Posts with the tag 'drama'
JAFFA- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “In the Israeli city of Jaffa, an Arab father and son — Hasan and Taufik — work at a garage owned by a Jewish family that includes the pretty Mali (Dana Ivgy). But the tensions simmering beneath the surface of the genial workplace are about to come to a boil. A secret affair between Mali and Taufik has grave repercussions when Mali becomes pregnant in this gripping drama, an official selection at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.” Mixed reviews but more negative than positive.
11/10- A very well acted and thought provoking drama and I recommend it. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: drama, Foreign
September 22nd, 2010
WALL STREET- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “20-plus years after he introduced us to the phrase “greed is good,” controversial filmmaker Oliver Stone (W., World Trade Center) returns to the world of high finance, unfettered capitalism and white-collar crime. Michael Douglas reprises his Oscar-winning role as Gordon Gekko, the deliciously diabolical money magnate who never passes up a chance to make a buck. Shia LaBeouf also stars as a young trader embroiled in a puzzling murder.” Poor reviews.
Tags: drama
September 21st, 2010
UNCLE BOONME WHO CAN RECALL HIS PAST LIVES- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Under the care of his dedicated sister-in-law (Jenjira Pongpas), terminally ill Uncle Boonmee (Thanapat Saisaymar) spends his final days reminiscing about his past lives with the recently arrived ghost of his dead wife (Natthakarn Aphaiwonk) and his long-missing son (Geerasak Kulhong). Directed by celebrated Thai filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul, this free-floating fantasy film took home the Palme d’Or at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.” Three reviews, all great. TRDB.
7/12/11- Well, maybe it’s me but this well reviewed movie failed to movie me except to think about turning it off, probably because of my expectations. Beautiful landscapes but the story was so esoteric and mysterious that I often failed to see his point and at some level I felt that this was another example of “the emperor’s new clothes.” TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
September 14th, 2010
THE CONSPIRATOR- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “Robert Redford directs this gripping historical drama that follows the efforts of young lawyer Frederick Aiken (James McAvoy) as he defends Mary Surratt (Robin Wright Penn), a Confederate sympathizer accused of conspiring to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. Realizing that Surratt may in fact be innocent, Aiken defies public opinion and risks everything to get her acquitted. The stellar cast also includes Tom Wilkinson, Kevin Kline and Alexis Bledel.” Very good audience reviews. TRDB.
8/23/11- An OK history lesson but I found the movie overly dramatic and fairly predictable most of the time. Might have been better as a documentary. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
September 11th, 2010
WATERCOLORS- 2008. Premise by Netflx. “At a gallery opening of his work, artist Danny Wheeler (Tye Olson) looks back at the intense experiences that have shaped his life, starting with a fateful high school romance with Carter Melman (Kyle Claire), a classmate and talented swimmer. Their strong but troubled attraction — and the artistic inspiration that Danny drew from it — still pose issues for him 15 years later, both in his art and his current romantic relationship.” Mixed reviews.
Tags: drama
September 10th, 2010
HOW I ENDED THIS SUMMER- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “At an isolated science station in the Arctic, meteorologist Sergei and young intern Pavel face the impending closure of the now-irrelevant base. While Sergei eagerly anticipates returning to his family, Pavel still hopes for a grand adventure. Time is distorted so far north, where the never-setting summer sun can make a day stretch into weeks, and this engrossing thriller examines how altered perceptions affect the two men.” Mostly good reviews.
5/15/11- Way too long but still an interesting story. I’d rate it as OK. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
September 8th, 2010
IF I WANT TO WHISTLE, I WHISTLE- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Just days before his scheduled release from a reformatory, teenage delinquent Silviu (George Pistereanu) takes a pretty social worker (Ada Condeescu) hostage and threatens to kill her unless his estranged mother (Clara Voda) promises not to separate him from his younger brother. Will Silviu’s desperate act to protect his sibling cost him his freedom? Marian Bratu also stars in this engrossing drama from director Florin Serban.” Fair reviews on average but including a few very good ones. TRDB.
4/11- Very slow Romanian drama that I thought was just OK. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
Tags: drama, Foreign
September 8th, 2010
A SCREAMING MAN- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Adam (Youssouf Djaoro) was a security guard at a posh Chad hotel until its new owners replaced him with his son (Dioucounda Koma). In this nation torn apart by civil war, citizens are called upon to help. But Adam only has one thing to give, forcing him to make a devastating choice. Emile Abossolo M’bo and Djénéba Koné co-star in this powerful drama, winner of the Jury Prize at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.” Great professional reviews and average audience reviews. TRDB.
8/3/11- A very slow but very moving drama about the effects of war on one family in particular. Definitely recommended. TRDB. Netflix Streaming and available on DVD very soon.
Tags: drama, Foreign
September 8th, 2010
THE EDGE OF HEAVEN- 2007. Premise by Netflix. “When his father accidentally kills a prostitute, Nejat Aksu (Baki Davrak) seeks out her 27-year-old daughter, Ayten (Nurgül Yesilcay), to make amends. Nejat focuses his search in Turkey, but Ayten, who’s part of a closely watched activist group, has fled to Germany. The lives of four Turks and two Germans are soon entwined as a result of circumstances beyond their control in this compelling drama, which earned Best Screenplay honors at Cannes.”
3/11- I saw this movie 2 years ago and liked it very much. I saw it again yesterday (3/24/11) and enjoyed it even more. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
September 7th, 2010
THE BLACK SWAN- 2010. Premise by Netflix. ” In this supernatural thriller from director Darren Aronofsky, ambitious New York City ballet dancer Nina (Natalie Portman) lands a key role in “Swan Lake,” but soon finds her dreams of stardom threatened by rival ballerina Lilly (Mila Kunis). As the contentious rivalry between the dancers intensifies, Nina’s obsession descends into paranoia, delusion and more. Winona Ryder, Barbara Hershey and Vincent Cassel co-star.” Very good reviews.
12/10-A very suspenseful and disturbing movie with enough to keep Freud busy for years. I liked it. TRDB. At the theater.
Tags: drama
September 7th, 2010
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