Love Crime

Oh wow, this was SO much better than the De Palma remake - far more believable, coherent, & less vulgar. Amazing. 4/5

Love Crime on Netflix

Blackfish

A highly intrigiung, well researched, engaging documentary that challenges you & will make you think. Bravo. 5/5

Blackfish on Netflix

Ong Bak 2: The Beginning

This Tony Jaa project is a feast for the senses & featured some of the best martial arts I've seen in a while. BTW, Tony Jaa didn't just star in this - he wrote, produced, directed and choreographed all the action. WOW. This man is a god. 4/5

Ong Bak 2: The Beginning on Netflix

The Deep

This affecting Icelandic drama based of true events is both chilling & heartwarming - a true tale of survival.  3.5/5

The Deep on Netflix

The Bridesmaid

This French melodrama was just too unbelievable for me - I could never get lost in the story. A weak plot. 2/5

The Bridesmaid on Netflix

Touchy Feely

This had the bones of a great film but lack of depth & explanation left it only passably good. I hoped for more. 3/5

Touchy Feely on Netflix

Elysium

Too long, sappy as hell & way too political, this long whine about white privilege got old fast & made no sense. 2/5

Elysium on Netflix

Monsters

When Gareth Edwards was revealed as the person to helm the reboot of "Godzilla", "Monsters" was touted as the main reason he got the job. And it was confusing for me because I'd swore that I had seen it - I remembered it vividly - but yet I had no rating for it on Netflix. So I rented it again, just to be sure, and I'm so glad I did. Yes, I had seen it before, and it was as sumptuously directed as I remembered. The pacing and storyline are far more like a cerebral drama than a monster movie, which I think tends to throw people off. It is, however, the very definition of ominous, with an ending that hit me like a lightning bolt. The revelation of the end jolted me so hard I restarted the film, searching for a particular moment in a particular scene just to see if I had gotten that right. When I realized I had I was struck by equal parts tragedy and awe at the implications of it all. I'm so glad Gareth Edwards is remaking "Godzilla" - if this is anything to stand by it will be amazing. 4.5/5

Monsters on Netflix

Far Out Isn't Far Enough: The Tomi Ungerer Story

This documentary about Tomi Ungerer is interesting but not fleshed out - the bones of a good movie. 3/5

Far Out Isn't Far Enough: The Tomi Ungerer Story on Netflix

Case 39

Zellweger is quite good but the plot is so thin & the solution so easy to spot that I was near annoyed by the end. 2.5/5

Case 39 on Netflix

Sightseers

This black comedy was richer, darker, & more adept at plot twists than I expected - very solid acting as well. 3.5/5

Sightseers on Netflix

Let's Go To Prison

Shepard & Arnett were perfection in this black comedy with a dry wit. Very funny & viciously dark. 3.5/5

Let's Go To Prison on Netflix

Beautiful Ohio

Chad Lowe's directorial debut is a quietly gentle & sophisticated drama with beautiful characters. Lovely. 3.5/5

Beautiful Ohio on Netflix

Berberian Sound Studio

This Lynchian thriller is a thinking man's film - dark, subtle, cerebral & thought-provoking. 3/5

Berberian Sound Studio on Netflix

Whores' Glory

This documentary about prostitution around the world is utterly nonjudgmental & very intimate - great work. 4/5

Whores' Glory on Netflix

Man of Steel

HOLY SNOT THIS WAS AMAZING. Possibly the best second best superhero film I've ever seen - I loved this so much. 5/5

Man of Steel on Netflix

The Hunt

Mikkelsen is magnificent in this heartbreaking Danish drama - so many questions still remain, I'm haunted. Lovely. 4/5

The Hunt on Netflix

Midnight in Paris

As I'm not an Allen fan I was surprised at how charming & witty I found this & great acting of course. 3.5/5

Midnight in Paris on Netflix

The Pianist

I oddly didn't have a strong reaction to this - I found it badly in need of editing & only moderately compelling. 3.5/5

The Pianist on Netflix

A Perfect Getaway

I did guess every plot twist in this but I really enjoyed it anyway - solid acting & good direction. 3.5/5

A Perfect Getaway on Netflix

The Romantics

By all rights I should have hated this but I surprisingly didn't - I found it a fascinating character study. BTW, this would be a perfect double-feature with Baumbach's "Margot at the Wedding" - both are quite good. 4/5

The Romantics on Netflix

Alex Cross

Who knew Matthew Fox could act like this? He was excellent in this rather gripping & exciting action thriller. 3.5/5

Alex Cross on Netflix

Dead Man Down

This thriller is really well plotted & wonderfully acted by Farrell, Rapace & Howard. Suspenseful & well done. 4/5

Dead Man Down on Netflix

Dredd

I thought the was a remake of the Stallone flick but it's not & it's quite good & exciting to boot. I'm surprised. This would be an excellent double feature with "The Raid: Redemption" - both are quite exciting with great action. 4/5

Dredd on Netflix

Frances Ha

I love Noah Baumbach & this clever, witty & charming film is not exception. Greta Gerwig is wonderful - bravo. 4/5

Frances Ha on Netflix

The Sunset Limited

Two men, one room, & a question that can't be answered - wonderful acting in this play-turned film. 3.5/5

The Sunset Limited on Netflix

The Woodmans

A rather unflinching look at a family of artists & the death of a young talent. I wanted to know more. 3.5/5

The Woodmans on Netflix

Paradise

The new Diablo Cody is a huge letdown from "Young Adult" - shallow plot with hollow characters doing nothing. Bah. 2/5

Paradise on Netflix

Book of Love

What can I say? This film is epic amounts of people behaving horribly to each other & that doesn't work for me. 2/5

Book of Love on Netflix

The Central Park Five

I remember this case so vividly & yet I knew none of this information. Troubling & very powerful. 4.5/5

The Central Park Five on Netflix

The Way Way Back

This acting in this brooding dramedy is just wonderful & really elevates the film. Poignant & touching. 4/5

The Way Way Back on Netflix

The Sound of Insects

While this is a profoundly disturbing film, the realization that it can't be real really destroys it. To be clear - this is presented as true. It is based off a novel which is loosely based on a totally different story. Bah 2.5/5

The Sound of Insects on Netflix

Olympus Has Fallen

Fuqua should be ashamed of himself for this messy thriller - he's far better than this. Disappointing. 2/5

Olympus Has Fallen on Netflix

The Impossible

This disaster tale is both epic and intimate, striking a wonderful balance between the two extremes. Wonderful. 4/5

The Impossible on Netflix

Elena

This Russian drama was moody & well acted but really needed some editing. I was drawn to it throughout but it dragged. 3/5

Elena on Netflix

This Is Not A Film

This odd Iranian documentary shows the power of oppression, but as a film it's weak. Good not great.  3/5

This Is Not A Film on Netflix

Gaslight

This classic noir thriller is expertly acted & well and truly suspenseful - Bergman was wonderful. Well done. 4/5

Gaslight on Netflix

The Letter

This portrait of delusion is dismally bad with atrocious acting & a ridiculous & unclear plot. Not worth your time. 2/5

