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25 Best Films Watched on Netflix in 2021
29 Wednesday Dec 2021
29 Wednesday Dec 2021
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17 Saturday Apr 2021
Posted movies
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a week away, bill murray, cape fear, chef, clint eastwood, film, film analysis, film review, film reviews, films, geena davis, Jessica Lange, netflix, netflix original, quick change, red river, seaspiracy, shoplifters, sofia vergara, vegan, vegan diet, vegan lifestyle, vegeterian, vegeterian diet, veggie
Seaspiracy
I’ve been vegan for 11 years and since then I’ve been trying to educate my parents on the disastrous effects of animal consumption, sadly without success. I’ve asked them to watch this with me today and they were left shocked, but I don’t think this will affect their eating habits. We’re watching Cowspiracy tomorrow.
8/10
Shoplifters
I watched Our Little Sister last year and loved it, and finally got the chance to watch Shoplifters. My dad said it was too slow for him, but I absolutely love Yasujiro Ozu’s films and this has a similar structure and slow pace.
9/10
Quick Change
I loved every minute of this and I only learned of its existence yesterday. And I’m so glad I did, Geena Davis and Bill Murray are great and the film is truly funny.
‘Since when is illegal to run for a bus?’
7/10
Unfaithful
In my middle school music room the teacher had a giant poster of this film on the wall, distracting the students. 13 year old girls would swoon over Richard Gere and others would laugh at the poster. Many seemed to know this film, I didn’t. I finally watched it today and it’s everything I thought it would be, and that’s not a compliment. Also there is a rape that turns into a consexual sex that is just repulsive. Actually all of the sex scenes in the film are.
3.5/10
Chef
A friend has been telling me about the 1 Second Everyday app for a while now and I remember their website saying ‘as seen in Chef’ and yes, the film promotes different apps, mostly focusing on Twitter. The father-son relationship is charming and the film shows working working in a family business well. Whenever I think of food trucks, my mind automatically goes to Switched at Birth and Daphne getting a food truck from her estranged biological father.
6/10
Cape Fear
I just really felt like rewatching this today. Also, I don’t think I’ve noticed it before, but Jessica Lange is rocking that short haircut. Juliet Lewis and Robert DeNiro share an extremely gross kiss and have both been nominated for Oscars for their roles.
9/10
Red River
You know it’s a bank holiday If I’m suddenly logging a lot of westerns watched with my dad or romcoms and TV movies watched with my mom. This western was directed by Howard Hawks and stars John Wayne. This must not have been easy to film with the hundreds of animals running around. This film also made me want to check out other films Joanne Dru has been in and I haven’t heard of her before watching this film.
7/10
Fatal Honeymoon
I’ve heard of this case before and this was a good enough and typical for Lifetime recreation of events. Harvey Keitel stars as Tina’s father. I also really miss living in Queensland and think of Australia almost every day.
6/10
A Week Away
So this is Camp Rock for hardcore Christians? My family only made it through 30 min.
2/10
15 Monday Mar 2021
Posted Jane Fonda, movies
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a prescription for murder, bill murray, death to 2020, disappearance at clifton hill, film review, film reviews, films, goon, Jane Fonda, john candy, movie review, movies, mubi, netflix, netflix original, operation varsity blues the college admissions scandal, our souls at night, red joan, reviews, robert redford, stripes, tartuffe
Our Souls at Night
Redford and Fonda’s 4th film together. Does The Chase count though, they barely had any scenes together. I’m a huge fan of both, so this was a real treat I’ve been saving for a stressful day for almost four years.
7/10
Disappearance at Clifton Hill
I appreciate them trying to make this horror creepy, the sound mixing certainly was spooky at times and I was invested in solving this mystery, but it just wasn’t exciting enough.
5/10
Operation Varsity Blues The College Admissions Scandal
I have been following this case closely for 2 years, and this documentary didn’t teach me anything new. Also, I’ve been a fan of Lori Loughlin since Full House and Felicity Huffman since Desperate Housewives, so 2019 was a weird year for me.
5/10
Goon
I have been following this case closely for 2 years, and this documentary didn’t teach me anything new. Also, I’ve been a fan of Lori Loughlin since Full House and Felicity Huffman since Desperate Housewives, so 2019 was a weird year for me.
4/10
Stripes
You know I’ll watch any comedy as long as John Candy stars in it.
6/10
Tartuffe
I was not expecting for both of Murnau’s films I watched today to be this bland. I love Sunrise and Nosferatu, but this and The Haunted Castle were dissapointing.
