Studio Ghibli Ramblings
So...I'm sure I said in another journal, but I've made it my summer goal to watch all of the Studio Ghibli Films before Summer is up, and since I've basically been succeeding I wanted to do a complete journal about them. NOTE this does contain spoilers, hence the lj-cut, but I've tried to keep them at a 'If you've read the summary you aren't spoiled' level. Oh, except for the last one, so warnings on that one DO APPLY. *since I'm --literally not even in the middle of watching it yet*
(Also I attempted to go in order from how I watched them)
EDIT: Is it just me or is LJ having issues with the tags? Usually they have the autofill option when I'm typing them in, but apparently that's not working...? >.>
Howl's Moving Castle: Was the first one on my list, simply because of some really good AMVs I've seen of it recently. I have to say I really liked it, or at least I really liked Sophie and Howl XD This one didn't bother me....at all. In terms of things.
Kiki's Delivery Service: I've already seen this movie once, before we moved (which feels like forever ago. I remember watching it on Disney Channel when I ...used to actually watch TV). It was my all time favorite movie at the time (other than The Last Unicorn....even though I'm pretty sure they didn't come out in the same year...did they? Just they were two of my favorite movies when I was younger). I still say it's one of my favorites, though I was really happy I could find the sub, considering I could always find it in the dub (though I watched the dub again too, it was cute)
Spirited Away: I actually own this movie (but it's a VHS, not a DVD...I think?) but I decided to watch it again after looking up information on it again, and realizing it won an award (which I did know, but when I saw it I ...just yeah it felt newer?). I wanted to find the subbed version of this one...and I don't remember if I found it or not, but I wound up watching the dub instead (because the subs were off). Somehow I think the witches name in this was taken from one of the first films by Studio Ghibli...
Laputa: Castle In the Sky: I also own this one, but it's on VHS and not a DVD (again?). This one's another personal favorite, because of how the main character guys house is set up (does that make sense)? and Sheeta's(sp?) outfit after she joins the pirate gang. It's just an insanely sweet movie that I still remember a lot of, so watching it again really wasn't necessary, but I'm glad I did XD
My Neighbor Totoro: This one...should definitely be the 'iconic' movie, considering how many parody's are done of the 'bus stop' scene XD It seemed fairly slower paced than I was used to for a movie, but by the end of it I was ecstatic that I had watched it. The whole thing with the Corn at the end there was really, really sweet.
Ponyo on a Cliff by the Sea: This is probably the only movie I was able to find decent subs for (and also ironically, on vacation I heard the american-version theme song for it...and at first I didn't think it was real/thought I was hearing things --but then it turns out I was right XD). I think the main thing that threw me about this one was how it was animated (after seeing all the above all in a row), and it took a while to get used to it but I really liked it by the end of the movie. Ponyo's daddy is --awesome IMO. I really, really liked his Japanese voice XD
Princess Mononoke: This is one of those movies that I've seen around since forever (even back when we used to get small special magazines that would show off anime products--it always had this movie listed as one of the items they sold. I was really little when we first got these, and I'm almost wishing I had begged to buy some of the items listed. Granted most weren't for an 8 year old XD) but --yeah I only watched it...as of the day right before vacation. The thing about it? Normally the subject matter would have me in tears. What really happened? I didn't break out crying till I heard the credits song. In fact for the majority of the movie I was horrified. Yes at the cruelty in it, but also how they turned into Demons. I can understand why this movie was as good as it was--and I really enjoyed it. Just please don't make me watch it alone again. *shudders*
Grave of the Fireflies: Same as with the above movie, I've heard about it since forever, but never really knew quite what it was about. Then I looked it up, and granted I knew when I started watching it that the subject matter would make me really upset, but I still watched it because of the praise it had gotten. The truth? Yes I was sad, yes I sorta teared up at some parts, but I never once cried. I just...had really pleasant dreams of burned dead bodies and being buried alive with them screaming. Yup. I think I'm okay after a movie like that (and am happy that I am) and then that happens. Not fun, but I do think I'll watch it again (since it's what gave me plot bunnies for the DGM ficcy I'm currently working on).
The Cat Returns: Technically I watched this one at the same time as the one below, but thanks to faulty websites--I finished this one a lot faster. I also picked up the manga before finishing it, so I knew the basic storyline, and what would happen. I also knew it was the semi-sequel of the movie below, and as such it was really enjoyable to be watching it along side that movie. (because I picked up the references). It's not my favorite movie by them, no, but I like how Haru turns out in the end.
Whispers of the Heart: oddly from the hour or so I've seen of this movie (watching it on megaupload, thus meaning after you've watched 72 minutes you have to wait x -amount of time before you can watch it again...so I keep getting stuck at like an hour and 9 minutes or so. It's been like that for almost 3 days now. yes I am annoyed.) I think this might be my favorite one out of all of Studio Ghibli's films. I've also seen the scene where she sings the song and the guy she (sort of) likes plays the violin with her multiple times on youtube. I just never knew what movie it was from/could never find it (or never cared to). Needless to say, yes that means I'm very irritated that I haven't finished the movie yet. But every other link given either has screwed up sound, or screwed up subs or I have to download a special plug in to make it work xP Also since it's taken so long I've resorted in watching the movie below, as well, while waiting for it to load:
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind: I'm only about 30 minutes into this movie, and I have to say it's the one that (so far) has horrified me the most. When comparing it to the GotF movie above...well, it shouldn't be nearly as bad as that. But I FREAKED OUT when Nausicaa ran to find her father--only to find him dead and went berserk. Needless to say I do not like those invader people. At all. Wtf "Come in peace" my ass if you're willing to kill the leader of a country just like that. I mean wut. xP That's actually the reason why I'm stopping to write this journal, cuz I got so freaked out about it. *headdesk* somehow I find that strange, but eh. *shrugs* After this movie I guess...I'm actually not sure which one I should watch first...maybe "Only Yesterday" if I can find it...? Hmm...
