Quick Review Round-Up: Netflix Edition

Brief Reviews of films available on Netflix

*For mobile users: Everything corresponds to whatever order its in. i.e. The first poster goes with the first review and the first rating, the second with the second with the second, and so on. This was designed on and initially formatted for a laptop.

The Boys in The Band - Quick Review

Excellent. The play upon which this adaptation is based is a beautiful piece of literature and this film treats it as such and gives it its due. Every character is fully realized, complex, and authentic. They are human with all the imperfections that come with it. The performances are great, particularly from Jim Parsons and Robin de Jesús, but everyone pulls their weight. The only downside is that it does feel like an adaptation, in that you can tell that it was a play. It feels like your watching a very well produced (and shot) stage production. That’s not the fault of the film, it comes with the territory. Regardless, it is worth your time!

Viewed on Netflix on Oct. 1, 2020 | Run Time: 121 minutes

The Devil All the Time - Quick Review

The film has compelling and interesting story but way too melodramatic... It was almost like watching a soap opera. Also by the end, the alternating plots got a little unwieldy. The cast is excellent, but I don’t know why these European actors are taking roles that require a strong American or southern accent. Shockingly, the only one that really worked was Tom Holland’s. Robert Pattinson’s was... interesting to say the least. Also, shout out to the cinematographer and production designer. The film looks fantastic.

Viewed on Netflix on Sept. 17, 2020 | Run Time: 138 minutes

I'm Thinking of Ending Things - Quick Review

I’m Thinking of Ending Things is most certainly a film that will stay with you. It stayed with me for a while after it was over. The film is very surreal and dreamlike and VERY, umm... original. At the end, it is safe to say that I was very confused about what I had just watched particularly in the last 20-30 minutes... but I don’t care. I don’t care because I think that level of uncertainty is intentional. Uncertainty is so present in the film, it’s almost it’s own character. I mean most of the film, the protagonist is uncertain about her situation and is trying to figure out what the hell is going on. So I think it’s representative of the film and I think that is to be commended. Pulling off confusion with intent and making it feel like confusion with intent is a very difficult task, but I think Charlie Kaufman has enough films that fit that description to qualify him as someone who knows what he’s doing.

Viewed on Netflix on Sept. 5, 2020 | Run Time: 134 minutes

The Trial of the Chicago 7 - Quick Review

Aaron Sorkin's greatest skill is writing and I think that is on full display in The Trial of Chicago 7. There is fantastic dialogue that takes place between characters and some very well-written and executed sequences, particularly ones about riots in front of a building and on a hill. Also, in his second outing as director, has provided his audience with excellent performances all around. Eddie Redmayne and Sacha Baron Cohen in a surprising dramatic role were the biggest standouts for me. Sorkin has done something interesting with this film, in that, it is fun and funny. Like, there are legitimately funny lines in this film, which I think is interesting for this type of film. Most of the humor does come from Sacha Baron Cohen's performance, which I guess explains some of it, considering he is the brain behind critically lauded and very popular film Borat. Now when I say this, I have to add a grain of salt. Unfortunately, the film doesn't offer anything new or particularly revelatory. It's not going to be a film that people will remember after this awards season. It should definitely be in consideration for Oscars, especially the writing and performances, but like most films, I don't think it will be remembered past the Academy Awards in April. But, right now, Sorkin has given us an engrossing political court drama that has humor and is very timely considering the state of the country today.

Viewed on Netflix on Oct. 16, 2020 | Run Time: 129 minutes

The Social Dilemma - Quick Review

This is not your typical documentary. It combines elements of narrative storytelling with documentary (similar to 2018’s American Animals) as a way to visualize these, what we might think to be irrational and/or unbelievable ideas. This is probably one of the most shocking documentaries I’ve ever seen. Imagine realizing that something that you’ve relied on for a huge chunk of your lifetime was in fact taking your information and using it for trade, profit, and god knows what else... that’s what The Social Dilemma does. It takes this oligarchy of tech and social media companies and attempts to dismantle it with confessions from people who helped to build these companies. It was, honestly, thrilling to watch, and I know that’s an odd word to describe a documentary, but I think it fits.

Viewed on Netflix on Sept. 19, 2020 | Run Time: 94 minutes

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