down to the bone

Down to the Bone – 5/5

genre: drama
director: Debra Granik
year: 2004
length: 1hr. 44 min.
language: English
RT rating: 93%
my keywords: drug addiction, codependency, rehab

A woman falls in and out of rehab while struggling to take care of her kids and her addiction.

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down-to-earth, realistic portrait of one who struggles with addiction - drug or not - and the effect it can have on family. also examines the complexity of a romantic relationship that bears the conflict between love and harmful addiction and making painful decisions. yet another great performance from Vera Farmiga - i really like her.

: similar movies : Leaving Las Vegas

somersault

Somersault – 5/5


genre: drama/romance
director: Cate Shortland
year: 2006
length: 1hr. 46 min.
language: English
RT rating: 83%
my keywords: love, sexuality, promiscuity, rejection, family dysfunction, attachment

Aussie film about a teenage girl who escapes the troubles of home and encounters life on her own.

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Abbie Cornish again and i love her. great performances in this movie. i think this could have been total garbage had it been american-hollywood-commercialized like many of the teen "dramas" that are produced lately. it escapes that and is a very moving, somewhat realistic story of a girl who is lost and succombs to the rejection and harsh criticism of others while in search of love and fulfillment. a great, raw portrait of how one with such a void can translate a physically intimate relationship for true love and nourishment.

: similar movies : Fish Tank

red road

Red Road – 4/5


genre: drama/thriller
director: Andrea Arnold
year: 2007
length: 1hr. 53 min.
language: English
RT rating: 88%
my keywords: seduction, crime, voyeurism, obsession, paranoia, loss

in Glasgow, Scotland, a female surveillance officer becomes obsessed with a man she finds on film.

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i'm glad i saw this very indie style thriller. several elements here - gritty, sexy (explicit sexual scene), yet chilling and full of suspense - i thought this was a refreshingly unique film with realistic characters. the plot is a bit of a slowly-moving windy road, but never lost my interest. very slow take-off, but well worth the wait and following the main character the same way she follows her object of interest. looking forward to discovering more like it.

: similar movies : Cache

gigantic

Gigantic – 5/5


genre: drama/comedy/romance
director: Matt Aselton
year: 2008
length: 1hr. 39 min.
language: English
RT rating: 38%
my keywords: love, quirky, funny, adoption

a 28-year old man plans to adopt, but doesn't expect to find love.

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i loved this film! i didn't expect much of it and was pleasantly surprise. i was laughing from the first scene - cracking up actually. i think the sense of humor in this movie is hit or miss. it definitely hit me. also i can't recall the last time i saw a film in which every single character was individually unique AND funny in their own way. i loved the realism as well. definitely thought this was a not-so-predictable, cute, funny - and yes very "quirky" - film. i don't think it was trying too hard to be anything, it just was. John Goodman is a pleasant, and very funny, surprise, and i adored Zooey Deschanel's character, which for some reason i associate with a Winona Ryder type. the most i've laughed at a film in a little while.

: similar movies : Then She Found Me, Garden State

affinity

Affinity – 5+/5

THIS POST HAS BEEN MOVED TO MY LESBIAN MOVIE BLOG HERE.




genre: drama/romance/lesbian
director: Tim Fywell (Half Broken Things, Turn of the Screw)
year: 2008
length: 1hr. 34 min.
language: English
RT rating: n/a
my keywords: lesbian, beautiful, deep, moving, passion, soul mates

British period film about a wealthy woman who visits a local womens prison and becomes extremely close with one of the inmates.

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another Sarah Waters gem!! this is quite an interesting, unique addition to her other awesome works, Tipping the Velvet (still my favorite) & Fingersmith. all three films, based on Waters' novels, have a lot in common, including shocking twists and characters to fall in love with. at the same time, each story is so unique and outstanding on it's own. this one is not to miss!! for fellow fans, i don't want to give anything away, you just have to watch it! also such a tasteful, well-done production.

: similar movies : Tipping the Velvet, Fingersmith

unrelated

Unrelated – 4/5


genre: drama
director: Joanna Hogg
year: 2007
length: 1hr. 40 min.
language: English
RT rating: 85%
my keywords: poignant, loneliness, friends, getaway, relationship problems

British film about a shy woman goes on vacation with a friend's family.

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i love minimalist, poignant style films and found this one interesting. there is nothing extraordinary about it, and it almost annoyed me, yet i effortlessly drifted through the movie, along with the main character, and will probably always remember seeing it. most might find it boring, bland and much like watching someone's vacation home movie, but maybe a few, like me, might find something about the character or situation they can relate to. i know i did - needing a break, to be engaged with people in a different environment, but also realizing sometimes how "home," despite all it's dysfunctions, is missed.

: similar movies : for some reason this reminded me of Swimming Pool