[FREE] My Neighbor Totoro (1998)

So, after such a depressing animation film created by Isao Takahata, let’s go for a friendly family film! Well known for it’s cuteness, the spirit name Totoro makes its debut in Miyzaki’s 1988 film, My Neighbor Totoro! Here’s a fan made trailer:

The film follows when two young daughters of a professor move to the country to be near their ailing mother, they have adventures with friendly wood spirits in postwar rural Japan.

This is a great family film of all ages and I highly recommend this film. Not only does it introduces the ever loving Totoro, but also a tale of two sisters as they venture their backyard and befriends the neighbors, the wood spirits. This heartwarming relationship between humans and spirits demonstrate how innocent kids can believe in to the point to be able to see spirits. Despite how their father and the nanny comments of the nature of spirits, this also shows how as you grow up, what you believe in dwindles with knowledge, neglecting such spirituality.

This iconic Totoro is so popular; you can see products based on this loving spirit in stores as fluffy plushie or even in films or episodes such as South Park and Toy Story 3. If you though those little soot sprites are adorable, you can see them again in Spirited Away.

Otherwise, this film has a cute developing relationship between the older sister and her neighbor as you see more image scenes in the ending. This relationship creates a more of a minor relationship that Miyazaki always creates in almost every movie.  

[FREE] Castle in the Sky (1986)

 I’m going back in proper order so here’s another movie review: Laputa: Castle in the Sky or Castle in the Sky (1986) in the English version. Yes, I am still in my Ghibli frenzy mode and will be until I have no more movies to review (which hopefully will last the rest of the school year but I highly doubt it).   Here’s your typical trailer! 

Hayao Miyazaki's fantasy adventure Castle in the Sky begins with a chase scene through a flying ship, where all the passengers are after the young girl, Sheeta . Going overboard to avoid capture, Sheeta is rescued by her powerful crystal necklace which floats her down to safety. She's recovered by Pazu , a young resourceful boy who works in a small mining town. Sharing a common desire to see Laputa, the castle in the sky, Pazu and Sheeta team up to outrun the pirates and the military. Led by hard-bitten matriarch Dola , the pirates are a rowdy yet dimwitted group of brothers who are after Laputa's treasure. Led by the greedy yet civilized Muska , the military is after Laputa's secret powers. Everyone races to get to the abandoned castle of Laputa, which has been overgrown with vines and plant life. Its only inhabitants are the animals and robots who protect a magical garden. As the different parties fight over who gets to control Laputa, it's up to Sheeta to use her ancient knowledge to save it from ultimate destruction

Summary courtesy of Fandango.

The theme is somewhat different from Nausicaäof the Valley of the Wind and Princess Mononoke but they all have something related to Mother Nature. Interestingly, the title is also metaphor for a dream or goal, most usually an unobtainable one. I agree with this because no one would think about a floating castle hidden in the hurricane clouds now would you? Also, in search for such an impossible thing would definitely suit the title. This film also centers on Sheeta as one of the main characters, but not so much as the earlier films I reviewed about. I admire Sheeta for her bravery and courage to self improvement to go on an amazing adventure as in search for a floating that could help her discover more of her family’s past.  I guess this somewhat encourages girls out there to have courage, whether you are some typical girl who takes care of her sheep in the mountains. 

              I recommend this adventure film to every one of all ages. It might be not as violent as a typical American action films such as The Dark Knight, but it has a heartwarming event that you would enjoy.  In fact, I will say this to the other previous and future Miyazaki’s films I will review on: watch them!

[FREE] Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)

        Until I run out of Studio Ghibli films to review, the reign of Ghibli remains! So for this week’s movie review, is another one of Miyazaki’s works, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984). Although this movie was created before Studio Ghibli was founded, it’s still considered to be a Ghibli film. Anyways, what’s it about? Here’s a fan-made trailer since I can’t find an original one and it’s not in English but you get the gist of it.


Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is an animated post-apocalyptic fantasy adventure film Miyazaki’s manga of the same name. The film tells the story of Nausicaä, a young princess of the Valley of the Wind who gets involved into a struggle with Tolmekia, a kingdom who tries to use a warrior to fend off the Ohms. Nausicaä must stop the Tolmekians from killing these insects.

