Tag: Netflix

REVIEW: El Hoyo (2019)

Festival Release Poster – Basque Films; Mr. Miyagi Films; Plataforma La Película; A.I.E

The following is a review of El Hoyo, also known as The Platform — Directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia.

I have been looking forward to this movie for close to six months. I heard it described as one of the best horror films of 2019 and one of the coolest movie concepts of that year. People whose opinions I pay attention to were praising this movie so much that I ended up having fairly strong expectations for the film. Thankfully, Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia’s feature film directorial debut did not disappoint, even though the debut director failed to make his film stand out from other similar films. Continue reading “REVIEW: El Hoyo (2019)” →

REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “Namaste”

The following is a recap and review of the fourth episode of the fifth season of Better Call Saul, available on AMC in the U. S. and on Netflix internationally. Expect story spoilers. 

In the fourth episode of the fifth season — Namaste — Jimmy McGill (played by Bob Odenkirk) has a meeting with Howard Hamlin (played by Patrick Fabian), Kim Wexler (played by Rhea Seehorn) tries to make Mesa Verde reconsider their plans, and Mike (played by Jonathan Banks) tries to make things right with his family. Namaste was written and directed by Gordon Smith, who has previously written several episodes of Better Call Saul. This is Gordon Smith’s directorial debut. Continue reading “REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “Namaste”” →

REVIEW: Lost Girls (2020)

Release Poster – Netflix

The following is a review of Lost Girls — Directed by Liz Garbus.

Netflix is starting to build itself a strong reputation for being a good home for true-crime content. There are numerous Netflix exclusive true-crime docu-series and films that I have been very fascinated by. The latest true-crime content from Netflix is Lost Girls, the narrative film debut from the seasoned documentary film director, Liz Garbus, who I don’t think, ultimately, does enough with this incredible true story. Continue reading “REVIEW: Lost Girls (2020)” →

REVIEW: Spenser Confidential (2020)

Release Poster – Netflix

The following is a review of Spenser Confidential — Directed by Peter Berg.

Though I have yet to see Mile 22, I have liked every other Peter Berg-Mark Wahlberg collaboration — Lone Survivor; Deepwater Horizon; and Patriots Day — that came out prior to Spenser Confidential. So when I found out that Berg and Wahlberg were reteaming for a new Netflix film, I was very interested and, frankly, a little bit excited. I was hoping that Netflix had finally made a good, solid, and rewatchable action flick. However, Spenser Confidential is a terrible disappointment. Berg and Wahlberg’s partnership has not provided us with anything good this time around. It’s almost at the point where the only thing I liked about this movie were the dogs in it. Continue reading “REVIEW: Spenser Confidential (2020)” →

REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “The Guy for This”

The following is a recap and review of the third episode of the fifth season of Better Call Saul, available on AMC in the U. S. and on Netflix internationally. Expect story spoilers. 

In the third episode of the fifth season — The Guy for This — Jimmy McGill (played by Bob Odenkirk) meets Lalo Salamanca (played by Tony Dalton), Kim Wexler (played by Rhea Seehorn) has to deal with a stubborn Tucumcari homeowner, and Nacho Varga (played by Michael Mando) is confronted by his father. The Guy for This was written by Ann Cherkis and directed by Michael Morris. Continue reading “REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “The Guy for This”” →

REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “50% Off”

The following is a recap and review of the second episode of the fifth season of Better Call Saul, available on AMC in the U. S. and on Netflix internationally. Expect story spoilers. 

In the second episode of the fifth season — 50% Off — Jimmy McGill (played by Bob Odenkirk) goes to work as Saul Goodman, Mike Ehrmantraut (played by Jonathan Banks) does a favor for his daughter-in-law, and Nacho Varga (played by Michael Mando) does what he can to earn Lalo Salamanca’s trust. 50% Off was written by Alison Tatlock and directed by Norberto Barba (making his Breaking Bad-universe debut). Continue reading “REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “50% Off”” →

REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “Magic Man”

The following is a recap and review of the season premiere of the fifth season of Better Call Saul, available on AMC in the U. S. and on Netflix internationally. Expect story spoilers. 

In the season premiere of the fifth season — Magic Man — Jimmy McGill (played by Bob Odenkirk) becomes Saul Goodman, Lalo Salamanca (played by Tony Dalton) investigates the disappearance of Werner Ziegler, and, in the Post-Breaking Bad future, ‘Gene’ calls an old friend and asks for help. Continue reading “REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “Magic Man”” →

REVIEW: Camino a Roma (2020 – Documentary)

Release Poster – Netflix

The following is a review of Road to Roma (Orig. Title: Camino a Roma) — Directed by Andrés Clariond Rangel & Gabriel Nuncio.

Andrés Clariond Rangel and Gabriel Nuncio’s Road to Roma is a making of-documentary about Alfonso Cuarón’s Oscar-winning Netflix film Roma. This documentary is available on Netflix right now, but it will also be available on the upcoming Criterion Collection release of the Netflix film. Therefore, one could argue that this is really just a glorified special feature, but since the documentary has a runtime of 73 minutes, I think, it deserves to be treated as its own thing and be reviewed, just like I reviewed Anthony Wonke’s The Director and the Jedi. Continue reading “REVIEW: Camino a Roma (2020 – Documentary)” →

REVIEW: To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You (2020)

Release Poster – Netflix

The following is a review of To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You — Directed by Michael Fimognari.

Netflix has only released its own films since late 2015, but, just five years later, the streaming service now has what could be a successful film series. 2018’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (from director Susan Johnson) was a surprise romantic-comedy hit that its young target audience ate up. Two years later and we now have its first sequel, Michael Fimognari’s To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You. Continue reading “REVIEW: To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You (2020)” →

Early 93rd Academy Awards Predictions – Special Features #63

I really enjoyed doing this for the last two years, so it’s happening again! It has become a tradition of mine. The 92nd Academy Awards ceremony was only just held a few days ago, and I’ve only seen, like, a handful of films from 2020 at this point. I think I have a pretty good idea of what is coming out this year, though. So, without further ado, let’s get to it. Continue reading “Early 93rd Academy Awards Predictions – Special Features #63” →