Posts filed under 'Drama/Romance'
KINGS OF THE EVENING- Premise by Netflix. “Homer Hobbs (Tyson Beckford) returns from prison to a town gripped by the Depression. Stuck in a boardinghouse with four strangers and no resources, Homer figures he may be down and out, but he can still dress for success at the local weekly “swanking” contest. Every Sunday evening at a nearby hall, the men about town pull on their best threads and strut their stuff. All may compete, but at night’s end, only one will be king.”
11/10- Cliched and entertaining because I watched it on Amtrak from Baltimore to Stamford. I’d have turned it off otherwise. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
June 8th, 2010
HAPPY TEARS- Premise by Netflix. “Jayne (Parker Posey) and Laura (Demi Moore) return to their childhood home in Pittsburgh to look after their father, Joe (Rip Torn), a lively widower who may be slipping into dementia. The sisters are soon at odds over their father’s care — and over old family dramas. As Joe’s condition deteriorates, they are forced to confront myriad unpleasant memories. Ellen Barkin and Christian Camargo co-star.” Generally negative reviews.
6/10– Silly often but this film was still of interest with some poignant moments and some good comedy as well. TRDB.
Tags: drama
June 4th, 2010
TOE TO TOE- Premise by Netflix. “Out on the lacrosse pitch, wealthy but troubled Jesse (Louisa Krause) and poor but driven Tosha (Sonequa Martin) form an easy and deep bond, but their relationship is threatened once they enter the hallways of an elite prep school they attend in Washington, D.C. There, they must work to overcome racial and other tensions in their classmates, and in themselves, if they hope to keep their friendship alive. Emily Abt directs.” Very good reviews.
6/10- Despite the good reviews I felt that the script was trite. Very good acting saved it. TRDB.
Tags: drama
June 2nd, 2010
HOLY ROLLERS- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Inspired by a true story, director Kevin Asch‘s film tells the story of Sam Gold (Jesse Eisenberg), a young Hasidic Jew from Brooklyn who breaks with Orthodox tradition when he becomes an intercontinental Ecstasy smuggler for an Israeli drug cartel. A blend of neurotic coming-of-age dramedy and tense crime thriller, the film features Justin Bartha (“National Treasure”) as Sam’s pal Yosef and hip-hop recording artist Q-Tip in a supporting role.” Fair reviews.
10/10- I agree- I thought that the movie was fair. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
June 1st, 2010
ONDINE- Premise by Netflix. “An Irish fisherman (Colin Farrell) hauls in an unexpected catch when a mysterious girl (Alicja Bachleda-Curus) gets tangled in his nets and soon affects the lives of everyone around her in this fantastical seaside tale from director Neil Jordan (Interview with the Vampire). Is it possible this beautiful stranger is a mythical sea nymph who’s been summoned from the ocean’s depths … or is she something far more common?”
6/10- A waste of time but at least now I know what a Selkie is. TRDB.
Tags: Drama/Romance
May 29th, 2010
MADEMOISELLE CHAMBON- Directed by Stephane Brize and starring Sandrine Kiberlan, Vincent Lindon and Aure Atika. Good review in NY Times 5/28/10
6/10- A wonderful drama about a working class man who develops an unlikely and unexpected romance with his son’s school teacher. I loved it. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
May 28th, 2010
THE FATHER OF MY CHILDREN- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “When a man who seemingly has everything takes his own life, the question on everyone’s mind is, why? This drama penned and helmed by Mia Hansen-Løve explores that quandary by recounting the weeks before and after a film producer’s suicide. With an adoring family, a job that fulfills him completely and a charismatic bearing that masks all woes, producer Grégoire Canvel appears at the top of his game. But underneath the surface, trouble is brewing.” Very good review in NY Times.
6/10- A sad drama about a loving family and the grief process. Very well done and I liked it. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
May 28th, 2010
AGORA- Premise by Netflix. “As Christianity gains steam in Roman Egypt toward the end of the fourth century A.D., a young slave (Max Minghella) weighs his desire for freedom against his growing love for his mistress (Rachel Weisz), an atheist as well as a professor of philosophy. Alejandro Amenábar (The Others) directs this epic drama based on the life of Hypatia of Alexandria, a noted Greek scholar and mathematician. Rupert Evans co-stars.” Good review in NY Times.
Tags: drama
May 28th, 2010
EL BESO DEL SUENO (THE GOODNIGHT KISS)- Premise by Netflix. “EL BESO DEL SUENO- Premise by Netflix. “When a beautiful woman (Maribel Verdu of Y Tu Mama Tambien) who makes her living by posing as a prostitute, drugging her victims and stealing their money recovers a suitcase stuffed with cash, she unwittingly becomes part of a dangerous world of crime — and the target of a handsome police officer (Juan Diego), who falls under her spell. Eusebio Poncela, Tony Isbert, and Juan Diego co-star in this intricate thriller.”
5/10- Good story, very good acting and I really enjoyed the movie. TRDB.
May 27th, 2010
DEAR JOHN-
DEAR JOHN- Premise by Netflix. “While on leave, U.S. soldier John Tyree (Channing Tatum) falls for Southern college student Savannah (Amanda Seyfried), whose ideals and heartfelt principles are at once attractive and unfamiliar. But their love is put on hold when terrorist attacks prompt John to reenlist. Now, handwritten letters hold the lovers together. Lasse Hallstrom directs this modern romance based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks.”
5/10- A sappy movie but definitely had some merit. Once again the effect of war on ordinary people. TRDB.
Tags: Drama/Romance
May 26th, 2010
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