Posts filed under 'Coming or Opening in the Next Week'
SAVAGES- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Laguna Beach entrepreneurs Ben (Johnson), a peaceful and charitable Buddhist, and his closest friend Chon (Kitsch), a former Navy SEAL and ex-mercenary, run a lucrative, homegrown industry-raising some of the best marijuana ever developed. They also share a one-of-a-kind love with the extraordinary beauty Ophelia (Lively). Life is idyllic in their Southern California town…until the Mexican Baja Cartel decides to move in and demands that the trio partners with them. When the merciless head of the BC, Elena (Hayek), and her brutal enforcer, Lado (Del Toro), underestimate the unbreakable bond among these three friends, Ben and Chon-with the reluctant, slippery assistance of a dirty DEA agent (Travolta)-wage a seemingly unwinnable war against the cartel.”
7/6/12- Good review in today’s NY Times but only average reviews in general. Audiences have liked it. TRDB.
7/9/12- Generally this is not my kind of movie as the film was way over the top in violence, blood and gore but I actually was surprised at how I got sucked into the different personalities involved. A qualified recommendation. At the Theater.
Tags: drama
July 6th, 2012
KUMARE- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A provocative social experiment-turned-documentary, Kumare follows American filmmaker Vikram Gandhi as he transforms himself into a wise Indian guru, hoping to prove the absurdity of blind faith. Instead, he finds himself forging profound connections with people from all walks of life — and wondering if and when to reveal his true self. Will his followers accept his final teaching? Can this illusion reveal a greater spiritual truth? Winner of South by Southwest’s Audience Award, Kumare is an insightful look at faith and belief.”
Fairly good reviews. TRDB.
Tags: documentary, drama
June 30th, 2012
UNION SQUARE- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “An unexpected reunion between estranged sisters, one is on the verge of marriage; the other is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Both struggle with truths they’re hiding from each other – and from themselves. Jenny has rejected her tumultuous family and cut off communication, seeking a more ordered life far from her roots in the Bronx. And she’s almost ready to commit to her longtime fiancé when her sister Lucy – the personification of all that Jenny has been trying to flee – surprises her at a critical time. Lucy and Jenny’s combustible reunion brings both of them to unforeseen places, shattering and reconstructing the worlds they have both carefully constructed.”
Awful early reviews. TRDB.
Tags: drama
June 30th, 2012
TRISHNA- 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Self-effacing British auteur Michael Winterbottom sets his unique spin on Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles against a contemporary Indian backdrop. Freida Pinto stars as the titular Trishna, a young woman who is seduced by the wealthy son of a property developer. As the romance develops, their relationship also becomes increasingly sordid and volatile.”
Good early professional reviews but weaker audience ones. TRDB.
7/17/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
11/8/12- This movie was more Bollywood than I expected and for me was just fair. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: drama
June 30th, 2012
BALLPLAYER: PELOTERO- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “This compelling documentary, narrated by John Leguizamo and executive produced by Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine, is a gritty and never before seen look inside the world of Major League Baseball (MLB) training camps in the Dominican Republic. Miguel Angel and Jean Carlos are two of the top prospects and they are both about to turn 16, which means they can be signed to an MLB farm team and ultimately move up to the majors. Ballplayer: Pelotero filmmakers Ross Finkel, Trevor Martin and Jonathan Paley take you inside this never before seen world for an up close and personal look at the cost of the American dream.”
Excellent reviews in general and a good one in the NY Times on 7/14/12. TRDB.
9/21/12- I liked the movie, a very good expose but I feel that the movie lacked the passion you’d expect with this type of exploitation of minors. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
June 30th, 2012
TOP PRIORITY: THE TERROR WITHIN- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Federal officer with the Department of Homeland Security discovers a national security breach related to the entry of 23 aliens from terrorist countries into the United States. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner, former head of the DEA Robert Bonner can’t afford any more media scrutiny, since his incompetence was already exposed in the NASA ‘Challenger’ disaster. To avoid the scandal, the full might of the government is unleashed against Julia Davis, her family and witnesses. This retaliation reaches the unprecedented magnitude, including four unexplained deaths, Hollywood and the Mafia, false imprisonments and the use of helicopters and airplanes for warrantless surveillance. Amidst many shocking revelations, this documentary provides a new insight into the deaths of well-known Hollywood figures unwittingly dragged into this scandal. The truth is no longer a secret.”
6/29/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
June 29th, 2012
BUSONG- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In Busong, Alessandra de Rossi plays Punay, who is born with wounds on her feet and cannot step on the earth. Her brother, Angkarang, carries her through a hammock, as he searches the changing landscape of Palawan in hopes of finding a healer who can cure Punay. Different people help him carry his sister along the way – a woman looking for her husband, a fisherman who lost his boat, and a young man who is searching for himself – and each one meets their fate.”
6/29/12- A fairly good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
June 29th, 2012
THE MAGIC OF BELLE ISLE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After alcoholism depletes his enthusiasm for writing, celebrated author Monte Wildhorn finds his creative passion renewed when he moves to quaint Belle Isle and gets to know his next door neighbors — a single mother and her three daughters.”
Fair early reviews. TRDB.
7/6/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. I’ll try to see it. TRDB.
Tags: drama
June 23rd, 2012
THE DO-DECA PANTATHLON- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “From Jay and Mark Duplass, the writer/directors of the Sundance hits The Puffy Chair, Cyrus and the upcoming Jeff Who Lives at Home comes The Do-Deca-Pentathlon, the story of two grown brothers who secretly compete in a homemade Olympics during a family reunion. When their fierce and disruptive competition is uncovered, the brothers must choose between their passion for beating the hell out of each other and the greater good of the family.”
OK early reviews. TRDB.
7/6/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Tags: drama
June 23rd, 2012
KATY PERRY: PART OF ME- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Pop star Katy Perry is captured on- and offstage in this revealing diary of her California Dreams Tour, featuring her Los Angeles performances in 3-D. The film shares the air of glamour and fun that radiate from this talented and unique artist.”
Very good audience reaction and good professional reviews as well. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
June 23rd, 2012
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