4.5/10
Red Joan
I was considering seeing this at the cinema two years ago, and I’m glad I didn’t. This is only good enough to watch in the background while doing something else. She spends the last 15 min of the film trying to find a way to run to Australia. Can I get on a boat an move back to Australia too, please?
5/10
Hailey Dean Mysteries: A Prescription for Murder
My family loves Hallmark mysteries, so here I am. I’ve only seen one other Hailey Dean Mystery before, Death on Duty and I liked this one much more. I actually got the killer wrong, and that’s always nice.
5/10
Death to 2020
A lot of the material is not funny and some is plain stupid, but the jokes about Boris Johnson were on point, including calling him a scarecrow. Most delivered by Hugh Grant.
‘In the UK, everyday citizens celebrate the countdown to Brexit-cide and the recent installation of newly-elected Prime Ministerial scarecrow, Boris Johnson.’
‘Prime Minister and haystack Boris Johnson decides that since Britain is no longer part of Europe, it can safely ignore the warnings. He encourages those who haven’t already died to go about their business as usual, but with a greater emphasis on hygiene.’
‘The Prime Minister might have to be replaced by someone less qualified than him. Which is impossible.’
5/10
09 Saturday Jan 2021
Posted movies
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cafe, clea duvall, film, film analysis, film review, film reviews, films, greys, greys anatomy, happiest season, italian neo realism, jennifer love hewitt, kristen stewart, Laura Linney, lgbt film, lgbt movie, little fires everywhere, movie, movie review, movie reviews, movies, neo realism, netflix, netflix film, peter's forest, reese witherspoon, review, reviews, the christmas chronicles, the christmas chronicles 2, the city of your final destination, the secret garden, the towering inferno, two women
The Towering Inferno
This was an uncomfortable re-watch post 9/11 and the Grenfell tragedy. This film clearly contributed to many questioning why no helicopters were used in the evacuation of the Twin Towers and the Grenfell Tower.
7.5/10
Happiest Season
I’ve seen a lot of Christmas films and none of them focused on a same sex couple. I think the fact that I could relate to it automatically prevented me from hating this film, even if multiple scenes annoyed me. Lauren Lapkus playing a security guard gave me Orange is the New Black feels. I loved the way Stewart delivered the ‘They also think, that… I’m straight.’ line. And that Clea Duvall cameo.
‘That lifestyle choice.’
‘Such a shame.’
‘They’re my parents and I’m scared that if I tell them who I really am, I will lose them.’
7/10
Little Fires Everywhere
I’ve just rewatched this with the family today and it’s still a great mini-series. I probably enjoyed it more now, as my family was so into the story, they pleaded we watch another episode even though it was already 4am. What stroke me the most while I rewatched this was AnnaSophia Robb’s portrayal of Reese Witherspoon’s younger version. I’ve been following her career since Bridge to Terabithia, so I know apart from The Carrie Diaries, she’s had many roles in many small and very average projects. She gives a wonderful performance here and is a better Elena than Reese herself.
10/10
Two Women
The middle parts were a bit slow and uneventful, but the last ten minutes are brutal and compelling.
7/10
The City of Your Final Destination
I’m taking a break from watching shitty Christmas films with my family to dive into my favourite, Italian neorealism. I watched this for Laura Linney. It reminded me of Youth, but it wasn’t quite as good.
5/10
Cafe
This reminded me of Jennifer Love Hewitt’s abusive husband arc on 911. This average TV movie dips its fingers in numerous genres including psychological, sci-fi, mystery, fantasy and drama. It’s not for me, but my pre-teen self would surely appreciate The Sims reference.
5/10
Peter’s Forest
This reminded me of that Grey’s Anatomy episode back in season 3 I believe, when a person with HPV came in and he was covered in warts that looked like tree branches. Here, someone has their tree branch arm chopped off at one point.
5/10
The Christmas Chronicles 2
The first film was fun, but even the Back to the Future twist didn’t help the sequel. Also, It’s hard to believe Chris Columbus wrote and directed this film.
5/10
The Secret Garden
Is this a remake of The Secret Garden or Bridge to Terabithia? Out of all the recent remakes, I knew from the minute I saw the trailer, this was going to be the most pointless one. Why would you remake Agnieszka Holland’s timeless classic? Because special effects are so advanced nowadays? The Secret Garden doesn’t need them.
