FILM REVIEWS #674
January 11th, 2018
1) ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a crime that rivets the American public for months in 1973, members of an Italian paramilitary organization kidnap John Paul Getty III. When his oil-rich grandfather balks at paying the ransom, the bad guys up the stakes dramatically.”
12/20/17- Very good reviews from all sources. TRDB.
1/7/18- This movie was way too long and as far as I’m concerned it was rescued by some very good acting. TRDB.
2) CALL ME BY YOUR NAME– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the summer of 1983, romance blooms in the sumptuous setting of the Italian Riviera when a 17-year-old boy becomes involved with the 24-year-old American scholar living at the family villa and working for the youngster’s professor father.”
11/23/17- Excellent reviews. TRDB.
1/8/18- I enjoyed the movie although it was too long. TRDB.
1) TE ATA– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Born in 1895, Chickasaw Nation member Mary Thompson Fisher discovered her love for acting early in life. But she soon realized that her true vocation came in sharing her people’s stories and songs, as recounted in this historical drama.”
10/16/17- Weak reviews from the critics but excellent ones from audiences. TRDB.
1/5/18- The movie itself was a bit weak but it was worth the time as a history lesson. TRDB. Netflix Disc.
2) THE KING’S CHOICE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “When the Nazis invaded Norway on April 9, 1940, the country’s king — Haakon VII — was given an ultimatum: surrender or die. When Haakon answered that he would abdicate before appointing the German-approved government, the bombing began.”
9/22/17- Very good reviews from all sources. TRDB.
1/8/18- An excellent movie– thoroughly enjoyed it. TRDB. Netflix Disc.
1) LOVING VINCENT– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “This animated biopic recounts the life and last days of tormented Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh, with each frame of the film consisting of an oil painting executed in the master’s style and a plot based on letters he penned.”
9/22/17- Fairly good reviews by the critics and excellent ones by audiences. TRDB.
2) MR. ROOSEVELT– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix “Texas native Emily is trying to make it as a comic in Los Angeles when she gets word from her ex that the cat they once shared is ailing. Hightailing it back to Austin, Emily finds the feline dead — and a new girlfriend ensconced in her former home.’
11/23/17- Very good reviews. TRDB.
1) THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “This empathetic documentary chronicles the experiences of three U.S. military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder following their service in Iraq — focusing on their struggle to reintegrate with the civilian world.”
10/28/16- An excellent review for this documentary in today’s NY Times. There may be a drama out there with the same name so make sure it’s the documentary that you look for. TRDB.
2) THE WOMAN WHO LEFT– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “After serving 30 years for a crime she didn’t commit, Horacia Somorostro is freed when another inmate admits to framing her at the behest of Rodrigo Trinidad, Horacia’s ex-lover. Returning to her hometown, she quietly plots her revenge on Rodrigo.”
5/19/17- Very good reviews. TRDB.
3) RED TREES– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Documentarian Marina Willer — a descendant of one of 12 Jewish families to survive the Nazi occupation of Prague (thanks to her granddad’s ability to make citric acid) — chronicles her family’s life during wartime and their immigration to Brazil.”
9/20/17- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.
4) THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEAR– 2017. “In this tale of horror based on a Euripides tragedy, a surgeon begins to regret his decision to help a troubled teenage boy after being drawn ever-deeper into the dramas revolving around the young man’s dysfunctional family.”
10/20/17- Wildly different reviews– definitely more positive than negative but I won’t see this horror movie. TRDB.
5) FELICITE- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “A nightclub chanteuse and single mother, independent-minded Félicité finds her mettle tested when her 14-year-old son is hurt in a motorcycle crash, forcing her to bargain and beg to raise enough money to pay for his operation.”
10/27/17- Excellent reviews by the critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB.
1) GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Goodbye Christopher Robin (The world of Winnie the Pooh creator A.A. Milne comes to life in this illuminating biopic that focuses on his relationship with his son (and inspiration), Christopher Robin, and how the books’ phenomenal success affected the family.”
10/13/17- Good reviews by the critics but just fair ones from audiences. TRDB.
