Posts filed under 'Foreign'

My Words, My Lies, My Love (LILA, LILA)

MY WORDS, MY LIES, MY LOVE (LILA, LILA)- Premise by Netflix. “David (Daniel Brühl), a shy waiter, is desperately in love with a sophisticated literature student named Marie (Hannah Herzsprung). When he finds a manuscript in a nightstand at a secondhand furniture shop, David hatches a brilliant plan to impress his crush. Claiming the masterfully crafted work as his own, David becomes a respected published novelist and wins Marie’s heart. Everything seems perfect … until the manuscript’s real author shows up.”

11/27/14- OK reviews. TRDB.

Add comment June 19th, 2010

LET IT RAIN

LET IT RAIN- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Returning to her provincial home in the south of France, feminist politician Agathe Villanova (Agnès Jaoui) struggles to reconcile herself with the old-fashioned family she left behind, as well as the undignified demands of her profession. After an interview for a political documentary falls flat, Agathe faces further challenges in dealing with her sister, Florence (Pascale Arbillot), and her lover, Antoine (Frédéric Pierrot).”

6/10- I found the movie a little cute, a little slow and a little funny. Just OK. TRDB.

Add comment June 18th, 2010

EVERLASTING MOMENTS

EVERLASTING MOMENTS- Premise by Netflix. “After marrying charming but coarse Sigfrid (Mikael Persbrandt), Maria (Maria Heiskanen) finds that her life isn’t the fairy tale she expected, as her husband gradually becomes more brutal. But when she becomes involved in photography, Maria gains a new lease on life. Filmmaker Jan Troell based this Golden Globe-nominated drama on a manuscript written by his wife, Agneta Ulfsäter-Troell, chronicling the events of her ancestors in the early 20th century.” I saw this and liked it very much. TRDB.

Add comment June 16th, 2010

ANTARCTICA

ANTARCTICA- Premise by Netflix. “Facing down his quickly approaching 30th birthday, gay librarian Omer (Tomer Ilan) hasn’t found his place in life or his ideal man, until fetching journalist Ronen (Guy Zoaretz) enters the scene. Meanwhile, Omer’s sister Shirley (Lucy Dubinchik) struggles to decide between settling down with the woman of her dreams and indulging her long-held fantasy of traveling to Antarctica. Yair Hochner directs this comedy that also stars Rivka Neuman.”

7/10- Lots of bed hopping in this Israeli drama about gay life. Just OK. TRDB.

7/10-

Add comment June 16th, 2010

A CALL GIRL

A CALL GIRL- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “This insightful, allegorical drama follows Aleksandra (Nina Ivanisin), a student, as she travels from a small town to the big city. A cynical and callous young woman, Aleksandra uses the move to transform herself into a well-paid call girl. Her self-imposed isolation and guilt-free life end, however, when a politician client dies. As the police pursue her, Aleksandra must figure out how to finish growing up without losing her soul.”

7/10- This movie, about an isolated woman, was only mildly interesting to me. TRDB.

Add comment June 13th, 2010

I AM LOVE

I AM LOVE- Premise by Netflix. “Oscar winner Tilda Swinton shows off her multilingual skills in this Italian melodrama, in which family dissension, unbidden desire and other tensions bubble to the surface during the patriarch’s birthday party. When the seemingly picture-perfect Recchi family gathers at the family manse to celebrate the great old man, the veneer of civility falls quickly away in director Luca Guadagnino‘s lush, atmospheric film.”

6/10- Beautifully photographed, very good story with good acting. I enjoyed this one very much. Highly recommended!! TRDB.

Add comment June 13th, 2010

COCO CHANEL AND IGOR STRAVINSKY

COCO CHANEL AND IGOR STRAVINSKY- Premise by Netflix. “Seven years after she was inspired by the bold debut of Igor Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring,” famed fashion designer Coco Chanel (Anna Mouglalis) — reeling from the death of her beau, Boy Capel (Anatole Taubmann) — meets and falls for the Russian composer (Mads Mikkelsen) in 1920s Paris. A forbidden romance ensues in Jan Kounen‘s sumptuous period drama, the closing film of the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.”

7/10- Very well done, well photographed and really an epic about the romance between two people trying to revolutionize their respective fields. Great history lesson also.  I liked it. TRDB.

Add comment June 8th, 2010

LIVING IN EMERGENCY: STORIES OF DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS

LIVING IN EMERGENCY: STORIES OF DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS- Premise by Netflix. “American surgeon Tom Krueger and Australian doctor Davinder Gill — two newcomers to the human rights organization Doctors Without Borders — learn the difficult ropes of providing medical care under harrowing conditions. Joined by two veteran doctors, these medical heroes work, laugh, cry and argue their way through decimated urban centers, remote bush outposts and other extreme locations in this inspiring documentary.”

Add comment June 4th, 2010

ONDINE

ONDINE- Premise by Netflix. “An Irish fisherman (Colin Farrell) hauls in an unexpected catch when a mysterious girl (Alicja Bachleda-Curus) gets tangled in his nets and soon affects the lives of everyone around her in this fantastical seaside tale from director Neil Jordan (Interview with the Vampire). Is it possible this beautiful stranger is a mythical sea nymph who’s been summoned from the ocean’s depths … or is she something far more common?”

6/10- A waste of time but at least now I know what a Selkie is. TRDB.

Add comment May 29th, 2010

MADEMOISELLE CHAMBON

MADEMOISELLE CHAMBON- Directed by Stephane Brize and starring Sandrine Kiberlan, Vincent Lindon and Aure Atika.  Good review in NY Times 5/28/10

6/10- A wonderful drama about a working class man who develops an unlikely and unexpected romance with his son’s school teacher. I loved it. TRDB.

Add comment May 28th, 2010

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