Take a cinematic trip on ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’

Above: The 2004 Studio Ghibli animated film "Howl's Moving Castle" will screen for three days beginning Sunday. (Photo/Buena Vista Pictures) 

Every year about this time you can expect one thing – and I’m not talking about rain, the falling leaves or the prospect of snow.

No, I’m talking about Studio Ghibli Fest.

I’m referring specifically about the selection of Japanese animated movies that play annually over the course of months, all from that noted studio that the great Hayao Miyazaki co-founded.

It’s appropriate, then, that the animated film that the fest is offering this coming week is Miyazaki’s 2004 effort “Howl’s Moving Castle.” The film will play on Sunday, Monday and Thursday at both AMC River Park Square and at Regal’s Northtown Mall.

Screenings will be at 3 p.m. Sunday (dubbed into English), 7 p.m. Monday (in original Japanese with English subtitled) and 7 p.m. Thursday (dubbed).

Haven’t yet see “Howl’s Moving Castle”? Here are some critical comments:

David Ansen, Newsweek: “ ‘Howl's Moving Castle’ has the logic of a dream: behind every door lie multiple realities, one more astonishing than the next.”

Tasha Robinson, AV Club: “Miyazaki's animated adaptation of (Diana Wynne) Jones' book is a charming and thoroughly absorbing treat.”

Eleanor Ringel Carter, Atlanta Journal Constitution: “The procession of enchanting and spectacular images is intoxicating.”

Intoxicating. I can’t think of a better way to spend a rainy afternoon.