FRIENDS WITH KIDS- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Best friends Jason and Julie decide that the way to have kids without sacrificing their social lives or careers is to raise a child together platonically. But romance and other complications interfere with their perfect plan.” Mixed reviews. TRDB.
3/9/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
3/13/12- An OK romantic comedy, definitely better than what else is out there now. TRDB. At the Theater.
Add comment February 28th, 2012
HOUSE OF TOLERANCE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Bertrand Bonello makes life in an upscale Parisian bordello at the beginning of the 20th century the focus of this drama, which revolves around the working girls who ply their trade there — including one who’s been disfigured by a client.” Mixed reviews. TRDB.
3/22/12- Also called “House of Pleasure”, this is a very unusual movie that gives a good picture of a prostitute’s life, especially during the “off” hours. Interesting at times and boring at times but worth seeing. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment February 27th, 2012
THE FISH CHILD- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Wealthy Argentinean teen Lala has been gaga for her family’s maid, Ailin, since the day she joined the household three years ago. Now 16, Lala finds her affections returned, and the pair is planning to run off together in this romantic thriller.” Good professional reviews and average audience ones. TRDB.
2/25/12- I enjoyed this movie despite a bit of confusion with the back and forth in time nature of the drama. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Add comment February 25th, 2012
HIPSTERS- 2008. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this hit Russian musical, a group of friends flaunts Soviet authority in 1950s Moscow by embracing jazz. When Communist Mels (Anton Shagin) falls for Polly (Oksana Akinshina), a free-spirited jazz fan, he risks losing his party membership by associating with her rebellious crew. Equally smitten, Polly introduces her new beau to jazz and other forbidden Western delights. Writer-director Valery Todorovsky helms this colorful take on the Cold War.”
2/24/12- OK review in today’s NY Times but mostly good reviews from others. TRDB.
4/20/14- I really liked this Russian musical drama, especially the musical scenes. It seems to be Russia’s answer to India’s Bollywood- Moscowwood?
Add comment February 24th, 2012
TURN ME ON, DAMMIT- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Alma is a sexually curious teenager living in a small town. To cope with her boring existence, she indulges in an active fantasy life with the help of a phone sex chat line. Soon her peers learn of Alma’s ways, forcing her to stand up for who she is.” I’ve seen some very good reviews of this film. TRDB.
12/2/12- A very good depiction of an adolescent girl dealing with her libido. I liked it. TRDB.
Add comment February 23rd, 2012
JESS + MOSS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Teenage second cousins Jess (Sarah Hagan) and Moss (Austin Vickers) spend their last summer together in the farmlands of Kentucky. As the rhythm of the season exerts its gentle pull, the two explore the beauty of their natural environment and the emotional undercurrents of their unique relationship. Director Clay Jeter purposely used expired or aged film stock to evoke the poignancy of his characters’ fading world.”
2/17/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times but I did see a couple of good ones as well. TRDB.
4/6/12- Yet another “youth in summer” movie, this one as plain as can be and fairly strange as well as they are the only characters. No adults, no supervision, no nothing. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Add comment February 17th, 2012
ON THE ICE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “The beauty and austerity of Barrow, Alaska, inform this gripping thriller about two Iñupiaq teenagers, Qalli (Josiah Patkotak) and Aivaaq (Frank Qutuq Irelan), whose decision to cover up the accidental death of their friend James, for which they are responsible, tears them apart. As the townsfolk try to reveal the truth, guilt weighs heavily on Qalli and Aivaaq, making them lash out against their families and question their traditional lifestyle.”
2/17/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times but the premise did sound interesting and I’ll probably see this eventually. Other critics have liked it. TRDB.
9/22/12- I found this drama interesting and I’d recommend it. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment February 17th, 2012
LET THE BULLETS FLY- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this comedic Western set in 1920s China, outlaw Zhang hijacks a train carrying the governor and a whole lot of loot. When the train derails, Zhang hatches a scheme to impersonate the governor with the help of the official’s shady assistant.” Excellent early reviews. TRDB.
3/2/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
5/15/12- Ridiculous and I turned it off quickly. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment February 17th, 2012
BEING FLYNN- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “A young man employed at a Boston homeless shelter comes upon his long-lost, destitute and alcoholic father while at work one evening in this subtle, emotionally charged drama based on the acclaimed memoir by poet and playwright Nick Flynn.”
3/2/12- Good audience reaction and somewhat weak professional reviews including a fair review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
9/17/12- The acting in this film far surpassed the screenplay and the movie was overall so-so. TRDB.
Add comment February 17th, 2012
THE DISH & THE SPOON- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Reeling with rage after learning of her husband’s infidelity, Rose departs for Delaware to find the other woman. But once she arrives, she shifts her focus to an unexpected romance with a teenage boy.”
2/10/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times but weaker ones in general. TRDB.
4/20/12- Interesting characters, well written and well acted. I liked it. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment February 10th, 2012