True Story

This is just exceptionally good acting by Franco and Hill. I knew Franco had it in him, but I've only seen Hill do drama a couple of times, so it was really refreshing to see him stretch in this film. Great story, totally engaging. I really liked this. 4/5

True Story on Netflix

The Theory of Everything

I've still to write about "Birdman" and "Whiplash", but I'm finding this review considerably easier. If one sat down to design a movie to attract Oscar attention, if one tried to distill everything conventionally seen as "Oscar worthy", one would produce this movie. All of the tropes about what types of films win Oscars are present and accounted for here. They are all done exceptionally well, don't get me wrong. Redmayne is as exceptional as he's ever been, and Jones is positively luminous throughout. But it's just so expected, so ordinary a film, so utterly and completely Oscar bait that I found myself drifting. This is as safe of a film as one can make in Hollywood, and, in good conscience, I can no longer award such safety with glittery awards. And as good as Redmayne was (and he truly was exceptional, let's make no mistake there), I cannot see his performance being better or more tranformative than Scott Haze in "Child of God" or James McAvoy in "Filth". Neither of whom, of course, were nominated, because "Child of God" and "Filth" were most certainly not safe films. So my review of "The Theory of Everything" boils down to it's good, but far too safe and basic to garner award notice from me. 4/5

The Theory of Everything on Netflix

The Invisible Woman

This drama was bereft of emotion - there was nothing wrong per se, it just felt average are dead. Meh. 3/5

The Invisible Woman on Netflix

Hysteria

A thoroughly enjoyable and well-acted comedy that totally made me want to have a wank. What more could you ask for? 4/5

Hysteria on Netflix

Chalet Girl

Decent enough film with good acting & snowboarding but so thoroughly plastic it didn't stick. I'm meh on this one. 3/5

Chalet Girl on Netflix

The Tempest

Julie Taymor missed the mark ever so slightly with this retelling but tremendous acting truly saved it. Djimon Hounsou was perfection as Caliban but Mirren not nearly as evil as she should have been. Interesting take. 3.5/5

The Tempest on Netflix

Albatross

There's nothing wrong with this film - the acting especially is quite good - but nothing grabbed me either. Meh. 3/5

Albatross on Netflix

Like Crazy

This was the best acting I've seen in a long while, Yelchin & Jones were infinitely believably. The end was perfect. I think this film will resonate with me & haunt me for quite some time. I can't believe how brilliant the acting was. Wow. 5/5

Like Crazy on Netflix