Posts filed under 'Drama/Romance'
THE STRANGE CASE OF ANGELICA- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “In 1950s Portugal, a well-to-do family hires a young photographer named Isaac (Ricardo Trêpa) to take the last photograph of their deceased daughter, Angelica (Pilar López de Ayala). Upon seeing her, Isaac fallls deeply in love soon finds her returning to life in his camera lens. Now, romance fills his life for the first time. Acclaimed filmmaker Manoel de Oliveira wrote and directed this Official Selection of the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.” Good review in NY Times on 12/29/10.
3/11- Despite the good reviews I found this allegorical tale boring. TRDB. At the theater.
Tags: drama, Foreign
December 29th, 2010
TRUE GRIT- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “After her father is murdered by drifter Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), 14-year-old Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld), hires Reuben “Rooster” Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), an alcoholic U.S. Marshal, to help her exact vengeance. The disreputable Rooster still has grit though, and mounts an epic search. The pair is joined on their quest by Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon), who is also hunting for Chaney, in this updated Western from Joel and Ethan Coen. Very good review in NY Times on 12/22/10.
1/11- To be honest I thought that the film was not nearly as good as the critics said it was. I also needed sub-titles for a good portion of the dialogue. Bring back “The Duke.” At the theater.
Tags: drama
December 22nd, 2010
OWL AND THE SPARROW- 2007. Premise by Netflix. “After angering her stern uncle (Trong Hai), 10-year-old Thuy (Han Thi Pham) runs away and lands on the tough streets of Saigon. There, she befriends shy zookeeper Hai (The Lu Le) and flight attendant Lan (Cat Ly). Dreaming of a new family, Thuy plays matchmaker to bring the two together. Meanwhile, Thuy’s furious uncle tracks her through the city. Stephane Gauger wrote and directed this Los Angeles Film Festival Audience Award winner.” Good reviews.
12/10- Great, touching film!!! TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
December 21st, 2010
RABBIT HOLE- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “In this raw drama based on David Lindsay-Abaire’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name, Becca (Nicole Kidman) and Howie (Aaron Eckhart) grapple with the realities of life eight months after the death of their 4-year-old son, Danny. Even with Becca’s well-meaning mother (Dianne Wiest) offering comfort and weekly group therapy always available, the couple go about their own secret ways of coping. John Cameron Mitchell directs.” OK review in NY Times 12/17/10.
4/11- I thought that the movie was very real, well acted and I enjoyed it very much. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
December 18th, 2010
THE WIND JOURNEYS- 2009. “In the wake of his wife’s death, Ignacio leaves his small Colombian town and journeys to the country’s remote northern region, resolving to return his devil-cursed accordion to the teacher who once gave it to him. His traveling companion is teenager Fermín, who aspires to emulate Ignacio’s past life as an accordion-playing troubadour who roamed the countryside. Marciano Martínez and Yull Núñez star in filmmaker Ciro Guerra’s enthralling odyssey.”
12/10- A bit long but an interesting journey and definitely worth seeing. Great photography. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
December 17th, 2010
RANCHERO- 2010. Premise by Zap2it. “A former ranch hand confronts the realities of drug addiction and runs afoul of a local gangster after he moves to Los Angeles.”
Netflix had this to say–“Harboring dreams of becoming a professional photographer, Mexican American cattle rancher Jesse Torres (Roger Gutierrez) packs up and moves to Los Angeles, where he reconnects with childhood pal Tom (Brian Eric Johnson), now a drug-addled loser. As Jesse loses steam in his shutterbug career, he finds fresh purpose in helping a neighbor (Christina Woods) escape the clutches of a vicious thug (Danny Trejo).” No reviews yet. TRDB.
Tags: drama
December 4th, 2010
DHOBI GHAT (MUMBAI DIARIES) 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Taking its name from the Mumbai neighborhood where much of the city’s washing is done — traditionally by members of the Dhobi caste — this ensemble film represents the directorial debut of Kiran Rao, wife of Bollywood star Aamir Khan. The intimate social drama focuses on a quartet of individuals from different castes — a situation that would normally preclude them from forming friendships. Unique circumstances, however, draw them together.” Good early reviews but just a fair one in the NY Times on 1/21/11.
4/11- Bollywood without music and not bad at all. The first one I’ve watched through for a long time. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: drama, Foreign
December 4th, 2010
BLUE VALENTINE- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Once crazy about each other, Cindy (Michelle Williams) and David (Ryan Gosling) have now grown apart. Cindy is bored and disenchanted with her life while David languishes in the emotional emptyness of their sexless, routine life in rural Pennsylvania. As they muddle through their marriage, they hearken back to the golden days when life was filled with possibility and romance. Derek Cianfrance writes and directs this drama.” Very good reviews and good review in NY Times on 12/29/10.
1/11- About the dissolution of a relationship in about as raw a form as I’ve seen in a while. Great movie. TRDB. At the theater.
Tags: Drama/Romance
December 4th, 2010
COUNTRY STRONG- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “While out on tour to revive her stalled career, once-popular country singer Kelly (Gwyneth Paltrow) falls for emerging newcomer Beau (Garrett Hedlund) and tries desperately to hide their burgeoning romance from her ever-present husband and manager, Ed (Tim McGraw). Written and directed by Shana Feste, this musical drama co-stars Leighton Meester as a former beauty queen trying to break out as a songstress.” Fair reviews at best.
5/24/11- Despite the poor reviews I loved the music and managed through the dialogue. I’d recommend it if you like C&W music. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
December 4th, 2010
YOU WON’T MISS ME- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “After a brief stint at a psychiatric hospital, emotionally intense Shelly Brown (Stella Schnabel), a 23-year-old aspiring actress, struggles to find her own path in the world while auditioning for roles, hooking up with the wrong guys and clashing with friends. Blending footage shot on multiple film and video formats, writer-director Ry Russo-Young’s evocative character portrait also stars Carlen Altman, Borden Capalino and Simon O’Connor.” Only fair reviews.
6/7/11- I felt like I’ve seen several other movies like this one, only much better. I turned it off. Miss it! TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
November 28th, 2010
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