Category Archives: Drama

Australian, Complicated, Crime thriller, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Drug Dealers, Ethical struggles, Greed, Marital Infidelity, Murder, Plot Twist, Revenge, Small gem of a film, Suspense, Thriller, Trains, Violent

Swerve (2011)

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From Netflix:

This Australian outback thriller brings together the classic film noir ingredients when a man’s cross-country drive is diverted by car trouble. Soon after, he witnesses a spectacular car crash that includes one survivor and a money-stuffed suitcase.

By accident I found this Australian gem that just never lets go.

None of the actors are familiar to me, but all are excellent, especially the trio:

  • David Lyons as Colin. Colin arrives on scene with car trouble, the mere beginning of his troubles. Colin is an honest man accidentally up against the rest of the trio.
  • Emma Booth as Jina is unhappily married to the local sheriff.
  • Jason Clarke as Frank the sheriff is a jealous man with a vicious, homicidal temper.

We are NOT talking about a love triangle. Colin honestly returns the suitcase of money to the sheriff which is when Colin’s troubles really begin. Proceed from there through drug dealers, fighting, murder, bodies dumped in a mine, deception, and a satisfying final set of clever plot twists.

Don’t miss this lucky find!

2013, Alcoholism, Basically Sad, Corruption, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Marital Infidelity, Mental Illness, Scam Artists, Self-Deception, Wonderful acting

Blue Jasmine (2013)

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From Netflix:

The high life leads to high anxiety for a fashionable New York City homemaker in crisis who finds herself forced to live a more modest lifestyle in San Francisco. Woody Allen directs an ensemble cast that includes Cate Blanchett and Alec Baldwin.

Woody Allen may have married his daughter but the man sure knows how to capture ugly slices of contemporary life.

Using a jumbled set of flashbacks as well as scenes from the present, we watch a human circus of some really deceitful people (Alex Baldwin [Hal], Cate Blanchett [Jasmine], Louis C.K. [who seduces Jasmine’s sister Ginger]), some error-prone people (Sally Hawkins [the sister Ginger]), and some really decent and honest people (Andrew Dice Clay [Ginger’s former husband Augie], Bobby Cannavale [Ginger’s long-suffering boy friend Chili], Alden Ehrenreich [Jasmine’s son Danny], Peter Sarsgaard [Dwight]).

Short summary: Watch Cate Blanchett’s Jasmine’s incredibly well acted descent into an abyss of self-deception.

Is Woody Allen poking fun at the wealthy? It would seem that the lying high-fliers are scoundrels while (except for Peter Sarsgaard) the basically good characters all come from the middle class.

If nothing else, this film is a vehicle for Cate Blanchett to show off her remarkable talent even if she has to appear at times as physically and mentally destroyed.

In the category of sad urban human affairs this film is a DO NOT MISS!

2012, Arab Culture, Arabic, Basically Sad, Conspiracy, Disturbing Image, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Hebrew, Israeli Palestinian Conflict, Jewish Culture, Medical Theme, Military, Nudity, Sex Scenes, Terrorist Attack, Violent, Well developed plot, Wonderful acting

The Attack (2012)

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From Netflix:

An Arab Israeli physician offers assistance at the scene of a gruesome suicide bombing in Tel Aviv and then learns that the bomber was his own wife. Stunned and furious, he sets out to confront the people who encouraged her deadly decision.

To paraphrase an old saying, “One good film is worth a thousand history books”. My guess is that as you watch this marvelous film in Hebrew and Arabic with English subtitles your attitude towards the events and the protagonists will change at least somewhat. Here is yet another film about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that succeeds in not choosing sides, something that is very difficult to do in a film. If nothing else you will probably sympathize with the surgeon husband of the suicide bomber, a man caught in the middle of two cultures.

Superb acting, subtly developed plot, and a thought-provoking situation make for a must-see film.

2012, Addiction, Amusing banter, Bicycles, Could Be Sad, Drama, Drugs, Dysfunctional Lives, Ethical struggles, Explicit sexual discussion, Father-son relations, Flirting, Human spirit, Marital Infidelity, Masturbation, Medical Theme, Mostly About Sex, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Optimistic, Psychological Drama, Sex Scenes, Thought provoking, Violent

Thanks for Sharing (2012)

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From Netflix:

While making his way through a support group for sex addicts, Adam dips his toe in the dating pool to embrace a meaningful relationship. But the woman he’s attracted to has sworn off addicts altogether.

