FILM REVIEWS #501
June 12th, 2014
\6/8/14- A Hollywoodish feel good movie that made me feel good. TRDB.
4/18/14– The NY Times liked this film. TRDB.
6/4/14- Enjoyable if a bit light. TRDB. Netflix.
2) STILL MINE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “His home in disrepair, elderly farmer Craig Morrison must build a better shelter for his wife, whose health is deteriorating rapidly. He faces the wrath of an overzealous government inspector but refuses to back down.”
6/27/13- Great reviews. TRDB.
7/19/13- An excellent review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
6/9/14- A sensitive beautifully scripted movie with great acting as well. Highly recommended. TRDB. Netflix.
3) A FIELD IN ENGLAND– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in 17th-century England, this black-and-white drama portrays the strange and psychedelic ordeal faced by two deserters from a battle. Captured by a demented alchemist and forced to dig for hidden treasure, the men unearth horror instead.”
2/7/14- Fairly good reviews– the NY Times liked it also. TRDB.
6/10/14- Just way to weird for me and I had to turn it off. TRDB. Netflix.
4) A TEACHER– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A popular young high school teacher engaged in a passionate secret affair with one of her students gets pulled deeper into their mutual fantasy world, even as the danger of discovery threatens their relationship.”
9/6/13- A poor review in today’s NY Times and poor reviews in general. TRDB.
6/10/14- This movie deserved the poor reviews that it got. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
5) OMAR– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “With his girlfriend, Nadia, living on the other side of an Israeli-built boundary wall, young Palestinian Omar regularly scales it to visit her. But he faces even greater obstacles after a lethal confrontation with an Israeli soldier.”
2/2/14- Good reviews from most critics. TRDB.
6/11/14- An excellent thriller that paints a bleak picture of life as a Palestinian. One critic (Ty Burr) said that it leaves you with less answers than before. Well said. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
2) JOE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When ex-con Joe hires 15-year-old Gary to help clear trees for a lumber company, he doesn’t expect to become a father figure for the abused boy. When Gary runs away from home, Joe becomes his protector, a role overshadowed by his own troubled past.”
4/8/14- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.
4/11/14- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
3) 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.
2) BURT’S BUZZ– 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. ” The film chronicles Burt’s life as a photographer, beekeeper, and brand spokesman, following his complicated relationship with the company, his fans, and the world around him.”
6/6/14- Good reviews– the NY Times did not like it, however. TRDB.
3) THE CASE AGAINST 8– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Bent on reversing California’s ban on same-sex marriage, a team of unlikely confederates joins forces to bring the issue before the U.S. Supreme Court. This insightful documentary tracks the veteran attorneys as they prepare for the landmark appeal.”
6/6/14- Very good reviews. The NY Times liked it also. TRDB.
4) DORMANT BEAUTY– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This multithreaded drama examines ethical conflicts raised by the medical treatment of comatose patients, modeled on real-life events in Italy. The film explores other related ethical dilemmas, including a conscious patient’s “right to die.”
6/6/14- Good professional reviews but not as good from audiences. TRDB.
5) OBVIOUS CHILD– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “After being fired from her job and dumped by her cheating boyfriend, a comedian bottoms out and has a drunken one-night stand with a nice guy who’s not her type. Weeks later, she finds out she’s pregnant.”
6/6/14- Very good reviews, including the review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
6) THE FAULT IN OUR STARS– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Teenager Hazel, who has pushed people away since her cancer diagnosis, reluctantly joins a support group, where she bonds with a boy named Gus. Together, they face the challenge of building a relationship under the shadow of terminal illness.”
6/6/14- Very good reviews even though a few reviewers called it schmaltzy. TRDB.
7) EDGE OF TOMORROW– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “As Earth fights an alien invasion, Lt. Col. Bill Cage is killed in action, and a time loop forces him to continually relive his last day. With each iteration, Cage’s skill grows, as does his understanding of the enemy and how it operates.”
6/6/14- Good reviews for this sci-fi- thriller. TRDB.
8) MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “A kind of minimalist documentary version of THE WOLF OF WALL STREET, MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE depicts the same world of limitless financial opportunity, the greed and irresponsibility that fueled it, and the world-shaking consequences that resulted, bringing ruin to both the former “masters of the universe” themselves and ordinary people across the globe.”
6/6/14- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.
9) THE ONLY REAL GAME– 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “This deeply stirring documentary by award winning director Mirra Bank and narrated by Academy Award (R)-winner Melissa Leo, THE ONLY REAL GAME illuminates the magic of baseball for people in a remote and troubled place. Once princely Manipur, a strife-torn border state in northeast India, defies armed insurgency, drug trafficking and HIV/AIDS through love of our national pastime.”
