Shrek 2

I saw the first "Shrek" a couple of months ago but didn't write it up at the time due to a massive migraine. I had liked it, found it rather clever, and rated it a solid 4 stars. I was hoping the sequel would live up to its predecessor, and it almost did.... almost. I thought it was a clever story, and the animation was gorgeous of course, but it lacked the heart the first had. The characters became much more stereotypical than in the first film, and Fiona's agency was severely reduced. I get what the script was going for, I do, but I never felt it hit the mark. I hope the third regains more of the magic of the first. 3/5

Shrek 2 on Netflix

Sleeping with Other People

The description of this movie on Netflix doesn't do it justice. This film is magical. I haven't felt like any film lived up to the tender mix of comedy and drama that "When Harry Met Sally" had until right now. Jason Sudeikis and Alison Brie were so so so good in this. I honestly believed their chemistry, and their comic timing was truly excellent. The script was refreshingly honest as well. I really loved this - it's been a good week for romantic comedies for me! 5/5

Sleeping with Other People on Netflix

Man Up

OMG, I loved loved loved this. Loved it so much. Simon Pegg and Lake Bell are both perfect in this. Their timing and chemistry were just divine. The script was really smart and funny, with these beautiful moments of tenderness and an utterly charming tone. I would watch this again right now I liked it so much. Highly recommended! 5/5

Man Up on Netflix

Trolls

This and "Moana" arrived together, and I have the worst food poisoning of my life and needed something funny. All I knew about "Trolls" going in is that most said it was damn funny and I liked the theme song. I didn't know it was a musical, so that caught me off guard, as I'm kind of meh on many musicals. This was really really funny though - the script was both snappy and witty. I'm absolutely awful as placing voices, so I was really surprised to see everyone who voiced this in the credits - they were all great, with special nods to Zooey Deshenel and Russell Brand, and obviously the two leads were awesome.. It really did make me laugh out loud quite a bit, so I'm happy I went with this tonight, I will watch Moana in a day or so. 4/5

Trolls on Netflix

Friends with Benefits

So I actually rented this before realizing I had already seen it and given it a really nasty review back in January of 2012. But the thing was I couldn't remember the movie at all or why I gave it a nasty review, so when it showed up I watched it again. And loved it. I laughed really hard at most of it. The only thing I wrote in my old review was that I hated the acting, which is ridiculous because Kunis and Timberlake were both so great I genuinely have crushes on them both. Well, with Justin anyway, but I had one of those already. I really don't get why I originally didn't like it, because I really enjoyed it and actually would watch it again, which actually seems to be a theme in the Netflix review. So, in sum, don't know why I didn't like it the first time, I love it now, go watch it if you haven't. 4/5

Friends with Benefits

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

Kubo and the Two Strings

This animated film was just gorgeous. I don't think I've ever seen stop-motion done quite like this - it was insanely beautiful. I really loved the story, the pacing was excellent, the comedy was witty and yet dark enough to convey the tragedy of the story. My one gripe? Maybe this is being a little hard, but I didn't understand why we heard Theron, Fiennes, Mara, and McConaughey voicing Japanese characters. It just seemed like a awfully strange choice to me. The movie tried so hard to ground this in Japan and Japanese culture that I really didn't get why I wasn't hearing Japanese accents and voices. But, that aside, this is a wonderful film. I normally don't watch much animation, so this is high praise from me. 4.5/5

Kubo and the Two Strings on Netflix

Wild Oats

I loved the first half of this charming comedy. Lange and MacLaine are both splendid in it, and sexy as hell to boot. The second half, though, turned into more of a crime caper which I felt derailed the charm of the first half a bit too much. Still, a really fun movie with some great comedy moments. 4/5

