LAILA’S BIRTHDAY- 2008. Ramallah. Directed by Rashid Masharawi and starring Mohammed Bakri. About a former judge who is working as a taxi driver. The film goes through his day as he works and tries to navigated the difficulties and frustrations of life in a Palestinian town and at the same time prepare for his daughter’s 7th. birthday. I loved the movie. At the Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival. 9/09
Add comment September 16th, 2009
UNDER THE BOMBS- 2007. Directed by Philippe Aractingi and starring Nada Abou Farhat and Georges Khabbaz. About a Lebanese woman who travels back to Lebanon from Dubai just after the Israeli invasion and cease fire in 2006 to look for her missing sister and son. Despite criticism of Israel the film was really about civilian casualties of war. Very good. Netflix Streaming. 9/09 
Add comment September 8th, 2009
CRUDE- Premise by Netflix. “Filmmaker Joe Berlinger‘s provocative documentary explores the ongoing battle waged by 30,000 indigenous Ecuadorans and their lawyers against Chevron for dumping billions of gallons of toxic oil waste into the Amazon. Berlinger examines the environmental catastrophe — dubbed the “Amazon Chernobyl” — from all sides, following the drama as it moves from the contamination site to the courtroom and beyond, even landing on the cover of Vanity Fair.” Very good reviews.
3/10- Fascinating documentary, especially the second half and I highly recommend it. TRDB.
Add comment September 7th, 2009
STILL WALKING- About a Japanese family who gets together to remember a lost sibling. Very good reviews.
12/25/09- About an extended Japanese family having lost an adult child 12 yrs. earlier. They get together once a year in memory of the deceased. The family dynamics play out and the pain is revealed. I liked the movie very much and HIGHLY recommend it. Netflix Streaming. TRDB.
Add comment September 5th, 2009
SILENT LIGHT- Premise by Netflix. “Johan (Cornelio Wall Fehr), a Mennonite living in Mexico, is tormented with guilt over his extramarital affair with Marianne (Maria Pankratz). His father (Peter Wall), best friend (Jacobo Klassen) and wife (Miriam Toews) know the truth, but Johan’s suffering has to do with his faith, which he can’t reconcile with his deeds. Director Carlos Reygadas‘s powerful drama won the Jury Prize at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for Best Foreign Film at the Independent Spirit Awards.” Very good reviews.
September 3rd, 2009
2008. Directed by Carlos Guaron and starring Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna. About 2 brothers who come from rural Mexico and want to become professional soccer players. When they reach their goal (no pun intended), their lives becomes even more difficult. I enjoyed the movie. Netflix. 8/09
August 27th, 2009