Tokyo Story (1953)
This was a first watch, and my god, why, and how did it take me so long? Subtle, slowly paced without ever becoming tedious, heartbreaking, it's everything everyone says it is, and more. The character Noriko Hirayama's infectious smile, paired up with some of the most gut wrenching lines ever put to film is one of the most genuine moments of tragic humanity I've ever witnessed in any film.
A Monster Calls (2016)
This movie seemed tailor made for me, and I did enjoy it moderately, but it was held down by a lot of issues. The concept, and story, while very interesting, and thought out, was not done justice by the overwritten, Hallmark-y script that begged to spoon feed you at any moment it could. The movie also likes to cut away to these mini stories done with truly breathtaking animation, but they distract from the main plot, and they make it too obvious how the stories connect to the main conflict in the story. The acting is well done, and when they get it right it truly shines, some of the best scenes are my favorite experiences in the theater in 2016, I dare you not to be shaken up by the handling of the second story in the film. To me, it's a perfect example of great concept with so so execution, perhaps a director willing to take more chances, and cared more about the drama more than the style would have made it much better. I'd be more than willing to read the book, it truly is a marvelous piece, story wise.