KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS [2016]

Laika Studios makes a remarkable return with their forth jaw-dropping stop-motion animated film, Kubo and the Two Strings.
Kubo, with the aid of a snow-monkey & a giant beetle-man, searches through Japan for a magical suit of armor to defeat some nasty spirit folk from his past.
With it's themes of loss, grief and loneliness, Kubo isn't always the fast-paced adventure the kiddies will be used to so it's obviously not meant for the real young ones.  However for the older crowd you get a rich, timeless story filled with awe-inspiring visuals and one the best scores of the year from composer Dario Marianelli.  Perhaps it's weakest link is the core voice cast that don't seem to conjure up a whole lot of chemistry together and hurt some of the more dramatic moments.  However, it's a wholly original film, which is a rarity in this day and age, so it's no wonder not many people took the risk and actually saw this masterful work of imagination.

4 paper lanterns out of 5

TO BE TAKEI [2014]

Film-maker Jennifer M. Kroot documents the life journey and admirable achievements  of actor George Takei in the instantly enjoyable To Be Takei.
It starts with Takei's life in the as a Japanese-American growing up in a WWII internment camp, followed by his refusal as an actor to play the racist Asian characters of it's time, landing a culturally iconic role in the Star Trek franchise and becoming an important voice in gay rights activism.  Kroot seamlessly jumps back & forth through the times to tell his story through news reels, stock photographs, interviews with friends & foes (here's looking at you Shatner) and simply following Takei and his partner going about their daily business.  Its' at times quite humorous with the actor's witty observations and campy mannerisms, as it is quite emotional as we're given a glimpse into the difficult roads he's travelled since he was a wee lad.

3½ "lost" wedding invitations out of 5