4/10
31 Thursday Dec 2020
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best films, best movies, films, hbo, hbo go, letterboxd, movies, mubi, netflix, reviews, top films
I’ve watched 907 films in 2020. I’ve made this list on my letterboxd, and thought I would screenshot and paste it here. I was very much obsessed with Filmbox Arthouse and Mubi this year. A few are rewatches, but ones that I haven’t seen in 10+ years, so I’m leaving them in. Almost all of them are first time watches. Some of these were reviewed on here throughout the year, if there’s a film on this list you’d like me to review, or any film really, please let me know.
Check out my 2019 list: https://joanneholly.com/2019/12/13/200-best-films-watched-in-2019/
29 Tuesday Dec 2020
Posted movies
in09 Monday Nov 2020
Posted movies, sarah paulson
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a babysitter's guide to monster hunting, a summer's tale, after school special, alexandra daddario, conte d'ete, eric rohmer, film, film analysis, film review, film reviews, films, horizon line, horror, horror film, horror review, movie, movie review, movie reviews, movies, netflix, netflix film, netflix original, nobody sleeps in the woods tonight, oona laurence, sarah paulson, scarface, taissa farmiga, the craft, the craft legacy, the house that jack built, the other lamb, the turning, we have always lived in the castle, what we do in the shadows
The Craft: Legacy
I have a feeling other than myself and the 50 year old male in the audience, no one at my screening has actually seen the original The Craft, which is disappointing. Legacy would have been so much better if they chose to focus on what happened to the four girls from the first film, instead of creating a whole new story and then desperately try to make a correlation at the end. Also, I’m disappointed two scenes from the trailer weren’t used in the final film.
5/10
Horizon Line
Way better than I expected. The question here is, did you catch yourself imagining what you would have done if you were in the character’s shoes, while watching the film? If so, it means the film is a success. Last film watched at the cinema before the second national lockdown, possibly the last film watched at the pictures in 2020?
7/10
Nobody Sleeps in the Woods Tonight
Poland is known for its beautiful forests, among many things. The filmmakers took every slasher based in the middle of nowhere and put it into one quite entertaining watch. I think the slasher it made me think of the most is The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Also, I really love the title.
6/10
The Other Lamb
The red and blue wardrobe sure reminded me of The Handmaid’s Tale. I loved this atmospheric horror from Polish filmmakers Małgorzata Szumowska and Michał Englert. The film is visually stunning. Disappearing from Mubi in 2 weeks.
8/10
After-School Special
I never would have guessed they were going to go there. This left me shocked and uncomfortable, but this short was supposed to do just that, so it worked.
6.5/10
Scarface
I’m a big fan of Brian De Palma, so obviously I love his Scarface remake. Today I finally got to see the original and I didn’t like it quite as much as the remake.
7/10
What We Do in the Shadows
This was my third attempt, successful this time, and I’m still not in love with it and I don’t really understand why.
6/10
The House that Jack Built
‘I couldn’t resist running that little old lady over.’
Lars von Trier’s return to horror. I can’t stop thinking of the hunting scene.
8/10
The Turning
I remember deciding not to see it at the cinema earlier this year, and yet I chose to waste my Halloween on it? What’s wrong with me?
2/10
We Have Always Lived in the Castle
Awesome title, average film.
5/10
A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting
I grew up watching Goosebumps the TV series, and I don’t think I would have enjoyed this film much as a kid, because it lacked scary parts. The hypnotising song was awesome though and I will still most likely watch the sequel if there is to be one. I’ve been following Oona Laurence’s career since her SVU episode and the brilliant film The Lamb.
5/10
Conte D’Ete aka A Summer’s Tale
I wish this wasn’t my introduction to Éric Rohmer, because it really put me off checking out his other films. Three of his films are on Mubi, and I was hoping to watch them if I liked this one, but now I don’t think I will. This was a required viewing for film school and there is no way I’m picking this film to write my next essay on.
5/10
31 Monday Aug 2020
Posted movies
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amazon, aussie film, barbra streisand, blue crush, brisbane, chemical hearts, chinese film, elisa & marcela, elisa and marcela, fanatyk, film, film analysis, film review, film reviews, films, funny girl, hearts of atlantis, horror film, house, instapsycho, japanese film, japanese horror, laura slade, laura slade wiggins, laura wiggins, lesbian, lgbt, lgbt cinema, lgbt film, lgbt movie, lgbtq, lifetime, lifetimetv, lili reinhart, makenzie vega, makenzie vega norfolk, mika boorem, netflix, peyton list, polish film, so long my son, swimming for gold, the half of it, the war against women
First time using the new WordPress editor. It took me good few minutes to figure out where everything is. Inserting picture is now a little more complicated I think, I don’t really know how to adjust size of images, but I’ll figure out soon. I really like how you can highlight what text you want to move and just click the arrows, without having to drag it or click Copy and Paste. Last week I finally caved in and got myself Amazon Prime. Between Mubi, Filmbox Arthouse, HBO GO, Netflix and Amazon, I will never run out of films to watch.
