The Open Road

I've been on a Kate Mara kick lately, and this light dramedy also had a young and still young-and-goofy-looking Justin Timberlake as a bonus for me. Mara has the ability to fall perfectly into any genre and own it. I recently saw her as an embattled medieval baroness, a corporate killer, and now a comedic ex-girlfriend. Timberlake is always fun to watch, and he was pretty funny in this. Jeff Bridges as his father was also great fun to watch. This was a witty film worth a watch if you're looking for something light. 3.5/5

The Open Road on Netflix

Lion

This was, undoubtedly, one of the best pictures of last year. In my mind, it's nearly tied with "Manchester by the Sea" as possibly the best picture nominated for the top honor at the Oscars (the best picture of last year in my mind, "Swiss Army Man", wasn't nominated). The movie is sheer poetry to watch. The direction is graceful and lush, with an almost musical quality to the movement. Dev Patel has grown into a serious actor, and, for me, he should have won Best Supporting hands down for his tour de force performance here. There really is no flaw to this film. It's so moving and I doubt I will ever forget it. A definitely must-see. 5/5

Lion on Netflix

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk

This is an extraordinary film in many ways, but, in others, it falls down. The depiction of combat PTSD is outstanding. The film's writers, one of whom penned the book this was based on, clearly know their subject well. However, the movie gets bogged down in overly broad characters, treatises about war, and questions about the nature of honor. Ang Lee's direction was lovely, but I have to admit it got overly floral in places. The pace was slow, but that I appreciated, save when it dived a bit too long into "why are we over there" questions. The acting was also quite good, especially from a largely unknown young cast. Overall, it was the very candid depiction of PTSD that won me over. I did enjoy this film, flaws and all. 3.5/5

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk on Netflix

Owl and the Sparrow

This is a beautiful movie that made me cry real tears all through the end. It's full of heart and is in the spirit of "Amelie" with a ten-year old Vietnamese girl as the matchmaker. The acting is quite good, and little Han Thi Pham is adorable. I really enjoyed this, it's a very special film. 4/5

Owl and the Sparrow on Netflix

Holding the Man

I was extremely moved by this film. The acting was spectacular, and, overall, the story was well-told. However, I was a bit put off by some of the holes in the plot - there were several years in the story that simply weren't mentioned at all, which contained information that was vital to my understanding of the story. I wish we could have learned more ab out those missing years, but the love story was very powerful and moving nonetheless. 3.5/5

Holding the Man on Netflix

Ricki and the Flash

This is truly lovely movie with a lot of heart and soul. Meryl Streep was dynamic and real in the lead role, and DAYUM she sings her heart out in this. As soon as the movie was finished I grabbed my tablet to see if the movie's soundtrack was on Spotify, and thankfully it is. I really enjoyed this, it was quite moving. 4/5

Ricki and the Flash on Netflix

Me Before You

I believe this movie gets a bad rap because of it's very controversial stance on ending life. Many people object morally to the notion that a quadriplegic person could and should have the right to end their life. I get that, I do, and, as a mental health professional, I would want to do everything I could to help change this character's mind. However, as a mental health professional, I also know that, if someone is determined to end their life, there really isn't anything you can do about it, and I would want it to happen in as kind and loving a manner as possible. I think the characters in this film were well scripted, the acting was lovely, and the direction solid. It's a tough movie on some levels, but I enjoyed it all the same. 3.5/5

Me Before You on Netflix

Dark Horse

This documentary about a small Welsh town who banded together to raise a champion racehorse was tender, witty, and heartfelt. I really enjoyed this - it had real heart, and I felt inspired watching it. 4/5

Dark Horse on Netflix

The Danish Girl

Let's start this review by stating the obvious. This is the best Eddie Redmayne has ever given, far better than the role his won the Oscar for last year. He was beautiful and poignant and tragic and shy and delicate and courageous and transformative. He was a revelation and I will be stunned if I see much better from this year's crop. However, the movie itself was Oscar-bait at best. It was shallow and vapid and hung entirely on the performances of Redmayne and Vikander, who was also outstanding and rightfully deserving of her awards. I understand the acclaim for Redmayne but not for the movie itself. I continue to be amazed at the actions of the Academy. 3.5/5

The Danish Girl on Netflix

Cinema Paradiso

How have I never seen this magical & lovely film before? It's ambitious and very sweet, although a bit overly sentimental in places. A real treat, I enjoyed this. 4/5

Cinema Paradiso on Netflix

Max

While not the most believable of films, with average acting at best, this is a film that tugs the heartstrings. Sweet. 3/5

Max on Netflix

If I Stay

This made me cry more than most Nicolas Sparks films. Beautifully told, if a bit overly sentimental. Lovely. 3.5/5

If I Stay on Netflix

The Champ

Dear god, all the feels. I'm still weepy. The acting in this is excellent, especially Schroder, who was phenomenal. 4/5

The Champ on Netflix

Get On Up

Chadwick Boseman was amazing, but the script was hard to follow & full of holes, I wanted more information. 3/5

Get On Up on Netflix

The Age of Adaline

This is a beautifully sweet & moving romantic drama in the vein of "Benjamin Button", lovely direction. 4/5

The Age of Adaline on Netflix

The Theory of Everything

I've still to write about "Birdman" and "Whiplash", but I'm finding this review considerably easier. If one sat down to design a movie to attract Oscar attention, if one tried to distill everything conventionally seen as "Oscar worthy", one would produce this movie. All of the tropes about what types of films win Oscars are present and accounted for here. They are all done exceptionally well, don't get me wrong. Redmayne is as exceptional as he's ever been, and Jones is positively luminous throughout. But it's just so expected, so ordinary a film, so utterly and completely Oscar bait that I found myself drifting. This is as safe of a film as one can make in Hollywood, and, in good conscience, I can no longer award such safety with glittery awards. And as good as Redmayne was (and he truly was exceptional, let's make no mistake there), I cannot see his performance being better or more tranformative than Scott Haze in "Child of God" or James McAvoy in "Filth". Neither of whom, of course, were nominated, because "Child of God" and "Filth" were most certainly not safe films. So my review of "The Theory of Everything" boils down to it's good, but far too safe and basic to garner award notice from me. 4/5

The Theory of Everything on Netflix

Crazy Kind of Love

The acting was very rich but the plot rather stale in this relationship drama- Crew & Rogers were wonderful 3/5

Crazy Kind of Love on Netflix

About Alex

This generation's version of "The Big Chill" gets points for effort & a decent cast, it was a valiant effort. 3.5/5

About Alex on Netflix

The Story of Luke

Lou Taylor Pucci was wonderful but the script a bit weak in this drama about autism & "normalcy". 3.5/5

The Story of Luke on Netflix

Winter's Tale

I didn't expect to like this so much - a sweetly sentiment tale told with beautiful direction. Lovely. 4/5

Winter's Tale on Netflix