The Reel Dr. Bob

FEBRUARY 6, 2014

DEAR FRIENDS:

YOU CAN ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AND OLD REVIEWS AT- www.thereeldrbob.com

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) RUN & JUMP- Comcast On-Demand

2) THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF NICOLOLAE CEAUSESCU- Netflix

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) RUN & JUMP- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Struggling to support her family after her husband, Conor, is fundamentally changed by a stroke, Vanetia accepts a grant from a brain researcher named Ted. As Ted studies Conor, he and Vanetia form an unexpected bond.”1/24/14- A very good review in today’s NY Times and from most other critics as well. TRDB.

1/31/14- Despite the sadness of the basic topic I liked this movie very much. Comcast On-Demand. TRDB.

2) THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF NICOLAE CEAUSESCU- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Track the rise and fall of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu through this innovative historical documentary, which constructs his portrait by only using archival footage from speeches, pubic appearances, international visits and home movies. Culling more than 1,000 hours of recordings, director Andrei Ujica spent four years creating this detailed epic, which strives to reveal the powerful leader’s true character.” 9/9/11- Good reviews in general and in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2/5/14-A masterful documentary that has NO talking heads or narration of any kind but exists only from archival footage that traces his political path. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, FEB. 11-

1) ALL IS LOST- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this harrowing drama — which has no dialogue — Robert Redford portrays a man stranded alone at sea, courageously battling a ferocious storm as he struggles to survive with just a sextant and maritime maps to guide him.”9/29/13- Very good reviews from all critics. TRDB.

10/18/13- Great review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

10/29/13- I enjoyed this movie a lot as the understated Redford pulled this solo off. TRDB.

2) THE SUMMIT- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Combining interviews, archival footage and recreations, filmmaker Nick Ryan sets out to uncover what went wrong when 11 people died on their way up the infamous K2 — the deadliest day in modern mountaineering history.”10/4/13- Fairly good reviews and the NY Times liked it very much. TRDB.

3) HOW I LIVE NOW- 2013.  Synopsis by Netflix. “While on vacation in rural England, American teen Daisy slowly comes to appreciate the people around her and soon falls in love with local boy Edmund. Daisy’s summer idyll comes to an abrupt end when rumors of World War III become a reality.”10/16/13- Mixed reviews, more positive than negative. TRDB.

11/8/13- A poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) GRACE UNPLUGGED- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Every Sunday, 18-year-old Grace performs at church with her ex-rock star father, but she longs to share her talent with the rest of the world. Heading for the bright lights of Los Angeles, she soon must choose between stardom and faith.”10/4/13- A few early reviews and they are poor. TRDB.

5) THE ARTIST AND THE MODEL- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1943, disillusioned by the horrors of two world wars, sculptor Marc Cros gives up his art to live quietly in occupied France. When his wife brings home a young Spanish refugee, her beauty inspires the 80-year-old man to return to work.”8/2/13- A poor review in today’s NY Times and mixed reviews elsewhere. TRDB.

6) AUSTENLAND- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Jane Hayes is so taken with Jane Austen’s novels that she decides to splurge on a trip to an English resort that caters to Austen fans. But when the authentic period romance Jane was promised proves unacceptable, she acts to alter her fate.”8/6/13- Mixed early reviews. TRDB.

8/16/13- A poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

7) WADJDA- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Persistent 10-year-old Wadjda would like nothing more than a new bicycle so she can beat her friend (a boy) in a race. But it’s going to take some ingenuity to get one — especially in her culture, which sees bikes as a threat to a girl’s virtue.”8/26/13- Very good reviews. TRDB.

10/6/13- I enjoyed this movie about a young woman from an Arab country and her quest to follow her passion in an all male activity. TRDB.

8) ENOUGH SAID- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Julia Louis-Dreyfus and James Gandolfini star in this charming comedy about a divorced woman venturing into a relationship with a sweet man. But things get tricky when she discovers the man she’s dating is the hated ex-husband of her new best friend.”9/24/13- Excellent reviews from nearly everyone. TRDB.

9/29/13- With a very good script, very good acting and with great chemistry between the two main actors this movie seemed like real life with all of  its conflicts. TRDB.

9) THE ARMSTRONG LIE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filming cyclist Lance Armstrong as he trained for the 2009 Tour de France, director Alex Gibney had intimate access to the racer’s team. Gibney’s cameras were also rolling for Armstrong’s startling 2012 confession of performance-enhancing drug use.”10/16/13- Very good reviews. TRDB.

11/8/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST FRIDAY (1/31) IN ADDITION TO THE MOVIES I WROTE ABOUT ON 1/30-

1) BREAKING THE FRAME- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Envelope-pushing artist Carolee Schneeman talks about her disarming aesthetic — and her cats — in this all-encompassing documentary portrait that boasts a soundtrack of music by her late companion and collaborator, James Tenney.”1/31/14- A good review in today’s NY Times. Other critics have liked it also. TRDB.

2) BRIGHTEST STAR- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A young man nurses a hangover in a kind stranger’s apartment as he reflects on his first relationship, which broke up just the day before. As he struggles to start life anew, he meets an astronomer whose wisdom helps him put things into perspective.”

1/31/14- An awful review in the NY Times and from most others as well. TRDB.

3) HANK: FIVE YEARS FROM THE BRINK- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “From Joe Berlinger, the director of the “Paradise Lost” trilogy, comes this documentary about U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and his efforts to convince Congress that only a trillion dollar bailout of Wall Street would prevent economic ruin.”

1/31/14- A weak review in today’s NY Times. Just a few others noted and they are mixed. TRDB.

4) LOVE IS IN THE AIR– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Fate and the same flight reservations bring two ex-lovers together for the first time in years — an unpleasant situation for both of them. During the trip from New York City to Paris, they have plenty of time to argue the past and the present.”

1/31/14- Mixed reviews. The NY Times didn’t care for it. TRDB.

5) MISS GRANNY- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “After learning that her family plans to send her to a nursing home, elderly widow Oh Mal-soon goes for a walk and wanders into a photo studio. When she emerges, Mal-soon miraculously finds herself transformed into a 20-year-old again.”

1/31/14- Just a few reviews– the NY Times liked it- 2 others did not. TRDB.

6) PETER BROOK: THE TIGHTROPE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Famed theater director Peter Brook reveals his approach to teaching and working with actors in this documentary filmed by his son, Simon Brook. The passionate Brook guides a cast of stage veterans through exercises meant to hone their onstage skills.”

1/31/14- Just a few reviews as of now. The NY Times liked it. TRDB.

7) SOMEWHERE SLOW- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “After landing in the midst of a deadly convenience-store robbery, a 40-year-old cosmetics saleswoman sees an opportunity to change her unfulfilling existence and makes a split-second decision to leave it behind, altering her life forever.”

1/31/14- Good audience reaction- mixed reviews so far from critics. The NY Times liked it. TRDB.

8) THAT AWKWARD MOMENT- 2014.  Synopsis by Netflix. “When Jason’s relationship crumbles, his three best friends decide to show their solidarity by staying single until he’s ready to get back in the game. But the pact is put to the test when fate presents all three with their ideal ladies.”

1/31/14- Awful reviews all over. TRDB.

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OPENING THIS WEEK- FEB. 7-

There are a whole load of movies opening today but I could find only one that sounded at all interesting—– and it got lousy reviews-

1) THE MONUMENTS MEN- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a race against time, a crew of art historians and museum curators unite to recover renown works of art stolen by Nazis before Hitler destroys them. Written, directed and starring George Clooney.”2/1/14- Poor reviews. TRDB.

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

1) OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS

2) THE LAST OF THE UNJUST- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This dark documentary examines the history of Theresienstadt, the Nazis’ model ghetto created to counter rumors about mistreatment of interned Jews. Director Claude Lanzmann interviews Benjamin Murmelstein, one of the ghetto’s last living witnesses.”

Good reviews. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW-

1) AT MIDDLETON- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When uptight surgeon George and free-spirited retailer Edith accompany their teenagers on a tour of Middleton University, their initial dislike of each other turns into a possible romance as they split from the group on their own adventures.”2/5/14- Mixed reviews. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) 20 FEET FROM STARDOM- Good reviews

2) ALL IS LOST- I liked it very much

Cablevision Link– http://www.optimum.net/VOD/movies?cat=Movies+On+Demand%2FIndependent+Films%2FIFC+In+Theaters

DirecTV- www.directv.com/DTVAPP/listing/ppvMovies.jsp

Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com

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BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) THE MONUMENTS MEN- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a race against time, a crew of art historians and museum curators unite to recover renown works of art stolen by Nazis before Hitler destroys them. Written, directed and starring George Clooney.”2/1/14- Poor reviews. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) HER- Bethel. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this sci-fi romantic comedy starring Joaquin Phoenix, love comes to a lonely young writer in the sleekest of packages when he finds himself falling for the advanced operating system he purchased to run his life.” 12/18/13- Great review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

1/12/14- One of the most creative movies I’ve seen in a while, this film is definitely worth seeing but I have trouble actually recommending it. It did stimulate a lot of discussion. TRDB.

2) PHILOMENA- Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Floundering BBC journalist Martin Sixsmith and aging Irishwoman Philomena Lee form an unlikely bond when they pair up to find the son Philomena was forced to give up for adoption 50 years ago.”11/22/13- Excellent reviews all around including the NY Times. TRDB.

11/29/13- I liked this movie very much. Great and true story with great acting and very realistically done. Sad beyond sad at times. Everybody should see this. TRDB.

3 THE INVISIBLE WOMAN- Bethel, Clearview 100. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Ralph Fiennes directs and stars in this drama about the affair Charles Dickens began with a teen actress while at the height of his career. Felicity Jones plays the young thespian who catches Dickens’s eye, and Kristin Scott Thomas plays her mom.” 12/3/13- Mixed reviews but more good than bad. TRDB.

4) INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS- Bethel. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “The Coen Brothers helm this chronicle of struggling musician Llewellyn Davis, set during the height of the folk era in the early 1960s. The drama follows Davis through a week of creative highs and lows amid a bleak New York winter. 11/21/13- Very good reviews. TRDB.

12/6/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5) DALLAS BUYERS CLUB-  Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Loosely based on true events, this drama follows Ron Woodroof, who refuses to accept he’ll die in 30 days when he’s diagnosed with AIDS in 1986. He extends his life and eventually helps many other AIDS patients by smuggling medications from abroad.”10/16/13- Very good reviews for this Indie drama. TRDB. 

11/1/13- The review in today’s NY Times gave this movie an OK review but said that it lacked passion and “played it safe.” TRDB.

11/23/13- Very good reviews but not from this guy. I felt that the movie was predictable at every stage and the acting from Jennifer Gardner was weak. The story however could have been more interesting if anyone other than McConaughey showed any interest. TRDB.

6) GLORIA– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A middle-aged divorcée looking to fill the void in her life sees an opportunity for a permanent relationship when she meets a charming former naval officer. But baggage from the past may derail their romance.”

1/24/14- Great reviews in general and also from the NY Times in today’s review. TRDB.

7)  12 YEARS A SLAVE- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “The autobiography of Solomon Northup, a free black man who was abducted from New York state and sold into slavery in the mid-1800s, serves as the basis for this historical drama. Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Northup, and Brad Pitt plays an abolitionist.”

9/29/13- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

10/18/13- A glowing review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

11/6/13- Overall I enjoyed this movie as this is clearly a story needing to be told. The acting was wonderful. Throughout the movie I couldn’t help thinking about this as another Holocaust movie with the dehumanizing, the oppression, the splitting of families and the often random nature of the violence inflicted on the victims, in this case Blacks. My only objection was that too many scenes seemed the same to me, each showing the difficult daily life on the plantation in one form or another. TRDB.

8) NEBRASKA- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a cantankerous old boozer thinks he’s won a magazine sweepstakes prize, his son reluctantly takes a road trip with him to claim the fortune. As they drive from Montana to Nebraska, they visit friends and relatives to whom the dad owes money.”

11/15/13- Good reviews in general and a good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

11/29/13- I liked this movie very much. Great and true story with great acting and very realistically done. Sad beyond sad at times. Everybody should see this movie. TRDB.

9) THE GREAT BEAUTY– Jacob Burns, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “As charming 65-year-old journalist Jap Gambardella writes about Rome’s culture and social life, he reflects with bitterness on the passions of his lost youth, even as he paints a complex portrait of the lovely and ancient city.”

11/15/13- Very good review in today’s NY Times and equally good reviews from most other critics. My friends have hated it. TRDB.

10) THE WOLF OF WALL STREET- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Martin Scorcese’s high-rolling Wall Street drama is based on the memoirs of stockbroker Jordan Belfort, whose giddy career — involving audacious scams and confrontations with the FBI and other agencies — ended in federal prison.”

12/27/13- The NY Times liked this very much. TRDB.

12/29/13- Similar to American Hustle that I saw last week- way over the top but I liked it. TRDB.

11)  AMERICAN HUSTLE- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This fictionalization of the “Abscam” scandal of the early 1980s follows con man Irving Rosenfeld and his lover, Sydney Prosser, as they help an eccentric FBI agent expose corruption among several members of Congress in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.”

12/13/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times and from most other critics as well. TRDB.

For Independent Films in Your Neighborhood go to- www.emergingpictures.com

For Independent Films in Palm Beach County go to www.lakeworthplayhouse.org

For Films everywhere go to- www.fandango.com

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

May 23, 2013

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

YOU CAN ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AND OLDER REVIEWS AT- www.thereeldrbob.com

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) STARLET- Netflix

2) THE OTHER DREAM TEAM– Netflix

3) PIETA– Comcast On-Demand

4) STORIES WE TELL– At the Theater

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) STORIES WE TELL– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Using a mix of interviews and sly home movies, Sarah Polley creates an intriguing profile of her family, especially her mother, Diane, who died when Polley was 11 years old. In a family of storytellers, does the truth depend on who does the telling?”4/29/13- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

5/10/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5/21/13- An interesting documentary about family relationships and specifically what Sarah Polley learned about her family by letting people tell the story. Done in a creative manner- could have been a bit shorter. TRDB.

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) STARLET- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Jane, a 21-year-old slacker, finds $10,000 stashed in a thermos she buys at a garage sale. Unsure what to do with the money, she begins spending time with Sadie, the elderly widow who held the garage sale, and an unlikely friendship develops.”Fairly good reviews so far. TRDB.

