Hayao Miyazaki

[Sugar]

Well, now that I'm laid up at home for a while after having minor surgery on my foot (I had half a needle embedded in it, WEAR YOUR SLIPPERS, FOLKS!)
I finally decided to start this thread...

This is my family's latest addiction. For those of you who don't know who Miyazaki is, he's a Japanese animator, considered by some to be the Japanese Disney, although that's not a completly accurate comparison. And I really wouldn't consider this stuff to be Anime either. He's truly in a class all his own.

Disney bought the rights to most or all of his films and has been re-releasing them with new American dubs with well-known American actors, under the strict condition that the films not be altered.

The animation is beautiful. Amazing! Most of the themes are environmental, with nature not being so willing to let man walk all over it! Also lots of magic, since Shinto gods and spirits play heavily in a lot of these. His latest, Howl's Moving Castle, is more of a romance/adventure sort of thing.

I watch all the films with my five-year old daughter, and she has taken to "playing Princess Mononoke" or "playing Spirited Away" in the yard with my husband, which is really funny. I keep wondering if she's going to have a hard time in Kindergarten when she want to do the same and she tells the boy that he's going to play "A****aka"! :laugh:

Anyway, for those of you who know nothing about these films, TRY THEM! Especially if you have kids. These are our favorites:

Spirited Away (#1 grossing film of all time in Japan)

Princess Mononoke (More violent and with disturbing imagry than the others, but what a FABULOUS movie! Watch it first before the kids do just so you know what you're getting into. If you don't have kids, JUST WATCH IT!)

My Neighbor Totoro (Very kid friendly. Family moves to the country, only to find out that there are fuzzy spirits living in the nearby forest. LOVE the cat bus!)

Howl's Moving Castle (I had to watch it a couple times to get my head around the story, but it's very sweet. And the castle animation is AMAZING!

Anyone else love this guy?

[jannieC]

I've never heard of him, but had to stop and say, OW- I hope you feel better and heal quickly. :xoxo:

[hayley]

I've never seen them, but I knit a Totoro hat for a friend. So cute!

[Sugar]

I've never heard of him, but had to stop and say, OW- I hope you feel better and heal quickly. :xoxo:

Thanks! I'm actually feeling pretty good. Just amazing that my "splinter" became such a big fat hairy deal! :laugh:

And now that you HAVE heard of him, try one of the movies! They are so different and original, not the same freaking retreads that Disney keeps trotting out over and over.

Another cool thing is that almost all his movies feature strong young girl lead characters. Wonderful for my little girl to watch!

[Sugar]

I've never seen them, but I knit a Totoro hat for a friend. So cute!

Totoro is actually the first one we saw. I think it was TCM who had a Miyazaki month a few months back. My husband and I like animation anyway, so we actually wanted to watch it, with my daughter in the background going, "This is bo-ring!" But within 15 minutes she was totally sucked into Totoro!

Did you have a Totoro patch or did you actually knit him into the pattern? I'm amazed at how much Totoro gear there is out there! Go to Ebay and search "Totoro, -DVD"...holy crap!

[amber]

yeah, I've been pretty into him for a bit. :wavey: I saw spirited away first, though.

[hayley]

Did you have a Totoro patch or did you actually knit him into the pattern? I'm amazed at how much Totoro gear there is out there! Go to Ebay and search "Totoro, -DVD"...holy crap!
I modified <a href="http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=49162.0">this</a> pattern. My digital camera crapped out right before I gifted it so I never took a picture of mine. So cute.

[Sugar]

Oh man, that is cute!

And for the rest of you here is Totoro from my favorite scene in the movie (he's the big furry one).

[Sugar]

And here's the cat bus:

[Nixxxed]

Oh man, that is cute!

And for the rest of you here is Totoro from my favorite scene in the movie (he's the big furry one).
That's my favorite scene too, plus the scene where they're dancing around the seed patch trying to make the acorns grow.

I stumbled into these as well. I watch every one I can get my hands on. Turner Classic Movies (TCM) has been showing them on Fridays at 1:00 AM central time. They showed Princess Mononoke last week, and Castle in the Sky the week before (have you seen that one?). I haven't checked this week's schedule yet, but I can't wait.

EDIT: http://www.turnerclassicmovies.com/thismonth/article.jsp?cid=114169&mainArticleId=133235 This week it's Whisper of the Heart. And looks like this is the last one! :(

Another good one, not sure if it's Miyazaki or not, is Akira. It's more PG-13 like Mononoke, but still pretty family-friendly. And a great creepy story and visuals.

