FILM REVIEWS #515
October 2nd, 2014
9/25/14- An interesting story taking place in a desolate area where boredom is the biggest issue. I liked it. TRDB. Netflix.
2) PRICE CHECK– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “For Pete, settling down with a wife and son meant giving up his unstable musical career to work for a third-rate supermarket chain. A reform-minded new boss plans to make an executive out of Pete, who realizes he still harbors dreams of music fame.”
11/16/12- Today’s NY Times described a strong beginning and a weak ending for this movie. TRDB.
9/29/14- A strong performance from Parker Posey made this movie. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
3) CODEBREAKER– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This biopic follows the life of Alan Turing, the pioneering computer scientist who saved countless lives in World War II as a codebreaker. Turing was also gay, and his shameful treatment by the British government led to a tragic conclusion.”
9/29/14– A fascination documentary about a fascinating man. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
4) PALO ALTO– 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.
9/30/14- Another slice of life movie about teenage ennui with minimal supervision- a bad combination. Well done and I did like it. TRDB. Netflix.
5) FILTHY GORGEOUS: THE BOB GUCCIONE STORY– 2013. Synopsis by Neflix. “Porn publisher and business visionary Bob Guccione is the focus of this candid documentary that recounts the story of his meteoric rise and fall. Guccione had a unique influence on 1960s culture, but his later ventures proved far less successful.”
10/2/14- This movie held my interest and I enjoyed it. Besides being informative it was really a love-fest to Guccione by those closest to him with essentially little negative about the man himself. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Not Recommended-
1) FRANK– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “An aspiring musician joins a band of eccentrics led by an enigmatic singer — who wears a fake head — and his unstable girlfriend. Creative tension mounts as the group retreats to the woods to cut an album.”
8/15/14- Excellent reviews all around. TRDB.
9/30/14- Definitely one of the weirdest films I have seen in a long time. By the way, I hated it and turned it off. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
6/23/14- I liked this movie very much– I’d call it a “slice of life” romantic comedy. TRDB.
2) 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 from audiences and mixed reviews from the critics. TRDB.
3) OUT OF THE CLEAR BLUE SKY– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Directed by a family member of one of the victims, this gripping documentary tells the story of financial firm Cantor Fitzgerald in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack, which took the lives of 658 of the company’s employees.”
9/6/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times and from mostly everyone else too. TRDB.
Not Recommended–
1) 4 MINUTE MILE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “4 MINUTE MILE is the inspirational story of a high school track star who falls on hard times. A new coach puts him on the right path but his resolve is threatened as tragedy strikes, forcing him to confront everything that has been holding him back.”
8/1/14- Poor reviews in general and from the NY Times as well. TRDB.
2) TASTING MENU– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “On the closing night at a world-famous bistro, the evening turns into a farce of manners and misunderstandings as an eclectic mix of customers flocks to the eatery, including an estranged couple and an eccentric widow dining with her husband’s ashes.”
4/13/14- This sounds interesting but reviews are poor. TRDB.
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2) ADVANCED STYLE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “This well-put-together documentary profiles seven New York City women in their 60s through their 90s, whose snappy style decidedly disproves the notion that advanced years and glamour are mutually exclusive.”
9/26/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.
3) BJORK: BIOPHILIA LIVE– 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Biophilia live’ is a concert film by Nick fenton and Peter strickland that captures the human element of Björk’s multi-disciplinary multimedia project: Biophilia. recorded live at Björk’s show at london’s alexandra palace in 2013, the film features Björk and her band performing every song on ‘Biophilia’ and more using a broad variety of instruments – some digital, some traditional and some completely unclassifiable.”
9/26/14- Just a few reviews and they are good . TRDB.
4) HARLEM STREET SINGER– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “The life and legacy of blind musician Reverend Gary Davis unfold in this affectionate documentary that explores everything from his Southern roots to his days playing on street corners to his emergence as a revered guitarist.”
9/26/14- Only 3 reviews but all are very good, including the NY Times. TRDB.
5) HELLAWARE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “While looking for his big break, a would-be photographer stumbles upon a music video by a group of horror-core rappers who may be his ticket to success. But when he exploits his subjects for personal gain, unexpected consequences ensue.”
