The Reel Dr. Bob

MARCH 20, 2014

DEAR FRIENDS:

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

As many of you know, I was hacked yet again a few weeks ago. Sorry about the problem and I hope it didn’t affect too many of you. Thanks for writing me!!

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) THE PATIENCE STONE– Netflix

2) INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS– 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) THE PATIENCE STONE– 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes said- “Author Atiq Rahimi’s adapts his own bestselling novel about a Muslim woman whose paralyzed husband unconsciously assumes the role of a magical force, which shields her from the sorrows of life in her war-torn village. Her unnamed Middle Eastern country caught up in an insurrection, the loyal, thirtysomething wife faithfully sits watch over her vegetative husband, who has been all but forgotten by his brothers and fellow Jihadists. Over time, she gathers the courage to tell her husband all of the things she had remained silent about during their 10 years of marriage. Throughout the course of these missives, she speaks frankly of the disappointments, sorrows, and sacrifices that have made her life so difficult throughout the previous decade. Only weeks later, when the isolated wife enters into a relationship with a young soldier, does she begin to reveal the woman who she had kept locked up deep inside ever since the day she was married.”8/6/13- Very good early reviews and I’ll definitely try to see this one. TRDB.8/14/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB. 

3/16/14- A marvelous, insightful movie that one critic called a cry from beyond the veil. Should be a must-see by anyone who cares about oppressed people.TRDB. Netflix.

2) INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS– 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.

3/19/14- A strange, sad kind of movie with a good portrayal of a slice of life. Worth seeing. TRDB. Netflix.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, MARCH 25-

1) CAMILLE CLAUDET 1915- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When gifted sculptress Camille Claudel, once the lover of Auguste Rodin, falls prey to mental illness, her family commits her to a psychiatric clinic. This subdued drama follows Camille’s thoughts and moods as she waits for redemption to arrive.”10/16/13- Mixed reviews. The review in today’s NY Times was favorable. TRDB.

2) GRAVITY– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “As a medical engineer on her first shuttle mission embarks on a space walk with a seasoned astronaut, debris strikes their craft and destroys it — leaving the two floating through space tethered together, with no connection to Earth.”10/2/13- Very good reviews and this film has been well received at festivals  too. TRDB.10/4/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

10/11/13- Kind of a weak story but the special effects are definitely worth the price of admission. TRDB.

3) THE WOLF OF WALL STREET– 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.”12/15/13- No reviews as yet. TRDB.12/27/13- The NY Times liked this very much. TRDB.

12/29/13- Similar to American Hustle that I saw last week, this movie was way over the top and I enjoyed it. DiCaprio was great. TRDB.

4) VIOLA– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Viola, a bike courier in Buenos Aires, unexpectedly joins an all-female Shakespeare troupe that’s rehearsing for a production of “Twelfth Night.” As she grows comfortable with her fellow actresses, the line between life and art begins to blur.”7/12/13- A good review in today’s NY Times and from others as well. TRDB.

5) THE PAST (LE PASSE)- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. When Iranian Ahmad returns to France after a four-year separation from his French wife, Marie, he discovers that she now has a boyfriend — and that behind her difficult relationship with their daughter lies a secret from the past.”12/3/13- Very good reviews. TRDB.12/20/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

1/28/14- From the same director who did “A Separation” this film is driven by the frank emotional talk between the characters. Just a bit slow but definitely a very good movie well worth seeing. TRDB.

6) THE PUNK SINGER– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker Sini Anderson chronicles the life of outspoken feminist musician Kathleen Hanna, including her mysterious and sudden retirement in 2005. New and vintage performance clips, spanning Hanna’s entire career, reveal her undeniable power.”11/20/13- I’ve seen 4 reviews– all very good. TRDB.11/29/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

7) THE GREAT BEAUTY– 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 all hated it! TRDB.

