Kiki's Delivery Service is also a lot of fun. I would go with My Neighbor Totoro or Kiki's Delivery Service as a solid Miyazaki starting point. Both are delights.
I think Spirited Away is a great first Miyazaki film. It get's the sweet, sour, and scary aspects that I love from his movies perfect. Where personally I feel the others mention stray too far in one direction. Although I don't think I can entirely relate to going in completely cold to any these movies, anyway you watch them they're the bees knees!
I’d second Porco Rosso as a good Miyazaki Starting point - it’s a really beautiful blend of fantasy and a more traditional story. I still haven’t seen The Wind Rises but I really need to remedy that
Spirited Away was my first Miyazaki. And I was blown away and entranced because I had never seen anything like it. But I also felt similar when I saw The Beyond. So what do I know.
I feel like Howl, Nausicaa, Mononoke and Spirited Away are similarly weird and convoluted. Totoro is extremely simple. As Ebert said, nothing happens but you just smile and smile. Porco and Kiki are fantastical but pretty straightforward and very fun. Ponyo and Castle in the Sky are somewhere in the middle. Then there’s The Castle of Cagliostro which is just a fun dumb action movie and unlike all his other stuff.
I'm glad to see another person whose favorite Miyazaki is Porco Rosso. I just saw it in a theater last week and I still love it. I think it would be a good entry point for Miyazaki because it is much less fantastical. The only such element is the fact that the main character is a pig, but that is less something that needs to be literally explained and more a reflection of his self-loathing. There is a line or two about a curse, but Porco is a pig because he believes himself to be a pig.
Otherwise, it is a movie that has so much going on and also kind of nothing going on. It is wistful and nostalgic, a last bittersweet look at a world that is ending. It somehow manages to humanize all its characters but also show a real dismal view of humanity.
Paprika is a Japanese animated film from 2006 that I would recommend, it's still balls crazy but the plot deals with dreams bleeding into the real world so it's a little more logical.
As far as 70s movies Sydney Lumet's stuff could be a good starting point, Dog Day Afternoon and Serpico being obvious ones. He made a couple with Sean Connery I've been meaning to see like forever.
Sad to hear Spirited Away wasn't for you, Patrick. It's the movie that didn't just open me up to anime, but really foreign films in general. I remember it was the first time it clicked in my brain that there are other cultures in the world making films completely unlike anything I've ever seen, or can imagine. I guess I really latched on to the crazy imagination, but it wasn't for you. Hey, you can't love all the movies. ;)
I'm psyched to check out The Long Goodbye. It was totally off my radar.
I've seen Memento maybe 6 or 7 times over the years and even immediately after watching it, I can't remember the plot at all. Part of me sees that as a flaw of the movie but part of me sees it as a conscious, and brilliant aspect of the movie, for obvious reasons.
I agree that the structure makes it unique and compelling but whenever I try to talk to anyone about the movie, I can't seem to piece it all together to make for coherent conversation. Maybe it's just me haha
I watched it a ton when I bought it, including in straight chronological order, and spent lots of time on the official website, which had clues for explaining the story, so I think I have it pretty firmly in my head. Funny how so many people forget this movie. Kind of like how so many people say they’ve seen Groundhog Day millions of times. No, that’s just the plot of the movie!
I too had difficulty with Spirited Away on my first viewing. I much prefer HowlsH Moving Castle. Still has a lot of fantastical elements that are Japanese culture based, but more grounded as well.
Loved this style of episode and hope you guys do more in the future.
West Side Story is a family favorite. We know all the words, we sing all the songs. We know it's cheesy but we can't help it, it's like in our blood. My sister with autism has to watch it once a day and we have to sing "Cool Boy" once a day and snap (a lot). But if I came to West Side Story as an adult, now, I don't think I'd be into it or even like it. Maybe it was easier for people to fall in love with it when it was new and cinematically impressive, or for kids growing up like I was, when it's easy to love musicals, and it just clung to us. Just a guess. Like maybe it was just at the right place at the right time kind of thing.
I used to have a lot of fear about aging, becoming less attractive and being replaced by someone younger. Even when I was 15 and hooking up with a 13 yo I, no joke, used to think and worry that he'd fall for a 12 year old in the playground, in a movie theater, in his class, at the beach, oh my gosh. Based on your personal set of insecurities, that fear (even when it's ridiculous) is gripping. It's just a hard thing to grapple with because you're looking for a way out, to find some other value in yourself that will help you walk away with some dignity but it's not really easy. I always felt so much for Margo AND Eve. I mean what if Bill wasn't in love with Margo? Then how would she have exited? So much anxiety during that film.
