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!

Fastball

 This is the perfect movie to give you your MLB second wind. It'll give you that extra spark - just in time for that late, long-shot wild card bid! (Shut up, Cubs fans!!) 2016's documentary Fastball.

Narrated by Kevin Costner, this is about just 1 aspect of the game - or actually, just 1 aspect of 1 of that part. Perhaps the most romantic notion of baseball, the overwhelming fastball, as you may have guessed by the title.

I was more than a little trepidacious going in, just based on the above. But I really enjoyed this!

It's mostly interviews (with tons of visual aids) - from mostly baseball legends and some current studs - of how they pitch, how fast they pitch, how hard it is to face it & try to hit it, plus a little science mixed in for good measure: Nolan Ryan, Goose, Bob Gibson, Verlander, George Brett, Ernie Banks, Tony Gwinn, Al Kaline...

It's historical and factual and you won't mind a bit. It may get dry every once in a while, but overall this is a homerun! A Game winner! Hit off Sandy Koufax!

The Darwin Awards

This isn't a "must see" but it is a cute little comedy nobody else has seen. 2006's The Darwin Awards.

It stars Joseph Fiennes as a former police detective who finds a better-suited calling in the insurance companies, figuring out who's most likely to accidentally off themselves by ludicrous accidents: i.e. who they shouldn't cover. Add Winona Ryder as the agent assigned to assist him. She's the Ying to his Yang.

The bad stuff: Funny subject and premise do not translate into a laugh-out-loud, roar-a-minute romp, sadly.

Also, if you've followed the actual Darwin Awards at all, as I have, there isn't anything new here. Pretty cool that it's based on fact, making it even funnier/more absurd, but I knew the outcomes far in advance.

The good stuff: Like I said already, a cute comedy. Almost a Rom-com at times. Well written & directed by some guy I don't know (Finn Taylor), and well acted.

There is a great reason to rent this if you have the chance: the best duo-cameo ever. I won't spoil it for you. But I re-watched that scene 3 times, laughing!

He Never Died

I'm baa-aaaaack!!

Pardon the long hiatus, unforeseen technical difficulties (laptop dying a sudden, horrific death) ensued, but were recently conquered.

During this lull in computer time I've seen a couple movies worth blogging about. My favorite, by far, is this cheery, visually stunning, family-oriented romp, He Never Died.

Ok, the above description was true only in Opposite World.

This is a stark, violent, drab-looking dark comedy that is not for the squeamish... but still great fun! (If you're into that thing I like to call delightfully dark.)

It was written specifically for Henry Rollins (punk rock legend, spoken-word artist-extraordinaire, sometimes actor & all around great person). And they NAILED it! "They" being both Henry and writer/director Jason Krawczyk!

The plot is easy: Immortal guy shaken from his solitude by a knock on the door.

But it's soooooo much more.

If u have a stomach and a dry sense of humor rent this!! I loved it!!

Meru

THIS is a "Must See"!

2015's Meru is absolutely the best movie - documentary or not - I've seen in a long time!

Yes, it's a doc. About climbing a high-altitude peak in the Himalayas - the "Shark's Fin" peak of Meru, 20,700 feet - so diabolically steep and technical it had never been conquered.

The climbing itself is well shown (2 of the 3 climbers had cameras). There is a plethora of stunning views, and even more visual goodies that I won't spoil! (Even great on a tv-sized screen!)

Perhaps the greatest stroke of genius was to have Jon Krakauer (author of Into Thin Air and expert climber) help narrate, give context, and generally put the situation into layman's terms. Because of him you don't need to be a climber to appreciate this endeavor.

And appreciate you will! This is truly a remarkable story. I could gush and gush, but I don't want to give away the best parts. It is so much more than a simple climbing adventure!

It's rated R for some good solid cursing and "scenes of suspense". (Who knew the MPAA was that illustrative?)