TOWER HEIST- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a group of workers at a ritzy Manhattan condo realize their boss has swindled them out of their pensions, they vow to reap their own justice. With the cooperation of the building manager, the group devises an ingenious plot to recover the funds.”
11/4/11- Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment November 6th, 2011
CHARLOTTE RAMPLING: THE LOOK- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Actress Charlotte Rampling largely tells her own story in this unconventional self-portrait conceived by filmmaker Angelina Maccarone. Highlights include conversations between Rampling and her friends, along with clips from her most famous films.”
11/4/11- Described by the NY Times today as just OK and often a tease. TRDB.
Add comment November 6th, 2011
RID OF ME- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This biting black comedy follows socially awkward newlywed Meris Canfield, who moves to Portland, Ore., with her hubby only to be deserted by him. She then befriends a wild child who introduces her to the joys of punk rock, sugar and self-discovery.” A few very good early reviews. TRDB.
11/18/11- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment November 4th, 2011
13- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “After assuming the identity of a dead person, a callow young man is quickly sucked into a dark and violent underworld where powerful men gamble on human lives in very high-stakes games of Russian roulette. Writer-director Géla Babluani remakes his inventive French thriller, 13 Tzameti — winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 2006 — with Mickey Rourke, Jason Statham, Ray Liotta, Emmanuelle Chriqui and 50 Cent.”
10/28/11- Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment October 29th, 2011
THE DOUBLE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Retired CIA agent Paul Shepherdson joins young FBI agent Ben Geary to track down a Russian assassin who has seemingly returned after the Cold War. Old conspiracies quickly resurface, embroiling the pair in deeper and deeper peril.”
10/28/11- Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment October 28th, 2011
INTO THE ABYSS- 2011. Synopsis by RottenTomatoes. “In his fascinating exploration of a triple homicide case in Conroe, Texas, master filmmaker Werner Herzog probes the human psyche to explore why people kill-and why a state kills. In intimate conversations with those involved, including 28-year-old death row inmate Michael Perry (scheduled to die within eight days of appearing on-screen), Herzog achieves what he describes as “a gaze into the abyss of the human soul.” Herzog’s inquiries also extend to the families of the victims and perpetrators as well as a state executioner and pastor who’ve been with death row prisoners as they’ve taken their final breaths. As he’s so often done before, Herzog’s investigation unveils layers of humanity, making an enlightening trip out of ominous territory.” No reviews as yet. TRDB.
Add comment October 17th, 2011
COOK COUNTY- 2008. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Sonny (Xander Berkeley) returns home after serving time in prison, he tries to reestablish a relationship with his downtrodden son, Abe (Ryan Donowho), who is overcoming a methamphetamine habit while living in a house harboring other addicts. This searing cautionary tale also stars Anson Mount as Bump, Sonny’s wheeling and drug-dealing younger brother, and Makenna Fitzsimmons as Deandra, Sonny’s young niece whose safety is often endangered.” Poor early reviews. TRDB.
12/16/11- Awful review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment October 17th, 2011
THE BIG YEAR- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Inspired by Mark Obmascik’s nonfiction book of the same name, this high-flying comedy concerns a trio of competitive bird watchers who vow to win a contest by spotting and recording as many avian species as humanly possible.” TRDB.
10/14/11- Poor reviews in general but a good one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment October 12th, 2011
THE SONS OF TENNESSEE WILLIAMS- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary chronicles the little-known history of gay Mardi Gras krewes, beginning with the start of New Orleans’s “drag balls” in the 1950s. From there, the scene went public, helping the city’s gay residents fight the prejudices of the time.”
10/7/11- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment October 7th, 2011
BAARIA- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Over the course of the 20th century, three generations of a family face tumultuous personal and political events as their lives unfold in the Sicilian town of Bagheria — referred to as Baarìa by many locals. Acclaimed writer-director Guiseppe Tornatore (Cinema Paradiso, Malena) based his intimate comedy epic on his own experiences growing up in this village. Francesco Scianna, Margaret Madè, Raoul Bova, Laura Chiatti and Monica Bellucci co-star in this Golden Globe nominee.” Good early reviews. TRDB.
Add comment October 7th, 2011