8) FREE RIDE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Growing up with full exposure to her mom’s drug-smuggling activities, 7-year-old Shell willingly helps out with business despite the obvious perils. Once the operation attracts the attention of the law, though, Shell begins worrying about her future.”1/10/14- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

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OPENED THIS WEEK-

1) THE ANONYMOUS PEOPLE– 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Directed by Greg Williams, The Anonymous People features prominent people who are living publicly in long-term recovery, like former NBA star Chris Herren, award-winning actress Kristen Johnston (3rd Rock From the Sun, The Exes), Miss USA 2006 Tara Conner, best-selling author William Cope Moyers, former congressmen Patrick Kennedy and Jim Ramstad – and many others. Their brave testimonies dispel long-standing clichés about addiction and recovery.”3/14/14- Audience reaction has been mixed but the NY Times definitely did not like it. TRDB.2) THE ART OF THE STEAL– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This heist comedy stars Kurt Russell as Crunch Calhoun, a daredevil motorcyclist and mostly reformed con artist who signs on for one last job: helping his brother Nicky steal a priceless antique book.”

3/14/14- Weak reviews in general and a just OK one in the NY Times. TRDB.

3) BAD WORDS– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Blessed with a photographic memory but no high school education, Guy Trilby discovers that he’s eligible to enter spelling bees intended for children. As Guy steamrolls his pre-teen competition, a journalist tries to find out what motivates him.”

3/14/14- Good reviews in general and the NY Times liked it as well. TRDB.

4) BETTER LIVING THROUGH CHEMISTRY– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Unhappily married small-town pharmacist Douglas Varney has a predictable life. But when he hooks up with a hot customer, everything changes. Soon, he’s caught up in a web of fantasy sex, illegal pharmaceuticals and potential murder.”

3/14/14- Awful reviews all over. The NY Times called it “tepid but pleasant.”

5) BIG MEN- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Where oil flows, money follows. This documentary picks up the trail of that liquid gold as it streams through Western Africa. Shot over a four-year period, the film looks at the nascent oil industry in Ghana and the more established one in Nigeria.”

3/14/14- Excellent reviews all around. The NY Times liked it very much. TRDB.

6) THE COLD LANDS– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “After his mother’s death, adolescent Atticus runs away and lives in the woods of the Catskill Mountains to avoid being taken by the authorities. When he meets quirky drifter Carter, the two form a tenuous alliance to help each other survive.”

3/14/14- Weak reviews in general. TRDB.

7) THE DEN– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “While spending time investigating webcam chat habits, a young woman accidentally witnesses a gruesome murder online. Now the killer has decided to pursue her — and those she loves — to be his next victims.”

3/14/14- Good reviews and the NY Times liked it. TRDB.

8) ENEMY– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When humdrum academic Adam Bell spots his double in a rented movie, he launches a search that leads him to a small-time actor who seems uncannily like him in every way — except for his personality.”

3/14/14- Good review from the NY Times and from most other critics as well. TRDB.

9) ERNEST & CELESTINE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Adapted from a popular children’s book series, this sweet animated drama portrays the friendship between an orphan mouse and a free-spirited bear. After persuading Ernest the bear not to eat her, Celestine the mouse ends up moving in with him.”

3/14/14- Very good reviews from everybody. The NY Times liked it also. TRDB.

10) EXPOSED– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “The stars of New York’s new underground cabaret scene take the stage in this over-the-top documentary by acclaimed filmmaker Beth B. The film captures outrageous performances at the Slipper Room, where gender bending is only the beginning.”

3/14/14- Fairly good reviews and the NY Times liked it. TRDB.

11) ON MY WAY- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Prompted by a post-midlife crisis, Bettie goes out for cigarettes and decides to keep on driving, abandoning the restaurant she owns. But the farther she gets from her previous life, the closer she gets to reinvention.”

3/14/14- Good reviews in general. The NY Times liked it. TRDB.

12) TEENAGE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “With narration by actors Jena Malone, Ben Whishaw, Julia Hummer and Jessie Usher, filmmaker Matt Wolf explores the origins of the modern-day “teenager” — a demographic that didn’t even exist until the mid-20th century.”