[amber]

That's my favorite scene too, plus the scene where they're dancing around the seed patch trying to make the acorns grow.

I stumbled into these as well. I watch every one I can get my hands on. American Movie Classics (AMC) has been showing them on Fridays at midnight central time. They showed Princess Mononoke last week, and Castle in the Sky the week before (have you seen that one?). I haven't checked this week's schedule yet, but I can't wait.

Another good one, not sure if it's Miyazaki or not, is Akira. It's more PG-13 like Mononoke, but still pretty family-friendly. And a great creepy story and visuals.

Wait - Akira isn't family friendly! It's pretty violent. Don't you think? I remember feeling a bit squeamy at some parts.

Have you seen Spirited Away yet? Oh, man. The dragon/water visuals at the end...*the whole thing, really* Mesmerizing. It's all perfectly creepy, and beautiful.

[Sugar]

That's my favorite scene too, plus the scene where they're dancing around the seed patch trying to make the acorns grow.

I stumbled into these as well. I watch every one I can get my hands on. American Movie Classics (AMC) has been showing them on Fridays at midnight central time. They showed Princess Mononoke last week, and Castle in the Sky the week before (have you seen that one?). I haven't checked this week's schedule yet, but I can't wait.

Another good one, not sure if it's Miyazaki or not, is Akira. It's more PG-13 like Mononoke, but still pretty family-friendly. And a great creepy story and visuals.

That acorn scene is cute! I just love the scene in the rain because it's so beautifully done! So lush and green!

I saw Castle in the Sky when Cartoon Netwook was showing them for a month (I guess all the cable channels are taking their turn!) Actually I fell asleep during part of it, buit I still didn't think it was as good as some of the others. I felt the same way about Nausicaa...it's hard for me to warm up to big bugs!

I've heard of Akira...really one of the classic Animes I think, though I've never seen it. But I dig creepy, so now I'll have to check it out.

I really think Mononoke is my favorite! Again the beautiful forest scenes, the way the nightwalker is animated...and I love Gillian Anderson as Moro the Wolf God. Apparently the character was a man in the first Japanese version, but I think Moro as a woman, taking in the abandoned San, works better.

[Sugar]

EDIT: http://www.turnerclassicmovies.com/thismonth/article.jsp?cid=114169&mainArticleId=133235 This week it's Whisper of the Heart. And looks like this is the last one! :(



Thanks for this edit! I've been meaning to see this one. I don't think it's Miyazaki but it is Studio Ghibli (the company that puts these out in Japan). And its sequel, The Cat Returns, IS Miyazaki.

Can you tell I've been doing my research...:p

[Sugar]

Wait - Akira isn't family friendly! It's pretty violent. Don't you think? I remember feeling a bit squeamy at some parts. .

I'll still check it out, but like with Mononoke, I'll watch it first to determine if my daughter woul A) be interested in it and B) can handle it. Thanksfor the warning, though!


Have you seen Spirited Away yet? Oh, man. The dragon/water visuals at the end...*the whole thing, really* Mesmerizing. It's all perfectly creepy, and beautiful.

Truly. It's usually the one I start people out on if they're hanging out at the house. When I first put it on I get polite eye rolls, but usually by the time the Stink Spirit appears people are hooked.

You know Yubaba is Suzanne Pleshette, right? Nice.

[Nixxxed]

Wait - Akira isn't family friendly! It's pretty violent. Don't you think? I remember feeling a bit squeamy at some parts.

Have you seen Spirited Away yet? Oh, man. The dragon/water visuals at the end...*the whole thing, really* Mesmerizing. It's all perfectly creepy, and beautiful.
You're right - I just re-read Sugar's post, and I wouldn't recommend Akira for a 5 year-old. :laugh: But it's more psychologically violent than Mononoke, which has dismemberments in the first 10 minutes and all those awful bloody battle towards the end, so... :shrug:

But Akira has a good overall message, some redeeming characters, etc. - so it's not like it's violence or terror just for the sake of it. Like you said, Sugar, watch it first before showing it to the kiddies.

[Nixxxed]

Thanks for this edit! I've been meaning to see this one. I don't think it's Miyazaki but it is Studio Ghibli (the company that puts these out in Japan). And its sequel, The Cat Returns, IS Miyazaki.

Can you tell I've been doing my research...:p
You're welcome - I hate that those channels (AMC and TCM) both have "Classic" and "Movies" in their names. I'm forever getting them mixed up!

