Posts filed under 'Seen at the Theater'
POETRY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “A poetry-writing class inspires serenely self-possessed grandmother Mija (Jeong-hie Yun) to open her senses to her suburban surroundings, but in rushes an array of unsettling discoveries in this lyrical South Korean melodrama. Along with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease comes information that Mija’s teenage grandson was party to a horrific incident, and it is left to Mija to compose order from the untidy emotional consequences.” Great reviews in general– also in NY Times on 2/11/11.
3/11- This movie was like a poem itself. Well acted and an interesting story. Slow at times but I enjoyed it. TRDB. At the theater.
Tags: drama
February 12th, 2011
THE ROUNDUP (LA RAFLE)- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “This gripping drama based on a true story follows the fate of three carefree Parisian boys and their families as Nazi officials and corrupt French collaborators arrest them — along with thousands of other French Jews — in 1942. Shipped to a holding facility until they can be sent to concentration camps, the lads encounter a weary Jewish doctor (Jean Reno) and a kindly Christian nurse (Mélanie Laurent). Roselyne Bosch directs.” Good audience reviews.
4/11- A true and difficult film to watch, this well done docudrama portrays a piece of history that is unfortunately not well known. Recommended with a warning that this film will evoke a powerful emotional response. TRDB. At the Westchester Jewish Film Festival.
11/16/12- A mixed review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
February 10th, 2011
WINTER IN WARTIME- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “This sumptuously photographed drama focuses on 14-year-old Michiel (Martijn Lakemeier) as he wrestles with family loyalties, painful choices between safety and courage, and the harsh realities of war during the last, desperate winter of World War II. Michiel is forced onto the path of adulthood as he attempts to aid a wounded British pilot (Jamie Campbell Bower) in German-occupied Netherlands, despite his father’s apparent cooperation with enemy soldiers.” Mixed reviews, more positive than negative. Good review in NY Times on 3/18/11.
4/11- I enjoyed this movie despite some obvious contrivances such as one or two chase scenes which were totally unnecessary. TRDB. At the theater.
Tags: drama, Foreign
February 9th, 2011
INCENDIES- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “When their mother’s (Lubna Azabal) will implores them to deliver letters to the father they thought was dead and a brother they never knew about, twins Jeanne (Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin) and Simon (Maxim Gaudette) journey to the Middle East and attempt to reconstruct their family’s hidden history. Adapted from a Wajdi Mouawad play, director Denis Villeneuve’s drama flashes back to intense scenes set during the Lebanese Civil War in the 1970s.” Showed at HIFF 2010. Great professional reviews and very good audience response as well. TRDB.
5/15/11- This movie was done in a most realistic fashion with great acting and superb direction. While it was often difficult to watch I thought that it was a great movie. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: drama, Foreign
February 1st, 2011
IN A BETTER WORLD- (Haevnen) 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Danish director Susanne Bier delves into the realm of fathers, sons and their perceived burden of male responsibility with this Golden Globe-winning drama about the interplay between two dysfunctional families. With his father (Mikael Persbrandt) working abroad, bullied Elias (Markus Rygaard) finds solace in a budding friendship with a volatile new student (William Jøhnk Nielsen). But the boys’ shared revenge only seems to invite more violence.” Won the 2010 Academy Award for Best Foreign Film. TRDB.
4/11- A wonderful movie, difficult to watch at times, with several important messages. In particular about the different ways of handling conflict and the limits of each manner. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: drama, Foreign
February 1st, 2011
BARNEY’S VERSION- 2010. “Golden Globe winner Paul Giamatti stars as Barney Panofsky, a Jewish Canadian television producer who reflects in flashbacks on three strange decades — and three wives — in this adaptation of Mordecai Richler’s acclaimed novel. There’s Clara (Rachelle Lefevre), a free-spirited proponent of free love; “Mrs. P” (Minnie Driver), a self-centered princess; and Miriam (Rosamund Pike), the right woman who comes along at the wrong time.” Good reviews.
2/11- Great acting and a magnificent screenplay make this a terrific movie. Highly recommended. TRDB. At the theater.
Tags: drama
February 1st, 2011
MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “After escaping from a violent cult in rural New York, Martha (Elizabeth Olsen) tries to reconnect with her estranged sister, Lucy (Sarah Paulson), and Lucy’s well-to-do husband, Ted (Hugh Dancy), but the brainwashing she endured continues to prevent her from forming an identity of her own. Overwhelmed with paranoia, guilt and shame, Martha isolates herself until Lucy begins to suspect her sister’s emotional trauma has deeper underlying causes.” Winner at Sundance 2011.
10/21/11- Only a fair review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
11/8/11- An interesting and very well acted psychological thriller and I liked it. TRDB. At the theater.
Tags: drama
January 30th, 2011
BUCK- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Buck Brannaman, inspiration for “The Horse Whisperer,” is revealed as a complex figure in this documentary by Cindy Meehl. The master horseman reveals details of his troubled childhood and his dawning awareness of new ways that humans and horses might work with one another. As Buck learns more about horses, he finds that the ways we communicate with our animal companions offer lessons on how we relate to fellow human beings.” At Sundance 2011.
7/8/11- An excellent documentary where we see the man in action and we learn about life events that made him what he is. Definitely recommended. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: documentary
January 30th, 2011
PAGE ONE: A YEAR INSIDE THE NY TIMES- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “Documentarian Andrew Rossi goes inside the New York Times to examine how the venerable paper and its reporters are responding to the massive changes in how news is gathered, analyzed and dispersed. Is there any future for newsprint? The creative process of journalism is also dissected, with journalists David Carr, Brian Stelter and many others providing insight into their writing processes and where they think the news business is headed.” At Sundance 2011. Fairly good audience reactions. TRDB.
7/15/11- Excellent documentary that we all need to listen to as newspapers with shrinking revenues fold right and left. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: documentary
January 29th, 2011
CIRCUMSTANCE- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “Iranian teens Atafeh (Nikohl Boosheri) and Shireen (Sarah Kazemy) explore their forbidden attraction to one another against the backdrop of modern-day Tehran’s subcultures. Atafeh’s brother, Mehran (Reza Sixo Safai), returns home after drug rehab and is soon dismayed by his sister’s newfound sense of liberation. Giving up on his dreams to become a classical musician, Mehran joins the morality police, causing deeper rifts in the family.” Mentioned in NY Times on 1/22/11 re Sundance.
8/27/11- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
9/19/11- A very good drama that clearly depicts the dangers of living in such a repressive society. Good acting and the movie seemed real. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: drama, Foreign
January 23rd, 2011
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