LET THE BULLETS FLY- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this comedic Western set in 1920s China, outlaw Zhang hijacks a train carrying the governor and a whole lot of loot. When the train derails, Zhang hatches a scheme to impersonate the governor with the help of the official’s shady assistant.” Excellent early reviews. TRDB.
3/2/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
5/15/12- Ridiculous and I turned it off quickly. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment February 17th, 2012
LAST DAYS HERE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this poignant documentary portrait, an aged and gaunt Bobby Liebling — the former lead singer of the heavy metal act Pentagram — rallies to restart his life after decades of disappointment and drug addiction.”
3/2/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times and very good reviews from most other sources. TRDB.
Add comment February 17th, 2012
THE FORGIVENESS OF BLOOD- 2012. Synopsis by RottenTomatoes. “The powerful and richly textured second feature from Joshua Marston focuses on an Albanian family caught up in a blood feud. Nik (Tristan Halilaj) is a carefree teenager in a small town with a crush on the school beauty and ambitions to start his own internet café. His world is suddenly up-ended when his father and uncle become entangled in a land dispute that leaves a fellow villager murdered. According to a centuries-old code of law, this entitles the dead man’s family to take the life of a male from Nik’s family as retribution. His uncle in jail and his father in hiding, Nik is the prime target and confined to the home while his younger sister Rudina (Sindi Laçej) is forced to leave school and take over their father’s business.” Good early reviews. TRDB.
2/24/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times but very good reviews in general. TRDB.
3/3/12- I thought this movie was great! TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment February 14th, 2012
THE VOW- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Rachel McAdams stars in this romantic drama about a newlywed woman who slips into a coma after a car accident and awakens with amnesia. Her devoted husband (Channing Tatum) must help her recover — and he also needs to win her back.”
2/10/12- Weak professional reviews including today’s NY Times but audiences have given good early reviews. TRDB.
Add comment February 10th, 2012
PRIVATE ROMEO- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” gets an update in this provocative drama, which sets the tale in an all-male military school where rival groups of cadets clash with one another — and find desire in unexpected quarters.”
2/10/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment February 10th, 2012
THE MINER’S HYMMS- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Using a variety of stunning visuals, documentarian Bill Morrison examines the evolution of a close-knit British mining community, from the troubled economic times of the 1930s through the turbulent 1960s and the divisive labor movements of the 1980s.”
2/9/12- Great reviews and a very good one in today’s NY Times as well. TRDB.
Add comment February 9th, 2012
WE HAVE A POPE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “The newly elected Pope suffers a panic attack just as he is due to appear on St Peter’s balcony to greet the faithful, who have been patiently awaiting the conclave’s decision. His advisers, unable to convince him he is the right man for the job, seek help from a renowned psychoanalyst (and atheist). But his fear of the responsibility suddenly thrust upon him is one that he must face on his own.” Generally poor reviews. TRDB.
4/6/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
4/15/12- Despite the fair to poor reviews I enjoyed this film about a man suffering with the awesome responsibility placed on him and his questions about being able to do the job. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
Add comment February 7th, 2012
NEWLYWEDS- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “The honeymoon is short-lived for newlywedsBuzzy and Katy. His wild younger sister drops in unannounced, and her ex keeps asking to borrow money. Meanwhile, they watch helplessly as their best friends’ marriage of 19 years starts to come undone.” Better than average reviews– a few very good ones also. TRDB.
2/9/12- I love Edward Burns’ movies and this was no exception. Clever, well acted and insightful. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
Add comment February 6th, 2012
SPLINTERS- 2012. Synopsis by RottenTomatoes. “Splinters is the first feature-length documentary film about the evolution of indigenous surfing in the developing nation of Papua New Guinea. In the 1980s an intrepid Australian pilot left behind a surfboard in the seaside village of Vanimo. Twenty years on, surfing is not only a pillar of village life but also a means to prestige. With no access to economic or educational advancement, let alone running water and power, village life is hermetic. A spot on the Papua New Guinea national surfing team is the way to see the wider world; the only way.”
2/3/12- OK review in today’s NY Times as well as good professional reviews in general. OK audience reaction so far. TRDB.
Add comment February 3rd, 2012
UNDEFEATED- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Cinéma vérité tackles football in this inspirational profile of an inner-city Memphis high school football team, whose downtrodden players combine with a dedicated volunteer coach in a valiant effort to reach the school’s first-ever playoff game.” Good audience reaction but no professional reviews as yet. TRDB.
2/17/12- Excellent reviews in today’s NY Times and elsewhere for this nominated film for Best Documentary for this year’s Academy Awards. TRDB.
Add comment February 3rd, 2012