Thoughtful reviews, the Boulder film scene

" I am the monster’s mother "
— Sigourney Weaver, Alien Resurrection

MRQE Top Critic

Betty Blue

There can be beauty in tragedy, particularly when the key ingredient is the same in both —Marty Mapes (review...)

Betty arrives like a bolt from the Blue

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Hayao Miyazaki

  • The Wind Rises (2014)

    The Wind Rises for Jiro and Miyazaki Review by Marty Mapes: An engineer pursues his dreams in Miyazaki's latest (and hopefully not last)

  • The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness (2013)

    Miyazaki-san works in teh Kingdom of Dreams and Madness Review by Marty Mapes: One last peek behind the curtain at the masterful Studio Ghibli

  • The Secret World of Arrietty (2012)

    For us DVD review by Marty Mapes: Ghibli makes another gorgeous growing-up movie

  • From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)

    Umi raises flags From Up on Poppy Hill Review by Marty Mapes: Miyazaki, yes, but Goro and not Hayao

    DVD review by Marty Mapes: Blu-ray release was wrested from The Mouse, but has the same set of extras

  • Ponyo (2009)

    Ponyo rides the waves of sea-level rise Review by Marty Mapes: Miyazaki refuses to be dismissed

    DVD review by Marty Mapes: The first American Blu-ray release of a Miyazaki film! Hooray!

  • Howl's Moving Castle (2005)

    Sophie plays with fire in Howl's Moving Castle Review by Marty Mapes: Don't wait for video. See Howl on the big screen.

    DVD review by Marty Mapes: Visually as good as any other Miyazaki movie, although the plot is less interesting

  • Spirited Away, Kiki's Delivery Service, Castle in the Sky (2002)

    DVD review by Marty Mapes: The DVDs aren't particularly well designed but the movies are excellent. Give us more!

  • Spirited Away (2002)

    Japanese Alice Chihiro gets Spirited Away to Wonderland Review by Marty Mapes: An original and exotic animated feature filled with places and creatures you've never seen before

  • Princess Mononoke (1997)

    Review by Marty Mapes: Wise Japanese cartoon about a mythical war for the forest

  • Whisper of the Heart (1995)

    Young people with ambition hear the Whisper of the Heart DVD review by Marty Mapes: Sweet and well-observed, Whisper is about self-discovery and little else

  • Porco Rosso (1992)

    DVD review by Marty Mapes: Thanks for the Ghibli DVDs, Disney. Keep them coming.

  • Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)

    DVD review by Marty Mapes: Picture quality improved over previous releases, new extras an added bonus

  • My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

    Neighbors make themselves at home on Totoro Review by Pablo Kjolseth: Populated by nice people, benign forest creatures, and centered on a loving and caring family

    DVD review by Marty Mapes: Picture quality improved over previous releases, new extras an added bonus

  • Castle in the Sky (1986)

    DVD review by Marty Mapes: Picture quality improved over previous releases, new extras an added bonus

  • Nausicäa of the Valley of the Wind (1984)

    DVD review by Marty Mapes: Thanks for the Ghibli DVDs, Disney. Keep them coming.