Spirited Away (truly!)

Spirited Away

anime, English (or Japanese with subtitles)

2001, 125 minutes

5 Stars

Chihiro and her family are moving to the suburbs and her father takes a wrong turn. They end up at what he thinks is an old theme park, instead it is a place for the different Japanese mythological gods to come and relax, human are not allowed. Her parents find an open restaurant, with wonderful food, but no one to serve them, or take their money, and they start eating only to turn into pigs. Chihiro, a rather sullen child, now discovers her parents as pigs to eventually be slaughtered, and she must find a way to rescue them and to get back to the real world. She learns the value of friendship and love. It is possibly the best movie Hayao Miyazaki has done. But Rainy Day hasn't seen all of them, yet.

For a trailer, click here.

Princess Mononoke - Anime

Princess Mononoke

Japanese, English Subtitles (you actually have a choice)

1997, 134 Minutes

5 Stars

For those of you who like dubbed movies, you have that choice. Rainy Day does not. Once again Hayao Miyazaki and Ghibli Studios have brought a delightful story to life via anime. This story tells about Prince Ashitaka, infected with a lethal curse, who must travel to find the cure. And Princess Mononoke, abandoned as a babe and raised by the Wolf God, Moro. Their meeting is not off to a good start; however, they must work together to save the Forest and Deer God, and the animals that live in the Deer God's land as well as the humans who would destroy everything for their greed.

For the trailer, click here.

For the movie, click here.    

Whisper of the Heart

Whisper of the Heart

Japanese, English subtitles

1995, 111 minutes

5 stars

The Big Question is: Should I follow my heart, or do what's expected? This delightful anime is about two school kids who must face and answer that question. It is also a story of first love. Shizuku is a reader, and soon discovers all the library books she reads have been read by Seiji before her. She sets out on a quest to meet this person who shares her literary taste. The meeting, of course, leads to more than love, it leads to the Big Question, and the answer. Unlike other Ghibli movies, this one lacks the fantasy element, moves a bit slower, but has so much more depth than anything Rainy Day has seen out of Dreamworks or Disney. This movie could happen, and perhaps has and will again. A great family movie.

For a trailer, click here.

To watch the movie, with English dubbing, click here.

Kiki Can Fly -- why Can't Rainy Day?

Kiki's Delivery Service

1989, 105 minutes

Several languages

5 Stars

This delightful anime tells of Kiki, a young witch who leaves home with her cat, Jiji, to begin her witchly training. It's a perfect coming of age movie, for kids 5 and older. Kiki, like all young witches, leaves home at age 13 to spend a year in training to become a witch. Kiki faces life with responsibility, and realizes her dream to live by the sea. Not sure what her witch skills will be, she discovers her main skill is flying her broom so she starts a delivery service. There are many touching scenes leading to a delightfully satisfying end. If you have children, or a child's heart, you will enjoy this movie – several times. Rainy Day actually felt a twinge of jealousy. She comes from a long line of witches, and none of us could fly on broomsticks.

For the trailer, click here.  

For the movie, click here.

Another Marvelous Anime - Howl's Moving Castle

Howl's Moving Castle

2004, 119 Minutes

Japanese, English Subtitles (or English dubbed)

5 Stars

Another marvelous anime from Hayao Miyazaki and Ghibli Studio.  A marvelous family movie, or one to view and savor all by yourself, as Rainy Day did. Taken from the novel by Dianne Wynne Jones, this movie is nothing short of fantastic. Sophie, an 18-year-old Plain Jane works in her late father's hat shop. She falls under the spell of the evil Witch of Waste and becomes an old woman. To do so, she must find the wizard Howl, who lives in a castle that roams the countryside. She meets the fire demon, Calcifer who propels the castle, and Turnip Head, her ever-faithful scarecrow companion. Rainy Day has not read the novel, so cannot state if there are plot changes, however, the novel is on her 'must read' list. Rainy Day wants the castle!  

For a trailer, click here.

For the movie, click here. 

More Anime, Castle in the Sky

Castle in the Sky

Anime, English (or Japanese with subtitles)

1986, 125 minutes

5 Stars

Okay, Rainy Day admits it, she likes good anime. She finds it a little disconcerting that the anime from Japan is so, well, Western. The characters are western, and in this case the buildings were quite western, but none of that detracted from the story. Sheeta has a magic stone others want, and this is the story of how she, and her boy friend Paku find the magic land of Laputa and take care of the bad guys. They are pursued by the evil government officials who want the fabled gems of Laputa, her evil cousin who wants the power of Laputa, and a band of bumbling pirates who want wealth and riches and end up helping the kids. Rainy Day enjoyed listing to the Japanese version, with English subtitles. Great animation.

For a trailer, click here.

For the movie, in English, click here. 

Liked Speed Racer? Watch Nausicaa!

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

Anime, English

1984, 117 minutes

5 Stars

If you are old enough to remember, and enjoyed, the old Speed Racer cartoon series, you are in for a treat with Nausicaa. The same type of artwork, and marvelous voices by such luminaries as Uma Thurman, Patrick Stewart, and Edward James Olmos, amongst many others. Nausicaa, Warrior Princess of Wind Valley, must unravel the mystery of the Toxic Jungle as it encroaches upon her home, as well as fight off the evil villains who wish to not only eliminate her people but further destroy her planet. This is not only a fun and beautifully done good versus evil, but also an environmentally conscious anime that will transport the viewer to a magical place and a beauty unmatched. This is not only a fun film for everyone, but is thoughtful, and very well done. Watch it!

For a trailer, click here. (unfortunately, this trailer is in Korean, and no subtitles, but you can still get the idea)

Or, if you want to watch the movie on your computer, click here.