3/14/14- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

13) LE WEEK-END– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Returning to Paris long after their honeymoon there, a British couple hopes to rediscover the magical feelings of their early years together. There, they meet an old friend whose perspectives on love and marriage help them recover what was lost.”

3/14/14- Good reviews from critics– audiences so-so. TRDB.

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

1) WHEN COMEDY WENT TO SCHOOL–  2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A host of iconic comedians — including Jerry Lewis, Sid Caesar, Jackie Mason, Mort Sahl and Jerry Stiller — appear in this engaging documentary about the birth of modern stand-up comedy that occurred in the resorts of the Catskill Mountains.”11/8/13- Mixed reviews including some really poor ones. TRDB.

2) GRAND PIANO– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “A pianist returning to the stage five years after a public meltdown learns that a sniper will shoot him and his wife if he plays just one wrong note. But the gunman’s twisted motives go far deeper than anyone suspects.”3/7/14- Good reviews all around including the one calling it fun in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW-

1) THE ART OF THE STEAL– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This heist comedy stars Kurt Russell as Crunch Calhoun, a daredevil motorcyclist and mostly reformed con artist who signs on for one last job: helping his brother Nicky steal a priceless antique book.”3/14/14- Weak reviews in general and a just OK one in the NY Times. TRDB.2) OUT OF THE FURNACE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Working-class siblings Russell and Rodney Baze are desperate to flee the Rust Belt and find better lives. But when a twist of fate lands Russell in jail, Rodney gets mixed up with a crime syndicate — and their brotherly bond is soon put to the test.”

3/15/14- Weak reviews. TRDB.

3) THE DEN– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “While spending time investigating webcam chat habits, a young woman accidentally witnesses a gruesome murder online. Now the killer has decided to pursue her — and those she loves — to be his next victims.”

3/14/14- Good reviews and the NY Times liked it. TRDB.

4) AMERICAN HUSTLE– 2003. 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.

12/20/13- Way over the top in every way but lots of fun and I liked it. TRDB.

5) INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS– 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.

6) MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Golden Globe-winner Idris Elba stars as Nelson Mandela in this in-depth biopic that portrays the groundbreaking South African leader from his rural childhood through his long imprisonment to his election as the country’s first black president.”

11/20/13- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

11/29/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

REPEATS-

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BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

REPEATS-

1) TIM’S VERMEER– Bethel. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Teller, of Penn & Teller fame, directs this absorbing film about inventor Tim Jenison’s quest to solve one of art’s greatest mysteries: How did Dutch master Johannes Vermeer paint so photo-realistically 150 years before the invention of photography?”1/31/14- Good reviews in general and the NY Times liked it also. TRDB.

2) DALLAS BUYER’S CLUB– Bethel, 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.

3) THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL– Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Between the world wars, Gustave H, the concierge at a prestigious European hotel, takes a bellboy named Zero as a trusted protégé. Meanwhile, the upscale guests are involved in an art theft and a dispute over a vast family fortune.”3/7/14- Good reviews all around. TRDB.4) BETHLEHEM– Clearview 100. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “An informant for Israel’s Shin Bet intelligence service, Palestinian Sanfur is torn when his brother becomes an agency target. His tragic choice is complicated by his relationship with Razi, the boss, mentor and father figure who hired him as a teen.”

3/10/14- Very good reviews in general. The NY Times liked it also. TRDB.

3/10/14- I saw this today and liked it very much– just a few too many characters. Definitely worth seeing. TRDB.

5) THE FACE OF LOVE– Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Years after the death of her husband, Garrett, Nikki begins a romance with Tom, a great guy who looks almost exactly like Garrett. As their relationship unfolds, fate seems to be delivering Nikki both a new start and a second chance.”

3/7/14- Weak reviews all around. The NY Times said that the actors held whatever there was together. TRDB.

6) AMERICAN HUSTLE– Saw Mill Hawthorne. 2003. 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.

12/20/13- Way over the top in every way but lots of fun and I liked it. TRDB.

