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

Mulan

In my quest to watch more animated films, I realized that there was a rather large chunk of Disney films I had missed in the 90's and 00's. I watched "The Little Mermaid" last week when I had pneumonia, and tonight I watched "Mulan". Here's the thing. I hated both of them. Now I remember why I stopped watching animated films, because I was finding I disliked more and more of them. "The Little Mermaid" was so sexist and gender-conforming it was ridiculous. And "Mulan" was so culturally insensitive I was honestly stunned a few times. I see that reviewers on Netflix praise "Mulan" for teaching girls they can be anything, but that wasn't what I saw. The gender and race tone of this film really bothered me a lot. I now understand the argument for the "revolution" as it were of Disney princesses, because what I've been seeing is just bad. Maybe it's just me, maybe I'm looking at something 20 years old with the eyes of today, but I just can't get behind these films. I think I'm moving back to the modern era for a bit. 2/5

Mulan on Netflix

Moana

Well, I think I'm in the minority with this film, because I wasn't really jazzed by it. I saw a lot of similarities between this film and "Kubo and the Two Strings" in terms of message and how the story unfolded. But I also felt that it was trying to be witty and clever and endearing ln the way that "Trolls" was. Unfortunately, because those two purposes were at odds with each other, I felt this film failed to really deliver on either front. I thought the message of the film came off as trite and actually played into some of the gender stereotypes it was trying to overcome. I also felt much of the humor felt stale and the songs weren't nearly as good as in other Disney films or in "Trolls". In the end, this didn't really do it for me I'm sorry to say. 3/5

Moana on Netflix

Kubo and the Two Strings

This animated film was just gorgeous. I don't think I've ever seen stop-motion done quite like this - it was insanely beautiful. I really loved the story, the pacing was excellent, the comedy was witty and yet dark enough to convey the tragedy of the story. My one gripe? Maybe this is being a little hard, but I didn't understand why we heard Theron, Fiennes, Mara, and McConaughey voicing Japanese characters. It just seemed like a awfully strange choice to me. The movie tried so hard to ground this in Japan and Japanese culture that I really didn't get why I wasn't hearing Japanese accents and voices. But, that aside, this is a wonderful film. I normally don't watch much animation, so this is high praise from me. 4.5/5

Kubo and the Two Strings on Netflix

Scott Walker: 30 Century Man

I have to admit I'd never heard Scott Walker's music before watching this film. I'm a fan of nearly every genre and type of music, but, if I'm being truthful, Walker's work just isn't for me. I'm a Bartok fan, I like some discord in my harmony, but this was a little too much for me personally. Given that introducing new people to Walker's music was the main goal of this film, I deem it a success. The whole of Walker's career was sifted through and and I really got a sense of how he grew into the influential artist he is today. However, I do wish I could have understood more about Walker the man. I wanted to really know what made him tick, and in that regard the movie didn't work quite as well. This was just average for me. 3/5

Scott Walker: 30 Century Man 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

Embrace of the Serpent

This was a fascinating film in many ways. I feel like it lives in the same world as Aronofsky's "The Fountain", in that it addresses questions about the nature of time and how relationships can weave their ways through different time streams. It was strikingly directed, and I was impressed by the acting. This film made me think, and I appreciate a film that can do that. 3.5/5

Embrace of the Serpent on Netflix

Hacksaw Ridge

I don't know what I can say about this film other than it's without a doubt one of the finest WWII movies ever made. Gibson's direction was nothing short of transcendent. There is a stylization to the movie that seemed a bit strange in the pre-war first hour, but that blossomed in the second, creating a world so tangible I felt I was there. The violence was extreme and very real, shot in an unflinching way that was very honest and more than a little disturbing. There are so many outstanding visual sequences that I was breathtaken by them. Andrew Garfield is simply outstanding in this role, and all the supporting actors were marvelous. The story is incredibly real and very true to reality. It's a stunning story of bravery, and one that humbled me incredibly. This is a fantastic film, worthy of being nominated for everything it was and more. 5/5

Hacksaw Ridge on Netflix

The Man Who Knew Infinity

Dev Patel is wonderful in this biopic about Srinivasa Ramanujan, an Indian mathematician and genius of the highest order. His death came all too soon, and, after watching this, I wonder what he could have been able to accomplish in his later years had he lived. Jeremy Irons is tremendous in the main supporting role, and I found both the script and direction engaging. A strong film. 4/5

