It is time for a round up of new films that I have seen on Netflix this month.
A Family Affair
Zara (Joey King), a young woman who works as the personal assistant to self-absorbed Hollywood star Chris Cole (Zac Efron), discovers that her boss is having a secret romantic relationship with her widowed mother, Brooke (Nicole Kidman). Romcoms depend on the chemistry between the couple involved and the viewer becoming invested in them. Chris and Brooke’s relationship was never believable and there seemed no warmth between Kidman and Efron. I did enjoy Efron’s depiction of a conceited star though.
Rating: 4.5 out of 10
Lumberjack The Monster
Japanese director Takashi Miike has been working steadily since he had some major UK art house hits back at the turn of the century, such as Audition and Zatoichi, but his films have made little impression here. His latest has been produced and released by Netflix and is based on Mayusuke Kurai’s 2019 novel of the same name. It stars Kazuya Kamenashi as a lawyer seeking violent revenge on a masked serial killer. There a lot of Miike’s signature touches on display, especially spurting blood. But the script is a real clunker so Lumberjack The Monster is all style and no substance.
Rating: 4 out of 10
Remembering Gene Wilder
This documentary details Gene Wilder’s life and career, as well as his battle with Alzheimer’s disease. This is a breezy look through Wilder’s career that is pretty comprehensive. Whilst it spends most time on his most famous films, such as Willy Wonka and Young Frankenstein, there is time for his lesser efforts. The tragedy of his wife’s young death is quite touching, as are his health issues. On the talking heads, it is great to see an extended interview with the wonderful Mel Brooks.
Rating: 7.5 out of 10
Vanished into the Night
Riccardio Scamarcio stars as Pietro, a father, embroiled in a difficult divorce from his wife, Elena (Annabelle Wallis). One night, their two kids are kidnapped whilst Pietro is looking after them and he vows to recover them. It takes a while to get going but this film eventually gathers momentum culminating in an intriguing twist. Unfortunately another lacklustre twist follows shortly after. Scamarcio and Wallis are both pretty good though.
Rating: 6 out of 10
Find Me Falling
After a failed comeback album, rock star John Allman (Harry Connick Jr) escapes to Cyprus, only to discover an old flame. The scenery is stunning, Connick Jr is always a welcome presence and Ali Fumiko Whitney is charming as John’s ex’s daughter who happens to be a talented singer. The story is a bit limp, though, and the rest of the supporting cast cliched Mediterranean types.
Rating: 5.5 out of 10