Posts filed under 'Drama/Romance'
CEREMONY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Michael Angarano stars in this indie comedy as Sam, a naïve twentysomething who falls head over heels in love with Zoe (Uma Thurman), a beautiful older woman who’s about to marry a pretentious documentary filmmaker (Lee Pace). Refusing to give up hope, Sam drags his best friend (Reece Thompson) to the seaside town where the wedding is set to take place in a last-ditch attempt to head off the nuptials.” Generally poor reviews. TRDB.
6/26/11- Poor reviews doesn’t begin to describe this awful movie and I turned it off quickly. TRDB.
Tags: Comedy, Drama/Romance
February 18th, 2011
NICE GUY JOHNNY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Although he loves his job as sports radio talk show host, Johnny (Matt Bush) promises to take a dull but high-paying position to satisfy his fiancée (Anna Wood). But when he falls for a free-spirited beauty (Kerry Bishé) in the Hamptons, Johnny starts to reconsider everything. Written, directed and co-starring Edward Burns, this romantic comedy explores the difficulty in choosing between one’s duty and one’s dreams.”
2/11- I love just about everything done by Edward Burns and I liked this one very much also, especially the character played by Burns himself. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: Drama/Romance
February 16th, 2011
CEDAR RAPIDS- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “Terrified of leaving his tiny town for the first time, sheltered insurance salesman Tim (Ed Helms) nervously sets out for the bright lights of bustling Cedar Rapids, where he attends a chaotic insurance convention and learns how to survive in the real world. Miguel Arteta directs this delightful fish-out-of-water comedy that also features Sigourney Weaver, Rob Corddry, John C. Reilly and Anne Heche.” Excellent reviews.
6/8/11- I saw this on a plane while flying to the UK. Stupid and I turned it off even though there was nothing else to see. TRDB.
Tags: Comedy, drama
February 12th, 2011
LOVERS OF HATE- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Sibling rivalry fulfills its hilarious potential in this bittersweet comedy directed by indie favorite Bryan Poyser. After a lifetime of contention, brothers Rudy (Chris Doubek) and Paul (Alex Karpovsky) are further torn apart by their love for the same woman. Rudy has always felt betrayed by children’s books author Paul, whom he believes is writing about their childhood, but jealously enters the picture when Paul begins dating Rudy’s estranged wife.” Very good reviews.
2/11- Very interesting film about the competitiveness of the 2 brothers. TRDB. Sundance Channel.
Tags: drama
February 12th, 2011
THE ROUNDUP (LA RAFLE)- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “This gripping drama based on a true story follows the fate of three carefree Parisian boys and their families as Nazi officials and corrupt French collaborators arrest them — along with thousands of other French Jews — in 1942. Shipped to a holding facility until they can be sent to concentration camps, the lads encounter a weary Jewish doctor (Jean Reno) and a kindly Christian nurse (Mélanie Laurent). Roselyne Bosch directs.” Good audience reviews.
4/11- A true and difficult film to watch, this well done docudrama portrays a piece of history that is unfortunately not well known. Recommended with a warning that this film will evoke a powerful emotional response. TRDB. At the Westchester Jewish Film Festival.
11/16/12- A mixed review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
February 10th, 2011
THE CHAPERONE- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “After serving time in the slammer for driving the getaway car in an attempted bank robbery, Ray Bradstone (professional wrestling star Paul Levesque — better known as Triple H) is a reformed family man who wants to chaperone his daughter’s class trip. But some bad guys (Kevin Corrigan and Kevin Rankin) from his past have other plans. Can Ray outwit these nitwits while keeping himself and his daughter (Ariel Winter) safe from harm?” This one has actually received a few good reviews.
Tags: drama
February 10th, 2011
WINTER IN WARTIME- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “This sumptuously photographed drama focuses on 14-year-old Michiel (Martijn Lakemeier) as he wrestles with family loyalties, painful choices between safety and courage, and the harsh realities of war during the last, desperate winter of World War II. Michiel is forced onto the path of adulthood as he attempts to aid a wounded British pilot (Jamie Campbell Bower) in German-occupied Netherlands, despite his father’s apparent cooperation with enemy soldiers.” Mixed reviews, more positive than negative. Good review in NY Times on 3/18/11.
4/11- I enjoyed this movie despite some obvious contrivances such as one or two chase scenes which were totally unnecessary. TRDB. At the theater.
Tags: drama, Foreign
February 9th, 2011
SIXTY SIX- 2006. Premise by Netflix. “During the summer of 1966, 12-year-old Londoner Bernie (Gregg Sulkin) eagerly prepares for his upcoming bar mitzvah, but disaster looms when England snags a spot in the World Cup finals, scheduled for the same day as Bernie’s big celebration. With his father (Eddie Marsan) and mother (Helena Bonham Carter) facing financial difficulties, Bernie struggles to readjust his expectations for the biggest event of his life.”
2/11- A good story about coming of age with parents so pre-occupied that you have not been noticed. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
February 6th, 2011
DAS FRAULEIN- 2006. Premise by Netflix. “Three women in Zurich have one thing in common: a life they left behind in Yugoslavia. Reza has spent 30 years reinventing herself as a single businesswoman. Mila, her employee, longs to return home. Ana, new to Switzerland, comes to Reza looking for work — and maybe to shake things up at the café Reza runs. The resulting relationship makes each of them reflect on the war-torn landscape of their past.” Mixed reviews, mostly good.
I enjoyed this movie very much. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
February 2nd, 2011
BARNEY’S VERSION- 2010. “Golden Globe winner Paul Giamatti stars as Barney Panofsky, a Jewish Canadian television producer who reflects in flashbacks on three strange decades — and three wives — in this adaptation of Mordecai Richler’s acclaimed novel. There’s Clara (Rachelle Lefevre), a free-spirited proponent of free love; “Mrs. P” (Minnie Driver), a self-centered princess; and Miriam (Rosamund Pike), the right woman who comes along at the wrong time.” Good reviews.
2/11- Great acting and a magnificent screenplay make this a terrific movie. Highly recommended. TRDB. At the theater.
Tags: drama
February 1st, 2011
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