Kubo and the Two Strings - 10 stars out of 10

Kubo and the Two Strings - 10 stars out of 10

Simply put, “Kubo and the Two Strings” is the best execution of stop-motion animation that I have ever seen.  Laika has been producing stop-motion films for the past decade and has improved with each step along the way.  While it is one of the few production companies that can say that every one of their feature films has received an Oscar nomination (“Coraline,” “Paranorman,” “The Boxtrolls”), this film feels much more complete than their previous endeavors.  I believe that the studio’s other nominations have mainly been a sign of appreciation for continuing this painstaking art form, but “Kubo’s” story is very thorough and the animation is so seamless that you would think that it is computer animated.  The stop-motion genre has never been of much interest to me but I couldn't help but sit frozen in awe of this visual masterpiece.  When this year’s Oscar nominations were released, I was shocked at “Kubo’s” nomination for the Best Visual Effects Oscar.  Then I saw the film and it made total sense.  This is only the second animated film ever to be nominated for Best Visual Effects (along with the groundbreaking “The Nightmare Before Christmas”), and I believe that it is the first stop-motion film since then to be worthy of that distinction.  All of the jerkiness that we typically associate with these films is completely absent.  The artistic vision is as good as any live action fantasy film out there, particularly the origami storytelling, giant sword-skulled skeleton, and the Garden of the Eyes.  Beyond the flashy parts of the film, these characters portray more emotions than I have ever seen in a stop-motion film.  The voice acting is average but this is an odd circumstance where the animation enhances the emotion in the voices and not the other way around.  This original story is developed in a way that it feels as if it is a well-known ancient Japanese legend, complete with a journey to acquire three mythical artifacts to help the hero defeat a supernatural enemy.  The storytelling of Kubo sets the tone as he becomes a character in his own story.  He is joined by a creative crew of supporting characters that are all animated with an impressive amount of realism (I still can’t figure out how the monkey isn’t computer animated).  The entire story is pulled together by a stunning score by Dario Marianelli, and this is my pick for the largest Oscar nomination snub of 2016.  The score blends cultural Japanese sororities with a beautiful theme that will reduce you to tears.  2016 offered one of the strongest classes of animated films that I can remember and this film is worthy of knocking “Finding Dory” out of the running and going toe-to-toe with “Zootopia.”  In the end, I believe that it will lose the battle for the Best Animated Feature Oscar because the overall appeal of the film is still aimed at kids.  The comedy is more kid-centric than what we've seen in recent Disney and Pixar films like "Inside Out."  Still, “Kubo and the Two Strings” is an amazing work of art that all ages can enjoy for its attention to detail, gorgeous musical score, and emotional moments where you can’t help but cry.

[Pictured: Laika did an incredible job of creating realistic stop-motion animation]

Extremis - 9 stars out of 10

Extremis - 9 stars out of 10

“Extremis” is pure, raw, powerful emotion in movie form.  This isn't acting.  This is life.  Netflix’s riveting 20-minute documentary examines the agonizing moments in which a family must decide whether to pull the plug on a loved one’s ventilator or allow a machine to keep them alive.  I cannot even imagine making this decision for my parents, wife, or child.  The emotions captured in this documentary are indescribable.  Beyond the family members (and patients who help to make this decision), the film documents the heartache that the doctors must endure on a daily basis.  There is one moment where we see Dr. Jessica Zitter burst into tears after having one of these hopeless conversations and it makes you appreciate the doctors who must see people at their very worse day after day.  It is no surprise that this powerful piece was nominated for the Best Short Subject Documentary Oscar.  Movies are full of farfetched situations in which one person must make a decision that could save someone’s life.  This documentary is made up of real situations in which a helpless patient must place their fate into their family’s hands.  “Extremis” is a poignant display of human emotion that will stay with you far beyond its short running length.

