FILM REVIEWS #518
October 30th, 2014
10/22/14- I liked this documentary very much. TRDB.
1) 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.
10/16/14- I enjoyed this thriller very much. Great acting and an interesting story. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
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.
10/19/14- Somewhat sappy and of course sad at times but basically the film gets it right. I enjoyed it. TRDB. Netflix.
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 good review in today’s NY Times and from mostly everyone else too. TRDB.
10/29/14- A terrific documentary about the Cantor Fitzgerald firm after the 9/11 attacks using interviews with executives of the company and bereaved loved ones. Should be a must-see. TRDB. Netflix.
4) NUIT #1– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Clara and Nikolaï meet at a rave. They return to Nikolaï’s apartment and make love. Afterwards, instead of parting, the two lovers divulge their deepest secrets to one another.”
10/29/14- This movie is driven by the performance of the 2 characters as they are so honest with each other and themselves that you can actually feel something for them. I think it’s worth a try. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
10/16/14- The story was interesting occasionally, especially the way it evolved from an interview with the police but by and large the movie fell flat. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
2) A BURNING HOT SUMMER– 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Loosely evoking Godard’s Contempt, A Burning Hot Summer examines the once-happy marriage between brooding painter Frédéric (Louis Garrel) and his movie-star wife Angèle (Bellucci) as it hits the rocks. When another young couple-actors Paul (Jérôme Robart) and Elisabeth (Céline Sallette)-joins them on a Roman holiday, tensions and passions flare. The film features a score by the Velvet Underground’s John Cale, with the legendary Maurice Garrel (the director’s father) in his final role.”
6/29/12- Poor reviews in general but a good one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
10/17/14- Boring for most of the film but I stuck it out. You should not! TRDB. Netflix.
3) 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.
10/20/14- Suspend reality and you may be able to enjoy this comedy. If it’s “take it or leave it”– leave it. Netflix. TRDB.
4) BENEATH THE HARVEST SKY– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Teenage best friends Dominic and Casper are desperate to leave their small northern Maine hometown for a better life in Boston. But the paths they take to finance their travels are drastically different.”
5/2/14 Weak reviews but a few critics liked it including the NY Times. TRDB.
10/28/14- Bad news and I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.
5) VENUS IN FUR– 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Based on the Tony Award-winning Broadway play by David Ives, which itself was based on Leopold von Sacher-Masoch’s groundbreaking novella, VENUS IN FUR is the latest film from master filmmaker Roman Polanski. Alone in a Paris theater after a long day of auditioning actresses for his new play, writer-director Thomas (Amalric) complains that no actress he’s seen has what it takes to play the lead female character: a woman who enters into an agreement with her male counterpart to dominate him as her slave.”
6/16/14- Very good reviews in general and the NY Times liked it as well. TRDB.
10/29/14– Excellent reviews as noted above but I had trouble staying involved after the novelty of the plot wore off. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
2) A MOST WANTED MAN– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “A half-Russian, half-Chechen man, brutalized by torture, arrives in Hamburg, where he seeks a British banker’s help in recovering his father’s estate. But the man may not be all he seems to be in this riveting adaptation of John le Carré’s novel.”
7/8/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.
8/16/14- I found this movie confusing at first. The acting was great and propelled the movie which was more ordinary. This was Philip Seymour Hoffman’s last completed film before his untimely death. TRDB.
3) LAND HO!- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a bid to gain life perspective, retired Mitch persuades his ex-brother-in-law to join him on a journey through the frigid landscapes of Iceland. This freewheeling road comedy follows the pair through a series of encounters that changes them both.”
7/11/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.
4) THE ONE I LOVE- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Confronted with the potential end of their marriage, Ethan and Sophie take off for a weekend together, hoping to negotiate their future. When they reach their idyllic destination, however, the couple strolls into a bizarre new brand of trouble.”
8/12/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.
8/15/14- A very clever story that works for the most part. Also a bit tedious at times trying to figure out who is who but overall I liked it. TRDB.
5) A FIVE STAR LIFE– 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A Five Star Life is the sophisticated and delightful story of one woman’s quest for personal and professional fulfillment set against some of the most stunning cities and opulent hotels of the world. Stylish and independent, Irene (Margherita Buy) is a single career woman in her forties with a job to die for. As a luxury hotel critic, she checks into the world’s finest establishments incognito to assess their standards.”
7/18/14- Professional reviews and audience reaction are mixed. TRDB.
Not Recommended-
1) STEP UP- ALL IN– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Continuing the Step Up street dance series, competitors gather in Las Vegas for the ultimate dance-off, including champions from the previous films. In addition to the dance action, romance and rivalries abound among the determined contestants.”
10/14/14- Poor reviews. TRDB.
