I think Ebert wrote a wonderful article about Ponyo, the Miyazaki film that oddly, very oddly, was not nominated for best animated film.
I agree with Ebert. I thought Howl’s Moving Castle was a bit of a mis-hit, but loved Ponyo. I thought any Miyazaki movie was almost an automatic nomination, but Ponyo was really good and lovely.
Just thought I’d share it.
Haven’t seen Ponyo, but will when it hits the DVD shelves.
I’m not suprised Miyazaki didn’t get an Oscar nod. Spirited Away got one so I think the Academy is thinking, “Well, that’s enough for him.”
And yes, HMC, not one of Miyazaki’s best (but still watchable.)
Just my two cents.
But HMC did get an Oscar nomination also, and the animation branch generally reveres Miyazaki.
Here’s a short article on the obscure film that’s believed to have bumped Ponyo from the final 5.
Somehow my 4 year old niece heard about Ponyo and went to see it, and I didn’t. It was gone from the theatres by the time I heard. It’s being released on DVD March 2nd, though, and I can’t wait to watch it.
Coincidentally, I watched Howl’s Moving Castle last night and was blown away. I absolutely adored it. Better than Princess Mononoke and just very slightly below Spirited Away in my opinion. Hell, maybe above it in some aspects. The animation was more visually pleasing to me.