THE PREY- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This thriller follows the ups and downs of thief Franck Adrien, who’s serving prison time for a job whose proceeds he’s safely stashed away. But when the hidden loot and his family are compromised, Franck has no choice but to bust out early.”
6/7/13- With some initial disclaimers, the NY Times gave this a good review. Mixed reviews elsewhere. TRDB.
Add comment June 8th, 2013
AS COOL AS I AM- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “About to turn 16, Lucy realizes that her parents’ marriage is on shaky ground — and that theirs is not the only relationship that’s in trouble. After her longtime boyfriend leaves town, Lucy opts to ditch her tomboy image and restyle her life.”
6/7/13- Awful reviews by everybody. TRDB.
Add comment June 8th, 2013
MAN OF STEEL- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this Earth. As a young man, he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind.”
6/5/13-Mixed reviews in general and from the NY Times as well but I can’t imagine NOT seeing this movie. TRDB.
Add comment June 5th, 2013
20 FEET FROM STARDOM- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Get a behind-the-scenes look at the world of backup vocalists in this documentary that weaves interviews with legendary singers like Bruce Springsteen and Bette Midler with the comments of those whose voices support them.”
6/5/13- A few early reviews for this documentary, some positive and some negative. TRDB.
6/14/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment June 5th, 2013
PANDORA’S PROMISE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Former antinuclear activists and groundbreaking scientists speak out in favor of the much-maligned energy source in this provocative documentary that explores the history and future of nuclear power.”
6/5/13- Early reviews are poor. TRDB.
6/12/13- Today’s NY Times said that this movie was totally one-sided and failed as a documentary for that reason. TRDB.
Add comment June 5th, 2013
THE WALL- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Vacationing with a couple in their mountain retreat, a woman finds herself alone at the cabin one afternoon, inexplicably trapped by an invisible wall. Her isolation behind the barrier grows more surreal as hours, then days, then weeks pass.”
5/31/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times and mixed reviews from others. TRDB.
Add comment June 4th, 2013
EVOCATEUR: THE MORTON DOWNEY JR. MOVIE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Rude, crude and polarizing, Morton Downey Jr. was the profane right-wing prince of talk show hosts during his brief heyday in the late 1980s. This colorful documentary includes archival footage of Downey’s riotous show with revealing interviews.”
6/7/13- An OK, interesting review in today’s NY Times. Other critics have liked it very much. TRDB.
Add comment May 25th, 2013
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In Joss Whedon’s modern take on the Shakespearean comedy, Claudio’s love for the beautiful Hero makes him a target of his friend Benedick’s mockery. But as Benedick trades barbs with Hero’s cousin Beatrice, he just may be falling in love.”
6/7/13- Very good reviews from multiple sources including the review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment May 25th, 2013
DIRTY WARS- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Exploring America’s covert operations in the war on terror, investigative reporter Jeremy Scahill takes viewers on a revealing journey through drone strikes, night raids, kill lists that include U.S. citizens and secret government-condoned torture.”
6/7/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment May 25th, 2013
WE STEAL SECRETS: THE STORY OF WIKILEAKS- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Acclaimed documentarian Alex Gibney (Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room) takes the reins for this no-holds-barred look at one of the most unusual phenomena of early 21st century media. In 2006, an Iceland-based outfit called The Sunshine Press launched the website WikiLeaks.org. As run by Australian Internet activist Julian Assange, the site’s mandate involved regularly publishing top-secret documents and covert information, often regarding governments and their respective military operations.”
5/24/13- Very good review by everyone, including the NY Times today. TRDB.
6/13/13- A very timely documentary in our nation’s history. I liked the movie but I thought that the movie was a bit too long and I would have liked to understand Assange’s real psychological motivation for the risks he has taken. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
Add comment May 13th, 2013