So Long, My Son
Amazing take on China’s one child policy. I think this would have benefited from chronological scene order, but it was a treat anyway. I have renewed Mubi for another year and this is the first film I watched with my new subscription. I just learned yesterday that this film is coming to HBO Go and I cannot wait to show it to my dad next week.
9/10
Funny Girl
I understand Fanny’s attachment and forgiveness. I really wish they showed us what happened after, because speaking from experience, not much comes close to stressing about the loved one doing the same thing again in the future. It’s a thought that never really leaves your head. On a happy note though, I really liked most of Barbra’s costumes in this film.
You think beautiful girls are going to stay in style forever? I should say not! Any minute now they’re going to be out! Finished! Then it’ll be my turn!
8/10
The War Against Women
It angers me that men will always have that one thing that they can take away from women. Think of all the home invasion films, criminals encounter a male and think ‘Let’s beat him up’, they encounter a female ‘Let’s rape her’. They never think of doing these nasty things to other men, yet they’ll always have that power over women and sadly too many use it as a weapon. This is a great short. It’s on Netflix, go watch it.
7/10
Hearts in Atlantis
What a nice surprise. This is based on two Stephen King novellas? Which ones? First love and being young. What a magical time. I am very nostalgic and I miss my care free childhood every day, so this film is ideal for me. I’ve decided a long time ago, that I will never sell my family home, because I have so many wonderful memories associated with it. I am an only child and spent a lot of my time in that house by myself, so it will always be my safe space. I try to visit as much as I can. I didn’t like the mind reading mumbo jumbo, but everything else was amazing. They don’t make family films like this anymore.
‘You know, when you’re young, you have moments of such happiness, you think you’re living in some-place magical, like Atlantis must have been. Then we grow up, and our hearts break in two.’
‘I wouldn’t have missed a single minute of it, Bobby. Not for the whole world.’
‘Why do we always expect home to stay the same? Nothing else does.’
‘It’s funny how when you’re a kid, a day can last forever. Now, all these years seem just like a blink.’
‘I never heard from Ted Brautigan again. Not that I didn’t think of him. I always have. I always will. Because that summer was the last of my childhood. And though I never again saw what people were thinking, there was an enduring gift that he left me. What Ted did was open my eyes, and let the future in. I wouldn’t have missed a minute of it. Not for all the world.’
8/10
House
I probably would have never come across it if it wasn’t for Mubi. This film must be what a long acid trip must be like. I liked it a lot, but I’m not into lights constantly flashing, hence the lower rating.
7/10
Blue Crush
Switched at Birth was a brilliant teen show from Lizzy Weiss about the deaf community, but this is just another teen surf film, like the one with Camilla Bello from around the same time.
4/10
Chemical Hearts
My dad asked ‘Is that the Blackhood’s daughter?’ when he walked past the living room and saw me watching this. I don’t get the hype, but I’m all for unhappy endings.
6/10
Swimming For Gold
I mainly watched this because I used to live in Brisbane and I miss it every day. Guess how much Brisbane they showed us in this… It was just an Aussie version of Bunk’d, Peyton List even had an annoying friend just like on that post-Jessie show. Don’t ask me how I know this, I used to babysit a lot and most of my friends have kids now. Everyone seems to be into another show Peyton is in, Cobra Kai, which is now on Netflix.
5/10
Elisa and Marcela
I really liked the first act, but most of came after angered me. I’m also glad I’m not the only one who googled how exactly she got pregnant from just that one time.
6/10
The Half of It
Undoubtedly Netflix’s best original teen movie. I just love how innocent it is and that the writers didn’t force her to come out to her dad. If she did come out and he would accept her, I would have been disappointed and my rating would have been lower. I like that despite everything that happened in the film, she is still very much in the closet.
7/10
InstaPsycho
It amazes me how Laura Slade Wiggins, best known from Shameless, still plays a teenager at 32. Also, these Lifetime films crack me up. Show me a bigger guilty pleasure, I’ll wait.
4/10
Fanatyk
And to think I almost didn’t give this awesome short a chance, because it’s advertised as a film about fishing, which is exactly why my dad wouldn’t watch it with me. Fishing’s boring and I’m against it as a vegan, but this film isn’t.
7/10