Category Archives: 2011

2011, Based on a Book, Basically Sad, Dancing, Drama, FilmReview, Love Story, Plot Twist, Quiet, Revenge, Sex Scenes, Slow, Unusual

Trishna (2011)

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From Netflix:

Raised in rapidly changing rural India, well-educated Trishna is torn between cultural tradition and her own desires when she falls in love with a British businessman who has returned to India to work in his family’s hotel business.

According to Wikipedia, this film is an adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s novel “Tess of the d’Urbervilles.” Hopefully that will not spoil the plot for you (although the adaptation is only very approximate).

Not for everyone, this film features:

  • Many different views of life in India, rural and urban.
  • Dancing.
  • Some Bollywood film-making.
  • Details in Indian life that you may or may not find interesting.
  • Slow development of the story.
  • Quite a few (discreet) sex scenes.

Nonetheless, I could not stop watching. Perhaps I see too many violent films, but I kept expecting something awful to happen. Instead, for awhile the plot seems too easy, almost as if the writers were sparing us any stress. But eventually there is an unexpected change in direction and (for me, at least) a surprise ending. In fact, I cheated and did not list all the possible categories because I did not want to introduce any spoilers.

If nothing else, you can spend two hours appreciating the very beautiful female star.

2011, Complicated, Crude Talk, Drama, Feel Good Not For Children, Flirting, Lesbian Theme, Love Story, Quiet, Sex Scenes, Talking Heads, Young Adults

Your Sister’s Sister (2011)

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From Netflix:

Jack, who is mourning the death of his brother, has a complicated relationship with his best friend, Iris, who used to date his brother. Their chaotic situation becomes even more tangled when Jack has a drunken tryst with Iris’s flighty sister.

Why was I smiling while listening to young adult superficial banter? Granted it was clever banter, but somehow …

And then it gets complicated and serious. Are 21st century relationships really more contorted than in previous generations? Or is this plot contrived enough that we should just ignore or reject the situation? Or are 21st century young adults just a bit confused?

But I did have to stick around to see how the three characters got themselves out of their self-created emotional tangle. And just to spoil this film for you, they come up with a solution, believable or not — you decide, that made this film a “feel good”.

And the very ending was PERFECT!

2011, Acceptable for children, Catholic culture, Comedy, Could Be Sad, Italian, Satire, Slapstick

We Have A Pope (2011)

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From Netflix:

The pope has died, and the congress of cardinals has chosen his successor. But what happens if the newly elected pontiff doesn’t want the job? This comedy follows the Vatican’s travails as it strives to make one cardinal accept his destiny.

You need not be Catholic to enjoy this funny and sad romp through Rome, but it might help. Especially that is true because the film makes a bit of fun of various aspects of the Catholic church.

Basically, the newly elected pope does not want the job and he escapes in street clothes into the busy Roman life while his Secretary of State desperately searches for him hoping to convince him to remain as pope.

You might recognize the actor Nanni Moretti who directed this film. He plays the psychoanalyst which the Secretary of State hires to help the newly elected pope in his time of indecision. Needless to say, this is all tongue in cheek. At one point the psychoanalyst divides the cardinals into volleyball teams and stages a tournament. If you want to see Nanni Moretti in a wonderful film, try “The Son’s Room”. “We Have a Pope” is, on the other hand, a mere diversion which at times can be very funny.

In Italian with subtitles.

2011, Alcoholism, Drama, Ethical struggles, Marital Infidelity, Mental Illness, Nudity, Optimistic, Quiet, Sex Scenes

360 (2011)

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From Netflix:

In this remake of the 1950 classic La Ronde, an all-star cast weaves through interrelated stories about love, passion and loneliness. From London and Denver to Phoenix and Vienna, people are haunted by their need to connect, despite the consequences.

Of course the coincidences of people’s lives interrelating as described in the film are contrived. But, so what? Not only are the individual stories interesting (and sometimes cliff-hangers) but the acting is excellent. There are successes, failures, disappointments, and people in and out of love. Call this medley of stories a “people pot-pourri”.

Whenever a character speaks in a language other than English (e.g. Russian, French, Slovakian) there are English subtitles.

In addition to many new faces there are some well-known actors: Jude Law, Rachel Weisz, and Anthony Hopkins.

