Kubo & the Two Strings

I really enjoyed Kubo & the Two Strings!

Set in medieval Japan, little Kubo takes care of his ailing mother and performs street theatre in his tiny seaside town, using origami and playing a magical shamisen (Japanese 3-string guitar). That is, until he unwittingly unleashes the vengeful Moon King...

It's an animated tale that doesn't fit neatly into 1 genre. I prefer to think of it as a drama that doesn't take itself very seriously, with a bit of sorcery and action, happiness and sadness, hope and fear.

Its PG rating may give the impression that it's for younger viewers, but it isn't. This is NOT Kung Fu Panda: all slapsticky and light-hearted fun. It's a bit darkish and/or serious overall for the very young, IMHO.

As I stated, I really dug this movie. The voice-actors all do great jobs, though it took me a long time to figure out who they were (I didn't know and that was part of the fun, so I won't tell!). The one guy I recognized right off the bat had a very small role (boo!).

But the reason this is a Must-see is its animation. It just got nominated for this year's animation Oscar. And I will be very upset if it doesn't win! It's spectacular! The best I've seen at times - nuanced and very cleverly thematic!

Highly recommended

Yoga Hosers

Kevin Smith & Johnny Depp had so much fun with their daughters making Tusk that they decided to make an entire movie about the same characters. Yoga Hosers is the delightful result.

You don't need to see Tusk to see this. It stands on its own.

Yoga Hosers could be called Clerks: Canadian Reboot. It's aboot a couple of high school clerks, both named Colleen (Harley Quinn Smith & Lily-Rose Depp), working at a Winnipeg convenience store who stumble upon a nefarious plot to take over the world.

Ok, there's silliness - mostly in the plot. But there is so much fun in this I didn't mind!

Yes, it's a movie aboot teen girls, but it's still Kevin Smith's writing - witty & even acerbic at times. It has fun, sometimes at its own expense, mostly at Canada's expense. And these characters constantly saying "aboot" never gets old!

Be ready with your remote's Pause button, though. Everything written on the screen goes by way too fast to catch, but is well worth taking the time to see. Like the engraving on the goalie's statue in the park: "Only the Lord saved more." Others are funnier.

It's got a bunch of swearing (in a Kevin Smith movie??) but not enough to keep it rated PG-13.
Rent this if you have a sense of humor!