From Up On Poppy Hill Review

From Up On Poppy Hill

Umi is a hard working girl who lives on Poppy Hill in Yokohama. Every morning she goes about her usual routine of raising a flag. She doesn't know it at first but someone is replying to the message she is sending. She meets a boy named Shun who runs the school's newspaper club. They decide to clean up the school's old clubhouse in hopes of preventing it's upcoming demolition.

Director: Goro Miyakazi
Screenwriter: Hayao Miyazaki & Keiko Niwa
Producer: Toshio Suzuki
Music: Satoshi Takebe
Released: 2011

Language Preference: Japanese (Sub)




Story

It was based on a manga of the same name but
the manga was set in the 1980s

Umi and Shun's story is a romance however it is not the sole focus of the film. A familiarly recurring theme Progress vs. Culture, where the advancement of 'modern society' comes at the cost of the past monuments and culture which is what Umi, Shun and their friends are trying to protect in their clubhouse. At first glance the story may seem like a corny melodrama (which Shun actually points out) but the story unfolds to have more depth to it as it progresses with realistic emotional reactions and moral dilemmas.

Hayao Miyazaki described it as immature

Characters
There are plenty of lovable and diverse characters! The clubhouse is chock full of passionate students who are more than willing to fight for it. One of my personal favourite characters is the Philosophy club guy who is unperturbed by the fact that everyone ignores his club and goes on expressing his thoughts. The characters range from the youthful and energetic to the wizened and mature. An interesting bunch indeed.

It Won "Animation of the Year" at the
11th Tokyo Anime Awards

Presentation
It takes place in Yokohama, a port town, in 1963. As I mentioned in the SIWFACTOR, I loved the soundtrack, lively and upbeat! The 60s are idealistically portrayed but who cares about historical accuracy, it's a work of art, so enjoy. Also I just love the Gold School vibes. The look and feel of the port/harbour town was fantastic. The markets were bustling with people, the ships floated past peacefully on the ocean and the school was full of energy and life. A pleasure to watch and listen.

Final Thoughts
Yes, you should watch it! I enjoyed it very much for many reasons. It was Goro Miyazaki's second film that he directed for Studio Ghibli but at no point did I feel the film was substandard. I am biased because I love this particular era but that's just because its so fun! Sorry, I've gotta go raise my flags.

After the Fukushima Nuclear failure there was a risk that the film wouldn't be completed but the film was on time
 thanks to the hard work of those involved, many worked night shifts to compensate for the black outs.

Arrietty Review

Arrietty Review

Arrietty is a 10 cm tall 14-year old girl. She and her similarly tiny parents, who live under the floorboards of a beautiful mansion, survive by borrowing everything that they need to survive from food to gas. Her life takes a mysterious turn when a boy named Sho arrives at the house she is borrowing from, although he thinks he's only going to his aunt's house there may be much more in store for him than either he or Arrietty can imagine.

Director: Hiromasa Yonebayashi
Screenwriter: Hayao Miyazaki
Producer: Toshio Suzuki
Music: Cécile Corbel
Released: 2010

Language Preference: Japanese (sub)

Story

This movie was Hiromasa Yonebayashi's first time directing although he was
an animator for Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle and Ponyo

A fantasy adventure that happens in an otherwise realistic world. The story was inspired by The Borrowers by Mary Norton.  At first glance it might seem like a countryside mansion in Japan is old hat but it changes completely coming from the perspective of small people. A new perspective is an important theme not only for the film but for Studio Ghibli with a new, younger director. There are themes of romance in the film although the main focus is on adventure. Arrietty starts borrowing with her father and thus features the coming of age theme. Curiosity overcomes prejudice and relationships are formed between unlikely people.

