Woodshock

This first film from Kate and  Laura Mulleavy is one of the most ambitious directorial debuts I've even seen. These women held nothing back and created a unique and visually stunning film that was utterly gorgeous. I've seen seasoned directors fail miserably trying to create half the atmosphere and photographic excellence that this film had. As far as the visuals go, I can't say a single thing against it. It's in the script where this film falls down. Much like "A Ghost Story", another recent visually stunning release, this film tries to accomplish much without dialogue or direct pieces of information upon which the viewer can understand the world. However, where "A Ghost Story" succeeded brilliantly, this film falters by leaving far too much unsaid. Without any kind of grasp as to the nature and gravity of the actions taken in this film, I couldn't relate to or connect with the characters. The denouement of this film was shocking, but I suspect, had I really understood the gravity of previous actions, I would have been completely devastated by it. I feel strongly that with a more fleshed out script this could have been an amazing film on every level, and I will be very interested to see what that Mulleavy women do next. 3.5/5

Woodshock on Netflix

The Boy Who Wanted to Be a Bear

First thing - this is NOT a movie for children. It's very very dark for the most part with a lot of death in it. However, it's also incredibly lovely and tender with a lot of love in it. The questions this film asks are very profound, and I'm not sure there is a right or wrong response to any of them. The animation is just gorgeous, like constantly flowing watercolors. I loved everything about this. 5/5

The Boy Who Wanted to Be a Bear on Netflix

The Painting

This has got to be the most original film I've ever seen. Visually, it's really unlike anything else. I don't want to say too much, but the realization of the vision of this film is extraordinary. By the end I was truly stunned at how the visuals so perfectly tied the whole story together. The base of the story was also really cool and different from anything I've ever seen. The morals of the film, those I've seen before, but never done like this. I could watch this again right now, easily. One of the best films I've seen in recent memory. 5/5

The Painting on Netflix

Doctor Strange

While I have always been a Marvel girl, I was mostly an X-Man fan and never knew anything at all about Doctor Strange. Because of this, I have to say right at the start that I have no idea whatsoever if this film is true to the books, so I can't base any part of my review on that. What I can say is that this is a spectacular film with some of the best effects I've maybe ever seen. It's like an incredible update to things I remember from "Inception", only far better with the advances technology has made. The acting was mostly strong, and I was happy to see a superhero film coming in at only an hour and forty-five minutes. I really enjoyed this and am curious to see how this film and its characters will integrate with the rest of the Marvel Universe. 4/5

Doctor Strange on Netflix

The 9th Life of Louis Drax

I'm utterly stunned by the negative reviews of this on Netflix, because I absolutely adored this. I thought it was a masterful blend of drama, thriller, fantasy, mystery, and maybe a little sci-fi as well. I haven't been impressed with Aaron Paul's work in film until now, but he was outstanding in this. I can see young Aiden Longworth having a long career ahead of him as well. The direction was stunning, and, even though I saw through the layers of mystery, I was completely captivated by this. I loved it, I really did. 4.5/5

The 9th Life of Louis Drax on Netflix

Identicals

I didn't realize how hated this movie was until I saw pages and pages of one star reviews on Netflix. I don't think I've ever seen any film with this many one star ratings, but I found it more intriguing than most. To start off, the visuals are so gorgeous. Simon Pummell's visual style is breathtaking, and there are sequences in this film - the mirror room scene at the end most of all - that I think I will remember forever. However, the plot was very murky with almost no exposition or understanding of the bleak world in which this film resides. That is the reason most reviewers hated this film - it's nearly impossible to truly understand what's happening, because we are never given the rules of the world. It's just characters meeting and intersecting repeatedly with no real rhyme or reason to it. It's an interesting mix of "Upstream Color" and "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", but less clear. But I have to say that, muddy as this story was, I was so taken by the visuals and the acting of the leads that I can't give it less than three stars. I don't know that I would recommend it unless you are looking for a visual feast, but I did enjoy more than most. 3/5

Identicals on Netflix

31

So I have very mixed opinions about this film, the newest horror flick written and directed by Rob Zombie. On the bad side, the script is really pretty shit. It's weak with no real sense to it, and I've seen similar stories done much better. But, the direction is SO SO SO GOOD. It's breathtakingly good, and just spot on what good horror should look and feel like. It's so good that I stopped caring about the story altogether and just became immersed it in. On the bad side, the acting is also real shit. There's nothing good about most anyone in the film... except for Richard Brake as Doom-Head. This guy is so good, so compelling, so utterly mesmerizing that I forgive all the other acting in the film because the short time he's on screen is so damn good nothing else mattered. In the end, the direction and Brake pushed this film from a 3 to a 3.5, and if you're into weird horror I would recommend it. 3.5/5

31 on Netflix

Anguish

I am so blown away by the cinematography in this film. Every frame was like a piece of fine art. It was lush and framed so perfectly it was just breathtaking. Ryan Simpkins was magical in the lead, which was not an easy part to play in the least. I don't know why the complaints about the ending - I adored it. It was the perfect way to end this film. I loved this. 4.5/5

Anguish on Netflix

The Neon Demon

I never thought I'd say this, but I've finally seen a Nicolas Winding Refn film I didn't like. I'm shocked, I've been so in tune with his style and his narrative that I've loved everything he's done, but this? Not this. It's beautiful, but of course it's beautiful. Refn has an eye that no one else in cinema has, so "The Neon Demon" has all the style in the world. But there is no substance here at all. There's barely a plot, the acting is stilted, and the story banal. So many things were inserted just for shock value alone, such as the necrophilia sequence, and for me it just detracted from what could have been a probative look into what constitutes beauty. I know he was trying to push the envelope with this film, but he could have done so without sacrificing the plot. So, for me, not good, and I'm super disappointed to say that. 2/5

