Posts filed under 'Seen On Netflix'
MARGARET- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “After witnessing a fatal bus crash, New York City high school student Margaret(Anna Paquin) believes she was an accidental factor in the tragedy. As she tries to deal with her feelings, Margaretbecomes emotionally abusive to those around her — and to herself. The stellar cast of this moving drama includes Matt Damon, Matthew Broderick, Mark Ruffalo, Allison Janney, Jean Reno, Rosemarie DeWitt and Kieran Culkin.”
9/30/11- OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
9/3/12- Apparently this movie had as much off-screen drama as on-screen drama as it took years to be edited and released. Despite a few too many subplots that made the film a bit unwieldy I did enjoy both the story and the acting and I’d definitely give it a try. TRDB . Netflix.
Tags: drama
September 15th, 2011
50/50- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “An otherwise healthy twentysomething has a comically early midlife crisis when he gets slapped with a cancer diagnosis — and a 50-50 chance of survival. But what’s the meaning of life when you’re not sure how long yours will last?” Very good early reviews. TRDB.
9/28/11- Just an OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
2/6/12- Cheesy and often predictable but fun never-the-less despite the heavy premise. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
September 15th, 2011
ALL SHE CAN- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Luz Garcia (Corina Calderon), a high school senior in a remote Texas town, seeks to finance her much-coveted education at the University of Texas at Austin by winning a scholarship through a State Powerlifting Championship. But she quickly comes to learn that there is more standing in her way than mere dead weight. Amy Wendel (Curley’s Diner) co-writes and directs this story of pure perseverance and grit.” Good early audience reviews so far. TRDB.
11/7/11- A cute if trivial drama that kept me hooked till the end and an honest look into the Hispanic population. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
September 14th, 2011
MY AFTERNOONS WITH MARGUERITE- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “An illiterate handyman named Germain (Gérard Depardieu) befriends Margueritte (Gisèle Casadesus), a highly educated 95-year-old woman. The two couldn’t be more different, with the oafish Germain bewildered by the literature that gives Margueritte such pleasure. Slowly the two form an unusual and intense bond, leading them to a greater understanding of their place in the world, and in each other’s lives.” Early professional reviews are positive but weak for audiences. TRDB.
9/16/11- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
8/9/12- A thoroughly delightful movie with a wonderful Depardieu as usual. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
September 14th, 2011
JANE’S JOURNEY- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “This inspiring biopic relates the lifelong crusade of chimp researcher Jane Goodall, moving from England to the Tanzanian jungle where her work began. Nearly half a century later, Goodall continues to visit the animals that ignited her passion.” Few reviews so far and they are average. TRDB.
9/16/11- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
2/22/12- I thoroughly enjoyed this documentary and am frankly unsure of why there was so much criticism of the screenplay as I thought it was interesting and informative. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
September 14th, 2011
HAPPY HAPPY- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in a remote Norwegian town, this black comedy centers on cheerful housewife Kaja (Agnes Kittlesen), who is contentedly wedded to her loveless high school sweetheart but lands in hot water when a risqué encounter with her urbane new neighbor, Sigve (Henrik Rafaelsen), goes too far. With a full-blown affair on her hands and Christmas just around the corner, Kaja falls back on blinding optimism to get her through the snowballing scandal.” Fairly good professional reviews and average audience ones. TRDB.
2/1/12- Well acted and I found this small movie very interesting. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
September 14th, 2011
LITTLE GIRL (LA PIVELLINA)- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Middle-aged circus performer Patti (Patrizia Gerardi) finds 2-year-old Asia (Asia Crippa) abandoned in a park on the outskirts of Rome. Patti and her German boyfriend, Walter (Walter Saabel), search for the child’s parents but can’t help falling in love with “la pivellina” (the little squirt). Italian documentarians Tizza Covi and Rainer Frimmel transition effortlessly into fiction with this warmly intimate gem.” Very good reviews. TRDB.
5/20/12- A real sleeper!! I enjoyed this movie that was really about everybody else as much as this adorable child. See it!! TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: drama, Foreign
September 12th, 2011
BOBBY FISHER AGAINST THE WORLD- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “One of the most enigmatic of 20th-century personalities, Bobby Fischer rose to fame as a world-champion child chess prodigy who later found himself embroiled in Cold War era politics. Filmmaker Liz Garbus reveals the dark side of his fame, exploring the phenom’s descent into loneliness, despair and life on the lam. Interviews with people who were close to the legend and rare archival footage provide insights into his character.”
9/9/11- Very good review in today’s NY Times and excellent reviews in general. TRDB.
12/14/11- An excellent documentary that kept me in suspence even though I knew the outcome. A genius with all of the good and bad that came with it are well described here. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
September 12th, 2011
THE HIGH COST OF LIVING- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Well-to-do housewife Nathalie (Isabelle Blais) eagerly awaits the birth of her first child, while elsewhere in Montreal, small-time drug dealer Henry (Zach Braff) plans his next score. One night, their contrasting lives become intertwined when Henry hits Nathalie with his car. He flees the scene but later tries to make amends — without revealing his culpability. As their friendship grows, the remorseful Henry fears Nathalie will learn the truth.”
9/9/11- Fair review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
11/1/11- Somewhat predictable, especially the ending but I enjoyed elements of this film and I can recommend it with qualifications. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
September 12th, 2011
THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF NICOLAE CEAUSESCU- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Track the rise and fall of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu through this innovative historical documentary, which constructs his portrait by only using archival footage from speeches, pubic appearances, international visits and home movies. Culling more than 1,000 hours of recordings, director Andrei Ujica spent four years creating this detailed epic, which strives to reveal the powerful leader’s true character.” 9/9/11- Good reviews in general and in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
2/5/14-A masterful documentary that has NO talking heads or narration of any kind but exists only from archival footage that traces his political path. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
September 12th, 2011
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