Monday, July 31, 2017

A Separation

This Iranian drama is a perfect study of family dynamics and of how we treat one another. The story is captivating, lyrical, and beautifully executed. The acting is tremendous from all parties. And the ending was simply the most perfect ending to a film I think I've ever seen. It took real guts to end the film this way, and it was so very effective and bold to do it. I was increedibly impressed with this film, it's truly amazing. 5/5

A Separation on Netflix

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Free Fire

Frankly, I'm not sure what to make of this film. There really is no plot. There are barely characters, and certainly no real character development. I actually don't think there's a single likeable character in this. On the other hand, it's directed really well and I had a lot of fun watching it. It's witty action comedy, but little else. If you'd like a bit of fun, this might be for you, but if you're looking for any real depth, look elsewhere. 3/5

Free Fire on Netflix

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Triangle

I did not expect this movie to be this good. I'm pretty stunned right now with how this movie just got better and better with every passing moment. I have to agree with a lot of the reviewers on Netflix - it's impossible to discuss the plot without giving key things away. All I can say is that Melissa George, who I *LOVED* on "In Treatment" on HBO, was just fantastic in this. Give this film time to start to unfold. Trust me, it's worth it. 4/5

Triangle on Netflix

Thursday, July 20, 2017

Burning Sands

The more I learn about hazing and the more movies I see depicting it realistically, the less and less I understand it. Why on earth would you ever trust someone as your "brother" who spent a week physically, emotionally, and often sexually torturing you? It floors me. This film did a particularly excellent job of showing the horrors that are Hell Week. The acting was especially strong, as was the tight and controlled direction. I highly recommend this one if you don't mind strong physical violence. 4/5

Burning Sands on Netflix

Monday, July 17, 2017

To the Bone

This may be the best non-documentary about eating disorders I've even seen. The film opens with a content warning, stating that this film was made with the help of people with eating disorders and displayed realistic scenarios that might be disturbing. They were right to put that up, as it was incredibly disturbing to watch big portions of this. What's even more disturbing is that Lily Collins, who played the lead, lost such an alarming amount of weight for this given that she is only a couple of scant years out from her own anorexia recovery. The film certainly does not glamorize anything, and it ends not really with an end, but rather a pause, from where the characters in the film could go anywhere. This was tough to watch, but it was truly excellent. 4.5/5

To the Bone on Netflix

Sunday, July 16, 2017

Finding Nemo

This is officially now my new favorite animated film. It had so much heart and wit and actual drama, I was really moved by it. I laughed really hard quite often, especially at Dory, who I just loved. Honestly, I loved everything about this. It's funny, I always think I don't like animated films, but, way more often than not, I really enjoy them. So, resolved, to watch a bunch of the animated films I've missed, in particular the Shrek series, the Toy Story sequels, Moana, the Despicable Me films, Trolls, and the Kung Fu Panda films. All added to my queue, with, of course, Finding Dory, which will be next. Loved this so much! 5/5

Finding Nemo on Netflix

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Goodnight Mommy

I was unsure about this film for the first thirty minutes or so. The eerie blend between reality and fantasy, between waking and dreaming was visually beautiful, but left me a bit confused from time to time. As the film continued and the plot intensified, I grew utterly transfixed, I couldn't look away. And then the last ten minutes happened, and I sat in slack jawed amazement repeatedly whispering "oh my god" over and over again because I was so stunned. Despite what some reviewers said (and please don't spoil this film for yourself by looking around before you see it), I never saw it coming. Not for a second. I loved this, truly. 4.5/5

Goodnight Mommy on Netflix

Friday, July 14, 2017

Fifty Shades Darker

I really don't know why I watch these films except to have the information to tell someone who thinks this is was a true BD/SM relationship is like that these books and films have gotten it terribly, horribly wrong. This film isn't as abusive like the last was, but it's clearly the calm before whatever storm is about to erupt. The acting is just as terrible as last time. It's abundantly clear Johnson and Dornan don't like each other, so the chemistry just doesn't work. And the plot is asinine - how did we even get from the end of the last movie to the end of this film? It honestly makes no sense at all. Ugh. 2/5