2) THE SQUARE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Testing the thin line between art and reality, a famed museum’s new creative director mounts an installation — “The Square” — intended to foster altruism. But he sets off a hue and cry after enlisting a public relations firm to tout the exhibition.”
10/27/17- Fairly good reviews for this odd sounding drama/comedy. I’ll see it. TRDB.
3) LAST FLAG FLYING– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Three grizzled Vietnam-era veterans — Doc, Sal and Mueller — travel together up the East Coast on a mournful personal mission: to hold an appropriate burial for Doc’s only child, who perished in the opening stages of the Iraq invasion.”
11/3/17- Fairly good reviews with some poor ones mixed in. I saw the trailer and it looked stupid to me. TRDB.
4) GOD’S OWN COUNTRY– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “With his father paralyzed, 24-year-old Johnny Saxby has to tend the family’s sheep farm, but he doesn’t have to like it. His attitude changes, however, when he finds a friend and lover in the Romanian worker hired to help during the lambing season.”
11/15/17- Excellent reviews. TRDB.
5) PROFESSOR MARSTON AND THE WONDER WOMEN– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “This biopic centers on Harvard psychologist William Marston, the man who created Wonder Woman, and imbued the iconic character with the feminist ideals of his wife, Elizabeth, and the other woman in their polyamorous relationship, Olive Byrne.”
10/16/17- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.
1) BLAME– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “The hotbed of hormones that is high school provides the backdrop for the overheated and improper relationship that develops between a handsome drama teacher and a talented but troubled student — which sparks vengeful envy in her mean-girl rival.”
1/5/18- Good to excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.
2) DJANGO– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this poignant biopic, jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt escapes the persecution that his Gypsy brethren suffer in German-occupied France, but when the Nazis demand that Django use his music to fuel their propaganda, he faces a daunting decision.”
1/5/18- Weak reviews by the critics but very good ones from audiences. TRDB.
3) IN BETWEEN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in Tel Aviv, this engrossing drama follows a trio of independent-minded Palestinian women who develop a bond of solidarity as they share an apartment and struggle to balance the differing values of tradition and modernity.”
1/5/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.
4) IN THE LAND OF POMEGRANATES– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this engrossing documentary, a group of Palestinian and Israeli youngsters gathers in Germany for a “Vacation from War” retreat, where each side faces the “enemy” and engages on a personal level, recognizing their shared humanity.”
1/5/18- Fair reviews at best for this documentary. TRDB.
5) THE GREEN FOG– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this experimental movie created for the final night of the 2017 San Francisco International Film Festival, director Guy Maddin and collaborators reimagine Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo” using a visual collage of found footage from a host of sources.”
1/5/18- I’ve seen just 5 reviews and they were all very good. TRDB.
1) DARK MERIDIAN– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “New Orleans cop Spencer Soleno, who makes money on the side by providing protection for crime boss Oren Marek, ends up in the midst of a gang war as he tries to nab the killer of Oren’s oldest son while protecting the youngest.”
1/5/18- Just 2 reviews so far and both are poor. TRDB.
2) DEVIL’S GATE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Trouble is afoot in Devil’s Gate, North Dakota, and FBI agent Daria and local deputy Colt think the source is Jackson Pritchard, whose wife and son have vanished. But Daria and Colt get more than they bargained for when they arrive at Jackson’s farm.”
1/5/18- Weak reviews by the critics and good ones by audiences. I’ll pass on this one. TRDB.
5) THREE BILLBOARDS– Danbury, Clearview 100. I enjoyed the movie- didn’t love it
1) ON THE BEACH AT NIGHT ALONE- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the wake of a failed relationship with a married man, South Korean film star Young-hee travels to Germany to put some space between herself and her former lover, hoping to clear her head. But leaving the past behind proves difficult.”
11/17/17- Excellent reviews by the critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB.
2) WONDERSTRUCK- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on the novel of the same name, this period drama unspools two tales that play out 50 years apart. In 1927, a girl runs away to New York City to meet the actress she idolizes, while in 1977, a boy travels to the Big Apple find his long-lost dad.
10/20/17- Fair reviews for this new movie by Todd Haynes. TRDB.
Entry Filed under: All Reviews,Newsletter from 1 week ago
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