October 28, 2015 - "The Amazing Catfish" (2013)

The Amazing Catfish, 2013

Director: Claudia Sainte-Luce
Origin: Mexico | France
Language: Spanish
Running time: 89 min

Claudia carries on a solo life as a supermarket product demonstrator until a sudden bout of appendicitis lands her in a hospital bed next to Martha. As the older woman's life begins to ebb, Claudia volunteers to help Martha care for her children. (from Netflix.com)

U.S. box office: $11,278
Watch the trailer on IMDB.

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Review of last week's film (Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem, 4 stars)Steven says: Modern beliefs and practices conflict with traditional proceedings in this film that takes place almost entirely in a small courtroom. Great acting, camera work and scripting keep the story flowing.

October 21, 2015 - "Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem" (2015)

Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem, 2015
Directors: Ronit Elkabetz, Shlomi Elkabetz
Origin: Israel | France | Germany
Languages: Hebrew | French | Arabic
Running time: 115 min

In this intense courtroom drama, Viviane Amsalem faces an uphill five-year battle as she seeks a divorce from her intractable spouse, who opposes the dissolution of the marriage -- and holds all the cards under Israeli law. (from Netflix.com)

U.S. box office: $987,830
Watch the trailer on IMDB.

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Review of last week's film ("Leviathan", 4 stars)
Steven says: Mostly bleak with a little humor thrown in, this film shows Russian government in a deplorable light. It features lots of beautiful scenes mixed with corruption, vodka and deception at all levels.

October 14, 2015 - "Leviathan" (2014)

Leviathan, 2014

Director: Andrey Zvyagintsev
Origin: Russia
Language: Russian
Running time: 140 min

Living with his family in a village on Russia's northern fringe, auto-shop owner Kolya finds himself in a jam when the corrupt mayor insists on acquiring his property. Loath to concede defeat, Kolya secures an attorney, and a battle of wills ensues. (from Netflix.com)

MPAA rating: Rated R for language and some sexuality/graphic nudity
Watch the trailer on IMDB.


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Review of last week's film ("Tangerines", 3.5 stars)
Steven says: This film depicts the effects of war on those who are doing their best to survive without being part of the fighting. Sometimes poignant and sometimes revolting, it's a story that asks difficult questions about warfare.

October 7, 2015 - "Tangerines" (2015)

Tangerines, 2015
Director: Zaza Urushadze
Origin: Estonia | Georgia
Languages: Estonian | Russian | Georgian
Running time: 87 min

During the vicious Georgian-Abkhazian conflict of the 1990s, two Estonian tangerine farmers refuse to leave their homes as the fighting grows ever closer. After each one rescues a wounded soldier from the opposite side, a very personal battle ensues. (from Netflix.com)

U.S. box office: $112,818
Watch the trailer on IMDB.