Tsotsi (2006)

Drama from Johannesburg, South Africa. Tsotsi is the name of a street hoodlum and gang leader in the slums outside of Johannesburg. Things get thick when he carjacks and accidentally wounds a mother of a small baby who is sleeping in the back of his stolen car. What to do with this baby? It reminds Tsotsi of human vulnerability and pulls out of him emotions he can barely deal with. Lots of character development, a moving plot, and fine acting. Not the happiest ending, but not the most miserable either. Gripping 94 min.

Le Petite Jerusalem (2006)

French Drama - deals with orthodox religion and sexuality. Laura is an 18 year old girl who lives with her mom, older sister and sister's husband with their 4 kids in a low-income apartment in a suburb of Paris. Laura struggles to integrate her knowledge of philosophy via studies at the university with her orthodox Jewish upbringing. To the family's dismay, she falls in love with a Muslim guy who she works with at school. Lots of challenges and interesting insights into family dynamics, especially reconciling a passion for God with passion for romance. Very well cast and directed. Unique. 96 min.

Hero (2004)

Chinese Action Drama - Tons of martial arts with stunts, special effects and spectacular camera work. Also some deep philosophy. The Emperor of the largest of 6 provinces in China wants to unite the country by conquering all the states under his rule. Bloodshed and death are the price of a future peace. A handful of martial artists led by "a hero" plot to overthrow the king with very interesting results. Stories within stories. Most impressive. 99 min.

Only Human (2006)

Comedy - Spanish with English subtitles. Wacky comedy on the Guess Who's Coming to Dinner theme... A couple are in love and wanting to marry. The Jewish daughter brings her fiance home to a household of Spanish-speaking Jews. No problem - her husband-to-be speaks Spanish and is from Israel. BUT he is actually Palestinian and is a Muslim! One crazy mishap after another ensues. A little slapsticky - the young visitor drops the frozen soup out the kitchen window of a 10+ story apartment and seriously wounds the father who is just arriving. Though the actors are lovable and funny. Too much over the top, and/but still I enjoyed this movie - very clever and so much packed into it. 89 min.

Hidden Blade (2006)

Japanese Samurai Drama - The time is nearly 200 years ago. The hero is Munezo Katigiri, a fine samurai swordsman and man of honor. His father is forced to commit suicide. His maidservant is given to marriage and abused. His best friend is labeled a traitor by the Shoganate, and our hero is asked to find and kill him. Many changes in this man's life make this an interesting movie to watch, and the photography and scenery are quite captivating. It is a realistic journey into Edo Period Japan. Very well done. 132 min.

The Way Home (2002)

Korean Drama - Simple yet profound story of a city kid from Seoul who is addicted to video games and fast food. His mom drops him off at a remote village with only his grandmother to look after him. The kid (bratty and spoiled) undergoes major culture shock and some interesting personality development as he faces a world yet foreign to him. The grandmother is the epitome of patience. Fantastic story in its simplicity. 88 min.

Kitchen Stories (2004)

Comedy Scandinavian Style - Swedish researchers study the kitchen activities of single men in a remote section of Norway in order to design efficiency kitchens. Many of the men dislike being observed and an awkwardness sets in - altering their normal kitchen habits. Observer-subject interaction skews the outcome and it is fun to watch how the men deal with the impositions of the study. Slow-paced movie but with excellent acting and a most unusual theme. 93 min.

The Clearing (2004)

Human Drama - Kidnapping - Wealthy man is taken for ransom by kidnapping gang as FBI monitors the negotiations. Excellent acting by Robert Redford (the rich man), Helen Miren (rich man's wife), and Willem Dafoe (kidnapper). Slow-paced but with some interesting insights into the human psyche. 94 min.

The Keys to the House (2004)

Italian Drama - Handicapped teenage boy is reunited with his father 15 years after his father abandoned him at birth. Father deals with his guilt of abandoning and his shame for having a handicapped son. Both characters develop and learn to love. But it is not easy for them. A most revealing movie. 107 min

Gloomy Sunday (2003)

Foreign Movie - German/Hungarian - Pre-WWII Drama focuses on 3 main characters in a fine restaurant in Budapest. A pianist/composer, a restaurateur, and their shared lover who greets the restaurant guests. When the Nazis begin to take over Hungary, hell descends on our trio as they struggle to maintain their friendships and respective careers. Based on a novel, some truth and some fabrication. Gloomy Sunday was the name of an actual song that became famous around the world in the 30's. Great acting all around, lovely photography and sets. Engaging movie! 114 min.

