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

Steve Jobs

Having recently watched "Jobs" with Ashton Kutcher I was very curious about this film and how it would differentiate itself from "Jobs". I was especially curious to see Fassbender's performance, especially given his Oscar nod for it, and I wasn't disappointed in either respect. I'm not a huge Danny Boyle fan, as I tend to think he emphasizes style over substance, but this film was more solid in tone and pace than much of his past work. Fassbender did a marvelous job as well, and really took command of the screen as Jobs. But, if I'm being honest, I'll take Kutcher's performance any day of the week and twice on Sunday. While this was a slick film, I preferred the steady pace and scope of "Jobs" and thought Kutcher did a superior turn in the role. That may not be the predominant opinion, but it's mine. 3.5/5

Steve Jobs on Netflix

Trance

This stylish Danny Boyle thriller is brilliantly written & perfectly acted by the leads. I never saw it coming. 4/5

Trance on Netflix

127 Hours

Franco NAILED this but Boyle never trusted him to carry the story. Too many distractions, not enough intensity. Shame. 3/5

EDITED TO ADD: First problem - I never once felt claustrophobic. I never felt trapped, unsafe, or fearful for Aron. Boyle took the viewer out of the horror of the situation with too damn many flashbacks, memories, dreams, hallucinations and the like. I never got to settle into Aron's fear or pain or doubt. With Franco acting as well as he was this was a HUGE mistake.

Second problem - why did Franco look perfectly groomed after 127 hours in a canyon? You mean to tell me Aron didn't grow facial hair, get dirty, ungroomed, or bloody? You can't tell me that because I've seen Aron's footage and he looked horrible. Why didn't Boyle think to incorporate this? That's just lazy.

Third problem - seriously... why not show us the arm? It's bad enough Boyle turned his lens from the cutting, but we never get to see the stump? Huh? Again, the movie loses its realism with decisions like this.

This would have been a vastly better movie is Boyle had studied why "Cast Away" worked so well and done that. This? Doesn't work. *sigh*

127 Hours on Netflix