FILM REVIEWS #516
October 9th, 2014
10/6/14- I found the movie interesting, especially the female lead actress who held the film together. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
Not Recommended–
10/2/14- I agree with the “very bad” group of reviewers. Boring, boring and I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
2) DECODING ANNIE PARKER– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fact-based drama about the origins of disease, breast-cancer patient Annie Parker works with tireless researcher Mary-Claire King as she tries to identify cancer’s genetic components — despite a lack of funding and skeptical colleagues.”
5/2/14- Mixed reviews for this film. The NY Times liked it. TRDB.
10/6/14- An interesting, worthy topic but the movie was hampered by the trivial screenplay that tried to be funny but wasn’t. TRDB. Netflix.
5/2/14 Weak reviews but a few critics liked it including the NY Times. TRDB.
2) 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.
3) VIOLETTE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Impoverished writer Violette Leduc finds a mentor in best-selling author Simone de Beauvoir, who champions her work and encourages her art. But while the two become lifelong friends, Violette yearns for something more.”
6/13/14- Fairly good reviews from critics but poor ones from audiences. TRDB.
4) WHITEY: USA VS. JAMES J. BULGER– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Acclaimed documentarian Joe Berlinger lays bare the real story of South Boston crime boss James “Whitey” Bulger, including his sensational 2013 trial.”
6/27/14- A very good review in today’s NY Times and OK reviews by other critics. Some really bad ones too. Audiences have liked it more. TRDB.
5) FORT McCoy– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Unable to serve in World War II because of a heart condition, a barber moves his family adjacent to a Wisconsin army base and prisoner-of-war camp to provide his services. But even in rural America — far from the frontline — the war finds victims.”
8/7/14-Weak reviews but this movie did sound interesting. Even those who liked it qualified their reviews. I’ll try to see it despite the negative publicity. TRDB.
2) COPENHAGEN– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Philandering his way across Europe to Copenhagen to find the grandfather he’s never met, William unexpectedly befriends 14-year-old Steffi. She tags along on his quest, and their growing bond changes how William sees young women … and himself.”
10/3/14– Very good reviews. TRDB.
10/6/14- I found the movie interesting, especially the female lead actress who held the film together. TRDB.
3) THE CULTURE HIGH– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Deep moral divisions and scientific controversy continue to fuel America’s political debate regarding the legalization of marijuana. This engrossing documentary examines the arguments of the warring factions behind the decades-long debate.”
10/3/14- Just a few reviews and they are excellent. Audiences have loved it. TRDB.
4) FISHING WITHOUT NETS– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “A Somali fisherman turns to piracy to support his family, but during his first siege, he faces a crossroads he doesn’t see coming. Debut director Cutter Hodierne expands his award-winning short subject into this feature with a cast of non-actors.”
10/3/14- Mixed reviews with some very good and some poor. I’ll definitely try to see this one. TRDB.
5) THE GOOD LIE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fact-based drama, a young Sudanese War refugee wins a lottery that allows him to start life anew in the United States. But adapting to his new home presents challenges — both for the “lost boy” and for the American woman who’s helping him.”
10/3/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.
7) KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON – Synopsis by Netflix. “Legendary jazzman Clark Terry is profiled in this touching documentary that traces the trumpeter’s long career. At age 89, he begins sharing his passion and experiences with an aspiring jazz pianist — Justin Kauflin — who’s 66 years Terry’s junior.”
10/3/14- Excellent reviews all around. TRDB.
8) THE LITTLE TIN MAN– 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The Little Tin Man is an intelligent and hilarious exploration of a struggling dwarf actor’s refusal to accept the status quo. To say that Herman (Aaron Beelner) is dissatisfied with would be an understatement of epic proportions. Unfulfilled working at his half brother’s restaurant and unhappy with the typecast arc of his acting career, he is ready for something different.”
10/3/14- Very good early professional reviews. Audiences have liked it very much. TRDB.
9) THE SUPRIME PRICE– 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Director Joanna Lipper elegantly explores past and present as she tells the remarkable story of Hafsat Abiola, daughter of human rights heroine Kudirat Abiola, and Nigeria’s President-elect M.K.O. Abiola, who won a historic vote in 1993 that promised to end years of military dictatorship.”
10/3/14- Just 4 professional reviews and they are all good. TRDB.
10) PURGATORIO– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Life along the Mexican-American border is the nucleus of this documentary, which doesn’t name places or people but makes its point nonetheless. What emerges is a portrait of two worlds — one side defined by poverty, the other by protectionism.”
10/6/14- Just 2 professional reviews and they are both positive. Audiences have uniformly liked it. TRDB.
11) THE RISE AND RISE OF BITCOIN– 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Dan is a 35 year old computer programmer from Pittsburgh who lives a busy life. Along with balancing work, his marriage, and raising his three boys, Dan spends much of his time actively involved in all things Bitcoin.
10/3/14- Good reviews from critics and very good ones from audiences. TRDB.
10/6/14- I found the movie interesting, especially the female lead actress who held the film together. TRDB.
2) 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.
3) 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.
6) THE DOG- OK reviews
7) FORT BLISS- Mixed reviews– more good than bad
Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com
2) KILL THE MESSENGER– Jacob Burns, Danbury, Clearview 100. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “This disturbing, fact-based thriller is based on Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Gary Webb’s involvement in revealing the CIA’s secret funding and assistance for Nicaraguan Contra rebels during the 1980s.”
10/6/14- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.
2) PRIDE– 2014. Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.
3) 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.
4) TRACKS- Bethel. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Mia Wasikowska is affecting as adventurer Robyn Davidson, who crossed the Australian desert alone — and on foot — in 1977. Drawn from Davidson’s memoir, this drama depicts her arduous journey and explores her reasons for undertaking it.”
8/18/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.
5) THE SKELETON TWINS– Jacob Burns, Bethel, 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.
6) THE TWO FACES OF JANUARY– Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.
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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