Whisper of the Heart

Mimi wo sumaseba (original title)

Starring the voice talents of Cary Elwes, Courtney Thorne-Smith, David Gallagher, Brittany Snow, Harold Gould, and Naohisa Inoue

Directed by: Yoshifumi Kondo

Screenplay written by Hayao Miyazaki

Release Date: July 15, 1995


A sweet love story about a junior high girl lost in her own world of fairy tales until she meets a young violin maker who prompts young Shizuku to follow her own dreams of becoming a talented writer. Leave it to Studio Ghibli to make the most formulaic genre of young love into an engaging and heartwarming tale of love, teen angst, and beliving in one's self.

This is absolutely one of my favorite films of all time and I highly encourage all fans of animation, romance, and fairy tales to check this movie out for themselves. Whisper of the Heart is a joy to behold and the characters in it are engaging, fun, and their US adaptations are enjoyable to listen to again and again.

Rating: * * * * 1/2 of 5

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My Neighbor Totoro

Tonari no Totoro (original title)

Starring the Voices of Dakota Fanning, Elle Fanning, and Tim Daly

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki

Release Date: April 16, 1988 (Japan) May 7, 1993 (United States)

Another adorable film from Japan's answer to Walt Disney, Hayao Miyazaki. Set in 1940s Japan, the story centers on two young girls, Satsuki and her younger sister Mei, who have moved to the country with their father so they can be closer to their mother who is recuperating in a hospital. During their exploits into the forrest they come across the gigantic Cat-like being they name Totoro. This is a good entertaining movie that leaves you with a sense of delight and happiness, as it is near impossible not to crack a smile when Satsuki act like sisters or playfully tease one another. A solid film from one of the greatest men to impact animation as we know it.

Rating: * * * * of 5

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Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

Kaze no tani no Naushika (original title)

Starring the Voices of Allison Lohman, Patrick Stewart, Uma Thurman, and Edward James Olmos

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki

Release Date:

Japan
March 4, 1984

North America
February 22, 2005 (uncut re-release)

Miyazaki's first film is also one of his finest accomplishments. Nausicaa is a great action adventure, though a tad heavy on the environmental issues that Miyazaki adds into all of his films. But maybe sometimes we need someone to bring it home with how much damage we as people do to the planet. Great voice acting from the American cast, especially Alison Lohman as the titular princess of the wind valley and Patrick Stewart as Lord Yuma, the greatest swordsman in the land. Lohman really brings the emotion and energy as Nausicaa who wants to protect her people from the rage of the insects (including the monsterous ohmu) or the warring Tolmekians. Her young, energetic voice really nail a character that when the whole world around her is encircled in blood and violence, she tries to appeals for peace and order for the betterment of the world. Patrick Stewart brings his legendary bravado voice to Lord Yuma. Stewart's voice is just amazing, that's all that needs to be said about his devotion to bringing the character over from Japan.

Rating: * * * * 1/2 of 5

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Howl's Moving Castle

Hauru no ugoku shiro (original title)

Starring the voices of Christian Bale, Jean Simmons,Lauren Bacall, and Billy Crystal

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki

Release Dates:

Japan-November 20, 2004

USA-June 10, 2005

Love and magic abound in a story about a young girl who was cursed by a witch to transform into an old woman. Jean Simmons and Emily Mortimer are fantastic as Sophie, each playing to the strengths of playing the same character at different ages. Christian Bale is also exemplary as Howl, the mysterious and at times aloof magician Howl, left without a heart and thrown into a war he wants not to be part of.

Rating: * * * * 1/2 of 5

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Ponyo

"Gake no ue no Ponyo" - Japan (original title)

Starring the voices of Noah Cyrus,Frankie Jonas, Matt Damon, Liam Neeson, and Tina Fey

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki

Release Date:

Japan-July 19, 2008

USA-August 14, 2009

Hayao Miyazaki goes to new lengths with his tenth film: the sea. Usually, Miyazaki shows off his affinity for the skies but in Ponyo his eye is to show the wonder and beauty that the oceans entail, such as in the film's opening sequence. Though not as detailed as Spirited Away or as action-packed as Porco Rosso, Ponyo is more of a whimsical fairy-tale about a little girl/fish who falls in love with a little boy named Sosuke and wants to be human. The film is also very playful, entertaining and heartwarming. This is a film that you'd take your kids to when you're tired of watching Aladdin for the 20th time. The A-list cast is great, particularly Cate Blanchett, Liam Neeson, and Tina Fey (Sorry, Matt Damon, but your involvement in the story isn't as felt as the others). Finally, i'd like to compliment the main characters and their young voice actors, Frankie Jonas as Sosuke and Noah Cyrus as Ponyo. Jonas gives Jonas a youthful exuberance, being a very responsible young man who loves his family and wants to protect his new friend Ponyo. Cyrus is just wonderful as Ponyo, giving the magical little girl an air of wonder and whimsy, that is cute and entertaining. A great animated film that has an environmental message but never forces its' message to the audience.

Rating: * * * * 1/2 of 5

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Spirited Away

Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi (original title)

Starring the voices of Daveigh Chase, Rumi Hiiragi, Jason Marsden, Miyu Irino, Mari Natsuki

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki

Release Date September 20, 2001


Another gem from Miyazaki. This is the story of Chihiro, a little girl who journeys into the spirit world and must make great personal leaps and bounds to return her and her parents back to the mortal world. Chihiro must work for Ubaba, a powerful sorceress whose bathhouse is made to appease the spirit world who also cursed chihiro's parents into transforming into pigs if she ever wants to return home. This may be Hayao Miyazaki's masterpiece, the one film where if people ask "what's his life's work summed up in one film?", this is it. The animation is absolutely surperb, with astounding details in the background animation and layering the story with so many interesting background characters (such as the Radish spirit or the many unnamed bathhouse workers). A beautiful film about a young girl's journey toward growing into adulthood and a deeply passionate animated film that Miyazaki fans (or Pixar's John Lasseter as the US translator) will absolutely cherish.

Rating: * * * * * of 5

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Kiki's Delivery Service

"Majo no takkyûbin" - Japan (original title)

Starring the voices of Kirsten Dunst, Matthew Lawrence, Jeneane Garaffalo, and Phil Hartman.

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki

Release Date: July 29, 1989 (Japan)



A young witch leaves home for a year of training, honing a craft in which to build a life. Our protagonist, Kiki (Kirsten Dunst), decides to be a broom-flying delivery girl for a local bakery. Along the way, she hits a road block and cannot fly her broom. Will Kiki rise in to the air again? Hayao Miyazaki thrills and amazes with glowing visuals and energetic characters, especially in our young, female protagonist. One of Miyazaki directiorial traits is his background in aviation, so the scenes of Kiki flying high in to the air are stunning to behold. A great animated film, a great movie period.

Rating: * * * * * of 5

Click here to buy Kiki's Delivery Service Kiki's Delivery Service: Special Edition - 2-Disc DVD