In Defense of Laika's Hidden Gem "The Boxtrolls"

Scene from The Boxtrolls

This weekend marks the release of stop motion maestros Laika's latest film Kubo and the Two Strings. To say the least, the reviews have been positive - arguably the best for the studio since their big debut Coraline in 2009. When looking at reviews however, there seems to be one film that is left out of the average critic's summary of the studio: The Boxtrolls. While it is done in part for succinct summaries, it also is telling that their third feature maybe doesn't have quite the reputation of Coraline or ParaNorman. Even reviews at the time that would suggest that the 2014 release was their first misfire. However, there's something that should be noticed about The Boxtrolls. It may not be the prettiest film in Laika's collection, but it has a lot more innovation and heart than it gets credit for. It's the underrated gem worthy of a second glance.

Theory Thursday: "The Adventures of Tintin" (2011) is Underrated

Scene from The Adventures of Tintin

Welcome to a weekly column called Theory Thursdays, which will be released every Thursday and discuss my "controversial opinion" related to something relative to the week of release. Sometimes it will be birthdays while others is current events or a new film release. Whatever the case may be, this is a personal defense for why I disagree with the general opinion and hope to convince you of the same. While I don't expect you to be on my side, I do hope for a rational argument. After all, film is a subjective medium and this is merely just a theory that can be proven either way. 

Review: "The Boxtrolls" is a Great Family Film with Innovative Style

The invaluable gift of animation is the ability to create limitless worlds and breathe life into weirdly shaped characters. It is escapism at its finest and with great stories in tow, the medium has the ability to provoke and create a lasting cultural impact. Laika Studios feels like a revolutionary force because in a world full of CGI landscapes, few are choosing to do anything interesting. The painstaking dedication to stop motion not only means that they will stand out, but that they have to pack a punch on each outing to compensate for long intervals between films. With their latest film, The Boxtrolls, they continue to expand on the potential of animation with one of their most fluid and ambitious films yet. While not entirely as pleasing as their previous output, it reflects a continuing need for animation to be as exciting as it once was.

Will "The Boxtrolls" Continue Laika Studio's Best Animated Film Nomination Streak?

Continuing with the third piece on films in the Best Animated Film category for this week is a look at the trailer for Laika Studios' latest The Boxtrolls. Readers will undoubtedly remember my admiration for ParaNorman and the studio's impressive stop motion techniques. In fact, I eagerly await whatever their next move is. While this isn't the first trailer to pop up for the film, it is the first to give a strong grasp as to what the film will be about. In true form, it looks equal parts innovative as it does entertaining, pushing boundaries of animation into new and interesting places.

Review: "The World's End" is an Intoxicating Look at the Past, but not the Future

Simon Pegg

One of the more loathsome trends of the past few years has been the impending doom of planet Earth. While it could be seen as a chance to reflect on what makes life worth living, it does leave little inspiration for great stories. Recent examples include Seeking a Friend for the End of the World and this summer's This is the End. Both were solid tales in their own right, but leaned too heavily on the sympathetic side. While it is unfortunate that one of the most anticipated movies of the year, director Edgar Wright's The World's End, is essentially an apocalyptic tale, at least it distinguishes itself by getting plastered before going into battle.

Can "The World's End" Do the Sci-Fi Comedy Category Justice at the Oscars?

Top to Bottom: Paddy Considine, Simon Pegg, and Martin Freeman

There is this weird disconnect between Academy Awards and comedy that seems unfair. While it has improved slightly in the past decade, stories that deal with less conventional methods are most likely reduced to little or no awareness at all. Even with director Edgar Wright's latest film The World's End planning to hit the scene in America this Friday, there is little chance that it could break the mold and become one of the first British comedies not named Four Weddings and a Funeral or The Full Monty to get into the Best Picture race. Of course, summer blockbusters in general don't stand a chance, though they seem more forgiving in the Best Original Screenplay categories.