PIRATE RADIO- Premise by Netflix. “In 1966, hard-partying British DJs have the time of their lives running a radio station on a ship in the North Sea, broadcasting generation-defining (but banned) music to millions.”
4/10- OK if you don’t take it too seriously. Great cheesy ending. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment April 17th, 2010
CITY ISLAND- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “When he recognizes his son Tony (Steven Strait), whom he hasn’t seen in over 20 years, among a crop of new inmates in the jail he works at, Vince Rizzo (Andy Garcia) decides to bring the troubled young man home with him, much to the surprise of his wife and kids. Helmed by writer-director Raymond De Felitta, this offbeat comedy also stars Julianna Margulies, Emily Mortimer, Dominik Garcia-Lorido and Oscar winner Alan Arkin.” Generally good reviews.
4/10- It’s about people in families and the secrets they keep from each other. Know that this is a comedy despite some serious issues. I liked it. TRDB.
Add comment April 6th, 2010
MANUELA AND MANUEL- 2007. Premise by Netflix. “When her best friend, Coca (Elena Iguina), finds herself pregnant after a casual fling, unlucky-in-love drag queen Manuela (Humberto Busto) helps Coca face her disapproving family by embracing a male identity, Manuel, and posing as the baby’s father. But things go sideways when Manuela discovers that the baby’s real daddy is a regular at the gay club where she works. Raúl Marchand Sánchez directs this screwball comedy.” OK reviews.
9/10- Very funny and poignant as well. Lots of interesting and funny secondary characters. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment March 19th, 2010
A FRENCH GIGOLO- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Josiane Balasko‘s part farce, part drama centers on Judith (Nathalie Baye), an entrepreneur in her 50s who gets caught in a tangle of emotions with sensitive, money-strapped prostitute Patrick (Eric Caravaca) and his cute wife, Fanny (Isabelle Carré). While financially supporting relatives in the Paris projects, Patrick begins to despair until Fanny, who has learned of her husband’s secret profession, drives him back to Judith’s arms and money.”
1/10- A cute farce with some poignant moments also. Recommended for light fare. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
Add comment January 3rd, 2010
LEAP YEAR- 2009. Premise by Zap2it. “When yet another anniversary passes by without a marriage proposal from her boyfriend, Anna decides to take action. Aware of an Irish tradition that allows women to pop the question on February 29th, Anna plans to follow her lover to Dublin and ask him to marry her. Fate has other plans, however, and Anna winds up on the other side of the Emerald Isle with a handsome, but surly, Irishman named Declan — who may just lead Anna down the road to true love.”
Not to be confused with the Spanish movie of the same name from 2010. TRDB.
Add comment January 2nd, 2010
THE GIRL FROM MONACO- Premise by Netflix. “Middle-aged lawyer Bertrand (Fabrice Luchini) chafes at the presence of Christophe (Roschdy Zem), a bodyguard assigned to protect him during a dangerous case. Things worsen when Bertrand catches the eye of free-spirited weather girl Audrey (Louise Bourgoin), Christophe’s old flame. Audrey brings out long-dormant feelings in the counselor, who finds himself competing against his guardian for her affections in this charming romantic comedy.” An interesting premise and OK reviews.
12/22/09- I just saw this movie and liked it a lot, especially the developing relationship between the attorney and his assigned bodyguard. TRDB.
Add comment December 3rd, 2009
WHITE NIGHT WEDDING- 2008. The movie takes place in northern Iceland where it remains light all day in the summer. The story is about a couple about to be married where the man is much older than the woman and her parents are dead set against the union. The story is told with many flashbacks to his first marriage. An unusual cast of characters. I liked it. Netflix. 10/09
Add comment October 19th, 2009
A SERIOUS MAN- 2009. By Joel and Ethan Coen. A caricature of a man whose life seems to be falling apart. Problems with his wife (she’s leaving him for a friend of theirs), his kids, and also at work. He consults with various rabbis in a vain attempt to understand what life is all about and what God wants from him.
I found the film way over the top, even for a caricature, and not very funny as all the funny parts were at someone’s expense. 10/09
Add comment October 19th, 2009
MOTHERHOOD- Premise by Zap2it. “A bitter New York mom faces unexpected challenges while preparing for her daughter’s birthday.” One review and it was poor. TRDB.
Add comment October 16th, 2009
WHATEVER WORKS- Premise by Netflix. “While falling for a young Southern belle (Evan Rachel Wood), an aging New York City eccentric (Larry David) finds himself caught in a series of bizarre situations involving the girl’s parents and his own Greenwich Village group of pals. Written and directed by legendary filmmaker Woody Allen, this romantic comedy also stars Patricia Clarkson, Ed Begley Jr., Kristen Johnston, Michael McKean and Henry Cavill.”
Add comment October 16th, 2009