The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (Toki o kakeru shôjo, Japan, 2006)

This marvelous anime reverses the idea that youngsters want to grow up quickly with the protagonist attempting to reverse events that lead to change. Although not a Studio Ghibli production, Girl has a hero who could happily reside in movies made by Miyazaki (and others). Her wonderful tumbles, necessitated by having to leap through time, [...]

Ponyo (Gake no Ue no Ponyo, Japan 2008)

Critics have compared this film to Miyazaki’s My Neighbour Totoro (Japan, 1988) as it will also appeal to very young children. Of course his films appeal to all ages such is their artistry, however I was slightly disappointed in Ponyo though I can’t exactly pinpoint why. When Ponyo, a fish wanting to be human, is [...]

Paprika (Japan, 2006)

Shamefully this didn’t get cinematic distribution in the UK but the buzz about it, and Satoshi Kon’s other films, such as Millennium Actress, made sure it was on my DVD rental list. However I was a bit disappointed; visually it is as stunning as the other films I’ve seen by him, but I found the [...]

Millennium Actress (Sennen joyû, Japan, 2001)

This movie flirts with postmodern frivolity but transcends it with a thoughtful, bitter-sweet meditation of memory, life and the impossibility of perfect love. Movies offer the illusion of the latter and the eponymous lead  spends her life seeking her Mr Right who she bumped into twice when a youth. By the end she realises that [...]

Only Yesterday (Omohide poro poro, 1991, Japan)

The only film I had seen by Isao Takahata was Grave of the Fireflies (1988), an astonishing depiction of post-war Japan. Only Yesterday is very different, a pastoral evocation of a second ‘coming of age’ of the 27 year old teacher who ‘takes’ her 10 year old self on holiday.  At the start, the cross-cutting [...]

Sky Blue (Korea, 2003)

Nicely set up with the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ but developed it too little. Visuals were good but we’re used to that with anime; something more needed. (DVD) Technorati Tags: film Powered by ScribeFire.

Princess Mononoke (Japan, 1997)

This was the first Miyazaki I saw and it didn’t grab me – in fact I didn’t finish it. Now a Miyazaki fan I watched it again and… it didn’t grab me. Interesting. (DVD) Powered by ScribeFire.

Bebop Cowboy: the Movie (Japan, 2001)

Great fun; great characters. Don’t know the TV series but do recommend the movie. (DVD) Technorati Tags: film Powered by ScribeFire.

Appleseed (2004, Japan)

Some stunning animation and a fantastic scene where the protagonist witnesses the holographic death of her mother. Many imdb comments bemoan its lack of narrative originality; missing the point I think. Tells its story well. (DVD) Powered by ScribeFire.

Castle of Cagliostro, The (Japan, 1979)

Early Miyazaki and less interesting than later. Still, some great characters (the laconic hero and the female spy). Seems to be set in Monaco. (DVD) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079833/