THE INFORMANT- 2009. By Steven Soderbergh and starring Matt Damon. A satire about a corporate whistleblower who has been less than truthful in his details. I thought the movie was OK but a little too long and repetitive. It reminded me of Leonardo Di Caprio in “Catch Me If You Can.” 9/09
Add comment September 23rd, 2009
AMREEKA- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Eager to provide a better future for her son, Fadi (Melkar Muallem), divorcée Muna Farah (Nisreen Faour) leaves her Palestinian homeland and takes up residence in rural Illinois — just in time to encounter the domestic repercussions of America’s disastrous war in Iraq. Now, the duo must reinvent their lives with some help from Muna’s sister, Raghda (Hiam Abbass), and brother-in-law, Nabeel (Yussuf Abu-Warda). Cherien Dabis writes and directs.” I saw this and found it very realistic and very well acted.
Add comment September 23rd, 2009
2008. Written and directed by Stephan Elliott and starring Jessica Beal, Colin Firth, Kristin Scott Thomas and Ben Barnes. Barnes marries an “unruly” American and brings her back to his English country estate . The family is not ready to accept her and in fact do all they can to get rid of her. The film was just OK. Netflix. 9/09
Add comment September 21st, 2009
THE VILLAGE BARBERSHOP- 2008. Starring John Ratzenberger as a beer drinking, horse betting aging barber who is forced to hire a woman barber (Shelly Cole) when his partner dies unexpectedly. Stupid movie and I turned it off. 9/09. Netflix.
Add comment September 21st, 2009
DISGRACE- 2008. Directed by Steve Jacob. Premise by Netflix. “After an imprudent affair with a student, Cape Town professor David Lurie (John Malkovich) flees to his daughter’s remote farm to escape the scandal, only to find tragedy when a trio of black youths brutally assaults them. But Lurie is forced to face apartheid’s lasting repercussions when he discovers that one of the attackers is related to a trusted employee (Eriq Ebouaney) in this pensive drama based on J.M. Coetzee’s novel.”
4/10- Somewhat weak script but the usual great acting by Malkovich makes the movie. Great vistas of the mountains. TRDB.
Add comment September 20th, 2009
2008. Directed by Yoji Yamada and starring Sayuri Yoshinaga, the movie is based on the writings of Teruyo Nogami. A beautiful story about a woman in 1940 Japan whose husband is jailed for “treason” when he speaks against Japanese agression. The film is about how she survives and cares for her family while he is in prison. Great movie! Netflix. 9/09
Add comment September 18th, 2009
2007. Written and directed by Cecilia Miniucci. Starring Samantha Morton. About a lonely young woman who meets a weird social misfit. She has a brief inerlude from her lackluster life. The movie was just OK. Netflix Streaming. 9/09
Add comment September 18th, 2009
APRES LUI- 2007. Directed by Gael Morel and starring the great Catherine Deneuve. About a woman who becomes obsessed with the young man (her son’s best friend) who was driving the car when her son was killed. A study of grief and it’s unpredictable nature well played by the master. I’d predict that you’ll like it or hate it. I liked it. Netflix. 9/09
Add comment September 16th, 2009
THE BLUE TOOTH VIRGIN- Premise by Netflix. “When magazine editor David (Bryce Johnson) reluctantly confesses that he’s not too fond of his buddy Sam’s (Austin Peck) latest screenplay effort, the admission threatens to destroy the longtime relationship between the two best friends. Honored with a special jury prize at the Seattle International Film Festival, Russell Brown’s witty treatment of the creative process co-stars 1970s mainstay Karen Black as an eccentric script consultant.” Good reviews and I’ll see it.
5/10- A just so-so character study of 2 friends who are both writers. Some interesting dialogue but the movie lacked something and could have been much better. TRDB.
Add comment September 16th, 2009
BLIND DATE- Premise by Rotten Tomatoes. “ blind dates, hoping that this ruse will allow them finally to talk openly about the demise of their relationship in the wake of tragedy.”
12/22/09- I just saw this and liked it. A little slow at times and sad beyond sad but very well acted and sincere. Netflix Streaming. TRDB.
Add comment September 16th, 2009