My Neighbor Totoro (Tonari no Totoro) (1988)

It's become the standing chorus every time we watch a new Hayao Miyazaki movie at our home: We have to own every one of this man's films! They are stupendous in imagination, genius in design, and a testament of love to watch (again and again). My Neighbor Totoro tells the story of a father and his two girls who move from the city to a home in the countryside as they anticipate the girls' mother's eventual release from the hospital. The house is known to be haunted by "soot sprites" (which the children can see) and the nearby woods show strange signs of being haunted by nature spirits as well. My Neighbor Totoro is basically Alice in Wonderland meets The Bear. The determined 4-year-old girl, Mai, chases two teddy-bear-like sprites into the great wood and tumbles upon the (s)lumbering giant, Totoro. The wordless rapport they establish is as charming as Totoro's continually surprising magical powers. Here is a Japanese tale of magical realism that's a delight to watch. It's not as detailed as Spirited Away or Miyazaki's other later films but I doubt anyone who loves animation can watch any Miyazaki film just once. Enjoy! 4.5 stars. (10-18-10 posted 11-3-10)