ANY DAY NOW- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Rudy and Paul take in their neighbor’s teenage son Marco, who has Down syndrome, when his neglectful mother throws him out of her apartment. Their attempt to legally adopt Marco sparks a court battle over gay rights in this powerful true story.”
A few reviews and they are very good. TRDB.
12/14/12- The NY Times gave this a good review today as did most critics. TRDB.
Add comment November 20th, 2012
THE FITZGERALD FAMILY CHRISTMAS- 2012. “With THE FITZGERALD FAMILY CHRISTMAS, Burns returns to the working-class, Irish-American roots of THE BROTHERS MCMULLEN. Reuniting with McMullen co-stars Connie Britton (“Friday Night Lights”, “Nashville”), and Michael McGlone, along with Noah Emmerich (LITTLE CHILDREN, BEAUTIFUL GIRLS), Kerry Bishé (ARGO, RED STATE) and Caitlin FitzGerald (DAMSELS IN DISTRESS, NEWLYWEDS) Burns seamlessly weaves an ensemble story of adult siblings dealing with the desire of their estranged father (Ed Lauter, THE ARTIST, THE LONGEST YARD) to return home for Christmas for the first time since he walked out on his family 20 years ago. Family rifts emerge, and like with any family, Christmas brings a mixed bag of complicated emotions and dynamics. Alliances form, old wounds are reopened or glossed over, and the possibility for a new hope and forgiveness emerges.”
12/7/12- The NY Times liked this movie. TRDB.
12/17/12- I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Edward Burns “gets” family relationships in a way that others don’t. TRDB.
Add comment November 20th, 2012
CHEERFUL WEATHER FOR THE WEDDING- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “On the day of Dolly Thatcham’s wedding, the sight of her former beau leads her to realize that going ahead with the ceremony would be a huge mistake. Dolly’s mother tries valiantly to maintain order in this refined comedy set in the 1930s.”
Sounds like fluff but it’s gotten a few early positive reviews. TRDB.
12/7/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment November 20th, 2012
SAVE THE DATE- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “After an ill-timed and very public marriage proposal, fiercely independent Sarah breaks up with her overeager boyfriend Kevin. Sarah turns to her sister Beth for support, but Beth is too busy obsessing over the details of her own wedding to Kevin’s band mate, Andrew. When Sarah suddenly finds herself caught up in an intense rebound romance with the adorable Jonathan, she is forced to examine her own fears of commitment and vulnerability. With honesty, heart, and humor, all five struggle with the trials, happiness, and pain of modern love. In the end Sarah must decide – is it better to stay safely single or to risk it all on love?”
Netflix had this to say— “Sisters Beth and Sarah are a study in contrasts, but both are also involved with men who are best friends and members of the same rock band. When Sarah leaves her lover, Kevin, and starts another intense affair, Beth grows furious with her sibling.”
Mixed early reviews. TRDB.
12/14/12- Fair review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment November 17th, 2012
THE COMEDY- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Aging hipster Swanson is inured to his life of privilege in New York, where he will inherit his father’s wealth. Instead of doing anything meaningful with his time, Swanson engages in meaningless games of casual cruelty with his equally numb friends.”
11/16/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment November 17th, 2012
MEA MAXIMA CULPA- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker Alex Gibney explores the scourge of child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, highlighting the story of five deaf men who spoke out about a priest who molested more than 200 children between 1950 and 1974.”
Rotten Tomatoes said “In MEA MAXIMA CULPA: SILENCE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD, Oscar (R)-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney examines the abuse of power in the Catholic Church through the story of four courageous deaf men, who in the first known case of public protest, set out to expose the priest who abused them. Through their case the film follows a cover-up that winds its way from the row houses of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, through the bare ruined choirs of Ireland’s churches, all the way to the highest office of the Vatican.”
11/16/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times and everywhere else as well. TRDB.
Add comment November 16th, 2012
LIFE OF PI- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on Yann Martel’s best-selling novel, this coming-of-age tale recounts the adventures of Pi, an Indian boy who is the sole survivor of a shipwreck. Pi finds himself on a lifeboat with only some zoo animals for company.”
Excellent reviews. TRDB.
1/2/13- I enjoyed this movie very much especially the creative cinematography. See it in 3D if you can. TRDB. At the Theater.
Add comment November 11th, 2012
SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After a four-year stay in a psychiatric institution, former teacher Pat Peoples has no choice but to move back in with his mother. While he’s trying in vain to reunite with his wife, Pat meets another woman fated to change his life.”
Very good reviews. TRDB.
11/16/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
12/4/12- A very enjoyable piece of fluff that had a few lessons about life as well. TRDB. Theater.
Add comment November 11th, 2012
BURN- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Meet the firefighters of Detroit, who battle the nation’s highest arson rate in a bid to save their once-thriving city from virtual collapse. At the helm is commissioner Donald Austin, whose firebrand attitude has galvanized the city and its leaders.”
11/9/12- Good review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB.
Add comment November 10th, 2012
A BOTTLE IN THE GAZA SEA- 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Tal is a 17-year-old Frenchwoman who has settled in Jerusalem with her family. She writes a letter expressing her refusal to accept that only hatred can reign between Israelis and Palestinians. She slips the letter into a bottle, and her brother throws it into the sea near Gaza, where he is carrying out his military service. A few weeks later, Tal receives an e-mail response from a mysterious “Gazaman,” a young Palestinian named Naïm. And thus begins a turbulent but tender long-distance friendship between two young people that are separated by a history they are trying both to understand and change. This engrossing and hopeful drama starring Hiam Abbas is based on the award-winning novel by Valérie Zenatti.”
11/8/12- There is an article in today’s NY Times about this film that is playing in the “Other Israel Film Festival” in NY. TRDB.
1/4/13- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
4/14/13- I felt that the characters were interesting, the acting was very good and the film conveyed a message of hope despite all of the misery involved. See this film if you get the chance. TRDB.
Add comment November 9th, 2012