The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)

Wh-....But..... I mean.... I've heard of depressing movies, but this is just unfair.

"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is the story of the Holocaust through the eyes of the young son of a high-ranking German Soldier during World War II. His sheltered existence and naivety help him see a young Jewish Prisoner as a friend rather than the vermin his Father and country see him as. As he gets to understand his new friend, he has trouble wrapping his head around why the young boy is supposed to be his enemy and tries to help him on the way.

This is a heartwarming and heartbreaking movie all at the same time. The innocence of the young boys juxtaposed with the monstrosity that was the Holocaust really puts into perspective just how difficult it was for young children on both sides of the imprisonment to comprehend what was really going on. The two young actors who played the German boy and the Jewish boy did so with surprising skill and understanding of what exactly each scene was about.

This has, without a doubt, one of the most depressing endings of any movie I have ever seen. It is painfully beautiful and horrible, and had me just staring through (not at) the TV screen once the credits started rolling. I don't even... Wow. Just wow. I'm I'm writing this literally 5 minutes after watching it and I am still in shock. The beauty of innocence and the horrors of war all in one.

My Heart Hurts!

My Grade: A-

The Kings of Summer

I love when movies that weren't released when you were a kid gives you a sense of nostalgia. When it brings back memories of you when you were the main characters age. Now, I never ran away from home, but the one thing this movie reminded me of was the sense of freedom during the summer before I went off and got myself a job. The memories of running around the woods with your best friends and just being free. I miss that.

I know that trailer doesn't show much, but it is the essence of this movie. Here's a better trailer if you'd like, but this scene just sums up the movie perfectly.

"The Kings of Summer" tells the story of three kids that run away and build a house in the woods. A quite impressive house, I might add. Tired of their parents ruling their lives, they decide to live on their own in the woods. The three bond closer together as they try to survive in the wilderness. And as always with boys, everything is fine until you throw a girl in the mix. Why can't you ladies just mind your own business? Jeez!

Backed by a veteran cast that includes Nick Offerman, Allison Brie and Megan Mullally, the three young leads really drive this movie. Especially Moises Arias who plays the uninvited and slightly terrifying comedic relief.

Why they ever trusted him with a Machete, I'll never know.

Perhaps it was out of fear.

I still have to mull it over for a few weeks before I decide for sure, but this is looking like it could be my favorite movie of the year so far. Granted, we still have 6 months left, and the last 6 months are better than the first, but this movie was good. Damn good.

Go see it! You will not be disappointed.

My Grade: A