Sex addiction is the sole topic of this serious, thought-provoking, well acted, and hopeful film. Originally AA helped just alcoholics, but the idea of mentor-mentee organized group therapy involving public acknowledgement of one’s problems has expanded to all sorts of addictions. Plot line centers around four addicts and their associates. Expect very little comic relief from the problems of the various characters:

  • Mark Ruffalo (Adam) compulsively engages in all manner of sex acts. After a successful period of recovery he meets…
  • Gywneth Paltrow (Phoebe) who is both seductive and has her own set of eating and exercise compulsions.
  • Tim Robbins (Mike) is Adam’s mentor. In addition to his own personal demons, Mike was not a good father to …
  • his now drug-addicted son Patrick Fugit (Danny).
  • Josh Gad (Neil) is a young mother-smothered MD who loses his hospital job due to his compulsion to touch women in public. He helps and is helped by fellow sex addict …
  • Alecia “Pink” Moore (Dede) who needs sex following any emotional stress.

Each character during the course of the film suffers some setback (“falling off the wagon”) followed by a recovery. Hope and mutual support rather than a feeling of despair makes this film somewhat inspiring. Nobody is perfect. Good flick!

2013, Amputee, Based on a Book, Born Again Christians, Could Be Sad, Crude Talk, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Gay theme, Human spirit, Religious Theme, Small gem of a film, Thought provoking, Wonderful acting

C.O.G. (2013)

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From Netflix:

Based on a short story by David Sedaris, this comedy follows the brash young author as he travels to Oregon to work on an apple farm. The journey exposes him to all sorts of culture clashes, but what awaits him at the farm is far worse.

In this small gem of a film, Jonathan Groff is perfect for the part of a naïve and searching young man taking a break from his parents and Yale. His character David is so vulnerable to all the questionable influences that you could sit and worry about what might befall him. And many unpleasant but possibly forming tribulations do come his way. Here is a sensitive film so close to reality that you might cringe when something possibly not violent but at least hurtful happens to David. You can watch Wolverine slice someone into pieces and not bat an eye. But when a supposed friend turns viciously against David you feel the ugliness in a very personal way. Jonathan Groff has a short resume, but be on the lookout for more of his performances.

Hats off to some wonderful villains.

Denis O’Hare (the born-again jade artist) is one of our most established support actors, which is to say you recognize him even though you might not know his name (no matter how many episodes of “Law and Order” you have watched). His performance offers one of the most devastating and hateful betrayals I have ever seen.

Exactly the same can be said for Corey Stoll (apple packing plant manager) in every aspect. You might remember him as Rep. Peter Russo from “House of Cards”. His character is no less sinister than that of Denis O’Hare.

Escape from the trash. Here is a wonderful gem that YOU SHOULD NOT MISS!

Based on true facts, Black History, Drama, Ethical struggles, Father-son relations, Human spirit, Optimistic, Political statement, Race Relations, Slavery, Thought provoking, True Story, Vietnam, Violent, War

Lee Daniel’s The Butler (2013)

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From Netflix;

Oscar-winner Forest Whitaker delivers a powerful performance as Cecil Gaines, who served as the White House butler under eight presidents. His three decades of service unfold against a backdrop of unparalleled change in American history.

By combining the history of the civil rights movement with the life of a particular family, that of the butler Cecil Gaines, you can feel the impact of the events much more personally.

All the black actors, including Oprah Winfrey, do a fine job, while the white presidents were merely acceptable. Special mention to Jim Gleason in his small role as R.D. Warner with his pitch-perfect portrayal of a nasty, arrogant, dismissive and probably racist White House staff manager. Similarly the murderous white Southern plantation son was equally hate inspiring.

More need not be said about a historical drama that really nails it! DO NOT MISS!

2013, Abduction, Car Chase, Clever Plot, Could Be Hard To Watch, Creepy, Detective, Disturbing Image, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Plot Twist, Psychological Thriller, Serial Killer, Suspense, Torture, Violent, Wonderful acting

Prisoners (2013)

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From Netflix:

When his 6-year-old daughter is abducted and the investigation stalls, carpenter Keller Dover tracks down the culprit himself. But his vigilante action pits him against the case’s lead detective and puts his own sanity at risk.

