FILM REVIEWS #490
March 13th, 2014
2/15/14- I was thoroughly engrossed and on the edge of my seat for the entire movie. TRDB.
2) BETHLEHEM– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “An informant for Israel’s Shin Bet intelligence service, Palestinian Sanfur is torn when his brother becomes an agency target. His tragic choice is complicated by his relationship with Razi, the boss, mentor and father figure who hired him as a teen.”
3/10/14- Very good reviews in general. The NY Times liked it also. TRDB.
3/10/14- I saw this today and liked it very much– just a few too many characters when the 2 leads were very good. Definitely worth seeing. TRDB.
3) LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON– 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Ryota (Masaharu Fukuyama) is a successful Tokyo architect who works long hours to provide for his wife, Midori (Machiko Ono) and six-year-old son, Keita. But when a blood test reveals Keita and another baby were switched at birth, two very different families are thrown together and forced to make a difficult decision while Ryota confronts his own issues of responsibility and what it means to be a father. LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON extends the Japanese cinema tradition of familial exploration to deliver a gentle and moving story of personal redemption that playfully navigates its way through the drama.”
1/17/14– An excellent review in today’s NY Times and from others as well. TRDB.
3/12/14- An superb portrayal of what “family” means. Wonderful acting by all and definitely a must-see.” TRDB.
2/14/14- I found this movie very interesting and liked the characters very much. It received mixed reviews, more positive than negative, but I would definitely recommend it. TRDB.
2) BLACKFISH– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This fascinating documentary examines the life of performing killer whale Tilikum — who has caused the deaths of several people while in captivity — and questions the safety and humaneness of confining these intelligent creatures.”
7/3/13- Just a few reviews and they are all good. TRDB.
7/19/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
3/5/14- A wonderful documentary/expose that also paid tribute to the whales. TRDB. Netflix.
3) ZAYTOUN– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1982 Beirut, an Israeli fighter pilot named Yoni crashes outside a camp of young Palestinian refugees, where he’s met by gun-toting orphan Fahed. In exchange for his freedom, Yoni agrees to take the boy back to the village where his parents lived.”
9/20/13- This sounds interesting but it has received weak reviews all around. TRDB.
3/12/14- A nice idea but way too acted and simplistic. I’d give it an OK if you have little else to do. TRDB.
11/29/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
12/20/13- Way over the top in every way but lots of fun and I liked it. TRDB.
2) JIMMY P.- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Returning home from World War II, Blackfoot Native American Jimmy Picard suffers from a host of psychosomatic symptoms. In this drama based on a true story, he bonds with psychoanalyst Georges Devereux as the two explore his psyche for causes.”
2/14/14- A good review in today’s NY Times. Other reviews are mixed. TRDB.
3) LUCKY BASTARD– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. ” Porn aficionado wins a chance to have sex with a porn star on camera, but when his performance falls short, he blames the crew for humiliating him and decides to exact a gruesome revenge.”
2/14/14- Mixed reviews. The NY Times did not like it. TRDB.
4) WINTER’S TALE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Mark Helprin’s novel provides the basis for this film starring Colin Farrell as a thief who breaks into an ill girl’s home and then falls for her. As the action shifts between past and present, the burglar also acquires a flying-horse guardian angel.”
2/14/14- Awful reviews all around including the review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
5) ANGELS IN STARDUST– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “An imaginative teenage girl, living in a mystical and dangerous community built on a deserted drive-in movie lot along the Texas-Oklahoma border, struggles to realize her potential and escape the world she was born into.”
2/21/14- Poor reviews all around. TRDB.
6) BAREFOOT– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Asked to treat a young psychiatric patient who’s been living in utter isolation, a doctor from a wealthy family forms an unusual bond with her. This subtle romantic comedy reveals the beliefs, ambitions and passions of two wandering souls.”
1/21/14- Awful reviews form everybody. TRDB.
7) CHAPLIN OF THE MOUNTAINS– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “As two film-school graduates travel the Kurdish countryside screening Charlie Chaplin movies, they meet Nazé, a French-Kurdish woman searching for her roots. After scrapping their agenda, the duo begins a journey to help Nazé complete her mission.”
1/21/14- OK reviews in general and from the NY Times as well. TRDB.
8) ELAINE STRITCH: SHOOT ME– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Still refreshingly caustic at 87, Broadway legend Elaine Stritch looks back on her life and career in this feature-length portrait composed of candid reflections, rare archival footage and testimonials from her dearest friends.”
