FILM REVIEWS #540
April 16th, 2015
4/6/15- I enjoyed this movie quite a bit– both humorous and serious at the same time. TRDB.
2) WHILE WE’RE YOUNG– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Documentary filmmaker Josh Srebnick is up against a creative wall when he meets an attractive and quirky young couple, Jamie and Darby, who bring new vigor and energy to the lives of Josh and his wife — until a professional conflict arises.”
3/27/15– Mostly good professional reviews– the NY Times gave it a good review with some qualifications. Audiences have been luke warm to the film. TRDB.
4/12/15- Overall I’ll give this movie a passing grade but I was not overly impressed. Come in mid-way and see the better second half. TRDB.
3) ZERO MOTIVATION– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Serving out their required term in the military, a collection of young Israeli soldiers are posted to a desolate base in the middle of the desert. As their collective boredom mounts, personal frictions begin to surface among the all-female company.”
An Israeli military comedy that reminded me of MASH with the absurdity of war as a backdrop. I enjoyed it. TRDB. Seen at the Jewish Film Festival at Jacob Burns.
4) SECRETS OF WAR– 2015. Synopsis by IMDB. “Summer 1943. Tuur and Lambert are best friends. The surrounding of their idyllic village has no secrets for the teenagers. From the farm of Lamberts dad to the marl caves in the woods – it’s their world. But the war is closing in and is about to change their lives forever. Tuurs dad joined the resistance and even his big brother seems to be a part of it. Lamberts family on the other hand choose to obey the Germans. Then a new girl from the city shows up, befriending the boys but telling her secret to only one of them.”
4/15/15- I liked the movie but I felt that it was a bit too melodramatic and predictable to be any better. TRDB. Seen at the Jewish Film Festival at Jacob Burns Film Center.
4/12/15- I enjoyed this romantic movie that effectively brought out some of the important differences between French and U.S. customs and mores. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
2) THE CIRCLE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the turbulent cultural climate of 1950s Zurich, a naïve teacher and a transvestite cabaret artist — both members of a secret gay group — fall in love. But as they grapple with social and legal victimization, their future may prove even darker.”
11/21/14- Excellent professional reviews and audiences have liked it also. TRDB.
4/13/15- An interesting piece of history but I got bored quickly with the movie. TRDB. Netflix.
3) BROKEN- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this poignant coming-of-age tale, Skunk, a precocious and diabetic 11-year-old, lives happily with her brother and widower father in a suburban English neighborhood until an act of violence initiates her into the often-baffling world of adulthood.”
7/19/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times and mixed reviews from others. TRDB.
4/14/15- Boring as hell and difficult to understand the accent as well. I applied the CHAI RULE– I gave it 18 minutes. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
4) 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.
4/14/15- A well made documentary about these 4 men and their “journey” to America. It appeared that each had a smooth transition from the slums of Dakar, Senegal to the U.S., something I find hard to believe. TRDB.
2) THE BABADOOK– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Sam’s frequent tantrums turn sinister when a creepy children’s book called Mister Babadook mysteriously appears in his room, and he asks his mother, “Do you want to die?” Is Sam losing his mind, or is a real monster lurking in the house?”
11/28/14- Excellent reviews and despite the “horror” the movie sounds very interesting. TRDB.
3) A GIRL WALKS HOME ALONE AT NIGHT– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Bad things are commonplace in Bad City, including prostitution, drugs and crime, and most recently a sequence of attacks by a vampire on the loose. In this wild mash-up of cinematic genres, one couple struggles to cope with their hellish situation.”
11/21/14- This is apparently the first Iranian Vampire Western ever made and it has achieved excellent reviews. Personally, I don’t do “Vampires.” TRDB.
4) LIKE SUNDAY, LIKE RAIN– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “When struggling musician Eleanor takes a position as nanny to 12-year-old cello prodigy Reggie, she’s thrust into the role of parent, mentor and confidant — giving rise to a friendship that has profound effects for them both.”
3/13/15- Reviews are 50/50 from both critics and audiences. There were a few interesting reviews as well and I’ll probably see this movie. TRDB.
Not Recommended-
1) UNBROKEN- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “This inspiring tale of survival is based on the real-life experiences of Louis Zamperini, an American pilot held by the Japanese during World War II. After his plane crashes into the Pacific Ocean, Zamperini spends 47 days adrift before his capture.”