9/26/14– Excellent reviews all around. TRDB.
6) JIMI: ALL IS BY MY SIDE– 2014. “Synopsis by Netflix. “André Benjamin stars as Jimi Hendrix in this biopic that chronicles his rise to fame and the personal demons he battled along the way. Clips of the actual Hendrix punctuate the film as it explores little-known aspects of the troubled star’s life.”
9/26/14- Fairly good reviews from professionals. Audiences gave mixed reviews. TRDB.
7) LILTING– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the wake of her son’s untimely death, a grieving mother reaches out to her son’s roommate in an attempt to understand more about who he was. But she’s surprised to learn the roommates were actually lovers.”
9/26/14- Very good reviews from critics and audiences as well. The NY Times did not like it. TRDB.
8) THE LITTLE BEDROOM– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “With picturesque Lausanne, Switzerland, as the backdrop, this earnest drama follows the unlikely but growing kinship between conscientious private nurse Rose (Florence Loiret Caille) and her ill-tempered elderly patient, Edmond (Michel Bouquet). Facing losses that neither can accept — her, a stillborn baby, and him, his independence — Rose and Edmond gradually bond. Eric Caravaca provides strong support as Rose’s worried spouse.”
9/26/14- Just a few professional reviews now and they are very good. Audiences have had mixed opinion. TRDB.
9) PRIDE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “In an unlikely alliance, striking British mineworkers draw support from a coalition of gay and lesbian activists who solicit donations to help tide over the miners’ families during the 1984 standoff with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s government.”
9/26/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.
10) PRINT THE LEGEND– 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “3D printing is changing the world. PRINT THE LEGEND follows the people racing to bring this hot new technology to your home, documenting the “Macintosh Moment” of this revolution and exploring what it takes to achieve the American Dream.”
9/26/14- Only 3 professional reviews, 2 up and 1 down(The NY Times.) Audiences have liked it very much. TRDB.
11) THIS AIN’T NO MOUSE MUSIC– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Who better to provide Americans with an intro to the roots music of their nation than a German-born count who fled Europe in the wake of World War II? This documentary shines a light on that man — Chris Strachwitz — and the music he championed.”
9/26/14- Very good critical review. TRDB.
12) THE TWO FACES OF JANUARY– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “A young American working as a tour guide and part-time con artist in Greece finds himself caught in a dangerous arrangement when a wealthy couple invites him to dinner at their hotel — and an accident forces them to flee the scene together.”
9/26/14- Very good reviews by the critics– audiences have been 50/50. TRDB.
13) NAS: TIME IS ILLMATIC– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Providing a behind-the-scenes look at the making of hip-hop icon Nas’ debut album, this earnest documentary also delves into the musician’s deep connection to his roots in New York City’s Queensbridge public housing project.”
10/1/14- Excellent reviews. TRDB. Opened 10/1.
2) BELIEVE ME- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Four cash-strapped college students cook up a charity scam to pay their school expenses, but their wild success creates a moral dilemma for Sam Atwell, who’s becoming reluctant to use his considerable charisma to defraud unsuspecting donors.”
9/26/14- Awful critical review ( The NY Times liked it ) but audiences have liked it very much. TRDB.
3) DAYS AND NIGHTS– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Chekhov’s classic The Seagull comes to 1980s New England in this story of an aging actress’s fateful choice to visit her son and ailing brother. Over the course of a Memorial Day weekend, her presence impacts every member of the household.”
9/26/14- Uniformly miserable reviews despite the wealth of talent in the film. TRDB.
4) THE EQUALIZER– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this action-thriller based on the hit 1980s TV series, former intelligence operative Robert McCall comes out of retirement to help a young prostitute, only to end up in the Russian Mafia’s crosshairs.”
9/26/14- Mediocre critical review. Audiences have been a bit more positive. TRDB.
5) IT WAS YOU CHARLIE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “A dark comedy-drama that tells the story of a lonely graveyard shift doorman named ABNER, a once accomplished sculptor and former college art teacher, but now sadly, a mere shadow of his former self.”
9/26/14- Very few reviews but the ones I saw were mostly negative. Audiences have not liked it either. TRDB.
