FILM REVIEWS #531
February 4th, 2015
2) TWO DAYS, ONE NIGHT– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “On the verge of losing her job, Sandra comes up with a last-ditch strategy: get her workmates to give up their bonuses so that she can stay on. With a single weekend to make it work, Sandra and her husband take her crusade for sympathy all over town.”
12/24/14- Excellent reviews for this drama starring Marion Cotillard. TRDB.
1/31/15- I liked this movie very much and highly recommend it. TRDB.
_____________________________________________________________________
1/30/15- Overall, I enjoyed the movie but it was, as one reviewer said, a relentless grind. A few reviews said that it covered material that had been covered before but I think there was enough original for the movie to stand alone. TRDB.
2) THIS IS MARTIN BONNER– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Eschewing his old East Coast life, Martin Bonner moves to Nevada and goes to work for a program that prepares prisoners for life on the outside. But when he meets ex-convict Travis Holloway, they forge a bond that surprises them both.”
8/14/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
2/4/15- Very realistic, interesting and worth a viewing for sure. TRDB.
2) THE STRANGE LITTLE CAT– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this quirky drama, three generations of a middle-class clan gather in a Berlin flat during the course of a day. A series of unspectacular moments, as the family cat comes and goes, sheds light on the world of a typical family.”
8/1/14– Fairly good critical reviews but audiences have been luke warm. The NY Times liked it. TRDB.
3) ELEVATE– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Four outsized West African Muslim teens find that everything — even basketball — is different in America when they accept scholarships to play hoops at two U.S. prep schools in this engaging documentary that charts their remarkable journeys.”
10/21/11- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
4) VIC AND FLO SAW A BEAR– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When newly paroled Victoria Champagne returns home to rural Quebec, her parole officer, a former lover and a menacing stranger disrupt her attempt to begin life anew. As she struggles to find normality, signs of looming peril start to grow.”
2/7/14- Very good reviews including the review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
5) THE HUMAN SCALE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “With the majority of the world population in urban areas, Danish architect Jan Gehl is reimagining how to make cities more sustainable and livable. Rather than examining structures, Gehl and his team meticulously analyze spaces where people interact.”
10/18/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. I’ve seen 4 professional reviews– 2 up and 2 down. TRDB.
6) 4 MOONS– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “4 Moons tells four stories about love and self-acceptance. An eleven year-old boy struggles to keep secret the attraction he feels towards his male cousin. Two former childhood friends reunite and start a relationship that gets complicated due the fear one of them has of getting caught. A long lasting gay relationship is in jeopardy when a third man comes along. An old family man is obsessed with a young male prostitute and tries to raise the money to afford the experience.”
11/21/14- Just 2 professional reviews and they are both positive. TRDB.
7) ARCADIA- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A coming-of-age story set in a vast, cross-country landscape, Arcadia begins when twelve-year-old Greta’s dad Tom (Academy Award nominated actor John Hawkes) wakes her up before dawn and crams her and her two siblings into a dented station wagon. They set off on a 3,000 mile journey from the New England woods to the California desert. On the way, Tom tells enchanting stories, paints pictures of a California paradise, and assures the kids that Mom will soon join them.”
4/12/13- A good review in today’s NY Times and from others as well. TRDB.
8) FOUND MEMORIES– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Life in a quiet village rolls slowly from one day to the next with little excitement — until a young photographer named Rita arrives. Intent on capturing the town on film, Rita forms a profound bond with Madalena, an elderly baker.”
A very good review from the NY Times on 6/1/12 and excellent reviews in general. TRDB.
3/25/13- One of the slowest but ultimately engaging movies I’ve seen in a long time. TRDB.
9) CLANDESTINE CHILDHOOD– 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Argentina, 1979. After years of exile, Juan (12) and his family come back to Argentina under fake identities. Juan’s parents and his uncle Beto are members of the Montoneros Organization, which is fighting against the Military Junta that rules the country. Because of their political activities they are being tracked down relentlessly, and the threat of capture and even death is constant. However, Juan’s daily life is also full of warmth and humor, and he quickly and easily integrates into his new environment. His friends at school and the girl he has a gigantic crush on, Maria, know him as Ernesto, a name he must not forget, since his family’s survival is at stake. Juan accepts this and follows all of his parents’ rules until one day he is told that they need to move again immediately, and leave his friends and Maria behind without an explanation. This is a story about militancy, undercover life, and love. The story of a clandestine childhood.”
