Posts filed under 'Drama'
BULLY- 2001. Synopsis by Netflix. “Bobby (Nick Stahl) takes great joy in bossing around and beating up his best friend, slovenly ex-surfer Marty (Brad Renfro). But when Marty’s girlfriend (Rachel Miner) witnesses one too many of these incidents, she vows to kill Bobby, enlisting her friends — and a hit man — to help. From controversial director Larry Clark (Kids), this unsettling drama is based on a true crime. Parental advisory: Contains sexually explicit material.” Mixed reviews. TRDB.
6/7/11- Based on a true story this is a very powerful movie and considerably more than just teenage drug use and sex. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
May 11th, 2011
EVERYTHING MUST GO- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director-writer Dan Rush makes his film debut with this dramedy based on a Raymond Carver short story about Nick (Will Ferrell), a good-hearted but relapsed alcoholic who decides to live on his front lawn after losing his job and being thrown out by his wife. Needing money and wanting to shed the past, Nick holds a yard sale to get rid of his possessions, but after befriending some lonely neighbors and reevaluating his life, he tries AA again.” Very good reviews. Good review in NY Times on 5/13/11. TRDB.
Tags: Comedy, drama
May 10th, 2011
SHADOWS AND LIES- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Four years after leaving New York City for good, William Vincent (James Franco) finds himself back in Manhattan, attempting to save the woman he loves from organized criminals following a series of unusual events. Written and directed by Jay Anania — a professor at New York University’s graduate school of film, which Franco attended at the time of filming — this indie drama co-stars Josh Lucas, Julianne Nicholson and Martin Donovan.” Fairly good audience reviews. TRDB.
Tags: drama
May 10th, 2011
UNITED RED ARMY- 2007. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on actual events, this tense Japanese docudrama details the formation of early-1970s leftist paramilitary group the United Red Army, the turmoil and strife within its ranks, and several members’ perilous attempt to seize a mountainside lodge. Directed by former URA member Kôji Wakamatsu, this riveting exploration of human nature’s dark side stars Maki Sakai, Arata, Akie Namiki and Go Jibiki.” Mediocre reviews so far. TRDB.
Tags: docudrama
May 10th, 2011
THE TREE OF LIFE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Brad Pitt and Sean Penn star in Terrence Malick’s 1950s adventure about a confused man named Jack, who sets off on a journey to understand the true nature of the world. Growing up in the Midwest with two brothers, Jack has always been torn between his mother’s guidance to approach everything he encounters with an open heart and his father’s advice to look after his own interests. Now, Jack must find a way to regain purpose and perspective.” Good audience reviews so far but no professional ones as yet. TRDB. The movie won best picture at Cannes 2011.
6/6/11- While grand in scale I felt that I was watching a series of coming attractions, each lasting 1 or 2 minutes. What a waste of time. My friend Sue said it well– “Judging by the award of Best Picture at Cannes I feel like I am watching “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” I agree. TRDB. At the theater.
Tags: drama
May 10th, 2011
KORKORO- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on the real-life experiences of a Gypsy family living in Nazi-occupied France, this poignant drama explores the broader definition of freedom through the eyes of characters who see permanency as punishment.” Fairly good reviews. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
May 4th, 2011
13 ASSASSINS- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “To stop a tyrant from murdering and exploiting innocent civilians, 13 samurai warriors unite and prepare to end his life. But to kill the evildoer, the assassins must contend with an army of deadly bodyguards who outnumber them by a wide margin. Directed by acclaimed and prolific Japanese filmmaker Takashi Miike, this action-packed samurai remake features Yusuke Iseya, Koji Yakusho, Takayuki Yamada and Tsuyoshi Ihara.” Very good reviews. TRDB.
7/16/11- It’s been a while since I’ve seen a Samurai movie and now I remember why. Unbelievably bored and I turned it off quickly. Who cares? TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: action, adventure
May 2nd, 2011
BLOODWORTH- PROVINCES OF NIGHT- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Kris Kristofferson is E.F. Bloodworth, an impoverished aging musician who returns to his Tennessee hometown to make amends with the family he abandoned for 20 years of roaming, only to find their lives have disintegrated into a troubled mess. One bright spot, though, is E.F.’s grandson Fleming (Reece Thompson) and his budding romance with Raven (Hilary Duff.) Val Kilmer and Dwight Yoakam co-star as Bloodworth’s bitter and troubled sons.” Very good audience reaction so far. TRDB.
7/15/11- Can’t decide which was worse, the acting or the screenplay and I didn’t stick around to find out. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
April 30th, 2011
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this bittersweet dramatic comedy, legendary director Woody Allen focuses his lens on a young engaged couple whose experiences traveling together in Paris make them begin to question the kind of life they want to live as a couple.” Very good audience reviews but no professional reviews as yet. Fair review in NY Times from Cannes on 5/13/11. TRDB. Good review in NY Times on 5/20/11. I’ll definitely see it. TRDB.
6/3/11- A good story, good acting and of course great Paris. Not one of Woody’s best but it was good and I enjoyed it. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: Drama/Romance
April 30th, 2011
BEAUTIFUL BOY- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “This heartrending drama stars Michael Sheen as Bill Carroll, who is contemplating separating from his wife, Kate (Maria Bello), when the unimaginable happens: Their 18-year-old son, Sam (Kyle Gallner), commits mass murder at his university before killing himself. While coping with their grief, Bill and Kate must deal with the insatiable media, other parents furious at them for their son’s actions and their own questions about their culpability.” Good early reviews. TRDB. Poor review in NY Times on 6/3/11. TRDB.
10/31/11- Mixed reviews but I liked this movie very much if you can really like this type of voyeurism into the raw emotion of these people. Especially troubling is the parent’s quest for an explanation. TRDB.
Tags: drama
April 30th, 2011
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