The Shallows

Many reviews said this was the best shark movie they've seen in years. I'm saying this is one of the best shark movies ever. Not even "Jaws" made me as afraid of a shark as this film did, in enormous part due to the stellar direction. Jaume Collet-Serra made me feel a part of the environment and as if I was in the water with Blake Lively and the shark. Riveting and scary as hell. 4.5/5

The Shallows on Netflix

The Neon Demon

I never thought I'd say this, but I've finally seen a Nicolas Winding Refn film I didn't like. I'm shocked, I've been so in tune with his style and his narrative that I've loved everything he's done, but this? Not this. It's beautiful, but of course it's beautiful. Refn has an eye that no one else in cinema has, so "The Neon Demon" has all the style in the world. But there is no substance here at all. There's barely a plot, the acting is stilted, and the story banal. So many things were inserted just for shock value alone, such as the necrophilia sequence, and for me it just detracted from what could have been a probative look into what constitutes beauty. I know he was trying to push the envelope with this film, but he could have done so without sacrificing the plot. So, for me, not good, and I'm super disappointed to say that. 2/5

The Neon Demon on Netflix

By the Sea

After the news of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie splitting up, it seemed only fitting to rent this, their last film together. I admit I wasn't having it for the first hour. Pitt and Jolie were awkward and strained in their dialogue, and I felt estranged from the story they were trying to tell. But as the second hour unfolded, I found I grew more invested in their characters and the story, although I will say the secret was not what I expected. All in all I felt unfulfilled by this, but it was interesting to watch in light of recent events. I suspect the characterizations in this aren't far off from the truth. 3.5/5

By the Sea on Netflix

Youth

I did not see this film coming. From the trailer I thought this would be a light-hearted dramedy, but it was far more impactful and metaphorical than that. I have never seen a Paolo Sorrentino film before, so I certainly didn't expect the gorgeousness of the direction, and how every scene moved and felt alive. I was so moved by the music that I watched through most of the end credits to get the name of the person who composed some of the tracks, a man named David Lang. I am amazed by this film and deeply moved by it, far more so than I thought I might be. A true gem. 4.5/5

Youth on Netflix

Anomalisa

It's been a long time since I've seen anything by Charlie Kaufman. The last film of his I saw was "Synecdoche, New York", which I found altogether too strange and off-putting. But this film, this Kaufman let unfold slowly like a rose, one perfect petal at a time. It took a full hour for the true nature of the plot to be revealed, and I was stunned and very affected by it. It's wholly original in the way that his first film "Being John Malkovich" was. It's amazing and tremendously tragic and I will remember this one for a long long time. If you've given up on Kaufman, please do watch this one - you will not be sorry. 5/5

Anomalisa on Netflix

The Last Exorcism Part II

The problem with this second installment in "The Last Exorcism" series is there is very little exorcising going on. I feel like so many opportunities to deal with demons in creative ways were lost here due to an uncreative script. The shining light that saves this movie from utter banality is the acting of Ashley Bell, who is just amazing in this role. Her physical acting really sells me on her possession, particularly her work with her hands. Only because she's in this and knocking it out of the park did this get a three star rating - other than that it's really not good. 3/5

The Last Exorcism Part II on Netflix

The Nice Guys

Shane Black penned another smash with this hilarious noir dramedy. Gosling and Crowe have amazing chemistry, and Gosling's comedy had me in stitches half the film. The script was snappy, the direction tight and well-paced, and the plot was intricate and well woven. There wasn't a thing wrong with this film - it hit on all cylinders. Loved it! 5/5

The Nice Guys on Netflix

Camp X-Ray

I've said it before and I'm going to keep saying it until everyone is hearing me. Kristen Stewart is a far better actress than what was seen in the "Twilight" movies. Her performance in this was subtle, emotional, and extremely nuanced. There's a scene right at the end where she's fighting with herself not to cry, and it was so poignant and eloquent I exclaimed to myself. The plot of this is very solid, and the direction is tightly wound and well-paced. A good film. 4/5