(Also I attempted to go in order from how I watched them)
EDIT: Is it just me or is LJ having issues with the tags? Usually they have the autofill option when I'm typing them in, but apparently that's not working...? >.>
Howl's Moving Castle: Was the first one on my list, simply because of some really good AMVs I've seen of it recently. I have to say I really liked it, or at least I really liked Sophie and Howl XD This one didn't bother me....at all. In terms of things.
Kiki's Delivery Service: I've already seen this movie once, before we moved (which feels like forever ago. I remember watching it on Disney Channel when I ...used to actually watch TV). It was my all time favorite movie at the time (other than The Last Unicorn....even though I'm pretty sure they didn't come out in the same year...did they? Just they were two of my favorite movies when I was younger). I still say it's one of my favorites, though I was really happy I could find the sub, considering I could always find it in the dub (though I watched the dub again too, it was cute)
Spirited Away: I actually own this movie (but it's a VHS, not a DVD...I think?) but I decided to watch it again after looking up information on it again, and realizing it won an award (which I did know, but when I saw it I ...just yeah it felt newer?). I wanted to find the subbed version of this one...and I don't remember if I found it or not, but I wound up watching the dub instead (because the subs were off). Somehow I think the witches name in this was taken from one of the first films by Studio Ghibli...
Laputa: Castle In the Sky: I also own this one, but it's on VHS and not a DVD (again?). This one's another personal favorite, because of how the main character guys house is set up (does that make sense)? and Sheeta's(sp?) outfit after she joins the pirate gang. It's just an insanely sweet movie that I still remember a lot of, so watching it again really wasn't necessary, but I'm glad I did XD
My Neighbor Totoro: This one...should definitely be the 'iconic' movie, considering how many parody's are done of the 'bus stop' scene XD It seemed fairly slower paced than I was used to for a movie, but by the end of it I was ecstatic that I had watched it. The whole thing with the Corn at the end there was really, really sweet.
Ponyo on a Cliff by the Sea: This is probably the only movie I was able to find decent subs for (and also ironically, on vacation I heard the american-version theme song for it...and at first I didn't think it was real/thought I was hearing things --but then it turns out I was right XD). I think the main thing that threw me about this one was how it was animated (after seeing all the above all in a row), and it took a while to get used to it but I really liked it by the end of the movie. Ponyo's daddy is --awesome IMO. I really, really liked his Japanese voice XD
Princess Mononoke: This is one of those movies that I've seen around since forever (even back when we used to get small special magazines that would show off anime products--it always had this movie listed as one of the items they sold. I was really little when we first got these, and I'm almost wishing I had begged to buy some of the items listed. Granted most weren't for an 8 year old XD) but --yeah I only watched it...as of the day right before vacation. The thing about it? Normally the subject matter would have me in tears. What really happened? I didn't break out crying till I heard the credits song. In fact for the majority of the movie I was horrified. Yes at the cruelty in it, but also how they turned into Demons. I can understand why this movie was as good as it was--and I really enjoyed it. Just please don't make me watch it alone again. *shudders*
Grave of the Fireflies: Same as with the above movie, I've heard about it since forever, but never really knew quite what it was about. Then I looked it up, and granted I knew when I started watching it that the subject matter would make me really upset, but I still watched it because of the praise it had gotten. The truth? Yes I was sad, yes I sorta teared up at some parts, but I never once cried. I just...had really pleasant dreams of burned dead bodies and being buried alive with them screaming. Yup. I think I'm okay after a movie like that (and am happy that I am) and then that happens. Not fun, but I do think I'll watch it again (since it's what gave me plot bunnies for the DGM ficcy I'm currently working on).
The Cat Returns: Technically I watched this one at the same time as the one below, but thanks to faulty websites--I finished this one a lot faster. I also picked up the manga before finishing it, so I knew the basic storyline, and what would happen. I also knew it was the semi-sequel of the movie below, and as such it was really enjoyable to be watching it along side that movie. (because I picked up the references). It's not my favorite movie by them, no, but I like how Haru turns out in the end.
Whispers of the Heart: oddly from the hour or so I've seen of this movie (watching it on megaupload, thus meaning after you've watched 72 minutes you have to wait x -amount of time before you can watch it again...so I keep getting stuck at like an hour and 9 minutes or so. It's been like that for almost 3 days now. yes I am annoyed.) I think this might be my favorite one out of all of Studio Ghibli's films. I've also seen the scene where she sings the song and the guy she (sort of) likes plays the violin with her multiple times on youtube. I just never knew what movie it was from/could never find it (or never cared to). Needless to say, yes that means I'm very irritated that I haven't finished the movie yet. But every other link given either has screwed up sound, or screwed up subs or I have to download a special plug in to make it work xP Also since it's taken so long I've resorted in watching the movie below, as well, while waiting for it to load:
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind: I'm only about 30 minutes into this movie, and I have to say it's the one that (so far) has horrified me the most. When comparing it to the GotF movie above...well, it shouldn't be nearly as bad as that. But I FREAKED OUT when Nausicaa ran to find her father--only to find him dead and went berserk. Needless to say I do not like those invader people. At all. Wtf "Come in peace" my ass if you're willing to kill the leader of a country just like that. I mean wut. xP That's actually the reason why I'm stopping to write this journal, cuz I got so freaked out about it. *headdesk* somehow I find that strange, but eh. *shrugs* After this movie I guess...I'm actually not sure which one I should watch first...maybe "Only Yesterday" if I can find it...? Hmm...