"The Kindergarten Teacher"

To their credit, Netflix has recently been producing quirky, indie films. And that's a good thing. I'm so tired of the predictable, overproduced Hollywood drivel. One of the better movies I've seen from them is "The Kindergarten Teacher". It's a remake of an Israeli movie from a few years ago. The movie stars Maggie Gyllenhaal, who plays, surprise, a kindergarten teacher. She takes an adult ed poetry class, where her poems aren't very well received by the teacher or classmates. One day, she discovers that one of her students makes up unique and original poems. She starts presenting them in class as her own, and they're extremely well received. The story is about her obsession with her 5-year old pupil and Ms Gyllenhaal gives an Oscar-worthy performance. I haven't seen the Israeli version, but I can't it being as powerful as this remake.
4.5 stars out of 5

"The Darkest Hour"

Okay I confess, this is one of the few movies I've rated that wasn't streaming on Netflix. It most likely will be soon, but I was so impressed by it, I thought I'd review it anyway.  First of all, Gary Oldman IS Winston Churchill. I can't imagine anyone personifying him better that Oldman did. A well-deserved Oscar winning performance. The story deals with the beginning of WWII when it didn't look good for the Brits. Germany had overrun most of Europe and the English were barely holding on to Calais and Dunkirk. The story focuses on Churchill's dilemma on whether to make a peace deal with Hitler or to fight them to the bitter end. The cinematography is remarkable to the point where I said to myself, several times through the movie, "Wow, that was an amazing shot." I like the fact that the movie focuses on a small part of the war, rather than do the typical Hollywood take, which would encompass the entire war. Definitely worth at least one rewatch.
5 stars out of 5

"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society"

Absolutely marvelous film. The Nazis take over this small British island off the coast of France during WWII. The story jumps back and forth between the occupation and a group of eccentric locals who form a book club, and a journalist, played by Lilly James, who contacts them after the war. Of course, the film takes a predictable romantic turn, but it's well done. The acting and the scenery are quite well done. It's one of those films that makes you want to travel there. Astonishingly beautiful island. I need to reread the book, which was great as well.
4.5 stars out of 5