DEAR MR. WATTERSON- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Nearly two decades after the last original “Calvin and Hobbes” was published, this documentary examines the comic strip’s enduring legacy. Fans and cartoonists such as Berke Breathed of “Bloom County” discuss the strip’s impact and timeless appeal.”
11/15/13- Fairly good reviews but a weak one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment November 5th, 2013
CHARLIE COUNTRYMAN- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Led to Romania by haunting visions, young American Charlie Countryman falls hard for an alluring cellist whose father has recently died — and whose violent past could bring about his own demise.”
11/5/13- Weak early reviews and an awful one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment November 5th, 2013
PEOPLE OF A FEATHER- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Featuring groundbreaking footage from seven winters in the Arctic, People of a Feather takes you through time into the world of Inuit on the Belcher Islands in Hudson Bay connecting past present and future.”
11/8/13- Just a few reviews but they are mostly good. There was a good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment November 3rd, 2013
THE MOTEL LIFE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this affecting indie drama, two luckless brothers — inseparable because of a pledge they made to their dying mother — are forced to take it on the lam after one of them is involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident.”
11/8/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times and from most other critics as well. TRDB.
11/14/13- I liked this movie very much. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
Add comment November 3rd, 2013
MEDORA- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “As four high school basketball players from rural Medora, Indiana, struggle to end their team’s losing streak, the residents of their formerly booming community refuse to give up on their declining town in this inspiring documentary.”
11/3/13- A few early reviews are good. TRDB.
11/8/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment November 3rd, 2013
L.A. SUPERHEROES- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Struggling to get by in Los Angeles’ pitiless entertainment economy, immigrant actress Helena takes a big — and illegal — risk to get a green card. After she gets caught, Helena gives out information on her friends that could come back to bite her.”
11/8/13- I have seen just 4 reviews and 3 were bad. Audiences have liked it. TRDB.
Add comment November 3rd, 2013
THE GHOSTS IN OUR MACHINE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “The work of photographer Jo-Anne McArthur drives this film about the marginalized role of animals in modern society. Her images capture animals used for food, product testing, clothing and more to reveal the sentience of these nonhuman beings.”
11/3/13- Early reviews by audiences are very positive but the few professional reviews I’ve seen are poor. TRDB.
11/8/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment November 3rd, 2013
FINDING MR. RIGHT-2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A pregnant Beijing mistress comes to Seattle to give birth to her child, and learning the meaning of humility when she befriends a humble maternity ward driver while awaiting the arrival of her negligent sugar daddy. From the moment she arrives in Seattle, Wen Jiajia Tang Wei) is positively insufferable. Berating everyone at the nursing ward as she casually flaunts her wealth, Wen quickly alienates herself from the staff and patients alike. The only one who can tolerate her is reserved driver Frank (Wu Xiu-Bo), and that’s only because he’s too polite to put her in her place. Meanwhile, an unexpected development prompts gold-digging Wen to reflect on her attitude and reassess her priorities.”
11/3/13- No reviews yet. TRDB.
11/8/13- A weak review from the NY Times today. TRDB.
Add comment November 3rd, 2013
AT BERKELEY- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Documentarian Frederick Wiseman turns his cameras on one of America’s best-known schools to expose tensions over rising tuition and slashed budgets. University leaders discuss the crisis as the film captures protests and the effects of cutbacks.”
11/3/13- Excellent reviews for this documentary that is over 4 hours. TRDB.
11/8/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment November 3rd, 2013
APPROVED FOR ADOPTION- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Adopted by a Belgian family as a child and now in his 40s, cartoonist Jung Henin returns to his native Korea to find his biological mother. Woven into his search are animated vignettes that chronicle his memories of childhood in his native land.’
11/3/13- I have seen just 3 professional reviews and they are all good. TRDB.
11/8/13- Today’s review in the NY Times sounded interesting. TRDB.
Add comment November 3rd, 2013