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

Sausage Party

This movie had its moments. There were some really funny things, and a lot of the voice acting was really quite good. However, in an effort to be like "South Park: The Movie" this film tried to push the envelope as far as it could. Unlike "South Park", they largely failed. This is just crudeness for crudeness' sake, and the thin plot didn't really support it all. I wanted to like this more, but I ended up rolling my eyes as much as I laughed, so it was just okay for me. 3/5

Sausage Party on Netflix

Every Thing Will Be Fine

Straight up, this was a bad movie. The acting was absolutely leaden. Franco's been coasting through roles lately, but in this he was barely a cardboard cutout. I would fault him except the rest of the cast was as well, so it had to be a directorial decision. The direction was also really off, with a weird score that distracted me throughout. This was not a good film. 2/5

Every Thing Will Be Fine on Netflix

The Adderall Diaries

I wanted to love this film, but I only liked it. The script was strong and well-crafted, and I appreciated the direction as well. Most of the cast is very solid, with a standout performance from Amber Heard that really held the story together. The weakest link was Franco, which surprised me quite a bit, as I usually like his roles and choices. His acting felt hollow, staged, more a performance than an authentic representation of the character. Ultimately, that feeling of emptiness dropped my estimation of this film into feeling it was okay, good maybe, but certainly not great. 3/5

The Adderall Diaries on Netflix

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

Child of God

Holy shit, why didn't Scott Haze get an Oscar nod for this & Franco a directing one? Outstanding film, loved it. 5/5

Child of God on Netflix

Good People

The acting was wooden & the plot totally transparent in this lackluster thriller - Franco & Hudson were just bad. 2/5

Good People on Netflix

First Person

Haggis does it again with a wonderfully poignant & delicate interlocking story that is beautifully written. 4/5

First Person on Netflix

As I Lay Dying

Franco's direction is a bit questionable but Nelson's performance is so perfect it doesn't really matter. 3.5/5

As I Lay Dying on Netflix

The Letter

This portrait of delusion is dismally bad with atrocious acting & a ridiculous & unclear plot. Not worth your time. 2/5

The Letter on Netflix

Lovelace

Seyfried is great in the lead role of this bio-pic that heavily favors Linda's version of events. Interesting take. 3.5/5

Lovelace on Netflix

Spring Breakers

The visually stunning direction, great editing & Franco's stellar performance sell this steamy thriller. 3.5/5

Spring Breakers on Netflix

This Is the End

Seth Rogen is a god for making this hilarious comedy that was LOL worthy - McBride & Cera are insanely funny. 4.5/5

This Is the End on Netflix

About Cherry

This story of a young porn star was oddly redemptive & filled with great acting but was very predictable. 3.5/5

About Cherry on Netflix

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

This was WAY WAY better than I expected - very dark, cerebral & emotional. Surprisingly good. 4/5

Rise of the Planet of the Apes on Netflix

Finishing the Game

This satire is particularly biting & funny, but it's the period-faithfulness that really makes it work. 3/5

Finishing the Game on Netflix

Howl

What was perhaps Franco's greatest performance was derailed by a meandering & sloppy production but still engaging. 3.5/5


Howl on Netflix

Your Highness

Time for another special FTRQ review for another Potentially Bad Movie Night with Emilie Staat (@emofalltrades on Twitter)! This week we have "Your Highness", a farcical tale of knights, maidens and quests starring Danny McBride, James Franco, Natalie Portman and Zooey Deschanel. How did our movie night turn out? Read on!

DONNA:
Okay, bear with me again here. There is a fine line a comedy walks between funny & farcical and over-the-top stupidity. Your Highness tries very hard to walk *exactly* on that line, which is precarious business. It often fails, falling badly into the banal & stupid, but the comedic talents of McBride & Franco save it over and over again. I found myself laughing far more than I sighed or groaned. Not great, but certainly not bad either, so in the end this is the only rating I can give it. 3/5  

EMILIE:
Watching Your Highness is like watching a group of teenage boys playing the penis game, one extended dare to see who can be the loudest and most daring. If it were funnier or ever strayed from the penis/sex/gay jokes, it would've been far better and might have a chance of standing the test of time like Monty Python movies or Princess Bride. But there's absolutely no subtly or variation.Natalie Portman is the best thing about the movie, but she arrives far too late. Enormously funny Zooey Deschanel is given so little to do that it's embarrassing, yet she *almost* succeeds in turning her vacuous, wide-eyed Belladonna into a satirical caricature of what she's expected to be. I expected a stupid movie. I just thought it would be a more clever stupid movie than it was. 2.5/5


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DONNA'S RATING: 3/5
EMILIE'S RATING: 2.5/5

Once again, Emilie and I prove we're not too far off in our opinions. We're always within a half of a star of each other - quite a record! What will happen for our next Potentially Bad Movie Night? Stay tuned! :)

Your Highness on Netflix

Date Night

I really wanted to hate this but I swear I actually LOLed through the whole thing. Carrell & Fey are hilarious. 3.5/5

Date Night on Netflix

127 Hours

Franco NAILED this but Boyle never trusted him to carry the story. Too many distractions, not enough intensity. Shame. 3/5

EDITED TO ADD: First problem - I never once felt claustrophobic. I never felt trapped, unsafe, or fearful for Aron. Boyle took the viewer out of the horror of the situation with too damn many flashbacks, memories, dreams, hallucinations and the like. I never got to settle into Aron's fear or pain or doubt. With Franco acting as well as he was this was a HUGE mistake.

Second problem - why did Franco look perfectly groomed after 127 hours in a canyon? You mean to tell me Aron didn't grow facial hair, get dirty, ungroomed, or bloody? You can't tell me that because I've seen Aron's footage and he looked horrible. Why didn't Boyle think to incorporate this? That's just lazy.

Third problem - seriously... why not show us the arm? It's bad enough Boyle turned his lens from the cutting, but we never get to see the stump? Huh? Again, the movie loses its realism with decisions like this.

This would have been a vastly better movie is Boyle had studied why "Cast Away" worked so well and done that. This? Doesn't work. *sigh*

127 Hours on Netflix