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

Woodshock

This first film from Kate and  Laura Mulleavy is one of the most ambitious directorial debuts I've even seen. These women held nothing back and created a unique and visually stunning film that was utterly gorgeous. I've seen seasoned directors fail miserably trying to create half the atmosphere and photographic excellence that this film had. As far as the visuals go, I can't say a single thing against it. It's in the script where this film falls down. Much like "A Ghost Story", another recent visually stunning release, this film tries to accomplish much without dialogue or direct pieces of information upon which the viewer can understand the world. However, where "A Ghost Story" succeeded brilliantly, this film falters by leaving far too much unsaid. Without any kind of grasp as to the nature and gravity of the actions taken in this film, I couldn't relate to or connect with the characters. The denouement of this film was shocking, but I suspect, had I really understood the gravity of previous actions, I would have been completely devastated by it. I feel strongly that with a more fleshed out script this could have been an amazing film on every level, and I will be very interested to see what that Mulleavy women do next. 3.5/5

Woodshock 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 Glass Castle

I remember reading this memoir when it came out and being incredibly moved by it. When I saw they were making it into a film I was leery, but, when I saw the casting, I knew it would be a thing of beauty, and it was. Brie Larson and Woody Harrelson should both get nominations this year for their work in this film. In fact, the entire cast, including the youngest children, were all amazing and excelled in bringing the emotion of the story to life. Cretton's screenplay and direction was very intimate and moving. He had such a handle on the small nuances of the story, and it was really beautiful how it all came together. I was really affected by this, and I hope they remember this film during award season. 4.5/5

The Glass Castle on Netflix

Beatriz at Dinner

I'm not sure what to make of this film. I have to say at the outset that Salma Hayek was just phenomenal in this, and the rest of the cast turned in gold star performances as well. The direction was quite lovely with some truly beautiful photography. I'm just really stuck on the script. As the film develops, I found it harder and harder to understand what motives were driving the characters, and the ending left me truly baffled. I do freely admit that the point of this script is to force the viewer to question our beliefs about people and their behaviors, but I just felt I needed a bit more to go on to understand and appreciate the ending. I feel like there was some footage left on the cutting room floor that would have gone a long way to making this a more complete vision. As it is, I enjoyed it but felt it could be better. 3/5

Beatriz at Dinner on Netflix

The Hero

The one real reason to watch this film is Sam Elliott, who gives a masterful performance in the lead role. Sadly, I didn't feel the script had enough meat on it to give Elliott the real showcase he deserved. It lacked emotional depth for the characters, and I never really felt I understood anyone's motivations for what they were doing. Without a sense of past or motivation in the present, I felt the film was a bit adrift. A good film that perhaps left too many bits of greatness on the editing room floor. 3/5

The Hero 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

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

Christine

I had remembered a story about a depressed reporter taking drastic action on the air from my childhood, but I really knew nothing about the life of Christine Chubbuck. For me, the ending of this film was easy to spot early in, but I can imagine many being surprised by what occurs. Rebecca Hall gave the performance of a lifetime in this - she was tragic, bold, emotional, restrained, kind, and, often, all of these things at once. The whole of the movie is excellent - there really no flaws to it. Watch it, but be prepared to be jolted by it. 4.5/5

Christine 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

Sleight

This wasn't the movie I was expecting from the ad campaign, which I always find a bit disconcerting, but it was a movie that I became more and more interested in as it developed. The acting was quite strong from a group of young actors with whom I was not familiar. I enjoyed the direction and pacing as well. I do feel like the script left a few things out I wish had been further developed, and the ending was just a big giant tease for an apparent sequel with no pay off for the film I had just been watching. Overall I thought this was a fun and fairly strong film. 3.5/5

Sleight 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

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

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

Partisan

Y'know, I'm all for films that require a bit of work from the audience. I love films that make me think or figure things out or see the subtext beneath the surface. What I'm not for is when films pretend that you will be able to figure things out if you try hard enough and then never give you anywhere near enough information to understand anything that's happening. I honestly have no freaking idea what I just watched. I don't know when this film took place (post apocalypse maybe?), where it took place, who the characters were, what their relation was to each other, or why they were doing anything they did. Literally none of that was clear at all. And then, it just ends. All of a sudden. With no warning or clue about what was happening or going to happen after the end. That was so annoying. I have to give it two stars because the acting was strong, as was the cinematography, but the plot? Non-existent. Bah humbug.  2/5

Partisan 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

Gardens of the Night

Wow, this movie will punch you right in the gut. It's harrowing and disturbing and extremely difficult to watch. There were some portions I honestly wanted to just turn off they were so dark. Gillian Jacobs was amazing in this and is far more accomplished an actress than I previously thought. There was an odd gap in the story I wish had been filled, but it was a great film nonetheless. If you can handle the darkness of this, I do highly recommend it. 4/5

Gardens of the Night on Netflix