FILM REVIEWS #485
January 8th, 2014
1/5/14- This movie got very good reviews but frankly I just can’t understand it. One negative reviewer said that she checked her watch several times and that about says it for me. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
8/16/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
8/25/13- Although I did enjoy parts of this movie, I was disappointed with the film as a whole. I thought it was a lackluster story about the butler used as a vehicle for a very powerful piece of history and it just didn’t seem to fit for me. The acting carried the movie. TRDB.
2) FRUITVALE STATION- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This dramatic rendering of a real-life tragedy recounts the final hours of Oscar Grant, shot by San Francisco transit police on New Year’s Day, 2009. In portraying the energy Oscar brought to life, the film mourns the tragic loss of a unique soul.”
6/27/13- Excellent reviews. TRDB.
7/12-13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
8/4/13- An excellent movie with great acting from a true story a few years ago. My only objection was some difficulty understanding the conversation at times. TRDB.
3) 20 FEET FROM STARDOM- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Get a behind-the-scenes look at the world of backup vocalists in this documentary that weaves interviews with legendary singers like Bruce Springsteen and Bette Midler with the comments of those whose voices support them.”
6/5/13- A few early reviews for this documentary, some positive and some negative. TRDB.
6/14/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
4) CAFE DE FLORE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Two dramatic narratives weave together in a meditation on human love. Set decades apart in Paris and in Montreal, the two stories share subtle yet profound links through their characters — a mother and son, and a divorced couple.”
Fairly good reviews. TRDB.
A mixed review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
5) TERRAFERMA- About a man who saves a group of men, women and children who come to Italy illegally by sea. I saw this at the Palm Springs Film Festival 2 years ago, in 2012, and liked it very much. TRDB.
6) BLUE CAPRICE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In their lead-up to the infamous 2002 Beltway sniper attacks, John Muhammad and Lee Malvo embark on a nationwide trip, forming a deadly bond along the way that distorts the definition of a father-son relationship.”
9/13/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times and from most other critics as well. TRDB.
7) A.C.O.D.- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “After enduring decades of conflict between his divorced parents, Carter tries to end the hostilities on the eve of his brother’s marriage. Instead, he ends up making surprising discoveries about his past that only increase the tumult.”
10/4/13- Poor review in today’s NY Times. Other critics are evenly divided. TRDB.
8) BIG SUR- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the wake of his literary success, Beat writer Jack Kerouac retreats to a small cabin in California’s Big Sur to try and sort out his life. When isolation leads him to take a break in San Francisco, he’s soon involved with his buddy’s mistress.”
11/1/13- Today’s NY Times gave this a good review but most other critics said it was pretty bad. TRDB.
9) THE SPECTACULAR NOW- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When high school loner Aimee Finicky finds her classmate Sutter Keely passed-out drunk on a lawn, it marks the start of an unlikely friendship. After deciding to help Aimee raise her social confidence, Sutter finds himself falling for his creation.”
7/15/13- Very good early reviews. TRDB.
8/2/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
I saw this movie and liked it. TRDB.
10) SHORT TERM 12- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Grace, a compassionate young supervisor at a foster care facility, works with her boyfriend and colleague, Mason, to help at-risk teens. But when a new charge dredges up memories of her own troubled past, Grace’s tough exterior begins eroding.”
8/23/13- An excellent review from most critics and the NY Times liked it as well. TRDB.
9/15/13- I liked this movie very much. Great acting and a very touching story. TRDB.
11) PRISONERS- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When his 6-year-old daughter is abducted and the investigation stalls, carpenter Keller Dover tracks down the culprit himself. But his vigilante action pits him against the case’s lead detective and puts his own sanity at risk.”
9/4/13- Very good reviews for this suspense drama. TRDB .
9/20/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
12) A SINGLE SHOT- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “After accidentally shooting a young woman, hunter John Moon panics and tries to hide the body in a cave. Stumbling onto a huge stash of cash there, he decides to keep it — and soon finds himself being hunted by backwater outlaws and redneck bullies.”
9/4/13- I’ve seen 3 reviews– all positive. TRDB.
9/20/13- A poor review in today’s NY Times and only fair ones in general. TRDB.
