HAPPY NEW YEAR- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Returning from duty in Iraq, Sgt. Cole Lewis ends up in the psychiatric wing of a Veterans Administration hospital where, in the face of medical and bureaucratic apathy, he and other vets help one another cope with their shattered minds and bodies.”
12/7/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment November 20th, 2012
THE FITZGERALD FAMILY CHRISTMAS- 2012. “With THE FITZGERALD FAMILY CHRISTMAS, Burns returns to the working-class, Irish-American roots of THE BROTHERS MCMULLEN. Reuniting with McMullen co-stars Connie Britton (“Friday Night Lights”, “Nashville”), and Michael McGlone, along with Noah Emmerich (LITTLE CHILDREN, BEAUTIFUL GIRLS), Kerry Bishé (ARGO, RED STATE) and Caitlin FitzGerald (DAMSELS IN DISTRESS, NEWLYWEDS) Burns seamlessly weaves an ensemble story of adult siblings dealing with the desire of their estranged father (Ed Lauter, THE ARTIST, THE LONGEST YARD) to return home for Christmas for the first time since he walked out on his family 20 years ago. Family rifts emerge, and like with any family, Christmas brings a mixed bag of complicated emotions and dynamics. Alliances form, old wounds are reopened or glossed over, and the possibility for a new hope and forgiveness emerges.”
12/7/12- The NY Times liked this movie. TRDB.
12/17/12- I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Edward Burns “gets” family relationships in a way that others don’t. TRDB.
Add comment November 20th, 2012
CHEERFUL WEATHER FOR THE WEDDING- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “On the day of Dolly Thatcham’s wedding, the sight of her former beau leads her to realize that going ahead with the ceremony would be a huge mistake. Dolly’s mother tries valiantly to maintain order in this refined comedy set in the 1930s.”
Sounds like fluff but it’s gotten a few early positive reviews. TRDB.
12/7/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment November 20th, 2012
SAVE THE DATE- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “After an ill-timed and very public marriage proposal, fiercely independent Sarah breaks up with her overeager boyfriend Kevin. Sarah turns to her sister Beth for support, but Beth is too busy obsessing over the details of her own wedding to Kevin’s band mate, Andrew. When Sarah suddenly finds herself caught up in an intense rebound romance with the adorable Jonathan, she is forced to examine her own fears of commitment and vulnerability. With honesty, heart, and humor, all five struggle with the trials, happiness, and pain of modern love. In the end Sarah must decide – is it better to stay safely single or to risk it all on love?”
Netflix had this to say— “Sisters Beth and Sarah are a study in contrasts, but both are also involved with men who are best friends and members of the same rock band. When Sarah leaves her lover, Kevin, and starts another intense affair, Beth grows furious with her sibling.”
Mixed early reviews. TRDB.
12/14/12- Fair review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment November 17th, 2012
THE COMEDY- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Aging hipster Swanson is inured to his life of privilege in New York, where he will inherit his father’s wealth. Instead of doing anything meaningful with his time, Swanson engages in meaningless games of casual cruelty with his equally numb friends.”
11/16/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment November 17th, 2012
GENERATION P- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Ginzburg brings author Victor Pelevin’s popular cult novel to the screen in this confrontational, occasionally hallucinogenic social satire. The film centers around a cynical Russian poet, Babylen Tatarsky (Vladimir Yepifantsev) found working in a drab sidewalk convenience shop. A chance run-in with an old friend reveals an exciting career opportunity. With Communism now a thing of the past, Moscow is quickly moving into the future. That means Western products will soon be flooding into stores, and in order to sell them Russian advertisers must dream up campaigns with local flavor. Babylen quickly climbs the ladder of success alongside virtual politicians, gangsters, politicians, freshly minted millionaires, brands and advertising gurus. Babylen turns to LSD, hallucinogenic mushrooms, cocaine, vodka and spiritual communication for creative inspiration. Summoning the spirit of Che Guevara with a Ouija board, Babylen gets an unexpected education that completely alters his perspective of the media and leadership.”
11/16/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times and by most other critics as well. TRDB.
Add comment November 17th, 2012
HABIBI- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Habibi, a story of forbidden love, is a fiction feature set in Gaza. Two students in the West Bank are forced to return home to Gaza, where their love defies tradition. To reach his lover, Qays grafittis poetry across town. Habibi is a modern re-telling of the famous ancient Sufi parable Majnun Layla. The full Arabic title is Habibi Rasak Kharban, which translates as “darling, something’s wrong with your head.”
11/16/12- A weak review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere. TRDB.
Add comment November 16th, 2012
FIRST WINTER- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “A group of young Brooklynites moves into a rural farmhouse together, filling their days with sex, art and yoga until a blizzard knocks out the power. As food runs low and tensions run high, they begin to give in to their baser instincts.”
11/16/12- The NY Times liked this film but others have not. TRDB.
Add comment November 16th, 2012
PARKED- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “A man trying to cope with his homeless situation is befriended by a dope-smoking 21-year-old who’s determined to help him sort his life out.”
Rotten Tomatoes said this– “Fred (Colm Meaney) lives a quiet and isolated life in his car, having lost all hope of improving his situation and re-entering the ranks of society. That all changes when he forms an unlikely friendship with Cathal (Colin Morgan), a dope-smoking 21-year-old with a positive attitude, who becomes his parking lot neighbor. Sharing laughs, and the hard times too, Fred and Cathal find the simple, free pleasures of life.”
11/30/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment November 16th, 2012
MY BROTHERS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in 1987 in Ireland, this poignant drama tells the story of three brothers, teenage Noel and young Paudie and Scwally, who steal the family van and travel to a distant amusement park to replace their dying father’s treasured watch. Noel, who broke the watch, feels responsible but is buoyed by his brothers’ support. During the tribulation-laden journey, the brothers learn much about themselves, one another and the true meaning of family.”
Rotten Tomatoes had this to say– “A sudden family crisis sends three siblings off on an adventure in this comedy-drama set in working-class England in 1987. Noel (Timmy Creed) is the oldest of three bothers living with their ailing father. Noel and his siblings — eleven-year-old Paudie (Paul Courtney), who is quick with a joke and dreams of playing professional football some day, and seven-year-old Scwally (T.J. Griffin), who is shy and fascinated with Star Wars even though he hasn’t actually seen the film — are all having a hard time dealing with the knowledge that their father has only a short time to live. When Dad falls asleep, Noel takes off his watch for safekeeping, but when he gets in a fight the timepiece is broken beyond repair. Though the watch was just a cheap digital model, it was Dad’s most prized possession, won at an amusement park in Ballybunion; Noel doesn’t want Dad to know what happened, so he “borrows” a bread truck from a neighbor and sets off for Ballybunion to find a replacement. Since he hurt his hand in the fight, Noel brings Paudie along to help him work the gear shift, and Scwally is allowed to tag along so he won’t tell on his brothers; the brothers see plenty of sights have some unexpected adventures along the way as they look for the watch and come to terms with their father’s illness. My Brothers was the firs feature film from screenwriter Paul Fraser.”
11/30/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment November 16th, 2012