6) THE SONG– 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “THE SONG follows aspiring singer-songwriter Jed King (Alan Powell, Anthem Lights lead singer) as he struggles to catch a break and escape the long shadow of his father, a country music legend.”
9/26/14- Awful professional reviews and excellent audience reviews. TRDB.
7) TWO NIGHT STAND– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “After an ill-considered one-night stand, two young New Yorkers are obliged to extend their time together when a paralyzing snowstorm strikes the city, confining the pair to a small cramped apartment.”
9/26/14- Weak reviews but it did sound interesting. TRDB.
8) MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “This insightful social drama examines the countless ways the online landscape affects the relationships, communication and self-images of digital-age adolescents, whose parents try to contend with the pitfalls.
10/2/14- Poor reviews from both critics and viewers as well. TRDB. Opened 10/1.
9) THE DECENT ONE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “One of the prime architects of the brutal Nazi regime, Gestapo commander Heinrich Himmler was also a dedicated family man, as this documentary illustrates with items from a newly discovered cache of his personal diaries, correspondence and photos.”
10/1/14- Mediocre professional reviews but audiences have uniformly liked this documentary. TRDB. Opened 10/1.
8/22/14- I enjoyed the movie but with the views and food from the Italian coast it’s hard not to. TRDB.
5) THE DOG- OK reviews
6) FORT BLISS- Mixed reviews– more good than bad
Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com
2) GONE GIRL– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on Gillian Flynn’s novel of the same name, this unsettling thriller follows the mercurial Nick Dunne, who finds himself dogged by police and caught in a media maelstrom after he becomes the prime suspect in his wife’s disappearance.”
9/26/14- Very good reviews. The NY Times did not like it. TRDB.
2) MY OLD LADY– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Mathias Gold (Kevin Kline) is a down-on-his-luck New Yorker who inherits a Parisian apartment from his estranged father. But when he arrives in France to sell the vast domicile, he’s shocked to discover a live-in tenant who is not prepared to budge. His apartment is a viager – an ancient French real estate system with complex rules pertaining to its resale – and the feisty Englishwoman Mathilde Girard (Maggie Smith), who has lived in the apartment with her daughter Chloe.”
9/16/14- Fair critical review but audiences have liked it more. TRDB.
3) LOVE IS STRANGE– Clearview 100. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “After 28 years together, Ben and George finally get hitched. But when the marriage raises controversy at the school where George works, he’s fired. Unable to afford their New York City apartment, the couple is forced to live apart.”
8/12/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.
9/16/14- Very well done movie with fine acting from Alfred Molina and John Lithgow. TRDB.
4) THE SKELETON TWINS– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “When near-death experiences on the same day motivate estranged twins Milo and Maggie to reunite, they’re forced to reevaluate their empty lives as they attempt to mend the long-broken bond between them.”
9/3/14- Reviews are very positive for this drama. TRDB.
9/19/14- I enjoyed this movie very much and except for a bit of Hollywood it seemed very realistic and poignant to me. TRDB.
5) THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY– Saw Mill Hawthorne. Synopsis by Netflix. “Relocating from India to a quiet village in the south of France, chef Hassan Kadam and his family open a restaurant called Maison Mumbai. But when their business starts to thrive, a competing restaurateur launches a war between the eateries.”
8/5/14- Reviews are weak from most critics. I’ve seen the coming attractions and I’d have to agree. TRDB.
6) THE DROP– 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “THE DROP is a new crime drama from Michaël R. Roskam, the Academy Award nominated director of Bullhead. Based on a screenplay from Dennis Lehane (Mystic River, Gone Baby Gone), THE DROP follows lonely bartender Bob Saginowski (Tom Hardy) through a covert scheme of funneling cash to local gangsters – “money drops” in the underworld of Brooklyn bars. Under the heavy hand of his employer and cousin Marv (James Gandolfini), Bob finds himself at the center of a robbery gone awry.”
9/15/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.
9/19/14- I enjoyed the movie– didn’t love it. In particular I liked the different characters who felt like caricatures to me. Also, fun seeing James Gandolfini in his last role. 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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