For Independent Films in Your Neighborhood go to- www.emergingpictures.comFor Independent Films in Palm Beach County go to www.lakeworthplayhouse.org

For Films everywhere go to- www.fandango.com

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

MARCH 13, 2014

FEBRUARY 13, 2014

DEAR FRIENDS:

MY SCHEDULE DURING THE NEXT FEW WEEKS WILL BE SOMEWHAT HECTIC SO THIS COMBINED NEWSLETTER WILL CONTAIN INFORMATION FOR THE NEXT 4 WEEKS WHENEVER POSSIBLE. I EXPECT, BUT DON’T PROMISE, THAT THE NEXT ISSUE WILL BE ON MARCH 13.

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

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) A PERFECT MAN- Netflix

2) I USED TO BE DARKER- 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) A PERFECT MAN- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “On the cusp of their ninth anniversary, James and Nina seem to have the perfect marriage and ideal lives – an affluent life in Amsterdam, lucrative jobs and adoring friends. Yet when Nina discovers James’s infidelity with a mutual friend of theirs after a long line of extramarital affairs, it’s the final straw, shattering whatever illusions they’ve created about their relationship and leaving them separated. Heartbroken about their separation, a stroke of luck leads Nina to impersonate James’s chatty travel agent on the phone, and he’s soon pouring his heart out and unwittingly falling for his wife all over again as they discuss the uncertainty of love and the eternal misunderstanding between men and women.”11/1/13– A really poor review in today’s NY Times. I’ve seen one other professional review and it was good. Audiences have liked it very much. TRDB.

2/8/14- Poor reviews as noted but I felt that the movie had something to offer and I did like it. I also love the acting of Liev Schreiber in this and in other films as well. TRDB. Netflix.

2) I USED TO BE DARKER– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When runaway Taryn seeks help from her aunt and uncle in Baltimore, she discovers a family in crisis and a marriage in ruins — and finds herself in the middle of the emotional fallout between everyone involved.”

9/25/13- Mixed early reviews. TRDB.

10/4/13- Mostly good reviews. The NY Times gave it a mixed but good review in today’s issue. TRDB.

2/12/14- I enjoyed the movie but it could have been much better. What was with all of the music when there should have been dialogue? TRDB. Netflix

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, FEB. 18-

1) HELLBENDERS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “To prepare themselves for the fires of hell, the demon-hunting members of the aptly named Hellbound Saints of Brooklyn Parish take vows to commit every type of sin they can possibly fathom.”10/18/13- This one sounds weird and most reviews were negative. The NY Times thought it had merit and liked it. JUST! TRDB.

2) ZAYTOUN- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1982 Beirut, an Israeli fighter pilot named Yoni crashes outside a camp of young Palestinian refugees, where he’s met by gun-toting orphan Fahed. In exchange for his freedom, Yoni agrees to take the boy back to the village where his parents lived.”9/20/13- This sounds interesting but it has received weak reviews all around. TRDB.

3) AFTERNOON DELIGHT- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Although 30-something wife and mother Rachel appears to have the perfect life, she’s being driven crazy by boredom. While attempting to spice up her marriage, Rachel befriends a stripper named McKenna who educates her about being true to herself.”8/30/13- This movie received poor reviews in general but the NY Times liked it in today’s review. TRDB.

4) THE PERVERT’S GUIDE TO IDEOLOGY-2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Weaving together four stories of people living in different Chinese provinces, this drama follows a miner protesting corruption, a migrant worker with a gun, a factory drone always drifting to a new job and a receptionist who’s been assaulted.”10/4/13- Excellent reviews all around. The NY Times liked this movie very much and so did audiences. TRDB.

5) MORNING- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Five days in the life of an American couple immediately following the accidental death of their child. An every day story of tragedy, loss, acceptance, hope and renewal. Morning follows the divergent paths of Mark and Alice Munroe as they circle each other in a heart-breaking pas-de-deux of grief before finally coming to grips with their shared loss.”

9/15/13- This one sounds gut-wrenching. TRDB.

