The Disaster Artist Review (2017)

The Disaster Artist

  The disaster artist is a film about the making of a film. More specifically, the making of the cult classic, Citizen Cane of horrible movies. What movie am I speaking of? The Room.

   A film with a 6 million dollar budget that made less than 2,000 dollars at the box office. A film that's popularity is almost as mysterious as its director, Tommy Wiseau. A man who funded this film completely on his own with a bottomless pit of money with no known source. A man that speaks with an Eastern European accent, yet claims he's from New Orleans. A man that tells people that he's twenty, when in actuality he is probably more like forty. This is our main character, and BOY does James Franco kill it in this role!
  I absolutely loved every single second of this film. From start to finish, I had a big ol' smile on my face.
  Not only is James Franco's film one of the funniest of the year, but it's also surprisingly inspiring and genuine! He portrays Wiseau in a very human way, giving us the good and the bad, the sweet and the crazy, the humor with the sympathy. This is a story about dreamers. Perhaps some misguided dreamers, but dreamers non-the-less. It is a love letter to the creative process, even if the finished product doesn't get the response we were hoping for.
  If you haven't seen The Room, you will still enjoy this movie. If you have seen The Room, you will admire the tender care Franco has put into doing this right. Disaster Artist is one of the best films of the year! 10 out of 10 Stars! (A Must See!)

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Review (2017)

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

  Wow, I can't believe it's almost the end of the year and here I am reviewing one of the most anticipated films of 2017. As someone who grew up obsessed with the Star Wars franchise, I want to go on record and say that I will see every Star Wars movie that comes out no matter how bad it is. That is to say that my loyalty to the universe (or should I say galaxy), runs deep. But just because my love runs deep doesn't mean that I can't be objective and call a bad movie bad. And well... I was pretty disappointed with this one. That said, before I go on slashing this film to shreds, let me tell you some of the good things about this film. 

  Number one is the cinematography. Holy moly. It was beautiful. This might actually be one of the best looking Star Wars movies around. 

  Number 2 (and I admit this is mostly weaponized nostalgia), but there is a scene with R2D2, C3PO, and Luke that made my hard heart melt. 

  Thirdly, Oscar Issac is really engaging as Poe Dameron, and probably has one of the better performances in the film.

  Lastly, I love the Porg creatures. Yes, I know they only exist because Disney wants to sell toys, but they are freaking cute, okay?

  Alright! Time to get real (Sorry fanboys and girls). The biggest problem I had with The Last Jedi is the storytelling. This is a film that really doesn't need to exist. You could watch The Force Awakens and whatever movie comes after this one and you will have missed nothing. Not to mention, most of the 2 and a half hour runtime focuses on a subplot that ultimately does absolutely nothing for the story. The pacing of this film is just bad, overstuffed with unnecessary filler.
  Another thing that bothered me was the tone of the film. There were so many times where the script sacrificed powerful moments for the sake of a cheap laugh, even at the cost of what the character would actually do or say. There are several instances of forced one-liners or awkward dialogue that is unsuccessfully trying to get a laugh, and then dialogue that is successfully getting laughs, but unintentionally.
  I felt like if anything, the Last Jedi actually asks more questions and presents more plotholes then it actually answers. Characters are given powers that we've never seen before, which makes us wonder if they could always do that, why didn't they? And if it was because they weren't powerful enough, why didn't we see powerful Jedi's like Yoda doing these things? Why is Rey so special that she can do things without any kind of training? That also brings me to another flaw. They're trying to set up Kylo Ren as the modern Vader, but they aren't doing anything to earn our respect. They keep telling us he has power unmatchable and that he is Rey's equal, yet we never actually see him do anything worth noting. All we see him do is cry and throw temper tantrums. 

  One of the big conflicts of the film is that Rey is trying to pull Kylo Ren to the light and he is trying to pull her to the dark. But we never actually see her struggle. He keeps saying he sees darkness in her and yet we as an audience never see this battle through anything she actively does.
  Oh and let's talk about the acting which was horrible across the board. AGAIN. Even people I know can act like Domnhall Gleason gave over the top, annoying performances. I seriously don't understand why it's so hard to cast good actors for a Star Wars film. Like there are literally thousands of people auditioning and they chose to cast Kelly Marie Tran as the character Rose? Seriously, she was soooo bad. Ugghh... What sucks is that I'm not even done. 

  The past movie sets up questions that are totally disregarded in this one, characters are completely wasted, things happen that are beyond cheesy, and what sucks the most is that they are going to pull a Marvel and give us a movie a year, so the saga will never end and quality will be sacrificed for quantity. 

  *Deep breath* Okay. I'll give it a rest now. You might actually be surprised to know that I am scoring this a 5 out of 10 stars, because in the end, despite its flaws, I still had some fun with it. Then again, that might just be nostalgia speaking... (Rent It) 

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Review (2017)

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

  When I went and saw Three Billboards I didn't go in thinking I was about to watch one of the best films of the year. That, however, is exactly what happened.
  This is the story of a woman whose daughter is murdered, raped, and killed. When the police take too long to find the person who did it, she puts up 3 billboards asking for justice and calling them out personally. If I were to summarize this movie using one of its own quotes, I would say, "Anger only begets more anger." And this film is so angry it's palpable.
  There was sooo much I appreciate about this movie, but let's first talk about that script! Wow is it just outrageous! (And I mean that in a good way!) Writer and Director, Martin McDonagh, is not afraid to be offensive, delivering one of the most laugh-out-loud funny scripts of the year. His tremendously dark comedy and witty dialogue drive this film, but it doesn't only work in the humor department. It is also incredibly unpredictable, taking your expectations and flipping them on their head. Every character in the film does things that should make us as an audience hate them, but then we get these moments of great vulnerability that really bring a sense of humanity to the story. I can't only give credit to the script though. Three Billboards has some of the best performances of the year. Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, and Sam Rockwell KILL IT in this film. McDormand is a raging powerhouse here, balancing vulgar, violent rage and sincere emotion.
  You will probably leave this film with a lot of questions, but I believe that's intentional. This is a film that shows how even the darkest sides of humanity can be redeemable and find forgiveness in others and in themselves. Three Billboards is unforgettable and deserves a 10 out of 10 Stars from me. (A Must See)

Lady Bird Review (2017)

