Japanese film fest

We seem to have embarked on a Japanese film festival of sorts in our house. My son was off school this past week for mid-term break and we watched My Neighbor Totoro which was on tv, coinciding with a few titles we rented. This was such a beautiful film, you definitely don't need kids to watch it, in fact you don't need kids to watch any of the Studio Ghibli productions. Its about the adventures of two little girls who move into a new house and meet Totoro, a forest sprite, and an amazingly endearing creature, not to mention the awesome Cat Bus!. The world created is entirely magical, and even though animated, it has sparked an interest in Japan's countryside.

Laputa -Castle in the Sky was also on tv today, which was rated PG, and had violence in it that I wasn't thrilled with. It didn't capture my son's imagination quite as much as Totoro did, but still he enjoyed it.

A few weeks back we watched Spirited Away, and with parents turning into pigs, I highly recommend it!. This weekend we also rented Kiki's Delivery Service and The Cat Returns. All of these highly imaginative and superbly animated films are by the acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki. I think my son's favourite was Totoro so far (and mine too).

Also on our 'to watch' list is Only Yesterday (which will probably be without the kids as it supposedly is aimed at adults), Howl's Moving Castle and Porco Rosso.. what is it with people turning into pigs??