9/27/13- The NY Times liked this film very much. Others have given it mixed reviews. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, FEB. 25-

1) YOU WILL BE MY SON- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Paul de Marseul (Niels Aretrup) is the passionate, demanding proprietor of his prestigious family wine estate. But he has no faith in his son, Martin (Loran Deutsch), who works at the vineyard. Paul dreams of a harder-working, successful son-a dream that one day seemingly materializes when he meets Philip (Nicolas Bridet), the son of his dying estate manager (Patrick Chesnais). Can Paul turn against his own blood and turn Philip into the rightful heir of his family estate?”Here’s what Netflix had to say– “Doubtful that his own son is up to the task, the demanding owner of a vintage chateau and wine label turns to the offspring of his late caretaker to maintain the strict principles of his prestigious business.”

8/16/13- An excellent review in today’s NY Times and from most other critics as well. TRDB.

10/27/13- I loved the acting, the story and the characters. What else can I say? You should see this one! TRDB.

2) RUSH- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This dramatic portrayal of the intense 1970s rivalry between race drivers Niki Lauda and James Hunt captures the contrasts between the two champions. While Hunt was a charming and handsome ladies’ man, Lauda was a loner with a single goal: victory.”9/4/13- Very good reviews. TRDB.

9/20/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) NARCO CULTURA- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Exploring the lives of a Mexican crime scene investigator and a Mexican American narcocorrido singer, this documentary examines how the culture of narcotics trafficking has become a twisted new version of the American Dream.”11/12/13- I’ve seen just 2 reviews and they are both good. TRDB.

11/22/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) NEBRASKA- 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.

12/4/13- Basically I enjoy almost every road movie I see and this was no exception. An interesting story about families. Dern was great. TRDB.

5) BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR-2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Determined to fall in love, 15-year-old Adele focuses on Thomas. But it’s a blue-haired girl she meets on the street who really piques her interest. Soon, Adele begins exploring her desire for girls as she negotiates her way to becoming a woman.”

Rotten Tomatoes had this to say– “A 15-year-old girl finds her naïve perceptions of human sexuality challenged upon meeting a blue-haired girl who encourages her to assert her individuality in director Abdel Kechiche’s deeply perceptive drama. The recipient of the prestigious Palme d’ Or at the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival, Blue is the Warmest Color stars Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux.”

9/28/13- Excellent reviews although A.O. Scott from the NY Times wrote a negative review after this film won at Cannes. TRDB.

11/2/13- Great acting by the two lead women and a lot of graphic lesbian sex have contributed to making this movie, the winner of the Palme d’Or Award in Cannes, the most talked about movie in a long time. The story itself was very good as well and I recommend the film. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, MARCH 4-

1) DALLAS BUYERS CLUB- 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.

2) HOURS– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “After Nolan’s wife dies in childbirth during Hurricane Katrina, his newborn daughter is placed on a ventilator. When the hospital is evacuated, he stays with her, desperate to keep her alive as the storm rages around them.”

12/13/13- Mixed reviews in general but the NY Times liked it. TRDB.

3) SALINGER– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Interviews with 150 of J.D. Salinger’s friends and colleagues shed light on the reclusive author in this absorbing documentary. High-profile writers and actors, including Martin Sheen, Gore Vidal and John Cusack, discuss how Salinger influenced them.”

9/6/13- Mostly poor reviews including the review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) OLDBOY- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “After being unaccountably held captive for years, Joe Doucett is suddenly released. Now, his only mission is to hunt down and punish his captors. Aided by a young stranger, he sets about unlocking his past in this remake of a popular Korean thriller.”

11/27/13- Weak reviews all around and in today’s NY Times as well. TRDB.

5) BAGGAGE CLAIM- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Desperate to escape her single status, flight attendant Montana Moore vows to find a spouse in 30 days or 30,000 miles in this airy romantic comedy. While several prospects look promising at first, Montana quickly discovers problems under the hood.”

9/27/13- A poor review in today’s NY Times and from nearly every other critic as well. TRDB.

6) 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.