[Sugar]

You're right - I just re-read Sugar's post, and I wouldn't recommend Akira for a 5 year-old. :laugh: But it's more psychologically violent than Mononoke, which has dismemberments in the first 10 minutes and all those awful bloody battle towards the end, so... :shrug:


Actually it was my husband that let her watch the violent scenes before I did. They're pretty fleeting, and sometimes you don't even notice exactly what's going on in them because there's so much going on in the shot. But I had to laugh when she watched the scene where the guy's arms get cut off and I'm thinking "oh ****!" She starts to laugh and says, "Mommy, how's that guy gonna eat now?" :laugh:

[Nixxxed]

Actually it was my husband that let her watch the violent scenes before I did. They're pretty fleeting, and sometimes you don't even notice exactly them because there's so much going on in the shot. But I had to laugh when she watched the scene where the guy's arms get cut off and I'm thinking "oh ****!" She starts to laugh and says, "Mommy, how's that guy gonna eat now?" :laugh:
:lol: Oh, that's priceless and right at the top of the cuteness scale.

[Nixxxed]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094625/

I just looked Akira up after what Amber said, and I think she was right. But for some reason I don't remember a lot of "graphic violence and brief nudity" like the synopsis says.

I guess it's true what they say about becoming desensitized to sex and violence. :lol:

[trackaghost]

I think Spirited Away is easily his masterpiece, just for pure inventiveness and sheer beauty, but Howl's Moving Castle is a close second.
Where's David? Has he an opinion on the fantastic Mr Miyazaki I wonder.

[Sugar]

I think Spirited Away is easily his masterpiece, just for pure inventiveness and sheer beauty, but Howl's Moving Castle is a close second..

Mononoke is up there too. Amazing that it was supposed to be his masterpiece and he retired, and THEN got pulled out of retirement to do Spirited Away. And I thought he retired after that too and got pulled out again for Howl. He should call Christine McVie. :laugh:

The animation of the castle in Howl is just so beyond any of his previous animation. Spirited Away is just such a beautiful story with so many beautiful themes woven throughout. Mononoke is fierce and complex. The tree spirits, I think, are pure genius, and the whole ending, especially the music, is just so brilliant.

I'm still so smitten with all of them!

[trackaghost]

I totally agree, his work puts Disney et al to shame (bar Pixar that is). The Moving Castle is a work of genius, it's fascinating to watch, but Spirited Away is more spellbinding as a story I think.
I love Mononoke too, it was the first Miyazaki I ever saw. I almost registered as Princess Mononoke you know!

[Serrart]

I'm a huge Miyazaki fan, both for his series and movies, they're contant souce of deep feelings for me. One of the best things in Venice was to get his autograph. I'm really happy he' s starting a new film.

Romy

[Sugar]

I'm a huge Miyazaki fan, both for his series and movies, they're contant souce of deep feelings for me. One of the best things in Venice was to get his autograph. I'm really happy he' s starting a new film.

Romy

Wow, how was he in person?

New film? I've not heard this. Do you know any details?

[amber]

I totally agree, his work puts Disney et al to shame (bar Pixar that is). The Moving Castle is a work of genius, it's fascinating to watch, but Spirited Away is more spellbinding as a story I think.
I love Mononoke too, it was the first Miyazaki I ever saw. I almost registered as Princess Mononoke you know!

Did you like Ghost in the Shell? I thought it was very visually arresting.

[Serrart]

Wow, how was he in person?

New film? I've not heard this. Do you know any details?

He's very witty, humble self ironic, and kind. About the new movie, nobody knows much yet. He just said in an interview with a Japanese TV a couple of weeks ago that he's starting to work on a new movie but he didn't want to say more.

About Akira it's from the other genius of Japanese animation, Katsuhiro Otomo. I wouldn't say it's family friendly, but after the first violent impact it shows how deep and nuanced it is. Otomo's latest movie Steamboy (2004) is very beautiful too. It's a mesmerizing ode against every war set at the start of 1900. Here's a very nice video from Youtube made by frankieh27229 with the movie images:

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EENjpJZCU9I"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EENjpJZCU9I" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

Romy

[Sugar]

He's very witty, humble self ironic, and kind. About the new movie, nobody knows much yet. He just said in an interview with a Japanese TV a couple of weeks ago that he's starting to work on a new movie but he didn't want to say more.


Romy

That's great that he was so affable in person. And yeah I was just looking on Google that he wouldn't say much about his new work. BUT THERE IS NEW WORK!!! That makes my day!

