LEVITATED MASS- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 2012, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art installed Michael Heizer’s sculpture Levitated Mass — a 340-ton boulder perched atop a trench. This film traces the piece’s journey — from conception to the monolith’s 11-day transport from Riverside.”
11/14/14- Excellent reviews from critics and OK ones from audiences. TRDB.
Add comment November 16th, 2014
THE WORLD IS BIG AND SALVATION LURKS AROUND THE CORNER- 2008. Synopsis by Netflix. “Decades after moving with his parents from Bulgaria to Germany, Alex (Carlo Ljubek) loses his memory in a terrible car accident. But by embarking on a tandem bicycle adventure with his quirky grandfather (Miki Manojlovic), Alex begins to reconnect with his forgotten past. Based on Ilija Trojanow’s autobiography, this touching drama explores such powerful themes as family, loyalty and cultural identity.”
11/11/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.
Add comment November 11th, 2014
THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “With his body progressively ravaged by ALS, world-famous physicist Stephen Hawking must rely on his wife, Jane, to continue his life’s work as he faces various challenges. This affecting biographical drama centers on the couple’s fertile partnership.”
11/7/14- Good reviews from critics and audiences alike. TRDB.
2/23/15- A great performance by Eddie Redmayne helped this drama immensely. I think that the movie couldn’t decide if it should stress the character or his theories and may have gotten a bit lost trying. I did, however, like the movie. TRDB.
Add comment November 8th, 2014
THE BETTER ANGELS- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Revisiting the many hardships of Abraham Lincoln’s youth, this biographical epic also highlights the influences that helped shape his personality — including the role played by Lincoln’s stepmother, Sarah, in developing his beliefs.”
11/7/14- Weak professional reviews– audiences have been a bit more generous. TRDB.
Add comment November 8th, 2014
JOHN WICK- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “After the son of a Russian gang boss steals John Wick’s classic car and kills his dog, the former hit man returns to his lethal specialty in a quest for vengeance — and soon finds that he has a price on his head.”
10/24/14- Sounds ridiculous but this movie has received lots of good reviews from both professionals and audiences. TRDB.
3/21/15- A ridiculous Rambo style movie that had value only for the well choreographed scenes when the lead actor did all of his killing. I couldn’t finish it. TRDB.
Add comment October 28th, 2014
FORCE MAJEURE- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “At a ski resort in the Alps, the sudden and terrifying approach of an avalanche opens a deep fissure in the lives of a vacationing Swedish family when the patriarch flees to save himself instead of protecting his wife and children.”
10/24/14- Very good reviews and I’ll plan on seeing this movie. TRDB.
11/2/14- I enjoyed this movie very much and it led to lively discussion. TRDB. At the Theater.
Add comment October 28th, 2014
CITIZENFOUR- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “This tension-fueled documentary from filmmaker Laura Poitras follows her 2013 journey to Hong Kong to meet with whistleblower Edward Snowden as he was preparing to release a wealth of classified government documents.”
10/24/14- Great reviews all around. I can’t wait to see this one. TRDB.
11/1/14- Watching this movie I felt like I was watching history being made. Very well done and again brings up the big question for us as to whether Snowden is whistle-blower or a traitor but clearly the movie has its own agenda. TRDB. At the Theater.
Add comment October 28th, 2014
THE BOOK OF LIFE- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Zoe Saldana, Danny Trejo and Cheech Marin lend their voices to this splashy animated fable that weaves a Romeo-and-Juliet story against the backdrop of the Mexican customs surrounding the Day of the Dead.”
10/17/14- Fairly good reviews although the NY Times basically that the film had less energy than the dead people in the movie. TRDB.
Add comment October 17th, 2014
BIRDMAN- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Michael Keaton delivers a winking performance in this dark comedy about a cinematic superhero trying to forge a comeback with a Broadway play. With none of the super-powers of his former character, the actor struggles to rebuild his career and life.”
10/17/14- Excellent reviews from nearly all critics and audiences have liked it as well. The NY Times loved it. TRDB.
10/31/14- Very original and interesting mixing fact and fantasy. Keaton was excellent and I enjoyed the movie. Labeled a comedy, it surely isn’t. TRDB.
Add comment October 17th, 2014
20,000 DAYS ON EARTH- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Working with a creative team of filmmakers, Nick Cave offers a staged look at the interior worlds behind his iconoclastic music and writing. Within the frame of the 20,000th day since Cave’s birth, the film sums up the artist’s life until then.”
10/13/14- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.
Add comment October 13th, 2014