Hauru no ugoku shiro (Howl's Moving Castle) 
Sophie is a young woman who flees her home in shame when a jealous witch traps her inside an old lady's body. She finds shelter and employment with wizard Howl and his amazing moving castle, which wanders around a war-torn nineteenth century Europe populated by bizarre flying machines and turnip-headed scarecrows. With the help of fire demon Calcifer, our heroine embarks on a mission to shake off her curse and win Howl's heart. Anyone familiar with Princess Mononoke and the Oscar-winning Spirited Away will know Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki has the magic touch. This loose adaptation of a Dianne Wynne Jones novel doesn't disappoint, with voices from Christian Bale, Lauren Bacall and Billy Crystal bringing the stunning images to life. If you're expecting Disney, forget it. Miyazaki weaves a baffling and bizarre fable, with characteristically quirky charm and a charming absence of logic. Essential.
