Movie Review - The Cat Returns

Rating: 10/10

The Cat Returns is the story of Haru (Anne Hathaway), a girl to whom the cats feel indebted to because she saved their prince. To repay her kindness, the Cat King (Tim Curry) decides to have her marry his son. Haru thinks it is a ridiculous idea but she knows that the cats will definitely do it. While pondering her situation, she hears a voice telling her to "find the Cat Bureau" by first looking for a white cat in the cross roads. She does so (a bit skeptically, I should think) and soon finds herself in a world where creations come alive. She meets two such creations: Toto (Elliott Gould), a crow statue, and The Baron (Cary Elwes), a cat figurine (first seen in Whisper of the Heart). She also meets a fat, white cat named Muta (Peter Boyle). Together, they try to escape the clutches of the Cat King. With these three uncommon companions, Haru learns an important lesson: believing in oneself.

NYAA~ I think it's a fabulous, fabulous, fabulous, meow-tastic movie! (I could say that I liked this better than Whisper of the Heart.) It's not just because Studio Ghibli produced it, but because it is a beautiful story. It's light and very much heart-warming. There were a dozen or more times when it made me smile (like a fool in front of the laptop), laugh, and feel real good. The Cat Kingdom concept is really nice and the entertainers are really funny! Plus, the throw-out-of-the-window thing is so hilarious!

For favorite characters... I liked them all! Then again, I think the Baron is a little arrogant but he's so cool! I think, like Haru, I may have a crush on him. Nyaa~ I want my own Baron now! Muta is also cool (and fat)! The jokes are usually directed towards him (such as his always being bait). Another cat that I liked is Natoru. Nyaa~ He's really cute. Haru is also an awesome heroine. I like her character very much. :)

For favorite scenes... I really liked the one where Prince Lune (Andrew Bevis) said to Yuki (Judy Greer): "Yuki, would you accept these fish crackers as a symbol of my love for as long as we have nine lives?" or something like that. Nyaa~ That was incredibly sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet~

So yeah, obviously, I like The Cat Returns a lot. An hour and fifteen minutes spent watching this isn't time wasted, I'm telling you. It's really entertaining and just about fun with a whole lot of lessons in it!

Movie Review - Ponyo on the cliff by the sea

Rating: 10/10

Ponyo on the cliff by the sea is the story of a goldfish, the daughter of a sorceror (Fujimoto) and the sea goddess (Gran Mamare). One day, she gets "caught" by a human, Sosuke. The little boy takes a liking to the goldfish and names her Ponyo (her real name being -ahem- Brunhilde). However, Fujimoto manages to bring her back to the sea. After learning that she had tasted human blood (therefore making her eligible to transforming into a human), he is distressed and tries to stop the transformation. He then placed her in a "cage" bubble. But, with the help of her siblings, Ponyo gets out and unintentionally wrecks havoc on Fujimoto's lair. She accidentally unleashes a terrible power in her excitement to return to Sosuke.

There is only one word that could describe this Studio Ghibli flick: CUTE! The graphics are hand-drawn, I think, and that adds charm to the movie. The ending song is so cute! Wah! Ponyo is bursting with cuteness!

Movie Review - Grave of the Fireflies

Rating: 10/10

Grave of the Fireflies tells the story of two orphans, Seita and Setsuko, as they try to survive in a war-torn Japan. Together, they face hardships until the fateful end. This movie is a masterpiece. It has the power to move people to tears. It's background story is so real and you can just imagine what people did in those times in order to survive. This movie tells the story not only of Seita and Setsuko but of every single person who struggled during the war years.

Movie Review - Kiki's Delivery Service

Rating: 8/10

Another great film by Studio Ghibli. The story is nice, exactly what you'd expect from the company. I especially liked the songs (I'm watching the English version). They're so catchy and full of meaning. I looooooove them! Especially the last one at the end, "I'm gonna fly." Anyway, I gave it that rating 'cause it's just getting a little too repetitive for me. Don't get me wrong, Studio Ghibli is a great company and Hayao Miyazaki is one cool director but the themes are just, well, all the same. It's still a great one, though. Highly recommended. :D

Movie Review - Howl's Moving Castle

Rating: 10/10

Another masterpiece from Studio Ghibli. The characters are pretty. The plot is good. Each scene leaves you wanting for more. The ending, though, for me, is a little muddled. But it's a good movie, anyway.

Howl's Moving Castle is the perfect fairy tale, minus the cheesiness.

Movie Review - Whisper of the Heart

Rating: 10/10

Aww... This is such a nice, heart-warming movie. I didn't think it was corny at all, even with the love story. The character of Shizuku was so well-made, provided with a number of flaws that it seemed almost human. The story was believable, especially if you like to read a lot of books. Also, the thing I loved about this movie the most is that, somehow, I can relate to it. Like Shizuku, I'm a bookworm and I could just go on and on reading books forever. (The only thing is that I don't borrow books from libraries because of the limited time. I want to savor the flavor of books for a long time by owning them.) I've also thought about quitting college a lot of times and just write books. But I've learned, like her, that I need a lot of schooling and I'm willing to do everything to fulfill that dream.

The words of the Mr. Nishi were also nice. It gave me a lot of motivation to go on and to get over rejection and criticism.

By the way, it's from a manga by Aoi Hiiragi and adapted into a movie by Studio Ghibli, the studio that made great movies like Spirited Away and Ponyo. Hayao Miyazaki was also involved in the making of this movie.

This is a brilliant classic that is a must-see for any bookworm.

How I wish I too had a Seiji...

- - - - -

Anyway, three of my favorite snapshots from the movie. Why? Because in these pictures, Shizuku is like me an awful lot:

1.) I could be like this a lot. When studying, I would put away my textbook and pick up the novel I'm reading at the moment. You can't blame me when the subject is Biotechnology.

2.) I usually listen to music while studying.

3.) Animals aren't friendly with me, especially cats. They give me the silent treatment.