          One of the reasons I decided to review this film was because it’s similar to my previous review, Princess Mononoke (2001). Despite some of the differences in the animation, you’ll definitely enjoy this film just as much as Princess Mononoke. Instead of the destruction of the bond between humans and nature, this is pretty much about the aftermath of that bond between humans and insects, which are the reasons for the near extinction of the human race. Nausicaä, a young princess of small kingdom, the Valley of the Wind, demonstrates courage, integrity, and love for the insects despite the disapprovals. Her kindness towards everyone, even if one that is considered coldhearted to one who the rest of the human race despises, Nausicaä opens her arms in welcome and only wants to bring both the bond between nature and humans back into balance.

        Perhaps some of those things such as a lake full of acid or a poisonous jungle will spread and kill thousands of people might happen to us, especially what we dump everyday with our trash. This film does in a way appreciate nature and what it has to offer us. If you like Princess Mononoke, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is a great film to follow up, with similar ideas, but different plots, and a different heroine character. Once again, it’s a family film like the rest of the films I reviewed before (except Princess Mononoke is a tiny bit gruesome with severed limbs) so all ages will definitely enjoy.

[FREE] Princess Mononoke (1997)

Since last week’s post was about Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away (2001), might as well post another movie review on his previous works. Whenever I hear the term “epic”, then I’ll pretty much be expecting something amazing. Before I looked up the movie online, I agree that Princess Mononoke (1997) deserves that term. Even in our current time, the film still gained recognition as one of the highest grossing movies until Titanic was released in Japan. It’s also the second longest animation film to this day! And no wonder; this film is definitely worth to watch!
Here's a trailer :

Princess Mononoke is a period drama set specifically in the late Muromachi period of Japan but with numerous fantastical elements. The story concentrates on involvement of the outsider Ashitaka in the struggle between the supernatural guardians of a forest and the humans of the Iron Town who consume its resources. There can be no clear victory, and the hope is that relationship between humans and nature is cyclical.

Want to read more? Here's the link from Wikipedia

Just like Spirited Away, I absolutely recommend watching this amazing animation. This film gives viewers the relationship between man and nature that’s pretty much similar to what we have today. As we continue to advance in technology, our sense in nature also gradually decreases. Despite our petitions to preserve what’s left of Mother Nature, Mother Nature itself is steadily diminishing. The film shows how god-like animals such as the wolf gods continuously defend the Forest as Irontown continues to wage war against both Mother Nature’s creatures and humans.

Although there are some minor inappropriate graphic scenes (severing limbs), I would guess there are some age limits. Other than the plot, this film (and the rest of the Studio Ghibli’s films) has an amazing soundtrack. If you love instrumental soundtracks like me, this film has some great tunes . With both Miyazaki’s and the wonderful music from Joe Hisaishi, this film (along with the rest of the work and future works) demonstrates the true essence in animation originality.

[FREE] Spirited Away (2001)

Now that I’m back to blogging, I’m going to blog something I spent my summer rather than getting a job or working on college applications: watching movies! Rather reviewing a typical recent movie from the big screen, Spirited Away will be on the spotlight of my blog for this week.

Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away (2001) tells the story of Chihiro, a sullen ten-year-old girl who, in the process of moving to a new neighborhood, becomes trapped in an alternate reality that is inhabited by spirits and monsters. After her parents are transformed into pigs by the witch Yubaba, Chihiro takes a job working in Yubaba's bathhouse in order to find a way to free herself and her parents and escape back to the human world. Here's the full summary from  Wikipedia

This heartwarming tale reminded of me as a child, where I would either imagine or dream myself in another world, whether it could be an adventure or in my ideal place of comfort. This film also set in a view when a child faces a change in their life, such as moving to a different city, going to a different school, and meeting new friends. In the beginning, Chihiro was brooding over the moving and dislikes change, but after this adventure, she learns that no matter where she is, her friends are always with her and overcoming the new change will be just another step in growing up. I also like how there’s a light romance between Chihiro and the male protagonist, Haku. Like most of Miyazaki’s films, there’s no happy ending that involves the two of them. Even so, I strongly encourage to watch this film, whether young or old!