Posts with the tag 'drama'
THE COMPANY MEN- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Written, directed and produced by John Wells (“The West Wing”), this indie drama stars Ben Affleck as a successful businessman who comes face-to-face with America’s downsizing epidemic when he loses his job and is forced to take a construction gig. Rounding out the all-star cast are Kevin Costner as Affleck’s brother-in-law, Tommy Lee Jones as a conflicted corporate bigwig and Chris Cooper as a struggling blue-collar worker.” Good review in NY Times on 12/9/10 and enjoyed by audiences so far. TRDB.
6/22/11- A look at the human side of downsizing in a cliche filled drama that should have been on TV. I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
October 10th, 2010
CONVICTION- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Convinced that her brother, Kenneth (Sam Rockwell), has been unjustly convicted of murder and incompetently defended by court-ordered attorneys, high school dropout Betty Anne Waters (Hilary Swank) puts herself through law school in order to represent him in his appeal. Inspired by a true story, director Tony Goldwyn’s stirring drama also stars Melissa Leo, Minnie Driver, Peter Gallagher and Clea DuVall.” Good reviews.
3/11- A true story portrayed with sensitivity and emotion and a wonderful Hilary Swank as usual. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
October 10th, 2010
A SONG FOR MARTIN- 2001. Premise by Netflix. “A middle-aged violinist (Viveka Seldahl) starts a brand-new life when she weds a renowned composer (Sven Wollter), only to find their happiness short-lived as her husband is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and gradually succumbs its ravages. Featuring impressive performances, director Bille August’s incisive drama is harrowing in its portrayal of how the illness inexorably takes away memories and personality.”
10/10- I saw this years ago and liked it very much. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, foreigh
October 8th, 2010
THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET’S NEST- Premise by Netflix. “Third in a trio of films inspired by Swedish author Stieg Larsson’s “Millennium Trilogy,” this thriller follows feisty computer hacker Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) as she finds herself hospitalized, suspected of murder and targeted for death by thugs. Meanwhile, Lisbeth’s journalist pal, Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist), crusades to prove her innocence. Daniel Alfredson directs this film that also stars Lena Endre and Jacob Ericksson.” I felt the first one was OK, didn’t like the second and have no reason to believe I’ll like the third. Audience reaction has been good.
Tags: drama, Foreign, Mystery
October 4th, 2010
MESRINE: PUBLIC ENEMY #1- Premise by Netflix. “Jacques Mesrine (Vincent Cassel) finds his star rising throughout the 1970s as both a gangster and a publicity-hungry celebrity. But while his criminal plans are as grandiose as ever, the Paris police are redoubling their efforts with a special anti-Mesrine unit. The conclusion to Jean-François Richet’s epic crime biopic also stars the luminous Ludivine Sagnier as Mesrine’s glamorous Italian lover, Sylvia Jeanjacquot.” OK reviews but not my kind of movie.
Tags: drama, Mystery
September 28th, 2010
STONE- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Edward Norton plays a convicted arsonist who hopes to get out of prison early by putting to work the seductive talents of his beautiful wife, Lucetta (Milla Jovovich). Robert DeNiro plays the parole officer who is the target of the couple’s cat-and-mouse scheming. John Curran (The Painted Veil) directs this subtle psychological thriller based on the play by screenwriter Angus MacLachlan (Junebug).” Great audience reviews. Poor review in NY Times on 10/8/10.
Tags: drama
September 27th, 2010
IT’S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Being a teenager is too much for 16-year-old Craig (Keir Gilchrist), who shocks his parents (Lauren Graham and Jim Gaffigan) by checking himself into a mental health clinic for a little R & R. But when the youth ward is unexpectedly closed, he’s forced to live among the adult patients. Zach Galifianakis, Viola Davis, Emma Roberts and Aasif Mandvi co-star in this quirky drama written and directed by the screenwriters of Half Nelson.” Just 50/50 early reviews. OK review in NY Times 10/8/10.
3/11- A delightful story with cute characters and a message. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: Comedy, drama
September 26th, 2010
SILENT SOULS- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “Paul Hanganu (Mimi Branescu) is in love with two women: Adriana (Mirela Oprisor), his wife of 10 years, and Raluca (Maria Popistasu), his mistress of the past several months. Now, at a crossroads, Paul is forced to choose between them in this drama from Romanian director Radu Muntean. Combining careful staging and emotionally intense dialogue, the film presents an unblinking profile of a man in crisis and the women whose lives he’s ensnared.” Very good reviews. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
September 25th, 2010
RENDITION- Premise by Netflix. “Suspected of being a terrorist, Egyptian-born Anwar El-Ibrahim (Omar Metwally) “vanishes” from an international flight and is taken to a secret prison. Now, his wife, Isabella (Reese Witherspoon), desperately tries to uncover his whereabouts — as well as his true intentions. While she looks for answers, CIA analyst Douglas Freeman (Jake Gyllenhaal) objects to the interrogation practices used on El-Ibrahim. Meryl Streep and Alan Arkin co-star.”
9/10- Heavy on the talent here makes for an enjoyable movie. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, thriller
September 25th, 2010
ONE WEEK- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “Joshua Jackson stars in this bittersweet odyssey as Ben, a young man who’s just received news of his terminal illness. Leaving his perplexed fiancée, Samantha (Liane Balaban), Ben buys a 1973 Norton motorcycle and heads for the Pacific. His journey takes him through nature, introduces him to interesting fellow travelers, brings him unexpected romance and begins to put his impending fate in perspective.” Mixed reviews.
9/10- I saw most of this movie (tuned in late) and thought it was OK. TRDB.
Tags: drama
September 23rd, 2010
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