Kubo and the Two Strings

This animated film was just gorgeous. I don't think I've ever seen stop-motion done quite like this - it was insanely beautiful. I really loved the story, the pacing was excellent, the comedy was witty and yet dark enough to convey the tragedy of the story. My one gripe? Maybe this is being a little hard, but I didn't understand why we heard Theron, Fiennes, Mara, and McConaughey voicing Japanese characters. It just seemed like a awfully strange choice to me. The movie tried so hard to ground this in Japan and Japanese culture that I really didn't get why I wasn't hearing Japanese accents and voices. But, that aside, this is a wonderful film. I normally don't watch much animation, so this is high praise from me. 4.5/5

Kubo and the Two Strings on Netflix

Mad Max: Fury Road

This is in fact the second time I've seen this movie. The first was in the theater, but my companions accidentally bought 3D tickets. 3D movies make me incredibly ill, I had to watch most of it without the glasses on, and by the end I felt like dying and proper hated this film. My husband convinced me to watch it again so I could properly review it, and I'm glad he did. This is a good film, adrenaline filled, action packed, and with a great score too boot. The direction is AMAZING, and I even enjoyed the acting. The problem for me remains the plot, as in there really is no plot. And this is why I'm totally baffled at the nod for Best Picture, because.... well.... no plot you see. Director? Costumes? Music? Cinematography? Sure. All that. But Movie? No damn way. Still, it was fun, I did really enjoy it. 4/5

Mad Max: Fury Road on Netflix

Dark Places

The plot of this psych thriller is well-told & kept me engaged throughout, very solid acting as well. 3.5/5

Dark Places on Netflix

Prometheus

I didn't think this as bad as the rest of the world, merely average. But I did like the very end - interesting. 3/5

Prometheus on Netflix

Young Adult

WOW Diablo Cody grew up! This film is FAR more sophisticated & nuanced than Juno & Theron is marvelous. Wonderful. 4/5


Young Adult on Netflix

Trapped

Solid acting across the board & an unpredictable script kept me interested & guessing in this twisty thriller. 3.5/5

Trapped on Netflix

The Road

Pre-review tweet: Watching The Road. I get the metaphor, but JESUS THIS KID IS A PUSSY. Man up, boy it's the end of the god-damned world.

Got it all (by which I meant I understood the metaphors at play). Did not enjoy the kid. Viggo was amazing. Destroyed beauty on display. Guess I need to read the book. 3.5 stars.

Follow-up: The visuals are simply incredible. And this post apocalypse is not the usual "just after the event" version we usually see, or the cartoonish quality of say, Mad Max. This is what the world would be if it ended due to some unknown global cataclysmic event.

The Road at Netflix

Battle in Seattle

Filled with top-notch performances, this powerful film puts human faces on the 1999 WTO catastrophe. 4/5

Battle in Seattle on Netflix