11/9/12- Excellent review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5/15/13- With the exception of  the scenes involving the star’s despicable roommates I enjoyed this movie. TRDB. Netflix.

2) THE OTHER DREAM TEAM– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “As the U.S. basketball “Dream Team” took the 1992 Olympics by storm, the scrappy team from the newly independent Lithuania sought only to defeat Russia. Their tale involves personal freedom, the end of communism and, unexpectedly, the Grateful Dead.”

Very good reviews. TRDB.

9/28/12- Today’s NY Times basically called this documentary informative but “drained of drama.” TRDB.

5/18/13- I liked the movie very much as it used basketball essentially as  secondary to their quest for freedom. TRDB. Netflix.

3) UPSTREAM COLOR– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A woman is abducted and hypnotized with material harvested from a flower. When she falls for a man, the two realize they have been subjected to the same process. Together they search for a place of safety and struggle to reassemble their wrecked lives.”

4/5/13- Today’s NY Times liked the movie but also found it strange. TRDB.

5/19/13- One of the biggest wastes of time as far as I’m concerned– I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.

4) PIETA– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Kang-do, an enforcer for a loan shark in a destitute area of Seoul, is unrelentingly brutal in his collection of debts. But when a mysterious woman appears and claims that she is his mother, Kang-do finds himself developing a hunger for human warmth.”

5/4/13- Early reviews look pretty good. TRDB.

5/17/13- An excellent review in today’s NY Times although most people will shun the film because of its violence. TRDB.

5/20/13- Yes, it was at times violent and yes, it was strange as well but this Korean movie  also held my interest and I couldn’t turn it off. Certainly not for everyone. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

 

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, MAY 28-

 

1) LORE– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After her Nazi parents are imprisoned, Lore leads her younger siblings across a war-torn Germany in 1945. Amid the chaos, she encounters a mysterious refugee named Thomas, who shatters her fragile reality with hatred and desire.”2/8/13- Very good reviews in general with just a few critics saying that the film was a bit slow. The NY Times liked it as well. TRDB.

3/16/13- Yet another extremely powerful  movie related to the Holocaust. Well done and should be a must see! TRDB.

2) THE LOVING STORY– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This riveting documentary profiles Mildred and Richard Loving, who were arrested hours after their 1958 wedding for breaking Virginia’s laws against interracial marriage. In 1967, their case was heard before the Supreme Court and changed the nation.”

1/31/12- I saw this at a special showing with the director Nancy Biurski at the Jacob Burns Film Center. A great documentary with an impressive trove of archival footage. The movie was thought provoking and has analogies to life today both here and abroad. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK (MAY 17) IN ADDITION TO THOSE I WROTE ABOUT ON MAY 16-

 

1) CAPE SPIN: AN AMERICAN POWER STRUGGLE– 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Cape Spin! An American Power Struggle tells the surreal, fascinating, tragicomic story of the battle over America’s most controversial clean energy project. Cape Wind would be the U.S.’s first offshore windfarm…But strange alliances formed for and against: Kennedys, Kochs, and everyday folks do battle with the developer and green groups over the future of American power.”5/17/13- A poor review in today’s NY Times, mixed reviews in general and audiences have liked it. TRDB.

2) ELEMENTAL– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Three activists pursuing different causes are profiled in this environmental documentary, which moves from India to Australia to Canada. Among them is Rajendra Singh, who’s committed to saving the Ganges River from industrial pollution.”

5/17/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. The review stresses that the movie is more about the lives of the activists than about the cause itself.  TRDB.

3) ERASED– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Ex-CIA agent and current security expert Ben Logan has moved to Belgium with his estranged 15-year-old daughter. But when they’re both targeted for assassination, they must go on the run and learn to trust each other.”

5/17/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times and from others as well. TRDB.

4) RE-EMERGING: THE JEWS OF NIGERIA– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary follows Sam, a young Igbo man from Nigeria, as he seeks the truth about his people, who legend suggests may be of Jewish descent. The film delves into Igbo culture and reveals clues from around the globe that support Sam’s quest.”

5/17/13- Mixed early reviews of the few that were available. TRDB.

5) VALENTINO’S GHOST– 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Valentino’s Ghost shows the way in which the U.S. foreign policy agenda in the Middle East, drives the U.S. mainstream media’s portrayals of Arabs and Muslims.”

5/17/13- A good review in today’s NY Times and from the few other professional reviews that I could find. The Times’ review said that the film gave a different picture of the Middle East than we are used to.  TRDB.

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OPENING THIS WEEK (MAY 24)-

 

1) PLIMPTON! STARRING GEORGE PLIMPTON AS HIMSELF– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This captivating documentary about George Plimpton celebrates the rich and eclectic life of the man who worked and played as a writer, lion tamer, pro football quarterback, actor, musician, literary journal editor, trapeze artist and more.”5/13/13- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

2) BEFORE MIDNIGHT– 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Before Midnight is an upcoming American romance drama film and the sequel to Before Sunrise (1995) and Before Sunset (2004). Like its predecessors, the film was directed by Richard Linklater. As with the previous film, Linklater shares screenplay credit with both actors from the movies, Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy”

5/13/13- Uniformly excellent reviews. TRDB.

3) FILL THE VOID– 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Eighteen-year-old Shira (Hada Yaron) is the youngest daughter of the family and is about to be married off to a very promising young man of the same age. On Purim, her twenty-eight-year-old sister, Esther (Renana Raz), dies during childbirth, leaving her husband to care for the child and postponing Shira’s promised match. When the girls’ mother finds out that Yochay may leave the country with her only grandchild, she proposes a match between Shira and the widower, which leaves Shira to choose between her heart’s wish and her family’s wish to keep the child with them.

5/14/13- I saw this excellent movie as part of  a Jewish Film Festival this year. I definitely recommend it. TRDB.

4) WE STEAL SECRETS: THE STORY OF WIKILEAKS– 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Acclaimed documentarian Alex Gibney (Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room) takes the reins for this no-holds-barred look at one of the most unusual phenomena of early 21st century media. In 2006, an Iceland-based outfit called The Sunshine Press launched the website WikiLeaks.org. As run by Australian Internet activist Julian Assange, the site’s mandate involved regularly publishing top-secret documents and covert information, often regarding governments and their respective military operations.”

5/14/13- Just a few reviews so far and they are very positive. TRDB.

5) A GREEN STORY– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “A Greek man who came to the U.S. decades ago to start a company that sells environmentally friendly products learns he has cancer and little time to live. During his final days, he reflects on his early struggles as an immigrant businessman.”

5/14/13- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 

1) STRANGER THINGS– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This incisive indie tale centers on Luke, an autistic 25-year-old who lives with his grandparents — until his grandmother dies. Though the world expects little from him, he resolves to meet the challenge of finding a job and looking after himself.”4/5/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times and from other critics as well. TRDB.

2) THE ANGELS’ SHARE–  2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After avoiding jail, Robbie vows to turn his life around for his newborn son. He has a talent for discerning fine whiskeys, and he and his community service cohorts hatch a plan to lift a few expensive bottles to buy themselves a better future.”3/30/13- Very good reviews so far. TRDB.

4/12/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4/22/13- A thoroughly enjoyable movie from Scotland. Luckily that there were sub-titles. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW-

 

1) PIETA- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Kang-do, an enforcer for a loan shark in a destitute area of Seoul, is unrelentingly brutal in his collection of debts. But when a mysterious woman appears and claims that she is his mother, Kang-do finds himself developing a hunger for human warmth.”5/4/13- Early reviews look pretty good. TRDB.

5/17/13- An excellent review in today’s NY Times although most people will shun the film because of its violence. TRDB.

2) 33 POSTCARDS–  2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “For ten years, Chinese orphan Mei Mei (Zhu Lin) dreams of meeting her Australian sponsor – Dean Randall (Guy Pearce) – and his ‘perfect family’. When her orphanage travels to Australia to attend the Australian Choir Festival, Mei Mei takes the opportunity to look him up. What she finds, however, is far from the idyllic life he depicted in his postcards. Initially mismatched and disconnected, the two begin a journey in search of belonging, family, redemption, love and acceptance.”5/4/13- Weak early reviews but this does sound interesting. TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

 

 

Cablevision Link– http://www.optimum.net/VOD/movies?cat=Movies+On+Demand%2FIndependent+Films%2FIFC+In+Theaters

 

DirecTV- www.directv.com/DTVAPP/listing/ppvMovies.jsp

Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com

 

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BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS- (Westchester and Fairfield Counties)

 

NEW IN THE BURBS-

 

1) LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED– Bethel, Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED is directed by Golden Globe (R) and Oscar (R) winning filmmaker Susanne Bier, written by Bier and Anders Thomas Jensen and starring Pierce Brosnan and Trine Dyrholm. Philip (Brosnan), an Englishman living in Denmark, is a lonely, middle-aged widower and estranged single father. Ida (Dyrholm) is a Danish hairdresser, recuperating from a long bout of illness, who’s just been left by her husband for a younger woman, Thilde. The fates of these two bruised souls are about to intertwine.”4/21/13- Fairly good early reviews. TRDB.

5/3/13- A poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) FRANCES HA– Jacob Burns, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Determined to make it as a modern dancer in New York, young Frances Ha pursues her unlikely goal with more enthusiasm than natural talent. The rest of the time, she and her sardonic best friend, Sophie, put off growing up for as long as they can.”

9/5/12- Mentioned briefly in the NY Times as being shown at the Telluride Film Festival this September. TRDB.

5/4/13- Very good early reviews. TRDB.

5/17/13- Fairly good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) SOMETHING IN THE AIR– Jacob Burns. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Growing up in the wake of France’s civil crisis of May 1968, Gilles and his teen friends are determined to sustain the partisan passions of that era. But now it’s 1971, and Gilles is also beginning to think more about his other aspirations in life.”

5/3/13- Fairly good reviews in general and a very good one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

REPEATS-

 

1) THE ICEMAN– Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This thriller based on a true story follows Richard Kuklinski, who killed more than 100 people for the mob — and his own pleasure — between 1964 and 1986. Despite his prolific violence, Kuklinski was a devoted husband and father of two daughters.”Early reviews look good for this docudrama including a NY Times review on 5/3/13. TRDB.

5/1/13- A riveting performance by Michael Shannon as the contract killer Richard Kuklinski places this movie at a suspenseful level and keeps it there. TRDB.

2) MUD- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Two Mississippi teens, Ellis and Neckbone, meet a mysterious drifter named Mud hiding on a deserted river island and get caught up in his tangled web of tall tales about bounty hunters, crimes of passion, lost love and a perfect woman named Juniper.”

4/19/13- Very good reviews so far. TRDB.

4/26/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4/27/13- As far as I’m concerned this movie could have been titled “Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn Meet Rambo. What a waste! TRDB.

3) KON-TIKI– Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “With five loyal friends in tow, explorer Thor Heyerdal sails a fragile balsa wood raft along an ancient path some 4,300 miles across the Pacific. Along the way, they’re attacked by tidal waves, sharks and all the dangers the ocean can muster.”

4/19/13- Fairly good early reviews. TRDB.

4) THE GREAT GATSBY– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Leonardo DiCaprio stars as literary icon Jay Gatsby in this adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel. Fascinated by the mysterious, affluent Gatsby, his neighbor Nick Carraway bears witness to the man’s obsessive love and spiral into tragedy.”

 

For Independent Films in Your Neighborhood go to- www.emergingpictures.com

For Independent Films in Palm Beach County go to www.lakeworthplayhouse.org  

For Films everywhere go to- www.fandango.com

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

MAY 9, 2013

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

YOU CAN ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AND OLD REVIEWS AT www.thereeldrbob.com

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) CHICKEN WITH PLUMS– Netflix

2) THE RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST– Comcast On-Demand

3) CAROLINE AND JACKIE– Comcast On-Demand

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) CHICKEN WITH PLUMS– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1950s Tehran, a musician’s life comes undone: an old flame doesn’t recognize him, his violin is broken and he becomes bedridden with worry. As he spirals into despair without the ability to play music, he teeters on the edge of oblivion.”8/17/12- A good review in today’s NY Times and very good professional reviews in general. Fairly good audience reaction as well. TRDB.

5/3/13- This movie is a bit strange but stick with it and I think you won’t be sorry. TRDB. Netflix.

2) THE RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST– 2012. “Pakistani professor Changez Khan regales a journalist with his U.S. experiences in the opening scene of this compelling post-9/11 drama. As their chat continues, however, it emerges that Khan has much more on his mind than the past.”

4/19/13- Mixed early reviews. TRDB.

4/26/13- A fairly good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5/5/13- Despite a bit of Hollywood this movie held my interest and portrayed fairly well the ambivalence of the lead character. This movie is currently in a few local theaters. TRDB.

3) THE IMPOSSIBLE– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Tracking one family’s harrowing experiences, this gripping drama depicts the chaos generated by the massive 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia. On December 26, Maria, Henry and their sons are vacationing in Thailand when unthinkable disaster strikes.”

12/21/12- Basically a good review of the movie itself in today’s NY Times but the reviewer noted that the story was about wealthy tourists and had little to do with the thousands of native Asians who suffered. TRDB.

5/6/13- A real dichotomy here- after a very real opening scene with the tsunami the movie sunk into a cheesy Hollywood drag. TRDB. Netflix.

4) CAROLINE AND JACKIE– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “To celebrate her birthday, Caroline visits her sister Jackie. But what starts out as a fun evening with friends quickly goes awry, as the sisters’ obscure past gives rise to a profound emotional tension that takes a toll on the night’s affair.”

4/17/13- Very good early reviews. TRDB.

5/8/13- A very difficult movie to watch as a get-together falls apart and you begin to wonder who is the healthy one of the group. TRDB.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, MAY 14-

 

1) ORCHESTRA OF EXILES– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This inspiring documentary focuses on Polish violinist Bronislaw Huberman, who rescued hundreds of Jews from the holocaust and founded the globally renowned orchestra that would eventually become the Israel Philharmonic.”10/26/12- Fairly good review in today’s NY Times and by most professional critics as well. Audiences have uniformly enjoyed it. TRDB.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

OPENED LAST WEEK (MAY 3) IN ADDITION TO THOSE I WROTE ABOUT ON MAY 2-

 

1) FRAGMENTS OF KUBELKA– 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “This epic documentary subtly introduces the complex world view of iconic filmmaker and theoretician Peter Kubelka (born 1934, Vienna). While Kubelka’s radical and pioneering body of films is a highly condensed work of about an hour focussing on the essence of cinema.”5/3/13- An excellent review in today’s NY Times. Be aware that this documentary is nearly 4 hours long. TRDB.

