Because of availability of some titles, we shuffled the movies for the remainder of the season.
The Fall 2013 season blog post has been updated.
The Edge, 2010
Director: Aleksei Uchitel
Origin: Russian | German
Languages: Russian | German
Running time: 124 min
Tensions escalate in a post-World War II Siberian labor camp when a mysterious newcomer named Ignat arrives with a hidden agenda. Ignat's mysterious presence threatens to topple the patchwork society's existing power structure. (from Netflix.com)
Watch the trailer online.
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Review of last week's film (Reality, 3 stars)
Steven says: Billed as a comedy, it is really anything but. The main character's obsession with making it on Reality TV starts a downward spiral that destroys his mostly stable life. He gives up his own reality in an attempt to achieve broader recognition and fame, but he loses both realities in the process.
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
November 6, 2013 - "Reality" (2012)
Reality, 2012
Director: Matteo Garrone
Origin: Italy
Languages: Italian | Neapolitan | English | Latin
Running time: 116 min
Jovial fishmonger and small-time con artist Luciano hopes to enrich his humble family by participating in the Italian version of "Big Brother," but his obsession with appearing to be an ideal contestant soon has his family doubting his sanity. (from Netflix.com)
U.S. box office: $55,261
Watch the trailer on IMDB.
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Review of last week's film (Pieta, 3 stars)
Steven says: Steel yourself for intense visuals and visceral reactions throughout this film, described by the director as "delving into the discord of human relations within an extreme capitalist system." It is heavy on the discord with only one character who has redeeming qualities, which speaks volumes about the director's vision of money and greed. It is definitely not for everyone, and it's hard to determine who will find the film worthwhile.
Director: Matteo Garrone
Origin: Italy
Languages: Italian | Neapolitan | English | Latin
Running time: 116 min
Jovial fishmonger and small-time con artist Luciano hopes to enrich his humble family by participating in the Italian version of "Big Brother," but his obsession with appearing to be an ideal contestant soon has his family doubting his sanity. (from Netflix.com)
U.S. box office: $55,261
Watch the trailer on IMDB.
--
Review of last week's film (Pieta, 3 stars)
Steven says: Steel yourself for intense visuals and visceral reactions throughout this film, described by the director as "delving into the discord of human relations within an extreme capitalist system." It is heavy on the discord with only one character who has redeeming qualities, which speaks volumes about the director's vision of money and greed. It is definitely not for everyone, and it's hard to determine who will find the film worthwhile.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
October 30, 2013 - "Pieta" (2012)
Pieta, 2012
Director: Kim Ki-Duk
Origin: South Korea
Languages: Italian | French | English
Running time: 105 min
Kang-do, an enforcer for a loan shark in a destitute area of Seoul, is unrelentingly brutal in his collection of debts. But when a mysterious woman appears and claims that she is his mother, Kang-do finds himself developing a hunger for human warmth. (from Netflix.com)
U.S. box office: $10,060
Watch the trailer on IMDB.
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Review of last weeks' film (A Late Quartet, 4.5 stars)
Steven says: The string quartet -- what will it take to break it up OR keep it together? There are great philosophical musical discussions throughout, Philip Seymour Hoffman is terrific, and the music makes you want to explore it more. Dreams and passions are tweaked and refined as these four musicians continue to search for the harmonies that keep the quartet working and their personal lives intact.
Director: Kim Ki-Duk
Origin: South Korea
Languages: Italian | French | English
Running time: 105 min
Kang-do, an enforcer for a loan shark in a destitute area of Seoul, is unrelentingly brutal in his collection of debts. But when a mysterious woman appears and claims that she is his mother, Kang-do finds himself developing a hunger for human warmth. (from Netflix.com)
U.S. box office: $10,060
Watch the trailer on IMDB.
---
Review of last weeks' film (A Late Quartet, 4.5 stars)
Steven says: The string quartet -- what will it take to break it up OR keep it together? There are great philosophical musical discussions throughout, Philip Seymour Hoffman is terrific, and the music makes you want to explore it more. Dreams and passions are tweaked and refined as these four musicians continue to search for the harmonies that keep the quartet working and their personal lives intact.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
October 23, 2013 - "A Late Quartet" (2012)
A Late Quartet, 2012
Director: Yaron Zilberman
Origin: USA
Language: English
Running time: 105 min
Tempers flare, old jealousies reignite and new passions are sparked when the members of a world-renowned string quartet are preparing to celebrate their 25th anniversary and learn that their leader must step down due to a grim medical diagnosis. (from Netflix.com)
MPAA rating: Rated R for language and some sexuality
U.S. box office: $1,561,577
Watch the trailer on IMDB.
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Review of last week's film ("A Royal Affair", 4 stars)
Steven says: Even though this film revolves around the Danish monarchy in the 18th century, it really contains political intrigue that fits any era and any country. Those who want power find it easy to bend King Christian VII their way because of his inability to rule on his own. The king's role is perhaps the most developed even though the lead roles belong to Mads Mikkelsen and Alicia Vikander.
Director: Yaron Zilberman
Origin: USA
Language: English
Running time: 105 min
Tempers flare, old jealousies reignite and new passions are sparked when the members of a world-renowned string quartet are preparing to celebrate their 25th anniversary and learn that their leader must step down due to a grim medical diagnosis. (from Netflix.com)
MPAA rating: Rated R for language and some sexuality
U.S. box office: $1,561,577
Watch the trailer on IMDB.
