IT’S SUCH A BEAUTIFUL DAY- 2012. Synopsis by IMDB. “Bill struggles to put together his shattered psyche, in this new feature film version of Don Hertzfeldt’s animated short film trilogy.”
10/5/12- Excellent early reviews including a very good one in today’s NY Times- calling it unsettling as well as liking it. TRDB.
TRDB.
Add comment October 6th, 2012
DECODING DEEPAK- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker Gotham Chopra examines the life and work of his father, spiritual teacher and author Deepak Chopra, in this documentary. Following his father around the world in 2010, Gotham seeks to understand the man behind the public image.”
10/5/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times, calling it a gentle tribute. TRDB.
Add comment October 5th, 2012
STARS IN SHORTS- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “On the heels of the annual Oscar Nominated Short Films program, ShortsHD presents Stars in Shorts, a collection of short films featuring some of the world’s biggest actors. Judi Dench is a neophyte in the complicated landscape of internet dating in “Friend Request Pending.” Colin Firth is an unusually needy neighbor to Keira Knightley in “Steve.” Lily Tomlin gets lost on her way to a funeral in “Procession.” Jason Alexander is a screenwriter at the end of his rope in the musical short “Not Your Time.” Also including short films starring Kenneth Branagh, Julia Stiles, Sarah Paulson, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and others.”
Mixed reviews, more good than bad. TRDB.
Add comment September 28th, 2012
VULGARIA- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “To (Chapman To Man-chak), a long-time film producer, has yet to produce anything resembling a hit. Beset by financial troubles, he has become desperate for money – so much so that he is unable to pay the alimony to his ex-wife (Kristal Tin). Despite his former spouse’s bitterness, their daughter still clings onto her faith in him – and wishes to see him on TV once his new movie premieres. To is soon introduced to a potential Mainland Chinese investor, Tyrannosaurus (Ronald Cheng), by his buddy Lui Wing-shing (Simon Loui Yu-yeung). But Tyrannosaurus is not only the head of a Guangxi triad gang, he turns out to have very particular tastes in food and sex. Regardless, To is determined to woo this investor, even if it means giving into his every demand.”
9/28/12- Mixed reviews at best including a weak one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment September 28th, 2012
MY LIFE AS ABRAHAM LINCOLN- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In this dark, surreal comedy, Cindy Rossberg (Caroline Luft) has apparently killed her fiancé (Trevor Nelson) on her wedding day. Her psychiatrist encourages her to move forward with her life. However, as she attempts to do so, she finds reality too difficult to contend with as she is bound to the events of the past. As she tries to sort things out for herself, Cindy spirals into a wacky world of bizarre situations that become increasingly influenced by a murder mystery she is writing. In the end, Cindy discovers that she must act as her own emancipator in order to free herself from the role she thinks she is expected to play.”
9/28/12- A mixed review in today’s NY Times. I found only 2 other reviews and they were OK. TRDB.
Add comment September 28th, 2012
AMERICAN AUTUMN: AN OCCUDOC- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “From the start, Occupy Wall Street was never just another protest movement, as revealed in this documentary that chronicles the event in three cities. Follow the organizers in New York, Boston and Washington, D.C., from grass roots to police clashes.”
9/28/12- Mixed reviews in general and an OK one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment September 28th, 2012
PRIMUM NON NOCERE– FIRST DO NO HARM- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Refuting common beliefs about blood transfusions, global experts share cutting-edge evidence that transfusions may not always be as safe as previously thought, and that issues like DNA and chromosome transfers can be hazardous.”
9/28/12- Mixed reviews. The NY Times called this documentary one-sides. TRDB.
Add comment September 28th, 2012
HEAD SHOT- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A darkly turbulent crime noir from Thai new wave director Pen-ek Ratanaruang, Headshot is an existential thriller, ripe with shadowy paranoia that will turn your world upside-down, literally. This disorienting game of cat and mouse is played out in present-day Thailand, where corruption runs rampant and the good die young. When Tul, a straight-laced cop, is blackmailed by a powerful politician he soon becomes disillusioned by the state of human nature and, in his vengeful condition, is recruited to become a hitman for an iconoclastic group aimed at eliminating those who are above the law. But when a devastating blow turns Tul’s vision upside-down, he finds himself engulfed by doubt, unaware of whether the condition is medical or a result of karmic retribution.”
9/28/12- The NY Times liked it in today’s review but it has received mixed reviews from other critics. TRDB.
Add comment September 28th, 2012
SIX MILLION AND ONE- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Past present and future mix in this eloquent, intense and surprisingly humorous portrait of documentary filmmaker David Fisher and his siblings, as they retrace the footsteps of their late father-a Holocaust survivor who was interned in Gusen and Gunskirchen, Austria. David’s journey takes him to the U.S., where he meets American WWII veterans who participated in the liberation of his father and Gunskirchen camp. This sparks a remarkable journey to Austria by the Fisher siblings. They joke, kibitz and quarrel, and remind us that history and memory require active discussion among the later generations.”
9/28/12- This sounds very interesting but I could not find any professional reviews as yet. Audiences have loved it. TRDB.
Add comment September 28th, 2012
HARVEST OF EMPIRE- Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary traces the history of U.S. relations with Latin America and draws strong links to America’s current immigration crisis. Decaying economies in much of Latin America are viewed as the result of ill-conceived U.S. policies.”
9/28/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment September 28th, 2012