TRANCE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Danny Boyle directs this psychological thriller about an art heist gone wrong and the hypnotist who’s hired to ferret out the missing masterpiece. Everything is a jumble after an auctioneer gets hit in the head while double-crossing some art thieves.”
3/21/13- Fairly good early reviews. TRDB.
4/5/13- A good review in today’s NY Times and from others as well. TRDB.
Add comment March 22nd, 2013
THE COMPANY YOU KEEP- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Robert Redford stars as Jim Grant, a lawyer and single dad who has to go on the lam after a reporter identifies him as a long-sought U.S. terrorist. As the journalist locates more of Grant’s old contacts, his guilt begins to appear less certain.”
3/21/13- Fairly good reviews for this Robert Redford movie. TRDB.
4/5/13- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
4/19/13- I liked the movie but I felt that there was very little new information here and that I had seen this all before. I think that the talent (and plenty of it) was better than the screenplay. And what’s with the Hollywood ending? TRDB.
Add comment March 22nd, 2013
RENOIR- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1915, elderly painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir is crippled by both loss and arthritis, but when vibrant teenager Andrée brightens his life, he finds new purpose — as does his son Jean, a wounded soldier who is inspired by Andrée’s love of cinema.”
3/18/13- A few early reviews and they are very good. TRDB.
3/29/13- A good review in today’s NY Times emphasizing the visual aspect of the film. TRDB.
4/5/13- I enjoyed the story, the acting and the beautiful photography. TRDB.
Add comment March 19th, 2013
VANISHING WAVES- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this cerebral sci-fi tale, a scientist who’s part of a neurological research team volunteers for a series of unusual experiments that will afford him access to the feverish thoughts of a comatose female patient.”
3/15/13- Generally good reviews but the NY Times panned it in today’s review. TRDB.
Add comment March 15th, 2013
DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’: EVERYMAN’S JOURNEY- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary presents the musical saga of Arnel Pineda, who goes from singing in Manila nightclubs to fronting the legendary rock band Journey. Brought into the group just before a world tour, Arnel must sell himself to Journey’s many fans.”
3/8/13 Good reviews for this documentary from today’s NY Times and from most others as well. TRDB.
Add comment March 10th, 2013
THE SILENCE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When 13-year-old Sinikka goes missing from the same spot where another girl was murdered 23 years earlier, a retired investigator teams up with a younger colleague to unravel the parallel mysteries.”
3/8/13- Good reviews all around including today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment March 10th, 2013
FROM UP ON POPPY HILL- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “As Japan prepares to host the Olympics, Shun, a school reporter, fights to save a clubhouse from progress-minded authorities. He gets unexpected help from Umi, a classmate who’s fallen in love with him.”
3/3/13-Fairly good early reviews. TRDB.
3/15/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment March 3rd, 2013
WAR WITCH- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In sub-Saharan Africa, 12-year-old Komona is kidnapped by rebel soldiers who force her to kill her parents and join their ranks. Over the next two years, Komona clings to life despite her horrific experiences and tries to pacify her parents’ ghosts.”
3/1/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
3/6/13- Very difficult to watch this moving drama of a girl who amazingly survives war and superstition but it should be a “must-see.” TRDB.
Add comment March 2nd, 2013
LEVIATHAN- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the very waters where Melville’s Pequod gave chase to Moby-Dick, this haunting documentary — shot on a dozen cameras and presented with no spoken commentary — captures the collaborative clash of man, nature and machine.”
3/1/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment March 2nd, 2013
A FIERCE GREEN FIRE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This engaging documentary profiles the evolution of environmental movements over the past five decades, from early efforts at conservation and protests against pollution to the radical tactics of Greenpeace and concerns over global climate change.”
3/1/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times saying that the film had too much restraint. TRDB.
Add comment March 2nd, 2013