RISING FROM ASHES- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This film follows Rwanda’s first national cycling team as they struggle to move past their country’s horrific genocide and make it to the 2012 Olympics. Coached by cycling legend Jock Boyer, the eclectic group fights against huge obstacles.”
7/15/13- Early reviews appear good. TRDB.
8/2/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times and mixed reviews from others. TRDB.
Add comment July 16th, 2013
THE SHINE OF DAY- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Philipp Hochmair is a serious young actor who absorbs himself so fully in his stage characters that he begins to lose touch with his own reality. When his uncle comes to visit, the two men slowly shed their differences and develop a strong bond.”
7/12/13- A fairly good review in today’s NY Times and from other critics as well. TRDB.
Add comment July 15th, 2013
PAWN SHOP CHRONICLES- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. The stories of a man searching for his abducted wife, a couple of white-supremacist meth heads and a sad sack Elvis impersonator find a common link through items in a small Southern town’s local pawn shop … and a wild goose chase ensues.”
7/12/13- Awful reviews all over. TRDB.
Add comment July 15th, 2013
KILLING SEASON- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Tormented by memories of combat in the Bosnian War, American vet Benjamin Ford seeks peace of mind deep in the Appalachian Mountains. But when a Bosnian vet of the same war comes to settle a score, a new war erupts in the American wilderness.”
7/12/13- Poor reviews all around including the one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment July 15th, 2013
THE HOT FLASHES- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A group of middle-aged women — all former basketball champs — come together to challenge the current all-star high school team in a fun-filled, fast-paced tournament to raise money for breast cancer prevention.”
7/12/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB.
Add comment July 15th, 2013
EXIT ELENA- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “With no place to call home, 19-year-old Elena takes a job as a live-in aide. She finds herself thrust into the middle of a family in crisis: all the things that go on between a father, grandmother, mother, and cat. Eventually, Elena strikes something of a balance though… That is, until the prodigal son returns home. Placing fictional characters alongside real people, ‘Exit Elena’ is shot through with all the rough edges inherent to family life and home movie form – in short, it’s a dark comedy.”
7/12/13- A pretty good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment July 15th, 2013
BHAAG MILKHA BHAAG- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Award-winning filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra (writer/director of the BAFTA-nominated Rang De Basanti starring Aamir Khan) returns with his newest film BHAAG MILKHA BHAAG telling the true story of the “Flying Sikh” – world champion runner and Olympian Milkha Singh. Played by acclaimed actor Farhan Akhtar, Singh overcame the bloody massacre of his family, civil war during the India-Pakistan partition, and homelessness to become one of India’s most iconic athletes.”
7/12/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment July 15th, 2013
ASSAULTED- CIVIL RIGHTS UNDER FIRE- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A documentary that brings audiences to the center of the controversy over the issue that is dividing our nation – gun control. Narrated by Ice-T, critically acclaimed rapper and actor, the film takes a critical look at current gun laws and the rising movement to restrict the rights guaranteed by our Second Amendment.”
7/12/13- Today’s NY Times review said that this documentary was too one-sided to be good and most other reviewers agreed. TRDB.
Add comment July 15th, 2013
OF BY FOR- 2013. Synopsis by IMDB. “A journey across America’s Route 66 finds a country united in disappointment with the status quo in Washington. Citizens from all walks of life discuss money in politics, divisive campaign tactics, broken promises and the helpless feeling that as the election nears they must choose between the lesser of two evils”
7/5/13- Reviewed in today’s NY Times with a weak review. I couldn’t find any others. TRDB.
Add comment July 6th, 2013
THE LOOK OF LOVE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This bittersweet biopic chronicles the over-the-top life of Paul Raymond, England’s Hugh Hefner, from nightclub mind reader to burlesque impresario. When not putting nude women on stage, he indulges in every excess and nearly destroys his family.”
7/5/13- Very mixed reviews- more negative than positive. The NY Times liked it. TRDB.
Add comment July 5th, 2013