The Poughkeepsie Tapes

I don't know how I've never seen or heard of this film before. I'm frankly not even sure how it got on my queue, but boy, was this a revelation. Super low budget horror, more often than not, goes horridly wrong, because it become hard to suspend disbelief when the acting or the filming is done poorly. However, the Dowdle brothers took a micro budget and made an utterly real and completely believable world that was convincing enough I had to check Google to find out if what I was seeing was real or fiction. It was such a masterful film is every way - I was on the edge of my seat the whole movie trying to guess what was coming. Given the budget and time constraints of filming, it's amazing to me how great this was. I loved it, truly. 5/5

The Poughkeepsie Tapes on Netflix

Hunger

Here's the thing. If you're going to make a movie about trapped people who have gone weeks without any food whatsoever, you might want to do something to make sure your cast looks like they've been losing weight. You know, as you would, if you haven't eaten anything for weeks. Like... I don't know.... things like make up, prosthetics, progressively baggier clothes.... anything. Also, don't dress one of your female cast members in pajama bottoms and a tank top, because then it's really easy to see she's lost no weight at all. Which doesn't make sense, if your characters haven't eaten in weeks. So... yeah. Not good. 2/5

Hunger 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

Free Fire

Frankly, I'm not sure what to make of this film. There really is no plot. There are barely characters, and certainly no real character development. I actually don't think there's a single likeable character in this. On the other hand, it's directed really well and I had a lot of fun watching it. It's witty action comedy, but little else. If you'd like a bit of fun, this might be for you, but if you're looking for any real depth, look elsewhere. 3/5

Free Fire on Netflix

Ironclad

Oh wow, this was truly excellent. I always seem to forget how awesome Paul Giamatti is, and then I see him slaying in a film like this and I remember why I love him. Everything in this film is on point. The script is tight, the direction really compelling, and all the acting is excellent. It's also really violent, so be warned. An excellent film. 4.5/5

Ironclad on Netflix

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

Goat

This drama is chilling to the bone, especially because cases and situations like this are regular fare on college campuses today. I found myself wincing and covering my mouth in horror for much of this film. It portrays the concept of "toxic masculinity" perfectly and really gets across how travesties like this are fueled and why they happen. It's an important film, one that all young people should really see. I feel this very dark film is up there with "Kids" and "Bully" as films that may make the viewer very uncomfortable but are must-sees. Rent this, and prepare to be really disturbed. 4.5/5

Goat on Netflix

Come and Find Me

This twisty thriller is smartly written. It's well-paced and gives you only as much information as the lead character, played quite well by Aaron Paul, would have. Yes, that does leave a lot of plot holes, but that would be the reality in this situation. The ending was perfect and very brave. I always admire filmmakers that go with the most honest ending, even if it might not the most comfortable. I was entranced by this thriller - I recommend it. 3.5/5

Come and Find Me on Netflix

Imperium

This fact-based crime thriller was really well done across the board. Radcliffe was very convincing in the lead role, and Collette was a star as always. Devin Druid, who I loved so much in "Louder Than Bombs", also turned in a small but stellar performance. The direction was really tight, and the script was well paced and compellingly written. I enjoyed this a lot and wish it had gotten a wider audience. Recommended. 4/5

Imperium on Netflix

88

Oh my gods, this was so awesome. This is possibly the first film I've seen that gets the concept of a fugue state reasonably right, so it gets points for just that. The writing is so deft and so complex that I found myself completely enthralled from the first minute to the last. The direction is outstanding and very moody. But the reason this film succeeds so much is the talent of the lead, Katharine Isabelle. She had the task of playing multiple characters through multiple timelines, and she was so good at differentiating them that I could tell in an instant, from the way she stood or cocked her head or walked, who she was and when. It was a truly outstanding performance, and I'm definitely going to seek out more of her work. An excellent film, highly recommended. 4.5/5

88 on Netflix

Scenic Route

I rented this at the same time I rented "Curve" this week. Both films had similar plots concerning being stranded alone in a fight for survival. I said in my review for "Curve" that films with this type of plot either go quite wrong, as "Curve" did, or very very right. This film does it really right. The acting is stellar - Duhamel and Fogler really put it all on the line for this. The direction is tight and gripping, and the script is just great. But the piece de resistance is the ending, which is just absolutely perfect. A wonderful film and a great thriller. 4.5/5

