Posts filed under 'Coming or Opening in the Next Week'
MARGIN CALL- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “An all-star cast shines in this engrossing drama about a critical 24-hour period at a high-profile investment bank in the early days of the 2008 financial crisis, when young analyst Peter Sullivan (Zachary Quinto) uncovers information that could destroy the firm. When he alerts upper management to the precarious position of their risky investments, an emergency meeting is held to decide if they should alert clients or abscond with the profits.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.
10/21/11- Excellent review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
10/31/11- A good “financial thriller” and although I enjoyed it I could have used a bit less of Kevin Spacey’s lessons. Jeremy Irons as the head honcho was great. TRDB.
Tags: drama
March 23rd, 2011
THE GIFT TO STALIN- 2011. Premise by Rotten Tomatoes. ” Set in Kazakhstan in 1949, during a time when minorities were forced to move to central Asia by the former Soviet government. A Jewish kid named Sashka is on a train with his grandfather, being deported with others. His grandfather dies on the train… Set in Kazakhstan in 1949, during a time when minorities were forced to move to central Asia by the former Soviet government. A Jewish kid named Sashka is on a train with his grandfather, being deported with others. His grandfather dies on the train and he has to get off with the body at a small village. He meets an old man, Kasym, and stays with him. But the tragedy is upon the village. Every villager is killed and only Sashka survived.” Good review in NY Times on 3/18/11. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
March 18th, 2011
THE SWIMSUIT ISSUE- Premise by Netflix. “Unfortunately for the guys on Sweden’s only all-male synchronized swim team, a passion for their sport does not necessarily equal a proficiency in it. But that’s not going to stop them in their quest for gold in this comedy from Mans Herngren. Determined to prove naysayers wrong, the middle-aged mermen work first to improve their swimming and then synchronize it as they fervently pursue their ultimate goal — the world championship.” Weak reviews. TRDB.
Tags: documentary, Foreign
March 17th, 2011
TOPSY-TURVY (1999)- Premise by Netflix. “After their production of “Princess Ida” tanks, Arthur Gilbert (Allan Corduner) and William Sullivan (Jim Broadbent) start a cold war that threatens to end their long-lasting partnership — but friends and associates work overtime to bring them back together. The result is their classic play “The Mikado.” Mike Leigh’s thoughtful musical comedy-drama garnered four Academy Award nominations and won for costume design and makeup.” Very good reviews.TRDB.
Tags: Comedy
March 17th, 2011
CRIME AFTER CRIME- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Convicted of killing her brutally abusive boyfriend in 1983, Deborah Peagler languished in prison for 20 years. When California legislation allowing incarcerated domestic-violence survivors to reopen their cases becomes law, a pair of novice attorneys agree to take on her case. Armed with evidence of their client’s innocence, the two encounter a bewildering maze of bureaucratic procedures and political corruption as they seek justice.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.
5/28/12- I enjoyed this movie that was helped by making the attorneys as much of the story as this prisoner. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
February 27th, 2011
WIN WIN- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Paul Giamatti stars as bush-league lawyer Mike Flaherty, who agrees to become an aging client’s legal guardian as a way to pay the bills. But his visions of an easy stipend begin to fade when the man’s teenage grandson suddenly appears on the scene. Just when the attorney thinks he’s found a way to make this new development work for him, the boy’s mother shows up and puts Flaherty’s dreams of a big score in jeopardy.” Very good reviews. Good review in NY Times on 3/18/11. TRDB.
4/11- Well acted, very funny at times and very poignant at times as well. I liked it a lot. TRDB.
Tags: drama
February 27th, 2011
CERTIFIED COPY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Renowned Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami serves up an elegant rumination about art and love in this story about British writer James Miller (William Shimell), who meets an art dealer named Elle (Juliette Binoche) in Tuscany and begins — or possibly continues — a romance with her. As James and Elle wander through a small town, their playful conversations reveal an intimacy that leads locals to suspect that they are actually longtime spouses.” Some good reviews and some bad ones as well. TRDB. Good review in NY Times on 3/11/11.
3/11- An interesting idea keeps this movie going as you wonder what will evolve. One reviewer said it was like a virtual date with Juliette Binoche. I did enjoy it. TRDB. Comcast On Demand.
Tags: drama, Foreign
February 26th, 2011
ILLEGAL- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Olivier Masset-Depasse directs this drama that follows the story of Tania (Anne Coesens) and her teenage son, Ivan (Alexandre Gontcharov), Russian immigrants who are in Belgium illegally. Tania lives in fear of being found out — and one day, her worst nightmare becomes a reality. During a routine police check, Tania is apprehended — but she refuses to accept the fact that she’ll be deported and separated from her son.” Reviews not so good so far but it did sound interesting. TRDB.
7/12/11- A very depressing look at the plight of illegal immigrants, this time in Belgium, but could be anywhere. Well acted, this film received very good professional reviews but mediocre audience reaction, probably because it was so down-beat. I enjoyed the film and would recommend it but not if you’re in a bad mood. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
February 26th, 2011
TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “From the writers of “That ’70s Show” comes this retro dramatic comedy set a decade later, in the financial boom of the late 1980s, about a recent college grad trying to figure out what to do with his life. Amid the goings-on at a raucous Labor Day party, brilliant but underemployed Matt Franklin (Topher Grace) learns a slew of lessons about life and love in this ensemble-cast film starring Anna Faris, Dan Fogler and Teresa Palmer.” Good audience reviews so far. TRDB.
Tags: Drama/Romance
February 20th, 2011
THE IMPERIALISTS ARE STILL ALIVE- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “As her new romance with handsome Javier (José María de Tavira) blossoms, French artist Asya (Élodie Bouchez) copes with her ex-boyfriend’s disappearance, worries about her brother’s safety in Beirut, and experiences a variety of bizarre adventures around New York City. Written and directed by Zeina Durra, this quirky drama also stars Karim Saleh, Karolina Muller, Marianna Kulukundis and Rita Ackerman.” Good audience reviews so far. TRDB.
Tags: drama
February 20th, 2011
Newer Posts
Older Posts