Netflix Nourishment: 14th Edition

Share This Post

EXTREMELY WICKED, SHOCKINGLY EVIL AND VILE

A deranged and distorted love story seen through the eyes of Elizabeth Kloepfer, Ted Bundy‘s one true love who fell head-over-heels for the kinder, gentler side of a maniac and monster. Director Joe Berlinger’s approach is for us to see him as Kloepfer once did, but her blindness is not ours. It’s a little too late for the audience to believe Bundy’s bullshit. With the understanding of this film being hers and not Bundy’s – it’s still shocking that Berlinger doesn’t dig deeper in to the psychological problems they each possess and can’t muster up the strength to show the evil instead of just talking about it. You’ll want to watch his Conversations With a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes on Netflix for that.

It’s the excellent performances that pick up the plot’s slack. Lily Collins is terrific as Kloepfer, struggling with who she thought she was marrying with the serial killer she didn’t want to believe existed. And then there’s Zac Efron putting all of his handsomeness and charm to perfect use by becoming Bundy with a remarkably eerie resemblance. From his stare to his smile – Efron plays it cool, calculating, and seductive on the surface while the heinousness that lies beneath is only hinted at, but we all know is there.

ALWAYS BE MY MAYBE

Randall Park and Ali Wong make a perfect pair in this by the numbers rom-com that’s light and pleasant. Even so, while shaping a story of representation, director Nahnatchka Khan doesn’t set her sights too high within a genre she’s trying to give a fresh voice to. If you can overlook that then there’s more than a few funny, clever and heartfelt moments to enjoy. And keep your excitement under control for a remarkable Keanu Reeves cameo. It’s everything you could hope for and more.

THE PERFECTION

Shocking and seductive, director Richard Shepard tells a screwy story that keeps you guessing til the very end. Made for this exact moment in the Me Too era, this stylish horror/thriller may not play every note perfectly – but its cleverness and full-fledged embrace of its twisted ways plays luscious, maniacal music that’s impossible to ignore. And it’s all orchestrated by Allison Williams and Logan Browning. They are marvelous together as they strike all the right chords with vengeful rage.

WINE COUNTRY

For Amy Poehler‘s first feature directing gig, she rounds up some of her best friends and fellow SNL elite and set off on a birthday getaway to Nappa to drink themselves silly. And while this female friendship comedy tastes good at first, it’s not a drink you want to finish. For such a comedy jackpot cast – Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Tina Fey, Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer, Paula Pell, and Emily Spivey – the laughs don’t come easy. It’s unthinkable that every single one of their roles is a mix between bland and unfunny, but that’s the sobering reality of it all. They have nothing to do as their warmth and wit is poured out and the energy is swiftly sucked out of the movie.

SEE YOU YESTERDAY

In his directorial debut, Stefan Bristol attempts to alter the past so not to grapple with grief and loss in a thought-provoking sci-fi adventure with a superb performance from Eden Duncan-Smith. But while it’s an ambitious move to have your narrative combine Black Lives Matter and time-traveling, it doesn’t always play out seamlessly. This mash-up makes for a messy tone that simultaneously wants to lend its voice to serious social issues while allowing teenage light-mindedness to interfere. Emotional engagement is hard to obtain when that occurs.

KNOCK DOWN THE HOUSE

A stirring documentary that presents an involving behind-the-scenes look at four grassroot campaigns during the 2018 primaries. Democrats Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Amy Vilela, Cori Bush, and Paula Jean Swearengin each have their own personal reasons as to why they’re running, which is more fuel to their fire on getting the votes and changing the political landscape. Director Rachel Lears captures history in the making as these unpolluted candidates confront the establishment and serve as reminders that those in government work for us. These four ladies scrape and claw an uphill battle that most wouldn’t dare to attempt; but their energy to make a difference inspires while simultaneously exhibiting what everyday people can achieve.

For the Netflix Nourishment archives, click here.

“Nature Boy” Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of Brandon’s Box Office In Your Mouth. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.

Check out the SoBros Shop. Subscribe to our Patreon. Give us money for no reason. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Listen on SoundCloud. Watch on YouTube.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Get updates and learn from the best

More To Explore