MY BEST ENEMY – (Mi Mejor Enemigo). 2005. Argentina. Directed by Alex Bowen. A story about a group of lost Chilean soldiers who encounter a group of encamped Argentine soldiers just before war was expected to break out between them. The two groups develop an interesting relationship. Very good. Netflix. 10/09
Add comment October 10th, 2009
THE THIEF- 1997. Russia. Written and directed by Pavel Ciukhraj. About a young widow with a young son who meets and falls for a handsome man while on a train. It turns out he is not exactly what she expected. Very good. Netflix. 10/09
Add comment October 10th, 2009
RACHIDA- 2002. Written and directed by Yamina Bschir and starring Djouadi Ibtissem. About a young woman, a teacher in Algeria, who refuses to carry a bomb into her school in the 1990’s during their civil war. The film is about her life and the life of other women in this society and in particular how she copes after she flees to avoid punishment by the terrorists. A good drama with insight about what it’s like to live under these conditions. Netflix Streaming. 10/09
Add comment October 5th, 2009
THE BROTHERS BLOOM- 2008. With Adrian Brody, Mark Ruffalo and Rachel Weisz. Brody and Ruffalo play con men brothers who are working on their last con job together as Brody plans to retire. OK for about a half hour and then got real boring and I turned it off. Netflix. 10/09
Add comment October 2nd, 2009
Premise by Zap2it. “Four couples, all friends, descend on a tropical island resort. Though one couple is there to work on their marriage, the others are there to just enjoy some fun in the sun. They soon find, however, that paradise comes at a price: participation in couples therapy sessions is mandatory. What started out as a cut-rate vacation turns into an examination of the common problems many couples face.” No reviews yet.
Add comment October 2nd, 2009
AN EDUCATION- Premise by Zap2it. “Despite her sheltered upbringing, Jenny is a teen with a bright future; she’s smart, pretty, and has aspirations of attending Oxford University. When David, a charming but much older suitor, motors into her life in a shiny automobile, Jenny gets a taste of adult life that she won’t soon forget.” Very good early reviews.
11/28/09- I just saw this and liked it a lot. Really about the education of a young impresionable girl outside of the classroom. TRDB.
Add comment October 2nd, 2009
PETER AND VANDY- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “Contrasting their now-deteriorating relationship with the sunnier days of blossoming romance, this drama examines all the moments that add up to — for better or worse — a life lived together by Peter (Jason Ritter) and Vandy (Jess Weixler). Jay DiPietro directs this film adaptation of his acclaimed play that explores the beginning, middle and possible end of a love affair. Tracie Thoms and Noah Bean co-star.”
2/10- Well done and I liked it. TRDB.
Add comment October 2nd, 2009
DISENGAGEMENT- RottenTomatoes had this to say- “Ana is reunited with her estranged Israeli stepbrother, Uli, when he travels to France for the death of their father. She decides to return to Israel to search for the daughter she gave up at birth 20 years ago. Crossing frontiers by car, train and boat, Ana and Uli are caught up in the turmoil and emotion of the military-enforced disengagement of Israeli settlers from Gaza in 2005.” This stars Juliette Binoche and is directed by Amos Gitai. No reviews as yet.
I saw this at the Palm Springs Film Festival in Jan. 2008 and liked it very mucy. TRDB.
Add comment October 2nd, 2009
THE PROPOSAL- Premise by Netflix. “When she learns that she’s in danger of losing her visa status and being deported back to her native Canada, overbearing book editor Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) forces her put-upon assistant, Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds), to marry her. Directed by Anne Fletcher (27 Dresses), this romantic comedy also stars Craig T. Nelson and Mary Steenburgen as Andrew’s parents, Joe and Grace, and Betty White as the outspoken Grandma Annie.” Weak reviews.
Add comment October 2nd, 2009
ADORATION- Premise by Netflix. “Assigned to translate a terrorism-related news story for his French class, teen Simon (Devon Bostick) weaves personal details into his tale, which soon leaves the Internet swirling with rumors that Simon’s dead father was an actual terrorist. Acclaimed auteur Atom Egoyan‘s haunting and lyrical drama — cleverly structured as a mystery — also stars Scott Speedman as Simon’s caretaker uncle and Arsinée Khanjian as Simon’s persistent teacher.” Good reviews.
Add comment October 2nd, 2009