Posts filed under 'Seen On Netflix'
DAYDREAM NATION- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “City girl Caroline Wexler (Kat Dennings) feels like she’s spinning her wheels when she moves to a small rural town, where she’s got nothing in common with anyone — except her disarmingly handsome teacher, Mr. Anderson (Josh Lucas). But when Wexler tires of their clandestine affair, Mr. Anderson isn’t ready to let her go. Andie MacDowell co-stars in this humorous dark romance from writer-director Michael Goldbach.” Fair audience reviews and professional reviews as well. TRDB.
5/23/11- Good at times and a bit hard to believe at times also. Fair at best. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
April 19th, 2011
CATERPILLAR- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1940, during the Second Sino-Japanese War, the people of a rural Japanese village eagerly await a hero’s return. But Lt. Kurokawa’s wife, Shigeko, receives a horrifying shock: Her husband has lost his arms and legs. Nevertheless, the villagers depend on Shigeko to do her duty to her country by caring for her mutilated husband. Shinobu Terajima, Keigo Kasuya and Emi Masuda star in this historical drama about the grim aftermath of war.” Average audience reviews and excellent professional reviews including a few great ones. TRDB.
2/2/12- Another message that war is truly hell, this well done movie will shock you. See it but have a strong stomach!! TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: drama, Foreign
April 19th, 2011
THE PARANOIDS- 2008. Synopsis by Netflix. “Luciano (Daniel Hendler) is devastated to learn that his friend, Manuel (Walter Jakob), is creating a television series featuring an uncomfortably familiar character named Luciano. But life changes for the narcoleptic hypochondriac when he gets a houseguest: Manuel’s girlfriend (Jazmín Stuart). Set in Argentina, director Gabriel Medina’s comedy follows Luciano as he reveals his softer side to his beautiful boarder.”
4/11- Mixed reviews but despite being very slow I did enjoy it. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
April 18th, 2011
ARMADILLO- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Documentarian Janus Metz Pedersen hunkers down with a platoon of Danish soldiers on a six-month Afghan tour of duty, and his exceptional access yields a field-level view of the boredom, adrenaline and confusion that comprise their daily routine. Shot in assorted digital formats on cameras at times fixed to soldiers’ helmets, the film records the recruits on patrol and at rest and witnesses their transformation when finally called to combat.” Very good reviews. TRDB.
11/9/11- A fairly typical “war is hell” documentary which, while well done, still left me a bit empty as I had trouble relating to the individual characters. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: documentary
April 15th, 2011
COME UNDONE- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Successful in her stable job and comfortable relationship with her boyfriend, Alessio (Giuseppe Battiston), Anna (Alba Rohrwacher) lives a peaceful and balanced life — until an office flirtation with a married man (Pierfrancesco Favino) turns into a wildly passionate affair. As she begins to want more from her lover than weekly trysts, Anna’s clingy attitude threatens to shake everything up in this thoughtful drama from filmmaker Silvio Soldini.”
4/11- I found the movie interesting and for sure sad as well. Worth a look. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: drama, Foreign
April 15th, 2011
THE YEAR MY VOICE BROKE- 1988. Danny (Noah Taylor) and Freya (Loene Carmen) are allies and confidantes, until the relentless tides of adolescence change them both forever. The hidden sins of a small town’s older generation are re-enacted as Danny falls hopelessly in love with his best friend. But Freya’s attraction to a troubled older boy, Trevor (Ben Mendelsohn), tears Danny apart. John Duigan directs this touching coming-of-age story set in the 1960s.”
4/11- A very good Australian coming-of-age drama despite missing some of the dialogue. Recommended. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: drama, Foreign
April 14th, 2011
JOLENE- 2008. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on a short story by celebrated novelist E.L. Doctorow, this character study tracks the itinerant exploits of the titular character (Jessica Chastain) as she sets off on an aimless, decade-long journey filled with romance, heartbreak, tumult and inspiration. Boasting an all-star cast — including Dermot Mulroney, Michael Vartan and Chazz Palminteri — this indie effort is helmed by director Dan Ireland.” Reviews are mixed with some very good and some very bad. TRDB.
4/11- Count me as one who, despite a good deal of cliche, enjoyed the movie. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: Drama/Romance
April 12th, 2011
THAT’S WHAT I AM- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “A 12-year-old boy is convinced he’s been pushed toward social suicide when his teacher pairs him up for a project with the school’s biggest reject. But the boys form an unexpected bond when bullies turn their attention to an unlikely target.” Fair review in NY Times on 4/29/11. TRDB.
6/1/11- A delightful coming of age drama about tolerance with a great Ed Harris. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
April 10th, 2011
LEBANON, PA- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Urbane Philadelphia ad man Will (Josh Hopkins) heads to small-town Lebanon for his father’s funeral, and the road leads not only to closure but to a revelation when the 35-year-old meets his precocious teenage cousin, CJ (Rachel Kitson), and her winsome teacher, Vicki (Samantha Mathis). As his friendship with CJ deepens and his warmth for the married Vicki grows, Will comes to realize that life can’t always be summed up in a catchphrase.” Excellent reviews. TRDB.
7/8/11- Good acting and a fairly interesting story make this one OK but not great. It feels a bit like an extended TV series. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
April 10th, 2011
THE FIRST BEAUTIFUL THING- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Featuring superb cinematography, Italian director Paolo Virzi’s ambitious tale stars Valerio Mastandrea as Bruno Michelucci, an embittered teacher who grudgingly returns to his parochial hometown to see his estranged, terminally ill mother (Stefania Sandrelli). But what was intended to be a brief visit to say farewell instead becomes an opportunity for Bruno to come to terms with the turbulent past — and his wayward parent.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.
7/18/12- A bit formulaic but an interesting and creative story about family and reconciliation. The part of the mother was great. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
April 10th, 2011
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