FILM REVIEWS #785
February 27th, 2020
1) THE SONG OF NAMES– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This sweeping drama charts the story of two Jewish friends: young Londoner Martin and Polish refugee Dovidl, a talented violinist. When Dovidl vanishes shortly before his first recital, it takes Martin more than three decades to unravel the mystery.”
12/28/19- Poor reviews but it does sound interesting. TRDB.
2/22/20- The critics really panned this movie but audiences liked it and so did I. TRDB.
1) OFFICIAL SECRETS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fact-based political thriller, British intelligence translator Katharine Gun leaks a secret National Security Agency memo that proposes blackmailing smaller U.N. Security Council states into ratifying the 2003 Iraq invasion.”
9/2/19- Good reviews by a few critics but most were mediocre. I’ll see it, however. TRDB.
2/24/20- An interesting drama with real life implications. TRDB.
2) JOJO RABBIT– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this World War II satire, young Jojo Betzler is yearning to join the Hitler Youth when he discovers that his mother — who secretly works for the resistance — is hiding a Jewish girl in the attic to save her from death.”
10/18/19- Good reviews by the critics and excellent ones from audiences. TRDB.
2/26/20- I enjoyed this very clever drama/comedy. TRDB.
1) DARK WATERS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this legal drama based on a “New York Times Magazine” story, lawyer Robert Bilott — whose specialty is defending chemical companies — takes on DuPont when one of his grandmother’s neighbors accuses the corporation of killing his cattle.”
11/22/19- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.
12/16/19- I enjoyed this movie and shared the outrage toward those who got away with this for so long. TRDB.
2) BY THE GRACE OF GOD– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Molested as a boy by a priest, Alexandre Guérin — now a husband and dad — is dismayed to find that his abuser still works with minors. Determined to expose the church’s complicity, Alexandre joins forces with two of the clergyman’s other victims.”
10/18/19- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.
3) CROWN VIC– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in Los Angeles, this gritty thriller chronicles one tumultuous night on the job for a seasoned patrol officer and his young rookie partner, who must contend with everything from a pair of cop killers to a crazed detective gone rogue.”
11/8/19- Fair reviews. TRDB.
2) GOLDIE- 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Eighteen-year-old Goldie is sure she’s going to make it as a dancer: She just needs a break and a yellow fur coat for an audition. But when her mom lands in jail, it’s up to Goldie to look after her sisters — and keep child welfare services at bay.”
2/21/20- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.
3) YOUNG AHMED– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Living in rural Belgium, Islamic teen Ahmed falls under the sway of his local imam, a political extremist who challenges Ahmed to live a more pious life. But he soon takes his religious teachings too far when he commits a shocking and violent crime.”
2/21/20- Poor reviews with a few really good ones here and there. I’d try it. TRDB.
4) CABARET MAXIME– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Cabaret Maxime is a home of sorts for the strippers, musicians and burlesque performers who earn their living on its stage. So, when gentrification threatens to shutter the nightclub, owner Bennie Gazza takes a stand to protect his own.”
2/21/20- Just 3 reviews so far and they are all good. TRDB.
5) EMMA– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Writer Jane Austen’s meddling heroine Emma Woodhouse comes alive again in this big-screen adaptation of the classic novel about a young woman who delights in matchmaking despite her woeful record of success.”
2/22/20- Very good reviews for this re-make. TRDB.
6) RIDE YOUR WAVE– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Hinako is a surf-loving college student who has just moved to a small seaside town. When a sudden fire breaks out at her apartment building, she is rescued by Minato, a handsome firefighter, and the two soon fall in love.”
2/22/20- Very good reviews for this animated drama. TRDB.
7) ONCE WERE BROTHERS– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Rocker Robbie Robertson recounts his journey from making music on Canada’s Six Nations of the Grand River reservation to backing Bob Dylan and then joining Garth Hudson, Levon Helms, Rick Danko and Richard Manuel to form the Band.”
2/22/20- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.
8) VITALINA VERELA– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Living apart from her husband, who’s been working in Lisbon for decades, 55-year-old Vitalina Varela finally makes it from Cape Verde to Lisbon — three days after he dies. As she settles his affairs, Vitalina discovers he had a secret life.”
2/22/20. Great reviews for this drama. TRDB.
9) JINPA- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “On an isolated road passing through the vast barren plains of Tibet, a truck driver who has accidentally run over a sheep chances upon a young man who is hitching a ride. As they drive and chat, the truck driver notices that his new friend has a silver dagger strapped to his leg. He comes to understand that this man is out to kill someone who wronged him earlier in life. As he drops the hitchhiker off at a fork in the road, little does the truck driver realize that their short time together has changed everything, and that their destinies are inexorably intertwined.”
