Category Archives: True Story

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

Lemon Tree (2008)

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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, Drama, Nudity, Suspense, True Story, Violent, Vulgar

The Bank Job (2008)

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From NetFlix:

Play Preview Based on actual events in 1971, this thriller tells the story of a car dealer (Jason Statham) who becomes involved in a London bank heist, only to find that the contents of the bank vault will draw him deeply and irrevocably into the city’s criminal underbelly. Murder and scandal abound in this tale of corruption populated with a surprising mix of offenders, from low-level thugs to government officials — all the way up to the royal family.

Just a fun B-film but probably the best Jason Statham film I have seen. There are no car chases. There is only one fight scene. Instead there are several groups of bad guys (those are the ones that all go to the same tailor) who do not know the existence of one another but each of whom has their own dirt-filled safety deposit box.

There is one torture scene. But the tension is worse than the actual torture which you hardly see.

Jason Statham should definitely NOT do love scenes. He actually smiles at his wife and kids in this film.

I am surprised that they actually name Princess Margaret as the subject of the porn photos.

Be sure to watch the explanatory text screens at the end because this is a true story and you get to see what happened to all the bad guys (of which there are many).

2008, Biographical, Drama, Drugs, Feel Good Not For Children, True Story

The Soloist (2008)

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From NetFlix:

This true-life drama tells the poignant tale of Los Angeles newspaper reporter Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr.), who discovers brilliant street musician Nathaniel Ayers (Jamie Foxx), and the unique friendship that transforms both their lives. In helping his new friend deal with his demons, Steve ends up battling with his own. Joe Wright directs this inspiring drama based on the bestselling book by the real Lopez.

In my opinion Jamie Foxx carries this well-acted enactment of a true story. The film isn’t perfect and barely escapes being maudlin at times, especially when Robert Downey Jr. sometime seems too precious (or am I harsh ?). But if you think this is a Disney film in which the musician finally presents a redeeming recital, think again. One saving feature of the film is the suspense revolving around whatever will happen next. In fact some of the unpredictable solutions that the reporter devises just made me laugh out loud. I find it an irony that in real life Robert Downey himself has suffered much from drug abuse.

Some things did not feel right. Towards the end of the film the musician apologies to the reporter in a speech that was too coherent, too calm, too controlled for the wildly paranoid schizophrenic. I mistakenly assumed that the musician had accepted his illness and was taking his meds.

Catherine Keener doesn’t seem to get much credit in reviews. But I thought she provided important glue in the plot. She sometimes hit the nail on the head, such as telling the reporter that in a certain manner he was using the musician as a way to write a book and get attention. Ouch!

Pay attention to the final, barely readable, screen text that talks about the aftermath. Note that Los Angeles is the capital of homelessness with more than 90,000 homeless people. If any of the Los Angeles scenes are anywhere near accurate, I would not step foot in the city.

Wife Kathy started to watch, decided she would instead go to bed, but continued to watch and finally said “What a good film”. Now that, folks, is a real recommendation.

1987, Biographical, Drama, Drugs, Explicit sex, Gay theme, Non-physical Violence, Nudity, True Story, Unusual, Violent, Vulgar

Prick Up Your Ears (1987)

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From NetFlix:

Gifted British filmmaker Stephen Frears brings to the screen the troubled life of bold 1960s writer Joe Orton (Gary Oldman) in this portrait of an obsessive, controlling coupling set against history. Orton’s infamous relationship with his tempestuous lover, Kenneth Halliwell (Alfred Molina), fueled but also eventually destroyed Orton — literally and figuratively — at a time when the world didn’t at all embrace or understand homosexuality.

Absolutely not for everyone. Vulgar, explicit, no-holds-barred British film about a possibly talented playwright who was egocentric, cruel, and enjoyed taking chances. Watching this supposedly true biographical exposé was a bit like playing peeping tom. However, it WAS interesting. You are warned!