It won "Best Animation of the Year" at the
10th Tokyo Anime awards

Characters
Arrietty is a typical Ghibli Heroine. Hard-working, brave, passionate and kind. Despite her parents telling her to keep away from humans she is still young and curious. Sho is a quiet boy who is deeply interested in small folk who his mother spoke of seeing when she was younger. Pod, is Arrietty's man-of-the-house father who does all the borrowing and adventuring in order to support his beloved wife and daughter. Homily is Arrietty's worry-wort mother who spends most of the movie being scared. Sadako is Sho's kind old aunt. Haru is a housemaid who tries to capture the mischievous small people. Spiller is a badass nomad and the only other borrower we see in the movie. As you can see, the cast is small in this story!

The film had an American English Dub and
a British English Dub

Presentation
What a beautiful world and what makes it unique is not the setting itself but the perspective! The mundane becomes useful and interesting, adventures happen underneath floorboards and behind walls, a leaf becomes an umbrella, a nail becomes a step, pesky rats become fearsome creatures and don't get me started on the cats and crows! It takes place in a country mansion in Japan with lush gardens surrounding. We see almost every inch of the mansion, inside and out including parts that have been altered by the borrowers with unique style that mixes a hand-made feel with the inventive use of ordinary items. I was instantly entranced by the music in this film which Cécile Corbel matched so perfectly to the story and characters, not to mention the fact that it is simply lovely to listen to!

Final Thoughts
Yes, you should watch this, but I'll be honest, I thought the film was too short. There was so much undiscovered depth to the fantastic story that had been created for us and I didn't want it to end. I would not have minded if this movie was 120 minutes!  All the characters in the movie were quite serious and although there were several funny moments none of the characters were particularly happy people. Nonetheless, an enjoyable film set in ordinary world from a fresh perspective with a fabulous soundtrack.

Miyazaki-san is uncertain about the future of Studio Ghibli and hand-drawn animation
 but if this movie is what the next generation has to offer, it's not looking too bad to me

Kiki's Delivery Service Review

Kiki Review

Kiki is a 13-year old girl who has come of age and needs to leave her home in order to learn how to become a witch. She and her trusty black cat, Jiji, ride on her broomstick to find a town of their own. When they finally find a town things are very different to how she thought it would be and people don't treat her as she thinks a witch should be treated. She will have to find a way to live in her new surroundings and on her journey she meets some interesting people and does some truly amazing things along the way.

Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Screenwriter: Hayao Miyazaki
Producer: Hayao Miyazaki
Music: Joe Hisaishi
Released: 1989

Language Preference: Japanese (sub)

The movie won numerous Best Film awards and was
the highest grossing film in Japan in 1989

Story
Kiki's tale is one of adventure, meeting new people, adapting to an unfamiliar world and facing tribulations. In the original book that the film was inspired by Kiki didn't deal with much adversity but Miyazaki-san said that he wanted to make the story about growing up which isn't just an easy ride and thus introduced challenges into her life that would develop her character.

The film was adapted into a manga
and a musical

Characters
Kiki is a lovable girl who keeps her word and always does her best, she is not impressed by people who she thinks are rude. Tombo is a determined, courageous young boy who is fascinated by Kiki's ability to fly. Osono is a kind lady who owns a bakery, she is a caring mother-type figure. Ursula, is a young artist who Kiki encounters and becomes friends with. These and all the other characters help Kiki ro grow. They introduce Kiki to some interesting ways of life, perspectives and opportunities.

Jiji, Kiki's cat, has a completely different personality
in the English version

Presentation
Set in a fictional European-style town (where it is believed World War II never happened) the story already starts with a distinct style. It was described by Miyazaki-san as "a mishmash of various locales, like Napoli, Lisbon, Stockholm, Paris, and even San Francisco." It even features two oceans, the Mediterranean and the Baltic. Many beautiful things concentrated into one place. But what caught my attention in this movie was not this fantastic mixture of places but the soundtrack. My goodness, what an adventure it takes me on just listening to it.

Final Thoughts: Yes, you should watch it! This film is absolutely fantastic. I had this thought in my head: "I can't wait until I have kids and show them this movie." It is a fun adventure about growing up which I was able to relate to on a personal level and learn a few things from.. New favourite song: Rouge Message, but don't you dare listen to it before you watch the movie! Sorry I've gotta go and get something delivered (my heart to Studio Ghibli).