Lady Bird

  And the winner of Best Actress goes to. . . . . . .  Saorise Ronan! Seriously, I absolutely love the heck out of this girl. She never ceases to amaze me. From Atonement to Brooklyn to The Grand Budapest Hotel to Lady Bird; Ronan has shown massive range and skill, proving to be one of the most talented actresses working today.
  Lady Bird is the story of a young Catholic girl who lives in Sacramento but wants to go to college in New York. While the plot seems simple, and it is, Lady Bird feels like so much more.
  This is a film that understands what it is to be a teenager, and it explores that transition to adulthood in a way that is both touching and charming.
   The beating heart of the film is the relationship between Christine and her mother. This could have easily fallen prey to the cliches of young adult fiction, but Lady Bird instead transcends the genre and offers us complex dynamics that never once feel fraudulent. Both Christine and her mother are flawed, and in this film, they are both sometimes the bad guy. There are times where we as an audience might even dislike Christine, only to realize that the things we dislike in her, are things we often see in ourselves.
  Lady Bird is a film with a genuine voice, a sharp wit, and a lot to offer. It also has a really great soundtrack. 9 out of 10 stars (I'd Buy It On Blu-ray)

Mudbound Review (2017)

Mudbound 

  Following the likes of Amazon, Netflix is continuing to put more and more original content out there, blessing us with the movie I'm about to review.
  Mudbound is the story of two military men returning from World War 2; one of them being black and the other white. The story revolves around the ways they interact with the world after the war and how race plays a factor in it all.
  Mudbound felt much more like a novel than a film in its execution. It is a story told from multiple perspectives, a story in which every character is totally flawed and yet also redeemable in some way. Aside from how well written these characters are, they are also extremely well acted. Carey Mulligan, Rob Morgan, Jason Mitchell, Jason Clarke, Garrett Hedlund, and Mary J Blige all give such fantastic, nuanced performances, making these characters as authentic as possible.
  Mudbound has a way of slowly pulling you in, and it isn't until the climax that you realize how much you are invested in these people's lives and the weight in which it emotionally affects you. This is a layered drama that tackles hard subjects in a remarkably heartbreaking, dark, and profound way. Will you want to watch it over and over again? Probably not, but it's quality filmmaking that will definitely be a dark horse in the Oscar race this year. 9 out of 10 stars (I'd Buy It On Blu-Ray)

Justice League Review (2017)

Justice League

  The awkward moment when you expect a movie to be trash and it turns out to be even worse trash than you imagined... Introducing Justice League.
  Now I have mentioned too many times to count that I'm not a huge fan of this cinematic universe of the superhero genre. I think it's an easy way for studios to make a buck off the excitement and nostalgia of overhyped fans of films that even when entertaining are only long trailers for another film that is derivative of the first. The only difference between Marvel and DC is that we actually care enough about the Marvel characters to watch them do the same things over and over again. The solo movies were decent, they gave us enough character development and arch to keep us interested, and over a period of time, they added more layers to what we now know as the Marvel Universe. With DC, they decided they wanted the same thing, but didn't want to take the time to actually make decent solo movies. SO, they rushed Batman, Superman, Suicide Squad, etc, all of which were absolute trash. Now with Justice League, we get to see all of our least favorite superheroes together on screen fight a super lame, cartoony, CGI villain that's going to (you guessed it) destroy the entire planet with a boatload of more bad CGI. The worst part about this train wreck of a film is that it's not even mildly entertaining. None of the motivations make sense, the action is boring, the one-liners are forced, the acting is vanilla, the characters are one-dimensional. I could go on and on, but you get the point. Zach Snyder has made yet another chaotic CGI suckfest with more characters we could care less about in a world we could care less about.
  Another thing that bothered me was Jason Momoa. Seriously though, I'm not even sure why he was in this film, he did literally nothing. Ezra Miller, the only decent thing in here and the only reason I was even slightly interested in seeing this film, tried to work with what he had, but even his comedic timing couldn't save this garbage from utter ruin. Don't even get me started on Superman and Henry Cavill's wooden performance, or the fact that they used CGI to remove his mustache. Kill me now. Justice League earns a 1 out of 10 stars from me. (Trash)

Only The Brave Review (2017)

Only The Brave

  Before I say anything about this film, I want to give a shout out to cinematographer Claudio Miranda. *Slow clap* Gorgeous. Absolutely Gorgeous.
  Moving on! Only the Brave is based on the true story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots and the bravery they (and firefighters like them) exhibit in their work.
  Only The Brave doesn't focus so much on the action of these men fighting fires, but the effect that fighting fires had on their personal lives. Normally this would be a positive thing, as I am a sucker for character driven stories. Unfortunately though, while the film was well acted, our main character's are simply not that interesting. In fact, all of our major conflicts revolve around problems that never seem to resolve, even when the characters grow. Because of this, I didn't really feel connected to the characters, and so when the climax hit, it wasn't as affecting. This is a film that you watch once, enjoy enough to not be angry that you spent 15 dollars, and then forget about the next day. For this reason, Only The Brave gets a 6 out of 10 star rating from me. (Worth Ticket Price) 

Thank You For Your Service Review (2017)

Thank You For Your Service

  Starring Miles Teller, Beulah Koale, and Haley Bennett, Thank You For Your Service takes a look into the lives of veteran soldiers returning from Iraq. What's unique about this film, is that it doesn't really go into the actual war. Instead it dives into the PTSD caused from it, and the systems that prevent soldiers like these from getting the care they need.
  Thank You For Your Service is a very sobering film with fantastic performances all around, but lacks in the realm of execution. Don't get me wrong, I didn't dislike this film, I think it was very well intentioned, but at the same time there were moments that did feel quite contrived/overfamiliar in their emotion. That said, when this film does hit, it hits pretty hard, mainly due to the excellent, passionate performances from the cast.
  This is a tricky movie to critique due to the reverence and earnestness of its subject matter, but if I'm to be completely honest, it's not a film I'd probably watch again.
  In the end, I think Thank You For Your Services needed to be made, and is definitely watchable, but it didn't quite live up to the potential memorability it could have had.  6 out of 10 (Worth Ticket Price)

Thor: Ragnarok Review (2017)

Thor: Ragnarock

  I've mentioned before that I've had superhero fatigue for a while now and wasn't actually planning to see this movie. Fortunately, I needed a way to buy time while I waited out rush hour traffic after work and tickets at the Regency theater just so happened to be 6 bucks. So here we are! This is my second time walking into a Thor movie with low expectations and being pleasantly surprised. What I think makes Thor so different from other Marvels films is it's self-awarnessness. It knows that it's cheese and so it doesn't try and be anything else. In Thor Ragnarok, they really let Chris Hemsworth's natural charm influence his character, which was extremely entertaining and made him even more likable.
  I loved the different characters; specifically Jeff Goldbloom, Tessa Thompson, and Taika Waititi. They truly lit up the screen with their presence and raised the bar in the comedy department.
  Aside from it at times being all over the place, Thor: Ragnarock is overall a vibrant ball of fun from start to finish. Does it offer much outside of fun? Not really, but if you're looking for anything outside of fun, you should probably leave the Marvel universe entirely. I give Thor: Ragnarock a 9 out of 10 (I'd Buy It On Blu-Ray)

