This Week on Netflix (September 14th)

15 September, 2018 William Eguizabal 0 Comments 1 category

Another week another amazing group of great films to check out all selected by the wonderful members of our staff. Without further ado, I’m going to let you check out all the amazing picks from this week.

CHAI

Title: Under The Skin
Rated: R
Directed By: Jonathan Glazer
Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Williams, Adam Pearson
Runtime: 1 h 48 mins

“Do you think I’m pretty?”

This film has to be seen. An intense sci-fi about a predatory alien in a human disguise, Under the Skin is an incredible and lovely feat of a feature with a minimalist edge. Everything about it is right, from the layered, deliciously textured visuals to Johansson’s admirable and stunning performance, this film delivers on an unreal level. There’s a natural, sophisticated vastness to it, dark and effective through its deceptively simple storytelling. It manages to incite an empathetic and palpable and at times disturbing experience that all cinephiles crave. I love this film—as beautiful and grand and gorgeous as it is (with help from the sharp, fluttering score from GENIUS Mica Levi), it’s just as cold and brutal and lonely. It leaves you lusting for more. Films like this remind me why I’m here—to find myself happily surprised by a movie is a rare treat. Under the Skin is the full meal, and for that, I am grateful.

MIRLANA

Title: Dead Poets Society
Rated: PG
Directed By: Peter Weir
Starring: Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke
Runtime: 2 hrs 8 mins

“This is a battle, a war, and the casualties could be your hearts and souls. .”

A “Coming of Age” story filled with sorrow; Dead Poets Society ventures deep into themes of self-identity and acceptance. It’s characters, teenagers attending a private school, are all facing issues that are all too familiar to its young audience, creating a sense of empathy that pulls on my heartstrings. With it’s tragic, yet realistic resolution, the movie leaves me wondering if life is worth living unless you are doing something that makes you truly happy. This film sparks imagination, with its vehicle of poetry driving the theme of rebellion. The actors truly molded to their roles; Robin Williams (as always) delivers an astounding performance as a professor and becomes a comforting face in the film. Not to mention Neil Parry (Leonard), who created an amazing perspective on life in his role. This is a beautiful, thought-provoking film!

ALEXANDRIA

Title: The Money Pit
Rated: PG
Director: Richard Benjamin
Starring: Tom Hanks, Shelley Long, Alexander Godunov
Runtime: 1 hr 31 mins

“Ahh, home crap home”

Taking place in the late 1980s, Walter (Tom Hanks) and Anna (Shelley Long) are a young couple who are living in New York City. However, when Anna’s ex-husband Max (Alexander Godunov) arrives early from his business travels, they need to find a new place to stay since she did not win the apartment in the divorce settlement. Walter and Anna now go on a crazy adventure to buy a new house and learn that just a little bit of love can go a long way. This film is an old, but funny comedy about buying your first house. The entire film’s primary source of comedy is slapstick gold- yet it does not lack humorous dialogue either. The Money Pit is a must watch for anyone wanting a good laugh and who loves a charming and funny story.

CHANSE

Title: The Fundamentals of Caring
MPAA Rating: TV-MA
Director: Rob Burnett
Starring: Craig Roberts, Paul Rudd, Selena Gomez
Runtime: 1 hr 37 mins

“I’m getting a patty melt, I don’t give a shit”

An irrefutable dramatic indie masterpiece, Ben (Paul Rudd) tries his hand at caring for Trevor (Craig Roberts), a sarcastic self-indulgent teen who just so happens to be in a wheelchair. Trevor however, has no interest in being cared for. They embark on a road trip and through instances of not seeing eye-to-eye, a general misunderstanding of each other’s wants and needs, and the carefree invasion of Dot (Selena Gomez), the two come to find their differences create that much stronger of a bond. To put it simply, this film is sweet. It’s heartwarming, raw, and honest. Which is a theme I love to see in the realm of drama involving young adults? This film offers authentic insight into a person seeking to be a caregiver and offers a fair warning that having a disability doesn’t always restrict a person’s overall capabilities.

WILLIAM

Title: Moonrise Kingdom
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Wes Anderson
Starring: Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward, Bruce Willis
Runtime: 1 hr 34 mins

“We’re in love. We just want to be together. What’s wrong with that?”

Wes Anderson has a flair for the obscure. With this simple story of two kids running away together, he maintains that signature symmetry. His characters are a collection of oddities that would be out of place most anywhere else except a Wes Anderson film. The two young leads Gilman and Hayward are convincing and their performances are just really fun. At this point, Moonrise Kingdom has become a signature piece for Anderson. It has all his calling cards and then some. If you’ve got Netflix this is for sure one to watch!

Category: Reviews