THE WOMEN ON THE 6th FLOOR- 2010. Synopsis by IMDB. “In 1960s Paris, a conservative couple’s lives are turned upside down by two Spanish maids.”
10/7/11- Fairly good reviews in general but a poor one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
10/18/11- The synopsis doesn’t do the film justice. I loved the characters, the screenplay, the music and basically everything else. A must see!! TRDB. At the Theater.
Add comment October 7th, 2011
MY WEEK WITH MARILYN- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “While filming a movie in England, Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe slips away with a young Brit for a week of self-discovery and frivolity. The story that ensues is based on the real-life memoirs of Colin Clark, once assistant to Sir Laurence Olivier.” Good audience reaction and mixed professional reviews. TRDB.
11/28/11- I liked the movie, loved Michelle Williams as the breathless Monroe but the screenplay was just mediocre. TRDB. At the theater.
Add comment October 7th, 2011
TAKE SHELTER- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Oscar nominee Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road) stars in this Sundance-selected thriller as Curtis LaForche, a small-town family man who’s determined to protect his wife (Jessica Chastain) and deaf daughter (Tova Stewart) from impending disaster. Fueled by disturbing visions of a terrible storm, Curtis sets out to prepare for the future by building an impenetrable storm shelter in the safety of his own backyard.”
9/30/11- Great review in today’s NY Times and great reviews in general. TRDB.
10/15/11- Reviews have been great AND accurate. You should see this movie. TRDB. At the Theater.
Add comment October 2nd, 2011
THE LION KING (1994)- Synopsis by Netflix. “The highest-grossing animated film of the 20th century follows a young lion cub named Simba (voiced by Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Matthew Broderick) who can’t wait to be king. But his uncle (Jeremy Irons) craves the title for himself and will stop at nothing — even killing his own brother — to get it.”
9/27/11- I just saw this movie with my wife, my son and 2 of my grandchildren and loved it. Interesting, great animation and we saw it in 3D which put a new twist on the film. TRDB. At the Theater.
Add comment September 30th, 2011
THE IDES OF MARCH- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Dirty tricks stand to soil an ambitious young press spokesman’s idealism in a cutthroat presidential campaign where “victory” is relative. The film is inspired by the real-life experiences of an aide who worked on Howard Dean’s failed 2004 run.” Very good early reviews. I saw the coming attractions and it looked good. TRDB.
10/7/11- Only a fair review at best in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
10/10/11- A very good political drama, especially George Clooney as the candidate. TRDB. At the Theater.
Add comment September 23rd, 2011
THE WAY- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When his son dies while hiking the famed Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in the Pyrenees, Tom (Martin Sheen) flies to France to claim the remains. Looking for insights into his estranged child’s life, he decides to complete the 500-mile mountain trek to Spain. Tom soon joins up with other travelers and realizes they’re all searching for something. Emilio Estevez writes and directs this drama about self-discovery.” Very good professional reviews but so far only poor audience reaction. TRDB.
9/18/11- An article (not a review) in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
10/7/11- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
12/26/11- I liked this movie very much. Enjoyed the story and the acting. TRDB. At the theater.
Add comment September 19th, 2011
THE PIANO IN A FACTORY- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “A humble factory worker (Wang Qian-Yuan) who moonlights as a musician summons every shred of creativity he has when his estranged wife (Shin-yeong Jang) resurfaces and demands custody of their young daughter, who says she’ll live with whomever can give her a piano. With no money to buy the instrument for her, the desperate father tries to grant her wish by building the piano out of discarded scraps.”
9/10/11- I saw this at the 2011 Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival and did not like it at all. TRDB.
Add comment September 12th, 2011
DRIVE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this thriller, Driver, a Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a getaway driver, is lured from his isolated life by a lovely neighbor and her young son. His newfound peace is shattered, however, when her violent husband is released from prison.” Very good reviews. TRDB.
9/16/11- Good review today in the Times but at one point they did say that the movie was saved from tedium by the supporting cast, whatever that means. TRDB.
9/22/11- A thriller and I agree with the comment above that the acting, particularly from Gosling, made the movie. Don’t go if you’re squeamish! TRDB. At the theater.
Add comment September 7th, 2011
MONEYBALL- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “An all-star cast brings to life the true story of Billy Beane, a former jock turned general manager who uses unconventional methods to bring the best players to the Oakland A’s, a major league baseball team struggling against financial hardship.”
9/23/11- Good review in today’s NY Times and very good reviews in general. TRDB.
10/3/11- I liked this movie very much and I thought that Brad Pitt did a wonderful job playing Beane. TRDB. At the Theater.
Add comment August 31st, 2011
MOZART’S SISTER- 2011. Synopsis by RottenTomatoes. “A speculative account of Maria Anna “Nannerl” Mozart (Marie Feret), five years older than Wolfgang (David Moreau) and a musical prodigy in her own right. Originally the featured performer, she has given way to Wolfgang as the main attraction, as their strict but loving father Leopold (Marc Barbe) tours his talented offspring in front of the royal courts of pre-French revolution Europe. Approaching marriageable age and now forbidden to play the violin or compose, Nannerl chafes at the limitations imposed on her gender but a friendship with the son and daughter of Louis XV offers an alternative.”
8/19/11- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
9/25/11- A bit slow but a very interesting film about gender issues, music and independence. I liked it. TRDB. At the theater.
Add comment August 20th, 2011