The Killing of a Sacred Deer Review (2017)

The Killing of a Sacred Deer 

 Yorgos Lanthimos is one of those directors that isn't afraid to push limits and make the audience uncomfortable. In fact, it seems like nothing pleases him more than making us cringe. After impressing critics everywhere with the originality of The Lobster last year, Lanthimos has hit another one out of the ballpark.
  I went into this film completely blind and I'm so glad that I did. From the very opening shot (one of the most beautiful opening shots I've ever seen) I knew I was going to absolutely love this film. Every shot by the extremely talented cinematographer Thimios Bakatakis, is slightly off, giving this sense of uneasiness in each frame.
  The Killing of a Sacred Deer draws from Greek mythology and modernizes it. To give you guys a vague synopsis: a curse is put on a family and the only way it can be stopped is if Steven Murphy (Collin Ferrell) makes an impossible decision.
  This film examines our morality and our ideas of justice, diving into the heart of man in a way that is deeply affecting, complex, and original. Another thing I really liked about the film was the dialogue. Lanthimos has this way of deconstructing dialogue in his scripts and showing us how strange our everyday small talk is when delivered in his trademark deadpan style.
  There is so much symbolism, metaphors, and religious undertones here to analyze over multiple viewings, and that is why I have to say that the Killing of a Sacred Deer is one of my favorites of 2017! Apart from the brilliant storytelling and visuals, this film also has some truly fantastic performances. Barry Keoghan (who you might remember from Dunkirk) was absolutely astonishing here, owning the physicality of his character with a maturity beyond his years. All that said, this is definitely not a movie for everyone. It's graphic, sadistic, and in no way marketed toward a commercial audience at all. However, if you are looking for something unique and 100% committed to the unconventional nature of its premise, give this artsy horror film a watch. 10 out of 10 (A Must See)

Blade Runner 2049 Review (2017)

Blade Runner 2049

  Denis Villenueve is a director I've been following for a while now. With gems like Prisoners, Enemy, Sicario, and Arrival up his sleeve, I was really excited to see what he would do with the new Blade Runner.
  Now, I am a very objective person, and so I know the difference between a movie that is objectively good overall and a movie that is subjectively entertaining to me. Sometimes, a film isn't both, and that is how I felt about Blade Runner 2049.
  This is a film that takes the concepts of the original Blade Runner and really expands on them in a unique way that I really respect. Before anything else, I have to address one of the most talented cinematographers working today, Rodger Deakins. Dude. There aren't enough words in the dictionary to describe my love for his gorgeous cinematography. Every shot is so rich and mind-blowing that even if you hate everything about this film, it is still worth seeing for the visual feast alone. It is a very very good looking film with splendid production and set design as well.
  Aside from the visuals though, Villenueve takes all the best parts of the original Blade Runner and expands on them in a superior way. He dives headfirst into the world and reality of a replicant and we really get to feel the loneliness and confusion that comes with that. From an objective standpoint, Blade Runner is actually quite a masterpiece in the science fiction genre, and Ryan Gosling does absolutely fantastic in the role. It offers us a lot in terms of a meditative reflection of society and what it means to be human in a visually poetic way.
  My subjective take on the film, however, not being a HUGE fan of the original, is that it took far too long to tell the story and could have cut off at least an hour of its runtime. Clocking in at two hours and forty-five minutes, Blade Runner 2049 teeters on self-importance and losing its entertainment value. Because of this, my subjective rating would have to be 6 out of 10 stars (Worth Ticket Price), while my objective rating would probably be 9 out of 10 (I'd Buy It On Blu-ray). If you are a fan of the original Blade Runner, I guarantee you will love this film. If not, you'll definitely be feeling that runtime. Either way, if you're going to see it, see it in theaters.

Stronger Review (2017)

Stronger

  *Deep breath* I'm not crying... You're crying...
  Stronger is the story of Jeff Bauman, a victim of the Boston Marathon bombing who gets his legs blown off, and BOY does it pack a punch. Staring my favorite actor, Jake Gyllenhaal, and the uber-talented Tatiana Maslany, we are thrown into a survival story that really resonates on profound levels.
  Before I get into the story aspects of the film, I have to comment on Gyllenhaal's performance. He's had a LOT of great performances over the past few years, but this one definitely stands out among the top. The way he conveys the stages of grief and PTSD after the incident is so organic and understated that you can't help but feel the full emotional blow of his trauma in the third act of the film.
  There is a transcendence of genre in Stronger that is really worth noting because it could have very easily been a play-by-the-numbers type of film. What really gives it an edge over other films in this genre is how personal it is. It is so raw and unapologetic in the way it showcases the flaws of its characters, even at the risk of losing our sympathy at times.
  Stronger is a genuine film bursting with hope and patriotism in the wake of one of America's darkest tragedies, that pulls at our heartstrings without ever feeling contrived. 10 out of 10 stars (A Must See)

Wind River Review (2017)

Wind River

  Wind River is based on a true story of a murder investigation on a remote Native American Reservation.
  I went into this film knowing absolutely nothing other than the fact that it starred Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen. I hadn't even watched the trailer, so I was definitely blindsided by how heavy the content would be.
  Let me start this review by saying that this is not a movie for the faint of heart. It immediately starts us off with a tone of darkness, soaks us in that darkness, and then it leaves us in it. Our main characters all are dealing with a sort of brokenness that they are trying overcome, all while living in a cold, desolate environment that traps them in a certain repetitive way of life.
  There were a lot of layers to this film, and a lot of themes we can analyze. On one end, we have the relationship dynamics between the Natives and the white people living on the reservation. On the other hand, we have this culture that is affected by the environment in ways that are detrimental, and how certain characters react to this environment. At the very heart of the film, it is the story of a broken man who seeks catharsis through the solving of this case, and how his trauma helps heal the community.
  While it is more of a slow-paced drama than a thriller, you never feel left wanting. It is both heartbreaking and beautifully affecting, unafraid to dive headfirst into its concepts and themes.
  Wind River is probably not a movie you'll want to watch over and over again but is definetly a film you should see at least once, if not only for Jeremy Renner's excellent performance. 7 out of 10 stars (Very Good)

IT Review (2017)

