Fine Arts Theatre Beverly Hills

CASTLE IN THE SKY (subtitled) A young boy stumbles into a mysterious girl who floats down from the sky. The girl, Sheeta, was chased by pirates, army and government secret agents. In saving her life, they begin a high flying adventure that goes through all sorts of flying machines, eventually searching for Sheeta's identity in a floating castle of a lost civilization. NAUSICAA OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND (subtitled) Set one thousand years from now, the Earth is ravaged by pollution and war. In the Valley of the Wind lives Nausicaä, Princess of her people. Their land borders on a toxic jungle, filled with dangerous over-sized insects. Meanwhile, two nearby nations are bitterly engaged in a war and the Valley of the Wind is stuck in the middle.

An evening of classic silent horror films with live piano accompaniment by Cliff Retallick. Cliff is well respected as one of the most respected silent film accompanists. Shows for Friday October 23rd at 7:15pm HAXAN (1922) Part history lesson followed by re-enactments with actors, this film depicts the history of witchcraft from its earliest days through to the present day (in this case,1922 or thereabouts). The result is a documentary-like film that must be among the first to use re-enactments as a visual and narrative tool. From pagan worship to satanic rites to hysteria, the film takes you on a journey through the ages with highly effective visual sequences. PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1925) At the Opera of Paris, a mysterious phantom threatens a famous lyric singer, Carlotta, and forces her to give up her role (Marguerite in Faust) for unknown Christine Daae. Christine meets this phantom (a masked man) in the catacombs, where he lives. What's his goal? What's his secret?

KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE (subtitled) A young witch named Kiki is now 13 years old. She is still a little green and plenty headstrong, but also resourceful, imaginative, and determined. With her trusty cat named Jiji by her side, she's ready to take on the world, or at least the quaintly European seaside village she's chosen as her new home. ONLY YESTERDAY (subtitled) Having lived her whole life in the city, 27-year-old Taeko decides to visit her relatives in the countryside. As she travels, memories of her youth resurface, and after meeting young farmer Toshio, she wonders if she's been true to the dreams of her childhood self. From Academy Award®-nominated* director Isao Takahata and General Producer Hayao Miyazaki, Only Yesterday is a masterpiece of time and tone, rich with humor and stirring emotion, and beautifully animated by Studio Ghibli, one of the world's most revered animation studios.

MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO (subtitled) Excited about reuniting with their ailing mother, close-knit sisters Satsuki and Mei embark on an exciting adventure when they move with their loving professor father to a new house in the verdant countryside of 1950s summer Japan. Now, nothing can stop them. And with mum in the hospital, the girls have all the time in the world to explore nature and the dense adjacent forest, the home of bashful mystical creatures only children can see. Under the clear blue sky's cloudless bliss and the bright yellow sun's promise of a luminous future, nothing can blemish the young sisters' flawless fantasy--not even life's trying times. After all, mother is getting better. Then, one radiant morning, as the shimmering green leaves of the towering camphor trees swayed in the soft morning breeze, the wide-eyed siblings stumbled upon a Totoro. But who is the enchanting visitor? Will the rotund neighbor, with his fluffy fur and mysterious eyes, be the girls' forever friend? GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES (subtitled) The story of Seita and Setsuko, two young Japanese siblings, living in the declining days of World War II. When an American firebombing separates the two children from their parents, the two siblings must rely completely on one another while they struggle to fight for their survival.

POM POKO (subtitled) As the human city development encroaches on the raccoon dog population's forest and meadow habitat, the raccoon dogs find themselves faced with the very real possibility of extinction. In response, the raccoon dogs engage in a desperate struggle to stop the construction and preserve their home. PORCO ROSSO (subtitled) A short time ago, World War I fighter ace Porco Rosso was a valiant Italian Air Force pilot. Nowadays, the ghosts of the past have transformed the mustachioed man of action into a jaded opportunist fighting for a paycheck as a bounty hunter. And haunted by guilt, Porco flies his nimble Savoia S.21 seaplane over the Adriatic Sea like there's no tomorrow. Perhaps the cynical former hero has a death wish. But everything will change when furious air pirates enlist the help of a haughty American antagonist to bring him down. Now, there is no turning back: the reclusive flying ace must pull himself together and show them who's boss. After all, the legendary Crimson Pig lives for pride, fortune, and love. —

