Sing

Okay, I straight up loved this. There was nothing about this feel-good film I didn't love. I cannot say anything bad about it, honestly. It was sweet, I loved the redemption story, and all the character work was awesome. I had no idea ScarJo could sing either, so that was a bonus for me. Loved this! 5/5

Sing on Netflix

The Big Sick

The trailer for this movie is deceiving. I expected a basic run-of-the-mill Apatow comedy, but this was something different. This was far more a drama than a comedy, with a decidedly dark tone to the whole film. I don't mean dark as in black comedy... I mean dark as in "oh shit, is the main character going to die???" kind of dark. I wasn't expecting it but it worked really well, and I felt the balance of the lighter scenes to the much heavier scenes to be just right for this story. The film was co-written by one of the leads, Kumail Nanjiani, who turned in a strong acting performance as well. The acting was extremely solid all the way through. especially Ray Romano's great performance. I enjoyed this, it hit me in the feels. 4/5

The Big Sick on Netflix

Sleeping with Other People

The description of this movie on Netflix doesn't do it justice. This film is magical. I haven't felt like any film lived up to the tender mix of comedy and drama that "When Harry Met Sally" had until right now. Jason Sudeikis and Alison Brie were so so so good in this. I honestly believed their chemistry, and their comic timing was truly excellent. The script was refreshingly honest as well. I really loved this - it's been a good week for romantic comedies for me! 5/5

Sleeping with Other People on Netflix

Man Up

OMG, I loved loved loved this. Loved it so much. Simon Pegg and Lake Bell are both perfect in this. Their timing and chemistry were just divine. The script was really smart and funny, with these beautiful moments of tenderness and an utterly charming tone. I would watch this again right now I liked it so much. Highly recommended! 5/5

Man Up on Netflix

Trolls

This and "Moana" arrived together, and I have the worst food poisoning of my life and needed something funny. All I knew about "Trolls" going in is that most said it was damn funny and I liked the theme song. I didn't know it was a musical, so that caught me off guard, as I'm kind of meh on many musicals. This was really really funny though - the script was both snappy and witty. I'm absolutely awful as placing voices, so I was really surprised to see everyone who voiced this in the credits - they were all great, with special nods to Zooey Deshenel and Russell Brand, and obviously the two leads were awesome.. It really did make me laugh out loud quite a bit, so I'm happy I went with this tonight, I will watch Moana in a day or so. 4/5

Trolls on Netflix

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

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

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

Wild Oats

I loved the first half of this charming comedy. Lange and MacLaine are both splendid in it, and sexy as hell to boot. The second half, though, turned into more of a crime caper which I felt derailed the charm of the first half a bit too much. Still, a really fun movie with some great comedy moments. 4/5

Wild Oats on Netflix

Army of One

This is the best acting I've seen from Nicolas Cage in a long while. He was truly funny and captured the zany (and true) nature of Gery Faulkner perfectly. I adore Russell Brand and he was great as ever in this. However, the script was a bit spotty with enough holes to drive a dump truck through. With a touch more cohesion this would have been a four-star film, but it was good nonetheless. 3.5/5

Army of One 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

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 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

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

Damsels in Distress

I'm sorry, but this really didn't work for me at all. The whole thing felt like a badly adapted Jane Austen novel, which is strange because the director recently released a very good Austen adaptation in "Love and Friendship". Everything felt wooden and dead, and while I know that deadpan style was the point, it didn't connect for me. I didn't get the point of the story - what was this a commentary on? Satire needs a point, and I didn't get one in this film. Not for me. 2/5

Damsels in Distress on Netflix

Everybody Wants Some

I tend to hate 80s parody comedies (case in point "Wet Hot American Summer"), so I was bracing to not like this. However, it wasn't a parody at all, but a real comedy that embraced and was set faithfully in 1980. The plot was engaging, the acting was really solid by an ensemble I wasn't familiar with, and it was both witty and dramatic in equal measure. I really enjoyed this, and I recommend it 4/5

Everybody Wants Some on Netflix

Love & Friendship

I wasn't sure about how overly stylized the beginning of this Jane Austen adaptation was, but I fell in love with it quickly. The acting is superb across the board, the direction very picturesque, and the script tight and well paced. This is one of the better Austen films I've seen to date. 4/5

Love & Friendship on Netflix

The Brothers Grimsby

Oh dear gods I hated this so much. It is honestly one of the stupidest and most unfunny comedies I've ever seen in my life. Just vulgarity for no real point and utterly absurd. I realize this might be right up some people's alley, but it definitely wasn't up mine. I can't believe I finished it honestly. Awful. 1/5

The Brothers Grimsby on Netflix

Zoolander 2

I absolutely adored the first "Zoolander" film and I had high hopes for this sequel, but it received such a clubbing by fans and critics I waited until now to see it. The critics were right - this was pretty painful to watch. The whole spirit of the first film was lost, and the plot was needlessly complicated and muddy. When I saw how many writers worked on this I was kind of stunned. This really didn't work for me. 2/5

Zoolander 2 on Netflix

The Hollars

I only vaguely remember John Krasinski's first feature, "Brief Interviews with Hideous Men". I remember disliking it quite a bit, but I honestly can't remember why other than feeling that this was just another case of bad people behaving terribly to each other for no damn reason, and it irked me. I also remember that I felt his direction was very promising, and I hoped that his next film would show a maturing of style. This second film of Krasinski's is a definitely step up, but possibly because he didn't write it as well, as he did his first film. The writing was very solid and showed a deep understanding of family, love, and relationships. The acting was strong from all parties, and the direction was impactful and well-paced. I really enjoyed this, and I hope to see more from Krasinski along these lines in the future. 4/5

The Hollars on Netflix