IT

  I can't even tell you how excited I was for this movie after seeing the first trailer. Everything about it, from the acting, to the tone, to Pennywise himself, looked absolutely terrifying and demented.
  There was so much about this film that I liked and other things that left me a little disappointed. With that said, let's get into the review!
   If there is one thing that absolutely works in this film, it is the characters. They are the beating heart of IT, and basically the reason we wind up so invested. There are no passive characters, everyone makes decisions and those decisions affect the plot in some kind of impactful way. The professionalism in the young cast is so impressive and really adds a lot to the film's entertainment value.
  Another thing that really worked for the film was Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise. He managed to keep bits and pieces of Tim Curry's Pennywise, all the while adding his own slightly more demented flare. His performance was extremely layered and he really put a lot of emphasis on the details, giving Pennywise that feeling of not only being a crazy clown but also a demonic entity.
  Another thing that stood out to me was the aesthetic of the film and the soundtrack. The cinematography, combined with the beautiful score by Benjamin Wallfisch really gave it an 80's feel and charm. In that sense, it was very similar to Stranger Things.
  Moving on to the gripes I had with IT... In the trailer, the tone we get is a very dark, moody film that takes a lot of chances with its scares. What we actually get though, is a film that isn't actually that scary. While it excels in a lot of areas and has a lot of heart, it isn't a film that will keep you up at night, which is a darn shame because its ability to traumatize its audiences into adulthood was what made the original so iconic. Unfortunately, as well executed as this film was, I don't foresee it having that same effect on this generation. Does that mean it wasn't a good film? No, it's still very good. But I do wish it would have been a little edgier in that area. 8 out of 10 stars (I'd Buy It)

Annabelle: Creation Review (2017)

Annabelle: Creation

  So it's official! The Conjuring has its own cinematic universe. I never saw the first Annabelle movie, but this one definitely looked like it had potential to be very good.
  Director David F Sandberg (Lights Out) sets up the story in a very promising way, introducing us to two very sympathetic orphan girls, and having them lead us into the story. For the first 30 minutes of the film, the tension was there. It's conventional in a lot of ways, but still creepy enough to keep you interested. THEN about an hour into the film, we take a turn into a more campy territory. Most of this, I would say, has to do with the script. The characters start doing things that are either stupid or out of character and the scares become cheaper.
While I wish I could say this was as good as The Conjuring movies, it doesn't have quite the charm those movies did.
  In the end, Annabelle: Creation, while mildly entertaining, doesn't quite reach it's full potential and does nothing to stand out in the horror genre. 5 out 10 stars (Rent It) 

A Ghost Story Review (2017)

A Ghost Story

  A Ghost Story is the story of, you guessed it, a ghost! Rooney Mara and Casey Affleck play a married couple whose lives are turned upside down when the husband gets into a car crash and dies. That said, his story doesn't end there. Casey Affleck comes back as a ghost and haunts the home where he and his wife lived.
  Now, I waited a while to review this movie because honestly I didn't really know what to feel about it and I wanted to let it marinate. At times it felt extremely pretentious, and other times it was moving. This is definitely an art house film, so if you're not into that style of filmmaking, this isn't going to change your mind.
  Starting off with the positives, some of the framing in this movie was absolutely stunning. The child-like simplicity of the ghost, mixed with the sweeping landscapes blew me away. It was straight visual poetry at it's finest, and I loved it.  An interesting choice of the director, however, was to have the entire film shot in a little box like frame. I understand that he wants the audience to feel kind of trapped, but if anything, the smaller screen just distances the audience from the characters.
  Speaking of characters, there is hardly any dialogue in this movie, apart from a really random monologue in the middle where a hipster guy explains the whole point of the film. Rooney Mara did what she can with the part, but the story isn't really about her. It's about the ghost that we can't see.
  There were a couple scenes in the movie where David Lowery holds a shot for an uncomfortable amount of time. I kid you not, there is a scene where Rooney Mara eats a pie for 9 minutes. 9 MINUTES! During scenes like these, I honestly wanted to just get up and leave, and the group of people watching with me felt the same way. For 9 minutes I heard sighs and groans and awkward whispers. There were a lot of moments like this, which made A Ghost Story feel very long.
  Despite all this, when the film ended, it did hit me emotionally and it's hard to explain why. Maybe it was the choice of music, or a subconsious manipulation of my emotions, or ghosts cutting onions. I'm not sure. All I know is that I left that theater feeling very confused. I loved the original, ambitious concept, but the execution was lacking as was any kind of momentum. I'm gonna have to disagree with the critics on this one and give it a 3 out of 10 stars (Watch At Your Own Risk)

Dunkirk Review 2017

Dunkirk

  I'm starting to wonder if it's even possible for Nolan to make a bad movie... Like seriously, he never ceases to amaze me. Every Nolan movie is an experience, and Dunkirk is no different.
  Based on true events, Nolan's new film is the story of 400,000 men stranded in the French city of Dunkirk and trying to at the very least survive, and at best, return home. Its all star cast includes Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Mark Rylance, Kenneth Branagh, and newcomers Fionn Whitehead and Harry Styles.
  Funnily enough, what I really appreciated about this movie, is something I've heard other critics complain about. The fact that there isn't really a main character, and the fact that the characters aren't given much of a backstory. I, however, think this was done intentionally. I think Nolan wanted us to connect more with the atmosphere and the experience of the war, then a specific character in it. I believe that is why all of the men looked so much alike. Nolan puts us right in the center of this major event and he makes the event the character. Because of this, we get to see the bigger picture of what went down.
  Speaking of pictures, see this on the biggest screen you can cause it is GORGEOUS. Seriously, the aerial views from the planes, above the beach, and over the water were like a massively immersive painting. Shot on 70mm film, Nolan blesses our screens with gloriously pristine imagery. But it's not only pretty, it's also practical when it comes to the special effects. Because of this, the actors are able to react naturally to the surroundings, putting their efforts more into other aspects of their performances.
  I also want to talk about the sound editing, because everything sounded so realistic! The gunshots, bombs, and planes rang through those theater speakers like they were right above me and all around me.
 I seriously cannot gush about this movie enough. It's intense, it's moving. Dunkirk is another epic masterpiece from the best director of our generation, and I will definitely be seeing it a second time in theaters. 10 out of 10 stars! (A Must See)

War For The Planet of the Apes Review (2017)

