Years ago I used to watch a lot of anime (mainly Pokemon) on TV. But as I grew I never had the time to watch anything anime (mainly TV) and I became against anime and distant.
But that was all about to change back in January this year when I watched a Netflix original film:
Based on a Japanese video game. An original story, the Ni No Kuni movie follows a small group of high school teens and long-time friends. There's Yuu, who uses a wheelchair, and his basketball-star best friend, Haru. Haru and Yuu are also close friends with Kotona, who happens to be dating Haru. The three are virtually inseparable, but when the young woman is attacked, both Yuu and Haru attempt to save her life before they're suddenly transported to Ni No Kuni. The three are virtually inseparable, but when Kotona is attacked and both Yuu and Haru attempt to save her life before they're suddenly transported to Ni No Kuni.Ni No Kuni is also the home to alternate versions of themselves. Once yuu and Haru are in this mirror-reality, they both discovered Kotona's counterpart, Princess Asya and a friendship was being developed and for Yoo, something more - with her. But when the Princess' life is in danger, Haru and Yoo discovered that there's a balance that must be maintained as both worlds aren't just connected through parallel people. If Haru and Yoo want to save Kotona's life it'll cost Asya's life of if they want to save Asya's life it'll cost Kotona's life. That truth puts Haru and Yoo against one another as they try to figure out and eventually fight to keep the version of their love alive.
I thought this film was full of life, fantastical creatures kind of like the creatures in Jim Henson's Dark Crystal and Lush just Like Howl's Moving Castle. The expansive locations were rendered in a signature Studio Ghibli style. This film has every classic elements that the beloved and often emotional Studio Ghibli touch.
This film helped me develop an interest in Studio Ghibli and anime movies.
At the end of March of last year Studio Ghibli films are:
1. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
2. Princess Mononoke
3. My Neighbors the Yamadas
4. Spirited Away
5. The Cat Returns
6. Arrietty
7. The Tale Of Princess Kaguya
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind:
Far in the future, after an apocalyptic conflict has devastated much of the world's ecosystem, the few surviving humans live in scattered semi-hospitable environments within what has become a "toxic jungle." Young Nausicaä lives in the arid Valley of the Wind and can communicate with the massive insects that populate the dangerous jungle. Under the guidance of the pensive veteran warrior, Lord Yupa, Nausicaä works to bring peace back to the ravaged planet. Now this film does spread a positive message about the consequences of pollution as well as what can we do to stop people polluting the planet. Cast: Alison Lohman as Nausicaä Patrick Stewart as Lord Yupa Shia LaBeouf as Asbel Uma Thurman as Kushana Chris Sarandon as Kurotowa Edward James Olmos as Mito Tress MacNeille as Obaba Mark Silverman as Niga & King Jihl
James Arnold Taylor as Muzu Frank Welker as Gol
Jeff Bennet as Gikkuri
Emily Bauer as Lastelle
Mark Hamill as Mayor of Pejite
Jodi Benson as Asbel and Lastelle's Mother
Rihoko Yoshida as Teto
N/A as Commando
John Schwab, Jeff Bennett & Dee Bradley Baker, Pejite Citizens - Jeff Bennett, Sandra Dickinson, Dee Bradley Baker, Andra Sogliuzzo, Rolf Saxson & David Lander as Tolmekian Soldiers
Ashley Rose Orras Pejite Peasant Gir
Paul Butcher, Ashley Edner, Molly Keck, Jordan Orr, Aimee Roldan, Grace Rolek & Ross Simanteris as Children
Tony Jay as Narrator
Princess Mononoke:
In the 14th century, the harmony that humans, animals and gods have enjoyed begins to crumble. The protagonist, young Ashitaka - infected by an animal attack, seeks a cure from the deer-like god Shishigami. In his travels, he sees humans ravaging the earth, bringing down the wrath of wolf god Moro and his human companion Princess Mononoke. Hiskattempts to broker peace between her and the humans brings only conflict.
