THE INTOUCHABLES

3/10/2013

 
Huge hit in France, (probably soon to be remade by Hollywood) starring the incredibly charismatic Omar Sy. Awkward social situation, but funny, and touching: yes.
http://weinsteinco.com/sites/the-intouchables/#

HOUSE OF CARDS

3/7/2013

 
Netfilx "original" political drama series. Kevin Spacey at his Southern-style smarmy best, and Robin Wright is perfect.  It's good.
 
Jérémie Renier and Déborah François are two young messed-up parents in this gritty Dardenne Bros. Palm d'Or film: when's the last time you watched a movie without music? Yes, yes, yes.
http://www.sonyclassics.com/thechild/

LIFE OF PI

2/21/2013

 
Stunningly beautiful, slightly talkie at the end, but absolutely, one of Ang Lee's best: yes!
http://www.lifeofpimovie.com/
 
Bi-Polar Disorder never looked so good. I love Bradley Cooper, but not Jennifer Lawrence, so this was awkward... Unless your a fan of Robert Di Niro, and/or wonder what Chris Tucker has been up to besides Rush Hour: pass.

LES MISÉRABLES

2/16/2013

 
Dreadful, torturously long: no.

THE MASTER

2/13/2013

 
Awful, long. Unless you're obsessed with Joaquin Phoenix, and/or Philip Seymour Hoffman: skip it.
 
Violent, Showtime, family / gangster / political drama, set in Providence, Rhode Island, which lasted three seasons. The writing, acting, characters and performances: outstanding. Loved it. 

LINCOLN

2/1/2013

 
Daniel Day Lewis is great as Lincoln; and Janusz Kaminski's cinematography is the best thing that ever happened to Steven Spielberg. 250 minutes...

LA PROMESSE (1996)

1/17/2013

 
What a way to debut! The Dardenne brothers direct and Jérémie Renier stars. Violent family tale of petty criminals and illegal immigrants in Antwerp; gritty, awesome.