Hayao Miyazaki Films?

[Alcalientre]

I saw Ponyo two days ago and... I guess the best way to sum it up is that it was painfully cute. As in I overdosed on cuteness. And when the song started during the credits... it's been stuck in my head ever since. The point is that almost all of Miyazaki's films follow the same basic structure - 1) Kid is living a normal life. 2) Something strange happens to kid. 3) Kid has to become more mature to deal with the challenges he/she is facing. It's a classic formula, which is why it's so effective every time. It's fundamentally compelling and meaningful.

The difference with Ponyo was that the kid never became more mature. It was just a kid and a fish running around being cute for two hours. I really just... don't get that. Maybe that's what some people like to see, but I prefer movies that are more serious and meaningful. Which is why my top two movies are Nausicaa and Princess Mononoke (which would be #1 if I hadn't had nightmares about the deer god after I saw it the first time...).

[RiceCakes]

grave of the fireflies is really an art piece. i love love love it. but it's not miyazaki...it's isao takahata...produced by studio ghibli, though.

[Rose Riku]

God I love Hayao Miyazaki.

I have yet to see Ponyo. o:

[midori.means.green]

Ponyo's Japanese dub is awesome! I was literally crying from laughter and cuteness. I have yet to see the English version, but I'm sure it's good, too.

My favorite film is probably Porco Rosso, followed by Ponyo. I also loved Princess Mononoke, and I can't figure out why. Spirited Away was the first Ghibli film I ever saw, and it was the movie that got me into anime. So I feel thankful towards it. I also loved whisper of the heart, as well as Pom Poko. I cried at the end.

All of Studio Ghibli's movies are fantastic. It doesn't matter which one you watch. You never wish that you hadn't watched it. (At least, in my case. )

[Jupis]

Ive only seen a cpl of his movies so cant really say much but of what ive seen i like

[Chi-chan]

I'm pretty sure the only ones I haven't seen are Baron the Cat Returns and Ponyo.

Princess Mononoke was the first Miyazaki film I saw, so it will always be one of my favorites. My next favorite would have to be Howl's Moving Castle, then Kiki's Delivery Service and Spirited Away (tied).

And, no one's mentioned Whispers of the Heart. That was a cute movie.
(And, sorry, but Totoro was confusing for me.)

[ragabash!]

Ha!  With Totoro, you have to cast aside all ties that you have, or pretend to have, to being an adult and remember what it is like to be a kid.  Then it might make more sense.  When you come back to being an adult you can decide if Totoro and his friends were real or imaginary.  I believe they were real. 

[Vanilla Kiss]

Ah, I have yet to Ponyo and Totoro :O
though both look interesting, as does all of Miyazki's films. Isn't Ponyo his last movie though? I think I heard somewhere, that he is retiring now O_o
I think....Hrmm...Kiki's Delivery Service is my favorite...it was the first one I saw, and that was before I knew what anime was in like 2nd grade!