Camp X-Ray on Netflix

Knock Knock

I think Eli Roth lost it some years back. I can't remember the last time he made a movie with a coherent plot and a meaningful story line. This movie falls apart when the change occurs a half hour in. Without saying much, Keanu Reeve's character simply wouldn't do what he did. It's not in the character that we meet a the beginning of the film. Furthermore, even had he done what he did, what happens over the last half hour of the film makes anything he did pale in comparison. I'm sorry, but I'm not buying what Roth is selling here. Yeah, maybe people eat free pizza, but it's not really the same thing, is it? Add to this that Keanu did his usually terrible acting job, and this was over before it started. 2.5/5

Knock Knock on Netflix

The Last Exorcism

#FTRQ "The Last Exorcism" - I steered clear of this film for a long while, mostly because I heard bad things about it. Bu the other day I saw a trailer for "The Last Exorcism 2", and I was intrigued enough to rent this first installment. I was very pleasantly surprised to see a young Caleb Landry Jones in this, as faithful readers will know I try to watch everything he's in. This isn't nearly as bad as I'd heard or feared. It was a well acted horror show, found footage style, which I admit I have a penchant for. The script was interesting and I really enjoyed Patrick Fabian and Ashley Bell in this. I'm happy I saw it, and will now queue up the sequel for next week. 3/5

EDITED TO ADD: I'm glad I hadn't hit send on this yet, because I remembered seeing a song credit for Caleb Landry Jones in the credits. I just did a Google search, and just discovered he makes music too! I'm stunned. Now I'm grateful to have rented this film all the more!

The Last Exorcism on Netflix

The Ones Below

I saw every twist of this thriller coming, but I found it still engaging enough to never look away from it. The acting was nothing to write home about, but I still liked watching the plot unspool. Good, not great. 3/5

The Ones Below on Netflix

Pink Ribbons, Inc

I have dear friends who are very invested in the Pink Ribbon movement, and I don't blame them. Cancer is a scary thing, and, on the surface, it seems like many of these campaigns could be of help. Sadly, this documentary discusses something I already had some familiarity with - that many of these pink ribbon campaigns do precious little to actually research, prevent or cure breast cancer. The bottom line is, if you really want to help do something about cancer, do your research and donate to funds that are actually doing quality work in the area of research. That's the only way we're really going to make serious headway into finding out what causes cancers such as this. Bravo to this documentary for bring that to light and really talking about it. 4/5

Pink Ribbons, Inc. on Netflix

Clouds of Sils Maria

I don't know how I wound up renting so many movies with Kristen Stewart in them so close together, but this is another one. Again, I protest that anyone who still believes Stewart can't act needs to watch her in something like this, which is essentially a two woman powerhouse drama with her and Juliette Binoche. I maintain that anyone who can stand up to Binoche as Stewart does for nearly two hours is one heck of an actress, because Binoche is magical in this, as in all things. The problem with this movie and the reason it only has three and a half stars is the ending, which is... nonexistent. After investing so much time and energy into these two women, the ending we are given is, quite frankly, insulting. I understand the metaphors at play, I really do, but it is so unsatisfying that I docked a half star for having to suffer through the last fifteen minutes of this. A great movie for one and three quarter hours, but be prepared to hate the end. 3.5/5

Clouds of Sils Maria on Netflix

Dixieland

What a gem this was! This film is directed and framed so well I nearly cried. It's lush and picturesque and unexpected in its angles and palette. Honestly, it was so beautiful that, if the script had been garbage, I would have watched it for days. However, the script was as beautiful as the cinematography. It was layered and subtle and had an end that caught my breath in my throat. To top it off, Chris Zylka and Riley Keough were both just perfect in the lead roles. This is a truly gorgeous film that is affecting in every way. This is Hank Bedford's first feature film, and I can't wait to see what he writes and directs next. A true tragic joy. 5/5

Dixieland on Netflix

Backtrack

I really enjoyed this twisty thriller, even more so because, unlike many in this genre, it made a fair amount of psychological sense. Brody is excellent as always, and I was always one step behind the plot twists, which kept me guessing. A very solid film. 4/5

