FILM REVIEWS #519
November 6th, 2014
10/31/14- Very original and interesting mixing fact and fantasy. Keaton was excellent and I enjoyed the movie. Not great but enjoyable. Labeled a comedy, it surely isn’t. TRDB.
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.
11/1/14- Watching this movie I felt like I was watching history being made. Very well done and again brings up the big question for us as to whether Snowden is whistle-blower or a traitor but clearly the movie has its own agenda. 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.
11/2/14- I enjoyed this movie very much and it led to lively discussion. TRDB.
2) LOOSE CANNONS– 2009. Premise by Netflix. “This fiery comedy from director Ferzan Ozpetek finds young Tommaso (Riccardo Scamarcio) about to reveal to his large, frenetic Italian family that he’s gay. But he’s beaten to the punch by his older brother, who is promptly disinherited by their furious father. Tommaso is then put in charge of the family’s pasta factory, and while he tries hard to be a successful businessman, it’s difficult for him to hide his true feelings.”
Winner at 2011 Palm Springs Film Festival.
10/31/14- I liked this movie very much. TRDB. Netflix.
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.
11/3/14- I enjoyed this fun road trip movie. TRDB. Netflix.
Not Recommended–
1) MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Golden Globe-winner Idris Elba stars as Nelson Mandela in this in-depth biopic that portrays the groundbreaking South African leader from his rural childhood through his long imprisonment to his election as the country’s first black president.”
11/20/13- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.
11/29/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
11/3/14- I found the movie superficial with little drama, nothing like the man. I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.
Not Recommended-
2) THE GREAT INVISIBLE– 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico in a blaze of fire that could be seen 35 miles away, killing 11 workers and causing the worst oil spill in American history. THE GREAT INVISIBLE, the first comprehensive overview of the incident and its aftermath, is the result of four years that Alabama-born Brown spent traveling in the small towns and major cities all around the Gulf, talking to those affected.”
10/29/14- Excellent reviews. TRDB.
3) REVENGE OF THE MEKONS– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Formed during the rowdy and anarchic punk-rock era of the late 1970s, the Mekons established themselves as one of the most creative and adventurous bands of the day. This engaging documentary chronicles the still-going group’s more-than-30-year run.”
10/29/14- Very good reviews for this movie. TRDB.
4) BITTER HONEY– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “This compassionate documentary examines the common practice of polygamy on the island of Bali, interviewing the members of three families and focusing on the often-harsh treatment of wives in polygamous marriages.”
10/31/14– Not many critical reviews but so far they are positive. TRDB.
5) BRADDOCK AMERICA– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “America’s industrial decline since the 1970s has made ghost towns of many once-thriving cities, and Braddock, Pa., is no exception — as illustrated in this heartrending portrait of the city and the uncertain lives of its remaining residents.”
10/31/14- Very good early reviews. TRDB.
6) THE HADZA– 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “THE HADZA: LAST OF THE FIRST takes a lively look at human origins in the very place of our origins, Africa’s Rift Valley, where one of the world’s last remaining hunter-gatherer groups, the Hadza, have lived sustainably for over 50,000 years.”
10/31/14- Just 3 professional reviews– 2 up and 1 down. Audiences have liked it. TRDB.
7) POINT AND SHOOT– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “How does a shy young American afflicted with obsessive-compulsive disorder become a man? In Matthew VanDyke’s case, it involves riding a motorcycle across North Africa and the Middle East, and joining the Libyan revolt to topple Muammar Gaddafi.”
10/31/14- Mixed reviews by critics but audiences have liked it. TRDB.
8) PRIVATE PEACEFUL– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Though their relationship is strained by a romantic rivalry, brothers Charlie and Tommo share an abiding bond. But it’s tested as never before when the siblings end up in the same trench during World War I.”
10/31/14- Mixed reviews by critics and audiences but this one did sound interesting to me. TRDB.
9) TRUE SON– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “A native son of bankrupt Stockton, Calif., 22-year-old Michael Tubbs decides to run for a seat on the city council. This inspiring documentary charts his campaign to bring the city back to solvency and improve the lot of its citizens.”
10/31/14- I’ve seen just 3 reviews and they are all good, including the NY Times. TRDB.
