Posts filed under 'Drama'
THE ROBBER- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Having developed a taste for the adrenaline that comes from the thrill of the chase, Austrian marathon runner Johann Rettenberger (Andreas Lust) turns his disciplined mind and world-class athletic talents to a new hobby: robbing banks in broad daylight. But for how long can the fleet-footed thief keep outrunning the police? Franziska Weisz co-stars in this drama based on a true story, directed by Benjamin Heisenberg.” Good reviews including the NY Times on 4/29/11. TRDB.
11/8/11- I liked this movie a lot. It reminded me of “Run Lola Run.” TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: drama
April 29th, 2011
BASTARD OUT OF CAROLINA- 1996. Synopsis by Netflix. “Angelica Huston follows dad John Huston into the field of directing with this adaptation of Dorothy Allison’s autobiographical bestseller, starring Jennifer Jason Leigh as a single mom in the 1950s South. Her co-dependency on her new husband (Ron Eldard) blinds her to his continuing physical and sexual abuse of her daughter (Jena Malone). As the adult daughter, Laura Dern narrates this made-for-cable story in flashback.” Great reviews. TRDB.
Tags: drama
April 24th, 2011
SYMPATHY FOR DELICIOUS- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Struggling for survival on the rough streets of Los Angeles, newly paralyzed DJ “Delicious” Dean O’Dwyer (Christopher Thornton) gains the supernatural ability to heal the sick. But he uses the gift to capitalize on his dreams of rock success in this offbeat drama. Written by Thornton, Mark Ruffalo’s directorial debut also stars Orlando Bloom as the front man of a rock band and Laura Linney as the group’s persistent manager.” OK audience. The NY Times(4/29/11) didn’t care for the movie. TRDB.
9/14/11- What was the point of this movie? Just awful and I can’t believe that Laura Linney took a part in this disaster. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
April 24th, 2011
HESHER- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Struggling to accept the death of his mother, T.J. (Devin Brochu) befriends Hesher (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a twentysomething misfit who becomes both a mentor and a bad influence on the lost and awkward teen. Hesher soon invites himself to live with T.J. and his self-medicating dad (Rainn Wilson). Their bizarre relationship is tested when T.J. develops a crush on a supermarket checkout girl (Natalie Portman) who rescues him from a gang of bullies.” Fairly good early reviews but awful review in NY Times on 5/13/11. I’ll skip it. TRDB.
9/27/11- I said I’d skip this one but I didn’t. A few interesting parts but basically a stupid movie with an even stupider ending. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
April 23rd, 2011
SKATELAND- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Anthony Burns and screenwriter brothers Heath and Brandon Freeman tell the story of 19-year-old Ritchie Wheeler (Shiloh Fernandez), who finds his life at a crossroads when the Texas roller rink where he works is forced to shut its doors. Set in the early 1980s, this is a coming-of-age tale in which the hapless but hopeful protagonist must contend with his parents’ divorce, shifting friendships and making choices on the path to adulthood.” Fairly good audience reaction so far. OK review in NY Times on 5/13/11. TRDB.
10/8/11- I can’t believe anybody reviewed this movie well. The Worst!! TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
April 23rd, 2011
LULA, THE SON OF BRAZIL- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Adapted from a biography by journalist Denise Paraná, this big-budget epic chronicles the formative years of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva — aka Lula — who overcame formidable obstacles to become the president of Brazil in 2003. Lula and his six young siblings live in poverty and are sent to work early; an accident on the job drives the adult Lula (Rui Ricardo Diaz) into union activism, planting the seeds for a future in politics.” Fair reviews at best. TRDB.
9/23/12- A fair docudrama about the former president of Brazil up until his presidency. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
April 23rd, 2011
THE BANG BANG CLUB- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Four combat photojournalists document the end of apartheid in South Africa, a turbulent period marked by brutality and anger. This real-life drama is based on a memoir by Greg Marinovich (Ryan Phillippe) and Joao Silva (Neels Van Jaarsveld), who won Pulitzer Prizes for their work. Along with Ken Oosterbroek (Frank Rautenbach) and Kevin Carter (Taylor Kitsch), the group exposes the tragic violence that spawned a new regime in the country.” This sounded interesting but awful early reviews. TRDB.
8/28/11- Despite criticism of this movie by the “experts” I really liked it. The 4 members of the club were the core of the film but the problems in South Africa as well as the moral dilemma of photographing horrendous scenes without trying to help were dealt with through the members of the “gang.” TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: docudrama, drama
April 22nd, 2011
VITO BONAFACCI- Synopsis by Zap2it. “A successful businessman explores the meaning of faith after his late mother appears to him in a dream and implores him to abandon his pursuit of wealth.” Sounds interesting but I couldn’t find any mention of this film. TRDB.
Tags: drama
April 19th, 2011
OCTOBER (OCTUBRE)- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “While trying to track down the missing prostitute who left her newborn at his doorstep, solitary loan shark Clemente (Bruno Odar) forms unexpected attachments to the baby — which might be his — and Sofia (Gabriela Velasquez), the single neighbor helping him care for the child. Written and directed by brothers Daniel and Diego Vega, this bittersweet Peruvian drama also stars Carlos Gasols, Maria Carbajal and Sheryl Sánchez Mesco.” No reviews as yet but did sound interesting and I plan to see it. TRDB.
5/16/11- As far as I’m concerned this movie was like a character study of a man with NO character. No emotion and no dialogue. Miss it!! Theater.
Tags: drama, Foreign
April 19th, 2011
AN INVISIBLE SIGN- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a puzzling disease devastates her beloved father, math prodigy Mona Gray deals with the pain by isolating herself from the rest of the world and turning for comfort to the reliable world of mathematics. But when she later teaches math to troubled grade school kids, Mona discovers that her gift can be a route back from her long emotional exile. Marilyn Agrelo directs and Jessica Alba stars in this adaptation of the book by Aimee Bender.” Poor reviews. TRDB.
11/14/11- Poor reviews, well deserved. I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
April 19th, 2011
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