Lost Embrace (2005)

Foreign Film (Argentina) Drama - Young man resents his absentee father. Close look at life in a Buenos Aires shopping mall and the seller's lives. Interesting characters and slice of South American urban life. There is a running commentary of Spanish that never stops in this movie, Woody Allen-like and distracting. But there is a story line and a kind of consummation that was satisfying. 100 min.

The Housekeeper (2003)

Drama/Romance -French title is "Une femme de ménage". Man falls for his housekeeper who is several decades younger than him. Realistic love story with bittersweet ending. Fine photography of Paris and later the French Riviera. Very well-acted. 90 min.



 

Intimate Strangers (2004)

Drama Romance Suspense - French with English subtitles. A troubled woman enters an accountant's office by mistake looking for a psychiatrist. She begins pouring out her troubles to the surprised man who listens intently (without divulging the fact he is not a psychiatrist). They continue meeting. When the woman discovers he is not a psychiatrist, she feels violated. But he WAS SUCH a good listener they continue meeting. A most unusual movie and with ample twists and turns. I found it fascinating. Starring Sandrine Bonnaire and Fabrice Luchini, 104 min.

The Story of the Weeping Camel (2004)

Real-life look at the Mongolian desert herders. Story revolves around their daily routine of herding sheep, shearing camels for wool, preparing for desert storms, and indoor games and music. The heart of this tale is a mother and her camel colt who she does not accept without great coaxing. When she does, she weeps. Such photography, and a magnificent simplicity kept me riveted. 90 min.

Water (2006)

Foreign Film (from India in Hindi with English subtitles) - Drama depicting the regrettable plight of widows during pre-independence India. 9-year-old girl is brought to a place for widows which is presumed to be a monastery but actually kind of a brothel - some of the younger widows are hired out to please the wealthy just across the river. The plot picks up when a wealthy and idealistic Brahmin from across the river falls in love with the prettiest of the widows and asks to marry her. Lovely photography and soundtrack. An intense look at India's religious and social philosophy. A Deepa Mehtah movie. 2 hrs 20 min

The Chorus (2005)

Foreign Film (French) Drama - School Teacher takes a job in a reform school and manages to interest the delinquent kids in singing in his choir. Gifted musician he is, he composes music for them, directs them, and organizes performances. Warm-hearted film with very real performances. And the cinematography and settings are fabulous ! Such a piece of art. I loved this movie. 97 min.

Turtles Can Fly (2005)

Foreign Drama (Iranian)-Kurdish with English subtitles. The time is the American invasion of Iraq. Characters are mostly rural tent-dwelling children in the mountains of Eastern Iraq near the border of Turkey and Iran. The hero of the story is a kid named "Satellite" who is a leader of the kids and a techno-whiz. He barters for TV satellite dishes and installs them in the villages. Everyone is hungry for news of the newly started war on Iraq. Interesting story and a real look at rural life in the high desert. Characters are well chosen and are the real deal. 95 min.

Stolen Summer (2002)

Comedy Family Drama, filmed in Chicago, set in the 1970's. 8-year-old Catholic boy Pete O'Malley is on a quest to bring Jewish people to heaven. During his missionary quest he meets a Rabi and his son with whom he becomes close friends. Their friendship deeply affects the two families and the community. Religion, pride, and social protocols are examined. Written by an amateur screenwriter and director Pete Jones. Smooth movie and deeply enjoyable. 93 min.

Stealing Sinatra (2004)

Drama-Comedy-Documentary - based on a true happening in 1963 - the kidnapping of Frank Sinatra Junior. Kidnappers are complete amateurs and this is laughable as they stumble through grabbing the singer making many mistakes. The 3 lead kidnappers are good actors and make this mishap believable. 95 min.

L'Enfant (2006)

Foreign Movie (French) Drama - Can this guy be so stupid? Pressed for money, irresponsible father sells his own baby son to a mafia/adoption agency for lots of money. When mom/girlfriend finds out she faints and nearly becomes comatose! In desperation, the father tries to buy his son back. Interesting and unusual movie. Fine acting with the two leads. Filmed in a less-than-beautiful French urban center. 100 min.

Intimate Stories (2002)

Foreign film (Argentina) - Human Drama - Road story about 3 rural people who separately weave their way to the large city. One character is an old man searching for his lost dog "Badface", another a young woman who wins a TV show appearance, and a traveling salesman in love with one of his clients. Low key flick shot mostly in rural Argentina but with realistic performances by a mostly non-professional cast. Well done.