The Esscence Of Humanity - Watch New Video Essay On Hayao Miyazaki's Films

Blu-ray Review The Hayao Miyazaki Collection (2014)

Watch The UK Trailer And Official TV Spot For Studio Ghibli's The Wind Rises

Hayao Miyazaki's The Wind Rises Gets A UK Cinema Release Date

 After months of speculation on when Hayao Miyazaki's The Wind Rises will finally arrive in the UK.Today via their Twitter account StudioCanal put British anime fans minds at rest , the anime maestro's Swansong will arrive in UK cinemas on 9th May.

Here's the  the tweet which also gives you a chance to win a steelbook edition of one of the many classic Studio Ghibli blurays they have on offer...

Hayao Miyazaki’s new masterpiece THE WIND RISES to hit UK cinemas on May 9! RT to #win one of these in preparation.. pic.twitter.com/AfL8cgIi5K

— STUDIOCANAL UK (@StudioCanalUK) February 7, 2014

It's been a long frustrating year for fans even critics here in UK since it's release in Japan Summer 2013 it's made it's  way slowly around the world's film festival circuit surprisingly not London Film Festival. Now the date has been set for the arrival of the film  we can finally look forward to some vintage Studio Ghibli most of all

The Wind Rises is inspired by Miyazaki's own personal dreams, the film centres around Jiro a young man inspired to become a aeronautical engineer. The Wind Rises is  the epic tale of love, perseverance, and the challenges of living and making choices in a turbulent world.The film is set in the first half of the 20th Century and will chronicle major events of his life from falling in love right upto Japan entering World War 2 a pivotal event in Jiro's career.

If you missed the  trailer here's another chance to watch it...

Post by The Wind Rises.

The Wind Rises will more likely be released in UK dubbed with Joseph Gordon-Levitt lending his voice to play adult Jiro along with Emily Blunt, Elijah Wood, Many Patinkin, Stanley Tucci, Martin Short, William H Macy even Werner Herzog all lend their voices to the film. Anime fans mark 9th May in your diaries however if you can't wait that long, This Sunday 9th February you can catch the UK premier at Glasgow Youth Film Festival (click on link to book/more info).
source: Yahoo UK

Mad Fat Dairies, Make Up, Music To Manga, Glasgow Youth Film Festival Announces 2014 Line Up

Standard GYFF ticket price is £8.00/ £6.50 concession and £5 for under 14s (with proof of age).
Special events may have different prices. GFT’s free Youth Card scheme offers standard tickets at the reduced price of £4.50. Info at www.glasgowfilm.org/youthcard
All workshop places are limited and must be booked in advance through gyff@glasgowfilm.org. Tickets and further information available www.glasgowfilm.org/gyff or www.facebook.com/glasgowyouth
Beginning with teenage punks and ending with a band night, the raucous, attitude-laden and hormonally-charged programme for the sixth annual Glasgow Youth Film Festival, the only film event in Europe curated entirely by 15-17 year olds  was launched this morning.

Teenage life has fascinated filmmakers all over the world for years, offering endless possibilities for stories about outsiders, liminal spaces, first love and good (kids) versus evil (adults). This year’s GYFF programme takes its cue from Matt Wolf’s absorbing new documentary Teenage, which charts the historical creation of the teenager over the course of the twentieth century, to bring together films exploring adolescence all over the world. There’s also a whole lot of noise happening: the Festival opens with Lukas Moodysson’s latest film We Are The Best!, following a band of thirteen year old punks, and closes with the UK Premiere of I Feel Like Disco, about a disco-loving German teen exploring his sexuality, and a band night featuring young and emerging musicians from across the city alongside a live VJ set from an upcoming young filmmaker. GYFF is also delighted to host the UK premieres of a number of highly anticipated films, including Slamdance Festival jury prize-winner The Dirties.