13) OUR NIXON- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Nixon himself wasn’t the only one obsessively recording his presidency; three of his top aides were filming it, too, with Super 8 cameras. These home movies –from H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman and Dwight Chapin — form the basis of this portrait.”
8/14/13- Some very good early reviews. TRDB.
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COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUES. JAN. 21-
1) BLUE JASMINE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “The high life leads to high anxiety for a fashionable New York City homemaker in crisis who finds herself forced to live a more modest lifestyle in San Francisco. Woody Allen directs an ensemble cast that includes Cate Blanchett and Alec Baldwin.”
7/26/13- A great review in today’s NY Times and excellent reviews all around. TRDB.
8/7/13- Woody is as creative as ever as he constructs another story that most audiences can relate to. Cate Blanchett’s acting was great and I liked the movie. After the rave reviews I was a little disappointed. TRDB.
2) SUNLIGHT JR.- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Hard times befall an already struggling convenience-store clerk and her paraplegic boyfriend when they’re evicted from the seedy motel they call home, and she loses the job that barely supports them.”
11/15/13- Very good reviews in general but the NY Times review today was barely OK and said that the actors were not convincing. TRDB.
11/21/13- I enjoyed this movie very much as it presented a very realistic picture of what it’s like to be poor with little hope of improvement. I was rooting for the couple. TRDB.
3) THE PREY- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This thriller follows the ups and downs of thief Franck Adrien, who’s serving prison time for a job whose proceeds he’s safely stashed away. But when the hidden loot and his family are compromised, Franck has no choice but to bust out early.”
6/7/13- With some initial disclaimers, the NY Times gave this a good review. Mixed reviews elsewhere. TRDB.
4) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this exciting adventure based on true events that made international headlines, Tom Hanks portrays Capt. Richard Phillips, who is taken hostage by Somali pirates after they hijack his cargo ship, and the U.S. Navy’s efforts to rescue him.”
10/11/13- This movie, starring Tom Hanks as Captain Phillips, has received excellent reviews but one critic said that it was a Hollywood style “A Hijacking”, a movie that I saw a few months ago that had a similar theme and was excellent. The NY Times liked it also. TRDB.
10/11/13- The movie was well done and helped along by the knowledge that it was taken from a true story. Tom Hanks did his usual good job. I enjoyed the last 15min. the most. TRDB.
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2) IF YOU BUILD IT- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Hoping to renew the economic health of a rural North Carolina town, a designer and architect together create a new kind of high school design class. This documentary records their unique approach to the art of design and the positive results.”
1/5/14- Only 1 review so far and it’s very good. TRDB.
3) IN BLOOM- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In post-Soviet Georgia, teen pals Eka and Natia live with their families in decaying high-rises and a social landscape rife with crime and despair. Sticking together in this bleak world, the girls use their nascent sexuality to gain the upper hand.”
1/5/14- No reviews as yet but this sounds interesting. TRDB.
4) THE ROCKET- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Determined to disprove the common belief that he brings bad luck to everyone around him, outcast Laotian boy Ahlo builds a giant rocket with the intention of participating in the lucrative but dangerous competition at a rocket festival.”
1/5/14- Universally great reviews. TRDB.
5) A SONG FOR YOU- 2013. Synopsis by IMDB. “”A song for you” tells a story of defiance, courage, creativity and love. Processing her family history, filmmaker Sharon Karp weaves interviews with her mother, fragments of a book her father wrote, photographs, documents and historical footage. In 1943 the Karp family escaped the Nazis by crossing the Pyrenees on foot with the help of the French Resistance. Now the filmmaker and her sisters retrace the escape route, trying to separate history from present day reality. The impact of the Holocaust on the daughters is revealed. The film provides an uplifting message while raising questions of responsibility in our choices. ‘A Song for You’ underscores the bravery of the righteous ones who risked their own lives to save the family.”
1/5/14- I couldn’t find any reviews at this time. TRDB.
6) IN NO GREAT HURRY: 13 LESSONS IN LIFE WITH SAUL LEITER- 2013.Once part of a renaissance in art photography, Saul Leiter chose to avoid the limelight in later years while continuing to take pictures. This affectionate documentary captures the reticent octogenarian living amid piles of his work.”
