SUMMER OF GOLIATH
SUMMER OF GOLIATH- A story of 3 Mexican characters from a small town during one summer. A few reviews and they are just fair. TRDB.
Add comment July 8th, 2011
Posts filed under 'Drama'
AURORA
AURORA- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Internationally acclaimed Romanian filmmaker Christi Puiu writes, directs and stars in this slow-burn drama as 42-year-old Viorel, a distraught engineer who takes drastic measures to end his emotional suffering after enduring a devastating divorce. Co-starring Clara Voda, Catrinel Dumitrescu and Luminita Gheorghiu, this film juxtaposes long, deliberately paced scenes with short but intense bursts of excitement.” OK review in NY Times on 6/29/11 and good reviews in general. TRDB.
Add comment June 30th, 2011
SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN
SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Noted director Wayne Wang helms this adaptation of Lisa See’s best-selling novel about two young girls in 19th-century China who are pledged as lifelong companions through an ancient ritual, although their friendship is sorely tested as they mature. Paralleling the story of Snow Flower and Lily, who communicate by writing on the folds of a white fan, are the modern-day tribulations of Sophia and Nina, who struggle to maintain their relationship.” No reviews yet. TRDB.
Add comment June 29th, 2011
LIFE, ABOVE ALL
LIFE, ABOVE ALL- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a tiny village near Johannesburg, 12-year-old Chanda (Khomotso Manyaka) is left to care for two younger siblings when her infant sister dies and her mother becomes gravely ill. But this isn’t the only challenge she faces; the town has turned against her. Rumors that her family carries a deadly disease have made Chanda a pariah. This indictment of small-town gossip was an Official Selection of the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.” Great professional reviews but only average viewer responses. TRDB.
12/9/11- I liked this movie very much and I think that the young girl who plays Chanda is magnificent. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment June 29th, 2011
TERRI
TERRI- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Working with screenwriter Patrick Dewitt, filmmaker Azazel Jacobs crafts a poignant coming-of-age tale about Terri (Jacob Wysocki), an overweight orphan who, while struggling to find acceptance with his peers, forms an unlikely friendship with his vice principal (John C. Reilly). Turns out that both know all too well what it’s really like to be alone, which makes them ideal companions for each other.”
6/26/11- An article about this movie (not a review) in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
7/12/11- Very good professional reviews and OK audience ones. TRDB.
Good review in NY Times on 7/1/11. TRDB.
7/18/11- I saw this movie today and found it absorbing and I’d definitely recommend it. TRDB. At the Theater.
Add comment June 25th, 2011
THE MYTH OF THE AMERICAN SLEEPOVER
THE MYTH OF THE AMERICAN SLEEPOVER- 2010. Syopsis by Netflix. “It’s the last night of summer vacation, and four high school friends face personal and interpersonal crossroads. As they wander the streets of suburban Detroit, each also takes the first tentative steps into the baffling world of adulthood. Recklessly chasing love and adventure, the teens end up with memories that will last a lifetime in this charming, thought-provoking debut feature from writer-director David Robert Mitchell.” Very good professional reviews but average audience reaction. TRDB.
12/9/11- I’m with the pros on this one– I thought it was unique and very interesting. TRDB. Netflix.
June 25th, 2011
LEAP YEAR
LEAP YEAR- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Journalist Laura Lopez (Mónica del Carmen) leads an isolated life in Mexico, her only social interactions being sexual encounters with strangers. With February 29th mysteriously circled on her calendar, Laura uses wild sex with Arturo (Gustavo Sánchez Parra) to hasten her unspoken goal. The questions of who is controlling whom and for what purpose loom large as Laura and Arturo’s encounters grow increasingly more violent and depraved.”
6/24/11- OK review in today’s NY Times and not to be confused with the comedy of the same name from last year. TRDB.
Add comment June 25th, 2011
BAD TEACHER
BAD TEACHER- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Cameron Diaz stars as Elizabeth Halsey, a scheming and coarse-tongued middle school teacher who gets dumped by her wealthy boyfriend and rebounds by sinking her claws into a handsome substitute teacher (Justin Timberlake). There’s just one problem, though: He’s already dating Amy Squirrel (Lucy Punch), the most revered teacher on campus. And Ms. Squirrel is not at all eager to hand over her beau, who is slated to inherit his family’s fortune.”
6/24/11- Sounds stupid but has received some good reviews including the NY Times today. TRDB.
11/10/11- I got this movie for a few laughs but I got nothing and turned it off. Awful! TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment June 25th, 2011
ROAD TO NOWHERE
ROAD TO NOWHERE- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a reach for authenticity, filmmaker Mitch (Tygh Runyan) casts an unknown actress (Shannyn Sossamon) to star in his upcoming film, the true story of a puzzling political scandal involving a North Carolina senator. But then he learns the actress may have actually been involved. Before long, Mitch finds himself helplessly ensnared in a deadly web of intrigue. Dominique Swain and Waylon Payne round out the cast.” OK review in NY Times on 6/10/11 and in general better professional reviews than audience ones. TRDB.
9/21/11- A somewhat confusing storyline where the whole was much less than it’s parts. It held my interest intermittently. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment June 21st, 2011
THE TRIP
THE TRIP- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, the stars of the 2005 comedy Tristram Shandy, reunite with director Michael Winterbottom for this mockumentary about a pair of actors — handily named Steve and Rob — who embark on a foodie road trip across England. Mostly improvised and highlighting the duo’s penchant for dueling impressions of famous actors, the film follows them as they test their friendship while sampling the best restaurants in Northern England.” Good review in NY Times on 6/10/11. TRDB.
6/26/11- Great scenes of the countryside and enjoyable bantering between 2 old friends make this film worth watching. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
Add comment June 21st, 2011