Posts filed under 'Opening Regionally or Nationwide'
POLYTECHNIQUE- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Denis Villeneuve helms this searing dramatization of the events that rocked Montreal’s École Polytechnique in 1989, when a disturbed gunman roamed the campus, shooting 28 helpless students before turning the gun on himself. Deliberately targeting women on his bloody rampage, the misogynistic killer (Maxim Gaudette) leaves behind a trail of shattered lives and public outrage. Sébastien Huberdeau and Karine Vanasse costar.” Good review in NY Times on 6/29/11. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
June 30th, 2011
THE UNDEFEATED- 2010. A new documentary about Sarah Palin. The worst reviews I’ve ever seen for a movie, drama or documentary. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
June 29th, 2011
SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Noted director Wayne Wang helms this adaptation of Lisa See’s best-selling novel about two young girls in 19th-century China who are pledged as lifelong companions through an ancient ritual, although their friendship is sorely tested as they mature. Paralleling the story of Snow Flower and Lily, who communicate by writing on the folds of a white fan, are the modern-day tribulations of Sophia and Nina, who struggle to maintain their relationship.” No reviews yet. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
June 29th, 2011
LEAP YEAR- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Journalist Laura Lopez (Mónica del Carmen) leads an isolated life in Mexico, her only social interactions being sexual encounters with strangers. With February 29th mysteriously circled on her calendar, Laura uses wild sex with Arturo (Gustavo Sánchez Parra) to hasten her unspoken goal. The questions of who is controlling whom and for what purpose loom large as Laura and Arturo’s encounters grow increasingly more violent and depraved.”
6/24/11- OK review in today’s NY Times and not to be confused with the comedy of the same name from last year. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
June 25th, 2011
TURTLE: THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Attempting a perilous odyssey its ancestors have undertaken for millions of years, one loggerhead turtle swims from a beach in Florida across the Atlantic Ocean, encountering stunning sea creatures as well as serious hazards created by modern man. Narrated by actress Miranda Richardson, this extraordinary nature documentary brings marine conservation issues such as overfishing and pollution to the forefront of viewers’ minds.”
6/24/11- OK review in today’s NY Times but the review was critical of the computer assisted work on this film and accused it of dishonesty. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
June 25th, 2011
AGRARIAN UTOPIA- 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Anthology presents a week-long run of Uruphong Raksasad’s ravishing documentary/fiction hybrid, which portrays two rural families who, facing the seizure of their lands, come together to work the same rice paddy for a season, using pre-industrial farming methods. Its serenely beautiful imagery – golden fields, time-lapse skies – bespeaks a nostalgia for a simpler time, but Agrarian Utopia is also clear-sighted and tough-minded in its assessment of the present-day economic and political realities.” Good review in NY Times on 6/10/11 and a few other positive reviews as well. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
June 21st, 2011
JUST LIKE US- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Laid-back Egyptian American comic Ahmed Ahmed breaks down the “Arabic concept,” Swingers style, in this film tour through the Middle East, wielding the global currency of comedy to skewer stereotypes of Arabs and Jews alike. Whether in nouveau Dubai or historic Riyadh, New York or Los Angeles, Ahmed and his tour mates, including Maz Jobrani and Tom Papa, handle religion, politics and other heavy matters with intelligence and a maximum of cool.” Only a fair review in NY Times on 6/10/11 and slightly better than average reviews in general, most saying that the concept was better than the execution. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
June 21st, 2011
VIVA RIVA!- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Hustler Riva (Patsha Bay) hopes to make a fortune by smuggling large quantities of gasoline and selling it for high prices in fuel-starved Kinshasa, but he’s not the only one with his eye on the lucrative prize. Riva’s plan gets complicated when he falls for Nora (Manie Malone), the girlfriend of local crime kingpin Azor (Diplome Amekindra), but the stunning Nora is also scheming for a big payday in this sleek thriller.” Fair review in NY Times on 6/10/11 but good reviews in general. TRDB.
10/31/11- I can’t believe anyone gave this a good review. Awful and I turned it off. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
June 20th, 2011
MONTE CARLO- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Disappointed with their uninspired tour group in Paris, Emma (Katie Cassidy), Meg (Leighton Meester) and Grace (Selena Gomez) are swept into a breathtaking whirlwind of wealth, glamour and excess when one of the young friends is mistaken for a British heiress. While the girls are whisked away to Monte Carlo and find themselves falling deeper into the lie, the alluringly extravagant lifestyle opens up new opportunities and unexpected romance.” Good audience reviews. TRDB.
Tags: drama
June 4th, 2011
LOVE, ETC.- 2011. Synopsis by RottenTomatoes. “This romantic panorama chronicles five stories from all over New York City: love lost, gained, lasting, and new.” OK audience reviews, none professional as yet. TRDB.
Tags: Drama/Romance
June 4th, 2011
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