Fall Netflix Movie Wrap-Up!
As you might have already known from reading my blog, I love watching movies as much as I love reading books. Today, I though I’d share with you just some of the great movies on Netflix I’ve enjoyed throughout the fall season.
1) Leap Year (2010)
Synopsis: Leap Year is an American romantic comedy film starring Amy Adams and Matthew Goode. The film is about a woman who heads to Ireland to ask her boyfriend to accept her wedding proposal on leap day, when tradition supposedly holds that men cannot refuse a woman’s proposal for marriage. Her plans are interrupted by a series of increasingly unlikely events and are further complicated when she hires a handsome innkeeper to take her to her boyfriend in Dublin.
Verdict: This is such a cute rom-com and I really enjoyed it. Even though the film has an indie feel and look it’s actually a major motion picture. I like how they kept everything simplistic and I think Ireland’s serene landscape adds to the beauty of the cinematography. Adams and Goode have great chemistry in this film and it’s hilarious to watch the crazy antics they get into. I also feel like the movie sends a good message about not always chasing after love and letting love find you. 4/5 stars!
2) Dream House (2011)
Synopsis: Will Atenton, played by Daniel Craig, leaves his job as a successful editor in the city in order to spend more time in the suburbs with his wife, Libby (Rachel Weisz), and their two daughters and write a book. At first, they appear to be living the American dream in an idyllic small-town home they have just moved into. But despite the seemingly perfect house, it soon becomes apparent to Will that something isn’t right.
Verdict: In the midst of the Halloween movie season, my mom and I were looking for something a bit spooky and suspenseful. This movie proved to be the right choice. It has a lots of twists and turns to keep the viewer constantly engaged; no doubt it will keep you on your toes. It’s a bit hard to talk about this movie without giving too much away, but I will say that it’s kinda similar to Inception, where nothing is as it seems. 4/5!
3) Sarafina (1992)
Synopsis: This movie stars Leleti Khumalo as the main character Sarafina and Whoopi Goldberg as her teacher Mary Masombuka. The plot centres on students involved in the Soweto Riots, which happened in opposition to the implementation of Afrikaans as the language of instruction in schools.
Verdict: This dramatic movie is as uplifting as it is heartbreaking. In watching the film, I learned bout the Soweto Riots which occurred in June of 1976. At that time there were a series of protests led by high school students in South Africa were met with fierce police brutality. The scenic landscape of South Africa as well as the musical numbers featured in the film were beautiful and uplifting, but at times this film was hard to watch because of the violent events that happen during the course of the film. The acting is somewhat sub-par, but I think this is a great educational movie to teach people about this event. 3/5 stars!
4) Babadook (2014)
Synopsis: The Babadook tells the horror story of a single mother (Essie Davis), plagued by the violent death of her husband, battles with her son’s (Noah Wiseman) fear of a monster lurking in the house, but soon discovers a sinister presence all around her.
Verdict: This film was one of the best horror/thriller films I have seen in a long time. It was innovative and creepy. What is so great about this movie is that it doesn’t rely on cheap thrills (ex. jump scares) and builds up suspense from the very beginning. It’s part “things that go bump in the night” and part psychological thriller. The Babadook is not only a monster, but is also a metaphor for the things that scare us. In this case, it focuses on the powerful emotion of grief. The only disappointing thing about this film was the ending, and I felt a bit left down by how everything came together. 5/5 stars!
5) Instructions Not Included (2013)
Synopsis: Instructions Not Included is a Mexican comedy-drama film co-written, directed by, and starring Eugenio Derbez. The story follows Valentín Bravo, a man who is Acapulco’s local playboy and has to make a new life for himself when a baby (who is supposedly his) ends up on his doorstep.
Verdict: I was browsing through some of the newly added comedy films when I happened upon this gem. This film is hilarious and Valentín’s craziness kept me constantly laughing throughout the movie. Though it is a comedy it’s also has its serious moments and some of the heart-warming/breaking scenes had me in tears. The best part of the movies is the father and daughter relationship between actors Eugenio Derbez and Loreto Peralta. I like the message this film gives to its viewers and I would highly recommend it. 5/5 stars!
And that concludes my fall Netflix movie roundup! What movies on Netflix or in general have you watched recently? Comment below with your picks and suggestions for good flicks. 🙂
THIS BLOG claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to its respectful owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.
