Studio Ghibli Retrospective In New York

For anyone with an interest, passion, or obsession with Studio Ghibli, GKids is holding a retrospective at the Independent Film Center in New York Dec 16 - Jan 12. Whether you've seen these films before or not, if you're in the area and have a chance, getting to check out some of the most visually impressive and thematically deep animated films of all time in 35mm on a big screen will surely be an excellent experience. Personally, the only Ghibli film I've seen on anything larger than a modest living room TV is Howl's Moving Castle. In addition to films that are easy to come by in the states on DVD, there will be screenings of Only Yesterday and The Ocean Waves. The full title list hasn't been announced, but I'm also keeping my fingers crossed for an advance screening of the upcoming The Secret World of Arrietty, set to be released Feb 17 by Disney in the US. To sweeten the deal even more, there will be both Japanese and English screenings. No word yet as to whether this will be for ALL films or only select screenings. Overall, this is great news to help tide over NYC-based Ghibli fans until the release of Ni No Kuni sometime in 2012.

If you're new to Ghibli, my recommendations are as follows:

1. Princess Mononoke

A fantastic piece of eco-criticism with unusually complex and morally ambiguous characters set during a fictional iron-age. IMO the best animated film ever.

2. My Neighbor Totoro

This one is really a classic. Totoro tells the story of two young girls move to the countryside with their father after their mother falls ill, only to discover that there is a wondrous world hidden there. Story isn't really the right word here. This film is more about experiencing a place and a mindset than it is plot-driven. Truly magical.

3. Grave of the Fireflies

Directed by Isao Takahata, Grave takes a more serious tone than most of Miyazaki's films. Set in WWII-era Japan, this tearjerking, heartstring-tugging film follows a boy and his young sister during and after an allied bombing campaign.

4. Porco Rosso

This one doesn't get as much attention, but it's one of my favorites. It's Miyazaki doing his best take on Hemingway, with some magical realism and fighter planes thrown in for good measure.

5. Spirited Away

By now, every one and their mother has seen or heard about this visual stunner. Still the only foreign film to win the Oscar for Best Animated Film.  If you haven't seen it, go do it.