Crystal Fairy & the Magical Cactus

I know it sounds like an animated Disney film, but it's far from it. In fact, it's the polar opposite of a Disney film. The story revolves around Jamie, (Michael Cera), who plays a self-centered, abrasive jerk. He's living in Chile and teams up with a bunch of natives to go on a trek in search of a cactus that produces mescaline. Another road trip, I know. But this one's is a bit different. They hook up with Crystal Fairy ( Gaby Hoffman) who is a New Age, young hippie. She looks a lot like Freda Kahlo, and probably acts a lot like the way she'd act today. They end up camping on a beach where they plan on ingesting the drug. The group has several deep conversations and Crystal gets each of the boys to open up. Unfortunately, it's no longer streaming on Netflix, but it's worth looking out for as a rental.
4 out of 5 stars

"Human Capital"

This movie starts with a hit-and-run accident and what follows it. It's basically about the rich versus the poor. A common theme. But it gets a lot more complicated then than that. The main suspect is a kid from a wealthy family who leaves a party so drunk he doesn't remember how he got home. But did he actually do it? You'll have to watch it to find out. The title of the movie comes from a term insurance company's use for the price of a human life, based on age, potential earnings, etc. Very cold-blooded but that's the real world. It's a griping drama that keeps you hanging on right until the end.
4.5 stars out of 5

"Midnight's Children"

An epic drama based on a novel by Salmon Rushdie. The story takes place mainly in India where two buys are born at midnight on the day the county gained its independence fro Britain. The boys are switched at birth, one is the son of a poor street musician, the other from an aristocratic family. The son being raised in the rich family discovers at a young age, he can summon various children from around India who were born on the same night, just after midnight. Hence the title, "Midnight's Children". They all have magical powers and they come together from time to time as the story progresses, during the separation on Pakistan and the war from independence of East Pakistan which becomes Bangladesh. The movie clocks in at 2 hours and 25 minutes, but the time flies by. The acting and the scenery are excellent.
4.5 out of 5 stars.

"The Suicide Theory"

What a powerful movie. It's all about fate. Without giving away too much of the story, I'll just say it's about severely depressed artist who hires a hit man to kill him. He maintains that although he's attempted suicide several times, he just can't be killed. And sure enough, the hit man shoots him on two occasions and he survives both incidents. As the plot enfolds, it turns out that both men have lost someone close to them, and that fate has thrown the two of them together. This is one dark film with a fair amount of violence. It's slow moving but in the end, there are a couple "Aha" moments that make it with watching. I sure didn't see the ending coming. Both Steve Muzakis and Leon Cane are incredible.
4 1/2 stars out of 5.

"Barefoot"

First of all, I have to admit, I love road trip movies. And as my daughter says, every movie and book is either the Iliad or the Odyssey. This movie is just one of those whacko, fun movies that you don't want to end. And one of those movies that you can't believe was totally overlooked by the critics.

The story is about a guy who works as a janitor in a mental institution. He hooks up with a mental patient and he pretends that she's his girlfriend as they go home to his family, who's famously wealthy, for his brother's wedding. They end up on a wild adventure/road trip and there the fun begins. What a sweet movie. The two principles are great and they have such wonderful chemistry together. Starring Evan Rachel Wood and Scott Speedman.
5 stars out of 5.

"Seeking a Friend for the End of the World".

It's miss-categorized as a sci-fi. Sure, the premise of the movie is the earth has been warned that a giant asteroid will destroy it in three weeks. But as my daughter pointed out, every story is either the "Illiad" or the "Odyssey".  So this story is about a woman who would like to re-unite with her family in England (the movie takes place in the U.S.) and a guy who would like to reunite with a childhood sweetheart. They go on a road trip during end-times. It stars Steve Carell and Kiera Knightley who have a wonderful chemistry together. Even though it's a road trip, you know how it's going to end. One of the finer movies I've seen in the last year.

5 stars out of 5

The Skeleton Twins

Great movie. It's about a set of twins who decide to commit suicide on the same day.  It's about a totally dysfunctional family. And it's so much fun to watch.  It features Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, and Luke Wilson.  Not a happy movie, but really well done. This movie is zany at times but what a fun ride it is. Wonderful cinematography. Well worth checking out.
4.5 out of 5 stars