The Letter on Netflix

The Purge

A good idea very poorly executed - very predictable & preachy throughout with weak acting as well. Disappointing. 2.5/5

The Purge on Netflix

Fear X

This early Refn thriller showcases his cerebal understated style but is too nebulous & unclear to make an impact. 2.5/5

Fear X on Netflix

White House Down

Finally the true inheritor of Die Hard emerges! Great action, Tatum was excellent, seriously fun. Loved it. 4.5/5

White House Down on Netflix

Lore

This moody German drama captures the sense of numbness & confusion that must have been present in collapsing Germany. 3.5/5

Lore on Netflix

Last Dance

This documentary does justice to the difficulties of collaberation - I wish I could have seen more of the piece! 4/5

 Last Dance on Netflix

Jeff Dunham: Spark of Insanity

This was my first Dunham - it was honestly LOL funny - Peanut was my favorite. Really great. 4/5

Jeff Dunham: Spark of Insanity on Netflix

Erased

Why hasn't Aaron Eckhart done action before? He's believable even when the script isn't & the action is decent as well. 3/5

Erased on Netflix

Lovelace

Seyfried is great in the lead role of this bio-pic that heavily favors Linda's version of events. Interesting take. 3.5/5

Lovelace on Netflix

In My Skin

This one will be longer because I don't have words for what I just saw. I have never been so profoundly disturbed watching a movie before. From about 15 minutes in straight through to the end I was watching with my mouth gaped in horror, hands clasped over my face. This is a gruesome and chilling portrait, but what makes it so is how accurate and illuminating it is on the issue of self-injury. Yes, this film takes it to a serious extreme, but that's not a fault of the film - it's a blessing if anything. The extreme nature of the film forces you to really think about why this is happening, what purpose it serves, and how far someone might go to numb themselves. The scenes of derealization are just amazing - everything about this is amazing. It's hard to rate this because it's so good but just so hard to watch, I'm going to have to think on this a lot. And, since it will be haunting my dreams, I'll certainly have the chance. 4.5/5

In My Skin on Netflix

Passion

What the hell happened to De Palma? This horrid mess made no sense - I wanted to claw my eyes out a few times. Bad. 1.5/5

Passion on Netflix

Boy

Taika Waititi is New Zealand's Wes Anderson except with stronger & more sympathetic characters. Understated but a bit cold. 3/5

Boy on Netflix

Pusher

Had I not seen the Danish original I would have been blown away - this remake loses some of the original's subtlety. Coyle was great as Frank, Webb not good as Tony, but Zlatko Buric was back as Milo which was wonderful. Will the sequels follow? If so, I hope they recast Tony - other than that I'm ready. 3.5/5

Pusher on Netflix

My Amityville Horror

This documentary is amazing - a portrait in trauma, abuse, & the power of the past. Absolutely riveting. 5/5

My Amityville Horror on Netflix

Spring Breakers

The visually stunning direction, great editing & Franco's stellar performance sell this steamy thriller. 3.5/5

Spring Breakers on Netflix

Word Wars

This documentary about national Scrabble players is character-driven, suspenseful & quite interesting. Well done. 3.5/5

Word Wars on Netflix

As Cool As I Am

This film didn't treat its serious & often dark subject matter as serious as it should've & thus disappointed. 3/5

As Cool As I Am on Netflix

The Green

A fascinating look at human interaction - isn't it amazing how a simple gesture can be so misconstrued? Interesting. 3/5

The Green on Netflix

The Child I Never Was

So much could have been done with this story, something darker & more sinister, but I was left wanting. 2.5/5

The Child I Never Was on Netflix

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

This comedy is charming, romantic & very sweet, if rather benign & predictable. Good, not great. 3/5

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen on Netflix

The Wall

This intriguing drama is layered thickly with metaphor & lovingly shot with a story that is ultimately horrifying. I think it's going to be a long, long time before I'll get this film out of my head. Very very powerful. Wow. 4/5

The Wall on Netflix

Maniac

This is the only film I've ever seen shot entirely in first person perspective - unique, disturbing, & quite gory. 3.5/5

Maniac on Netflix

Only God Forgives

This is going to need a longer review from me so pardon the length of this. People are very divided in their opinions about this film, and I can certainly see why. This looks and feels for all the world like a Kim Ki-Duk South Korean revenge thriller - lush cinematography, beautiful palettes, long slow shots, silent or mostly-silent characters, and intense violence. And if you aren't familiar with this type of film I'm sure this movie would feel utterly alien and overly violent. What's even more interesting about "Only God Forgives" is that it's penned by Danish writer Nicolas Winding Refn, the esteemed author of the "Pusher" trilogy. So, in addition to a South Korean visual feel it has a marvelous Danish sensibility about it in that doesn't feel the need to explain or explore any more than what's needed. It's a brilliant pairing that works together just fantastically to create an intensely gruesome yet poignantly beautiful film that I just loved. My one complaint would be that they had Ryan Gosling, who works so beautifully in silence, and they didn't give him a meatier role like we might have seen with Choi Min-Sik or Johnny Hallyday. With that complaint aside, I found this film utterly amazing, and if you are a fan of South Korean film and Scandinavian sensibility you will as well. Loved this very much. 4.5/5

Only God Forgives on Netflix

Ingenious

Jeremy Renner has questionable taste in films - an exceptionally average comedy only averagely acted. Meh. 2.5/5

Ingenious on Netflix

The East

Brit Marling is dynamic in this good but too black & white psych thriller - a bit too lop-sided for me but still okay. 3/5

The East on Netflix

The Bling Ring

I'm not a big Sofia Coppola fan but this drama was really well acted & paced throughout - entertaining. 3/5

The Bling Ring on Netflix

The Ugly Truth

This rom-com is actually sweet, funny & more than a bit charming, better than I expected. Surprisingly decent. 3/5

The Ugly Truth on Netflix

Nine Queens

The twists & turns of this Argentinian heist thriller are wonderful, paced beautifully & acted quite well. Bravo! 4/5

Nine Queens on Netflix

Laurence Anyways

The acting in this was really fantastic but it was WAY too long & the second half got really off-track. 3/5

Lawrence Anyways on Netflix

Hiding and Seeking

A beautifully poignant documentary with a powerful lesson for all & not in the least preachy. Wonderful. 4/5

Hiding and Seeking on Netflix

Shuffle

This romantic indie was an unexpected delight - the acting gave me pause but the writing was quite brilliant. Lovely. 4/5

Shuffle on Netflix

It's a Disaster

This comedy is refreshingly original, well written, snappy & wonderfully acted across the board - wonderful. 4/5

It's a Disaster on Netflix

Dragon

A perfect blend of mystery thriller & marital arts film, this striking Mandarin action drama is wonderfully done. 4/5

Dragon on Netflix

Call 211

This Spanish thriller is fantastic in every possible way - no wonder it won a dozen awards. Suspenseful & gritty. 4.5/5

Cell 211 on Netflix

King of Devil's Island

This Norwegian film based on true events was inspiring to me & quite well acted by all. Gritty & real. 4/5

