COOPER AND HEMINGWAY: THE TRUE GEN- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Celebrating the friendship between renowned actor Gary Cooper and legendary writer Ernest Hemingway, this absorbing documentary traces their sometimes contentious bond that lasted until their deaths a few weeks apart in 1961.”
10/11/13- Very few reviews but the NY Times liked it. TRDB.
Add comment October 7th, 2013
CBGB- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Renewing the legend of one of New York’s most storied nightclubs, this raucous drama features the punk and rock legends who made CBGB famous. While the club’s owner had hoped to open CBGB as a country venue, it soon became something quite different.”
10/11/13- Poor reviews from nearly all critics including the NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment October 7th, 2013
CAPTAIN PHILLIPS- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this exciting adventure based on true events that made international headlines, Tom Hanks portrays Capt. Richard Phillips, who is taken hostage by Somali pirates after they hijack his cargo ship, and the U.S. Navy’s efforts to rescue him.”
10/11/13- This movie, starring Tom Hanks as Captain Phillips, has received excellent reviews but one critic said that it was a Hollywood style “A Hijacking”, a movie that I saw a few months ago that had a similar theme and was excellent. The NY Times liked it also. TRDB.
10/11/13- The movie was well done and helped along by the knowledge that it was taken from a true story. Tom Hanks did his usual good job. I enjoyed the last 15min. the most. TRDB.
Add comment October 7th, 2013
A TOUCH OF SIN- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Weaving together four stories of people living in different Chinese provinces, this drama follows a miner protesting corruption, a migrant worker with a gun, a factory drone always drifting to a new job and a receptionist who’s been assaulted.”
10/4/13- Excellent reviews all around. The NY Times liked this movie very much and so did audiences. TRDB.
Add comment October 6th, 2013
LINSANITY- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Evan Jackson Leong profiles his longtime friend, Jeremy Lin, in this engrossing examination of the star basketball player’s humble beginnings, college days at Harvard, religious beliefs and high-scoring 2012 season with the New York Knicks.”
10/4/13- Mixed reviews, slightly more positive than negative. Today’s NY Times gave it a weak review. TRDB.
Add comment October 5th, 2013
GRAVITY- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “As a medical engineer on her first shuttle mission embarks on a space walk with a seasoned astronaut, debris strikes their craft and destroys it — leaving the two floating through space tethered together, with no connection to Earth.”
10/2/13- Very good reviews and this film has been well received at festivals too. TRDB.
10/4/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
10/11/13- Kind of a weak story but the special effects are definitely worth the price of admission. TRDB.
Add comment October 2nd, 2013
ESCAPE PLAN- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Framed and thrown into an escape-proof prison that he designed himself, structural security expert Ray must use all his know-how to break out. Ray and a fellow inmate dodge the jail’s corrupt warden and guard to track down who’s behind the setup.”
10/18/13- A fair at best review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment September 29th, 2013
BLOOD BROTHER- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “After traveling to India, American tourist Rocky Braat wound up finding new purpose in life helping children with HIV and AIDS. This inspiring film documents the challenges he faces and the love he finds as he creates a meaningful life.”
9/29/13- Very good reviews. TRDB.
10/18/13- An excellent review for this documentary in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment September 29th, 2013
AMERICAN PROMISE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A detailed examination of race, education and opportunity in America, this documentary follows two African American boys — and their parents — for 12 years, starting as they enter kindergarten at a prestigious private school.”
10/18/13- Reviews for this film are highly positive but in today’s NY Times the reviewer felt that the film was exploitive and did not know what to make of it. TRDB.
Add comment September 29th, 2013
THE COUNSELOR- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Michael Fassbender stars in this thriller penned by iconic novelist Cormac McCarthy as an attorney who mistakenly believes he can dabble in the drug business without any consequences — only to find himself drowning in a nightmarish downward spiral.”
10/25/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
11/7/13- There are as many strong negative reviews as strong positive reviews about this movie. One critic called it a lot of “naughty fun” and I’d have to agree. Despite the violence I really liked the various characters, most played by real name stars. TRDB.
Add comment September 28th, 2013