Another one of the very odd Ghibli films, the last as far as I remember before Takahata retired. This time, a beautifully realised watercolor effect, often used to create texture for 3D models, tells the everyday tales of a family with some fantasy elements too. Again, and absolutely stunning film and not one I would say was likely for a USA release somehow. Many might find this very disjointed as it's broken down into little sub-stories. I say give it a try. An absolute classic.
Specifications : 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, Original Japanese audio and new English dub, English subtitles, “Behind The Microphone”, Trailers, Original Japanese Storyboards.
Via DVDTimes.co.uk.
Sweeeeeeeeeeet ... these two are both on the list of Ghibli films I don't currently own and I thought they would probably be at the bottom of the Ghibli release list for Disney since they're both pretty unusual ... made my day, here ...
I don't think Takahata has retired. Its just that Ghibli is not large enough as a studio to have too many projects running at the same time. Yamadas was not a big commercial success, so he termporarily stepped aside for Miyazaki, whose name is a far bigger box office draw. I heard a rumour he was about to get a bit more active again very soon. (Also, don't forget he did one of the sequences in Kihachiro Kawamoto's beautiful A Winters Day animaiton project a year or so ago).
i was watching the spirited away american disc a couple of weeks back, and i am sure it mentioned takahatas retirement... they where talking about miyazakis workload and his muted retirement in the past, how he got sucked back in... IMDB also doesnt give takahata any credits since yamadas in 99... odd.
and even though i have helen mccarthys book on my shelf i still havent read all of it...!