Today’s quote: If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.
In case you missed it, here are the top 5 animated movies I’ve seen.
Without further ado, here are the next 5 which complete the list of the top 10 animated movies I’ve seen.
Number 6: The Lion King
Anytime I eat bacon, I think of The Lion King because of Timon and Pumba’s song meant to distract the hyenas. “Are you achin’ for some bacon. He’s a big pig. You can be a big pig, too. Oi!”
The Lion King is a classic for many reasons, one of which is the soundtrack featuring Elton John, Tim Rice, and Hans Zimmer.
Most of the films on my top 10 list are those most closely associated with a feeling of nostalgia. I loved watching The Lion King sometimes more than once a day as a kid. For any child, this film contains beauty and wonder to behold.
Number 7: Your Name (Kimi no na wa.)
Your Name was first a novel by Makoto Shinkai. He went on to direct the movie and help create the animation and screenplay. When it comes to most Japanese production studios, what I have seen is an inclination to create fantastic plotlines. Fantastic in the fantasy sense. There’s almost always an element of magic or unseen forces granting powers to unsuspecting protagonists.
Almost always is a romantic side to the story as well. The artistic, colorful animation in Your Name is simply stunning. I’d recommend giving it a watch just to admire the images.
Shout out to someone special whose favorite movie is Your Name.
Another of Shinkai’s works that I enjoyed is called Weathering with You (Tenki no ko) (2019 – PG-13 – 1h52m). Similarly fantastical, romantic, and magical.
Number 8: Ratatouille
Another favorite film of another special person. Ratatouille is a creative story that takes place in the heart of France. Remy the rat is the main character who happens to be a talented chef. More remarkable is Alfredo Linguini’s ability to be controlled by tugs on locks of his hair.
In France, Disney Pixar’s film broke the record for the biggest debut for an animated film and dethroned Titanic for the most consecutive weeks at the top of the box office. Ratatouille (the film) was written and directed by Brad Bird. As you remember, the number 1 film on my top 10 list was also written and directed by Brad Bird.
Number 9: The Road to El Dorado
Follow Miguel and Tulio. They’re a couple of fast-talking con artists who can’t believe their luck when they come across a map which leads to a city of gold. Will they make it to El Dorado? Will they discover treasure beyond their wildest dreams? Watch The Road to El Dorado and find out for yourself.
One of my favorite scenes is when they play “basketball,” and the armadillo gets involved.
Number 10: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Unique animation formatted how a comic book might be printed. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse introduces a novel approach to the popular and iconic story of Spider-Man. An artistic and comical take on a classic superhero. Lots of one-liners.
I chose a picture of the Nicolas Cage Spider-Man because he had the funniest quote in the film. Mostly it’s funny because it’s Jolly Ole Saint Nick Cage.
Honorable mentions
Here are some other favorites that landed just on the cusp of the top 10 for me.
Once Upon a Forest
Some of my earliest memories are associated with this film. It’s one of the first stories I latched onto and one of the first times I allowed myself to be moved in fear and excitement along with the characters on the screen. I remember rewinding and rewatching the VHS tape over and over, even after having just finished the movie. Though I don’t remember many details from Once Upon a Forest, I remember the overall emotions related to my viewings. Cornelius was an influential character in my eyes.
Princess Mononoke (Mononoke-hime)
Studio Ghibli, a Japanese animation studio, provided animation and production services for Princess Mononoke. The world-famous director, Hayao Miyazaki, is a founder and creator of Studio Ghibli, which is best known for their animated films Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo, and Howl’s Moving Castle.
Five of the studio’s films are among the 10 highest-grossing anime feature films made in Japan. Spirited Away is second, grossing 31.68 billion yen in Japan and over $380 million worldwide; and Princess Mononoke is fourth, grossing 20.18 billion yen.
Princess Mononoke has undertones of environmentalism as the story delves into a struggle between forest gods and the humans who are consuming the forest’s resources. There is also a sense of colonialism in Miyazaki’s historical fantasy film as those of the forest face intrusion by outsiders.
Brain teaser:
A woman was born in 2004. Today is her 21st birthday. How is this possible?
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