ABENDLAND- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker Nikolaus Geyrhalter’s penetrating documentary takes a nocturnal look at the contemporary Western world — explicitly its wealth and exclusivity — illuminating patterns of isolation and conformity through an array of sequences.”
7/27/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment July 27th, 2012
KILLER JOE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Dimwitted drug dealer Chris hires Killer Joe to ice his mother for her insurance. But Chris is broke, so Joe demands his sister Dottie as collateral. Dottie’s not about to be treated as chattel, and Killer Joe soon wishes he’d never taken the job.”
7/27/12- Good reviews in general but a bad, bad one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment July 27th, 2012
FALLING OVERNIGHT- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “The day before Elliot is scheduled for a life-threatening surgery, his path intersects with Chloe, a young photographer. Elliot welcomes the distraction as Chloe, unaware of his condition, takes him on an exhilarating journey through the city.”
No professional reviews as yet but good audience reaction. TRDB.
7/27/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment July 18th, 2012
KLOWN- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Two wildly inappropriate pals run amok through the countryside plowing through social taboos, unspeakable debaucheries and absurd sexual encounters. Kidnapping, canoeing and cathouses all factor into this riotous escapade where chaos rules the day.”
No professional reviews as yet but OK audience reaction. TRDB.
7/27/12- A reviewer in today’s NY Times liked this movie but said that it bordered on child porn. Go figure!! TRDB.
Add comment July 18th, 2012
AI WEIWEI: NEVER SORRY- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This compelling documentary explores three years in the life of celebrated Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei, who uses social media and his art to inspire protests against the state, and suffers government persecution for his actions.”
Good professional reviews and fair audience ones. TRDB.
7/27/12- Excellent review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
1/8/13- A very good documentary about this artist who strives to create transparency in the Chinese government. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment July 18th, 2012
DECONSTRUCTING DAD- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker Stanley Warnow offers a compelling look at the life and work of his professionally successful but personally remote father, musical innovator Raymond Scott — whose career spanned from the Big Band age to the 1970s electronic music era.”
Very good reviews in general and an OK one in the NY Times on 7/14/12. TRDB.
Add comment July 17th, 2012
VALLEY OF STRENGTH- About the challenges of settling in Palestine at the end of the 19th. century.
Weak review in the NY Times on 7/14/12. TRDB.
Add comment July 17th, 2012
PONIES- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “After immigrating to the United States seeking the American Dream, three men fall into the seamy world of off-track betting — and soon find themselves in too deep and fighting for the right to stay in the country.”
Good reviews in general and an OK one in the NY Times on 7/14/12. TRDB.
Add comment July 17th, 2012
DRUNKBOAT- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “DRUNKBOAT tells the story of a young teenager, Abe who manipulates the unsuspecting help of his alcoholic Uncle Mort to buy a boat from a con man when his mother is out of town. The story resonates with the struggle of Uncle Mort, making the story much deeper than a simple tale of a boy and his boat. Both the uncle and Abe come of age in the story.”
Mediocre reviews in general but an OK one in the NY Times on 7/14/12. TRDB.
Add comment July 17th, 2012
RED LIGHTS- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Veteran paranormal researchers Dr. Margaret Matheson (Sigourney Weaver) and Tom Buckley (Cillian Murphy) debunk fraudulent claims of ghost whispering, faith healing and other psychic phenomena by detecting what Matheson calls “red lights,” the subtle tricks behind every staged supernatural occurrence. But when the legendary blind psychic Simon Silver (Robert De Niro)comes out of retirement after 30 years, his once-fearless adversary Matheson warns Buckley to back off, fearing reprisal from the powerful Silver. Determined to discredit Silver, Buckley and his star student (Elizabeth Olsen) use every tool at their disposal to uncover the truth behind the charismatic, spoon-bending, mind reader. But Buckley is forced to reexamine his own core beliefs as his quest builds to a mind-blowing conclusion in this taut psychological thriller from award-winning writer and director Rodrigo Cortés.”
7/17/12- Weak reviews in general and just an OK one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment July 17th, 2012