Studio Ghibli Films Ranked: Part One

The greatest news ever to grace Netflix was announced in January: the Studio Ghibli films were being added on the 1st of every month for February, March and April seven at a time, and my inner web was elated at the news. So I decided that, every month, I’d rank the seven films, from least to most favourite, and my reasons why. So, without further ado, here is my ranking for the first seven to be added.

7. Tales from Earthsea

Now, before I start, I don’t think any of these films are boring. However, this one just did not grab me at all. I think it is because it is based on short stories, but the whole thing felt a bit disjointed, and not really about dragons as the Netflix description states.

6. Only Yesterday

One of the things I love about the Ghibli films is their emphasis on the natural world and nature, it makes them feel pastoral and I am here for that, but this one was about not much more than the countryside, and, as a city girl, it wasn’t for me.

5. Porco Rosso

This one was Sam’s favourite, and I loved the outfits, the fact Susan Egan was in it, and the general vibe of the story. The only reason it’s in the lower end of this ranking is the characters, I liked them but didn’t love them, if that makes sense?!

4. My Neighbour Totoro

Ok, don’t. I love this film as much as the next gal, and before they started adding the films on Netflix it was in my top three for sure, it’s a classic, and perfectly whimsical. I do love Totoro still, but the two other films that have bumped it down were personally more enjoyable for me.

3. Ocean Waves

Other than that slap, I absolutely loved this film. I really liked the main characters, the main girl especially, and I love the angle of the story told from an albeit slightly male gaze perspective . I also love the fact it was subbed, as I was expecting all dubs, so that also came as a pleasant surprise.

2. Castle in the Sky

Oh, Laputa. This film was absolutely stunning. I loved the myth/urban legend aspect of the story, I thought it was magical, mysterious and wonderful, as someone who finds steampunk fascinating I also adored that, and I enjoyed every single minute of it from start to finish.

1. Kiki’s Delivery Service

If I were to rank every film I’ve ever seen ever, then this film would be in my top 5. It has always, and I suspect will always be my number 1 favourite Ghibli film, it’s just stunning. I have no bad words to say about this film; it’s simply breathtaking. If you haven’t already, go and watch it now, you will not regret it.

There we have it; my first of these posts. I’ll do one at the end of March and April. I’d love to know everyone else’s rankings too, so come tell me over on Twitter.

Nic

xx

Cafe Rouge Afternoon Tea

Can you believe that this is only the second time I’ve ever had afternoon tea?! Wild!

On Sunday, Sam and I decided to have an early Valentine’s Day treat and go for afternoon tea. So, a couple of weeks ago, I was looking around at places we could go, and I remember my parents talking about having afternoon tea at Cafe Rouge, so I thought I’d look at the menu. I loved it, and booked a table. Then the day of the tea came around, and I decided I was going to wear a flouncy outfit. So, all dressed up and ready to go, we headed to Cafe Rouge. 

When we got there, they told us we could have any hot drink, so we both went for hot chocolate, because I’m never going to turn that offer down, and soon after the tea arrived. I was overjoyed to find croque monseiurs on the sandwich tier, so we munched away on those, had the great scone debate (jam first, always) and then shared the cakes and chocolate mousse.

It was a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon, and at £12.50 each, it was also a nice affordable way to enjoy a little luxury.

Nic

xx

What I Did in January

Well, considering January is literally the worst month ever, I actually don’t think it was too bad this year. It was long, don’t get me wrong, but I actually had a pretty good time. 

We started off the year with our usual New Years Day walk, and I pretty much read a whole book, first one off the reading challenge done, I was very happy indeed. The first weekend of the new year saw us head out on a rare night out; my dance teacher decided to throw a party, and we attended. It was a very fun night, although my feet were aching afterwards. I also returned to dancing after the longest time off from it. The second weekend was a chilled one; we went for another walk, and I tried a ruby hot chocolate from Costa, aka the best drink ever.

On the third weekend of January, we went on a day trip to our favourite northern place; Chester. We always have a really nice day whenever we go to Chester, and this day was no different. I also had another ruby hot chocolate. The fourth weekend was a fun one, as it was Chinese New Year! We went to Chinatown in Manchester, where we are noodles, watched some great performances, bought our own Year of the Rat souvenir, watched the dragon parade, and had a bubble waffle. We finished the month off with a trip to TGI Fridays with Sam’s dad, who was in Manchester at the end of the month for work.

Monthly Goals: Did I Reach Them?

I decided at the start of the month that at these new monthly round up posts, I would discuss whether I met my monthly goals or not, so, my goals for January were:

• Read 5 books. I just about managed this one
• Go back to dancing. I absolutely nailed this one
• Write every day. I didn’t manage this one, and I am so disappointed in myself.
• Do something fun every weekend. I think I did alright with this one.
• Re-launch my other blog. I was a bit shaky with this one, so it’s on my February list too.

So there we have it: my January. Hope you enjoyed reading this, I’ll be doing one every month now.

Nic

xx