THE BATTLE OF PUSSY WILLOW CREEK- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This faux-documentary fabricates the wild chronicle of four Civil War characters whose heroic exploits for the Union have been scrubbed from history. The unlikely group includes an escaped slave, a teenage prostitute and a colonel addicted to opium.”
3/1/13- Weak reviews in general but an OK one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment March 2nd, 2013
HERE I LEARNED TO LOVE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When brothers Avner and Itzik travel from Israel to their native Poland to find clues about their identities, they uncover emotional information about their parents, who were killed by the Nazis, and the three women who rescued them from death.”
3/1/13- A fairly good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment March 2nd, 2013
STOKER- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “An impressionable teenager grieving for her late father lives with her unstable mother and is bewitched by her enigmatic uncle, who has mysterious motives for his sudden appearance in her life.”
3/1/13- A weak review for this movie in today’s NY Times. The film has a good deal of violence as well. I’ll skip it. TRDB.
Add comment March 2nd, 2013
JACK THE GIANT SLAYER- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Princess Isabelle is kidnapped by rampaging giants, intrepid farm boy Jack, who accidentally opened the gateway that allowed the giants to enter the kingdom, goes in search of her, despite interference from the king’s wicked chief advisor.’
3/1/13- A barely OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment March 2nd, 2013
NORTHEAST- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Will (David Call), an unemployed and aimless playboy living in Brooklyn, New York, has spent his 20’s skating on easy charm from one casual, distant affair to the next. Noticing his friends’ happiness as they gradually settle into steady jobs and committed relationships, Will decides to trade apathy for effort in order to find someone with whom he can start the next chapter of his life.”
2/22/13- Weak review in today’s NY Times and in general as well. TRDB.
Add comment February 23rd, 2013
STUCK- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Following the fates of four orphans from around the world, this earnest documentary argues that international adoption laws are deeply flawed. The film reveals the maze of regulations that prospective parents must navigate to take a child home.”
2/22/13- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment February 23rd, 2013
SNITCH- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Suburban father John Matthews is hit hard when his teenage son is sentenced to 30 years in federal prison under mandatory minimum drug laws. In order to reduce his son’s sentence, John goes undercover to take down a violent drug dealer.”
2/23/13- Fair at best review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment February 23rd, 2013
SHANGHAI CALLING- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When attorney Sam Chao’s bosses send him to dreary Shanghai on a three-month assignment, it sets him steaming in this comedy about cultural biases. But once the lawyer arrives in the city, he quickly becomes immersed in romance and business turmoil.”
2/15/13- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment February 17th, 2013
THE BERLIN FILE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When an illicit arms deal goes bad, North Korean spy Pyo Jong-seong finds himself targeted not just by the South Koreans but also his own bosses. After taking over North Korea’s Berlin embassy, his pursuers try using Pyo’s wife to flush him out.”
2/15/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times and from most other critics as well. TRDB.
Add comment February 17th, 2013
SAVING LINCOLN- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This real-life historical drama profiles the eventful life of U.S. Marshal Ward Hill Lamon, who served as Abraham Lincoln’s personal bodyguard. The filmmakers produce unique visual images by digitally mixing archival photos with live-action staging.”
2/15/13- A barely OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment February 17th, 2013