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

Lion

This was, undoubtedly, one of the best pictures of last year. In my mind, it's nearly tied with "Manchester by the Sea" as possibly the best picture nominated for the top honor at the Oscars (the best picture of last year in my mind, "Swiss Army Man", wasn't nominated). The movie is sheer poetry to watch. The direction is graceful and lush, with an almost musical quality to the movement. Dev Patel has grown into a serious actor, and, for me, he should have won Best Supporting hands down for his tour de force performance here. There really is no flaw to this film. It's so moving and I doubt I will ever forget it. A definitely must-see. 5/5

Lion on Netflix

Carol

Maybe it's just me, but I really wasn't feeling this drama as much as I thought I would, and here's why I think it didn't work for me. The whole picture hinges directly on the restraint the two main characters, played by Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett, have to have on the love they feel for each other. The problem for me was that I felt that restraint turned into a coldness and lack of passion that only erected a wall between them. Mara and Blanchett dialed it back so much that I just didn't feel what I needed to in order for the story to work. This was just okay for me. 3/5

Carol on Netflix

Tanner Hall

The acting was solid but the plot and characters weren't nearly dark or complex enough to hold up the story. 3/5

Tanner Hall on Netflix

Pan

Yes, it's beautiful to look at. Yes, Jackman is great. Yes, it's an interesting way to tell the story. But I felt alienated from this from the start. From the bizarre musical numbers to the lack of emotional impact to the largely uninspired acting, there was little about this that kept my interest, let alone made me want to believe. 2.5/5

Pan on Netflix

Her

A perfectly brilliant & poignant film wonderfully acted by Phoenix. It just needed some editing to make it perfect. 4.5/5

Her on Netflix

Ain't Them Bodies Saints

Mara & Affleck are wonderful in this Southern gothic drama that mixed poetry & violence perfectly. 3.5/5

Ain't Them Bodies Saints on Netflix

Side Effects

This thriller is well acted & interesting enough but utterly implausible throughout. Just a meh from me. 3/5

Side Effects on Netflix

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

What a pale & hollow version of those glorious Swedish thrillers! Doesn't hold a candle. Honestly, after just seeing the originals I wanted to give that a 2.5, but I'm trying to be generous. Mara was NOT good. 3/5

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo on Netflix