Howl's Moving Castle

[Mark Nornes]

I went on opening night in Yurakucho, where it was packed with all 
sorts of people (except kids, interestingly enough). I have to second 
Don's impression. I found it mystifying, if beautiful. I quizzed the 
Japanese person I went with afterwards, thinking I just didn't catch 
important plot points. She tried unsuccessfully to describe the story, 
and gave up with a, "It's about Love." OK. Got that much. There are 
moments when his use of computer graphics is particularly striking, and 
almost experimental. But there weren't enough of them to make up for 
the stasis. I love slow, patient narratives; this one just felt lost. 
However, every few minutes it still makes you gasp at the imagination 
of the guy.

Markus