Posts filed under 'Drama/Romance'
EVERLASTING MOMENTS- Premise by Netflix. “After marrying charming but coarse Sigfrid (Mikael Persbrandt), Maria (Maria Heiskanen) finds that her life isn’t the fairy tale she expected, as her husband gradually becomes more brutal. But when she becomes involved in photography, Maria gains a new lease on life. Filmmaker Jan Troell based this Golden Globe-nominated drama on a manuscript written by his wife, Agneta Ulfsäter-Troell, chronicling the events of her ancestors in the early 20th century.” I saw this and liked it very much. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
June 16th, 2010
ANTARCTICA- Premise by Netflix. “Facing down his quickly approaching 30th birthday, gay librarian Omer (Tomer Ilan) hasn’t found his place in life or his ideal man, until fetching journalist Ronen (Guy Zoaretz) enters the scene. Meanwhile, Omer’s sister Shirley (Lucy Dubinchik) struggles to decide between settling down with the woman of her dreams and indulging her long-held fantasy of traveling to Antarctica. Yair Hochner directs this comedy that also stars Rivka Neuman.”
7/10- Lots of bed hopping in this Israeli drama about gay life. Just OK. TRDB.
7/10-
Tags: drama, Foreign
June 16th, 2010
CYRUS- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Indie favorites Jay and Mark Duplass co-direct this wry look at modern love and family dysfunction. John C. Reilly plays a recently divorced man who thinks he’s found just the right woman (Marisa Tomei) to help him recover and move on. Unfortunately, the woman’s son, played by Jonah Hill, has no interest in allowing another man into their lives — a stance he proceeds to demonstrate in a variety of obnoxious ways.” Very good early reviews.
11/5- I saw this on an airplane and found it OK. Don’t pay to see it. TRDB.
Tags: drama
June 16th, 2010
KNIGHT AND DAY- Premise by Netflix. “Perpetually unlucky in love, June (Cameron Diaz) becomes intrigued by a mysterious man (Tom Cruise), who unexpectedly drags her into a whirlwind adventure involving devious enemies, life-threatening confrontations and a major discovery that may alter the future of humankind. Directed by James Mangold, this exhilarating action-comedy also features Peter Sarsgaard, Paul Dano, Maggie Grace and Viola Davis.” Poor reviews.
Tags: drama
June 15th, 2010
LOLA- 2001. Premise by Netflix. “After saving the life of charismatic prostitute Sandra (Joanna Going) — and then subsequently witnessing her murder — Lola (Sabrina Grdevich), a desperate woman trapped in a stagnant life, decides to escape her troubles by assuming the identity of the dead woman. Colm Feore portrays Lola’s hotheaded husband in Carl Bessai’s award-winning drama exploring the nature of identity and self-definition.”
6/10- Very well done, well acted, and a very interesting story with the backdrop of Western Canada. TRDB.
Tags: drama
June 15th, 2010
A CALL GIRL- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “This insightful, allegorical drama follows Aleksandra (Nina Ivanisin), a student, as she travels from a small town to the big city. A cynical and callous young woman, Aleksandra uses the move to transform herself into a well-paid call girl. Her self-imposed isolation and guilt-free life end, however, when a politician client dies. As the police pursue her, Aleksandra must figure out how to finish growing up without losing her soul.”
7/10- This movie, about an isolated woman, was only mildly interesting to me. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
June 13th, 2010
THE GOOD GUY- Premise by Netflix. “Well aware of his own blessings, up-and-coming Wall Street star Tommy Fielding (Scott Porter) decides to mentor one of his co-workers, Daniel (Bryan Greenberg). But his new protégé may prove too apt a pupil in this romantic comedy penned and helmed by Julio DePietro. All is going according to plan until Daniel befriends Tommy’s new girlfriend, Beth (Alexis Bledel) — at which point things go rapidly south for Tommy.” Mostly poor reviews but a few good ones.
6/10- The worst and I turned it off. Hard to believe that some reviewers actually liked this trash. TRDB.
Tags: Drama/Romance
June 13th, 2010
I AM LOVE- Premise by Netflix. “Oscar winner Tilda Swinton shows off her multilingual skills in this Italian melodrama, in which family dissension, unbidden desire and other tensions bubble to the surface during the patriarch’s birthday party. When the seemingly picture-perfect Recchi family gathers at the family manse to celebrate the great old man, the veneer of civility falls quickly away in director Luca Guadagnino‘s lush, atmospheric film.”
6/10- Beautifully photographed, very good story with good acting. I enjoyed this one very much. Highly recommended!! TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
June 13th, 2010
COCO CHANEL AND IGOR STRAVINSKY- Premise by Netflix. “Seven years after she was inspired by the bold debut of Igor Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring,” famed fashion designer Coco Chanel (Anna Mouglalis) — reeling from the death of her beau, Boy Capel (Anatole Taubmann) — meets and falls for the Russian composer (Mads Mikkelsen) in 1920s Paris. A forbidden romance ensues in Jan Kounen‘s sumptuous period drama, the closing film of the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.”
7/10- Very well done, well photographed and really an epic about the romance between two people trying to revolutionize their respective fields. Great history lesson also. I liked it. TRDB.
Tags: docudrama
June 8th, 2010
WINTER’S BONE- Premise by Netflix. “In this noir drama set deep in Ozark territory, resilient teenager Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence) goes on the trail of her missing drug-dealing father when his absence jeopardizes the safety of their family. The deadbeat dad has a critical court date pending, and Ree is determined that he make it — despite the objections of the insular Dolly clan. Director Debra Granik‘s unflinching drama won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance.” Great reviews.
6/10-Very good acting in this Appalachian slice of life but I was disappointed in the film. I felt that not enough happened and what did seemed contrived to me. A friend who I saw this with spent a year in Missouri and felt that it was indeed realistic. TRDB.
Tags: drama
June 8th, 2010
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