Miss Sloane

I am of two minds of this film. The first mind is that it is an excellent thriller. I have loved Chastain since her very first role in "Jolene", and I still think she's an unrated and brilliant actress. The whole of the cast was spot on, but they'd have to be to keep up with Chastain and the amazing performance she gave in this. The plot is also expertly written, and I never saw half the twists coming. But here's the thing, the thing with which the other half of me is troubled. I don't know why it was necessary to demonize everyone to the right of political center in this film. Yes, political posturing was inevitably going to be a part of this, but, how it shook out, everyone working for gun control had ethics and everyone against it were monsters, with one obvious exception of course. It wasn't necessary to the film - it in fact weakened it as I began to feel too many characters were cartoons instead of people. It was jarring and unneeded, and I wish the filmmakers had trusted in their script and cast to carry this film without it. Still, it was an excellent film, and I have to give it four stars. 4/5

Miss Sloane on Netflix

The Martian

What can I say? This is a brilliant movie from start to finish. Damon is wonderful, the script flows evenly, and it doesn't feel two hours and twenty minutes long at all. There's no question this is indeed an Oscar film - it's bold and brilliantly executed from start to finish. Here's to hoping I see more films like this. 5/5

The Martian on Netflix

Crimson Peak

I had high hopes for this horror film but I was rather disappointed by it. It was all style and no substance, devoid of any emotional content or impact. So many of the concept and cinematography of it were derivative and things I've seen before. Even the acting felt lackluster - it's not often that Tom Hiddleston gives so flat a performance. The only actor in the film delivering true substance was Chastain, who was unrecognizable to me without her trademark hair. This film was not great for me, a bit less than average actually. 2.5/5

Crimson Peak on Netflix

Zero Dark Thirty

A thrilling, gripping, & perfectly plotted thriller expertly acted & directed. Chastain was marvelous. 4.5/5

Zero Dark Thirty on Netflix

Lawless

The second of Nick Cave's features is also very gritty, seedy, dark, & explores morality in an interesting way. Well done. Incidentally, Cave's first film, "The Proposition", remains one of my very favorite films in in the last decade, which is very high praise indeed. 3.5/5

Lawless on Netflix

Coriolanus

Ralph Fiennes missed the mark with this - by making it so modern he renders it incomprehensible & obsolete. 2.5/5

Coriolanus on Netflix

Take Shelter

OMG... this is the best film I've seen in a while. Completely gripping, suspenseful, & brilliant. I'm stunned. Michael Shannon gives the performance of his life in this. I couldn't take my eyes off the screen for the whole 2 hours. Seriously... watch this and then RENT IT. If you like the trailer you'll LOVE it. 5/5

Take Shelter on Netflix

The Debt

The performances in this thriller were top notch, but I felt the story was a bit over-focused on the past. I'm mixed. 3/5

The Debt on Netflix

The Help

This is an absolutely wonderful & inspirational movie with top-notch acting and stellar writing. Just stunning. 5/5


The Help on Netflix

The Tree of Life

WOW. This is possibly the most overrated film I've seen in a long time, and that's saying something. Ponderous, tedious, and virtually without a point, this film drags on so slowly and endlessly I fast-forwarded most of it. The only reason it gets half a star is Brad Pitt was engrossing and it WAS beautiful, but, in this case, beauty is simply not even close to enough. Save yourself, don't rent this! 1.5/5

The Tree of Life on Netflix

Jolene

This film is WAAAY darker & more tragic than the previews implied. I kinda want to throw myself off a bridge now... 3/5

Jolene on Netflix