Category Archives: Drama

2005, Could Be Hard To Watch, Drama, Explicit sexual discussion, Not Feel Good, Revenge, Suspense, Unusual, Violent

Hard Candy (2005)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

Ellen Page (Juno) stars in this suspenseful drama from director David Slade as Hayley, an intelligent teen who’s got her own reasons for spending so much time with Geoff (Patrick Wilson), a much older man she met online. Even though Geoff is a charming, good-looking photographer, Hayley should know better than to go home with a guy in his early thirties — especially since he might have ulterior motives.

WARNING:

  • You may hate this movie. Although there is no explicit gore, there are many instances of violence, and the gore is left to your imagination (which can make it even worse).
  • You must suspend disbelief because the “teenager” Ellen Page looks too old and is far to mature to be a mere 14 years of age. In fact in this film Ellen Page was 18.
  • You must suspend disbelief because the photographer Patrick Wilson claims he is 10 years older than the girl. 32 year old men don’t look like 24 year old men.
  • You must suspend disbelief because the girl has just too many weapons at her disposal. Moreover, to use these tools she has to be very, very strong.

Having blasted the film, I was compelled to watch it from beginning to end. It is quite a trip. I will not spoil the film for you by giving details. If you insist, you can read wikipedia. At least be aware, that the film has the feel of revenge that you might experience in a Stephen King film and for this reason could be hard to watch. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

In 2005 Ellen Page was 18 when she made this film. In 2007 at age 20 she made the film Juno (2007) which was very popular.

In 2005 Patrick Wilson was 32 when he made this film. In 2006 he was 33 when he made the film Little Children (2006), which is a book written by Tom Perrotta from my town of Belmont. He was also Claire Danes young lover in Evening (2007)

2009, Comedy, Could Be Sad, Drama, Love Story

Up in the Air (2009)

2 Comments

From NetFlix:

Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) racks up miles flying around the country firing employees on behalf of companies. But he faces losing the job he savors to recent college grad Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick) — and losing the ability to escape emotional ties to anything. A connection he builds with Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga), however, might change his outlook on the future. Golden Globe winner Jason Reitman’s smart comedy also stars Jason Bateman.

For at least one reason this film made me unhappy: I don’t look a bit like George Clooney. Now let’s get serious. Although I used to think he was just another Hollywood pretty boy, lately I have read that his acting has improved with age and indeed in this film he is perfect. I cannot say why without spoiling the film for you. At the very least, during the film assume nothing.

If nothing else this film captures perfectly the current depression of 2008 through (let’s hope) 2011. Remember, if your neighbor loses his job, it is a recession. If you lose your job, it is a depression. If you have ever been laid off from a job, this film will really resonate.

There are some laughs, but this film is only partly a comedy. In addition it offers genuine human value.

Until I started to write this review I had not realized that Jason Bateman, who plays George Clooney’s smarmy boss, was the star of the outrageous TV series “Arrested Development”. What a character transformation !

“Up In The Air” is an unqualified “must see”.

2009, Acceptable for children, Drama, Sci-Fi, Suspense

Moon (2009)

2 Comments

From NetFlix:

As he nears the end of a lonely three-year stint on the moon base Sarang, astronaut Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) begins to hear and see strange things. It’s not long before Sam suspects that his employer — the conglomerate LUNAR — has other plans for him. Featuring Kevin Spacey as the voice of a robot, this sci-fi thriller also stars Matt Berry and Kaya Scodelario. The film was an official selection at the Sundance Film Festival.

Whereas District 9 (2009) was suspenseful, frantic and strewn with garbage and gore, “Moon” is suspenseful, quiet, slow-paced, thoughtful, thought provoking and thoroughly human. Both sci-fi films are original and as different from one another as night and day. To avoid spoiling the plot for you, I can only say it involves deceit on the part of an earth corporation, a “hal”-like moon station robot (“hal” was the robot in “2001”), and genuine and warm interaction between persons. There is blood and some minor scuffles but no gore or real violence. Even children can safely watch the movie (a rarity these days).

I could find no Wikipedia description, but I did find the following detailed spoiler.

