Posts filed under 'Drama'
JANE EYRE- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “Driven from her post at Thornfield House by her brooding employer Edward Rochester’s (Michael Fassbender) impenetrable personality, young governess Jane Eyre (Mia Wasikowska) takes time to reflect on her childhood and the events that led her to the misty moors. Little does she know that Rochester’s mood is largely due to a dark secret. Judi Dench, Jamie Bell and Sally Hawkins co-star in this artful adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s classic novel.” Very good reviews. TRDB.
10/2/11- An excellent portrayal of the classic and definitely worth a viewing. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Romance
March 22nd, 2011
WHITE IRISH DRINKERS- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “In a blue-collar Irish section of 1970s Brooklyn, brothers Danny (Geoff Wigdor) and Brian Leary (Nick Thurston) come of age in a family dominated by their longshoreman father, Patrick (Stephen Lang), whose hard-drinking leaves them scrambling for a way out. As delinquent Danny and dejected mom Margaret (Karen Allen) take the brunt of Patrick’s assaults, aspiring artist Brian hides his dreams. But desperate acts will threaten them all.” A few reviews and they’re OK. TRDB.
8/5/11- An ethnic family drama that you’ve seen before but to tell the truth the movie did have some appeal to me. Not enough to fully recommend it however. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
March 17th, 2011
PEEP WORLD- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “When four siblings gather to celebrate their father’s 70th birthday, the proverbial you-know-what hits the fan because one of them has penned a novel populated by characters who strongly resemble his nearest and dearest. How will this dysfunctional family keep it together after everyone has seemingly been hung out to dry? Barry W. Blaustein’s ensemble-cast comedy stars Rainn Wilson, Ron Rifkin, Michael C. Hall and Sarah Silverman.” OK reviews at best. TRDB.
7/20/11- I liked this movie very much as it combined comedy with a very serious topic, i.e. working through a dysfunctional family. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
March 17th, 2011
MIRAL- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “After she rescues dozens children who survived a massacre in Jerusalem in 1948, Palestinian Hind Husseini (Hiam Abbass) establishes an orphanage that helps thousands of other children left homeless by violence. But the success of her peace-through-education institution is tested when pupil Miral (Freida Pinto) gets a taste of radical politics in the region’s refugee camps. Julian Schnabel directs this film that co-stars Willem Dafoe.” Uniformly poor reviews but the film does sound interesting. TRDB.
This film stirred controversy when it’s opening was held at the UN as it was an unusual place for a film opening, particularly since it was felt by some to be anti-Israel. TRDB.
7/16/11- I feel that the movie was just fair and it absolutely portrayed the Israelis in a negative light including a torture scene. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
March 17th, 2011
THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “A congressman (Matt Damon) who’s a rising star on the political scene finds himself entranced by a beautiful ballerina (Emily Blunt), but mysterious circumstances ensure that their love affair is predestined to be a non-starter. Screenwriter George Nolfi (The Bourne Ultimatum) makes his directorial debut with this romantic adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s classic sci-fi short story “Adjustment Team.” Fair to poor professional reviews. TRDB.
8/7/11- Unbelievably silly film and I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, sci-fi
March 1st, 2011
BOY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Filmed in his native New Zealand, this comedy from writer-director Taika Waititi (Eagle vs. Shark) follows 11-year-old Boy and his younger brother, Rocky, whose rich fantasy lives are stopped cold when their father returns home after years away. Although Boy has imagined that his father (Waititi) is a dashing, accomplished hero who is related to Michael Jackson, in reality he is a failed gangster seeking to restore his family’s faith in him.” Good audience reviews. TRDB.
3/2/12- Excellent review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
6/26/14– I enjoyed this film much more than the premise would indicate. Great acting by the kid (Boy). TRDB.
Tags: drama
February 27th, 2011
THE MUSIC NEVER STOPPED- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Nearly 20 years after Gabriel (Lou Taylor Pucci) ran away from home, his father, Henry Sawyer (J.K. Simmons), and mother, Helen (Cara Seymour), discover that the no longer young man is now living in a hospital due to a brain tumor that blocks him from recording fresh memories. Desperate to connect with his son, Henry soon realizes that the best way to do so is through music — specifically the classic rock tunes Gabe loves and he despises.” Very good reviews. TRDB.
8/5/11- One reviewer said that this movie rose above the schmaltz but I disagree. As it was based on a true story I watched the whole thing but you shouldn’t. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
February 27th, 2011
CRACKS- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Jordan Scott — daughter of helmer Ridley Scott — makes her directing debut with this thriller set at a British all-girls boarding school between World War I and II and starring Eva Green as a popular teacher and coach of the swim team. When a new girl arrives at the cliquish and hormonally charged institution, jealousies erupt, obsessions arise and, eventually, a student disappears in this film that also stars Juno Temple and María Valverde.” Mainly poor reviews so far. OK review in NY Times on 3/18/11. TRDB.
7/23/11- A distinctly strange movie that was mildly enjoyable at times. An all female cast as well in this film. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
February 27th, 2011
3 BACKYARDS- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Elias Koteas, Edie Falco and Rachel Resheff star as neighbors in this slice-of-life suburban drama that follows their separate stories over the course of one long and emotionally trying autumn afternoon. A businessman and his wife find their marriage unraveling, a housewife obsesses over a minor celebrity who lives down the block, and an 8-year-old girl stumbles across a disturbing scene. Eric Mendelsohn directs.” A few good reviews. TRDB.
7/3/11- A strange movie with a slice of the life of 3 suburban families whose issues would not be apparent on the surface but we see voyeuristically through their “backyard.” TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
Tags: drama
February 26th, 2011
ILLEGAL- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Olivier Masset-Depasse directs this drama that follows the story of Tania (Anne Coesens) and her teenage son, Ivan (Alexandre Gontcharov), Russian immigrants who are in Belgium illegally. Tania lives in fear of being found out — and one day, her worst nightmare becomes a reality. During a routine police check, Tania is apprehended — but she refuses to accept the fact that she’ll be deported and separated from her son.” Reviews not so good so far but it did sound interesting. TRDB.
7/12/11- A very depressing look at the plight of illegal immigrants, this time in Belgium, but could be anywhere. Well acted, this film received very good professional reviews but mediocre audience reaction, probably because it was so down-beat. I enjoyed the film and would recommend it but not if you’re in a bad mood. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
February 26th, 2011
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