---
Review of last week's film ("A Royal Affair", 4 stars)
Steven says: Even though this film revolves around the Danish monarchy in the 18th century, it really contains political intrigue that fits any era and any country. Those who want power find it easy to bend King Christian VII their way because of his inability to rule on his own. The king's role is perhaps the most developed even though the lead roles belong to Mads Mikkelsen and Alicia Vikander.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
October 16, 2013 - "A Royal Affair" (2012)
A Royal Affair, 2012
Director: Nikolaj Arcel
Origin: Denmark | Sweden | Czech Republic
Language: Danish | English | German | French
Running time: 137 min
In 18th-century Denmark, the unstable King Christian IV neglects his young queen, Mathilde, who falls in love with his German physician, Struensee, an intellectual whose advocation of reform transforms the country but brings about his own downfall. (from Netflix.com)
MPAA rating: Rated R for sexual content and some violent images
U.S. box office: $1,545,726
Watch the trailer at IMDB.
--
Review of last week's film (Safety Not Guaranteed, 3.5 stars)
Steven says: What would you change in your past if you had the chance to time travel? This movie provides three perspectives of characters wanting to relive or change the past. Regrets are inevitable -- that you did something you shouldn't have, or that you should have done something you didn't. Sometimes quirky, sometimes insightful, this film uses the time travel plot device to help advance the story, not as the center of the story, and it works.
Director: Nikolaj Arcel
Origin: Denmark | Sweden | Czech Republic
Language: Danish | English | German | French
Running time: 137 min
In 18th-century Denmark, the unstable King Christian IV neglects his young queen, Mathilde, who falls in love with his German physician, Struensee, an intellectual whose advocation of reform transforms the country but brings about his own downfall. (from Netflix.com)
MPAA rating: Rated R for sexual content and some violent images
U.S. box office: $1,545,726
Watch the trailer at IMDB.
--
Review of last week's film (Safety Not Guaranteed, 3.5 stars)
Steven says: What would you change in your past if you had the chance to time travel? This movie provides three perspectives of characters wanting to relive or change the past. Regrets are inevitable -- that you did something you shouldn't have, or that you should have done something you didn't. Sometimes quirky, sometimes insightful, this film uses the time travel plot device to help advance the story, not as the center of the story, and it works.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
October 9, 2013 - "Safety Not Guaranteed" (2012)
Safety Not Guaranteed, 2012
Director: Colin Trevorrow
Origin: US
Language: English
Running time: 86 min
A team of journalists are dispatched to find out who's behind a classified advertisement seeking a companion for time travel, with payment on return. After tracking down their oddball prey, the team has to decide how best to approach their subject. (from Netflix.com)
MPAA rating: Rated R for language including some sexual references
U.S. box office: $4,007,792
Watch the trailer on IMDB.
---
Review of last week's film (Amour, 5 stars)
Steven says: Each audience member will react to this film differently, depending on their own experiences with age-related illnesses. It is extremely realistic, personal, intimate, and moving. The director/writer is masterful in his storytelling, and the lead actors seem to feel every emotion deeply. The best and most powerful stories are those that can be applied and understood by the masses. With that understanding, this story is one for all to see and learn from.
Director: Colin Trevorrow
Origin: US
Language: English
Running time: 86 min
A team of journalists are dispatched to find out who's behind a classified advertisement seeking a companion for time travel, with payment on return. After tracking down their oddball prey, the team has to decide how best to approach their subject. (from Netflix.com)
MPAA rating: Rated R for language including some sexual references
U.S. box office: $4,007,792
Watch the trailer on IMDB.
---
Review of last week's film (Amour, 5 stars)
Steven says: Each audience member will react to this film differently, depending on their own experiences with age-related illnesses. It is extremely realistic, personal, intimate, and moving. The director/writer is masterful in his storytelling, and the lead actors seem to feel every emotion deeply. The best and most powerful stories are those that can be applied and understood by the masses. With that understanding, this story is one for all to see and learn from.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
October 2, 2013 - "Amour" (2012)
Amour, 2012
Director: Michael Haneke
Origin: Austria
Languages: French | English
Running time: 127 min
In this 2012 Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or winner, Georges and Anne, retired music teachers in their eighties, have a time-tested love. But as Anne's health fails, Georges becomes her caregiver, and the couple's bond is tested like never before. (from Netflix.com)
MPAA rating: Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material including a disturbing act, and for brief language
U.S. box office: $6,738,954
Watch the trailer on IMDB.
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Review of last week's movie (The Big Picture, 4 stars )
Steven says: When I found out the official French title of this film ("The Man Who Wanted to Live His Life") everything clicked (no photography pun intended) for me. "The Big Picture" is a horrible English title for this film. Venting aside, Romain Duris does a great job of embodying his character, who is caught between old and new realities. Is the life you want really the life you expect? How much control do you have over your life, or is it simply a succession of choices and their consequences?
Director: Michael Haneke
Origin: Austria
Languages: French | English
Running time: 127 min
In this 2012 Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or winner, Georges and Anne, retired music teachers in their eighties, have a time-tested love. But as Anne's health fails, Georges becomes her caregiver, and the couple's bond is tested like never before. (from Netflix.com)
MPAA rating: Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material including a disturbing act, and for brief language
U.S. box office: $6,738,954
Watch the trailer on IMDB.
-----
Review of last week's movie (The Big Picture, 4 stars )
Steven says: When I found out the official French title of this film ("The Man Who Wanted to Live His Life") everything clicked (no photography pun intended) for me. "The Big Picture" is a horrible English title for this film. Venting aside, Romain Duris does a great job of embodying his character, who is caught between old and new realities. Is the life you want really the life you expect? How much control do you have over your life, or is it simply a succession of choices and their consequences?
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