FOO FIGHTERS: BACK AND FORTH (2011)- Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “James Moll’s documentary chronicles the 16-year history of the Foo Fighters: from the band’s very first songs created as cassette demos Grohl recorded during his tenure as Nirvana’s drummer through its ascent to their Grammy-winning, multi-platinum, arena and stadium headlining status as one of the biggest rock bands on the planet.” No reviews as yet. TRDB.
Add comment April 2nd, 2011
TRUST- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “After curious and vulnerable teenager Annie (Liana Liberato) falls into a trap set by an online sexual predator, her family begins to disintegrate, uncertain how to cope with such a devastating tragedy. Utterly consumed by rage, her father (Clive Owen) sets out seeking vengeance. Directed by David Schwimmer, this intensely emotional drama also stars Viola Davis, Thomas McCarthy and Catherine Keener.” Excellent reviews. Just OK review in NY Times on 4/1/11. TRDB.
8/2/11- The screenplay was a little bit formulaic but freightening never-the-less with well acted parts. I’d recommend it. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment March 25th, 2011
THE GIFT TO STALIN- 2011. Premise by Rotten Tomatoes. ” Set in Kazakhstan in 1949, during a time when minorities were forced to move to central Asia by the former Soviet government. A Jewish kid named Sashka is on a train with his grandfather, being deported with others. His grandfather dies on the train… Set in Kazakhstan in 1949, during a time when minorities were forced to move to central Asia by the former Soviet government. A Jewish kid named Sashka is on a train with his grandfather, being deported with others. His grandfather dies on the train and he has to get off with the body at a small village. He meets an old man, Kasym, and stays with him. But the tragedy is upon the village. Every villager is killed and only Sashka survived.” Good review in NY Times on 3/18/11. TRDB.
Add comment March 18th, 2011
ILLEGAL- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Olivier Masset-Depasse directs this drama that follows the story of Tania (Anne Coesens) and her teenage son, Ivan (Alexandre Gontcharov), Russian immigrants who are in Belgium illegally. Tania lives in fear of being found out — and one day, her worst nightmare becomes a reality. During a routine police check, Tania is apprehended — but she refuses to accept the fact that she’ll be deported and separated from her son.” Reviews not so good so far but it did sound interesting. TRDB.
7/12/11- A very depressing look at the plight of illegal immigrants, this time in Belgium, but could be anywhere. Well acted, this film received very good professional reviews but mediocre audience reaction, probably because it was so down-beat. I enjoyed the film and would recommend it but not if you’re in a bad mood. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment February 26th, 2011
TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “From the writers of “That ’70s Show” comes this retro dramatic comedy set a decade later, in the financial boom of the late 1980s, about a recent college grad trying to figure out what to do with his life. Amid the goings-on at a raucous Labor Day party, brilliant but underemployed Matt Franklin (Topher Grace) learns a slew of lessons about life and love in this ensemble-cast film starring Anna Faris, Dan Fogler and Teresa Palmer.” Good audience reviews so far. TRDB.
Add comment February 20th, 2011
THE IMPERIALISTS ARE STILL ALIVE- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “As her new romance with handsome Javier (José María de Tavira) blossoms, French artist Asya (Élodie Bouchez) copes with her ex-boyfriend’s disappearance, worries about her brother’s safety in Beirut, and experiences a variety of bizarre adventures around New York City. Written and directed by Zeina Durra, this quirky drama also stars Karim Saleh, Karolina Muller, Marianna Kulukundis and Rita Ackerman.” Good audience reviews so far. TRDB.
Add comment February 20th, 2011
MEDICINAL CANNABIS AND IT’S IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH- 2011. A documentary with interviews with physicians and researchers. No reviews as yet.
Add comment February 20th, 2011
HEARTBEATS- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Lush cinematography and poetic images highlight this coming-of-age tale about two best friends, Mary (Monia Chokri) and Francis (Xavier Dolan), who meet a charismatic wanderer named Nick (Niels Schneider) and suddenly find their longtime friendship tested to its limits. As the love triangle between the three intensifies, Mary and Francis vie for Nick’s affections in this intense story from Dolan, the Canadian prodigy who writes and directs.” Reviews more positive than negative and a few very good.
7/31/11- Not much to this French movie and I turned it off midway through. TRDB.
Add comment February 14th, 2011
RISE- Premise by Zap2it. “A celebration of figure skating.” No reviews yet.
Add comment February 10th, 2011
PAGE ONE: A YEAR INSIDE THE NY TIMES- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “Documentarian Andrew Rossi goes inside the New York Times to examine how the venerable paper and its reporters are responding to the massive changes in how news is gathered, analyzed and dispersed. Is there any future for newsprint? The creative process of journalism is also dissected, with journalists David Carr, Brian Stelter and many others providing insight into their writing processes and where they think the news business is headed.” At Sundance 2011. Fairly good audience reactions. TRDB.
7/15/11- Excellent documentary that we all need to listen to as newspapers with shrinking revenues fold right and left. TRDB. At the Theater.
Add comment January 29th, 2011