Posts filed under 'Seen at the Theater'
THE HEDGEHOG- 2011. Synopsis by RottenTomatoes. “Inspired by the beloved New York Times bestseller, The Elegance of the Hedgehog, by Muriel Barbery, The Hedgehog is the timely story of Paloma (Garance Le Guillermic) a young girl bent on ending it all on her upcoming twelfth birthday. Using her father’s old camcorder to chronicle the hypocrisy she sees in adults, Paloma begins to learn about life from the grumpy building concierge, Renée Michel (Josiane Balasko). When Paloma’s camera reveals the extensive secret library in Renée’s back room, and that the often gruff matron reads Tolstoy to her cat, Paloma begins to understand that there are allies to be found beneath the prickliest of exteriors. As the unlikely friendship deepens, Paloma’s own coming of age becomes a much less pessimistic prospect.”
8/19/11- Very good reviews in general and a good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
10/14/11- Very well done and I liked this movie very much. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: drama, Foreign
August 20th, 2011
THE RULES OF THE GAME- 1939. Synopsis by Netflix. “When affluent Marquis Robert de la Chesnaye (Marcel Dalio) hosts a party at his sprawling property, emotions run high. Guests include Robert’s mistress Genevieve (Mila Parely) and pilot Andre Jurieu (Roland Toutain), who fancies Robert’s wife, Christine (Nora Gregor). Meanwhile, Schumacher (Gaston Modot) is trying to keep Marceau (Julien Carette) from hitting on his wife (Paulette Dubost). All the while, the servants watch with great interest.”
8/18/11- A classic movie about the pre-WW2 period and about as good as a French sex farce gets. It’s definitely worth a viewing. TRDB. At the Theater but it’s available on Netflix as well.
Tags: Comedy, drama, Foreign
August 19th, 2011
RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “James Franco headlines the reboot of the immensely popular Planet of the Apes franchise, a prequel which boasts cutting-edge CGI effects and a gripping story set in modern-day San Francisco, where scientists are conducting genetic research on apes. The evolved primates, including Caesar (Andy Serkis), develop advanced intelligence and revolt against being used as lab rats, unleashing a war for dominion over Earth.”
8/14/11-Despite not liking James Franco and not liking sci-fi I thoroughly enjoyed this movie that my friends Don and Sue dragged me to. Great special effects, good story and boy, you have to love those apes. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: sci-fi
August 14th, 2011
SHOLEM ALEICHEM: LAUGHING IN THE DARKNESS- 2011.
7/25/11. By Joseph Dorman this is a wonderful documentary about the famous Yiddish writer. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: documentary
July 25th, 2011
CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) discovers that his wife (Julianne Moore) wants to end their marriage, he reluctantly faces the unwelcome prospect of single life with the counsel of the younger and smoother super-bachelor Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling). Meanwhile, Cal’s adolescent son, Robbie (Jonah Bobo), has formed an unquenchable crush on his 17-year-old babysitter (Analeigh Tipton) — but is she more interested in Robbie’s recently unwed father?” Good early reviews. TRDB.
8/6/11- Crazy and stupid but lots of fun. Poignant as well. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: Comedy
July 24th, 2011
SARAH’S KEY- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the midst of researching an article about the roundup of Jews that took place in Paris in 1942, American-born journalist Julia Jarmond (Kristin Scott Thomas) uncovers a sobering connection between her story and the home she shares with her boorish French husband (Frederic Pierrot). Gilles Paquet-Brenner directs this gripping drama based on a bestselling novel of the same name that was inspired by actual events.” Excellent professional reviews and average audience reaction. TRDB.
8/15/11- Great script and wonderful acting make this Holocaust movie different from others and I highly recommend it. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: drama
July 10th, 2011
TABLOID- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Errol Morris profiles another intriguingly dysfunctional personality in this complex documentary about Joyce McKinney, a former beauty queen whose lovely exterior hides a genius IQ — and a criminal disposition. Joyce, a one-time Miss Wyoming, kidnapped her Mormon boyfriend and raped him repeatedly, which was only the beginning of her often-illegal and always eccentric behavior as she pursued her romantic ideals.” So far, good professional reviews but audiences do not agree. TRDB.
8/5/11- I’m with the audiences on this one– a classic waste of time as far as I’m concerned. Miss it. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: documentary
June 29th, 2011
TERRI- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Working with screenwriter Patrick Dewitt, filmmaker Azazel Jacobs crafts a poignant coming-of-age tale about Terri (Jacob Wysocki), an overweight orphan who, while struggling to find acceptance with his peers, forms an unlikely friendship with his vice principal (John C. Reilly). Turns out that both know all too well what it’s really like to be alone, which makes them ideal companions for each other.”
6/26/11- An article about this movie (not a review) in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
7/12/11- Very good professional reviews and OK audience ones. TRDB.
Good review in NY Times on 7/1/11. TRDB.
7/18/11- I saw this movie today and found it absorbing and I’d definitely recommend it. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: drama
June 25th, 2011
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE- 2006. Synopsis by Netflix. “Convinced their little Olive (Abigail Breslin) is beauty queen material, parents Richard (Greg Kinnear) and Sheryl (Toni Collette) load the rest of the family into a van and embark on a life-altering road trip to a California pageant. Richard pushes Olive to win while her silent brother (Paul Dano), depressed uncle (Steve Carell) and nursing-home reject grandpa (Alan Arkin, in an Oscar-winning role) add their own quirks to the mix.”
One of the funniest movies I’ve seen. One reviewer said it was a combination of farce and heart and I agree. TRDB.
Tags: Comedy
June 19th, 2011
PUZZLE- 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “On her 50th birthday, an unassuming housewife (The Headless Woman’s Maria Onetto) receives a present and discovers she’s an ace at puzzles. Without telling anyone, she takes on a training partner and begins to compete. But her new passion quickly threatens her old life, and she must decide where her true self lies.”
Fair reviews in general but good review in NY Times on 5/27/11. TRDB.
9/9/11- I found this movie very interesting and enjoyed it very much. I saw it at the 2011 Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
May 29th, 2011
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