Posts filed under 'Opening Regionally or Nationwide'
LARRY CROWNE- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “After being laid off from his longtime job at a soulless retail giant, average middle-aged guy Larry Crowne (Tom Hanks) decides it’s time to change up his life, so he heads back to college. There, he finds a new perspective — and a new romance with a professor (Julia Roberts). Hanks directs this comedy-drama from a script co-written by Hanks and Nia Vardalos. Bryan Cranston, Pam Grier, Taraji P. Henson, Cedric the Entertainer and Vardalos co-star.” Good early reviews. TRDB.
7/1/11- Weak review in NY Times today. TRDB.
Several of my friends have seen this and either didn’t like it or forgot what it was about– you be the judge. TRDB.
Tags: Drama/Romance
June 4th, 2011
LA TETE EN FRICHE- 2011. Synopsis by Zap2it. “A barely literate laborer undergoes a personal transformation through his friendship with an old woman who introduces him to the world of books.” No reviews but sounds interesting.” TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
May 13th, 2011
THE LAST MOUNTAIN- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Bill Haney sounds the alarm in this penetrating documentary about the impact of coal mining on the citizens of West Virginia’s Coal River Valley, who are trying to prevent the plundering of one of the last untouched mountains in Appalachia. Aided by environmentalist Bobby Kennedy Jr., the townspeople protest against an energy conglomerate that uses ruinous mountain top removal techniques, despite the dangers to health and the environment.” Fair audience reaction so far. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
May 11th, 2011
UNITED RED ARMY- 2007. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on actual events, this tense Japanese docudrama details the formation of early-1970s leftist paramilitary group the United Red Army, the turmoil and strife within its ranks, and several members’ perilous attempt to seize a mountainside lodge. Directed by former URA member Kôji Wakamatsu, this riveting exploration of human nature’s dark side stars Maki Sakai, Arata, Akie Namiki and Go Jibiki.” Mediocre reviews so far. TRDB.
Tags: docudrama
May 10th, 2011
THERE BE DRAGONS- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Roland Joffé directs this epic tale of love and betrayal set during the Spanish Civil War. When a present-day journalist (Dougray Scott) investigates Opus Dei founder Josemaría Escrivá (Charlie Cox), he uncovers a surprising link to his own father, Manolo (Wes Bentley). Manolo and Josemaría were childhood friends who followed different paths when the war broke out. Josemaría pursued his faith, while Manolo joined the rebels to fight Franco.” Poor reviews. TRDB.
Tags: drama
May 4th, 2011
BEAUTIFUL BOY- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “This heartrending drama stars Michael Sheen as Bill Carroll, who is contemplating separating from his wife, Kate (Maria Bello), when the unimaginable happens: Their 18-year-old son, Sam (Kyle Gallner), commits mass murder at his university before killing himself. While coping with their grief, Bill and Kate must deal with the insatiable media, other parents furious at them for their son’s actions and their own questions about their culpability.” Good early reviews. TRDB. Poor review in NY Times on 6/3/11. TRDB.
10/31/11- Mixed reviews but I liked this movie very much if you can really like this type of voyeurism into the raw emotion of these people. Especially troubling is the parent’s quest for an explanation. TRDB.
Tags: drama
April 30th, 2011
THE ROBBER- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Having developed a taste for the adrenaline that comes from the thrill of the chase, Austrian marathon runner Johann Rettenberger (Andreas Lust) turns his disciplined mind and world-class athletic talents to a new hobby: robbing banks in broad daylight. But for how long can the fleet-footed thief keep outrunning the police? Franziska Weisz co-stars in this drama based on a true story, directed by Benjamin Heisenberg.” Good reviews including the NY Times on 4/29/11. TRDB.
11/8/11- I liked this movie a lot. It reminded me of “Run Lola Run.” TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: drama
April 29th, 2011
HESHER- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Struggling to accept the death of his mother, T.J. (Devin Brochu) befriends Hesher (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a twentysomething misfit who becomes both a mentor and a bad influence on the lost and awkward teen. Hesher soon invites himself to live with T.J. and his self-medicating dad (Rainn Wilson). Their bizarre relationship is tested when T.J. develops a crush on a supermarket checkout girl (Natalie Portman) who rescues him from a gang of bullies.” Fairly good early reviews but awful review in NY Times on 5/13/11. I’ll skip it. TRDB.
9/27/11- I said I’d skip this one but I didn’t. A few interesting parts but basically a stupid movie with an even stupider ending. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
April 23rd, 2011
THE BANG BANG CLUB- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Four combat photojournalists document the end of apartheid in South Africa, a turbulent period marked by brutality and anger. This real-life drama is based on a memoir by Greg Marinovich (Ryan Phillippe) and Joao Silva (Neels Van Jaarsveld), who won Pulitzer Prizes for their work. Along with Ken Oosterbroek (Frank Rautenbach) and Kevin Carter (Taylor Kitsch), the group exposes the tragic violence that spawned a new regime in the country.” This sounded interesting but awful early reviews. TRDB.
8/28/11- Despite criticism of this movie by the “experts” I really liked it. The 4 members of the club were the core of the film but the problems in South Africa as well as the moral dilemma of photographing horrendous scenes without trying to help were dealt with through the members of the “gang.” TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: docudrama, drama
April 22nd, 2011
VITO BONAFACCI- Synopsis by Zap2it. “A successful businessman explores the meaning of faith after his late mother appears to him in a dream and implores him to abandon his pursuit of wealth.” Sounds interesting but I couldn’t find any mention of this film. TRDB.
Tags: drama
April 19th, 2011
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