AUGUST 18, 2010
DEAR FRIENDS:
QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-
1) VITUS- Netflix.
2) WELCOME- Netflix.
See “below” for details and use my Web site for information about movies in this Newsletter-
www.thereeldrbob.com
_________________________________________________________________________________________
MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-
1) 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. NY Times felt it was good but a bit timid.8/10-
I felt that the movie was poorly scripted and the characters weak, particularly the emotion free Patricia Clarkson whose acting I generally enjoy. Also too many lessons about the Muslim culture. TRDB. _________________________________________________________________________________________
MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-
1)
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.” Reviews are awful.8/10- Terrible reviews are accurate for this boring as hell movie that I turned off. TRDB. Netflix.2) MY NAME IS KHAN- 2010. 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.
8/10- I can’t believe that I liked this schmaltz infested piece of Bollywood, but I did. TRDB. Netflix.
3) VITUS- 2006. Premise by Netflix. “Pushed to succeed and live up to his parents’ ambitions at an early age, young Vitus (played by Fabrizio Borsani and Teo Gheorghiu) is a virtual genius and a prodigy at the piano. But as Vitus grows older, he decides on a different path: one that leads to an ordinary childhood. Julika Jenkins and Urs Jucker co-star in writer-director Fredi M. Murer‘s heartfelt tale, which won the Swiss Film Prize for Best Film of 2007.”
8/10- I saw this almost three years ago and said then as now that despite numerous poor reviews I thought that this was a wonderful story about a child prodigy and his quest to be “normal.” Also an excellent performance by Bruno Ganz as the grandfather and the savior of this boy. TRDB. At the Heritage Hills Film Club and also available from Netflix.
4)
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.8/10- The biggest complaint about this movie is that nobody cares about Gondry’s aunt Suzette but I think that misses the larger point of the movie which is a depiction through narrative and film of life in rural France. As for the family stuff, you can fast-forward through lots of it. Over all I liked the movie. TRDB. Netflix.5) WELCOME- 2009. Directed by Philippe Lioret. Premise by Netflix. “When authorities forbid young Kurdish refugee Bilal (Firat Ayverdi) from crossing the English Channel to reunite with his girlfriend in England, the 17-year-old resolves to swim to his love — and finds an unlikely ally in the form of swim instructor Simon (Vincent Lindon). Facing an inevitable divorce from his wife (Audrey Dana), the middle-aged teacher takes the resolute youth under his wing in this stirring, beautifully acted French drama.”
8/10- A very good drama about the issues of illegal immigrants, the hurdles they must overcome and the brave few that help them. I liked the film. TRDB. Netflix.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, AUG. 24-
1) AJAMI- Premise by Netflix. “When their uncle wounds an important clan member, 13-year-old Nasri (Fouad Habash) and his older brother, Omar (Shahir Kabaha), fear he has put their whole family in terrible danger in this moving, Oscar-nominated drama set on the West Bank. A truce is arranged, but Omar must start selling drugs to pay the fine he now owes. Meanwhile, a number of other locals struggle to negotiate the political and social tinderbox of Jaffa’s Ajami neighborhood.”Very good reviews but I found it fairly sterile and could not get into the main characters. TRDB.
2) CITY ISLAND- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “When he recognizes his son Tony (Steven Strait), whom he hasn’t seen in over 20 years, among a crop of new inmates in the jail he works at, Vince Rizzo (Andy Garcia) decides to bring the troubled young man home with him, much to the surprise of his wife and kids. Helmed by writer-director Raymond De Felitta, this offbeat comedy also stars Julianna Margulies, Emily Mortimer, Dominik Garcia-Lorido and Oscar winner Alan Arkin.” Generally good reviews.
4/10- It’s about people in families and the secrets they keep from each other. Know that this is a comedy despite some serious issues. I liked it. TRDB.
3) YOO-HOO, MRS. GOLDBERG- Premise by Netflix. “The history of “The Goldbergs” — and the massive appeal and influence of its Jewish American main character — is explored in this fascinating documentary from filmmaker Aviva Kempner. Though she is not a household name today, Molly Goldberg — the indelible creation of writer and performer Gertrude Berg — was one of the most popular characters on radio and television from the 1930s to the ’50s.” Good reviews.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
OPENING LOCALLY, REGIONALLY OR NATIONALLY THIS WEEK-
1) HIDING DIVYA- Premise by Zap2it. “An Indian woman’s bipolar disorder has consequences for herself, her daughter and granddaughter.” Only one review so far and it’s great!
