Posts filed under 'Drama'
DAYDREAM NATION- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “City girl Caroline Wexler (Kat Dennings) feels like she’s spinning her wheels when she moves to a small rural town, where she’s got nothing in common with anyone — except her disarmingly handsome teacher, Mr. Anderson (Josh Lucas). But when Wexler tires of their clandestine affair, Mr. Anderson isn’t ready to let her go. Andie MacDowell co-stars in this humorous dark romance from writer-director Michael Goldbach.” Fair audience reviews and professional reviews as well. TRDB.
5/23/11- Good at times and a bit hard to believe at times also. Fair at best. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
April 19th, 2011
CATERPILLAR- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1940, during the Second Sino-Japanese War, the people of a rural Japanese village eagerly await a hero’s return. But Lt. Kurokawa’s wife, Shigeko, receives a horrifying shock: Her husband has lost his arms and legs. Nevertheless, the villagers depend on Shigeko to do her duty to her country by caring for her mutilated husband. Shinobu Terajima, Keigo Kasuya and Emi Masuda star in this historical drama about the grim aftermath of war.” Average audience reviews and excellent professional reviews including a few great ones. TRDB.
2/2/12- Another message that war is truly hell, this well done movie will shock you. See it but have a strong stomach!! TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: drama, Foreign
April 19th, 2011
THE PARANOIDS- 2008. Synopsis by Netflix. “Luciano (Daniel Hendler) is devastated to learn that his friend, Manuel (Walter Jakob), is creating a television series featuring an uncomfortably familiar character named Luciano. But life changes for the narcoleptic hypochondriac when he gets a houseguest: Manuel’s girlfriend (Jazmín Stuart). Set in Argentina, director Gabriel Medina’s comedy follows Luciano as he reveals his softer side to his beautiful boarder.”
4/11- Mixed reviews but despite being very slow I did enjoy it. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
April 18th, 2011
FLY AWAY- 2011. Directed by Janet Grillo. Synopsis by Netflix. “Single mother Jeanne (Beth Broderick) is dedicated to enriching the life of her teenage daughter, Mandy (Ashley Rickards), who has severe autism, although as Mandy matures, the challenges of her condition grow too extreme for Jeanne to be able to manage on her own. When Mandy’s dad suggests that she attend a residential school, Jeanne resists, even though her stressful home life impinges on work and a romance with a new neighbor (Greg Germann).” Good review in NY Times on 4/15/11. TRDB.
5/8/11- An interesting drama covering a difficult situation with care and realism. I liked it. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
April 16th, 2011
BLACK BUTTERFLIES- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This passionate biopic profiles South African poet Ingrid Jonker, whose exuberant nature is destroyed by her repeated betrayals of her supportive lover and her complex relationship with her disapproving father, the minister of censorship.”
3/2/12- Generally good reviews. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
April 15th, 2011
JOLENE- 2008. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on a short story by celebrated novelist E.L. Doctorow, this character study tracks the itinerant exploits of the titular character (Jessica Chastain) as she sets off on an aimless, decade-long journey filled with romance, heartbreak, tumult and inspiration. Boasting an all-star cast — including Dermot Mulroney, Michael Vartan and Chazz Palminteri — this indie effort is helmed by director Dan Ireland.” Reviews are mixed with some very good and some very bad. TRDB.
4/11- Count me as one who, despite a good deal of cliche, enjoyed the movie. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: Drama/Romance
April 12th, 2011
VIVA LALDJERIE (VIVA ALGERIA)- 2004. Synopsis by Netflix. “Three urban Algerian women face an uncertain future in this drama set during times of increasing fundamentalism. Twenty-something Goucem (Lubna Azabal), her traditional mother, Papicha (Biyouna), and prostitute Fifi (Nadia Kaci) must steer clear of the local terrorists yet still make enough money to survive. Liberated Goucem refuses to give up her freedom by continuing to work and hitting the nightclubs, while her mom longs for happier times.” Fairly good reviews and in 4/11 this movie becomes more interesting. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
April 12th, 2011
7 DAYS IN SLOW MOTION- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “When young Ravi (Teja) comes into possession of a state-of-the-art camera, it seems his dreams of being a filmmaker will come true, but there’s a catch — he has just seven days to finish his movie and return the camera. This portrait of middle-class life examines the archaic and contemporary aspects of Indian society that pull at Ravi and his domineering mother (Rajeshwari Sachdev). Will Ravi defy his expected path and choose to pursue his dream?” Two reviews, one fair and the other very good. TRDB.
Tags: drama
April 10th, 2011
PROM- 2011. Synopsis by IMDB. “A group of teenagers get ready for their high school prom.” Weak review in NY Times on 4/29/11. TRDB.
Tags: drama
April 10th, 2011
THAT’S WHAT I AM- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “A 12-year-old boy is convinced he’s been pushed toward social suicide when his teacher pairs him up for a project with the school’s biggest reject. But the boys form an unexpected bond when bullies turn their attention to an unlikely target.” Fair review in NY Times on 4/29/11. TRDB.
6/1/11- A delightful coming of age drama about tolerance with a great Ed Harris. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
April 10th, 2011
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