[ragandbone]

I love Miyazaki, and did get to see him in Seattle in a film fest. The backround paintings in his movies are incredible!
My favorites are: Laputa: "Castle in the Sky" and "Spirited Away". My son has been enjoying "My Neighbor Totoro" recently. I also like "Kiki's Delivery Service" just because I like anything with witches in it.


I am dying to go to this Studio Ghibli museum:http://www.tautoz.com/ghiblimuseum/photos/

[David]

I think Spirited Away is easily his masterpiece, just for pure inventiveness and sheer beauty, but Howl's Moving Castle is a close second.
Where's David? Has he an opinion on the fantastic Mr Miyazaki I wonder.Everybody--& I mean everybody--talks about Miyazaki on my movie forum, but I have never, sorry to say, seen a Miyazaki. In fact, I have never seen any anime all the way through. The few patches I've seen remind me of the animation style of the old Speed Racer, so I never got interested.

One of these days, I will give Spirited Away a try.

[tuigirl]

In fact, I have never seen any anime all the way through. The few patches I've seen remind me of the animation style of the old Speed Racer, so I never got interested.

One of these days, I will give Spirited Away a try.

My eldest LOVES anime (books as well) and has tried on several occasions to get me to see this movie (to no avail) and I have to say it's extremely hard to get used to the style of animation, esp when youv'e grown up with the Hanna/Barbara ones all thru childhood. Also, I do find the anime plots ( mostly about good and evil, being a bit well...boring.. and almost annoying sometimes, although I appreciate you can say that Tom and Jerry were about that as well, sort of ) Some of the anime can be quite violent/sexual (as cartoons go) as already pointed out and that dosn't grip me either, but having said that, she enjoys them immensely and they've even helped her improve her art!

[Sugar]

My eldest LOVES anime (books as well) and has tried on several occasions to get me to see this movie (to no avail) and I have to say it's extremely hard to get used to the style of animation, esp when you've grown up with the Hanna/Barbara ones all thru childhood. Also, I do find the anime plots ( mostly about good and evil, being a bit well...boring.. and almost annoying sometimes...Some of the anime can be quite violent/sexual as already pointed out and that dosn't grip me either, but having said that, she enjoys them immensely and they've even helped her improve her art!

Again, I would hardly describe Miyazaki's movies as "anime," though I don't know the strict definition. The ones I've seen are not at all sexual and, aside from Princess Mononoke, are not violent. And Mononoke's violence is pretty fleeting. The characters are all complex, so that even the "bad guys" have likeable qualities. It's not black and white, good and bad. Really. This guy is in a class all his own.

I'm not certain which movie it is your daughter has been trying to get you to see, but yes, the animation style is what it is.

I would say, if you've got it in you, to start with Spirited Away. I think it's the most accessable and arguably his best.

[Sugar]

I love Miyasaki, and did get to see him in Seattle in a film fest. The backround paintings in his movies are incredible!
My favorites are: Laputa: "Castle in the Sky" and "Spirited Away". My son has been enjoying "My Neighbor Totoro" recently. I also like "Kiki's Delivery Service" just because I like anything with witches in it.


I am dying to go to this Studio Ghibli museum:http://www.tautoz.com/ghiblimuseum/photos/

Very cool! I swear when we first got "Totoro" my daughter watched it at least once a day! We have Kiki too, which is very cute and such a sweet story, but for some reason it doesn't always like to play on my DVD player. :confused: And Phil Hartman as the cat is just so cute (kinda sad too)!

And yeah, you just can't escape the unmitigated beauty in the scenes. Any of the Nightwalker scenes in Mononoke, Totoro's scene in the forest in the rain, the walk to Zeniba's in Spirited Away...I think I'm gonna go find some pretty scenes and post them...

[Sugar]

Everybody--& I mean everybody--talks about Miyazaki on my movie forum, but I have never, sorry to say, seen a Miyazaki. In fact, I have never seen any anime all the way through. The few patches I've seen remind me of the animation style of the old Speed Racer, so I never got interested.

One of these days, I will give Spirited Away a try.

Well color me shocked. :eek:

Really you should give it a shot. It can take a little bit of effort to get into the story lines sometimes and the prevalence of Shinto gods in many of his movies can really make it seem even more "foreign," though I hardly believe that to be a barrier for you. ;)

I would say Spirited Away or, if you find that one too soft, Princess Mononoke for you. The Disney dub of Mononoke also has a really strong cast: Minnie Driver, Claire Danes, Billy Crudup, Gillian Anderson, Jada Pinkett Smith, and even Billy Bob Thorton, which admittedly is a little strange as a little Japanese guy!:laugh:

[Sugar]

From Spirited Away:

[Sugar]

Multiple scenes from Spirited Away:

[Sugar]

From Howl's Moving Castle:

[Serrart]

Again, I would hardly describe Miyazaki's movies as "anime," though I don't know the strict definition. The ones I've seen are not at all sexual and, aside from Princess Mononoke, are not violent. And Mononoke's violence is pretty fleeting. The characters are all complex, so that even the "bad guys" have likeable qualities. It's not black and white, good and bad. Really. This guy is in a class all his own.

