Comments on: Ponyo: Finally, a Great Family Movie

By: Heidi

Heidi — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:25:50 +0000

My husband introduced our young sons and I to “My Neighbor Totoro” and we all loved it. We plan to see his new one very soon. I love the fact that he includes environmental themes in his movies!

By: Della

Della — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:53:15 +0000

I saw Julia and Julie three weekends ago and it was very good. Meryl Streep sure can imitate voices, expressions and mannerisms!

By: Della

Della — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:52:24 +0000

I had not heard of this movie until I was checking online to see what was playing last Friday (Aug 21st). I took my little 6 yr old gr’daughter and we both loved it. It was so refreshing to see a movie that didn’t scrape the bottom of the barrel for words to use. I will be looking for other movies by Miyazaki and hope the local rental stores have them. The pictures, animation and voices were all excellent. Wonderful movie for the entire family.

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:25:39 +0000

Thanks for your thoughts – my 16 year old son has been talking about going to see this, I think I’ll take him tonight. BTW, Julia and Julie is delightful (not for kids tho)

By: Sue

Sue — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:12:14 +0000

My 28-year-old anime-loving son introduced me to Hayao Miyazaki’s films, which are wonderful and in a class by themselves. My favorite is “Laputa: Castle in the Sky.” I agree with Kattya: Some of Miyazaki’s movies, such as “Princess Mononoke,” are definitely not for younger children. But please don’t think Miyazaki’s movies are mostly for children just because they’re animated. The storylines and messages are perhaps most fully appreciated by adults. Thanks, Maria, for bringing “Ponyo” and Miyazaki to the attention of a segment of people who might otherwise not be aware of the films!

By: Amanda

Amanda — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:55:51 +0000

Have you seen Miyasaki’s Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind? Animation is dated (I think it was originally made in the mid-80s), but the storyline is great.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:22:27 +0000

I’ve never commented on your blogs before. Had to pipe in on this, though. I stumbled upon Howl’s Moving Castle (which also has a beautiful musical score) when there was nothing much to rent several years ago for my daughter and me–we were instantly hooked on Miyazaki. This surprised me because I’d had a real aversion to the anime style, but this was based on the poorly down tv shows I’d caught glimpses of. My daughter’s current favorite is My Neighbor Totoro, but we love them all-Spirited Away, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and The Cat Returns. Sadly, though, we live in a rural area and were told the local theater won’t be getting Ponyo, so we’ll have to watch on the little screen.

By: Kattya

Kattya — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:26:47 +0000

and while you’re at it, rent the rest of Miyasaki’s movies. they’re all beautiful, meaningful and fun. My favorite is How’l Moving Castle. I let my in-laws take my kids to see Ponyo with out me, and my son thinks this one will be my #2 favorite, followed by My neighbor Totoro. Leave Princess Mononoke and Nausicaa for the older kids, as they have lost of violence in them, but don’t misjudge these movies, as they carry a strong message about respect for nature and creatures.
Thanks Maria for sharing your experience.

By: Donna in Delaware

Donna in Delaware — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:39:07 +0000

PS, I had never heard of the movie. I’ll look for it in the newspaper.

By: Donna in Delaware

Donna in Delaware — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:37:00 +0000

That’s nice. Isn’t it refreshing to see and listen to a movie that doesn’t include the “F” word as every other word, or in every sentence. Some culture we have. My husband is European and he would always mention when we watched an American made movie, how it is almost impossible to hear the “F” word in a European made film, unless it was a British made film about life on the mean streets of English towns and cities or documentary films. I am so tired of trying to watch a film and get all the profanity and sex, so when a movie such as this is presented, I would run to see it, even though it’s animated and supposedly made for children. It will be quite refreshing. Looking forward to seeing it. Thanks, Maria.