Backtrack on Netflix

Anesthesia

I wonder if the public at large is aware of the incredibly impactful films Tim Blake Nelson has been creating for the past several years. I realize he's just that funny looking actor-guy to many, but he has grown into an amazing writer and director in these last years. This new work of his is a deftly penned non-linear drama with full-bodied characters, a well woven plot, and an ending that socked me in the gut. A wonderful film, very potent and affecting. 4/5

Anesthesia on Netflix

Equals

I'm not sure why there are so many negative reviews of this on Netflix. I found this to be a very interesting and engaging film. Kristen Stewart was tremendous in this - anyone who still labors under the assumption that she can't act need look no further than this film. Nicholas Hoult was also marvelous, the script was solid and engaging, and the direction quite lovely. I really loved the ending to this film - unexpected and very moving. I recommend this one for soft sci-fi fans. 4/5

Equals on Netflix

Money Monster

Jodie Foster's newest directorial foray is a smashing one. Clooney and Roberts are totally on their game, and Jack O'Connell gives a star performance as well. The action was tightly written and tautly directed, and I enjoyed the unspooling of the plot. Very well done and extremely engaging - even with a bad migraine I couldn't look away. I highly recommend this taut thriller. 4/5

Money Monster on Netflix

King Creole

This is now my fourth Elvis film, and I liked this one more than I expected. I wasn't fond of the last drama I saw Elvis in, and this was a more serious role than "Viva Las Vegas", which was the first Elvis I liked. They gave Elvis a lot to chew on in this film and he did it quite well and with conviction. I enjoyed the songs and didn't feel they overshadowed the plot. It did drag a bit at the end, but overall I really liked this one. Not sure what I'll try next, but this was a winner for me. 4/5

King Creole on Netflix

The Hunting Ground

There's no easy way to put this. This is a devastating documentary to watch. What these brave women and men have been through is just horrifying, and to watch them tell their tales hurt me in a place deep in my gut. The problem of college rape is a very real one, and I don't know what it will take to finally get the changes we so desperately need. I hope films like this keep getting made, and survivors keep telling their stories, and, maybe then, we will finally see and end to this horrible crime. An extremely well done documentary on a very difficult topic. Well done once again, Kirby Dick 5/5

The Hunting Ground on Netflix

Chappie

I'm not going to lie - I was expecting precious little out of this film. It feels much like "RoboCop" had a illegitimate baby with "Short Circuit", which I thought would be off putting as all hell. But, surprisingly, it wasn't off putting at all, but sweet and thoughtful and scratch-your-head cerebral all at once. I found it ultimately a rewarding and tender film that had an interesting message about the nature of humanity. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I really enjoyed this. 4/5

Chappie on Netflix

Dark Horse

This documentary about a small Welsh town who banded together to raise a champion racehorse was tender, witty, and heartfelt. I really enjoyed this - it had real heart, and I felt inspired watching it. 4/5

Dark Horse on Netflix

Flight 7500

For a simple horror flick this was actually quite good. Lots of quick hits of character development, an interesting plot, and a strong ending. Even the acting was better than average. Well done! 3.5/5

Flight 7500 on Netflix

Every Thing Will Be Fine

Straight up, this was a bad movie. The acting was absolutely leaden. Franco's been coasting through roles lately, but in this he was barely a cardboard cutout. I would fault him except the rest of the cast was as well, so it had to be a directorial decision. The direction was also really off, with a weird score that distracted me throughout. This was not a good film. 2/5

Every Thing Will Be Fine on Netflix

Takers

Now, I love a good heist film, but this is only a barely adequate heist film. The plot is surface at best, there's not much character development, and the acting was surprisingly weak given the caliber of the cast. The heists themselves were pretty good, but overall I was disappointed by this. 3/5

Takers on Netflix

Private Peaceful

I felt fairly ambiguously about this WWI period British drama - I wasn't really taken by it or particularly drawn to its characters. However, there is a really deft piece of direction at the end that really turned things on its head for me. Those few minutes really hit me and saved it its three star rating. 3/5

Private Peaceful on Netflix