The Boy And The Heron (2023) ****

The Wind Rises (2013) *

Very disappointing Japanese animated film about a plane designer.

Ponyo (2009) ***

Another wonderful animated film from Hayao Miyazaki. Like "My Neighbor Totoro", it's a gentle fairy tale for children, but it also explores many important ecological themes (just like several of Miyazaki's more serious films, such as "Nausicaä" or "Princess Mononoke").

Howl's Moving Castle (2004) ***

Spirited Away (2002) ***

Memorable animated film from Japan.

Princess Mononoke (1997) ***

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki. With the voices of Claire Danes, Minnie Driver and Jada Pinkett Smith. Mysterious forces inhabiting a virgin forest defend themselves from the human menace slowly encroaching upon their domain. It's an animated epic tale of sorcery and chivalry in medieval Japan... with some preachy ecological appeals thrown in for good measure. Visually beautiful.

Porco rosso (1992) ***

Hayao Miyazaki's surprising pastiche of Italian "telefoni bianchi" films of the 1930's

Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) ****

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki. A young witch comes to a big city and uses her talents to make deliveries for people. A wonderful animated fable from Japan.

My Neighbor Totoro (1988) ***

Castle In The Sky (1986) ****

A superb animated feature from Japan.

Nausicaa (1984) ***

A Japanese animated feature.

The Castle Of Cagliostro (1979) ****

Hayao Miyazaki's first animated feature film, an incredibly entertaining romp about Arsène Lupin and his wild adventure in a mysterious European kingdom.