The Neon Demon on Netflix

Youth

I did not see this film coming. From the trailer I thought this would be a light-hearted dramedy, but it was far more impactful and metaphorical than that. I have never seen a Paolo Sorrentino film before, so I certainly didn't expect the gorgeousness of the direction, and how every scene moved and felt alive. I was so moved by the music that I watched through most of the end credits to get the name of the person who composed some of the tracks, a man named David Lang. I am amazed by this film and deeply moved by it, far more so than I thought I might be. A true gem. 4.5/5

Youth on Netflix

Anomalisa

It's been a long time since I've seen anything by Charlie Kaufman. The last film of his I saw was "Synecdoche, New York", which I found altogether too strange and off-putting. But this film, this Kaufman let unfold slowly like a rose, one perfect petal at a time. It took a full hour for the true nature of the plot to be revealed, and I was stunned and very affected by it. It's wholly original in the way that his first film "Being John Malkovich" was. It's amazing and tremendously tragic and I will remember this one for a long long time. If you've given up on Kaufman, please do watch this one - you will not be sorry. 5/5

Anomalisa on Netflix

Dixieland

What a gem this was! This film is directed and framed so well I nearly cried. It's lush and picturesque and unexpected in its angles and palette. Honestly, it was so beautiful that, if the script had been garbage, I would have watched it for days. However, the script was as beautiful as the cinematography. It was layered and subtle and had an end that caught my breath in my throat. To top it off, Chris Zylka and Riley Keough were both just perfect in the lead roles. This is a truly gorgeous film that is affecting in every way. This is Hank Bedford's first feature film, and I can't wait to see what he writes and directs next. A true tragic joy. 5/5

Dixieland on Netflix

High-Rise

This surrealistic thriller definitely got in my head. I can't even pretend that I understood it all - hell, I'd be lucky if I got half of it. I definitely feel a second watching will illuminate more of the subtleties in the plot. The direction was magnificent, and I should have guessed the music was by Clint Mansell when it began to haunt me so early on in the film. The score also features a brilliant cover of Abba's "SOS" by Portishead that left me speechless. I was captivated by this, I will need to see it again. 4/5

High-Rise on Netflix

Broken Horses

This is one of those rare movies that dares to take chances that could spell disaster, but instead rises to the challenge in amazing ways. The style of this film could only be described as magical realism. It's almost the real world, but just a bit beyond, hyper-realistic in a glorious way. The direction is inspired and very different from any other film I can think of. The likely reason for this is the movie was written and directed by Indian filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, and his style veers far away from American tropes. The acting was awe-inspiring, particularly Chris Marquette, who was utterly mesmerizing. Anton Yelchin is, as always, breathtakingly real, and he serves to ground this film in a very human and touching way. I really loved this, it's like nothing else I've seen in recent memory. Take a chance with this one, you will not regret it. 5/5

Broken Horses on Netflix

The Walk

I remember hearing stories of people who got physically ill in theaters watching this film, and I couldn't believe it. Until I saw it, that is. Robert Zemeckis breaks all the rules of direction and made me feel unsafe and about to fall throughout this film, and it's a triumph. How could this have not been nominated for Best Direction I'll never know. JGL is wonderful as always, and the script is taut and engaging throughout. A fine film for sure. 4/5

The Walk on Netflix

Enter the Dangerous Mind

OH. MY. GOD. This is so good. So so so good. It had me from the first 90 seconds and never let me go for the whole of the film. Jake Hoffman in the lead role is simply outstanding. I know I've seen him in small parts in other films, but I don't ever remember him in a lead role, so I'm so glad he's now gotten this phenomenal performance under his belt. The direction by Delara and Teran is mind-blowing and visually stunning in a way that utterly complements the plot of the film. The script is tight and beautifully drawn out. Other reviewers refer to "plot twists" - I don't see them as twists at all, as they were obvious and telegraphed in a way to alert the viewer early on to the subtext of the film. But perhaps this films crowning glory is it's music, which sets the perfect stage for everything that occurs throughout this film. I honestly can't say enough good things - this is a true indie gem and worth your time to watch. 5/5

Enter the Dangerous Mind on Netflix

Comet

It's the rare film that strives to do something unique and different. After all, most of the time it seems all the films that could ever be made have already been done, so what's the point of attempting originality? So when I see a film that makes every effort in the world to be unique, to stand out from the rest, I give that film a tremendous amount of credit. However, this film doesn't just strives to be different. It *is* different. I've honestly never seen anything quite like it. It's daring a bold and visually stunning and impactful and honest and beautiful and romantic and tragic, all at once. It's a true triumph of film making and I'm so glad I saw a trailer for it and rented it. This is a true gem in film. Rent this. Now. 5/5

Comet on Netflix

Antarctica: A Year on Ice

This documentary is gorgeously shot and edited and shows the true natural beauty of this land. 4.5/5

Antarctica: A Year on Ice on Netflix

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night

I've frankly never seen anything quite like this film. I have no idea how to even classify it or what genre it is. It is beautiful and moving and absolutely stunningly directed, in ways that no other film is. It is drama and thriller and romance and horror, all at once. It is the film "Only Lovers Left Alive" wishes it was. Highly recommended. 4.5/5

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night on Netflix

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For

This sequel was long on style but short on substance - the story I loved from the first was lost. 3/5

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For on Netflix