MATERNA- 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Materna follows the journeys of four New York women who are isolated by city life, separated by class, politics, race and religion, and yet bound by a shared hunger for identity and connection. With their futures at stake, the characters’ lives are upended by a fateful encounter underground, where their stories of personal transformation become a battle for survival.”
8/14/21- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.
Add comment August 14th, 2021
THE EAST- 2001. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1946, Indonesian nationalists take advantage of the power vacuum left by Japan’s surrender to rise up against Dutch colonial rule. But when Dutch soldier Johan de Vries is deployed to quell the rebels, he soon begins to question his mission.”
8/14/21- A few very good reviews and a few very bad reviews. One called it thoroughly generic. TRDB.
Add comment August 14th, 2021
NOT GOING QUIETLY- 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Activism gets highly personal for public-interest lawyer Ady Barkan when he’s diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease at age 32 and given just a few years to live. As he copes with his illness, he embarks on a tireless crusade for health-care reform.”
8/14/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.
Add comment August 14th, 2021
DAYS- 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Seeking therapy for his chronic pain, middle-aged Kang travels to Bangkok, where he hires young masseur Non for a full body massage. Though the two solitary men lead markedly different lives, they find a special — if brief — connection.”
8/14/21- Excellent reviews for this foreign drama. TRDB.
Add comment August 14th, 2021
RESPECT- 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Following the rise of Aretha Franklin’s career — from a child singing in her father’s church choir to her international superstardom — it’s the remarkable true story of the music icon’s journey to find her voice.”
8/12/21- Weak reviews from the critics and very good ones from audiences. TRDB.
Add comment August 12th, 2021
CODA – 2001. Synopsis by Netflix.”As the sole hearing person in her family, 17-year-old Ruby plays a vital role in keeping their fishing business afloat. But when she discovers a passion for singing, she’s pulled in directions that may take her away from her parents and brother.”
8/11/21- Excellent reviews. and I liked it despite the liberal amount of “Hollywood” thrown in. TRDB.
Add comment August 11th, 2021
RESPECT- 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes.”The remarkable true story of musical icon Aretha Franklin — from a child singing in her father’s church choir to her rise to international superstardom.”
8/11/21- Fair reviews from the critics and very good ones from audiences. TRDB.
Add comment August 11th, 2021
WHAT WE LEFT UNFINISHED- 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this engrossing documentary, Afghan movie industry veterans — directors, writers, actors and crew — reflect on its turbulent history and ambiguous future through the window of five unfinished films from the repressive Soviet-era occupation.”
8/8/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.
Add comment August 8th, 2021
PRAY AWAY- 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “This powerful documentary profiles former leaders and a survivor of Exodus International, a conversion-therapy ministry falsely promising members they could “pray away the gay,” creating harmful repercussions for the LGBTQ community.”
8/7/21- Excellent reviews by the critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB.
8/7/21- A very well done documentary. TRDB
Add comment August 7th, 2021
VIVO- 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Featuring original tunes by “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, this animated adventure follows a music-loving capuchin monkey who embarks on a perilous journey from Havana to Miami to fulfill his destiny.”
8/7/21- The critics liked it but audiences were just so-so. TRDB.
Add comment August 7th, 2021