The Boxtrolls

The Boxtrolls (Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi, 2014)

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Rating: Q=6, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Animation, Comedy, Family, Adventure, Complex Relationships

With names like Archibald Snatcher, Mr. Pickles, Lord Portly-Rind, how could you not enjoy this family comedy? Cheese and silly retorts abound, fun animation sequences, and even disgusting moments of cheese-induced bodily reactions. This one is a fun escape, though it does also have some messages for children, told in not-at-all-preachy ways. Including: "Cheese, hats, boxes-they don't make you who you are. You make you."

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The Red Turtle

The Red Turtle (Michael Dudok de Wit, 2016)

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Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Animation, Philosophical, Survival, Thought-provoking

The story of life and love with no words, just beautiful images and a thoughtful narrative. At different times of the story, I was on the edge of my seat, holding my head, laughing, and crying. Very moving.

The colors and simple drawings work incredibly well with the broad, timeless narrative. And the little hint of legend/magic was fun and spiritual.

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Stranger Things Season 2

Stranger Things Season 2 (Matt and Ross Duffer)

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Rating: DSQ=12, SP=7 / Decadence

Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=4, Scale D=4, Scale E=3

Retro, 1980s, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller

I was impressed and astonished at how well-crafted and acted the first season of Stranger Things was so I had high expectations for the new season. Well, it did not disappoint. Amazing, fun, thrilling, hilarious, nostalgic, worth the wait. Each episode made sense (with moments in the 7th that were questionable) and developed the characters in all the right ways. I will be watching this one again, for sure.

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Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 and 2

Guardians of the Galaxy (James Gunn, 2014)

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Rating: Q=5, P=5 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=2

Science Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Comic

I don't usually like the blockbuster/action/comic book movies, but I have enjoyed several films of this category in recent years. Guardians of the Galaxy is really fun and even though the story line is thin and characters could be better with more depth, I still think it's a great escape film. Humor is abundant and the action sequences aren't too over the top. And I love the family of misfits concept, too.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (James Gunn, 2017)

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Rating: Q=5, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Science Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Comic

The second of the series is just as good as the first, with even more hilarious lines and moments. More is learned (but not much more) about the main character's background, the family of misfits become closer and larger, and it's evident that more films are to come.

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