2) MAO’S LAST DANCER- Premise by Netflix. “A delegation from Madame Mao’s Beijing Dance Academy selects 11-year-old peasant villager
Li Cunxin to study ballet in far-off Beijing, where he trains for seven grueling years to become one of China’s greatest dancers. His efforts win him the opportunity to dance in America, opening his eyes to a new love and the possibility of a dramatic defection from China in this remarkable true story based on Cunxin’s autobiography.”
Fairly good reviews but a few said the movie was too timid. TRDB.
3) THE TILLMAN STORY- Premise by Netflix. “When
Pat Tillman, a former pro football player and decorated U.S. soldier, was killed in Afghanistan, the military reported that he’d died battling the Taliban. But later, a much different story emerged: Tillman was killed by friendly fire. Since that day, Tillman’s family has waged their own war, fighting tirelessly with the government in order to unravel the truth behind the cover-up. Filmmaker
Amir Bar-Lev documents their struggle.”
Very good reviews.
4) SOUL KITCHEN- Premise by Netflix. “Young restaurant owner Zinos (
Adam Bousdoukos) decides to revamp Soul Kitchen, his dumpy diner, but the customer response isn’t what he was hoping for. To make matters worse, his girlfriend (
Anna Bederke) flies off to Shanghai, and the tax collector comes knocking. But with the help of an inspired new chef (
Birol Ünel), Zinos still has a chance at redemption. German director
Fatih Akin delivers a riotous modern romantic comedy.”
The reviews I read all barely liked the movie- none liked it a lot.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
FLORIDA- At the Emerging Cinemas of Lake Worth. CLOSED AUG. 4 THROUGH AUG. 19 FOR RENOVATIONS OF PROJECTION SYSTEM.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
COMCAST ON-DEMAND-
NEW-
1) HEY HEY IT’S ESTHER BLUEBERGER- Premise by Netflix. “A total outcast at her private school, Esther (
Danielle Catanzariti) suffocates under her mother’s (
Essie Davis) constant pressure at home. But after forming an unlikely friendship with well-liked Sunni (
Keisha Castle-Hughes), Esther starts taking daring risks and suddenly becomes popular. A smart, good-natured comedy about learning to be yourself, this Australian coming-of-age story also features
Toni Collette.”5/10-
Esther is a 13yr. old Jewish girl in Australia who just does not fit in. Interesting story with good acting and it held my interest. TRDB.
2) 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.
3) MY NAME IS KHAN- 2010. 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.8/10- I can’t believe that I liked this schmaltz infested piece of Bollywood, but I did. TRDB. Netflix.
4) THE WHITE RIBBON- Premise by Netflix. “At a rural school in northern Germany in 1913, a form of ritual punishment has major consequences for students and faculty. But the practice may have bigger repercussions on the German school system — and maybe even on the growth of fascism. Celebrated Austrian filmmaker
Michael Haneke helms this searing and sumptuously photographed black-and-white drama that stars
Susanne Lothar,
Ulrich Tukur and
Theo Trebs.”3/10-
I saw this in Palm Springs and did not particularly care for it. TRDB.
REPEATS-
1) 8: THE MORMON PROPOSITION- Haven’t Seen It
2) A SINGLE MAN- Recommended
3) A YEAR AGO IN WINTER- Haven’t Seen It
4) AVATAR- Haven’t Seen It
5) BLUEBEARD- Haven’t Seen It
6) BROTHERS- Recommended
7) CRAZY HEART- Recommended
8)CREATION- Recommended
9) FOR MY FATHER- OK
10) THE GHOST WRITER- Recommended
11) GREEN ZONE- Recommended
12) GREENBERG- OK
13) HELEN
14) HERE AND THERE- Recommended
15) INVICTUS- Just OK
16) IT’S COMPLICATED- Recommended
17) LET IT RAIN- Just OK
18) MOTHER- I liked it
19) MULTIPLE SARCASMS- Bad!