2) ONCE UPON A TIME IN BROOKLYN– 2013. Released after serving several prison sentences, Bobby Baldano is torn between returning to a lucrative life of crime on the mobbed-up streets and honoring his family — a decision that may prove dangerous.”

5/3/13- Awful reviews all over including today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) FREE THE MIND– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary follows the efforts of neuroscientist Richard Davidson as he prescribes yoga and meditation in an attempt to ease the suffering of two war veterans with PTSD and a child with anxiety and ADHD.”

5/3/13- A mixed review at best in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) GENERATION UM- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the wake of an all-night party in New York City, John and his beautiful friends Mia and Violet have a series of frank conversations. These insights change their attitudes toward each other in the hours leading up to yet another party.”

5/3/13- Awful reviews. TRDB.

5) WUSS– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this black comedy, Mitch is a timid teacher at a rough high school. After he’s repeatedly beaten up by several thuggish students, he decides to get revenge with the help of eccentric schoolgirl Maddie, who has a few problems of her own.”

5/3/13- Poor review of the movie in today’s NY Times but some good words included about the directing. TRDB.

6) TURTLE HILL BROOKLYN– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When his conservative sister shows up unexpectedly at his 30th birthday party, Will is forced to come out to her for the first time. As the festivities progress and the alcohol flows, the guests’ attitudes and some shocking truths begin to emerge.”

5/3/13- Generally poor reviews including the one in today’s NY Times which called the ending and everything else about this movie inconclusive. TRDB.

7) UNMADE IN CHINA– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This riotous documentary follows American director Gil Kofman to Xiamen, China, where he’s making a state-sanctioned thriller that unravels due to interfering bureaucrats who rewrite his script and replace his leading lady and key crew members.”

5/3/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB.

8)DESPARATE ACTS OF MAGIC– 2013. Snyopsis by Netflix. “Jason, an office drone who dreams of making it big as a magician, meets Stacy, who puts her own sleight-of-hand skills to use picking pockets. But their budding romance may not survive a high-stakes magic competition that pits them head-to-head.”

5/3/13- Fairly good reviews in general and in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

 _________________________________________________________________________________________

 

OPENING THIS WEEK (MAY 10)-

 

1) GIPPI– 2013. Synopsis by IMDB. “Gippi is a 14-year-old girl who lives in Simla with her mother Pappi and little brother Booboo. She is overweight and awkward and doesn’t know how to handle the physical, emotional and social changes happening in her life.”4/29/13- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

2) THE GREAT GATSBY– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Leonardo DiCaprio stars as literary icon Jay Gatsby in this adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel. Fascinated by the mysterious, affluent Gatsby, his neighbor Nick Carraway bears witness to the man’s obsessive love and spiral into tragedy.”

4/29/13- No reviews as yet but the coming attractions did not impress me. TRDB.

3) STORIES WE TELL– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Using a mix of interviews and sly home movies, Sarah Polley creates an intriguing profile of her family, especially her mother, Diane, who died when Polley was 11 years old. In a family of storytellers, does the truth depend on who does the telling?”

4/29/13- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

4) VENUS AND SERENA– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Offering an inside look at the Williams sisters — Venus and her younger sibling Serena — this documentary follows the tennis megastars throughout 2011, when disabling injuries and illness threatened to end their careers.”

4/29/13- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 

1) REALITY-  2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Jovial fishmonger and small-time con artist Luciano hopes to enrich his humble family by participating in the Italian version of “Big Brother,” but his obsession with appearing to be an ideal contestant soon has his family doubting his sanity.”3/15/13- A good review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB.

2) IN THE HOUSE–  2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Moved by mesmerizing prose, a teacher pushes a student with extraordinary gifts to keep on writing — even though he knows the young author’s research methods involve a serious invasion of privacy.”4/19/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times and from other critics as well. TRDB.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) CAROLINE AND JACKIE–  2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “To celebrate her birthday, Caroline visits her sister Jackie. But what starts out as a fun evening with friends quickly goes awry, as the sisters’ obscure past gives rise to a profound emotional tension that takes a toll on the night’s affair.”4/17/13- Very good early reviews. TRDB.

2) THE RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST-  2012. “Pakistani professor Changez Khan regales a journalist with his U.S. experiences in the opening scene of this compelling post-9/11 drama. As their chat continues, however, it emerges that Khan has much more on his mind than the past.”4/19/13- Mixed early reviews. TRDB.

4/26/13- A fairly good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5/5/13- Despite a bit of Hollywood this movie held my interest and portrayed fairly well the ambivalence of the lead character. It is currently showing in a local theater. TRDB.

3) SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After a four-year stay in a psychiatric institution, former teacher Pat Peoples has no choice but to move back in with his mother. While he’s trying in vain to reunite with his wife, Pat meets another woman fated to change his life.”11/16/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

12/4/12- A very enjoyable piece of fluff that had a few lessons about life as well. TRDB.

 REPEATS-

 

 

Cablevision Link– http://www.optimum.net/VOD/movies?cat=Movies+On+Demand%2FIndependent+Films%2FIFC+In+Theaters

 

DirecTV- www.directv.com/DTVAPP/listing/ppvMovies.jsp

Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS- (Westchester and Fairfield Counties)

 

NEW IN THE BURBS-

 

1) THE GREAT GATSBY– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Leonardo DiCaprio stars as literary icon Jay Gatsby in this adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel. Fascinated by the mysterious, affluent Gatsby, his neighbor Nick Carraway bears witness to the man’s obsessive love and spiral into tragedy.”4/29/13- No reviews as yet but the coming attractions did not impress me. TRDB.

2) AT ANY PRICE- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne.  2012. Synopsis by NetflixIn this father-vs.-son drama, Dean Whipple is fixated on auto racing, while his dad, Henry, wants him to take over the family’s farm business. However, Henry’s penchant for shady deals and bribery unexpectedly puts the whole empire at risk.”4/19/13- Mixed early reviews with more positive than negative. TRDB.

3) SCATTER MY ASHES AT BERGDORF’S– Clearview 100. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary peels back the curtain at Bergdorf Goodman, the iconic New York store that’s been launching design careers for more than a century. Key creative personnel and fans such as Joan Rivers and Candice Bergen discuss Bergdorf’s appeal.”

5/3/13- A poor review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well.  TRDB.

4) KON-TIKI- Jacob Burns. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “With five loyal friends in tow, explorer Thor Heyerdal sails a fragile balsa wood raft along an ancient path some 4,300 miles across the Pacific. Along the way, they’re attacked by tidal waves, sharks and all the dangers the ocean can muster.”

4/19/13- Fairly good early reviews. TRDB.

4/26/13- A really poor review in today’s NY Times but other critics seemed to have liked it. TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

 

1) 42– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This biopic focuses on the relationship between baseball icon Jackie Robinson and Brooklyn Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey, who signed Robinson and in 1947 made him the first black Major League Baseball player of the modern era.”3/30/13- No reviews as yet but I can’t wait to see this movie. TRDB.

4/12/13- Today’s NY Times gave this movie an OK review basically saying that the movie was good but that it fell into the “hero worship” category. TRDB.

4/19/13- Very disappointed! I really wanted to like this movie but, as written by one critic, it was a superficial historical tribute with very little about the man himself. TRDB.

2) RENOIR– Bethel. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1915, elderly painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir is crippled by both loss and arthritis, but when vibrant teenager Andrée brightens his life, he finds new purpose — as does his son Jean, a wounded soldier who is inspired by Andrée’s love of cinema.”3/18/13- A few early reviews and they are very good. TRDB.

3/29/13- A good review in today’s NY Times emphasizing the visual aspect of the film. TRDB.

4/5/13- I enjoyed the story, the acting and the beautiful photography. TRDB.

3) MUD– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Two Mississippi teens, Ellis and Neckbone, meet a mysterious drifter named Mud hiding on a deserted river island and get caught up in his tangled web of tall tales about bounty hunters, crimes of passion, lost love and a perfect woman named Juniper.”4/19/13- Very good reviews so far. TRDB.

4/26/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4/27/13- As far as I’m concerned this movie could have been titled “Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn Meet Rambo. What a waste! TRDB.

4) THE COMPANY YOU KEEP– Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Robert Redford stars as Jim Grant, a lawyer and single dad who has to go on the lam after a reporter identifies him as a long-sought U.S. terrorist. As the journalist locates more of Grant’s old contacts, his guilt begins to appear less certain.”

3/21/13- Fairly good reviews for this Robert Redford movie. TRDB.

4/5/13- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4/19/13- I liked the movie but I felt that there was very little new information here and that I had seen this all before. I think that the talent (and plenty of it) was better than the screenplay. And what’s with the Hollywood ending? TRDB.

5) THE RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST– Clearview 100. 2012. “Pakistani professor Changez Khan regales a journalist with his U.S. experiences in the opening scene of this compelling post-9/11 drama. As their chat continues, however, it emerges that Khan has much more on his mind than the past.”

4/19/13- Mixed early reviews. TRDB.

4/26/13- A fairly good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5/5/13- Despite a bit of Hollywood this movie held my interest and portrayed fairly well the ambivalence of the lead character. This movie is currently in a few local theaters. TRDB.

 

For Independent Films in Your Neighborhood go to- www.emergingpictures.com

For Independent Films in Palm Beach County go to www.lakeworthplayhouse.org  

For Films everywhere go to- www.fandango.com

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

NOVEMBER 15, 2012

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

YOU CAN ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AND OLDER REVIEWS AT- www.thereeldrbob.com

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) A LATE QUARTET– Theater

2) THE LADY– Netflix

 

________________________________________________________________________________________

 

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) A LATE QUARTET– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Tempers flare, old jealousies reignite and new passions are sparked when the members of a world-renowned string quartet are preparing to celebrate their 25th anniversary and learn that their leader must step down due to a grim medical diagnosis.”11/2/12- A fairly good review in today’s NY Times, especially for the actors. Other critics have liked it as well and so have audiences. TRDB.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) TRISHNA– 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Self-effacing British auteur Michael Winterbottom sets his unique spin on Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles against a contemporary Indian backdrop. Freida Pinto stars as the titular Trishna, a young woman who is seduced by the wealthy son of a property developer. As the romance develops, their relationship also becomes increasingly sordid and volatile.”Good early professional reviews but weaker audience ones. TRDB. 

 _________________________________________________________________________________________

 

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, NOV. 20-

 

1) SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “As an asteroid hurtles toward Earth, a man whose wife has abandoned him spends the planet’s final days on a road trip to reunite with his high school sweetheart. But a lovely neighbor who tags along for the ride complicates his plans.”Fair professional reviews but good audience reaction. TRDB.

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

 

OPENED LAST WEEK IN ADDITION TO THE MOVIES I WROTE ABOUT ON NOV. 8-

 

1) OTELO BURNING– 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Defying the law, three Zulu boys escape their harsh township lives through the joy of surfing. Overcoming his traditional fear of the water, Otelo Buthelezi discovers a natural talent, finding freedom on the waves. But in the turmoil of a country on the cusp of change, he is dragged down into a spiral of jealousy and violence. As Nelson Mandela finally walks free, Otelo must choose between two worlds. Otelo Burning is based on real events. It is a moving drama of courage, love, betrayal and hope.”11/9/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

 

3) LUNCH– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “For 40 years, a group of comedy legends that includes Sid Caesar, Monty Hall and Carl Reiner has been meeting every two weeks for lunch. This documentary examines the strong friendships within the group, which has seen members come and go over time.”11/9/12- Uniformly good reviews in general and in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

 

OPENING THIS WEEK-

 

1) ANNA KARENINA– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Oscar winner Tom Stoppard penned this adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel, which stars Keira Knightley as the titular 19th-century Russian aristocrat who enters into a passionate and forbidden love affair with the well-heeled Count Vronsky.”OK early reviews in general but a few miserable ones as well. TRDB.

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

 

FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 

1) WAKE IN FRIGHT– 1971. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Awe-inspiring, brutal and stunning, Wake in Fright is the story of John Grant, a bonded teacher who arrives in the rough outback mining town of Bundanyabba, planning to stay overnight before catching the plane to Sydney. But, as his one night stretches to five, he plunges headlong toward his own destruction. When the alcohol-induced mist lifts, the educated John Grant is no more. Instead there is a self-loathing man in a desolate wasteland, dirty, red-eyed, sitting against a tree and looking at a rifle with one bullet left… Believed lost for many years, Wake in Fright has been painstakingly restored by Australia’s National Film and Sound Archive and AtLab Deluxe, and is presented in its original uncompromising form.”Excellent reviews. TRDB.

2) HOLY MOTORS– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This surreal drama from France follows DL, who becomes many different individuals living very different lives over a 24-hour period — switching effortlessly from man to woman, impoverished to affluent, young to old, and even assassin to family man.”Excellent reviews so far. TRDB.

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

 

COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW- NONE

 

REPEATS-

 

 

Cablevision Link– http://www.optimum.net/VOD/movies?cat=Movies+On+Demand%2FIndependent+Films%2FIFC+In+Theaters

 

DirecTV- www.directv.com/DTVAPP/listing/ppvMovies.jsp

 

Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________

 

BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-

 

NEW IN THE BURBS-

 

1) LINCOLN– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Steven Spielberg takes on the towering legacy of Abraham Lincoln, focusing on his stewardship of the Union during the Civil War years. The biographical saga also reveals the conflicts within Lincoln’s cabinet regarding the war and abolition.”Just a few professional reviews and they are mixed, one calling it a mess. TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

 

1) A LATE QUARTET– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Tempers flare, old jealousies reignite and new passions are sparked when the members of a world-renowned string quartet are preparing to celebrate their 25th anniversary and learn that their leader must step down due to a grim medical diagnosis.”11/2/12- A fairly good review in today’s NY Times, especially for the actors. Other critics have liked it as well and so have audiences. TRDB.

