Selma

Ignorance is bliss.  I say it often when overwhelmed by matters that I feel are greater than I am capable of changing.  Sounds pathetic, and in ways it is, yet it's merely a coping mechanism.  Not everyone is Martin Luther King, not everyone is capable of making great strides in change.  What I am capable of is being an example to those around me, speaking up when I feel the need, and moved to do so.  This is what I do, it's how I live my life.  I do not know a lot about the civil rights movement, so Selma was a history lesson for me more than any form of "entertainment".  I'm sure I would have enjoyed the movie more had I had more context, or knew about the subject matter.  As a movie on it's own, it was informative, thought provoking, and as white man, embarrassing. Do I recommend it on it's own merit's as a film?  No.  Do I recommend it as a vehicle to learn and know more about the issue, about history, about civil rights?  Absolutely. 

Grand Budapest Hotel

Continuing my plan to watch all last year’s Oscar Nom’s for Best Picture (available on Netflix anyways) I caught “Grand Budapest Hotel” today.  Probably the least anticipated on the list, but the runtime at 99 minutes fit the bill between night shifts.  Labeled a comedy, I far from found it “funny”, but did find it rather intriguing.  A few smiles were cracked, but no LOL’s were had, the story was interesting and compared to most comedies this day, I would have to say I’d prefer this type of comedy over the shock-humour that every other comedy goes for.  A pleasant way to spend an hour and a half, it’s not for everyone, and wouldn’t make it on any of my “best of” lists, but not bad enough that I think you should skip, so with that, recommend.

Birdman

Best Picture, oh Best Picture, you never let me down.  I scan the Oscar winners every year and come back saying “Never even HEARD of it” so often, then, after a viewing, almost always say "That was really good”.  Some Examples: The Artist,  The Hurt Locker, The King’s Speech, Slumdog Millionaire, Million Dollar Baby, and A Beautiful Mind.  Last year’s winner “Birdman” was no exception to this trend.   After seeing some trailers and whatnot, I was intrigued, then it fell off my radar.  Then Netflix had it streaming, I put it on “My List” and away it went again.  Finally, while I take a break from TV shows on Netflix, I decided to give this a try.  What a phenomenal movie.  I absolutely loved it.  I typically enjoy non main-stream films, I’m not bragging about it, but I prefer a good drama to the latest “shoot-em-up”.  I’m the complete opposite when it comes to video games.  Games I want less story, more action, but that’s probably because most game stories are just plain bad.  So while I’d take “Ted Who Lives at Home” over “The Avengers” , I’d much prefer “Call of Duty” to “The Witcher”.   Birdman strengthens my stance on this idea.  It has nothing to do with videogames, but everything to do with “meaningful” subject matter in film or on stage.  A man plagued by his history of doing big budget superhero movies trying to break free from personal demons and a history that haunts him.  Each cast member is fighting their own battle, and the movie just emphasises how self centered we all are.  Great acting, amazing cast and concept.  While I would have preferred a more definitive ending, I can’t help but give this my highest recommendation.

Taken 2

I loved the first “Taken”, so was naturally a little disappointed when I’d heard mediocre things about the sequel.  3 years later I finally gave in and watched this via Netflix, and while the action sequences were pretty good, there’s a lot to be desired with the rest of the plot. Baby girl is all growed up which makes it difficult to view her as a child trying to get her drivers licence.  Please, what is she?  30?  And kissing her first boy…aww… barf.  Then when Liam Neeson squares up with that guy in a makeshift wrestling ring…please.  I did like the final encounter with the main villain, until he killed him by poking him in the eye.  Wow.  Pass.

Indie Game The Movie

Fantastic documentary, that despite all of these games being successful, made me feel a little sad when it was over.  This is a story of 3 indie developers (one duo) and what they went through in developing their game.  Each developer is very likeable and very different in persona.  The movie gave me a lot more respect for indie developers and what they go to get their product out … but when it’s out, it seems like that’s where the actual “pain” starts.  It’s beautifully shot and produced.  I’d recommend it to gamers and non-gamers alike.

The Walking Dead: Season 5

Talk about a slow burn, the first half of season 5 had me ready to give up, but I flew through the final 6 episodes in a couple days.  I really felt like they did a great job in making the series interesting again.  Too many years "on the run" had me feeling a little burned out.  Rick shaves everybody!  Recommend.

Master of None

It felt good to be hooked on a show again.  I burned through all 10 episodes in about a week and was left wanting more.  A great comedy for a generation slightly younger than me, but I'm not too old to appreciate and understand it.  Very smart, very funy, and quite touching.  Definitely gave me "all the feels".  Recommend.