ONE DAY- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “After a romantic tryst on college graduation night, Emma and Dexter pursue separate dreams. This romantic drama based on a novel of the same name checks in with them each year on the same date, tracking their personal and professional progress.” Poor reviews. TRDB.
8/19/11- OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
1/2/12- An old fashioned romance that I enjoyed despite it’s being predictable. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment August 8th, 2011
COLD FISH- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “After befriending charming Murata (Denden), a fellow tropical fishdealer, unhappy family man Shamoto (Mitsuru Fukikoshi) sends his rebellious daughter to live and work with him. But when Murata reveals his conniving, murderous nature, Shamoto suddenly finds himself trapped. Inspired by the true story of a prolific serial killer, this shocking horror movie effectively blends dark humor with intense drama.”
8/5/11- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
9/24/11- Truly one of the weirdest movies I’ve encountered. Loads of blood so don’t watch if you’re squeamish. I can’t say that I liked it but it was interesting. TRDB.
Add comment August 6th, 2011
RAPT- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “When corporate figurehead Stanislas Graff (Yvan Attal) is kidnapped and held for an absurd ransom of 50 million Euros, the police and powerful business he represents are forced to debate whether one man’s life can really be worth that much money. But every minute they spend talking about the issue gives the press more time to dig through Graff’s murky past — and Graff’s captors more time to torture their hostage.” Great professional reviews and average audience reaction. TRDB.
12/19/11- An excellent movie on several levels with great acting by the lead. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Add comment August 3rd, 2011
LITTLEROCK- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “This evocative drama examines culture shock, the universal yearning for connection, and the impact of history on ordinary people in the tale of Atsuko (Atsuko Okatsuka) and Rintaro (Rintaro Sawamoto), Japanese siblings who come to California to visit a World War II internment camp. After getting stranded in a desert town, Atsuko finds a connection with a local boy (Cory Zacharia), while Rintaro longs for home.” Some very interesting early reviews. TRDB.
8/12/11- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
4/11/12- A bit slow but still an interesting movie. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Add comment July 30th, 2011
THE LAST CIRCUS- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “After landing a gig as a sad circus clown, timid Javier (Carlos Areces) falls for beguiling but masochistic trapeze artist Natalia (Carolina Bang) and begins battling for the beauty’s affections with her brutally abusive boyfriend, Sergio (Antonio de la Torre). Written and directed by Álex de la Iglesia, this darkly humorous commentary on Spain’s fascist past features an abundance of blood-splattered violence and gruesome gore.” Some very good early reviews. TRDB.
8/19/11- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
11/3/11- This movie was ridiculous and I turned it off. Slapstick crap. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment July 30th, 2011
GOOD NEIGHBORS- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “In an apartment complex nestled in Montreal’s Notre-Dame-de-Grâce neighborhood, everyone is nervous with a serial killer on the loose. Meanwhile, waitress Louise (Emily Hampshire) and widower Spencer (Scott Speedman) bond with new resident Victor (Jay Baruchel), which could prove dangerous. Staying alive may well mean figuring out who to trust. Jacob Tierney (The Trotsky) writes and directs this mystery thriller.” OK review in NY Times on 7/29/11. TRDB.
10/11/11- An interesting story that started slowly and became more engaging as time went on. I liked it. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment July 30th, 2011
POINT BLANK- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Samuel Pierret (Gilles Lellouche) is a nurse who saves the wrong guy — a thief (Roschdy Zem) whose henchmen take Samuel’s pregnant wife (Elena Anaya) hostage to force him to spring their boss from the hospital. A race through the subways and streets of Paris ensues, and the body count rises. Can Samuel evade the cops and the criminal underground and deliver his beloved to safety? Fred Cavayé directs, with nods to classic French thrillers.” Good review in NY Times on 7/29/11. TRDB.
12/9/11- I could not get into this movie or even keep up with what was happening at times and even though I watched this while on Amtrak I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment July 30th, 2011
FORGED- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Released from prison after serving a sentence for murdering his wife, Chuco returns to Scranton, Penn., where he meets his son, who naturally wants revenge. The two proceed to wrestle with their emotions and the past, forging an unlikely bond.” OK review in NY Times on 7/29/11. TRDB.
11/16/11- A fairly good drama about an ex-con trying to right a wrong. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment July 30th, 2011
SUMMERTIME- 1955. Synopsis by Netflix. “Dreams of romance for American spinster Jane Hudson (Katharine Hepburn) become a bittersweet reality when she meets a handsome but married antiques dealer (Rossano Brazzi) while vacationing in Venice, Italy. David Lean directed this sensitive portrait of an independent woman who finds that, even in a beautiful European city, her sense of loneliness is unavoidable, and her initial disgust with the idea of an illicit love affair doesn’t last.”
7/25/11- Classic Hepburn and classic Venice make this movie wonderful. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment July 25th, 2011
FLYPAPER- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Two gangs unwittingly attempt to rob a bank at the same time, catching innocent Tripp Kennedy (Patrick Dempsey) in the middle of the action. In the midst of the melee, Tripp saves bank teller Kaitlin (Ashley Judd), and together they scheme to stay alive and out of love. When the bank’s security system goes into lockdown mode, the standoff pits crook against crook while Tripp and Kaitlin execute their plan.”
8/19/11- Mostly poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
12/13/11- Really, really bad and I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment July 24th, 2011