Posts filed under 'Seen On Netflix'
DEAR LEMON LIMA- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “After a selfish boyfriend dumps her, Vanessa Lemor (Savanah Wiltfong) decides to soothe her broken heart by embracing her Yupik heritage and encouraging her misfit pals at a prestigious Alaskan prep school to compete in the World Eskimo Indian Olympics. Along the way, the awkward teen learns to find her place in the community in director Suzi Yoonessi’s touching film about identity, friendship and tradition.” No professional reviews as yet but very good audience reaction. TRDB.
8/6/11- A delightful farce and I’d recommend it. TRDB. Netflix Streaming but available on DVD as well.
Tags: Drama/Romance
February 20th, 2011
BLOOD SIMPLE- 1984. Premise by Netflix. “In a jealous rage, Texas tavern owner Julian Marty (Dan Hedaya) hires unscrupulous private detective Loren Visser (M. Emmet Walsh) to not only tail Marty’s two-timing spouse, Abby (Frances McDormand, in her big-screen debut), but also murder her and her bar-keeping paramour (John Getz). Events take a surprising turn, however, when the gumshoe double-crosses his client. Joel Coen directs this stylish shocker co-written with brother Ethan Coen.”
2/11- Great story, well acted and this remains a classic crime movie. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Mystery
February 18th, 2011
CEREMONY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Michael Angarano stars in this indie comedy as Sam, a naïve twentysomething who falls head over heels in love with Zoe (Uma Thurman), a beautiful older woman who’s about to marry a pretentious documentary filmmaker (Lee Pace). Refusing to give up hope, Sam drags his best friend (Reece Thompson) to the seaside town where the wedding is set to take place in a last-ditch attempt to head off the nuptials.” Generally poor reviews. TRDB.
6/26/11- Poor reviews doesn’t begin to describe this awful movie and I turned it off quickly. TRDB.
Tags: Comedy, Drama/Romance
February 18th, 2011
NICE GUY JOHNNY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Although he loves his job as sports radio talk show host, Johnny (Matt Bush) promises to take a dull but high-paying position to satisfy his fiancée (Anna Wood). But when he falls for a free-spirited beauty (Kerry Bishé) in the Hamptons, Johnny starts to reconsider everything. Written, directed and co-starring Edward Burns, this romantic comedy explores the difficulty in choosing between one’s duty and one’s dreams.”
2/11- I love just about everything done by Edward Burns and I liked this one very much also, especially the character played by Burns himself. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: Drama/Romance
February 16th, 2011
HEARTBEATS- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Lush cinematography and poetic images highlight this coming-of-age tale about two best friends, Mary (Monia Chokri) and Francis (Xavier Dolan), who meet a charismatic wanderer named Nick (Niels Schneider) and suddenly find their longtime friendship tested to its limits. As the love triangle between the three intensifies, Mary and Francis vie for Nick’s affections in this intense story from Dolan, the Canadian prodigy who writes and directs.” Reviews more positive than negative and a few very good.
7/31/11- Not much to this French movie and I turned it off midway through. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
February 14th, 2011
SHAKE HANDS WITH THE DEVIL- 2007. Premise by Netflix. “Assigned to lead the United Nations troops in Rwanda in 1993, Canadian Lt. Gen. Roméo Dallaire (Roy Dupuis) tries desperately — and unsuccessfully — to obtain international help as the Hutus begin their genocide of the Tutsis in this true story. Roger Spottiswoode directed this compelling historical drama based on Dallaire’s award-winning autobiographical book detailing the horrific events of the massacre in Rwanda.”
2/11- This movie is well worth seeing as a reminder of the tragedy and the frustrations of trying to help while being constrained by governmental policies. Nothing really new here in that regard but the film gives us an unusual view of Dallaire’s torture as he watches his men and mission die. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: docudrama
February 11th, 2011
THE LAST LIONS- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “Narrated by actor Jeremy Irons, this thrilling documentary follows an African lioness named Ma di Tau as she and her cubs flee a devastating fire, then struggle to live in new territory amidst dangerous predators and a lethal pride of rival lions. Besides being a harrowing tale of survival, this film from directors Dereck and Beverly Joubert illuminates the urgent plight of all Africa’s lions, whose population has reached dangerously low levels.” Very good reviews. TRDB.
1/31/12- Beautiful photography and an interesting story of the evolution of a pride of lions and one lioness and her cubs in particular. Well worth seeing. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
February 10th, 2011
MILK- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “Sean Penn (in an Oscar-winning role) stars in this fact-based drama about Harvey Milk, the openly gay activist and San Francisco politician who was murdered along with Mayor George Moscone (Victor Garber) by disgruntled city supervisor Dan White (Josh Brolin) in 1978. Emile Hirsch, James Franco and Diego Luna co-star in director Gus Van Sant’s compelling biopic, which also earned Oscar nods for Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor (Brolin).”
I saw this movie and liked it very much. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: docudrama
February 6th, 2011
SIXTY SIX- 2006. Premise by Netflix. “During the summer of 1966, 12-year-old Londoner Bernie (Gregg Sulkin) eagerly prepares for his upcoming bar mitzvah, but disaster looms when England snags a spot in the World Cup finals, scheduled for the same day as Bernie’s big celebration. With his father (Eddie Marsan) and mother (Helena Bonham Carter) facing financial difficulties, Bernie struggles to readjust his expectations for the biggest event of his life.”
2/11- A good story about coming of age with parents so pre-occupied that you have not been noticed. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
February 6th, 2011
CARBON NATION- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Bypassing politics and fingerpointing, this forward-thinking documentary zeroes in on enterprising individuals — from a wind farmer to a solar-panel retrofitter — who are devising business-minded ways to avert the looming climate crisis. The cross-country expedition yields encounters with Virgin Group CEO Richard Branson, Earth Day founder Denis Hayes and former CIA director James Woolsey, along with everyday pioneers in low-carbon living.” A few reviews and they’re good, especially from audiences but the pros did not like it. TRDB.
9/26/11- The movie was filled with facts but lacked force and the style was repetitive and I finally lost interest. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
February 4th, 2011
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