TEDDY BEAR- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “A shy and socially inept 38-year-old Danish bodybuilder travels to Thailand, where he learns some unexpected lessons about life and love.”
11/12/14- A very good drama with a sensitive touch and some interesting family dynamics. I’d recommend it. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Add comment November 12th, 2014
THE WORLD IS BIG AND SALVATION LURKS AROUND THE CORNER- 2008. Synopsis by Netflix. “Decades after moving with his parents from Bulgaria to Germany, Alex (Carlo Ljubek) loses his memory in a terrible car accident. But by embarking on a tandem bicycle adventure with his quirky grandfather (Miki Manojlovic), Alex begins to reconnect with his forgotten past. Based on Ilija Trojanow’s autobiography, this touching drama explores such powerful themes as family, loyalty and cultural identity.”
11/11/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.
Add comment November 11th, 2014
WRECKERS- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Dawn and David return to his hometown, an unexpected visit from David’s unbalanced brother makes Dawn question how well she knows her husband.”
11/11/14- A very dark movie, most of it very slow. About family secrets. You can skip it. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Add comment November 11th, 2014
GOODBYE TO LANGUAGE- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “From legendary auteur Jean-Luc Godard comes this allusive drama that puts an adulterous couple in the midst of a chorus of voices and kaleidoscopic images denouncing the ills of modern society.”
10/29/14- Good professional reviews and average audience ones. TRDB.
4/16/15- An irritating, pretentious pile of nothing as far as I’m concerned. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment October 30th, 2014
NUIT #1- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Clara and Nikolaï meet at a rave. They return to Nikolaï’s apartment and make love. Afterwards, instead of parting, the two lovers divulge their deepest secrets to one another.”
10/29/14- This movie is clearly driven by the performance of the 2 characters as they are so honest with each other and themselves that you can actually feel something for them. I think it’s worth a try. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Add comment October 30th, 2014
ALGORITHMS- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “An intriguing look into the lives of three sightless Indian chess players, this observational documentary follows the youngsters as they compete in blind chess tournaments, led by an unflagging mentor who also happens to be blind.”
10/24/14- Very mixed reviews including some pretty bad ones but the subject is fascinating and I’ll probably see this one eventually. TRDB.
Add comment October 28th, 2014
THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA- 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Legendary Studio Ghibli cofounder Isao Takahata (Grave of the Fireflies, Pom Poko) revisits Japan’s most famous folktale in this gorgeous, hand-drawn masterwork, decades in the making. Found inside a shining stalk of bamboo by an old bamboo cutter (James Caan) and his wife (Mary Steenburgen), a tiny girl grows rapidly into an exquisite young lady (Chloë Grace Moretz). The mysterious young princess enthralls all who encounter her – but ultimately she must confront her fate.”
10/17/14– Great reviews. TRDB.
Add comment October 18th, 2014
RELATIONSHIP STATUS: IT’S COMPLICATED- 2014. About a guy who is about to be married and re-unites with an old flame.
10/17/14– I found just a single review- from the NY Times- and while the reviewer “sort of” liked it he felt that it could have been much better. TRDB.
Add comment October 18th, 2014
HAIDER- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Shahid Kapoor delivers a searing performance in this Bollywood take on Hamlet that unfolds amid Kashmiri culture and history. The film completes Bharadwaj’s Shakespeare trilogy, which also includes Macbeth (Magbool) and Othello (Omkara).”
10/3/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.
Add comment October 6th, 2014
FACTORY GIRL- This movie is about an extended Egyptian family and brings up the many differences in the treatment of women between East and West.
9/20/14- A good movie with an accurate depiction of the difficulties of being female in Arab countries. Very good acting and very realistic. TRDB.
Add comment September 21st, 2014