A series of special events take the theme beyond the screen to involve the audience even further. Sharon Rooney, star of E4 smash hit series My Mad Fat Diary, leads a special panel event looking at the making of the show; the audience can try out the newest innovations by young game designers at the Game Jam, or get hands-on experience experimenting with film-quality zombie makeup ahead of a screening of ParaNorman. Following the success of last year’s Red Carpet Cosplay Parade, young movie-geeks will again be invited to dress up as their favourite comic book, computer game, film or manga characters ahead of the UK premiere of a mystery anime film. The programme also includes discussions around issues raised by certain films, and a string of workshops and masterclasses offering professional advice and development in everything from poster design and documentary skills to comedy writing from people already working in the industry

There are events for younger brothers and sisters too, starting with the popular annual Family Gala a first-look screening of the newest Dreamworks animation Mr Peabody and Sherman.

We will be attending the Glasgow Film Festival which Glasgow Youth Festival is part off, we hope to cover as much of the festival as we can. We're excited that Hayao Miyazaki's Wind Rises will be playing as we're fans of the animation maestro and know this won't disappoint.

Glasgow Youth Film Festival Scotland's most innovative film festival will take place from 2nd until 12th February 2014.

Opening Gala: We Are the Best!
Monday 3 February (18.15), GFT
Thirteen-year-old anarchists Bobo and Klara decide to form their own punk band and do battle with the more straight-laced teenagers at their school. A tribute to non-conformists everywhere and the power of music to change lives. Directed by versatile Swedish filmmaker Lukas Moodysson (Show Me Love, Lilya 4-Ever).
Dir: Lukas Moodysson/ Sweden 2013/ 1h42m/ subtitles/N/C+15


Closing Gala: I Feel Like Disco **UK PREMIERE**
Florian is an average German teenager with an obsession with famous crooner Christian Steiffen and a bedroom full of disco balls. He develops a crush on his father’s diving student, Radu, who isn’t best pleased about being labelled gay. The UK premiere of rising star Axel Ranisch’s first feature film.
Dir. Axel Ranisch/ Germany 2013/1h38m/subtitles/N/C 12+


Family Gala: Mr Peabody and Sherman 3D
Sunday 2 February (15.30), GFT
Mr. Peabody is a talking dog and the smartest being in the world. Using an ingenious invention, he travels back in time with his ‘pet’ boy, Sherman, experiencing world-changing historical events first hand.
Dir. Rob Minkoff/ USA 2014/ Time TBC/N/ C 5+
Preceded by short film The News +Weather (13mins), devised by children in Glasgow and Falkirk and produced by Starcatchers and Toad’s Caravan.

Studio Ghibli's The Wind Rises U.S Trailer Flies Online, Is it Miyazaki's Swan Song?

When a new trailer for the latest Studio Ghibli film lands online it's always a ray of excitement brings a smile to anyone's face but it seems this one has extra reason to enjoy. The Wind Rises is been tipped as the farewell movie for Hayao Miyazaki who will retire but the question is will it be? Enjoy the American trailer...

The Wind Rises is inspired by Miyazaki's own personal dreams, the film centres around Jiro a young man inspired to become a aeronautical engineer. The Wind Rises is  the epic tale of love, perseverance, and the challenges of living and making choices in a turbulent world.The film is set in the first half of the 20th Century and will chronicle major events of his life from falling in love right upto Japan entering World War 2 a pivotal event in Jiro's career.

Despite been the U.S trailer there is no dialogue possibly that the American voice cast has not been chosen or the dub is finish.Visually you don't voice cast to release the trailer, visuals are nothing less but beautiful shame we don't get a sample tease of the sound design as early reviews praise it to the rafters. Will it get Studio Ghibli it's second Oscar? The talk is The Wind Rises will be in the nominations but id this film is the last Hayao Miyazaki film what better way to go out with a little gold statue!

No word on the UK release date we expect Studiocanal UK to do the honours releasing the film probably sometime in summer 2014, for USA release is 21st February 2014.

Synopsis

In “The Wind Rises,” Jiro—inspired by the famous Italian aeronautical designer Caproni—dreams of flying and designing beautiful airplanes. Nearsighted from a young age and thus unable to become a pilot, Jiro joins the aircraft division of a major Japanese engineering company in 1927. His genius is soon recognized, and he grows to become one of the world’s most accomplished airplane designers. The film chronicles much of his life, and depicts key historical events that deeply affected the course of Jiro’s life, including the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, the Great Depression, the tuberculosis epidemic and Japan’s plunge into war. He meets and falls in love with Nahoko, and grows and cherishes his friendship with his colleague Honjo. A tremendous innovator, Jiro leads the aviation world into the future. Miyazaki pays tribute to engineer Jiro Horikoshi and author Tatsuo Hori in his creation of the fictional character Jiro—the center of the epic tale of love, perseverance, and the challenges of living and making choices in a turbulent world.

