THE GAMBLER- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “A literature college professor and high stakes gambler (played by Mark Wahlberg) runs afoul of a loan shark and his bodyguard-like gangsters while he has an affair with one of his students.”
12/25/14- Very bad reviews from everybody. TRDB.
Add comment December 26th, 2014
BIG EYES- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “This biopic tells the complex story of Margaret Keane, the American painter who came to prominence in the 1950s and was known for her pop art paintings that often featured children with large doe eyes.”
12/25/14- Good reviews. TRDB.
12/31/14– Lots of good reviews but I thought it was mostly a waste of time, ending in a ridiculous court scene. As predictable as Old Faithful. TRDB.
Add comment December 26th, 2014
AMERICAN SNIPER- 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.
Add comment December 26th, 2014
SELMA- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1965 civil rights march from Selma, Ala., to Montgomery, this stirring historical drama highlights the courage of the marchers as they withstand racist and violent attacks by the police.”
12/25/14- Excellent reviews from critics and very good ones from audiences. TRDB.
1/17/15- An excellent depiction of Martin Luther King, warts and all, and a good reminder of how far we have come as a nation. TRDB.
Add comment December 26th, 2014
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.
Add comment December 25th, 2014
MR. TURNER- 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.
6/3/15- I’m with the audiences on this one. I had big trouble getting into this slow moving whatever and finally turned it off after an hour. TRDB.
Add comment December 19th, 2014
WINTER SLEEP- 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Aydin, a former actor, runs a small hotel in central Anatolia with his young wife Nihal with whom he has a stormy relationship and his sister Necla who is suffering from her recent divorce. In winter as the snow begins to fall, the hotel turns into a shelter but also an inescapable place that fuels their animosities.”
12/19/14- Very good reviews from critics and audiences. The NY Times did not like it. TRDB.
Add comment December 19th, 2014
ANNIE- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Adapting the blockbuster Broadway musical for the big screen, this heartwarming tale charts the sad childhood of spirited little orphan Annie. But after tycoon Benjamin Stacks rescues her, Annie’s life is transformed in ways she never imagined.”
12/19/14- Poor reviews. TRDB.
Add comment December 19th, 2014
TOP FIVE- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Written, directed, and starring Chris Rock, TOP FIVE tells the story of New York City comedian-turned-film star Andre Allen, whose unexpected encounter with a journalist (Rosario Dawson) forces him to confront the comedy career—and the past—that he’s left behind.”
12/12/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.
3/31/15- I’m not a Chris Rock fan but I did enjoy most of this movie– less comedy than drama. TRDB.
Add comment December 14th, 2014
SKATING TO NEW YORK- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “SKATING TO NEW YORK is the coming-of-age journey of five teenage boys who leave their small, Canadian town behind and risk skating across Lake Ontario to New York on the coldest day of the year.DB
12/12/14- Poor reviews. TRDB.
Add comment December 14th, 2014