Posts filed under 'Seen On Netflix'
TAMARA DREWE- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “After undergoing plastic surgery and a complete fashion makeover, suddenly sexy journalist Tamara (Gemma Arterton) triumphantly returns to her tiny hometown, where she exploits her irresistible appeal by recklessly toying with others’ emotions and breaking hearts. Adapted from a comic strip by Posy Simmonds, this Stephen Frears-directed comedy explores themes such as unrequited loved, envy and lust.” Mostly good professional reviews. Just OK from audiences.
2/11- Funny, occasionally poignant and definitely worth seeing. TRDB.Netflix.
Tags: Drama/Romance
November 5th, 2010
SAMSON & DELILAH- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “In the desert of Central Australia, aimless Samson (Rowan McNamara) takes a fancy to Delilah (Marissa Gibson), a fellow teen who takes care of her grandmother. Branded as outcasts by the rest of the community, Samson and Delilah set out for Alice Springs on a grueling road trip. The epic journey subjects the aboriginal duo to poverty, addiction and hunger in writer-director Warwick Thornton’s sparse and grittily beautiful feature debut.” Good review in NY Times on 10/15/10.
10/10- I saw this about 6 months ago and it’s one of the few that I hated. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
October 19th, 2010
BUDRUS- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Documentarian Julia Bacha delves into the fraught world of Palestinian-Israeli relations in this amazing account of one family’s leadership of a movement to prevent Israel’s Separation Barrier from slicing the Palestinian village of Budrus in half. Ayed Morrar inspires nonviolent protests of the giant barrier by numerous factions, and his 15-year-old daughter, Iltezam, leads a women’s group. Archival footage and interviews illuminate the action.” Excellent reviews.
6/2/11- A poignant but somewhat one-sided documentary showing that occasionally peaceful methods can work in the Middle East conflict. TRDB. Netflix.
7/15/12- I saw this again today at the Hebrew Center in Martha’s Vineyard and found it just as interesting and thought provoking as I did last year. Still one-sided as well. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
October 15th, 2010
PUPPY- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “Soon after the manipulative Liz (Nadia Townsend) is tossed out by her angry sister, she’s “rescued” by Aiden (Bernard Curry), a guy with serious issues who thinks she’s actually his runaway wife. Liz is willing to play along — for a while. But her knack for getting what she wants is no match for Aiden’s powerful delusions. Self-taught filmmaker Kieran Galvin shot this independent drama, which marks his feature film debut, in just 20 days.” OK audience awards but no professional ones as yet.
10/10- Weird movie with little to show for it when it’s done. I watched it but you shouldn’t. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Mystery
October 15th, 2010
TOKYO STORY- 1953. Premise by Netflix. “Director Yasujiro Ozu focuses on an elderly couple (Chishu Ryu and Chieko Higashiyama) in post-World War II Japan who travel to Tokyo to visit their children but are received rather coldly by their offspring; in fact, the only one happy to see them is their widowed daughter-in-law (Setsuko Hara). In an attempt to get them out of the way, the children shuttle their aging parents off to a health spa, a decision that could come back to haunt them.”
10/10- A sad story about family relationships. Well done and I liked it. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
October 13th, 2010
GUY AND MADELINE ON A PARK BENCH- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Black-and-white verité meets the charm of the classic Hollywood musical in writer-director Damien Chazelle’s romantic drama about a jazz trumpeter named Guy (Jason Palmer) who’s perennially falling in and out of love. After connecting with the shy Madeline (Desiree Garcia), Guy embarks on a quest for a more gregarious paramour, but through a series of twists and turns punctuated by an original score, the two lovers reunite in the end.” Mixed reviews but a few said it was very interesting and very different. TRDB.
5/5/11- Unusual it was and I didn’t like it except for the musical numbers. I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: Drama/Romance
October 11th, 2010
THE COMPANY MEN- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Written, directed and produced by John Wells (“The West Wing”), this indie drama stars Ben Affleck as a successful businessman who comes face-to-face with America’s downsizing epidemic when he loses his job and is forced to take a construction gig. Rounding out the all-star cast are Kevin Costner as Affleck’s brother-in-law, Tommy Lee Jones as a conflicted corporate bigwig and Chris Cooper as a struggling blue-collar worker.” Good review in NY Times on 12/9/10 and enjoyed by audiences so far. TRDB.
6/22/11- A look at the human side of downsizing in a cliche filled drama that should have been on TV. I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
October 10th, 2010
THE TOURIST- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Watery, enchanted Venice provides the setting for this thriller starring Johnny Depp as an American tourist seeking solace there for his shattered heart — only to find it in danger once again after encountering a beautiful Interpol agent (Angelina Jolie). Little does the poor Yank know that the artful agent has gone to great lengths to arrange their “chance” meeting and is using him to trap a criminal who also happens to be her ex-lover.” Poor reviews but I love Venice so I’ll see it. TRDB.
4/11- The lousy reviews were well deserved but somehow, loving Venice, I managed to watch all of the film. It should have been classified a comedy. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: Drama/Romance
October 10th, 2010
CONVICTION- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Convinced that her brother, Kenneth (Sam Rockwell), has been unjustly convicted of murder and incompetently defended by court-ordered attorneys, high school dropout Betty Anne Waters (Hilary Swank) puts herself through law school in order to represent him in his appeal. Inspired by a true story, director Tony Goldwyn’s stirring drama also stars Melissa Leo, Minnie Driver, Peter Gallagher and Clea DuVall.” Good reviews.
3/11- A true story portrayed with sensitivity and emotion and a wonderful Hilary Swank as usual. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
October 10th, 2010
DANCING ACROSS BORDERS- 2010. Premise by Netflix. ” Art enthusiast and philanthropist Anne Bass makes her first foray into filmmaking with this moving documentary that traces the journey of a talented young Cambodian man in his transformation from street performer to classically trained ballet dancer. Discovered by Bass in his native land, Sokvannara “Sy” Sar must learn to assimilate to the rigid structures of Western ballet to fulfill his dream of becoming a professional dancer.” Reviews just more positive than negative.”
12/10- OK reviews but I liked the movie a lot, especially the parts with the dancer speaking about his 2 disparate worlds. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: documentary
September 28th, 2010
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