Jenny's Wedding

I'm conflicted about this film. Ont he one hand, I haven't seen that many films about how it must be for a traditional and somewhat religious family to come to terms with their child's homosexuality. It was refreshing to see this examined in that way. But, on the other, this exploration was really surface at best and lacked the serious emotional depth it needed to really come face-to-face with these issues. I strongly disliked how pat the ending was - I really wanted to see more of a fallout there. I guess I'm most stunned as I know this was by the writer of "Beaches", which was stunning in it's emotional depth. Nothing was wrong with this film per se, but I really wanted more from the script. The performances, however, were excellent, which saved this film's three star review. 3/5

Jenny's Wedding on Netflix

Unfinished Business

What a terrible, awful, unfunny mess this is. No sense of character or wit or timing at all. Hated it. 1.5/5

Unfinished Business on Netflix

Selma

So let me get this straight. In a year where Oscar bait films dominated the awards pictures, and lackluster films like "The Imitation Game" and "The Theory of Everything" got awards and nominations left, right, and center... no one nominated David Oyelowo for Best Actor? Really??? I thought his performance was superior to Carrell and Cumberbatch and equal to Redmayne, and "Selma" as a film was far more solid and nuanced that the two I previously mentioned. If you are going to nominate actors from Oscar bait films, David Oyelowo deserved a nomination. At least "Selma" got a nomination, which is comforting. 4/5

Selma on Netflix

Belle

This is a lovely period drama with exceptional acting from Gugu Mbatha-Raw in the lead, very poignant & a true story. 4/5

Belle on Netflix

Good People

The acting was wooden & the plot totally transparent in this lackluster thriller - Franco & Hudson were just bad. 2/5

Good People on Netflix

The Samaritan

This Sam Jackson grifter thriller was too much preamble and not enough grift with a weak plot. Disappointing. 2.5/5

The Samaritan on Netflix

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

An absolutely superb British ensemble cast brings this beautiful sunset drama to life. Bravo! 4/5

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 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 Conspirator

I've never heard this story before and I shudder to think it's true. Very gripping with wonderful acting. 3.5/5

The Conspirator on Netflix

Valkyrie

This is a surprisingly superlative movie with a riveting plot & wonderful acting. I didn't think I would like it so much. 4/5

Valkyrie on Netflix