I'm not certain which movie it is your daughter has been trying to get you to see, but yes, the animation style is what it is.

I would say, if you've got it in you, to start with Spirited Away. I think it's the most accessable and arguably his best.

Anime covers avery kind of Japanese animation, and as the term movie includes many genres, like manga. Miyazaki is definitely the best of his generation, but in Japanese tradition many others great animators and manga creators haven't been violent or used explicit sexual themes, starting with Osamu Tezuka, the first real anime creator, after the WWII, who was considered ther Japanese Walt Disney. Among his creations there were classics like "Astro Boy" and the beautiful "Kimba the White Lion". If you see them you could see how influential he was on Miyazaki.

David, to start with Miyazaki, I suggest you Porco Rosso, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104652/is set in Italy in the Thirties and the leading character is an antifascit pilot. I think you could like it, also for the hystoric background, is very well done, and the planes are spectacular.

Romy

[ragandbone]

I love Miyazaki so much that I spelled his name incorrectly - out of great love and respect for his humble nature:rolleyes: .
You have quoted me, and no editing can fix my error. sigh.




Originally Posted by ragandbone
I love Miyasaki, and did get to see him in Seattle in a film fest. The backround paintings in his movies are incredible!
My favorites are: Laputa: "Castle in the Sky" and "Spirited Away". My son has been enjoying "My Neighbor Totoro" recently. I also like "Kiki's Delivery Service" just because I like anything with witches in it.
I am dying to go to this Studio Ghibli museum:http://www.tautoz.com/ghiblimuseum/photos/
Very cool! I swear when we first got "Totoro" my daughter watched it at least once a day! We have Kiki too, which is very cute and such a sweet story, but for some reason it doesn't always like to play on my DVD player. :confused: And Phil Hartman as the cat is just so cute (kinda sad too)!

Phil Hartman was such a talented voice...when I recognized his voice as the cat, I was sad too.
And yeah, you just can't escape the unmitigated beauty in the scenes. Any of the Nightwalker scenes in Mononoke, Totoro's scene in the forest in the rain, the walk to Zeniba's in Spirited Away...I think I'm gonna go find some pretty scenes and post them...
I love the train ride in Spirited Away - so eery and beautiful!

[amber]

^^^

Well, it's obvious you were thinking about Saki, which is a good thing. :)

I haven't seen all these. You have inspired me.

[ragandbone]

mmmmm saki! I really love that unfiltered saki, the kind they serve chilled. Oh, but I love the warm saki too. yummmmmm.:p

[Sugar]

Anime covers avery kind of Japanese animation, and as the term movie includes many genres, like manga.

I suspected that "anime" includes all Japanese animation, but the word conjures up basically what tuigirl described. I've only seen a couple of anime movies that are not Miyazaki...Vampire Hunter D which I remember liking without being able to remember much about, and a bloodfest called "Fist of the North Star" which just has a truly hysterical amount of blood in it. Somehow it seems like a disservice to lump Spirited Away in with Fist of the North Star!

Does manga refer to the Japanese-style of art in comic books, while anime is moving animation?


Miyazaki is definitely the best of his generation, but in Japanese tradition many others great animators and manga creators haven't been violent or used explicit sexual themes, starting with Osamu Tezuka, the first real anime creator, after the WWII, who was considered ther Japanese Walt Disney. Among his creations there were classics like "Astro Boy" and the beautiful "Kimba the White Lion". If you see them you could see how influential he was on Miyazaki.

Romy

I believe "Kimba" was on TV here in the States in the early 70's. I don't remember it, but my older sister does.

And thanks for the line on other animators to try. It was always my intention to branch out once I saw all the Miyazaki movies, with the possible exception of Grave of the Fireflies, which sounds just SO depressing. So far I've just been using Amazon to find others, via their "other movies people looked at" and then checking out the reviews. But I appreciate your perspective. :)

[Sugar]

I love Miyazaki so much that I spelled his name incorrectly - out of great love and respect for his humble nature:rolleyes: .
You have quoted me, and no editing can fix my error. sigh.!