PONYO (subtitled) The son of a sailor, 5-year-old Sosuke lives a quiet life on an oceanside cliff with his mother Lisa. One fateful day, he finds a beautiful goldfish trapped in a bottle on the beach and upon rescuing her, names her Ponyo. But she is no ordinary goldfish. The daughter of a masterful wizard and a sea goddess, Ponyo uses her father's magic to transform herself into a young girl and quickly falls in love with Sosuke, but the use of such powerful sorcery causes a dangerous imbalance in the world. As the moon steadily draws nearer to the earth and Ponyo's father sends the ocean's mighty waves to find his daughter, the two children embark on an adventure of a lifetime to save the world and fulfill Ponyo's dreams of becoming human. TALES FROM EARTHSEA (subtitled) In the mystical world of Earthsea, where magic is part of everyday life, a strange force has upset its delicate natural balance. As a result, the crops wither, and the once-forgotten dragon race has re-emerged. Order yields to chaos, and the only hope for restoring peace rests in the hands of Lord Arch-mage Sparrowhawk and Arren, a troubled young prince. Together, they embark on a perilous journey to uncover the truth behind the mysterious imbalance that threatens to tear the realm apart. But with evil lurking in every corner, will Arren be able to fulfil his destiny and save the land, or will he fall prey to the darkness that threatens to consume him?

SPIRITED AWAY (subtitled) The fanciful adventures of a ten-year-old girl named Chihiro, who discovers a secret world when she and her family get lost and venture through a hillside tunnel. When her parents undergo a mysterious transformation, Chihiro must fend for herself as she encounters strange spirits, assorted creatures and a grumpy sorceress who seeks to prevent her from returning to the human world. MY NEIGHBORS THE YAMADAS (subtitled) The Yamadas are a typical middle class Japanese family in urban Tokyo and this film shows us a variety of episodes of their lives. With tales that range from the humourous to the heartbreaking, we see this family cope with life's little conflicts, problems and joys in their own way.

THE CAT RETURNS (subtitled) Haru returns home after an uninspiring day at school, feeling bored with her everyday routine. However, life is full of surprises; when Haru rescues a peculiar cat, her world turns upside down in ways she never imagined. Soon, things take an even more unexpected turn when, later that evening, Haru has an eye-opening encounter with pure fantasy in front of her doorstep. Now showered with undeserved gifts and embarrassing gratitude, Haru must learn to have faith in herself and appreciate the little things in life to change her destiny. But first things first. Is Haru ready to meet her Prince Charming? Can she handle the wonders of a strange, magical realm hidden right under her nose? HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE (subtitled) With her country's peace constantly under threat, Sophie, a lively but unloved milliner, catches the attention of an unexpected defender. But as the wide-eyed damsel in distress crosses paths with handsome Howl, a talented young magician with excess emotional baggage, a fit of jealousy turns the hat maker's world upside down forever. Now, stained by the indelible mark of the wicked Witch of the Waste, Sophie must move mountains to break the pitiless spell, including facing her fears and the mysterious sorcerer. However, has anyone ever set foot in Howl's impenetrable home, a walking wonder powered by a fiery heart, and lived to tell the tale?

An evening of classic silent horror films with live piano accompaniment by Cliff Retallick. Cliff is well respected as one of the most respected silent film accompanists. Shows for Saturday October 24th at 7pm THE MAN WHO LAUGHS (1928) Reviewers say 'The Man Who Laughs' stands as a triumph of silent cinema, led by Conrad Veidt's compelling performance despite acting through a fixed smile. The touching romance between the disfigured protagonist and blind Dea avoids sentimentality, while Olga Baclanova's seductive Duchess adds dramatic tension. Reviewers praise the extravagant production design, atmospheric German Expressionist cinematography, and moody tone. The film's emotional depth and cultural legacy, particularly its influence on Batman's Joker, earn enthusiastic recommendations as an engaging, worthwhile experience. NOSFERATU (1922) Reviewers say 'Nosferatu' remains a groundbreaking horror masterpiece that established the genre and continues to frighten audiences a century later. Max Schreck's iconic portrayal of Count Orlok and the film's eerie Gothic atmosphere receive universal acclaim for their lasting power. However, viewers are divided on engagement, with some finding it captivating while others struggle with its silent format and pacing. The adaptation's deviations from Dracula and occasionally crude cinematography also draw mixed reactions.

THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY (subtitled) Fourteen-year-old Arrietty (Bridgit Mendler, Saoirse Ronan, and Mirai Shida) and the rest of the Clock family live in peaceful anonymity as they make their own home from items that they borrow from the house's human inhabitants. However, life changes for the Clocks when a human boy discovers Arrietty. FROM UP ON POPPY HILL (subtitled) A group of Yokohama students fight to save their school's clubhouse from the wrecking ball during preparations for the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. While working there, Umi and Shun gradually attract each other, but face a sudden trial. Even so, they keep going without fleeing the difficulties of reality.

THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA (subtitled) An old man makes a living by selling bamboo. One day, he finds a princess in a bamboo. The princess is only the size of a finger. Her name is Kaguya. When Kaguya grows up, 5 men from prestigious families propose to her. Kaguya asks the men to find memorable marriage gifts for her, but the 5 men are unable to find what Kaguya wants. Then, the Emperor of Japan proposes to her. THE WIND RISES (subtitled) Jiro dreams of flying and designing beautiful airplanes, inspired by the famous Italian aeronautical designer Caproni. Nearsighted from a young age and unable to be a pilot, Jiro joins a major Japanese engineering company in 1927 and becomes one of the world's most innovative and accomplished airplane designers. The film chronicles much of his life, depicting key historical events, including the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, the Great Depression, the tuberculosis epidemic and Japan's plunge into war. Jiro meets and falls in love with Nahoko, and grows and cherishes his friendship with his colleague Honjo.

WHEN MARNIE WAS THERE (subtitled) A 12-year-old girl is sent to the country for health reasons, where she meets an unlikely friend in the form of Marnie, a young girl with long, flowing blonde hair. As the friendship unravels, it is possible that Marnie has closer ties to the protagonist than we might expect. THE BOY AND THE HERON (subtitled) From the legendary Studio Ghibli and Academy Award®-winning director Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away) comes a new critically acclaimed fantasy adventure. After losing his mother during the war, young Mahito moves to his family's estate in the countryside. There, a series of mysterious events lead him to a secluded and ancient tower, home to a mischievous gray heron. When Mahito's new stepmother disappears, he follows the gray heron into the tower, and enters a fantastic world shared by the living and the dead. As he embarks on an epic journey with the heron as his guide, Mahito must uncover the secrets of this world, and the truth about himself. Featuring the voices of Christian Bale, Dave Bautista, Gemma Chan, Willem Dafoe, Karen Fukuhara, Mark Hamill, Robert Pattinson and Florence Pugh.

WHISPER OF THE HEART (subtitled) In Tama New Town, Tokyo in 1994, intrigued by the mysterious bibliophile who reads the same books she does, 14-year-old daydreamer Shizuku has a life-changing encounter with a strange alley cat instead and promptly embarks on an exciting quest to find her purpose in life. After all, the world is a wondrous place filled with out-of-the-way antique shops, enthusiastic violin makers, and magical feline mentors. However, as talented Shizuku tries to juggle school and ambition, looking for inspiration and opportunity in unexpected places, will she ever find the courage to listen to her heart's gentle whisper? PRINCESS MONONOKE (subtitled) While protecting his village from rampaging boar-god/demon, a confident young warrior, Ashitaka, is stricken by a deadly curse. To save his life, he must journey to the forests of the west. Once there, he's embroiled in a fierce campaign that humans were waging on the forest. The ambitious Lady Eboshi and her loyal clan use their guns against the gods of the forest and a brave young woman, Princess Mononoke, who was raised by a wolf-god. Ashitaka sees the good in both sides and tries to stem the flood of blood. This is met by animosity by both sides as they each see him as supporting the enemy.