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COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, MARCH 11-

1) BROKEN CIRCLE BREAKDOWN- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Elise is a tattoo artist and religiously devout, while Didier is an atheist banjo player in a bluegrass band, but the two fall instantly in love. Years later, when their daughter becomes ill the crisis brings new challenges to their relationship. 11/1/13- Fairly good reviews in general but a weak one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) THE PATIENCE STONE- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes said- “Author Atiq Rahimi’s adapts his own bestselling novel about a Muslim woman whose paralyzed husband unconsciously assumes the role of a magical force, which shields her from the sorrows of life in her war-torn village. Her unnamed Middle Eastern country caught up in an insurrection, the loyal, thirtysomething wife faithfully sits watch over her vegetative husband, who has been all but forgotten by his brothers and fellow Jihadists. Over time, she gathers the courage to tell her husband all of the things she had remained silent about during their 10 years of marriage. Throughout the course of these missives, she speaks frankly of the disappointments, sorrows, and sacrifices that have made her life so difficult throughout the previous decade. Only weeks later, when the isolated wife enters into a relationship with a young soldier, does she begin to reveal the woman who she had kept locked up deep inside ever since the day she was married.”8/6/13- Very good early reviews and I’ll definitely try to see this one. TRDB.

3) GEOGRAPHY CLUB- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Looking for a haven from the social hell of high school, the teens in this dramedy form a social club they know no one else will join. Here, it doesn’t matter that Min and Terese are more than just friends, or that the quarterback is seeing a guy.”11/15/13- Weak reviews in general but an OK one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS- 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) THE COUNSELOR- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Michael Fassbender stars in this thriller penned by iconic novelist Cormac McCarthy as an attorney who mistakenly believes he can dabble in the drug business without any consequences — only to find himself drowning in a nightmarish downward spiral.”10/25/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

11/7/13- There are as many strong negative reviews as strong positive reviews about this movie. One critic called it a lot of  “naughty fun” and I’d have to agree. Despite the violence I really liked the various characters, most played by real name stars. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST FRIDAY, FEB. 7 IN ADDITION TO THE MOVIES I WROTE ABOUT ON FEB. 6-

1) THE ATTORNEY- 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “SONG Woo-seok has no clients, connections, or even a college degree, but his eye for business and appetite for money turn him into one of the most successful lawyers in town. But right at the peak of his success, a local teenager is falsely accused of a crime, then beaten and tortured while waiting in jail. Shocked by these conditions, SONG changes the course of his life, and takes on the case no one else will. This story is based on true events.”2/7/14- A good review in today’s NY Times and from most other critics too. TRDB.

2) MARS AT SUNRISE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “At the deadly frontier between Israel and Palestine, young Jewish poet Azzadeh and Muslim painter Khaled meet and become accidental friends. After hearing Khaled’s grim tale of his arrest and questioning, Azzadeh’s political views begin to evolve.”

2/7/14- Audiences have liked this one as did the NY Times but other critics have not cared for it. TRDB.

3) THE LAST OF THE UNJUST– 2014. 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.”

2/7/14- Excellent reviews all around. The NY Times liked it also. TRDB.

4) LOVE & AIR SEX– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Upon learning that his ex will be visiting Austin, lovelorn Stan hops on a plane hoping to cross paths with her and rekindle their romance. But his mission grows more complex when he runs into her best friend, who’s determined to keep the two apart.”

2/7/14- The NY Times gave this a mixed review in today’s issue. TRDB.

5) VIC AND FLO SAW A BEAR– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When newly paroled Victoria Champagne returns home to rural Quebec, her parole officer, a former lover and a menacing stranger disrupt her attempt to begin life anew. As she struggles to find normality, signs of looming peril start to grow.”

2/7/14- Very good reviews including the review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

6) 7 BOXES– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In an outdoor Paraguayan market, a butcher offers a 17-year-old delivery boy $100 to transport seven sealed boxes to a drop-off point — a task that seems simple until he finds himself pursued by a rival and his gang, thieves and the cops.”

2/7/14- Good reviews from the NY Times and from most other critics. TRDB.