King of Devil's Island on Netflix

How to Die in Oregon

An incredibly powerful & moving film about death with dignity - such strong & noble people, wonderful. 4.5/5

How to Die in Oregon on Netflix

Much Ado About Nothing

Sorry Joss but nothing save Amy Acker was right in this odd take - the language beats were just wrong. With a single shot early in the film Joss undid all that came later - it speaks to a lack of knowledge of the text I feel, YMMV. 2/5

Much Ado About Nothing on Netflix

Aftershock

I haven't cried this much during & after a movie in many years - just devastating, an absolute must-see. 5/5

Aftershock on Netflix

The Jeffrey Dahmer Files

The interviews were interesting enough but the reenactments unnecessary - an uneven film at best. 2.5/5

The Jeffrey Dahmer Files on Netflix

Ripley's Game

I never knew there was a sequel to the first Ripley movies - I found Malkovich's take very sinister & interesting 3/5

Ripley's Game on Netflix

Salvation Boulevard

This half black comedy & half mystery is intriguing & paced well but never really captured my interest. 3/5

Salvation Boulevard on Netflix

An Oversimplification of Her Beauty

This indie drama is brilliantly unique, clever, poignant, & creative - a real revelation. No, really - watch this film. It's really amazing in it's construction & the reality it builds, layer upon layer. Wonderful. 3.5/5

An Oversimplification of Her Beauty on Netflix

This Is the End

Seth Rogen is a god for making this hilarious comedy that was LOL worthy - McBride & Cera are insanely funny. 4.5/5

This Is the End on Netflix

The Great Gatsby

This is absolutely beautiful but very hollow - great style with little substance. It had heart but no soul. Despite saying that I still really enjoyed it - it's a lush, intoxicating film that I would recommend, & Leo is just phenomenal. 3.5/5

The Great Gastby on Netflix

The Oranges

Possibly the most egregious examples of people behaving badly for no reason that I've seen in a while. Blech.

The Oranges on Netflix

Would You Rather

These rather cheesy horror flick is rather good & well acted in parts & I didn't see the very end coming. 3/5

Would You Rather on Netflix

Something in the Air

There's nothing wrong with this moody drama but as I couldn't identify with any character I was so bored. 2.5/5

Something in the Air on Netflix

The Campaign

I generally don't think I'll like Will Ferrell movies & do, but this was weak all the way through. Not good. 2/5

The Campaign on Netflix

Murderous Intent

This psych thriller is wonderfully acted by Eddie Redmayne but nebulously scripted with an odd ending. 3/5

Murderous Intent on Netflix

Room 237

Some of the theories in this "documentary" are wildly fascinating, some vaguely interesting, & the rest hogwash. 3/5

Room 237 on Netflix

Pusher 3: I'm the Angel of Death

The last installment of the Danish thriller series was less impactful than the first two but an interesting finale. I've never been so aware of the reality of dismembering a body before. Eeesh. A solid series, really well acted. 4.5/5

Pusher 3: I'm the Angel of Death on Netflix

Knuckle

This documentary gives some fascinating insights into Irish culture but I was left wanting to know much more. 3.5/5

Knuckle on Netflix

Get the Gringo

There's nothing wrong with this fun action flick, but it just didn't have that spark that made me love it. 3/5

Get the Gringo on Netflix

Savage Grace

This drama based on a true story is alarming & disturbing but excellently acted by Moore and Redmayne. Very dark 3.5/5

Savage Grace on Netflix

Simon Killer

Brady Corbet is mesmerizing & fantastic in this lush, visually stunning erotic thriller with a dark edge. 4/5

Simon Killer on Netflix

Wish You Were Here

This Aussie thriller is pieced together non-linearly, making the end reveal that much more powerful. 4/5

Wish You Were Here on Netflix

Old Men in New Cars

This Danish black comedy started out farcical but turned too zany & screwball for me to believe. 2.5/5

Old Men in New Cars on Netflix

Terribly Happy

This tense Danish thriller is full of gray areas & is wonderfully told - reminds me of "Tyrannosaur". Well done 4/5

Terribly Happy on Netflix

The Host

The new Meyer film is just as preposterous as the last with the same character dynamics. Why do I watch them? 2.5/5

The Host on Netflix

Chasing Ice

Regardless of your views on climate change the ice photography in this documentary is stunning & worth watching. 3/5

Chasing Ice on Netflix

Starbuck

This french Canadian comedy truly has a heart of gold & is the defintion of charming. Very acted and written - lovely. 4/5

Starbuck on Netflix

Pusher 2: With Blood on My Hands

Mikkelsen gives a magnificent nuanced performance & sells this edgy sequel in the Danish indie thriller series. 4/5

Pusher 2: With Blood on My Hands on Netflix

Act of Valor

The acting may be rough but the action is incredible in this action thriller starring real SEAL officers. Wow. 3.5/5

Act of Valor on Netflix

Stories We Tell

Sarah Polley's documentary about families & truth is interesting but not compelling, good not great. 3/5

Stories We Tell on Netflix

The Stranger Within

A horrible, terrible, awful psych thriller with abysmal acting & a terrible end. Need I say more?  2/5

The Stranger Within on Netflix

Into the Wild

I found this film far more disturbing & tragic than inspiring but I was surprised at how much I liked it. 4/5

Into the Wild on Netflix

The Place Beyond the Pines

This generational drama is told carefully & wonderfully with brilliant acting by Gosling & Cooper. 4/5

The Place Beyond the Pines on Netflix

Now You See Me

This action thriller with a magical edge is great fun & well acted - I didn't guess a thing. Highly enjoyable. 4/5

Now You See Me on Netflix

Fat Kid Rules the World

"Hesher" meets "Wallflower" with humor & sincerity but without needed depth or resolution. Pretty good. 3/5

Fat Kid Rules the World on Netflix

Pusher

Nicolas Winding Refn's thriller is brilliantly crafted & wonderfully acted - I can't wait to see the rest of the series. 4/5

Pusher on Netflix

At Any Price

This family drama is poorly acted, badly written & terminally boring. I dosed off for 10 minutes & missed nothing. 2/5

At Any Price on Netflix

Killer Joe

McConaughey blows the doors off in this dark & violent thriller by Friedkin. Just wonderful casting & great script. 4/5

Killer Joe on Netflix

After Innocence

This documentary examines reversed convictions due to DNA - it's scary to see the damage done to these men. 3.5/5

After Innocence on Netflix

The Silence

This German thriller is visually stunning with compelling writing & wonderful performances throughout. Well done! 4/5

The Silence on Netflix

Errors of the Human Body

This sci-fi thriller is well plotted & acted - would make a great double feature with Antiviral. In fact, the last few years have seen a lot of great new sci-fi being made - "Another Earth", "Perfect Sense", "Upstream Color", "Antiviral" & more. Very refreshing. 3.5/5

Errors of the Human Body on Netflix

Jim Gaffigan: King Baby

This stand-up special was my first Gaffigan experience - very funny but not laugh-out-loud worthy. 3.5/5

