CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY- Premise by Zap2it. “Filmmaker Michael Moore explores corporate greed and the global economic meltdown, and their disastrous effect on American lives. As he travels from America’s heartland to the financial epicenter of New York and the halls of government in Washington, D.C., Moore delves into the price America pays for its love of capitalism.”
Add comment September 16th, 2009
THE BOYS ARE BACK- Premise by Zap2it. “After the untimely passing of his second wife, Joe must not only deal with his own grief, but try to find a way to raise his two sons alone. With Joe in unfamiliar territory and the boys Artie and Harry trying to cope with their own personal baggage, the three decide to throw convention to the wind and live by the words “just say yes.” But when things go wrong, Joe must find a way to behave more like a parent without losing the joy of a more childlike lifestyle.”
2/10- Sappy, formulaic movie with only a few redeeming qualities but I managed to stick it out. TRDB.
Add comment September 16th, 2009
DEPARTURES- (OKURIBITO)- 2008. Directed by Yojiro Takita and starring Masahiro Motoki. A Japanese film about an unemployed cellist who trains (without his new wife’s knowledge) as a Nakanshi, someone who prepares the dead for burial. Great acting, great story and a great movie. This film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film of 2008. A MUST SEE! At the Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival. 9/09
Add comment September 16th, 2009
CAPTAIN ABU RAED- 2008. Jordan. Directed by Amin Mataqa and starring Nadim Sawalha. A story about an older man who works as a janitor at Amman airport. He lost his wife 9 yrs. ago and feels that life is meaningless. When a group of children mistakes him for an airline pilot he tries only briefly to dissuade them and then makes up stories about his adventures. He becomes involved in a few of their lives in meaningful way. TRDB.
Here’s what Netflix had to say– “Premise by Netflix. “Airport janitor Abu Raed (Nadim Sawalha) has long wanted to travel the world, but he’s had to settle for imagined experiences through books and conversations. When a group of children mistakes him for a pilot, he captivates them with made-up tales of adventure. As he begins to form close friendships with these poor neighborhood kids, it dawns on him just how challenging their lives really are.”
2/10-The movie was very good but at times was a bit more theatrical then needed. I still liked it a lot. At the Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival in 9/09.
Add comment September 16th, 2009
LAILA’S BIRTHDAY- 2008. Ramallah. Directed by Rashid Masharawi and starring Mohammed Bakri. About a former judge who is working as a taxi driver. The film goes through his day as he works and tries to navigated the difficulties and frustrations of life in a Palestinian town and at the same time prepare for his daughter’s 7th. birthday. I loved the movie. At the Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival. 9/09
Add comment September 16th, 2009
UNDER THE BOMBS- 2007. Directed by Philippe Aractingi and starring Nada Abou Farhat and Georges Khabbaz. About a Lebanese woman who travels back to Lebanon from Dubai just after the Israeli invasion and cease fire in 2006 to look for her missing sister and son. Despite criticism of Israel the film was really about civilian casualties of war. Very good. Netflix Streaming. 9/09 
Add comment September 8th, 2009
2008. Written and directed by Marianna Palka. Starring Palka and Jason Ritter. He plays a young man working in a video store who fall for a weird, painfully shy woman who comes in for porno DVDs. Most of the movie is about her verbally abusing him and the last 2% gives us the obvious explanation for her inability to connect. Did not like the movie. 9/09 
Add comment September 8th, 2009
STILL WALKING- About a Japanese family who gets together to remember a lost sibling. Very good reviews.
12/25/09- About an extended Japanese family having lost an adult child 12 yrs. earlier. They get together once a year in memory of the deceased. The family dynamics play out and the pain is revealed. I liked the movie very much and HIGHLY recommend it. Netflix Streaming. TRDB.
Add comment September 5th, 2009
FIVE MINUTES OF HEAVEN- Premise by Netflix. “A powerful meditation on guilt, forgiveness and reconciliation, this potent drama stars Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt as two men on opposite sides of Northern Ireland’s political struggle: one a killer, the other the brother of the man he killed. In crafting his keenly sensitive film, director Oliver Hirschbiegel eschews the predictable to deliver a work of tremendous insight and emotional complexity.”
4/10- Very well done with great acting. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment September 5th, 2009
SILENT LIGHT- Premise by Netflix. “Johan (Cornelio Wall Fehr), a Mennonite living in Mexico, is tormented with guilt over his extramarital affair with Marianne (Maria Pankratz). His father (Peter Wall), best friend (Jacobo Klassen) and wife (Miriam Toews) know the truth, but Johan’s suffering has to do with his faith, which he can’t reconcile with his deeds. Director Carlos Reygadas‘s powerful drama won the Jury Prize at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for Best Foreign Film at the Independent Spirit Awards.” Very good reviews.
September 3rd, 2009