SAVIORS IN THE NIGHT- Directed by Ludi Boeken and starring Veronica Ferres. About a Christian family in a small town in Germany that sheltered and saved a Jewish family from being deported to a Nazi death camp.
4/10- Seen as part of the Westchester Jewish Film Festival this movie was actually a true docudrama and was terrific. Highly recommended if you can find it. TRDB.
Add comment April 21st, 2010
VINCERE- Directed by Marco Bellocchio. Premise by Netflix. “Ida Dalser (Giovanna Mezzogiorno) falls for young Benito Mussolini (Filippo Timi) in Milan and sells everything she has to help the future dictator fund his newspaper, Popolo d’Italia. But when World War I separates the newly wedded couple, Mussolini marries another woman. Ida demands to retain her rights as Mussolini’s wife and the mother of his son, but the Fascists have other plans for the dictator’s dark secret in this gripping biopic.” Just opened nationally and has received great reviews.
3/10- I saw this and felt that the acting was superb. Mezzogiorno passionately portrayed a women with an obsession for Il Duce and was probably a metaphor for the country at the time. The film itself was enjoyable if a bit too long and I understand that the director played with the facts a bit. TRDB.
Add comment March 22nd, 2010
A WORLD APART- Premise by Netflix. “This powerful examination of apartheid stars Barbara Hershey as South African journalist Diana Roth, a white woman jailed for her political activism. Diana’s fierce commitment to the cause is unfathomable to her 13-year-old daughter (Jodhi May), who feels hurt by and resentful of her mother’s intense focus on issues outside the family. Escalating events push mother and daughter into a climactic confrontation in this drama based on true events.”
3/10- I liked this movie especially knowing that it was a basically true story. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment March 21st, 2010
CREATION- Premise by Netflix. “Paul Bettany stars as Charles Darwin in this BBC biographical drama that captures the legendary scientist in a period of intense mourning — and expansive intellectual discovery — following the untimely death of his young daughter, Annie. As Darwin dares to question the existence of God, he pens his groundbreaking tome, On the Origin of Species — much to the chagrin of his highly religious wife, Emma (Jennifer Connelly). Interesting topic with poor reviews. TRDB.
7/10- Generally poor reviews and a bit like made-for-tv but I still liked it as I gained insight into the mind of this famous scientific pioneer. TRDB.
Add comment January 2nd, 2010
INVICTUS- Premise by Netflix. “In this sports drama based on real-life events, director Clint Eastwood tells the story of what happened after the end of apartheid when newly elected president Nelson Mandela used the 1995 World Cup rugby matches to unite his people. Based on a book by John Carlin, the film stars Morgan Freeman as Mandela and Matt Damon as Francois Pienaar, the captain of the scrappy South African team that makes a run for the championship.”
12/21/09- I saw this a few days ago in Florida and I was the only one who did not like it. I felt that it was way too Hollywood and therefore trivialized the great deeds that this man has accomplished. TRDB.
Add comment December 7th, 2009
PROM NIGHT IN MISSISSIPPI- Premise by Netflix. “With actor Morgan Freeman‘s support, Mississippi’s Charleston High School stages its first senior prom to integrate both black and white students. This documentary examines the perspectives of several seniors as they prepare for this historic event. A group of disapproving white parents, who refused to meet and talk with the filmmakers, organized a separate White Prom for their children to attend.” OK reviews.
2/10- An interesting concept and well done. I must say that I wasn’t aware that this was still happening and for that I thank the movie. TRDB.
Add comment December 3rd, 2009
ENDGAME- Premise by Netflix. “Confidential political negotiations between South African government representative Prof. Willie Esterhuyse (William Hurt) and African National Congress President Thabo Mbek (Golden Globe nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor) lead to the peaceful demise of apartheid. Taking place in a bucolic British country estate, the talks are fraught with tension, but together the two men find a common path in this engaging Pete Travis-helmed drama.”
2/10- Very good docudrama- well acted and as far as I can tell fairly accurate too. TRDB.
Add comment November 10th, 2009
END GAME-Premise by Zap2it. “During the late 1980s a British mining concern initiates covert peace talks among factions in South Africa’s struggle against apartheid.” Very good early reviews.
Add comment October 31st, 2009
CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY- Premise by Netflix. “Filmmaker Michael Moore (Sicko, Fahrenheit 9/11) takes on capitalism’s roots, the floundering U.S. economy, and 2008’s global financial meltdown and subsequent bank bailout in this rousing documentary. Combining stories about those who suffer most from Corporate America’s greed and insatiable thirst for profits and the people most responsible for myriad crises, Moore embarks on another shocking fact-finding rampage.”
10/09-I enjoyed the movie but I feel that it’s more of an expose, not a documentary. TRDB.
Add comment October 7th, 2009
COCO BEFORE CHANEL- Premise by Rotten Tomatoes. “ Coco Before Chanel is the story of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, who began her life as headstrong orphan, and through an extraordinary journey became the legendary couturier who embodied the modern woman and became a timeless symbol of success, freedom and style. The film portrays the formative years of Chanel’s life, the years of Chanel spent discovering and inventing herself.” Mixed reviews, mostly good.
11/16/09– Saw this and liked it.
Add comment October 1st, 2009