AMERICAN PROMISE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A detailed examination of race, education and opportunity in America, this documentary follows two African American boys — and their parents — for 12 years, starting as they enter kindergarten at a prestigious private school.”
10/18/13- Reviews for this film are highly positive but in today’s NY Times the reviewer felt that the film was exploitive and did not know what to make of it. TRDB.
Add comment September 29th, 2013
TWO: THE STORY OF ROMAN & NYRO- 2013. Synopsis by IMDB. “Combining over twelve years of footage and narrated by their twin sons, TWO: The Story of Roman & Nyro, follows legendary songwriter Desmond Child and his lifelong partner’s loving journey to create their new modern family.”
9/29/13- No reviews as yet. TRDB.
Add comment September 29th, 2013
SPINNING PLATES- 2013. Synopsis by IMDB. “Spinning Plates is a documentary about three extraordinary restaurants and the incredible people who make them what they are. A cutting-edge restaurant named the seventh-best in the world whose chef must battle a life-threatening obstacle to pursue his passion. A 150-year-old family restaurant still standing only because of the unbreakable bond with its community. A fledgling Mexican restaurant whose owners are risking everything just to survive and provide for their young daughter. Their unforgettable stories of family, legacy, passion and survival come together to reveal how meaningful food can be, and the power it has to connect us to one another.”
10/25/13- Fairly good reviews in general although the NY Times didn’t care for it. TRDB.
Add comment September 28th, 2013
GIRL ON A BICYCLE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Just when he’s on the brink of proposing to his beautiful girlfriend, tour bus driver Paolo becomes mesmerized by a woman he sees on a bicycle. Driven to track down the object of his obsession, Paolo ends up knocking her down with his bus.”
9/28/13- Weak early reviews. TRDB.
2/14/14-Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment September 28th, 2013
THE COUNSELOR- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Michael Fassbender stars in this thriller penned by iconic novelist Cormac McCarthy as an attorney who mistakenly believes he can dabble in the drug business without any consequences — only to find himself drowning in a nightmarish downward spiral.”
10/25/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
11/7/13- There are as many strong negative reviews as strong positive reviews about this movie. One critic called it a lot of “naughty fun” and I’d have to agree. Despite the violence I really liked the various characters, most played by real name stars. TRDB.
Add comment September 28th, 2013
BASTARDS- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Family troubles bring tanker captain Marco Silvestri back to Paris: His sister’s husband has killed himself, and the family company is bankrupt. Holding sleazy tycoon Edouard Laporte responsible for their ruin, Marco devises a plan for vengeance.”
9/28/13- An OK rating on IMDB and mixed reviews in general. The NY Times liked it. TRDB.
Add comment September 28th, 2013
WE CAME HOME- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “We Came Home tells the story of Afghanistan through Afghan American artist, Ariana Delawari. Born into a suburban Los Angeles home, the same year the Soviets invaded Afghanistan, Ariana’s life unfolds parallel to the ever-changing events of her father’s homeland. Her parents name her after the ancient name of Afghanistan. Her home is filled with refugee relatives, parties with live Afghan music, and her father’s fierce dedication to his homeland.”
9/27/13- I’ve seen just 2 professional reviews and they were both good. Today’s NY Times was one of them. TRDB.
Add comment September 27th, 2013
WE ARE WHAT WE ARE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Following a family tragedy, two teenage sisters are forced by their domineering father to keep their cannibalistic clan’s macabre traditions alive by finding — and killing — dinner. Meanwhile, local authorities begin to close in on them.”
9/27/13- Very good reviews for this spooky sounding movie. The NY Times praised it in today’s review. TRDB.
Add comment September 27th, 2013
THE TIME IS … NOW- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary profiles ordinary people who have endured tragedy and examines how they have evolved from victims into survivors, with psychologists and spiritual leaders offering commentary on the possibility of hope in troubled times.”
9/27/13- I’ve seen just 2 professional reviews and they were both poor. One was in today’s NY Times. Audiences have liked it very much. TRDB.
Add comment September 27th, 2013
THE PAW PROJECT- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The Paw Project documentary is an inspiring David and Goliath story of a grassroots movement to protect felines, both large and small, from the cruelty of declawing and how the movement has prevailed, despite the efforts of well-funded professional veterinary associations.”
9/27/13- Good reviews all around and in today’s NY Times as well. TRDB.
Add comment September 27th, 2013