The Human Resources Manager, 2010
Director: Eran Riklis
Origin: Israel | Germany | France | Romania
Languages: Hebrew | English | Romanian | French
Running time: 103 min
This beautifully shot film combines comedy and tragedy in the tale of a workaholic human resources manager (Mark Ivanir) who neglects his family to further his career. But when an employee at his bakery is killed, he begins an odd journey toward self-realization. Offering to escort the woman's body from Israel back to her Eastern European homeland, the manager is puzzled by eccentric characters along the way but begins to understand the importance of family. (from Netflix.com)
U.S. box office: $63,709
Watch the trailer on IMDB.
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Review of last week's film (The Skin I live In, 3.5 stars)
Steven says: Pedro Almodovar is such a name in European cinema, he no longer has to use his first name. After a misfire with his previous film, he returns to form with his newest offering, with a pretty wacko twist. The film was painstakingly made (the sets and props are great), and the imagery is top notch. The story is over the top but can generate lots of discussion about personality labels, the skin you are comfortable in, and the value of outward appearances.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
May 30, 2012 - "The Skin I Live In" (2011)
The Skin I Live In, 2011
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Origin: Spain
Language: Spanish
Running time: 117 min
Brilliant plastic surgeon Robert Ledgard seeks to overcome the grief of his late wife's disfigurement in a fiery car crash by inventing skin that's impervious to injury. But his experiments on a living woman hasten his descent into madness. (from Netflix.com)
MPAA rating: Rated R for disturbing violent content including sexual assault, strong sexuality, graphic nudity, drug use and language
U.S. box office: $3,185,193
----------
(Review of last week's film: Beginners, 5 stars)
Steven says: A perfect exploration of grief through the eyes of a 38-year-old man who has relationship issues of his own. It feels realistic from beginning to end -- nothing too far-fetched or melodramatic, just day-to-day life that resonates. We are all beginners through several stages of our lives. Sometimes we're forced to start something that we've never tried before. Other times, we choose, finally, to do something differently, creating our own beginnings.
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Origin: Spain
Language: Spanish
Running time: 117 min
Brilliant plastic surgeon Robert Ledgard seeks to overcome the grief of his late wife's disfigurement in a fiery car crash by inventing skin that's impervious to injury. But his experiments on a living woman hasten his descent into madness. (from Netflix.com)
MPAA rating: Rated R for disturbing violent content including sexual assault, strong sexuality, graphic nudity, drug use and language
U.S. box office: $3,185,193
----------
(Review of last week's film: Beginners, 5 stars)
Steven says: A perfect exploration of grief through the eyes of a 38-year-old man who has relationship issues of his own. It feels realistic from beginning to end -- nothing too far-fetched or melodramatic, just day-to-day life that resonates. We are all beginners through several stages of our lives. Sometimes we're forced to start something that we've never tried before. Other times, we choose, finally, to do something differently, creating our own beginnings.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
May 23, 2012 - "Beginners" (2010)
Beginners, 2010
Director: Mike Mills
Origin: USA
Languages: English | French
Running time: 105 min
Based on indie director Mike Mills's relationship with his father, this intriguing drama tells the story of Oliver (Ewan McGregor), a graphic artist coming to grips with the imminent death of his father (Christopher Plummer), who, at 75, has one last secret: He's gay. Both inspired and confused by his father's determination to find true love at last, Oliver tentatively pursues a romance with commitment-shy French actress Anna (Mélanie Laurent). (from Netflix.com)
MPAA rating: Rated R for language and some sexual content
U.S. box office: $5,790,894
---
Review of last week's film ("The Wave", 3 stars)
Steven says: This offering was a little too overt for my taste, but the main theme of the film speaks volumes. What does it take to mold a group of unconnected students into a community that believes that the group is better than the individual, and who wants to be a force for something. Anything. A teacher finds out in a classroom project that goes beyond the classroom.