The Man Who Knew Infinity on Netflix

The Salt of the Earth

This documentary about the photographic career of Sebastião Salgado is extremely well done. Salgado's earlier photographs, particularly of the sufferings in Africa, are disturbing and devastating to view. I can't imagine the emotional pain he went through to capture those images of the dead and dying. On the other hand, his photographs of the beauty of the Earth for his Genesis project are awe-inspiring and full of life. It's remarkable how one man could capture so much beauty and pain in the course of his life. A very moving film. 5/5

The Salt of the Earth on Netflix

Call Me Lucky

This is an amazing movie about a truly inspiring man who has lived a difficult and yet triumphant life. It's humbling to watch the journey of Barry Crimmins from flame-throwing comic to activist against child pornography. He's clearly come a long way, but, judging from the depth of his still-incinerating anger, I fear he has a ways left to go. Another winner from Bobcat Goldthwait. 5/5


Call Me Lucky on Netflix

Sully

This was a good movie that could have been a great one. Hanks' Sully was acted to perfection, and Eastwood's direction, particularly in the action sequences, was very good. However, I think one Netflix reviewer put it perfectly when they said it felt like the plot was continually circling itself in a holding pattern. That's very accurate - it feels like the story is going nowhere for most of the film. We see a couple of flashbacks to Sully's youth, but we learn nothing. We see the crash a few ways, and the same sets of reactions from the same sets of people over and over again. The repetition got to me, and the lack of forward motion in the plot felt stagnant. I really felt the film should have been longer, taken more time to explore Sully's character, and to get a sense of how he managed to be so calm in the face of such peril. In my mind I keep comparing this film to "Flight" with Denzel Washington. I will remember "Flight" for the rest of my life, but I think I won't remember much about "Sully" six months from now, which is sad to me. 3.5/5

Sully on Netflix

A Ballerina's Tale

This documentary about Misty was both beautiful and a bit frustrating. It was beautiful because I had never seen Misty dance for extended periods of time and she's just breathtaking to watch. She has such a gift, it's amazing. But it was also frustrating because I wanted to know more about Misty the woman and less about the issue of Black women in classical dance. This would have been a five star film if I could have learned more about what really made Misty the amazing dancer she is. 4/5

A Ballerina's Tale on Netflix

Dark Horse

This documentary about a small Welsh town who banded together to raise a champion racehorse was tender, witty, and heartfelt. I really enjoyed this - it had real heart, and I felt inspired watching it. 4/5

Dark Horse on Netflix

Born to Be Blue

Wow, I really loved this film. It was written and directed by Robert Budreau, whose work I've never seen before. I truly hope he gets much more work in the future, as this was really inventive and imaginative. I really loved the non-linear moments, and the direction had such lovely texture and a great palette. I have to give it up to Ethan Hawke, who pulled out all the stops for this role. The last twenty minutes of this film is perhaps the best twenty minutes of film Hawke has ever produced, and it's a marvel to watch. Especially in contrast to the similarly themed "Miles Away", this is a truly great film. 4.5/5

Born to Be Blue on Netflix

Sagrada: The Mystery of Creation

I had never heard of this cathedral before, so I was interested in this film. This is honestly the most beautiful architectural structure I've ever seen, and the story behind it is amazing. We wroth a watch. 4/5

Sagrada: The Mystery of Creation on Netflix

Unbranded

I wasn't sure about the direction of this movie at the outset, but it morphed into a really nice buddy film with some great information about the state of wild horses in America to boot. I enjoyed this. 4/5

Unbranded on Netflix

He Named Me Malala

What a wonderful and inspiring film this is! It's a beautiful story told extremely well, very touching and moving. Go Malala! 4/5

He Named Me Malala on Netflix

Joy

I really enjoyed this and felt this was Jennifer Lawrence's best acting job in a while. However, I have to say I'm getting really tired of seeing Cooper and Lawrence together in every movie, and particularly in every David O. Russell movie. It's starting to feel so repetitive to me, and it took something away from what was really a wonderful, well written, and heartfelt movie. Honestly, I think it was the difference between this being a very good movie to being an Oscar contender movie. Nonetheless, a very good film and worthy of the Oscar nod for Lawrence. 4/5

Joy on Netflix

The Champions

What a wonderful and uplifting story about the pitbulls rescued from Michael Vick's fighting ring! This is a true story of redemption, recovery, and overcoming adversity. Inspirational. 5/5

The Champions on Netflix