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

Arrival

This film reminded very much of "Contact" with Jodie Foster, and that's a compliment. Like "Contact", "Arrival" is not a sci-fi action flick, but rather a serious contemplation of life, time, language, and what it means to be sentient. There is so much going on in the slow moments of this film, things that only come together at the end, which is important in and of itself. The acting is excellent - Adams did an outstanding job in her lead role. I wish the direction had been clearer at points - it's very muddy and difficult to make out details on occasion, which I found frustrating. I really enjoyed this, it's definitely worth a watch or three. 4.5/5

Arrival on Netflix

Lullaby

I hadn't know much about Garrett Hedlund before watching "Mojave" recently, and, on the strength of that performance, I wanted to seek out more of his work. This was a beautifully tragic story made near perfect by Hedlund's acting in the lead role. I loved all the nuance between the characters, and the whole cast gave tremendous performances. I had to take a star off for a really odd subplot with a dying 17-year-old girl and the inane subplot with Hedlund's girlfriend, who might as well have been a lamp for all the worth her character brought to the plot. Still, a strong story with a really solid performance by Hedlund. I think I'll seek out more work by this talented actor. 4/5

Lullaby on Netflix

Big Eyes

Thankfully, this Tim Burton movie doesn't feel like a Tim Burton movie. Adams and Waltz were lovely, and the story was told and paced well. A very engaging film. 3.5/5

Big Eyes on Netflix

Her

A perfectly brilliant & poignant film wonderfully acted by Phoenix. It just needed some editing to make it perfect. 4.5/5

Her on Netflix

American Hustle

My 3rd 2014 Best Picture nominee & it was BY FAR the best with note-perfect acting all around. Fantastic! 5/5

American Hustle on Netflix

Man of Steel

HOLY SNOT THIS WAS AMAZING. Possibly the best second best superhero film I've ever seen - I loved this so much. 5/5

Man of Steel on Netflix

The Master

Joaquin Phoenix & PSH's outstanding acting are the only reasons to slog through This muddy & overly long drama. 3/5

The Master on Netflix

The Fighter

Leo was brilliant. Bale was TRANSCENDENT. Wahlberg was flat & lilfeless & took the movie down a notch or two. 3.5/5

The Fighter on Netflix

Love & Distrust

Horrible. Just horrible. Pretentious, pointless, and amateur hour all the way around. Don't even bother. 1/5

Love & Distrust on Netflix