Director: Mike Mills
Origin: USA
Languages: English | French
Running time: 105 min
Based on indie director Mike Mills's relationship with his father, this intriguing drama tells the story of Oliver (Ewan McGregor), a graphic artist coming to grips with the imminent death of his father (Christopher Plummer), who, at 75, has one last secret: He's gay. Both inspired and confused by his father's determination to find true love at last, Oliver tentatively pursues a romance with commitment-shy French actress Anna (Mélanie Laurent). (from Netflix.com)
MPAA rating: Rated R for language and some sexual content
U.S. box office: $5,790,894
---
Review of last week's film ("The Wave", 3 stars)
Steven says: This offering was a little too overt for my taste, but the main theme of the film speaks volumes. What does it take to mold a group of unconnected students into a community that believes that the group is better than the individual, and who wants to be a force for something. Anything. A teacher finds out in a classroom project that goes beyond the classroom.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Announcing the Summer 2012 season . . .
Cinematheque for All – Summer 2012
The Summer 2012 Season is May 16 – August 8, 2012. All screenings for this season begin at 7:00 p.m. in Stanley Coulter Hall, Room 239, 640 Oval Drive, on the Purdue University campus. Parking is available in the University Street parking garage.
The Summer 2012 Season is May 16 – August 8, 2012. All screenings for this season begin at 7:00 p.m. in Stanley Coulter Hall, Room 239, 640 Oval Drive, on the Purdue University campus. Parking is available in the University Street parking garage.
- Wednesday, May 16, 2012, The Wave, 2008, directed by Dennis Gansel; Origin: German; Language(s): German; Running time: 107 min
- Wednesday, May 23, 2012, Beginners, 2010, directed by Mike Mills; Origin: USA; Language(s): English | French; Running time: 105 min
- Wednesday, May 30, 2012, The Skin I Live In, 2011,directed by Pedro Almodovar; Origin: Spain; Language(s): Spanish; Running time: 117 min
- Wednesday, June 6, 2012, The Human Resources Manager, 2010, directed by Eran Riklis; Origin: Israel | Germany | France | Romania; Language(s): Hebrew | English | Romanian | French; Running time: 103 min
- Wednesday, June 13, 2012, The Way I Spent the End of the World, 2006, directed by Catalin Mitulescu; Origin: Romania | France; Language(s): Romanian; Running time: 106 min
- Wednesday, June 20, 2012, Martha Marcy May Marline, 2011, directed by T. Sean Durkin; Origin: USA; Language(s): English ; Running time: 102 min
- Wednesday, June 27, 2012, Electric Shadows, 2005, directed by Jiang Xiao; Origin: China; Language(s): Mandarin ; Running time: 93 min
- Wednesday, July 4,2 012, NO SCREENING
- Wednesday, July 11, 2012, Happy Happy, 2010, directed by Anne Sewitsky; Origin: Norway; Language(s): Norwegian | Danish | German; Running time: 85 min
- Wednesday, July 18, 2012, Something Like Happiness, 2005, directed by Bohdan Slama; Origin: Czech Republic; Language(s): Czech; Running time: 102 min
- Wednesday, July 25, 2012, Yi Yi, 2000, directed by Edward Yang; Origin: Taiwan | Japan; Language(s): Mandarin | Hokkien; Running time: 173 min
- Wednesday, August 1, 2012, The Tree, 2010, directed by Julie Bertuccelli; Origin: France | Australia | Germany | Italy; Language(s): English; Running time: 100 min
- Wednesday, August 8, 2012, The Time That Remains, 2011, directed by Elia Suleiman; Origin: UK; Language(s): Arabic | Hebrew | English; Running time: 109 min
Sunday, May 13, 2012
May 16, 2012 - "The Way I Spent the End of the World" (2006)
"The Way I Spent the End of the World" (2006)
Director: Catalin Mitulescu
Origin: Romania | France
Language: Romanian
Running time: 106 min
In 1989 Romania, plucky 17-year-old Eva Matei (Doroteea Petre) comes of age as she schemes to escape the country's tyranny with help from her recalcitrant neighbor (Cristian Vararu). Meanwhile, as her parents endure the brutal dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausescu, Eva's 7-year-old brother (Timotei Duma) plots to kill the despot. Writer-director Catalin Mitulescu's powerful, astute feature debut also stars Ionut Becheru and Mircea Diaconu. (from Netflix.com)
Director: Catalin Mitulescu
Origin: Romania | France
Language: Romanian
Running time: 106 min
In 1989 Romania, plucky 17-year-old Eva Matei (Doroteea Petre) comes of age as she schemes to escape the country's tyranny with help from her recalcitrant neighbor (Cristian Vararu). Meanwhile, as her parents endure the brutal dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausescu, Eva's 7-year-old brother (Timotei Duma) plots to kill the despot. Writer-director Catalin Mitulescu's powerful, astute feature debut also stars Ionut Becheru and Mircea Diaconu. (from Netflix.com)
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
May 2, 2012 - "A Somewhat Gentle Man" (2010)
A Somewhat Gentle Man, 2010
Director: Hans Petter Moland
Origin: Norway
Language: Norwegian
Running time: 105 min
With revenge on his mind, a gangster (Stellan Skarsgård) who spent 12 years in prison for murder sets out to kill the man (Henrik Mestad) who put him there. But the promise of a normal life -- and news that he's on the brink of becoming a grandfather -- proves a tempting distraction. Suddenly, seeking vengeance doesn't seem nearly as important. Hans Petter Moland directs this Norwegian drama about sons and second chances. (from Netflix.com)
U.S. box office: $37,543
Watch the trailer on Netflix.
