Posts filed under 'Seen On Netflix'
CHICKEN WITH PLUMS- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1950s Tehran, a musician’s life comes undone: an old flame doesn’t recognize him, his violin is broken and he becomes bedridden with worry. As he spirals into despair without the ability to play music, he teeters on the edge of oblivion.”
8/17/12- A good review in today’s NY Times and very good professional reviews in general. Fairly good audience reaction as well. TRDB.
5/3/13- This movie is a bit strange but stick with it and I think you won’t be sorry. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
August 1st, 2012
PLANET OF SNAIL- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “A deaf, blind recluse with few ties to the outside world finds an ideal mate in a disabled woman, who expands his universe and inspires his passions. Their life together might not be grand, but it’s beautiful in its simplicity.”
Excellent reviews. TRDB.
5/13/13- A very different type of documentary, more like a drama that was a tribute to the characters involved. The movie itself seemed repetitive to me and perhaps would have worked better as a short but still I enjoyed it. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
July 31st, 2012
LET GO- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “A disheartened parole officer struggling to find happiness in a ho-hum marriage finds inspiration from an unlikely source: his own parolees. As his slightly loopy ex-cons play out their dramas, the parole officer works to resolve his own.”
Very good early audience reviews– no professional critics yet. TRDB.
11/27/12- A cute story with some comedic scenes as well. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
July 28th, 2012
2 DAYS IN NEW YORK- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Marion and Mingus live cozily-perhaps too cozily-with their cat and two young children from previous relationships. However, when Marion’s jolly father (played by director Delpy’s real-life dad), her oversexed sister, and her sister’s outrageous boyfriend unceremoniously descend upon them for a visit, it initiates two unforgettable days that will test Marion and Mingus’s relationship. With their unwitting racism and sexual frankness, the French triumvirate hilariously has no boundaries or filters…and no person is left unscathed in its wake.”
Mixed reviews, both audience and professional. TRDB.
8/10/12- The NY Times called this movie “a likable mess” in today’s review.
7/8/15- The NY Times put it well and I agree. Families–lots of fun- lots of agrevation. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: Comedy, drama
July 28th, 2012
CELESTE AND JESSE FOREVER- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Celeste (Rashida Jones) and Jesse (Andy Samberg) met in high school, married young and are growing apart. Now thirty, Celeste is the driven owner of her own media consulting firm, Jesse is once again unemployed and in no particular rush to do anything with his life. Celeste is convinced that divorcing Jesse is the right thing to do — she is on her way up, he is on his way nowhere, and if they do it now instead of later, they can remain supportive friends. Jesse passively accepts this transition into friendship, even though he is still in love with her. As the reality of their separation sets in, Celeste slowly and painfully realizes she has been cavalier about their relationship, and her decision, which once seemed mature and progressive, now seems impulsive and selfish. But her timing with Jesse is less than fortuitous…”
Fairly good reviews. TRDB.
8/3/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
8/8/13- This movie had a few interesting ideas but it was mainly stupid and annoying and I eventually turned it off. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Romance
July 28th, 2012
RUBY SPARKS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In an effort to conquer his writer’s block, a young novelist — who’s having trouble duplicating the success of his earlier work — jots down all the attributes of his dream girl. But things get weird when she suddenly comes to life.”
Mixed early reviews but more good than poor. Audiences have liked it. TRDB.
An article about the movie in the NY Times on 7/22/12. TRDB.
12/28/12- A charming movie with some interesting insight about trying to change those closest to us. TRDB.
Tags: Drama/Romance
July 23rd, 2012
FAREWELL, MY QUEEN- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Farewell, My Queen marks the return of acclaimed director Benoît Jacquot and brilliantly captures the passions, debauchery, occasional glimpses of nobility and ultimately the chaos that engulfed the court of Marie Antoinette in the final days before the full-scale outbreak of the Revolution. Based on the best-selling novel by Chantal Thomas, the film stars Léa Seydoux as one of Marie’s ladies-in-waiting, seemingly an innocent but quietly working her way into her mistress’s special favors, until history tosses her fate onto a decidedly different path. With the action moving effortlessly from the gilded drawing rooms of the nobles to the back quarters of those who serve them, this is a period film at once accurate and sumptuous in its visual details and modern in its emotions.”
4/3/13- Very good acting and great period costumes make up for a somewhat weak script and overall I did enjoy the movie. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
July 17th, 2012
SEVEN MINUTES IN HEAVEN- 2008. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A woman’s brush with death forces her to re-examine her past and present in this drama from Israel. Galia (Reymond Amsalem) was riding a city bus when a suicide bomber on board set off an explosive device. While Galia survived the bombing, she suffered severe burns and injuries and was declared clinically dead for seven minutes. While Galia’s body has been healing steadily, her mind is still struggling to make sense of what happened; she has no memory of the terrible day, and can only piece together nightmarish flashes of the chaotic events. Itzik (Benjamin Jagendorf) is a seminarian who was on hand to help the injured on the day of the explosion, and he attempts to counsel Galia, helping her put together the shards of her memory and explain his theory that the souls of people who have briefly been “dead” often have trouble reacquainting themselves after they’ve traveled outside the body. As Galia ponders these questions about her life and her spirit, she finds comfort in her new friendship with Boaz (Eldad Fribas). Sheva Dakot Be Gan Eden (aka Seven Minutes In Heaven) was the first feature film from director Omri Givon.”
No professional reviews available but audiences have liked it very much. There is an article on this film in the NY Times on Sunday, July 8, 2012. TRDB.
7/29/15- Very interesting and I liked it very much. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
July 7th, 2012
GRASSROOTS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on a true story, this inspiring comedy tells the tale of unemployed writer Phil Campbell, who’s roped into helping his quirky friend Grant run for Seattle city council. Surprisingly, Grant’s passion for mass transit may win him the election.”
Mediocre professional reviews. Audiences have not liked this movie very much. TRDB.
12/3/12– I just could not get used to the hyperactive state of the character running for City Council and turned the movie off. TRDB.
Tags: Comedy, drama
July 7th, 2012
ALPS- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “With Alps, director Yorgos Lanthimos brings to the screen the story of a group of people who specialize in playing the role of deceased people to anyone (usually relatives, friends or colleagues of the deceased) willing to pay for their services. Their company, called Alps, is managed by Mont Blanc (Aris Servetalis), a strict boss who keeps his employees under a close watch. But when the company’s nurse (Aggeliki Papoulia) decides to get off her scripted routine, this eccentric group starts falling to pieces.”
Fair professional reviews and fair audience reaction as well. TRDB.
12/4/12- I can’t decide if this movie was more weird than boring or the other way around. Skip it!! TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
June 30th, 2012
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