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Welcome to Karen and Robert's Movie Date, a new blog that rates everything you can see on a screen. Karen and Robert are a 40-something couple who live in Kitsilano. Robert has a degree in film yet prefers ice cream to popcorn. Karen is an environmentalist who seems to be watching a lot of movies these days.

Robert: Thumbs Up
Delicious. I thoroughly enjoyed this dazzling parable rendered in exquisite post-apocalyptic detail by one of my favorite visionaries, Tim Burton. Cooking up again the legendary clash of soul and machine, this animated tale stirs in flavours from both the Matrix and Lord of the Rings to make a chilling stew that’s both simple and compelling. Although the ending felt a tad murky, I was easily convinced that the search for one’s source is a worthy yet arduous undertaking.

Karen: Thumbs Down
My son wanted to see this movie. My partner wanted to see this movie. So off I went. I wanted to like it, I really did. And while the incredible animation carried me through the first half of the movie, the ending left me frustrated and annoyed. Sure the big-eyed, burlap Barbie dolls are cute enough, but the great, sometimes riveting, visuals were totally squandered by the story line that went nowhere. The mish mash of mythical metaphors only made matters worse, promising poignancy and delivering pap. Maybe it’s passable for you and your older kids, but don’t waste date night on it.

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Karen – Thumbs Up.  I laughed and laughed and laughed some more. I had to try and stop laughing because I was so loud and I didn’t want my neighbours to throw their popcorn at me. Now...
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