BOMBAY BEACH- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set on the salt-soaked shores of Southern California’s crumbling Bombay Beach, filmmaker Alma Har’el’s three-dimensional portrait tells the story of a boy, a teenager and a man at different stages of their lives amid modern ruins.”
10/14/11- An interesting review in today’s NY Times. This movie took awards at last year’s Tribeca. TRDB.
Add comment April 15th, 2011
7 DAYS IN SLOW MOTION- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “When young Ravi (Teja) comes into possession of a state-of-the-art camera, it seems his dreams of being a filmmaker will come true, but there’s a catch — he has just seven days to finish his movie and return the camera. This portrait of middle-class life examines the archaic and contemporary aspects of Indian society that pull at Ravi and his domineering mother (Rajeshwari Sachdev). Will Ravi defy his expected path and choose to pursue his dream?” Two reviews, one fair and the other very good. TRDB.
Add comment April 10th, 2011
PROM- 2011. Synopsis by IMDB. “A group of teenagers get ready for their high school prom.” Weak review in NY Times on 4/29/11. TRDB.
Add comment April 10th, 2011
LEBANON, PA- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Urbane Philadelphia ad man Will (Josh Hopkins) heads to small-town Lebanon for his father’s funeral, and the road leads not only to closure but to a revelation when the 35-year-old meets his precocious teenage cousin, CJ (Rachel Kitson), and her winsome teacher, Vicki (Samantha Mathis). As his friendship with CJ deepens and his warmth for the married Vicki grows, Will comes to realize that life can’t always be summed up in a catchphrase.” Excellent reviews. TRDB.
7/8/11- Good acting and a fairly interesting story make this one OK but not great. It feels a bit like an extended TV series. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment April 10th, 2011
CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Celebrated documentary filmmaker Werner Herzog offers this unprecedented examination of Chauvet Cave, a cavern in southern France that contains the oldest human-painted images yet to be found on Earth. Besides presenting stunning cinematography of the exquisite paintings themselves, Herzog interviews experts who describe the context and reflect on the existential meaning of this artwork, which is some 30,000 years old.” Very good professional reviews and poor audience ones. TRDB.
Add comment April 10th, 2011
WATER FOR ELEPHANTS- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this captivating Depression-era melodrama, impetuous veterinary student Jacob Jankowski (Robert Pattinson) joins a celebrated circus as an animal caretaker but faces a wrenching dilemma when he’s transfixed by angelic married performer Marlena (Reese Witherspoon). An affinity for elephants brings together the young pair, but the warmth between them sends Marlena’s cruel husband, animal trainer August (Christoph Waltz), into a frightening fury.” Mediocre professional reviews but good audience reactions. TRDB.
4/11- A soap opera type movie with a weak screenplay that was a disappointment for me. TRDB. At the Theater.
Add comment April 9th, 2011
MAHLER ON THE COUCH- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “When famed composer Gustav Mahler (Johannes Silberschneider) uncovers his wife Alma’s (Barbara Romaner) sexual infidelities with up-and-coming architect Walter Gropius (Friedrich Mücke), he settles into Sigmund Freud’s (Karl Markovics) couch and pours his heart out on a variety of topics. Percy Adlon and his son, Felix, wrote and direct this quirky take on music, madness and art, propelled by the compositions of Mahler himself.”
4/11- The movie was well acted with an excellent screenplay and of course Mahler’s wonderful music. Very good. Seen at the Westchester Jewish Film Festival. TRDB.
5/18/12– Today’s NY Times thought this was OK if a bit melodramatic. TRDB.
Add comment April 3rd, 2011
FOOTPRINTS- 2010. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. ” Sybil Temtchine (Ten Benny, Passion of Ayn Rand) stars as a young woman who wakes up at dawn on the handprints and footprints of the famed Chinese Theatre in Hollywood with no idea who she or how she got there. Upon awakening, she wonders if she… Sybil Temtchine (Ten Benny, Passion of Ayn Rand) stars as a young woman who wakes up at dawn on the handprints and footprints of the famed Chinese Theatre in Hollywood with no idea who she or how she got there. Upon awakening, she wonders if she isn’t, in fact, lost in a dream.” Very good audience reaction so far but no professional reviews available. TRDB.
Add comment April 2nd, 2011
EXODUS FALL- 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. ” Set in 1974 Texas, Exodus Fall tells the story of three teen siblings struggle with the death of their father and try to live with their abusive mother. When one of the teens is sent away because the mother can’t cope with his autism, the oldest of… Set in 1974 Texas, Exodus Fall tells the story of three teen siblings struggle with the death of their father and try to live with their abusive mother. When one of the teens is sent away because the mother can’t cope with his autism, the oldest of the siblings devises a plan to get their brother back and embark on a life changing adventure across the Southwest in their deceased father’s station wagon. In their attempt to find their grandmother’s home thousands of miles away, they find themselves confronted with detours that ultimately slow them down, but thrust them into a coming of age journey to be remembered.” No reviews as yet. TRDB.
Add comment April 2nd, 2011
ARTHUR- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Recasting the 1981 comedy classic starring Dudley Moore, this romantic chuckler chronicles the dilemma faced by philanderer Arthur Bach (Russell Brand) — whether to give up a respectable life and an inheritance of millions for the sake of romance. Jennifer Garner co-stars as Susan Johnson, the gorgeous socialite that Arthur‘s family has chosen for him. Greta Gerwig plays Naomi, the girl who steals Arthur‘s heart in the meantime.” Good audience reviews so far. TRDB.
Add comment April 2nd, 2011