ORDINARY MIRACLES- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “From 1936 to 1951, the Photo League was the center of the documentary movement in American photography. This tribute presents seldom-seen photos of New York City urban life in the ’30s and ’40s from 50 of the group’s leading members.”
6/22/12- Good review in today’s NY Times and in general as well. TRDBB.
Add comment June 22nd, 2012
NOBODY WALKS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “The arrival of aspiring filmmaker Martine into a laid-back Southern California household brings about dramatic changes in the lives of her hosts. The bond between Martine and Peter, who is helping her with a project, soon becomes more complex.”
Early reviews are weak. TRDB.
10/19/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment June 20th, 2012
SLEEPWALK WITH ME- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this autobiographical tale based on director Mike Birbiglia’s successful one-man show, an up-and-coming stand-up comedian deals with career and relationship issues while trying to ignore his outrageous sleepwalking habit.”
Rotten Tomatoes had this to say– “I’m going to tell you a story, and it’s true….I always have to tell people that.” So asserts comedian-turned-playwright-turned-filmmaker Mike Birbiglia directly to the viewer at the outset of his autobiographically inspired, fictional feature debut. Birbiglia wears his incisive wit on his sleeve while portraying a cinematic surrogate. We are thrust into the tale of a burgeoning stand-up comedian struggling with the stress of a stalled career, a stale relationship threatening to race out of his control, and the wild spurts of severe sleepwalking he is desperate to ignore. Based on the successful one-man show, Sleepwalk With Me engages in the kind of passionate and personal storytelling that transfigures intimate anguish into comic art. Produced and co-written by Ira Glass (NPR’s This American Life), Sleepwalk With Mefeatures a stellar supporting cast that includes Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under), Carol Kane (Taxi), James Rebhorn (Meet the Parents), Cristin Milioti (30 Rock), and a sampling from the who’s who of today’s stand-up scene.”
Great reviews!! TRDB.
8/24/12- The NY Times called this movie “likable” but as noted others felt it was much better than that. TRDB.
9/4/12- Despite the good reviews I found this movie just mildly entertaining and not so funny. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
Add comment June 20th, 2012
SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “As an asteroid hurtles toward Earth, a man whose wife has abandoned him spends the planet’s final days on a road trip to reunite with his high school sweetheart. But a lovely neighbor who tags along for the ride complicates his plans.”
Fair professional reviews but good audience reaction. TRDB.
6/22/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
2/16/13- I found this movie ridiculous and turned it off. TRDB.
Add comment June 19th, 2012
NEIL YOUNG JOURNEYS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Following rocker Neil Young to his Toronto hometown, Jonathan Demme captures the artist live in concert at Massey Hall and on the road in Ontario. This film is the third in Demme’s Neil Young concert trilogy, following Heart of Gold and Trunk Show.”
Mediocre early reviews. TRDB.
6/29/12- The NY Times gave this movie a good review today. TRDB.
Add comment June 16th, 2012
TED- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This adult-oriented comedy follows the curious exploits of John, a slacker whose constant companion, Ted — a childhood teddy bear who’s actually come to life — threatens to derail his belated attempts to enter adulthood and romance his dream girl.”
Great audience reviews so far as well as better than average professional ones. TRDB.
6/29/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment June 16th, 2012
TAKE THIS WALTZ- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmed in Toronto, this intimate, unflashy romantic drama portrays a happily married woman who experiences a sudden and strong desire for another man. Further complicating the situation, the object of her desire resides just across the street.”
Very good early reviews. TRDB.
6/29/12- Great review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
7/2/12- Great acting by Michelle Williams and if you can suspend a bit of reality I think you can enjoy this fim. I did. Comcast On-Demand.
Add comment June 16th, 2012
PEOPLE LIKE US- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Sam flies home for his estranged father’s funeral, the reading of the will reveals a sister he never knew he had — and an order that Sam must bring his alcoholic sibling and her young son their inheritance.”
Very good early reviews. TRDB.
6/29/12- Only a fair review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
11/7/12- An interesting drama that was a bit soap-opera-ish but there was some very good writing embedded in this story about family. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment June 16th, 2012
IKLAND- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The Ik were described as sadists who starved their own children and crapped in front of each others’ homes for fun. They were reviled as the worst and most depraved beings on Earth, and it was recommended that their culture be destroyed for its own good. No one has dared to film them in the 40 years since they were first studied. Ikland recounts a quest to re-connect with a lost corner of humanity. For producer Cevin Soling, they represented the last outpost of imagination in a world devoid of myth. Soling and his crew risked their lives by traveling through war-ravaged northern Uganda to reach them. Their experience was alien and surreal in ways only Jonathan Swift might have imagined”
6/15/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment June 15th, 2012
THE SKINNY- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “A year after college graduation, a pact reunites four gay men and a lesbian friend in New York City for a fateful Gay Pride weekend. As they catch up, some painful memories rise to the surface, bringing mistrust and bitterness into their celebration.”
A weak review in the NY Times on 6/8/12. TRDB.
Add comment June 13th, 2012