Does it make you feel better to know that I've been grabbing the DVD cases off my shelf to make sure I'm getting all the spellings right? :lol:



I love the train ride in Spirited Away - so eery and beautiful!

It is, though I'm not sure why all the other commuters are mearly humanoid shadows. There must be some significance to that. Kind of like the medicine from the river god...why does San spit it out after she takes a bite of it while she's sitting on the balcony with that older-sister-type-character-whose-name-currently-escapes-me?

[ragandbone]

Does it make you feel better to know that I've been grabbing the DVD cases off my shelf to make sure I'm getting all the spellings right? :lol:




It is, though I'm not sure why all the other commuters are mearly humanoid shadows. There must be some significance to that. Kind of like the medicine from the river god...why does San spit it out after she takes a bite of it while she's sitting on the balcony with that older-sister-type-character-whose-name-currently-escapes-me?
Miyazaki films have so many bits of fairy and folktales in them, and San reminds me of a girl in fairy tales (though I can't recall which one, or even the country of origin) who is too smart to be tricked, and captured by, by fairies.

[Serrart]

I suspected that "anime" includes all Japanese animation, but the word conjures up basically what tuigirl described. I've only seen a couple of anime movies that are not Miyazaki...Vampire Hunter D which I remember liking without being able to remember much about, and a bloodfest called "Fist of the North Star" which just has a truly hysterical amount of blood in it. Somehow it seems like a disservice to lump Spirited Away in with Fist of the North Star!

Does manga refer to the Japanese-style of art in comic books, while anime is moving animation?

Yes, exactly. Actually till mid seventies basically all the anime came out from a manga.



I believe "Kimba" was on TV where in the States in the early 70's. I don't remember it, but my older sister does.

It was so beautiful. Disney certainly knew it because they basically copied all of it to make The Lion King:nod:

And thanks for the line on other animators to try. It was always my intention to branch out once I saw all the Miyazaki movies, with the possible exception of Grave of the Fireflies, which sounds just SO depressing. So far I've just been using Amazon to find others, via their "other movies people looked at" and then checking out the reviews. But I appreciate your perspective. :)

Yes Grave of Fireflies is tough, even to think to it makes me emotional.

But there are some more very nice anime without violence in it. Probably you've already caught them on Amazon, but just in case here are three that I loved:
Pom Poko by Isao Takahata (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009MAO3W/103-0349895-4010250?v=glance&n=130). It's directed by the other great artist of Ghibli studios. It treats most of Miyazaki's themes, ecology, respect for others and for the world we're living in, etc, but with a mellower perspective, still very witty and unique.
Angel's Egg by Mamoru Oshii (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0208502/) Not sure this is available on dvd, I've watched in a festival. It's a real work of art: the plot hides a very deep and autobiographic path through faith.
Millennium Actress by Satoshi Kon (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0291350/) - This one is really amazing. A documentary director tracks down his favourite actress, a legendary diva to make a film about her. What started as a doc becomes a fascinating voyage through her life and cinematic worlds.

Romy

[tuigirl]

It seems as though Kimba is still on here in the UK (sky satellite channel, forget which one, but I saw it just the other day!) I too used to love that programme in the 70's, fancy me watching anime at such a young age, now thats a turn up for the books!! :D My eldest would be proud..haha

[estranged4life]

Spirited Away (#1 grossing film of all time in Japan)

Princess Mononoke (More violent and with disturbing imagry than the others, but what a FABULOUS movie! Watch it first before the kids do just so you know what you're getting into. If you don't have kids, JUST WATCH IT!)

My Neighbor Totoro (Very kid friendly. Family moves to the country, only to find out that there are fuzzy spirits living in the nearby forest. LOVE the cat bus!)

Howl's Moving Castle (I had to watch it a couple times to get my head around the story, but it's very sweet. And the castle animation is AMAZING!

Anyone else love this guy?

we love the dude, But I am a Anime buff, So of course I will watch Miyazaki's classic movies (Hate to say I hate Disney's approach at re-dubbing Miyazaki's collection-Use some well-known Hollyweird asskiss over well reknown Anime voice characters will not bring in the crowds as they believe. Billy Crystal-No...Crispin Freeman-Yes!!!). "Howl's Moving Castle" is a great movie...Really sad that only 2 people saw it here, Deb & myself.

Gimme ANY Japanese anime movie that makes you think over ANY/ALL the current American garbage releases.

