Homework

Dad has the two girls with him and they want stories before bed, but he says "Another time." He has the look of an every-other-weekend father, too eager helping with homework and a little unsure about how to be with them. The girls are far more relaxed, teasing, bursting into tears, laughing, as if they enjoy being with him, because he's their dad and he's fun when he's fun, but right now, he's sad and needs to be helped, at least needs to be loved a bit.

Writer/director Zara Waldeback deserves a hug. Homework is a film about grieving that is never mawkish and only a smidgen sentimental. She has coaxed excellent performances from the girls (and dad) and uses animation and dream sequencey stuff extremely well. The cinematography is also of the highest quality.

If you feel that watching a grown man cry is low on your list of must-sees, hang about because you can't miss the battle between the flying Vikings and the flying monkeys. Imagination like this is precious.