Posts with the tag 'docudrama'
ORANGES AND SUNSHINE- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on real events, this stirring drama follows British social worker Margaret Humphreys (Emily Watson) as she uncovers a shocking deportation scandal involving thousands of children and risks her personal life to draw global attention to this grave injustice. An adaptation of Humphreys’s book Empty Cradles, this inspiring story of courage and conviction also stars Hugo Weaving, David Wenham and Tara Morice.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.
10/21/11- Excellent review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
8/2/12- I liked this movie very much. Difficult to watch at times because of the abuse that befell many these migrant children, the movie also portrayed the conflict in the heroine of this story both in terms of her relationship with her own family and in terms of what she felt she could not do for the kids even now. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: docudrama
October 3rd, 2011
THE COURAGEOUS HEART OF IRENA SENDLER- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the early days of World War II, Polish Catholic social worker Irena Sendler (Anna Paquin, in a Golden Globe-nominated turn) devises a daring plan: Disguised as nurses, she and colleagues gain access to the Jewish ghetto in Warsaw and smuggled some 2,500 Jewish children to safety. John Kent Harrison directs this drama based on Sendler‘s real-life exploits, for which she received a Nobel Peace Prize nomination. Marcia Gay Harden and Nathaniel Parker co-star.” Good reviews. TRDB.
10/24/18- An inspiring story and woman but the film did nothing for me except make me sad. TRDB. Netflix Disc.
Tags: docudrama
August 8th, 2011
THE MOUTH OF THE WOLF- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Pietro Marcello directs this genre-defying Italian docudrama that follows mustachioed ex-con Enzo as he returns to Genoa after a long stint in prison, only to find that the city he once loved has changed almost beyond recognition. But as he combs the seaside town for hints of his past, he finds solace in the arms of Mary, his faithful lover and a transsexual who embodies the mysterious allure of Genoa itself. Mary Monaco and Vincenzo Motta star.” A few early reviews only and they are poor. TRDB.
Tags: docudrama
July 30th, 2011
THE NEW WORLD- 2005. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in 1607 at the founding of theJamestown Settlement, Terrence Malick’s epic adventure chronicles theextraordinary actions of explorer John Smith (Colin Farrell) and Native American princess Pocahontas (Q’Orianka Kilcher). As English settlers and Native Americans clash, Smith and Pocahontas find their worlds colliding and their hearts entwined, but ancestral loyalty may tear them apart. Christian Bale and Christopher Plummer co-star.”
7/2/11- Malick’s last movie until Tree of Life got average reviews and I didn’t particularly care for it. I found it unnecessarily mysterious and pretentious. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: docudrama
July 2nd, 2011
UNITED RED ARMY- 2007. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on actual events, this tense Japanese docudrama details the formation of early-1970s leftist paramilitary group the United Red Army, the turmoil and strife within its ranks, and several members’ perilous attempt to seize a mountainside lodge. Directed by former URA member Kôji Wakamatsu, this riveting exploration of human nature’s dark side stars Maki Sakai, Arata, Akie Namiki and Go Jibiki.” Mediocre reviews so far. TRDB.
Tags: docudrama
May 10th, 2011
THE BANG BANG CLUB- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Four combat photojournalists document the end of apartheid in South Africa, a turbulent period marked by brutality and anger. This real-life drama is based on a memoir by Greg Marinovich (Ryan Phillippe) and Joao Silva (Neels Van Jaarsveld), who won Pulitzer Prizes for their work. Along with Ken Oosterbroek (Frank Rautenbach) and Kevin Carter (Taylor Kitsch), the group exposes the tragic violence that spawned a new regime in the country.” This sounded interesting but awful early reviews. TRDB.
8/28/11- Despite criticism of this movie by the “experts” I really liked it. The 4 members of the club were the core of the film but the problems in South Africa as well as the moral dilemma of photographing horrendous scenes without trying to help were dealt with through the members of the “gang.” TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: docudrama, drama
April 22nd, 2011
THE ARBOR- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this experimental look at the life and work of British playwright Andrea Dunbar, director Clio Barnard asks her actors to lip-synch to an audio “screenplay” she created using interviews conducted with members of the Dunbar family. But Barnard also relies heavily on documentary techniques, blending archival footage with theatrical elements and shooting scenes in Dunbar’s actual neighborhood in Buttershaw estate.” Very good professional reviews and OK audience reaction. TRDB.
Tags: docudrama
April 10th, 2011
SHAKE HANDS WITH THE DEVIL- 2007. Premise by Netflix. “Assigned to lead the United Nations troops in Rwanda in 1993, Canadian Lt. Gen. Roméo Dallaire (Roy Dupuis) tries desperately — and unsuccessfully — to obtain international help as the Hutus begin their genocide of the Tutsis in this true story. Roger Spottiswoode directed this compelling historical drama based on Dallaire’s award-winning autobiographical book detailing the horrific events of the massacre in Rwanda.”
2/11- This movie is well worth seeing as a reminder of the tragedy and the frustrations of trying to help while being constrained by governmental policies. Nothing really new here in that regard but the film gives us an unusual view of Dallaire’s torture as he watches his men and mission die. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: docudrama
February 11th, 2011
MILK- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “Sean Penn (in an Oscar-winning role) stars in this fact-based drama about Harvey Milk, the openly gay activist and San Francisco politician who was murdered along with Mayor George Moscone (Victor Garber) by disgruntled city supervisor Dan White (Josh Brolin) in 1978. Emile Hirsch, James Franco and Diego Luna co-star in director Gus Van Sant’s compelling biopic, which also earned Oscar nods for Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor (Brolin).”
I saw this movie and liked it very much. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: docudrama
February 6th, 2011
DESERT FLOWER- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Sherry Horman directs this drama based on the real-life story of Waris Dirie (Liya Kebede), a poor girl who flees an arranged marriage in Somalia, winds up in London and becomes one of the world’s most recognizable supermodels. As her star rises, Dirie speaks out against the practice of female genital mutilation, a trauma she experienced as a girl. Timothy Spall co-stars as the photographer who “discovered” Dirie working in a fast food joint.” Winner at Palm Springs Film Festival, 2011. Good review in NY Times on 3/18/11.
7/20/11- One reviewer said that this movie would have been better as a documentary and I agree. I feel that the screenplay was overly simplistic and even silly at times and the change in tone of the movie with the last scene did not sit right with me but I lasted the entire movie because I knew it was basically a true story. Recommended with some reservation. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: docudrama
January 17th, 2011
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