Posts with the tag 'drama'

INCENDIES

INCENDIES- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “When their mother’s (Lubna Azabal) will implores them to deliver letters to the father they thought was dead and a brother they never knew about, twins Jeanne (Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin) and Simon (Maxim Gaudette) journey to the Middle East and attempt to reconstruct their family’s hidden history. Adapted from a Wajdi Mouawad play, director Denis Villeneuve’s drama flashes back to intense scenes set during the Lebanese Civil War in the 1970s.” Showed at HIFF 2010. Great professional reviews and very good audience response as well. TRDB.

5/15/11- This movie was done in a most realistic fashion with great acting and superb direction. While it was often difficult to watch I thought that it was a great movie. TRDB. At the Theater.

Add comment February 1st, 2011

IN A BETTER WORLD

IN A BETTER WORLD- (Haevnen) 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Danish director Susanne Bier delves into the realm of fathers, sons and their perceived burden of male responsibility with this Golden Globe-winning drama about the interplay between two dysfunctional families. With his father (Mikael Persbrandt) working abroad, bullied Elias (Markus Rygaard) finds solace in a budding friendship with a volatile new student (William Jøhnk Nielsen). But the boys’ shared revenge only seems to invite more violence.” Won the 2010 Academy Award for Best Foreign Film. TRDB.

4/11- A wonderful movie, difficult to watch at times, with several important messages. In particular about the different ways of handling conflict and the limits of each manner. TRDB. At the Theater.

Add comment February 1st, 2011

MY IDIOT BROTHER

MY IDIOT BROTHER- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Ned (Paul Rudd) is a seemingly clueless idealist who must rely upon his three exasperated sisters (Emily Mortimer, Elizabeth Banks and Zooey Deschanel) for shelter and support after he’s dumped by his fed-up girlfriend (Kathryn Hahn) and loses custody of his beloved dog, Willie Nelson. As he wreaks havoc on his sisters’ lives, Ned’s earnestness shines through until his siblings realize that family ties take priority over wealth and position.”

Add comment February 1st, 2011

BARNEY’S VERSION

BARNEY’S VERSION- 2010. “Golden Globe winner Paul Giamatti stars as Barney Panofsky, a Jewish Canadian television producer who reflects in flashbacks on three strange decades — and three wives — in this adaptation of Mordecai Richler’s acclaimed novel. There’s Clara (Rachelle Lefevre), a free-spirited proponent of free love; “Mrs. P” (Minnie Driver), a self-centered princess; and Miriam (Rosamund Pike), the right woman who comes along at the wrong time.” Good reviews.

2/11- Great acting and a magnificent screenplay make this a terrific movie. Highly recommended. TRDB. At the theater.

Add comment February 1st, 2011

MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE

MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “After escaping from a violent cult in rural New York, Martha (Elizabeth Olsen) tries to reconnect with her estranged sister, Lucy (Sarah Paulson), and Lucy’s well-to-do husband, Ted (Hugh Dancy), but the brainwashing she endured continues to prevent her from forming an identity of her own. Overwhelmed with paranoia, guilt and shame, Martha isolates herself until Lucy begins to suspect her sister’s emotional trauma has deeper underlying causes.” Winner at Sundance 2011.

10/21/11-  Only a fair review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

11/8/11- An interesting and very well acted psychological thriller and I liked it. TRDB. At the theater.

Add comment January 30th, 2011

ALL YOUR DEAD ONES

ALL YOUR DEAD ONES- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “When he finds a heap of dead bodies hidden on his land, poor Colombian farmer Salvador rushes to report the grim massacre, but he soon learns that — because it is election day — none of the authorities wants to be troubled with his discovery. The rotting corpses, however, have their own way of reminding the living of their fate. Alvaro Rodriguez, Martha Márquez and Jorge Herrera star in this darkly comic satire from director Carlos Moreno.” At Sundance 2011.

Add comment January 30th, 2011

THE LIE

THE LIE- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Sometimes, you reeeeally don’t want to go to work. And sometimes that feeling is so strong that you’ll do anything to get out of it — even if that means telling a lie that has the power to completely change the trajectory of your life. Joshua Leonard (who co-starred in the indie breakout hit The Blair Witch Project) makes his directorial debut with this indie drama based on a short story by T.C. Boyle.” Winner at Sundance 2011.

A few good early reviews. TRDB.

11/18/11- An excellent review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2/24/12- A very well acted and interesting story about relationships, particularly spousal, and mid- course corrections in life. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

Add comment January 30th, 2011

KINYARWANDA

KINYARWANDA- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “In this first-ever dramatic feature produced by Rwandans, the events of the horrific 1994 genocide are personalized through six intertwined stories. As the violence rages, mosques become a haven for Rwandans of all affiliations seeking protection. Director and writer Alrick Brown seeks the gray areas in this dark period of history, finding all-too-human motivations and resilience in the face of unimaginable catastrophe.” At Sundance 2011. Excellent reviews. TRDB.

6/17/12- One more of the Rwanda genocide movies but this one presents a complex question when it examines forgiveness. TRDB. Netflix.

Add comment January 30th, 2011

WAITING FOR FOREVER

WAITING FOR FOREVER- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Contentedly jobless, wanderer Will Donner (Tom Sturridge) decides to focus his energies on reconnecting with the girl he loved as a child, Emma Twist (Rachel Bilson) — who is now a 20-something television actress living in Hollywood — and spending the rest of his life with her. Directed by James Keach, this romantic drama co-stars Blythe Danner, Richard Jenkins, Jaime King and Nikki Blonsky.”  Poor review in NY Times on 2/4/11.

Add comment January 30th, 2011

AROUND JUNE

AROUND JUNE- 2008. Premise by RottenTomatoes. “A love story set in the shadow of the shipyards of San Francisco. A young woman (JUNE) living with her much adored (UNCLE HENRY) and domineering, abusive father (MURRY), meets a penniless illegal immigrant (JUAN DIEGO), whose love gives her the insight and courage to finally break free and live her own life.” No reviews.

Add comment January 30th, 2011

Newer Posts Older Posts


All Movie Reviews

What’s New!

Find out what's playing near you

What's playing at Independent theaters near you

Archives of Past Reviews