 

2) ARGO– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1979, when Iranian militants seize the American embassy, six Americans slip into the Canadian embassy for protection, prompting the CIA to concoct an elaborate plot to rescue them by pretending that they are filmmakers rather than diplomats.”Excellent reviews. TRDB.

 

3) THE SESSIONS- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100. Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After spending years in an iron lung, a man decides he wants to explore his sexuality for the first time, and hires a surrogate to aid the goal. Through their intensifying relationship, this indie drama illustrates the many forms love can take.”Very good early reviews. TRDB.

 

For Independent Films in Your Neighborhood go to- www.emergingpictures.com

 

For Independent Films in Palm Beach County go to www.lakeworthplayhouse.org  

 

For Films everywhere go to- www.fandango.com  

 

 

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

OCTOBER 25, 2012

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

YOU CAN ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AND OLDER REVIEWS AT- www.thereeldrbob.com

 

JUST BACK FROM VACATION! I’VE INCLUDED ALL OF THE MOVIES THAT HAVE OPENED IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS.

IN ADDITION, THERE ARE SEVERAL NEW FILMS IN THE BURBS THAT BEGIN THIS WEEK-

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) SISTER– Theater

2) THE WAITING ROOM– Netflix Streaming

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) SISTER– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Every day, impoverished 12-year-old Simon sneaks into a posh Swiss ski resort, where he helps himself to the gear of wealthy tourists. Benefitting from his thievery is his lazy older sister, Louise, who refuses to live up to her responsibilities.”Rotten Tomatoes said- “Simon (Kacey Mottet Klein) lives with his older sister (Léa Seydoux) in a housing complex below a luxury Swiss ski resort. With his sister drifting in and out of jobs and relationships, twelve-year-old Simon takes on the responsibility of providing for the two of them. Every day, he takes the lift up to the opulent ski world above, stealing equipment from rich tourists to resell to the local kids down in the valley. He is able to keep their little family afloat with his small-time hustles and his sister is thankful for the money he brings in. But, when Simon partners with a crooked British seasonal worker, he begins to lose his boundaries, affecting his relationship with his sister and plummeting him into dangerous territory.

10/5/12- Very good reviews from the NY Times and from most other critics as well. TRDB.

10/24/12- This movie gave a good depiction of the despair of the characters and therefore was a bit difficult to watch at times. All in all I’d say that I did like it. TRDB. At the Theater.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME (or on an airplane)

 

1) SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “A team of journalists is dispatched to find out who’s behind a classified advertisement seeking a companion for time travel, with payment on return. After tracking down their oddball prey, the team has to decide how best to approach their subject.”Very good early reviews. TRDB.

10/21/12- Of course this movie was ridiculous but the interaction between the characters made it just OK. If I wasn’t in an airplane I would have turned it off. TRDB. Compliments of Delta Airlines.

2) HYSTERIA- 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Hysteria is a romantic comedy with an accomplished cast led by Maggie Gyllenhaal, Hugh Dancy, Jonathan Pryce, Felicity Jones and Rupert Everett, that tells an untold tale of discovery – the surprising story of the birth of the electro-mechanical vibrator at the very peak of Victorian prudishness.”

5/18/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times and weak reviews in general. TRDB.

10/22/12- Not very funny and a weak dialogue in general!! I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.

3) THE WAITING ROOM– 2007. Premise by Netflix. “Single mom Anna (Anne-Marie Duff) breaks off a self-destructive affair with her friend’s husband (Rupert Graves) when she meets the man of her dreams — Stephen (Ralf Little), a handsome nursing home orderly — in a chance encounter at a train station. The feeling is mutual for Stephen, who loses interest in his tepid relationship with Fiona (Christine Bottomley) when Anna comes into the picture. Roger Goldby directs this romance set in London.”

Very good reviews. TRDB.

10/24/12- I saw this by mistake when, at first, I thought I was watching the new documentary with the same name but fortunately I did enjoy it. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, OCT. 30-

 

1) FIRST POSITION– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This fascinating documentary follows dancers training for the Youth America Grand Prix, one of the world’s most prestigious ballet competitions. The stakes are high: Their performances will determine the success or failure of the young girls’ dreams.”Very few reviews and they are OK. TRDB.

5/4/12- A good review in today’s NY Times that brought up a bit of controversy in the making of this documentary. TRDB.

5/22/12- A well done and interesting documentary about what it takes to make it in this field and what it’s like to be a child competitor. The controversy with this movie was related to the fact that the competition organizers had a hand in the making of the movie. In particular they helped select the subjects to be followed and were involved in other aspects as well. TRDB.

2) ELENA- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Middle-aged Elena is a meek wife to her emotionally distant second husband, Vladimir. When he decides to leave his riches to his estranged daughter, Elena chooses to take drastic action to provide for her own adult son.”

Rotten Tomatoes had this to say– “Winner of Cannes’ Un Certain Regard Special Jury Prize, Elena is a gripping, modern twist on the classic noir thriller. Sixty-ish spouses Vladimir and Elena uneasily share his palatial Moscow apartment-he’s a still-virile, wealthy businessman; she’s his dowdy former nurse who has clearly “married up.” Estranged from his own wild-child daughter, Vladimir openly despises his wife’s freeloading son and family. But when a sudden illness and an unexpected reunion threaten the dutiful housewife’s potential inheritance, she must hatch a desperate plan. Very good early reviews. TRDB.

3) CRAIGSLIST JOE– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Setting out to explore whether America still has a sense of community, with people helping each other through hard times, 29-year-old Joseph Garner spends a month depending on the goodness of Craigslist posters for his survival.”

Good audience reviews but no professional ones. TRDB.

4) SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “A team of journalists is dispatched to find out who’s behind a classified advertisement seeking a companion for time travel, with payment on return. After tracking down their oddball prey, the team has to decide how best to approach their subject.”

Very good early reviews. TRDB.

10/21/12- Of course this movie was ridiculous but the interaction between the characters made it just OK. If I weren’t in an airplane I would have turned it off. TRDB.

5) POLISSE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This French drama presents a fictionalized but well-researched portrait of the juvenile protection division of the Paris court system, following a documentarian as she films the employees in the department and the children under its authority.” Good early reviews. TRDB.

5/18/12- Good review in today’s NY Times and very good reviews by almost all critics. Audiences have liked it too. TRDB.

6) AMERICANO- Premise by Netflix. “Joshua Jackson moves on from the teenage angst of “Dawson’s Creek” in this coming-of-age drama from first-time director Kevin Noland. Before beginning a conservative career as a buttoned-up businessman, a recent college graduate (Jackson) decides to participate in the world-famous running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, where he meets a beautiful local (Leonor Varela) and an expatriate barkeep (Dennis Hopper) who change his life forever.”

7/10- A travelogue of Pamplona and very little else. TRDB.

7) SOUND OF MY VOICE– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Wishing to infiltrate a California cult, curiosity seekers Peter (Christopher Denham) and Lorna (Nicole Vicius) undergo an elaborate preparation process that leads from a desolate road to an unmarked location, but the mystery only deepens when their blindfolds are removed. In this absorbing psychological thriller, the line between voyeurism and belief blurs once the pretenders shake hands with sphinx-like cult leader Maggie (Brit Marling).”

4/27/12- Good reviews in general and in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

 

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OPENED IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS WHILE I WAS AWAY IN ADDITION TO THOSE I WROTE ABOUT ON OCT.11-

 

OCTOBER 19-

 

1) BROOKLYN CASTLE– 2012. “Brooklyn’s I.S. 318 is home to America’s best junior high school chess team, but budget cuts are threatening to undermine the team’s success. This inspiring documentary goes inside the fight to keep chess alive and well at the struggling school.”10/19/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “While Bebe floats around in the first flush of new love, her best friend DeeDee is bitter and self-destructive after a breakup. When they meet Clementine, who’s also dealing with relationship issues, the three go on a zany New York escapade together.”

10/19/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) BAD 25– 2012- “Spike Lee toasts the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson’s monumental “Bad” album with exclusive footage and an assortment of celebrity interviews, from those who worked closely with the King of Pop to those whose careers proudly bear his influence.”

10/19/12-Good early reviews in general and in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) WE ARE LEGION: THE STORY OF THE HACKTAVISTS– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists is a documentary that takes us inside the world of Anonymous, the radical “hacktivist” collective that has redefined civil disobedience for the digital age. The film explores the historical roots of early hacktivist groups like Cult of the Dead Cow and Electronic Disturbance Theater and then follows Anonymous from 4chan to a full-blown movement with a global reach, one of the most transformative of our time.”

10/19/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB.

5) THE FIRST TIME– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This romantic comedy charts the course of young love when a chance encounter between high schoolers Dave and Aubrey sends them over the moon for each other. Over the course of a weekend, the two discover the intensity of genuine emotional intimacy.”

10/19/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times but just fair reviews elsewhere. TRDB.

6) QUESTION ONE– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “On May 6th, 2009 Maine became the first state in this country to legislatively grant same-sex couples the right to marry. Seven months later, on November 3rd 2009 Maine reversed, becoming the thirty-first state in this country to say “no” to gay and lesbian marriage. Filmed from within both campaigns, “Question One” chronicles the fierce and emotional battle that took place in Maine during that time, a battle whose political symbolism is a bellwether for the greater ideological battlefield in American politics.”

10/19/12- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

7) THE FLAT- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Arnon Goldfinger’s grandmother died at 98, he was charged with cleaning out her Tel Aviv apartment, where he made a shocking discovery. The filmmaker plays detective as he sorts through decades of the Holocaust survivor’s letters and photos.”

10/19/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB.

8) UNMASKED JUDEOPHOBIA– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Exploring anti-Semitism in Europe, North America and Israel, filmmaker Gloria Greenfield makes the case that anti-Jewish ideology is on the rise. Interviews feature U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman and attorney Alan Dershowitz, among others.”

10/19/12- A fair review in today’s NY Times. Audiences have liked this film very much. TRDB.

9) LA VIE AU RANCH– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A group of young women are determined to enjoy their freedom while it lasts in this loosely plotted comedy drama from director Sophie Letourneur. Lola (Eulalie Juster), Pam (Sarah-Jane Sauvegrain), and Manon (Mahault Mollaret) are three college students who share a flat they call “the Ranch” with several of their friends. Most of what happens at the Ranch takes place on the couch, and while academics are a part of the picture, so is drinking, hanging out, partying, and endless conversations about the past, present, and future, covering everything from philosophy to bladder infections. Lola, Pam, Manon and their friends are young enough to enjoy the glories of youthful irresponsibility and get away with it, but the farther they go into their college careers, the more they realize that the demands of the real world are creeping up on them. La Vie au Ranch (aka Chicks) was an official selection at the 2010 Rotterdam International Film Festival.”

10/19/12- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

10) SEXY BABY– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This provocative documentary examines what it’s like to be female in today’s sex-obsessed culture, from a pre-teen battling with her parents over social media to a young woman undergoing plastic surgery and an ex-porn star teaching exotic dancing.”

10/19/12- Mixed critical reviews but audiences have liked this one very much. TRDB.

11) YOGAWOMAN– 2012. Synopsis  by Rotten Tomatoes. “Yoga was brought to the west from India by a lineage of male teachers. Now there’s a generation of women who are leading the way and they’re radically changing people’s lives. From the busy streets of Manhattan to the dusty slums of Kenya, from the golden beaches of Australia Yogawoman uncovers a global phenomenon that has changed the face of yoga forever.”

10/19/12- Just fair reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

12) ALL TOGETHER– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Instead of living in a retirement home, five aging friends decide to move in together after one of them suffers a heart attack. The two couples and one widower are joined by a young caregiver, an ethnology student who is studying the group.”

10/19/12-Fairly good reviews in general and a “just OK” one in the NY Times. TRDB.

13) MY WORST NIGHTMARE– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “François and Agathe have it all, but their marriage needs help. Enter Patrick, an uncouth contractor, who does more than spruce up the house. He inspires new zest in both François and Agathe’s lives — just not with each other.”

10/19/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere but the review sounded interesting. TRDB.

14) THE SESSIONS– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After spending years in an iron lung, a man decides he wants to explore his sexuality for the first time, and hires a surrogate to aid the goal. Through their intensifying relationship, this indie drama illustrates the many forms love can take.”

10/19/12- Excellent review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

This movie was included in the last edition (#432) but will actually open this Friday and the NY Times has given it an excellent review. TRDB.

  

OCTOBER 12-

1) 3, 2, 1… FRANKIE GO BOOM– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Frank has long been the victim of his brother Bruce’s filmed pranks and ambushes, yet he finds the worst is yet to come after he beds a new lady. Bruce secretly films their lovemaking and puts it on the Internet, with viral and ruinous results.”

10/12/12- This movie got a fairly good review in the NY Times. TRDB.

2) GAYBY– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When yoga teacher Jenn and her gay friend Matt find themselves thirtysomething, single and childless, they decide to parent a baby together. But trouble arises when they discover they have differing ideas about the method of the child’s conception.”

10/12/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times but critics and audiences alike have enjoyed it. TRDB.

3) SIMON AND THE OAKS– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “An epic drama spanning the years 1939 to 1952, this is the gripping story of Simon (Bill Skarsgaard), who grows up in a loving working class family on the outskirts of Gothenburg but always feels out of place. He finally convinces his father to send him to an upper-class grammar school, where he meets Isak, the son of a wealthy Jewish bookseller who has fled Nazi persecution in Germany. Simon is dazzled by the books, art and music he encounters in the home of Isak’s father Ruben (Jan Josef Leifers), which makes Simon long to know more about his own family background. Isak, on the other hand, draws comfort from learning to do something with his hands, helping Simon’s dad (Stefan Godicke) make boats. When Isak faces trouble at home, he is taken in by Simon’s family and the two households slowly merge, connecting in unexpected ways as war rages all over Europe.”

10/12/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times but just average ones in general. TRDB.

4) THE IRAN JOB- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This eye-opening documentary follows American basketball player Kevin Sheppard during his 2008-09 season playing for a professional team in Iran. Although Kevin is nervous, he makes many friends, including several politically active Iranian women.”

10/12/12- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

 5) MADRID, 1987– Synopsis by Netflix. “During the political unrest of 1987, Ángela meets elderly journalist Miguel for an interview and ends up his captive, locked with him in his bathroom. Over the next 24 hours, they engage in verbal sparring that parallels the nation’s upheaval.”