Hopefully you will enjoy this optimistic well-done adult drama.

2011, British Mystery Series, Child Molestation, Conspiracy, Crime, Love Story, Marital Infidelity, Murder Investigation, Old-Fashioned, Politicians, TV Series

The Hour (2011)

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From NetFlix:

This six-part political thriller focuses on the launch of a new BBC news program in June 1956, as the Suez Crisis is unfolding in the Middle East. The story follows the efforts of the show’s staff to reveal the tangled politics of the era.

Rather than being gritty, this easy-to-watch British TV series features several themes: The 1956 Suez Canal crisis; Producing a TV news hour that can tell the truth despite political efforts to stifle that news; Political intrigue involving murder; Freddy’s love for the beautiful young TV news producer Bel; Bel’s infatuation with the married Hector.

Made in 2011, this series reproduces faithfully the era of the 50’s. Hence the actors look as they do in 2011 rather than being young actors. Some of the more recognizable actors are:

  • Dominic West (plays Hector) is perhaps best known for his role as Detective Jimmy McNulty in the HBO drama series “The Wire”.
  • Anna Chancellor (plays Lix Storm) was Lucy Christie in “Waking the Dead”.
  • Juliet Stevenson (plays Lady Elms) has been in so many presentations that I arbitrarily remind you that she was “The Politician’s Wife”.

My wife Kathy thought the 6 episodes made the story too long although I did not mind the length. At least it is a nice escape from grim.

2011, Acceptable for children, British, Conspiracy, Fantasy, Flirting, Made For TV, Mediocre, Sci-Fi, Supernatural, TV Series, Violent

The Outcasts (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Set in 2040, this BBC sci-fi drama focuses on the residents of the frontier town of Forthaven on the planet Carpathia — a region colonized by a hardy group of settlers who rocketed away from Earth in the wake of war and nuclear devastation.

Because one of the actors in this British Sci-fi TV series is Hermione Norris (who plays Stella Isen) I started to watch “The Outcasts”. Ms. Norris was one of the main actors in the British TV series MI-5.

Although this series is nothing special, the plot twisted enough to keep me watching. Some characters were interesting, for example

  • Hermione Norris offers a stiking appearance. She can also act.
  • Eric Mabius as Julius Berger plays a wonderfully insidious villain arrived from Earth and plots to take over Forthaven. He plays Peter Caldwell in the successful American TV series “Scandal”.
  • Liam Cunningham played Ser Davos Seaworth in “Game of Thrones”> In “Outcasts” he is the current president of Forthaven and the target of Julius Berger’s schemes.

If cloned humans, escape from a failed planet Earth, a mysterious new planet Carpathia, political maneuvering, love affairs (open or secret), and huge dust storms interest you, then give this 8-episode series a try.

2011, Based on true facts, Car Chase, Comedy, Crude Talk, DO NOT MISS, Explicit sexual discussion, Feel Good Not For Children, Flirting, French, Wonderful acting

The Intouchables (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Based on a true story, a quadriplegic aristocrat’s world is turned upside down when he hires a young, good-humored ex-con as his caretaker. This unlikely duo overcomes adversity of every flavor as they shatter preconceptions of love, life and each other.

Between François Cluzet (as Phillipe) and Omar Sy (as Driss) the pairing is as entertaining and warm as it is seemingly unlikely. But the story is based on a real such friendship. Be sure to watch enough of the final credits to see photos of the actual persons as well as to learn what happened to them.

Do not be put off by the initial car chase. This is NOT a car chase film. Instead the story tells of the growing connection between a wealthy almost completely paralyzed French aristocrat, Phillipe, and his black ex-con caretaker, Driss, who comes from the other side of the tracks. Driss’s enthusiasm for life is infectious and it eventually enriches Phillipe’s life. Expect frank discussions of sex. Expect some misdirected flirting. Expect some wild, surprising physical adventures (for example, hang gliding). Expect to smoke a lot of weed.

Expect to have a lot of fun watching this wonderful film. No matter your taste in films, DO NOT MISS this French film with English subtitles.

2011, Acceptable for children, British, Comedy, Crude Talk, DO NOT MISS, Feel Good For All, Fishing, Love Story, Optimistic, Politicians

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2011)

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From NBetFlix:

A sheik with a love for the sport hopes to introduce fly-fishing to the Middle East and turns to uptight fisheries expert Fred Jones for help. Buoyed by the sheik’s enthusiasm (and his comely English aide), Fred sets out to achieve the impossible.

