The Boy Who Wanted to Be a Bear

First thing - this is NOT a movie for children. It's very very dark for the most part with a lot of death in it. However, it's also incredibly lovely and tender with a lot of love in it. The questions this film asks are very profound, and I'm not sure there is a right or wrong response to any of them. The animation is just gorgeous, like constantly flowing watercolors. I loved everything about this. 5/5

The Boy Who Wanted to Be a Bear on Netflix

A Separation

This Iranian drama is a perfect study of family dynamics and of how we treat one another. The story is captivating, lyrical, and beautifully executed. The acting is tremendous from all parties. And the ending was simply the most perfect ending to a film I think I've ever seen. It took real guts to end the film this way, and it was so very effective and bold to do it. I was increedibly impressed with this film, it's truly amazing. 5/5

A Separation on Netflix

Lullaby

I hadn't know much about Garrett Hedlund before watching "Mojave" recently, and, on the strength of that performance, I wanted to seek out more of his work. This was a beautifully tragic story made near perfect by Hedlund's acting in the lead role. I loved all the nuance between the characters, and the whole cast gave tremendous performances. I had to take a star off for a really odd subplot with a dying 17-year-old girl and the inane subplot with Hedlund's girlfriend, who might as well have been a lamp for all the worth her character brought to the plot. Still, a strong story with a really solid performance by Hedlund. I think I'll seek out more work by this talented actor. 4/5

Lullaby on Netflix

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

A wonderful, funny, beautiful, heartbreaking drama that affected me more than "The Fault in Our Stars" ever could. 4.5/5

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl on Netflix

If I Stay

This made me cry more than most Nicolas Sparks films. Beautifully told, if a bit overly sentimental. Lovely. 3.5/5

If I Stay on Netflix

The Champ

Dear god, all the feels. I'm still weepy. The acting in this is excellent, especially Schroder, who was phenomenal. 4/5

The Champ on Netflix

The Impossible

This disaster tale is both epic and intimate, striking a wonderful balance between the two extremes. Wonderful. 4/5

The Impossible on Netflix

Fireflies in the Garden

This was a well acted compelling story but it needed more fleshing out & more time. Good, not great. 3/5

Fireflies in the Garden on Netflix

Beautiful Boy

Sheen & Bello are just magnificent in this heart-wrenching drama that gave me both chills & tears. So powerful. 5/5

Beautiful Boy on Netflix

Hachi: A Dog's Tale

Yes, it's sappy & silly. Yes, I cried like a baby. What of it? So sue me - it was good. Get off my lawn. 4/5

Hachi: A Dog's Tale on Netflix

The Boys Are Back

Clive Owen is sheer brilliance in this bittersweet drama about family, loss & love. Well balanced & sweet. 3.5/5

The Boys Are Back on Netflix

The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas

This movie tries WAY too hard to be clever and fails. I really expected much more from it, If you want to see this type of movie (POV of a young boy witnessing trauma) done right, watch "Romulus, My Father" instead. 3/5

The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas on Netflix