Posts filed under 'Foreign'
PONETTE- 1996. Synopsis by Netflix. “When her mother dies in a car accident, 4-year-old Ponette is left physically and emotionally scarred and in the care of her grief-stricken father. Sent to live with family for a while, Ponette slowly comes to terms with her loss.”
8/16/11- A very good beginning and a wonderful end but too much time spent in the middle watching very cute, precosius children. The 4yr. old star is unbelievable. All in all, I’d still recommend it. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: drama, Foreign
August 16th, 2011
SCHEHERAZADE, TELL ME A STORY- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “When her husband (Hassan Saeed) asks her to tone down the subversive political rhetoric on her program, Egyptian talk show host Hebba (Mona Zaki) draws even more heat by beginning a series that explores the experience of women in contemporary Egypt. As three women speak out about the mistreatment they’ve suffered in a deeply patriarchal society, Hoda must contend with her own disintegrating marriage. Yousry Nasrallah directs this drama.”
Very good review in NY Times on 8/12/11. TRDB.
5/24/13- A very powerful, well acted drama that I recommend to all of you. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
August 12th, 2011
THE GUARD- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When tightly wound FBI agent Wendell Everett (Don Cheadle) invades an Irish village in pursuit of international drug dealers, wisecracking local copper Gerry Boyle (Brendan Gleeson) does his best to annoy the American and get on with his circumscribed life. But soon there’s a murder, and Boyle finds himself swept up in detective work way beyond his pay grade. John Michael McDonagh directs this action-filled comedy.” Very good reviews. TRDB.
1/23/12- I almost turned this movie off halfway but it did get better and I enjoyed the 2nd. half. TRDB. Netflix.
12/20/11- Friends liked this movie very much. TRDB.
Tags: drama
August 9th, 2011
5 DAYS OF WAR- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When American journalist Thomas Anders (Rupert Friend) is sent to cover the 2008 Russia-Georgia war, he and his cameraman become entangled with a beautiful Georgian scholar (Emmanuelle Chriqui) and soon risk becoming casualties of the brief but brutal conflict. Caught in the crossfire, Anders faces charges of espionage. Val Kilmer, Andy Garcia and Dean Cain co-star in this tense drama directed by Renny Harlin.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.
8/19/11- Good review in today’s NY Times but poor reviews overall. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
August 8th, 2011
COLD FISH- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “After befriending charming Murata (Denden), a fellow tropical fishdealer, unhappy family man Shamoto (Mitsuru Fukikoshi) sends his rebellious daughter to live and work with him. But when Murata reveals his conniving, murderous nature, Shamoto suddenly finds himself trapped. Inspired by the true story of a prolific serial killer, this shocking horror movie effectively blends dark humor with intense drama.”
8/5/11- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
9/24/11- Truly one of the weirdest movies I’ve encountered. Loads of blood so don’t watch if you’re squeamish. I can’t say that I liked it but it was interesting. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
August 6th, 2011
PROTEKTOR- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “As the Nazis occupy Prague, radio host Emil Vrbata (Marek Daniel) tries to protect his Jewish spouse, Hana (Jana Plodková), by collaborating with the Germans in this atmospheric drama that examines the role the media played during World War II. Despite Emil’s broadcasting of enemy propaganda, Hana is threatened with internment — and the couple’s deteriorating marriage reaches a turning point when a Nazi official is assassinated.”
8/5/11- OK review in today’s NY Times but I saw this 2 years ago at the Palm Springs Film Festival and did not like it. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
August 6th, 2011
RAPT- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “When corporate figurehead Stanislas Graff (Yvan Attal) is kidnapped and held for an absurd ransom of 50 million Euros, the police and powerful business he represents are forced to debate whether one man’s life can really be worth that much money. But every minute they spend talking about the issue gives the press more time to dig through Graff’s murky past — and Graff’s captors more time to torture their hostage.” Great professional reviews and average audience reaction. TRDB.
12/19/11- An excellent movie on several levels with great acting by the lead. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: drama, Foreign
August 3rd, 2011
THE LAST CIRCUS- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “After landing a gig as a sad circus clown, timid Javier (Carlos Areces) falls for beguiling but masochistic trapeze artist Natalia (Carolina Bang) and begins battling for the beauty’s affections with her brutally abusive boyfriend, Sergio (Antonio de la Torre). Written and directed by Álex de la Iglesia, this darkly humorous commentary on Spain’s fascist past features an abundance of blood-splattered violence and gruesome gore.” Some very good early reviews. TRDB.
8/19/11- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
11/3/11- This movie was ridiculous and I turned it off. Slapstick crap. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
July 30th, 2011
POINT BLANK- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Samuel Pierret (Gilles Lellouche) is a nurse who saves the wrong guy — a thief (Roschdy Zem) whose henchmen take Samuel’s pregnant wife (Elena Anaya) hostage to force him to spring their boss from the hospital. A race through the subways and streets of Paris ensues, and the body count rises. Can Samuel evade the cops and the criminal underground and deliver his beloved to safety? Fred Cavayé directs, with nods to classic French thrillers.” Good review in NY Times on 7/29/11. TRDB.
12/9/11- I could not get into this movie or even keep up with what was happening at times and even though I watched this while on Amtrak I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
July 30th, 2011
LOU- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “This poignant drama follows Lou, an 11-year-old Australian coping with having been abandoned by her father when her estranged grandfather, Doyle, comes to live with the family. Much to Lou‘s surprise, she develops a deep bond with the ailing Doyle.”
8/15/11- An average drama that did keep my interest and I saw it through. I think you won’t be sorry if you sign on. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
Tags: drama, Foreign
July 24th, 2011
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