[estranged4life]

I totally agree, his work puts Disney et al to shame (bar Pixar that is). The Moving Castle is a work of genius, it's fascinating to watch, but Spirited Away is more spellbinding as a story I think.
I love Mononoke too, it was the first Miyazaki I ever saw. I almost registered as Princess Mononoke you know!

is how the Japanese were influenced by what Disney USED (ie-"Cinderella", "Snow White", "Alice in Wonderland", et al) to do with regards to animation, And used that influence and expanded on the production values to make the best animated movies available to the general public.

The Japanese also took the GREAT story telling of Chuck Jones (!!!) and used his style of being able to hold an audience's attention, while adding side story to the main story.

As for ongoing Anime series as opposed to the dramatic movies, I religiously watch "Full Metal Alchemist" which is not childish ("Pokemon") nor ultra violent ("Vampire Hunter D"). Great production but even better story telling that makes this one of the top 5 animes to ever arrive in the US (Yes, FMA is constantly rank in the top 5 in many a Anime print magazine as the best anime to arrive on these shores.)

http://www.fullmetalalchemist.com

Brian "Chuck Jones is GOD! While Disney still blows..." j.

[Sugar]

we love the dude, But I am a Anime buff, So of course I will watch Miyazaki's classic movies (Hate to say I hate Disney's approach at re-dubbing Miyazaki's collection-Use some well-known Hollyweird asskiss over well reknown Anime voice characters will not bring in the crowds as they believe. Billy Crystal-No...Crispin Freeman-Yes!!!). "Howl's Moving Castle" is a great movie...Really sad that only 2 people saw it here, Deb & myself..

For the most part, and for the sake of my daughter, I listen to the dubs until I am more familiar with the imagery, then I watch the subtitles. I always say I like my live action subtitled and my animation dubbed, but I often gleen some additional meaning from the sub-titles that I do from the dub.

Some of Disney's dubs are better than others. I actually think Mononoke and Spirited Away's dubs are pretty good, while the Fannings in Totoro are a bit underwhelming. Billy Crystal was cute as Calcifer, but he's so undeniably "Billy Crystal" it can be distracting, not unlike Robin Williams in Aladdan (and I hated what that did to the story)


Gimme ANY Japanese anime movie that makes you think over ANY/ALL the current American garbage releases.

AMEN! There is so much crap out there, especially for kids, it was/is so refreshing for me to discover this stuff. I was into Ralph Bakshi and other animated movies for a while, so I'm not quite sure how I missed Miyazaki all this time. My loss.

Unfortunately "for kids" in this country often translates to insipid crap that offers lots of stuff to buy rather than quality storytelling. When I worked in theatre I worked the Philadelphia Children's Theatre Festival, and I was amazed at how interesting and compelling other countries' works for children were compared to ours. That's what Miyazaki reminds me of.

Of couse we've become so culturally lazy in this country, unwilling to be challenged by an unfamiliar story line, telling ourselves that we are better fulfilled by the latest cheap crap we bought at Wal-Mart.

Nah, I'm not bitter or anything...;)

[Nixxxed]

It is, though I'm not sure why all the other commuters are mearly humanoid shadows. There must be some significance to that. Kind of like the medicine from the river god...why does San spit it out after she takes a bite of it while she's sitting on the balcony with that older-sister-type-character-whose-name-currently-escapes-me?

I watched this again this weekend, because of this thread. I think the humans were in shadow because Sen was trapped in the spirit dimension. Plus, she was travelling to Swamp Bottom during the daytime.

As far as the medicine goes - the only thing I could think of is that maybe it tasted bad, so she knew it was medicine to save for when she needed it?

I had only seen this movie once before, and I was amazed at how much I had forgotten. So many little charming details. And the characters! Yababba's bouncing head pets are my favorite. Oh and the soot sprites, which I also realized were in My Neighbor Totoro.

[Sugar]

The Japanese also took the GREAT story telling of Chuck Jones (!!!) and used his style of being able to hold an audience's attention, while adding side story to the main story.

Brian "Chuck Jones is GOD! While Disney still blows..." j.

I was wondering about this but I wasn't going to address it, until I found out that one of my absolute favorite cartoons from when I was a kid (one that I bought for myself YEARS before I had a child), Rikki Tikki Tavi, is a Chuck Jones production.

Certainly I know the name, and I ADORE Rikki Tikki Tavi, but what is it about him that deserves the praise you heap upon him? I gotta know!

And of course, largely and lately, Disney blows...

[Sugar]

I watched this again this weekend, because of this thread. I think the humans were in shadow because Sen was trapped in the spirit dimension. Plus, she was travelling to Swamp Bottom during the daytime.

