The Free World

This gritty drama is a complete gutwrencher. Boyd Holbrook and Elizabeth Moss are at the tops of their games in this. They were both absolutely genuine, down to the smallest little tics that give away chronic trauma. The connection between them was so intense I could almost feel it myself. The story is sparingly told, which was the right call in my book. I didn't want to know much more - it was far better to let me paint the details in my head. The direction was beautiful as well. This was a total home run on all fronts. Loved this. 4.5/5

The Free World on Netflix

High-Rise

This surrealistic thriller definitely got in my head. I can't even pretend that I understood it all - hell, I'd be lucky if I got half of it. I definitely feel a second watching will illuminate more of the subtleties in the plot. The direction was magnificent, and I should have guessed the music was by Clint Mansell when it began to haunt me so early on in the film. The score also features a brilliant cover of Abba's "SOS" by Portishead that left me speechless. I was captivated by this, I will need to see it again. 4/5

High-Rise on Netflix

Listen Up Philip

I recently discovered Alex Ross Perry's films when I rented "Queen of Earth", which I felt was the best psychological horror film I've seen in some time. "Listen Up Philip" is a completely different flavor than "Queen of Earth" but just as potent. Perry fashions his characters with a particular cold cruelty to them, and yet I never find myself hating them. It's a deft trick, one few writers can pull off. This is a highly stylized film with a particular type of narration that Woody Allen has been attempting as of late but failing it. By contrast, Perry uses his narration to deftly weave his characters together whilst seemlessly passing the focus of the story between them. This is a master class in story construction and world building, and the actors pull off the script marvelously well. I'm very impressed by Perry's work and I'm quite sad none of his other films are currently available to rent. I think Perry is a true talent to watch in upcoming years - I can't wait to see what he does next. 4/5

Listen Up Philip on Netflix

Queen of Earth

They don't make movie like this anymore. Decades ago, ambitious filmmakers made artful psychological horror films about people descending into madness, but I haven't seen anything in that vein done convincingly in a while. Until now. "Queen of Earth" looks, feels, and sounds like an Igmar Bergman film in all the right ways - even the trailer is done in a late-period Bergman style. Elizabeth Moss gives the performance of a lifetime with her utter chilling descent into madness, and delivers possibly the single most unnerving line of dialogue in a movie I've ever heard. Masterfully done. 5/5

Queen of Earth on Netflix

The One I Love

Duplass & Moss put in brilliantly nuanced performances in this thought-provoking drama with a twist. Loved! 4.5/5

The One I Love on Netflix

Get Him to the Greek

Brand & Hill are absolutely perfect in 1 of the funniest, most laugh producing films I've seen in a while. 5/5

Get Him to the Greek on Netflix