The Hedgehog (Le hérisson)

The Hedgehog is a French film loosely based on the novel The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery.  A subtle but powerful film.

The Hedgehog (Le hérisson)
Released: 2009
Stars:Josiane Balasko, Garance Le Guillermic, Togo Igawa
Director: Mona Achache
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 88% Fresh
Available on: Netflix

Paloma is a serious and highly articulate but deeply bored 11-year-old who has decided to kill herself on her 12th birthday. Fascinated by art and philosophy, she questions and documents her life and immediate circle, drawing trenchant and often hilarious observations on the world around her. But as her appointment with death approaches, Paloma finally meets some kindred spirits in her building's grumpy janitor and an enigmatic, elegant neighbor, both of whom inspire Paloma to question her rather pessimistic outlook on life. ( Written by Dubai International Film Festival)

The themes here are heavy, often sad.  Humor and kindness are injected just enough to lighten an otherwise moody and melancholy sort of film.  In addition to death, solitude, futility, and loneliness are explorations of friendship, community, and love.  It's a dense film but still endearing.  I was left feeling hopeful, and Roger Ebert agreed. 

Dear Lemon Lima

Wow.  Just wow.  This was a recommended Netflix pick for me and they got it right.  The story was interesting, the characters quirky and strange, the cinematography engaging.  A feminist tale of friendship and community - very excellent.

Dear Lemon Lima
Released: 2009
Stars: Savanah Wiltfong, Shayne Topp, Elenaor Hutchins
Director: Suzi Yoonessi
Genre: Dramedy, Teen Drama
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 78% Fresh
Available on: Netflix

Vanessa gets a dose of reality when Philip, her one true love, ends their relationship, again. The quirky teen enrolls in his school to win him back, but ends up making matters worse. Downgraded to social outcast, Vanessa struggles to reclaim Phillip's affection. Luckily, when Vanessa is declared a captain for the school's Snowstorm Survivor competition, she assembles a team of like minded misfits to prove they deserve to compete and hopefully win her love's heart again. -- (C) Official Site

This movie really impressed me.  I enjoyed it very much, and was very engaged in the story and with the oddball characters.   What I loved most is that this is a thoroughly feminist interpretation of the teen romantic comedy, with one massive gut punch that comes out of nowhere.  It's also about community and is just incredibly positive and affirming.  Yes to Dear Lemon Lima.

This Must Be the Place

I'd heard about This Must Be the Place on NPR a while back and I was intrigued.  I like Sean Penn as an actor and the premise, which is just weird enough to press my wtf buttons had me adding this to our queue as soon as I found it.

This Must Be the Place
Released: 2011
Stars: Sean Penn, Frances McDormand, Judd Hirsch
Director: Paolo Sorrentino
Genre: Drama (or Dramedy)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 68% Fresh
Available On: Netflix

Cheyenne, a retired rock star living off his royalties in Dublin, returns to New York City to find the man responsible for a humiliation suffered by his recently deceased father during WWII. (summary courtesy of IMDb)

I loved this movie.  Loved it.  I want to watch it again.  It has problems, yes, and it's a little too tidy in some ways but the visual feast is worth the time spent watching.  Here's Penn, dressed as a goth with full makeup and all-black clothing, but he's doing everyday things.  Groceries, handball, going to the mall.  He's faithful to his wife and they love each other.  I found the disparity to be utterly delightful, as he delivers his lines in a soft-spoken way that is startling in contrast to his appearance.  When he lets loose, which he does in a few places, the emotion seems all the more vivid and purposeful.  If you enjoy strange cinema that's well acted, check this one out.

Also: David Byrne cameo.  Double plus good.

Lesser Known Streams: PBS "Craft in America"

PBS offers streaming videos of many shows, including one of my favorites: Craft in America.

This series explores artists and makers who create a variety of objects, talking about why they do what they do.  It's a fascinating look at process, origins, etc.  As someone who is interested in making a living via art, this show is really informative, provocative, and inspiring.

Craft In America at PBS.org

In progress: Current TV Shows (Netflix)

As an avid streamer, I have many shows in progress. This is the list of what we watch currently.

The Walking Dead
Netflix, Season 2
Last watched: "18 Miles Out"
I'm really enjoying this show.  My partner enjoys it also, though she's not a big zombie fan.  The acting is great, the stories compelling, and I like a show where I can scream at the people for being idiots sometimes.

30 Rock
Netflix, Season 6
Last watched: "What Will Happen to the Gang Next Year?" (finale)
Big fan of this show.  Consistently cracks me up.  Only a few misses per season and I love the weirdness of the characters.

Bones
Netflix, Season 7
Last watched: "The Suit on the Set"
This show is a bit more hit and miss, with some episodes being pretty dumb, badly directed, badly written, or just...bad.  But I love the characters and the premise so I keep coming back for more.  Season 8 is currently on Hulu Plus.

Call the Midwife
Netflix, Series 1
Last watched: Episode 3
Love. Just love.  Watch with tissues.

Land Girls
Netflix, Series 1
Last Watched: "Childhood's End"
I've only seen the first episode but this is a compelling show.  England, WWII, women go to work on a farm to help their country.

Start with a Ghost Story: The Awakening

I decided to start chronicling my Netflix/Hulu/ experience while watching The Awakening on Netflix so it seemed fitting to make it the first entry.

The Awakening at IMDb

Released: 2011
Stars: Rebecca Hall, Dominic West, Imelda Staunton
Genre: Supernatural Horror
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 62% Fresh
Available on: Netflix, Amazon Instant




Here, have a trailer:

Synopsis: (courtesy of IMDb)
In 1921, England is overwhelmed by the loss and grief of World War I. Hoax exposer Florence Cathcart visits a boarding school to explain sightings of a child ghost. Everything she believes unravels as the 'missing' begin to show themselves.

Thoughts:
So Florence, who doesn't believe in ghosts and disproves con artists who hold sham seances, is asked to come out to a boarding school for boys.  The school had once been a house where a child died, though no one seems to have any information on the specifics.  A school boy has died after being frightening due to his asthma, and they want the ghost stories put to rest before anyone else may be harmed. 

I liked it.  I actually enjoyed most of the film up to the very last few minutes where I spent some time asking wtf just happened.  That said, the film was fun overall.  There were some good jump scenes, a few good frights, some definite atmosphere and some eye candy.  I found enough mystery to keep me interested but not on the edge of my seat (I was crafting while watching).  If you're a fan of ghost stories, period drama, cute Brits, and weird dollhouses, The Awakening is for you.