2) BIRDMAN- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Michael Keaton delivers a winking performance in this dark comedy about a cinematic superhero trying to forge a comeback with a Broadway play. With none of the super-powers of his former character, the actor struggles to rebuild his career and life.”
10/17/14- Excellent reviews from nearly all critics and audiences have liked it as well. The NY Times loved it. TRDB.
3) DEAR WHITE PEOPLE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “A racially themed bash thrown by white Ivy League students sparks four black classmates to reflect on their identity in this knowing satire. Inspired by helmer Simien’s popular Twitter feed, the comedy skewers the idea of a “post-racial” America.”
10/17/14- Great reviews from critics and mixed reviews from audiences. TRDB.
4) THE BOOK OF LIFE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Zoe Saldana, Danny Trejo and Cheech Marin lend their voices to this splashy animated fable that weaves a Romeo-and-Juliet story against the backdrop of the Mexican customs surrounding the Day of the Dead.”
10/17/14- Fairly good reviews although the NY Times basically said that the film had less energy than the dead people in the movie. TRDB.
5) FELONY– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “When police officer Malcolm Toohey hits a young boy while driving drunk, he makes the fateful decision to conceal his crime. But while one senior officer is willing to support the cover-up, that officer’s new partner feels differently.”
10/17/14- Good professional reviews and average audience reaction. The NY Times did not care for it. TRDB.
6) THE GOLDEN ERA– 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Directed by Ann Hui (A Simple Life, God of Killers, The Postmodern Life of My Aunt), the film traces the life of Xiao Hong, one of China’s most famous essayist and novelist, reflecting the progressive thinking not frequently seen during the time period.”
10/17/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.
7) THE HACKER WARS– 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Ripped from international headlines, The Hacker Wars takes you to the front lines of the high-stakes battle over the fate of the Internet, freedom and privacy. The Hacker Wars tells the tales of the anarchic troll provocateur Andrew “weev” Aurenheimer, prodigy hacker hero Jeremy Hammond, and incendiary watchdog journalist Barrett Brown – three larger than life characters whose separate quests to expose the secrets of empire hurled them into a fateful collision course with shadowy corporations, the FBI, and ultimate betrayal by one of their own.”
10/17/14- I’ve seen just 3 reviews– 2 up including the NY Times and 1 down. TRDB.
8) LISTEN UP PHILIP– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “A self-absorbed New York writer juggles the pressures of promoting his second book, watching his relationship deteriorate and living in an unforgiving city. His literary hero offers him an escape in the form of a summer home.”
10/17/14- Widely divergent reviews. Some liked it a lot and some hated it. Probably worth a try. TRDB.
9) RELATIONSHIP STATUS: IT’S COMPLICATED– 2014. About a guy who is about to be married and re-unites with an old flame.
10/17/14– I found just a single review- from the NY Times- and while the reviewer “sort of” liked it he felt that it could have been much better. TRDB.
10) A REQUIEM FOR SYRIAN REFUGEES– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this potent documentary, Syrian civil war refugees detail the desolate lives forced on them by the seemingly endless conflict. Interspersed among the tales of misery are stories of redemption and hope, all scored to Gabriel Fauré’s “Requiem.”
10/17/14- Just 3 reviews– all good including the one in today’s NY Times. All said that it was difficult to watch this heavy documentary but that we have to. TRDB.
11) THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA– 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Legendary Studio Ghibli cofounder Isao Takahata (Grave of the Fireflies, Pom Poko) revisits Japan’s most famous folktale in this gorgeous, hand-drawn masterwork, decades in the making. Found inside a shining stalk of bamboo by an old bamboo cutter (James Caan) and his wife (Mary Steenburgen), a tiny girl grows rapidly into an exquisite young lady (Chloë Grace Moretz). The mysterious young princess enthralls all who encounter her – but ultimately she must confront her fate.”
10/17/14– Great reviews. TRDB.
12) WATCHERS OF THE SKY– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Paying tribute to four pioneers of the global campaign to end genocide, this feature-length documentary details their efforts to protect the powerless. Blending cinema verité with interview footage, the film highlights their successes and failures.”
10/17/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.
Not Recommended–
1) THE BEST OF ME– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this wistful drama, sparks reignite between former high school flames when they return to their hometown decades later for a funeral. But painful memories of the past may prevent them from having a future together.”
10/17/14- Terrible reviews and even my loving Michelle Monaghan won’t get me to see this one. TRDB.
2) CAMP X-RAY– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Fresh Army recruit Amy Cole is assigned to Guantanamo Bay’s Camp X-Ray, where she forms a surprising bond with one of the prisoners in her charge. For Cole, who is routinely harassed by the detainees, the man’s friendship is a welcome change.”
10/17/14- Just OK reviews from critics and audiences including a few very negative ones. TRDB.
