FILM REVIEWS #500
June 5th, 2014
6/1/14- One of the more ridiculous movies I’ve seen in a long time. TRDB.
2) IN SECRET– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Trapped in a loveless marriage to her insufferable cousin, Therese Raquin seeks solace in the arms of the attentive Laurent LeClaire. But her quest for happiness may lead to tragedy in this big-screen adaptation of Emile Zola’s classic novel.”
5/8/14- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.
6/3/14- I liked it. TRDB.
2) HER– 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.
1/12/14- One of the most creative movies I’ve seen in a while, this film is definitely worth seeing but I have trouble actually recommend it. It did stimulate a lot of discussion. TRDB.
3) ALAN PARTRIDGE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Legendary blowhard Alan Partridge, made famous by funnyman Steve Coogan, has become an obscure radio host in this new page from his demented life. When Alan finds out he may be laid off, his response is to try to get a colleague fired instead.”
4/4/14- Good reviews all around including the NY Times. TRDB.
4) VISITORS– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Completely devoid of dialogue and backed by a soundtrack by Philip Glass, this description-defying cinematic showpiece explores humans’ reactions to technology and media in beautiful black-and-white clarity.”
1/24/14- The NY Times and most other critics were positive about this movie but it sounds very, very different as it consists solely of black and white images of faces. TRDB.
5) THE SHORT GAME– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary follows eight of the world’s best 7-year-old golfers, who convene in Pinehurst, N.C., to compete for a championship. Their interweaving stories provide a charming look into the unconventional, ultracompetitive world of junior golf.”
9/4/13- Few early reviews but they are very good. TRDB.
9/20/13- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
6) THE MISSING PICTURE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the film version of his harrowing memoir, director Rithy Panh uses ceramic figures to represent the Cambodian masses murdered in the 1970s. Panh’s painful memories include the loss of his parents and sisters in one of history’s darkest episodes.”
3/19/14- Great reviews. TRDB.
7) TIM’S VERMEER– 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) PERFECT SISTERS– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “On January 18, 2003, police, alerted by a frantic 911 call from a distraught pair of teenage girls, arrived at the girls Toronto area town house to find their mother dead. It appeared the 44-year-old alcoholic, having slipped into a booze-and-pill stupor, drowned in her own bathwater. The death was ruled accidental by the authorities. But rumors quickly start to circle the girls, was it an accident or something more sinister?”
4/11/14– Good reviews for the teen actresses but NOT for the movie. TRDB.
2) KORENGAL– 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “KORENGAL picks up where RESTREPO left off: the same valley, same men, but a very different look at the experience of war. KORENGAL not only shows what war looks like, but how war works and what it means to the young men who fight it. While one soldier cheers when he kills the enemy, another asks if God will ever forgive him for the killing he has done. As one soldier grieves the loss of a friend, another explains why he misses the war now that his deployment has ended.”
5/30/14- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.
3) BEFORE YOU KNOW IT– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Examining the gap in social services, health insurance and community support for LGBTQ seniors, this compelling documentary follows three gay men over the course of a year as they navigate love, loneliness and life after 60.”
5/30/14- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.
4) THE GRAND SEDUCTION– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “The cash-strapped burg of Tickle Cove must persuade a doctor to move to town if they want a plastics manufacturer to build a new factory there. But selling the advantages of the tiny Newfoundland village to a young professional won’t be easy.”
5/30/14- Good reviews. TRDB.
5) FILTH– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “An arrogant, corrupt cop who believes he’s the only competent person in his department sees a recent murder case as a path to promotion. But the investigation brings the deluded officer into a rendezvous with reality that he’s wholly unprepared for.”
5/30/14- Mixed reviews– more positive than negative. The NY Times did not like it. TRDB.
6) THE HORNET’S NEST– 2014- Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The Hornet’s Nest is a groundbreaking and immersive feature film, using unprecedented real footage to tell the story of an elite group of U.S. troops sent on a dangerous mission deep inside one of Afghanistan’s most hostile valleys.”
5/30/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.
7) MALEFICENT– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Turning the classic fairy tale “Sleeping Beauty” on its head, this fantasy drama retells the story from the point of view of evil godmother Maleficent. While defending her homeland from invaders, the young Maleficent is dealt a cruel blow by fate.”
5/30/14- Critics are 50-50 on this movie but audiences have rated it higher. TRDB.
8) LUCKY THEM– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Seattle music journalist Ellie Klug is ordered to write a feature on her ex-boyfriend, celebrated musician Matthew Smith, who disappeared 10 years earlier, but her reluctant mission is complicated by the presence of Charlie, an amateur documentarian.”
5/30/14- Good reviews. TRDB.
9) NIGHT MOVES– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “With their collective eye fixed on blowing up a hydroelectric dam, a pair of young environmentalists enlist the help of an ex-military explosives expert to carry out a dangerous act of eco-terrorism.”
5/30/14- Very good critical review but less so by audiences. TRDB.
10) WE ARE THE BEST– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Inspired by a graphic novel, this coming-of-age charmer set in 1980s Stockholm follows a trio of 13-year-old misfits who refuse to believe punk is dead, forming a band in spite of their collective lack of musicianship.”
5/30/14- Excellent reviews from critics. Audiences have liked it also . TRDB.
8)DANCING IN JAFFA- I liked this one very much
9) DECODING ANNIE- Good reviews
Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com
2) WE ARE THE BEST– Jacob Burns. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Inspired by a graphic novel, this coming-of-age charmer set in 1980s Stockholm follows a trio of 13-year-old misfits who refuse to believe punk is dead, forming a band in spite of their collective lack of musicianship.”
5/30/14- Excellent reviews from critics and audiences have liked it also . TRDB.
5/23/14– Difficult to watch at times but a very interesting story. Definitely recommended. TRDB.
4) THE IMMIGRANT– Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “After arriving in New York, Polish immigrant Ewa must provide for her ill sister — and soon falls under the thumb of charming thug Bruno, who forces her into a life of prostitution. But when she falls for a magician, her fortunes may turn.”
5/16/14- Good critical review but audiences were just luke warm on this movie. 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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