sandwiched around two wars WWI and WWII.  AA Milne, the father served in WWI and Christopher Robin served in WWII.  AA Milne (Domhnall Gleeson) was a playwright before WWI.  The war traumatized him so that he had difficulty finding peace, and as a result the "fled" to the countryside.  He had lost his enthusiasm to right, but found it again when he was left to care for Christopher for several weeks.  Nannie (Kelly Macdonald) had left to attend to her sick mother.  His wife, Daphne (Margot Robbie) had left because he wasn't writing.  She returned to London.  His son's play and imagination provided the inspiration for the Winnie the Pooh stories.  He started writing poetry to go with the stories.  Christopher is portrayed by two actors, Will Tilston (young) and Alex Lawther as a young man.
The tragedy is that Christopher Robin was caught up in the publicity for the books.  In a way his childhood was put on display, and given to the world, whether Christopher wanted to share or no.  Being a public figure was not Christopher's choice, and as a result his childhood was stolen.  He became bitter, and enlisted in the military for WWII, against the wishes of his mother.  He could have been deferred for health reasons, but he insisted he be allowed to be his own person. 
He left bitter and mad at his father.  When his parents received notice of his death, it seemed that was the end.  Somehow the notice was wrong, he came back to let his father know that he had resolved the issues with his childhood.  Being in the world he was able to see the positive influence the Pooh stories had on other children.  He was glad to have been a part.

Book Review: The House at Pooh Corner

This is the second Pooh book written me A.A. Milne.  It was published in 1928.  It was illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard.  This book presents the continuing adventures of Pooh and Christopher Robin.  It deals with many problems, one of which is Christopher Robin going away to school, and not being with his friends as often.  It also deals with Christopher also going away (perhaps to boarding school) and how the group of friends deals with this great loss. 

Pooh, or Milne, is a poet.  One of the stories is of Owl's tree fallng over, his house is destroyed.  Piglet saves the day, as he is small enough to get out the mail chute, as the door is not workable.  He brings help, and Owl and Pooh are saved.  Pooh promised to write him a poem, and when he does, this is how it comes out.

Sing Ho! For Piglet Here lies a tree which Owl (a bird)
Was fond of when it stood on end,
And Owl was talking to a friend
Called Me (in case you hadn't heard)
When something Oo occurred.
For lo! the wind was blusterous
And flattened out his favourite tree,
And things looks bad for him and we---
Looked bad, I mean, for he and us---
I've never known them wuss.
Then Piglet (PIGLET) thought a thing:
"Courage!" he said. "There's always hope.
I want a thinnish piece of rope.
Or, if there isn't any bring
A thickish piece of string.
So to the letter-box he rose,
While Pooh and Owl said "Oh!"
and "Hum!"
And where the letters always come
(Called "LETTERS ONLY") Piglet sqoze
His head and then his toes.
0 gallant Piglet (PIGLET)! Ho!
Did Piglet tremble? Did he blinch?
No, No, he struggled inch by inch
Through LETTERS ONLY, as I know
Because I saw him go.
He ran and ran, and then he stood
And shouted, "Help for Owl, a bird
And Pooh, a bear!" until he heard
The others coming through the wood
As quickly as they could.
"Help -help and Rescue!" Piglet cried
And showed the others where to go.
Sing ho!for Piglet (PIGLET) ho!
And soon the door was opened wide
And we were both outside!

Sing ho! for Piglet, ho!
HO!

This book tells many familiar stories from watching Pooh shows on Disney.  Many have been told, including Rabbit trying to get Tigger's bounces.  They take Tigger on a long hike, with the hopes of getting him lost in the forest.  However this trick backfires.  Tigger knows where he is and everyone else is lost.  In the end Tigger rescues rabbit.  

We are introduced to the game, Poohsticks.  I must admit  I have played this game with my boys many times.  It is throwing a stick into a river or creek from a bridge, an watching as it goes under the bridge.  I an the kids use to play with this over the Saratoga Creek using leaves.  

