Beatriz at Dinner

I'm not sure what to make of this film. I have to say at the outset that Salma Hayek was just phenomenal in this, and the rest of the cast turned in gold star performances as well. The direction was quite lovely with some truly beautiful photography. I'm just really stuck on the script. As the film develops, I found it harder and harder to understand what motives were driving the characters, and the ending left me truly baffled. I do freely admit that the point of this script is to force the viewer to question our beliefs about people and their behaviors, but I just felt I needed a bit more to go on to understand and appreciate the ending. I feel like there was some footage left on the cutting room floor that would have gone a long way to making this a more complete vision. As it is, I enjoyed it but felt it could be better. 3/5

Beatriz at Dinner on Netflix

The Do-Deca-Pentathlon

No one does sibling rivalry like the Duplass brothers - this was witty, biting & yet tender.  I don't know when or why I became such a Duplass brothers fan but they've really got me. Love this stuff. Well done. 4/5

The Do-Deca-Pentathlon on Netflix

The Puffy Chair

This early Duplass brothers film gets the characters dead right but moves a bit slowly for me. Still good though. 3/5

The Puffy Chair on Netflix

Jeff, Who Lives At Home

I was completely surprised at how touching, endearing & beautifully told this quirky comedy was. Lovely 4/5

Jeff, Who Lives At Home on Netflix

Baghead

This movie wasn't even remotely the film I was expecting. I'm still not sure how I feel about it. Interesting though. 3/5

Baghead on Netflix