Posts filed under 'Drama/Romance'

LOOSE CANNONS

LOOSE CANNONS- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “This fiery comedy from director Ferzan Ozpetek finds young Tommaso (Riccardo Scamarcio) about to reveal to his large, frenetic Italian family that he’s gay. But he’s beaten to the punch by his older brother, who is promptly disinherited by their furious father. Tommaso is then put in charge of the family’s pasta factory, and while he tries hard to be a successful businessman, it’s difficult for him to hide his true feelings.”

Winner at 2011 Palm Springs Film Festival.

10/31/14- I liked this movie very much. TRDB. Netflix.

Add comment January 17th, 2011

EVERY DAY

EVERY DAY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Ned (Liev Schreiber) is fed up with his unfulfilling work as a writer on a flawed television show and his stagnant marriage to wife Jeannie (Helen Hunt). Just when he thinks life can’t get worse, his teenage son announces he’s gay and his ailing father-in-law (Brian Dennehy) moves in. Ned’s relationship with an amorous co-worker (Carla Gugino) adds even more tension, but despite the setbacks, the rewards of everyday family life overcome.” OK review in NY Times on 1/14/11.

3/11- A weak story with no life in it at all. TRDB. Netflix.

Add comment January 14th, 2011

COLORS IN THE DARK

COLORS IN THE DARK-2010. By Sophie Heldman and starring Bruno Ganz and Senta Berger. About an aging couple and their dealing with older age and with each other.

1/11– I thought that the movie was just “good.” TRDB. At the Palm Spring Int. Film Festival.

Add comment January 12th, 2011

THE HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER

THE HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER- Synopsis by Netflix. “This beautifully shot film combines comedy and tragedy in the tale of a workaholic human resources manager (Mark Ivanir) who neglects his family to further his career. But when an employee at his bakery is killed, he begins an odd journey toward self-realization. Offering to escort the woman’s body from Israel back to her Eastern European homeland, the manager is puzzled by eccentric characters along the way but begins to understand the importance of family.”

1/11- A bit far fetched but still an interesting road trip that I enjoyed. At the Palm Springs Int. Film Festival. TRDB.

Add comment January 9th, 2011

THE LITTLE ROOM

THE LITTLE ROOM- Premise by Netflix. “With picturesque Lausanne, Switzerland, as the backdrop, this earnest drama follows the unlikely but growing kinship between conscientious private nurse Rose (Florence Loiret Caille) and her ill-tempered elderly patient, Edmond (Michel Bouquet). Facing losses that neither can accept — her, a stillborn baby, and him, his independence — Rose and Edmond gradually bond. Eric Caravaca provides strong support as Rose’s worried spouse.”

Add comment January 9th, 2011

SON OF BABYLON

SON OF BABYLON- Premise by Netflix. “After the collapse of Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq, a young Kurdish boy and his grandmother set off on a quest to find some trace of the boy’s missing father, a soldier in the defeated national army. Director Mohamed Al Daradji’s poignant narrative personalizes the search for meaning and hope in the wake of Iraq’s suffering during Hussein’s reign as well as during the deadly upheaval that followed.”

1/11- Great acting  makes this movie a must see. TRDB.

Add comment January 8th, 2011

THE TIME THAT REMAINS

THE TIME THAT REMAINS- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “From the creation of Israel in 1948 all the way through the early 21st century, a single Palestinian family endures many triumphs and tragedies over the course of several generations in this sweeping drama. Writer-director Elia Suleiman also stars in this semiautobiographical film, the third installment in a trilogy that also includes the critically acclaimed Chronicle of a Disappearance and Divine Intervention.” Good review in NY Times on 1/8/11. At Sundance 2011.

1/11- I don’t know what the critics were thinking. I found this movie of NO value and fairly stupid at that. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand straight from Sundance 2011.

Add comment January 8th, 2011

GO GO TALES

GO GO TALES- 2007. Premise by Netflix. “With a pregnant star (Bianca Balti), a venomous landlady (Sylvia Miles) and an empty house every night, Manhattan strip club Ray Ruby’s Paradise is about to close forever. Fortunately, owner Ray (Willem Dafoe) has a plan that involves buying a truckload of lottery tickets and ignoring his odds. Matthew Modine and Bob Hoskins also star in director Abel Ferrara’s comic portrait of lust, greed and the American Dream.” Good review in NY Times 1/8/11.

Add comment January 8th, 2011

CIRKUS COLUMBIA

CIRKUS COLUMBIA-  Premise Netflix. “With communism dismantled, refugee Divko Buntic (Miki Manojlovic) returns to his Herzegovina home bearing a new paramour and old grudges. His first act of comeuppance is disturbing the peace of Lucija (Mira Furlan), the wife who refused to flee with him 20 years before. Domestic strife echoes the coming civil war as Divko has Lucija tossed from her home, Lucija retaliates, and intrigue develops between their son and Divko’s new wife.”

At the 2011 Palm Springs Int. Film Festival. I enjoyed the film. TRDB.

2/17/12- Fair review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

Add comment January 8th, 2011

FIFTY- NOTHING

FIFTY- NOTHING- At the 2011 Palm Springs Int. Film Festival.

Add comment January 8th, 2011

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