Watching It Now on Netflix

Kubo and the Two Strings is a 2016 animated children's movie that was nominated for two Oscars. Plot :  Kubo is a young boy who has the ability to control certain objects by simply playing his very special musical instrument. This is a story of a young man who searches for his father's most important lost possession in order to defeat a mystical evil entity. My Take: Such a beautiful and well-made film! As a fan of Miyazaki-made films, I was so pleased to hear that the producers consider this a homage to that legendary film-maker. The music is fantastic, and the animation style is so distinct that this film stands out from so many others in the crowded animated market. Not just for kids!

What If is a 2010 romantic family movie starring Kevin Sorbo and Kristy Swanson. Plot:  Ben is a highly successful businessman who is visited by a mysterious tow truck driver when his car breaks down in the middle of nowhere.  This "angelic" tow truck driver offers to show Ben what his life had been had he not left his long-term girlfriend and church to take that business internship years ago.  In a situation similar to "It's A Wonderful Life," Ben gets to see how life would have turned out...marriage, kids, pastor of his own church.  What does he really want out of life? My Take: I don't normally watch spiritual films, but this one doesn't push religion at you as much.  Definitely a "What If" movie...the road not taken. It's a sweet film that looks at the things that are most meaningful in life.  It was nice to see Kristy Swanson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie) again, and Sorbo does a nice job in this film. A movie you could watch wit...

Toy Story 3 is a 2010 animated Pixar film starring Tom Hanks and Tim Allen. Plot: In the third and final installment in the Toy Story series, Andy is packing up his childhood room and getting ready to go to college.  What will happen to all his toys, who are so devoted to him? A series of events occurs and suddenly the gang are thrust into a brand new world: daycare.  Woody the cowboy (Hanks) and Buzz the astronaut (Allen) lead the group of ragtag toys in trying to figure out a way to get back to Andy before he leaves for school. My take: It's really hard to believe that an animated story could have better writing, acting, and visual effects than 99.9% of the non-animated films out there, but it's true. Pixar does it again with a rare sequel that is even better than the original.  Kids and parents alike will love this movie. If you're not the kind that likes animated movies, this is the one on which you should take a chance and watch.  Emotional, funny, and he...

Avatar: The Last Airbender is a 2005 American animated tv series originally shown on Nickelodeon. Plot:  In this fantasy world, there are four tribal nations: Fire, Water, Air, and Earth.  Each nation's people are capable of controlling that particular element.  Having lived in peace for generations, the Fire Nation begins a war of total domination of the other nations.  There is one man who can stop this war and bring the world back into peace.  That man is the Avatar, the one person in the world capable of controlling all of the elements. However, that man is actually a young boy who just wants to have fun.  Destiny cannot be avoided, however, and he begins a journey to learn the skills needed to defeat the Fire Nation once and for all. My Take:  This is one of my all-time favorite shows I have watched on Netflix.  It appears to be a show for kids, but clearly it is for anyone.  It is smart, with characters that are developed over the...