7) A FIELD IN ENGLAND– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in 17th-century England, this black-and-white drama portrays the strange and psychedelic ordeal faced by two deserters from a battle. Captured by a demented alchemist and forced to dig for hidden treasure, the men unearth horror instead.”

2/7/14- Fairly good reviews– the NY Times liked it also. TRDB.

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OPENING FEB. 14-

1) ABOUT LAST NIGHT- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “After a couple’s flirtation quickly moves from the bar to the bedroom, they test if their physical chemistry is enough to carry a real relationship. The pair consult their skeptical best friends along the way in this remake of an ’80s rom-com.”2/2/14- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

2) ADULT WORLD- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix “Recent college graduate Amy is sure she’s going to be a famous poet. But until then, she takes a job at an adult book and video store to make ends meet. Meanwhile, she stalks reclusive punk poet Rat Billings in an effort to make him her mentor.”

2/2/14- I saw just 1 review and it’s poor. TRDB.

3) GIRL ON A BICYCLE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Just when he’s on the brink of proposing to his beautiful girlfriend, tour bus driver Paolo becomes mesmerized by a woman he sees on a bicycle. Driven to track down the object of his obsession, Paolo ends up knocking her down with his bus.”

9/28/13- Weak early reviews. TRDB.

4) THE WIND RISES- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Master animator Hayao Miyazaki spins a decades-spanning tale inspired by the life of Jirô Horikoshi, designer of the World War II fighter plane the Zero. Too nearsighted to become a pilot, Jirô settles for building planes, with spectacular results.”

11/8/13- Very good reviews all around and audiences have liked it as well. TRDB.

OPENING FEB. 21-

1) BAREFOOT- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Asked to treat a young psychiatric patient who’s been living in utter isolation, a doctor from a wealthy family forms an unusual bond with her. This subtle romantic comedy reveals the beliefs, ambitions and passions of two wandering souls.”

2/2/14- Good reviews. TRDB.

2) OMAR- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “With his girlfriend, Nadia, living on the other side of an Israeli-built boundary wall, young Palestinian Omar regularly scales it to visit her. But he faces even greater obstacles after a lethal confrontation with an Israeli soldier.”

2/2/14- Good reviews from most critics. TRDB.

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

FEB. 14

1) OLD GOATS- 2010. Synopsis by IMDB. “Old Goats is a comedy that features three elderly men playing themselves, but within a fictional framework. The story blends fiction and reality. Britt lives alone on a boat and searches for excitement and romance in his life. Bob writes a book of memoirs about his life as a soldier, para-trooper, and bush pilot, but is uneasy about revealing his sins as a younger man. David is struggling to adapt into retired life while living with his bossy wife. The story is about each man’s attempt to change his ways.12/20/12- An interesting premise and interesting quirky characters but I found the movie way too slow, I was exhausted from the day, and I drifted several times. The couple we went with liked it more. TRDB.

2)  OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS-

FEB. 21-

1) STRANGER BY THE LAKE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this gay murder thriller, young Franck notices the middle-aged Henri sitting on a beach by himself and starts a conversation. Their dialogue continues over several days, in between Franck’s repeated trysts with a seductive killer named Michel.”1/24/14- Very good reviews in general and in today’s NY Times as well. TRDB

2) THE GREAT FLOOD- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary explores the chain reaction set off by the great Mississippi flood of 1927 that led to the creation of Chicago blues and rock ‘n’ roll. An inspired selection of tunes accompanies footage of the flood and its aftermath.”2/10/14- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON DEMAND-

NEW- NONE THAT I RECOMMEND

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-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) THE PAST (LE PASSE)- Bethel. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. When Iranian Ahmad returns to France after a four-year separation from his French wife, Marie, he discovers that she now has a boyfriend — and that behind her difficult relationship with their daughter lies a secret from the past.”12/3/13- Very good reviews. TRDB.

12/20/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

1/28/14- From the same director who did “A Separation” this film is driven by the frank emotional talk between the characters. Just a bit slow but definitely a very good movie well worth seeing. TRDB.

