Posts with the tag 'drama'
5 DAYS OF WAR- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When American journalist Thomas Anders (Rupert Friend) is sent to cover the 2008 Russia-Georgia war, he and his cameraman become entangled with a beautiful Georgian scholar (Emmanuelle Chriqui) and soon risk becoming casualties of the brief but brutal conflict. Caught in the crossfire, Anders faces charges of espionage. Val Kilmer, Andy Garcia and Dean Cain co-star in this tense drama directed by Renny Harlin.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.
8/19/11- Good review in today’s NY Times but poor reviews overall. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
August 8th, 2011
LUST, CAUTION- 2009. Synopsis by Neflix. “Oscar-winning filmmaker Ang Lee (the steady mind behind films such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Brokeback Mountain) directs this intriguing espionage thriller set in World War II-era Shanghai. Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Joan Chen and Lee-Hom Wang co-star in this foreign-language tale about a young actress (Wei Tang) caught up in a complex plot involving love, assassination and seduction, based on the writings of author Eileen Chang.” I liked the movie although I found it a bit slow. TRDB.
Tags: drama
August 7th, 2011
COLD FISH- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “After befriending charming Murata (Denden), a fellow tropical fishdealer, unhappy family man Shamoto (Mitsuru Fukikoshi) sends his rebellious daughter to live and work with him. But when Murata reveals his conniving, murderous nature, Shamoto suddenly finds himself trapped. Inspired by the true story of a prolific serial killer, this shocking horror movie effectively blends dark humor with intense drama.”
8/5/11- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
9/24/11- Truly one of the weirdest movies I’ve encountered. Loads of blood so don’t watch if you’re squeamish. I can’t say that I liked it but it was interesting. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
August 6th, 2011
PROTEKTOR- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “As the Nazis occupy Prague, radio host Emil Vrbata (Marek Daniel) tries to protect his Jewish spouse, Hana (Jana Plodková), by collaborating with the Germans in this atmospheric drama that examines the role the media played during World War II. Despite Emil’s broadcasting of enemy propaganda, Hana is threatened with internment — and the couple’s deteriorating marriage reaches a turning point when a Nazi official is assassinated.”
8/5/11- OK review in today’s NY Times but I saw this 2 years ago at the Palm Springs Film Festival and did not like it. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
August 6th, 2011
RAPT- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “When corporate figurehead Stanislas Graff (Yvan Attal) is kidnapped and held for an absurd ransom of 50 million Euros, the police and powerful business he represents are forced to debate whether one man’s life can really be worth that much money. But every minute they spend talking about the issue gives the press more time to dig through Graff’s murky past — and Graff’s captors more time to torture their hostage.” Great professional reviews and average audience reaction. TRDB.
12/19/11- An excellent movie on several levels with great acting by the lead. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: drama, Foreign
August 3rd, 2011
LITTLEROCK- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “This evocative drama examines culture shock, the universal yearning for connection, and the impact of history on ordinary people in the tale of Atsuko (Atsuko Okatsuka) and Rintaro (Rintaro Sawamoto), Japanese siblings who come to California to visit a World War II internment camp. After getting stranded in a desert town, Atsuko finds a connection with a local boy (Cory Zacharia), while Rintaro longs for home.” Some very interesting early reviews. TRDB.
8/12/11- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
4/11/12- A bit slow but still an interesting movie. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: drama
July 30th, 2011
THE LAST CIRCUS- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “After landing a gig as a sad circus clown, timid Javier (Carlos Areces) falls for beguiling but masochistic trapeze artist Natalia (Carolina Bang) and begins battling for the beauty’s affections with her brutally abusive boyfriend, Sergio (Antonio de la Torre). Written and directed by Álex de la Iglesia, this darkly humorous commentary on Spain’s fascist past features an abundance of blood-splattered violence and gruesome gore.” Some very good early reviews. TRDB.
8/19/11- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
11/3/11- This movie was ridiculous and I turned it off. Slapstick crap. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
July 30th, 2011
THE HELP- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1960s Jackson, Miss., aspiring writer Eugenia Phelan crosses taboo racial lines by conversing with Aibileen Clark about her life as a housekeeper, and their ensuing friendship upsets the fragile dynamic between the haves and the have-nots. When other long-silent black servants begin opening up to Eugenia, the disapproving conservative Southern town soon gets swept up in the turbulence of changing times.” OK reviews. TRDB.
Tags: drama
July 30th, 2011
GOOD NEIGHBORS- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “In an apartment complex nestled in Montreal’s Notre-Dame-de-Grâce neighborhood, everyone is nervous with a serial killer on the loose. Meanwhile, waitress Louise (Emily Hampshire) and widower Spencer (Scott Speedman) bond with new resident Victor (Jay Baruchel), which could prove dangerous. Staying alive may well mean figuring out who to trust. Jacob Tierney (The Trotsky) writes and directs this mystery thriller.” OK review in NY Times on 7/29/11. TRDB.
10/11/11- An interesting story that started slowly and became more engaging as time went on. I liked it. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
July 30th, 2011
POINT BLANK- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Samuel Pierret (Gilles Lellouche) is a nurse who saves the wrong guy — a thief (Roschdy Zem) whose henchmen take Samuel’s pregnant wife (Elena Anaya) hostage to force him to spring their boss from the hospital. A race through the subways and streets of Paris ensues, and the body count rises. Can Samuel evade the cops and the criminal underground and deliver his beloved to safety? Fred Cavayé directs, with nods to classic French thrillers.” Good review in NY Times on 7/29/11. TRDB.
12/9/11- I could not get into this movie or even keep up with what was happening at times and even though I watched this while on Amtrak I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
July 30th, 2011
Newer Posts
Older Posts