1/11/13- Mixed reviews in today’s NY Times and in general. Some were very good and some were just fair. 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.
6/18/14-I really enjoyed this French drama, done in a very creative manner. TRDB.
11) ALIYAH– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Low-level drug dealer Alex dreams of a better life away from his needy older brother and distant father, but before he can leave France to join a cousin in Tel Aviv, Alex must make a lot of money and come to terms with his complicated relationships.”
4/10/13- Seen as part of the Jewish Film Festival at Jacob Burns this drama was not as good as the individual scenes especially one scene near the end in a restaurant, but the lead actor and his girlfriend were appealing. TRDB.
6/14/13- A fairly good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
12) A BOTTLE IN THE GAZA SEA– 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Tal is a 17-year-old Frenchwoman who has settled in Jerusalem with her family. She writes a letter expressing her refusal to accept that only hatred can reign between Israelis and Palestinians. She slips the letter into a bottle, and her brother throws it into the sea near Gaza, where he is carrying out his military service. A few weeks later, Tal receives an e-mail response from a mysterious “Gazaman,” a young Palestinian named Naïm. And thus begins a turbulent but tender long-distance friendship between two young people that are separated by a history they are trying both to understand and change. This engrossing and hopeful drama starring Hiam Abbas is based on the award-winning novel by Valérie Zenatti.”
11/8/12- There is an article in today’s NY Times about this film that is playing in the “Other Israel Film Festival” in NY. TRDB.
1/4/13- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
4/14/13- I felt that the characters were interesting, the acting was very good and the film conveyed a message of hope despite all of the misery involved. See this film if you get the chance. TRDB.
13) MARIACHI GRINGO– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A stifled, small-town man stuck in a dead end life, runs away to Mexico to be a mariachi singer. MARIACHI GRINGO is a musical tour-de-force exploring the reality of “following your dreams” across cultural, personal, social and geographical borders.”
3/15/13- Today’s NY Times gave this a very good review. TRDB.
14) 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.
15) LUCY– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this action-thriller set in Taiwan, a young woman forced to become a drug mule for the mob develops superhuman abilities when the narcotics she’s carrying in her stomach accidentally leak into her system.”
7/25/14- Weak reviews but I’ll see it anyway because I like Luc Besson and Scarlett Johansson. TRDB.
8/3/14- Science fiction is not my thing but all in all this movie was OK. Some interesting effects and some eye candy (Scarlett Johansson) brought the movie up a few notches. TRDB.
16) GONE GIRL– 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.
17) KINK– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Take a peek into the secret world of sex, fetishes and bondage with this eye-opening documentary that tells the story of the people who work at San Francisco’s Kink.com, the world’s largest producer of BDSM porn.”
8/22/14- Good reviews in general and the NY Times liked it as well. TRDB.
18) PREDESTINATION– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Dispatched on a mission intended to alter the fabric of history, a temporal agent from a remote reality travels through time to prevent a criminal madman from carrying out a devastating attack on New York City.”
1/9/15- Fairly good reviews from critics and audiences alike for this sci-fi movie. I’d recommend it even though it’s not my kind of movie. TRDB.
Not Recommended-
1) MY WINNIPEG– Guy Maddin‘s dreamlike biographical documentary is part psychoanalysis and part historical study of Winnipeg, Canada, Maddin’s hometown. Poetry serves as narration to explain how the city’s idiosyncratic culture has influenced the director. From lyrical ramblings about how the denizens of Winnipeg exist in perpetual “sleep mode” to fanciful reenactments of scenes from Maddin’s dysfunctional childhood, the film comprises a unique allegory of life.”
7/10- Interesting for about 20min. and then just plain weird. So novel that I’d recommend trying it.
2) THE PIANO IN A FACTORY– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “A humble factory worker (Wang Qian-Yuan) who moonlights as a musician summons every shred of creativity he has when his estranged wife (Shin-yeong Jang) resurfaces and demands custody of their young daughter, who says she’ll live with whomever can give her a piano. With no money to buy the instrument for her, the desperate father tries to grant her wish by building the piano out of discarded scraps.”
9/10/11- I saw this at the 2011 Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival and did not like it at all. TRDB.
3) THE COLD LANDS– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “After his mother’s death, adolescent Atticus runs away and lives in the woods of the Catskill Mountains to avoid being taken by the authorities. When he meets quirky drifter Carter, the two form a tenuous alliance to help each other survive.”