Scenic Route on Netflix

Hyena Road

This is a simply outstanding war movie. It had me from the first minute and held me for the whole two hours. There is just perfect use of music in this, both in the soundscape of the film and in the precise way songs and their lyrics are placed in the action of the story. The acting is exemplary, and the direction is just fantastic. I can't say enough good things about this film - it's a must see for war film fans. 5/5

Hyena Road on Netflix

Boy A

This is a truly profound and powerful drama because it forces the viewer to try to reconcile the timid and peaceful young man we meet in the film with the horrific actions he committed in the past. It works so brilliantly, in part due to a compelling script, but mostly because Andrew Garfield gives a tour de force performance in the lead role. Garfield is so spot on with every little nuance of his delivery that it was hard at times to remember he was an actor and that I wasn't watching a documentary. It's a powerful film with a perfect ending. One of the best I've seen lately. 5/5

Boy A on Netflix

American Honey

This was a truly exceptional film, one of the best that I've seen from last year. The only reason I docked it a star was that it was at least thirty minutes too long and it dragged slowly at times. Sasha Lane made her acting debut in this, and I think she has a bright future ahead of her. The nuances in her acting were those of a more seasoned actress, and I was surprised to learn this was her first film. Riley Keough and Shia LaBeouf was also both outstanding and the three had tremendous chemistry together. The direction was wondrously lush and full of layered metaphor. This film lives in the same world as "Hick" and "Dixieland", and that's high praise from me. Highly recommended. 4/5

American Honey on Netflix

The Duel

I feel like this tense drama missed the mark a bit. There was no real roundness to the characters - they all felt like roughly drawn caricatures to me. This was most true of Harrelson's character, which was a shame because so much could have been done, especially given the quality of actor Harrelson is. I knew where this film was going from the beginning, and it would have been nice to have a turn or two in the plot. It was beautifully directed and well acted, but lacked the depth to be a truly great film. 3/5

The Duel on Netflix

Batman: The Killing Joke

It's been a long time since I read this graphic novel, so my memories of the actual story are shady at best. However, I sure don't remember there being two separate and distinct stories going on, with the first half of the movie all about Batgirl and the second half being all about The Joker. I feel like this film played very fast and loose with Batgirl's story, and that whole part of the movie just doesn't fit with the second half. I wasn't a fan of the animation, and I felt the horrors the Joker puts Gordon through could have been done much better. And the ending..... what? I'm very confused. This is not the film I was hoping for, that's for sure. 2/5

Batman: The Killing Joke on Netflix

Hell or High Water

This is one of the most solid and well-executed films I've seen this year. The acting is exceptional. Foster is a neon light of talent, and I'm glad the world is paying more attention to him these days. Bridges was also exceptional and held a level of gravitas that was a joy to watch. The score was perfectly done, and the direction quite good. I hope this little film gets a lot of attention this awards season. 4.5/5

Hell or High Water on Netflix

Uno

A few months back I watched the Norwegian film "Buddy", and was impressed enough by it that I was interested to see the writing and directorial debut of "Buddy" costar Aksel Hennie. I'm so glad I did, because this is a truly exceptional film. Watching Hennie's character David fall further and further down a well of misfortune and despair was absolutely captivating. I felt for him so strongly for the length of the film, and the tendrils of the plot spooled themselves out to perfection. The direction was deft with a strong use of music to highlight key moments. The acting was really solid, and the ending very appropriate and strong. I really loved this and will be actively searching for more films by Hennie - he's a talent to watch. 4.5/5

Uno on Netflix

High Tension

Whoever thinks that American horror has a corner on the gore and brutality market hasn't been watching what the French have been doing. I've seen some French horror films that have pushed all the boundaries of gore and taste directly out the window, and this fright fest is no exception. The direction and effects of the film are quite good, and the two lead actresses really sell the feelings of being trapped with a madman marvelously. However, it's the end twist that I have to take issue with. As interesting as it is, I don't believe it holds up to scrutiny. If you think about it for more than a few seconds, the entire film starts to unravel badly. I'm sorry, but that really ruined what was a strong showing in French horror for me. I'm keeping it at three stars, but just barely. 3/5

High Tension on Netflix

Yakuza Apocalypse

I have no bleeding idea what I just watched. I knew I was getting a movie about Yakuza vampires, but the trailer made this seem like a pretty straightforward thriller. But it was about the time when the head Yakuza vampire was fighting a dude in a big plushy green frog suit, and the dude in the suit took the suit off to reveal a man with a frog head and hands, who then grew to be 200 feet tall and started breathing fire on the world.... well..... that was when they lost me. So... yeah. 2/5

Yakuza Apocalypse on Netflix