Wild Oats on Netflix

Brief Interviews with Hideous Men

I know I rented this movie when it was first released on DVD, and my review said I hated it. However, I couldn't remember why, so I thought I should rent it again and give it another chance. I'm glad I did. First, before I say anything further, I have to say there are moments in this film of utter brilliance, pieces that are so sublime in their execution that they are, quite simply, perfect. For a first time director, as Krasinski was, this is an incredible achievement. I think the first time I watched this film I allowed the surface layer of emotional shallowness and heartlessness to envelope my whole viewing. However, that's not what's really being said here. What is initially shown as disdain and contempt turns around to actually expose the real insecurity, fear, and self-doubt that men feel when confronted with strong women. I also think I read the lack of depth of the main character to be misogynistic, when it fact it was empowering to have her be the sole pillar of strength in the film. This is a complex film with a lot of layers, and I'm glad I went back to look at it again. I think this is a real triumph for Krasinski, and I hope that other who had similar first experiences like me will also give it another chance, because it really is worth it. 4/5

Brief Interviews with Hideous Men on Netflix

Love & Friendship

I wasn't sure about how overly stylized the beginning of this Jane Austen adaptation was, but I fell in love with it quickly. The acting is superb across the board, the direction very picturesque, and the script tight and well paced. This is one of the better Austen films I've seen to date. 4/5

Love & Friendship on Netflix

Joshy

I thought I knew what type of movie I was getting when I read this Netflix description, but the first four minutes of the movie over the opening credits stunned me so much I had to rewind and watch them again. This is a black comedy ith a big dark underbelly, but it's also sweet and funny and really laugh-worthy. It's hard to straddle that kind of divide, but this film does it beautifully. Loved this. 4/5

Joshy on Netflix

The Intern

I was really apprehensive about this film, as I feared it would veer into rom-com territory, which would be supremely weird. I was refreshingly surprised - it was sweet and lovely and witty and tender. De Niro and Hathaway were both wonderful, and it was a nice surprise to see a friend of mine in a bit part as well. I enjoyed this more than I thought - a fine dramedy. 4/5

The Intern on Netflix

Maggie's Plan

Watching this dramedy I would have sworn to you it was a Noah Baumbach movie, which, from me, is a very high compliment. The script was crisply written, the characters well shaped, and the direction very clean and modern. It lacked the emotional resonance of a Baumbach film, for which I deducted half a star, but this was a fine film. I enjoyed it. 3.5/5

Maggie's Plan on Netflix

Queen and Country

In my quest to watch every film Caleb Landry Jones is in I found this period British dramedy. I almost didn't recognize Jones without his glorious ginger locks, but he was captivating as ever even without them. I wish I had known this was a sequel to "Hope and Glory", which I have never seen, as it might have made the seemingly disjointed plot a bit more clear. I found the story jumped around too much and couldn't seem to settle between drama and comedy for more than a few minutes, which was off-putting to me. However, the acting was superb all around, and the film kept my attention throughout. All in all, good, but not great. 3/5

Queen and Country on Netflix

Dear Eleanor

On the one hand, a lot of the dialogue in this comedy is snappy and smart. All the leads show great comic timing and do solid acting jobs. One the other hand, the plot to this is ridiculous, overly sugary, and, at times, eye-roll worthy. So I'm torn - it's okay, but nothing special. 3/5

Dear Eleanor on Netflix

Hello, My Name Is Doris

Wow, what a lovely, sweet, and heartwarming movie this is! I was utterly charmed by it, and I really disagree with the Netflix reviews claiming it was creepy. Sally Fields was lovely, and Max Greenfield is, as always, pretty ridiculously sexy. Wonderful. 4/5

Hello, My Name Is Doris on Netflix

Some Like It Hot

Who can resist falling in love with Marilyn Monroe when you watch one of her films? She's gorgeous, talented, and can sing like a lark. I adore her, and I loved this film. It was funny and very sweet, a real treat. Can't believe it took me this long to see it! Loved it! 5/5

Some Like It Hot on Netflix

5 to 7

This wistfully romantic drama showcases another fine performance by Yelchin - tenderly sweet & witty in parts as well. 4/5

5 to 7 on Netflix

American Ultra

As Jesse Eisenberg is a fantastic actor who makes great movie choices I will literally watch anything that he's in, and rarely be disappointed. This action comedy was no exception. It was witty, quirky, action packed, and had great performances from everyone. And yes, that includes Kristen Stewart, who was surprisingly effective in this. Definitely a good time. 4/5

American Ultra 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