FILM REVIEWS #625
January 19th, 2017
11/25/16- Excellent reviews. TRDB.
1/15/17- I liked this movie very much and I can now see why it won so many Golden Globe awards. It is a beautiful love story and a very good depiction of what it’s like trying to break into the arts community. TRDB.
8/19/16- Good reviews by the critics and excellent reviews by audiences. TRDB.
1/12/17- An excellent historical drama. TRDB. Netflix Disc.
2) MISS STEVENS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Still shaky after her mom’s death, high school teacher Rachel Stevens is asked to chaperone a trio of students to a state drama competition. During the trip, she begins a disquieting flirtation with one of her charges, the emotionally troubled Billy.”
9/16/16- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.
1/16/17- An enjoyable drama with a good screenplay. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
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9/16/16- Weak reviews by the critics but audiences have liked it. Even the positive reviews have disclaimers. SEE “CITIZENFOUR” INSTEAD. TRDB.
2) THE VESSEL— 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Years after a tsunami wipes out a coastal community’s elementary school, washing away all the town’s children, residents remain in mourning. When a young villager miraculously comes back to life after drowning, they believe he can resurrect the dead.”
9/16/16- Good reviews from critics and audiences alike. Some called it spiritual– many called it beautiful and very few didn’t like it. TRDB.
1/13/17- Some very good reviews AND some very bad ones. I’d give it a try. TRDB.
2) RESET– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “After taking the helm of the Paris Opera Ballet in 2014, renowned choreographer Benjamin Millepied is closely observed as he puts his imprint on the venerable institution, beginning with an effort to bring the ballet into the digital age.”
1/13/17- Fairly good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.
3) VINCE GIORDANO: THERE’S A FUTURE IN THE PAST– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “People in the know understand that if you want the music of the Jazz Age to come alive again, the man to turn to is bandleader Vince Giordano. This documentary provides an engaging portrait of Giordano, who has devoted his life to the era’s music.”
1/13/17- Limited reviews but they are all positive. TRDB.
4) MA– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. ” In this dialogue-free recasting of Mother Mary’s holy pilgrimage, a woman named Ma crosses the arid landscape of the American Southwest to reach Las Vegas, where she gives birth to a child who may be of divine origin.”
1/13/17- Very good reviews for this strange sounding drama. TRDB.
5) THE SON OF JOSEPH– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Raised by a single mother, 15-year-old Vincent knows nothing about his father. Determined to find out what his mom won’t reveal, Vincent sets off to find out who his dad is — a search that leads to a powerful Parisian publisher and serial adulterer.”
1/13/17- Excellent reviews by the critics and just “OK” ones by audiences. TRDB.
NOT RECOMMENDED-
1) ALONE IN BERLIN– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Otto and Anna lose their son on the frontlines of World War II, they channel their rage into a small act of resistance: leaving postcards with anti-Nazi slogans all over Berlin. But their seditious deed soon draws the attention of the Gestapo.”
1/13/17- Awful reviews although the premise sounded somewhat interesting. TRDB.
2) 100 STREETS– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “One square mile, 100 streets: These are the boundaries of this London-set ensemble drama that shows how disparate lives connect in surprising and vital ways — from an ex-rugby star to a drug dealer, a cab driver and more.”
1/13/17- Weak reviews with just a few positives. TRDB.
1/13/17- Some very good reviews AND some very bad ones. I’d give it a try. TRDB.
2) 100 STREETS– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “One square mile, 100 streets: These are the boundaries of this London-set ensemble drama that shows how disparate lives connect in surprising and vital ways — from an ex-rugby star to a drug dealer, a cab driver and more.”
1/13/17- Weak reviews with just a few positives. TRDB.
1/10/17- I saw this new movie by Pedro Almodovar today and liked it very much. Very good acting, great photography and an interesting story. Also, very sad. TRDB.
1/11/17- Very good reviews for the movie and for Annette Bening. Definitely on my short list. TRDB.
2) HIDDEN FIGURES– Bethel, Danbury. 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the race to space between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, three black female mathematicians play a key role in launching astronaut John Glenn into outer space, making him the first American to orbit Earth.”
12/23/16- Excellent reviews. TRDB.
3) LA LA LAND– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury. 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “While pursuing showbiz fame, jazz pianist Sebastian falls for aspiring actress Mia, and the two embark on an intense love affair. But as their separate paths of ambition force them to make tough choices, their relationship starts to fray.”
11/25/16- Excellent reviews. TRDB.
1/15/17- I liked this movie very much and I can now see why it won so many Golden Globe awards. It is a beautiful love story and a very good depiction of what it’s like trying to break into the arts community. TRDB.
4) LION– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this affecting true story, 5-year-old Saroo is adopted by an Australian couple after losing his way in the urban jungle of Kolkata. More than two decades later, new mapping technology prompts Saroo to search for his lost family in India.”
11/25/16- Good reviews by the critics and very good ones by audiences. TRDB.
12/25/16- I enjoyed this movie that proves once again that truth is stranger than fiction. TRDB.
5) SILENCE– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 17th-century Japan, the Tokugawa shogunate is determined to rid the country of Western influences, starting with the Catholic Church. When two Jesuit priests from Portugal arrive looking for their mentor, they face persecution and violence.”
12/23/16- Very good reviews. TRDB.
6) JACKIE- Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Still reeling from her husband’s shocking assassination in Dallas, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy battles through exhaustion, overwhelming heartache and anger to preserve his legacy — and to define her own.”
12/1/16- Very good reviews from both critics and audiences but several of the positive reviews were less than glowing. I’ll try to see it. TRDB.
1/4/17- I thought that this movie was just OK and mostly provided footnotes to history. Also, I like Natalie Portman. TRDB.
7) MANCHESTER BY THE SEA– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “While working as a handyman in Boston, taciturn loner Lee Chandler gets word that his brother Joe has died of a coronary. After returning to the siblings’ hometown, Lee receives another shock: He’s been named legal guardian of Joe’s 16-year-old son.”
11/18/16- Great reviews from everybody. TRDB.
12/21/16– A sad but excellent movie. Great acting and great story. TRDB.
8) MOONLIGHT- Clearview 100. I liked it but not as much as the critics did.
9) FENCES– Danbury. 2016. I enjoyed this film very much.
1/18/17- Good reviews. TRDB.
12/2/16- Great reviews by the critics and fairly good ones from audiences. TRDB.
12/16/16- A wonderful Isabel Hubert as usual. I liked the movie but not as much as the critics did. TRDB
2) HOGTOWN– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “HOGTOWN is set in 1919 Chicago against the backdrop of the race riots of that year. The story follows an investigation into the disappearance of a millionaire theatre owner during a snowstorm. HOGTOWN is a murder mystery that celebrates the most American of American cities while exploring the intimate lives of many of its people. This period piece is much more a period-less piece, shot in black and white in the often undisguised contemporary city.”
12/2/16- Very good reviews from the 4 critics I read. TRDB.
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