6/6/14- I’ve seen only 3 critical reviews and they are all good. Audiences have liked this movie very much. TRDB.
10) 2 AUTUMNS, 3 WINTERS– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When lovelorn Arman literally runs into the icy Amélie, neither expects that they’re destined to meet again, with romance added into the mix. Meanwhile, Arman’s art school friend, Benjamin, falls for his nurse while recovering from a stroke.”
6/6/14- Fairly good critical review. The NY Times liked it. TRDB.
11) SUPERMENSCH: THE LEGEND OF SHEP GORDON– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Mike Meyers turns documentarian with this film on his friend, legendary manager Shep Gordon, whose client list ranged from Blondie to Alice Cooper. The film mixes Gordon’s own reminiscences with those from Michael Douglas, Sly Stallone and more.”
6/6/14– Fairly good reviews from critics. Audiences have liked this documentary much more. TRDB.
12) SMALL SMALL THING– 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Small Small Thing begins at JFK Hospital in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, and urban center of this West African country. Olivia is 9 years old, severely malnourished and handicapped. Her condition is life threatening. Believing her injuries to be the result of witchcraft, Olivia’s mother had been hiding her for years. The doctors conclude her condition is the result of a brutal rape that took place when Olivia was 7 years old. When pressured to reveal her rapist, Olivia names her cousin. This diagnosis has severe consequences.”
6/6/14- The few critical reviews that I read were all positive. Audiences also were as well. TRDB.
13) WALKING THE CAMINO: SIX WAYS TO SANTIAGO– 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “500 miles on foot. Bunk-beds. Blisters. Stunning landscapes. World-class snorers. Hot searing sun, freezing cold rain. Kindness from strangers. Debilitating injury. Unexpected romance. No toilet paper when you really need it. Profound grief and deep doubt. Hunger. Laughing with new friends. Total exhaustion. You are guaranteed to experience all of this when walking the ancient pilgrim path, the Camino de Santiago.”
6/6/14– Very good reviews from critics and audiences alike. TRDB.
Not Recommended-
1) THE SACRAMENT– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Using “found footage,” this unnerving thriller recounts the tragic story of an exiled Christian cult and the grisly events that transpire after three journalists — one looking for his missing sister — arrive at the commune.”
6/6/14- OK reviews– the NY Times did not like it. TRDB.
2) CITIZEN KOCH– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the wake of the Supreme Court’s landmark Citizens United decision that lifted a century-long ban on restricted corporate election spending, this powerful documentary explores the mounting struggle between money and American democracy.”
6/6/14- Critics are 50/50 on this movie but audiences have liked it more. TRDB.
3) THE MOMENT– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “After her lover vanishes, a photojournalist winds up in a psychiatric hospital, where she tries to make sense of her fragmented memories — and begins to uncover some unexpected and disturbing truths.”
6/6/14- Very weak professional reviews. TRDB.
5/5/14- A very good thriller with an unconventional ending. TRDB.
7) DANCING IN JAFFA- I liked this one very much
8)DECODING ANNIE- Good reviews
Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com
2) PALO ALTO- Bethel. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on a collection of short stories by James Franco (who also stars), this perceptive drama follows a group of disaffected teens in a wealthy California town who have money to burn but little parental supervision — and even less direction.”
5/9/14- Very good reviews. The NY Times liked it also. TRDB.
3) THE FAULT IN OUR STARS– Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Teenager Hazel, who has pushed people away since her cancer diagnosis, reluctantly joins a support group, where she bonds with a boy named Gus. Together, they face the challenge of building a relationship under the shadow of terminal illness.”
6/6/14- Very good reviews even though a few reviewers called it schmaltzy. TRDB.
5/2/14- Excellent reviews all around including the one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
5/23/14– Difficult to watch at times but a very interesting story. Definitely recommended. TRDB.
3) CHEF– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “When chef Carl Casper’s plans for opening a restaurant in Los Angeles fail to pan out, he returns home to Miami and debuts a food truck instead. While trying to regain his zest for cookery, Carl also tries to mend his fractured family ties”
5/9/14- Very good professional and audience reviews. TRDB.
6/8/14- A Hollywoodish feel good movie that made me feel good. TRDB.
4) THE IMMIGRANT– Clearview 100. 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.
5) BELLE– Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “This period drama based on fact traces the life of Dido Elizabeth Belle, a biracial girl born in 1761 to a British admiral father and an African mother. Raised by her great-uncle, Dido finds her place in society despite her mixed ethnicity.”
5/2/14- Fairly good reviews and the NY Times liked it. 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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