Posts filed under 'Drama'

SHAME

SHAME- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Thirtysomething New Yorker Brandon is outwardly reserved, but inside is seething with an overwhelming sexual addiction. When his tempestuous and much-loved younger sister invades his life, Brandon struggles to escape his self-destructive behavior.” Very good reviews. TRDB.

12/2/11- Just a weakly positive review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5/12- Here’s what Rotten Tomatoes had to say—“Brandon (Michael Fassbender) is a New Yorker who shuns intimacy with women but feeds his desires with a compulsive addiction to sex. When his wayward younger sister (Carey Mulligan) moves into his apartment stirring memories of their shared painful past, Brandon’s insular life spirals out of control.

5/16/12- An interesting study of yet one more type of addiction with all of the heartaches in brings for friends and relatives. TRDB. Netflix.

Add comment November 18th, 2011

ANSWERS TO NOTHING

ANSWERS TO NOTHING- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This gripping ensemble drama follows a philandering husband, a depressed Hollywood screenwriter, a vigilante schoolteacher and other citizens of Los Angeles as their daily lives intersect an LAPD detective’s search for a missing child.”

12/2/11- Good review in today’s NY Times but miserable reviews in general. TRDB.

3/11/12- I agree with the Times on this one. I found it interesting and insightful. TRDB. Netflix.

Add comment November 18th, 2011

ANOTHER HAPPY DAY

ANOTHER HAPPY DAY- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Upper-crust family dysfunction takes center stage in this drama, which stars Ellen Barkin as a divorcée attending the highbrow wedding of the son she barely knows and trying to hold her own against a family that couches judgment in every smile.”

11/18/11- Mixed review in today’s NY Times- as many “up” as “down.” TRDB.

2/6/12- I thought that this movie was excellent and the many pros who thought it was unrealistic don’t know that much about family dynamics. Out on a limb but I think you should see it. TRDB. Netflix.

Add comment November 18th, 2011

TOMBOY

TOMBOY- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Uncomfortable living as a girl, 10-year-old Laure decides to spend her childhood as Michael. When Michael’s family moves to rural France, the child wins friends and comes to understand the complexities of gender.”

1/16/11- Very good review in today’s NY Times and great reviews in general. TRDB.

7/19/12- I concur– very interesting, well acted and I liked this movie very much. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

Add comment November 16th, 2011

LOOSIES

LOOSIES- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “A New York City pickpocket is forced to reexamine his choices when he crosses paths with a one-night stand who informs him she’s having his baby. At the same time, he’s trying to stay one step ahead of the detective whose badge he stole.” Weak professional reviews and some weak audience reviews also. TRDB.

Add comment November 13th, 2011

DOG SWEAT

DOG SWEAT- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmed in Farsi in a clandestine, cinéma vérité style, this Iranian drama from director Hossein Keshavarz sheds light on the lives of six young Iranians whose inner desires are at odds with Islam’s conservative social mores. Among them are a feminist immersed in an affair with a married man, a pair of lovers in search of a place to carry out their furtive passions, and a gay man forced to confront the opposite sex in an arranged marriage.”

11/11/11- Good reviews in general and a good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

Add comment November 12th, 2011

LETTERS FROM THE BIG MAN

LETTERS FROM THE BIG MAN- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Golden Globe winner Colin Farrell (In Bruges) stars in this gritty crime drama as Mitchell, a recently paroled ex-con whose attempt at straight life includes taking a job as a handyman for a reclusive young starlet (Keira Knightley). Based on author Ken Bruen’s critically acclaimed novel, this adaptation marks the directorial debut of Academy Award-winning screenwriter William Monahan (The Departed).”

11/11/11- Very good reviews in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

Add comment November 12th, 2011

LONDON BOULEVARD

LONDON BOULEVARD- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Golden Globe winner Colin Farrell (In Bruges) stars in this gritty crime drama as Mitchell, a recently paroled ex-con whose attempt at straight life includes taking a job as a handyman for a reclusive young starlet (Keira Knightley). Based on author Ken Bruen’s critically acclaimed novel, this adaptation marks the directorial debut of Academy Award-winning screenwriter William Monahan (The Departed).” Bad reviews. TRDB.

3/10/12- Just awful!! I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.

Add comment November 12th, 2011

STOLEN LIFE

STOLEN LIFE- 2005. Synopsis by Netflix. “A young girl’s lonely life seems to be looking up when she’s accepted by a university, but her joy is short-lived. Having been raised by indifferent relatives in Beijing, naive freshman Yan’ni (Xun Zhou) finds it hard to resist when a charming deliveryman starts to pay attention to her. But she’s soon on a downward spiral, as she becomes pregnant, drops out of school and ends up living in her lover’s drab room.”

11/11/11- A great story with great acting and I highly recommend it. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

Add comment November 11th, 2011

ALMOST PEACEFUL

ALMOST PEACEFUL- 2004. Synopsis by Netflix. “A group of Jews living in Paris try to start their lives over after World War II. Married couple Albert (Simon Abkarian) and Lea (Zabou Breitman) reopen their tailoring business, Charles (Denis Podalydes) copes with the loss of his family to the death camps and Maurice (Stanislas Merhar) has lost his ability to love. Soon, they all realize that in order to move on, they’ll have to put their traumatic pasts behind them.” Good reviews. TRDB.

Add comment November 11th, 2011

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