The Secret Garden, dir. Agnieszka Holland

Wiz RECOMMENDS The Secret Garden I know what you are thinking: what an odd film to suddenly decide to watch. The Secret Garden, Agnieszka Holland's 1993 adaptation of the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, is honestly a movie that has been forgotten despite that it's considered a great adaptation of a beloved novel and is shot by one of the best cinematographers of all-time: Roger Deakins. And by no surprise whatsoever, The Secret Garden is gorgeous. Everything in the movie has a magical feel to it, despite it being more grounded than whimsical. But a lot of the scenes, whether it's inside the manor or in the garden, it has an absolutely stunning look that elevates the story three-fold. But the film is not only just a looker, but it's also a thoughtfully artistic film. The film has balanced perfectly the sadder elements of the film with the more fantastical, which helps in not only being something that the audience it was meant for enjoying it, but adults as well. It's honestly very well done: even when the film gets dark dealing with death, illness and neglect, it has this feel that makes it seem more fairy tale than tragic drama. But I'll say this: if you are an adult just wanting to watch a movie, this isn't as in-depth as you'd like it. Again, the main audience is likely pre-teen and female who also likes nature (and melancholy, honestly), but there is just enough in the film for parents to get something out of it. It's actually quite surprising this movie doesn't get talked about more as a film that has aged so well: it's gorgeous with a smartly done story. Warner Bros. should release a Limited 4K UHD of this film: I'd snatch it in a second.