2/22/20- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.
1) THE CALL OF THE WILD– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “A blend of live action and digital animation bring to life Jack London’s classic tale of a canine who’s stolen from his California home and ends up as a sled dog in Alaska, where he becomes prospector John Thornton’s steadfast companion.”
2/21/20- About a dog and done with animation as well. I’ll skip it. TRDB.
2) BALLOON– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1979, two East German families determined to escape to freedom work together to fashion a hot-air balloon that will carry them over the border to the West. When their first attempt fails, they resolve to try again.”
2/22/20- Weak reviews from most reviewers. TRDB.
1) ORDINARY LOVE– Bethel, Cinema 100. 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “All the comfortable routines of Joan and Tom’s long and happy marriage are thrown into disarray when Joan is diagnosed with breast cancer. As the couple navigates Joan’s medical treatment, they begin to contemplate the unthinkable.”
2/14/20- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.
2) SEBURG– Danbury, Cinema 100. 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1960s Los Angeles, American actress (and French New Wave darling) Jean Seberg becomes the target of an FBI investigation as a result of her support for the Black Panthers and civil-rights activist Hakim Jamal.”
3) THE TRAITOR– Bethel, Cinema 100. 1/31/20- Synopsis by Netflix. “As gang war rages in Sicily in the 1980s, Mafia captain Tommaso Buscetta flees to Brazil rather than risk assassination by his foes. After Buscetta is arrested and extradited to Italy, he becomes a critical witness in a mass trial of mob kingpins.”
1/31/20- OK reviews for this gangster movie. TRDB.
2/22/20- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.
6) EMMA– Jacob Burns. 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Writer Jane Austen’s meddling heroine Emma Woodhouse comes alive again in this big-screen adaptation of the classic novel about a young woman who delights in matchmaking despite her woeful record of success.”
2/22/20- Very good reviews for this re-make. TRDB.
1) PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When hesitant bride-to-be Héloïse refuses to sit for a portrait to entice a marriage proposal, commissioned artist Marianne must observe Héloïse during the day and paint her at night. In the process, Marianne begins to fall for her beautiful subject.”
12/6/19- Excellent reviews for this drama that takes place in 1760 France. TRDB.
2) PARASITE– Bethel, Danbury.
I didn’t care for this well hyped drama. Obviously many others did.
3) THE ASSISTANT– Jacob Burns (limited screenings), Bethel.
4) BEANPOLE– Jacob Burns. (limited screenings)
1) ONCE WERE BROTHERS– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Rocker Robbie Robertson recounts his journey from making music on Canada’s Six Nations of the Grand River reservation to backing Bob Dylan and then joining Garth Hudson, Levon Helms, Rick Danko and Richard Manuel to form the Band.”
2/22/20- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.
2) BUFFALOED– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. ” Young Peg Dahl is so intent on escaping her hometown of Buffalo, New York, that she starts running scams in high school to raise money. After a scalping scheme lands her in jail, Peg turns to a new enterprise when she’s released: debt collection.”
2/14/20- Fair reviews for this drama. TRDB.
1) AND THEN WE DANCED– 2020- Synopsis by Netflix. “In the conservative domain of Georgian dance, gender roles are rigidly defined. So, when Merab — a dancer training at the National Georgian Ensemble — falls for self-assured newcomer Irakli, Merab finds his world thrown into turmoil.”
2/7/20- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.
2) PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When hesitant bride-to-be Héloïse refuses to sit for a portrait to entice a marriage proposal, commissioned artist Marianne must observe Héloïse during the day and paint her at night. In the process, Marianne begins to fall for her beautiful subject.”
12/6/19- Excellent reviews for this drama that takes place in 1760 France. TRDB.
3) THOSE WHO REMAINDED-2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Though 42-year-old doctor Aldo and 16-year-old Klára have survived the Holocaust, the scars remain. When the two Budapest residents meet, a healing father-daughter bond develops — but the innocence of their connection is soon questioned.”
2/16/20- I saw this movie today and it was excellent. I highly recommend it TRDB.
5) THE TRAITOR– 1/31/20- Synopsis by Netflix. “As gang war rages in Sicily in the 1980s, Mafia captain Tommaso Buscetta flees to Brazil rather than risk assassination by his foes. After Buscetta is arrested and extradited to Italy, he becomes a critical witness in a mass trial of mob kingpins.”
1/31/20- OK reviews for this gangster movie. TRDB.
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