Netflix Film Review: What I've Been Watching III

Hello, hello. Back again with another instalment of what I've been watching. I've been pretty busy lately and it's felt like I've just had no time to cosy up with my favourite shows or tick much off of my film list but here's some I managed to squeeze in...


Scrubs star, Zach Braff, returns to the director chair following the success of cult classic, Garden State (2004). With that same overly quirky style at the forefront of this production, Wish I Was Here follows a struggling actor who is forced to assess his career, his life as a brother, a father and a husband when his own father is diagnosed with terminal cancer. 
Surprisingly, this one went to Netflix pretty quickly after only being released last year. Also staring Joey King and Kate Hudson, the film features some excellent performances and visuals though the story is often slow and lacking in plot development. Each shot is, however, stunning and it is an enjoyable, yet predictable indie film with a moving finish. 

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A surprisingly mild yet controversial satirical, independent comedy. A campus culture war between blacks and whites at a predominantly white school comes to a head when the staff of a humour magazine stages an offensive party.
Writer-director Justin Simien set up a Twitter account of the same name (@dearwhitepeople) and began sending out a barrage of one-liners in preparation for this film. This could explain why his screenplay is often so quick witted but also perhaps why the overall structure is a little sloppy. A potent subject matter and despite being a little messy in some areas, each character has a strong voice and there are some hilarious scenes. Dear White People gets a Sophie star rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

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Alice (Wiig) is a mentally ill woman who decides to stop taking her medication when she wins the Mega- Millions lottery. Mesmerised with day time TV and utterly self obsessed, she buys her own talk show and uses it as a platform to voice her bizarre thoughts and a variety of strange topics. 
Bizarre is certainly the word yet Kristen Wiig gives another stellar performance through her natural silliness and charm. Unfortunately, her performance is what holds this dark comedy together. An interesting commentary of a vlogger, celebrity obsessed society that's beautifully shot and weirdly entertaining. You'll have a grin on your face though you may not laugh out loud.  Wiig is also featured completely naked during the casino scene. Welcome To Me gets a Sophie star rating of 3 out of 5 stars (but not because of the full frontal nudity). 

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An A&E documentary series exploring murder cases from the rare perspective of the convicted killer themselves. Some of you may know that I have a dark fascination with the psychology behind serial killers and murders and this series appealed to me greatly for that reason. Featuring interviews with psychologists, the family and more importantly, the killers themselves, this is an interesting study of human behaviour. Speaking honestly and openly, it can be chilling as they recall the events that led to their indefinite incarceration.
Being a cheaply made American series, it is a little cheesy in some parts and some episodes are less engaging than others but morbidly enjoyable none-the-less. The Killer Speaks gets a Sophie star rating of 3 out of 5 stars.

Well that's it for another What I've Been Watching but I've still got plenty more to tick off my list. What have you been watching lately? Do you have a film wish list? As always, leave me your lovely comments below and tell me your thoughts.

 Have a great week everyone,






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23 comments

  1. I've not watched many films on netflix, I usually stick to tv series but these sound like some good picks! I might have to give them a try!

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    1. Ah the films are the best though! I can hardly find any of my shows on Netflix unless it's the US version. Hope you like them :) x

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  2. I usually watch series on Netflix and I haven't seen any of these on there so will definitely be watching on a Netflix night in one time this week!

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    1. I do love a series but Netflix is ideal for films! Hope you like them if you do give them a watch xx

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  3. I'm gonna have to check out The Killer Speaks. I too am fascinated by all things serial killer psychology. I watched a Jeffrey Dahmer documentary last year (I'm having the hardest time finding it), and it was one of the best I've seen because it wasn't cheesy AND most of the interviews were with him and his father while he was in prison. It was really interesting.

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    1. Ahh I watched that one too! It was so interesting! The Killer Speaks is pretty similar tbh haha it's really interesting though because some you can see have no remorse and others are so practical and honest about why they did it at the time. Hopefully you get to check this one out too! You'll have to let me know what you thought of it xx

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  4. The Killer Speaks sounds right up my street! I'm so obsessed with things like that! I have seen so many Iv'e slightly scared myself haha! I'm getting ready to watch The Walking Dead season five! I have been waiting ages!

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    1. Me too! I think it's only available on the US version but you can get a chrome add-on to change your location settings ;) Season 5 is soo good! Isn't season 6 out this month? I can't wait xx

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  5. I like your Netflix picks♥♥

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  6. Your popcorn bowl is goals, I need it. haha x

    http://beautgeorge.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Haha thanks, my friends got me it from Florida. You can get the matching cup also! xx

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  7. I'm a Netflix addict and haven't seen any of these ! Think I need to branch out from Pretty Little Liars and Buffy the Vampire Slayer... haha.

    Almost Everything

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    1. Some of these are on the US version of the site I think but it's easy to switch between regions. Haha yes totally, there's a whole world of Netflix out there! x

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  8. Thanks for the recommendations, Sophie. I'm curious about the Kristen Wiig film as I passed on it in the theater but I like her. I'm looking forward to finally seeing Legend. I also want to watch Macbeth and The Martian. I hope you have a lovely weekend, Sophie :)

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    1. Macbeth and The Martian are very high up on my list! I can't wait to see both as well as Steve Jobs and a few others coming up. It's an exciting time with Oscar season approaching. Thanks, you too :)

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  9. Gosh, all of these sounds like such interesting films. I've been slacking with films lately because of how bust I've been and we don't get Netflix here ( I KNOW) but I'd love to watch Dear White People. Your thorough but quick summaries are wonderful too, Sophie. Such a great post!

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    1. Seriously?! What do you have instead? Yeah definitely check it out if you can! I'd love to know what you think of it x

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  10. I still haven't seen Wish I Was Here! Definitely on my list now. I've heard mixed things about it but I love Zach Braff haha

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    1. It can be pretty slow but if you like Garden State then you'll like it. It all comes together at the end but I liked it. Thanks for reading Hun xx

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  11. I'm so glad someone shares my fascination with psychology behind serial killers and murders. I love watching documentaries or reading about the psychology behind it all x

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    1. Haha I know, it's a strange fascination but it is sooo interesting! Hope you get a chance to watch it, let me know what you think :) x

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