12/25/14- Weak professional reviews and somewhat better audience ones. TRDB.
2) LITTLE ACCIDENTS– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “When fate selects Amos Jenkins as the only survivor of a coal-mining disaster, it also makes him part of the turmoil that follows the tragedy. After a mine executive’s son is murdered, Amos and the boy’s mother join forces to find the killer.”
1/12/15- Reviews are fair at best. The NY Times was so-so on this film. TRDB.
2) 5 TO 7- 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “An aspiring young novelist finds his conservative beliefs about love and relationships tested when a chance encounter outside a New York City hotel leads to an intense affair with a French diplomat’s beautiful wife.”
4/3/15- Fairly good critical review and very good audience reaction. TRDB.
4/12/15- I enjoyed this romantic movie that effectively brought out some of the important differences between French and U.S. customs and mores. TRDB.
3) THE GIRL IN TROUBLE– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “New York DJ August spends a passionate night with the gorgeous Signe, but in the morning he finds video evidence on the woman’s phone of a murder. Despite not wanting to get involved, he soon finds himself in the middle of a lethal intrigue.”
4/3/15- Fair critical review and excellent audience reaction. TRDB.
4) THE HAND THAT FEEDS– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Led by humble sandwich maker Mahoma López, a group of undocumented immigrant workers at a New York City café risks deportation and their jobs as they fight for fair wages, safe working conditions and an independent labor union.”
4/3/15– Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.
5) LAMBERT & STAMP– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “This fascinating documentary follows aspiring filmmakers Chris Stamp and Kit Lambert as they search London’s youth scene in the early 1960s for a subject for their new movie — and wind up discovering and managing legendary band the Who.”
4/3/15- Excellent reviews. TRDB.
6) MANOS SUCIAS– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Big bucks propel a sullen Colombian fisherman and his naïve 19-year-old brother into ferrying a narco-torpedo of cocaine up the Pacific coast to Panama. But to deliver their cargo, they must get past the coast guard and an opportunistic thief.”
4/3/15- Very good reviews. TRDB.
7) THAT GUY DICK MILLER– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Character actor Dick Miller has appeared in nearly 200 films, but few moviegoers know his name — only that they’ve seen him somewhere. In this nostalgic documentary, Miller’s friends and Hollywood colleagues reflect on the man and his long career.”
4/3/15- Very good critical review and excellent reviews from audiences. TRDB.
2) CUT BANK– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this tale of crime and passion, discontented Dwayne McLaren seizes a sudden chance to put his small-town roots behind him and head for the big city with his girlfriend. Unfortunately, the opportunity comes with some tangled strings attached.”
4/3/15- Awful reviews from critics and audiences alike. TRDB.
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OPENED THIS WEEK-
Recommended-
1) BLACK SOULS– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “While his two younger siblings have chosen to be part of the Carbone crime family, eldest brother Luciano has opted to herds goats. But when his son foolishly shoots up a tavern protected by a rival clan, Luciano is drawn into a blood feud.”
4/10/15- Excellent reviews from critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB.
2) CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Twenty years after her breakthrough role as a young woman who beguiles and ultimately destroys her mentor, Maria Enders is invited — in an ironic twist — to play the part of the older woman in a stage production of the same drama.”
4/10/15- Excellent reviews from critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB.
3) DESERT DANCER– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this uplifting drama based on real events, Afshin Ghaffarian defies the government’s prohibition against dancing in modern Iran and founds an underground dance company, with help from some courageous friends.”
4/10/15- Poor reviews from critics and good ones from audiences. The premise is interesting enough that I’ll probably see it. TRDB.
4) DIOR AND I– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Asked to fill the shoes of iconic designer John Galliano, Raf Simons is given two months to prepare his inaugural fashion collection for Christian Dior in this behind-the-scenes look at the high-pressure world of haute couture.”
4/10/15- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.
5) EX MACHINA– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “After winning a chance to spend a week at his boss’s Alaskan compound, tech whiz Caleb Smith finds he’s been selected to help evaluate a sentient humanoid dubbed Ava — whose feminine wiles prove more formidable than expected.
4/10/15- Good reviews for this strange sounding movie. TRDB.
6) THE HARVEST– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Born with a debilitating illness, Andy Young lives a secluded existence. Besides home-schooling him, his overprotective parents are able to shelter him from the larger world — until plucky 13-year-old Maryann moves into the neighborhood.”