Here’s what Rotten Tomatoes had to say– “Madrid, 1987 …is a two-character story with a verbose discourse on writing, journalism, careerism, aging and politics. Shot mostly within a very constricted space, the story follows an older, celebrated journalist Miguel (José Sacristán) who meets the beautiful and coy journalism-student Angela (María Valverde) to give an interview – but becomes intent upon seducing her. They end up spending time in the most unusual manner …discussing literature, prose and career trajectories …gradually divulging little insights into their own selves as we start to understand the old journalist’s cynicism and the young protégé’s intentions.

10/12/12- A good review in the NY Times. TRDB.

6) LEAST AMONG SAINTS– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Returning home to a broken marriage and an uncertain future, combat veteran Anthony Hayward (Papazian) believes there is no hope for himself. Yet when a troubled ten year-old neighbor, Wade (Tristan Lake Leabu), calls out for help, Anthony cannot turn away. To the dismay of the boy’s social worker (Laura San Giacomo), Anthony sets out on a fool’s quest to help this heartbroken and hard-to-reach child find his long-lost father. In the midst of this new mission – the first that seems to matter since his return – Anthony begins to come to grips with both the costs of war and the universal power of human connection.”

10/12/12- Weak reviews in general. TRDB.

7) JANEANE FROM DES MOINES– 2012. Synopsis by Rottten Tomatoes. “Janeane Wilson is a conservative Iowa housewife who works as a home health aide, keeps busy in her garden, and attends a local women’s bible study group. But as the 2012 presidential election draws near, she is determined to find a Republican candidate who will take America back from the Democrats, repeal Obamacare, defund Planned Parenthood and get rid of gay marriage – issues that she feels are destroying the country she loves. She dives into Iowa Tea Party politics and the lead-up to the Iowa caucus, but a crumbling economy causes her to lose everything she holds dear — her job, her marriage, her health, and her home. As Mitt Romney, Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum, Rick Perry and Newt Gingrich criss-cross Iowa during her hour of need, Janeane presses them for answers that she and many of her fellow Americans would like to hear.”

10/12/12- Fairly good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

8) THE PROSECUTION OF AN AMERICAN PRESIDENT– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “This electrifying film documents the efforts of Vincent Bugliosi, one of our nation’s foremost prosecutors, as he presents his case that former president George W. Bush should be prosecuted for the deaths of American soldiers in Iraq because he deliberately took our nation to war under false pretenses. Based on Bugliosi’s New York Times bestseller, the movie discloses shocking hidden details of how Bush and his people systematically lied to Congress and the country. He shows incontrovertible evidence that Bush, Cheney, Rice, et al committed a monumental crime under our constitution and the laws of this land. He leads us through a legal understanding of what is needed to bring a formal prosecution, setting the stage for what would be the biggest and most important trial in U.S. history.”

10/12/12- Good review of this film in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

9) A WHISPER TO A ROAR– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “This rousing documentary examines how protesters dedicated to democracy and nonviolence have changed the political landscapes in five tumultuous countries — Venezuela, Egypt, Malaysia, Ukraine and Zimbabwe — that have been ruled by corrupt regimes.”

10/12/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

10) SPLIT: A DEEPER DIVIDE– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. ” Split: A Deeper Divide carries the riveting investigation into the partisanship paralyzing our politics initiated by the critically-acclaimed SPLIT: A Divided America – further revealing a shocking political portrait of a nation even more profoundly polarized and deeply divided than before. The thought-provoking documentary explores the historically unprecedented partisan rancour plaguing our country and our politics through extraordinary access to some of the sharpest minds analyzing politics and society today including Senator Bayh (D-IN), Senator Hagel (R-NE), Lawrence Lessig (Director, Foundation of Ethics; Harvard), Grover Norquist (American for Tax Reform) Jacob Hacker (Director, Institution for Social and Policy Studies; Yale), Ezra Klein (MSNBC), Robert Kaiser (Washington Post), Norm Ornstein (AEI), Thomas Frank (Wall Street Journal), Noam Chomsky (MIT), Robert Putnam (Harvard), Jesse Jackson (Rainbow/PUSH Coallition), Nicholas Kristof (NY Times), Tucker Carlson (Fox News), Amy Goodman (Democracy Now) among others – for commentary as insightful as it is entertaining. The film moves beyond the headlines of sound-bite battles pitting conservatives vs. liberals to the deeper questions of why – why have we become two Americas? what are the forces – social, cultural, economic – that divide our nation so deeply that we are unable to even discuss our differences? SPLIT: A Deeper Divide is an unflinching look at our fractured nation that offers a much needed non-partisan perspective on what lies beneath the divides splitting the country. The documentary is an absolute must-see before the election.”

10/12/12- A fair at best review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

11) SMASHED– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Married couple Kate and Charlie love to party and drink together. But when Kate’s drinking gets out of hand, threatening her teaching job, she decides to get sober. Now Kate and Charlie struggle as they learn a new way of being together.”

Great early reviews. TRDB.

10/12/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

 12) PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Filmmaker Ross McElwee finds himself in frequent conflict with his son, a defiant young adult who seems addicted to and distracted by the virtual worlds of the internet. To understand the growing distance between himself and his son, McElwee travels back to St. Quay-Portrieux in Brittany for the first time in decades to retrace his own journey into adulthood. He also hopes to track down his first employer, a photographer named Maurice, and Maud, a woman with whom he was romantically involved. Photographic Memory is a meditation on the passing of time, the praxis of photography and film, digital versus analog, and the fractured love of a father for his son.”10/12/12- A good review in today’s NY Times– I think! TRDB.

13) THE BIG PICTURE– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Successful Paris attorney Paul Exben (Romain Duris) has everything going for him, including power, wealth and a picture-perfect family. But the mirror suddenly cracks when Paul discovers that his wife, Sarah, is carrying on an affair with a photographer. After a tragic error closes the door on all that he’s achieved, Paul makes a fateful decision to escape, fleeing abroad to try and begin a new life as someone else altogether.”

10/12/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

OPENING THIS WEEK-

 

1) THE OTHER SON– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “”The Other Son” is the moving and provocative tale of two young men — one Israeli, the other Palestinian — who discover they were accidentally switched at birth, and the complex repercussions facing them and their respective families. Joseph (Jules Sitruk), an 18-year-old musician preparing to join the Israeli army for his mandatory military service, lives at home in a comfortable suburb of Tel Aviv with his parents, France-born physician Orith (Emmanuelle Devos) and Israel-born army commander Alon Silbers (Pascal Elbé). A blood test for Joseph’s military service reveals that he is not their biological son. During the Gulf War Joseph was evacuated from a clinic along with another baby, and the pair were given back to the wrong families. While Palestinian Joseph went to Tel Aviv with the Silbers, their actual Jewish son, Yacine (Medhi Dehbi), was brought to the West Bank by an Arab couple, Said (Khalifa Natour) and Leila (Areen Omari). The revelation turns the lives of the two families upside-down, forcing them to reassess their respective identities, values, and beliefs.”Only fair reviews but this sounds interesting to me. TRDB.

2) PUSHER– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Based on the edgy and explosive series by visionary director Nicolas Winding Refn, Pusher stars Richard Coyle as a drug dealer who grows increasingly desperate over the course of a week after a botched deal lands him in the merciless clutches of a ruthless crime lord. The more desperate his behavior, the more isolated he becomes until there is nothing left standing between him and the bullet his debtors intend to fire his way.”

A few good early reviews but a some said that it wasn’t as good as the original. TRDB.

3) MIDNIGHT’S CHILDREN– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Based on the acclaimed novel by Salman Rushdie, this epic drama tells the story of two infants switched at birth in 1947, the year of India’s independence from Great Britain. One boy is wealthy, the other poor, and their lives become intertwined.”

Terrible reviews– skip it! TRDB.

 

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 

1) COMPLIANCE– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on a true incident, this tense drama unfolds as a prank caller pretends to be a cop and convinces a restaurant manager to interrogate her teenaged employee about a supposed theft from a customer — a situation that soon spins out of control.” Very good early reviews. There is an article in the NY Times on 5/6/12 about this movie and about the lead actor, Ann Dowd, and about the controversy when it was shown at Sundance this year. TRDB.8/17/12- An interesting and intriguing review in today’s NY Times that details the controversy regarding this movie at Sundance 2012. TRDB.

 

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) ALL TOGETHER– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Instead of living in a retirement home, five aging friends decide to move in together after one of them suffers a heart attack. The two couples and one widower are joined by a young caregiver, an ethnology student who is studying the group.”Fairly good reviews in general. TRDB.

2) MOONRISE KINGDOM– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Wes Anderson’s quirky drama follows the frantic search that ensues in a small New England town when two 12-year-olds fall in love and run away together. As the townsfolk hunt for the vanished kids, a storm causes even more profound communal upheaval.”Very good early reviews, especially from the professionals. TRDB.

6/11/12- A sweet, charming, quirky love story. See it!!! TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

 

 

Cablevision Link– http://www.optimum.net/VOD/movies?cat=Movies+On+Demand%2FIndependent+Films%2FIFC+In+Theaters

 

DirecTV- www.directv.com/DTVAPP/listing/ppvMovies.jsp

 

Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com

 

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BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS- (Westchester and Fairfield Counties)

 

NEW IN THE BURBS-

 

1) CLOUD ATLAS– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this star-studded drama, six seemingly disparate stories take viewers from a South Pacific Island in the 19th century to 1980s America to a dystopian future, exploring the complicated links that humans share through the generations.”

Good reviews. TRDB.

2) THE OTHER SON– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “”The Other Son” is the moving and provocative tale of two young men — one Israeli, the other Palestinian — who discover they were accidentally switched at birth, and the complex repercussions facing them and their respective families. Joseph (Jules Sitruk), an 18-year-old musician preparing to join the Israeli army for his mandatory military service, lives at home in a comfortable suburb of Tel Aviv with his parents, France-born physician Orith (Emmanuelle Devos) and Israel-born army commander Alon Silbers (Pascal Elbé). A blood test for Joseph’s military service reveals that he is not their biological son. During the Gulf War Joseph was evacuated from a clinic along with another baby, and the pair were given back to the wrong families. While Palestinian Joseph went to Tel Aviv with the Silbers, their actual Jewish son, Yacine (Medhi Dehbi), was brought to the West Bank by an Arab couple, Said (Khalifa Natour) and Leila (Areen Omari). The revelation turns the lives of the two families upside-down, forcing them to reassess their respective identities, values, and beliefs.”

No reviews yet but this sounds interesting. TRDB.

3) BROOKLYN CASTLE– Jacob Burns. 2012. “Brooklyn’s I.S. 318 is home to America’s best junior high school chess team, but budget cuts are threatening to undermine the team’s success. This inspiring documentary goes inside the fight to keep chess alive and well at the struggling school.”

10/19/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) THE BIG PICTURE– Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Successful Paris attorney Paul Exben (Romain Duris) has everything going for him, including power, wealth and a picture-perfect family. But the mirror suddenly cracks when Paul discovers that his wife, Sarah, is carrying on an affair with a photographer. After a tragic error closes the door on all that he’s achieved, Paul makes a fateful decision to escape, fleeing abroad to try and begin a new life as someone else altogether.”

10/12/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

REPEATS-

 

1) ARGO- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1979, when Iranian militants seize the American embassy, six Americans slip into the Canadian embassy for protection, prompting the CIA to concoct an elaborate plot to rescue them by pretending that they are filmmakers rather than diplomats.”

For Independent Films in Palm Beach County go to www.lakeworthplayhouse.org  

  

 For Films everywhere go to- www.fandango.com

 

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

JULY 19, 2012

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

YOU CAN ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AND OLDER REVIEWS AT- www.thereeldrbob.com

 

I WAS AWAY FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND SO MY VIEWING THIS WEEK WAS LIMITED!!!

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) BUDRUS— BUT ONLY FOR THE DISCUSSION THAT IT GENERATED AND NOT FOR THE QUALITY OF THE FILM ITSELF.

2) THE FIRST BEAUTIFUL THING- Netflix

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

 

________________________________________________________________________________________

 

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) BUDRUS- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Documentarian Julia Bacha delves into the fraught world of Palestinian-Israeli relations in this amazing account of one family’s leadership of a movement to prevent Israel’s Separation Barrier from slicing the Palestinian village of Budrus in half. Ayed Morrar inspires nonviolent protests of the giant barrier by numerous factions, and his 15-year-old daughter, Iltezam, leads a women’s group. Archival footage and interviews illuminate the action.” Excellent reviews.6/2/11- A poignant but somewhat one-sided documentary showing that occasionally peaceful methods can work in the Middle East conflict. TRDB. Netflix.

7/15/12- I saw this again today at the Hebrew Center in Martha’s Vineyard and found it just as interesting and thought provoking as I did last year. Also, I found it even more one-sided than I did last year especially as it was produced by an organization that claims to be neutral. TRDB.

2) THE FIRST BEAUTIFUL THING– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Featuring superb cinematography, Italian director Paolo Virzi’s ambitious tale stars Valerio Mastandrea as Bruno Michelucci, an embittered teacher who grudgingly returns to his parochial hometown to see his estranged, terminally ill mother (Stefania Sandrelli). But what was intended to be a brief visit to say farewell instead becomes an opportunity for Bruno to come to terms with the turbulent past — and his wayward parent.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.

7/18/12- A bit formulaic but an interesting and creative story about family and reconciliation. The part of the mother was great. TRDB. Netflix.

 

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JULY 24-

 

1) THE DEEP BLUE SEA–  2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This remake of the original 1955 film, adapted from a Terence Rattigan play, stars Rachel Weisz as a wedded woman who falls hard for a younger man. Her determination and emotional obsession lead her into tragic conflict with the morals of the day.”3/23/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) WANDERLUST– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Economic hard times force a New York couple to pull up stakes and head for Atlanta, where their boorish relatives are ready to take them in. On their way south, they spend a night at a hippie-style inn and wind up considering a whole new lifestyle.”

2/24/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This delectable documentary profiles sushi chef Jiro Ono, an 85-year-old master whose 10-seat, $300-a-plate restaurant is legendary among Tokyo foodies. Ono is also a father, whose sons struggle to live up to his legacy and make their own marks.” Good early reviews. TRDB.

