August Movie Night is all about four great Miyazaki films. I decided on this theme because Miyazaki’s new film, Ponyo, will be released on August 14th, and I love the Miyazaki films (except for Kiki’s Delivery Service). I know the anime part might throw people off but trust me these films are like the Disney animation films of Japan (minus the musical parts).
So please join us once again at the Talmadge Bernasconi’s house for some Miyazaki and food (hopefully including Marna’s Candy Sushi).
Voting has now been moved to e-vite to prevent people from gaming the system *cough*Joe and Juli* cough* so please vote there. If you did not receive an e-vite and would like to come please send me an e-mail.
Below are the descriptions of the films:
In this engaging anime based on a children’s fantasy novel, 18-year-old Sophie works in her late father’s hat shop in a humdrum town. But things get interesting when she’s transformed into an elderly woman by the evil Witch of the Waste (voiced by Lauren Bacall). Determined to reverse the spell, Sophie seeks the help of the wizard Howl, who has an amazing moving castle that’s fueled by a fire demon named Calcifer. Hayao Miyazaki directs.
Adapted from the Japanese original, director Hayao Miyazaki’s adventure tale won the Best Animated Feature Oscar for its story of 10-year-old Chihiro. During her family’s move to the suburbs, Chihiro wanders into a magical world where a witch rules — and those who disobey her are turned into animals. When her parents are turned into pigs, Chihiro must find a way to help them return to their human form.
This anime epic from director Hayao Miyazaki made critic Roger Ebert’s list of 1999′s 10 best films. Infected with an incurable disease, Prince Ashitaka (voiced by Yoji Matsuda) travels to the Far East in search of a cure and finds himself caught in a battle between the forest’s animals and a mining town. Princess Mononoke (Yuriko Ashida), a human raised by wolves, leads the animals, but higher powers intent on killing may prevail.
Legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki provides a stunningly realistic portrayal of life in the country. When their mother is hospitalized, two young sisters spend a summer in the Japanese countryside with their father. The strange new environment turns out to be a natural wonderland filled with exotic real-life creatures and a trio of furry woodland sprites who can only be seen by children.
There will be a future Miyazaki Movie Night that covers his films involving flight, so do not worry, you will have a chance to see them all (or at least two of them).
