Posts filed under 'Coming or Opening in the Next Week'
IF A TREE FALLS: A STORY OF THE EARTH LIBERATION FRONT- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmakers Marshall Curry and Sam Cullman examine the case of Daniel McGowan, a member of the radical environmental group Earth Liberation Front who was arrested for committing arson against two Oregon timber companies. Dissecting ELF’s self-described use of “economic sabotage” to stop deforestation and other damage to the planet, the film also explores the ramifications of the FBI’s decision to classify them as terrorists.” Good reviews in general and also in NY Times on 6/22/11. TRDB.
9/12/11- A good documentary, more about the “economic sabotage” than about any one man. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
June 23rd, 2011
AGRARIAN UTOPIA- 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Anthology presents a week-long run of Uruphong Raksasad’s ravishing documentary/fiction hybrid, which portrays two rural families who, facing the seizure of their lands, come together to work the same rice paddy for a season, using pre-industrial farming methods. Its serenely beautiful imagery – golden fields, time-lapse skies – bespeaks a nostalgia for a simpler time, but Agrarian Utopia is also clear-sighted and tough-minded in its assessment of the present-day economic and political realities.” Good review in NY Times on 6/10/11 and a few other positive reviews as well. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
June 21st, 2011
JUST LIKE US- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Laid-back Egyptian American comic Ahmed Ahmed breaks down the “Arabic concept,” Swingers style, in this film tour through the Middle East, wielding the global currency of comedy to skewer stereotypes of Arabs and Jews alike. Whether in nouveau Dubai or historic Riyadh, New York or Los Angeles, Ahmed and his tour mates, including Maz Jobrani and Tom Papa, handle religion, politics and other heavy matters with intelligence and a maximum of cool.” Only a fair review in NY Times on 6/10/11 and slightly better than average reviews in general, most saying that the concept was better than the execution. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
June 21st, 2011
THE TRIP- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, the stars of the 2005 comedy Tristram Shandy, reunite with director Michael Winterbottom for this mockumentary about a pair of actors — handily named Steve and Rob — who embark on a foodie road trip across England. Mostly improvised and highlighting the duo’s penchant for dueling impressions of famous actors, the film follows them as they test their friendship while sampling the best restaurants in Northern England.” Good review in NY Times on 6/10/11. TRDB.
6/26/11- Great scenes of the countryside and enjoyable bantering between 2 old friends make this film worth watching. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
Tags: Comedy, Foreign
June 21st, 2011
VIVA RIVA!- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Hustler Riva (Patsha Bay) hopes to make a fortune by smuggling large quantities of gasoline and selling it for high prices in fuel-starved Kinshasa, but he’s not the only one with his eye on the lucrative prize. Riva’s plan gets complicated when he falls for Nora (Manie Malone), the girlfriend of local crime kingpin Azor (Diplome Amekindra), but the stunning Nora is also scheming for a big payday in this sleek thriller.” Fair review in NY Times on 6/10/11 but good reviews in general. TRDB.
10/31/11- I can’t believe anyone gave this a good review. Awful and I turned it off. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
June 20th, 2011
NEVER FOREVER- 2007. Synopsis by Netflix. “Vera Farmiga stars in this heartbreaking drama (a 2006 Sundance Film Festival entry) as Sophie, a woman who’s utterly devoted to her husband but finds she’s unable to get pregnant. When Sophie makes an odd but decisive choice to bring a Korean immigrant (Jung-woo Ha) into their marriage, her fateful decision soon threatens to tear the couple apart — and drive Sophie to the brink of total despair.”
A very interesting story and I liked it very much. TRDB.
Tags: drama
June 5th, 2011
MONTE CARLO- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Disappointed with their uninspired tour group in Paris, Emma (Katie Cassidy), Meg (Leighton Meester) and Grace (Selena Gomez) are swept into a breathtaking whirlwind of wealth, glamour and excess when one of the young friends is mistaken for a British heiress. While the girls are whisked away to Monte Carlo and find themselves falling deeper into the lie, the alluringly extravagant lifestyle opens up new opportunities and unexpected romance.” Good audience reviews. TRDB.
Tags: drama
June 4th, 2011
LOVE, ETC.- 2011. Synopsis by RottenTomatoes. “This romantic panorama chronicles five stories from all over New York City: love lost, gained, lasting, and new.” OK audience reviews, none professional as yet. TRDB.
Tags: Drama/Romance
June 4th, 2011
LARRY CROWNE- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “After being laid off from his longtime job at a soulless retail giant, average middle-aged guy Larry Crowne (Tom Hanks) decides it’s time to change up his life, so he heads back to college. There, he finds a new perspective — and a new romance with a professor (Julia Roberts). Hanks directs this comedy-drama from a script co-written by Hanks and Nia Vardalos. Bryan Cranston, Pam Grier, Taraji P. Henson, Cedric the Entertainer and Vardalos co-star.” Good early reviews. TRDB.
7/1/11- Weak review in NY Times today. TRDB.
Several of my friends have seen this and either didn’t like it or forgot what it was about– you be the judge. TRDB.
Tags: Drama/Romance
June 4th, 2011
QUEEN OF THE SUN- 2011. Synopsis by RottenTomatoes. “What Are the Bees Telling Us? is a profound, alternative look at the global bee crisis from Taggart Siegel, director of THE REAL DIRT ON FARMER JOHN. Taking us on a journey through the catastrophic disappearance of bees.” Very good reviews and a good review in the NY Times on 6/10/11. TRDB.
2/26/12- An enlightening documentary that has application for other issues besides just bees. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
June 3rd, 2011
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