Posts filed under 'Seen On Netflix'
CIRCO- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Mexican ringmaster Tino struggles to operate his family’s long-running traveling circus in the midst of an economic downturn, while coping with the demands of his fed-up wife and four talented young children in this fascinating documentary. Featuring music by alt-country rockers Calexico, the film explores family ties and cultural inheritance while taking viewers all across rural Mexico’s beautiful back roads.” Very good reviews. TRDB.
10/4/11- A remarkable documentary showing a slice of life and a good look at what living in a travelling circus is like, warts and all, especially the extended family dynamics. TRDB.Netflix.
Tags: documentary, Foreign
March 25th, 2011
HARVEST- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “When college student Josh (Jack Carpenter) returns to his Connecticut home for a weekend visit, his mother, Anna (Victoria Clark), convinces him to stay for the summer to spend time with his cancer-stricken grandfather, Silvio (Robert Loggia). As the season wears on, Anna’s brothers Benny (Arye Gross) and Carmine (Peter Friedman) also come home, renewing old family conflicts. Marc Meyers directs this touching drama.” Good review in NY Times on 5/6/11. TRDB.
7/9/11- A good drama that I enjoyed despite being drawn out about 20min. too long. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
March 22nd, 2011
JANE EYRE- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “Driven from her post at Thornfield House by her brooding employer Edward Rochester’s (Michael Fassbender) impenetrable personality, young governess Jane Eyre (Mia Wasikowska) takes time to reflect on her childhood and the events that led her to the misty moors. Little does she know that Rochester’s mood is largely due to a dark secret. Judi Dench, Jamie Bell and Sally Hawkins co-star in this artful adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s classic novel.” Very good reviews. TRDB.
10/2/11- An excellent portrayal of the classic and definitely worth a viewing. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Romance
March 22nd, 2011
INSIDE JOB- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Uncover the root of the 2008 global economic crisis with this documentary that combines extensive research, convincing interviews and cogent arguments to single out a rogue industry that’s tainted every sector of the financial system. Narrated by actor Matt Damon, this complex yet comprehensible film — an Official Selection at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival — features discussions with influential politicians, academics and journalists.” Great reviews and a nominee for Best Picture for 2010.
3/11- A well done documentary but I’ve seen it all before and got bored pretty quickly. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
March 18th, 2011
NOSTALGIA FOR THE LIGHT- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Two distinct activities are underway in Chile’s Atacama Desert: While astronomers study distant stars through a giant telescope, local people sift through the soil looking for graves of family members killed during the nation’s brutal political past. The region’s uniquely dry, clear air encourages both pursuits and inspires director Patricio Guzmán to draw metaphorical links between them in this thoughtful, heartfelt documentary.” Good review in NY Times on 3/18/11. TRDB.
10/7/11- A very good documentary that makes many comparisons between various social issues in Chile and beyond. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary, Foreign
March 18th, 2011
LIMITLESS- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “With his writing career tanking and his girlfriend (Abbie Cornish) casting him off, ex-druggie Eddie Morra’s (Bradley Cooper) fortunes finally turn around when he’s given a mysterious drug that provides astonishing mental powers — but its deadly side effects threaten his sanity. Adding to Eddie’s misery are shadowy businessman Carl Van Loon (Robert De Niro), who wants to exploit his new genius, and the other users willing to kill for his stash.” Mixed reviews with an OK one from the NY Times on 3/18/11. TRDB.
8/22/11- An OK sci-fi that generally held my interest with an interesting premise that carried the movie more than some of the schlock scenes with the Russians. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, thriller
March 18th, 2011
WHITE IRISH DRINKERS- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “In a blue-collar Irish section of 1970s Brooklyn, brothers Danny (Geoff Wigdor) and Brian Leary (Nick Thurston) come of age in a family dominated by their longshoreman father, Patrick (Stephen Lang), whose hard-drinking leaves them scrambling for a way out. As delinquent Danny and dejected mom Margaret (Karen Allen) take the brunt of Patrick’s assaults, aspiring artist Brian hides his dreams. But desperate acts will threaten them all.” A few reviews and they’re OK. TRDB.
8/5/11- An ethnic family drama that you’ve seen before but to tell the truth the movie did have some appeal to me. Not enough to fully recommend it however. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
March 17th, 2011
PEEP WORLD- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “When four siblings gather to celebrate their father’s 70th birthday, the proverbial you-know-what hits the fan because one of them has penned a novel populated by characters who strongly resemble his nearest and dearest. How will this dysfunctional family keep it together after everyone has seemingly been hung out to dry? Barry W. Blaustein’s ensemble-cast comedy stars Rainn Wilson, Ron Rifkin, Michael C. Hall and Sarah Silverman.” OK reviews at best. TRDB.
7/20/11- I liked this movie very much as it combined comedy with a very serious topic, i.e. working through a dysfunctional family. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
March 17th, 2011
MIRAL- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “After she rescues dozens children who survived a massacre in Jerusalem in 1948, Palestinian Hind Husseini (Hiam Abbass) establishes an orphanage that helps thousands of other children left homeless by violence. But the success of her peace-through-education institution is tested when pupil Miral (Freida Pinto) gets a taste of radical politics in the region’s refugee camps. Julian Schnabel directs this film that co-stars Willem Dafoe.” Uniformly poor reviews but the film does sound interesting. TRDB.
This film stirred controversy when it’s opening was held at the UN as it was an unusual place for a film opening, particularly since it was felt by some to be anti-Israel. TRDB.
7/16/11- I feel that the movie was just fair and it absolutely portrayed the Israelis in a negative light including a torture scene. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
March 17th, 2011
MY PERESTROIKA- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “An intimate look at five longtime friends who grew up shortly before the collapse of the Soviet Union, this documentary sheds light on how Russians have adapted to post-Soviet society and their nation’s continually shifting political landscape. Interweaving decades-old home movie footage with captivating tales of contemporary life, director Robin Hessman’s enlightening movie illustrates the stark contrast between Moscow then and now.” Very good reviews and this one sounds interesting. TRDB.
7/26/12- This movie got excellent reviews so I watched the entire film but I found it incredibly boring. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: documentary, Foreign
March 17th, 2011
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