20) ONDINE- Didn’t like it but others did
21) PIRATE RADIO- Just OK
22) THE BLIND SIDE- Recommended
23) THE EXTRA MAN- Haven’t Seen It
24) THE GREATEST- Recommended
25) THE YOUNG VICTORIA- Recommended
26) UP IN THE AIR- Recommended
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
_________________________________________________________________________________________
BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS- (Westchester and Fairfield Counties)
NEW-
1) GET LOW- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne. Premise by Netflix. “Robert Duvall and Sissy Spacek team up to tell the true story of Felix “Bush” Breazeale, a Tennessee loner who planned his own funeral in 1938 while he was still around to attend — and enjoy — the proceedings. Also starring Bill Murray and Lucas Black as the co-proprietors of the funeral home, the dramatic thriller was penned by the screenwriting team of C. Gaby Mitchell (Blood Diamond) and Chris Provenzano (“Mad Men”).” Great reviews.
2) FAREWELL- Bethel. 2009. Premise by Netflix. “In this thinking man’s spy thriller, KGB agent Sergei Grigoriev (Emir Kusturica) plans to hand over hard evidence that proves the depth of his agency’s penetration of U.S. intelligence, in a one-man crusade to bring down the Soviet empire. French engineer Pierre Froment (Guillaume Canet) is drawn into this web of espionage against his will, but proves a surprisingly resourceful operative in the process.” Mostly good reviews.
3) THE CONCERT- Garden Cinema Norwalk. Premise by Netflix. “The winner of two César Awards, this uplifting comedy focuses on Andrei Filipov (Aleksei Guskov), a Russian conductor whose music career was cut short by politics. Now an alcoholic janitor, Filipov seizes a chance to reunite his orchestra and reclaim his life. Using a purloined invitation to a Parisian festival as incentive, Filipov gathers his rag-tag musicians and a French violinist (Mélanie Laurent) to realize his long-cherished dream.” A few very positive reactions but more fairly negative ones. The story sounds interesting and I’ll give it a try. TRDB.
OTHERS-
1) CAIRO TIME- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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. NY Times felt it was good but a bit timid.8/10- I felt that the movie was poorly scripted and the characters weak, particularly the waif-like Patricia Clarkson whose acting I generally enjoy. Too many lessons about the Muslim culture. TRDB.
2) THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT- Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, Saw Mill Hawthorne, 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.
7/10- Great acting, great script and great idea make this a must see. Really about how couples slog through life at times, gay or straight. I loved the movie. TRDB.
3) THE EXTRA MAN- Clearview 100. Premise by Netflix. “Forced to quit his prep school job after a humiliating incident, would-be dramatist Louis Ives (Paul Dano) heads to New York City, where he rents a room from has-been playwright Henry Harrison (Kevin Kline) — who earns a living escorting rich dowagers about town. Despite their huge age difference, the two develop a bond as Henry takes Louis under his wing and leads him on a series of wild adventures. Katie Holmes and John C. Reilly also star.” Mixed reviews, more plus than minus. TRDB.
4) THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE- Clearview 100. 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.
For all films go to- www.fandango.com
THAT’S IT FOR NOW-
THE REEL DR BOB
August 18th, 2010
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.
________________________________________________________________________________________
MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- None.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
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.
2) SAMARITAN GIRL- 2004. Korea. Premise by Netflix. “Hoping to save enough money to travel through Europe, teenagers Yeo-jin (Ji-min Kwak) and Jae-young (Min-jeong Seo) enter into a risky trade: Jae-young becomes a prostitute, and Yeo-jin manages their business. After Jae-young is killed, Yeo-jin assumes the role of sex worker to keep their clients happy. But Yeo-jin’s father (Eol Lee) discovers his daughter’s secret, setting off a chain of events that bring father and daughter to a crossroads.”
8/10- This movie got very mixed reviews but I liked it. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
3) SWEETGRASS- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “As much a work of cultural anthropology as it is a documentary, this unique film traces the path of a family of Montana sheepherders as they drive their flock down from the treacherous and beautiful Absaroka Beartooth mountain range. With no guiding narration, filmmakers Ilisa Barbash and Lucien Castaing-Taylor let the natural images speak for themselves, capturing the danger, pathos and humor in this haunting elegy to a bygone way of life.” Very good reviews.
8/10- Done in a very interesting way, like nothing you’ve seen before. Worth viewing. TRDB.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
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.”
This movie was really awful and I’d miss it. TRDB.