1/21/14- Excellent reviews all around. TRDB.
9) THE STANDBYS– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Cast as “standbys” to fill the shoes of big-name stars who can’t go on, three talented Broadway understudies wait patiently backstage for the dream they’ve been chasing their whole lives.”
1/21/14- Just a few reviews so far but they are good. TRDB.
2) SON OF GOD– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “A follow-up to the landmark 2013 miniseries The Bible, this feature follows the life of Jesus Christ from his humble birth to his resurrection. Filmed in authentic historical locales, this epic presentation brings new life to the miraculous story.”
2/28/14- Weak reviews all around. TRDB.
3) CHLORINE- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Obsessed with maintaining her family’s upper-crust lifestyle, Georgie pushes her put-upon husband, Roger, into a risky real estate investment. When the deal goes south, each member of the family starts to fall apart in his or her own neurotic way.”
2/28/14- Awful reviews. TRDB.
4) THE LUNCHBOX– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Mumbai’s eerily reliable lunchbox delivery service erroneously sends a meal prepared by a young housewife to a lonely widower on the brink of retirement, the mistake ignites an exchange of notes and mutual fantasy between them.”
2/28/14-Very good reviews in general. I’ll see it. TRDB.
5) FATAL ASSISTANCE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Haiti’s 2010 earthquake generated global support and monetary donations, but documentarian Raoul Peck — the nation’s former minister of culture — argues the resources were poorly applied, detailing the obstacles that have hampered Haiti’s recovery.”
2/28/14- Good reviews and today’s NY Times liked it very much as well. TRDB.
6) STALINGRAD– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Amid the horrors of the Battle of Stalingrad in 1942, a group of Russian soldiers holes up in a house occupied by a terrified young woman. As a German colonel’s machinations destroy the surrounding city, the refugees find themselves forming a bond.”
2/28/14- Mixed reviews– half liked it and half did not. The NY Times did not. TRDB.
7) TWO LIVES– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “As the European communist bloc is collapsing, Katrine’s quiet life in Norway is interrupted by questions about her early years in East Germany. With the truth about her past catching up with her, Katrine must try to explain the facts to her family.”
2/28/14- Very good reviews. The NY Times liked it also. TRDB.
8) INTERIOR. LEATHER BAR– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Reimagining the 40 minutes of explicit gay S&M footage rumored to have been cut from the 1980 film Cruising, this fascinating film explores the normalization of gay culture and the boundaries of sexual and creative freedom.”
3/5/14- Mixed reviews, with as many negative as positive. The NY Times liked it. TRDB.
3/10/14- I saw this today and liked it very much– just a few too many characters. Definitely worth seeing. TRDB.
2) GRAND PIANO– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “A pianist returning to the stage five years after a public meltdown learns that a sniper will shoot him and his wife if he plays just one wrong note. But the gunman’s twisted motives go far deeper than anyone suspects.”
3/7/14- Good reviews all around including the one calling it fun in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
3) THE FACE OF LOVE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Years after the death of her husband, Garrett, Nikki begins a romance with Tom, a great guy who looks almost exactly like Garrett. As their relationship unfolds, fate seems to be delivering Nikki both a new start and a second chance.”
8/26/13- No reviews as yet. TRDB.
3/7/14- Weak reviews all around. The NY Times said that the actors held whatever there was together. TRDB.
4) THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Between the world wars, Gustave H, the concierge at a prestigious European hotel, takes a bellboy named Zero as a trusted protégé. Meanwhile, the upscale guests are involved in an art theft and a dispute over a vast family fortune.”
3/7/14- Good reviews all around. TRDB.
5) JOURNEY TO THE WEST– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Stephen Chow’s unique take on a Chinese literary classic boasts eye-popping effects and wicked humor as Chen Xuanzang, who fights evil with love and nursery rhymes, clashes with Duan, a showy female warrior who’s in it for the thrill of the hunt.”
3/7/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.
6) MIELE– 2013- Synopsis by Netflix. “Despite the controversial nature of her work, Miele remains convinced she’s doing the humane thing by helping suffering people end their lives. But when a client insists he’s lived long enough — despite being healthy — her belief system is shaken.”
3/7/14- Excellent reviews from everybody including the NY Times. TRDB.
11/15/13- Good reviews in general and a good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
12/4/13- Basically I enjoy almost every road movie I see and this was no exception. An interesting story about families. Dern was great. TRDB.