The name of the Bakery, Guchokipanya, is a play on words.
Guchokipa (Rock-Paper-Scissors) and Panya (Bakery).

NEWS 21 May 2015

CHANGES INCOMING

Hello viewers! I shall be making a few changes to my blog, as you may have already noticed. This is an attempt to make the site more user-friendly and easier to view! I shall also be going over and changing several of my previous posts, going into more depth and other general editing.  I have recently been getting involved in Pixel Art so there will be a trend in that direction with the changes. I hope you like the changes. PEACE!

The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya Review

The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya

A bamboo cutter finds a mysterious young girl inside a bamboo shoot. He takes the small girl to his wife and decide to raise her. She grows quickly and she is soon out playing with neighbouring family's sons. Her adoptive father believes that heaven sent her to them in order to make her a princess. What follows is a tale of how the girl faces the life of a "noble woman", with its posturing, discipline, suitors and restricting customs.

This story is based on a Japanese folktale from the 10th Century. The art style is different from the usual Ghibli style, it has a brush-stroke feel to it but it still captures the Ghibli charm. The style feels somewhat more free, more vibrant and more artistic. At one point she runs away from the palace and the ensuing scene where she ran through forests and fields was hypnotically beautiful. The story is not a particularly happy or feel-good one. It follows how Kaguya's childhood freedom is systematically replaced by the strict life of a noble. It is debateable whether it is a happy or sad ending. But hey, this is based on a folktale from the 10th Century and I can't criticise it for not satisfying my 21st Century narrative desires. Tales like this are untouchable classics and I believe it was suitably Ghiblified in such a way that even a Eastern-Culture noob like myself can appreciate it. But sorry I've gotta go to the moon. Lil' Bamboo!

Ponyo Review

Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea

Ponyo, a fish, leaves her home to explore the outside world. When she approaches dry land, Sosuke, a young boy, finds her and promises to look after her. But Ponyo is more than just a simple gold fish, as Sosuke suspects but she may be even more magical than he thinks!

Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Screenwriter: Hayao Miyazaki
Producer: Toshio Suzuki
Music: Joe Hisaishi
Language Preference: Japanese (sub)

Laputa Castle in the Sky Review

Laputa Castle in the Sky

It is quite difficult to write this review because I have to wake up from the dream that this movie was to watch. Calling it a movie doesn't even do it justice, it feels like I just went on their adventure with them. I've got to get back to earth where we belong!

Pazu is an orphan who works in the mines and one day he finds a mysterious girl, Sheeta, floating down from the sky. He takes her back to his house but he soon finds that she is being chased by the army, strange glasses-wearing Agent Smith-types and even pirates. Together Pazu and Sheeta go on an adventure to find Laputa, a floating city that most people believe only to be a myth. 

The characters and relationships in this story are... (collapses on keyboard)... just so beautifully genuine. Pazu and Sheeta form a bond that can't be described as a simple romance or friendship. The pirates, like those in Ghibli's Porco Rosso, are absolutely hilarious. The crew is made up of diverse and distinct characters that interact with each other in such a natural and organic way. In my opinion, one of the greatest feats of Studio Ghibli stories is the life they give to every character even things you would not expect to be a character. I'm never left thinking, "Oh, this is just some NPC there to progress the storyline." Every character is that, a character. 

As usual the world that has been created, the sheer beauty of its sights and sounds, can't aptly be put into words. The world is quite steampunk and features lots of awesome flying machines with Leonardo Da Vinci feels not forgetting the important natural elements of the scenery that play an important role in the story. 

The film is a fantasy adventure with children as man characters but I would not go so far as to call it light-hearted in the same way that My Neighbour Totoro would be considered light-hearted. There are several intense moments in the story that could be distressing to younger viewers.

Nonetheless, this story is an adventure that can only be described as something people need to see or rather experience themselves. So go watch it. I've gotta go hang around mine shafts and see if my dream girl floats down from the sky!