In the last half of 2012, I have been using the King County
Library for DVDs that are not available on Netflix streaming. I dropped Netflix
by mail back in 2011. Between the Library, Netflix streaming and some PBS TV, I
am finding enough shows to fill my viewing time.
Here is what I have watched since I posted my last list.
[The ratings I give are on my own number system which is explained at the link
on the sidebar].
Game of Thrones
(Season One) – 2011 (3.1). Based on a series of fantasy novels, this HBO series
is set in a mythical realm of seven kingdoms in a medieval age and tells the
intertwining stories of the kings, lords and ladies, and their families,
household members, advisors and warriors, as they plot, scheme and fight for
power. Beyond the pretend geography and weather, the fantasy elements are kept
to a minimum, leaving a constantly developing epic story. The actors (mostly
Brits) are very good, but the ensemble covering seven kingdoms takes a while to
become familiar. The writing is also fine, though a little too talkative at
times. The graphic violence and sex, which are common on HBO, were apparently
present in the books and are not inappropriate for the story, though sometimes
they seem a little gratuitous or prolonged.
The Edukators –
2004 (3.0). When the girlfriend of one
of two male anarchists gets involved in their shenanigans, the plot thickens in
this well done German drama. We see how love and friendship can bump into each
other and we experience an interesting interplay between the anarchists and a
wealthy older man who is one of their targets. Nothing too deep here, but the
idealism of youth is nicely presented and compared to the attitudes of the
older man.
Doc Martin
(Season Five) – 2011 (2.8). A few replacement characters show up, some new ones
pass through and a newborn one emerges as the series continues to deal with the
tempestuous relationship of the Doc and Louisa, the problems of the other
regulars and the foibles of the eccentric townsfolk. The series may be ready to
start filming a sixth and final year and it is probably wise to use the final
season to bring some needed closure.
Happy – 2011
(2.8). Interspersing interviews of scientists with footage of happy people in
different places in the world, this documentary simply explores what makes
people happy. There is nothing new or earthshaking here, but it is organized
and presented in an efficient and pleasant way. This is not all Pollyanna;
there are some elements of relevant pain and suffering. A segment of a comedian
educator addressing a middle school assembly about bullying is quite moving.
Panther Panchali
– 1955 (2.8). This summary from Netflix is accurate: “In the first film in
director Satyajit Ray's acclaimed trilogy, A boy named Apu is born to a poor
but proud Brahmin family. When father Harihar (Kanu Bannerjee) loses his
treasury job, he sets out to find work elsewhere, leaving his family with
depleted resources. In his absence, their condition deteriorates. Months later,
Harihar returns to face the tragedy that forces the family to leave their
ancestral home.” Simply filmed and a bit dated, but quite genuine in feel.
Inch’Allah Dimanche
– 2001 (2.7). This French movie is about an Algerian woman who travels with her
three young children and mother-in-law to France to join her husband who has
been living and working there for a couple years. The film establishes the
feelings of homesickness and desperation the woman experiences as she faces the
domination of the husband and his mother, but ultimately her managing to cope
comes on too suddenly and is unconvincing.
Light of My Eyes
– 2001 (2.7). A nice guy loner pursues a relationship with an aloof single
mother in this Italian drama, but it is not a straightforward romance movie. As
we hear the narrator read from the science fiction book the man is reading, we
see the parallels between the space alien posing as a resident and the man in
the movie. In fact, we see and think about how many people are not who they
seem to be or who they once were or who they want to be. Good acting and quite
watchable direction ultimately are diminished by a script that sometimes
wanders and an ending, as in so many independent movies, that is not up to the
level of the rest of the movie.
Summer Hours –
2008 (2.6). This French drama always seems to be working around the edges of
the story about three adult children handling the disposition of the estate of
their mother after her death. Mom had been a devoted lover of her famous artist
uncle and it was his house, filled with his collectibles, that she lived in and
where her children and grandchildren visited with her and had numerous family
memories. But one son has a career in China and needs money to buy housing for
his family there, while the daughter has a design career in NYC and does not
intend to visit France more than once a year. The son who lives in France would
like to keep the house. We get a taste of the lives and relationships of these
people, but bigger bites would have been better.
Gigante [Giant] –
2009 (2.4). In this simple film from Uruguay, a large sized and socially
awkward Montevideo supermarket security guard becomes interested in a young
country girl who cleans at the store, but he only follows her on the security
cameras and then trails her from a distance in her off hours. He is like a
stalker, but one who is protective rather than dangerous. This is basically a
synopsis of the complete film and there is no plot to spoil by saying so.
