The Best Neighbor Since Mr. Rogers

I've recently watched a few of Hayao Miyazaki's films - namely (and in this order) - Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Howl's Moving Castle and Princess Mononoke.

Where has this guy been all my life?! It's been a long time since films have captured me in this way, spoken to the child within my heart with such clear messages. I want to see everything he's ever done - I want to be transported to that calm and connected place all of these films, to varying degrees, took me. Again and again and again.

Who's buying tickets to the garbage that's in theaters right now? I want to know. Who's using their hard earned money to tell studios that we really want movies like another Harold and Kumar? They went to White Castle and THAT was bad enough, you can't possibly tell me their mis-adventures in Guantanamo Bay are really worth two hours of your life. Don't get me wrong - movies solely for entertainment purpose have their place and it's a place that shouldn't be challenged. However, we really are experiencing a shortage of major films. Perhaps I am just bitter because I live in a county that doesn't have an art house. Perhaps I am just more aware of this because I miss my evenings at Miracle 5, watching films that moved me. However, the fact remains that something has happened in Hollywood and it stinks.

Yet, perhaps I should be thankful for all of that, because it makes me look to things I haven't seen and in that, I've been led to something I now can't imagine life without. (Major thanks - Hilary, JP and Jenn)

So at this time, I feel the need to pass the message along. Watch these movies. You don't have to be in a certain mood, you can totally chomp popcorn and pause to use the restroom. These aren't, by nature, heavy films. Yet, if you wish, you will get something from this director. You will get something big. You will be entertained on a deep and penetrating level without even realizing what's happened until it has. Or at the very least, you will just be entertained and feel good about it...which is more than I can say for 95% of what I see currently released.

Perhaps timely enough in life, one message I took from My Neighbor Totoro is something the father in the film says to his children when they're worried about the noise the wind is making in their new home. Both of his daughters are really scared and he starts laughing. Hysterically. He tells them to laugh. To laugh at their fear, for by doing so, the fear will leave. I've been trying to do this the last week or so and I tell you what, it helps. It really, really does.

So tell me, what have your movies done for you lately?

Miyazaki is a genius. I'm 300% on this opinion. Try me.