Fifty Shades Darker on Netflix

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Friends with Benefits

So I actually rented this before realizing I had already seen it and given it a really nasty review back in January of 2012. But the thing was I couldn't remember the movie at all or why I gave it a nasty review, so when it showed up I watched it again. And loved it. I laughed really hard at most of it. The only thing I wrote in my old review was that I hated the acting, which is ridiculous because Kunis and Timberlake were both so great I genuinely have crushes on them both. Well, with Justin anyway, but I had one of those already. I really don't get why I originally didn't like it, because I really enjoyed it and actually would watch it again, which actually seems to be a theme in the Netflix review. So, in sum, don't know why I didn't like it the first time, I love it now, go watch it if you haven't. 4/5

Friends with Benefits

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Denial

I had never heard of this case of a British Holocaust denier suing an American historian, so this movie fascinated me. It's hard to believe that there are still so many who wouldn't disagree with Irving in this case. The acting from Weisz, Wilkinson, and Spall was excellent, and I'm glad the script remained grounded and not as fantastical as it could have been. A compelling story done quite well. 4/5

Denial on Netflix

Monday, July 10, 2017

The Space Between Us

This was an adorable movie, it really was. It's soft sci-fi that's actually a romantic drama at heart, and it was sweet and lovely. It did fall a bit flat with me, though, because I never felt the stakes were high enough. I should have felt more afraid for people's lives, I should have really believed that tragedy was afoot all the time, but I didn't. So, while I did really enjoy it, I felt it could have been far more impactful if it was slightly less charming and slightly more serious. Still, a cute film. 3.5/5

The Space Between Us on Netflix

Saturday, July 8, 2017

The Open Road

I've been on a Kate Mara kick lately, and this light dramedy also had a young and still young-and-goofy-looking Justin Timberlake as a bonus for me. Mara has the ability to fall perfectly into any genre and own it. I recently saw her as an embattled medieval baroness, a corporate killer, and now a comedic ex-girlfriend. Timberlake is always fun to watch, and he was pretty funny in this. Jeff Bridges as his father was also great fun to watch. This was a witty film worth a watch if you're looking for something light. 3.5/5

The Open Road on Netflix

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Morgan

I wanted to like this more, especially with this cast, but I found everything that happened to be so predictable. This was very by-the-numbers, even the direction felt retread. The acting was indeed excellent, but this was just okay for me. 3/5

Morgan on Netflix

T2: Trainspotting

I was pretty terrified to watch this if I'm honest. For me, "Trainspotting" was one of those rare films that got everything right. The acting, the writing, the directing, the music... it was all so perfect and I felt there could be no way in hell this sequel could ever live up to that. But, the whole original cast, Danny Boyle back, even the same writers... how could I not watch it? The first 40 minutes were rough. Meeting everyone again, slowly bringing everyone together... something was off. The music wasn't quite right, the direction felt odd, the tone was too serious, because, let's remember, the original is a comedy. And then, exactly 40 minutes in, suddenly, like someone flipped a switch... it was right. Everything was right. It felt like "Trainspotting". It looked and sounded like "Trainspotting". It was truly blessed. Now, even after that magical turn, there were problems. Some things never quite turned around, but, wow... they really did it. They made a worthy sequel, one I laughed and cried at. And, as the gods are my witness, some of Boyle's best shots in his whole career are in this film. If you are a fan of the original, sit through the not-great first 40 minutes, and enjoy most of the rest. 4/5

T2: Trainspotting on Netflix

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Ironclad

Oh wow, this was truly excellent. I always seem to forget how awesome Paul Giamatti is, and then I see him slaying in a film like this and I remember why I love him. Everything in this film is on point. The script is tight, the direction really compelling, and all the acting is excellent. It's also really violent, so be warned. An excellent film. 4.5/5

Ironclad on Netflix