NEXT YEAR JERUSALEM- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “This moving documentary follows eight senior citizens, all nursing home residents, as they embark on a life-affirming journey to Israel. More than a travelogue, the film reveals the remarkable results when such a trip is taken late in life.”
5/16/14- Only 1 critical review (The NY Times) and it’s good. Audiences have liked it a lot. TRDB.
Add comment May 18th, 2014
HANNA RANCH- 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “At once intimate and epic, HANNA RANCH tells the story of four generations of a cattle ranching family who suffer the tensions that threaten to destroy their land and their way of life in today’s American West.”
5/16/14- I’ve seen only 4 critical reviews but they were all good. TRDB.
Add comment May 18th, 2014
HALF OF A YELLOW SUN- 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Olanna (Thandie Newton) and Kainene (Anika Noni Rose) are glamorous twins from a wealthy Nigerian family. Upon returning to a privileged city life in newly independent 1960s Nigeria after their expensive English education, the two women make very different choices.”
5/16/14- Basically weak reviews but it did sound interesting. TRDB.
Add comment May 18th, 2014
CYBER-SENIORS- 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A humorous and heartwarming documentary feature, CYBER-SENIORS chronicles the extraordinary journey of a group of senior citizens as they discover the world of the Internet through the guidance of teenage mentors.”
5/16/14- Good reviews from critics and terrible ones from audiences. TRDB.
Add comment May 18th, 2014
COLD BLOOM- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This moving drama centers on young married couple Shiori and Kenji, workers at the same plant in a town hit hard by Japan’s 2011 tsunami. After Kenji dies in a workplace mishap, Shiori tries to forgive the man whose error led to her husband’s death.”
5/16/14- Good reviews including the one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment May 18th, 2014
THE AMERICAN NURSE- 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The American Nurse Project aims to elevate the voice of nurses in this country by capturing their personal stories through photography and film. In early 2012, photographer Carolyn Jones and her team began a journey across the United States, recording the unique experiences of nurses at work. The photographs and narratives aim to inspire audiences to think about nurses in a way that they may never have before, with a newfound appreciation for this indispensable figure on the front lines of health and healthcare today.”
5/16/14- Excellent reviews from everybody. TRDB.
Add comment May 18th, 2014
AI WEIWEI: THE FAKE CASE- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “After 81 days of solitary detention world famous Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is put under house arrest. He suffers from sleeping disorder and memory loss, 18 cameras are monitoring his studio and home, police agents follow his every move, and heavy restrictions from the Kafkaesque Chinese authorities weigh him down.”
5/16/14- Uniformly positive views from critics and uniformly negative reviews from audiences. TRDB.
Add comment May 18th, 2014
THE RESCUERS- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “This searing historical documentary reveals the little-recounted saga of a group of diplomats during World War II. Thanks to their efforts, thousands of Jews escaped capture and extermination via the Nazis’ chilling “final solution.”
5/9/14- The NY Times said that this film was a good idea but a poor movie. Other critics agree. TRDB.
Add comment May 9th, 2014
STILL I STRIVE- 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Still I Strive is a story of transcendence through compassion, unity and hope. At one orphanage in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the performing arts are the path to healing and transformation.”
5/9/14- Uniformly excellent reviews. TRDB.
Add comment May 9th, 2014
FARMLAND- 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Most Americans have never stepped foot on a farm or ranch or even spoken with the people who grow and raise the food we eat. FARMLAND takes an intimate look at the lives of several farmers and ranchers, all in their 20’s, and all responsible for running their own agriculture businesses.”
5/9/14- Awful professional reviews but audiences have uniformly liked this documentary. TRDB.
Add comment May 9th, 2014