City Island

This started off slowly & wasn't catching my interest but by the end had turned into a rather charming comedy. 3.5/5

City Island on Netflix

Through a Glass Darkly

I can't get the Yeats quote "a terrible beauty is born" out of my head. This was my first Bergman - it won't be my last. If ever a movie deserved this title masterpiece this is it. Sheer perfection on every level imaginable. 5/5

Through a Glass Darkly on Netflix

Get Low

Despite the genius casting of Duvall & Murray the plot of this odd flick never got going. Middle of the road for me. 3/5

Get Low on Netflix

Stevie

A dark, tragic, terrifying and yet magnificently told documentary. I don't know what the truth is but yet I want to weep. 4.5/5

Stevie on Netflix

Tamara Drewe

Frears latest is a saucy rom-com that sees a wonderful performance by Tamsin Greig - the acting makes this work. 3.5/5

Tamara Drewe on Netflix

Multiple Sarcasms

This movie suffers because it doesn't know what it is. Drama? Comedy? Serious? Silly? I neither know or care. 2/5

Multiple Sarcasms on Netflix

A Woman, A Gun & A Noodle Shop

This Chinese remake of "Blood Simple" has all the grit & wit of the original with even more style. For those wondering, you don't need to have seen "Blood Simple" to watch this - it stands alone. A real winner. 4/5

A Woman, A Gun & A Noodle Shop on Netflix

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

Tautou is brilliant in this dark tale of a love affair gone horribly wrong. Like the adage says - just because he says he's leaving her doesn't mean he really will. So brilliant - loved it. Amazing plot, genius. 5/5

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not on Netflix

Hachi: A Dog's Tale

Yes, it's sappy & silly. Yes, I cried like a baby. What of it? So sue me - it was good. Get off my lawn. 4/5

Hachi: A Dog's Tale on Netflix

Conspiracy

This film about the meeting that decided the Final Solution is tragically horrifying, albeit a bit perfunctory. 3.5/5

Conspiracy on Netflix

Don't Look Back

This is a mind-fuck of a film - wonderfully written & eerily shot. Creepy as hell & ultimately fascinating. 4/5

ADDED: It seems on Netflix a lot of people got confused about the ending. Just pay attention - it all reveals itself. Is it convoluted? Sure. Is it a sound, well-thought out ending? Absolutely. The special effects are done perfectly - follow the train of those and you'll see everything clearly.

Don't Look Back on Netflix

Bruno

Wow - "Borat" this ain't. There was a little funny here, but honestly I found most of it either banal or offensive. Boo. 1.5/5

Bruno on Netflix

The Chocolate War

A young Adam Baldwin helps make this quintessential 80's film funny, dark & classic. Good stuff. 3.5/5

The Chocolate War on Netflix

Cairo Time

Nothing ever happens in this slow-as-molasses "Lost In Translation" style romance, but it gets a star for the end. 2/5

Cairo Time on Netflix

Pierrepoint: The Last Hangman

Timothy Spall gives a nuanced performance in this biopic about Albert Pierrepoint. Well done. 4/5

Pierrepoint: The Last Hangman on Netflix

Just Another Love Story

This exquisitely directed & powerfully written Danish film is anything but another story. Brilliant. 4.5/5

Just Another Love Story on Netflix

Welcome to the Rileys

Leo & Stewart were great, but the story just rubbed me the wrong way - it wasn't honest or genuine. 3/5

Welcome to the Rileys on Netflix

Machete

OMG FUN & RIDICULOUS. Did you love the 2nd half of From Dusk Til Dawn? Then watch Machete. Complaint: not enough naked Lohan

Machete at Netflix

Panic

A somewhat interesting script got further bogged down by surprisingly mediocre acting. I'm disappointed - just average. 3/5

Panic on Netflix

Cyrus

This is a REALLY smartly written dramedy that lets Reilly & Tomei shine. Expertly handled - it worked wonderfully. 4/5

Cyrus on Netflix

The Disappearance of Alice Creed

This smartly styled British thriller keeps you guessing straight through - well done. 4/5

The Disappearance of Alice Creed on Netflix

The Killing Room

The only "twisty" thing in this very predictable thriller was the very end. Only thing I didn't predict. Meh. 2/5

The Killing Room on Netflix

The King of Masks

This Chinese drama about love and family is poignant & highly emotional. Really beautifully done, loved it. 4/5

The King of Masks on Netflix

Lovely, Still

Landau & Burstyn are magnificent in this beautiful, magical, dark & devastating film. I wept like it was WALL-E. Seriously... watch this film. The performances are off the charts & it's so powerful & emotional. I'm *still* crying. Damn. 5/5

Lovely, Still, on Netflix

Catfish

This film is topical & devastating & brilliant - it should remind us all that not everything is how it seems. Wow. I want to say more about this amazing film but I can't for fear of spoiling it. Just watch it. 4.5/5

Catfish on Netflix

Hugo Pool

This movie was so atrociously awful I actually turned it off. I can't believe how awful this was, truly. 1/5

ADDED: When Malcolm McDowell shot his hand-puppet up with a syringe of "Rang Dang Dooey" I just had to shut it off. I mean... REALLY. With this cast to see such horrific acting... I have no words.

Hugo Pool on Netflix