Posts with the tag 'drama'
BLUEBEARD- Premise by Netflix. “French director Catherine Breillat serves up an inspired take on Charles Perrault’s 17th-century fairy tale about a murderous nobleman whose wives have been disappearing in droves in this fantastical foreign-language drama partially set in the 1950s. Dominique Thomas stars as the titular Bluebeard, with Lola Creton playing the part of his most recent bride, the virginal, beautiful — and terrified — Marie-Catherine.” Fairly good reviews.
Tags: drama
June 13th, 2010
I AM LOVE- Premise by Netflix. “Oscar winner Tilda Swinton shows off her multilingual skills in this Italian melodrama, in which family dissension, unbidden desire and other tensions bubble to the surface during the patriarch’s birthday party. When the seemingly picture-perfect Recchi family gathers at the family manse to celebrate the great old man, the veneer of civility falls quickly away in director Luca Guadagnino‘s lush, atmospheric film.”
6/10- Beautifully photographed, very good story with good acting. I enjoyed this one very much. Highly recommended!! TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
June 13th, 2010
WINTER’S BONE- Premise by Netflix. “In this noir drama set deep in Ozark territory, resilient teenager Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence) goes on the trail of her missing drug-dealing father when his absence jeopardizes the safety of their family. The deadbeat dad has a critical court date pending, and Ree is determined that he make it — despite the objections of the insular Dolly clan. Director Debra Granik‘s unflinching drama won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance.” Great reviews.
6/10-Very good acting in this Appalachian slice of life but I was disappointed in the film. I felt that not enough happened and what did seemed contrived to me. A friend who I saw this with spent a year in Missouri and felt that it was indeed realistic. TRDB.
Tags: drama
June 8th, 2010
KINGS OF THE EVENING- Premise by Netflix. “Homer Hobbs (Tyson Beckford) returns from prison to a town gripped by the Depression. Stuck in a boardinghouse with four strangers and no resources, Homer figures he may be down and out, but he can still dress for success at the local weekly “swanking” contest. Every Sunday evening at a nearby hall, the men about town pull on their best threads and strut their stuff. All may compete, but at night’s end, only one will be king.”
11/10- Cliched and entertaining because I watched it on Amtrak from Baltimore to Stamford. I’d have turned it off otherwise. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
June 8th, 2010
HAPPY TEARS- Premise by Netflix. “Jayne (Parker Posey) and Laura (Demi Moore) return to their childhood home in Pittsburgh to look after their father, Joe (Rip Torn), a lively widower who may be slipping into dementia. The sisters are soon at odds over their father’s care — and over old family dramas. As Joe’s condition deteriorates, they are forced to confront myriad unpleasant memories. Ellen Barkin and Christian Camargo co-star.” Generally negative reviews.
6/10– Silly often but this film was still of interest with some poignant moments and some good comedy as well. TRDB.
Tags: drama
June 4th, 2010
TOE TO TOE- Premise by Netflix. “Out on the lacrosse pitch, wealthy but troubled Jesse (Louisa Krause) and poor but driven Tosha (Sonequa Martin) form an easy and deep bond, but their relationship is threatened once they enter the hallways of an elite prep school they attend in Washington, D.C. There, they must work to overcome racial and other tensions in their classmates, and in themselves, if they hope to keep their friendship alive. Emily Abt directs.” Very good reviews.
6/10- Despite the good reviews I felt that the script was trite. Very good acting saved it. TRDB.
Tags: drama
June 2nd, 2010
HOLY ROLLERS- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Inspired by a true story, director Kevin Asch‘s film tells the story of Sam Gold (Jesse Eisenberg), a young Hasidic Jew from Brooklyn who breaks with Orthodox tradition when he becomes an intercontinental Ecstasy smuggler for an Israeli drug cartel. A blend of neurotic coming-of-age dramedy and tense crime thriller, the film features Justin Bartha (“National Treasure”) as Sam’s pal Yosef and hip-hop recording artist Q-Tip in a supporting role.” Fair reviews.
10/10- I agree- I thought that the movie was fair. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama
June 1st, 2010
MADEMOISELLE CHAMBON- Directed by Stephane Brize and starring Sandrine Kiberlan, Vincent Lindon and Aure Atika. Good review in NY Times 5/28/10
6/10- A wonderful drama about a working class man who develops an unlikely and unexpected romance with his son’s school teacher. I loved it. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
May 28th, 2010
THE FATHER OF MY CHILDREN- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “When a man who seemingly has everything takes his own life, the question on everyone’s mind is, why? This drama penned and helmed by Mia Hansen-Løve explores that quandary by recounting the weeks before and after a film producer’s suicide. With an adoring family, a job that fulfills him completely and a charismatic bearing that masks all woes, producer Grégoire Canvel appears at the top of his game. But underneath the surface, trouble is brewing.” Very good review in NY Times.
6/10- A sad drama about a loving family and the grief process. Very well done and I liked it. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
May 28th, 2010
AGORA- Premise by Netflix. “As Christianity gains steam in Roman Egypt toward the end of the fourth century A.D., a young slave (Max Minghella) weighs his desire for freedom against his growing love for his mistress (Rachel Weisz), an atheist as well as a professor of philosophy. Alejandro Amenábar (The Others) directs this epic drama based on the life of Hypatia of Alexandria, a noted Greek scholar and mathematician. Rupert Evans co-stars.” Good review in NY Times.
Tags: drama
May 28th, 2010
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