Ewan McGregor does it again. Somewhat of a rarity these days, this film is a feel-good that the entire family can watch. Good plot, good acting, good romance, good humor: what’s not to like?

Kristin Scott Thomas is perfect as a hard-nosed, ambitious, ruthless, and vulgar governmental communications maven.

Emily Blunt portrays Harriet well as a young woman caught between two loves.

Ewan McGregor carries off the role of a fishing geek (possibly with Asperger’s, but that is not completely clear) who agrees to try the impossible and bring salmon fishing to a desert.

Even though there is no sex and violence, DO NOT MISS!

2011, Clever Plot, Conspiracy, DO NOT MISS, Explicit sex, FBI, Made For TV, Mental Illness, Military, Nudity, Plot Twist, PTSD, Sex Scenes, Spy Theme, Suspense, Torture, Wonderful acting

Homeland (2011)

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From NetFlix:

When Sgt. Nicholas Brody, an American prisoner of war, returns home after eight years of captivity, frantic CIA agent Carrie Anderson suspects the Marine of having been turned into an Al Qaeda terrorist in this espionage drama from Showtime.

At the urging of a neighbor, I have started watching season 1 of “Homeland”. For months the title sat at the top of my NetFlix queue before it finally arrived. This TV series deserves to be so popular.

Part terrorist film, part treatment of family problems of a Marine returning from Afghanistan, this film is hard to stop watching. Acting is excellent. Expect a lot of surprise twists.

If Claire Danes (who plays Carrie Mathison) was not well known before this TV series, she will certainly make her mark with this work. She plays an FBI agent looking for a terrorist while taking medicine to combat her manic depression.

Damian Lewis (who plays Nicholas Brody) is actually British. His American accent is flawless. You might remember him as Soames Forsyte in the British TV series “The Forsyte Saga”.

Morena Baccarin (who plays the wife Jessica Brody) first came to my attention as the alien queen of the remake of the TV series “V”.

Currently only season 1 is available on DVD because season 2 is now playing. Because the story is so intriguing you won’t forget season 1 while you wait for season 2.

DON’T MISS THIS TV SERIES!

2011, Acceptable Trash, B-movie, Frenetic, Horror, Imperfect, Mayhem, Mediocre, Occasional gore, Plot Twist, Satirical ultra-violence, Sex Scenes, Suspense, Unusual, Violent, Zombies

The Cabin In The Woods (2011)

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From NetFlix:

In this twisted thriller from Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard, five friends arrive at a secluded cabin with clear instructions for their anticipated mountain getaway. But when the rigid rules are broken, punishment is swift — and everyone will pay. Kristen Connolly, Jesse Williams, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz, Chris Hemsworth and Brian J. White star with Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford in this surprising spin on a classic horror setup.

At some point while watching this acceptable piece of horror trash you will probably wake up and say “This is really stupid”. But hold on … Granted that I do not watch many horror films, as in “seen one, seen all of them”, this almost-stinker is probably one of the most original horror flicks I have seen. Following the usual script of “a bunch of friends travel together to a secluded location when all of a sudden …” in fact ALL OF A SUDDEN the film takes an unexpected turn which caused me to say “Wait a minute: is this really a horror film or some sort of a satiric prank?” Lo and behold there stand Richard Jenkins (the father ghost in “Six Feet Under”) and Bradley Whitford (Josh Lyman in “The West Wing”) in a different setting. You will spend the rest of the film trying to figure out what is happening. Along the way you get to see the usual assemblage of zombies, slashers, creepy monsters, nightmares come to life, etc. That part (the ghoul parade) is the ho-hum part. Rather the interesting part is the juxtaposition of two seemingly disparate story threads. In addition, the dialog is tongue-in-cheek and sometimes funny.

Sigourney Weaver must really need the money. Her walk-on towards the end of the story is ludicrous. In fact, the hypothesis of the entire film is ludicrous. Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford must also be desperate for acting work. Chris Hemsworth plays Chris Hemsworth.

Because I am retired, I can waste the time watching this silly but somehow intriguing farce. Can you afford to waste your time?