War For The Planet of the Apes

  It is very rare these days to find a decent trilogy. The most recent one I can think of is the Dark Knight Trilogy. Yet, here we are on our third Planet of the Apes movie, and let me just say, they seem to only be getting better.
  Because it is my job to manage expectations, I should mention before beginning this review that if you are expecting a lot of action and war, you're not going to get it. There is really only one war scene in the entire movie,  and the rest is drama. Now, this isn't a knock on the film at all, it's actually one of the things that make it so riveting.
  Of all the movies, this film is definitely the most ape-centric. Because of this, the audience could have easily been lost. Thankfully, we have a brilliant script and every single ape is a fully developed character. They have goals, desires, fears, and hopes.
  War for the Planet of the Apes is about two groups (apes and humans) in a pretty desperate situation. What is so great about this film is that the bad guys aren't really bad. We understand their point of view and if we were in their position might even back them up. The complexity of the problem makes for a lot of high stakes and internal conflict as well as external. As usual, Andy Serkis brings it, further evolving the character of Caesar and showing us the most vulnerable side of him. He is a flawed character. He does things that aren't always the right thing to do, but that's what makes him feel so human.
  I adore this movie. The score by Michael Giacchino was stunning, the cinematography was gorgeous, the scope of the film felt larger than life, the apes looked incredible. If I were to complain at all, I'd complain that it sometimes lacks in momentum, making it feel slightly overlong. This, however, is just me nitpicking. 10 out of 10 stars for War of the Planet of the Apes. (A Must See)

Spider-man: Homecoming Review (2017)

Spider-man: Homecoming

The third reboot of Spiderman stars Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, Zendaya, and a lot of other up-and-coming actors. When I first heard they were rebooting Spider-man again, I was actually excited. My favorite villain from the comic books was going to be in it, my boy Tom Holland was going to be in it, and lastly, Marvel finally received the rights to the character. Unfortunately, Sony still owns a lot of the other characters like Mary Jane, Harry, etc., but honestly, the new, more diverse cast infused the film with much-needed novelty and modernization. It was nice seeing characters such as Flash represented in a more 2017 way. We don't generally have the typical jock bullies anymore. These days the bully probably would be a bit more of a geek since geeks are in and all. The actor of Flash, Tony Revolori, first showed his talent in The Grand Budapest Hotel. I was happy to see him in this role, and I'm excited to see him in the future films.
  There was a lot that I really liked about this movie. I like that they didn't feel the need to show us the same origin story we've seen the past two times. Peter has already been bitten, Uncle Ben is already dead, responsibility, blah blah blah, and we are continuing from there. I really liked Tom Holland in this role. He's high energy, he's quirky, and the best part is he's actually a teenager. Spiderman being a child is essential to the essence of his character and I think we lost that in the last few movies.

   Michael Keaton nailed it as the Vulture. I liked that his character's motivations weren't necessarily rooted in evil intent. He's kind of like Iron man in that respect before he was captured by terrorists. I also really like that in most ways, Spiderman Homecoming feels more like a teen movie. Now don't get me wrong, there are still some great Spiderman moments, but the heart of the film focuses on Peter more than Spidey. It focuses on him earning the right to be called a superhero and earning respect from Iron Man.
  There were only two things I didn't love in this movie. The first was Liz. I don't think she was that good of an actress and she doesn't really have a personality. Peter likes her and thinks she's awesome, but there is really no reason for the audience to like her, aside from her being pretty. It would have been nice to see a little more characterization. Secondly, the film felt a little long, about 15 minutes too long.
  Overall, Spiderman was everything I've come to expect from a standout Marvel movie. Entertaining, fun, comedic where it needs to be, and sincere. 8 out of 10 stars (I'd Buy It).

Baby Driver Review (2017)

Baby Driver

  Written and directed by Edgar Wright, Baby Driver is the story of a young getaway driver named Baby (Ansel Elgort), trying to get out of the #thuglyfe.
  When I saw the trailer for this movie, I figured it was a bad rip off of Drive. However, when the high praise reviews came in on Rotten Tomatoes, I got curious.
  Deciding to give it a shot, I went and saw this film, and I was pleasently surprised. 

  This is one stylish film, my friends. It has that 500 days of Summer, indie vibe to the cinematography and a directorial flare that really sets it apart from other action movies. Baby Driver had the potential to be really campy, but the execution was top notch, as well was the acting. Jaime Foxx in particular gave a really good performance.
  Another thing I really loved, was how the soundtrack was used. It felt like a character itself, bringing us into the action and keeping us there. Which reminds me –– THE ACTION. DUDE. The car scenes blew my mind. From the opening scene, we get to see Baby's driving skills, and he doesn't dissapoint.
  If there is any flaw in the movie, it would unfortunetly be in the romance department. I feel like the love interest (Lilly James) and Baby's connection is quite rushed. She makes choices that are life changing after only weeks of knowing the guy. This took me out of the movie a little bit, but it doesn't ruin it.
  In the end, Baby Driver is a wildly entertaining thrill ride that you should definetly see! 8 out of 10 stars (I'd Buy It)

Alien: Covenant Review (2017)

Alien: Covenant

  So I did my research and watched both the original Alien and Aliens in preparation for Covenant. I loved both, and I am pleased to say that I loved this one as well. Now let's get into the review!
  It goes without saying that this film was absolutely beautiful. It's a Ridley Scott film. Like, duh. It's the equivalent of saying "Christopher Nolan movies are smart." or Tarantino movies are violent. That said, I still have to mention that this film was beautiful because DUDE. It was BEAUTIFUL. The scope, the cinematography, all of it was so rich.
  Now for the story. It doesn't break new ground at all when it comes to the structure of the film. It follows pretty much the same formula as the second Alien movie's beginning and the first one's end. They did, however, expand on some of the lore in Prometheus and that was really cool to see. Did the lack of fresh story material bother me? Not really. It was cool to see the story we know and love brought to our modern screens with modern technology and CGI. Also Alien: Covenant had surprising depth when it came to philosophy, character motivations, and it''s theme of created vs creator.
  The aliens themselves were wonderfully designed, I love how absolutely terrifying their look was. Y'all are not going to be disappointed.
  The acting has always been the strongest factor of the Alien movies and it's no different here. Michael Fassbender never ceases to amaze me with his layered performance as David and Walter, and the subtleties within their individual characters. Katherine Waterson was also fantastic, giving us another strong, smart female lead.
  My only problem with the film is the problem I have with most horror films and that is minor characters making dumb decisions. There were a few times where I was just like, "You may be alive if you weren't acting like such an idiot", or where I felt the leaders of the crew were making decisions based purely on emotion and putting people in danger. Like, they're obviously not very qualified.
  Other than that, I found Alien: Covenant highly entertaining, well acted, wicked scary, and it beautifully connected Alien with Prometheus. 9 out of 10 stars  (I'd Buy It On Blu-ray)

Free Fire Review (2017)

