Posts filed under 'All Reviews'
THE LAST STATION- Premise by Netflix. “Set during the final year of Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy’s life, writer-director Michael Hoffman‘s period biopic explores the fractious relationship between Tolstoy (Christopher Plummer) and his wife, Sofya (Helen Mirren), as he embraces a life of asceticism. Paul Giamatti co-stars as impassioned Tolstoy devotee Vladimir Chertkov, with James McAvoy playing the role of the aging writer’s young new secretary.”
2/10- I think that the acting overcame a poor script to make this movie just OK. TRDB.
November 1st, 2009
THE WHITE RIBBON- Premise by Netflix. “At a rural school in northern Germany in 1913, a form of ritual punishment has major consequences for students and faculty. But the practice may have bigger repercussions on the German school system — and maybe even on the growth of fascism. Celebrated Austrian filmmaker Michael Haneke helms this searing and sumptuously photographed black-and-white drama that stars Susanne Lothar, Ulrich Tukur and Theo Trebs.”
3/10- I saw this in Palm Springs and did not particularly care for it. TRDB.
November 1st, 2009
THE MERRY GENTLEMAN- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “Play Preview Kelly Macdonald stars as a young wife who escapes an abusive marriage to begin a new life on her own. But when she finds herself a witness to a murder, she develops an unusual bond with a glum hit man. Beloved actor Michael Keaton makes his directorial debut with this quirky drama from a script by Ron Lazzeretti. The film premiered at the famed Sundance Film Festival in 2008.” I saw this and liked it a lot.
Tags: drama
October 31st, 2009
BALLAST- Premise by Netflix. 2008. “In a small Mississippi Delta township, one of the poorest places in the rich nation of America, a single mother struggles to provide for herself and her son. Their fragile lives are tragically ripped apart when an extreme act of violence occurs. Michael J. Smith Sr., JimMyron Ross, Tarra Riggs and Johnny McPhail star in this lyrical drama (nominated for multiple Independent Spirit Awards, including Best Feature) that explores long-standing conflicts and the meaning of family.”
From RottenTomatoes- “A searing debut by director Lance Hammer, this subtle and contemplative Mississippi set drama lingers long after its conclusion.”
11/23/09- I just saw this and liked it, although not as much as the critics and in particular I had some trouble getting into the movie at first but the second half was much better.
Tags: drama
October 31st, 2009
A WOMAN IN BERLIN- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “Play Preview Based on the best-selling diaries of an anonymous German woman who survived the Soviet invasion of Berlin at the end of World War II, this gripping drama tells the story of a photojournalist’s (Nina Hoss) forbidden relationship with a Soviet officer (Yevgeni Sidikhin). After being sexually assaulted by members of the invading Red Army, she turns to the officer for support, but soon finds herself falling for him.” This movie has received very good reviews and I look forward to seeing it.
11/10/09- I just saw this movie and agree that it was very good. Written and directed by Max Farberbock and starring Nina Hoss. It’s really about one woman’s manner of survival from the rapes the Berlin women suffered at the hands of the Russian soldiers. TRDB
Tags: drama, Foreign
October 31st, 2009
PRECIOUS- Premise by Zap2it. “Pregnant by her own father for the second time, 16-year-old Claireece “Precious” Jones can neither read nor write and suffers constant abuse at the hands of her vicious mother . Precious instinctively sees a chance to turn her life around when she is offered the opportunity to transfer to an alternative school. Under the patient, firm guidance of her new teacher, Ms. Rain, Precious begins the journey from oppression to self-determination.” This film has been discussed and hyped so much for so long that I hope it meets it’s expectations. Early reviews say that the performances made the film special instead of the story itself.
12/23/09- I saw this a few days ago in Florida and liked it very much. The story was difficult to watch but the acting was so superb that I really could enjoy the movie. TRDB.
Tags: drama
October 31st, 2009
END GAME-Premise by Zap2it. “During the late 1980s a British mining concern initiates covert peace talks among factions in South Africa’s struggle against apartheid.” Very good early reviews.
Tags: docudrama
October 31st, 2009
MOTHERHOOD- Premise by Zap2it. “A bitter New York mom faces unexpected challenges while preparing for her daughter’s birthday.” One review and it was poor. TRDB.
Tags: drama
October 16th, 2009
THE WEDDING SONG- Premise by Zap2it. “The Nazi occupation of Tunisia strains the friendship between two women, one a Muslim and one Jewish, who are preparing for their upcoming marriages.” I found a single review and it was very good. TRDB
Tags: drama, Foreign
October 16th, 2009
KILLING KASZTZNER: THE JEW WHO DEALT WITH NAZIS- Premise by Zap2it. “Right-wing extremists murder a Budapest lawyer who negotiated with the Nazis to save the lives of more than 1,600 Jews during World War II.” I read only one review and it was very good. TRDB
Tags: Documentary/History
October 16th, 2009
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