3) DEFAULT– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “After Somali pirates take over a U.S. TV news crew’s charter jet, they’re surprised to learn their abductors’ chief demand isn’t money: It’s a face-to-face interview between celebrated journalist Frank Saltzman and self-styled terrorist leader Atlas.”
10/17/14– Poor reviews. TRDB.
4) ETERNITY: THE MOVIE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “This spoof of tacky 1980s pop culture follows a pair of would-be pop stars who form a two-man band, playing bad music in garish getups. But sexual misunderstandings soon put the duo’s relationship to the test.”
10/17/14- I’ve seen just 4 professional reviews and they are all terrible. TRDB.
5) RUDDERLESS– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Devastated over his son’s death, former ad exec Sam removes himself from society to drink away his grief. When he summons the will to perform his son’s songs at a local bar, the music gains popularity and Sam claims to have written the tunes himself.”
10/17/14- A few positive reviews but most did not care for it and one called it manipulative and infuriating. TRDB.
6) SUMMER OF BLOOD– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “After he foolishly turns down a marriage proposal from his girlfriend, New Yorker Erik Sparrow sees his life suddenly turn sour. What he needs is fresh blood — and a fresh perspective — but it will take a vampire to make that happen.”
10/17/14- Early reviews are mixed but I’ve seen my last vampire movie and I’ll skip this one. TRDB.
7) YOUNG ONES– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “As Earth withers in drought, farm owner Ernest defends his property and his children, Mary and Jerome, from the harsh frontier. But Mary’s manipulative suitor plots to take Ernest’s land for a devious scheme, and Jerome is forced to fight back.”
10/17/14- Very weak reviews but a few critics really liked it including the NY Times. TRDB.
8) FURY– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “During the waning days of World War II in Europe, U.S. Army Sgt. Wardaddy leads his tank crew against overwhelming German forces. As both sides prepare for a last bloody battle, Wardaddy embarks on a mission behind enemy lines.”
10/17/14- Mixed reviews– more positive than negative but even the positive ones had qualifications. TRDB.
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2) CITIZENFOUR– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “This tension-fueled documentary from filmmaker Laura Poitras follows her 2013 journey to Hong Kong to meet with whistleblower Edward Snowden as he was preparing to release a wealth of classified government documents.”
10/24/14- Great reviews all around. I can’t wait to see this one. TRDB.
3) FORCE MAJEURE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “At a ski resort in the Alps, the sudden and terrifying approach of an avalanche opens a deep fissure in the lives of a vacationing Swedish family when the patriarch flees to save himself instead of protecting his wife and children.”
10/24/14- Very good reviews and I’ll plan on seeing this movie. TRDB.
4) GLEN CAMPBELL: I’LL BE ME– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “When country music giant Glen Campbell was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2011, he chose to make his condition public. He then began his farewell tour — a remarkable musical journey chronicled in this affecting documentary.”
10/24/14- Excellent reviews from critics and audiences as well. TRDB.
5) THE HEART MACHINE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder for Cody and Virginia, who are pursuing a relationship online while living on different continents. Soon, however, New Yorker Cody begins to suspect that Virginia may be living much closer than she’s letting on.”
10/24/14- Excellent reviews from critics. Audiences have been luke warm. TRDB.
6) JOHN WICK– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “After the son of a Russian gang boss steals John Wick’s classic car and kills his dog, the former hit man returns to his lethal specialty in a quest for vengeance — and soon finds that he has a price on his head.”
10/24/14- Sounds ridiculous but this movie has received lots of good reviews from both professionals and audiences. TRDB.
7) LAGGIES– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “While her friends are starting families and advancing their careers, 28-year-old Megan clings to youthful irresponsibility. After agreeing to attend a professional-development retreat, she instead spends the time with a teenager she’s befriended.”
10/24/14- Mixed reviews, slightly more positive than negative. TRDB.
8) 1000 TIMES GOODNIGHT– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “After a near-death experience, top war photojournalist Rebecca (Juliette Binoche) is forced to choose between her work and the family on whom she depends. Putting family first, the conviction that her photos make a difference remains, making it difficult to walk away entirely.”
10/22/14- The movie is very heavy and received many very positive reviews but a fair number of critics did not care for it. It put a different twist on an old theme and I liked it very much TRDB.
9) RED DOT ON THE OCEAN– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Leaving behind a tough childhood and years of life on the streets, Matt Rutherford reinvented himself as an intrepid sailor. This inspiring documentary recounts his solo circumnavigation of North and South America, a nonstop voyage completed in 2012.”
10/24/14- Just 3 reviews– 2 up and 1 down but it does sound interesting. TRDB.
10) WHITE BIRD IN A BLIZZARD- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “When 17-year-old Kat Conners’s mom, Eve, vanishes, the teen relishes her newfound freedom — until the reality of her loss sets in. While on break from college, Kat returns home and learns the strange facts behind Eve’s disappearance.”