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.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
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.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
FLORIDA- At the Emerging Cinemas of Lake Worth- NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
COMCAST ON-DEMAND-
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-
1) 8: THE MORMON PROPOSITION- Haven’t Seen It
2) A CALL GIRL- Just OK
3) A SINGLE MAN- Recommended
4) A YEAR AGO IN WINTER- Haven’t Seen It
5) AN EDUCATION- Recommended
6) AVATAR- Haven’t Seen It
7) BLUEBEARD- Haven’t Seen It
8)BROTHERS- Recommended
9) CRAZY HEART- Recommended
10) CREATION- Recommended
11) FOR MY FATHER- OK
12) GREEN ZONE- Recommended
13) GREENBERG- Haven’t Seen It
14) HERE AND THERE- Recommended
15) INVICTUS- Just OK
16) IT’S COMPLICATED- Recommended
17) JUNO- Recommended
18) LET IT RAIN- Just OK
19) LOOKING FOR ERIC- Just OK
20) MOTHER- I liked it
21) ONDINE- Didn’t like it.
22) PIRATE RADIO- Just OK
23) THE BLIND SIDE- Recommended
24) THE FATHER OF MY CHILDREN- Recommended
25) THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN- Recommended
26) THE GREATEST- Recommended
27) THE HURT LOCKER- Recommended
28) THE YOUNG VICTORIA- Recommended
29) UP IN THE AIR- Recommended
__________________________________________________________________________________________
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.
7/10- Great acting, great script and great idea make this a must see. Really about how couples slog through life at times, gay or straight. I loved the movie. TRDB.
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.
THAT’S IT FOR NOW-
THE REEL DR BOB
The Reel Dr. Bob
August 5th, 2010
JULY 29, 2010
DEAR FRIENDS:
QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-
1) THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN AMERICA: DANIEL ELLSBERG AND THE PENTAGON PAPERS- Netflix.
2) THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT- Theater.
3) CRIA CUERVOS- Netflix.
4) HOME- Netflix.
5) STRANGERS- Netflix Streaming.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-
1) THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT- 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.7/10-
Great acting, great script and great idea make this a must see. Really about how couples slog through the problems of life, gay or straight. I loved the movie. TRDB. ________________________________________________________________________________________
MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-
1) MY WINNIPEG- Directed by Guy Maddin. A fantasy documentary about Maddin’s hometown of Winnipeg. Interesting for about 20min. and then just plain weird. So novel that I’d recommend trying it and then turning it off as I did. Netflix Streaming only at this time.
2) THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN AMERICA: DANIEL ELLSBERG AND THE PENTAGON PAPERS- Premise by Netflix. “Revisit a pivotal point in American history in this documentary that chronicles Pentagon insider Daniel Ellsberg’s daring endeavor to leak top-secret government papers that disclosed shocking truths about the Vietnam War and Nixon’s presidency. Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith direct this absorbing, Oscar-nominated account that features compelling interviews with Ellsberg, retired New York Times editor Max Frankel and other key figures.” Great reviews.7/10- Very good documentary that describes a tumultuous period in our country’s history. Highly recommended. TRDB. Netflix.
3) 101 REYKJAVIC- Premise by Netflix. “Hlynur, an Icelandic slacker who would rather watch porn and get drunk than work, still lives at home with his sympathetic mother. He has a brief fling with the beautiful Hofy, but is too disinterested to actively pursue the relationship. The arrival of his mother’s flamenco-dancing friend Lola (Victoria Abril), however, changes all of that. Can you say tryst?”
7/10- Slow as the glaciers and very little happens. Just OK. TRDB. Netflix.
4) SEE THE SEA- Directed by Francois Ozon. Premise by Netflix. “Sasha is a young mother staying in an isolated French beach community with her baby, awaiting her husband’s return. Her solitude is broken by the appearance of Tatiana, a brooding backpacker who asks to camp outside her cottage. Sasha grows increasingly fascinated with her mysterious visitor … even as Tatiana becomes increasingly ominous and insinuates herself into Sasha’s home.”7/10- A weird movie that had me unnerved but I watched to the end. TRDB. Netflix.
5) CRIA CUERVOS- 1976. Premise by Netflix. “Director Carlos Saura‘s haunting tale — part psychological drama and part political parable — features a mesmerizing turn by Ana Torrent. After watching her mother (Geraldine Chaplin) succumb to cancer, 9-year-old Ana (Torrent) blames the death on her womanizing father (Héctor Alterio) and tries to poison him. When he dies of a heart attack while in bed with a lover, Ana mistakenly assumes she’s responsible for his demise.” Excellent reviews.
