For decades, the films of David Lynch have been defined by their eerie, surreal qualities -- visions of Americana that cover up a thinly veiled dark, dreamlike undercurrent. Yet, while the director's works are often remembered for their unsettling imagery, cryptic storytelling, and moments of outright horror, there is an essential component that is frequently overlooked by those who attempt to imitate his style: an unshakable belief in kindness and sincerity. Beneath the nightmarish small towns and uncanny performances, Lynch’s films radiate an earnest love for people, their quirks, and their ability to find goodness even in the strangest circumstances, just like the man himself.

Surprisingly, the modern film franchise that carries this torch of earnestness and humanistic storytelling isn't one of the many self-consciously weird Lynchian imitators -- it’s the Paddington movies. On the surface, the journey of a wholesome, marmalade-loving bear from Peru might seem as...