If you watch the film, do not hesitate to put philosophical considerations in comments, even if they amount to spoilers.

IF!!! you like sci-fi you should not miss this refined, well-made film.

2008, Could Be Hard To Watch, Docudrama, Drama, Not Feel Good, Occasional gore, Suspense, Violent, War

The Hurt Locker (2008)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

Kathryn Bigelow directs this gripping drama (nominated for two Independent Spirit Awards) following one of the U.S. Army’s elite EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) teams operating in the ferocious war zone of Iraq. As the squad identifies and dismantles improvised explosive devices and other bombs, they must also contend with the frayed nerves and internal conflicts that arise from living in constant peril. Ralph Fiennes, David Morse, Guy Pearce, Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie star.

Hopefully this film tells it like it really is in Iraq. If so, I don’t see how any soldier in Iraq stays sane: the constant fear, especially in the EOD, would eventually unhinge most humans. Plot is secondary. Rather the film is a sequence of hair raising episodes in the life of the EOD. Once such a episode started, I could not get my eyes off the screen. Episode after episode I never got accustomed to the tension. What little there was of plot involved the difference in personalities between Staff Sergeant William James, the bomb expert, and the other soldiers. James is a chance taker, seemingly impervious to the dangers.

Be prepared for gore: a bomb is planted in the body of a dead child, a family father is forced to become a suicide bomber, etc.

For a complete description see wikipedia.

2008, Could Be Sad, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Hebrew and Arabic, Lawyers, Love Story, Not Feel Good, True Story, War

Lemon Tree (2008)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

A Palestinian widow (Hiam Abbass) fights to keep her lemon grove from being uprooted when Israeli security forces declare it a threat to the Israeli defense minister living next door (Doron Tavory) in this foreign-language drama based on a true story. Teaming with a young lawyer (Ali Suliman), the widow takes her case to the Israeli Supreme Court. But in the process of seeking justice, she’s forced to hide the forbidden bond growing between them.

Quiet, beautifully acted, subtle cameo portrait of the conflict between Israel and Palestine. For the most part the film is an indictment of the Israeli treatment of the Palestinians: the woman’s lemon grove is really no threat, the defense minister comes off as nothing more than a hypocritical politician, the odds in court are obviously stacked against the widow. However, the poor woman is besieged on all sides because even her own culture of women as second class (embodied in local almost bullying pressure) will not allow her a fulfilled life. Note, on the other hand, that the Israeli women are more high-maintenance and powerful. If you are fortunate enough to watch this small gem I would be interested in hearing your impression of the very last scene.

Subtitles available for the Hebrew and Arabic.

Don’t miss it!

2008, Could Be Hard To Watch, Crime, Drama, Gangs, Love Story, Suspense, Violent

The Narrows (2008)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

Mike Manadoro (Kevin Zegers) is torn between two worlds — his numbers-runner father Vinny’s (Vincent D’Onofrio) Brooklyn way of life and the college lifestyle he discovers as a photography student — in this drama based on Tim McLoughlin’s novel Heart of the Old Country. While earning money for school as his father’s driver and by delivering packages for a local mobster, Mike yearns to fully embrace the urbane new world he’s entered.

Searching for films with Vincent DÓnofrio led to this dark tale of the Brooklyn underworld. An excellently detailed plot with many twists offers the young Kevin Zegers (who can also be seen in “Fifty Dead Men Walking”) a great acting opportunity. No-one disappoints. Be prepared for two especially ugly gang executions. Despite that violence, the story holds your attention at least because you are rooting for Mike Manadoro to save his soul. Vincent DÓnofrio (you either love him or hate him) offers the least quirky role of his career while still doing his usual perfect job. I have to mention Titus Welliver as the soulless gang leader Tony (why are they always named Tony, as in “Tony Soprano” ?) for his creepy unfeeling role. Welliver can be seen in the wonderful TV series “The Good Wife”.

