Ronald S Woan's Blog

Winter's Bone, directed by Debra Granik (USA, 2010) 95 min - Really great film showcasing life in rural America. Unusual suspenseful drama with deep empathy for the lead character, a daughter taking care of an ill mother and two siblings threatened with homelessness.

When We Leave, directed by Feo Aladag (Germany, 2009) 119 min - Great film showcasing honor and marriage in a Muslim family. Personalizes what many of us already know from the press.

Skateland, directed by Anthony Burns (USA, 2010) 98 min - Entertaining coming of age film, as an aimless young man has to decide what to do with his life when the Skateland where he has worked since high school closes.

Ondine, directed by Neil Jordan (USA, 2009) 111 min - Very enjoyable romance drama blurring fantasy and real-life. An engaging look at the life of a divorced fisherman.

Countdown to Zero, directed by Lucy Walker (USA, 2010) 92 min - Message documentary against nuclear weapons. Probably twice as long as it needed to be as it just became mindnumbing.

Mao's Last Dancer, directed by Bruce Beresford (Australia, 2009) 117 min - A very entergaing drama based on a true life story of a Chinese ballet dancer's experience in the US. Very much reminded me of the Bruce Lee movie.

Every Day, directed by Richard Levine (USA, 2010) 93 min - A great look at middle-aged life and marriage of a man at a crossroads with his job and relationships as his aging father inlaw moves in. Kind of like American Beauty. Dang hard to get used to Carla Cugino as a temptress after the Spy Kids movie, but I guess Sin City set this up.

The Dry Land, directed by Ryan Piers Williams (USA, 2010) 92 min - I would have loved to enjoy this movie about the plight of current veterans coming back from Afghanistan and Iraq, but I always felt on the outside and not quite engaged.

Son of Babylon, directed by Mohamed Al-Daradji (Iraq, 2010) 91 min - A long but engaging drama as a Kurdish mother with grandson searches for a son imprisoned years ago in the aftermath of the US invasion of Iraq. 

Southern District, directed by Juan Carlos Valdivia (Bolivia, 2009) 109 min - Interesting look at class and family life in Bolivia. A divorced mother with the three kids and two servants. Disturbing and engaging.

Life During Wartime, directed by Todd Solondz (USA, 2009) 96 min - Bizarre look at one family's life in a series of vignettes. Supposedly dark humor but just not that entertaining for me.

The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls, directed by Leanne Pooley (New Zealand, 2009) 84 min - The life and time of a pair of yodeling lesbian twins from New Zealand. Thoroughly entertaining and interesting.