Hugh Jackman plays the father who becomes violently involved in the investigation. In this respect this role is somewhat of a departure for Jackman since his character’s behavior is so far over the line that he is almost a villain. But still the plot is clever enough that for almost the entire film you are not really sure Jackman is on the right track or just plain unhinged.

Jake Gyllenhaal as Detective Lokki plays the calm, deliberate contrast to Jackman. Gyllenhaal’s job is complicated because he is both trying to find the kidnapped girls as well as keeping a suspicious eye on Jackman.

WARNING: Be prepared for violence, psychotic behavior, and torture.

Also expect some plot surprises. It takes the entire 153 minutes for answers to arrive. Finally I would enjoy hearing your reaction to the very end of the film, whose style is becoming more and more “trendy” and which has always made me chuckle.

Read the warning label and then DO NOT MISS!

2013, Abduction, Dark, Detective, Drama, FBI, Flirting, Gay theme, Grim, Lawyers, Love Story, Made For TV, Mental Illness, Occasional gore, Psychological Thriller, Revenge, Sadism, Serial Killer, Sex Scenes, Suspense, Torture, Violent, Wonderful acting

The Following (2013)

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From NetFlix:

When escaped serial killer Joe Carroll goes on a new killing spree, reclusive former FBI agent Ryan Hardy is called in, having captured Carroll nine years ago. Hardy soon discovers that Carroll has a loyal following of killers ready to terrorize.

Fifteen TV episodes of psychosis, ugly violence, and really good acting offer you a guilty pleasure. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Kevin Bacon always delivers a great performance, including this gory series. James Purefoy makes a great psychotic and insidiously clever villain. Take note, in addition, of the trio of very young adults (Valorie Curry, Nico Tortorella, and Adan Canto) who provide a sadistic bisexual mini-drama on their own. Nothing is nice in this series except possibly Kyle Catlett who plays the little boy Joey.

Stream along with NetFlix and expect to be absorbed.

2012, Comedy, Coming-of-age, Drama, Feel Good Not For Children, Flirting, Love Story, Mental Illness, Optimistic, Quiet, Sex Scenes, Small gem of a film, Talking Heads, Witty dialog

Liberal Arts (2012)

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From Netflix:

A speaking engagement brings 35-year-old Jesse back to his college alma mater, where he’s blindsided by nostalgia and a plucky sophomore named Zibby. Newly single and unfulfilled by his job, Jesse finds Zibby pulling him out of his disillusionment.

Call it talking-heads, call it an hour and one half of feel-good bubbles, but this little gem made me smile. Just enjoy all the philosophical pronouncements, some of them even make sense.

How can you not like 35 year old Jesse (played by Josh Radnor), an ordinary-looking guy with a friendly, sincere smile who is moral enough to think twice about sleeping with a 19 year old college student and warm enough to help a student suffering from manic-depression?

Feel sorry for the other characters who in a negative way help Jesse start to come alive: Professor Holberg (played by Richard Jenkins) who regretfully must retire even though he still feels like he is 19; Professor Fairfield (played by Allison Janney) who has grown cynical and bitter after loveless years of teaching literature.

Enjoy listening to the clever banter between Jesse and Zibby (played by Elizabeth Olsen). Were you like Zibby at her young age ?

Try and see it with someone you love.

2011, Based on a Book, Basically Sad, Dancing, Drama, FilmReview, Love Story, Plot Twist, Quiet, Revenge, Sex Scenes, Slow, Unusual

Trishna (2011)

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From Netflix:

Raised in rapidly changing rural India, well-educated Trishna is torn between cultural tradition and her own desires when she falls in love with a British businessman who has returned to India to work in his family’s hotel business.

According to Wikipedia, this film is an adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s novel “Tess of the d’Urbervilles.” Hopefully that will not spoil the plot for you (although the adaptation is only very approximate).

Not for everyone, this film features:

  • Many different views of life in India, rural and urban.
  • Dancing.
  • Some Bollywood film-making.
  • Details in Indian life that you may or may not find interesting.
  • Slow development of the story.
  • Quite a few (discreet) sex scenes.

Nonetheless, I could not stop watching. Perhaps I see too many violent films, but I kept expecting something awful to happen. Instead, for awhile the plot seems too easy, almost as if the writers were sparing us any stress. But eventually there is an unexpected change in direction and (for me, at least) a surprise ending. In fact, I cheated and did not list all the possible categories because I did not want to introduce any spoilers.

If nothing else, you can spend two hours appreciating the very beautiful female star.