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