Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Billy The Kid

This is an odd duck of a documentary. What's going on? Why this kid? Very cringe-worthy in not the right way. 2.5/5

Billy The Kid on Netflix

Monday, May 30, 2011

La Vie En Rose

Cotillard was truly magnificent but the ever-jumping plot left me discombobulated & unconnected. 3.5/5

La Vie En Rose on Netflix

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Burning Palms

This is a dark, black, biting & disturbing "comedy" that straddles the line between interesting & repelling. I really don't know what to make of this one. 3/5

Burning Palms on Netflix

Saturday, May 28, 2011

It Happened One Night

What can I say? Marvelous. Funny. Smart. Romantic. Brilliant. Amazing. No wonder it swept the Oscars! 5/5

It Happened One Night on Netflix

Friday, May 27, 2011

The Green Butchers

This black comedy is more black than funny with great acting from the lead duo. Quick & smart. 3.5/5

The Green Butchers on Netflix

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Charlie St. Cloud

This is sweet in a Nick Sparks kind of way but it lacked the emotional depth it really needed to sell it. 3/5

Charlie St. Cloud on Netflix

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Happy Valley

This is a searing, devastating yet ultimately redemptive portrait of drug addiction in Utah. Very powerful. 4.5/5

Happy Valley on Netflix

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Monday, May 23, 2011

City Lights

Although I personally preferred "The Kid", this sweet & wondrous romcom by Chaplin made me laugh & cry. Loved it. 5/5

City Lights on Netflix

Saturday, May 21, 2011

The Joneses

This is an entertaining premise that's well-acted & executed. I just wish they had gone deeper & been braver. 3/5

The Joneses on Netflix

Friday, May 20, 2011

All Good Things

Only the brilliant acting of Gosling The Great saves this plodding & predictable movie from mediocrity. 3/5

All Good Things on Netflix

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Kings of Pastry

Never in my life have I seen such amazing & artistic food. This film is a revelation into the pastry industry. I challenge any mortal to watch this & not be ridiculously, ravenously hungry. I could eat my arm right about now! *drool* 4/5

Kings of Pastry on Netflix

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Monday, May 16, 2011

Sunday, May 15, 2011

The Baader Meinhof Complex

This powerful, emotional film unflinchingly follows the birth of the RAF. Devastating & brilliant. 5/5

The Baader Meinhof Complex on Netflix

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Blue Valentine

Williams is fantastic but Gosling is BRILLIANT in this slow & heart-wrenching film about a crumbling marriage. 4/5

Blue Valentine on Netflix

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Monday, May 9, 2011

Nowhere Boy

This biopic about the formative years of Lennon is smartly done & well acted by all, especially Aaron Johnson. 3.5/5

Nowhere Boy on Netflix

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Passion of Anna

This may well be the first truly meta-film, but sadly it isn't very good. Amazing acting, weak script. 2.5/5

Passion of Anna on Netflix

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Brother's Keeper

The only word for this film is riveting. Utterly fascinating documentary about rural NY. Just amazing. 4/5

Brother's Keeper on Netflix

Friday, May 6, 2011

Noise

Ugh - how did such an interesting idea get tortured & mangled so badly? It gets a star for the concept, that's all. 2/5

Noise on Netflix

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Casino Jack

Spacey is spectacular as Jack Abramoff in this fascinating & stylish (if fictionalized) portrait. Well done. 4/5

Casino Jack on Netflix

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

The Fighter

Leo was brilliant. Bale was TRANSCENDENT. Wahlberg was flat & lilfeless & took the movie down a notch or two. 3.5/5

The Fighter on Netflix

Sunday, May 1, 2011