SEARCHING FOR SONNY- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a curious postcard calls him home, Elliot Knight combines his 10-year high school reunion with a search for his missing friend Sonny. But as he and his classmates dig deeper, they uncover eerie similarities to a play they’ve already performed.”
Audience reviews are great but I can’t find any professional ones. TRDB.
Add comment August 19th, 2012
DA PINCHE CODE- 2012. Synopsis by IMDB. “There’s a code in the murals, and who ever finds it will rule the barrio, and to be a Hispanic-independent producer is a tragic comedy. A mafioso down on his luck, a director with a passion, and a young man trying to find his true identity all collide in this hilarious comedy”
No reviews as yet. TRDB.
Add comment August 19th, 2012
DETROPIA- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “As the focus of this sobering documentary, the decline of Detroit also reflects the nation’s larger failure to keep up in a modern global economy. The film also examines the efforts of its residents to maintain Detroit’s vibrant cultural base.”
Good professional and audience reviews. TRDB.
9/7/12- I read today’s NY Times review and have NO idea if it was a good one or a bad one. Others have liked it a lot. TRDB.
Add comment August 19th, 2012
FOR ELLEN- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Would-be rock star Joby is forced to duel for joint custody of his 6-year-old daughter, Ellen, when his wife decides to end their marriage. Long absent from his daughter’s life, he must now convince the court that he deserves to share in her future.”
OK professional reviews with some critics calling the movie moving and poignant. TRDB.
9/7/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
4/17/13-The movie began a bit slow but became much better with time, especially the scene near the end with Dano and his daughter. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Add comment August 19th, 2012
WON’T BACK DOWN- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fact-based drama, two women from different classes and races (Viola Davis and Maggie Gyllenhaal) draw on their common bond of motherhood to fight institutional inertia and an antagonistic bureacracy to improve an inner-city school.”
There was reference to this movie in Frank Bruni’s Op-Ed piece in the Sunday, 8/19/12 NY Times. TRDB.
9/28/12- Weak reviews for this film in general and in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment August 19th, 2012
THE AWAKENING- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In post-World War I England, a boarding school haunted by a boy’s ghost calls on Florence Cathcart, who disproves hoaxes for a living. But Cathcart senses something truly strange about the school, leading her to question her belief in the rational.”
8/17/12- Weak reviews all around and in today’s NY Times as well. TRDB.
Add comment August 17th, 2012
BROTHER, CAN YOU SPARE A DOLLAR?- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Drawing a comparison between the Great Depression and today’s economic woes, this documentary explores how our lessening commitment to personal responsibility and community has affected our economic survival strategies.”
8/17/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment August 17th, 2012
SPEAK- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Focusing on the well-spoken participants at the intense and highly competitive Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking, this talky documentary profiles those who excel at one of the most universally feared activities there is.”
8/17/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment August 17th, 2012
THE AMBASSADOR- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker Mads Brügger poses as a diplomat in central Africa and secretly films his wheeling and dealing in a corrupt society. With forged diplomatic papers, he claims to be opening a match factory, but tries to gain access to the area’s diamonds.”
Mixed review from both audiences and professionals. TRDB.
Add comment August 15th, 2012
ALMAYER’S FOLLY- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This affecting adaptation of a Joseph Conrad novel follows the efforts of a Western trader in 1950s Malaysia to ensure a lush life for his daughter. Instead, he finds that his plans may lead to her ruin by the young man hired to work for him.”
8/10/12- Excellent professional reviews in general as well as in today’s NY Times. Audiences have not like the movie. TRDB.
Add comment August 10th, 2012