As far as the medicine goes - the only thing I could think of is that maybe it tasted bad, so she knew it was medicine to save for when she needed it?


Well my husband, Master of the Obvious, says, "Well everyone who ate some of that thing threw up, so..." but I thought it was tied to purging evil, but maybe not! Maybe it's just River ipecac.:confused:

Maybe that's it about the train. And there is Sen, so close but yet so far...interesting...


I had only seen this movie once before, and I was amazed at how much I had forgotten. So many little charming details. And the characters! Yababba's bouncing head pets are my favorite. Oh and the soot sprites, which I also realized were in My Neighbor Totoro.

All those interior scenes of the bathhouse have amazing detail. And at the end when she picks up the transformed Bo (in fat mouse form) and the bird-thing that carries him around, they're not forgotten characters. They're part of the action.

I love how Yubabba is drawn. That frilly blue dress and her hair! I always think her hair -- at the end after she realizes that her baby is gone -- you know that's "I Can't Wait" Stevie hair!

The bouncing heads...yeah, how good IS the pot is in Japan? :laugh:
Probably have amazing hydroponics.

[estranged4life]

I was wondering about this but I wasn't going to address it, until I found out that one of my absolute favorite cartoons from when I was a kid (one that I bought for myself YEARS before I had a child), Rikki Tikki Tavi, is a Chuck Jones production.

Certainly I know the name, and I ADORE Rikki Tikki Tavi, but what is it about him that deserves the praise you heap upon him? I gotta know!

And of course, largely and lately, Disney blows...

Chuck Jones created a few of my favorite characters of all-time Pepe LePew, Wylie E.Coyote, Road Runner, Speedy Gonzalez, Foghorn Leghorn, etc.

If memory serves me right, He also had a hand in developing Bugs Bunny, Sylvester & Tweety, Elmer Fudd. He even admitted that Daffy Duck was a rip-off of the Disney character Donald Duck.

He produced some of the BEST "Tom & Jerry" episodes (Mid to Late 60's) for MGM. Those episodes in my eyes are the best animated shorts of all-time.

Dare I forget he also produced the classic "How the Grinch Stole Christmas".

Chuck gave his characters realism, A realism which a person could relate to. You could find something in his characters and say to yourself "Man, I can see that point of view because I lived it."

[ragandbone]

we love the dude, But I am a Anime buff, So of course I will watch Miyazaki's classic movies (Hate to say I hate Disney's approach at re-dubbing Miyazaki's collection-Use some well-known Hollyweird asskiss over well reknown Anime voice characters will not bring in the crowds as they believe. Billy Crystal-No...Crispin Freeman-Yes!!!). "Howl's Moving Castle" is a great movie...Really sad that only 2 people saw it here, Deb & myself.

Gimme ANY Japanese anime movie that makes you think over ANY/ALL the current American garbage releases.
My husband and I watched a video of "Laputa -Castle In the Sky" without dubbing or subtitles (because that was the only copy we could get at the time) and we still prefer that version.

[tuigirl]

Changing the subject slightly( but still on the Japanese culteral theme) does anyone quite like the martial arts movie gendre? We love the Crouching Tiger.., Hero and Flying Daggers trilogy :blob2:

[David]

Chuck Jones created a few of my favorite characters of all-time Pepe LePew, Wylie E.Coyote, Road Runner, Speedy Gonzalez, Foghorn Leghorn, etc. Chuck gave his characters realism, A realism which a person could relate to. You could find something in his characters and say to yourself "Man, I can see that point of view because I lived it."Chuck Jones rocks seriously! I have my Chuck Jones documentary on DVD, plus all three volumes of Warner Brothers Looney Tunes Golden Collection. These are the greatest animated shorts of all time, as far as I'm concerned. Among cineastes, Jones & the other major Warner animators are considered auteurs--artists of the rank of Godard, Welles & Lang. But never mind the hooey! Chuck Jones ROCKS! "What's Opera, Doc" ... come on!

http://www.coldbacon.com/jones.html

[Serrart]

Changing the subject slightly( but still on the Japanese culteral theme) does anyone quite like the martial arts movie gendre? We love the Crouching Tiger.., Hero and Flying Daggers trilogy :blob2:

Love them. All of them, from Shaw Bros to Tsui Hark's ghosts epics, from Bruce Lee to Jackie Chan's crazy Hong Kong films. Besides they're often played by some incredible actors like Chow Yun Fat, Maggie Chung, Tony Leung Jet Li, Michelle Yeoh.

Romy