1/5/14- Mixed critical review but audiences have not cared for this documentary. TRDB.
2) LIFE OF A KING- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “After serving an 18-year prison sentence, Eugene Brown resolves to remake his life and gets a job as detention monitor at a local high school. In an effort to raise the goals of the malcontents he deals with, Eugene founds the Big Chair Chess Club.”
1/5/14- No reviews as yet. TRDB.
3) MAIDENTRIP- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Critics called her delusional. Child welfare agents tried to intervene. But Laura Dekker would not be denied her shot at sailing round the world. This documentary captures the 14-year-old’s solo feat through footage she shot on her two-year voyage.”
1/5/14- No reviews as yet. TRDB.
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10/18/13- Great review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
10/29/13- I enjoyed this movie a lot as the understated Redford pulled this solo off. TRDB.
1) ADORE- Fair at best reviews
2) BASTARDS- Mixed reviews
3) BEFORE MIDNIGHT- Great movie
DirecTV- www.directv.com/DTVAPP/listing/ppvMovies.jsp
Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com
12/27/13- The NY Times gave this movie a poor review in today’s issue. TRDB.
2) HER- Saw Mill Hawthorne. Danbury. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this sci-fi romantic comedy starring Joaquin Phoenix, love comes to a lonely young writer in the sleekest of packages when he finds himself falling for the advanced operating system he purchased to run his life.”
12/18/13- Great review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
12/6/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
2) PHILOMENA- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Floundering BBC journalist Martin Sixsmith and aging Irishwoman Philomena Lee form an unlikely bond when they pair up to find the son Philomena was forced to give up for adoption 50 years ago.”
11/22/13- Excellent reviews all around including the NY Times. TRDB.
11/29/13- I liked this movie very much. Great and true story with great acting and very realistically done. Sad beyond sad at times. Everybody should see this. TRDB.
3) NEBRASKA- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a cantankerous old boozer thinks he’s won a magazine sweepstakes prize, his son reluctantly takes a road trip with him to claim the fortune. As they drive from Montana to Nebraska, they visit friends and relatives to whom the dad owes money.”
11/15/13- Good reviews in general and a good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
11/29/13- I liked this movie very much. Great and true story with great acting and very realistically done. Sad beyond sad at times. Everybody should see this movie. TRDB.
4) AMERICAN HUSTLE- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This fictionalization of the “Abscam” scandal of the early 1980s follows con man Irving Rosenfeld and his lover, Sydney Prosser, as they help an eccentric FBI agent expose corruption among several members of Congress in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.”
12/13/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times and from most other critics as well. TRDB.
5) THE WOLF OF WALL STREET- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Martin Scorcese’s high-rolling Wall Street drama is based on the memoirs of stockbroker Jordan Belfort, whose giddy career — involving audacious scams and confrontations with the FBI and other agencies — ended in federal prison.”
12/27/13- The NY Times liked this very much. TRDB.
12/29/13- Similar to American Hustle that I saw last week- way over the top but I liked it. TRDB.
6) DALLAS BUYERS CLUB- Clearview 100. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Loosely based on true events, this drama follows Ron Woodroof, who refuses to accept he’ll die in 30 days when he’s diagnosed with AIDS in 1986. He extends his life and eventually helps many other AIDS patients by smuggling medications from abroad.”10/16/13- Very good reviews for this Indie drama. TRDB.
11/1/13- The review in today’s NY Times gave this movie an OK review but said that it lacked passion and “played it safe.” TRDB.
11/23/13- Very good reviews but not from this guy. I felt that the movie was predictable at every stage and the acting from Jennifer Gardner was weak. The story however could have been more interesting if anyone other than McConaughey showed any interest. TRDB.
7) THE BOOK THIEF- Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Young Liesel steals books to teach herself to read, giving her refuge from the horrors of Nazi Germany and her cold foster parents. When not reading, she forms a bond with the Jewish man her adoptive family is hiding in their home.”
11/8/13- A really bad review in today’s NY Times and from most critics as well. TRDB
For Independent Films in Your Neighborhood go to- www.emergingpictures.com
For Independent Films in Palm Beach County go to www.lakeworthplayhouse.org
For Films everywhere go to- www.fandango.com
Entry Filed under: Old Newsletters
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