APRES LUI- 2007. Directed by Gael Morel and starring the great Catherine Deneuve. About a woman who becomes obsessed with the young man (her son’s best friend) who was driving the car when her son was killed. A study of grief and it’s unpredictable nature well played by the master. I’d predict that you’ll like it or hate it. I liked it. Netflix. 9/09
Add comment September 16th, 2009
BLIND DATE- Premise by Rotten Tomatoes. “ blind dates, hoping that this ruse will allow them finally to talk openly about the demise of their relationship in the wake of tragedy.”
12/22/09- I just saw this and liked it. A little slow at times and sad beyond sad but very well acted and sincere. Netflix Streaming. TRDB.
Add comment September 16th, 2009
THE BOYS ARE BACK- Premise by Zap2it. “After the untimely passing of his second wife, Joe must not only deal with his own grief, but try to find a way to raise his two sons alone. With Joe in unfamiliar territory and the boys Artie and Harry trying to cope with their own personal baggage, the three decide to throw convention to the wind and live by the words “just say yes.” But when things go wrong, Joe must find a way to behave more like a parent without losing the joy of a more childlike lifestyle.”
2/10- Sappy, formulaic movie with only a few redeeming qualities but I managed to stick it out. TRDB.
Add comment September 16th, 2009
“Set in 1970s suburbia, this coming-of-age tale revolves around the exploits of a pair of Long Island families grappling with complex relationships, financial woes and an outbreak of lyme disease that’s “terrorizing” their community. Brothers Derick Martini and Steven Martini helmed this quirky dramedy that features a stellar cast, including Alec Baldwin, Rory Culkin, Kieran Culkin, Cynthia Nixon, Timothy Hutton and Jill Hennessy.”
Add comment September 16th, 2009
UNDER THE BOMBS- 2007. Directed by Philippe Aractingi and starring Nada Abou Farhat and Georges Khabbaz. About a Lebanese woman who travels back to Lebanon from Dubai just after the Israeli invasion and cease fire in 2006 to look for her missing sister and son. Despite criticism of Israel the film was really about civilian casualties of war. Very good. Netflix Streaming. 9/09 
Add comment September 8th, 2009
2008. Written and directed by Marianna Palka. Starring Palka and Jason Ritter. He plays a young man working in a video store who fall for a weird, painfully shy woman who comes in for porno DVDs. Most of the movie is about her verbally abusing him and the last 2% gives us the obvious explanation for her inability to connect. Did not like the movie. 9/09 
Add comment September 8th, 2009
THE HORSE BOY- Premise by Netflix. “THE HORSE BOY- Premise by Netflix. “When conventional therapies fail to help their autistic son, Rupert and Kristin Isaacson travel with Rowan to Mongolia in the hopes that a combination of traditional shamanic healing and horseback riding will benefit him. Director Michel O. Scott’s documentary juxtaposes scenes of the family at home in Texas with their journey on horseback across the breathtaking Mongolian countryside in search of reindeer herders and a powerful shaman.” Fairly good reviews for this documentary.
4/10- Great photography and very interesting movie. Painful to watch at times. Netflix Streaming.
Add comment September 7th, 2009
NO IMPACT MAN- Premise by Netflix. “A Fifth Avenue family goes very green when writer Colin Beavan leads his wife, Michelle Conlin, and their baby daughter on a yearlong crusade to make no net impact on the environment in this engaging documentary. Among their activities: eating only locally grown organic food, generating no trash except for compost and using no carbon-fueled transportation. Laura Gabbert and Justin Schein‘s film premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.”
1/31/10- I found this movie very interesting, especially the disagreements between Beavan and his wife who took longer to “come around” on the project. TRDB.
Add comment September 7th, 2009
CRUDE- Premise by Netflix. “Filmmaker Joe Berlinger‘s provocative documentary explores the ongoing battle waged by 30,000 indigenous Ecuadorans and their lawyers against Chevron for dumping billions of gallons of toxic oil waste into the Amazon. Berlinger examines the environmental catastrophe — dubbed the “Amazon Chernobyl” — from all sides, following the drama as it moves from the contamination site to the courtroom and beyond, even landing on the cover of Vanity Fair.” Very good reviews.
3/10- Fascinating documentary, especially the second half and I highly recommend it. TRDB.
Add comment September 7th, 2009
HERB AND DOROTHY- Premise by Rotten Tomatoes. “This documentary film tells the extraordinary story of Herb, a postal clerk, and Dorothy, a librarian — an ordinary couple of modest means who managed to build one of the most important contemporary art collections in history.” Good reviews.
Premise by Netflix. “HERB AND DOROTHY- Premise by Netflix. “Chronicling the story of unlikely art collectors Herb Vogel and Dorothy Vogel, filmmaker Megumi Sasaki demonstrates that it’s not necessary to be wealthy in order to build a significant collection in this fascinating documentary. A postal clerk and a librarian, the Vogels share a passion for art, which they pursued over decades, becoming two of the most important collectors of minimalist and conceptual art with more than 4,000 pieces.” Very good reviews.
12/23/09- I saw this and found it very interesting and I’d definitely recommend it. TRDB.
Add comment September 7th, 2009