Posts filed under 'Seen at the Theater'
RESTORATION- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Israeli antique dealer Yakov Fidelman’s (Sasson Gabay) business is failing. Even his estranged son Noah (Nevo Kimchi), a lawyer, is unable to help. But Yakov’s desperation turns to hope when he finds a vintage piano that, when restored, could be worth a fortune. His obsession with repairing the 120-year-old Steinway is mirrored by his desire to cling to the past while rebuilding a future with Noah. This heartfelt drama also stars Sarah Adler.”
4/21/12- Despite some loose ends in this film I did enjoy it. TRDB. At tthe 2012 Westchester Jewish Film Festiva at Jacob Burns.
Tags: drama, Foreign
April 22nd, 2012
FOLLOW ME: THE YONI NETANYAHU STORY- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Two story arcs that will tragically and heroically connect. The first is the dramatic Entebbe hijack and rescue, 8 days when a nation held its breath and executed a military miracle that redefined the Jewish Nation’s call “Never Again!” The second is the remarkable life story of Jonathan Netanyahu, a young soldier who struggled to find the balance between the people and the Nation he loved. This film is about Jonathan’s life, and what led these two dramatic story arcs to intersect on that fateful day.”
4/21/12- An excellent documentary that dealt with a complex man living in a complex time. I liked it very much. At the 2012 Westchester Jewish Film Festival at Jacob Burns Film Center.
5/18/12- Today’s NY Times thought that the movie made him look too saintlike. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
April 22nd, 2012
REMEMBRANCE- 2011. Synopsis by the New York Jewish Film Festival. “Inspired by actual events, Remembrance depicts a remarkable love story that blossomed in the terror and squalor of a Nazi concentration camp in 1944 Poland. In a daring escape, Tomasz, a young Polish prisoner, rescues his Jewish lover, Hannah. In the chaos of the end of the war, they are forcibly separated and each is convinced that the other has died. More than 30 years later in New York City, Hannah believes she has seen her Tomasz interviewed on television and she begins to search for him again. Anna Justice (Max Minsky and Me, NYJFF 2009) directs this powerful and artfully crafted drama.”
4/19/12- An excellent movie depicting one of 6 million different stories. TRDB. At the Theater- part of the 2012 Jewish Film Festival at Jacob Burns.
Tags: drama, Foreign
April 20th, 2012
STANDING SILENT- 2010. Synopsis from the Jacob Burns Film Center web site. “Sexual abuse in the Catholic Church has been in the news for years, but it’s taken longer for similar revelations to emerge from the Orthodox Jewish world. Journalist Phil Jacobs was one of the first to take it on. Bravely focusing on his own community in Baltimore, he encountered denial, hostility, and—most painfully—ostracism along the way. His very personal story is the subject of this powerful, important documentary.”
Very few reviews but they’re all good. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
April 19th, 2012
DAMSELS IN DISTRESS- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In Whit Stillman’s offbeat comedy, three pretty friends plan to use music, dance and perfume to brighten the lives of their fellow college students. But before long, the girls find themselves busy dealing with problems of their own.”
This sounds silly but it’s received good early reviews. TRDB.
4/6/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
4/29/12- This movie, while done in a clever manner, was way too cool for itself and I really didn’t care for it. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: drama, Romantic Comedy
April 2nd, 2012
FREE MEN- 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In German-occupied Paris, a young unemployed Algerian named Younes (played by break-out star, Tahar Rahim) earns his living as a black marketeer. Arrested by the French police but given a chance to avoid jail, Younes agrees to spy on the Paris Mosque. The police suspect the Mosque authorities, including its rector Ben Ghabrit, of aiding Muslim Resistance agents and helping North African Jews by giving them false certificates. At the Mosque, Younes meets the Algerian singer Salim Halali, and is moved by Salim’s beautiful voice and strong personality. When Younes discovers that Salim is Jewish, he stops collaborating with the police and gradually transforms from a politically ignorant immigrant into a fully-fledged freedom fighter.”
3/16/12- Mixed reviews in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
4/14/12- I saw this as part of the 2012 Jewish Film Festival at the Jacob Burns Film Center and liked it very much. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
March 16th, 2012
BULLY- 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Directed by Sundance and Emmy-award winning filmmaker, Lee Hirsch, The Bully Project is a beautifully cinematic, character-driven documentary. At its heart are those with huge stakes in this issue whose stories each represent a different facet of America’s bullying crisis. The Bully Project follows five kids and families over the course of a school year. Stories include two families who have lost children to suicide and a mother awaiting the fate of her 14-year-old daughter who has been incarcerated after bringing a gun on her school bus. With an intimate glimpse into homes, classrooms, cafeterias and principals’ offices, the film offers insight into the often cruel world of the lives of bullied children.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.
3/31/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
4/17/12- A very powerful documentary that should be required viewing for all parents. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: documentary
March 9th, 2012
THE SALT OF LIFE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Rather than living the good life he’d imagined, newly retired Gianni spends his days running errands for those around him. Bemoaning his fate, he decides to take a mistress — a task that proves easier said than done in this wistful comedy.” Very good reviews including the NY Times. TRDB.
3/11/12- A delightful comedy with a cute story. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: drama, Foreign
March 7th, 2012
THE KID WITH A BIKE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “After being abandoned by his father, preteen Cyril fills with rage, and when good-hearted hairdresser Samantha tries to help him, the disillusioned boy is torn between his need to lash out at the world and his desire for love and stability.” Great early reviews. TRDB.
3/16/12- Great review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
4/2/12- The actor who played the kid was great and the story was a heartening act of love. There were also a few terrific scenes like the scene in a car when the boy is very upset. A better understanding of the woman’s motivation would have helped me but the movie was excellent never-the-less. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: drama, Foreign
March 3rd, 2012
SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “A sheik with a love for the sport hopes to introduce fly-fishing to the Middle East and turns to uptight fisheries expert Fred Jones for help. Buoyed by the sheik’s enthusiasm (and his comely English aide), Fred sets out to achieve the impossible.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.
3/9/12- Fairly good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
3/17/12- Take it for what it’s worth. Somewhat light and fluffy with each character basically a caricature but all in all a fun movie with some good comedy as well. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: Comedy, drama
February 28th, 2012
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