Quick Hit Movie Reviews #11: 'Headshot,' 'Contratiempo' & More

Need to know what the best movies streaming on Netflix Instant are? If your answer is "yes" and you want those answers quickly, you have come to the right spot.

Eclectic Pop is here to help you sift through the streamer’s vast catalog with concise reviews of five movies available on the popular service throughout August 2017. Without further ado, let’s jump in…

“Headshot” (2016)

Iko Uwais ("The Raid") stars as an identified patient, who wakes up from a coma with a forgotten past and a hopeful future, thanks to the work of a compassionate doctor (Chelsea Islan). The action scenes in "Headshot" are long, bloody, and intricately choreographed. Due to the sequences’ length, some of their momentum gets lost in the process. Albeit, their initial electricity never fades away completely. This is especially true of the sizzling sequence between Uwais and Julie Estelle's characters.

Another thing that never wavers is the excellent performances of its cast. Uwais gives a truly dynamic performance as the formidable combatant with a mysterious past and Islan is equally as impressive as the brave doctor who believes in him.

The refreshing romance that develops between them is heartfelt and rather profound. “Headshot” is a well-rounded actioner that leverages many components its peers sometimes leave untouched and uses them to its advantage. Rating: 7.3/10

“Southpaw” (2015)

“Southpaw” was one of Eclectic Pop’s selections for the best films of 2015 for a reason. It is a phenomenal film. Thanks to Antoine Fuqua’s dazzling direction, Kurt Sutter’s sizzling script, and Jake Gyllenhaal and Forest Whitaker's powerful performances, “Southpaw” is one of the best movies streaming on Netflix. Rating: 9/10
 
[Image by Warner Brothers Pictures/Atresmedia Cine/Think Studio]

“Contratiempo” (“The Invisible Guest”) (2016)

This compelling thriller about an accused husband and father (Mario Casas) confessing all to his attorney (Ana Wagener), puts viewers on a suspenseful ride as flashbacks steadily unfurl the buried truth surrounding the film’s central murder mystery. With “Contratiempo,” director Oriol Paulo delivers a terrific follow-up to his 2012 thriller “El Cuerpo (“The Body”). To say more would be to say too much and that says a lot. Rating: 7.7/10

“Shimmer Lake” (2017)

“Shimmer Lake” is a clever mystery film that tells its sordid story in reverse order. Do not worry. It is not as confusing as it sounds. “Shimmer Lake” follows Sheriff Zeke Sikes (Benjamin Walker) as he, his deputy and two FBI agents attempt to track down his brother; a suspect in the recent robbery of a local bank.

It does not take long for the movie to arrive at the conclusion of its crime story and that is when things get really interesting. At this point, “Shimmer Lake” takes viewers back in time and through the days leading up to its startling final act. 

A subtle and slick film with a murky mystery that slowly crystallizes, “Shimmer Lake” is “Fargo” meets “Red Rock West,” armed with the best attributes of both. The main issue with the film is its stark soundtrack, which overly subdues the movie, keeping it from registering with the all-encompassing cinematic flair it otherwise could. Strong central turns from the cast anchor the film as it travels towards its unexpected conclusion. Rating: 7/10

[Featured Image by Vertical Entertainment]

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