3/9/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) QUILL: THE LIFE OF A GUIDE DOG– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Handpicked from a litter of five to become a guide dog, a young Labrador retriever pup named Quill impresses his trainer with his hard work and patience. But once he’s paired with blind man Watanabe, he helps his stubborn new owner see the world.”

5/18/12- Good review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK IN ADDITION TO THOSE I WROTE ABOUT ON 7/12-

 

1) RED LIGHTS– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Veteran paranormal researchers Dr. Margaret Matheson (Sigourney Weaver) and Tom Buckley (Cillian Murphy) debunk fraudulent claims of ghost whispering, faith healing and other psychic phenomena by detecting what Matheson calls “red lights,” the subtle tricks behind every staged supernatural occurrence. But when the legendary blind psychic Simon Silver (Robert De Niro)comes out of retirement after 30 years, his once-fearless adversary Matheson warns Buckley to back off, fearing reprisal from the powerful Silver. Determined to discredit Silver, Buckley and his star student (Elizabeth Olsen) use every tool at their disposal to uncover the truth behind the charismatic, spoon-bending, mind reader. But Buckley is forced to reexamine his own core beliefs as his quest builds to a mind-blowing conclusion in this taut psychological thriller from award-winning writer and director Rodrigo Cortés.”7/17/12- Weak reviews in general and just an OK one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) IT’S THE EARTH NOT THE MOON– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A cameraman and a soundman arrive in Corvo in 2007, the smallest island in the archipelago of the Azores. Right in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, Corvo is a large rock, 6km high and 4km long, with the crater of a volcano and a single tiny village of 440 people. Gradually, this small filming crew is accepted by the island’s population as its new inhabitants, two people to add to a civilization almost 500 years old, whose history is hardly discernible, such is the lack of records and written memories. Shot at a vertiginous pace throughout a few years, self?produced between arrivals, departures and coming?backs, It’s the Earth not the Moon develops as the logbook of a ship, and turns out as a patchwork of discoveries and experiences, which follow the contemporary life of a civilization isolated in the middle of the sea.”

7/14/12- Mostly very good reviews and an OK one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) DRUNKBOAT– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “DRUNKBOAT tells the story of a young teenager, Abe who manipulates the unsuspecting help of his alcoholic Uncle Mort to buy a boat from a con man when his mother is out of town. The story resonates with the struggle of Uncle Mort, making the story much deeper than a simple tale of a boy and his boat. Both the uncle and Abe come of age in the story.”

Mediocre reviews in general but an OK one in the NY Times on 7/14/12. TRDB.

4) PONIES– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “After immigrating to the United States seeking the American Dream, three men fall into the seamy world of off-track betting — and soon find themselves in too deep and fighting for the right to stay in the country.”

Good reviews in general and an OK one in the NY Times on 7/14/12. TRDB.

5) VALLEY OF STRENGTH– About the challenges of settling in Palestine at the end of the 19th. century.

Weak review in the NY Times on 7/14/12. TRDB.

6) FAMILY PORTRAIT IN BLACK AND WHITE– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Sixteen black orphans adopted by Olga Nenya struggle against racism in the Ukraine. Constantly on guard against overtly racist neighbors and skinheads, the kids look to their own inner strength and the help of Westerners to attain a brighter future. Tensions rise when a European couple offers to adopt one of the children, an offer that Olga resists as she attempts to bravely hold her family together.”

Very good reviews in general and an OK one in the NY Times on 7/14/12. TRDB.

7) DECONSTRUCTING DAD– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker Stanley Warnow offers a compelling look at the life and work of his professionally successful but personally remote father, musical innovator Raymond Scott — whose career spanned from the Big Band age to the 1970s electronic music era.”

Very good reviews in general and an OK one in the NY Times on 7/14/12. TRDB.

8)FAREWELL, MY QUEEN– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “As revolution threatens Louis XVI’s reign, Marie Antoinette asks a lady in waiting to act as her decoy in the event of a sudden escape. At first, the trusted servant is honored by the arrangement, until she comes to realize what it really means.”

Good review in the NY Times on 7/14/12 and also good reviews from other critics. Weaker reviews from audiences, however. TRDB.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

OPENING THIS WEEK-

 

1) 30 BEATS– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Paz de la Huerta, Justin Kirk, Lee Pace, Thomas Sadoski, and Jennifer Tilly headline an ensemble of New Yorkers whose lives interconnect via a string of life-changing sexual encounters during a summer heat wave. The international cast also includes Lithuanian actress Ingeborga Dapkunaite, Peruvian Jason Day, French actress Vahina Giocante, Ben Levin and Condola Rashad. 30 BEATS follows ten characters drawn into a ring of love and desire, each one caught beyond his or her control in a chain reaction of seduction, impulses and self-discovery. The screenplay was freely inspired by Arthur Schnitzler’s play LA RONDE. The film was produced by Molly Conners, Carl Ford and Lloyd and executive produced by Susan Batson, Ronald Guttman and Pierre Lagrange.”Weak early reviews. TRDB.

2) GRASSROOTS– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on a true story, this inspiring comedy tells the tale of unemployed writer Phil Campbell, who’s roped into helping his quirky friend Grant run for Seattle city council. Surprisingly, Grant’s passion for mass transit may win him the election.”

Fair professional reviews but audiences have liked this movie very much. TRDB.

3) THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Directed by lauded filmmaker and photographer Lauren Greenfield, who won the U.S. Directing Award for Documentary Film at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival for this film, The Queen of Versailles is a character-driven documentary about a billionaire family and their financial challenges in the wake of the economic crisis. With epic proportions of Shakespearean tragedy, the film follows two unique characters, whose rags-to-riches success stories reveal the innate virtues and flaws of the American Dream. The film begins with the family triumphantly constructing the biggest house in America, a 90,000 sq. ft. palace. Over the next two years, their sprawling empire, fueled by the real estate bubble and cheap money, falters due to the economic crisis. Major changes in lifestyle and character ensue within the cross-cultural household of family members and domestic staff.”

Very good reviews. TRDB.

4) THE WELL DIGGER’S DAUGHTER– 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A bitter class war erupts between two families after the daughter of a humble well-digger get impregnated by the scion of a wealthy shopkeeper. Ageing widower Pascale worked hard to provide for his six daughters. As the first shots of World War I are fired, Pascale’s eldest daughter Patricia (Astrid Bergés-Frisbey) returns home from Paris to help raise her younger siblings. Meanwhile, Pascale longs to see Patricia marry his longtime assistant Pascale (Kad Merad) – a hard worker who would make a loving husband. But shortly after arriving back home, Patricia has a fling with Jacques Mazel (Nicolas Duvauchelle), a fighter pilot who hails from a wealthy family, and disappears to the front lines after getting Patricia pregnant. At first, the Mazel’s are furious, accusing the impoverished Amoretti’s of using the situation to stake a claim on their fortune. When Jacques goes missing in action, however, the Mazel’s quickly realize that Patricia’s unborn child may be their only link to the son who sacrificed his life fighting for their country.”

Great early professional reviews but audiences have not been as impressed. TRDB.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 

1) TAKE THIS WALTZ- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmed in Toronto, this intimate, unflashy romantic drama portrays a happily married woman who experiences a sudden and strong desire for another man. Further complicating the situation, the object of her desire resides just across the street.”Very good early reviews. TRDB.

6/29/12- Great review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

7/2/12- Great acting by Michelle Williams and if you can suspend a bit of reality I think you can enjoy this film. I did.

2) FOUND MEMORIES– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Life in a quiet village rolls slowly from one day to the next with little excitement — until a young photographer named Rita arrives. Intent on capturing the town on film, Rita forms a profound bond with Madalena, an elderly baker.”A very good review from the NY Times on 6/1/12 and excellent reviews in general. TRDB.

 

________________________________________________________________________________________

 

COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) BALLPLAYER: PELOTERO–  2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “This compelling documentary, narrated by John Leguizamo and executive produced by Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine, is a gritty and never before seen look inside the world of Major League Baseball (MLB) training camps in the Dominican Republic. Miguel Angel and Jean Carlos are two of the top prospects and they are both about to turn 16, which means they can be signed to an MLB farm team and ultimately move up to the majors. Ballplayer: Pelotero filmmakers Ross Finkel, Trevor Martin and Jonathan Paley take you inside this never before seen world for an up close and personal look at the cost of the American dream.”Mediocre early audience reviews. No professional ones as yet. TRDB.

2) FRIENDS WITH KIDS- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Best friends Jason and Julie decide that the way to have kids without sacrificing their social lives or careers is to raise a child together platonically. But romance and other complications interfere with their perfect plan.” Mixed reviews. TRDB.3/9/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3/13/12- An OK romantic comedy, definitely better than what else is out there now. TRDB. At the Theater.

 

REPEATS-

 

 

Cablevision Link– http://www.optimum.net/VOD/movies?cat=Movies+On+Demand%2FIndependent+Films%2FIFC+In+Theaters

 

DirecTV- www.directv.com/DTVAPP/listing/ppvMovies.jsp

 

Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS (Westchester and Fairfield Counties)

 

NEW IN THE BURBS- NONE

 

REPEATS-

 

1) BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD–  Jacob Burns, Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In a forgotten but defiant bayou community cut off from the rest of the world by a sprawling levee, a six-year-old girl exists on the brink of orphanhood. Buoyed by her childish optimism and extraordinary imagination, she believes that the natural world is in balance with the universe until a fierce storm changes her reality. Desperate to repair the structure of her world in order to save her ailing father and sinking home, this tiny hero must learn to survive unstoppable catastrophes of epic proportions.”6/11/12- Great review in the NY Times last week. TRDB.

2) TO ROME WITH LOVE– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Woody Allen plays a father meeting his daughter’s Italian in-laws to-be in this ensemble comedy that interweaves four tales set in Rome. Other cast members include Roberto Benigni as a man mistaken for a film star.”

6/22/12- Good review in today’s NY Times but only fair critical reviews in general. TRDB.

7/2/12- While there was no magical excitement in this movie I found it funny, clever and a great travelogue of the Eternal City. TRDB.  

3) BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “To make the most of their meager retirement savings, a group of British seniors relocates to India to live out their golden years at the Marigold Hotel. But upon arrival, they discover that the once-lavish resort has wilted considerably.”

Rotten Tomatoes said– “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel follows a group of British retirees who decide to “outsource” their retirement to less expensive and seemingly exotic India. Enticed by advertisements for the newly restored Marigold Hotel and bolstered with visions of a life of leisure, they arrive to find the palace a shell of its former self. Though the new environment is less luxurious than imagined, they are forever transformed by their shared experiences, discovering that life and love can begin again when you let go of the past.

Very good early reviews called this film a bit schmaltzy but well done. TRDB.

4) MOONRISE KINGDOM– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Wes Anderson’s quirky drama follows the frantic search that ensues in a small New England town when two 12-year-olds fall in love and run away together. As the townsfolk hunt for the vanished kids, a storm causes even more profound communal upheaval.”

Very good early reviews, especially from the professionals. TRDB.

6/11/12- A sweet, charming, quirky love story. See it!!! TRDB.

5) THE INTOUCHABLES– Jacob Burns. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this compelling story based on true events, affluent quadriplegic Phillipe hires Driss — a young Parisian petty criminal — to be his caregiver, and the two form an unexpected bond that changes both their lives.” Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

5/6/12- An article in today’s NY Times talks about the movie and the lead actor. Apparently this has become a “hot” topic in France. TRDB.

5/25/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times, but good reviews in general.  TRDB.

6/28/12- Despite a few good scenes I was very disappointed by this movie. It proves that Hollywood can slide effortlessly into Paris. TRDB. 

6) SAVAGES- Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Laguna Beach entrepreneurs Ben (Johnson), a peaceful and charitable Buddhist, and his closest friend Chon (Kitsch), a former Navy SEAL and ex-mercenary, run a lucrative, homegrown industry-raising some of the best marijuana ever developed. They also share a one-of-a-kind love with the extraordinary beauty Ophelia (Lively). Life is idyllic in their Southern California town…until the Mexican Baja Cartel decides to move in and demands that the trio partners with them. When the merciless head of the BC, Elena (Hayek), and her brutal enforcer, Lado (Del Toro), underestimate the unbreakable bond among these three friends, Ben and Chon-with the reluctant, slippery assistance of a dirty DEA agent (Travolta)-wage a seemingly unwinnable war against the cartel.”

7/6/12- Good review in today’s NY Times but only average reviews in general. Audiences have liked it. TRDB.

7/9/12- Generally this is not my kind of movie as the film was way over the top in violence, blood and gore but I actually was surprised at how I got sucked into the different personalities involved. A qualified recommendation.  

 

For Independent Films in Your Neighborhood go to- www.emergingpictures.com

 

For Independent Films in Palm Beach County go to www.lakeworthplayhouse.org  

 

For Films everywhere go to- www.fandango.com

 

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

FEBRUARY 9, 2012

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) CATERPILLAR– Netflix Streaming

2) TOAST- Netflix

3) TINY FURNITURE– Netflix Streaming

4) 50/50– Netflix

5) ANOTHER HAPPY DAY– Netflix

6) WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN– Theater

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “The strained relationship between a mother and her teenage son turns tragic when the boy engineers a massacre at his high school, and the mother is forced to ask how much blame she deserves for the heartbreaking event.” Great early reviews. TRDB.12/9/11- Excellent review in today’s NY Times and very good ones elsewhere. TRDB.

2/8/12- This movie was extremely difficult to watch and was very depressing at many levels but was very well done with great acting and really packed a punch. Call me before you see it!!! TRDB.  

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) RESTLESS– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “After she is diagnosed with a disease that will soon claim her life, a young girl (Mia Wasikowska) strikes up an unusually strong friendship with a boy (Henry Hopper) who deals with the problems in his own troubled family by attending funerals. As their relationship deepens into love, the two discover a curious connection to the spirit of a World War II kamikaze pilot (Ryo Kase). Gus Van Sant directs this touching drama.”9/16/11- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2/2/12- The weak reviews were pretty accurate. I’m not sure why I saw the entire movie– I guess hoping it would get better and some interest in the quirkiness. TRDB. Netflix.

