The Wind Rises

2013

126 Minutes

Japanese, good subtitles  

5 Stars

This is a marvelous story of dreams, inspired by the life of Jiro Horikoshi, who designed the WWII Zero fighter. He wanted to fly, but was too near sighted, so became an aeronautical engineer. He dreamed of flying, he loved the idea of flying, and he designed planes. This film is animation, by the Master animator, Hayao Miyazaki, and spans decades. Beautifully animated and a wonderful story.

Trailer 

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.

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.