Say "Totoro" five times fast.

Ever walk by that little blue awning in the square near the RadioShack and that horribly wafty LUSH place? You know the one. Above the little door that leads down into that little Japanese trinket wonderland called Kofuku. Well even if you don’t you might recognize the giant mouse-like creature at the right known as Totoro. Tototo? Totoro.

If you’ve never heard of Totoro or his creator Hayao Miyazaki, you really f*cking should. And there’s no better time than now. Why? Well, currently the Adams Pool Theater and the Harvard Japan Society is throwing down a Miyazaki Film Festival, playing a selection of his spectacular animated films. This isn’t Dragonball-Z. This is some serious stuff. Beautiful animation in every frame, rich textured landscapes, classy, classic movies. We swear….they’re big in Japan.

Looking for sickeningly cute Japanese creatures and heartwarming plots? (see: My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, Spirited Away).  If that’s not your thing, what about animated gore and epic violence? He’s got that too (see: Princess Mononoke). There’s so much to love here, and we soooo want you to go. If not for the rich cultural experience then for the hordes of adorable Asian chicks who are going to be ALL over this. Just kidding… kind of.

Anyway, the schedule (including the things you’ve missed) is as follows:

Schedule:
2/3 Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
2/10 Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
2/17 My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
3/3 Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
3/10 Princess Mononoke (1997)
3/24 Spirited Away (2001)
3/31 Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (2008)

All showings at 8pm in the Adams Pool Theater.

Our one complaint? Where the heck is Howl’s Moving Castle??? Howl (aka Christian Bale) is so hot.

images from: Studio Ghibli and BackSeat Cuddler

A fun little snippet from the Washington Post--

“In 1997, he disputed a rumor that “Love Story” was based on the college romance between Al and Tipper Gore. He did acknowledge that he had known Al Gore and his Harvard roommate, actor Tommy Lee Jones, in 1968 and drew on their lives for the central male character of “Love Story,” Oliver Barrett IV.”

REALLY?!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcRIsC-JnzI

Legally Blonde (2001) – Everyone’s favorite Harvard-centered movie (or just mine). We are all well versed in the story of Elle Woods and her unlikely acceptance to Harvard Law School through which she plans to win back her ex, Waner Huntington III.

Fun Fact 1: Reese Witherspoon spent two weeks spending time with and studying actual sorority girls for the project. She also attended law school for a day. Now that’s what I call dedication to a role.

Fun Fact 2: The final graduation scene was shot in the Great Hall of Dulwich College in London because it was not included in the original script. When it was added to the movie, Witherspoon was already filming “The Importance of Being Earnest” in England.

Fun Fact 3: Witherspoon got to keep every piece of clothing from the movie, as per her contract. That’s a whole lot of pink.

How High (2001) – Two bros get the help from the ghost of their smart friend whose ashes have been added to their pot. Great premise, huh? After he gives them the answers to the SATs they make it to Harvard and start to shake things up.

Fun Fact: The film’s scenes of Harvard are actually all shot at UCLA.

Good Will Hunting (1997) – Though not actually set at Harvard, we can probably all sympathize with the story of Will Hunting, and undiscovered genius who works as a janitor at MIT.

Fun Fact 1: If you didn’t already know, the windows of the Dunkin Donuts on Mass Ave are the setting for the “How do you like them apples?” scene of the movie.

Fun Fact 2: Robin Williams ad-libbed the last line of the movie, “That son of a bitch, he stole my line.”

Love Story (1970) – The last movie to ever be shot within Harvard’s campus. If you went to see this during Freshman Week, you already know everything you need to know about the movie.

Fun Fact 1: The hockey game was played by Dartmouth’s actual team at the time. Ned Harkness, the Cornell hockey coach at the time allowed Cornell jerseys to be worn in the film only if Cornell won the game against Harvard.

Fun Fact 2: It was the film debut of Harvard alum, Tommy Lee Jones ‘69.

Other movies that have been filmed at or near Harvard: The Town, The Social Network, The Great Debaters. Mmhmm.

Information gathered from IMDB.com