BIG MIRACLE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After small-town Alaska journalist Adam Carlson writes about three whales trapped in the Arctic Circle, the U.S. and U.S.S.R. team up to rescue them in this tale inspired by true events. Meanwhile, Adam’s Greenpeace volunteer ex-girlfriend arrives.”
2/3/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment January 30th, 2012
FIVE TIME CHAMPION- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Julius, a homegrown young scientist from Texas, strives to understand both earthworms and his own fractured life. Overshadowing his mother’s and grandfather’s infidelity and the growing apathy of his only friend is the father who left years before.”
1/27/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment January 29th, 2012
THE GREY- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After narrowly surviving a deadly plane crash in the Alaskan wilderness, a band of oil riggers must fend for their lives in the ice and snow. But thanks to wolves that view their presence as a threat, they aren’t alone.”
1/27/12- A fairly good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
7/3/12- I can’t believe the good reviews. I found this movie intolerable and turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment January 29th, 2012
THE WAR BRIDE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Shortly after English seamstress Lily (Anna Friel) marries and has a child with soldier Charlie (Aden Young), he ships out to World War II. Moving to his family’s farm, Lily finds herself stuck in a lonely place and at odds with her husband’s kin. Brenda Fricker co-stars as Charlie’s hostile mother, and Molly Parker plays Sylvia, Lily’s disabled sister-in-law. Lyndon Chubbuck (The Right Temptation) directs.”
1/25/12- After a slow start just when I thought this was a made for TV movie it got a lot better and I enjoyed it. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Add comment January 25th, 2012
EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Believing that his father left him a message before dying in the September 11 attacks, young Oskar Schell embarks on an emotional odyssey through New York City to find the lock that matches a key he found among his father’s belongings.” Weak reviews in general although some of my friends liked it very much. TRDB.
6/15/12- A bit too cute most of the time and not nearly as good as the book, it intermittently held my interest. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment January 25th, 2012
BACHELORETTE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a single overachiever learns, to her horror, that an overweight girl she teased in high school is getting married before her, she swallows her pride and serves as maid of honor, enlisting her old clique to help through an evening of mishaps.”
1/21/12- An article (not a review) in today’s NY Times about this film playing at Sundance sounded interesting. TRDB.
9/7/12- Mixed reviews for this comedy, more bad than good. The NY Times was noncommittal in today’s review other than to say the movie was viciously funny at times. TRDB.
Add comment January 21st, 2012
HELLO I MUST BE GOING- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When her husband decides that he wants a divorce, 35-year-old Amy Minsky is faced with the humiliation of moving back into her parents’ home. Despite her battered self-image, Amy manages to inspire the ardor of a determined teenage boy.”
1/21/12- An article (not a review) in today’s NY Times about this film showing at Sundance. Sounds interesting. TRDB.
5/6/12- Excellent early audience reviews and so-so professional ones. TRDB.
9/7/12- Mixed reviews in general and an OK one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
3/26/13- This film had some good ideas but was hobbled by poor screenwriting. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment January 21st, 2012
SCALENE- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A perceptual thriller told from three points-of-view revolving around the rape of a female college student by a mentally handicapped man and his mother’s subsequent revenge after his incarceration.”
1/20/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment January 20th, 2012
THE FRONT LINE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a South Korean commander is killed by a friendly bullet during a cease fire, investigator Kang Eun-Pyo’s trail leads him to a remote hill region. There, a once-meek 20-year-old and his small company seem to be fighting a different war.”
1/20/12- Good review in today’s NY Times but mediocre reviews elsewhere. TRDB.
Add comment January 20th, 2012
STARBUCK- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “A fortysomething slacker’s life is turned upside down when he learns that his many sperm donations have resulted in more than 500 children — 100 of whom are now suing to meet their father, who’s desperate to keep his identity a secret.”
Friends saw this at the Palm Springs Film Festival and loved it. TRDB.
3/22/13- Today’s NY Times gave this an OK review. TRDB.
4/7/13- A fun screenplay with very good acting made this movie most enjoyable. I liked it very much. TRDB.
Add comment January 18th, 2012