Posts filed under 'Seen On Netflix'

NOTHING PERSONAL

NOTHING PERSONAL- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “In this moody drama from Polish director Urszula Antoniak, Anne (Lotte Verbeek) is a loner and a drifter, hitching rides through the Irish countryside, until she comes across an isolated cabin and strikes up an uneasy relationship with its owner (Stephen Rea). Each one has something to offer the other — the solace of his cabin, her welcome companionship — and in time, they begin to trust and even care for one another.” Good review in NY Times 11/19/10.

10/8/11- Interesting and very different even by my standards. I liked it. TRDB. Netflix.

Add comment November 20th, 2010

LOVE AND OTHER DRUGS

LOVE AND OTHER DRUGS- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Pharmaceutical representative Jamie Reidy (Jake Gyllenhaal) becomes a player in the big game of male-performance-enhancement-drug sales and, along the way, finds unexpected romance with a woman (Anne Hathaway) suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Based on the real-life Jamie Reidy’s memoir, Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman, this satirical look inside the culture of Big Pharm is directed by Edward Zwick.” Fair reviews at best.

4/11- A fair movie with occasional bright spots including one GREAT scene at a Parkinson’s conference in Chicago. TRDB. Netflix.

Add comment November 20th, 2010

LEMON POPSICLE

LEMON POPSICLE- 1978. “In 1950s Israel, Benzi (Yftach Katzur), Momo (Jonathan Sagall) and Yudale (Zachi Noy) are typical teenagers with one-track minds. Obsessed with losing their virginity, the three embark on a sex expedition. Calling on young girls, middle-aged nymphomaniacs and prostitutes with questionable hygiene, the boys are well on their way to becoming men. Director Boaz Davidson’s amusing coming-of-age jaunt earned a Golden Globe nomination.”

11/10- Very well done with excellent sound track. I liked the movie despite it being dubbed into English from Hebrew. TRDB. Netflix.

Add comment November 20th, 2010

SUMMER IN GENOA (GENOVA)

SUMMER IN GENOA (GENOVA)- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “After his wife’s tragic death, Joe (Colin Firth) moves his two daughters to Genova for a fresh start. The romantic Italian town has its effects on the girls, as teenager Kelly (Willa Holland) begins to test her sexuality and young Mary (Perla Haney-Jardine) believes she’s seen her mother’s ghost. Director Michael Winterbottom’s poignant tale of love, family and forgiveness co-stars Hope Davis and Catherine Keener.” Good reviews.

4/11- A very good movie with good acting and a fine screenplay without everything neatly wrapped. See it. TRDB. Netflix.

Add comment November 18th, 2010

ME, TOO

ME, TOO- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Proving everyone is equal in their need for — and ability to feel — love, Daniel (Pablo Pinedo), a thirtysomething office worker with Down’s syndrome, embarks on a romance with Laura (Lola Dueñas), a neurotic but “normal” co-worker. Despite their apparent differences, Laura is attracted to Daniel, who is the first European with Down’s to graduate from a university. Álvaro Pastor and Antonio Naharro co-directed this touching, thoughtful drama.” Good early reviews. NY Times liked it- 11/19/10.

9/6/11- A wonderful movie about people accepting people for who and what they are. TRDB. Netflix.

Add comment November 15th, 2010

MADE IN DAGENHAM

MADE IN DAGENHAM- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Sally Hawkins stars in this cheeky dramatization of the landmark 1968 labor strike initiated by hundreds of women who rebelled against discrimination and demanded the same pay as men for their work in a London automobile manufacturing plant. During one march, a banner that reads “We Want Sexual Equality” inadvertently becomes shortened to “We Want Sex.” Nigel Cole directs this film that co-stars Miranda Richardson and Richard Schiff.” Very good professional reviews.

4/11- Very simplistic docudrama with a predictable story line. I don’t know why this was so popular. TRDB.

Add comment November 15th, 2010

HELENA FROM THE WEDDING

HELENA FROM THE WEDDING- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “In this coming-of-middle-age chamber story, disappointed playwright Alex Javal (Lee Tergesen) puts on a jolly mask to host — with new wife Alice (Melanie Lynskey) — a New Year’s Eve gathering in the woods, but he can’t hide his starry eyes when the alluring Helena (Gillian Jacobs) joins the scene. Confined to a cabin’s close quarters, Helena barely notices Alex while Alex ignores Alice, and the tension ratchets up as the minutes wind down.” Only mediocre reviews.

3/11 Similar to other movies of this type but not nearly as good as any I’ve seen. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

Add comment November 12th, 2010

TINY FURNITURE

TINY FURNITURE- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “When twenty-something film theory major Aura (Lena Dunham) returns home after college to live with her artist mother in TriBeCa, she confronts a long list of personal and professional failures and wonders whether her dismal past will become her future. It’s an early midlife crisis for sure, but there’s hope on the horizon if Aura can figure out who she is and what she’s really meant to do. Dunham also wrote and directed this wry comedy.” OK review in NY Times on 11/12/10. Some friends hated it.

2/4/12- I liked the characters and the script and enjoyed the movie. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

Add comment November 12th, 2010

BOXING GYM

BOXING GYM- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Acclaimed documentary director Frederick Wiseman brings his cameras to Lord’s Gym in Austin, Texas, where ex-puncher Richard Lord works with a diverse crowd of amateur boxing enthusiasts spanning every age, ethnicity and occupation. Wiseman’s signature style relies little on interviews and instead focuses on the rituals of training and the disciplined, determined approach of students and coaches to mastering the precise, brutal art of gloved combat.”

8/8/14– An interesting documentary that I liked, especially the diversity of the boxers. TRDB.

Add comment November 11th, 2010

A MARINE STORY

A MARINE STORY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “A decorated officer from a military family, Alex (Dreya Weber) is unexpectedly discharged from duty. When she returns to her conservative hometown, the Marine struggles to readjust to civilian life, but agrees to mentor Saffron (Paris P. Pickard), a troubled teen who’s enlisting. Alex is the no-nonsense role model and authority figure Saffron needs, but as Saffron finally hits her stride, Alex must find the courage to face her own demons.” OK review in NY Times on 11/5/10.

3/11- A very good idea but a trivial screenplay brings it down, particularly the bar scenes. TRDB. Netflix.

Add comment November 5th, 2010

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