I DON’T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this affable yuppie comedy, Kate Reddy is a successful executive, wife and mom whose personal and professional lives hang in precarious balance. When Kate takes on a new job challenge, she and her brood have some serious prioritizing to do.”
9/16/11-Lousy reviews in general and in the NY Times today as well. TRDB.
Add comment September 16th, 2011
THE ROAD TO FREEDOM- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “During the height of the Vietnam War, adventure-seeking photojournalists Sean (Joshua Fredric Smith) and Dana (Scott Maguire) boldly sneak into Cambodia, where they search for signs of Khmer Rouge atrocities, disappear into the hands of enemy forces and struggle to regain their freedom. Inspired by real-life events and shot on location in Cambodia, this powerful war drama co-stars Tom Proctor, Nhem Sokun and Nhem Sokunthol.” A few reviews and they’re good. TRDB.
Add comment September 15th, 2011
BACK DOOR CHANNELS: THE PRICE OF PEACE- 2009. “This provocative documentary draws back the curtain on the Camp David peace summit, which set the stage for the future of Middle East relations. Though each party had its own agenda, it remains a landmark confluence of modern leadership.” Sounds interesting but poor early reviews. TRDB.
9/16/11- OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment September 14th, 2011
THE HIGH COST OF LIVING- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Well-to-do housewife Nathalie (Isabelle Blais) eagerly awaits the birth of her first child, while elsewhere in Montreal, small-time drug dealer Henry (Zach Braff) plans his next score. One night, their contrasting lives become intertwined when Henry hits Nathalie with his car. He flees the scene but later tries to make amends — without revealing his culpability. As their friendship grows, the remorseful Henry fears Nathalie will learn the truth.”
9/9/11- Fair review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
11/1/11- Somewhat predictable, especially the ending but I enjoyed elements of this film and I can recommend it with qualifications. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment September 12th, 2011
WHERE SOLDIERS COME FROM- 2008. Synopsis by Netflix. “Starting this coming-of-age documentary in her own hometown, filmmaker Heather Courtney follows a tight-knit group of friends who grow up together, sign up for the National Guard and are subsequently sent to Afghanistan.”
9/9/11- Very good early reviews and a good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment September 12th, 2011
THE INHERITORS- 2008. Synopsis by Netflix. “Eugenio Polgovsky journeys deep into the Mexican countryside to film this documentary chronicling the hardships of children who spend their days in relentless manual labor in order to help feed their families. Polgovsky exposes the chronic injustice of a system that forces youngsters to make bricks, weave cloth and harvest crops instead of attending school, but he also reveals how these children find moments of joy in the bleakest conditions.”
9/9/11- Good review in today’s NY Times and very good professional reviews in general. TRDB.
Add comment September 12th, 2011
FORDSON- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Dearborn, Mich., is home to the largest population of Muslims outside the Arab world. This documentary focuses on the Muslim members of the Fordson High School football team, who must overcome intolerance and bigotry as they prepare for victory. As the players observe the final 10 days of Ramadan, a holiday marked by fasting, they must depend on one another and their own faith to make their mark on this most American sport.”
9/9/11- Good review in today’s NY Times and very good audience reactions so far. TRDB.
Add comment September 12th, 2011
WE WERE HERE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “The AIDS crisis forever changed gay culture in San Francisco, as examined in this absorbing documentary from David Weissman, who explores the disease’s impact on five individuals. Vintage film clips accompany their sobering stories. Co-director of The Cockettes, Weissman contrasts the 1960s and ’70s-era joy and revelry depicted in that film with the sorrow, outrage and activism that followed in the 1980s and beyond.”
9/9/11- Great reviews in general and in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment September 12th, 2011
RESURRECT DEAD- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “For three decades, strange plaques with messages about resurrecting the dead have mysteriously appeared on streets throughout North and South America, prompting director Jon Foy to seek out the story of their origin. Artist Justin Duerr, who began investigating the tiles in 1993, takes us on a tour of unusual and seemingly random clues, and in the process resurrects not the dead, but the innate human desire for magic and mystery.”
9/2/11- OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment September 2nd, 2011
SPECIAL TREATMENT- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “High-class prostitute Alice (Isabelle Huppert) specializes in wealthy, eccentric clients and is in the throes of a midlife crisis when her services are engaged by prominent psychiatrist Xavier (Bouli Lanners), who’s estranged from his wife and suffering his own existential malaise. While Alice seeks an analyst who can help her find direction, Xavier tries to reconnect with his emotions, and the two unwittingly lead each other to their goals.”
8/27/11- Weak review in today’s NY Times and poor reviews in general. TRDB.
1/22/12- Weak reviews for this drama starring Isabel Huppert but I found it entertaining. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment August 26th, 2011