Doctor Strange

While I have always been a Marvel girl, I was mostly an X-Man fan and never knew anything at all about Doctor Strange. Because of this, I have to say right at the start that I have no idea whatsoever if this film is true to the books, so I can't base any part of my review on that. What I can say is that this is a spectacular film with some of the best effects I've maybe ever seen. It's like an incredible update to things I remember from "Inception", only far better with the advances technology has made. The acting was mostly strong, and I was happy to see a superhero film coming in at only an hour and forty-five minutes. I really enjoyed this and am curious to see how this film and its characters will integrate with the rest of the Marvel Universe. 4/5

Doctor Strange on Netflix

20th Century Women

I wasn't sure how I would feel about this film coming in, as I feared it might get preachy and forced. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was more of a celebration of life, coming of age, and what it means to be alive and free. The acting was very strong across the board, and the script was witty and clever whilst still being deep and meaningful. I found myself very drawn into the story and I loved the way it ended. Very moving, I recommend it. 4/5

20th Century Women on Netflix

The 9th Life of Louis Drax

I'm utterly stunned by the negative reviews of this on Netflix, because I absolutely adored this. I thought it was a masterful blend of drama, thriller, fantasy, mystery, and maybe a little sci-fi as well. I haven't been impressed with Aaron Paul's work in film until now, but he was outstanding in this. I can see young Aiden Longworth having a long career ahead of him as well. The direction was stunning, and, even though I saw through the layers of mystery, I was completely captivated by this. I loved it, I really did. 4.5/5

The 9th Life of Louis Drax on Netflix

Complete Unknown

This strange psych drama touches upon some really interesting questions about identity and what defines us. Shannon and Weisz are both fantastic in this - if I hadn't believed them, this story would have fallen apart. I was completely intrigued by this, and it left me thinking about a lot. And, in the end, that's just what this movie is designed to do. Well done. 3.5/5

Complete Unknown on Netflix

Imperium

This fact-based crime thriller was really well done across the board. Radcliffe was very convincing in the lead role, and Collette was a star as always. Devin Druid, who I loved so much in "Louder Than Bombs", also turned in a small but stellar performance. The direction was really tight, and the script was well paced and compellingly written. I enjoyed this a lot and wish it had gotten a wider audience. Recommended. 4/5

Imperium on Netflix

88

Oh my gods, this was so awesome. This is possibly the first film I've seen that gets the concept of a fugue state reasonably right, so it gets points for just that. The writing is so deft and so complex that I found myself completely enthralled from the first minute to the last. The direction is outstanding and very moody. But the reason this film succeeds so much is the talent of the lead, Katharine Isabelle. She had the task of playing multiple characters through multiple timelines, and she was so good at differentiating them that I could tell in an instant, from the way she stood or cocked her head or walked, who she was and when. It was a truly outstanding performance, and I'm definitely going to seek out more of her work. An excellent film, highly recommended. 4.5/5

88 on Netflix

Frank & Lola

I feel like I've seen so many versions of this film before, that of the spurned man and the wily, game-playing woman. The man feels the cuckold, he goes a little nuts, the plot thickens... you know the story. This version wasn't especially different or more interesting than others - I saw it all coming a mile away. The one thing that was better than average was Imogen Poots in the female lead role. She was rather spectacular, but not enough to raise this above three stars. Just average for me. 3/5

Frank & Lola on Netflix

Nocturnal Animals

I don't know about this one. It was trying so hard to be a slick, deep, noir thriller. It was pretty, I'll give it that. But the story... it never goes anywhere. I'm all for metaphor and layers of meaning, especially if it's non-linear, but you've got to give me something to work with, and I felt this film didn't deliver on that front. I can make all kinds of suppositions, but that's all they are. There's no real "there" there, at least none that I could get behind. It's pretty but very empty, and I ultimately didn't enjoy it, so this is nothing more than average for me. 3/5

Nocturnal Animals on Netflix

Papa: Hemingway in Cuba

This was a good story that could have been great. The acting was very solid - Ribisi is as marvelous as ever. The direction was also solid and compelling. The problem was that I felt the script lacked depth in both story and character. I wanted more roundness to the people I was invested in and more insight into their motivations. I feel like many things may have gotten lost on a cutting room floor that would have made this picture much stronger. Still, a good film that tells a true tale. 3/5

