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