Ingrid Goes West (2017) - 2/5

This is an Instagram stalker story that flirts with the idea of having a point. It’s more interested in having a conversation about the dynamic between reality and unreality in modern social media than it is in forming any conclusions about the topic. It’s always fun watching Aubrey Plaza’s awkward humor, and Elizabeth Olsen is great in everything, but this film just putts along like it’s just trying to fill the runtime.

Closest comparison: It’s like Social Network by way of SwimFan.

Setting: Adventure
Plot: Stalker
Tone: Dramedy

Velvet Buzzsaw (Netflix) - 3/5

This movie’s production values are very high, so if you like the subject matter more than I did you’ll probably love the film. It has great acting all around, with a funny script that delivers biting satire of the art industry. That coupled with the supernatural horror elements makes this an absolutely unique experience. Lots of weirdness coupled with intermittent gore and some sex will keep this from rising above cult classic status, like much of the John Carpenter backlog. Still, it’s much better than the majority of its peers and avoids the slowness that plagues many Netflix endeavors.

Closest Comparison: It’s as if David Lynch directed a John Carpenter movie.

Setting: Drama
Plot: Horror
Tone: Drama, then Horror