VALLEY OF STRENGTH
VALLEY OF STRENGTH- About the challenges of settling in Palestine at the end of the 19th. century.
Weak review in the NY Times on 7/14/12. TRDB.
Add comment July 17th, 2012
Posts filed under 'Coming or Opening in the Next Week'
PONIES
PONIES- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “After immigrating to the United States seeking the American Dream, three men fall into the seamy world of off-track betting — and soon find themselves in too deep and fighting for the right to stay in the country.”
Good reviews in general and an OK one in the NY Times on 7/14/12. TRDB.
Add comment July 17th, 2012
DRUNKBOAT
DRUNKBOAT- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “DRUNKBOAT tells the story of a young teenager, Abe who manipulates the unsuspecting help of his alcoholic Uncle Mort to buy a boat from a con man when his mother is out of town. The story resonates with the struggle of Uncle Mort, making the story much deeper than a simple tale of a boy and his boat. Both the uncle and Abe come of age in the story.”
Mediocre reviews in general but an OK one in the NY Times on 7/14/12. TRDB.
Add comment July 17th, 2012
RED LIGHTS
RED LIGHTS- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Veteran paranormal researchers Dr. Margaret Matheson (Sigourney Weaver) and Tom Buckley (Cillian Murphy) debunk fraudulent claims of ghost whispering, faith healing and other psychic phenomena by detecting what Matheson calls “red lights,” the subtle tricks behind every staged supernatural occurrence. But when the legendary blind psychic Simon Silver (Robert De Niro)comes out of retirement after 30 years, his once-fearless adversary Matheson warns Buckley to back off, fearing reprisal from the powerful Silver. Determined to discredit Silver, Buckley and his star student (Elizabeth Olsen) use every tool at their disposal to uncover the truth behind the charismatic, spoon-bending, mind reader. But Buckley is forced to reexamine his own core beliefs as his quest builds to a mind-blowing conclusion in this taut psychological thriller from award-winning writer and director Rodrigo Cortés.”
7/17/12- Weak reviews in general and just an OK one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment July 17th, 2012
THE WELL DIGGER’S DAUGHTER (LA FILLE DU PUISATIER)
THE WELL DIGGER’S DAUGHTER- 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A bitter class war erupts between two families after the daughter of a humble well-digger get impregnated by the scion of a wealthy shopkeeper. Ageing widower Pascale worked hard to provide for his six daughters. As the first shots of World War I are fired, Pascale’s eldest daughter Patricia (Astrid Bergés-Frisbey) returns home from Paris to help raise her younger siblings. Meanwhile, Pascale longs to see Patricia marry his longtime assistant Pascale (Kad Merad) – a hard worker who would make a loving husband. But shortly after arriving back home, Patricia has a fling with Jacques Mazel (Nicolas Duvauchelle), a fighter pilot who hails from a wealthy family, and disappears to the front lines after getting Patricia pregnant. At first, the Mazel’s are furious, accusing the impoverished Amoretti’s of using the situation to stake a claim on their fortune. When Jacques goes missing in action, however, the Mazel’s quickly realize that Patricia’s unborn child may be their only link to the son who sacrificed his life fighting for their country.”
Great early professional reviews but audiences have not been as impressed. TRDB.
7/20/12- A just OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
9/7/12- An interesting French comedic drama with wonderful acting, especially a great Auteuil. You should see it. TRDB. At the Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival.
Add comment July 7th, 2012
THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES
THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Directed by lauded filmmaker and photographer Lauren Greenfield, who won the U.S. Directing Award for Documentary Film at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival for this film, The Queen of Versailles is a character-driven documentary about a billionaire family and their financial challenges in the wake of the economic crisis. With epic proportions of Shakespearean tragedy, the film follows two unique characters, whose rags-to-riches success stories reveal the innate virtues and flaws of the American Dream. The film begins with the family triumphantly constructing the biggest house in America, a 90,000 sq. ft. palace. Over the next two years, their sprawling empire, fueled by the real estate bubble and cheap money, falters due to the economic crisis. Major changes in lifestyle and character ensue within the cross-cultural household of family members and domestic staff.”
Very good reviews in general and in the NY Times on 7/20/12. TRDB.
8/8/12- A very good and insightful documentary that also applied the psycho-social history of the characters to better understand their reaction to adversity. TRDB. At the Theater.
Add comment July 7th, 2012
30 BEATS
30 BEATS- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Paz de la Huerta, Justin Kirk, Lee Pace, Thomas Sadoski, and Jennifer Tilly headline an ensemble of New Yorkers whose lives interconnect via a string of life-changing sexual encounters during a summer heat wave. The international cast also includes Lithuanian actress Ingeborga Dapkunaite, Peruvian Jason Day, French actress Vahina Giocante, Ben Levin and Condola Rashad. 30 BEATS follows ten characters drawn into a ring of love and desire, each one caught beyond his or her control in a chain reaction of seduction, impulses and self-discovery. The screenplay was freely inspired by Arthur Schnitzler’s play LA RONDE. The film was produced by Molly Conners, Carl Ford and Lloyd and executive produced by Susan Batson, Ronald Guttman and Pierre Lagrange.”
Weak early reviews in general and a barely OK review in the NY Times on 7/20/12.. TRDB.
Add comment July 7th, 2012
CHINA HEAVYWEIGHT
CHINA HEAVYWEIGHT- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Scouted from villages throughout rural southwestern China, teens with a knack for boxing move to training centers that teach more than just the sport. While resisting pro boxing’s temptations of fame, they hone their skill for national Olympic pride.”
7/6/12- Good review in today’s NY Times and from other critics as well. TRDB.
Add comment July 6th, 2012
STARRY STARRY NIGHT
STARRY STARRY NIGHT- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “When Mei falls in love with Jay, a new transfer student at her school, love at first sight takes hold, providing her first journey into adulthood and what soon becomes her fondest childhood memory. Amongst her parents’ divorce and bickering and her grandfather’s death, Mei finds solace in Jay even as they begin a perilous journey into the mountainous wilderness to find her grandparents’ home. As they venture into the starry, starry night, they get lost in a storm that leads them towards a greater destination.”
7/6/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment July 6th, 2012
LAST RIDE
LAST RIDE- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In Last Ride, a desperate father takes his ten year old son, Chook, on the run after committing a violent crime. As the two journey into the desert and an unknown future, their troubled relationship and the need to survive sees them battling the elements and each other. Chook eventually takes control and the choice he is forced to make has a devastating effect on both their lives.”
7/6/12– Good review in today’s NY Times and by the critics in general. Audiences have liked it as well. TRDB.
7/31/12- An interesting Australian drama with beautiful scenery and I’d recommend it. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
Add comment July 6th, 2012