Also, this episode was cool because it's fun to know how other people react to movies you love, and you covered totally different types of movies! But if someone doesn't really like a movie, you don't seem to get into as many insights about it. Just something I noticed.
I have NEVER felt more seen than Patrick saying anime and Spirited Away just weren't for him. I have felt completely alone for YEARS because anime, despite me being able to appreciate it, just does absolutely nothing for me.
Perhaps there are dozens of us out there... Dozens!
On another note, I absolutely loved the concept of this episode and hope you guys do more of them in the future!
This episode was so good. Love the weird structures you guys have gone with the last two weeks (ooo f this movie is getting EXPERIMENTAL). Also, I can’t wait to check out the long goodbye especially.
Wasn't sure I needed to listen to this episode, but seeing The Long Goodbye mentioned makes it a required listen!
ReplyDeleteDid they even mention Chandler?
Deletei don't know if Spirited Away is the best gateway into the Miyazaki filmography
ReplyDeletemaybe the more recent Wind Rises, or Totoro. or my foavorite, Porco Rosso
Princess Mononoke is usually a crowd favorite, but it's in the same vein as Spirited Away
I thought about Totoro, but I have such an affection for Spirited Away that I may have been blinded to how it would play to a non-Miyazaki fan.
Deleteunderstandable, we all have our favorites.
DeleteKiki's Delivery Service is also a lot of fun. I would go with My Neighbor Totoro or Kiki's Delivery Service as a solid Miyazaki starting point. Both are delights.
DeleteI think Spirited Away is a great first Miyazaki film. It get's the sweet, sour, and scary aspects that I love from his movies perfect. Where personally I feel the others mention stray too far in one direction. Although I don't think I can entirely relate to going in completely cold to any these movies, anyway you watch them they're the bees knees!
DeleteI’d second Porco Rosso as a good Miyazaki Starting point - it’s a really beautiful blend of fantasy and a more traditional story. I still haven’t seen The Wind Rises but I really need to remedy that
DeleteSpirited Away was my first Miyazaki. And I was blown away and entranced because I had never seen anything like it. But I also felt similar when I saw The Beyond. So what do I know.
Deletehaha Same and same Lindsay. We must be weirdos.
DeleteLoL most likely :). I tend to like everything.
DeleteI feel like Howl, Nausicaa, Mononoke and Spirited Away are similarly weird and convoluted. Totoro is extremely simple. As Ebert said, nothing happens but you just smile and smile. Porco and Kiki are fantastical but pretty straightforward and very fun. Ponyo and Castle in the Sky are somewhere in the middle. Then there’s The Castle of Cagliostro which is just a fun dumb action movie and unlike all his other stuff.
DeleteI'm glad to see another person whose favorite Miyazaki is Porco Rosso. I just saw it in a theater last week and I still love it. I think it would be a good entry point for Miyazaki because it is much less fantastical. The only such element is the fact that the main character is a pig, but that is less something that needs to be literally explained and more a reflection of his self-loathing. There is a line or two about a curse, but Porco is a pig because he believes himself to be a pig.
DeleteOtherwise, it is a movie that has so much going on and also kind of nothing going on. It is wistful and nostalgic, a last bittersweet look at a world that is ending. It somehow manages to humanize all its characters but also show a real dismal view of humanity.
I love Porco Rosso, people should watch it.
aside Spirited Away and Memento, i've never seen any of the other 4 movies. i plan to remedy that soon by getting the blu-rays
ReplyDeletePaprika is a Japanese animated film from 2006 that I would recommend, it's still balls crazy but the plot deals with dreams bleeding into the real world so it's a little more logical.
ReplyDeleteAs far as 70s movies Sydney Lumet's stuff could be a good starting point, Dog Day Afternoon and Serpico being obvious ones. He made a couple with Sean Connery I've been meaning to see like forever.
If you liked Paprika, have you seen Perfect Blue? Another anime that tests the nature of reality.
DeleteOh yeah! That is a great one, but it's been awhile. Definitely going to catch up on it, thanks!