We are introduced to the character of Piglet. We not only see his bravery, but also his charity.  When Eeyore finds a new house for Owl, it is Piglet's old house.  Piglet is invited to stay with Pooh, and he accepts.

Book Review: The House at Pooh Corner

This is the second Pooh book written by A.A. Milne.  It was published in 1928.  It was illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard.  This book presents the continuing adventures of Pooh and Christopher Robin.  It deals with many problems, one of which is Christopher Robin going away to school, and not being with his friends as often.  It also deals with Christopher also going away (perhaps to boarding school) and how the group of friends deals with this great loss. 

Pooh, or Milne, is a poet.  One of the stories is of Owl's tree fallng over, his house is destroyed.  Piglet saves the day, as he is small enough to get out the mail chute, as the door is not workable.  He brings help, and Owl and Pooh are saved.  Pooh promised to write him a poem, and when he does, this is how it comes out.

Sing Ho! For Piglet Here lies a tree which Owl (a bird)
Was fond of when it stood on end,
And Owl was talking to a friend
Called Me (in case you hadn't heard)
When something Oo occurred.
For lo! the wind was blusterous
And flattened out his favourite tree,
And things looks bad for him and we---
Looked bad, I mean, for he and us---
I've never known them wuss.
Then Piglet (PIGLET) thought a thing:
"Courage!" he said. "There's always hope.
I want a thinnish piece of rope.
Or, if there isn't any bring
A thickish piece of string.
So to the letter-box he rose,
While Pooh and Owl said "Oh!"
and "Hum!"
And where the letters always come
(Called "LETTERS ONLY") Piglet sqoze
His head and then his toes.
0 gallant Piglet (PIGLET)! Ho!
Did Piglet tremble? Did he blinch?
No, No, he struggled inch by inch
Through LETTERS ONLY, as I know
Because I saw him go.
He ran and ran, and then he stood
And shouted, "Help for Owl, a bird
And Pooh, a bear!" until he heard
The others coming through the wood
As quickly as they could.
"Help -help and Rescue!" Piglet cried
And showed the others where to go.
Sing ho!for Piglet (PIGLET) ho!
And soon the door was opened wide
And we were both outside!

Sing ho! for Piglet, ho!
HO!

This book tells many familiar stories from watching Pooh shows on Disney.  Many have been told, including Rabbit trying to get Tigger's bounces.  They take Tigger on a long hike, with the hopes of getting him lost in the forest.  However this trick backfires.  Tigger knows where he is and everyone else is lost.  In the end Tigger rescues rabbit.  

We are introduced to the game, Poohsticks.  I must admit  I have played this game with my boys many times.  It is throwing a stick into a river or creek from a bridge, an watching as it goes under the bridge.  I an the kids use to play with this over the Saratoga Creek using leaves.  

We are introduced to the character of Piglet. We not only see his bravery, but also his charity.  When Eeyore finds a new house for Owl, it is Piglet's old house.  Piglet is invited to stay with Pooh, and he accepts.

Book Review: Winnie-the-Pooh

This story is told in the manner of the author telling stories to his son, Christopher Robin, who is also a character in the stories.  Book is written by A.A. Milne and illustrations by E.H. Shepard.  In this book we have many of the stories that where made unforgettable by Disney.  We see Pooh getting the honey by pretending to be a rain cloud, we see Pooh getting stuck in rabbits hold from eating too much honey, we see a big storm and Piglet being trapped in the middle of a flood.  The characters in the book include the story teller, Christopher Robin, Pooh, Owl, Rabbit, Piglet, Kanga and Roo.  When Kanga and Roo are new, Rabbit hatches a plan to steal Roo, so they will move away.  Yje kidnapping works, Piglet taking Roo's place, but Kanga gets the last laugh, giving Piglet a nice bath, with scrubbing and everything.  Rabbit befriends Roo, and there is no longer talk of trying to get them to leave.