Daijiro Harada Movies

Hayao Miyazaki, the Japanese animation director who wowed audiences worldwide with his award-winning film Spirited Away, brings another visually spectacular tale of imagination to the screen. Sophie is an 18-year-old girl who toils in the hat shop opened years ago by her late father. Often harassed by local boys, one day Sophie is unexpectedly befriended by Howl, a strange but flamboyant wizard whose large home can travel under its own power. However, the Witch of the Waste is displeased with Sophie and Howl's budding friendship, and turns the pretty young woman into an ugly and aged hag. Sophie takes shelter in Howl's castle, and attempts to find a way to reverse the witch's spell with the help of Calcifer, a subdued but powerful demon who exists in the form of fire, and Markl, who protects the four-way door which can instantly take visitors to other lands and dimensions. Howl's Moving Castle was released in North America by Walt Disney Pictures, who distributed the film both in its original Japanese and in a dubbed English version; the English-speaking voice cast includes Christian Bale, Emily Mortimer, Jean Simmons, Lauren Bacall, and Billy Crystal. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Set in 11th-century China, Silk Road is the story of a young student named Zhao who is travelling with a caravan on "the Silk Road," an ancient trading route. After the caravan is attacked by a group of mercenaries, the leader of the criminals takes Zhao under his wing, so the boy can learn and experience the shifting sands of history. Taken back to the city of Dun Huang, Zhao falls in love with a princess. However, Dun Huang is soon invaded by a neighboring country, forcing Zhao to hide the city's treasures in caves. The Silk Road is paced quite leisurely, yet it sparks to life with its terrific battle sequences. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

For a brief period during the 16th century, the Portuguese and Dutch were permitted influence in Japan, with the result that a considerable number of Japanese converted to Christianity. By the late 16th century, a reaction against these outside influences was in full sway. In this story, Lady Ogin is unable to marry her lover because he has become a Christian, and Christians are being persecuted by the Shogun Hideyoshi. This tragic romance is based on a story by Toko Kon. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi