AMERICAN MEAT- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This eye-opening documentary provides a sympathetic contrast of factory-type farming, where thousands of animals live in crowded conditions, and open-grazing farming, which results in fewer animals but better conditions for both humans and livestock.”
4/12/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times but other critics have liked it more. TRDB.
Add comment April 13th, 2013
ALYAH- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Low-level drug dealer Alex dreams of a better life away from his needy older brother and distant father, but before he can leave France to join a cousin in Tel Aviv, Alex must make a lot of money and come to terms with his complicated relationships.”
4/10/13- Seen as part of the Jewish Film Festival at Jacob Burns this drama was not as good as the individual scenes especially one scene near the end in a restaurant, but the lead actor and his girlfriend were appealing. TRDB.
6/14/13- A fairly good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment April 11th, 2013
HERMAN’S HOUSE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “After 40 years in solitary confinement, Herman Wallace was asked to design his dream house, which forms the centerpiece of this sobering documentary. The project, helmed by art student Jackie Sumell, drives home the impact of decades of solitude.”
4/9/13- Just a few early reviews for this documentary and they are all good. TRDB.
4/19/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment April 9th, 2013
STRANGER THINGS- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This incisive indie tale centers on Luke, an autistic 25-year-old who lives with his grandparents — until his grandmother dies. Though the world expects little from him, he resolves to meet the challenge of finding a job and looking after himself.”
4/5/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times and from other critics as well. TRDB.
Add comment April 5th, 2013
THE STORY OF LUKE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This incisive indie tale centers on Luke, an autistic 25-year-old who lives with his grandparents — until his grandmother dies. Though the world expects little from him, he resolves to meet the challenge of finding a job and looking after himself.”
4/5/13- An OK review in today’s NY Times and from other critics as well. TRDB.
Add comment April 5th, 2013
SMYRA: THE DESTRUCTION OF A COSMOPOLITAN CITY- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Archival photos and film reveal the glorious Greek city of Smyrna, a pinnacle of cultural tolerance until its destruction in 1922. Historians and descendants from the region discuss Smyrna’s legacy and the efforts to ensure it’s never forgotten.”
4/5/13- An OK review in today’s NY Times and from others as well. TRDB.
Add comment April 5th, 2013
6 SOULS- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this eerie thriller, a forensic psychiatrist who has spent her career exposing false cases of multiple personality disorder must think outside the box when she takes on a patient whose various personas are those of murder victims.”
4/5/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment April 5th, 2013
BERT STERN: ORIGINAL MADMAN- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “After quickly rising from mailroom boy at Look Magazine to an internationally sought-after photographer in the 1950s, visual pioneer Bert Stern has led a fascinating, tumultuous life and photographed many of the world’s most beautiful women.”
4/5/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times and weak reviews in general. TRDB.
Add comment April 5th, 2013
NOT TODAY- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Traveling with his friends to Hyderabad, India on a whim, Caden’s expectations of a never-ending party crash hard. But not as hard as his conscience when he refuses to help a starving man and his little girl. Haunted by the images of Kiran and Annika, Caden attempts to right his wrong – only to discover Kiran has been forced to sell his own daughter.”
3/30/13- No reviews as yet. TRDB.
Add comment March 30th, 2013
MENTAL- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After his wife has a breakdown, a smarmy politician hires Shaz, a “nanny” he finds on the side of the road, to care for his daughters. But the freewheeling Shaz has her hands full with the girls, each of whom claims her own brand of mental illness.”
3/29/13- Poor reviews all around. TRDB.
Add comment March 29th, 2013