Papa: Hemingway in Cuba on Netflix

Visions

From the trailers, I thought this would be very much in the "Rosemary's Baby" wheelhouse, but it wasn't. It had more of a supernatural flair, with a plot I found pretty interesting and a climax I didn't expect. The acting was decent, but not great, It was entertaining, but it lacked character and story depth that could have sold it much better. Just okay for me. 3/5

Visions on Netflix

The Sea of Trees

I have to start this review by noting something. When "The Forest" was released, there was a lot of backlash against the film, saying it didn't do justice to Japan's "suicide forest" and Japanese culture. I think that if we, as a culture, are going to point out when a film does something wrong, as was the case with "The Forest", we should also be ready to point out when one does it right. "The Sea of Trees" is the film that those bashing "The Forest" wanted to see. It is a reverent, dark, tragic, and yet ultimately uplifting and magical film about the culture of suicide, both in Japan and in America. It is some of the best work Gus Van Sant has done of late, and one of the most powerful performances McConaughey has given in a while. It is thoughtful, slow paced, and very packed with emotions. I went from weeping to laughing to weeping again before it was over. "The Sea of Trees" should be celebrated as the film many wanted to see made. I know I very much loved it. 4.5/5

The Sea of Trees on Netflix

The Edge of Seventeen

This is a wonderful, sweet, laugh out loud funny, endearing, and sometimes dark coming of age story. I really loved it - it had a heart and a humor that blended so well together. I went between laughing loudly, cringing, sighing with relief, and tragically sad throughout the film. The acting was wonderful, the direction very good. I highly enjoyed this film. 4.5/5

The Edge of Seventeen on Netflix

Passengers

I'm struggling to find words here to express how angry I am at this movie. From a purely filmmaking standpoint, this is a good film. The acting is strong, the script fairly well written, the direction tight and cohesive. But the story. Oh, gods, this story. I'm stunned this script made it past studio executives and test audiences without someone screaming how utterly, terribly, horridly violating and rapine this story truly is. I really don't think I've ever seen a movie that more glorified rape culture, or forced us to sympathize with a criminal, disturbed male oppressor and require us to thus thoroughly shame his victim. Pratt's character violates Lawrence's in pretty much every way possible, and yet he is portrayed as the hero and she the clumsy, harpy, shrill woman who doesn't appreciate her partner's abuse. It's like watching a cut of "Room" where Brie Larson's character was portrayed as a nasty, sullen, uncaring witch who just doesn't appreciate how wonderful she has it in this garden shed made for her by the man who "loves" her so much. I feel sick after seeing this, I really do. I normally forgive far more than I really should when it comes to the glorification of rape culture, but I can't condone this. Not this. 2.5/5

Passengers on Netflix

No Men Beyond This Point

This mockumentary is so good and so funny and rings so scarily true that it's a little frightening. The acting and script were excellent. I don't want to say much about the plot as the world of this film is really interesting, but it kept me completely glued to my screen. I highly recommend this, especially if you love mockumentaries like I do. 4.5/5

No Men Beyond This Point on Netflix

Scenic Route

I rented this at the same time I rented "Curve" this week. Both films had similar plots concerning being stranded alone in a fight for survival. I said in my review for "Curve" that films with this type of plot either go quite wrong, as "Curve" did, or very very right. This film does it really right. The acting is stellar - Duhamel and Fogler really put it all on the line for this. The direction is tight and gripping, and the script is just great. But the piece de resistance is the ending, which is just absolutely perfect. A wonderful film and a great thriller. 4.5/5

Scenic Route on Netflix

The Handmaiden

This is easily one of the best pictures of last year. I can't imagine why it wasn't nominated for multiple Academy Awards - perhaps it wasn't released in theaters? The direction is masterful. For the entirety of the film I marveled at it, so I wasn't surprised to see Park Chan-Wook's name in the credits. He's a genius, and I've been a fan of his work for many years. The story is absolutely intriguing, and the acting is top-notch. There isn't a true flaw in this film - it's a genuine masterpiece. A must see. 5/5

The Handmaiden on Netflix

Right at Your Door

This movie is FAR better than I expected. The script is excellent and the acting very solid. The twists of the plot are just so compelling, and I really didn't see where it was heading. I'm really impressed by this indie sci-fi post apocalyptic thriller - definitely give this one a chance! 4/5

