Posts filed under 'Drama/Romance'
WELCOME TO THE RILEYS- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Devastated by their daughter’s death eight years ago, Doug (James Gandolfini) and his guilt-ridden wife, Lois (Melissa Leo), lead depressing lives without much meaning. But by forming an unconventional relationship with teen call girl Mallory (Kristen Stewart), the couple begins to rediscover hope. Directed by Jake Scott, this compelling family drama also stars David Jensen, Kathy Lamkin and Lance E. Nichols. Only fair reviews by most.
2/11- A fair drama at best with lots of stereotypical materiel but the film definitely had some merit, particularly at the end. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
July 11th, 2010
UDAAN- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “UDAAN- Premise by Netflix. “After spending eight long, lonely years in a boarding school, Rohan (Rajat Barmecha) returns to his industrial hometown in India, where he must decide whether to follow his own dreams or acquiesce to his imperious father’s (Ronit Roy) plans for his future. As he begins work at his father’s steel factory and ponders his ambition to become a writer, Rohan also tries to build a relationship with the younger half-brother he didn’t even know existed.” Good review in NY Times on 7/27/10.
10/10- This movie, contrary to several excellent reviews, was just OK. Too long and too tedious for me. Top it off with a Hollywood ending. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
July 10th, 2010
KISSES- Premise by Netflix. “In this incisive Irish import, best friends Dylan (Shane Curry) and Kylie (Kelly O’Neill) find urban beauty — and peril — when they flee their dysfunctional homes in a squalid housing project after Dylan has a terrible row with his tosspot father. Arriving in Dublin to hunt for Dylan’s older brother, the youngsters embark on a shopping spree using cash Kylie stole from her sister. But as night falls, the city takes on a menacing air.” Very good reviews.
Tags: drama, Foreign
July 10th, 2010
AMERICANO- Premise by Netflix. “Joshua Jackson moves on from the teenage angst of “Dawson’s Creek” in this coming-of-age drama from first-time director Kevin Noland. Before beginning a conservative career as a buttoned-up businessman, a recent college graduate (Jackson) decides to participate in the world-famous running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, where he meets a beautiful local (Leonor Varela) and an expatriate barkeep (Dennis Hopper) who change his life forever.”
7/10- A travelogue of Pamplona and very little else. TRDB.
Tags: Drama/Romance
July 10th, 2010
TURNING GATE- 2002. Premise by Netflix. “Out-of-work actor Gyung-soo (Sang-kyung Kim) avoids emotional ties with casual romances and one-night trysts. But when he meets Seon-young (Sang Mi Chu), he’s inexplicably drawn to her and must decide whether he’ll take emotional refuge or risk the complications of love. Ji-won Ye and Hak-sun Kim also star in this naturalistic romance directed by Sang-soo Hong.”
Tags: drama, Foreign
July 10th, 2010
FIREDANCER- Premise by Netflix. “Haris (Baktash Zaher), an Afghani, was sent to America by his parents in 1979 when the Russians invaded. Twenty years later, Haris is a Westernized, twenty-something New Yorker struggling to make a living as a painter and sculptor. Despite his promising life, Haris suffers from recurring nightmares from his childhood days in his homeland, prompting him to begin an epic journey (within the U.S.) to reconnect with his roots.”
Tags: drama, Foreign
July 10th, 2010
SWEDISH AUTO- 2006. Premise by Netflix. “Lukas Haas stars as Carter, a shy mechanic in a Virginia garage, in this delicately wrought indie drama from first-time director Derek Sieg about loneliness, love and escape. Away from work, Carter spends most of his time trailing a beautiful violinist (Brianne Davis) who’s oblivious to him. Soon, however, Carter discovers he has a stalker of his own — the waitress from the local diner (January Jones) — and his attention begins to shift.”
7/10- Suspend reality a few times, especially the ending and the movie was OK. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
July 10th, 2010
AMERICAN SON- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “While visiting home for Thanksgiving, 19-year-old Marine Mike Holland (Nick Cannon) begins an unexpected romance, clashes with family and old friends and confronts his fears about his imminent deployment to Iraq. An emotional roller coaster, Mike’s four-day holiday leave finds the young man reassessing past relationships, forging a new love and coming to grips with his own mortality. Melonie Diaz, Jay Hernandez and Chi McBride co-star.” Fairly good reviews.
7/10- I liked the film as it portrayed one more casualty of war. Well acted and realistic. TRDB.
Tags: drama
July 8th, 2010
ACCORDING TO GRETA- Premise by Netflix. “Dumped on her grandparents (Ellen Burstyn and Michael Murphy) for the summer by her indifferent mother (Melissa Leo), acerbic and self-destructive teenager Greta (Hilary Duff) disrupts the elderly couple’s staid life on the Jersey Shore in this coming-of-age melodrama. But eventually, a romance with a charming short-order cook (Evan Ross) and the unconditional love of her grandparents help Zoe face down her demons.”
7/10- Cute story and decent script made this movie enjoyable and made up for a weak ending. Grandparents were fun too. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: Drama/Romance
July 7th, 2010
THE EXPLODING GIRL- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Zoe Kazan carries this indie romance from writer-director Bradley Rust Gray with her finely nuanced performance as Ivy, a college student who uses her Brooklyn spring break sojourn to reevaluate her life and loves. With her current relationship fizzling out via cell phone, Ivy finds herself rethinking her longtime platonic friendship with best pal Al (Mark Rendall). Franklin Pipp and Maryann Urbano co-star.” Fairly good reviews.
9/10- Not much happens in this drama but the sincerity of the script and the fine natural acting made it enjoyable. TRDB. Netflix Streaming and also on DVD.
Tags: Drama/Romance
July 5th, 2010
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