From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)

The latest animated full-length film from Studio Ghibli doesn't disappoint. Armed with a charming landscape and an innocent story of first love, From Up on Poppy Hill delivers an entertaining story that takes place in the '60s about two people who grow closer as they try to stop the demolition of their school's club house, Quarter Latin.

Directed by Goro Miyazaki with the screenplay written by Hayao Miyazaki, I certainly had high expectations. Execution-wise, I enjoyed the progress of the story. Umi's character is established first. She stands as the head of household since her father already passed away and her mother's not home. She takes her responsibilities seriously. She raises her flags everyday, as a way of paying tribute to the memory of her sailor father. Shun is an active participant in the rally against the club house's demolition. He's the hero of the school as he courageously attracted everyone's attention by jumping from the roof of a school building. He makes passive passes to the girl he likes by writing poems and asking her to do some stencils. It's kind of cute. Heh.

I like how the story of the two develops. Shun has noticed Umi (and her flag-raising activity) for quite a while now but Umi hasn't noticed. But the impending demolition brought the two together as they devise ways for them to save it. They aren't very forward with how they feel for each other but somehow, they make it so obvious! But when they are suddenly faced with a problem that can jeopardize their little romance, they are suddenly open to how they feel.

Just like many Ghibli movies, there's no apparent antagonist and the main problem is easily resolved. But for some reason, I'm not a fan of the way the problem was fixed. It seems rushed and the problem seems forced. It's like they just created the difficulty for the sake of having one, just so Umi and Shun would have something to go through. But I think the plans for the demolition of club house is enough trial for the two. I think it's enough difficulty for them to triumph together and to establish their feelings for each other. Or maybe I'm just rooting for the two so much. As individuals, I adore them both. Together, they're flawless! That's why I am turned off by the way the short-lived dilemma is hurled at them.

Petty dilemma aside, I enjoyed this still. My favorite parts are the little moments between our hero and heroine and the times when everyone is re-building and cleaning up the club house.

A bit of me feels as if there's nothing quite exceptional about the movie. But it's pretty nostalgic and I'm a sucker for any story about first love.

Flying With Kiki

When people ask me what my favorite Ghibli film is, I don't even think twice. Kiki's Delivery Service tops the list, and the second doesn't even come close.

I was already 20 years old when I first saw the movie. I just got out of college and I was currently unemployed. In so many ways, I was able to relate to Kiki, and I know it's one of the many reasons why it's my favorite offering from Ghibli. At that time, Kiki seemed to embody everything I was going through. But unlike her, she managed to get through the challenges by the end of the film. I'm already 22 and currently employed, but I still feel kind of lost. Unlike Kiki, I still haven't found the resolution to my inner conflicts. I'm still conflicted what I wanted to do with my life.

But Kiki isn't a movie that will make anyone feel bitter. In fact, it's a movie that would uplift anyone's spirit. Twice, when I was feeling the worst, this movie managed to lift up my spirits and make me believe that I, too, will find some solution to my petty but somehow reasonable personal dilemmas. Kiki makes you believe that.

Everyone goes through the phase of unease and confusion. Everyone will reach that point where they question what they're doing and if it's really what they want to be doing. Everyone will somehow be like Kiki; everyone can go through that phase when they seem to lose the excitement of doing what they love the most, and wondering if they'll ever get their mojo back.

Kiki's Delivery Service will always be my favorite coming-of-age film. Maybe because like Kiki, there are days when I don't feel like talking to anyone, not even to that one boy I like. There are days when I just want to be left alone. But there will also be days when I'm pretty sure that I'd end up saving everyone and being a little superhero myself. This kind of day hasn't happened yet, but I'm pretty sure it will.

When I'm not feeling the best version of myself, I just cuddle up in bed and watch Kiki's Delivery Service. I don't expect to find all the answers to my questions at the end of the film, but at least I will no longer feel like a sore loser with the pettiest problems after the closing credits.