04-19-03 @ 12:11 pm EDT

I would have been on here earlier but I was watching Spirited Away. I bought it last night at Walmart (Wal-Mart?--I can never decide) because the ads made it look so interesting. I meant to watch only the first half hour or so...it's over two hours long...but I got so caught up in it that I had to see it all, even after Dad got up. What a wonderful movie!! I'm glad it won the Oscar. I would recommend you at least rent it, if you trust my advice. I felt Chihiro's fear and awe and sadness and joy throughout the whole movie, and that rarely ever happens with me. It's almost like I was in the movie with her.

I wish the credits would have been big enough for me to see as some voices sounded familiar--like Lin (sic?) and the frog spirit in particular--but they were so tiny I couldn't read them. I'll have to search around online. :/ All I know is Suzanne Pleshette (sic?) did Yubaba's voice (she was also the voice of Zira in the Lion King sequel, BTW, a movie which made almost no sense whatsoever) and the girl who did Chihiro's voice is the same person who did Lilo's voice in Lilo & Stitch, which is kind of funny as both movies were up for the same award but Spirited Away won.

This is the reason I love Japanese animation despite my dad's protests that it's "junk." (He just likes to start arguments; I don't take him up on it.) The characters are so fully developed. In the movie you can never be sure who is good and who is bad until the very end. Things are not black and white; it's like real life. I noticed that Chihiro got by just fine by being respectful toward everybody. That even seemed to be the moral of the movie, to me--treat others with kindness, and you'll receive it in return when you really need it most. It kind of reminded me of Charmian, how she tries to help people even when they've hurt her. Both characters believe in the best in everybody. I wish I were that way, but I've grown too cynical. :(

I also wish Manitou Island were half as creative or interesting as the movie was. My writing and ideas seem incredibly bland in comparison. :/ I wonder where Miyazaki (sic?) even came up with such ideas. My own imagination seems so trivial now. I hope my writing can conjure up in others at least a few of the feelings I got watching Spirited Away.

And yes, I did START to cry, but I made myself stop so I wouldn't look stupid in front of Dad! I am such a baby when it comes to movies. >_< But there were tears welling up in my eyes throughout it. My only complaint is that I think they should have had more foreshadowing as to Haku's (sic?) true identity earlier on in the movie, but every movie has its flaws and I can't really think of a way they could have done that without making it too obvious. I won't give it away. You should really watch it and see for yourself.

I heard the movie compared to Little Orphan Annie; I wouldn't know as I've never seen that, but I would not compare the two. I've also heard it compared to The NeverEnding Story, which is slightly closer, but not quite. That movie is about living vicariously and believing in the strength of others, and Chihiro had to rely on her own strength. I can't really think of anything to compare it to but then again my imagination and movie viewing experience are pretty limited; this is the first movie I've seen since Men In Black II, I think, that wasn't something I saw on TV.

In my youth, and even now, it's movies such as The NeverEnding Story (one of my HUGE all-time favorites--I so badly wish I had the book!), The Dark Crystal (ditto), and Labyrinth (haven't seen it in absolutely ages but from what I remember I liked it a lot) that made an impact on me and still do. Can you find traces of at least The NeverEnding Story and The Dark Crystal in Manitou Island? I didn't do it consciously, but when I look back on it they're there. It might be just me though. *shrug*

I wish/hope I had half the imagination those movies have. *sigh*

I can't think of much else to say...just wanted to type that up while it's in my head. Go on and buy or rent the movie, see for yourself; don't rely on just what I said. I'm glad I sat and watched the whole thing at once for a change. (Harry Potter and LOTR still remain unfinished for me.)

Have to go now...tar...