[Pictured: Approach this film with caution.  It does not contain any happiness or hope]

The Guest (2014) - 7 stars out of 10

The Guest (2014) - 7 stars out of 10

“The Guest” is an unexpectedly good thriller that is full of surprises.  It starts off as a heartwarming film about a former soldier who wants to help the family of his fallen best friend.  His methods of aiding the family are questionable but we quickly cheer him on as we see his actions making a meaningful difference for this nice family.  As the story unfolds, the underlying mystery behind the main character’s true identity escalates exponentially until things spiral out of control.  This film gets pretty crazy but remains completely believable because of a strong setup from the beginning.  The casting is perfect with Dan Stevens perfectly embodying the fit, intimidating military man.  He delivers his dialogue in a way that always sounds sincere but also makes us question his motives.  Maika Monroe is great opposite of him as she blends admiration with suspicion.  Lance Reddick (you’ll recognize him from “Lost”) has the perfect look for the head of a government agency.  The script is clever, the situation feels authentic, and the action will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.  “The Guest” didn’t receive a lot of fanfare when it was in theaters but this is a film that will engage you from the very start and leave you satisfied in the end.

[Pictured: Who is this guy?  He's the perfect blend of welcoming and intimidating]

The Red Turtle (La Tortue Rouge) - 9 stars out of 10

The Red Turtle (La Tortue Rouge) - 9 stars out of 10

“The Red Turtle” is a step away from Studio Ghibli’s anime comfort zone and a step toward sublime simplicity.  Animation has become very flashy over the past decade with complex-looking characters like Hank from “Finding Dory” and scenery that is so realistic that you will question whether it is animated.  “The Red Turtle” doesn’t have any of that.  Instead, it focuses on creating beautiful art in motion as it aspires beyond the typical animated kid’s movie.  This fable is told without dialogue, but the animators manage to develop an incredible array of emotion in the characters through facial expressions and body language.  It was a gutsy call that obviously paid off with its Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature.  The animation style is reminiscent of an illustrated children's book, but the content serves as a reminder that animated films don't have to be exclusively targeted at children.  I can imagine a group of kids giving up on the film after 10 minutes to chaotically run around the room; meanwhile, the adults are all glued to the screen, mesmerized by the animation of shadows as the sun moves over the island.  Its beautifully dramatic score helps to engage our emotions from start to finish.  Whether it is the growing sense of helplessness that we feel with each attempt at building the raft or the contentedness of laying beneath the stars, the emotions transcend beyond the film and into our hearts.  One big warning: Don't spend the entire film searching for a metaphor because, as far as I can tell, there isn’t one!  The film’s supernatural element appears to be pure fantasy and we are meant to walk away from the film with a moral instead of a deeper meaning.  The style of the film appeals to adults while the story maintains its childlike simplicity.  “The Red Turtle” has beautiful artistry, impressive sound design, and a heartwarming story.  It definitely deserves to be represented alongside one of the strongest animated classes of any Oscar season that I can remember.

[Pictured: I never realized how much artistry could be added through a film through shadows]

Jackie (2016) - 7 stars out of 10

Jackie (2016) - 7 stars out of 10

“Jackie” tackles one of the largest political tragedies in modern American history: the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.  It examines the tragedy from the perspective of First Lady Jackie Kennedy, who had to pull herself together and deal with the grief of losing her husband while remaining in the national spotlight.  I did not know much about Mrs. Kennedy before seeing the film so it was interesting to get to know her demeanor and the public’s opinion of her through this portrayal.  Natalie Portman is magnificent in the titular role.  The entire film is her and I don't know how she managed to pull off that voice from start to finish.  The script sets her up for some amazing tear-filled moments and she hits a realism that we don't always encounter in a biopic.  That being said, I don't know that I see her winning the Oscar for Best Actress with this role.  I had an unrealistically high expectation for her performance and something major was lacking.  She as an individual was amazing but I didn't see much chemistry with the supporting cast.  The rest of the actors simply can’t keep up with Portman’s multifaceted character.  The film is also nominated in the Best Costume Design category.  The period costumes are typical Oscar bait and the iconic pink Chanel outfit that she wore on the day of the assassination provides enough (unfortunately sad) nostalgia that the nomination is no surprise.  I didn’t care for the musical score by Mica Levi at all.  Instead of a sweeping, romanticized musical theme that enhances the climactic moments of the film, the atonal score is tied together by a thematic violin glissando.  The orchestration is very thin and atypical of the scores that we usually see nominated for the Best Original Score Oscar.  Stravinski would be proud but I’m surprised that it caught the Academy’s ear.  It is difficult to rate “Jackie” because I would give Portman a 10 and the rest of the production a 5.  I’m going to put my rating right in the middle but warn you that when watching this film, you are watching solely for Portman and the costumes as the rest of the slow-moving film has little to offer.

