COURAGEOUS- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Despite showing bravery on the job, a group of law enforcement officers find themselves undone when tragedy strikes at home in this social drama. With the aid of their Christian beliefs, however, the men find a deeper well of courage in their hearts.” Awful professional reviews but audiences have liked it. TRDB.
Add comment September 15th, 2011
50/50- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “An otherwise healthy twentysomething has a comically early midlife crisis when he gets slapped with a cancer diagnosis — and a 50-50 chance of survival. But what’s the meaning of life when you’re not sure how long yours will last?” Very good early reviews. TRDB.
9/28/11- Just an OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
2/6/12- Cheesy and often predictable but fun never-the-less despite the heavy premise. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment September 15th, 2011
THE DEBT- 2007. This is the original movie called “The Debt” from Israel. Directed by Assaf Bernstein and starring Gila Almagor this thriller is about an Israeli woman in her 60’s, a former Mosad agent, who is summoned to kill a Nazi war criminal that she came close to killing decades ago. TRDB.
9/15/11- I enjoyed the movie and from what I hear it was much less violent than the newer version with Helen Mirren. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
Add comment September 15th, 2011
ALL SHE CAN- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Luz Garcia (Corina Calderon), a high school senior in a remote Texas town, seeks to finance her much-coveted education at the University of Texas at Austin by winning a scholarship through a State Powerlifting Championship. But she quickly comes to learn that there is more standing in her way than mere dead weight. Amy Wendel (Curley’s Diner) co-writes and directs this story of pure perseverance and grit.” Good early audience reviews so far. TRDB.
11/7/11- A cute if trivial drama that kept me hooked till the end and an honest look into the Hispanic population. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment September 14th, 2011
MY AFTERNOONS WITH MARGUERITE- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “An illiterate handyman named Germain (Gérard Depardieu) befriends Margueritte (Gisèle Casadesus), a highly educated 95-year-old woman. The two couldn’t be more different, with the oafish Germain bewildered by the literature that gives Margueritte such pleasure. Slowly the two form an unusual and intense bond, leading them to a greater understanding of their place in the world, and in each other’s lives.” Early professional reviews are positive but weak for audiences. TRDB.
9/16/11- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
8/9/12- A thoroughly delightful movie with a wonderful Depardieu as usual. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment September 14th, 2011
HAPPY HAPPY- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in a remote Norwegian town, this black comedy centers on cheerful housewife Kaja (Agnes Kittlesen), who is contentedly wedded to her loveless high school sweetheart but lands in hot water when a risqué encounter with her urbane new neighbor, Sigve (Henrik Rafaelsen), goes too far. With a full-blown affair on her hands and Christmas just around the corner, Kaja falls back on blinding optimism to get her through the snowballing scandal.” Fairly good professional reviews and average audience ones. TRDB.
2/1/12- Well acted and I found this small movie very interesting. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment September 14th, 2011
BURKE AND HARE- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director John Landis rolls out his first feature film in more than a decade with this black comedy based on the true exploits of two 19th-century body snatchers, played by Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis. When Burke and Hare‘s successful business — selling corpses to the Edinburgh Medical College for dissection — is hampered by a supply shortage, the men are forced to take drastic measures. Isla Fisher and Tim Curry also star.”
9/9/11- Only a fair review in today’s NY Times and worse elsewhere. TRDB.
Add comment September 12th, 2011
LITTLE GIRL (LA PIVELLINA)- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Middle-aged circus performer Patti (Patrizia Gerardi) finds 2-year-old Asia (Asia Crippa) abandoned in a park on the outskirts of Rome. Patti and her German boyfriend, Walter (Walter Saabel), search for the child’s parents but can’t help falling in love with “la pivellina” (the little squirt). Italian documentarians Tizza Covi and Rainer Frimmel transition effortlessly into fiction with this warmly intimate gem.” Very good reviews. TRDB.
5/20/12- A real sleeper!! I enjoyed this movie that was really about everybody else as much as this adorable child. See it!! TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Add comment September 12th, 2011
BEWARE THE GONZO- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Eddie “Gonzo” Gilman (Ezra Miller) is the head geek at his high school — and determined to do something about it. When Gavin (Jesse McCartney), the popular editor of the school paper, fires him, Eddie obtains revenge by establishing an underground paper of his own. The paper’s success surprises Eddie and the misfits he’s assembled to publish it, and Eddie soon finds himself riding a wave of acclaim that threatens to turn him into another Gavin.”
9/9/11- Poor professional reviews in general and in today’s NY Times but excellent audience reaction. TRDB.
Add comment September 12th, 2011
THE HIGH COST OF LIVING- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Well-to-do housewife Nathalie (Isabelle Blais) eagerly awaits the birth of her first child, while elsewhere in Montreal, small-time drug dealer Henry (Zach Braff) plans his next score. One night, their contrasting lives become intertwined when Henry hits Nathalie with his car. He flees the scene but later tries to make amends — without revealing his culpability. As their friendship grows, the remorseful Henry fears Nathalie will learn the truth.”
9/9/11- Fair review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
11/1/11- Somewhat predictable, especially the ending but I enjoyed elements of this film and I can recommend it with qualifications. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment September 12th, 2011