A Serbian Film

I couldn't find this very controversial film at Netflix, or on any mainstream platform, but I was able to finally seek it out and watch it. First thing - this isn't a horror film. The things that happen in this film are horrible and deeply disturbing, but this is a drama/thriller, not horror. Second thing - this film is deeply philosophical. I wondered why it was simply called "A Serbian Film", but now, having finally seen it, I see it couldn't be called anything else. It examines the culture of violence in Serbia, and when it became almost incidental to see or be a part of violent acts. It delves deeply into the nature of victimhood, of when you can blame someone for committing violence on others, and when forgiveness can be possible. These moral questions aren't subtle, but straightforwardly asked, and the escalating violence of the movie compels the viewer to decide when what they are seeing is too much, and when they feel they must, in good conscience, look away. I imagine not many viewers make it too the end, which is sad, because the final minutes of this movie are so profound and affecting I was stunned by them. Honestly, even given the horror of what I watched (and, to be clear, this is easily in the top five most disturbing films I've ever seen), there's nothing about this I would have changed. It's brilliant, it truly is. 5/5

A Serbian Film is not available on Netflix

The Attack

This Arabic drama manages to tell a very nuanced story about a incendiary topic, which is not an easy thing to do these days. We the viewers are never forced to take sides, and, because of that, we are allowed to feel the pain from all sides of this story. The acting is extremely good and is the glue that holds everything in this film together. I was captivated by this, and I definitely recommend it. 4/5

The Attack on Netflix

The Boy Who Wanted to Be a Bear

First thing - this is NOT a movie for children. It's very very dark for the most part with a lot of death in it. However, it's also incredibly lovely and tender with a lot of love in it. The questions this film asks are very profound, and I'm not sure there is a right or wrong response to any of them. The animation is just gorgeous, like constantly flowing watercolors. I loved everything about this. 5/5

The Boy Who Wanted to Be a Bear on Netflix

Mouchette

I have heard it said about the films of Robert Bresson that you'll either love them or hate them. I'd didn't hate this, but I really didn't like it much either. The lack of professional actors was a big problem for me. I really wish directors didn't attempt this so often - looking at you, Werner Herzog - as it so rarely works out. The script was just confusing to me - it wasn't clear why anyone was acting so horribly, and by the end I was starting to get angry about it. I did love the picturesque direction, and some of the shots were really gorgeous. On the whole, though, this really didn't work for me, but I will give Bresson another chance or two. 2.5/5

Mouchette on Netflix

The Painting

This has got to be the most original film I've ever seen. Visually, it's really unlike anything else. I don't want to say too much, but the realization of the vision of this film is extraordinary. By the end I was truly stunned at how the visuals so perfectly tied the whole story together. The base of the story was also really cool and different from anything I've ever seen. The morals of the film, those I've seen before, but never done like this. I could watch this again right now, easily. One of the best films I've seen in recent memory. 5/5

The Painting on Netflix

Wakefield

This is one of the more fascinating character studies I've seen in recent history. The character of Howard Wakefield suffers from a particular personality disorder, which he demonstrates throughout the film. But there's something else at work here, something explored in films like "Castaway" and "Into the Wild" (the true story of Christopher McCandless and his death). It is a separation from reality and the social mores by which we live, in order to embrace the lawlessness of being homeless or completely apart from human company. Cranston is utterly sublime at capturing the tension between these opposing personality forces and the destruction this conflict leaves in its wake. It is truly amazing, and I hope Cranston gets an Oscar nod for this. Loved this. 4.5/5

Wakefield on Netflix

Fireworks Wednesday

A few weeks ago I saw "The Separation", an understated drama by Iranian director Asghar Farhadi, and I enjoyed it so much I immediately put more of his films in my queue. This quiet little drama by Farhadi really hit me in the heart and the gut. It takes such a talent to write deftly-crafted stories with well-rounded characters and still keep the film very low-key, understated, and cerebral. These are stories that make you think, and the more your think about what you are seeing, the more you will see, and the harder the story hits you when it all finally unravels. I was incredibly impressed by this, and will definitely continue to go through Farhadi's catalogue. Highly recommended. 4/5

Fireworks Wednesday on Netflix

The Childhood of a Leader

I don't even know how this film ended up in my queue, but I'm so glad it did, because it just blew me away. This is the actor Brady Corbet's directorial debut, but it felt like the polished hand of Kubrick more than the the first work of a new director. It was lush and beautifully framed throughout in impressive fashion. But I have to talk about the score for this, because that was the real star. The moment the credits started and the overture began, I was captured. The music is bombastic and cacophonous and just perfect in every way. I was utterly entranced by it, so imagine how stunned I was when I saw that it was none other than Scott Walker who composed it. I only recently discovered Walker in a documentary called "Scoot Walker: 30th Century Man" about his life and career, and, when I saw it, I really disliked his work, rather immensely so in fact. Clearly I need to listen again, because this was amazing. This movie won't be for everyone. It's brash and intense and stylistic and nebulous, and I will say I didn't get the very very end at all, which is why I deducted a half star. But I loved it, really. Highly recommended. 4.5/5