DeleteSad to hear Spirited Away wasn't for you, Patrick. It's the movie that didn't just open me up to anime, but really foreign films in general. I remember it was the first time it clicked in my brain that there are other cultures in the world making films completely unlike anything I've ever seen, or can imagine. I guess I really latched on to the crazy imagination, but it wasn't for you. Hey, you can't love all the movies. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm psyched to check out The Long Goodbye. It was totally off my radar.
Great show by the way! Always a pleasure to listen to Robyn!
DeleteI've seen Memento maybe 6 or 7 times over the years and even immediately after watching it, I can't remember the plot at all. Part of me sees that as a flaw of the movie but part of me sees it as a conscious, and brilliant aspect of the movie, for obvious reasons.
ReplyDeleteAnyone else feel that way?
the plot is pretty simple, almost boring. it was possible to watch the movie in order as an easter egg on the original dvd.
Deletethe reverse editing makes the whole movie and turn it into an absolutely great movie.
I agree that the structure makes it unique and compelling but whenever I try to talk to anyone about the movie, I can't seem to piece it all together to make for coherent conversation. Maybe it's just me haha
DeleteI watched it a ton when I bought it, including in straight chronological order, and spent lots of time on the official website, which had clues for explaining the story, so I think I have it pretty firmly in my head. Funny how so many people forget this movie. Kind of like how so many people say they’ve seen Groundhog Day millions of times. No, that’s just the plot of the movie!
DeleteI can't seem to download the episode.
ReplyDeleteTry now. There was one character that was off in the code.
DeleteStill won't download.
DeleteNevermind, got it working. Thanks Patrick!
DeleteI too had difficulty with Spirited Away on my first viewing. I much prefer HowlsH Moving Castle. Still has a lot of fantastical elements that are Japanese culture based, but more grounded as well.
ReplyDeleteLoved this style of episode and hope you guys do more in the future.
Well, lucky me. I found West Side Story on blu-ray at the used dvd store for relatively cheap (not as cheap as i wanted, but whatever)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWest Side Story is a family favorite. We know all the words, we sing all the songs. We know it's cheesy but we can't help it, it's like in our blood. My sister with autism has to watch it once a day and we have to sing "Cool Boy" once a day and snap (a lot). But if I came to West Side Story as an adult, now, I don't think I'd be into it or even like it. Maybe it was easier for people to fall in love with it when it was new and cinematically impressive, or for kids growing up like I was, when it's easy to love musicals, and it just clung to us. Just a guess. Like maybe it was just at the right place at the right time kind of thing.
ReplyDeleteI used to have a lot of fear about aging, becoming less attractive and being replaced by someone younger. Even when I was 15 and hooking up with a 13 yo I, no joke, used to think and worry that he'd fall for a 12 year old in the playground, in a movie theater, in his class, at the beach, oh my gosh. Based on your personal set of insecurities, that fear (even when it's ridiculous) is gripping. It's just a hard thing to grapple with because you're looking for a way out, to find some other value in yourself that will help you walk away with some dignity but it's not really easy. I always felt so much for Margo AND Eve. I mean what if Bill wasn't in love with Margo? Then how would she have exited? So much anxiety during that film.
Also, this episode was cool because it's fun to know how other people react to movies you love, and you covered totally different types of movies! But if someone doesn't really like a movie, you don't seem to get into as many insights about it. Just something I noticed.
DeleteIt is interesting to ponder how people react to movies. Much of the time it comes down to personal taste, which is difficult to analyze.
DeleteTotally
DeleteI have NEVER felt more seen than Patrick saying anime and Spirited Away just weren't for him. I have felt completely alone for YEARS because anime, despite me being able to appreciate it, just does absolutely nothing for me.
ReplyDeletePerhaps there are dozens of us out there... Dozens!
On another note, I absolutely loved the concept of this episode and hope you guys do more of them in the future!
Robyn was so good on this episode. She sounds right at home now. Looking forward to hearing more from this pairing in the future.
ReplyDeleteThis episode was so good. Love the weird structures you guys have gone with the last two weeks (ooo f this movie is getting EXPERIMENTAL). Also, I can’t wait to check out the long goodbye especially.
ReplyDeleteNext time give each other a list of 5 or 6 movies and pick 3 or them. That way to don't get stuck in a "West Side Story" situation.
ReplyDelete