"Bad Words"

 2013 * R * 1h 29m   Before I go any further, let me just say this film was crude, raunchy, nonsensical, politically incorrect, juvenile, obscene, and balls-out funny. It was one of those rare films where I actually laughed out loud. If you're easily offended, skip it. But if you're in the mood for something raucous, unexpected, and unpredictable, it's worth an hour and a half of your time. 

Jason Bateman enters the National Spelling Bee. He's done his homework and because of a loophole, he actually qualifies to compete as an adult. He's followed by a journalist, played by Kathryn Hahn, who plays off him quite well. Against her better judgement, she has several rolls in the hay with him. While he competes, he reluctantly befriends a young participant/competitor Chaitanya Chopra (Rohan Chand) and the two get into their fair share of trouble. There are a couple of escapades that I thought were absolutely hilarious. 

It's unclear until the very end of the movie why it's so important for him to compete and win the competition. But that's largely beside the point. It's just a rollicking good time getting there. I just don't know why this film isn't better known. Thank you Netflix for the recommendation!

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Netflix, and Prime Video. 

"What If"

 2013 * PG-13 * 1h 38m   How have I never heard of this one? It stars one of my favorite actors, Zoe Kazan, who's delightful in everything I've seen her in. And it also stars Daniel Radcliffe. Yes, THAT Daniel Radcliffe. It's the first contemporary role he's played in, and he commented that it was refreshing to walk on set and talk. A reference to playing Harry Potter he's famous for. 

Radcliffe plays Wallace, a medical school dropout who's recently broken up with his girlfriend He wants nothing to do with a serious relationship. Until he meets Chantry (Kazan), who's a professional animator and involved in a heavy-duty relationship. The two become fast friends and spend quite a bit of time together. And when Chantry's boyfriend Ben (Rafe Spall) takes a job overseas, they become even closer. And it raises the question, what if your best friend is also the love of your life?

Adam Driver plays his best friend and adds quite a bit of levity to the movie. I thought this film was absolutely delightful. It's full of interesting characters, great cinematography, and superb writing. It's one of those films you end up telling all your friends that just have to see it. And it does beg the question, why isn't this movie better known? 

4 out of 5 stars 

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

"I Came By"

 2022 * TV-MA * 1h 50m   Hugh Bonneville, best known for his role as the Earl in Downton Abbey, usually plays a genteel, likable character. Well, forget all that with this film. He plays a creepy, evil retired judge with some very dark secrets. 

The story begins with a couple of guys who are into tagging as a form of political protest. They break into prominent people's homes and spray paint an inside wall with the words "I came by". They happen to hit Sir Hector Blake's home one night and discover something mysterious in the basement. One of them returns and is caught by Blake and then goes missing. An investigation ensues and things get darker and darker. The film takes a number of twists and turns and keeps you guessing right until the ending. 

I thought I Came By was extremely well done. It was well written, well acted. and got incredibly intense at times. Truly "edge of your seat" thrilling. Mr. Bonneville was absolutely brilliant playing the epitome of evil. The only negative comment would be the way the film jumps around in time. It's hard to tell if a couple days have transpired or several months. Or even years. But other than that nit, it's a solid film. If you like tense thrillers, you won't be disappointed. 

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Netflix.

"Butter"

 2020 * PG-13A * 1h 51m  Bullying is a theme that's rarely touched on in movies and I feel that's a shame. It was one thing when I was growing up, but today in the digital age, it can be ten times more devastating. That's the overriding theme to this remarkable, offbeat, and entertaining movie. 

The story is about a heavily overweight teen, nicknamed "Butter", brilliantly played by Alex Kersting. He's a sensitive kid who also happens to be a brilliant jazz saxophonist. He's internet friends with a young classmate he has a crush on, Anna (McKaley Miller). She has no idea who her suitor is and they plan to meet on New Year's Eve. He has also hatched another plan. Butter's depression has led him to the idea of overeating to the point of killing himself on New Years, and plans to have the entire school watch it happen live on the net. 

