Kokuriko-zaka Kara was really good though. Better than Miyazaki's earlier work (Sherlock Hound, Conan, Lupin). I find them very simple and mediocre compared to anything of that time or even 60's anime like 009.

I liked it, as a huge Le Guin fan. It wasn't quite Ghibli level, but it wasn't that far off. It got the heart right, and it was a lot better than the average movie imo.

Adapting books to film is really, really hard, as is animating, and directing, etc.

Le Guin was critical of the movie, for valid reasons, but I don't think she hated it. Which, being fair, is an accomplishment.

From Up on Poppy Hill is actually my favorite. But I haven't seen his others.

That one was still (co-)written by Hayao, and the writing / story composition is definitely what makes that film so strong.

I didn’t really have issues with it. It certainly wasn’t stellar, but at least solidly average.