WUTHERING HEIGHTS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In director Andrea Arnold’s updated take on Emily Brontë’s classic tale, the youthful love between English adolescents Cathy and Heathcliff becomes a twisted passion that wreaks havoc as they navigate adult responsibilities and prejudices.”
10/5/12- A mixed review in today’s NY Times but fairly good ones from critics in general. TRDB.
Add comment October 6th, 2012
SOMEDAY THIS PAIN WILL BE USEFUL TO YOU- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You is a heart warming, funny and passionate portrait of a confused New York teenager, James Sveck, played by up-and-coming star Toby Regbo, and his loving, eccentric and dysfunctional family. James’s staunch non-conformism leads him to teenage mistakes that are hard to undo. He refuses to go to college, after being accepted at Brown, and is interested in nothing – barring visits to his enigmatic, free-spirited grandmother Nanette, played by Oscar winner Ellen Burstyn, the only one who seems to understand just how lost a restless 17-year-old can feel while trying to find himself in a confusing world.”
10/5/12- Awful reviews in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB.
Add comment October 6th, 2012
THE HOUSE I LIVE IN- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Why We Fight director Eugene Jarecki shifts his focus from the military industrial complex to the War on Drugs in this documentary exploring the risks that prohibition poses to freedom, and the tragedy of addicts being treated as criminals. In the four decades since the War on Drugs commenced, over 45 millions of addicts have been arrested – and for each one jailed, another family is destroyed. Meanwhile, the prisons in America are growing overcrowded with non-violent criminals, and illegal drugs are still being sold in schoolyards. By examining just where it all went wrong, Jarecki reveals that a solution is possible if we can just find it in ourselves to be compassionate, and see past the decades of paranoia and propaganda.”
10/5/12- Excellent review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment October 6th, 2012
IT’S SUCH A BEAUTIFUL DAY- 2012. Synopsis by IMDB. “Bill struggles to put together his shattered psyche, in this new feature film version of Don Hertzfeldt’s animated short film trilogy.”
10/5/12- Excellent early reviews including a very good one in today’s NY Times- calling it unsettling as well as liking it. TRDB.
TRDB.
Add comment October 6th, 2012
TRADE OF INNOCENTS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix . “In present day South East Asia, down dark alleys, in secret rooms, children are for sale. Parallel story lines intertwine and twists unfold against the backdrop of the dangerous human trafficking world, in a story of struggle, life, hope and redemption.”
10/5/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. Other critics have disliked it also but audiences have liked it. TRDB.
Add comment October 6th, 2012
FAT KID RULES THE WORLD- 2001. Synopsis by Netflix. “Depressed, obese teen Troy is about to step in front of a bus and end it all when fate enters in the form of Marcus, a free-spirited street musician. Under his samaritan’s nonjudgmental wing, talentless Troy finds acceptance in Marcus’s punk band.”
10/5/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times and fair reviews from other critics. Audiences have liked it very much. TRDB.
Add comment October 5th, 2012
DECODING DEEPAK- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker Gotham Chopra examines the life and work of his father, spiritual teacher and author Deepak Chopra, in this documentary. Following his father around the world in 2010, Gotham seeks to understand the man behind the public image.”
10/5/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times, calling it a gentle tribute. TRDB.
Add comment October 5th, 2012
STARS IN SHORTS- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “On the heels of the annual Oscar Nominated Short Films program, ShortsHD presents Stars in Shorts, a collection of short films featuring some of the world’s biggest actors. Judi Dench is a neophyte in the complicated landscape of internet dating in “Friend Request Pending.” Colin Firth is an unusually needy neighbor to Keira Knightley in “Steve.” Lily Tomlin gets lost on her way to a funeral in “Procession.” Jason Alexander is a screenwriter at the end of his rope in the musical short “Not Your Time.” Also including short films starring Kenneth Branagh, Julia Stiles, Sarah Paulson, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and others.”
Mixed reviews, more good than bad. TRDB.
Add comment September 28th, 2012
VULGARIA- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “To (Chapman To Man-chak), a long-time film producer, has yet to produce anything resembling a hit. Beset by financial troubles, he has become desperate for money – so much so that he is unable to pay the alimony to his ex-wife (Kristal Tin). Despite his former spouse’s bitterness, their daughter still clings onto her faith in him – and wishes to see him on TV once his new movie premieres. To is soon introduced to a potential Mainland Chinese investor, Tyrannosaurus (Ronald Cheng), by his buddy Lui Wing-shing (Simon Loui Yu-yeung). But Tyrannosaurus is not only the head of a Guangxi triad gang, he turns out to have very particular tastes in food and sex. Regardless, To is determined to woo this investor, even if it means giving into his every demand.”
9/28/12- Mixed reviews at best including a weak one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment September 28th, 2012
MY LIFE AS ABRAHAM LINCOLN- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In this dark, surreal comedy, Cindy Rossberg (Caroline Luft) has apparently killed her fiancé (Trevor Nelson) on her wedding day. Her psychiatrist encourages her to move forward with her life. However, as she attempts to do so, she finds reality too difficult to contend with as she is bound to the events of the past. As she tries to sort things out for herself, Cindy spirals into a wacky world of bizarre situations that become increasingly influenced by a murder mystery she is writing. In the end, Cindy discovers that she must act as her own emancipator in order to free herself from the role she thinks she is expected to play.”
9/28/12- A mixed review in today’s NY Times. I found only 2 other reviews and they were OK. TRDB.
Add comment September 28th, 2012