"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. 

"Downsizing"

2017 * R * 2h 15m  Here's a perfect example of a good film that flew totally under the radar. With stars like Matt Damon and Kristen Wiig, you'd think it would have gotten more publicity. Before I get into my review, I should warn you that the trailer is a bit misleading. It's billed as a comedy, and the trailer sure makes it seem like one. But, while it has a few amusing bits, it's not a comedy at all. 

In the near future, a scientist discovers a way to shrink humans down to five inches tall. This is sold as a way to solve many of the worlds problems. If the entire population is shrunk down, they'll consume less natural resources and reduce global warming. So Paul Safranek (Damon) and his wife Audrey (Wiig) decide to undergo the transformation. After Paul has been shrunk, he discovers his wife has chickened out and he has to live in the small persons community by himself. 

While there, he meets some interesting characters. One is his neighbor Dusan (Christoph Walz), a Bosnian entrepreneur and playboy. He also encounters his cleaning woman Ngoc Lan Tran, played by Hong Chau ("The Menu" and "The Whale"). He helps her with her physical problems and in her quest to feed her needy neighbors. Eventually he falls for her. I thought it was an interesting story and the film was quite engaging. Not your typical Hollywood fare, and something quite a bit different for a Matt Damon movie. 

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free with your library card on Kanopy.com.  And on Paramount+ and to rent on Prime Video. 

"Set Fire to the Stars"

2014 * Not Rated * 1h 37m  It's refreshing to see Elijah Wood branch out from his "Lord of the Rings" days.  And this was a pretty challenging role for him. I don't know how much you know about the poet Dylan Thomas, but he was an out of control drunk and madman. Just imagine being responsible for his behavior?!! That's exactly what Wood's character has to do. 

The film is about Dylan Thomas's "Celyn Jones) first trip to the United States. John Malcolm Brinnin (Wood) is a professor of poetry and volunteers to keep the rowdy Welsh poet out of trouble before and during his poetry-reading tour of the country. Upon his arrival in NYC, Thomas gets in all sorts of trouble driving and carousing. Brinnin takes him to his family cabin in rural  Connecticut. Even there, miles from the nearest big city, Thomas manages to find his fair share of liquor. I think I got a bit of a hangover watching the movie!

The film takes place in the late 1940s, and the B&W footage, perfect costuming, and excellent use of vintage cars and locations, really give one the feel for the time. And the acting is just remarkable. While I've long been a fan of the amazing poet, it sure shows the sad and hopeless side of him. 

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

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

"The Tree"

2010 * Not Rated * 1h 40m   What an absolutely gorgeous film. It's a gently-paced story about love, loss, and healing. "The Tree" stars the always wonderful Charlotte Gainsbourg and the young and immensely talented Morgan Davies. If you're looking for a film that's just pure poetry in filmmaking, don't miss this one.

Dawn (Gainsbourg) lives in the Australian Outback  with her husband and four children. While returning from a job delivering a pre-fab home, her husband suddenly dies. After the initial shock, the family members deal with his passing in their own way and move on. While climbing a massive and gnarly tree adjacent to their house, six-year old Simone (Davies), hears her father's voice speaking to her through the rustling leaves. Dawn also gains comfort in sitting in the tree and conversing with her late husband. In order to pay the bills, Dawn takes a job with a plumber George (Marton Csokas), and the two become romantically involved. 

The film is shot in the beautiful part of northern Australia, and it provides a perfect backdrop for the action. The family takes a vacation to the shore, and the scenery is stunning. Just miles and miles of pristine shoreline. George joins them, and it causes a bit of friction with the children. When they return home, it's discovered that the roots of the gigantic tree are ruining their plumbing. Theft that they need to cut it down is more than a bit upsetting to young Simone. I thought it beautifully symbolized her inability to let go of her father. When the film was over, I just sat there for a bit to collect myself. It's quite a moving experience. 

4 out of 5 stars

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