Thursday, June 30, 2011

White Lightnin'

I was really impressed with this darkly disturbing & beautifully shot film about the life of Jesco White. If you're interested in this definitely watch the documentary on the White family: The Wild & Wonderful Whites of West Virginia. 4/5

White Lightnin' on Netflix

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Bloodworth

All the bones of a good Southern Gothic were there but it lacked the dark punch it needed to really succeed. Shame. 3/5

Bloodworth on Netflix

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Midnight Cowboy

OMG AWESOME. Hoffman & Voight are perfect. How have I gone my whole life not seeing this? Sheer brilliance. 5/5

Midnight Cowboy on Netflix

Monday, June 27, 2011

Dogtooth

BLACKEST. COMEDY. EVER. This highly disturbing morality tale about sheltered families is one I'll not soon forget. 3.5/5

Dogtooth on Netflix

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Pressure Cooker

An absolutely inspiring documentary about Philly kids working hard for cooking scholarships. Beautifully done. 4/5

Pressure Cooker on Netlfix

Friday, June 24, 2011

The Housemaid

This South Korean melodrama is gorgeously shot but slow & largely uneventful. Good but a bit disappointing. 3.5/5

The Housemaid on Netflix

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Red White & Blue

I love how this film is both dark & explosively violent while still being understated & low-key. Brilliant. 4/5

Red White & Blue on Netflix

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Ceremony

Wow... another romcom about rotten people behaving badly? Haven't we had enough of these? I know I have! 2/5

Ceremony on Netflix

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

The Celebration

This is a powerfully affecting & disturbing film - it really makes your think about family dynamics. Well done. 4/5

The Celebration on Netflix

Monday, June 20, 2011

Easy Rider

Oh, wow... I hated this so so much I actually turned it off. And I sat through "Antichrist" & "The Brown Bunny"! Awful. 1/5

Easy Rider on Netflix

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Flipped

This is an absolutely sweet, charming & unexpected little rom-com in the vein of Little Manhattan. Refreshingly sweet. 4/5

Flipped on Netflix

Saturday, June 18, 2011

In Her Skin

Ruth Bradley is beyond brilliant in this dark, gripping, & tragic Australian psych thriller. Chilling to the bone. 4/5

In Her Skin on Netflix

Friday, June 17, 2011

Valkyrie

This is a surprisingly superlative movie with a riveting plot & wonderful acting. I didn't think I would like it so much. 4/5

Valkyrie on Netflix

Thursday, June 16, 2011

51 Birch Street

This film surprised me with its power & honesty. It wasn't what I expected - it was more. Very impressive. 4/5

51 Birch Street on Netflix

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

2:37

This is a wonderful, powerful, riveting film that grabbed me & held me straight through. Brilliant plot & acting... wow. 5/5

2:37 on Netflix

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

The Killing Jar

This psych thriller is muddy, plodding, dull & predictable - the only decent thing in it is Perrineau. Too bad. 2/5

The Killing Jar on Netflix

Monday, June 13, 2011

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Fear Me Not

This clumsy Danish thriller had a good idea but mangled it with poor execution and a terrible ending. Too bad. 2.5/5

Fear Me Not on Netflix

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Another Year

This quiet, interesting little English slice-of-life drama has a unsuspecting star & moving performances. 3.5/5

Another Year on Netflix

Friday, June 10, 2011

I Like Killing Flies

I can't decide if I want to eat here or would NEVER EVER eat here. Odd & quirky film & restaurant. 2.5/5

I Like Killing Flies on Netflix

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Like Dandelion Dust

A solid, moving film about adoption with tremendous performances from Sorvino & Pepper. Makes you think. 3.5/5

Like Dandelion Dust on Netflix

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Helvetica

You wouldn't believe a documentary about a typeface would be so interesting, but it really is. Intriguing film. 3/5

Helvetica on Netflix

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Monday, June 6, 2011

Amercian Teen

An incredibly thorough & well thought out documentary about teenage life with an interesting & relatable cast. 3.5/5

American Teen on Netflix

Saturday, June 4, 2011

How Do You Know

The characters are so unrelatable that I never cared about them or this film. It's decently acted, that's all. 2/5

How Do You Know on Netflix

Friday, June 3, 2011

Mao's Last Dancer

This is a wonderfully triumphant film with amazing dancing - perhaps most wondrous is its a true story. 4.5/5

Mao's Last Dancer on Netflix

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Passion Play

This film is utterly stupid & horridly directed. How did I even end up renting this? Really really not good. 1.5/5

Passion Play on Netflix

Wednesday, June 1, 2011