Jim Gaffigan: King Baby on Netflix

Arbitrage

This tense thriller is quite well written & Gere delivers his best performance in years. Surprising;y strong film. 4/5

Arbitrage on Netflix

Post Tenebras Lux

This dreamy drama is Malick-esque but more coherent & less irritating. The ending got wacky but still lovely. 3/5

Post Tenebras Lux on Netflix

Amour

I'll need to write a long review tomorrow but, for now, this was the best picture of the year hands down. Just wow. 5/5

Amour on Netflix

Trance

This stylish Danny Boyle thriller is brilliantly written & perfectly acted by the leads. I never saw it coming. 4/5

Trance on Netflix

Lincoln

The acting in this epic film is marvelous, the script quite good & reasonably edited, but best picture? No, sorry. 4/5

Lincoln on Netflix

My Beautiful Laundrette

I don't get the fuss over this early Frears film - it honestly bored me to tears. Not for me I guess. 2/5

My Beautiful Laundrette on Netflix

21 & Over

This raunchy comedy is a better acted, more cohesive & way funnier version of The Hangover that is worth your time. 3.5/5

21 & Over on Netflix

Fast, Cheap & Out of Control

This documentary had interesting subjects but lacked a cohesive structure to tie it together. Meh. 3/5

Fast, Cheap & Out of Control on Netflix

Magic Magic

Juno Temple & Michael Cera were tremendous but this disjointed thriller had a lot of plotholes & a weak ending. And no, I never thought I'd write the words "Michael Cera was tremendous" either. ;) 3/5

Magic Magic on Netflix

The Company You Keep

This well acted drama would had scored more had it stuck to the plot twists & lightened the preaching. 3/5

The Company You Keep on Netflix

To The Wonder

I'm so done with Malick's "visual poetry" - I find it boring, pretentious & masturbatory. It's just not for me. 2/5

To The Wonder on Netflix

The Sapphires

This inspriational tale of a aboriginal girls group is well written & acted throughout. A fun movie, well done. 3.5/5

 The Sapphires on Netflix

Antiviral

This is going to be longer, because a review of a film this innovative should be. This is the first feature from Brandon Cronenberg, which he both wrote and directed, and in one film I feel he has surpassed the best things his father ever did. It is, quite simply, the best sci-fi film I've seen in a long while and perhaps the most innovative one in years. The writing was marvelous, engaging, sinister, and disturbing, without ever breaking its own rules. The star of the film who I have never seen before, Caleb Landry Jones, was sheer perfection. Most everything about this film was just that - sheer perfection - and I feel sorry for the many on Netflix who gave this poor reviews after just not grasping the plot. This is the type of film ardent movie fans should be supporting, which is why I immediately bought it on DVD. I encourage anyone who likes visually stunning, dark, cerebral sci-fi films to watch this with haste - you will thank me. 5/5

Antiviral on Netflix

On the Road

Supremely tedious, pretentious & boring with not a single relatable character. I fast forwarded the last third. 2/5

On the Road on Netflix

Mud

McConaughey is perfection in this slow-cooked Southern drama that is teased out in a wonderful way. Fantastic film. Not as good as "Southern Wilds" but much in the vein of "Winter's Bone" - definitely overlooked for an Oscar. 4/5

Mud on Netflix

West of Memphis

This is likely THE definitive documentary on the West Memphis 3 & brings everything together marvelously. 5/5

West of Memphis on Netflix

The Baytown Outlaws

This highly stylized action flick is loads of fun & reminded me of a modern Southern "Warriors". Well done. 4/5

The Baytown Outlaws on Netflix

The Nature of Existence

This documentary explore the meaning of life & religion in an interesting & non-judgmental way. 3.5/5

The Nature of Existence on Netflix

Bill Burr: Why Do I Do This?

This was genuinely laugh out loud funny throughout - I really enjoyed it Solid material. 4.5/5

Bill Burr: Why Do I Do This? on Netflix

A Shock to the System

This very black comedy is smartly written and well acted throughout - Caine looked so young! Well done. 4/5

A Shock to the System on Netflix

Nanking

One of the most powerful and shocking things I've ever seen. I could not help but weep at it - brilliantly done. 5/5

Nanking on Netflix

A Good Day to Die Hard

This isn't just a bad Die Hard movie, it's just plain bad. Ridiculous situations & conclusions. Ugh. 2/5

A Good Day to Die Hard on Netflix

Footsteps

This bizarre thriller is one of the worst films I've ever seen - no plot or coherence at all. Really truly awful. 1/5

Footsteps on Netflix

Lost Boys of Sudan

This documentary covers much the same ground as "God Grew Tired of Us" will less impact though still good 3.5/5

Lost Boys of Sudan on Netflix

Abduction of Eden

This harrowing film about human trafficking is disturbing & tragic but yet uplifting & redemptive. Well done 4/5

Abduction of Eden on Netflix

The Five-Year Engagement

This is about a half hour too long but is still sweet, charming & not about people behaving badly. 3.5/5

The Five-Year Engagement on Netflix

Janie Jones

This rather charming dramedy was a touch saccharine but still quite sweet & well acted by Abigail Breslin. 3.5/5

Janie Jones on Netflix

Movie 43

Most of these raunchy vignettes are garbage but there are a couple that are laugh-out-loud funny, so there's that. 2.5/5

Movie 43 on Netflix

Sound and Fury

This provocative look at deaf culture bravely doesn't choose sides or offer opinions - very powerful & heartfelt. It's nice to see more documentaries like this, where the filmmaker isn't front & center. A very refreshing & honest trend. 4/5

Sound and Fury on Netflix

13 Assassins

Takashi Miike is at the height of his powers in this epic action adventure. Tarantino - this is how it's done! 4.5/5

13 Assassins on Netflix

Southern Comfort

This documentary concerning transgendered life is bold, interesting, and features lovely people. Well done. 3.5/5

Southern Comfort on Netflix

Warm Bodies

This zombie Romeo & Juliet is charming & quite funny, even if it bends the rules sometimes. I really enjoyed it. 3.5/5

Warm Bodies on Netflix

The Yellow Sea

This South Korean thriller is epic & marvelous in its ambition & execution - I was captivated for every frame. 4.5/5

The Yellow Sea on Netflix

V/H/S

I'm a found-footage lover but this bored the snot out of me. Laboriously long & tedious - only 2 segments were any good. 2/5

V/H/S on Netflix

LolliLove

This mockumentary is achingly painful in all the best ways. Well acted & written by Jenna Fischer - I liked it a lot. 4/5

LolliLove on Netflix

Home

This documentary which offers no judgments is equal parts heartbreaking & infuriating - a great look at cultural divides. 4/5

Home on Netflix

Generation Um....

