ponyo ponyo ponyo sakana no ko
After weeks of listening to people on the Internet, even on the f-list, babble about amazing movies that they have seen in America that I won't be able to see for a long while, I can finally say that I've seen an amazing movie in Japan that no one in America is going to see for a while.
It's nice to have the shoe on the other foot for a bit. ;)
Today, I went and saw the new Hayao Miyazaki movie, Ponyo on a Cliff by the Sea. And it was adorable. The animation was gorgeous, it was quite funny (Sousuke's mom, Risa, is hilarious), and the music was simple and sweet. It left me with all the warm fuzzy feelings of being 5 years old again, and seeing the magic in everything. Highlights include Ponyo running on top of the waves; Fujimoto's magical boat and bizarre house; the cute little town where Sousuke and his Mom live; Ponyo's beautiful mother; Ponyo's horde of magical little tadpole sisters, who are seriously too cute for words; and the songs at the beginning and the end, of course!
Even better, it lacked the preachiness of a few of Mr. Miyazaki's more recent movies. The man does like to get up on his soapbox from time to time, and I don't blame him. Why simply entertain when you can entertain and educate at the same time? It's wonderful that he wants to teach the children something when they watch his films. But it does get tiring, and I particularly found it distracting in Howl's Moving Castle. Yes, war is bad; I think we got the hint about 10 minutes into the film, sir. It's a nice change to have a film that is innocently entertaining, and doesn't seek to preach at us in any way. It's been a long time since Mr. Miyazaki has done that. And I'm thankful he did it this time.
After the movie, I went to buy the soundtrack, because the song is just too cute. Honestly. :)
I also ended up stopping to watch a band playing in front of one of the stores today. They were playing soul music, and were all stylishly dressed in suits, vests, ties, and various hats - I counted two fedoras, three newsboy caps. The music was actually quite good, so I stopped to listen. Well, it was so good, that I stood outside in the broiling, humid heat to keep listening for the next hour. I applauded each song, and frequently found myself moving to the beat. Their band leader was hilarious; he would make jokes, he gave funny introductions for each band member, and he worked hard to get the audience to be a part of the music. When the set finished, I decided to buy their CD. I mean, they had honestly earned my money by that point. :P Not to mention, they had the greatest band name: Mount Mocha Kilimanjaro.
Today was just one great big reminder of how much I will miss Japan when I go home. But, I suppose I can always come back and visit. :)
Well, off to bed. I'm exhausted. And I'm hoping to drag another friend to Ponyo on either Sunday or Monday. I need to see that movie four more times, I honestly do.
Edit: Seriously, LJ? No one has made Ponyo icons yet? I don't believe this. I shall keep looking as best I can.
It's nice to have the shoe on the other foot for a bit. ;)
Today, I went and saw the new Hayao Miyazaki movie, Ponyo on a Cliff by the Sea. And it was adorable. The animation was gorgeous, it was quite funny (Sousuke's mom, Risa, is hilarious), and the music was simple and sweet. It left me with all the warm fuzzy feelings of being 5 years old again, and seeing the magic in everything. Highlights include Ponyo running on top of the waves; Fujimoto's magical boat and bizarre house; the cute little town where Sousuke and his Mom live; Ponyo's beautiful mother; Ponyo's horde of magical little tadpole sisters, who are seriously too cute for words; and the songs at the beginning and the end, of course!
Even better, it lacked the preachiness of a few of Mr. Miyazaki's more recent movies. The man does like to get up on his soapbox from time to time, and I don't blame him. Why simply entertain when you can entertain and educate at the same time? It's wonderful that he wants to teach the children something when they watch his films. But it does get tiring, and I particularly found it distracting in Howl's Moving Castle. Yes, war is bad; I think we got the hint about 10 minutes into the film, sir. It's a nice change to have a film that is innocently entertaining, and doesn't seek to preach at us in any way. It's been a long time since Mr. Miyazaki has done that. And I'm thankful he did it this time.
After the movie, I went to buy the soundtrack, because the song is just too cute. Honestly. :)
I also ended up stopping to watch a band playing in front of one of the stores today. They were playing soul music, and were all stylishly dressed in suits, vests, ties, and various hats - I counted two fedoras, three newsboy caps. The music was actually quite good, so I stopped to listen. Well, it was so good, that I stood outside in the broiling, humid heat to keep listening for the next hour. I applauded each song, and frequently found myself moving to the beat. Their band leader was hilarious; he would make jokes, he gave funny introductions for each band member, and he worked hard to get the audience to be a part of the music. When the set finished, I decided to buy their CD. I mean, they had honestly earned my money by that point. :P Not to mention, they had the greatest band name: Mount Mocha Kilimanjaro.
Today was just one great big reminder of how much I will miss Japan when I go home. But, I suppose I can always come back and visit. :)
Well, off to bed. I'm exhausted. And I'm hoping to drag another friend to Ponyo on either Sunday or Monday. I need to see that movie four more times, I honestly do.
Edit: Seriously, LJ? No one has made Ponyo icons yet? I don't believe this. I shall keep looking as best I can.