Miyazaki! Options

[Pikasyuu]

I saw Spirited Away last night and fell in loo-ooove.
I've already seen Princess Mononoke, didn't really enjoy it as much as I could have, but it wasn't bad, and I wont be watching Grave of the Fireflies as I plan on getting out of bed within the next year. I'm trying to find an English subbed version of Howl's Moving Castle, but other than that, recommendations? Japanese storytelling in the animated sense is wonderful, especially as well as it was represented in Spirited Away. More, plees. ;)

[I_am_the_best]

Spirited Away was so adorable! I also really enjoyed the soundtrack by Joe Hisaishi (who has done most of the Miyazaki/Ghibli movies).
My Neighbour Totoro is supposed to be really good too, but I haven't seen it. There are plenty of American-dubbed versions of Howl's Moving Castle online, and there's always the book by Diana Wynne Jones (which people seem to have forgotten about slightly)! I saw Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind which was just bizarre and not all that fun.

[Pikasyuu]

at the risk of coming off like a total snot, i can't stand dubs. i am very used to the rhythm and sound of the Japanese language and find it very enjoyable, and spirited away was absolutely perfect with subtitles - subs also help me brush up on new things in Japanese, which is another benefit. so, i'm not sure if i can get past the dubs of Howl's. hopefully i can.

[Mata]

My Neighbour Totoro is wonderful. It's immensely child-like, filled with awe and joy. For me it's on a par with Spirited Away. I think these are his two best films. I think I've seen six or seven of his/his studio's films, and they're all good, but those two stand out by a long way.

It's been quite a few years, but Porko Rosso sticks in my head as being good fun too. If I could remember more of the names maybe I would be of more help here... But definitely get MNT and then squee with the adorability of it all... Not that it's necessarily a happy set of events, just that it makes you feel like yo've just watched It's A Wonderful Life when it ends.

[CrazyFooIAintGet...]

2nding Porco Rosso and would recommend Naussica of the valley of the wind and Castle in the sky.

Grave of the fireflies isn't Miyazaki but it's really really good.

Howl's Moving castle is ok but not his best. I didn't think My Neighbour Totoro was that great as it seems like more of a children film than his other movies, which have a more universal appeal. Then again, Kiki's delivery service was similar and I loved that one...

[Mata]

I guess we all have different favourites, but it seems most people agree that Spirited Away is a masterpiece. It's very rare that you see a film where it looks like every idea the writers had has made it on to the screen.

[Pikasyuu]

I'm watching MNT now and enjoying it, but the one constant observation I have is that they've got a terrible father. :P

[Daria]

Howl's Moving Castle was and probably still is my favourite childhood book. After watching the animé version, I decided that I was going to stay away from all of his films forever and ever.


*grumps*

[Mata]

Howl's Moving Castle reminded me of the animation in Ivor The Engine, which I guess it fitting because the book's author is Welsh.*

*Ivor The Engine was an old cartoon, a bit like a Welsh Thomas The Tankengine, for those who have no idea what I'm on about.

[Daria]

I loved Ivor The Engine when I was little

[Faerieryn]

I set my kids a piece of media coursework for GCSE to compare Spirited away with Nausica and Beauty and the Beast (Disney). I love it. 3 weeks of watching movies. And good ones at that!

[Cath Sparrow]

Another fun one but kinda disturbing (not in a nastey way just keep an eye on what the raccoons use to transform them selves :s ) as it aimed at the same age group as Totoro is Pom Poko. Not as good a Totoro but I still found it enjoyable.

[Hobbes]

I have to admit that this is a film genre I don't think I have ever even dipped a delicate toe into. Not that I have delicate toes, mind you, but you get the metaphor.

That's not to say I've been avoiding the genre I just, as yet, have no been given the push to have a watch.

*Ivor The Engine was an old cartoon, a bit like a Welsh Thomas The Tankengine, for those who have no idea what I'm on about.

Though, obviously, Thomas The Tank Engine was far superior.

[Mata]

Nonsense. Thomas didn't make that ptcheeeeek-poop noise.

[Hobbes]

Nonsense. Thomas didn't make that ptcheeeeek-poop noise.

That's because he had style and finesse.

[Mata]

He didn't have Ringo Starr droning on in the background either. Win!

[Hobbes]

He didn't have Ringo Starr droning on in the background either. Win!

...which immediately makes me want to refer you to this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJmQMIHg9kk

Jamie Theakston: "Ringo, you were the last person to join The Beatles. Do you ever sit down and think about how different things might have been?"
Ringo Starr (David Walliams): "Well, Jamie. Who knows? Maybe I'd just be an ordinary guy with an ordinary job. Maybe I'd be sitting at home right now, with my feet up and a cup of tea - watching this show... ... ... said Thomas"

Jamie Theakston: "*beat* ... Was there any moment when you ever thought that The Beatles would become the biggest band ever?"
Ringo Starr: "Oh no, not in a million years. There were a lot of bands around at the time - The Swinging Blue Jeans, Jerry & The Pacemakers, Erasure - we were just part of the Mersey scene. We were just a bunch of guys having a laugh. No one thought it would last any longer than week... ... ... and with that, James the red engine sped off down the track, as fast as his wheels would take him."

Ringo Starr: "Ivor The Engine must die."