3/14/14- Weak reviews in general. TRDB.
2) HARD TO BE A GOD– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this dark tale, scientists are sent to observe and advance the planet Arkanar’s society, which is stuck in a time akin to Earth’s Middle Ages. While the visitors see things regressing, they’re forbidden to intervene in the natural order of events.”
1/30/15- This movie received great reviews from critics and mediocre ones from audiences. I have a feeling I’ll be with the audiences on this one. TRDB.
3) ABOVE AND BEYOND– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Chronicling a little-known slice of history, this absorbing documentary looks at a diverse group of veteran World War II pilots who defied the U.S. Neutrality Act and volunteered to fly for Israel at a critical moment in its battle for independence.”
1/21/15- Friends have seen this and liked it very much. TRDB.
1/30/15- Very good reviews from critics and audiences. TRDB.
4) TIMBUKTU– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this piercing tale of oppression set in 2012, fear grips Timbuktu after the Malian city is seized by Islamic rebels determined to impose their extreme beliefs on the moderate Muslim populace.”
1/30/15- Excellent reviews from critics and very good ones from audiences. TRDB.
Not Recommended-
1) MY NAME IS HMMM– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Twelve-year-old Céline runs away from her abusive home and meets Peter, a 40-something Scottish truck driver who becomes her surrogate father. Freed from oppression, Céline becomes a true, free-spirited child for the first time in her young life.”
1/30/15- This movie sounded interesting but reviews from nearly everyone are awful. TRDB.
DirecTV- www.directv.com/DTVAPP/listing/ppvMovies.jsp
Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com
2) AMERICAN SNIPER– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on his memoir of the same name, this military biopic centers on legendary sniper Chris Kyle, who amassed a record number of kills on the battlefield during his 10-year career as a Navy SEAL.”
12/25/14- Fairly good reviews from critics and audiences. TRDB.
1/26/15- I enjoyed the movie, especially the very realistic war scenes but I thought it was about a half hour too long and the hackneyed theme of men returning from war damaged both physically and emotionally a bit too familiar. TRDB.
3) THE IMITATION GAME– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Synopsis by Netflix. “Chronicling mathematical wizard Alan Turing’s key role in Britain’s successful effort to crack Germany’s Enigma code during World War II, this historical biopic also recounts how his groundbreaking work helped launch the computer age.”
11/29/14- Excellent reviews. TRDB.
12/31/14- This movie was very well done with excellent acting and a basically true story. I enjoyed it very much but why did they need to sprinkle the schmaltz late in the movie- it was doing fine without? TRDB.
4) THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “With his body progressively ravaged by ALS, world-famous physicist Stephen Hawking must rely on his wife, Jane, to continue his life’s work as he faces various challenges. This affecting biographical drama centers on the couple’s fertile partnership.”
11/7/14- Good reviews from critics and audiences alike. TRDB.
5) WHIPLASH– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Driven by his demanding music teacher, drummer Andrew is determined to succeed as a jazz musician — even if it destroys his personality. Under the shadow of his father’s failed artistic attempts, Andrew practices until his hands bleed.”
10/10/14- Excellent reviews. TRDB.
11/7/14- Great acting, great music and a very good story. I liked the movie a lot despite a bit of Hollywood at the end. TRDB.
6) MR. TURNER– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “This incandescent biographical portrait of famed 19th-century painter J.M.W. Turner spotlights his artistic genius, along with the eccentric and frequently insensitive behavior that he exhibited in his private life.”
12/19/14 Excellent reviews by critics and just OK ones from audiences. TRDB.
7) TWO DAYS, ONE NIGHT– Clearview 100. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “On the verge of losing her job, Sandra comes up with a last-ditch strategy: get her workmates to give up their bonuses so that she can stay on. With a single weekend to make it work, Sandra and her husband take her crusade for sympathy all over town.”
12/24/14- Excellent reviews for this drama starring Marion Cotillard. TRDB.
1/31/15- I liked this movie very much and highly recommend it. TRDB.
8) A MOST VIOLENT YEAR– Clearview 100, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Amid New York City’s crime-filled winter of 1981, immigrant Abel Morales and his wife try to operate a successful business, only to see their efforts threatened by the lawless atmosphere permeating the streets.
12/31/14- Excellent critical review. TRDB.
9) BIRDMAN– Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 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. Labeled a comedy, it surely isn’t. 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
Leave a Comment
Some HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>
Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed