A WEEK ALONE- 2007. Synopsis by Netflix. “An affluent Buenos Aires couple goes on vacation, leaving their children at home with only the family maid to keep an eye on them. But the peaceful dynamic the parents expect is upended when the maid’s teenage brother shows up unexpectedly.”
3/6/12- So this is what happens when you have an idle, unsupervised group of kids? Miserable movie. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Add comment March 7th, 2012
SALLAH- 1964. Synopsis by Netflix. “After immigrating to the promised land — the new state of Israel — Sallah clashes with government officials and his kibbutz community in this 1964 comedy directed by Ephraim Kishon and starring Topol. Disgusted by overbearing bureaucracy and what he feels are unrealistic communal expectations, Sallah (Topol) butts heads with leaders and neighbors as he tries to acquire housing for his family. Gila Almagor and Arik Einstein also star.”
3/5/12- A funny satire of early life in the new State of Israel. TRDB. I borrowed it from a friend but it’s also available from Netflix.
Add comment March 5th, 2012
NATURAL SELECTION- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Asked by her dying husband to locate a boy he fathered through a sperm donation decades ago, repressed housewife Linda White sets out on a wild road trip, shedding her strict morals and making an unlikely connection with her husband’s troubled son.”
Very good early reviews. TRDB.
3/16/12- So-so review in today’s NY Times but it does sound interesting. TRDB.
2/16/13- A bit flimsy, definitely not a comedy as advertised, but an OK movie over all. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment March 3rd, 2012
THE KID WITH A BIKE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “After being abandoned by his father, preteen Cyril fills with rage, and when good-hearted hairdresser Samantha tries to help him, the disillusioned boy is torn between his need to lash out at the world and his desire for love and stability.” Great early reviews. TRDB.
3/16/12- Great review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
4/2/12- The actor who played the kid was great and the story was a heartening act of love. There were also a few terrific scenes like the scene in a car when the boy is very upset. A better understanding of the woman’s motivation would have helped me but the movie was excellent never-the-less. TRDB. At the Theater.
Add comment March 3rd, 2012
SEEKING JUSTICE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When his wife (January Jones) is savagely attacked, a humble English teacher (Nicolas Cage) is forced to make a tough choice: Should he leave the investigation up to the police, or should he entertain an offer from a vigilante gang with the skills to retaliate? Of course, if he chooses the latter, the service won’t come free; he’ll have to pull a job for them in return. Guy Pearce co-stars in this thriller directed by Roger Donaldson.” Awful early reviews. TRDB.
3/16/12- Terrible review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment March 3rd, 2012
DETACHMENT- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “An emotionally detached substitute teacher floats from class to class without forming any bonds. But when he takes a new assignment at an inner city school, he unexpectedly finds himself becoming involved in the lives of his colleagues and students.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.
3/8/12- A truly great movie. Very difficult to watch at times– a tribute to great acting and a terrific screenplay. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
3/16/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment March 3rd, 2012
CASA DE MI PADRE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Will Ferrell stars as a Spanish-speaking cowboy in this comedy about a Mexican clan trying to rescue their ranch from greedy creditors. When his brother can’t save the day, the simple but noble ranch hand takes on a powerful drug lord.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.
3/16/12- One of those ambiguous reviews in today’s NY Times but I think it was so-so. TRDB.
8/18/12- A cute spoof that may have gone on just a bit too long but I liked it. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment March 3rd, 2012
PROJECT X- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Deciding to throw a party when their parents go out of town, three high school geeks hope to lure chicks to their revelries by posting an invitation online. But the invite goes viral, and before long the party escalates into a frenzied free-for-all.”
3/2/12- This ridiculous sounding movie got awful professional reviews but the NY Times seemed to like it. I’m not sure what to say! TRDB.
Add comment March 2nd, 2012
THE SNOWTOWN MURDERS- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This grisly thriller is based on the true story of John Bunting — Australia’s worst serial killer — and the people he convinced to help him. One of them is teenager Jamie, whose entire family eventually falls under Bunting’s dark spell.
3/2/12- Very good reviews including today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment March 2nd, 2012
MICHAEL- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Michael seems like an ordinary — even boring — middle-aged guy. But after work, he returns home and unlocks the basement cell where he keeps 10-year-old Wolfgang. This harrowing drama chronicles five months of Wolfgang’s captivity.” Very good reviews. TRDB.
Add comment March 1st, 2012