Not Recommended-
1) ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Centering on the children of Burmese refugees who fled an oppressive regime in their homeland and settled in the border areas of Thailand, this inspiring documentary underscores the youngsters’ resilience in the face of bleak conditions.”
10/31/14- Weak reviews. TRDB.
2) BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “After surviving a brutal assault, Christine Lucas awakens each morning incapable of remembering anything about her past, including the previous day. Little by little, however, she begins to suspect that her husband played a role in her misfortune.”
10/31/14- Poor reviews. TRDB.
3) BLOOD RANSOM– 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “When JEREMIAH is caught in the middle of an ill-fated plot to kidnap CRYSTAL, his boss ROMAN’S beautiful young girlfriend, ROMAN unleashes the psychopath, BILL, to hunt Jeremiah down.”
10/31/14- Terrible professional reviews but audiences have liked it. TRDB.
4) HIT BY LIGHTNING– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Ricky Miller’s online introduction to the ravishing Danita surprisingly leads to true love, he doesn’t learn until later that she’s married. But things get even more complicated after Danita asks Ricky to kill her allegedly abusive spouse.”
10/31/14- The worst reviews I’ve seen in a long time. TRDB.
5) HORNS– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Not only is Ig Perish accused of murdering his girlfriend, he’s sprouted a set of horns in this horror-fantasy starring Daniel Radcliffe. The affliction quickly becomes an aid when Ig realizes his budding knobs compel people to reveal their sins.”
10/31/14- Awful reviews. TRDB.
6) MAGICAL UNIVERSE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Documentarian Jeremy Workman trains an intriguing lens on endearing 88-year-old Al Carbee, who spends each day constructing and photographing intricate dioramas featuring an American icon: the Barbie doll.”
10/31/14- Very weak reviews. TRDB.
7) NIGHTCRAWLER– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Eager for any work that will make ends meet, Lou Bloom joins the flock of camera crews prowling the nighttime streets of Los Angeles in search of scandal and crime. But before long, Lou finds himself caught in the tabloid limelight.”
10/31/14- Very good reviews with some notable exceptions including the NY Times and NY Magazine. TRDB.
8) PLOT FOR PEACE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Drawing on interviews with current and former heads of state, this riveting documentary tells the story of businessman Jean-Yves Ollivier, a key background figure in the negotiations that ended the Angola conflict and led to Nelson Mandela’s release.”
10/31/14– Lots of mediocre reviews along with a few good and a few bad ones. Many said it was difficult to follow. TRDB.
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.
Not Recommended-
1) MAGICAL UNIVERSE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Documentarian Jeremy Workman trains an intriguing lens on endearing 88-year-old Al Carbee, who spends each day constructing and photographing intricate dioramas featuring an American icon: the Barbie doll.”
10/31/14- Very weak reviews. TRDB.
10) THE DOG- OK reviews
11) THE FAULT IN OUR STARS- I enjoyed it
12) FELONY- Mixed reviews
13) FORT BLISS- Mixed reviews– more good than bad. I liked the movie, especially Michelle Monaghan
Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com
10/10/14- Excellent reviews. TRDB.
2) LAGGIES– Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.
11/2/14- I enjoyed this movie very much and it led to lively discussion. TRDB.
2) CITIZENFOUR– Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.
11/1/14- Watching this movie I felt like I was watching history being made. Very well done and again brings up the big question for us as to whether Snowden is whistle-blower or a traitor but clearly the movie has its own agenda. TRDB.
3) BIRDMAN– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100. 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.
10/31/14- Very original and interesting mixing fact and fantasy. Keaton was excellent and I enjoyed the movie. Not great but enjoyable. Labeled a comedy, it surely isn’t. TRDB.
4) NIGHTCRAWLER– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Eager for any work that will make ends meet, Lou Bloom joins the flock of camera crews prowling the nighttime streets of Los Angeles in search of scandal and crime. But before long, Lou finds himself caught in the tabloid limelight.”
10/28/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.
5) St. Vincent– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “With his parents preoccupied with their divorce, lonely 12-year-old Oliver strikes up a friendship with his war-veteran neighbor Vincent. A hard-drinking gambler with a fondness for hookers, Vincent finds his life changed by the boy’s presence.”
10/10/14- Just fair professional reviews but audiences have liked it more. Most said that Bill Murray made the movie. 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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