Free Fire

  Directed by Ben Wheatley, Free Fire is an action comedy about an arms deal gone very wrong. It stars the talents of Brie Larson, Cillian Murphy, Armie Hammer, and Jack Reynor who are all fantastic by the way.
  This entire film takes place in a deserted warehouse, similar to Tarantino's first film, Reservoir Dogs. Though not as layered or soulful as that film was, there was a lot I enjoyed in Free Fire.
  The tone was never short of fun, and the dark/British humor was always on point. With a mostly dialogue driven story, we get to know these characters really well under pressure and therefore we can see who they really are at the core.
  If you're looking to be entertained, Free Fire is the film for you. It's pretty self-aware and doesn't take itself too seriously. That said, it does feel at times a bit excessive for excess sake. The language is excessive, the violence is excessive, the characters sometimes seem more like caricatures than real people. If that doesn't bother you, you'll probably be taken with this film's charm.
  Is it super memorable? Not really. But I had a really good experience with Free Fire and would definitely recommend it! 7 out of 10 stars (It Was Good)

10 Chick Flicks That Are Actually Good

  Everyone who knows me knows that I hate chick flicks. But today, I'm going to do something my friends never thought possible, and that is come up with 10 chick flicks that I actually like. Considering "chick flick" is not an actual genre, and it's pretty subjective what actually qualifies, I will give you my definition...

  Chick flick: A film geared towards a female audience that you'd watch at a sleepover or after a breakup, and that guys are often too embarrassed to admit they like/cried during. 

For the record, I am excluding period pieces like Pride and Prejudice, Atonement, Belle, The Painted Veil, Titanic, etc,  musicals like Dirty Dancing, Greece, and La La Land, and also anything that came out before the 2000's. This is MY personal list of favorite chick flicks, so if you came here to get YOUR personal favorite validated, the exit is that way. ––> 

With that, and starting in no particular order, here we go!

She's The Man

  After getting rid of the girl's soccer team due to budget cuts, Viola (Amanda Bynes), pretends to be her brother so that she can still play. Now she must learn to act like a boy in order to convince her teammates. The trouble starts when she begins to fall for one of them.
  What makes this movie so great is the stereotypes Viola tries to project of how she views men, before realizing that they're not THAT different from women. This was an extremely funny film and definitely worth watching if you can get over Channing Tatum's wooden acting.

The Fault In Our Stars

  Adapted from the lovely John Green book of the same name, The Fault In Our Stars is the story of two teens who meet in a cancer support group. Not knowing exactly how long one of them has to live, they try to make the best of their current situation.
  I absolutely loved this book and the movie follows it to a T. While there are definitely a couple of sappy moments, The Fault In Our Stars never strays away from the hardships of cancer and suffering.  If you have a heart, you will cry. If you don't, you'll still appreciate this film for its philosophies, Shailene Woodley's excellent performance, and its emotional potency. 

Enchanted

  Nothing says chick flick more than a Disney Princess movie. In Enchanted, our cartoon Princess is banished to the real life, and horrible city of New York, preventing Giselle from marrying her lover of one day.
  I absolutely adore this film and the way it takes cliches of Disney Princess movies and shows the ridiculousness of them in real life. It's funny, it's entertaining, it's cute, and we get super fun performances from Amy Adams, Susan Sarandon, James Marsden, and Patrick Dempsey. 

Silver Lining Playbook

  Fresh out of a mental institution, Pat (Bradley Cooper) goes to live with his parents. Trying to get his ex-wife's friend Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) to deliver a letter to her, he agrees to be Tiffany's partner in a dance competition.
  This rom-com succeeds on multiple levels: comedically, emotionally, and authentically. It's an unpredictable and refreshing film that takes on complicated subjects like mental illness and manages to hit us in the feels while doing it. 

Mean Girls

  While I feel this film needs no introduction, I will give one anyway. Mean Girls is the story of a quirky homeschool girl from Africa that moves to America and is thrown into public school. She quickly learns which cliques are the cool ones, which ones aren't, and that popularity takes you a lot further than character.
  Mean Girls is one of the funniest movies out there, nailing how it is to be a girl and the passive-aggressive world of teenagers. For a movie geared toward teens, it's actually pretty mature, focusing on how our words and actions effect others.

Blue Valentine

    Blue Valentine follows the story of a young couple in the beginning of their relationship when the romance is just beginning, and into their middle-aged years where it begins to fall apart.
  This is definitely the movie you will want to watch after a breakup or if you want your happily-ever-after completely spoiled. Seriously though, this film wrecked me. 

  Ryan Gosling and Michelle William's performances were so raw and uncomfortable to watch at times, but that is what made it so beautiful. Blue Valentine is an absolute masterpiece that you probably won't want to see more than once. 

500 Days Of Summer

    This is a love story about a man who falls deeply in love with a woman who doesn't believe in love. It's about expectations, and how we perceive a relationship while we're in it, verses how it actually is. That is what I love most about this movie. It uses the audiences expectations against the audience, all while demonstrating things we've accurately experienced ourselves in relationships.
  500 Days of Summer is just as deep and layered as it is hilarious, which makes it one of the best (if not the best) of the chick flick genre. 

The Spectacular Now

      When Sutter Keely (Miles Teller), a troubled high school senior, falls in love with "the good girl" Aimee Finecky (Shailene Woodley), people begin to get hurt.
  This film is smart, nuanced, unsentimental, and deep. It puts the audience in a familiar, relatable backdrop of highschool and then gives us three-dimensional characters that aren't always what they appear to be. It's more somber and realistic than your usual chick-flick, but that's what makes it so much better. The quiet moments that this movie is made of, are never anything other than sincere.

The Proposal

  Moving onto a more light-hearted film, The Proposal is about a Canadian-buisness woman who is about to be deported back to Canada. Not wanting to lose everything she's worked so hard for, she convinces her assistant to marry her for a Visa, in exchange for a promotion. Let's just say that hilarity ensues.
   Is it a particularly deep film? No. Is it formulaic? Yes. But due to casting of the charming, charismatic talents of Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock, we are in for one extremely entertaining guilty pleasure.

Bridesmaids

  When Annie (Kristen Wigg) learns that her best friend is engaged, she takes on the role of maid-of-honor. Determined to make things perfect, she struggles to handle the colorful, and sometimes obnoxious bridesmaids chosen along side her. 
  Our cast of comedic-ladies give Bridesmaids everything they've got, pulling out all of the gags, irreverent humor, and wit that make perfect ingredients for any comedy. In a similar strain to Mean Girls, Bridesmaids dives into the competitive nature and petty attitudes of women in a way that is just as revealing and true as it is amusing. Definitely give this one a whirl next girl's night.



Thank you for reading and be sure to leave your favorite chick flicks in the comments section!