2) CATERPILLAR– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1940, during the Second Sino-Japanese War, the people of a rural Japanese village eagerly await a hero’s return. But Lt. Kurokawa’s wife, Shigeko, receives a horrifying shock: Her husband has lost his arms and legs. Nevertheless, the villagers depend on Shigeko to do her duty to her country by caring for her mutilated husband. Shinobu Terajima, Keigo Kasuya and Emi Masuda star in this historical drama about the grim aftermath of war.” Average audience reviews and excellent professional reviews including a few great ones. TRDB.

2/2/12- Another message that war is truly hell, this well done movie will shock you. See it but have a strong stomach!! TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

3) TOAST- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Adapted from famed food writer Nigel Slater’s memoir, this drama centers on young Nigel (Freddie Highmore), who struggles with his mother’s death, a troubled relationship with his father (Ken Stott) and a new stepmother (Helena Bonham Carter) even as he pursues his passion for cooking. When the family moves to the country, the now-teenaged Nigel finds new doors opening — to exciting culinary opportunities as well as sexual awakening.”

9/23/11- A review in today’s NY Times that I couldn’t decipher but good reviews in general. TRDB.

2/4/12- The first half hour was difficult to watch but the movie definitely improved and I enjoyed it. Knowing that the story was basically true helped as well. TRDB. Netflix.

4) TINY FURNITURE– 2010. Premise by Netflix. “When twenty-something film theory major Aura (Lena Dunham) returns home after college to live with her artist mother in TriBeCa, she confronts a long list of personal and professional failures and wonders whether her dismal past will become her future. It’s an early midlife crisis for sure, but there’s hope on the horizon if Aura can figure out who she is and what she’s really meant to do. Dunham also wrote and directed this wry comedy.” OK review in NY Times on 11/12/10. Some friends hated it.

2/4/12- I liked the characters and the scritpt and enjoyed the movie. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

5) 50/50– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “An otherwise healthy twentysomething has a comically early midlife crisis when he gets slapped with a cancer diagnosis — and a 50-50 chance of survival. But what’s the meaning of life when you’re not sure how long yours will last?” Very good early reviews. TRDB.

9/28/11- Just an OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2/6/12- Cheesy and often predictable but fun never-the-less despite the heavy premise. TRDB. Netflix.

6) ANOTHER HAPPY DAY– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Upper-crust family dysfunction takes center stage in this drama, which stars Ellen Barkin as a divorcée attending the highbrow wedding of the son she barely knows and trying to hold her own against a family that couches judgment in every smile.”

11/18/11- Mixed review in today’s NY Times- as many “up” as “down.” TRDB.

2/6/12- I thought that this movie was excellent and the many pros who thought it was unrealistic don’t know that much about family dynamics. Out on a limb but I think you should see it. TRDB. Netflix.

7) 3– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Berliners Hanna (Sophie Rois) and Simon (Sebastian Schipper), a couple in their 40s, have grown restlessly comfortable in their marriage. Independently, each meets and romances Adam (Devid Striesow), a handsome younger man. When Hanna becomes pregnant, all three must face what they’ve tried to ignore. Each man has reasons for staying with Hanna — and staying together. Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run) helms this entry in the 2010 Venice Film Festival.”

9/16/11- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2/7/12- If the truth is stranger than fiction this movie must be true. Interesting, weird and well acted. Certainly not for everyone. TRDB. Netflix.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, FEB. 14-

 

1) TAKE SHELTER– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Oscar nominee Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road) stars in this Sundance-selected thriller as Curtis LaForche, a small-town family man who’s determined to protect his wife (Jessica Chastain) and deaf daughter (Tova Stewart) from impending disaster. Fueled by disturbing visions of a terrible storm, Curtis sets out to prepare for the future by building an impenetrable storm shelter in the safety of his own backyard.”9/30/11- Great review in today’s NY Times and great reviews in general. TRDB.

10/15/11- Reviews have been great AND accurate. You should see this movie. TRDB.

2) HOW TO DIE IN OREGON– 2011. Premise by Netflix. “Director Peter Richardson’s documentary takes you into the lives of terminally ill men and women as they consider availing themselves of physician-assisted suicide, which is legal in Oregon under the state’s 1994 Death with Dignity Act. As patients discuss their wishes with families, friends and doctors, Richardson examines all sides of this weighty issue and even documents an assisted suicide as it occurs.” Very good reviews. TRDB.

3) URBANIZED– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “The third part of Gary Hustwit’s design film trilogy, Urbanized looks at the issues and strategies behind urban design and features some of the world’s foremost architects, planners, policymakers, builders and thinkers. By exploring a diverse range of urban design projects around the world, Urbanized frames a global discussion on the future of cities.”

10/28/11- Great review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) THE RUM DIARY– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Eager to flee his humdrum life in 1950s New York, booze-loving journalist Paul (Johnny Depp) moves to Puerto Rico and begins writing for a local rag, but his life becomes unhinged when he falls for a gorgeous woman (Amber Heard) and clashes with her shifty fiancé (Aaron Eckhart). Written and directed by Bruce Robinson, this adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson’s early novel also stars Richard Jenkins as Paul’s editor.”

10/28/11- Barely OK review in today’s NY Times. I think I’ll miss it. TRDB.

5) TINY FURNITURE– 2010. Premise by Netflix. “When twenty-something film theory major Aura (Lena Dunham) returns home after college to live with her artist mother in TriBeCa, she confronts a long list of personal and professional failures and wonders whether her dismal past will become her future. It’s an early midlife crisis for sure, but there’s hope on the horizon if Aura can figure out who she is and what she’s really meant to do. Dunham also wrote and directed this wry comedy.” OK review in NY Times on 11/12/10. Some friends hated it. Already available on Netflix Streaming (see above). TRDB.

6) THE INTERRUPTERS– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This powerful documentary follows a group called CeaseFire, which is dedicated to wiping out urban violence. Begun by epidemiologist Gary Slutkin, CeaseFire treats violence like an infection and seeks to eradicate the root cause before it can spread. Based in Chicago and staffed by many former gang members, “the interrupters” attempt to prevent the shootings and assaults that are prompted by tit-for-tat retaliation, despite the personal dangers.” Good early reviews. TRDB.

7) MOZART’S SISTER– 2011. Synopsis by RottenTomatoes. “A speculative account of Maria Anna “Nannerl” Mozart (Marie Feret), five years older than Wolfgang (David Moreau) and a musical prodigy in her own right. Originally the featured performer, she has given way to Wolfgang as the main attraction, as their strict but loving father Leopold (Marc Barbe) tours his talented offspring in front of the royal courts of pre-French revolution Europe. Approaching marriageable age and now forbidden to play the violin or compose, Nannerl chafes at the limitations imposed on her gender but a friendship with the son and daughter of Louis XV offers an alternative.”

8/19/11- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

9/25/11- A bit slow but a very interesting film about gender issues, music and independence. I liked it. TRDB. 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

OPENING THIS WEEK-

 

1) CHICO & RITA– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Fernando Trueba and artist Javier Mariscal collaborate on this animated celebration of Cuban music that features pianist Bebo Valdés and other jazz greats in an epic story of romance, ambition and glamour set in the 1940s. Chico (voiced by Eman Xor Oña) is a gifted pianist and composer who falls in love with Rita (Limara Meneses), an equally talented singer, but her rise to success in America tears their romance apart.” Great professional reviews but so-so audience reaction so far. TRDB.

 

2) IN DARKNESS– 2011. Synopsis by RottenTomatoes. “From acclaimed director Agnieszka Holland, In Darkness is based on a true story. Leopold Socha, a sewer worker and petty thief in Lvov, a Nazi occupied city in Poland, one day encounters a group of Jews trying to escape the liquidation of the ghetto. He hides them for money in the labyrinth of the town’s sewers beneath the bustling activity of the city above. What starts out as a straightforward and cynical business arrangement turns into something very unexpected, the unlikely alliance between Socha and the Jews as the enterprise seeps deeper into Socha’s conscience. The film is also an extraordinary story of survival as these men, women and children all try to outwit certain death during 14 months of ever increasing and intense danger.”12/4/11- An article (not a review) about this movie in the NY Times today. TRDB.

12/9/11- Fair review in today’s NY Times but excellent ones from others. TRDB.

3) THE TURIN HORSE– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Hungarian director Béla Tarr helms this black-and-white drama about an aging farmer, his daughter and his horse, which picks up just after famed German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche shields the animal from the farmer’s whip.” Good early reviews. TRDB.

4) SAFE HOUSE– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When men bent on eliminating dangerous criminal Tobin Frost attack the safe house where the CIA has squirreled him away, young operative Matt Weston must find a way to get Frost out alive and relocate him to another, securer location.” No professional reviews yet but audiences have liked it. TRDB.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) A BETTER LIFE– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This candid social drama tracks the relationship and conflicts between Mexican immigrant gardener Carlos and his teenage son Luis, whom he’s trying to interest in earning an honest living rather than drifting into the East L.A. gang scene.” Poor early reviews. TRDB.6/24/11- Fairly good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

7/24/11- I think that this is a wonderful movie with a real life glimpse into the plight of the illegal immigrant and the extraordinary measures taken by some parents to protect their children in this situation. TRDB.

2) DECLARATION OF WAR– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix.  “Fatefully named actors Roméo and Juliette fall in love and have a baby. But the stars in their eyes are dimmed when their son falls gravely ill. As they desperately cling to their image of the perfect family, they can’t ignore the devastating truth.” Average audience reviews and no professional reviews as yet. TRDB.

1/27/12- Fairly good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) DRIVE– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this thriller, Driver, a Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a getaway driver, is lured from his isolated life by a lovely neighbor and her young son. His newfound peace is shattered, however, when her violent husband is released from prison.” Very good reviews. TRDB.

9/16/11- Good review today in the Times but at one point they did say that the movie was saved from tedium by the supporting cast, whatever that means. TRDB.

9/22/11- A thriller and I agree with the comment above that the acting, particularly from Gosling, made the movie. Don’t go if you’re squeamish! TRDB.

4) POETRY– 2010. Premise by Netflix. “A poetry-writing class inspires serenely self-possessed grandmother Mija (Jeong-hie Yun) to open her senses to her suburban surroundings, but in rushes an array of unsettling discoveries in this lyrical South Korean melodrama. Along with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease comes information that Mija’s teenage grandson was party to a horrific incident, and it is left to Mija to compose order from the untidy emotional consequences.” Great reviews in general– also in NY Times on 2/11/11.

3/11- This movie was like a poem itself. Well acted and an interesting story. Slow at times but I enjoyed it. TRDB.

5) NEWLYWEDS– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “The honeymoon is short-lived for newlyweds Buzzy and Katy. His wild younger sister drops in unannounced, and her ex keeps asking to borrow money. Meanwhile, they watch helplessly as their best friends’ marriage of 19 years starts to come undone.” Better than average reviews– a few very good ones also. TRDB.

6) BLACK SNAKE MOAN– 2007. Synopsis by Netflix. “In writer-director Craig Brewer’s Southern-fried drama, which draws unexpected inspiration from the classic novel Silas Marner, blues musician Lazarus (Samuel L. Jackson) finds sex-addicted Rae (Christina Ricci) beaten and near death, and acts as a father figure to help redeem her. But before saving anyone else, Lazarus — whose wife deserted him — must face his own demons. Pop star Justin Timberlake co-stars.”

2/12- I saw this years ago and liked it very much– it never got critical acclaim but I recommend it. TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

 

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS- (Westchester and Fairfield Counties)

 

NEW IN THE BURBS-

 

1) PINA– Bethel. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Wim Wenders uses 3D technology to arresting effect in this performance documentary about Pina Baussch’s Tanztheater Wuppertal dance company. Performing in the streets and parks of Wuppertal, Germany, the troupe’s pieces include “The Rite of Spring.”12/23/11- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

 

1) THE ARTIST– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This modern-day silent film artfully recounts the poignant end of the silent-movie era in the late 1920s. The story contrasts the declining fortunes of a silent-screen superstar with his lover’s rise to popularity as a darling of the “talkies.”11/26/11- Great reviews including one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

12/24/11- I liked this movie very much. Very creative, well acted and an interesting story as well. TRDB.

2) ABERT NOBBS– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Having for decades disguised herself as a man while working as a butler in a posh 19th-century Dublin hotel, a woman calling herself Albert Nobbs reconsiders her charade when a handsome painter arrives on the scene.” Weak professional reviews but good audience reaction. TRDB.

3) THE IRON LADY– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Meryl Streep provides a subtle and nuanced portrait of Margaret Thatcher, the first female prime minister of Britain, whose political career and determination changed the rules that had limited women’s opportunities for leadership.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.

12/30/11- A weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) THE DESCENDANTS– Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “When his wife is killed in a Waikiki boating accident, distant father Matt King (George Clooney) begins an iffy journey to repair his fractured relationship with his two daughters. But he’s also trying to decide whether to let go of some valuable family real estate. Judy Greer, Beau Bridges and Matthew Lillard co-star in this tragic-comic tale of legacy and unexpected loss based on the novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.

11/26/11- A very thoughtful and well acted family drama. Humor intersperced with all of the serious material lightened up an otherwise overwhelming drama. Recommended highly. TRDB.

5) MY WEEK WITH MARILYN– Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “While filming a movie in England, Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe slips away with a young Brit for a week of self-discovery and frivolity. The story that ensues is based on the real-life memoirs of Colin Clark, once assistant to Sir Laurence Olivier.” Good audience reaction and mixed professional reviews. TRDB.

11/28/11- I liked the movie, loved Michelle Williams as the breathless Monroe but the screenplay was just mediocre. TRDB.  

6) EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Believing that his father left him a message before dying in the September 11 attacks, young Oskar Schell embarks on an emotional odyssey through New York City to find the lock that matches a key he found among his father’s belongings.” Weak reviews in general but several friends have enjoyed this movie. TRDB.

7) A SEPARATION– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “An Iranian husband and wife split up over his decision to stay and care for his aging father instead of leaving the country with his family. But his fateful choice to hire a stranger to do most of the caretaking breeds unexpected consequences.” Very good reviews and indeed on the top ten list of at least one reviewer I’ve read. TRDB.

12/30/11- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

1/13/12- I saw this at the Palm Springs Film Festival 2012 and liked it but not as much as most of my friends. TRDB.

AUGUST 5, 2010

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

This was a slow Movie Week for me as my daughter and her family came for a visit.

 

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) SUNDAY BLOODY SUNDAY- Netflix.

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- None.

