My Neighbour Totoro (1988, dir. Hayao Miyazaki) ***.5/****

I've always had a love for Japanese anime, especially films by Hayao Miyazaki.  He has the ability to capture the imagination of any viewer regardless of age.  My Neighbour Totoro tells the story of a family who move to a house in the countryside of somewhere in Japan.  The house is a beautiful, old run-down place which is inhabited by spirits both inside and outside.  The two young girls (voiced by sisters Dakota and Elle Fanning) befriend a few of these spirits living in the forest outside their house.  One of them, a large, fluffy, bear-like being they call "Totoro."  The film is a whimsical tale and depicts how these forest spirits eventually help the girls get out of trouble.  There is something magical about the film and the Japanese mythology is quite compelling.  Obviously, a film that is made for children has to be quite simple in plot but there is something charming about the movie and even adults will enjoy it for its beautiful imagery and childhood innocence.