Somebody Up There Likes Me

I never got a handle on this - it's witty & very clever but so odd in its structure - interesting! 3/5

Somebody Up There Likes Me on Netflix

Jayne Mansfield's Car

The cast in this is impressive & quite adept, but the plot was missing some of the heart it needed. 3.5/5

Jayne Mansfield's Car on Netflix

Jeff Dunham: Arguing with Myself

This special was weaker than others & I caught him moving his lips quite a bit. Still funny! 3.5/5

Jeff Dunham: Arguing with Myself on Netflix

Face to Face

Simply the most stunning performance by any actress I have ever seen - Liv Ulmann is transcendent in this. Bravo! 4/5

Face to Face on Netflix

I Do: How to Get Married and Stay Single

This French romcom is smarter & savvier than most from this country - it has real wit. 4/5

I Do: How to Get Married and Stay Single on Netflix

In the Name of

This drama took far too long to get going - I found myself distracted & bored for most of it. It needed more. 2.5/5

In the Name of on Netflix

Frozen

I'm not big on animated films but this was fun with great music & I did appreciate the message of it. Sweet & funny. 4/5

Frozen on Netflix

Plush

A perfectly average yet serviceable thriller with a few plot twists I liked. Good music too, so bonus. 3/5

Plush on Netflix

Runner Runner

I never really buy JT in movies - with another star this might have been compelling. As such it's just meh. 2.5/5

Runner Runner on Netflix

The Invisible Woman

This drama was bereft of emotion - there was nothing wrong per se, it just felt average are dead. Meh. 3/5

The Invisible Woman on Netflix

Greetings for Tim Buckley

Screw the movie, I only want to talk about Penn Bagley, whose singing & playing was SO DAMN GOOD. I mean seriously, this guy is amazing. And he's not a singer professionally! Everyone should watch it just to hear him. Wow. 4/5

Greetings from Time Buckley on Netflix

A Beginner's Guide to Endings

An endearing little dramedy with great acting - I loved the story & the resolution. Well done. 3.5/5

A Beginner's Guide to Endings on Netflix

Thor: The Dark World

This was a better & more solid story than the first film but I did miss Loki's presence for most of it. 3/5

Thor: The Dark World on Netflix

A Touch of Sin

This Chinese drama is long & a bit plodding but has fascinating characters that intersect quite well. 3.5/5

A Touch of Sin on Netflix

The Art of Killing

While this film is profoundly disturbing I feel it's something everyone should see. Utterly chilling. 4.5/5

The Art of Killing on Netflix

Bastards

This French thriller is sometimes overly convoluted but always engaging - a bit too amorphic but good nonetheless. 3/5

Bastards on Netflix

Out of the Furnace

All the acting in this, especially that by Bale, was top-notched & the plot kept at a slow boil. Well done! 4/5

Out of the Furnace on Netflix

Escape Plan

The plot may be weak but Arnold & Sly together was a treat & the action on the escape was wonderful & pure. 3.5/5

 Escape Plan on Netflix

At Middleton

Vera Farmiga & Andy Garcia are magical in this tender & endearing romantic dramedy that is ripe with possibility. 4/5

At Middleton on Netflix

The Counselor

What a disappointment! Terrible dialogue, incredibly weak acting & a totally unbelievable plot. Just plain bad. 2/5

The Counselor on Netflix

Stuck in Love

This is one of the finest romantic dramas I've seen with amazing characters & a perfectly constructed plot. 4.5/5

Stuck in Love on Netflix

The Punk Singer

This documentary about the life of Kathleen Hanna is very revealing & intimate - a brave storytelling. 4/5

The Punk Singer on Netflix

Last Vegas

A thoroughly engaging, charming, and genuinely laughable comedy with the best chemistry I've seen in a while. 4/5

Last Vegas on Netflix

12 Years a Slave

It's hard to put into words what I'm feeling right now about this film. It is certainly one of the most powerful and affecting films I've ever seen, and I cried great, ugly tears throughout the end. It's hard for me to think objectively right now, since I still feel as I've been punched in the gut. What I will say - Chiwetel Ejiofor and Lupita Nyong'o were both astonishing and both deserved Oscars for their roles. The story is long but perfectly paced - I can think of nothing I would have cut save for perhaps the tail end of one long shot. I did find Brad Pitt's presence distracting - I wish they had used another actor for his small role. So far, this is definitely the best picture of the year, and I frankly don't see from where the hate for this incredible film stems. A worthy film, most worthy, and I think it will be a while before I forget the emotions I am feeling right now. 5/5

12 Years a Slave on Netflix

Brooklyn Castle

This is a wonderful & inspiring documentary about a Brooklyn middle school's chess program - heartwarming. 4.5/5

Brooklyn Castle on Netflix