4/10/15- So-so early reviews. TRDB.
7) IN COUNTRY– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Spurred by varying motivations, a group of war veterans gathers in the Oregon woods to re-enact battle sequences from the Vietnam conflict. Armed with weapons from the era, they confront the momentous combat experiences that still affect their lives.”
4/10/15- I’ve seen just 4 reviews for this documentary– 3 up and 1 down (NY Times). I might give this a try. TRDB.
8) THE SISTERHOOD OF NIGHT– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Three teenage friends find themselves labeled as sexual predators after a young woman accuses them of molestation, shocking their small town with claims that the trio is part of a sinister network known as the Sisterhood of Night.”
4/10/15- Sounds stupid but has received good reviews. TRDB.
9) SONGS FROM THE FOREST– 2015. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “As a young man, American Louis Sarno heard a song on the radio that gripped his imagination. He followed the mysterious sounds all the way to the Central African rainforest and found their source with the Bayaka Pygmies, a tribe of hunters and gatherers. He never left. Today, twenty-five years later, Louis Sarno has recorded more than 1,000 hours of unique Bayaka music. He is a fully accepted member of the Bayaka society and has a 13-year-old son, Samedi.
4/10/15- Just 1 review– the NY Times and they liked it. TRDB.
Not Recommended–
1) BROKEN HORSES– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Against the bloody backdrop of the gang wars between rival Mexican drug cartels, an accomplished violinist returns home in an effort to stop his mercenary brother from continuing down a path that will ultimately ruin his life … or end it.”
4/10/15- Poor reviews from the critics but audiences appear to have liked it. TRDB.
2) IN THE COURTYARD– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “After abruptly ending his musical career, 40-year-old Antoine Le Gerrec has little idea of what to do with his life. But when he takes a job as caretaker of a rundown Parisian apartment block, he’s soon drawn into the lives of his eccentric tenants.”
4/10/15- Poor audience reviews and only 2 professional reviews– 1 up and 1 down (The NY Times). TRDB.
3) THE LONGEST RIDE– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Told via concurrent stories that ultimately converge, this adaptation of the Nicholas Sparks novel follows an old man consoled by reminiscences of his late wife as he’s trapped after a car crash, and a young couple falling in love in a nearby town.”
4/10/15- Critics panned it but audiences have liked it. I think I’ll skip it. TRDB.
4) THE LIVING– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Molly’s abusive spouse, Teddy, brutally beats her after going on a bender, she must decide whether to leave or save her marriage — all the while grappling with her mother’s dire warnings and her brother’s inclination to have Teddy murdered.”
4/10/15- Very few reviews and they are weak. TRDB.
5) RESET– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Still working out what he wants from life, a young writer makes a clandestine return to his hometown, where he plunges into the darker side of life in a quest to find himself as an artist — and as a man.”
4/10/15- Just 3 reviews– 1 up and 2 down. I’ll pass on this one. TRDB.
DirecTV- www.directv.com/DTVAPP/listing/ppvMovies.jsp
Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com
3) CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA– Jacob Burns, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Twenty years after her breakthrough role as a young woman who beguiles and ultimately destroys her mentor, Maria Enders is invited — in an ironic twist — to play the part of the older woman in a stage production of the same drama.”
4/10/15- Excellent reviews from critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB.
4/12/15- Overall I’ll give this movie a passing grade but I was not overly impressed. Come in mid-way and see the better second half. TRDB.
2) WOMAN IN GOLD– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Six decades after World War II, Jewish octogenarian Maria Altmann begins a quest to reclaim the artwork confiscated from her family by the Nazis — including a famed Gustav Klimt masterpiece.”
4/1/15- Poor reviews but everyone I know who has seen this has loved it!! TRDB.
3) WILD TALES– Jacob Burns. 2015. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Inequality, injustice and the demands of the world we live in cause stress and depression for many people. Some of them, however, explode. This is a movie about those people. Vulnerable in the face of a reality that shifts and suddenly turns unpredictable, the characters of Wild Tales cross the thin line that divides civilization and barbarism.” TRDB.
2/16/15- An article in yesterday’s NY Times about this movie sounds very interesting. The film just won a Golden Bear in Berlin. TRDB.
2/26/15- Excellent reviews. TRDB.
3/22/15– I enjoyed this movie very much. Like nothing you’ve seen before, it crosses the line and goes over-the top frequently. 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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