FILM REVIEWS #379
AUGUST 11, 2011
DEAR FRIENDS:
QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-
1) CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE- Theater- Saw Mill Hawthorne
2) DEAR LEMON LIMA- Netflix
3) ETIENNE- Netflix Streaming _________________________________________________________________________________________ MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-
1) TABLOID- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Errol Morris profiles another intriguingly dysfunctional personality in this complex documentary about Joyce McKinney, a former beauty queen whose lovely exterior hides a genius IQ — and a criminal disposition. Joyce, a one-time Miss Wyoming, kidnapped her Mormon boyfriend and raped him repeatedly, which was only the beginning of her often-illegal and always eccentric behavior as she pursued her romantic ideals.” So far, good professional reviews but audiences do not agree. TRDB.
8/5/11- I’m with the audiences on this one– a classic waste of time as far as I’m concerned. Miss it. TRDB.
2) CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) discovers that his wife (Julianne Moore) wants to end their marriage, he reluctantly faces the unwelcome prospect of single life with the counsel of the younger and smoother super-bachelor Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling). Meanwhile, Cal’s adolescent son, Robbie (Jonah Bobo), has formed an unquenchable crush on his 17-year-old babysitter (Analeigh Tipton) — but is she more interested in Robbie’s recently unwed father?” Good early reviews. TRDB.
8/6/11- Crazy and stupid but lots of fun. Poignant as well. TRDB.
3) THE FUTURE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Suddenly aware that their lives will radically change in a month’s time, Sophie (Miranda July) and Jason (Hamish Linklater) decide to seize the opportunity to quit their jobs, pursue new interests and disconnect from the Internet, with the knowledge that their actions will literally change the course of history. As they pursue their adventures, they find their faith in one another and in themselves is put to the test.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.
Good review in NY Times on 7/29/11. TRDB.
8/9/11- This film was weird enough that I did not get bored but I could not relate to any of the characters in any way which turned me off. You can safely miss this one. TRDB.
_________________________________________________________________________________________ MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-
1) THE MUSIC NEVER STOPPED- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Nearly 20 years after Gabriel (Lou Taylor Pucci) ran away from home, his father, Henry Sawyer (J.K. Simmons), and mother, Helen (Cara Seymour), discover that the no longer young man is now living in a hospital due to a brain tumor that blocks him from recording fresh memories. Desperate to connect with his son, Henry soon realizes that the best way to do so is through music — specifically the classic rock tunes Gabe loves and he despises.” Very good reviews. TRDB.
8/5/11- One reviewer said that this movie rose above the schmaltz but I disagree. As it was based on a true story I watched the whole thing but you shouldn’t. TRDB. Netflix.
2) WHITE IRISH DRINKERS- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “In a blue-collar Irish section of 1970s Brooklyn, brothers Danny (Geoff Wigdor) and Brian Leary (Nick Thurston) come of age in a family dominated by their longshoreman father, Patrick (Stephen Lang), whose hard-drinking leaves them scrambling for a way out. As delinquent Danny and dejected mom Margaret (Karen Allen) take the brunt of Patrick’s assaults, aspiring artist Brian hides his dreams. But desperate acts will threaten them all.” A few reviews and they’re OK. TRDB.
8/5/11- An ethnic family drama that you’ve seen before but to tell the truth the movie did have some appeal to me. Not enough to fully recommend it however. TRDB. Netflix.
3) DEAR LEMON LIMA- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “After a selfish boyfriend dumps her, Vanessa Lemor (Savanah Wiltfong) decides to soothe her broken heart by embracing her Yupik heritage and encouraging her misfit pals at a prestigious Alaskan prep school to compete in the World Eskimo Indian Olympics. Along the way, the awkward teen learns to find her place in the community in director Suzi Yoonessi’s touching film about identity, friendship and tradition.” No professional reviews as yet but very good audience reaction. TRDB.
8/6/11- A delightful farce and I’d recommend it. TRDB. Netflix Streaming but available on DVD as well.
4) THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “A congressman (Matt Damon) who’s a rising star on the political scene finds himself entranced by a beautiful ballerina (Emily Blunt), but mysterious circumstances ensure that their love affair is predestined to be a non-starter. Screenwriter George Nolfi (The Bourne Ultimatum) makes his directorial debut with this romantic adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s classic sci-fi short story “Adjustment Team.” Fair to poor professional reviews. TRDB.
8/7/11- Unbelievably silly film and I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.
5) ETIENNE!- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Learning his only true friend and kindred soul — his dwarf hamster, Etienne — is dying of cancer, shy hotel worker Richard (Richard Vallejos) decides to show Etienne the world before he goes. Soon, the two are tooling along the California coast on Richard’s bicycle. As they travel, man and hamster meet a variety of quirky individuals, make many new friends and realize some important life lessons in this charming indie comedy.” Good review in NY Times 9/3/10.
8/7/11- After a slow, weird beginning the movie got better and I actually enjoyed it. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
6) CON ARTIST- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “With this documentary, Michael Sladek chronicles the rise and fall of Mark Kostabi, the infamous contemporary artist who rose to acclaim in the 1980s by openly lampooning and exploiting the art industry with a series of attention-grabbing gimmicks. Taking aim at what he saw as the commoditization of modern-day art, Kostabi caused a stir in the art world when he decided to mass-produce and sell artworks that he himself had no hand in creating.” Fair review in NY Times 11/12/10.
8/8/11- Having close to zero interest in the principal subject of this documentary didn’t help. I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.
7) GUNLESS- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Fleeing the law, infamous bandit Montana Kid (Paul Gross) heads north to hide out in Barclay’s Brush, Canada (population 17), where nobody seems to understand the code of the Old West. For starters, the gunfighter is amazed to find that nobody even owns a pistol. The Kid slowly warms to the town, and especially to the sassy and outspoken Jane (Sienna Guillory), but is forced to strap on his six-gun when the posse comes looking for him.” Only fair reviews so far. TRDB.
8/9/11- Ridiculous!! TRDB. Netflix.
8)SOURCE CODE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Jake Gyllenhaal portrays a soldier recruited for a time-bending government investigation that places him in another man’s mind and body, reliving the same traumatic event repeatedly in an effort to identify the perpetrators of a terrorist bombing. Vera Farmiga plays a communications specialist who provides the vital link to the soldier’s primary reality as he searches for critical clues within a recurring nightmare.” Very good early reviews and a good one in the NY Times on 4/1/11. TRDB.
8/10/11- Very good if you’re into Sci-Fi but I’m not. Still, I did see it through. TRDB. Netflix.
9) UNCLE KENT- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “Kent (Kent Osborne), a pothead cartoonist working from his Los Angeles home, invites Kate (Jennifer Prediger), a New York journalist he met on a chat site, for a weekend visit. He’s sure that they’ll end up sleeping together, but Kate seems to have other things on her mind. Sexual escapades — even a threesome — abound, but the matchup of Kent‘s dreams is always just out of reach. Writer-director Joe Swanberg co-stars.” At Sundance 2011.
8/11/11- I found the movie remotely interesting but the main character should have outgrown this lifestyle years ago. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
_________________________________________________________________________________________ COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, AUG. 16-
1) QUEEN TO PLAY- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Intrigued by a pair of vacationing lovers playing chess, hotel maid Hélène (Sandrine Bonnaire) sets her sights on mastering the game. With some coaching from a doctor (Kevin Kline) who employs her services, Hélène hones her chess skills and begins to notice big changes in her life. Written and directed by Caroline Bottaro, this charming French drama also stars Jennifer Beals and Francis Renaud.” Good review in NY Times on 4/1/11. TRDB.
2) LIMITLESS- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “With his writing career tanking and his girlfriend (Abbie Cornish) casting him off, ex-druggie Eddie Morra’s (Bradley Cooper) fortunes finally turn around when he’s given a mysterious drug that provides astonishing mental powers — but its deadly side effects threaten his sanity. Adding to Eddie’s misery are shadowy businessman Carl Van Loon (Robert De Niro), who wants to exploit his new genius, and the other users willing to kill for his stash.” Mixed reviews with an OK one from the NY Times on 3/18/11. TRDB.
3) TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “From the writers of “That ’70s Show” comes this retro dramatic comedy set a decade later, in the financial boom of the late 1980s, about a recent college grad trying to figure out what to do with his life. Amid the goings-on at a raucous Labor Day party, brilliant but underemployed Matt Franklin (Topher Grace) learns a slew of lessons about life and love in this ensemble-cast film starring Anna Faris, Dan Fogler and Teresa Palmer.” Good audience reviews so far. TRDB.
4) THE CONSPIRATOR- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “Robert Redford directs this gripping historical drama that follows the efforts of young lawyer Frederick Aiken (James McAvoy) as he defends Mary Surratt (Robin Wright Penn), a Confederate sympathizer accused of conspiring to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. Realizing that Surratt may in fact be innocent, Aiken defies public opinion and risks everything to get her acquitted. The stellar cast also includes Tom Wilkinson, Kevin Kline and Alexis Bledel.” Very good audience reviews. TRDB.
5) MEET MONICA VELOUR- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Eccentric teenager Tobe (Dustin Ingram) loves 1980s soft-core “art movies” so much that he steals his grandfather’s (Brian Dennehy) Wienermobile and travels cross-country to meet his favorite star, Linda Romanoli (Kim Cattrall) — but the reality of her life is more than Tobe bargains for. Tobe finds the still beautiful Linda performing at a low-rent strip joint and then tries to help the trailer-trash single mom win a contentious custody battle.” No professional reviews yet and average viewer response. TRDB.
6) THE BANG BANG CLUB- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Four combat photojournalists document the end of apartheid in South Africa, a turbulent period marked by brutality and anger. This real-life drama is based on a memoir by Greg Marinovich (Ryan Phillippe) and Joao Silva (Neels Van Jaarsveld), who won Pulitzer Prizes for their work. Along with Ken Oosterbroek (Frank Rautenbach) and Kevin Carter (Taylor Kitsch), the group exposes the tragic violence that spawned a new regime in the country.” This sounded interesting but awful early reviews. TRDB. _________________________________________________________________________________________ OPENING THIS WEEK-
1) THE HELP- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1960s Jackson, Miss., aspiring writer Eugenia Phelan crosses taboo racial lines by conversing with Aibileen Clark about her life as a housekeeper, and their ensuing friendship upsets the fragile dynamic between the haves and the have-nots. When other long-silent black servants begin opening up to Eugenia, the disapproving conservative Southern town soon gets swept up in the turbulence of changing times.” Very few reviews so far. TRDB.
2) THE LAST CIRCUS- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “After landing a gig as a sad circus clown, timid Javier (Carlos Areces) falls for beguiling but masochistic trapeze artist Natalia (Carolina Bang) and begins battling for the beauty’s affections with her brutally abusive boyfriend, Sergio (Antonio de la Torre). Written and directed by Álex de la Iglesia, this darkly humorous commentary on Spain’s fascist past features an abundance of blood-splattered violence and gruesome gore.” Some very good early reviews. TRDB.
3) LITTLEROCK- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “This evocative drama examines culture shock, the universal yearning for connection, and the impact of history on ordinary people in the tale of Atsuko (Atsuko Okatsuka) and Rintaro (Rintaro Sawamoto), Japanese siblings who come to California to visit a World War II internment camp. After getting stranded in a desert town, Atsuko finds a connection with a local boy (Cory Zacharia), while Rintaro longs for home.” Some very interesting early reviews. TRDB. _________________________________________________________________________________________ FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-
1) RAPT- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “When corporate figurehead Stanislas Graff (Yvan Attal) is kidnapped and held for an absurd ransom of 50 million Euros, the police and powerful business he represents are forced to debate whether one man’s life can really be worth that much money. But every minute they spend talking about the issue gives the press more time to dig through Graff’s murky past — and Graff’s captors more time to torture their hostage.” Great professional reviews and average audience reaction. TRDB.
2) TUESDAY, AFTER CHRISTMAS- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Paul Hanganu (Mimi Branescu) is in love with two women: Adriana (Mirela Oprisor), his wife of 10 years, and Raluca (Maria Popistasu), his mistress of the past several months. Now, at a crossroads, Paul is forced to choose between them in this drama from Romanian director Radu Muntean. Combining careful staging and emotionally intense dialogue, the film presents an unblinking profile of a man in crisis and the women whose lives he’s ensnared.” Good audience reviews but no professional reviews as yet. TRDB.
5/25/11- Excellent review in NY Times today. TRDB.
_________________________________________________________________________________________ COMCAST ON-DEMAND- NEW-
1) CARBON NATION- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Bypassing politics and fingerpointing, this forward-thinking documentary zeroes in on enterprising individuals — from a wind farmer to a solar-panel retrofitter — who are devising business-minded ways to avert the looming climate crisis. The cross-country expedition yields encounters with Virgin Group CEO Richard Branson, Earth Day founder Denis Hayes and former CIA director James Woolsey, along with everyday pioneers in low-carbon living.” A few reviews and they’re good.
2) CON ARTIST- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “With this documentary, Michael Sladek chronicles the rise and fall of Mark Kostabi, the infamous contemporary artist who rose to acclaim in the 1980s by openly lampooning and exploiting the art industry with a series of attention-grabbing gimmicks. Taking aim at what he saw as the commoditization of modern-day art, Kostabi caused a stir in the art world when he decided to mass-produce and sell artworks that he himself had no hand in creating.” Fair review in NY Times 11/12/10.
8/8/11- Having close to zero interest in the principal subject of this documentary didn’t help. I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.
3) LUST, CAUTION- 2009. Synopsis by Neflix. “Oscar-winning filmmaker Ang Lee (the steady mind behind films such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Brokeback Mountain) directs this intriguing espionage thriller set in World War II-era Shanghai. Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Joan Chen and Lee-Hom Wang co-star in this foreign-language tale about a young actress (Wei Tang) caught up in a complex plot involving love, assassination and seduction, based on the writings of author Eileen Chang.” I liked the movie although I found it a bit slow. TRDB.
REPEATS-
1) 127 HOURS- Very good reviews– I did not like it at all
2) ANOTHER YEAR- I liked it but friends did not
3) ARTHUR- This is the re-make– fair reviews at best
4) AUTO EROTIC- Good review in NY Times
5) BARNEY’S VERSION- I liked this very much. Back On-Demand
6) BIUTIFUL- Excellent movie
7) BLACK SWAN- Very good
8)BLUE VALENTINE- I thought this was a very good movie with lots of raw emotion. Not for everyone
9) CARANCHO- I enjoyed the movie
10) CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS- Very good reviews but I haven’t seen it yet
11) CONAN O’BRIEN CAN’T STOP- Mostly good reviews
12) FAIR GAME- I liked it very much
13) FLYPAPER- OK reviews
14) LEBANON, PA- I enjoyed this one
15) LINCOLN LAWYER- Good movie
16) LOU- No reviews
17) MAD BASTARDS- I did not like this one but it received good reviews
18)MAO’S LAST DANCER- Very good movie–a tearjerker as well
19) MAX MANUS- This one’s back On-Demand after a while. I liked it
20) MIRAL- I didn’t care for this and felt offended
21) OF GODS AND MEN- Very good
22) POTICHE- A good French sex farce and I liked it
23) PUZZLE- Good reviews and I want to see this one- it’s been compared to “Queen to Play”
24) SOMEWHERE- I enjoyed the movie- it’s slow so beware
25) SOURCE CODE- OK reviews
26) THE KING’S SPEECH- I liked it with a few complaints
27) THE LEDGE- Haven’t seen this yet
28) THE MYTH OF THE AMERICAN SLEEPOVER- OK reviews
29) THE TRIP- I saw this last week and enjoyed it
30) THE WAVE- I want to see this
31) TRUST- I liked it
32) UNCLE BOONME WHO CAN RECALL HIS PAST LIVES- I did not like t
his one
33) UNDERTOW- I saw this at the Palm Springs Film Festival and liked it
34) WHITE IRISH DRINKERS- I liked it
35) WINTER IN WARTIME- I enjoyed it
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) THE GUARD- Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Synopsis by Netflix. “When tightly wound FBI agent Wendell Everett (Don Cheadle) invades an Irish village in pursuit of international drug dealers, wisecracking local copper Gerry Boyle (Brendan Gleeson) does his best to annoy the American and get on with his circumscribed life. But soon there’s a murder, and Boyle finds himself swept up in detective work way beyond his pay grade. John Michael McDonagh directs this action-filled comedy.” Very good reviews. TRDB. REPEATS-
1) TABLOID- Jacob Burns. 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Errol Morris profiles another intriguingly dysfunctional personality in this complex documentary about Joyce McKinney, a former beauty queen whose lovely exterior hides a genius IQ — and a criminal disposition. Joyce, a one-time Miss Wyoming, kidnapped her Mormon boyfriend and raped him repeatedly, which was only the beginning of her often-illegal and always eccentric behavior as she pursued her romantic ideals.” So far, good professional reviews but audiences do not agree. TRDB.