I made it 45 minutes in before I turned this off due to terminal boredom. Save yourself, avoid this. 1.5/5

Generation Um... on Netflix

6 Souls

This psych thriller isn't particularly inventive or dramatic but Rhys Meyers is really quite brilliant so there's that. 3/5

 6 Souls on Netflix

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters

This is just terrible - it only gets a star for the effects. Jeremy Renner isn't worth this. 2/5

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters on Netflix

Upstream Color

This is from the man who created "Primer" but is lightyears more advanced. Visually stunning, cerebral & complex - it will take several viewing to totally unravel this rich film. 4/5

Upstream Color on Netflix 

Ultrasuede: In Search of Halston

This was an interesting but very surface portrait of Halston that annoyed as much as educated. This was sadly another casualty of Moore-style film making where the documenatarian gets just too much screen time. Annoying. 3/5

 Ultrasuede: In Search of Halston on Netflix

Mental

This had its moments but I found this comedy more annoying & off-puttng than endearing - it never rang true at all. 2.5/5

Mental on Netflix

Time Out

This is a fascinating & wonderfully acted story of a man unraveling - keeping it so subtle & mysterious was genius. Incidentally, the translation of the French title to "Time Out" is a poor one - "Time's Up" would be more appropriate for the film. 4/5

Time Out on Netflix

56 Up

I was so very happy to see all but one of the participants back for this latest & wonderfully hopeful segment. Bravo! Tony, Suzy & Neil continue to be favorites but I cheered everyone's introduction - I'll be heartbroken when the first dies. 5/5

56 Up on Netflix

In The Family

This loving & carefully woven drama about family could have used some editing but delivered a powerful punch. 4/5

In The Family on Netflix

Kenny

This mockumentary done in the vein of "Best in Show" is incredibly charming & witty with a great lead character. 4/5

Kenny on Netflix

The Loneliest Planet

This nearly silent film will have me thinking for weeks - a beautiful & shocking film that turns on a dime. If you like Kim Ki-Duk's quiet films, I think you'll be in awe of this very subtle yet powerful film. 4/5

The Loneliest Planet on Netflix

This drama about the No campaign in Chile is moving & inspirational with a great performance by Gael Garcia Bernal. 3.5/5

No on Netflix

The Last Rites of Joe May

Maggio's touching script & a powerful performance by Farina make this indie drama a complete success. 4/5

The Last Rites of Joe May on Netflix

Newlyweds

This indie comedy is stylish & quite witty but I had a hard time connecting to the characters - just average for me. 3/5

Newlyweds on Netflix

The Raid: Redemption

I love an ol' fashioned violent kung-fu movie & this delivers in spades - the new soundtrack is awesome. 4.5/5

The Raid: Redemption on Netflix

The Hidden Face

Wow, this Spanish thriller is just amazing. I didn't guess one moment of it & the acting is superb. Bravo! 4.5/5

The Hidden Face on Netflix

Kitchen Stories

This Norwegian comedy is dryly charming but I never really connected with it or its characters emotionally. 3/5

Kitchen Stories on Netflix

Last Ride

This Australian indie is incredibly poignant & hard to watch at times - wonderfully acted by Hugo Weaving. Bravo. 4/5

Last Ride on Netflix

Cloud Atlas

This picture is just magnificent - I was mesmerized by every frame of it. Marvelous acting & a beautiful story. 5/5

Cloud Atlas on Netflix

Side Effects

This thriller is well acted & interesting enough but utterly implausible throughout. Just a meh from me. 3/5

Side Effects on Netflix

16 Years of Alcohol

This movie about alcoholism had literally no drinking in it - huh? McKidd was truly magical though. 2/5

16 Years of Alcohol on Netflix

Slaughterhouse-Five

Terrible acting & a very uneven plot made this trippy film hard to swallow. Could have been much better. 2/5

Slaughterhouse-Five on Netflix

Starlet

This gentle indie drama is very understated & lovely with a wonderful reveal at the end. I really enjoyed this. 4/5

Starlet on Netflix

Battle: Los Angeles

This is about as perfect as an action/disaster flick gets - slick direction, great pacing, great acting. 5/5

Battle: Los Angeles on Netflix

Naked

David Thewlis is mesmerizing but I never really got the plot in this odd & muddy thriller. More clarity was needed. 3/5

Naked on Netflix

Frankie Go Boom

This comedy is smart, witty & well done, but all you need to know is Ron Perlman is in drag. A must see! 3.5/5

Frankie Go Boom on Netflix

The Girl Next Door

This profile of adult star Stacy Valentine is very intimate, revealing & down to earth, much like she is. 4/5

The Girl Next Door on Netflix

Punching the Clown

Henry Phillips is wonderful in this indie comedy with fantastic comedy music - very dark & edgy, well done. 4/5

Punching the Clown on Netflix

Cook County

When this meth thriller is good it's very good, but the plot & acting is a bit too uneven to really pack a punch. 3/5

Cook County on Netflix

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

This coming-of-age story is wonderfully acted & depicts mental illness very well. Well done. 4/5

The Perks of Being a Wallflower on Netflix

Some Guy Who Kills People

This very black comedy has a great premise but not enough punch to put it over the top. 3/5

Some Guy Who Kills People on Netflix

God Said, "Ha!"

Julia Sweeney's monologue about family, God and cancer is wonderfully delivered & written, really fantastic. 4/5

God Said, "Ha!" on Netflix

The Bourne Legacy

Even with no memory of the Bourne universe I found this highly enjoyable despite plot holes. Fun. 3.5/5

The Bourne Legacy on Netflix

Simple Men

Dear sweet god this was awful - I turned it off less than an hour in. Atrocious acting, terrible script. Hal Hartley did great with "Henry Fool" but terrible with this - he has one tie breaking shot to impress me or I'm out. Bah. 1.5/5

Simple Men on Netflix

Real Fiction

This early Kim Ki-duk film was a big miss for me with an ambiguous messy plot that just meanders around. Related question - what is Kim Ki-Duk's preoccupation with sexual assault? It's in nearly all of his films. Odd that. 2.5/5

Real Fiction on Netflix

The Wildest Dream

I'd love to believe Mallory climbed Everest & this documentary explained it all quite well. Well done. 4/5

The Wildest Dream on Netflix

Bellflower

I watched and reviewed "Bellflower" for the first time on July 24, 2012. In my initial review I gave the film only three stars, citing "nebulous writing" and "rough acting" as my main problems. I have mentioned and written about the movie a few times since that first review, each time thinking and writing about it far more positively. I few weeks ago I ran across my first review and couldn't understand how this movie which had continued to live in my head so vibrantly was one I only rated as three stars. Last night I rewatched "Bellflower" and, my god, I was so very wrong the first time around.

"Bellflower" is an absolutely brilliant film that is gorgeously and strikingly directed. The cinematography is some of the best I've seen in years, and that's saying something. Evan Glodell, who wrote, directed and starred in the film, utilizes gritty film and shots that move in and out of focus to create a world that is hallucinatory and surrealistic. Some of the shots - most notably the epic shot of the car near the end of the film - are just so perfectly done they took my breath away. This film is visually stunning, even more so on second viewing.

