GOODBYE TO LANGUAGE- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “From legendary auteur Jean-Luc Godard comes this allusive drama that puts an adulterous couple in the midst of a chorus of voices and kaleidoscopic images denouncing the ills of modern society.”
10/29/14- Good professional reviews and average audience ones. TRDB.
4/16/15- An irritating, pretentious pile of nothing as far as I’m concerned. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment October 30th, 2014
NUIT #1- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Clara and Nikolaï meet at a rave. They return to Nikolaï’s apartment and make love. Afterwards, instead of parting, the two lovers divulge their deepest secrets to one another.”
10/29/14- This movie is clearly driven by the performance of the 2 characters as they are so honest with each other and themselves that you can actually feel something for them. I think it’s worth a try. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Add comment October 30th, 2014
ALGORITHMS- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “An intriguing look into the lives of three sightless Indian chess players, this observational documentary follows the youngsters as they compete in blind chess tournaments, led by an unflagging mentor who also happens to be blind.”
10/24/14- Very mixed reviews including some pretty bad ones but the subject is fascinating and I’ll probably see this one eventually. TRDB.
Add comment October 28th, 2014
RELATIONSHIP STATUS: IT’S COMPLICATED- 2014. About a guy who is about to be married and re-unites with an old flame.
10/17/14– I found just a single review- from the NY Times- and while the reviewer “sort of” liked it he felt that it could have been much better. TRDB.
Add comment October 18th, 2014
FELONY- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “When police officer Malcolm Toohey hits a young boy while driving drunk, he makes the fateful decision to conceal his crime. But while one senior officer is willing to support the cover-up, that officer’s new partner feels differently.”
10/17/14- Good professional reviews and average audience reaction. The NY Times did not care for it. TRDB.
3/1/15- A fair suspense story with very little new and suspenseful. TRDB.
Add comment October 17th, 2014
HAIDER- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Shahid Kapoor delivers a searing performance in this Bollywood take on Hamlet that unfolds amid Kashmiri culture and history. The film completes Bharadwaj’s Shakespeare trilogy, which also includes Macbeth (Magbool) and Othello (Omkara).”
10/3/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.
Add comment October 6th, 2014
THE BLUE ROOM- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the intimate confines of a hotel room, married Julien Gahyde and his paramour, Esther Despierre, meet regularly for erotic encounters — until he’s arrested for an unstipulated crime connected to their intense affair.”
10/3/14- Fairly good reviews although a few were very negative and several brought up the violence. TRDB.
5/20/15- Interesting and enjoyable but definitely confusing at the same time. Still worth seeing. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment October 6th, 2014
LILTING- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the wake of her son’s untimely death, a grieving mother reaches out to her son’s roommate in an attempt to understand more about who he was. But she’s surprised to learn the roommates were actually lovers.”
9/26/14- Very good reviews from critics and audiences as well. The NY Times did not like it. TRDB.
2/21/15- I enjoyed this movie about 2 polar opposite type people grieving about the loss of a young man and trying to connect with each other. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Add comment September 26th, 2014
BEFORE SNOWFALL- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “When his sister flees her arranged marriage, young Siyar is expected to seek her out and bring her back to restore his family’s honor. Siyar’s pursuit takes him from Kurdistan to Istanbul — where he first begins to doubt his mission.”
9/23/14- A different type of “road trip” that shows how Siyar’s local community, working together with members abroad, tries to help him complete his mission. A great first few minutes, a little slow in the middle with a good last half hour. Well worth seeing. TRDB. At the Arab Film Festival at Jacob Burns Film Center.
Add comment September 24th, 2014
FACTORY GIRL- This movie is about an extended Egyptian family and brings up the many differences in the treatment of women between East and West.
9/20/14- A good movie with an accurate depiction of the difficulties of being female in Arab countries. Very good acting and very realistic. TRDB.
Add comment September 21st, 2014