Junior high outcast Spork has trouble fitting in anywhere. But after befriending her neighbor Tootsie Roll, Spork enters the school's dance showcase.

Never judge a book by it's cover. Spork was a well played movie. Netflix suggested this after I shamelessly watched Superstar for fun. Because they both had to do with dancing and school? Well, Spork (clever nickname) defiantly was about this topic, but they leave out the fact that the main character, named Spork was a trans-gender underdog who lived in a trailer park with he grungy older brother. This would have been good information to have to relive the shock of this part in the story.

That being said, this did not make or break the story. It is about Spork (Savannah Stehlin) and her life as a middle-school(?) teenager. And as odd as it seems when you are watching this, including scenes with "Tootsi-Roll" (Sydney Park) dancing in the club, this movie was actually enjoyable. I didn't loose interest in the story and wanted to see where it was going.

There is also the strangeness of how the "mean girls" all have these sped up munchkin voices, Charlie (Michael William Arnold) who is a confused boy with "Gay Dads" and wants to get into Spork's pants. But again this all ties together and just makes this movie interesting to watch. And let's not forget Chunk who's one stoned line helps Spork grow as a person.

Great character building in it, and the names make them fun to love/hate as well. With names like Betsy Byotch (Rachel G. Fox) and Loosie Goosie (Oana Gregory) makes you rethink about teenagers now a days. You even have some fun recognizing people like Michael William Arnold who is the kid in so many late-night show pranks (like Conan) and also you get a glimpse of Keith David who is a secondary character & voice over in so many things (did anyone see The Cape?!)

I have to put this movie on a recommended list as it does have a deserving chance to entertain you.

Being a teenager is too much for 16-year-old Craig, who shocks his parents by checking himself into a mental health clinic for a little R & R. But when the youth ward is unexpectedly closed, he's forced to live among the adult patients.

Somehow Zach Galifianakis ends up in 50% of the movies I watch on Netflix. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, just something odd. It is smart of independent films to put a well known name on to the cover a movie to encourage more people to watch. Even though Hangover fans would expect something different than most of his movies offer.

Enough about Zach and more about this movie. It's Kind of a Funny Story delivers what it promises in the title, it is kind of a funny story. Well played out, nice light humor and interesting to watch. I really enjoy a story that can build it's characters quickly and efficiently so you grow to love them during the hour and half you get to spend with them.

The directors Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck are not as well known with a short resume, but this should be a film to give them good trust in them to make a watchable film. I was also surprised by Keir Gilchrist, I've seen the name before and the face is recognizable, but after some research I don't recall where I have seen him before. He is young and still has a short list of appearances and after this performance I am sure we will see him in more (especially with a friend like Zach G).

Another great thing about this flick is it comes complete with a cast of familiar faces for the TV and Movie buff. Even better, they are work great together to keep the story going and interesting. No character feels irrelevant. With faces like Jim Gaffigan (so many movies), Jeremy Davies (from Lost), Aasif Mandvi (from Jericho), and Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls, Parenthood).

I do recommend watching this movie. It is witty, fun and enjoyable. You will finish it with a smile on your face.

On the day piano prodigy Eli is to audition for a famous conservatory, he gets sidetracked by an attempt to stash his cocaine-addled mother, Penny, in rehab. When Penny is denied admittance, Eli enters into a bizarre partnership with her dealers.

Why Stop Now is an interesting independent film. I love these types of films, but I was excited about some of the cast in it. The film is exactly as described, a piano prodigy (Jesse Eisenberg), with the added twist that he has to get his mother to come back with a dirty drug test in order to be admitted to rehab. This leads to his involvement with the drug dealers (Tracy Morgan & Isiah Whitlock Jr.)

Well as much as the story idea is catching, there is major lack of the actual story-telling. The movie is easy enough to watch from start to end but leaves you a little bored in-between. You would expect that Tracy Morgan would add more of a needed humor relief that is not delivered. The acting is still well in this movie. Jesse Eisenberg acts as he usually does, but Melissa Leo who plays his mother Penny really distracts you from all the others trying to perform in this movie.

I will also mention the pointless love story between Eli & Chole (Sarah Ramos) that really drags the movie out at the end. The story could have done much better with out it. I honestly think they had some spare costumes laying around from a civil war themed film that the directors (Phil Dorling, Ron Nyswaner) really wanted to stick in there for some strange reason.

It is worth the watch if you appreciate independent films, but do not expect this to be a roll off your couch comedy. There is a good joke or two but that is it. It feels more like a scattered drama.