Posts filed under 'Drama'

TERRAFERMA

TERRAFERMA- 2011.

9/16/11- I have very little information on this film but it’s about how a native Sicilian family deals with an immigrant family and it won an award at the Venice Film Festival. TRDB.

Add comment September 16th, 2011

MARGARET

MARGARET- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “After witnessing a fatal bus crash, New York City high school student Margaret(Anna Paquin) believes she was an accidental factor in the tragedy. As she tries to deal with her feelings, Margaretbecomes emotionally abusive to those around her — and to herself. The stellar cast of this moving drama includes Matt Damon, Matthew Broderick, Mark Ruffalo, Allison Janney, Jean Reno, Rosemarie DeWitt and Kieran Culkin.”

9/30/11- OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

9/3/12- Apparently this movie had as much off-screen drama as on-screen drama as it took years to be edited and released. Despite a few too many subplots that made the film a bit unwieldy I did enjoy both the story and the acting and I’d definitely give it a try. TRDB . Netflix.

Add comment September 15th, 2011

COURAGEOUS

COURAGEOUS- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Despite showing bravery on the job, a group of law enforcement officers find themselves undone when tragedy strikes at home in this social drama. With the aid of their Christian beliefs, however, the men find a deeper well of courage in their hearts.” Awful professional reviews but audiences have liked it. TRDB.

Add comment September 15th, 2011

50/50

50/50- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “An otherwise healthy twentysomething has a comically early midlife crisis when he gets slapped with a cancer diagnosis — and a 50-50 chance of survival. But what’s the meaning of life when you’re not sure how long yours will last?” Very good early reviews. TRDB.

9/28/11- Just an OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2/6/12- Cheesy and often predictable but fun never-the-less despite the heavy premise. TRDB. Netflix.

Add comment September 15th, 2011

THE DEBT- 2007

THE DEBT- 2007. This is the original movie called “The Debt” from Israel. Directed by Assaf Bernstein and starring Gila Almagor this thriller is about an Israeli woman in her 60’s, a former Mosad agent, who is summoned to kill a Nazi war criminal that she came close to killing decades ago. TRDB.

9/15/11- I enjoyed the movie and from what I hear it was much less violent than the newer version with Helen Mirren. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

Add comment September 15th, 2011

ALL SHE CAN

ALL SHE CAN- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Luz Garcia (Corina Calderon), a high school senior in a remote Texas town, seeks to finance her much-coveted education at the University of Texas at Austin by winning a scholarship through a State Powerlifting Championship. But she quickly comes to learn that there is more standing in her way than mere dead weight. Amy Wendel (Curley’s Diner) co-writes and directs this story of pure perseverance and grit.” Good early audience reviews so far. TRDB.

11/7/11- A cute if trivial drama that kept me hooked till the end and an honest look into the Hispanic population. TRDB. Netflix.

Add comment September 14th, 2011

MY AFTERNOONS WITH MARGUERITE

MY AFTERNOONS WITH MARGUERITE- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “An illiterate handyman named Germain (Gérard Depardieu) befriends Margueritte (Gisèle Casadesus), a highly educated 95-year-old woman. The two couldn’t be more different, with the oafish Germain bewildered by the literature that gives Margueritte such pleasure. Slowly the two form an unusual and intense bond, leading them to a greater understanding of their place in the world, and in each other’s lives.” Early professional reviews are positive but weak for audiences. TRDB.

9/16/11- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

8/9/12- A thoroughly delightful movie with a wonderful Depardieu as usual. TRDB. Netflix.

Add comment September 14th, 2011

HAPPY HAPPY

HAPPY HAPPY- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in a remote Norwegian town, this black comedy centers on cheerful housewife Kaja (Agnes Kittlesen), who is contentedly wedded to her loveless high school sweetheart but lands in hot water when a risqué encounter with her urbane new neighbor, Sigve (Henrik Rafaelsen), goes too far. With a full-blown affair on her hands and Christmas just around the corner, Kaja falls back on blinding optimism to get her through the snowballing scandal.” Fairly good professional reviews and average audience ones. TRDB.

2/1/12- Well acted and I found this small movie very interesting. TRDB. Netflix.

Add comment September 14th, 2011

BURKE AND HARE

BURKE AND HARE- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director John Landis rolls out his first feature film in more than a decade with this black comedy based on the true exploits of two 19th-century body snatchers, played by Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis. When Burke and Hare‘s successful business — selling corpses to the Edinburgh Medical College for dissection — is hampered by a supply shortage, the men are forced to take drastic measures. Isla Fisher and Tim Curry also star.”

9/9/11- Only a fair review in today’s NY Times and worse elsewhere. TRDB.

Add comment September 12th, 2011

LITTLE GIRL (LA PIVELLINA)

LITTLE GIRL (LA PIVELLINA)- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Middle-aged circus performer Patti (Patrizia Gerardi) finds 2-year-old Asia (Asia Crippa) abandoned in a park on the outskirts of Rome. Patti and her German boyfriend, Walter (Walter Saabel), search for the child’s parents but can’t help falling in love with “la pivellina” (the little squirt). Italian documentarians Tizza Covi and Rainer Frimmel transition effortlessly into fiction with this warmly intimate gem.” Very good reviews. TRDB.

5/20/12- A real sleeper!! I enjoyed this movie that was really about everybody else as much as this adorable child. See it!! TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

Add comment September 12th, 2011

Newer Posts Older Posts


All Movie Reviews

What’s New!

Find out what's playing near you

What's playing at Independent theaters near you

Archives of Past Reviews