7/10- Very interesting psychological mix of reality and fantasy with great acting, especially the middle daughter, Ana Torrent. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
6) THE RUNAWAYS- Premise by Netflix. “Dakota Fanning stars in this musical biopic as Cherie Currie, lead singer of the 1970s all-girl rock group the Runaways, whose meteoric rise up the charts was saturated with drugs and other excesses of the era. Though the Runaways start out as a novelty act, the rock ‘n’ roll chops of Joan Jett (Kristen Stewart), Lita Ford (Scout Taylor-Compton) and the other girls lift the group to international stardom. Floria Sigismondi directs.” Reviews were just OK.
7/10- I could not get into this movie at all and turned it off fairly quickly. TRDB.
7) VIBRATOR- 2003. Japan. Premise by Netflix. “After meeting a handsome truck driver (Nao Omori) in the midst of an urban mini-mart, a 30-something freelance writer (Shinobu Terajima) embarks on a life-changing emotional journey of sexual self-discovery. Ryuichi Hiroki (I Am an S&M Writer, Tokyo Trash Baby) directs this critically acclaimed road movie based on the novel by Mari Akasaka.”
7/10- Not what you are thinking but actually quite an interesting movie about an emotionally disturbed 31yr. old woman. TRDB.
8)HOME- 2008. France. Premise by Netflix. “When an unused highway next to their home is put back to use, Michel (Olivier Gourmet) and Marthe (Isabelle Huppert) soon discover it’s an affront to their once peaceful life, adding din and dust to their daily existence. Their extroverted son, Julien (Kacey Mottet Klein), grows more introspective; their daughter, Marion (Madeleine Budd), turns obsessive; and Julie (Adélaïde Leroux) is a near lost cause. But how can they fight back?” Fairly good reviews.
7/10- Interesting drama and very good acting, especially the wonderful Isabelle Hupert. I liked it. TRDB.
9) STRANGERS- Premise by Netflix. “At the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Palestinian Rana (Lubna Azabal) and Israeli Eyal (Liron Levo) meet on the Berlin underground and soon fall in love. Taking place over six intense days, this film follows their emotional journey to connect and find happiness together. When Rana is suddenly called back home to Paris, Eyal must quickly decide whether he should continue to pursue the fledgling romance.”
7/10- An interesting drama with very good acting and despite a few weaknesses in the story I liked it a lot. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, AUG. 3-
1) A PROPHET- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “After refusing to snitch, 18-year-old Arab Malik (Tahar Rahim) is thrown into a French prison, where the Corsican mafia rules with a firm fist. The obedient newcomer slowly rises through the organization’s ranks but soon begins to double-cross his superiors. A follow-up to his 2005 gem The Beat My Heart Skipped, French director Jacques Audiard’s A Prophet was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.”3/09- I liked the movie but found it way too long and convoluted. TRDB.
2) SWEETGRASS- Premise by Netflix. “As much a work of cultural anthropology as it is a documentary, this unique film traces the path of a family of Montana sheepherders as they drive their flock down from the treacherous and beautiful Absaroka Beartooth mountain range. With no guiding narration, filmmakers Ilisa Barbash and Lucien Castaing-Taylor let the natural images speak for themselves, capturing the danger, pathos and humor in this haunting elegy to a bygone way of life.” Very good reviews.
3) THE GHOST WRITER- Premise by Netflix. “A writer (Ewan McGregor) stumbles upon a long-hidden secret when he agrees to help former British Prime Minister Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan) complete his memoirs on a remote island after the politician’s assistant drowns in a mysterious accident. In director Roman Polanski‘s tense drama, the author realizes that his discovery threatens some very powerful people who will do anything to ensure that certain episodes from Lang’s past remain buried.”
3/10- A political thriller and fairly good at that. TRDB.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
OPENING LOCALLY, REGIONALLY OR NATIONALLY THIS WEEK-
1) CHARLIE ST. CLOUD- Premise by Netflix. “Ben Sherwood’s intriguing novel is the basis of this ghost story about Charlie (
Zac Efron), who is devoted to his brother, Sam, even after Sam’s death. As the caretaker of the cemetery where Sam is buried, Charlie has lots of time to commune with the dead. Sam visits frequently to hang out with Charlie, but when Charlie meets a mysterious young woman (
Amanda Crew), he must decide whether to move forward or remain trapped in the past.”
A few reviews and they’re not so good.
