Posts filed under 'Seen On Netflix'
NOWHERE BOY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Raised by his aunt Mimi (Kristin Scott Thomas) since he was a young boy, charismatic 15-year-old John Lennon (Aaron Johnson) is suddenly reunited with his mother, Julia (Anne-Marie Duff), which ignites a bitter battle between the two sisters for John’s affections. Along the way, John inherits his mother’s love of music and befriends fellow Liverpool lad Paul McCartney (Thomas Sangster) in this biopic of the music icon’s formative years.” Very good early reviews. Fair review in NY Times 10/8/10.
1/11- I felt that the movie was just OK but I did learn more about what made Lennon Lennon. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary, history
September 27th, 2010
RENDITION- Premise by Netflix. “Suspected of being a terrorist, Egyptian-born Anwar El-Ibrahim (Omar Metwally) “vanishes” from an international flight and is taken to a secret prison. Now, his wife, Isabella (Reese Witherspoon), desperately tries to uncover his whereabouts — as well as his true intentions. While she looks for answers, CIA analyst Douglas Freeman (Jake Gyllenhaal) objects to the interrogation practices used on El-Ibrahim. Meryl Streep and Alan Arkin co-star.”
9/10- Heavy on the talent here makes for an enjoyable movie. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, thriller
September 25th, 2010
JAFFA- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “In the Israeli city of Jaffa, an Arab father and son — Hasan and Taufik — work at a garage owned by a Jewish family that includes the pretty Mali (Dana Ivgy). But the tensions simmering beneath the surface of the genial workplace are about to come to a boil. A secret affair between Mali and Taufik has grave repercussions when Mali becomes pregnant in this gripping drama, an official selection at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.” Mixed reviews but more negative than positive.
11/10- A very well acted and thought provoking drama and I recommend it. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: drama, Foreign
September 22nd, 2010
I’M STILL HERE- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “In 2008, Oscar nominee Joaquin Phoenix walked away from acting to pursue a rap career, an inexplicably bizarre detour captured in stunning detail in this documentary directed by Phoenix’s brother-in-law, Casey Affleck. Some speculated Phoenix’s behavior was part of a well-orchestrated hoax — or, even worse, a mental breakdown. But some of the film’s graphic footage suggests it could have been a little of both.” Mixed reviews but some really bad ones included.
12/10- I agree with the BAD reviews as this “documentary” lost all steam and became ridiculous quickly. I hated it. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
September 14th, 2010
UNCLE BOONME WHO CAN RECALL HIS PAST LIVES- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Under the care of his dedicated sister-in-law (Jenjira Pongpas), terminally ill Uncle Boonmee (Thanapat Saisaymar) spends his final days reminiscing about his past lives with the recently arrived ghost of his dead wife (Natthakarn Aphaiwonk) and his long-missing son (Geerasak Kulhong). Directed by celebrated Thai filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul, this free-floating fantasy film took home the Palme d’Or at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.” Three reviews, all great. TRDB.
7/12/11- Well, maybe it’s me but this well reviewed movie failed to movie me except to think about turning it off, probably because of my expectations. Beautiful landscapes but the story was so esoteric and mysterious that I often failed to see his point and at some level I felt that this was another example of “the emperor’s new clothes.” TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
September 14th, 2010
HOW I ENDED THIS SUMMER- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “At an isolated science station in the Arctic, meteorologist Sergei and young intern Pavel face the impending closure of the now-irrelevant base. While Sergei eagerly anticipates returning to his family, Pavel still hopes for a grand adventure. Time is distorted so far north, where the never-setting summer sun can make a day stretch into weeks, and this engrossing thriller examines how altered perceptions affect the two men.” Mostly good reviews.
5/15/11- Way too long but still an interesting story. I’d rate it as OK. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
September 8th, 2010
A SCREAMING MAN- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Adam (Youssouf Djaoro) was a security guard at a posh Chad hotel until its new owners replaced him with his son (Dioucounda Koma). In this nation torn apart by civil war, citizens are called upon to help. But Adam only has one thing to give, forcing him to make a devastating choice. Emile Abossolo M’bo and Djénéba Koné co-star in this powerful drama, winner of the Jury Prize at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.” Great professional reviews and average audience reviews. TRDB.
8/3/11- A very slow but very moving drama about the effects of war on one family in particular. Definitely recommended. TRDB. Netflix Streaming and available on DVD very soon.
Tags: drama, Foreign
September 8th, 2010
MID-AUGUST LUNCH- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “As the Italian holiday of Pranzo di Ferragosto approaches, cash-strapped Gianni (Gianni Di Gregorio) gets help from his landlord, his friend and his doctor, who offer financial relief in exchange for Gianni looking after their elderly relatives over the holiday. Four mismatched Italian mamas at the same table make for an awkward, hilarious and touching mid-August lunch in this film festival favorite from Di Gregorio, who also writes and directs.”
5/10- Very good reviews for this film that I found just OK. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: Comedy, Foreign
September 7th, 2010
A FEW DAYS IN SEPTEMBER- 2006. Premise by Netflix. “On Sept. 1, 2001, 10 days before the events that shook the world, CIA agent Elliott (Nick Nolte) disappears. With the help of Elliott’s son David (Tom Riley), French agent Irène Montano (Juliette Binoche) scours Venice and Paris to find him, with a bizarre, poetry-reading assassin (John Turturro) on their trail. The clock ticks toward the fateful day, as the information Elliott holds threatens to keep him hidden permanently.”
9/10- I enjoyed the movie and appreciated Juliette Binoche much more than usual. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: drama, Foreign, Mystery
September 6th, 2010
TORTILLA SOUP- 2001. Premise by Netflix. “In director María Ripoll‘s bilingual drama, widower Martin Naranjo (Hector Elizondo) is a Los Angeles restaurateur with a booming business and three headstrong daughters (Jacqueline Obradors, Tamara Mello and Elizabeth Peña), who are all on the verge of leaving the house to pursue their individual destinies. He knows he must let go, but things get even more complicated when brassy neighbor Hortensia (Raquel Welch) sets her sights on Martin.”
12/06- Cute story about eventually “letting go.” TRDB.
Tags: drama
September 5th, 2010
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