Howl's Moving Castle

Best romance movie!  It turns stereotypes on their heads, and has the most positive portrayal of old age and of women I've ever seen in a movie. 

Instead of painting elderly women in the stereotypical evil, jealous-of-youth manner, it portrays old Sophie as spunky, clever, resourceful, world-wise, and content with herself and life - everything I imagine and hope old age will be like. 

And, instead of starring the typical beautiful, dainty, helpless, and brainless heroine, it stars young Sophie, an average-looking, smart, adventurous, and good person.  If anything, it portrays Howl in the way that women usually are - obsessed with his looks.  ("If I can't be beautiful, then what good is it to go on living.")  But, thankfully, this movie doesn't reduce men to that, which would be just as unfair and groan-worthy.  Howl is an intelligent, powerful, and arrogant wizard, and his arrogance is portrayed in an endearing way.  He is also kind, compassionate, and a determined pacifist, thwarting authority and endangering himself to bring an end to an unjust war. 

Another thing I loved about the movie was its depiction of war as pointless, destructive, and misguided.  ("Ugh, an airship.  Look at the ugly thing, spreading destruction everywhere it goes."  -- Howl.  "Is it the enemy's or ours?" -- Sophie.   "Does it matter?"  -- Howl).

I am a sap for movies like this.