2) THE DRY LAND- Premise by Netflix. “American soldier Raymond Gonzales (
Wilmer Valderrama) returns home to Texas after his tour of duty, unsure how to reconcile what he’s seen and experienced with the everyday mundanities of home and family life. This drama, from first-time writer-director
Ryan Piers Williams, takes a head-on approach to confronting the conflicted emotions of the modern warrior. The stellar cast includes
America Ferrera (“Ugly Betty”),
Melissa Leo and
Ethan Suplee.”
Reviews are 50/50.
3) DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS- Premise by Netflix. “Tim Conrad (
Paul Rudd) hosts a weekly dinner party where he invites his friends to bring along the saddest, most pathetic loser they can find. But when the ultimate schmuck (
Steve Carell) arrives, his actions somehow turn everyone else into the losers. Comic heavy hitters
Zach Galifianakis and
Ron Livingston lend able support in director
Jay Roach‘s (Austin Powers) darkly humorous film, an adaptation of the French comedy The Dinner Game.”
Very good early reviews although this is not usually my kind of movie.
4) ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE- Premise by Netflix. “A Cambodian whose family was among the 2 million victims slain by the Khmer Rouge,
Thet Sambath patiently spends his time, energy and money gaining the trust of the regime’s cold-blooded murderers in hopes of capturing their confessions on tape. Several years in the making, this powerful documentary showcases horrific stories told by the culprits themselves, including the notorious
Nuon Chea, Pol Pot’s second-in-command dubbed “Brother Number 2.”
I saw only one review and it’s great.
5) THE EXTRA MAN- Premise by Netflix. “Forced to quit his prep school job after a humiliating incident, would-be dramatist Louis Ives (
Paul Dano) heads to New York City, where he rents a room from has-been playwright Henry Harrison (
Kevin Kline) — who earns a living escorting rich dowagers about town. Despite their huge age difference, the two develop a bond as Henry takes Louis under his wing and leads him on a series of wild adventures.
Katie Holmes and
John C. Reilly also star.”
Mixed reviews, more plus than minus. There’s a write-up in the NY Times Arts and Leisure section from last Sunday, July 25. TRDB.
6) SMASH HIS CAMERA- Premise by Netflix. “While profiling the controversial life and career of pioneering paparazzo
Ron Galella, Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker
Leon Gast raises intriguing questions about the freedom of the press, the right to privacy and our celebrity-obsessed culture. A great risk taker who never backed down, Galella suffered a broken jaw at the hands of Marlon Brando and fought two major lawsuits filed by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.”
I’ve seen 2 reviews, both very good.
7) GET LOW- Premise by Netflix. “
Robert Duvall and
Sissy Spacek team up to tell the true story of Felix “Bush” Breazeale, a Tennessee loner who planned his own funeral in 1938 while he was still around to attend — and enjoy — the proceedings. Also starring
Bill Murray and
Lucas Black as the co-proprietors of the funeral home, the dramatic thriller was penned by the screenwriting team of C. Gaby Mitchell (Blood Diamond) and Chris Provenzano (“Mad Men”).
Great reviews.__________________________________________________________________________________________
FLORIDA- At the Emerging Cinemas of Lake Worth-
1) THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO- I liked it– did not love it.
2) THE CITY OF YOUR FINAL DESTINATION- I haven’t seen it yet. Will come to Netflix on 8/17 .
3) THE FATHER OF MY CHILDREN- I liked this movie a lot. It’s also on Comcast On-Demand.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
COMCAST ON-DEMAND-
NEW-
1) THE GREATEST- Premise by Netflix. “
Pierce Brosnan and
Susan Sarandon star as parents still mourning the accidental death of their teenage son, Bennett, when the boy’s girlfriend reveals that she is carrying his baby. Now Bennett’s parents and brother must find a way to release their denial, obsession and anger to make room for the new life coming their way.
Shana Feste directs this moving drama, while
Carey Mulligan,
Aaron Johnson and
Johnny Simmons co-star.”
