FanFare

In the years before the Civil War, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the South. Subjected to the cruelty of one malevolent owner (Michael Fassbender), he also finds unexpected kindness from another, as he struggles continually to survive and maintain some of his dignity. Then in the 12th year of the disheartening ordeal, a chance meeting with an abolitionist from Canada changes Solomon's life forever. [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown on Oct 16, 2022 - 5 comments

The Hoover family -- an overworked mother (Toni Collette), her failed motivational speaker husband (Greg Kinnear), a depressed uncle (Steve Carell), a brother (Paul Dano) and a grandfather (Alan Arkin) -- puts the fun back in dysfunctional by piling into a VW bus and heading to California to support a daughter (Abigail Breslin) in her bid to win the Little Miss Sunshine Contest. The sanity of everyone involved is stretched to the limit as the group's quirks cause epic problems as they travel along their interstate route. [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown on Jul 12, 2022 - 10 comments

When the Riddler, a sadistic serial killer, begins murdering key political figures in Gotham, Batman is forced to investigate the city's hidden corruption and question his family's involvement.
posted by guiseroom on Mar 4, 2022 - 42 comments

A futuristic action thriller involving time travel, mob killers, memories, regret, and bars of silver. Released in 2012. Written and directed by Rian Johnson and starring Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and featuring Piper Perabo, Jeff Daniels, and Paul Dano.
posted by brainwane on Dec 14, 2021 - 16 comments

A teenage boy must deal with his mother's complicated response after his father temporarily abandons them to take a menial and dangerous job.
posted by ellieBOA on Feb 10, 2019 - 1 comment

A Showtime miniseries based on the 2015 prison break at Clinton Correctional Facility in upstate New York. Directed by Ben Stiller. [more inside]
posted by prize bull octorok on Dec 19, 2018 - 11 comments

Daniel Plainview is an oil-man. He's traveled across half our state to be here and to see about this land. If he says he is an oil-man you will agree, and as an oil-man he hopes you will forgive his good old fashioned plain speaking. He is a family man, and his business is a family enterprise. Few oil-men understand that special bond. [more inside]
posted by fleacircus on May 20, 2018 - 19 comments

In the 1980s, Beach Boy and onetime studio wonder Brian Wilson is broken, confused man, and under the 24-hour watch of a controlling psychotherapist, Dr. Eugene Landy. While shopping for a Cadillac, Wilson meets Melinda Ledbetter, a salesperson to whom he is evidently attracted. He secretly passes her a note on a business card: "Lonely. Scared. Frightened." Soon, he begins to tell her his story. [more inside]
posted by raysmj on Jun 28, 2015 - 7 comments