Tank Riot: Episode 12
Studio Ghibli
- Recording Date: March 8, 2006
- Running Time: 50 minutes 37 seconds
- File Size: 41 MB
- Download MP3
Show Notes
Tank Riot take a look at Studio Ghibli, a subsidiary of Tokuma Shoten. Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation film studio that has been producing top rank animation since 1985. It was founded by Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki. Viktor gives us a run down of their films:
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Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind
Year released: 1983
Director: Miyazaki
This film predates the formation of Studio Ghibli, however its success was the catalyst for the creation of Studio Ghibli.
Laputa-Castle in the Sky
Year released: 1986
Director: Miyazaki
This film includes voice performances by James Van Der Beek as Pazu, Anna Paquin as Sheeta, and Mark Hamill as Col. Muska.
Grave of the Fireflies
Year released: 1988
Director: Takahata
This is a very grabbing and emotional film following a brother and sister in Japan during the Allied B-29 bombing raids of World War II. Roger Ebert praises this movie on its technique and effectiveness and dubs it one of the most powerful anti-war films of all time. It is a favorite of Viktor, Sputnik, and Tor.
My Neighbor Totoro
Year released: 1988
Director: Miyazaki
This is a fun adventure for kids but also enjoyed by adults. A father and his two girls move into a new house while their mother recuperates at a distant hospital. The film follows the girls as they discover new things in and around their new home. Their biggest discovery is Totoro which leads to more delight and drama. The film is filled with beautiful landscapes. Tor really appreciated their depiction of water. The film was originally shown as a double feature with "Grave of the Fireflies", which is really an odd mix.
Kiki's Delivery Service
Year released: 1989
Director: Miyazaki
This film has great voice casting with Kirsten Dunst as Kiki, Janeane Garofalo as Ursula, and Phil Hartman as Jiji.
Only Yesterday
Year released: 1991
Director: Takahata
Porco Rosso
Year released: 1992
Director: Miyazaki
This film features aviation in 1930s era Italy.
Ocean Waves
Year released: 1993
Director: Tomomi Mochizuki
Pom Poko
Year released: 1994
Director: Takahata
Maurice Lamarche who is best known as the voice of the Brain in "Pinky and the Brain" also narrates in this movie.
Whisper of the Heart
Year released: 1995
Director: Yoshifumi Kondo
This is the first and last movie with Yoshifumi Kondo as director. He died in 1998 of an aneurysm. He was 47. Although this was his first effort as a director, he had worked with animation since the late 1960s.
Princess Mononoke
Year released: 1997
Director: Miyazaki
My Neighbors the Yamadas
Year released: 1999
Director: Takahata
Here we have another great voice cast with Jim Belushi as Takashi, Tress Macneille as Shige, Molly Shannon as Matsuko, and David Ogden Stiers as the narrator.
Spirited Away
Year released: 2001
Director: Miyazaki
"Spirited Away" earned Best Animated Feature at the 75th Acadamy Awards held March 23, 2003.
The Cat Returns
Year released: 2002
Director: Hiroyuki Morita
This is a sequel to "Whisper of the Heart".
Howl's Moving Castle
Year released: 2004
Director: Miyazaki
Viktor rates "Howl's Moving Castle" an 8.1 on the Viktor Scale. It was nominated for Best Animated Feature for the 2006 Acadamy Awards but lost to "Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit".
Tales from Earthsea
Year released: 2006
Director: Goro Miyazaki
This is Studio Ghibli's next project and is due to hit the theaters sometime in 2006.
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