His classmates get caught up in the frenzy of this disastrous event, to the point of egging him on, and suggesting various foods to OD on. And surprisingly, some of them befriend him. He sort of becomes one of the cool kids. A side story is his band teacher, who not only pushes him to pursue a music degree at Julliard, but to sit in with some local jazz cats. And his mom, played to the always great Mira Sorvino is totally supportive of him and encourages him with his weight problem, his music, and his relationship with his classmates. I thought the movie was charming, well acted, and well written. One of those films you just have no idea what to expect. Very entertaining. 

4 out of 5 stars. 

Currently streaming for free with your library card on Hoopla.com. Also on STARZ and Prime Video.

"I'm Not Here"

2017 * TV-MA * 1h 21m  J.K. Simmons. What an actor. What an amazing performance! And the thing that's even more incredible, is that Mr. Simmons doesn't have a single line of dialogue in the entire movie. All his thoughts and feelings are displayed by his facial expressions and body language. If you don't believe me, than you need to check this powerful film out for yourself. 

Mr. Simmons plays Steve, a bitter, sad, lonely drunk. He lives in a dreary pigsty of a place and we follow him through the course of an evening were he spends his time drinking and reminiscing about his life. His story is told through a series of flashbacks to his childhood, his college days, and his married life. The childhood Stevie is played by Iain Armitage, who does an excellent job of taking us through his difficult upbringing. The college age and married version is played by Sebastian Stan. Steve's father was a raging alcoholic and as it so often happens, he follows in his father's footsteps. It's not all dreary, and there are plenty of pleasant times with his wife and young child. 

However, the overriding theme is how alcohol and truly wreck ones marriage and life. This is one of those movies that will make you want to quit drinking, that's for sure. It makes its point without lecturing. And the acting is absolutely superb. I don't know if Simmons won any awards for I'm Not Here, but he sure deserved one. 

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free with your library card on Kanopy. 

"Elvis & Anabelle"

2007 * PG-13 * 1h 46m   What an excellent little indie flick.  It's one of those movies where anything's possible, is totally unpredictable, and you just sit back and enjoy the ride. The story focuses on Anabelle (Blake Lively), who's a teenage beauty queen. She's driven hard by her mother, played by Mary Steenburgen. Right after she's crowned, she passes out on stage and dies. She's brought to the funeral home and right before she's embalmed, she miraculously comes back to life. 

Her story intersects with Elvis (Max Minghella), who has taken the funeral home over from his feeble father Charlie (Joe Mantegna). Charlie is a sweet character who's not quite all there, and he spends his days playing golf in the fields adjacent to the funeral home. Elvis is doing all the work even though he's never been professionally trained or certified. 

Things get interesting when Anabelle runs away from home and hides out at the funeral home. At first she spends her time helping out around the place. However, she and Elvis decide to go on a road trip. To no ones surprise, they end up falling for each other. And the plot takes you in directions both predictable and unexpected. I thought both leads did an excellent job and you can definitely feel the chemistry between them. This is another film that for the life of me, I can't figure out why it isn't better known. If you're looking for something out of the ordinary, be sure to give this one a chance. 

4 out of 5 stars

It's currently streaming for free with your library card on Hoopla and on Prime Video. 

"The Nice Guys"

 2016 * R * 1h 56m   If you're up for an action-packed, fun-filled no-brainer of a movie, give this one a shot. It stars Russell Crowe  as Jackson Healy and Ryan Gosling as Holland March, a couple of knuckle-headed Private Eyes working in 1970s Las Angeles. They meet while looking into the apparent suicide of a famous porn star Misty Mountains. Holland isn't the brightest tool in the shed, and Healy is a bit of a thug, complete with a set of brass knuckles. Together they team up to look for Amelia, a person of interest. 

If I tried to explain the plot further, it would start to not make a whole lot of sense. In fact, this is one of those films where you really shouldn't overthink it and just sit back and enjoy the action, acting, and the humorous dialogue. I especially enjoyed the performance of Angourie Rice who plays Holly, Holland's precocious 13-year old daughter. She a real smart-ass and adds a bit of extra fun to the movie. Look for her to do some good things in the future!

I really don't know why this one flew under the radar--I'd never heard of it until it popped up as a rec on Netflix. Note to parents: The movie is rated R due to nudity and foul language. But I think it would be okay for a mature teenage kid. 

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Netflix and to rent on Prime Video.