I am so sorry I have been absent from blogger for sooo long. Finals and work were wreaking havoc on my schedule and as a result, I haven't been able to blog. BUT. I am back, and I have decided not to take classes this summer, so I will be able to post more frequently.
I have been wanting to post the second blog on Dote-Worthy Directors for some time.. but have not had time to do so until just now.. and I am excited to finally be posting this. This blog is exclusively about: Hayao Miyazaki.. or Miyazaki Hayao, as it really should be.
If you have not heard of Hayao Miyazaki or seen any of his films, you definitely SHOULD. His films are some of the most beautiful, brilliant, creatively artistic films I have ever had the privilege to watch. He specializes in full-length anime films. I know that many people are not fans of anime, but I would recommend Miyazaki films even to people and audiences that I know aren't fans of anime. The reason why is simply because I used to really dislike anime.. that is, until I watched a Miyazaki film. Shortly after that I watched ALL of his films in succession. I watched all of the major ones in a matter of two days.. and let me tell you.. that is alot of watching! Ever since then I have been a die hard Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli fan and through that have actually become a fan of anime as a whole. I think many people just look at anime through a surface lens, and never really give it a chance. I know that is precisely what I did, I am so guilty of it. However, I have found that there is so much depth to so many (not all) anime films that I see lacking in American animation.. and Miyazaki is frequently referred to as the Walt Disney of Japanese animation.. a title that is no doubt an honor, though I quite disagree. His fame is perhaps comparable to that of Walt Disney, but his work is an entirely different story. I love Miyazaki because of his use of deep elements, brilliant animation, and a free running imagination. The end result is a stunning visual and mental feast.
In short, I love Hayao Miyazaki.
Here are a few photos that I found online and fell in love with and a few photos of his major films:
Spirited Away: This is the first Miyazaki film I ever watched.. and it is undoubtedly one of my personal favorites.
Howl's Moving Castle: Probably my second favorite Miyazaki film.. and the hardest to follow just because it is so random. That doesn't make it any less amazing, however. :)
My Neighbor Totoro: Such a cute, cute film! This film actually competes with Howl's Moving Castle for my second favorite. Out of Miyazaki's films, this is one is said to have been symbolic of Miyazaki's relationship with his mother.
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind: Okay. I will give you a fair warning. If you are scared of bugs or anything creepy crawly.. BEWARE! I am highly afraid of insects and I will admit to having difficulty watching this at first.. I stuck it out, though, and was really impressed. This movie is so empowering! I almost even started to kind of like bugs.. ALMOST. :)
Princess Mononoke: Hailed as Miyazaki's masterpiece. He actually won an Academy Award for this film and this film was number one in the Japanese box office until the release of Titanic. Wowow. Moral of the story: watch. O.O
Ponyo on the Cliff: This was Miyazaki's latest release. One word: CUTE. This film was actually inspired by Hans Christian Anderson's The Little Mermaid, and it is such a beautiful interpretation. I really, really loved this movie.
I just really loved this photo. :) ^^ As you can guess it is Miyazaki at the center with his creations surrounding him.
In short, Miyazaki is brilliant.. and definitely.. without a doubt dote-worthy in my book.
:)
I am hoping my next post won't be so delayed! It shouldn't since finals are over. :) Thanks lovelies!
Love, love,
Karla Von Guerra.
xoxo
Oh! I almost forgot! If you are going to enter the world of Miyazaki film viewing.. please, please-- watch in original Japanese. It does make a difference. If you absolutely hate subtitles, or can't stand listening to Japanese, then by all means, watch in English.. but.. you are missing out. Okay. End of rant. :) Love you guys and thanks for reading! <3