Fairly good early reviews.7/10
Not a great movie but definitely worth watching if only for the fine acting. TRDB.REPEATS-
1) 8: THE MORMON PROPOSITION- Haven’t Seen It
2) A CALL GIRL- Just OK
3) A SINGLE MAN- Recommended
4) A YEAR AGO IN WINTER- Haven’t Seen It
5) AN EDUCATION- Recommended
6) AVATAR- Haven’t Seen It
7) BLUEBEARD- Haven’t Seen It
8)BROTHERS- Recommended
9) CRAZY HEART- Recommended
10) CREATION- Recommended
11) GREEN ZONE- Recommended
12) GREENBERG- Haven’t Seen It
13) HERE AND THERE- Recommended
14) INVICTUS- Just OK
15) IT’S COMPLICATED- Recommended
16) JUNO- Recommended
17) KISSES- Haven’t Seen It
18) LET IT RAIN- Just OK
19) LOOKING FOR ERIC- Just OK
20) MERCY- Haven’t Seen It
21) ONDINE- Didn’t like it.
22) PIRATE RADIO- Just OK
23) PRECIOUS- Recommended
24) THE BLIND SIDE- Recommended
25) THE EXTRA MAN- Haven’t Seen It- but it’s opening regionally this weekend.
26) THE FATHER OF MY CHILDREN- Recommended
27) THE HURT LOCKER- Recommended
28) THE MAID- Recommended
29) THE YOUNG VICTORIA- Recommended
30) UP IN THE AIR- Recommended
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
_________________________________________________________________________________________
BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS (Westchester and Fairfield Counties)
1) CYRUS- Bethel, Clearview 100. Premise by Netflix. “Indie favorites Jay and Mark Duplass co-direct this wry look at modern love and family dysfunction. John C. Reilly plays a recently divorced man who thinks he’s found just the right woman (Marisa Tomei) to help him recover and move on. Unfortunately, the woman’s son, played by Jonah Hill, has no interest in allowing another man into their lives — a stance he proceeds to demonstrate in a variety of obnoxious ways.” Very good early reviews.
2) 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.
3) THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, 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.
7/10- Great acting, great script and great idea make this a must see. Really about how couples slog through life at times, gay or straight. I loved the movie. TRDB.
4) 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.
5) DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS- Danbury, Saw Mill Hawthorne. Premise by Netflix. “Tim Conrad (
Paul Rudd) hosts a weekly dinner party where he invites his friends to bring along the saddest, most pathetic loser they can find. But when the ultimate schmuck (
Steve Carell) arrives, his actions somehow turn everyone else into the losers. Comic heavy hitters
Zach Galifianakis and
Ron Livingston lend able support in director
Jay Roach‘s (Austin Powers) darkly humorous film, an adaptation of the French comedy The Dinner Game.”
Very good early reviews although this is not usually my kind of movie.
6) I AM LOVE- Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, 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.7) JOAN RIVERS: A PIECE OF WORK- Jacob Burns. Premise by Netflix. “Documentarians Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg provide an uncompromising glimpse into the personal and professional life of comedian and red-carpet mainstay Joan Rivers, a woman clinging stubbornly and steadfastly to the pop-culture bandwagon. Stern and Sundberg — whose previous film, The Devil Came on Horseback, covered the Darfur genocide — take a no-less-intensive approach to their subject here, taking a hard look at fame’s bitter toll.” Fairly good reviews.
8)CITY ISLAND- Saw Mill Hawthorne. 2009. Premise by Netflix. “When he recognizes his son Tony (Steven Strait), whom he hasn’t seen in over 20 years, among a crop of new inmates in the jail he works at, Vince Rizzo (Andy Garcia) decides to bring the troubled young man home with him, much to the surprise of his wife and kids. Helmed by writer-director Raymond De Felitta, this offbeat comedy also stars Julianna Margulies, Emily Mortimer, Dominik Garcia-Lorido and Oscar winner Alan Arkin.” Generally good reviews.
4/10- It’s about people in families and the secrets they keep from each other. Know that this is a comedy despite some serious issues. I liked it. TRDB.
9) CHARLIE ST. CLOUD- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. Premise by Netflix. “Ben Sherwood’s intriguing novel is the basis of this ghost story about Charlie (Zac Efron), who is devoted to his brother, Sam, even after Sam’s death. As the caretaker of the cemetery where Sam is buried, Charlie has lots of time to commune with the dead. Sam visits frequently to hang out with Charlie, but when Charlie meets a mysterious young woman (Amanda Crew), he must decide whether to move forward or remain trapped in the past.” A few reviews and they’re not so good.
For Independent Films in Your Neighborhood go to- www.emergingpictures.com
For all films go to- www.fandango.com
THAT’S IT FOR NOW-
THE REEL DR BOB
The Reel Dr. Bob
July 29th, 2010