Beauty and the Beast Review (2017)

Beauty and the Beast

  Before I go into this review, I must say that the first time I saw the original Beauty and the Beast was two years ago. After that, my next experience was last Saturday, watching the live action. I remember really liking the original, and I was looking forward to the live action mainly because it had such massive talents behind it. Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Ian Mckellen, and Emma Thompson to name a few. The only person I was really worried about, was Emma Watson. While she made a good Hermione, her acting otherwise hasn't impressed me much. Thankfully she did a wonderful job here.
  If you've seen the film, it goes without saying that the production and the set pieces are absolutely stunning. Everything was so elaborate and big, which gave the tone of the film this enchanting, magical quality.
  As far as the other aspects of the film, it was overwhelmingly mediocre. I know it's for kids, but I couldn't help thinking the entire time that a rated PG-13/R version of it would have been much more interesting to watch. Now that may sound really weird, but hear me out. . . 

  Imagine a film where the beast is actually terrifying, the action is gritty, and the stakes are high. Imagine a film where the characters react to talking furniture the way someone might react to it in a horror movie. A world that's a little less optimistic and little more somber. Where the romance comes off as twisted as it actually is, and where they dive into the psychological aspects of their connection/chemistry.  

   That may sound totally unappealing to you, I don't know. I just personally like to see a little more reality in my fantasy. A fresh, more layered take on what we know. I didn't want to feel like I was still watching a campy cartoon, yet that was how I felt.

  In the end, Beauty and the Beast was still enjoyable to watch, but it was also very safe and ultimately just Disney hashing out its old material for another buck. 6 out of 10 stars. (Worth Ticket Price)

Life Review (2017)

Life

  Life is the story of a space crew that finds a living organism on Mars. As they tamper with this organism, experimenting with what it can handle enviormentally, they realize that maybe they should have just left it alone. I LOVED this movie for a lot of reasons, and here are some of them:
  1. The characters are smart. A lot of times in horror movies, the script will rely on stupid decisions made by characters to keep the plot progressing. Not in Life though. In Life, all of the characters responded rationally to the threats, making it even more horrifying when the organism would outsmart them.
  2. The organism (alien) itself. I liked that the alien wasn't just a mean, crazy monster. This alien is a survivor. Everything it does it based on it's need to survive. When it kills, it does so in self defense. I loved also the look of the thing, and how it evolved and changed as it went on.
  3. The pacing. While Life gives us a lot more quiet scenes with emotional depth than the average horror, it is never short on suspense. From the moment the alien gets loose, there is this claustraphobic tension that keeps you on the edge of your seat for the rest of the movie. Nobody is safe, and it makes that very clear right off the bat.
  4. The direction. While the acting is top-notch, (no surprise there) the real star of the film is director Daniel Espinosa and cinematographer Seamus McGarvey. It was just a truly good looking peice of work, and on a techincal stand point it really excelled.
  5. It was actually scary! This is a huge one for me because it takes a lot to actually scare me. Life however doesn't hold back. It's graphic, it's intense, it'll leave your knuckles white. For a sci-fi horror, it's extremely grounded in realism, and that makes it all the more terrifying.
  Is Life the touching, layered film that Arrival was? Not necessarily. But I don't think that was the point. 9 out of 10 stars. (I'd Buy It On Blu-ray)

Get Out Review (2017)

Get Out

  From the mind of comedian Jordan Peele, Get Out is a horror film about a young black man who is visiting his white girlfriend's family for the first time. All starts off well, until Chris (played by Daniel Kaluuya) realizes that things aren't what they seemed.
  When I first saw the trailer for this film, I had no interest in seeing it. Then it released, and opening week it got 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Like what? Obviously I had to see it after that, and I'm glad I did!
  I'll start off by saying that avid horror fans won't be scared by this movie. If anything, it's more of a thriller. That said, what Get Out does excel in, is comedy. Duh. It's Jordan Peele. I loved the satirical strain running through the film, and how it deals with subtle prejudice. Film has a way of shining a light on things that people feel uncomfortable talking about, and there is no better way of doing that than through humor.
  The score by Michael Abels was great, creating an uneasiness in tone and setting us in this moody, unfamiliar environment. The cinematography by Toby Oliver was brilliant. Kaluuya's acting? Holy cow. He was sooo good in this movie, and his American accent is on point. I knew he was a fantastic actor from watching that Netflix show Black Mirror, but here he continued to impress me. His co-star Allison Williams also really sells her character from start to finish, as well as Catherine Keener, Bradley Witford, and Caleb Landry Jones as her family.
  This is a film you will definitely want to see twice. Foreshadowing is cleverly weaved through the script from the very beginning, so if you're a fan of analyzing film, there are some really cool, subtle easter eggs and symbolism you're going to pick up on.
  Now for the qualms I had with Get Out. There are a lot of instances when we get into the more horror aspects of the film where you have to suspend your disbelief for the sake of the story. Some might not be able to do this and will think certain plot points in the film are stupid. Others will be able to and will highly enjoy the film. I personally had mixed feelings. I respected what it was going for, but there were just some holes in the conclusion and plot twist that left me scratching my head slightly. I always tend to like more grounded films, so when they go in the direction of, well, a movie like Split, it looses me a bit.
  In the end there is a lot going for this film, but it's definitely not perfect. 7 out of 10 stars. (Very Good) 

Logan Review (2017)

Logan

  *Wipes away tear* It's officially over. After 7 films, Hugh Jackman is done, and it's got me feeling all kinds of emotions.
  First off, let me just say that Logan is the perfect ending to one of my favorite Marvel franchises. Everything that didn't work with the last two Wolverine movies, worked here, and I think most of it had to do with the R rating. I am so glad they decided to follow in Deadpool's suit with this one. Similar to a Quentin Tarantino film, the already great action was only enhanced positively by the extreme, realistic violence, and it really demonstrated why this character feels like such a monster at times. That said, even more satisfying than the brilliant action, was the quiet emotional moments.   

  Logan is a bitter and broken man, and it's never been so clear as it is in this movie. I love that they never try to polish his character; that they allow him to be morally wrong and for his relationships to be messy. Specifically, I liked his relationships with Patrick Stewart (who was amazing), and Dafne Keen (who was also amazing and savage in her scenes). 

  While at times you definitely feel the 135 minute runtime, Logan is a rugged, gritty, grounded, and complex film that isn't afraid to make the audience uncomfortable. I'd even say that the tone felt more like an indie film then a big blockbuster, which is why it's made my top 3 favorite Marvel movies of all time list. 10 out of 10 stars. (A Must See)

PS: The marketing team for Deadpool is GENUIS. That's all I'm gonna say about that.