So what about the plot that I found somewhat lacking the first time around? Honestly... I think I just didn't get it. I had felt the movie wasn't believable, but a movie about two men creating weapons for the upcoming apocalypse in service of their gang Mother Medusa isn't really based in this reality, now is it? No, this film is a morality tale told in shades of magical realism that bares more than a passing resemblance to "Fight Club" in plot and tone. It's not supposed to be realistic - it's a dark film that uses heavy symbolism to tell a cautionary tale of what becoming a man means in this violent day and age. Every frame of the film and every nuance of the plot services this point and I'm stunned I didn't understand this in my first viewing.

The one complaint I need to keep is that the acting is weak for the most part. However, what I didn't appreciate is that all of the actors in the film are comprised of the skeleton film crew and actors hired off of Craig's List. This film was shot on virtually no budget - although you'd never be able to tell that from the look of it. So, yes, the acting isn't stellar, but it's not terrible either. In fact, the overly hammy acting in the first act of the film is necessary to make the degeneration of the characters through the rest of the film more believable.

Conclusion? I was totally wrong and I admit it. "Bellflower" is a stunning film that gets better the more it percolates in your brain. After my second viewing I was so blown away I bought the DVD, so that's saying something from me. If you like strange, dark, gritty films that are visually stunning and off the beaten path rent "Bellflower" - it's a wonderful film that should be seen by everyone. 

Bellflower on Netflix

Gangster Squad

I was completely surprised at how good this action thriller was - I was totally captured from minute one. Nice. 4/5

Gangster Squad on Netflix

Mad Hot Ballroom

The kids in this documentary are great dancers but I really wanted to know more about them & their lives. 3/5

Mad Hot Ballroom on Netflix

Only the Young

I was very engaged in this interesting documentary & quite invested in its characters. Surprisingly good. 4/5

Only the Young on Netflix

Just Go With It

This ridiculous rom-com is just barely watchable & utterly unbelievable from beginning to end. Bah humbug. 2/5

Just Go With It on Netflix

Treeless Mountain

This Korean film is understated & dark in it's tale of lost children. Magnificently acting, very affecting. 3.5/5

Treeless Mountain on Netflix

Promised Land

This would have been a far better movie it is wasn't based on such horseshit. As it stands, good, not great. 3/5

Promised Land on Netflix

Letting Go of God

Julia Sweeney's monologue isn't stand-up per se but is a rather brilliant examination of life & meaning. 4/5

Letting Go of God on Netflix

This Is 40

This was better than most of Apatow's recent crap but still relentlessly average & so not accurate about being 40. 3/5

This Is 40 on Netflix

The Jacket

Adrian Brody is wonderful in this thriller but the plot feels a bit flimsy for most of it. Good, not great. 3/5

The Jacket on Netflix

Reprise

Lie & Trier reunite for a fantastic drama about fame and the nature of love & madness. Brilliantly acted & directed. 4/5

Reprise on Netflix

Tchoupitoulas

What was the point of this film? It was pretty but I was so bored to tears I shut it off half way through. Bah. 2/5

Tchoupitoulas On Netflix

Kumare

I think this is an incredible relevant & important documentary that took huge risks for a wondrous payoff. Amazing. 5/5

Kumare on Netflix

Samaritan Girl

This Kim Ki-Duk film isn't as satisfying or profound as many of his other works but is quite beautiful. 3/5

Samaritan Girl on Netflix

Thin Ice

Maybe I just watch too many movies but I guessed every single second of this, beginning to end. Good acting though. 3/5

Thin Ice on Netflix

Wanderlust

Just a terrible, awful, trite little comedy about bad people behaving badly - Apatow is losing his touch I think. 1.5/5

Wanderlust on Netflix

Shane

A classic story told very solidly & compellingly, although it did feel more than a bit long to me. Well done. 3.5/5

Shane on Netflix

Pawn

This great thriller was brilliantly acted, well plotted & superbly executed - so refreshing to see such a smart film! Plus Michael Chiklis' Cockney accent was so good I actually paused the film to see if he might be British. Wow! 4.5/5

Pawn on Netflix

Love Comes to the Executioner

This very black comedy is far wittier than I expected & solidly acted as well - I'm surprised. 3.5/5

Love Comes to the Executioner on Netflix

The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Else

This disturbing, bizarre drama is really hard to watch but ultimately worth it all. And yes, this is a very flawed piece, but it's honest in its art and that makes all the difference. 3.5/5

The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Else on Netflix

Silver Linings Playbook

I can't explain it, I should have loved this, but I found it very average save for the amazing acting. David O. Russell's only truly astonishing film is "Spanking the Monkey" which is required viewing & just so amazing. This... honestly? Meh. 3/5

Silver Linings Playbook on Netflix

Flight

A powerful, insightful, realistic & ultimately redemptive portrayal of alcoholism wonderfully acted by Denzel. However, knowing what I know about the rooms, I feel very strongly that the very last line was a mistake, but I can forgive that. 4/5

Flight on Netflix

Bo Burnham: Words, Words, Words

I've never seen Bo before - he's funny, insightful, dry witted & really daring. I enjoyed this. 4/5

Bo Burnham: Words, Words, Words on Netflix

My Piece of the Pie

It's an interesting enough dramedy but a morality play? By what standard? The end really sunk this for me. 3/5

My Piece of the Pie on Netflix

The Details

This black comedy is incredibly smart & compelling - I was fascinated the entire film. What would *you* do? 4/5

The Details on Netflix

Happy People: A Year in the Taiga

A very average documentary by Herzog - interesting but lacking in his usual insights. 3/5

Happy People: A Year in the Taiga on Netflix

Django Unchained

The marvelous acting barely makes up for the indulgence & arduous length of this gratuitous action flick. Will someone get Quentin an editor already? That was three movies crammed into one. So frustrating to watch. The acting was fabulous though, I have to say that. Everyone in the cast was amazing, which is why it even has 3 stars. 3/5

Django Unchained on Netflix

I Hate Valentine's Day

This was so abysmally bad I had to fast-forward through the end. So awful on so many levels. 1.5/5

I Hate Valentine's Day on Netflix

Inside Deep Throat

This fascinating documentary tells the tale of Deep Throat from all sides judging no one. Well done. 4.5/5

Inside Deep Throat on Netflix

The Awakening

This psych thriller is both stylish & smart - I guessed only a small bit of it. Wonderfully acted as well. 4/5

The Awakening on Netflix

Potiche

This french comedy is light and charming but I couldn't get behind any of the characters. Disappointingly average. 3/5

Potiche on Netflix

Life of Pi

I just couldn't get sucked into this - only in the last few minutes did I truly start to believe. Average for me. 3/5

Life of Pi on Netflix

First Snow

Guy Pierce is fantastic in  this compelling thriller that only needed a stronger end to really satisfy. Well done. 3.5/5

First Snow on Netflix

28 Hotel Rooms

This surprised me - a captivating, well-orchestrated film that passes no judgment on its characters. Lovely. 4/5

28 Hotel Rooms on Netflix

Declaration of War

It's a poignant story but strange editing & structure choices left it hard to connect to. Too bad. 3/5

Declaration of War on Netflix

Take Me Home

This lovely indie rom-com sets just the right tone, has wonderful characters & excellent acting. Bravo. 4/5