1990, Drama, Explicit sex, Kidnapping, Not Feel Good, Nudity, Suspense, Violent

After Dark My Sweet (1990)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

When a couple of conniving lowlifes (Rachel Ward, Bruce Dern) hatch a plot to kidnap the scion of a wealthy local family, they pick the wrong man to carry out the job: Kid Collie (Jason Patric), a disturbed ex-boxer on the lam from a mental institution. Collie narrates this twisted tale of double crosses and deception directed by James Foley (At Close Range) and adapted from the Jim Thompson novel.

Years ago I saw Jason Patric in “Sleepers”, a difficult-to-watch film about child kidnap and sexual abuse. In looking for more Patric films I tried “Expired” (2007) and “Your Friends and Neighbors” (1998). In both films he played the part of a nasty somewhat despicable person. I refused to recommend either film. In “After Dark My Sweet” he does and excellent and consistent job in becoming the damaged Kid Collie. Good story with unpredictable plot twists. For the life of me I cannot figure out what the ta

2005, Drama, Horror, Suspense, Violent

The Amityville Horror (2005)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

Hapless home-buyers George (Ryan Reynolds) and Kathy (Melissa George) Lutz discover their dream home is possessed by evil spirits in this terrifying remake based on the popular book. The story begins when the Lutzes purchase a home with a bloody history: Ronald DeFeo killed his entire family in the same home just a year earlier. Soon after moving into the house, George, Kathy and their three children are terrorized by demonic forces.

In 1980 Jack Nicholson went stark raving mad in a giant hotel in the northeast in the film based on Stephen King’s “The Shining”. In 2005 Ryan Reynolds starts to go mad in a giant house in New York. I guess some things never change. Whereas “The Shining” is a classic (who will ever forget “Here’s Johhny” ?), “The Amityville Horror” is what I call a humanistic horror film. Why ever watch a horror film ? Well, just to have fun. It’s easier to cringe over unreal problems than to fester over real ones. I say “humanistic” because the acting is well-done. Stepfather George is a likeable husband trying really hard to connect with his step-children who miss their real but dead father. The special effects are the older, more subtle variety than the digital souped-up over-the-top effects of the 21st century. The plot builds well to a believable climax. If you are willing to watch a horror film, this is an acceptable choice. But you have seen “The Exorcist”, right ?

So far we have also seen Ryan Reynolds in the following:

2006, Danish, Drama, Love Story, Susanne Bier

After the Wedding (2006)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

To save the failing orphanage he runs in India, Danish transplant Jacob Petersen (Mads Mikkelsen) returns to his homeland to meet a self-indulgent businessman named Jørgen who’s offered a generous donation — and represents everything the noble-minded Jacob abhors. Complicating matters further are the unusual strings Jørgen has attached to his so-called gift. Rolf Lassgård co-stars in this Oscar-nominated emotional powerhouse of a drama.

Danish directory Susanne Bier has made many films such as “Things We Lost In The Fire”. In this review and the other two reviews we are recommending three of her films: “Open Hearts”, “Brothers”, and “After the Wedding”. The language is Danish with subtitles. Susanne Bier directs fine films.

2005, Could Be Hard To Watch, Could Be Sad, Danish, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Not Feel Good, Redemption, Susanne Bier, Violent, War

Brothers (2005)

Leave a comment

From NetFilx:

When army major Michael (Ulrich Thomsen) is presumed dead on a mission to Afghanistan, his wife (Connie Nielsen) and transient younger brother (Nikolaj Lie Kaas) are drawn together. Michael is eventually found and sent home, but his harrowing experience as a prisoner of war changes the family forever. Winner of a Sundance Film Festival Audience Award, this Danish drama inspired a 2009 English-language remake from director Jim Sheridan (My Left Foot).

Danish directory Susanne Bier has made many films such as “Things We Lost In The Fire”. In this review and the other two reviews we are recommending three of her films: “Open Hearts”, “Brothers”, and “After the Wedding”. The language is Danish with subtitles. Susanne Bier directs fine films.

There is a newer film “Brothers (2009)” which is an American rewrite of the 2005 Danish version. I have read reviews of the newer version which say that the original Danish version is the better of the two.

In any case, this is in certain parts a tough film to watch, but well-acted and always worth the viewing effort.