3) ELAINE STRITCH: SHOOT ME– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Still refreshingly caustic at 87, Broadway legend Elaine Stritch looks back on her life and career in this feature-length portrait composed of candid reflections, rare archival footage and testimonials from her dearest friends.”
1/21/14- Excellent reviews all around. TRDB.
4) GRAND PIANO– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “A pianist returning to the stage five years after a public meltdown learns that a sniper will shoot him and his wife if he plays just one wrong note. But the gunman’s twisted motives go far deeper than anyone suspects.”
3/7/14- Good reviews all around including the one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
4) THE BEST OFFER- I saw this On-Demand and liked it very much
5) BLUE JASMINE- I liked it but not as much as other Woody films
6) BROADWAY IDIOT- Mixed reviews
7) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS- Good but definitely not great
8)CONCUSSION- I liked this movie
9) DALLAS BUYERS CLUB- I liked it but not as much as the critics
DirecTV- www.directv.com/DTVAPP/listing/ppvMovies.jsp
Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com
2) BETHLEHEM– Clearview 100. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “An informant for Israel’s Shin Bet intelligence service, Palestinian Sanfur is torn when his brother becomes an agency target. His tragic choice is complicated by his relationship with Razi, the boss, mentor and father figure who hired him as a teen.”
3/10/14- Very good reviews in general. The NY Times liked it also. TRDB.
3/10/14- I saw this today and liked it very much– just a few too many characters when the 2 leads were very good. Definitely worth seeing. TRDB.
3) 12 YEARS A SLAVE– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “The autobiography of Solomon Northup, a free black man who was abducted from New York state and sold into slavery in the mid-1800s, serves as the basis for this historical drama. Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Northup, and Brad Pitt plays an abolitionist.”
9/29/13- Excellent reviews. TRDB.
10/18/13- A glowing review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
11/6/13- Overall I enjoyed this movie as this is clearly a story needing to be told. The acting was wonderful. Throughout the movie I couldn’t help thinking about this as another Holocaust movie with the dehumanizing, the oppression, the splitting of families and the often random nature of the violence inflicted on the victims, in this case Blacks. My only objection was that too many scenes seemed the same to me, each showing the difficult daily life on the plantation in one form or another. TRDB.
4) DALLAS BUYERS CLUB– Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.
5) THE GREAT BEAUTY– Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “As charming 65-year-old journalist Jap Gambardella writes about Rome’s culture and social life, he reflects with bitterness on the passions of his lost youth, even as he paints a complex portrait of the lovely and ancient city.”
11/15/13- Very good review in today’s NY Times and equally good reviews from most other critics. TRDB.
6) THE MONUMENTS MEN– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a race against time, a crew of art historians and museum curators unite to recover renown works of art stolen by Nazis before Hitler destroys them. Written, directed and starring George Clooney.”
2/1/14- Poor reviews. TRDB.
7) TIM’S VERMEER– Bethel, Clearview 100. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Teller, of Penn & Teller fame, directs this absorbing film about inventor Tim Jenison’s quest to solve one of art’s greatest mysteries: How did Dutch master Johannes Vermeer paint so photo-realistically 150 years before the invention of photography?”
1/31/14- Good reviews in general and the NY Times liked it also. TRDB.
8) PHILOMENA– Bethel, Clearview 100. 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.
9) ELAINE STRITCH: SHOOT ME– Clearview 100. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Still refreshingly caustic at 87, Broadway legend Elaine Stritch looks back on her life and career in this feature-length portrait composed of candid reflections, rare archival footage and testimonials from her dearest friends.”
1/21/14- Excellent reviews all around. TRDB.
10) THE FACE OF LOVE– Clearview 100. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Years after the death of her husband, Garrett, Nikki begins a romance with Tom, a great guy who looks almost exactly like Garrett. As their relationship unfolds, fate seems to be delivering Nikki both a new start and a second chance.”
3/7/14- Weak reviews all around. The NY Times said that the actors held whatever there was together. TRDB.
11) AMERICAN HUSTLE– Saw Mill Hawthorne. 2003. 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.
12/20/13- Way over the top in every way but lots of fun and I liked it. TRDB.
12) NEBRASKA– Saw Mill Hawthorne. 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.
12/4/13- Basically I enjoy almost every road movie I see and this was no exception. An interesting story about families. Dern was great. TRDB.
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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