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

Moonlight

This was a tender, complex, heartfelt, and lovely movie. I felt for the characters in the film, and I was drawn into their story wholly. The acting is top-notch, particularly Trevante Rhodes, who I thought gave a masterclass in subtlety in acting. However, I cannot say that this was the best picture of the year. I would even have a hard time putting it into the top five pictures of the year. Of the nine films nominated for Best Picture, I have seen four thus far - "Arrival", "Hell of High Water", "Hacksaw Ridge", and this. I felt all three of the other films were superior to this. And I still feel that, hands down, "Swiss Army Man" was the best picture of 2016, and I will be amazed if my opinion on that changes, as I think that was one fo the best films I have ever seen. I know why this was a popular choice to win, and I do understand it, but I cannot agree with it. It's a great and wonderful film, but just not the best picture of the year. 4/5

Moonlight 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

Closet Monster

This is a fairly solid coming of age drama with a few glaring flaws. The direction is very good, with layers of visual metaphors that repeat and enhance the subtext of the film. The lead actors are all quite good, especially Connor Jessup in the lead role of Oscar. My problem is with some of the character development. When we meet Oscar's father when Oscar is a young boy, he is a loving and kind man who treats his son wonderfully and with respect. Quick cut, and now Oscar is a teenager and his father is somewhat of a monster, with the implication being he was always this way. This confused me, as in the scenes from Oscar's early life there was nothing to support this, and I didn't know what I was missing. In fact, all the characters took major detours between where we met them in Oscar's youth and where they were when he was eighteen. This, I felt, was a big flaw in the film that kept me from getting too emotionally tied to any of the characters. Still though, a solid effort with a strong ending. 3.5/5

Closet Monster on Netflix

Four

I became completely invested in these characters and their stories very early on in this film. I was intrigued by all the questions asked and glad not all of them got answered. I really enjoyed how this film dealt with notions of togetherness and what it means to be connected to someone in the modern age. The acting was very solid and the direction tight. Two thumbs up for this intimate drama. 4/5

Four on Netflix

Saint Laurent

This movie is way too long - I could have done without the last forty minutes and with serious trimming before that. The timelines are a mess in the last half of the film and I honestly have no idea what the hell happened for most of that time. The two saving graces are the performances by Gaspard Ulliel and Louis Garrel, which is why the movie gets two stars. Really a muddled mess. 2/5

Saint Laurent on Netflix

Holding the Man

I was extremely moved by this film. The acting was spectacular, and, overall, the story was well-told. However, I was a bit put off by some of the holes in the plot - there were several years in the story that simply weren't mentioned at all, which contained information that was vital to my understanding of the story. I wish we could have learned more ab out those missing years, but the love story was very powerful and moving nonetheless. 3.5/5

Holding the Man on Netflix

Better Than Chocolate

This lovely film is truly a celebration of love in all its forms and has characters all over the sexuality spectrum. It's funny and sweet and tender and brave, but I do have to say I wished the acting and direction were stronger so they could better match the script, which I quite enjoyed. 3/5

Better Than Chocolate on Netflix

Breaking the Girls

A terribly average plot with dull acting and a twist you can see a mile away. I feel like one day I'll actually get to see Madeline Zima act and it will be glorious, but this was not the day for that. Shame. 2.5/5

Breaking the Girls on Netflix

Carol

Maybe it's just me, but I really wasn't feeling this drama as much as I thought I would, and here's why I think it didn't work for me. The whole picture hinges directly on the restraint the two main characters, played by Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett, have to have on the love they feel for each other. The problem for me was that I felt that restraint turned into a coldness and lack of passion that only erected a wall between them. Mara and Blanchett dialed it back so much that I just didn't feel what I needed to in order for the story to work. This was just okay for me. 3/5

Carol on Netflix

Stonewall

I know this film got a lot of bad press in the gay community, and I'm not knowledgeable enough to discuss what is or isn't factual about it. What I can say was that, purely as a film, I found it inspiring and very well acted all around. Well paced and well directed as well - this is a solid film. 3.5/5

Stonewall on Netflix

Grandma

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this film, much in the same way I had about "The Diary of a Teenage Girl". In the case of the latter, I'm still digesting the film, and will write about it. For "Grandma", I think I can write tonight. First, Tomlin is exquisite, and I'm not surprised she was nominated for this role. It was a tough role in a tough movie, and I commend her for her work. Having said that, I feel like many of her granddaughter's emotional issues got short shrift, and it *was* her story, not Tomlin's. I wish the writer could have added 15 minute to explore Sage's story in greater depth. However, good film, and solid work by all. 3.5/5

Grandma on Netflix

The Children's Hour

What an unbelievably brave movie for 1961! Tremendous acting, a superb plot, and so gutsy! Loved it. 5/5

The Children's Hour on Netflix

Boy Meets Girl

While I thought the story of this trans romance was genuine & lovely, the stilted acting was not great. 3.5/5

Boy Meets Girl on Netflix

The Way He Looks

This romantic drama from Brazil is just lovely, I was rooting for the main characters throughout. Well done! 4/5

The Way He Looks on Netflix

Lilting

What a beautiful, almost evanescent film this is with gorgeous performances by Whishaw & Cheng. Truly lovely.  4/5

Lilting on Netflix

Boys

This gay coming-of-age drama was sweet, sensitive & did service to the topic, but I wished for more depth overall. 3.5/5

Boys on Netflix

In the Name of

This drama took far too long to get going - I found myself distracted & bored for most of it. It needed more. 2.5/5

In the Name of on Netflix

Blue Is the Warmest Color

A beautiful & very real depiction of love & lust with top notch acting but it badly needed editing. 3.5/5

Blue Is the Warmest Color on Netflix

Concussion

This drama about love & sex lacked the emotional depth it needed to truly impact - lovely to look at but empty. 3/5

Concussion on Netflix