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

The Neon Demon

I never thought I'd say this, but I've finally seen a Nicolas Winding Refn film I didn't like. I'm shocked, I've been so in tune with his style and his narrative that I've loved everything he's done, but this? Not this. It's beautiful, but of course it's beautiful. Refn has an eye that no one else in cinema has, so "The Neon Demon" has all the style in the world. But there is no substance here at all. There's barely a plot, the acting is stilted, and the story banal. So many things were inserted just for shock value alone, such as the necrophilia sequence, and for me it just detracted from what could have been a probative look into what constitutes beauty. I know he was trying to push the envelope with this film, but he could have done so without sacrificing the plot. So, for me, not good, and I'm super disappointed to say that. 2/5

The Neon Demon on Netflix

Time Out of Mind

I am so profoundly moved by this movie that I barely have words. I've been crying on and off for the better part of a half hour now, and I'm still shaken to the core by this film. Before I say anything else, let me say this - Richard Gere deserved an Oscar nomination for this. This was the performance of a lifetime, done with incredibly subtlety and with precious few words. The range of emotions he was able to profess with virtually no dialogue was simply astounding - there are no words for it. The director captured the bleak landscape of the homeless in a darkly poetic fashion. We saw Gere's character as the world would - through a dirty pane of glass, from across a crowded street, over a sea of shoulders. It was tragic and dark and yet gorgeously beautiful. At ninety minutes in, Gere shows why he was one of very few people that could have played this role, by displaying a talent rarer still than his tremendous acting was. I won't say more for fear of spoiling the moment, as I hope anyone reading this review will rent this movie with haste. Please do - it is magical. 5/5

Time Out of Mind on Netflix

Into the Wild

I found this film far more disturbing & tragic than inspiring but I was surprised at how much I liked it. 4/5

Into the Wild on Netflix

For Ellen

Paul Dano is divine in this heart-breaking indie drama that totally captured me from minute one. Perfectly done. Seriously, why isn't Paul Dano a MUCH bigger star? The last 3 things I've seen he was transcendent - he needs to get more love. 4/5

For Ellen on Netflix

Sucker Punch

This film was gorgeous & well acted overly complicated & terribly vague in how everything connected. I'm mixed. 3/5

Sucker Punch on Netflix

The Messenger

A wonderfully crafted & beautifully acted film about the pain of loss & grief from all sides. It's rare to see a film paint such a magnificent portrait of the armed forces. This is such a film. Humbling and emotional.

The Messenger on Netflix