The Dog and the Music

This film by Sylvain Chomet, Belleville Rendez-vous was introduced to us in 2004 by my friends Nikki & Kathie (yes you two!!) who put in on for my son (then 4) to watch when he stayed with them on a visit. He loved it even though the story was beyond his understanding and he didn't like certain parts of it. His favourite thing though, was the music, he couldn't get enough of it!

When we moved back to England, we got a copy of it through the The Times on Sunday, and its started all over now, this time for my daughter! She grabs it and says, want to watch the doggie! My son understands it now, even though there is very little dialogue, and finds it a bit sad, but compelling nevertheless. If you haven't seen this film but like animation, I'd highly recommend it as it is a visual delight, as it has been crtically acclaimed. I have found that watching it repeatedly (which we do alot around here, watch things over and over and over), I pick up on new things each time.

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??