SAVING MR. BANKS- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Walt Disney sets his sights on obtaining the rights to the children’s classic “Mary Poppins,” he reaches out to the book’s author, P.L. Travers, only to find that she proves a tough nut to crack.”
12/13/13- Good reviews all around including the review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
1/23/14- I did enjoy this film but there’s a whole lot of sap flowing and a whole lot of PR for Disney as well. TRDB.
Add comment December 13th, 2013
AMERICAN HUSTLE- 2003. Synopsis by Netflix. “This fictionalization of the “Abscam” scandal of the early 1980s follows con man Irving Rosenfeld and his lover, Sydney Prosser, as they help an eccentric FBI agent expose corruption among several members of Congress in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.”
12/13/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times and from most other critics as well. TRDB.
12/20/13- Way over the top in every way but lots of fun and I liked it. TRDB.
Add comment December 13th, 2013
THE PAST (LE PASSE)- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. When Iranian Ahmad returns to France after a four-year separation from his French wife, Marie, he discovers that she now has a boyfriend — and that behind her difficult relationship with their daughter lies a secret from the past.”
12/3/13- Very good reviews. TRDB.
12/20/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
1/28/14- From the same director who did “A Separation” this film is driven by the frank emotional talk between the characters. Just a bit slow but definitely a very good movie well worth seeing. TRDB.
Add comment December 4th, 2013
WHICH WAY IS THE FRONT LINE FROM HERE? 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this moving documentary, Sebastian Junger pays tribute to Tim Hetherington, his co-director on the Oscar-nominated film Restrepo, a talented and compassionate photojournalist who was killed while covering the war in Libya in 2011.”
11/22/13- Excellent reviews by everybody. TRDB.
11/23/13- An excellent documentary about the man who, unfortunately, was killed doing his job as a photo journalist in Libya. Plenty of footage of war but also plenty of Hetherington speaking directly to the camera about his views of life. TRDB.
Add comment November 22nd, 2013
FREE BIRDS- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In this irreverent, hilarious, adventurous buddy comedy, directed by Jimmy Hayward (Horton Hears a Who!), two turkeys from opposite sides of the tracks must put aside their differences and team up to travel back in time to change the course of history – and get turkey off the holiday menu for good.”
11/18/13- I saw this yesterday in Boston with 2 of my grandchildren. A cute animated movie for kids that they both enjoyed. I found it clever as well. TRDB.
Add comment November 18th, 2013
PHILOMENA– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Floundering BBC journalist Martin Sixsmith and aging Irishwoman Philomena Lee form an unlikely bond when they pair up to find the son Philomena was forced to give up for adoption 50 years ago.”
11/22/13- Excellent reviews all around including the NY Times. TRDB.
11/29/13- I liked this movie very much. Great and true story with great acting and very realistically done. Sad beyond sad at times. Everybody should see this. TRDB.
Add comment November 12th, 2013
NEBRASKA- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a cantankerous old boozer thinks he’s won a magazine sweepstakes prize, his son reluctantly takes a road trip with him to claim the fortune. As they drive from Montana to Nebraska, they visit friends and relatives to whom the dad owes money.”
11/15/13- Good reviews in general and a good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
12/4/13- Basically I enjoy almost every road movie I see and this was no exception. An interesting story about families. Dern was great. TRDB.
Add comment November 5th, 2013
AFTERMATH- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Two decades after migrating to America, Chicagoan Franek returns to his native Poland only to find things deeply amiss in his family and town. With his brother, Jozek, who stayed behind, Franek sets out to discover the community’s collective secret.”
11/1/13- Mixed reviews by the critics but audiences have liked it. The review in today’s NY Times is ambiguous but I thought it was good. TRDB.
2/15/14- I was thoroughly engrossed and on the edge of my seat for the entire movie. TRDB.
Add comment November 2nd, 2013
THE SQUARE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This intimate documentary filmed in the midst of the Egyptian revolution follows its subjects on a life-changing journey through the euphoria of victory into the uncertainties and dangers of a “transitional period” under military rule.”
10/25/13- A good review in today’s NY Times and from everyone else as well. TRDB.
11/24/13- An excellent documentary about the political changes in Egypt over the last 2 years with an emphasis on the realities involved in a popular revolution. TRDB.
Add comment October 29th, 2013
DALLAS BUYERS CLUB- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Loosely based on true events, this drama follows Ron Woodroof, who refuses to accept he’ll die in 30 days when he’s diagnosed with AIDS in 1986. He extends his life and eventually helps many other AIDS patients by smuggling medications from abroad.”
10/16/13- Very good reviews for this Indie drama. TRDB.
11/1/13- The review in today’s NY Times gave this movie an OK review but said that it lacked passion and “played it safe.” TRDB.
11/23/13- Very good reviews but not from this guy. I felt that the movie was predictable at every stage and the acting from Jennifer Gardner was weak. The story however could have been more interesting if anyone other than McConaughey showed any interest. TRDB.
Add comment October 16th, 2013