Posts filed under 'Seen On Netflix'
PROJECT NIM- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Oscar-winning filmmaker James Marsh (Man on Wire) peers inside the landmark 1970s experiment for an unflinching look at Nim, the chimp whom scientists raised as human and taught sign language to prove that apes can communicate like humans. Firsthand accounts, previously unseen archival footage and powerful images tell of Nim‘s life in a human bubble. The result is a fascinating exposé on Nim‘s true nature — and a glimpse into our own.” Great reviews. TRDB.
3/4/12- A remarkable documentary that said as much about the humans involved as it did about the chimp. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
June 23rd, 2011
ROAD TO NOWHERE- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a reach for authenticity, filmmaker Mitch (Tygh Runyan) casts an unknown actress (Shannyn Sossamon) to star in his upcoming film, the true story of a puzzling political scandal involving a North Carolina senator. But then he learns the actress may have actually been involved. Before long, Mitch finds himself helplessly ensnared in a deadly web of intrigue. Dominique Swain and Waylon Payne round out the cast.” OK review in NY Times on 6/10/11 and in general better professional reviews than audience ones. TRDB.
9/21/11- A somewhat confusing storyline where the whole was much less than it’s parts. It held my interest intermittently. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
June 21st, 2011
SUBMARINE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When he learns that his mother is on the verge of deserting his father for a dance instructor, young Welsh teen Oliver (Craig Roberts) resolves to do whatever it takes to save his parents’ marriage before the end of summer. Meanwhile, the offbeat lad also schemes to seduce pushy pyromaniac Jordana (Yasmin Paige) with nothing but the power of his mind. Richard Ayoade directs this quirky coming-of-age comedy based on a novel by Joe Dunthorne.” Very good reviews. TRDB.
10/16/11- A somewhat different coming of age story and I liked it. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
June 20th, 2011
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE- 2006. Synopsis by Netflix. “Convinced their little Olive (Abigail Breslin) is beauty queen material, parents Richard (Greg Kinnear) and Sheryl (Toni Collette) load the rest of the family into a van and embark on a life-altering road trip to a California pageant. Richard pushes Olive to win while her silent brother (Paul Dano), depressed uncle (Steve Carell) and nursing-home reject grandpa (Alan Arkin, in an Oscar-winning role) add their own quirks to the mix.”
One of the funniest movies I’ve seen. One reviewer said it was a combination of farce and heart and I agree. TRDB.
Tags: Comedy
June 19th, 2011
THE LOVER- 1992. Adapted from the book by Marguerite Duras and starring Tony Leung and Jane March. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in French Colonial Vietnam in 1929, this Oscar-nominated film explores the erotic charge of forbidden love. A 15-year-old French girl is sent to a Saigon boarding school, where she meets a 32-year-old Chinese aristocrat. Love at first sight leads to a liaison where the lovers revel in a variety of sexual encounters. They both realize that their love is doomed, however, as neither of their families will approve of the interracial coupling.”
6/6/11- I saw this film years ago and liked it very much, saw it once again and I still do. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: Drama/Romance
June 6th, 2011
NEVER FOREVER- 2007. Synopsis by Netflix. “Vera Farmiga stars in this heartbreaking drama (a 2006 Sundance Film Festival entry) as Sophie, a woman who’s utterly devoted to her husband but finds she’s unable to get pregnant. When Sophie makes an odd but decisive choice to bring a Korean immigrant (Jung-woo Ha) into their marriage, her fateful decision soon threatens to tear the couple apart — and drive Sophie to the brink of total despair.”
A very interesting story and I liked it very much. TRDB.
Tags: drama
June 5th, 2011
MOOZ-LUM- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Thanks to a strict Muslim upbringing that largely shielded him from the outside world, Tariq’s first year of college proves transformative. That is, until the 9/11 terrorist attacks invite growing suspicion and distrust from his angry classmates.” Good reviews. TRDB.
7/16/11- A boring movie loaded with stereotypical screenplay and I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
June 5th, 2011
THE PERFECT HOST- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “A fugitive on the lam decides to crash a dinner party. But he seriously regrets it when the mysterious and unusual host soon has him convinced that he would have been better off hiding somewhere else. David Hyde Pierce plays the memorable Warwick Wilson; Nathaniel Parker, Clayne Crawford and Helen Reddy also star in this thriller from first-time feature writer-director Nick Tomnay. The film makes it premier at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.” Good early reviews. TRDB.
9/8/11- Mostly poor reviews by the pros and OK reviews from audiences. I liked it. Just enough intrigue, cat and mouse with good acting as well. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
June 4th, 2011
CITY OF LIFE AND DEATH- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Chuan Lu pulls off a rare feat by providing a clear-eyed drama about an event in Chinese-Japanese history — the 1937 Rape of Nanking following that city‘s capture by Japan — that still casts a shadow over relations between the countries. Shot in black and white, the film chronicles the six-week period through the eyes of multiple characters — including a Japanese soldier, a refugee camp supervisor, a resistance fighter and others.” Very good reviews. TRDB.
11/15/11- Brutal to watch! A brisk reminder that war is hell or worse. I think the movie is making a statement by all of the brutality but I would have related to it more if there was more dialogue, more character development and a bit less random killing. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
June 3rd, 2011
QUEEN OF THE SUN- 2011. Synopsis by RottenTomatoes. “What Are the Bees Telling Us? is a profound, alternative look at the global bee crisis from Taggart Siegel, director of THE REAL DIRT ON FARMER JOHN. Taking us on a journey through the catastrophic disappearance of bees.” Very good reviews and a good review in the NY Times on 6/10/11. TRDB.
2/26/12- An enlightening documentary that has application for other issues besides just bees. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
June 3rd, 2011
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