September 30, 2015 - "Two Days, One Night" (2014)

Two Days, One Night, 2014
Directors: Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne
Origin: Belgium | France | Italy
Languages: French | Arabic | English
Running time: 95 min

On the verge of losing her job, Sandra comes up with a last-ditch strategy: get her workmates to give up their bonuses so that she can stay on. With a single weekend to make it work, Sandra and her husband take her crusade for sympathy all over town. (from Netflix.com)

MPAA rating: Rated PG-13 for some mature thematic elements
U.S. box office: $1,333,900
Watch the trailer on IMDB.

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Review of last week's film ("Slow West", 3 stars)
Steven says: This is a new take on the Western film, bringing immigrants into the mix of the lawless West. Kill or be killed seems to be the winning strategy as a wealthy British teen searches for this true love in a convoluted quest.

September 23, 2015 - "Slow West" (2015)

Slow West, 2015
Director: John Maclean
Origin: UK | New Zealand
Languages: English | French
Running time: 84 min

A 16-year-old boy heads west on a journey across 19th Century frontier America in search of the woman he loves. He encounters a mysterious traveler named Silas who protects him from the savage elements and outlaws in a lawless land, but is Silas really watching out for him or tied to the band of thieves tracking their every step? (from Netflix.com)

MPAA rating: Rated R for violence and brief language
U.S. box office: $229,094
Watch the trailer on IMDB.

September 16, 2015 - "Timbuktu" (2015)

Timbuktu, 2015
Director: Abderrahmane Sissako
Origin: France | Mauritania
Languages: French | Arabic | Bambara | English | Songhay
Running time: 97 min

In this piercing tale of oppression set in 2012, fear grips Timbuktu after the Malian city is seized by Islamic rebels determined to impose their extreme beliefs on the moderate Muslim populace. (from Netflix.com)

MPAA rating: Rated PG-13 for some violence and thematic elements
U.S. box office: $1,067,000
Watch the trailer on IMDB.

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Review of last week's film ("White God", 3.5 stars)
Steven says: The three main characters (including one dog) experience and process loss in different ways, which determines the arcs of their lives within the parameters of this story. The film features great visuals and editing, dismal commentary on some humans, and a modicum of hope that things do get better.

September 9, 2015 - "White God" (2015)

White God, 2015
Director: Kornél Mundruczó
Origin: Hungary | Germany | Sweden
Languages: Hungarian | English
Running time: 121 min

When a cruel father dumps his daughter's beloved dog, Hagen, out on the highway to fend for himself, Hagen not only survives the horrors of abandonment, dog fights and starvation, but rouses an angry army of mongrels out to exact vengeance. (from Netflix.com)

MPAA rating: Rated R for violent content including bloody images, and language
U.S. box office: $280,494
Watch the trailer on IMDB.

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Review of the previous movie ("Wild Tales," 4 stars)
Steven says: The writer/director brings to life the creative ways we think about exacting revenge on those who have wronged us. Some of the six story lines are inspired by real events and others skewer Argentinian public officials and policies. Dark humor abounds in this fast-moving, enjoyable film.