Topic Open House: Favorite Studio Ghibli movies

[sasha_feather]

meganbmoore asked about my favorite Studio Ghibli movies.

The first one I saw in the theater is my favorite: Ponyo.

I'd seen maybe 1 or 2 Ghibli movies before, but this one really made an impression on me. It is so beautiful and magical, and watching it (similar to other Ghibli movies) feels like dreaming. After seeing this one I watched a bunch of others, but sometimes I get Ghibli movies confused in my head and can't remember which title goes with which plot. Well, the plot is not the most important thing anyway. I should rewatch some of them.

These movies tend to have themes I enjoy: a focus on women and children, relationships, beautiful animation, domestic scenes, and a respect for the land and environment.

Ponyo herself charms me greatly. She is a little girl, born in the sea, who wants to join humans on the land. She finds a family and has a sibling-like friendship with a little boy. I read a review of this movie that posits Ponyo herself a metaphor for a kid with autism-- she doesn't quite get the social rules, and looking after her is a lot of responsibility (so says her new brother). Anyway you choose to look at it, it is a great movie!

Ponyo loves food, especially ham. "HAAAAAM!"



I just don't remember the other films as well, but I would say My neighbor Totoro is my next favorite!

Comments

[meganbmoore]

I love both of those, but tend to have difficulty coming up with anything more thinky than "The most adorable!" for either. I think Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle are probably my favorites, but won't be held to that declaration.

But mostly, I'm jealous that you get to watch Ghibli movies in the theater.

[sasha_feather]

Yeah, I don't have especially deep thoughts except for how much I love these movies, and how they feel more feminist than other films in general.

It was just Ponyo that I got to see in the theater-- when it was released in the US it came to theaters here in town.

[holyoutlaw]

I haven't seen Ponyo.

But your reason for declaring it your favorite might be the same reason my favorite is Spirited Away: It was the first one I saw in the theater. I'd seen a few other Ghibli movies by then, so I had some anticipation going to see "Spirited Away"

[jesse_the_k]

I didn't realize that Ponyo was the origin of "haaaaaaam." I must see this right away!