10/24/14- Reviews are evenly divided for this movie but it sounds interesting to me and I’ll try to see it. TRDB.
2) LOW DOWN– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Jazz pianist Joe Albany’s turbulent life story is recounted by his daughter Amy, who grew up surrounded by the rebellious spirit of the 1960s. Amy’s memories of her father are shadowed by his heroin addiction in this candid family memoir.”
10/24/14- Poor reviews from audiences and critics. TRDB.
3) 23 BLAST- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this inspiring saga based on a true story, true grit illustrates what courage and willpower can achieve as high school footballer Travis Freeman defies all odds by finding a way to continue playing for his team after being struck blind.”
10/24/14- Poor reviews by critics but audiences have liked it. TRDB.
4) VIKTOR– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Viktor Lambert is serving a seven-year sentence for an art heist in his native France when he learns of his son’s ruthless murder, just months before his release. He becomes obsessed with unraveling the mystery and consumed with vengeance.”
10/24/14- Miserable reviews. TRDB.
7/6/14- A well done fun movie with great music and very likable characters. I liked it very much. TRDB.
2) 1000 TIMES GOODNIGHT– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “After a near-death experience, top war photojournalist Rebecca (Juliette Binoche) is forced to choose between her work and the family on whom she depends. Putting family first, the conviction that her photos make a difference remains, making it difficult to walk away entirely.”
10/22/14- The movie is very heavy and received many very positive reviews but a fair number of critics did not care for it. It put a different twist on an old theme and I liked it very much TRDB.
Not Recommended-
2) CAMP X-RAY– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Fresh Army recruit Amy Cole is assigned to Guantanamo Bay’s Camp X-Ray, where she forms a surprising bond with one of the prisoners in her charge. For Cole, who is routinely harassed by the detainees, the man’s friendship is a welcome change.”
10/17/14- Just OK reviews from critics and audiences including a few very negative ones. TRDB.
7) THE DOG- OK reviews
8)FORT BLISS- Mixed reviews– more good than bad. I liked the movie, especially Michelle Monaghan
Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com
2) CITIZENFOUR– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “This tension-fueled documentary from filmmaker Laura Poitras follows her 2013 journey to Hong Kong to meet with whistleblower Edward Snowden as he was preparing to release a wealth of classified government documents.”
10/24/14- Great reviews all around. I can’t wait to see this one. TRDB.
3) FORCE MAJEURE– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “At a ski resort in the Alps, the sudden and terrifying approach of an avalanche opens a deep fissure in the lives of a vacationing Swedish family when the patriarch flees to save himself instead of protecting his wife and children.”
10/24/14- Very good reviews and I’ll plan on seeing this movie. TRDB.
2) BIRDMAN– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Michael Keaton delivers a winking performance in this dark comedy about a cinematic superhero trying to forge a comeback with a Broadway play. With none of the super-powers of his former character, the actor struggles to rebuild his career and life.”
10/17/14- Excellent reviews from nearly all critics and audiences have liked it as well. The NY Times loved it. TRDB.
3) THE BLUE ROOM– Clearview 100. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the intimate confines of a hotel room, married Julien Gahyde and his paramour, Esther Despierre, meet regularly for erotic encounters — until he’s arrested for an unstipulated crime connected to their intense affair.”
10/3/14- Fairly good reviews although a few were very negative and several brought up the violence. TRDB.
4) PRIDE– 2014. Clearview 100. 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.
5) THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA– Clearview 100. 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Legendary Studio Ghibli cofounder Isao Takahata (Grave of the Fireflies, Pom Poko) revisits Japan’s most famous folktale in this gorgeous, hand-drawn masterwork, decades in the making. Found inside a shining stalk of bamboo by an old bamboo cutter (James Caan) and his wife (Mary Steenburgen), a tiny girl grows rapidly into an exquisite young lady (Chloë Grace Moretz). The mysterious young princess enthralls all who encounter her – but ultimately she must confront her fate.”
10/17/14– Great reviews. TRDB.
6) MY OLD LADY– 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.
10/13/14- I liked it both because of the superior talent involved and the story but more because of the superior talent. TRDB.
7) THE SKELETON TWINS– 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.
8) 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.
9) DEAR WHITE PEOPLE– Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “A racially themed bash thrown by white Ivy League students sparks four black classmates to reflect on their identity in this knowing satire. Inspired by helmer Simien’s popular Twitter feed, the comedy skewers the idea of a “post-racial” America.”
10/17/14- Great reviews from critics and mixed reviews from audiences. TRDB.
10) GONE GIRL– 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.
10/9/14- Very well done mystery with interesting characters. A bit too long but I liked it. 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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