The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

I'm normally not a Guy Ritchie fan, but I found myself really enjoying this. It was smart, stylish, well acted, extremely well directed, and the plot was engaging throughout. This was a nice surprise for me. 4/5

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. on Netflix

CSA: Confederate States of America

This work of historical fiction was profoundly affecting to me. Presented as a British documentary airing on CSA TV, it recounts the history of the Confederate States of America after the South won the Civil War. Included as part of the "program" are regular ads for products and shows that will turn your stomach they are so racist. The story is compelling and the message utterly fascinating and repelling. What perhaps shocked me the most was the addendum to the movie, which identified which of the ads and historical facts were actually based in fact. Amazing, and done clearly on a very low budget, this is one movie you will not soon forget. 5/5

CSA: Confederate States on America on Netflix

Max

While not the most believable of films, with average acting at best, this is a film that tugs the heartstrings. Sweet. 3/5

Max on Netflix

Code Black

This look at the LA County ER is fascinating & informative, no matter what you're position on the ACA. Well done. 4/5

Code Black on Netflix

Happy Valley

This documentary about the Penn State scandal gives a good but biased account of events - more was needed. 3/5

Happy Valley on Netflix

The Girl Next Door (2007)

The only thing more horrifying than this film is the true story upon which it is based. So brutal. 3/5

The Girl Next Door on Netflix

The End of the Tour

Rock solid performances by Eisenberg & Segel make this talkative drama engaging & thought-provoking. 4/5

The End of the Tour on Netflix

Antarctica: A Year on Ice

This documentary is gorgeously shot and edited and shows the true natural beauty of this land. 4.5/5

Antarctica: A Year on Ice on Netflix

Slow West

This new Western is beautifully lensed but a bit short on content & consistency. Solid acting & good pacing. 3/5

Slow West on Netflix

Felicia's Journey

I found this far less polished & coherent than other Egoyan films, and I found the ending unbelievable. 2.5/5

Felicia's Journey on Netflix

Seven Days

This French language thriller is well shot and uses very little dialogue, but it needs none. Brutally affecting. 3.5/5

Seven Days on Netflix

Mitt

I have always felt that Mitt Romney was a good and decent man, and watching this documentary proved that for me. One of the more insightful moments was watching the Secret Service members say goodbye and realizing they all had genuine affection for him. That, to me, says a lot. A good portrait of the man behind the name. 4/5

Mitt on Netflix

Finders Keepers

This documentary is utterly fascinating & told in a non-judgmental way - kudos to the director for that. 4/5

Finders Keepers on Netflix

Pitch Perfect 2

This has none of the wit & charm of the first film, terribly cliched. The singing is good, but nothing else is. 2/5

Pitch Perfect 2 on Netflix

Whitewash

Nothing about this movie made any damn sense, especially not any of the main characters decisions. Bah. 1.5/5

Whitewash on Netflix

Mississippi Grind

Reynolds & Mendelsohn give tour-de-force performances in this gritty drama, just spectacular. Loved it. 4.5/5

Mississippi Grind on Netflix

Trainwreck

In many ways this dark-edged comedy is a big step forward for Apatow. I feel Apatow has been treading water for a time and tends to fall back too frequently on his raunchier words rather than relying on his actors to deliver the complex, dark, and yet wickedly funny adult stories he's so good at telling. I like Apatow best when he's dealing with real adults having real problems which can take absurd or raunchy turns. I feel as if he sat down and watched some of the more daring and successful black comedies of like like "Problem Child" and "The Skeleton Twins" before he made this, and I thought the realness matched the adult nature of the comedy well. On another note, this was my first experience with Amy Schumer, and I enjoyed her work immensely. However, the funniest thing in this whole film was John Cena. That.... that was pure comedic gold. All in all, great work from Apatow and Schumer. 4/5

Trainwreck on Netflix

Dark Places

The plot of this psych thriller is well-told & kept me engaged throughout, very solid acting as well. 3.5/5

Dark Places on Netflix

Dope

This is almost a black "How I Got Into College" - very witty & engaging with great acting & a solid plot. I enjoyed this. 4/5

Dope on Netflix

Paper Towns

This coming-of-age dramedy has style & wit but lacks a bit in the realism department. Solid acting, wobbly plot. 3/5

Paper Towns on Netflix

Inside Out

After this movie came out I had a stream of friends approach me and tell me I had to watch this film, and that I would adore it. As only a lukewarm fan of animated films, I was a bit dubious. But now, now I get it, totally and completely. This is a very important film, perhaps the most important film I've seen in a long while. It addresses depression and mental illness in a completely stigma-free way and allows for a discussion of emotions that everyone should have. Perhaps most vitally, it's done in a way that even young children can understand and relate to. This film should be required viewing for anyone over the age of ten, and I hope there is an endless stream of families that will sit down, watch this, and discuss it together. Absolute perfection. 5/5

Inside Out on Netflix

Amy

Gutwrenching & bone-chilling, and yet so beautiful. Watching the life of Amy Winehouse through this lens is amazing. This is definitely one of the best documentaries I've ever seen, strong, compelling, and very intimate. So wonderful. 5/5\

Amy on Netflix

The Captive

This thriller is just spectacular with an amazingly constructed non-linear script. Honest perfection, I loved it. And the alternate ending is just bone-chilling. 5/5

The Captive on Netflix