Posts with the tag 'Foreign'
SALLAH- 1964. Synopsis by Netflix. “After immigrating to the promised land — the new state of Israel — Sallah clashes with government officials and his kibbutz community in this 1964 comedy directed by Ephraim Kishon and starring Topol. Disgusted by overbearing bureaucracy and what he feels are unrealistic communal expectations, Sallah (Topol) butts heads with leaders and neighbors as he tries to acquire housing for his family. Gila Almagor and Arik Einstein also star.”
3/5/12- A funny satire of early life in the new State of Israel. TRDB. I borrowed it from a friend but it’s also available from Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
March 5th, 2012
THE KID WITH A BIKE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “After being abandoned by his father, preteen Cyril fills with rage, and when good-hearted hairdresser Samantha tries to help him, the disillusioned boy is torn between his need to lash out at the world and his desire for love and stability.” Great early reviews. TRDB.
3/16/12- Great review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
4/2/12- The actor who played the kid was great and the story was a heartening act of love. There were also a few terrific scenes like the scene in a car when the boy is very upset. A better understanding of the woman’s motivation would have helped me but the movie was excellent never-the-less. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: drama, Foreign
March 3rd, 2012
THE SNOWTOWN MURDERS- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This grisly thriller is based on the true story of John Bunting — Australia’s worst serial killer — and the people he convinced to help him. One of them is teenager Jamie, whose entire family eventually falls under Bunting’s dark spell.
3/2/12- Very good reviews including today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
March 2nd, 2012
JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This delectable documentary profiles sushi chef Jiro Ono, an 85-year-old master whose 10-seat, $300-a-plate restaurant is legendary among Tokyo foodies. Ono is also a father, whose sons struggle to live up to his legacy and make their own marks.” Good early reviews. TRDB.
3/9/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
8/20/12- As noted above this documentary is about the Japanese master of sushi. He has earned and kept the Michelin 3 Star rating even with his basement, no toilet restaurant that holds a mere 10 people. Rave reviews for this film but I felt that there was a bit too much hero worship and a bit too little about the making of the sushi itself. You should definitely see it however. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary, Foreign
February 28th, 2012
HOUSE OF TOLERANCE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Bertrand Bonello makes life in an upscale Parisian bordello at the beginning of the 20th century the focus of this drama, which revolves around the working girls who ply their trade there — including one who’s been disfigured by a client.” Mixed reviews. TRDB.
3/22/12- Also called “House of Pleasure”, this is a very unusual movie that gives a good picture of a prostitute’s life, especially during the “off” hours. Interesting at times and boring at times but worth seeing. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
February 27th, 2012
THE FISH CHILD- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Wealthy Argentinean teen Lala has been gaga for her family’s maid, Ailin, since the day she joined the household three years ago. Now 16, Lala finds her affections returned, and the pair is planning to run off together in this romantic thriller.” Good professional reviews and average audience ones. TRDB.
2/25/12- I enjoyed this movie despite a bit of confusion with the back and forth in time nature of the drama. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: drama, Foreign
February 25th, 2012
HIPSTERS- 2008. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this hit Russian musical, a group of friends flaunts Soviet authority in 1950s Moscow by embracing jazz. When Communist Mels (Anton Shagin) falls for Polly (Oksana Akinshina), a free-spirited jazz fan, he risks losing his party membership by associating with her rebellious crew. Equally smitten, Polly introduces her new beau to jazz and other forbidden Western delights. Writer-director Valery Todorovsky helms this colorful take on the Cold War.”
2/24/12- OK review in today’s NY Times but mostly good reviews from others. TRDB.
4/20/14- I really liked this Russian musical drama, especially the musical scenes. It seems to be Russia’s answer to India’s Bollywood- Moscowwood?
Tags: drama, Foreign
February 24th, 2012
THE FAIRY- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Belgium-based trio Dominique Abel, Fiona Gordon and Bruno Romy follow their acclaimed Iceberg and Rumba with another Tati-inspired, candy-colored romp: this time, a charmingly off-kilter adventure about a hotel clerk who falls in love with a wish-granting fairy.”
2/24/12- Very good professional reviews but today’s NY Times review was difficult to interpret. Too many pluses and minuses. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
February 24th, 2012
THE FORGIVENESS OF BLOOD- 2012. Synopsis by RottenTomatoes. “The powerful and richly textured second feature from Joshua Marston focuses on an Albanian family caught up in a blood feud. Nik (Tristan Halilaj) is a carefree teenager in a small town with a crush on the school beauty and ambitions to start his own internet café. His world is suddenly up-ended when his father and uncle become entangled in a land dispute that leaves a fellow villager murdered. According to a centuries-old code of law, this entitles the dead man’s family to take the life of a male from Nik’s family as retribution. His uncle in jail and his father in hiding, Nik is the prime target and confined to the home while his younger sister Rudina (Sindi Laçej) is forced to leave school and take over their father’s business.” Good early reviews. TRDB.
2/24/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times but very good reviews in general. TRDB.
3/3/12- I thought this movie was great! TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
February 14th, 2012
WE HAVE A POPE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “The newly elected Pope suffers a panic attack just as he is due to appear on St Peter’s balcony to greet the faithful, who have been patiently awaiting the conclave’s decision. His advisers, unable to convince him he is the right man for the job, seek help from a renowned psychoanalyst (and atheist). But his fear of the responsibility suddenly thrust upon him is one that he must face on his own.” Generally poor reviews. TRDB.
4/6/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
4/15/12- Despite the fair to poor reviews I enjoyed this film about a man suffering with the awesome responsibility placed on him and his questions about being able to do the job. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
Tags: drama, Foreign
February 7th, 2012
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