something I am grateful for today

[johncomic]

Finally got to see Ponyo! I am always such a sucker for Miyazaki's unique magic. Not his absolute best, perhaps, but still wonderful. Like all his others [that I've seen so far], I will re-watch this repeatedly and with delight.

Comments

[ginsu]

I had such a mixed reaction to Spirited Away. Fantastically original story and visuals, but such an odd plot -- kind of dreamlike and nonsensical.

For instance, the heroine's main helper turns out not to be a human, but actually a dragon. Then at the end, we discover he isn't actually a dragon either. He was originally the spirit of a river.

This is sort of like eating a cake and then realizing it's not a cake, it's a steak, and then discovering you're still wrong and it's actually a bed, and you haven't been eating it.

[johncomic]

Dreamlike. Exactly. The sequence where she has to hold her breath while crossing a bridge always makes me feel like I'm dreaming. I have no idea what he does that evokes that sensation so strongly for me, but it feels almost magical.

Not everyone can pull off this kind of “story”, and I can see that not everyone might get into it, but when Miyazaki does it it works for me.