Studio Ghibli Movie Guide

The Cat Returns

2009-04-14T19:43:00.000-07:00

One of Studio Ghibli movies is about cats, but not the way you think, I'm positive. The Cat Returns will bring you to another world you're not familiar with.

The Cat Returns (猫の恩返し) is directed by Hiroyuki Morita. Aha!. Finally, we have at least one Studio Ghibli's movie which is not directed by Hayao Miyazaki. It is release to Japanese cinemas in 2002 and won Excellence Prize at the 2002 Japan Media Arts Festival.

Although this movie received 93% rating at rottentomatoes.com, 7.2/10 on imdb.com site, and 4.5/5 stars at amazon.com based on 72 reviews (as of Apr 14, 2009), I, frankly speaking, didn't enjoy this movie much. It isn't fun and impressive as it should be. However, if you would like to try, visit Studio Ghibli Movies.

Plot: Haru, a quiet, shy and unassuming high school student, has an ability to talk with cats. One day she saves a darkly colored cat from being hit by a truck. After the event, her life has changed dramatically.

Rated: G

Trailer:

Princess Mononoke

2009-04-13T20:14:00.000-07:00

One big concern nowadays is about environment. Do we human beings consume too much natural resources? Do we unnecessarily destroy forests and wild animals? Should we be responsible for what we did? These are tough questions. You might have your own answers which may or may not match with your friends' thinking. Studio Ghibli didn't miss this topic. Theme of Princess Mononoke exactly reflects a nature issue. You will enjoy the movie and see things beyond your imagination, and at the same time get an idea how humans and nature wildlife can live together.

Princess Mononoke (もののけ姫) is another film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli. It was first released in Japan on July 12, 1997 and in the United States on October 29, 1999. This movie, like others from Studio Ghibli, won a lot of awards including Best Picture from the 21st Japanese Academy Awards. Also, Princess Mononoke ranks 488th on Empire magazine's 2008 list of the 500 greatest movies of all time.

Plot: Prince Ashitaka and Princess Mononoke try to bring peace during the war between humans and supernatural guardians of a forest.

Rated: PG-13

Trailer:

This movie got 94% "Certified Fresh" approval rating on rottentomatoes.com, 8.3/10 at imdb.com, and 4.5/5 stars at amazon.com based on 821 reviews (as of Apr 13, 2009).

Explore more at Studio Ghibli Movies.

Kiki's Delivery Service

2009-04-12T19:00:00.000-07:00

Do you like movies like Harry Potter? Of course, Studio Ghibli created several movies featuring witches and wizards. One of them is "Kiki's Delivery Service". This film, however, has nothing to do with spells, jinxes, hoaxes, or things like that. Witches in the movie are able to just fly with their broomstick and make potions. It may sounds rediculous, but, believe me, theme and plot of this wonderful movie are great. This is one of movies that is worth to be seen.

Kiki's Delivery Service (魔女の宅急便) is a 1989 Japanese animated fantasy movie and won the Animage Anime Grand Prix prize in the same year. The film is produced, written, and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. It was the first Studio Ghibli movie released under the Disney/Studio Ghibli partnership; Disney recorded an English dub in 1997

Plot: Kiki is 13-year-old witch-in-training. She need to spend a year alone in a new town to establish herself as a full witch.

Rated: -

Trailer:

Kiki's Delivery Service received 100% rating at rottentomatoes.com, 7.9/10 at imdb.com, and 4.5/5 stars at amazon.com based on 322 reviews (as of Apr 12, 2009). You can find it in a DVD format at Studio Ghibli Movies.

Spirited Away

2009-04-11T18:36:00.000-07:00

To begin with, we chose to review one of the best Studio Ghibli movies. This movie is the one that the blog owner likes the most. Its name is "Spirited Away".

Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し) is released on July 27, 2001. The director, Hayao Miyazaki, just written and directed a great anime film. The film received many awards, including the second Oscar ever awarded for Best Animated Feature, the first anime film to win an Academy Award, the first (and so far only) non-English speaking animation to win, and the only winner of that award to be traditionally animated or win among five nominees (in every other year there were three nominees). The film also won the Golden Bear at the 2002 Berlin International Film Festival (tied with Bloody Sunday). Spirited Away overtook Titanic in the Japanese box office to become the highest-grossing film in Japanese history.

Plot: A sullen ten-year-old girl in the middle of her family's move to the suburbs wander into a world ruled by gods, witches, and monsters; where humans are changed into animals; and a bathhouse for these creatures.

Rated: PG

Trailer:

This magnificent movie got 97% rating at rottentomatoes.com, 8.5/10 at imdb.com, and 4.5/5 stars at amazon.com based on 882 reviews (as of Apr 11, 2009).

You're never disappointed watching this film from Studio Ghibli. Find it at Studio Ghibli Movies.

Who is Studio Ghibli ???

2009-04-11T06:20:00.001-07:00

Studio Ghibli, Inc. (株式会社スタジオジブリ , Kabushiki-kaisha Sutajio Jiburi?) is a Japanese animation film studio.

Anime features produced by Studio Ghibli have been very successful. Laputa: Castle in the Sky (1986), My Neighbor Totoro (1988), and Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) won the Animage Anime Grand Prix award. Moreover, in 2002, Spirited Away won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature, the first anime film to win an Academy Award. So, Studio Ghibli is called with no doubt "Disney of the East".

The first English dubbed Studio Ghibli film released by Disney is Kiki's Delivery Service. The second is Princess Mononoke. Besides, there are many more movies that are published in English.

If you would like to have a try, you may be interested in the following sites.

Studio Ghibli Movies
MegAnimeDVD.com
MacAnimeStore.com