Hellion

Back in June Tribeca Film issued the Indi Summer Film Challenge. Watch 4 films by the end of July. Easy, right? Only Obvious Child came to theaters in my little corner of the world, the rest were streaming online. I leaned how much I dislike watching films on my laptop and abandoned the challenge. I did put all the films in my Netflix queue and over the last few months  have seen Ping Pong Summer, Lucky Them and tonight I finished up with Hellion. An excellent drama about a boy struggling with growing up in a difficult situation. He wants approval from his father and wants to protect his younger brother. Both tall orders, both difficult. He ends up in trouble and in survival mode. The acting is excellent and I really liked the way this was shot. Well done. Thanks to Tribeca Film for the challenge. It may have taken me 4 months instead of 4 weeks, but it was worth it!

St. Vincent

The grumpy neighbor-next-door story is a familiar one. In St. Vincent it is done with heart, humor and a bit of an edge. The performances are refreshing, there's a little twist and yes, it made me cry. Well done and well worth seeing. One of my favorites this year.

Gone Girl

The film Gone Girl is a strong entry to new thrillers. The story of a woman missing and presumed murdered makes the husband a prime suspect. The portrayal of media and law enforcement is interesting, especially when you are not sure who is telling the truth. This film stays very true to the book. If you like the film you should read the book for more details, though the film does a pretty thorough job. I like a thriller where people are not as they seem and the plot turns keep you on your toes. Even though I read the book, I really enjoyed this film for the performances, structure and interpretation. They bring in just the right amount of tension, creepy moments and well placed comic relief. Strong film.

Love Is Strange

When a couple of 39 years marry, their world is turned upside down. In Love Is Strange it is ok for the music director at a catholic school to have a boyfriend, but when he marries him the school fires him. This forces the couple to sell their apartment and temporarily move in with their families. Separately. The portrayal of the difference of lifestyle and relationships are very good. Alfred Molina and John Lithgow make a wonderful couple and deliver very real, touching and poignant performances. A different take on a love story that worked for me. Well done.

The Boxtrolls

The Boxtrolls are the latest misunderstood monsters from Laika Entertainment (Coraline, Paranorman). Living underground, they are not what people think, and a little girl helps save the day. The animation on this film is brilliant. There are gross stunts and lots of action. This one may be too intense for kids under 5. A little girl in front of me asked her Mom if they could go home about 15 minutes into the film. It is worth staying through the credits.

The Skeleton Twins

Twins who were very close as children have not spoken in 10 years. In The Skeleton Twins the brother's attempted suicide brings the two back together as adults. They are strangers who know each other very well. As they try to help each other, their personality flaws and touches of mental illness factor in. They struggle to help each other and missteps occur. Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig have great chemistry as siblings. Hader is especially good in this. I find him very enjoyable to watch. Dialogue comes very easily and he endears the audience to his character quickly. A nice film about relationships, hurt and forgiveness. I really liked this film.

The Rover

The Rover is visually stunning, yet the story is grim, depressing and violent. This revenge tale is somber and bloody. I can appreciate this film, but it was tough to get through.

Belle

Race issues in 1800 England don't usually enter our consciousness. In Belle we learn of the story of Belle. She is the result of a Navy Admiral's relationship with a servant. He brings her to live with his aristocratic uncle while he is at sea. She is afforded the benefits of her birth, but is limited by her race. Very interesting dynamic. As she becomes an adult, and is eligible to be married, things get confusing and complicated. Emotions and etiquette collide in a dramatic way. Belle stands strong and perseveres. What an interesting story with great performances.

This is Where I Leave You

The family dynamic in This Is Where I Leave You is the same as mine. Three boys, one girl and the girl is second oldest. The adult children come together at the wish of their deceased father to sit shiva for seven days. The consequences of this are funny, poignant and magnify every flaw in their relationships. The cast is stellar and there are many very funny moments. I especially liked where all of the characters ended up. This film hit all the right notes for me.

The Drop

Set in Brooklyn, The Drop is an adaptation of the short story Animal Rescue. A bar that is used to move laundered money is robbed. There is a history with the bar that is dark and dangerous. In the midst of this, the bartender rescues a puppy from the trash. Though he tries to look for the good in his world the seedy stuff forces its way in and things do not end well. The violence equaks the sentimental moments. James Gandofini and Tom Hardy turn in excellent performances. A dark crime drama I really liked.

Words and Pictures

Which is more important, words or pictures? In the film Words and Pictures this conflict is played out at a prep school. The romance is a bit formulaic, but watching Juliette Binoche and Clive Owen spar with words is delightful. This film addresses human frailty, art and intellect in an uplifting way. Another rental that I really enjoyed.

Bad Words

The word is motivation. m-o-t-i-v-a-t-i-o-n In the film Bad Words motivation is key. Set at The Golden Quill Spelling bee, the motivations of all of the characters are cleverly fleshed out and resolved. I was surprised by how well this was done. Jason Bateman gives a solid performance. A bit dark, and a young actor holds his own in scenes with the veteran actor. I really liked this film.

Filth

When a corrupt police officer tries to win a promotion as a means of getting his wife back, things do not go very well. In Filth we watch a man drowning in sex, drugs, alcohol and corruption. Nothing good is going to come of things no matter how hard he tries. Dark film.

God's Pocket

When an obnoxious boy dies, the ride to the truth is bumpy. In God's Pocket, this unlikeable character's demise is lied about by everyone in the town to protect his assailant. The boyfriend of his mother tries to help find the truth, but he is inept and dishonest himself. Everything goes badly. Though bleak, this is an interesting story and the performances make the audience care about every character, warts and all. The final scene brings it all home.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Overblown and full of chase scenes and explosions, Captain America: The Winter Soldier was an OK addition from the Marvel world. A smaller group of Avengers battle evil in present times. Lots of action and drama made this a decent rental.

The Double

I like watching Jesse Eisenberg in anything. In The Double he plays two characters in a weird, trippy story. Though the story is bizarre, the performances are worth watching. I liked this strange ride.

Magic in the Moonlight

The story told in the film Magic in the Moonlight is absurd. A famous, pompous a magician tries to debunk a woman posing as a psychic. He becomes smitten, and she falls for him. That is the absurd part. There was a twist I liked and the performances were great, but what a ridiculous turn of events.

What If

The classic romantic comedy plays out in What If. The charming cast and an ending that I did not see coming makes this worth a look. Very satisfying

The Giver

The concept of a future with no feelings is explored in The Giver. The concept is transmitted well with black and white. This world is presented as utopian and sanitary, but becomes increasingly creepy as The Receiver becomes more aware of the truth. A wonderful cast takes on a tricky story.

Calvary

Calvary is an interesting take on human drama. After his wife's death, a man becomes a priest in a small Irish village. His life is threatened and he has a week to get his affairs in order. Reflecting on his life and priorities with the help of family and friends takes many an interesting turn. Brendan Gleeson is outstanding in this film.