Posts filed under 'Seen On Netflix'
HITLER’S CHILDREN- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “This documentary is about the descendants of the most powerful figures in the Nazi regime: men and women who were left a legacy that permanently associates them with one of the greatest crimes in history. What is it like for them to have grown up with a name that immediately raises images of murder and genocide? How do they cope with the fact that they are the children of … literally, not just metaphorically.”
11/16/12- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
5/28/13- A fascinating topic but the film didn’t really hold my interest. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
November 9th, 2012
NORTH SEA TEXAS- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. Pim, an introverted child, occupies his time drawing and fantasizing while keeping his emerging desires a secret. As a teenager, he grows infatuated with Gino, the handsome boy next door. When a hunky young man from the local fair starts living with Pim and his mother, he seizes the opportunity to leave home and move in with Gino’s family. His plan backfires as Gino departs, romancing and living with a girl from across the border. It seems like Pim’s dreams will never come true, but then one rainy day Gino returns home.”
11/2/12- A good review in today’s NY Times. Other critics and audiences have liked it also. TRDB.
8/28/14- A coming of age story that was OK, more because of the acting than because of the story. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: drama, Foreign
November 4th, 2012
THE LONGEST DAY- 1962. Synopsis by Netflix. “This Oscar-winning war epic chronicles World War II’s harrowing D-Day invasion. Shot on the beaches of Normandy, France, the ambitious film attempts to cover the historic day from all perspectives, focussing on both sides of the conflict.”
Rotten Tomatoes had this to say– “The Longest Day is a mammoth, all-star re-creation of the D-Day invasion, personally orchestrated by Darryl F. Zanuck. Whenever possible, the original locations were utilized, and an all-star international cast impersonates the people involved, from high-ranking officials to ordinary GIs. Each actor speaks in his or her native language with subtitles translating for the benefit of the audience (alternate “takes” were made of each scene with the foreign actors speaking English, but these were seen only during the first network telecast of the film in 1972). The stars are listed alphabetically, with the exception of John Wayne, who as Lt. Colonel Vandervoort gets separate billing. Others in the huge cast include Eddie Albert, Jean-Louis Barrault, Richard Burton, Red Buttons, Sean Connery, Henry Fonda, Gert Frobe, Curt Jurgens, Peter Lawford, Robert Mitchum, Kenneth More, Edmond O’Brien, Robert Ryan, Jean Servais, Rod Steiger and Robert Wagner. Paul Anka, who wrote the film’s title song, shows up as an Army private. Scenes include the Allies parachuting into Ste. Mere Englise, where the paratroopers were mowed down by German bullets; a real-life sequence wherein the German and Allied troops unwittingly march side by side in the dark of night; and a spectacular three-minute overhead shot of the troops fighting and dying in the streets of Quistreham. The last major black-and-white road-show attraction, The Longest Day made millions, enough to recoup some of the cost of 20th Century Fox’s concurrently produced Cleopatra.”
10/29/12- Truly the classic movie on the subject. TRDB.
Tags: drama
October 30th, 2012
STARLET- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Jane, a 21-year-old slacker, finds $10,000 stashed in a thermos she buys at a garage sale. Unsure what to do with the money, she begins spending time with Sadie, the elderly widow who held the garage sale, and an unlikely friendship develops.”
Fairly good reviews so far. TRDB.
11/9/12- Excellent review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
5/15/13- With the exception of the scenes involving the star’s despicable roommates I enjoyed this movie. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
October 27th, 2012
IN ANOTHER COUNTRY- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Isabelle Huppert plays three women, each named Anne, in this contemplative drama set at a small hotel in the beachside town of Mohang, South Korea. All three characters subtly affect their hosts and other townspeople, including the local lifeguard.”
Very good early reviews. TRDB.
11/9/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
4/11/13- I found the movie interesting, especially after deciding not to parse each and every detail. Isabel Huppert is wonderful as usual. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
October 27th, 2012
SKYFALL- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a serious menace threatens MI6, James Bond is on the case — putting aside his own life and personal issues to hunt and obliterate the perpetrators. Meanwhile, secrets arise from M’s past that strain Bond’s loyalty to his longtime boss.”
Great reviews!! TRDB.
4/7/13- Despite the wonderful reviews I’ll go with the reviewer who called this movie a “crushing bore.” TRDB.
Tags: drama
October 27th, 2012
ORCHESTRA OF EXILES- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This inspiring documentary focuses on Polish violinist Bronislaw Huberman, who rescued hundreds of Jews from the holocaust and founded the globally renowned orchestra that would eventually become the Israel Philharmonic.”
10/26/12- Fairly good review in today’s NY Times and by most professional critics as well. Audiences have uniformly enjoyed it. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
5/24/13- I liked this documentary very much as it once again showed the will of the Jewish people to not only live but to thrive as well. TRDB.
9/15/13- I saw this movie again in preparation for a talk I’m giving in Florida in October. I liked it just as much. TRDB.
Tags: Documentary/History
October 27th, 2012
FLIGHT- 2012- Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In this action-packed mystery thriller, Academy Award winner, Denzel Washington stars as Whip Whitaker, a seasoned airline pilot, who miraculously crash lands his plane after a mid-air catastrophe, saving nearly every soul on board. After the crash, Whip is hailed as a hero, but as more is learned, more questions than answers arise as to who or what was really at fault and what really happened on that plane?”
Very good reviews. TRDB.
11/2/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
11/11/13- A ridiculous screenplay early on and I almost turned it off shortly after the plane crash. It did get a little better. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: drama
October 26th, 2012
HOLY MOTORS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This surreal drama from France follows DL, who becomes many different individuals living very different lives over a 24-hour period — switching effortlessly from man to woman, impoverished to affluent, young to old, and even assassin to family man.”
Excellent reviews so far. TRDB.
4/18/13- A weird blending of reality and fantasy that was just too much for me and I turned it off quickly. TRDB.
Tags: drama
October 24th, 2012
MACHUCA- 2004. Synopsis by Netflix. “Seeking escape from his stormy home life, well-to-do youngster Gonzalo (Matias Quer) befriends Pedro (Ariel Mateluna), a poor, bullied pupil who’s attending his school on scholarship. The two grow close despite class hierarchy, but politics threaten to destroy their friendship. Set in 1973 Santiago amid political unrest, this tale centers on the friendship of two schoolboys from vastly different backgrounds.”
I liked this movie very much. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
October 24th, 2012
Newer Posts
Older Posts