Take Me Home on Netflix

Game Over: Kasparov & The Machine

The subject matter is fascinating but the execution sloppy in this intriguing documentary. 3/5

Game Over: Kasparov & The Machine on Netflix

17 Girls

This true story is compelling as it never judges or condemns these girls for their actions - well balanced. 3.5/5

17 Girls on Netflix

Lay the Favorite

This comedy based on a true story is funny & entertaining but certainly not deep - a good popcorn flick. 3/5

Lay the Favorite on Netflix

Goodbye First Love

This started out so tenderly & poignantly but ended with just people behaving badly. I'm torn on this. 3/5

Goodbye First Love on Netflix

A Royal Affair

This period drama is  very poignantly acted & exceptionally directed - I found it quite moving & romantic. 4/5

A Royal Affair on Netflix

Put the Camera on Me

This documentary is violent, disturbing, sexual, mature, daring & insightful & all done by kids. WOW. 4.5/5

Put the Camera on Me on Netflix

Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry

Passionate, inspiring & uplifting, this documentary about Ai Weiwei is just phenomenal. Wonderful. 4.5/5

Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry on Netflix

For Ellen

Paul Dano is divine in this heart-breaking indie drama that totally captured me from minute one. Perfectly done. Seriously, why isn't Paul Dano a MUCH bigger star? The last 3 things I've seen he was transcendent - he needs to get more love. 4/5

For Ellen on Netflix

Teddy Bear

Matthiesen created a thoughtful, provoking & intricate portrayal of different kinds of love in this tender film. 3.5/5

Teddy Bear on Netflix

John Dies at the End

This bizarre sci-fi horror film is strangely engaging & compelling - I predict it going cult. 3.5/5

John Dies at the End on Netflix

Hello I Must Be Going

Melanie Lynskey & Blythe Danner are powerhouses in this moving romantic dramedy - very touching. 3.5/5

Hello I Must Be Going on Netflix

The Comedy

If this film had just 5 minutes of exposition it would be a 4 star film - the plot is just too vague to make sense. It makes me angry actually - this was a potentially awesome & dark film. It reminded me of Shotgun Stories - no exposition. Bah. 2/5

The Comedy on Netflix

Bug

Judd & Shannon are exceptional in this claustrophobic thriller that will have me scratching endlessly tonight. 3.5/5

Bug on Netflix

Take Out

This thriller fails because I never felt fear or anxiousness for or about the main character - boring as well. 2/5

Take Out on Netflix

Liberal Arts

This rom-com is slightly more savvy than I expected but still more on the trite side - Radnor has better in him. 3/5

Liberal Arts on Netflix

Twist of Faith

Kirby Dick does it again with this shocking yet redemptive story of abuse in the Catholic church. Riveting. 4/5

Twist of Faith on Netflix

Rust and Bone

This simmering French drama is layered with meaning & complexity & acted impeccably by Cottiard & Schoenaerts. 4/5

Rust and Bone on Netflix

The Kid with a Bike

This film is unflinching in its portrayals & heartbreaking in its plot. Terribly sad & yet redemptive. 4/5

The Kid with a Bike on Netflix

The Sessions

A tender drama about different kinds of love beautifully acted by everyone, particularly Hunt & Macy. 4/5

The Sessions on Netflix

The Giant Mechanical Man

This indie rom-com is tender, charming, & wonderful acted by Fischer & Messina - very sweet film. 3.5/5

The Giant Mechanical Man on Netflix

Zero Dark Thirty

A thrilling, gripping, & perfectly plotted thriller expertly acted & directed. Chastain was marvelous. 4.5/5

Zero Dark Thirty on Netflix

Bachelorette

This raunchy comedy is horrifyingly bad, made all the worse but two moments of utter clarity. Brutally awful. 1.5/5

Bachelorette on Netflix

The Invisible War

Kirby Dick's polemic about rape in the military is powerful & a testament to the power of redemption. 4/5

The Invisible War on Netflix

Argo

Was it a great film? Yes. Was is compelling & riveting? Sure. Was it the best film of the year? No, but I see why it won. 4.5/5

 Argo on Netflix

Pitch Perfect

This movie is largely insufferable but the music is good so I tolerated it. Not bad for a popcorn flick. 3/5

Pitch Perfect on Netflix

The Samaritan

This Sam Jackson grifter thriller was too much preamble and not enough grift with a weak plot. Disappointing. 2.5/5

The Samaritan on Netflix

The Master

Joaquin Phoenix & PSH's outstanding acting are the only reasons to slog through This muddy & overly long drama. 3/5

The Master on Netflix

Robot & Frank

A touching & very sweet dramedy about the nature of humanity, far more charming than I had expected. Well done. 3.5/5

Robot & Frank on Netflix

Smashed

Winstead & Paul are convincing & very real in this poignantly written portrait of a woman battling alcoholism. 3.5/5

Smashed on Netflix

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 2

A surprisingly satisfying conclusion to a messy wreck of a series. I can live with that. 3/5

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 2 on Netflix

The Flat

A totally engrossing, complex, & cerebral documentary that doesn't shy away from the big issues. Amazing & brilliant. 5/5

The Flat on Netflix

The Corridor

This thriller is more than a bit odd but very compelling and honestly quite creepy and disturbing. Pretty good. 3.5/5

The Corridor on Netflix

Frances

Jessica Lange gives the performance of her life in this chilling portrayal of the life of Frances Farmer. Wow. 4/5

Frances on Netflix

Certified Copy

I don't know that I figured this whole film out but I was utterly fascinated by it. Wonderfully acted by all. 4/5

Certified Copy on Netflix

Klown

Imagine Harold and Kumar but with middle-aged Danish men and a young boy. That's the fucked up film I just watched. 1.5/5

Klown on Netflix

The Paperboy

I thought the cast might elevate this but the script is so poorly held together that nothing would save it. 2.5/5

The Paperboy on Netflix

Playing For Keeps

Gerald Butler & the cast hold together this lazy & morally ambiguous rom-com with more people behaving badly. 3/5

Playing For Keeps on Netflix

Fever Pitch

Colin Firth is far too good for this lazy, shallow & boring British rom-com based on the Hornsby book. Meh. 2/5

Fever Pitch on Netflix

The Imposter

This is hands down the single greatest & best documentary I've ever seen - absolutely masterful & gripping. I simply cannot urge people more strongly to watch this film - it will absolutely blow your mind. Amazing. 5/5

The Imposter on Netflix

Kill List

This is the best Cronenberg movie he never made - creepy, disturbing, perfectly scored & directed. So very good. 4.5/5

Kill List on Netflix

How to Survive a Plague

Honesty I had so many logic problems with this polemic that I found it hard to objectively review. 2/5

How to Survive a Plague on Netflix

The Snowtown Murders

This gruesome, gritty, wonderfully directed thriller is going to live in my head for a long time. Wow. 4/5

The Snowtown Murders on Netflix

Tomboy

Possibly the best, certainly the most touching film about transgender identity I've seen, beautifully & bravely acted. 4.5/5

Tomboy on Netflix

End of Watch

The acting is tremendous but the inconsistent found-footage direction is utterly distracting in this thriller. 3.5/5