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) SUNDAY BLOODY SUNDAY- 1971. Premise by Netflix. “Divorced working woman Alexandra Greville (Glenda Jackson) has occasional sexual encounters with a younger man, sculptor Bob Elkin (Murray Head). Elkin is completely open about the fact that he’s also the lover of Alex’s acquaintance, Dr. Daniel Hirsch (Peter Finch). Both Alex and Dr. Hirsch resign themselves to living with the situation rather than risk losing Elkin completely … but can both relationships continue in equilibrium?”8/10- A classic and I liked it. TRDB. Netflix.

 

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, AUG. 10-

 

1) GREENBERG- Premise by Netflix. “At a crossroads in his life in New York, Roger Greenberg (Ben Stiller) takes some time to figure things out and travels to Los Angeles, where he house-sits for his brother and forges an unlikely bond with his brother’s assistant, Florence (Greta Gerwig). Acclaimed director Noah Baumbach’s (The Squid and the Whale, Margot at the Wedding) finely observed relationship comedy also stars Jennifer Jason Leigh and Rhys Ifans.” Fairly good reviews and this film stayed in theaters for a while with good attendance. TRDB.

 

2) CHILDREN OF INVENTION- Premise by Netflix. “Evicted from their home, the Cheng family squats in a model apartment in an unfinished Boston building. But when mother Elaine (Cindy Cheung) is arrested for her accidental involvement in a pyramid scheme, young Raymond (Michael Chen) and Tina (Crystal Chiu) are left to fend for themselves. Now, Raymond must devise a plan to take care of his little sister in this stirring drama, an official selection at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.” Mostly good reviews and a few very good ones.

 

3) THE THORN IN THE HEART- Premise by Netflix. “Acclaimed writer and director Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) turns the camera on his own family in this documentary about his aunt Suzette, a teacher in rural France from 1952 to 1986. Raised in Versailles in a family of musicians and educated in Paris, Gondry is keen on understanding a life very different from his own. In the process, he stumbles upon a wealth of new stories about the clan he thought he knew.” A few great reviews and a few miserable reviews. I’ll give it a try.

 

4) LETTERS TO GOD- Premise by Netflix. “Faith and hope are the twin engines that power the uplifting, bittersweet tale, based on a true story, of Tyler Doherty (Tanner Maguire), an 8-year-old boy who battles brain cancer and turns to God as his own private pen pal. Tyler writes and mails his missives daily, and his steadfast undertaking not only moves his family and friends but alters the life of the despairing postman, Brady McDaniels (Jeffrey Johnson), who opens the boy’s letters.” Miserable reviews.

 

5) THE GOOD HEART- Premise by Netflix. “Jacques (Brian Cox), the rough-edged owner of a New York dive bar, realizes after his fifth heart attack that he’s near the end. Unable to face closing the bar, he turns to a homeless kid, Lucas (Paul Dano), to keep the place going. For Lucas, it’s a steep learning curve, made even trickier by the fact that Jacques is a madman with a long list of crazy rules — including no new customers, no socializing with patrons and no women.”

  

6) LA MISSION- Premise by Netflix. “Ultra-macho ex-con Che Rivera (Benjamin Bratt) learns the true meaning of being a father when he discovers his son (Jeremy Ray Valdez) is gay. Rivera turns violent at first, but when a beautiful neighbor (Erika Alexander) helps him see through his anger, he begins to reconcile his long-held beliefs. Peter Bratt (Benjamin’s brother) writes and directs this compelling drama, while Max Rosenak and Talisa Soto co-star.” Weak reviews.

  

7) MULTIPLE SARCASMS- Premise by Netflix. “In 1979, architect Gabriel (Timothy Hutton) begins questioning his existence, avoiding work and escaping into the fictional world of movies. When he starts writing a play examining the choices he’s made, it creates issues with his wife (Dana Delany), daughter (India Ennenga) and friends. Meanwhile, he tries to convince a brassy literary agent (Stockard Channing) to represent him and confides in his best friend (Mira Sorvino) in this indie drama.” Poor reviews.

 

8)MY NAME IS KHAN- Premise by Netflix. “Rizwan Khan (Shahrukh Khan), a Muslim man with Asperger syndrome, lives happily with his wife, Mandira (Kajol), in San Francisco until a tragedy drives her away after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Now he is on a quest to recapture the heart of the woman he loves. Traveling across America, Rizwan faces prejudice because of his religion and unusual behavior, but he also inspires the people he meets with his unique outlook on life.” The reviews were mostly very good.

 

9) HELEN- Premise by Netflix. “Ashley Judd stars as Helen, an adored wife, mother and successful music professor who also struggles to mask her debilitating depression until a breakdown lands her in the hospital. But this apparent setback offers Helen a new perspective on life and her condition in the form of Mathilda (Lauren Lee Smith), a fellow patient with whom Helen forms a potent bond. Sandra Nettelbeck directs this touching drama; Goran Visnjic and Alexia Fast co-star.” Good reviews in NY Times.

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OPENING REGIONALLY, NATIONALLY OR LOCALLY THIS WEEK-

 

1) THE SICILIAN GIRL- Premise by Netflix. “In this taut drama based on a true story, 17-year-old Rita (Veronica D’Agostino) is leading a privileged life when her father and brother are slain by rival Mafiosi. Bent on revenge, she turns to a sympathetic magistrate (Gérard Jugnot) and breaks the code of silence. In her journey from self-centered teenager to fearless advocate for justice, Rita enrages Sicily’s most powerful men, putting her life in jeopardy.” Very good reviews.

 

2) CAIRO TIME- Premise by Netflix. “When magazine editor Juliette (Patricia Clarkson) travels to Cairo to meet her diplomat husband, Mark (Tom McCamus), she learns from his friend Tareq (Alexander Siddig) that Mark has been delayed. As Tareq introduces her to the city and its customs, an unexpected attraction arises between them. Juliette soon grows accustomed to life in Cairo while she and Tareq try to find the best way to deal with their complex feelings in this romantic drama.” Mostly good reviews.

 

3) FLIPPED- Premise by Netflix. “From director Rob Reiner comes a multigenerational family saga about the highs and lows of love. Bryce and Juli first meet as second graders, with Juli having a crush on the uncertain Bryce, and as they mature, it appears their love may blossom. As they wrestle with the problems of adolescence, their parents cope with an assortment of issues of their own. Aidan Quinn, Rebecca De Mornay and Anthony Edwards co-star in this poignant romantic comedy.” No reviews as yet.

 

4) LEBANON- Premise by Netflix. “In this claustrophobic drama by first-time director Samuel Maoz — a veteran of the early ’80s Israel/Lebanon conflict in which the film is set — four Israeli soldiers command a tank in a situation that becomes increasingly tense and chaotic. Like Das Boot before it, most of the action is confined to the stark interiors of that tank, as the men wrestle with fear, anger and their own consciences in the face of possible death and worse.” Very good early reviews.

 

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FLORIDA- At the Emerging Cinemas of Lake Worth- NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.

 

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

LOOK UP INDIVIDUAL MOVIES ON www.thereeldrbob.com

 

NEW-

 

1) LIFE DURING WARTIME- Premise by Netflix. “Filmmaker Todd Solondz revisits his Happiness characters in this tale about three sisters, Trish (Allison Janney) and Joy (Shirley Henderson), each married to degenerate men, and estranged Helen (Ally Sheedy), as they ponder the virtues of forgiving and forgetting. As Joy visits Trish to escape problems with her perverted, druggy husband, Trish is unaware that her own ex-husband, a pedophile whom she’s claimed is dead, is now out of prison.” Good reviews.

 

2) THE THORN IN THE HEART- Premise by Netflix. “Oscar-winning director and writer Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) turns the camera on his own family in this documentary about his aunt Suzette, a teacher in rural France from 1952 to 1986. Raised in Versailles in a family of musicians and educated in Paris, Gondry is keen on understanding a life very different from his own. In the process, he stumbles on a wealth of new stories about the family he thought he knew.” A few great reviews and a few miserable reviews. I’ll give it a try. Releases on Netflix on 8/10. 

 

REPEATS-

 

 

Cablevision Link– http://www.optimum.net/VOD/movies?cat=Movies+On+Demand%2FIndependent+Films%2FIFC+In+Theaters

 

DirecTV- www.directv.com/DTVAPP/listing/ppvMovies.jsp

 

 

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BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS (Westchester and Fairfield Counties)-

 

1) THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE- Jacob Burns, Bethel,  Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Premise by Netflix. “Disaster hits Millennium magazine when publisher Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist) launches an exposé of the Swedish sex trade, leading to the deaths of two staffers and then to the police pursuit of a third — tech expert Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) — as the prime suspect. In Part 2 of the trilogy, based on the action novels of Stieg Larsson, the vampiric Salander vanishes as Blomkvist digs deep into a possible conspiracy.” Mostly good reviews.7/10- I was bored as hell. It was initially hard to tell who was who and I never recovered. See “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” twice instead. TRDB.

2) ONDINE- Bethel. Premise by Netflix. “An Irish fisherman (Colin Farrell) hauls in an unexpected catch when a mysterious girl (Alicja Bachleda-Curus) gets tangled in his nets and soon affects the lives of everyone around her in this fantastical seaside tale from director Neil Jordan (Interview with the Vampire). Is it possible this beautiful stranger is a mythical sea nymph who’s been summoned from the ocean’s depths … or is she something far more common?”

6/10- A waste of time but at least now I know what a Selkie is. TRDB.

3) WINTER’S BONE-Bethel. Premise by Netflix. “In this noir drama set deep in Ozark territory, resilient teenager Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence) goes on the trail of her missing drug-dealing father when his absence jeopardizes the safety of their family. The deadbeat dad has a critical court date pending, and Ree is determined that he make it — despite the objections of the insular Dolly clan. Director Debra Granik‘s unflinching drama won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance.” Great reviews.

6/10-Very good acting in this Appalachian slice of life but I was disappointed in the film. I felt that not enough happened and what did seemed contrived to me. A friend who I saw this with spent a year in Missouri and felt that it was indeed realistic. TRDB.

4) THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Premise by Netflix. “The children of same-sex parents Nic (Annette Bening) and Jules (Julianne Moore), Joni (Mia Wasikowska) and Laser (Josh Hutcherson) become curious about the identity of their sperm-donor dad (Mark Ruffalo) and set out to make him part of their family unit, with frequently comical results. With his arrival, the household dynamics quickly become complicated, and nobody’s quite sure where or how he fits in, if at all.” Excellent reviews.

5) LIFE DURING WARTIME- Clearview 100. Premise by Netflix. “Filmmaker Todd Solondz revisits his Happiness characters in this tale about three sisters, Trish (Allison Janney) and Joy (Shirley Henderson), each married to degenerate men, and estranged Helen (Ally Sheedy), as they ponder the virtues of forgiving and forgetting. As Joy visits Trish to escape problems with her perverted, druggy husband, Trish is unaware that her own ex-husband, a pedophile whom she’s claimed is dead, is now out of prison.” Good reviews.

 

6) MIDDLE MEN- Clearview 100, Danbury, Saw Mill Hawthorne. Premise by Netflix. “After spotting a big financial opportunity in the future of Internet pornography, straightlaced entrepreneur Jack Harris (Luke Wilson) enlists his pals Buck (Gabriel Macht) and Wayne (Giovanni Ribisi) to help him develop an online billing company specializing in adult entertainment. But as the firm takes off, Jack finds some unexpected kinks in the business of kink — including mobsters, the FBI, con men and terrorists.” Very good reviews.

 

7) SEE WHAT I’M SAYING: THE DEAF ENTERTAINERS DOCUMENTARY- Clearview 100. Premise by Netflix. “Four dedicated stage artists, all either deaf or hearing-impaired, are profiled in their struggle to make inroads not only in the deaf community, but with mainstream audiences as well — despite the obvious obstacles facing them. Featuring open captions to translate the sign language used by the performers, the documentary spotlights the drummer for a deaf rock band, as well as an actor, a stage comic and an aspiring songstress.” No reviews as yet.

 

8)I AM LOVE- Garden Cinema Norwalk.  Premise by Netflix. “Oscar winner Tilda Swinton shows off her multilingual skills in this Italian melodrama, in which family dissension, unbidden desire and other tensions bubble to the surface during the patriarch’s birthday party. When the seemingly picture-perfect Recchi family gathers at the family manse to celebrate the great old man, the veneer of civility falls quickly away in director Luca Guadagnino‘s lush, atmospheric film.”

6/10- Beautifully photographed, very good story with good acting. I enjoyed this one very much. Highly recommended!! TRDB.

 For all films go to- www.fandango.com  

 

DEC. 3, 2009

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

 

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I spent it in Baltimore and totally enjoyed myself. I also saw one movie on the train in each direction.

 

TWO NEW MOVIES THIS WEEK AT THE-

THEATER-

1) AN EDUCATION- Premise by Zap2it. “Despite her sheltered upbringing, Jenny is a teen with a bright future; she’s smart, pretty, and has aspirations of attending Oxford University. When David, a charming but much older suitor, motors into her life in a shiny automobile, Jenny gets a taste of adult life that she won’t soon forget.” Very good early reviews.

11/28/09- I just saw this and liked it a lot. Really about the education of a young impressionable girl outside of the classroom. TRDB.

 

2) THE PRIVATE LIVES OF PIPPA LEE- Written and directed by Rebecca Miller and starring Robin Wright Penn, Alan Arkin and several other stars as well. A very interesting study of Pippa herself and her attempt to escape her childhood traumas. The film is a different approach to suburban malaise. I liked the movie very much and highly recommend it. 12/09

VIEWED AT HOME (ACTUALLY THE FIRST TWO ON THE TRAIN GOING TO AND COMING FROM BALTIMORE)-

 

1) IS ANYBODY THERE?- Premise by Netflix. “Growing up in a seaside nursing home run by his parents takes its toll on 10-year-old Edward (Bill Milner), but things begin to look up for the lonely boy when a retired magician (Michael Caine) with a zest for life moves in. Set in the 1980s, this poignant tale follows the developing friendship between Clarence — a spirited old troublemaker hiding from his past — and death-obsessed Edward, a youngster unable to live life in the moment.” This film got OK reviews and I plan to see it.11/27/09- Just saw this and as far as I’m concerned Michael Caine was the only saving grace for this banal movie and I turned it off. Netflix. 11/09