This film does have gruesome scenes like shooting a persons head clean off with an arrow and displaying blood but it does deal with conflicts between humans and animals. Cast: Billy Crudup as Ashitaka Claire Danes as San Tara Strong as Kaya, Ashitaka's sister Minnie Driver as Lady Eboshi Billy Bob Thornton as Jiko-bō
John DeMita as Kohroku John DiMaggio as Gonza
Gillian Anderson as Moro Debi Derrberry as Hii-sama Keith David as Okkoto-nushi
Akira Nagoya as The Cattleman Leader
Kimihiro Reizei as Jibashiri
Tetsu Watanabe as A Mountain Wolf
Makoto Sato as Nago
Sumi Shimamto as Toki
Jada Pinkett Smith as Kohroku's wife
My Neighbors the Yamadas:
The lives of a modern Japanese family through a series of loosely connected episodes that delve into the family members' relationships and their everyday exploits. Cast: James Belushi as Takashi Yamada Molly Shannon as Matsuko Yamada Daryl Sabara as Noboru Yamada Liliana Mumy as Nonoko Yamada Tress MacNeille as Shige Yamano David Ogden Stiers as Narrator This film represents just an average every day family like all of us. I like this film even though it looked like it was made by children who have a talent for art. Spirited Away:
In this animated feature by noted Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki, 10-year-old Chihiro and her parents stumble upon a seemingly abandoned amusement park. After her mother and father are turned into giant pigs, Chihiro (later renamed Sen) meets the mysterious Haku, who explains that the park is a resort for supernatural beings who need a break from their time spent in the earthly realm, and that she must work there to free herself and her parents.
I thought this film was weird and freaky at first but when I watched it, it spirited me away to another breathtaking world inhabited by strange people and strange creatures. There was one strange person, Yubaba, an elderly woman who owns a bathhouse where Chihiro (later renamed Sen) and mother to a gigantic baby named Boh. As soon as the baby appeared on screen me, my mum and dad saw the gigantic size of that baby and I jokingly say to them "I'm not changing that nappy LOL"
Cast:
Chihiro Ogino (Sen) - Daveigh Chase
Haku - Jason Marsden
Yubaba - Suzanne Pleshette
Kamaji - David Ogden Stiers
Lin - Susan Egan
Chichiyaku - Paul Eiding
Aniyaku - John Ratzenberg
No-Face & Aogaeru - Bob Bergen
Bandai-gaeru - Rodger Bumpass
Boh - Tara Strong
Akio Ogino - Michael Chiklis
Yūko Ogino - Lauren Holly
River Spirit - Jim Ward
Radish Spirit - Jack Angel
The Cat Returns:
High school student Haru rescues a cat that was about to be run over by a truck and discovers the cat is actually a prince named Lune. Out of gratitude, Lune's father, the Cat King, asks her to marry Lune. Haru is brought to the Cat Kingdom, where she starts to develop feline features. When she is prevented from leaving, the Baron and Toto, two statues that have magically been given life, provide assistance in gaining her freedom.
Now I got one question: why would Netflix release the sequel to Whisper Of The Heart before Whisper Of The Heart is released on Netflix? But it doesn't matter now as Whisper Of The Heart will be on Netflix on 01/04/20 so that you can watch the first film before the sequel.
I really do love this film because it mainly has something to do with cats. And cats are my favorite domestic pet.
Cast:
Haru Yoshioka - Anne Hathaway
Baron Humbert von Gikkingen - Carey Elwes
Muta / Renaldo Moon - Peter Boyle
Toto - Elliot Gould
The Cat King - Tim Curry
Prince Lune - Andrew Bevis
Yuki - Judy Greer
Natori - René Auberjonois
Natoru - Andy Richter
Naoko Yoshioka - Kristine Sutherland
Hiromi - Kristen Bell
Arrietty:
Arrietty, a tiny teenager, lives with her parents in the recesses of a suburban home, unbeknown to the homeowner and housekeeper. Like others of her kind, Arrietty remains hidden from her human hosts, but occasionally ventures forth from beneath the floorboards to borrow sugar cubes and other supplies. A secret friendship forms when 12-year-old Shawn meets Arrietty, but their relationship could spell danger for Arrietty's family.
Now if you ever read or watched any of production of The Borrowers. Well this film is basically that. I mean I really did enjoy this film and I love how the garden was beautifully done and how it dealt with a friendship between a human boy named Shō and Arrietty.
Cast:
Arrietty - Saoirse Ronan
Shō - Tom Holland
(in his very first film years before Spider-Man)
Homily - Olivia Coleman
Sadako Maki - Phyllida Law
Spiller - Luke Allen-Gale
Pod - Mark Strong
Haru - Geraldine McEwan
The Tale Of Princess Kaguya:
A tiny nymph found inside a bamboo stalk grows into a beautiful and desirable young woman, who orders her suitors to prove their love by completing a series of near-impossible tasks. This film is based on the anonymous literary tale The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, a 10th-century Japanese monogatari, containing Japanese folklore. It is considered the oldest extant Japanese prose narrative although the oldest manuscript dates to 1592. I was enchanted by this film due to the love and interest I have for myths, legends, fairy tales and folklore. I really love the look of the film. It looked like it was a traditional Japanese art.
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