End of Watch on Netflix

Brake

Maybe I'm jaded or just watch too many movies but I guessed every twist & turn of this suspense thriller. Meh. 2.5/5

Brake on Netflix

Remarkable Power

This indie showbiz comedy is pretty funny & rather clever - I didn't predict how it would fit together. 3.5/5

Remarkable Power on Netflix

The Italian

This was sweet enough but it never really went anywhere or let the characters develop enough for me to truly care. 3/5

The Italian on Netflix

Sushi Girl

Mark Hamill is delicious psychotic in this gritty & gripping thriller that owes a debt to Reservoir Dogs. Even the outtakes & exrtras are awesome - it was everything I hoped for and more. :) Awesome. 4.5/5

Sushi Girl on Netflix

Repeaters

This thriller didn't make a lot of sense & had huge plot holes but I was enegaged throughout, so that's something. 3/5

Repeaters on Netflix

A Burning Hot Summer

This characters in this French drama are so shallowly & poorly drawn I didn't care what happened to them. 2/5

A Burning Hot Summer on Netflix

Bully

I wish this had been more a documentary than a polemic. It didn't need to preach, merely to show the truth. 3/5

Bully on Netflix

Burning Man

This dark, complex, & non-linear drama about loss is beautifully acted & sublimely directed - just wonderful. 4/5

Burning Man on Netflix

Despicable Me

I really enjoyed this & loved the voice work but I felt it was missing that extra something that hits the heart. 4/5

Despicable Me on Netflix

About Cherry

This story of a young porn star was oddly redemptive & filled with great acting but was very predictable. 3.5/5

About Cherry on Netflix

Oslo, August 31st

This is a truly marvelous and gut-wrenching film, beautifully shot & wondrously acted by Lie. Amazing. 4.5/5

Oslo, August 31st on Netflix

ATM

Well, I wanted a shitty thriller & that's what I got - nonsensical, strange plot, totally bizarre ending. Just odd. 2/5

ATM on Netflix

Henry Fool

This stylized contemporary fable completely compelled me - I was riveted. My first Hal Hartley & I really liked it. 4/5

Henry Fool on Netflix

Here Comes the Boom

A true feel-good movie - Kevin James did his own fighting in this rousing action comedy. Really fun! 3.5/5

Here Comes the Boom on Netflix

Deadfall

This tense thriller was very well paced, well written and wonderfully directed - Bana & Wilde were really tremendous. 4/5

Deadfall on Netflix

Celeste and Jesse Forever

I felt this film missed a shot at greatness by not fleshing out its characters more - good, not great. 3/5

Celeste and Jesse Forever on Netflix

Monkey Love

I thought I'd watch Jeremy Renner in anything but only got 30 minutes into this before killing it - just awful. 1/5

Monkey Love on Netflix

Fanboys

I totally get why this film is a cult classic & the cameos were truly excellent - I only wish it had been wittier. 3.5/5

Fanboys on Netflix

Seven Psychopaths

The acting was great but the plot very weak in this rather bland thriller - Rockwell was amazing though. 3/5

Seven Psychopaths on Netflix

10 Years

What a surprise! I expected a romcom with more people behaving badly but this was charming & sweet & very real. 4/5

10 Years on Netflix

Searching for Sugar Man

This is an absolutely amazing story, almost unbelievably so & one of the best documentaries I've seen. 5/5

Searching for Sugar Man on Netflix

Nobody Walks

The character maps in this are very well detailed but, in the end, it's just more people behaving badly. Meh. 2.5/5

Nobody Walks on Netflix

Marina Abramovic The Artist is Present

This was a fascinating portrait of Marina but I so wish it had more about early work. 3.5/5

Marina Abramovic The Artist is Present on Netflix

Monsieur Lazhar

This tender French drama explores some little charter waters with grace & aplomb - well acted by all. 3.5/5

Monsieur Lazhar on Netflix

Contagion

This Soderbergh thriller is engrossing, suspenseful, well written & well executed - I've nothing bad to say. 4/5

Contagion on Netflix

Keep the Lights On

It took a while for this understated drama to pull me in but when it did it never let go. Lovely acting. 4/5

Keep The Lights On on Netflix

Anton Chekhov's The Duel

Andrew Scott is simply marvelous in this understated yet powerful drama - the acting is exquisite. 3.5/5

Anton Chekhov's The Duel on Netflix

My Last Five Girlfriends

This comedy is quite imaginative in it's writing & structure, far more than I expected. Quite good. 4/5

My Last Five Girlfriends on Netflix

Pina

This is a monumental achievement in directing & cinematography - beautiful & lush & dynamically danced and shot. Amazing. 5/5

Pina on Netflix

Madhouse

This utterly predictable horror/thriller has decent acting which makes the failings all the more tragic. Too bad. 2.5/5

Madhouse on Netflix

The Deep Blue Sea

How can a film so softly beautiful be so darkly tragic? Amazing acting in an amazing film - lovely. 4/5

The Deep Blue Sea on Netflix

Craigslist Joe

This is a well done and inspiring documentary about the kindness of strangers that surprised even me. 4/5

Craigslist Joe on Netflix

Breathless

I'm sorry but I really disliked this. Hated the style, the acting, the plot, the direction - not for me thanks. 1.5/5

Breathless on Netflix

Hell and Back Again

Simply the best Afghan war documentary I've yet seen. It seamlessly blends war footage with life at home. Special props to Willie Nelson for singing the title song. This is a must-see for everyone. Awesome film. 5/5

Hell and Back Again on Netflix

Now Is Good

I hadn't realized how much this had gotten to me until it ended and I burst into tears. Tenderly acted, lovely. 4/5

Now Is Good on Netflix

Jack & Diane

I rented a teen coming-of-age movie. I did NOT rent a film about werewolves. WTF Juno, you're better than this! 2/5

Jack & Diane on Netflix

My Lfie Without Me

There were good things about this film, especially the acting, but I just couldn't understand her choices. 3/5

My Life Without Me on Netflix

Butter

I was surprised at how solid & witty this farcical film was. I do however wish they had shown more of the carving. 3/5

Butter on Netflix

Compliance

This film is just horrifying, the fact that it is based on actual events even more so. Stanley Milgram indeed. 4/5

Compliance on Netflix

Why Stop Now

This comedy has a real dark side to it, one if tapped could have left it tragic. I liked the line it walked. And whoever played piano for Eisenberg is simply brilliant. That was amazing piano. 4/5

Why Stop Now on Netflix

Cosmopolis

On one hand, I really truly hated this. On the other, I was mesmerized the whole film. I hated but liked it? 3/5

Cosmopolis on Netflix

Beasts of the Southern Wild

This film is extraordinary on every level. The direction by Behn Zeitlin is exquisite is detail, tone, palette & focus. The script is densely allegorical, obtuse, and really will make you think. And the acting by 8 year old Quvenzhané Wallis is simply astounding and better than 97% of working actresses out there. This is a must-see film if you like things on the surrealist side. Magical. 5/5

Beasts of the Southern Wild on Netflix