Posts filed under 'Foreign'

BREATHLESS- 2008

BREATHLESS- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “Writer-director Ik-Joon Yang also stars in this dark drama as Sang-Hoon, a deeply troubled lowlife gangster who vents his rage at the world by cursing out and brutally beating anyone who gives him the slightest provocation. But when he meets the equally tough and foulmouthed schoolgirl Yeon-Hue (Kot-bi Kim), the young brute finds a kindred spirit and the glimmer of a different life. Man-shik Jeong co-stars in this violent, expletive-saturated film.”

Add comment July 17th, 2010

THE CONCERT

THE CONCERT- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “The winner of two César Awards, this uplifting comedy focuses on Andrei Filipov (Aleksei Guskov), a Russian conductor whose music career was cut short by politics. Now an alcoholic janitor, Filipov seizes a chance to reunite his orchestra and reclaim his life. Using a purloined invitation to a Parisian festival as incentive, Filipov gathers his rag-tag musicians and a French violinist (Mélanie Laurent) to realize his long-cherished dream.” A few very positive reactions but more fairly negative ones. The story sounds interesting and I’ll give it a try. TRDB.

6/24/11- A ridiculous farce and I turned it off fairly quickly. TRDB.

Add comment July 16th, 2010

GOOD MORNING HEARTACHE

GOOD MORNING HEARTACHE- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “A group of documentary filmmakers sets out to chronicle the journey of a young married couple with a newborn baby. But when the pair decides to split during shooting, the film takes an interesting new twist. With a camera following their every move and practically zero privacy, the couple has little room to resolve their marital crisis.”

Add comment July 13th, 2010

THE WORLD UNSEEN

THE WORLD UNSEEN- Premise by Netflix. “In a world where boundaries are rigidly defined, two wildly different women tentatively cross them in this story that focuses on their budding romance in apartheid South Africa. One (Sheetal Sheth) is a taxi-driving, café-owning rebel; the other (Lisa Ray) is a devoted mother and wife. Both learn lessons about themselves and their lives in their journey toward each other in this film from novelist-turned-director Shamim Sarif.” Generally poor reviews.

Add comment July 13th, 2010

UDAAN

UDAAN- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “UDAAN- Premise by Netflix. “After spending eight long, lonely years in a boarding school, Rohan (Rajat Barmecha) returns to his industrial hometown in India, where he must decide whether to follow his own dreams or acquiesce to his imperious father’s (Ronit Roy) plans for his future. As he begins work at his father’s steel factory and ponders his ambition to become a writer, Rohan also tries to build a relationship with the younger half-brother he didn’t even know existed.” Good review in NY Times on 7/27/10.

10/10- This movie, contrary to several excellent reviews, was just OK. Too long and too tedious for me. Top it off with a Hollywood ending. TRDB. Netflix.

Add comment July 10th, 2010

KISSES

 KISSES- Premise by Netflix. “In this incisive Irish import, best friends Dylan (Shane Curry) and Kylie (Kelly O’Neill) find urban beauty — and peril — when they flee their dysfunctional homes in a squalid housing project after Dylan has a terrible row with his tosspot father. Arriving in Dublin to hunt for Dylan’s older brother, the youngsters embark on a shopping spree using cash Kylie stole from her sister. But as night falls, the city takes on a menacing air.” Very good reviews.

Add comment July 10th, 2010

TURNING GATE

TURNING GATE- 2002. Premise by Netflix. “Out-of-work actor Gyung-soo (Sang-kyung Kim) avoids emotional ties with casual romances and one-night trysts. But when he meets Seon-young (Sang Mi Chu), he’s inexplicably drawn to her and must decide whether he’ll take emotional refuge or risk the complications of love. Ji-won Ye and Hak-sun Kim also star in this naturalistic romance directed by Sang-soo Hong.”

Add comment July 10th, 2010

FIREDANCER

FIREDANCER- Premise by Netflix. “Haris (Baktash Zaher), an Afghani, was sent to America by his parents in 1979 when the Russians invaded. Twenty years later, Haris is a Westernized, twenty-something New Yorker struggling to make a living as a painter and sculptor. Despite his promising life, Haris suffers from recurring nightmares from his childhood days in his homeland, prompting him to begin an epic journey (within the U.S.) to reconnect with his roots.”

Add comment July 10th, 2010

RED ALERT

RED ALERT- Documentary about the Maoist rebels in India. Mediocre review in NY Times on 7/9/10.

Add comment July 10th, 2010

TERRIBLY HAPPY

TERRIBLY HAPPY- Directed by Ruben Ganz. Premise by Netflix. “When Copenhagen cop Robert (Jakob Cedergren) winds up in the isolated town of Skarrild, he plans to bide his time recovering from his disreputable past so he can return to the city. But life in Skarrild is anything but peaceful in this tense thriller set in Denmark. As Robert becomes drawn into the odd local happenings, he also finds himself protecting mysterious beauty Ingerlise (Lene Maria Christensen) from her abusive husband.” Very good reviews.

A mystery thriller from Denmark that had me on the edge of my seat. Somewhat creepy and definitely not for everybody. TRDB.

Add comment July 4th, 2010

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