CITIZEN GANGSTER- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This crime drama based on true events profiles a WWII vet’s frustrations and eventual transformation into an eccentric bank robber in Toronto. Boyd initially steals out of necessity, but finds his new life also provides the stardom he always sought.”
4/27/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB.
Add comment April 27th, 2012
SOUND OF MY VOICE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Wishing to infiltrate a California cult, curiosity seekers Peter (Christopher Denham) and Lorna (Nicole Vicius) undergo an elaborate preparation process that leads from a desolate road to an unmarked location, but the mystery only deepens when their blindfolds are removed. In this absorbing psychological thriller, the line between voyeurism and belief blurs once the pretenders shake hands with sphinx-like cult leader Maggie (Brit Marling).”
4/27/12- Good reviews in general and in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
1/1/13- Very mixed reviews and I almost turned it off at the midpoint but I stuck it out and actually liked it. Reviewers seemed to like Marling but I thought that she was the weakest link in the movie. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment April 27th, 2012
BERNIE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this black comedy inspired by real-life events, affable Texas mortician Bernie befriends the small town’s wealthiest widow and then kills her. But despite the suspicious nature of her death, no one wants to think anything but the best of Bernie.”
4/27/12- Very good reviews in general from both critics and audiences alike for this movie based on a true story. The review in the NY Times was difficult to interpret. TRDB.
8/26/12- I thought that this movie was extremely clever and provocative and presented in an interesting way as well. I’d definitely recommend it. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment April 27th, 2012
WHERE DO WE GO NOW?- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “While their men fight a remote sectarian war, the women of a Lebanese village — one hemmed in by minefields — band together to denounce the clash of Islamic and Christian beliefs that sustains the war and threatens to poison their own community.”
5/11/12– Mediocre professional reviews and OK audience reaction but good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
10/1/12- It took a while to get into this movie but I did and even though I agree with a reviewer who said that the film was more interesting than satisfying I can still recommend it. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment April 26th, 2012
HICK- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Small town teenager Luli (Chloe Grace Moretz) escapes to Las Vegas, leaving behind her alcoholic and abusive parents. Armed with her smarts, a pistol and pocket money, she hitchhikes her way west. Along the way, Luli crosses paths with Eddie (Eddie Redmayne), an unstable rebel with questionable motives and Glenda (Blake Lively), a cocaine-snorting drifter on the run. Adapted from the critically acclaimed novel by Andrea Portes, this powerful story pulls you into a provocative world of drugs, seduction and murder.”
5/11/12- Several good audience reviews but awful professional reviews. Bad review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment April 26th, 2012
THE CUP- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A true story about two brothers, both competing for the highest honor in horse racing, the Melbourne Cup. When tragedy strikes, one brother relies on the support of a veteran horse trainer to overcome the odds and challenge himself to win. An incredible story of inspiration and triumph over adversity.”
Bad reviews all over. TRDB.
Add comment April 26th, 2012
MY AUSTRALIA- 2011. Synopsis by IMDB. “City of Lodz in Poland, after the Second World War. Two brothers, Tadek and Andrzej, grow up without a father, and their mother, so busy at work, does not notice when the boys join a rowdy and anti-Semitic organization.Only when during a fight one of the boys gets hurt, she realizes what is going on. Then she decides to leave Poland together with her family and go to… Australia. At the end of the trip it comes out that the goal was not to reach Australia but Israel. Boys become aware of their and their family roots.”
4/23/12- I liked this movie very much and the actor who played the young boy was terrific. TRDB. At the 2012 Westchester Jewish Film Festival.
Add comment April 23rd, 2012
THE NASTY GIRL- 1990. Synopsis by Netflix. “German high schooler Sonya decides to write an essay about her town’s history during the Third Reich and its heroic resistance to Nazi tyranny. To her (and the town’s) dismay, she instead uncovers evidence of collaboration with the regime.”
I saw this years ago and liked it very much. TRDB.
Add comment April 23rd, 2012
JOANNA- 2010. Synopsis by IMDB. “During the Occupation, a young woman whose husband disappeared during the war decides to hide a little Jewish girl. To save the child, she gets into a romance with a German.”
4/22/12- A deeply sad and provocative movie about the German occupation of Poland. Great acting as well. TRDB. At the 2012 Westchester Jewish Film Festival at Jacob Burns.
Add comment April 22nd, 2012
RESTORATION- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Israeli antique dealer Yakov Fidelman’s (Sasson Gabay) business is failing. Even his estranged son Noah (Nevo Kimchi), a lawyer, is unable to help. But Yakov’s desperation turns to hope when he finds a vintage piano that, when restored, could be worth a fortune. His obsession with repairing the 120-year-old Steinway is mirrored by his desire to cling to the past while rebuilding a future with Noah. This heartfelt drama also stars Sarah Adler.”
4/21/12- Despite some loose ends in this film I did enjoy it. TRDB. At tthe 2012 Westchester Jewish Film Festiva at Jacob Burns.
Add comment April 22nd, 2012