Collateral Beauty

It's interesting to watch this after seeing "Manchester by the Sea". Both films tackle the difficult subject of how a father grieves the loss of his child or children. I would argue that what we see from Will Smith in this film is the "typical" depiction of grief. Not that that's bad - Smith is excellent here. The way he allows grief to flow through his eyes without a word is tremendous and very heartbreaking. However, if one studies grief in men, one will find that, in fact, how Affleck portrayed grief is far closer to the truth for most fathers who have lost children. Knowing that, and having recently seen Affleck give that amazing performance, I had a hard time falling into this film. The plot was very banal - I saw nearly all the turns in it a mile away. The acting outside of Smith was only above average, and the dialogue forced. Maybe if Casey Affleck weren't still living in my head I would have reacted differently, but that's why Affleck won the Oscar and Smith wasn't even nominated I think. For me, this was just okay. 3/5

Collateral Beauty on Netflix

Everest

This tense thriller is action-filled and well acted throughout. Really amazing direction, I enjoyed this a lot. 4/5

Everest on Netflix

The Imitation Game

While this will be longer than a simple tweet, it won't be an essay like some of my last Oscar reactions. It won't be because I've already written what I need to say in my review of "The Theory of Everything", wherein I discuss how Redmayne's performance was wonderful, but yet so safe and predictably Oscar-bait that I could not, in good conscience, reward it. The same is true here. Cumberbatch is lovely and all, but let's have some real talk here. He is playing a high-functioning Autistic Savant with a flat affect, and frankly there isn't much meat to a role like that. It doesn't require the complexity of skill that so many others showed, and the movie itself was, like "Theory", predictable and safe. I won't bother listing the three nominees I still think should have had these spots - I think I've drummed for them enough. Suffice it to say this was a good but terribly safe movie. 4/5

The Imitation Game on Netflix

Laggies

I can't fault the acting in this relationship drama but the plot is pretty thin & saccharine. Just okay for me. 3/5

Laggies on Netflix

Begin Again

This romantic drama is utterly sweet with tremendous music & an ending that defied Holly wood convention. Bravo! 4/5

Begin Again on Netflix

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

This latest installment of the Ryan franchise was solid action with good acting - enjoyable. 4/5

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit on Netflix

The Jacket

Adrian Brody is wonderful in this thriller but the plot feels a bit flimsy for most of it. Good, not great. 3/5

The Jacket on Netflix

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

The premise is unbelievable but Carrell & Knightly sell it quite well - love the end 3/5

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World on Netflix

Last Night

Possibly the best & most realistic film about infidelity I've yet seen - wonderfully acted & just heartbreaking. 4/5

Last Night on Netflix

London Boulevard

This film has great acting but boiled down it's just "Drive" with less clarity & development. I'm kinda meh. 3/5

London Boulevard on Netflix

A Dangerous Method

The cast is marvelous in this decidedly un-Cronenberg-like film about the masters of psychoanalysis. 4/5

A Dangerous Method on Netflix

Never Let Me Go

Perhaps the most un-science fiction science fiction movie ever, this perfectly casted and haunting drama perfectly captured the book. 4/5

Never Let Me Go on Netflix