Posts filed under 'Seen On Netflix'

AROUND A SMALL MOUNTAIN

AROUND A SMALL MOUNTAIN- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Kate (Jane Birkin) moved on from her life as the daughter of a small circus owner many years ago, but when her father dies the day before the troupe’s tour opens, Kate agrees to abandon her current life and re-embrace the show for what may be its final season. Sergio Castellitto (The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian) stars as Vittorio, who is strongly attracted to Kate and is the one person willing to probe into her decision to return.” Very good review by NY Times. TRDB.

3/11- A bit slow at times but I found it interesting and definitely worth seeing. TRDB. Netflix.

Add comment July 2nd, 2010

VIVERE

VIVERE- 2007. Germany. Premise by Netflix. “After her impulsive little sister Antonietta (Kim Schnitzer) runs off to Rotterdam with her musician boyfriend, dutiful daughter Francesca (Esther Zimmering) is dispatched to find her. But the journey becomes one of unexpected self-discovery when Francesca picks up depressed Gerlinde (Hannelore Elsner). Soon, the three women’s fates become intertwined in surprising ways in this lyrical drama from Germany. Angelina Maccarone directs.”

7/10-  The story is told through the story of each of the three women and that is what makes this movie mildly interesting. TRDB.

Add comment July 1st, 2010

9500 LIBERTY

9500 LIBERTY- Premise by Netflix. “Under pressure from anti-immigration groups, officials in Virginia’s Prince William County enact a controversial measure requiring police to step up their efforts to identify and detain suspected illegal aliens. Filmmakers Eric Byler and Annabel Park detail the turmoil that the new law stirs in the community, as well as the efforts of local citizens to resist what they regard as an unconstitutional assault on individual rights.” Very good early reviews.

12/8/11- A good documentary showing the hate that exists in our country and some of the ways people can make a difference. TRDB. Netflix.

Add comment July 1st, 2010

DOGTOOTH

DOGTOOTH- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “In this Greek drama, siblings who grow up cut off from the world — homeschooled and dependent on one another for entertainment — develop their own blissful alternative universe. That universe is shattered when their father lets in an outsider. Sex enters the picture when dad begins bringing home a female security officer to satisfy his son’s sexual needs. Suddenly, nothing is quite the same within this highly idiosyncratic family unit.”

1/11- Clearly one of the strangest movies I’ve ever seen and I’ve seen a lot of strange movies. Also, very well done and it held my interest. Not for most people. The movie won Best Picture at Cannes 2009. TRDB and is an Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Film this year. Netflix Streaming.

Add comment June 29th, 2010

OUT IN THE SILENCE

OUT IN THE SILENCE- Premise by Netflix. “When filmmaker Joe Wilson runs an announcement of his wedding to another man in the newspaper of the conservative Pennsylvania town where he grew up, the resulting controversy enables him to examine the depth and fragility of his social bonds. By stepping outside of the traditional documentary frame, Wilson illuminates the challenges facing those who grow up “different” in rural America, and the courage that simple tolerance can sometimes require.” Very few reviews but they are all good. TRDB.

7/10- Very good documentary about the issues and the people involved. TRDB.

 

Add comment June 29th, 2010

(500) DAYS OF SUMMER

(500) DAYS OF SUMMER- Premise by Netflix. “When his girlfriend, Summer (Zooey Deschanel), unceremoniously dumps him, greeting-card copywriter and hopeless romantic Tom (Golden Globe nominee Joseph Gordon-Levitt) begins sifting through the year-plus worth of days they spent together, looking for clues to what went awry. As he recalls the good and bad times he spent with the commitment-phobic girl, his heart reawakens to what it cherishes most. Marc Webb directs this uncommon love story.”

Cute story with interesting technique and I liked it. TRDB.

Add comment June 27th, 2010

THE TRIAL BEGINS

THE TRIAL BEGINS- Premise by Netflix. “An overly ambitious investigator in the Italian tax police, Filippo (Michele Lastella) ignores his conscience in order to pad his bank account and further his burgeoning career, but eventually his under-the-table dealings and lack of morals begin to catch up with him. Directed by Vincenzo Marra, this compelling drama about tax evasion also features Fanny Ardant, Giulia Bevilacqua and Augusto Zucchi.”

6/10- Just OK. TRDB.

Add comment June 24th, 2010

VIVA CUBA

VIVA CUBA- 

 VIVA CUBA- 2005. Premise by Netflix. “In this Cuban coming-of-age charmer, preteens Jorgito (Miló Ávila) and Malú (Tarrau Broche) have formed a deep bond, so when they learn Malú’s divorced mother plans to remarry and leave the country, taking Malú with her, the two friends go on a quest to prevent their separation. Leaving Havana and traveling on foot and by any available vehicle, the children try to reach Malú’s father before he signs papers permitting her to emigrate.”

6/10- A charming coming of age story from Cuba and I highly recommend it. Netflix.

Add comment June 22nd, 2010

ANTARCTICA

ANTARCTICA- Premise by Netflix. “Facing down his quickly approaching 30th birthday, gay librarian Omer (Tomer Ilan) hasn’t found his place in life or his ideal man, until fetching journalist Ronen (Guy Zoaretz) enters the scene. Meanwhile, Omer’s sister Shirley (Lucy Dubinchik) struggles to decide between settling down with the woman of her dreams and indulging her long-held fantasy of traveling to Antarctica. Yair Hochner directs this comedy that also stars Rivka Neuman.”

7/10- Lots of bed hopping in this Israeli drama about gay life. Just OK. TRDB.

7/10-

Add comment June 16th, 2010

LOLA

LOLA- 2001. Premise by Netflix. “After saving the life of charismatic prostitute Sandra (Joanna Going) — and then subsequently witnessing her murder — Lola (Sabrina Grdevich), a desperate woman trapped in a stagnant life, decides to escape her troubles by assuming the identity of the dead woman. Colm Feore portrays Lola’s hotheaded husband in Carl Bessai’s award-winning drama exploring the nature of identity and self-definition.”

6/10- Very well done, well acted, and a very interesting story with the backdrop of Western Canada. TRDB.

Add comment June 15th, 2010

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