The Childhood of a Leader on Netflix

Before I Fall

I'm going to be honest at the start and say there's nothing original in this script. Nothing new or groundbreaking is being added to this "Groundhog Day" basic plot design, which I did find a tad disappointing. The acting is pretty solid all around, and I did like the fluidity of the direction. There's nothing wrong with this film, but it has all been done before, so this was just okay for me. 3/5

Before I Fall on Netflix

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

Life

Okay, I'm just going to address the very mixed reviews for this right away. I see both sides of the issue. Yes, the acting is very strong. The direction was engaging and excting, and I was incredibly intrigued by the life form. I was completely into the film from minute one. However, I see the point of the naysayers. This movie really was cliche after cliche after cliche. And, ultimately, given the parameters of the film, most of the choices made were idiotic and contradicted by the way the film draws to a close. Yes, I'm being really vague here to avoid spoilers, but I think readers will get my meaning regardless. I did have to give it an extra half star for the last two minutes of the film though, because WOW. That alone was worth the price of admission. I did like this. It was enjoyable and fun in every way it needed to be, but "Alien" it was not. 3.5/5

Life on Netflix

Evolution

I have a pretty significant case of trypophobia (a proposed phobia of irregular patterns or clusters of small holes or bumps), so there were large swaths of this movie that were extremely physically difficult for me to watch. Difficult enough that, even though I was engrossed in what were happening, I became so queasy and ill that I nearly turned it off. So, be forewarned, if you have difficulty looking at things with holes or clusters of strange things (just look up the word trypophobia on Google and you'll know right away if this bothers you), I might not rent this. It is a fascinating story though, one I'm not sure I totally understood. So much of it is left to our imagination, as we see everything through the sight of one young boy. It's hard to get a full understanding of what's happening, and the end became a bit too confusing for me. Still, it was terribly intriguing, and, even though I can't watch it again, I would recommend it to anyone who likes a good mystery. 3/5

Evolution on Netflix

Miss Sloane

I am of two minds of this film. The first mind is that it is an excellent thriller. I have loved Chastain since her very first role in "Jolene", and I still think she's an unrated and brilliant actress. The whole of the cast was spot on, but they'd have to be to keep up with Chastain and the amazing performance she gave in this. The plot is also expertly written, and I never saw half the twists coming. But here's the thing, the thing with which the other half of me is troubled. I don't know why it was necessary to demonize everyone to the right of political center in this film. Yes, political posturing was inevitably going to be a part of this, but, how it shook out, everyone working for gun control had ethics and everyone against it were monsters, with one obvious exception of course. It wasn't necessary to the film - it in fact weakened it as I began to feel too many characters were cartoons instead of people. It was jarring and unneeded, and I wish the filmmakers had trusted in their script and cast to carry this film without it. Still, it was an excellent film, and I have to give it four stars. 4/5

Miss Sloane on Netflix

Jackie

Honestly, this was barely a 3-star movie. The plot was very scattered, the characters lacked depth, the direction felt canned and stale. In my mind, it was the acting that pushed it barely over to 3 stars. Portman was quite compelling - she looked and sounded as I remember Jackie Kennedy, albeit a bit colder. Billy Crudup and Peter Sarsgaard were both quite good as well. I just never felt pulled into the story or feeling deeply for the characters, which is why this fell flat for me. 3/5

Jackie on Netflix

Brief Interviews with Hideous Men

I know I rented this movie when it was first released on DVD, and my review said I hated it. However, I couldn't remember why, so I thought I should rent it again and give it another chance. I'm glad I did. First, before I say anything further, I have to say there are moments in this film of utter brilliance, pieces that are so sublime in their execution that they are, quite simply, perfect. For a first time director, as Krasinski was, this is an incredible achievement. I think the first time I watched this film I allowed the surface layer of emotional shallowness and heartlessness to envelope my whole viewing. However, that's not what's really being said here. What is initially shown as disdain and contempt turns around to actually expose the real insecurity, fear, and self-doubt that men feel when confronted with strong women. I also think I read the lack of depth of the main character to be misogynistic, when it fact it was empowering to have her be the sole pillar of strength in the film. This is a complex film with a lot of layers, and I'm glad I went back to look at it again. I think this is a real triumph for Krasinski, and I hope that other who had similar first experiences like me will also give it another chance, because it really is worth it. 4/5

Brief Interviews with Hideous Men 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

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

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

Limbo

After seeing "Legacy", which I loved, I had to see the one other feature Thomas Ikimi directed available on Netflix, which was this early noir thriller. Sadly, watching this was as painful as watching a mediocre student film. The acting was horrid, the direction hammy, the dialogue trite. The premise, though, was thoroughly intriguing. I couldn't turn this off because I had to know what happened and how the characters ended their stories. It was a great plot, and I can see how Ikimi grew into the mature director I saw in "Legacy". 2/5

Limbo on Netflix