Posts filed under 'Drama'
WHERE DO WE GO NOW?- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “While their men fight a remote sectarian war, the women of a Lebanese village — one hemmed in by minefields — band together to denounce the clash of Islamic and Christian beliefs that sustains the war and threatens to poison their own community.”
5/11/12– Mediocre professional reviews and OK audience reaction but good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
10/1/12- It took a while to get into this movie but I did and even though I agree with a reviewer who said that the film was more interesting than satisfying I can still recommend it. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
April 26th, 2012
HICK- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Small town teenager Luli (Chloe Grace Moretz) escapes to Las Vegas, leaving behind her alcoholic and abusive parents. Armed with her smarts, a pistol and pocket money, she hitchhikes her way west. Along the way, Luli crosses paths with Eddie (Eddie Redmayne), an unstable rebel with questionable motives and Glenda (Blake Lively), a cocaine-snorting drifter on the run. Adapted from the critically acclaimed novel by Andrea Portes, this powerful story pulls you into a provocative world of drugs, seduction and murder.”
5/11/12- Several good audience reviews but awful professional reviews. Bad review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Tags: drama
April 26th, 2012
THE CUP- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A true story about two brothers, both competing for the highest honor in horse racing, the Melbourne Cup. When tragedy strikes, one brother relies on the support of a veteran horse trainer to overcome the odds and challenge himself to win. An incredible story of inspiration and triumph over adversity.”
Bad reviews all over. TRDB.
Tags: drama
April 26th, 2012
MY AUSTRALIA- 2011. Synopsis by IMDB. “City of Lodz in Poland, after the Second World War. Two brothers, Tadek and Andrzej, grow up without a father, and their mother, so busy at work, does not notice when the boys join a rowdy and anti-Semitic organization.Only when during a fight one of the boys gets hurt, she realizes what is going on. Then she decides to leave Poland together with her family and go to… Australia. At the end of the trip it comes out that the goal was not to reach Australia but Israel. Boys become aware of their and their family roots.”
4/23/12- I liked this movie very much and the actor who played the young boy was terrific. TRDB. At the 2012 Westchester Jewish Film Festival.
Tags: drama, Foreign
April 23rd, 2012
THE NASTY GIRL- 1990. Synopsis by Netflix. “German high schooler Sonya decides to write an essay about her town’s history during the Third Reich and its heroic resistance to Nazi tyranny. To her (and the town’s) dismay, she instead uncovers evidence of collaboration with the regime.”
I saw this years ago and liked it very much. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
April 23rd, 2012
JOANNA- 2010. Synopsis by IMDB. “During the Occupation, a young woman whose husband disappeared during the war decides to hide a little Jewish girl. To save the child, she gets into a romance with a German.”
4/22/12- A deeply sad and provocative movie about the German occupation of Poland. Great acting as well. TRDB. At the 2012 Westchester Jewish Film Festival at Jacob Burns.
Tags: drama, Foreign
April 22nd, 2012
RESTORATION- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Israeli antique dealer Yakov Fidelman’s (Sasson Gabay) business is failing. Even his estranged son Noah (Nevo Kimchi), a lawyer, is unable to help. But Yakov’s desperation turns to hope when he finds a vintage piano that, when restored, could be worth a fortune. His obsession with repairing the 120-year-old Steinway is mirrored by his desire to cling to the past while rebuilding a future with Noah. This heartfelt drama also stars Sarah Adler.”
4/21/12- Despite some loose ends in this film I did enjoy it. TRDB. At tthe 2012 Westchester Jewish Film Festiva at Jacob Burns.
Tags: drama, Foreign
April 22nd, 2012
CARTAS A ELENA- 2010. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In the beautiful hills of Copper Canyon in Chihuahua, a young boy Emile is adopted by the postman Matt. As part of their daily tasks, they not only deliver the mail and read the letters to the habitants, also take dictation, since most are illiterate. The young Emilio quickly learns to read and write but is saddened by the difficult stories sent in by relatives who have migrated north of Denver, Colorado in search of a better future. One day, Emilio takes over the post and with great imagination, changes the letters so they are happy and optimistic. In just days, the town is transformed. While on duty, Emilio meets a young girl named who becomes his first love.”
No reviews yet but this does sound interesting. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
April 21st, 2012
THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “To make the most of their meager retirement savings, a group of British seniors relocates to India to live out their golden years at the Marigold Hotel. But upon arrival, they discover that the once-lavish resort has wilted considerably.”
Rotten Tomatoes said– “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel follows a group of British retirees who decide to “outsource” their retirement to less expensive and seemingly exotic India. Enticed by advertisements for the newly restored Marigold Hotel and bolstered with visions of a life of leisure, they arrive to find the palace a shell of its former self. Though the new environment is less luxurious than imagined, they are forever transformed by their shared experiences, discovering that life and love can begin again when you let go of the past.
Very good early reviews called this film a bit schmaltzy but well done. TRDB.
5/4/12- Today’s NY Times gave this an OK review. TRDB.
5/11/12- I agree with the reviewers. A few good lines, a great pictoral travelogue and not a heck of a lot much more. TRDB.
Tags: drama
April 21st, 2012
THE DAY HE ARRIVES- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This dreamlike, meandering narrative — shot in black and white and set in the Korean capital of Seoul — follows the movements of university professor Sungjoon, who’s supposed to meet a male colleague but comes across an old actress friend instead.”
4/20/12 Excellent review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB.
1/5/13- Boring as hell and I turned it off quickly. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
April 20th, 2012
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