The storyline follows a young boy named Jack (Grey Bahat Stolarz), who is grieving the loss of his father. Jack's mother, Nancy (Chelsea Alden), brings him a special picture book to read about an enchanted swing on a hilltop that mirrors the ups and downs of his own feelings during a time of loss.
The Mood Swing's emotional message will reach anyone experiencing a loss or other hardship, whether mental or physical. The production is excellent! The animation, combined with the live-action shots, makes it an intriguing and enchanting experience. I like how the film not only retells the book, but has a story within a story. Jack has his own conflict, separate from the boy in the book - the book simply helps Jack cope. The book has significance to Jack because of his ordeal, so the film shows a real, relatable kid reacting to what he sees in the book and a mom who has chosen it for a specific reason. All that adds a layer of depth to the film and makes it seem more authentic and less like a straightforward reading of the book. I was very impressed by the animation. It has a unique, 3-dimensional style, and the images are bright, colorful and detailed, creating a magical world that I love. I felt like I was flying up to space with the characters.
The live-action portion of the film takes place in Jack's bedroom at night. His bedroom features telescopes, lava lamps, dinosaur statues and posters, and soft ambient lighting that gives it a cozy feel. Despite being a very stereotypical boy's bedroom, it has a peaceful glow to it that adds to the charming, dreamlike tone of the film. The background music immediately stood out to me, as it is the first thing I heard as scenes in his bedroom take place. The tinkling sounds are reminiscent of a lullaby or a child's music box, or even a rotating mobile above a baby's crib. It put me at ease immediately, as if I was getting ready to hear a bedtime story. The live-action shots have plenty of special effects, including beams of light from the book, stardust swirling around Jack and Nancy as they read, and quicksand that shakes Jack's bedroom, nearly swallowing his bed.
I like the way that Nancy reads the story in a way that engages not only her child, but the film's audience as well. Her voice matches the emotions of the book's characters, and I could tell that she, like Jack, was fully captivated by the story and was experiencing it, rather than simply reading the words. Nancy has a maternal presence, with a graceful air that I found instantly calming. Jack's character is also worth mentioning, as there is a significant difference between the way he acts before and after Nancy tells the story. At the beginning of the film, Jack is tense and somewhat upset but, as he becomes engrossed in the book, he relaxes and seems at peace by the end of the film, as though it has reassured him.
One thing from The Mood Swing that will definitely stay with me is the music. The gentle twinkling reminds me of the magic of being a little kid, when your imagination could take you up to the stars or to a land of fairies if you just closed your eyes. This is exactly where Jack is as well - his imagination allows him to live inside the book, and to resonate with the book character on a deeper level. My favorite part of this film is the animation. I was especially impressed by the shot showing Nancy and Jack holding the book while animated characters literally dance across the pages.
The film's message is that your emotions can make you feel as if you are losing control and sinking, but by asking for help and learning to cope on your own, you will gain it back and land on the ground.
I give The Mood Swing 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Ella S., KIDS FIRST!
The storyline follows a young boy named Jack (Grey Bahat Stolarz), who is grieving the loss of his father. Jack's mother, Nancy (Chelsea Alden), brings him a special picture book to read about an enchanted swing on a hilltop that mirrors the ups and downs of his own feelings during a time of loss.
The Mood Swing's emotional message will reach anyone experiencing a loss or other hardship, whether mental or physical. The production is excellent! The animation, combined with the live-action shots, makes it an intriguing and enchanting experience. I like how the film not only retells the book, but has a story within a story. Jack has his own conflict, separate from the boy in the book - the book simply helps Jack cope. The book has significance to Jack because of his ordeal, so the film shows a real, relatable kid reacting to what he sees in the book and a mom who has chosen it for a specific reason. All that adds a layer of depth to the film and makes it seem more authentic and less like a straightforward reading of the book. I was very impressed by the animation. It has a unique, 3-dimensional style, and the images are bright, colorful and detailed, creating a magical world that I love. I felt like I was flying up to space with the characters.
The live-action portion of the film takes place in Jack's bedroom at night. His bedroom features telescopes, lava lamps, dinosaur statues and posters, and soft ambient lighting that gives it a cozy feel. Despite being a very stereotypical boy's bedroom, it has a peaceful glow to it that adds to the charming, dreamlike tone of the film. The background music immediately stood out to me, as it is the first thing I heard as scenes in his bedroom take place. The tinkling sounds are reminiscent of a lullaby or a child's music box, or even a rotating mobile above a baby's crib. It put me at ease immediately, as if I was getting ready to hear a bedtime story. The live-action shots have plenty of special effects, including beams of light from the book, stardust swirling around Jack and Nancy as they read, and quicksand that shakes Jack's bedroom, nearly swallowing his bed.
I like the way that Nancy reads the story in a way that engages not only her child, but the film's audience as well. Her voice matches the emotions of the book's characters, and I could tell that she, like Jack, was fully captivated by the story and was experiencing it, rather than simply reading the words. Nancy has a maternal presence, with a graceful air that I found instantly calming. Jack's character is also worth mentioning, as there is a significant difference between the way he acts before and after Nancy tells the story. At the beginning of the film, Jack is tense and somewhat upset but, as he becomes engrossed in the book, he relaxes and seems at peace by the end of the film, as though it has reassured him.
One thing from The Mood Swing that will definitely stay with me is the music. The gentle twinkling reminds me of the magic of being a little kid, when your imagination could take you up to the stars or to a land of fairies if you just closed your eyes. This is exactly where Jack is as well - his imagination allows him to live inside the book, and to resonate with the book character on a deeper level. My favorite part of this film is the animation. I was especially impressed by the shot showing Nancy and Jack holding the book while animated characters literally dance across the pages.
The film's message is that your emotions can make you feel as if you are losing control and sinking, but by asking for help and learning to cope on your own, you will gain it back and land on the ground.
I give The Mood Swing 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Ella S., KIDS FIRST!
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