ARGO- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1979, when Iranian militants seize the American embassy, six Americans slip into the Canadian embassy for protection, prompting the CIA to concoct an elaborate plot to rescue them by pretending that they are filmmakers rather than diplomats.”
Excellent reviews. TRDB.
10/25/12- A fascinating and apparently true story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. TRDB. At the Theater.
Add comment September 26th, 2012
MY UNCLE RAFAEL- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “When a TV producer is desperate to find a replacement series, she convinces a 71 year-old Armenian, tell-it-like-it-is Uncle to star in a new reality show. Cultures collide when Uncle Rafael is thrown into the Schumacher family household where he, in his own Armenian way, has one week to save an already broken and dysfunctional American family from falling apart. The only rule-everyone must follow his rules!”
9/21/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment September 24th, 2012
DOCTORED- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Doctored is director Bobby Sheehan and producer Jeff Hays’ entry into the emerging genre of health focused feature documentaries and follows both patients and health care providers struggling within a broken health care system. The story begins with the AMA’s attack on their non-drug providing rivals, the chiropractic profession. Interviews and historical footage expose the AMA’s clandestine campaign to eliminate chiropractic services, which culminates in a 15 year legal battle known as the Wilk case. Sheehan uses this story, and the following stories of patients seeking or forced into alternative treatments, as “a small doorway into a large room.” The key point made early in the film is that as it relates to health care almost all areas have been “doctored”. Endemic of the problem is the plight of today’s MD who is forced to forgo the “art” of medicine in exchange for 12-15 minute appointments and forced prescriptions dispensing. The film also shows spectacular successes from seeming chiropractic miracles from Olympic gold medalists, Hall of Fame NBA players and a mother that was sent home to die who regains health. Sheehan and Hays shot hundreds of hours of footage from Surgeons, MD’s, DC’s, DO’s, patients from Picabo Street and John Stockton; normal, every day people fighting for their lives, shown in crisis, each having to choose to follow the normal, drug-based, standard of care or risk everything by providing or accepting belittled alternative therapies. Although the US makes up only 5% of the world’s population, we consume over 50% of all the world’s pharmaceutical drugs, while we endure worsening health. Sheehan shed’s light on this “doctored” system and opens a conversation on real solutions.”
9/21/12- Just a fair review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment September 24th, 2012
THREE STARS- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Focusing on ten Michelin 3 Star chefs, Three Stars depicts the everyday drama of life in gourmet restaurants and includes exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes access to some of the world’s most talented chefs as they work in their gastronomic laboratories, hunt for exquisite ingredients in local markets, and gather rare edible plants along rough coastlines. It reveals the business of cooking on the highest level and highlights the various kitchen routines and culinary philosophies of chefs like Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Yannick Alléno, and Olivier Roellinger.”
So far, poor reviews all around. TRDB.
Add comment September 24th, 2012
FRED WON’T MOVE OUT- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “With levity and sadness, two grown children and their aging parents struggle with the decision whether the older generation should stay in the house where they have lived for fifty years. Shot in the house where the director’s parents lived for close to fifty years shortly after they moved out, the film’s semi-autobiographical story is memorably acted by a small ensemble cast led by Elliott Gould. Shot in sequence in three weeks with a heady mix of improvisational work by both author Richard Ledes and his cast, the film’s personal approach to its subject captures a universal story uniquely told.”
Poor audience reviews but no professional reviews as yet. TRDB.
Add comment September 24th, 2012
HELLBOUND?- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Enough with the comforting white light when we die; what if you end up, you know, in the other place? This thought-provoking film digs for answers. Theologians, clergy and pop culture figures discuss hell: its place in religion, history and reality.”
Good review in the NY Times on 9/21/12 and OK reviews in general. TRDB.
Add comment September 24th, 2012
DEAR MANDELA- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Destroyed homes, threats at gunpoint and high-court action, this battle by three young people to stand up for their rights is a testimony to people power. When the South African government promises to ‘eradicate the slums’ and begins to evict shack dwellers far outside the city, three friends who live in Durban’s vast shantytowns refuse to be moved. Dear Mandela follows their journey from their shacks to the highest court in the land as they invoke Nelson Mandela’s example and become leaders in a growing social movement. By turns inspiring, devastating and funny, the film offers a new perspective on the role that young people can play in political change and is a fascinating portrait of South Africa coming of age.”
Poor early reviews. TRDB.
Add comment September 24th, 2012
THEY CALL IT MYANMAR: LIFTING THE CURTAIN- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Shot clandestinely over a two-year period in the second-most isolated country on the planet, Burma, this documentary lifts the curtain to expose everyday life in a country that has been held in the iron grip of a brutal military regime for 48 years.”
Very good reviews. TRDB.
Add comment September 24th, 2012
BLINKY AND ME- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Following his life from Nazi-occupied Poland to Israel to Australia, this documentary tells the story of pioneering animator Yoram Gross, who gained fame and fortune through his popular film series Blinky Bill.”
9/21/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times. Audience reviews have been mediocre also. TRDB.
Add comment September 21st, 2012
186 DOLLARS TO FREEDOM- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This gritty drama based on a true story follows American surfer Wayne Montgomery as he moves to Peru in 1980. After being framed on drug charges, Wayne survives in the infamous El Sexto prison as corrupt officials try to extort money from his family.”
9/21/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB.
Add comment September 21st, 2012