Posts filed under 'Seen at the Theater'
FRANCES HA- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Determined to make it as a modern dancer in New York, young Frances Ha pursues her unlikely goal with more enthusiasm than natural talent. The rest of the time, she and her sardonic best friend, Sophie, put off growing up for as long as they can.”
9/5/12- Mentioned briefly in the NY Times as being shown at the Telluride Film Festival this September. TRDB.
5/4/13- Very good early reviews. TRDB.
5/17/13- Fairly good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
5/25/13- I liked this movie very much. Very good acting and an insightful screenplay. TRDB.
Tags: drama
September 5th, 2012
THE WORDS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After finding a brilliant unpublished book in an old briefcase, wannabe writer Rory Jansen decides to claim it’s his work — but his choice sets events in motion that have him facing an ethical quandary he could never have expected.”
9/7/12- Weak reviews in general and in today’s NY Times as well. TRDB.
9/18/12- Despite the weak reviews a few critics liked it very much. I thought it was done in an interesting manner with an unusual premise and I did like it. The scene at the end with Jeremy Irons I could have done without. TRDB.
Tags: drama
September 4th, 2012
ARBITRAGE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “It’s financial whiz Robert Miller’s day of reckoning. As he struggles to divest his empire before his fraud is brought to light, fate takes a nasty turn. Now desperate and running out of options, Miller turns to an unlikely source for help.”
Great early reviews. I saw the coming attractions for this and it looked very good. TRDB.
9/14/12- Fair review at best in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
9/19/12- A suspenseful and well acted financial thriller. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: drama
August 29th, 2012
GIVE UP TOMORROW- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “With the case continuing to polarize the Philippines, this riveting documentary looks at the trial of Paco Larrañaga, who — despite demonstrable proof of his innocence — was sentenced to death for the 1997 kidnapping, rape and murders of two women.”
No professional reviews but good audience reaction. TRDB.
9/8/12- A well constructed and convincing documentary that I viewed at the Martha’s Vineyard Int. Film Festival. I also had the opportunity to hear a Q and A with the director that was fascinating. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
July 28th, 2012
ROBOT AND FRANK- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Retired cat burglar Frank worries his adult children, who present him with a robot caretaker to look after his house and keep him company. Realizing that his new companion would make the perfect accomplice, Frank plans a return to his old profession.”
Very good early reviews. TRDB.
8/17/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times and most critics have liked it. TRDB.
8/24/12- Frank Langella is great as usual in this funny, poignant and ultimately sad drama. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: drama
July 28th, 2012
HOPE SPRINGS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Feeling disconnected in her decades-old marriage, Maeve convinces her skeptical husband to attend a marriage therapy week with a celebrated relationship expert — but now they must shed their inhibitions and learn some new sexual and emotional moves.”
Very good professional and audience reviews . TRDB.
8/19/12- I liked this movie very much. I found it realistic, honest and very well acted. The comedy involved was a case of “the laughs” when we were uncomfortable with the honesty of the material. Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones were great and great together. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: Drama/Romance
July 28th, 2012
SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Decades after Detroit singer-songwriter Rodriguez disappeared following the failure of his two critically praised records in the 1970s, two fans from South Africa, where Rodriguez was a huge hit, try to track down their idol, with intriguing results.”
7/27/12- A confusing but good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
9/3/12- A well structured suspenseful documentary about a legend coupled with great music, great interviews, a likable subject and a thought provoking screenplay make this a GREAT DOCUMENTARY. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: documentary
July 18th, 2012
THE WELL DIGGER’S DAUGHTER- 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A bitter class war erupts between two families after the daughter of a humble well-digger get impregnated by the scion of a wealthy shopkeeper. Ageing widower Pascale worked hard to provide for his six daughters. As the first shots of World War I are fired, Pascale’s eldest daughter Patricia (Astrid Bergés-Frisbey) returns home from Paris to help raise her younger siblings. Meanwhile, Pascale longs to see Patricia marry his longtime assistant Pascale (Kad Merad) – a hard worker who would make a loving husband. But shortly after arriving back home, Patricia has a fling with Jacques Mazel (Nicolas Duvauchelle), a fighter pilot who hails from a wealthy family, and disappears to the front lines after getting Patricia pregnant. At first, the Mazel’s are furious, accusing the impoverished Amoretti’s of using the situation to stake a claim on their fortune. When Jacques goes missing in action, however, the Mazel’s quickly realize that Patricia’s unborn child may be their only link to the son who sacrificed his life fighting for their country.”
Great early professional reviews but audiences have not been as impressed. TRDB.
7/20/12- A just OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
9/7/12- An interesting French comedic drama with wonderful acting, especially a great Auteuil. You should see it. TRDB. At the Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival.
Tags: drama, Foreign
July 7th, 2012
SAVAGES- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Laguna Beach entrepreneurs Ben (Johnson), a peaceful and charitable Buddhist, and his closest friend Chon (Kitsch), a former Navy SEAL and ex-mercenary, run a lucrative, homegrown industry-raising some of the best marijuana ever developed. They also share a one-of-a-kind love with the extraordinary beauty Ophelia (Lively). Life is idyllic in their Southern California town…until the Mexican Baja Cartel decides to move in and demands that the trio partners with them. When the merciless head of the BC, Elena (Hayek), and her brutal enforcer, Lado (Del Toro), underestimate the unbreakable bond among these three friends, Ben and Chon-with the reluctant, slippery assistance of a dirty DEA agent (Travolta)-wage a seemingly unwinnable war against the cartel.”
7/6/12- Good review in today’s NY Times but only average reviews in general. Audiences have liked it. TRDB.
7/9/12- Generally this is not my kind of movie as the film was way over the top in violence, blood and gore but I actually was surprised at how I got sucked into the different personalities involved. A qualified recommendation. At the Theater.
Tags: drama
July 6th, 2012
TO ROME WITH LOVE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Woody Allen plays a father meeting his daughter’s Italian in-laws to-be in this ensemble comedy that interweaves four tales set in Rome. Other cast members include Roberto Benigni as a man mistaken for a film star.”
6/22/12- Good review in today’s NY Times but only fair critical reviews in general. TRDB.
7/2/12- While there was no magical excitement in this movie I found it funny, clever and a great travelogue of the Eternal City. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: Comedy
June 13th, 2012
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