  

Moonlight Review (2016)

Moonlight

  Moonlight is a coming of age story about a boy who is growing up in the hood. His mother is addicted to drugs, his only father figure in life sells his mother those drugs, and he's constantly being bullied at school for being gay.
  Let me start off by saying that Moonlight is a very liberal friendly film in it's conversations about homosexuality and accepting yourself. Thankfully, this is more of a minor subplot then it is the main course, but it still does leave a bit of a bitter taste in your mouth.
  Now being objective, there was a lot to like about this film from a technical and story aspect. The cinematography by James Laxton is absolutely gorgeous and poetic. The way he uses color, the way he frames the shot. It's a great looking film with a beautiful score to accompany it.
  From a story aspect, it really is a nature vs nurture type film. It shows us this young, thoughtful boy, mature into a more hard, street-type character. Using three different acts and three different actors, we are forced to question how young Chiron might have turned out if these expectations for what black masculinity should look like hadn't been so present in his youth.
  Moonlight is a very layered and sophisticated film, designed to start much needed conversation. All of it's character's have a depth, vulnerability, and humanity about them that's not usually seen in cinema these days. 7 out of 10 stars (Very Good)

10 Obscure Films You Should Watch

Looking for something to watch? Well, here are my top 10 obscure films you probably haven't heard of! Drawing from movies released before 2015, and in no particular order, let's dive right in!

Belle

  This gem was released in 2013, and is the true story of a illegitimate, biracial girl raised in a aristocrat household by her great uncle. Belle does a brilliant job of tackling topics of racism, classism, and interracial romance.
   Gugu Mbatha-Raw blew me away in this powerful performance, highlighted by the sweepingly gorgeous, and authentic historical backgrounds, costumes, and sets. For fan's of period pieces, this is one to check out!

Children of Men

  When woman are somehow no longer able to have children, and the only functioning country is England, a man must get a pregnant refugee to a safe haven where she can deliver the baby.  
  Children of Men has some of the most gorgeous cinematography I've ever scene, which is no surprise considering Emmanuel Lubezki also did The Revenant, Birdman, and Gravity.
  Children of Men is an entertaining, thrilling, gut-wrenching, and moving, conversational piece that you absolutely should watch! 

Following

  This 1998 film follows a writer who stalks strangers for material. One of his rules is that he can never follow the same person twice. Let's just say that this is the first rule he breaks, and things get bad from there.
  Following is Christopher Nolan's debut film, which he directed and wrote. It had the budget of 6,000 dollars, but still managed to amaze both the audiences and critics who saw it. In Nolan-like fashion, it has all of the bells and whistles we've come to expect from the brilliant director. Big twists, strong dialogue, interesting characters. Best news of all, you can watch this highly underrated film right now on Netflix. What are you waiting for?

Inside Llewyn Davis

  Do you like folk music? Would you like to see Poe Dameron, Justin Timberlake, and Kylo Ren sing a duet? Well, look no further then this 2013 film. Inside Llewyn Davis focuses on the life and career of a young folk singer played by Oscar Isaacs. Not following a typical three act structure, this film plays out more like the way you'd write a song. It's sad, it's deep, it's directed by the Coen brothers, and it's got a great soundtrack that you'll want to buy after. Do yourself a favor and add this one to your list.

We Need To Talk About Kevin

  Looking for something to watch on Netflix? Look no further than this dark, 2011 drama/thriller. Starring Tilda Swinton and Ezra Miller, We Need To Talk About Kevin is the story of a mother who is struggling to love her child inspite of his violent, unnerving, and unnatural behaviors. What stood out most to me about this film, was the great performances, the use of color, the stunning cinematography, and it's tone. We Need To Talk About Kevin isn't afraid to go to dark places, but that's what makes it so great. Will you leave this film feeling warm and happy inside? No, but it will definitely give you something to think about. 

            Never Let Me Go

  This 2010 science fiction/drama is set in the future where clones are used as donors for their organs. Unlike most dystopian type films where the protagonist finds some way to escape, Never Let Me Go focuses on the sad souls who don't get out of the awful system they've been brought up in. This was one of the saddest films I've ever seen, mostly because of the emotionally restrained, nuanced acting from Andrew Garfield, Keira Knightley, and Carey Mulligan. That said, just because a movie is sad, doesn't mean you shouldn't see it. Never Let Me Go is also a deeply moving and poignant film about the value of life, and what makes a human a human. 

Locke

    Locke is the story of a concrete farmer who has to make a long drive to London for reasons that will stay unnamed for the sake of spoilers. On this drive, he must make several, life-altering phone calls that could potentially destroy everything he's worked so hard for.
  Because this film is just one man in a car having conversations over the phone, it could easily be boring. Thankfully, we have one of the most brilliant actors working today, Tom Hardy, keeping us invested in the story. Beautifully written and directed by Steven Knight, we are given a profound, intimate look into this character's life. This is a story about second chances, forgiveness, and integrity.  

Lars and the Real Girl

  Taking it back to 2007, we have one of my favorite Ryan Gosling performances EVER. Lars and the Real Girl is a quirky comedy about a mentally ill man, who buys a sex doll off the internet and in his delusional brain thinks she's his girlfriend. While the description might sound like it was written by a creepy dude in a basement, it is actually hilarious, charming, sweet, and earnest. It's oscar winning script focuses on the importance of connection, community, and just how a little unconditional love can go a long way. What's not to like about that? Seriously, go watch it for free on Amazon Prime! 

Peacock

    When John Skillpa's split persona, Emma, gets out to the small community of Nebraska where he lives, he must do everything in his power to keep her from taking over his mind and life completely. Peacock is a treasure of a film because almost everything about it is perfect. From the tone, to the setting, to the tremendous score, to the acting. Cillian Murphy shines, bringing out both personalities in such a way that you start to believe yourself that they are two different people. I absolutely adore this Hitchcockian film, and I know for a fact you will too. Go watch it!

The Drop

  Last but not least, is 2014's The Drop. Staring Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, and the late James Gandolfini, The Drop is the story of a gangster who winds up in the center of a robbery gone wrong. 
  While at times this film may feel a bit slow, The Drop pays off your patience in a extremely satisfying way, remaining unpredictable from start to finish. With a clever script, great acting, and a cute puppy, why would't you want to see this one?



  Annnnnndddd that about raps up my top 10 list of obscure films you should watch! Of course there are a lot of other great hidden gems that I could have gone on about, and maybe someday I'll do a part 2. If you'd enjoy that, please let me know. Also let me know what other kinds of lists you'd like to see me post in the future! Thanks for reading :)