Right at Your Door on Netflix

Dead End Drive-In

I think that much my dislike of this movie comes from viewing it now, in 2017, instead of when it was released in 1986. I imagine, were I to watch "The Warriors" now for the first time, I'd think it was about the most ridiculous film I'd ever seen. This film was very much like that, which I could forgive and even get behind. However, when the film became unabashedly racist in the last half, I really checked out of it. Again, this might have been normal for 1986 Australia, but, watching it now, I just can't do it. Not for me. 1.5/5

Dead End Drive-In on Netflix

Curve

Well, this was just ridiculous from top to bottom. The science and physical logic of this film falls apart with even the slightest bit of thought, and that's just annoying as hell. Sometimes films like this turn out spectacularly, as was the case with "Wrecked" with Adrian Brody. But, more often than not, you get a badly thought-out film like this. Rent "Wrecked" instead. You'll thank me, I promise you. 2/5

Curve on Netflix

Embrace of the Serpent

This was a fascinating film in many ways. I feel like it lives in the same world as Aronofsky's "The Fountain", in that it addresses questions about the nature of time and how relationships can weave their ways through different time streams. It was strikingly directed, and I was impressed by the acting. This film made me think, and I appreciate a film that can do that. 3.5/5

Embrace of the Serpent on Netflix

Manchester by the Sea

Wow. I'm still blown away by this. It's a tsunami of emotion, ceaselessly and relentlessly beating the viewer with sadness and helplessness and despair. It does this without having a huge "Oscar moment". There is no break in the tension that is created by all that is left unsaid. When the film was over, I started weeping. I didn't know what else I could do. All of this is because of the performance of Casey Affleck. It was probably the most subtle acting job I've ever seen. Everything is held beneath the surface, all of his character's rage and depression and guilt over things in his past that he can never change. I waited the whole movie for him to break and shed some of the weight he was carrying, but, when the film ended, it was all the harder because he didn't. It's a masterclass of acting, and I can absolutely see why he won the Oscar. Those who won't watch this film are missing out on a performance so nuanced and deft that it will simply break your heart. Watch this film. 5/5

Mancehster by the Sea on Netflix

Maelstrom

I don't know about this oddball film. The story felt very piecemeal to me - half the time I wasn't really sure what was happening or why. The talking fish narration didn't help matters any (and I can't believe I just wrote the phrase "talking fish narration"). The acting was quite good though, and I do get the point of it all, or at least I think I do. It just never all came together like it should have, at least in my opinion. Just meh for me. 2.5/5

Maelstrom on Netflix

Moonlight

This was a tender, complex, heartfelt, and lovely movie. I felt for the characters in the film, and I was drawn into their story wholly. The acting is top-notch, particularly Trevante Rhodes, who I thought gave a masterclass in subtlety in acting. However, I cannot say that this was the best picture of the year. I would even have a hard time putting it into the top five pictures of the year. Of the nine films nominated for Best Picture, I have seen four thus far - "Arrival", "Hell of High Water", "Hacksaw Ridge", and this. I felt all three of the other films were superior to this. And I still feel that, hands down, "Swiss Army Man" was the best picture of 2016, and I will be amazed if my opinion on that changes, as I think that was one fo the best films I have ever seen. I know why this was a popular choice to win, and I do understand it, but I cannot agree with it. It's a great and wonderful film, but just not the best picture of the year. 4/5

Moonlight on Netflix

Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones

This fifth installment in the PA series exists in the same universe as the first four but is a separate story with new characters. There are several tie-ins with the first films, most notably the reappearance of Ali from the second movie, about whose fate I had been very curious. There are other things as well, best left unsaid and unspoiled in a review. The root of the story isn't as compelling to me as the story of the previous films, with less inspired acting as well. Still, this proved an interesting way to extend the PA universe, and I will be curious to see the (currently) final chapter later this week. 3/5

Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones on Netflix

Paranormal Activity 4: Unrated Edition

I don't know why this was unrated. There's nothing extreme or unusual about it that would cause it to be unrated - maybe it was never theatrically released? This fourth installment of the PA series is not quite as strong as numbers two and three, but it still compelling nonetheless. I did rewatch the first film the other day, so the complete story of Katie and Hunter was very fresh in my mind. This was an interesting way to continue their stories, and that last shot of the film did in fact freak me out quite a bit. I have no idea if the last two films are set in the same universe, as they have different names, but I have to say this series was much much stronger than I expected it to by. It's a rich story in an interesting world, and I would love to continue to watch more of it unfold. 3.5/5

Paranormal Activity 4: Unrated Edition on Netflix