Scanialara You won't be disappointed!

ChicDragon It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

Micah Lloyd Excellent characters with emotional depth. My wife, daughter and granddaughter all enjoyed it...and me, too! Very good movie! You won't be disappointed.

Ortiz Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

Gayatri Gouda This is one of my favorite Japanese anime movie. It's a personal feeling that whenever I need some motivation towards the everyday life I watch this movie. What attracts me most about an anime movie is how reality is portrayed in these movies. And how the beauty of nature is shown in these. The story line of the movie is very beautiful and interesting. Even though these are just drawings the emotions portrayed by the characters reach my heart every time. It's like I am watching a live-action movie instead, only much more beautiful. For the original title I would give 10 points. However, for the English dub only I have given 8. I like the movie with the Japanese language and English subtitles. The English voice overs are just so boring and dull. The lead male voice is so slow and boring as if he doesn't have any interest in anything in his life. And the female lead voice is way to faster compared to the original. The emotions thus do not reach my heart when I listen to the English dub. I wish they would have had selected better voice artists.Anyway, my most favorite animation movie is "From Up on Poppy Hills"

mracine There isn't going to be magic or whimsy in this movie. It is more slice of life kind of film. While there is relationship conflict in this movie, it isn't the only focus. There is saving the club house, taking care of the boarding house, learning about the character's history all playing part in the movie. It's entertaining and interesting in a (sorta) realistic way. It's not a kids movie, it's more for teens and adults. The plot is interesting at points but not spectacular. There is some humor but not a lot. It visuals won't blow you away but has Studio Ghibli style feel to it. It's above average but not the studio's best work. If you like "Whisper of the Heart", you may like this movie. I recommend watching Ghibli's best movies and then come back to this one.

Neil Welch In 1963 Yokohama, high school girl Umi puts out signal flags to passing ships, partly in remembrance of her captain father who died at sea. While getting involved with a project to save a local clubhouse, she meets and falls in love with fellow student Shun. But Shun's father was also lost at sea, and he carries the same photograph as Umi...This animated movie from Studio Ghibli has no fantasy elements: it is a simple drama with several intertwined threads. The animation is satisfactory without being dazzling, the backgrounds are lovely, and the film is, at times, very moving.I enjoyed it a lot.

Leofwine_draca FROM UP ON POPPY HILL is another film from the popular Studio Ghibli stable, this time directed by Goro Miyazaki, son of the famous Hayao. As usual for these films, the animation is absolutely wonderful, both colourful and a wonder to watch, but that's all you get here, because there's no story.Or rather, there is, but it's very slight and doesn't support a whole movie like the one that's delivered here. In essence, there are two plots; a background plot about student efforts to save their clubhouse from being closed down by the authorities, and a love story between a lonely girl and a sailor. The clubhouse story is the more charming of the two, but aside from a good montage or two, little happens. As for the romance, well, it goes nowhere.I like Studio Ghibli films as a result, but my favourite ones are either full of charm (like PONYO) or the ones that have a compelling narrative (GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES). Unfortunately, FROM UP ON POPPY HILL has neither, leaving it a nice to look at, but instantly forgettable slice of Japanese animation.