----
Review of last week's film ("The City of Your Final Destination", four stars)
Steven says: Directed by James Ivory, starring Anthony Hopkins, Laura Linney and Charlotte Ginsbourg -- that's all you have to say to make this a must-see film. The actors do not disappoint, and the story, though farfetched, is realistically told. The characters are fully developed, even as we wonder about their motivations and pasts (which makes me want to read the book). I wholeheartedly recommend this film.
Read more about the book upon which the movie is based.
Director: Hans Petter Moland
Origin: Norway
Language: Norwegian
Running time: 105 min
With revenge on his mind, a gangster (Stellan Skarsgård) who spent 12 years in prison for murder sets out to kill the man (Henrik Mestad) who put him there. But the promise of a normal life -- and news that he's on the brink of becoming a grandfather -- proves a tempting distraction. Suddenly, seeking vengeance doesn't seem nearly as important. Hans Petter Moland directs this Norwegian drama about sons and second chances. (from Netflix.com)
U.S. box office: $37,543
Watch the trailer on Netflix.
----
Review of last week's film ("The City of Your Final Destination", four stars)
Steven says: Directed by James Ivory, starring Anthony Hopkins, Laura Linney and Charlotte Ginsbourg -- that's all you have to say to make this a must-see film. The actors do not disappoint, and the story, though farfetched, is realistically told. The characters are fully developed, even as we wonder about their motivations and pasts (which makes me want to read the book). I wholeheartedly recommend this film.
Read more about the book upon which the movie is based.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
April 25, 2012 - "The City of Your Final Destination" (2009)
The City of your Final Destination, 2009
Director: James Ivory
Origin: USA
Languages: English | Spanish | French
Running time: 117 min
After duping school officials into awarding him a grant to write a biography on novelist Jules Gund, grad student Omar Razaghi (Omar Metwally) must travel to Uruguay to get legitimate authorization from the late author's three executors. James Ivory (A Room with a View) directs this moving adaptation of author Peter Cameron's novel of the same name. Anthony Hopkins, Laura Linney and Charlotte Gainsbourg also star. (from Netflix.com)
MPAA rating: Rated PG-13 for a brief sexual situation with partial nudity
Watch the trailer at IMDB.com.
----
Review of last week's movie, "The Trip" (four stars)
Steven says: I think the Rotten Tomatoes write-up says it best: Amiable, funny and sometimes insightful, The Trip works as both a showcase for the enduring chemistry between stars Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon and an unexpected perusal of men entering mid-life crises.
Director: James Ivory
Origin: USA
Languages: English | Spanish | French
Running time: 117 min
After duping school officials into awarding him a grant to write a biography on novelist Jules Gund, grad student Omar Razaghi (Omar Metwally) must travel to Uruguay to get legitimate authorization from the late author's three executors. James Ivory (A Room with a View) directs this moving adaptation of author Peter Cameron's novel of the same name. Anthony Hopkins, Laura Linney and Charlotte Gainsbourg also star. (from Netflix.com)
MPAA rating: Rated PG-13 for a brief sexual situation with partial nudity
Watch the trailer at IMDB.com.
----
Review of last week's movie, "The Trip" (four stars)
Steven says: I think the Rotten Tomatoes write-up says it best: Amiable, funny and sometimes insightful, The Trip works as both a showcase for the enduring chemistry between stars Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon and an unexpected perusal of men entering mid-life crises.
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