Lone Survivor

Amazing & so powerful to watch - one of the best movies about the Afghan war I've seen. Totally astonishing. 5/5

Lone Survivor on Netflix

The Secret Lives of Dorks

Teen angst has certainly been done much better than this shallow & shabbily done rom-com. Not good. 2/5

The Secret Lives of Dorks on Netflix

Very Good Girls

The acting by Fanning & Olson in this was perfection & the story was delicately & wonderfully told. 4/5

Very Good Girls on Netflix

The Devil and Daniel Johnston

I have no idea what I just watched, why it was good, why this artist is thought of as good. WTF? 2/5

The Devil and Daniel Johnston on Netflix

Wake in Fright

How have I never seen this movie before? Truly disturbing on a primal level & daring as hell for 1971. Wow. 4/5

Wake in Fright on Netflix

After the Dark

This film has an intriguing premise - can you use logic to decide who lives and dies in an apocalypse? What if you were a class of 21 with 1 teacher and only had 10 places in a bunker. How would you determine who lives and who dies? It's an ambitious theme, and the beauty of the Indonesian setting paired with gorgeous direction certainly makes the film luscious to watch. The first hour is wonderful... and then the troubled third act begins. I don't know what I think about the last third of this film yet, particularly the last ten minutes. I think I'll debate this for a while in my head before I determine if this film succeeds of fails by the end. And the fact that I will think about it and remember it for some time, well, I guess that speaks for itself, doesn't it? For now this is a three, but I reserve the right to change my mind later. 3/5

After the Dark on Netflix

The Rover

Pierce & Pattinson are magnetic in this post-apocalyptic thriller that is tensely written & beautifully shot. 4/5

The Rover on Netflix

Conventioneers

Another bad rom-com about bad people behaving badly - I really don't get this trend in this genre. Shame. 2/5

Conventioneers on Netflix

Aziz Ansari: Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening

I've heard sketchy things about Ansari's stand up but I cackled like a hyena through everything. 5/5

Aziz Ansari: Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening on Netflix

Finding Vivian Maier

This intriguing documentary raises great questions about the life of Maier & gives no easy answers. Bravo! 5/5

Finding Vivian Maier on Netflix

Free Ride

A stunningly average film about truly interesting true events. Good acting but the script was lacking in detail. 3/5

Free Ride on Netflix

Afflicted

A pretty decent found-footage horror film that has some really great moments along with a passel of weaknesses. 3/5

Afflicted on Netflix

A Fighting Man

An innovative drama that employs a shifting chronology to great effect. I don't think I've seen one like it. 3.5/5

A Fighting Man on Netflix

The Cartel

This amazing documentary on the public school system is the best I've seen on the subject, required viewing. 5/5

The Cartel on Netflix

The Man from Earth

Such an interesting thought experiment. Is it truth or fiction? And does the end reveal the answer? 3.5/5

The Man from Earth on Netflix

God's Pocket

Slattery directs PSH in his last film - a gritty, no nonsense drama with a great pace & strong acting. 3.5/5

God's Pocket on Netflix

The Normal Heart

I can't believe I'm saying this, but this would have been near perfect if a gay actor had replaced Ruffalo in the lead. I normally never feel that way, especially with an actor as talented as Ruffalo is, but his performance rang false to me, and I found myself frequently thinking that I wished someone else led this movie. There were so many strong performances that it just stuck out to me. He wasn't bad, not at all, just... not right. 4/5

The Normal Heart on Netflix

Yellowbrickroad

This horror flick did unsettle me greatly but there's no substance to it, certainly no character development. I have to give it a star for creeping me out so much, but ultimately I don't know what I saw or why I saw it. Disappointing. 2/5

Yellowbrickroad on Netflix

The Crash Reel

An astounding documentary that pulls you through so many emotions & opinions. A must see for all film fans. 5/5

The Crash Reel on Netflix

Need for Speed

This is action perfection - it looks & feels exactly like the game did & Aaron Paul was note-perfect. Loved it! 5/5

Need for Speed on Netflix

Struck by Lightning

Chris Colfer's adaptation of this book left much to be desired for me - it felt flat & dull throughout. 3/5

Struck by Lightning on Netflix

Parts Per Billion

This existential tale set against the end of the world is well plotted & executed - I won't forget it. 3.5/5

Parts Per Billion on Netflix

Daughter for Danang: American Experience

An absolutely fascinating & unexpected study of how culture shapes our world view. Wonderfully done. 4/5

Daughter from Danang: American Experience on Netflix

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

I hated this with a fiery passion. It was awful & trite & had none of the original's magic. 1.5/5

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues on Netflix

The Double

Ayoade's fantastical & sensory-rich black dramedy is unique & so refreshing. I adored everything about this. 4.5/5

The Double on Netflix