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 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

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

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

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

A Separation

This Iranian drama is a perfect study of family dynamics and of how we treat one another. The story is captivating, lyrical, and beautifully executed. The acting is tremendous from all parties. And the ending was simply the most perfect ending to a film I think I've ever seen. It took real guts to end the film this way, and it was so very effective and bold to do it. I was increedibly impressed with this film, it's truly amazing. 5/5

A Separation 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

Silenced

This drama about the sexual and physical brutalization of deaf children at a school in Korea is tremendously difficult to watch. The scenes of the abuse are incredibly graphic, disturbingly so. I honestly questioned how some of these scenes were shot, that's how realistic it seemed. The child actors were all tremendously talented. The script was well crafted, and the direction breathtaking. The fact that this is a true story of an at-the-time ongoing case is the kicker. If you watched and enjoyed "Spotlight" this is definitely something you should watch as well. It's a smaller story than in "Spotlight", but a better film in my opinion. Just... be prepared. This is gut-wrenching. 5/5

Silenced on Netflix

Lovesong

This is such a lovely, touching, wonderful film. Riley Keough is rapidly becoming one of my favorite actresses. Jena Malone is wonderful as ever. It's a slow and tenderly drawn portrait of these two women, done with such grace and subtlety that I couldn't help but be drawn in. I hope that the Academy remembers Keough at awards time. Love this. 4/5

Lovesong on Netflix

Lion

This was, undoubtedly, one of the best pictures of last year. In my mind, it's nearly tied with "Manchester by the Sea" as possibly the best picture nominated for the top honor at the Oscars (the best picture of last year in my mind, "Swiss Army Man", wasn't nominated). The movie is sheer poetry to watch. The direction is graceful and lush, with an almost musical quality to the movement. Dev Patel has grown into a serious actor, and, for me, he should have won Best Supporting hands down for his tour de force performance here. There really is no flaw to this film. It's so moving and I doubt I will ever forget it. A definitely must-see. 5/5

Lion on Netflix

Patriots Day

This Peter Berg thriller about the bombings at the Boston marathon was exceptionally well done. I don't know what corner Mark Wahlberg turned in his acting, but he put in another solid performance here. All the supporting actors were excellent as well. The music was quite well done, which, given that I'm not a huge fan of Reznor/Ross scores, is a big compliment. There really wasn't a misstep in this film - I really enjoyed it. 4.5/5

Patriots Day on Netflix

Fathers & Daughters

Maybe if I wasn't a mental health professional I would have liked this film, but I hated it. I hated it because the writers didn't have the common sense to even look up the basic facts and symptoms of the disorders they were describing. The inaccuracies were simply astounding. In what world is a seizure disorder a symptom of psychosis? And since when is psychosis "an inability to control one's impulses"? And no, the credentials "psychologist" and "social worker" are not interchangeable, thank you. Don't even get me started on the care and treatment of the young girl in the film. I nearly screamed at most of that. There were SO SO SO many things like this that I had to cringe or curse at the TV everyone five minutes or so. Nothing about this film was real or accurate in any possible way, and it was just painful to watch. I couldn't stand it, but, as I said, that could be my perspective, so take that as you will. 2/5

Fathers & Daughters 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

The Sea of Trees

I have to start this review by noting something. When "The Forest" was released, there was a lot of backlash against the film, saying it didn't do justice to Japan's "suicide forest" and Japanese culture. I think that if we, as a culture, are going to point out when a film does something wrong, as was the case with "The Forest", we should also be ready to point out when one does it right. "The Sea of Trees" is the film that those bashing "The Forest" wanted to see. It is a reverent, dark, tragic, and yet ultimately uplifting and magical film about the culture of suicide, both in Japan and in America. It is some of the best work Gus Van Sant has done of late, and one of the most powerful performances McConaughey has given in a while. It is thoughtful, slow paced, and very packed with emotions. I went from weeping to laughing to weeping again before it was over. "The Sea of Trees" should be celebrated as the film many wanted to see made. I know I very much loved it. 4.5/5

The Sea of Trees on Netflix

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk

This is an extraordinary film in many ways, but, in others, it falls down. The depiction of combat PTSD is outstanding. The film's writers, one of whom penned the book this was based on, clearly know their subject well. However, the movie gets bogged down in overly broad characters, treatises about war, and questions about the nature of honor. Ang Lee's direction was lovely, but I have to admit it got overly floral in places. The pace was slow, but that I appreciated, save when it dived a bit too long into "why are we over there" questions. The acting was also quite good, especially from a largely unknown young cast. Overall, it was the very candid depiction of PTSD that won me over. I did enjoy this film, flaws and all. 3.5/5

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk on Netflix

Last Tango in Paris

I realize this film is a classic, but I honestly couldn't stand it. I'm surprised I finished it I disliked it so much. The script made no sense at all to me. I don't know who these characters were or why they did what they did. The direction was just bad, and the music was worse. I've never been a Brando fan, and I found him nearly intolerable in this. The only saving grace for me was Maria Schneider, who I found beautiful and very compelling. She was much too good for this atrocious movie. 1.5/5

Last Tango in Paris on Netflix

Free Fall

This German LGBTQ drama is really spectacular. The plot is nuanced and very deftly written where no easy answers can be found. The acting is top notch with outstanding performances by all the leads. I really like the ending - it was appropriate for the story and really made me think. I highly recommend this. 4/5

Free Fall on Netflix

Louder Than Bombs

This new film by Joachim Trier, who made the spectacular "Oslo, August 31st", is another masterpiece. The non-linear story weaves through the film like bright threads in a tapestry. The effect of watching the past and present merge is magical, and Trier's direction brought a lush richness to the story that it needed. The acting by Byrne, Eisenberg, Huppert, and Druid is also perfection, and they all played off each other in such beautifully subtle ways. I adored this, it's just so lovely and tragic from beginning to end. One of the best I've seen this year. 5/5

Louder Than Bombs on Netflix