Posts filed under 'Drama'
JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This delectable documentary profiles sushi chef Jiro Ono, an 85-year-old master whose 10-seat, $300-a-plate restaurant is legendary among Tokyo foodies. Ono is also a father, whose sons struggle to live up to his legacy and make their own marks.” Good early reviews. TRDB.
3/9/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
8/20/12- As noted above this documentary is about the Japanese master of sushi. He has earned and kept the Michelin 3 Star rating even with his basement, no toilet restaurant that holds a mere 10 people. Rave reviews for this film but I felt that there was a bit too much hero worship and a bit too little about the making of the sushi itself. You should definitely see it however. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary, Foreign
February 28th, 2012
GOOD FOR NOTHING- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “After kidnapping a spirited English woman with plans to have his way with her, a Wild West outlaw with performance issues seeks remedies for his impotence from Chinese and Indian healers while the two run from a posse on their tail.” Sounds interesting. TRDB.
3/9/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
4/26/12- A cute, if slight, comedic Western that has enough to hold your interest- just enough. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, western
February 28th, 2012
HOUSE OF TOLERANCE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Bertrand Bonello makes life in an upscale Parisian bordello at the beginning of the 20th century the focus of this drama, which revolves around the working girls who ply their trade there — including one who’s been disfigured by a client.” Mixed reviews. TRDB.
3/22/12- Also called “House of Pleasure”, this is a very unusual movie that gives a good picture of a prostitute’s life, especially during the “off” hours. Interesting at times and boring at times but worth seeing. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
February 27th, 2012
THE FISH CHILD- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Wealthy Argentinean teen Lala has been gaga for her family’s maid, Ailin, since the day she joined the household three years ago. Now 16, Lala finds her affections returned, and the pair is planning to run off together in this romantic thriller.” Good professional reviews and average audience ones. TRDB.
2/25/12- I enjoyed this movie despite a bit of confusion with the back and forth in time nature of the drama. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: drama, Foreign
February 25th, 2012
HIPSTERS- 2008. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this hit Russian musical, a group of friends flaunts Soviet authority in 1950s Moscow by embracing jazz. When Communist Mels (Anton Shagin) falls for Polly (Oksana Akinshina), a free-spirited jazz fan, he risks losing his party membership by associating with her rebellious crew. Equally smitten, Polly introduces her new beau to jazz and other forbidden Western delights. Writer-director Valery Todorovsky helms this colorful take on the Cold War.”
2/24/12- OK review in today’s NY Times but mostly good reviews from others. TRDB.
4/20/14- I really liked this Russian musical drama, especially the musical scenes. It seems to be Russia’s answer to India’s Bollywood- Moscowwood?
Tags: drama, Foreign
February 24th, 2012
THE FAIRY- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Belgium-based trio Dominique Abel, Fiona Gordon and Bruno Romy follow their acclaimed Iceberg and Rumba with another Tati-inspired, candy-colored romp: this time, a charmingly off-kilter adventure about a hotel clerk who falls in love with a wish-granting fairy.”
2/24/12- Very good professional reviews but today’s NY Times review was difficult to interpret. Too many pluses and minuses. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
February 24th, 2012
TURN ME ON, DAMMIT- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Alma is a sexually curious teenager living in a small town. To cope with her boring existence, she indulges in an active fantasy life with the help of a phone sex chat line. Soon her peers learn of Alma’s ways, forcing her to stand up for who she is.” I’ve seen some very good reviews of this film. TRDB.
12/2/12- A very good depiction of an adolescent girl dealing with her libido. I liked it. TRDB.
Tags: drama
February 23rd, 2012
THE MILL & THE CROSS- 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. What would it be like to step inside a great work of art, have it come alive around you, and even observe the artist as he sketches the very reality you are experiencing? Lech Majewski brings to life Pieter Bruegel’s masterpiece The Way to Calvary, the story of the crucifixion, setting it in 16th century Flanders under brutal Spanish occupation. Rutger Hauer plays the artist, Michael York his patron, and Charlotte Rampling the Virgin Mary. As epic events unfold, bawdy country living continues unabated: couples entwine, musicians play wind instruments, soldiers torment their enemies mercilessly, and children scurry about. Using sophisticated computer technology, the filmmaker creates a brilliantly complex and fascinating multi-layered dreamscape that melds iconic moments in art, history, and religion with the quotidian lives of ordinary people.” Reviews are pretty much OK. TRDB.
Tags: drama
February 20th, 2012
JESS + MOSS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Teenage second cousins Jess (Sarah Hagan) and Moss (Austin Vickers) spend their last summer together in the farmlands of Kentucky. As the rhythm of the season exerts its gentle pull, the two explore the beauty of their natural environment and the emotional undercurrents of their unique relationship. Director Clay Jeter purposely used expired or aged film stock to evoke the poignancy of his characters’ fading world.”
2/17/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times but I did see a couple of good ones as well. TRDB.
4/6/12- Yet another “youth in summer” movie, this one as plain as can be and fairly strange as well as they are the only characters. No adults, no supervision, no nothing. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: drama
February 17th, 2012
ON THE ICE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “The beauty and austerity of Barrow, Alaska, inform this gripping thriller about two Iñupiaq teenagers, Qalli (Josiah Patkotak) and Aivaaq (Frank Qutuq Irelan), whose decision to cover up the accidental death of their friend James, for which they are responsible, tears them apart. As the townsfolk try to reveal the truth, guilt weighs heavily on Qalli and Aivaaq, making them lash out against their families and question their traditional lifestyle.”
2/17/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times but the premise did sound interesting and I’ll probably see this eventually. Other critics have liked it. TRDB.
9/22/12- I found this drama interesting and I’d recommend it. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
February 17th, 2012
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