Posts filed under 'Seen On Netflix'
SPRING 1941- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “After Germany invades Poland and the Nazis order the confinement of all local Jews in the ghetto, medical doctor Artur Planck (Joseph Fiennes) manages to flee with his family, seeking refuge at the farm of Emilia (Kelly Harrison), their former grocer. With the Planck family hiding in her attic, Emilia finds her feelings for the physician growing stronger than she wants, or can control — despite the dangers of the situation.”
8/10- One of the worst Holocaust movies I’ve seen. Poor acting, poor obvious script and terrible accents turned me off and I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: Drama/Romance
August 24th, 2010
HAPPYTHANKYOUMOREPLEASE- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “On the way to meet a publisher, aspiring novelist Sam (Josh Radnor) encounters 6-year-old Rasheen (Michael Algieri) alone on the subway. While struggling to decide whether to send him back to foster care, Sam looks after Rasheen and learns a few important life lessons. Meanwhile, Sam’s friends deal with various romantic tribulations. Radnor wrote and directed this coming-of-age comedy, which won the Best Drama Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival.” Just OK reviews, slightly more positive than negative. Awful review in NY Times on 3/4/11.
6/30/11- I agree with the Times– the worst and I turned it off very quickly. TRDB.
Tags: Comedy, drama
August 22nd, 2010
SORRY, THANKS- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Although he’s in a relationship with Sara (Ia Hernandez), Max Callahan (Wiley Wiggins) develops an obsession with Kira (Kenya Miles), his recent one-night stand. While he tries to figure whether he has a conscience, Kira seriously questions her personal and professional choices. Andrew Bujalski co-stars as Max’s best friend, Mason, and Dia Sokol directs this romantic drama that explores the heart’s questionable emotions.” Fair reviews.
9/10- Not very interesting at all. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
August 22nd, 2010
CALVIN MARSHALL- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Though he has no athletic ability whatsoever, college student Calvin Marshall (Alex Frost) is so blindly single-minded about making the school baseball team that Coach Little (Steve Zahn) — a former minor league player — relents and lets him on the squad. But when he’s sidelined by an injury, Calvin has an opportunity to discover his true talent in life. Gary Lundgren directs this charming comedy that co-stars Michelle Lombardo.” OK review in NY Times 8/20/10.
9/10- Could have been an interesting message but went downhill as soon as the secondary characters spoke. They should have stayed with the two main characters. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
August 20th, 2010
ARMY OF CRIME- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “This gripping historical drama recounts the story of Armenian-born Missak Manouchian (Simon Abkarian), a woodworker and political activist who led an immigrant laborer division of the Parisian Resistance on 30 operations against the Nazis in 1943. The Nazis branded the group an Army of Crime, an anti-immigrant propaganda stunt that backfired as the team’s members became martyrs for the Resistance. Virginie Ledoyen co-stars as Manouchian’s wife.” Very good review in NY Times on 8/20/10.
1/11- Another good movie about the resistance but with little to add to the wealth of material on this subject. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: docudrama
August 20th, 2010
WELCOME- 2009. Directed by Philippe Lioret. Premise by Netflix. “When authorities forbid young Kurdish refugee Bilal (Firat Ayverdi) from crossing the English Channel to reunite with his girlfriend in England, the 17-year-old resolves to swim to his love — and finds an unlikely ally in the form of swim instructor Simon (Vincent Lindon). Facing an inevitable divorce from his wife (Audrey Dana), the middle-aged teacher takes the resolute youth under his wing in this stirring, beautifully acted French drama.”
8/10- A very good drama about the issues of illegal immigrants, the hurdles they must overcome and the brave few that help them. I liked the film. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
August 17th, 2010
YOO-HOO, MRS. GOLDBERG- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “The history of “The Goldbergs” — and the massive appeal and influence of its Jewish American main character — is explored in this fascinating documentary from filmmaker Aviva Kempner. Though she is not a household name today, Molly Goldberg — the indelible creation of writer and performer Gertrude Berg — was one of the most popular characters on radio and television from the 1930s to the ’50s.” Good reviews.
8/10- A good portrait of this pioneer of radio and TV. It places her well in the context of U.S. society at the time. I liked it. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
August 14th, 2010
THE MILK OF SORROW- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Stricken with a pathological fear she contracted from her mother’s breast milk — the “milk of sorrow,” a condition suffered by women who were raped during Peru’s civil wars — Fausta (Magaly Solier) goes to extreme lengths to protect her own sexuality and safety. But when her anguished mother finally dies, Fausta finds herself compelled to embark on a frightening journey that could lead her to freedom and wholeness. Claudia Llosa directs this Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Film.” Good reviews.
12/10- I enjoyed this movie a lot despite it’s being slow moving. One scene of a traditional mass wedding was worth the movie. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
August 13th, 2010
A QUIET LITTLE MARRIAGE- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “With her dad descending into an Alzheimer’s haze and a junkie for a brother-in-law, happily married Olive (Mary Elizabeth Ellis) decides that the answer to life’s problems is a baby — too bad her spouse (Cy Carter) doesn’t agree. But with the missus poking holes in her diaphragm and hubby spiking her coffee with birth control pills, love may not conquer all in this Slamdance Film Festival award winner. Jimmi Simpson and Charlie Day also star.” Good reviews.
8/10- An OK film until a disappointing ending. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
August 13th, 2010
PEEPLI LIVE- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “When indigent farmers Natha (Omkar Das) and Budhia (Raghuvir Yadav) stand to lose their land over a loan they can’t repay, a government official comes up with a modest proposal: Commit suicide and collect a subsidy that’s paid to the relatives of deceased farmers. As Natha weighs his options, a journalist learns of his predicament and the media circus begins. Anusha Rizvi directs this satirical take on a real-life crisis afflicting India’s underclass.” OK review in NY Times 8/13/10.
1/11- Interesting idea but this ridiculous film detracted from the importance of the issue. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary, Foreign
August 13th, 2010
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