8/5/11- I’m with the audiences on this one– a classic waste of time as far as I’m concerned. Miss it. TRDB.
2) SARAH’S KEY- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the midst of researching an article about the roundup of Jews that took place in Paris in 1942, American-born journalist Julia Jarmond (Kristin Scott Thomas) uncovers a sobering connection between her story and the home she shares with her boorish French husband (Frederic Pierrot). Gilles Paquet-Brenner directs this gripping drama based on a bestselling novel of the same name that was inspired by actual events.” Excellent professional reviews and good audience reaction. TRDB.
3) ANOTHER EARTH- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Shortly after a strange, Earth-like planet is discovered, gifted astrophysics student Rhoda Williams (Brit Marling) accidentally slams her car into the vehicle of John Burroughs (William Mapother), killing his family. After some time, Rhoda and John begin an unlikely romance. But Rhoda starts to wonder what would happen if she could actually visit the new planet in director Mike Cahill’s romantic sci-fi drama.” At Sundance 2011. Sounds interesting and good early reviews as well. TRDB.
4) MIDNIGHT IN PARIS- Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this bittersweet dramatic comedy, legendary director Woody Allen focuses his lens on a young engaged couple whose experiences traveling together in Paris make them begin to question the kind of life they want to live as a couple.” Very good audience reviews but no professional reviews as yet. Fair review in NY Times from Cannes on 5/13/11. TRDB.
Good review in NY Times on 5/20/11. I’ll definitely see it. TRDB.
6/3/11- A good story, good acting and of course great Paris. Not one of Woody’s best but it was good and I enjoyed it. TRDB.
5) THE HELP- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1960s Jackson, Miss., aspiring writer Eugenia Phelan crosses taboo racial lines by conversing with Aibileen Clark about her life as a housekeeper, and their ensuing friendship upsets the fragile dynamic between the haves and the have-nots. When other long-silent black servants begin opening up to Eugenia, the disapproving conservative Southern town soon gets swept up in the turbulence of changing times.” Very few reviews so far. TRDB.
6) SHOLEM ALECHEM: LAUGHING IN THE DARKNESS- Clearview 100. 2011.
7/25/11. By Joseph Dorman this is a wonderful documentary about the famous Yiddish writer. TRDB.
7) SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN- Clearview 100. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Noted director Wayne Wang helms this adaptation of Lisa See’s best-selling novel about two young girls in 19th-century China who are pledged as lifelong companions through an ancient ritual, although their friendship is sorely tested as they mature. Paralleling the story of Snow Flower and Lily, who communicate by writing on the folds of a white fan, are the modern-day tribulations of Sophia and Nina, who struggle to maintain their relationship.” Poor reviews. TRDB.
8)CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) discovers that his wife (Julianne Moore) wants to end their marriage, he reluctantly faces the unwelcome prospect of single life with the counsel of the younger and smoother super-bachelor Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling). Meanwhile, Cal’s adolescent son, Robbie (Jonah Bobo), has formed an unquenchable crush on his 17-year-old babysitter (Analeigh Tipton) — but is she more interested in Robbie’s recently unwed father?” Good early reviews. TRDB.
8/6/11- Crazy and stupid but lots of fun. Poignant 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
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THE REEL DR. BOB
The Reel Dr. Bob
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