[Pictured: Portman hits some powerful chords in this retelling of the days that followed the JFK Assassination]

An Inconvenient Truth - 6 stars out of 10

An Inconvenient Truth - 6 stars out of 10

"An Inconvenient Truth" is Al Gore's Oscar-winning documentary about global warming.  Regardless of your stance on the issue, his PowerPoint presentation that details the science behind the theory is very interesting. In an attempt to add substance so that this documentary feels like more than a video archive of a lecture, the directors interspersed some random musings from Gore's childhood about playing in nature.  It is an attempt to humanize the politician but seems more awkward than anything.  Gore adds some comedy into his talk to keep it from being too dry, including a Simpsons-style animation to explain global warming and his demonstration of numbers being off the chart.  These are in good taste but the film could've delivered its global warming message without taking cheap shots at George W. Bush for being elected president.  That sequence feels more like sour grapes than a motivator in spreading Gore's environmental message.  "An Inconvenient Truth" is very informative if you aren't well-informed on the theory of global warming and the potential effects on the earth if it exists.  Even if you don't buy it, this will allow everyone to have an educated discussion on this environmentalist crusade.

[Pictured: Gore's comical representation of measurements that are off the chard is informative and gets the point across]

Hail, Caesar! (2016) - 8 stars out of 10

Hail, Caesar! (2016) - 8 stars out of 10

“Hail, Caesar!” is a witty Hollywood comedy by the Coen Brothers.  It is formatted as a series of vignettes that explore the behind the scenes mishaps of several productions at a film studio.  The ensemble cast creates a mosaic of 1950’s Hollywood that encompasses several different perspectives.  First, it serves as an homage to classic film production as many scenes introduce an onscreen performance and then transition into the production going on behind the cameras.  This backstage look reveals the drama at the center of the story.  The film also pays tribute to the popular genres of the 50’s including ancient Roman epics, cheesy musical comedies, aquatic spectacles, period dramas, and Westerns.  Finally, it reveals the necessity for studios in this era to produce overly optimistic (and often subpar) films in order to battle the fear created by the Cold War.  The script is delightful, filled with the clever dialogue that is characteristic of a Coen Brothers script.  The religious discussion is one of my favorite scenes of 2016 and the film really deserved an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay.  Each member of the ensemble cast pitches in for an entertaining ride though no character really emerges as the star.  I expected George Clooney to be at the center of the plot but it was actually Josh Brolin who tied the whole story together.  Tilda Swinton never receives enough credit and her turn as the twin rival gossip columnists is another highly entertaining example of her acting talent and ability to be memorable even in the smallest of roles.  Her comedic timing is wonderful, as is also the case with Ralph Fiennes and Frances McDormand.  The chemistry between Alden Ehrenrich and Emily Beecham was adorable and it will be interesting to see Ehrenrich transform from this singing cowboy into Han Solo in the upcoming "Star Wars" spinoff.  Finally, I truly believe that a movie studio needs to cast Channing Tatum in his own 1950's tap dance extravaganza.  I was completely mesmerized by his dance sequence and found it to be the highlight of the film.  Despite only being nominated for one Oscar, I think that it is appropriate for the nomination to be for Best Production Design.  Each “working film” represented in this story required an elaborate onscreen set and an elaborate backstage work area that are divided by a fourth wall that is maintained and then removed mid-scene.  The entire thing is well-conceived and even better executed.  “Hail, Caesar!” was one of the best comedies of 2016 and is a must-see, even if the Oscar nominations did not give it enough credit.

[Pictured: Great set design, fun period costumes, a clever script, and Channing Tatum’s tap skills make “Hail, Caesar!” an enjoyable trip back to 1950’s Hollywood]