source:TheHollywoodNews

Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) Blu-Ray Review

Rating: U
BD Release Date:
1st July 2013 (UK)
Director:
Hayao Miyazaki
Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Phil Hartman, Matthew Lawrence, Janeane Garofalo
Buy Kiki's Deliver Service:
Double Play (Blu-ray + DVD)
Win Kiki's Deliver Service/Grave Of The Fireflies: Enter Here
Whilst many have attempted and failed to deliver a coming of age story with sincerity as well as charm it seems the masters of animation Studio Ghibli seem to have found that winning formula. Once again they show the world how it's done with broomsticks, talking cats, deliveries, growing pains and been independent, step forward Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) the latest Studio Ghibli animation to be adapted to Blu Ray (in a double play with The Grave Of The Fireflies).Proving Hayao Miyzaki's animation is an timeless classic in animation legacy that would make the so called big boys of animation jealous with envy.

Based on Eiko Kadano's 1985 novel we meet Kiki a 13 year old teen witch determined to make it own her own despite been second rate at spells and poor at making potions. She moves to a new town with the aide of her broom she sets herself up as a courier service delivery, delivering everything from bread to pets.At first her only company is her sarcastic talking cat Jiji se soon discovers she has more friends than she ever thought on her long road of self discovery.

Whilst Kiki's Delivery Service may not have the array of mythical creatures or kindred spirits like in Spirited Away in the studio's film nor is there an villainous character, if anything life itself is Kiki's only enemy. With magic and everyday life living in unison this make's Kiki a more grounded realistic animation (1950's Sweden) that is vibrant, electric and it's probably the only Ghibli animation that resembles a Disney animationminus the over indulgent songs. If you are looking for fantasy elements Kiki herself been a witch, her potions, her talking cat provide that substance without forgetting this film is purely a coming of age tale.

Whilst the premise maybe light hearted giving the animation a nicely pace episodic feel breaking down each part of Kiki's tribulations into nice equally entertaining parts. Miyazaki does continue his use of  strong positive Female protagonists however with  Kiki we do learn she is not picture perfect which opens the door for older, wiser stronger character , strong female role model such as Ursula (voice by Janine Garofalo) to guide Kiki. Some critics say Ursula brings an feminist element to the story and it's probably why Kiki's Delivery Service finds itself paired with The Grave Of The Fireflies both roughly similar targeted age groups both with an message that may not appeal to younger pre-teen audience but never looses the magic we associate with Studio Ghibli. As for Kiki been a feminist film, every child boy or girl needs a good strong positive role model and what Kiki does addresses some of that imbalance of lack of female role models in film.

It's taken myself over a year to finally appreciate the power of bluray, the colour, the crisp detail are second to none. You really getting a real true feel of the film's detail when we see Kiki flying her broomstick in and around the her town, all thanks to Miyazaki's passion for flying bringing more depth to the feature. I always say watch the film as it was meant to be watched in its original language but I know not everyone likes subtitles so this release comes with a dubbed version too. Kiki is voiced by then a unknown young Kirsten Dunst, the late Phil Hartmann (Troy McClure of The Simpsons fame) voicing the sardonic Jiji, Debbie Reynolds, Jeanine Garofalo, Matthew Lawrence too.

Kiki's Delivery Service might provide and unique take on the coming of age tale but at no time does it lose track of what makes it essential Studio Ghibli. It's a warm, sweet entertaining tale that still holds well against today's modern Kids films which is credit to the films as it's amazing 24 years old!

★★★★☆

Paul Devine

Studio Ghibli's Kiki's Delivery Service / Grave Of Fireflies To be Released on Doubleplay July

Studiocanal have announced this July will see them release Studio Ghibli's latest Double Play on Blu Ray, Kiki's Delivery Service and Grave Of The Fireflies

The re-releases of the classic animes is to coincide with upgrading the great films to blu ray and you can add this upcoming release from 1st July.

KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE out on Double Play on July 1st
It’s witch meets world, as teenage Kiki chooses to live on her own in a new town, using her magical powers to get by. But Kiki is poor with potions and second-rate at spells- instead, she sets up a courier service, using her broomstick to deliver everything from pies to pets. At first with only her sarcastic cat Jiji for company, she soon discovers that she has more friends than she ever thought possible.

Adapted by Hayao Miyazaki from the children’s book by Eiko Kadono, KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE is one of the best-loved animated features in Japan and elsewhere.

Featuring the voices of Kirsten Dunst, Janeane Garofalo and Debbie Reynolds, Kiki’s Delivery Service is superb entertainment from start to finish.

Extras: Complete Feature Length Storyboards / Ursula’s Painting / Creating Kiki’s Delivery Service (new!) / Kiki & Jiji (new!) / Flying with Kiki & Beyond (new!) / Producer’s Perspective: Collaborating with Miyazaki (new!) / The Locations of Kiki (new!) / Beyond the Microphone (new!) / Original Japanese Theatrical Trailers / Studio Ghibli Trailer Reel



GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES out on Double Play on July 1st
Set in Japan during World War II, the film focuses on Seita and his little sister Setsuko. After their mother is killed in an air raid and with their father serving in the navy, they are forced to fight for survival in the devastated Japanese countryside. Food and shelter are scarce, and even their own relatives are too concerned with their own survival. Allthey have is each other and their belief that life must carry on.
Takahata and his team, including character animator Yoshifumi Kondo (who has subsequently worked on other acclaimed Ghibli films from director Hayao Miyazaki) have created a visually stunning and emotionally powerful film and that meditates on the devastating consequences of war and has rightly earned a reputation as an anime classic.

Featuring the voices of J Robert Spencer, Rhoda Chrosite, Veronica Taylor and Amy Jones.

Extras: Interview with Director Isao Takahata / Japanese Release Promo Featuring Interview with Director Isao Takahata and Writer Akiyuki Nosaka / Deleted Scenes Storyboards (some new!) / Interview with Film Critic Roger Ebert / Historical Perspective Documentary / Trailers



We will be reviewing the films closer to the time, stay tuned for that review

My Neighbor Totoro and Grave of the Fireflies to get a 25th anniversary cinema release

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the release of Studio Ghibli’s acclaimed masterpieces GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES and MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO, STUDIOCANAL are delighted to announce a nationwide theatrical release with a chance to experience a recreation of the original Japanese double-bill feature that first launched these anime classics. An arresting combination from Studio Ghibli’s founding fathers: Hayao Miyazaki’s MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO, a lyrical fantasy about benevolent forest spirits and Isao Takahata’s GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES, the heartbreaking tale of two children’s struggle to survive their firebombed city in World War 2, were launched together in 1988, showcasing the breadth of the anime powerhouse’s range of vision. Seemingly almost polar opposites in subject matter, Miyazaki’s gentle fable and Takahata’s grittier wartime adaptation both perfectly encapsulate the studio’s signature motif: its evocation of the wonder and innocence of childhood with their leading young protagonists, and showcase perfectly its defining style impressionistic imagery.

GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES
Set in Japan during World War II, GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES focuses on Seita and his little sister Setsuko. After their mother I skilled in an air raid, and with their father serving in the navy, they are forced to fight for survival in the devastated Japanese countryside. Food and shelter are scarce, and even their own relatives are too concerned with their own survival. All they have is each other and their belief that life must carry on. Takahata and his team, including character animator Yoshifumi Kondo, have created a visually stunning and emotionally powerful meditation on the devastating consequences of war.


MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO [read our blu-ray review]
While their mother recovers from an illness, Satsuki and her little sister Mei get away from it all in an idyllic rural retreat. Far from the bustle of the city, they discover a mysterious place of spirits and magic, and the friendship of the Totoro woodland creatures. Conceived as a family film devoid of conflict and suffused with the joy of country living, MY NEIGHBOUR TOTOR is a masterpiece for the whole family, uniting the unique vision of Hayao Miyazaki with a feel-good tale of childlike wonder and true originality



Grave Of The Fireflies and My Neighbour Totoro will be released in UK cinemas from next Friday 24th May.

GFF 2013 - Watch The American Trailer For Studio Ghibli's From Up on Poppy Hill