Spotlight

This is a great film, an excellent film really. It's tightly written and wonderfully acted by everyone in the cast. It takes a tough subject, which is a true story to boot, and tells both in a poignant and realistic way. This is an important film, one that people should see, because this subject is so real and vital and timely. But, having said all that, I can't understand how anyone would vote for this film for Best Picture over "Room". I just can't. "Room" is a better film in every way. It's more ambitious, it's better directed, better acted, and even more of a tough subject in a lot of key ways. I don't see anyway that "Spotlight", no matter how good and solid it is, beats "Room", and I wonder how many other Oscar nominees I'm going to say that about, because I'm just getting started going through the nominees. I'm startled that last year "Birdman", which was such a atypical Best Picture nominee, won, and this year the "Birdman" of this crop didn't. And I have to wonder about that, something I'll be wondering as I watch more of the nominated pictures. 4.5/5

Spotlight on Netflix

Avengers: Age of Ultron

So, I seem to have radically different opinions than other Marvel fans. Most of the world thought the first Avengers film was amazing, equal to "The Dark Knight" even. I thought it was fairly average and kind of a waste of talent. This movie has gotten mostly average to bad reviews on Netflix. And I thought it was f'n AMAZING. THIS is the Avengers movie I was waiting for. I loved every moment of it and can see how it will lead perfectly into Civil War. Bravo Marvel for getting this one right. 5/5

Avengers: Age of Ultron on Netflix

Infinitely Polar Bear

This tender dramedy takes a serious subject and makes it relatable & endearing - Ruffalo was lovely. 3.5/5

Infinitely Polar Bear on Netflix

Foxcatcher

Bear with me, this will get long. I've literally been waiting for over a year to see this film. I remember the very early trailers last year, and telling everyone I knew that this film, "Foxcatcher", looked to be amazing. I remember when its release was delayed for several months because the film's producers wanted to make sure Steve Carrell was in contention for the Oscars. I remember all the talk about how amazing Carrell was, and how powerful the film was, and so I waited anxiously for this film to arrive in my mailbox, waiting for tonight. And the trouble is, I feel I'm still waiting. This movie never got off the ground for me. The plot felt sparse and full of holes. I never got a sense of character motivation, or growth, or why things took the turns they did. The script not only let me down, but it let down it's two main stars. Tatum was better than I've ever seen him, but the tragedy was with Carrell. He was transformative, no doubt about it. His performance was great, but the script left him with precious little screen time and not much in the way of meat to hang his hat on. Because of this, I felt this film wasted what perhaps was the performance of Carrell's life. There simply was not enough there there, and certainly not enough to deserve an Oscar nod. I would rather have seen that spot go to James McAvoy for "Filth", or maybe even to Miles Teller for "Whiplash" - certainly McAvoy's performance was better on every level than Carrell's was. All in all, it was an average film with one outstanding performance in Tatum and a very notable one in Carrell... but that's it. It's with sadness that I can only give this film 3 stars. I had hoped for so much more. 3/5

Foxcatcher 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

The Normal Heart

I can't believe I'm saying this, but this would have been near perfect if a gay actor had replaced Ruffalo in the lead. I normally never feel that way, especially with an actor as talented as Ruffalo is, but his performance rang false to me, and I found myself frequently thinking that I wished someone else led this movie. There were so many strong performances that it just stuck out to me. He wasn't bad, not at all, just... not right. 4/5

The Normal Heart on Netflix

Thanks for Sharing

A stunningly perfect portrait of the strengths & challenges of 12 step programs beautifully told. Bravo. 4/5

Thanks for Sharing on Netflix
 

Now You See Me

This action thriller with a magical edge is great fun & well acted - I didn't guess a thing. Highly enjoyable. 4/5

Now You See Me on Netflix

My Lfie Without Me

There were good things about this film, especially the acting, but I just couldn't understand her choices. 3/5

My Life Without Me on Netflix

Sympathy for Delicious

This film is really intriguing with a plot that swings completely around half way & a great ending. 3.5/5

Sympathy for Delicious 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

The Kids Are All Right

Hey, world? Infidelity isn't funny. Should've ditched the rom-com and went straight drama. This could have been amazing, but as is it was just average. 3/5