Posts filed under 'Drama'
ON THE OUTS- 2004. Synopsis by Netflix. “This hard-hitting drama follows three young women struggling with the challenges of inner-city life. Pregnant teen Suzette (Anny Mariano), single mother and crack addict Marisol (Paola Mendoza) and tough drug dealer Oz (Judy Marte) meet in a juvenile detention center, where each girl is forced to take a long, hard look at her life and the choices she’s made. This film’s script was based on real stories from troubled teens in a detention center.” Good reviews. TRDB.
Tags: drama
May 10th, 2012
CORPO CELESTE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Having recently returned to her native Italy after living in Switzerland for 10 years, quiet but curious 13-year-old Marta is left to her own demise while her loving but worn-out mother toils away at an industrial bakery. Marta’s only source of socialization is the local church, where she is told to attend preparatory classes for her confirmation. But the doctrines of Roman Catholicism offer little in terms of life lessons or consolation, and she quickly sees through the hypocrisy of the priest, who cares more about status than about his constituents. Eventually, Marta forges her very own way of the cross, which turns out to have much less to do with God than with her own climb towards adulthood.”
Very good early professional reviews and just OK audience reaction. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
May 6th, 2012
ELENA- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Middle-aged Elena is a meek wife to her emotionally distant second husband, Vladimir. When he decides to leave his riches to his estranged daughter, Elena chooses to take drastic action to provide for her own adult son.”
Rotten Tomatoes had this to say– “Winner of Cannes’ Un Certain Regard Special Jury Prize, Elena is a gripping, modern twist on the classic noir thriller. Sixty-ish spouses Vladimir and Elena uneasily share his palatial Moscow apartment-he’s a still-virile, wealthy businessman; she’s his dowdy former nurse who has clearly “married up.” Estranged from his own wild-child daughter, Vladimir openly despises his wife’s freeloading son and family. But when a sudden illness and an unexpected reunion threaten the dutiful housewife’s potential inheritance, she must hatch a desperate plan. Very good early reviews. TRDB.
7/16/13- Well acted, slow paced and I found it interesting. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
May 6th, 2012
GIRL IN PROGRESS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “While single mom Grace is distracted by her own work, life and romantic issues, her teen daughter, Ansiedad, adopts her own plan for growing up. Patricia Arquette stars as the English teacher who inspires Ansiedad to declare her early freedom.” Good early audience reviews. TRDB.
5/11/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Tags: drama
May 6th, 2012
COMPLIANCE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on a true incident, this tense drama unfolds as a prank caller pretends to be a cop and convinces a restaurant manager to interrogate her teenaged employee about a supposed theft from a customer — a situation that soon spins out of control.” Very good early reviews. There is an article in the NY Times on 5/6/12 about this movie and about the lead actor, Ann Dowd, and about the controversy when it was shown at Sundance this year. TRDB.
8/17/12- An interesting and intriguing review in today’s NY Times that details the controversy regarding this movie at Sundance 2012. TRDB.
Tags: drama
May 6th, 2012
THE INTOUCHABLES- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this compelling story based on true events, affluent quadriplegic Phillipe hires Driss — a young Parisian petty criminal — to be his caregiver, and the two form an unexpected bond that changes both their lives.” Fairly good reviews. TRDB.
5/6/12- An article in today’s NY Times talks about the movie and the lead actor. Apparently this has become a “hot” topic in France. TRDB.
5/25/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times, but good reviews in general. TRDB.
6/28/12- Despite a few good scenes I was very disappointed by this movie that proves Hollywood can slide effortlessly into Paris. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: drama, Foreign
May 6th, 2012
OSLO, AUGUST 31st- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This psychological drama follows a day in the life of Anders, a recovering drug addict who travels to his old stomping grounds of Oslo for a job interview. While there, he must confront his past as well as his plans for a new life.”
Very good professional reviews and average audience ones. TRDB.
5/6/12- An article in today’s NY Times about the movie and lead actor. TRDB.
9/19/12- One of the saddest, realistic movies I’ve seen in a long time. Great acting and you feel like you’re in it. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
May 6th, 2012
POLISSE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This French drama presents a fictionalized but well-researched portrait of the juvenile protection division of the Paris court system, following a documentarian as she films the employees in the department and the children under its authority.” Good early reviews. TRDB.
5/18/12- Good review in today’s NY Times and very good reviews by almost all critics. Audiences have liked it too. TRDB.
11/6/12- Although this movie was difficult to watch at times it was very realistic and portrayed well the stress that the police men and women are under while trying to protect children from predators. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: drama, Foreign
May 5th, 2012
VIRGINIA- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A single mother struggles to raise her son Emmett while dreaming of escaping her small Southern boardwalk town. Her long time affair with the very married, Mormon Sheriff Richard Tipton is thrown into question when he decides to run for public office. Things are further complicated when Emmett begins a romantic relationship with Tipton’s daughter. Virginia and the town-populated by Amy Madigan, Toby Jones, Yeardley Smith-are full of secrets and everyone knows Virginia can only keep things together for so long. VIRGINIA is a funny, touching drama that looks at the American Dream and what it takes to keep it together.” Good audience reviews so far. TRDB.
5/18/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Tags: drama
May 5th, 2012
HYSTERIA- 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Hysteria is a romantic comedy with an accomplished cast led by Maggie Gyllenhaal, Hugh Dancy, Jonathan Pryce, Felicity Jones and Rupert Everett, that tells an untold tale of discovery – the surprising story of the birth of the electro-mechanical vibrator at the very peak of Victorian prudishness.”
5/18/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times and weak reviews in general. TRDB.
10/22/12- Not very funny and a weak dialogue in general!! I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: Comedy, drama
May 5th, 2012
Newer Posts
Older Posts