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Lily Price-Jenkins (@Lily_dw_I) tells us about her must-see movies at the moment, giving her honest opinion on some of the most thought-provoking films of the 21st Century.
Howl’s Moving Castle Howl’s Moving Castle, adapted upon a Welsh folk tale by Diana Wynne Jones, tells the story of Sofi, an unconfident young girl, longing for freedom from the mundane day to day life she leads. Becoming cursed by an evil witch, she suffers a debilitating and aging illness, forcing her to seek enjoyment and adventure, in order to help stay young and rid herself of the curse. Fate brings Sofi into an encounter with Howl & his unique Moving Castle. Enchanted by the quirky magician Sofi quickly becomes part of his disfunctional, magical surroundings. Howl’s own insecurities and split personality combine with Sofi’s drive to live life, making for a colourful and imaginative journey into themes we can all relate to. As one of many in the series of Hayao
The Darjeeling Limited Released: 2004 Director: Hayao Miyazaki Written by: Hayao Miyazaki
Miyazaki’s Ghibli films, Howls Moving Castle doesnt falter to offer the traditional Ghibli themes of adventure, love & conflict, via a range of engaging characters within a captivating, twisting plotline. Howl’s Moving Castle is one of the more fascinating Ghibli films for me, as it isn’t just a film to watch to absorb the weird and wonderful worlds of Miyazaki, but a film that makes these weird and wonderful worlds and their adventures accessible to everyone and their own mundane lives.
A wise woman once told me that “Everything in life should either be, or lead to a journey, whether literal or metaphorical. This includes arguments, theme-park rides and films.” It would seem that Wes Anderson takes this advice too when it comes to plot of The Darjeeling Limited. The Darjeeling Limited follows the self titled ‘spiritual journey’ of three brothers through India, featuring Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman, and Anjelica Huston as their mother - all of who are veterans to Anderson’s films. We follow them on their spiritual jaunt, attempting to strengthen their relationship via petty arguments, long-term resentment and woeful organization. During which, the trio drag themselves through India in a film that is every bit as eventful as a heated argument or rollercoaster.
Released: 2007 Director: Wes Anderson Stars: Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman
Anderson captures their journey with beautiful scenes in vivid surroundings whilst punctuating the ever bizarre ideas of Francis, the romantic ventures of Jack and the indifferent skepticism of Peter. The cast create a likeable and comic collection of characters, with a bond that is evident even before they even attempt their venture. The spiritual journey Anderson tackles in this film is definitely rewatchable, not only for the classic cast, or plot, but also for the setting of the film. With Wes Anderson’s films in the past, he has always given an alternative angle on things we may see in day to day life. In The Darjeeling Limited, he takes this journey further visually, as an auetur, directing & writing films that everyone seem to love. Perhaps he too has been taking advice from the wise woman that is my mother.