Posts with the tag 'drama'
THE HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER- Synopsis by Netflix. “This beautifully shot film combines comedy and tragedy in the tale of a workaholic human resources manager (Mark Ivanir) who neglects his family to further his career. But when an employee at his bakery is killed, he begins an odd journey toward self-realization. Offering to escort the woman’s body from Israel back to her Eastern European homeland, the manager is puzzled by eccentric characters along the way but begins to understand the importance of family.”
1/11- A bit far fetched but still an interesting road trip that I enjoyed. At the Palm Springs Int. Film Festival. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
January 9th, 2011
THE LITTLE ROOM- Premise by Netflix. “With picturesque Lausanne, Switzerland, as the backdrop, this earnest drama follows the unlikely but growing kinship between conscientious private nurse Rose (Florence Loiret Caille) and her ill-tempered elderly patient, Edmond (Michel Bouquet). Facing losses that neither can accept — her, a stillborn baby, and him, his independence — Rose and Edmond gradually bond. Eric Caravaca provides strong support as Rose’s worried spouse.”
Tags: drama
January 9th, 2011
THE TIME THAT REMAINS- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “From the creation of Israel in 1948 all the way through the early 21st century, a single Palestinian family endures many triumphs and tragedies over the course of several generations in this sweeping drama. Writer-director Elia Suleiman also stars in this semiautobiographical film, the third installment in a trilogy that also includes the critically acclaimed Chronicle of a Disappearance and Divine Intervention.” Good review in NY Times on 1/8/11. At Sundance 2011.
1/11- I don’t know what the critics were thinking. I found this movie of NO value and fairly stupid at that. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand straight from Sundance 2011.
Tags: drama, Foreign
January 8th, 2011
GO GO TALES- 2007. Premise by Netflix. “With a pregnant star (Bianca Balti), a venomous landlady (Sylvia Miles) and an empty house every night, Manhattan strip club Ray Ruby’s Paradise is about to close forever. Fortunately, owner Ray (Willem Dafoe) has a plan that involves buying a truckload of lottery tickets and ignoring his odds. Matthew Modine and Bob Hoskins also star in director Abel Ferrara’s comic portrait of lust, greed and the American Dream.” Good review in NY Times 1/8/11.
Tags: drama
January 8th, 2011
CIRKUS COLUMBIA- Premise Netflix. “With communism dismantled, refugee Divko Buntic (Miki Manojlovic) returns to his Herzegovina home bearing a new paramour and old grudges. His first act of comeuppance is disturbing the peace of Lucija (Mira Furlan), the wife who refused to flee with him 20 years before. Domestic strife echoes the coming civil war as Divko has Lucija tossed from her home, Lucija retaliates, and intrigue develops between their son and Divko’s new wife.”
At the 2011 Palm Springs Int. Film Festival. I enjoyed the film. TRDB.
2/17/12- Fair review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
January 8th, 2011
THE STRANGE CASE OF ANGELICA- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “In 1950s Portugal, a well-to-do family hires a young photographer named Isaac (Ricardo Trêpa) to take the last photograph of their deceased daughter, Angelica (Pilar López de Ayala). Upon seeing her, Isaac fallls deeply in love soon finds her returning to life in his camera lens. Now, romance fills his life for the first time. Acclaimed filmmaker Manoel de Oliveira wrote and directed this Official Selection of the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.” Good review in NY Times on 12/29/10.
3/11- Despite the good reviews I found this allegorical tale boring. TRDB. At the theater.
Tags: drama, Foreign
December 29th, 2010
TRUE GRIT- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “After her father is murdered by drifter Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), 14-year-old Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld), hires Reuben “Rooster” Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), an alcoholic U.S. Marshal, to help her exact vengeance. The disreputable Rooster still has grit though, and mounts an epic search. The pair is joined on their quest by Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon), who is also hunting for Chaney, in this updated Western from Joel and Ethan Coen. Very good review in NY Times on 12/22/10.
1/11- To be honest I thought that the film was not nearly as good as the critics said it was. I also needed sub-titles for a good portion of the dialogue. Bring back “The Duke.” At the theater.
Tags: drama
December 22nd, 2010
OWL AND THE SPARROW- 2007. Premise by Netflix. “After angering her stern uncle (Trong Hai), 10-year-old Thuy (Han Thi Pham) runs away and lands on the tough streets of Saigon. There, she befriends shy zookeeper Hai (The Lu Le) and flight attendant Lan (Cat Ly). Dreaming of a new family, Thuy plays matchmaker to bring the two together. Meanwhile, Thuy’s furious uncle tracks her through the city. Stephane Gauger wrote and directed this Los Angeles Film Festival Audience Award winner.” Good reviews.
12/10- Great, touching film!!! TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
December 21st, 2010
SECRET SUNSHINE- 2007. Premise by Netflix. “Trying to piece her life back together after the death of her husband, Lee Shin-ae (Do-yeon Jeon) moves to the small village where he was born with her young son in tow. Life seems to return to normal, until the boy is kidnapped and Shin-ae is devastated. Jeon won the Best Actress award at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival for her performance in this emotionally gripping drama by director Chang-dong Lee.” Very good reviews. Great review in NY Times on 12/22/10.
9/1/11- An unusual movie that well captured the horror that the mother endures and her attempts to become “normal” again. I liked it very much. TRDB.
Tags: drama
December 20th, 2010
RABBIT HOLE- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “In this raw drama based on David Lindsay-Abaire’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name, Becca (Nicole Kidman) and Howie (Aaron Eckhart) grapple with the realities of life eight months after the death of their 4-year-old son, Danny. Even with Becca’s well-meaning mother (Dianne Wiest) offering comfort and weekly group therapy always available, the couple go about their own secret ways of coping. John Cameron Mitchell directs.” OK review in NY Times 12/17/10.
4/11- I thought that the movie was very real, well acted and I enjoyed it very much. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
December 18th, 2010
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