Posts filed under 'Drama'
PUZZLE- 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “On her 50th birthday, an unassuming housewife (The Headless Woman’s Maria Onetto) receives a present and discovers she’s an ace at puzzles. Without telling anyone, she takes on a training partner and begins to compete. But her new passion quickly threatens her old life, and she must decide where her true self lies.”
Fair reviews in general but good review in NY Times on 5/27/11. TRDB.
9/9/11- I found this movie very interesting and enjoyed it very much. I saw it at the 2011 Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
May 29th, 2011
LEAP YEAR (ANO BISIESTO)- 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.” Very good early professional reviews but only fair audience reaction. TRDB.
10/15/11- I found this film about a very lonely and detached women trivial at best. Miss it. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
May 17th, 2011
A BETTER LIFE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This candid social drama tracks the relationship and conflicts between Mexican immigrant gardener Carlos and his teenage son Luis, whom he’s trying to interest in earning an honest living rather than drifting into the East L.A. gang scene.” Poor early reviews. TRDB.
6/24/11- Fairly good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
7/24/11- I think that this is a wonderful movie with a real life glimpse into the plight of the illegal immigrant and the extraordinary measures taken by some parents to protect their children in this situation. TRDB.
Tags: drama
May 17th, 2011
R- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “After committing a vicious crime, Rune (Johan Philip Asbæk), a career criminal even though he is only in his mid-twenties, is sentenced to two years in the harshest of Danish prisons. Although he wants to do his time quietly, prison gangs make his life a living hell. He is soon befriended by a Muslim prisoner named Rashid, who is also at the mercy of the hardcore criminals. Rune appears to appease one of the gang leaders, but is he really safe?”
11/19/11- A well done movie. Very cold, stark and realistic. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
May 13th, 2011
MYSTERIES OF LISBON- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a 14-year-old orphan (João Luís Arrais) asks the loving priest (Martin Loizillon) who raised him about his unknown origins, he settles in for a sweeping tale of forbidden passion and bitter disappointment involving a beautiful countess, a wealthy businessman and a life of piracy. Raúl Ruiz directs this sumptuous adaptation of a 19th-century Portuguese romance novel penned by Camilo Castelo Branco.” Good early reviews. TRDB.
An article about this movie appears in the NY Times on 7/31/11. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
May 13th, 2011
LA TETE EN FRICHE- 2011. Synopsis by Zap2it. “A barely literate laborer undergoes a personal transformation through his friendship with an old woman who introduces him to the world of books.” No reviews but sounds interesting.” TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
May 13th, 2011
GUILTY HEARTS- 2006. I totally disagree with the synopsis by Netflix and would instead substitute the following. “A collection of vignettes, each sad beyond sad, with some resolution of guilt involved in only a few of them.” Generally poor reviews but it did sound interesting. TRDB.
7/8/11- Despite negative reviews and troubling vignettes this collection was one of the more creative that I’ve seen in a while making it worth a visit even if only a short one. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
May 13th, 2011
SMALL TOWN MURDER SONGS- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Tormented by his past and seeking redemption, Walter (Peter Stormare), the police chief of a Canadian Mennonite community, tries to solve a startling murder for which Steve (Stephen Eric McIntyre), the creepy boyfriend of Walter’s bitter ex-lover (Jill Hennessy), is the chief suspect. Although he has a new, supportive girlfriend (Martha Plimpton), Walter is overwhelmed by the case and his stern family’s disapproval in this intriguing thriller.” Good early reviews. TRDB.
Good review in NY Times on 7/1/11. TRDB.
8/20/11- A most unusual crime drama that had me spellbound from beginning to end. See it!! TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
May 11th, 2011
SOCIALISM (FILM SOCIALISME)- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Listen in on the insightful musings of a war criminal, a famous philosopher (Alain Badiou), an American singer (Patti Smith), a former spy and other compelling characters as they travel together aboard a Mediterranean cruise ship, visiting Egypt, Palestine, Odessa and Naples. Directed by legendary French filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard, this multifaceted drama also stars Catherine Tanvier, Christian Sinniger and Jean-Marc Stehlé.” Poor early reviews but it did sound a bit different and interesting. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
May 11th, 2011
BEGINNERS- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on indie director Mike Mills’s relationship with his father, this intriguing drama tells the story of Oliver (Ewan McGregor), a graphic artist coming to grips with the imminent death of his father (Christopher Plummer), who, at 75, has one last secret: He’s gay. Both inspired and confused by his father’s determination to find true love at last, Oliver tentatively pursues a romance with commitment-shy French actress Anna (Mélanie Laurent).” Good early reviews. TRDB. Mixed review in NY Times on 6/3/22 and friends of mine hated it. TRDB.
12/4/11- I enjoyed this movie very much. Great acting, very creatively done and what I thought was a very realistic portrayal of a more common situation than most would imagine. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Romance
May 11th, 2011
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