"Space Oddity"

 2022 * PG-13 * 1h 32m   This is a great example of why I enjoy well-made indie flicks. It has a cast of relatively unknown actors (at least to me), with the exception of Kevin Bacon, it has a relatively flat story arc, and a tight, well-written script. 

The story is about the McAllister family, headed by Jeff (Bacon) and Jane (Carrie Preston). Their son Alex  (Kyle Allen) is a brilliant, young twenty something who is focused on participating in a supposed mission to Mars. The program is not part of NASA but is a privately funded effort. It really smells tome of a scam, but he's totally on board, since he's one of the finalists among all the volunteers. His family owns a flower farm and is just barely getting by. Just about everyone he encounters tries to tell him it's probably not real, but he's determined to venture out into space. 

As the film progresses, we learn about the oldest son who died in a car crash and the effects it's had on the family. And it explains how it's caused Alex to be totally in denial. It's one of those films where dialogue trumps action, and you feel you're right there with the family. I thought the entire cast was great, and I've always enjoyed anything that has Kevin Bacon in it. If you're looking for something a bit different, give this one a go. 

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free with your library card on Kanopy.com and Hoopla.com.

"Colonia"

 2015 * R * 1h 50m   If you're looking for a tense, nail-biting drama based on true events, this should do the trick. It takes place in Chile during the military coup of 1973, and stars a trio of great actors who all turn in award-worthy performances: Emily Watson, Daniel Bruhl, and Michael Nyqvist. 

Daniel (Bruhl) and Lena (Watson) are young lovers who are in the wrong place in the wrong time. He's a photojournalist living in Chile. Lena is a stewardess who, during a layover, spends some time with Daniel. He's arrested for taking potentially damaging photographs and is sent to Colonia Dignidad, a mysterious "religious" compound in the heart of the jungle. There he's tortured and held prisoner by the cult leader Paul Schafer (Nyqvist). He's the total embodiment of evil, and from the moment he appears on screen, I found my stomach churning. Lena pretends she's a nun and volunteers to join the order there, 

A bulk of the movie is spent revealing the horrible conditions of the compound and the attempt of the young couple to escape. This was some of he most tense and realistic movie viewing I've ever experienced. Naturally, you pull for Daniel and Lena and it's almost painful to watch. What a great film! not sure why it didn't get more attention when it was released. 

4 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming  for free on Kanopy and Hoopla (with your library card) and Freevee. And to rent on Prime. 

"Shelter"

2014 * TV-MA * 1h 45m   This is not a happy film, but I think it deals with an important topic that's largely ignored in this country. Homelessness. It's all around us, and yet we rarely see it. And it's even rarer to to get an inside glimpse into the causes of it. This is the writing and directing debut for the British actor Paul Bettany, and what a powerful film it is. 

The story centers around Tahir (Anthony Mackie) and Hannah (Jennifer Connelly). Tahir is a Nigerian Muslim who's in this country on an expired visa. He lives on the street and earns a bit of money drumming on plastic buckets. Hannah is a suicidal heroin addict, who dumpster dives to survive. The two meet one day, and eventually fall in love. "Shelter" follows their gritty existence over the course of a couple years They move from shelter to shelter and gradually open up about their tragic histories and what brought them to life on the streets. 

While the film is not for the faint of heart, it grabs you right from the opening scene. As you learn about what brought them to the streets of New York, you really get involved in their lives and feel for them. I thought the acting from the two leads was terrific. And the camerawork puts you right there with them. If you're looking for something a bit different, give this film a shot. 

3 1/2 out of 5 stars. 

Currently streaming on Kanopy.com and Hoopla.com (with your library card).

"I'm Totally Fine"

 2022 * TV-MA * 1h 23m  I wasn't sure what to expect with this one. And I was very pleasantly surprised. I thought the acting was terrific. The story and writing were both great. I just love little indie films like this. It's sort of a sci-fi, but not really. It's about a woman Vanessa (Jillian Bell) who just lost her business partner and friend from childhood Jennifer (Natalie Morales). She goes to a villa out in the country that she had originally rented to celebrate their business. But now she's going to spend the weekend on her own.

When she gets there, the caterer show up and she's told she can't cancel her arrangements, and she's already paid for the party. So they set up for a big bash, complete with a ton of food and booze.Then a woman arrives who looks exactly like her partner. But, in fact, it's an alien doing research on humans. The two end up getting into a bunch of mischief together. I know it sounds corny, but it's actually very well done. And it's pretty touching as well.

I especially liked the scene where the dj shows up and they end up trashing the place while celebrating.

If you're looking for something a bit different, give this one a chance.

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Hoopla.com (with your library card), and Hulu. And to rent on Prime Video.