Hop

The animated parts of this Easter comedy are far better than the live action counterparts with wonderful voice acting. 3/5

Hop on Netflix

Crossing the Line

An absorbing documentary about an American defector to North Korea - I really wonder what the truth of it is 4/5

Crossing the Line on Netflix

Time

Kim Ki-Duk paints a marvelous picture of self-annihilation in this twisted thriller/drama with wonderful acting. 4/5

Time on Netflix

The Wave

This dissection of fascism is fascinating & extremely well written - very brave to set it in Germany as well. Bravo! 4.5/5

The Wave on Netflix

I Do & I Don't

This comedy is abysmally bad on every level, totally nonsensical & full of holes. Don't bother, not worth it. 2/5

I Do & I Don't on Netflix

Hysteria

A thoroughly enjoyable and well-acted comedy that totally made me want to have a wank. What more could you ask for? 4/5

Hysteria on Netflix

Neo Ned

The setting of this indie was so unrealistic it just put me off - not even Renner's awesomeness could save it for me 2.5/5

Neo Ned on Netflix

Katy Perry: Part of Me

Rented entirely to see Russell Brand, I have to admit I did find this both interesting & entertaining. 3/5

Katy Perry: Part of Me on Netflix

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring

A beautiful, ephemeral allegory about the nature of existence, gorgeous & simple. 4/5

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring on Netflix

Vidal Sassoon: The Movie

This is a fascinating documentary about an inspiring & revolutionary man - entertaining & informative. 4/5

Vidal Sassoon: The Movie on Netflix

How To Train Your Dragon

Possibly the most awesomely uplifting & happiest movie I've ever seen. I loved it, truly, so special. 5/5

How To Train Your Dragon on Netflix

The Maltese Falcon

Something about this noir classic didn't connect with me - I couldn't identify with any of the characters. 3/5

The Maltese Falcon on Netflix

96 Minutes

This gritty indie is extremely compelling & well acted on all fronts - the non-linear style is very effective. 4/5

96 Minutes on Netflix

Lucky

Ari Graynor is exceptional in this black comedy that was better than expected but still a little stale on the edges. 3/5

Lucky on Netflix

3-Iron

This is possibly the best magical realist films I've ever seen - haunting & utterly unforgettable. Thank you Hal for the recommendation! 5/5

3-Iron on Netflix

The Decoy Bride

This is a perfectly servicable rom-com - Tennant & MacDonald are quite lovely & no one behaves badly. Sweet. 3/5

The Decoy Bride on Netflix

The Freebie

This indie drama is raw, honest, utterly real, blisteringly poignant, & amazingly acted. I'm shocked but happy. 4.5/5

The Freebie on Netflix

Restless

Van Sant's indies always feel hollow, as if their heart were missing. Despite great acting, this is no exception. 2.5/5

Restless on Netflix

Memories of Murder

This South Korean thriller based on actual events is taut, suspenseful & gives nothing away. Well done. 3.5/5

Memories of Murder on Netflix

Another Happy Day

This is a brilliant and blistering look at family dysfunction that's expertly acted across the board. Wow. 4.5/5

Another Happy Day on Netflix

ReGeneration

 Hooboy... had I understood what this documentary really was I would not have rented it. Didn't even finish. 1/5

ReGeneration on Netflix

Hick

This movie is SO much darker & sinister than I expected - brilliant acting & a tense plot. I wasn't expecting this at all 4/5

Hick on Netflix

The Double Feature Weekly Wrap-Up, 9/2/12

Welcome to this week's edition of  the Double Feature Weekly Wrap-up! Really difficult pairings with some lackluster films this week - these were some difficult pairings Here are my self-imposed rules taken from my first edition:

1. No pairing of sequels. Obviously Watching Iron Man 2 with Iron Man would  be a good double feature, but that's so obvious I don't think it should count. Same with pairing it with another film in the Avengers series.
2. No pairing remakes with originals. Yes, it's tempting to pair the new Arthur with the original, but again that's too obvious.
3. No pairings with the same director or lead actor unless a REALLY persuasive case can be made.

So, without further ado, here are my double-feature pairings for the week:

• Dane Cook: ISolated INcident - In a word, this was just bad. Dane Cook may be a decent actor but a good comic he is not. Plus, it struck me he was just liberally stealing material from a number of other comics, including Russell Brand. For that reason, I suggest Russell Brand In New York City as a good pairing - see how it's really done as opposed to this weak-sauce version. Bah.
• In My Sleep - This thriller had a semi-decent plot but just ghastly acting. I wish it had tried to either be more twisty with its plot devices or to just use a bit more subterfuge in execuating them. IT reminded me in tone of Gothika, better thriller with much better acting that got a little closer to the desired effect.
• Jesus Henry Christ - This dramedy had a lot going for it - great cast, solid plot, and good direction. I couldn't tell you why I just didn't connect with it as much as I should have - I think if it had taken it's subject a bit more seriously it would have helped. The perfect pairing for this is Jodie Foster's Little Man Tate, a movie that deals with a very similar plot in a more serious and infectious light.
• Proof - Another film this week where I feel the jury is still out. I'll remember it for Hugo Weaving and Russell Crowe, but the plot was clumsy and got in its own way far too often. I think the director was shooting for a darker, more sinister vibe which she just didn't achieve. I kept being reminded of Stephen Frears' earlier work, in particular Dirty Pretty Things. Frears' noir drama hits the notes to which Proof was aiming and hits them to perfection. I think the pair would make a great double feature night.
• Half Broken Things - This British low-key drama/thriller was creepy and odd but failed to deliver the suspenseful punch that was intended. Better direction and much better acting would have done it I think. I thought for a while about what to pair this with. I feel like there was a tonal quality missing that would have brought out the best in this script. South Korea's The Housemaid has that missing quality - haunting direction and ephemeral characters that leave you captivated and questioning. However, the plot of The Housemaid isn't nearly as solid or intriguing as that of Half Broken Things. I think watching these two as a double feature would highlight what each is missing and provide a more complete viewing experience.
• The Art of Getting By - Once again this week a movie just fails to deliver for me. This drama had a decent plot but Freddie Highmore just didn't have the impact for the lead role. I felt like he was doing a bad Anton Yelchin impression for most of the film, leading me to suggest Like Crazy as my double feature pairing. Yelchin and Jones are just magnificent in Like Crazy and it hit every note to perfection.

Happy movie watching!

The Art of Getting By

Freddie Highmore just didn't connect with me & thus this felt awfully flat. I don't know, it's okay. 3/5

The Art of Getting By on Netflix

Half Broken Things

The plot of this drama was interesting but it needed better acting & a few more dollars to make it work. 3/5

Half Broken Things on Netflix