Posts filed under 'All Reviews'
DELIRIOUS- 2006. Premise by Netflix. “A homeless kid, Toby (Michael Pitt), attaches himself to Les (Steve Buscemi), a paparazzo who agrees to take Toby on as a protégé. The mentor-student relationship works fine until Toby meets pop singer K’Harma Leeds (Alison Lohman). Toby wants to love her: Les just wants her picture. Numerous cameo appearances dot this poke at the public hunger for celebrity from writer-director Tom DiCillo (Living in Oblivion).”
I liked this movie very much. TRDB.
Tags: drama
February 2nd, 2011
INCENDIES- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “When their mother’s (Lubna Azabal) will implores them to deliver letters to the father they thought was dead and a brother they never knew about, twins Jeanne (Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin) and Simon (Maxim Gaudette) journey to the Middle East and attempt to reconstruct their family’s hidden history. Adapted from a Wajdi Mouawad play, director Denis Villeneuve’s drama flashes back to intense scenes set during the Lebanese Civil War in the 1970s.” Showed at HIFF 2010. Great professional reviews and very good audience response as well. TRDB.
5/15/11- This movie was done in a most realistic fashion with great acting and superb direction. While it was often difficult to watch I thought that it was a great movie. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: drama, Foreign
February 1st, 2011
MY IDIOT BROTHER- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Ned (Paul Rudd) is a seemingly clueless idealist who must rely upon his three exasperated sisters (Emily Mortimer, Elizabeth Banks and Zooey Deschanel) for shelter and support after he’s dumped by his fed-up girlfriend (Kathryn Hahn) and loses custody of his beloved dog, Willie Nelson. As he wreaks havoc on his sisters’ lives, Ned’s earnestness shines through until his siblings realize that family ties take priority over wealth and position.”
Tags: drama
February 1st, 2011
PHIL OCHS: THERE BUT FOR FORTUNE- 2010. “Fiercely devoted to championing peace and social justice, folk singer Phil Ochs rose to fame at the height of the 1960s protest movements, yet his incisive lyrics and resonant melodies remain relevant for audiences today. This film tells his story. Through performance footage and interviews with Ochs’s contemporaries and admirers — including Joan Baez, Pete Seeger and Sean Penn — the documentary paints a portrait of a uniquely American artist.” Great reviews.
7/29/11- An excellent documentary about this man that I didn’t know or remember too much about. Good archival footage as well. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
February 1st, 2011
STEAM OF LIFE- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Filmmakers Joonas Berghäll and Mika Hotakainen offer this absorbing documentary that takes viewers into real-life saunas across Finland, where ordinary (and naked) men let down their guard and bond over shared tales of life‘s struggles. As they relate their stories of lost children, fatal accidents, failed marriages and more, these customarily reticent men reveal the profound cathartic power of baring your deepest emotions to another soul.” Good audience reviews.
Tags: documentary
February 1st, 2011
THE WOODMANS- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “This intimate documentary profiles the Woodmans, a family dedicated to the making of art in all forms, and their reaction to the suicide of their most famous member, daughter Francesca, whose startling, sexual photographs established her legacy. Father George, a professor, mother Betty, a famed ceramicist, and son Charlie, a videographer, are interviewed about Francesca’s intense life and how the family’s devotion to art crafted her development.” Good reviews.
Tags: documentary
February 1st, 2011
BARNEY’S VERSION- 2010. “Golden Globe winner Paul Giamatti stars as Barney Panofsky, a Jewish Canadian television producer who reflects in flashbacks on three strange decades — and three wives — in this adaptation of Mordecai Richler’s acclaimed novel. There’s Clara (Rachelle Lefevre), a free-spirited proponent of free love; “Mrs. P” (Minnie Driver), a self-centered princess; and Miriam (Rosamund Pike), the right woman who comes along at the wrong time.” Good reviews.
2/11- Great acting and a magnificent screenplay make this a terrific movie. Highly recommended. TRDB. At the theater.
Tags: drama
February 1st, 2011
MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “After escaping from a violent cult in rural New York, Martha (Elizabeth Olsen) tries to reconnect with her estranged sister, Lucy (Sarah Paulson), and Lucy’s well-to-do husband, Ted (Hugh Dancy), but the brainwashing she endured continues to prevent her from forming an identity of her own. Overwhelmed with paranoia, guilt and shame, Martha isolates herself until Lucy begins to suspect her sister’s emotional trauma has deeper underlying causes.” Winner at Sundance 2011.
10/21/11- Only a fair review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
11/8/11- An interesting and very well acted psychological thriller and I liked it. TRDB. At the theater.
Tags: drama
January 30th, 2011
ROOM IN ROME- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Elena Anaya and Natasha Yarovenko star in this provocative drama about Alba and Natasha, two women who meet in Rome and end up in a hotel roomwhere they bare their bodies and souls to each other during one memorable, passionate night. As their steamy encounter brings them emotionally closer, they share their deepest secrets and desires. Award-winning writer-director Julio Medem brings us this serious and sexy foray into uncharted territory.” Two reviews, both good.
3/11- As far as I’m concerned this film was, despite being written a bit better than most, soft core porn at best and I’m embarrassed to say that I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: Drama/Romance
January 30th, 2011
THE OTHER WOMAN- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Romance becomes reality for Emilia Greenleaf (Natalie Portman), who wins the heart of the handsome object of her affection (Scott Cohen), only to find that the relationship comes with some very real baggage — including her new beau’s troubled son (Charlie Tahan). Don Roos directs the film adaptation of Ayelet Waldman’s compelling novel, co-starring Lisa Kudrow, Lauren Ambrose and Elizabeth Marvel.” Only fair reviews for this movie although all said that Portman was very good. TRDB.
5/31/11- This movie was not well received but count me as a fan. I thought that Portman was very good and portrayed the grief in a very convincing manner. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: Drama/Romance
January 30th, 2011
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