MONSIEUR LAZHAR- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When an Algerian immigrant seeking asylum in Montreal takes a job replacing an elementary school teacher who committed suicide, he finds that his own secret, tragic background enables him to help the children deal with their loss.”
I saw this at the Palm Springs Film Festival 2012 and loved it. TRDB.
4/13/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment January 13th, 2012
BACK TO YOUR ARMS- I saw this at the Palm Springs Film Festival 2012 and did not care for it. TRDB.
Add comment January 13th, 2012
TERRAFERMA- I saw this at the Palm Springs Film Festival 2012 and liked it very much. TRDB.
Add comment January 13th, 2012
THE HUNTER- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Recently released from prison, Ali (writer-director Rafi Pitts) attempts to make the most of his return to Tehran, amidst much talk of the upcoming elections and promises of change. Forced to work nights, he still tries to spend as much time as he can with his wife and their young daughter, escaping the stress of urban life through hunting trips to the secluded forest north of the city. But one day, Ali’s family goes missing-and after a long and fruitless experience with the police, Ali’s own search for his missing daughter ends in horror, pushing him over the edge into an act of terrible violence. He flees the city, pursued by the police, but soon the line between hunter and hunted becomes difficult to define.”
1/4/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times but otherwise only average reviews. TRDB.
9/1/12- Slow but interesting and I liked it. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment January 5th, 2012
NORWEGIAN WOOD- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in 1969 Tokyo, this melancholic tale centers on serious young college freshman Toru Watanabe (Ken’ichi Matsuyama), whose developing relationship with childhood friend Naoko (Rinko Kikuchi) drags into the present a terrible event both would rather bury. While Naoko begins to withdraw, Toru awakens to the political and cultural tumult around him, and when he meets the intriguing Midori (Kiko Mizuhara), Toru must confront his own uncertain heart.” Very good reviews. TRDB.
1/6/12- Fair review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
7/7/12- This film was way too slow, even for me. There was no life to any of the characters. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Add comment December 28th, 2011
ONCE UPON A TIME IN ANATOLIA- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “A body has been buried in the grasslands of rural Turkey. Over the course of one night, a doctor and a detective from a nearby town join a search effort in which the desolate landscape comes to symbolize their own solemn, insular lives.” Very good professional reviews but so far audiences just so-so. TRDB.
1/4/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
8/27/12- This movie was as slow as frozen molasses. Very little happened but for some reason I stuck in out and actually enjoyed it. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Add comment December 28th, 2011
A SEPARATION- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “An Iranian husband and wife split up over his decision to stay and care for his aging father instead of leaving the country with his family. But his fateful choice to hire a stranger to do most of the caretaking breeds unexpected consequences.” Very good reviews and indeed on the top ten list of at least one reviewer I’ve read. TRDB.
12/30/11- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
1/13/12- I saw this at the Palm Springs Film Festival 2012 and liked it but not as much as most of my friends. TRDB.
Add comment December 20th, 2011
ANTHONY ZIMMER- 2005. Synopsis by Netflix. “Sophie Marceau and Yvan Attal star in this French romance-thriller about deception and the hunt for a criminal mastermind. Knowing she’s the bait to trap her unidentifiable lover, Chiara (Marceau) leads the chase to François (Attal), an innocent man. But as Russian hit men close in on François, police detective Akerman (Sami Frey) — and Chiara — soon realize that they are all pawns in a brilliant game played by the elusive Anthony Zimmer.” Good reviews. TRDB.
12/20/11- I enjoyed this movie very much. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Add comment December 20th, 2011
ANYTHING FOR HER- 2008. Synopsis by Netflix. “A man whose wife is jailed for a murder she didn’t commit runs out of legal options and takes matters into his own hands in this taut French thriller. When Lisa (Diane Kruger) begins to lose hope and contemplate suicide, her husband, Julien (Vincent Lindon) escalates his plans. With Lisa convicted for killing her boss, Julien embarks on an ambitious and violent quest to break her out. Fred Cavayé directs.” Very good reviews. TRDB.
Add comment December 20th, 2011
MY PIECE OF THE PIE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Arrogant Parisian millionaire Steve hires single mother France to clean his apartment in this dramatic comedy. Unbeknownst to them both, Steve is the reason France lost her job at a factory and had to seek menial work in the first place.”
12/9/11- Luke warm review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere. TRDB.
5/17/12- A French type of “Pretty Woman” and although it had some good parts and some cute characters it left something to be desired. Just OK. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Add comment December 9th, 2011