2) GIRL ON A BICYCLE– Clearview 100. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Just when he’s on the brink of proposing to his beautiful girlfriend, tour bus driver Paolo becomes mesmerized by a woman he sees on a bicycle. Driven to track down the object of his obsession, Paolo ends up knocking her down with his bus.”

9/28/13- Weak early reviews. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1)  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.

2) THE INVISIBLE WOMAN- Bethel. 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.

3) THE MONUMENTS MEN- Bethel. 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.

4)  PHILOMENA- Bethel, Danbury, 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.

5) GLORIA- Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

6) 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.

7) THE MONUMENTS MEN- 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.

8)  THE WOLF OF WALL STREET- 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.

9)  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.

12/20/13- Way over the top in every way but lots of fun and I liked it. TRDB.

10) 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.

11)  12 YEARS A SLAVE- Saw Mill Hawthorne. 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.

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

JANUARY 23, 2014

DEAR FRIENDS:

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

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES SINCE JAN. 9-

1) CUTIE AND THE BOXER- Netflix Streaming

2) THE PERFECT STRANGER- Netflix Streaming

3) HER- At the Theater

4) THE BEST OFFER- Comcast On-Demand

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) HER- 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.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) CUTIE AND THE BOXER– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Explore the work and marriage of Ushio and Noriko Shinohara, who took America’s art scene by storm after leaving Japan for New York. Each has created their own unique space, both in style … and in their 40-year relationship.”8/6/13- Very good reviews. TRDB.

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

1/8/14- A very interesting documentary seen both as about the art and about a love story between the two artists. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

2) THE PERFECT  STRANGER– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “The arrival of a foreigner causes a stir in a small Mediterranean village when it’s rumored that he will be reopening an old shop. The stranger’s arrival brings hope to the locals, but the language barrier obscures his intentions for being there.”

1/10/14- I enjoyed this slow moving drama very much. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

3) THE BEST OFFER- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “An auction house owner who lives in seclusion amid a collection of female portraiture is hired by a woman who refuses to meet in person. But as his business relationship with his enigmatic client grows, so does his dormant libido.”

1/1/14- The NY Times gave this movie a very good review in today’s issue.  Other reviews have been mixed. TRDB.

1/17/14- I liked this movie very much and would definitely recommend it. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

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CAME TO NETFLIX ON JAN. 14-

1) THE LONE RANGER- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this reboot of the 1950s television series, Native American warrior Tonto rescues wounded lawman John Reid and restores him to health, thus creating an often-contentious but effective partnership as they attempt to rid the Old West of corruption.”

1/9/14- Poor reviews all around. TRDB.

2) PORTRAIT OF WALLY- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This fascinating documentary examines the historic court battle over Egon Schiele’s Portrait of Wally, a Nazi-looted painting that was stolen from a Jewish art dealer fleeing Vienna and wound up in New York’s Museum of Modern Art.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.

5/11/12- NY Times review today was non specific. I could not even guess if the reviewer liked it or not. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JAN. 28-

1) I USED TO BE DARKER- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When runaway Taryn seeks help from her aunt and uncle in Baltimore, she discovers a family in crisis and a marriage in ruins — and finds herself in the middle of the emotional fallout between everyone involved.”9/25/13- Mixed early reviews. TRDB.

10/4/13- Mostly good reviews. The NY Times gave it a mixed but good review in today’s issue. TRDB.

2) LAST VEGAS- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Four sixtysomething pals — Billy, Paddy, Archie and Sam — gather in Las Vegas to celebrate Billy’s upcoming nuptials with the intention of running wild for four straight days. But Sin City has gotten a lot crazier than they could’ve ever imagined.”

11/1/13- Awful reviews. TRDB.

3) DON JON- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Jon Martello’s romantic exploits are legendary among his friends, but his obsession with online porn is starting to sap his enthusiasm for real sex. As he tries to regain his hunger for intimacy, Jon meets two women with vital lessons to teach him.”

9/15/13- Fairly good reviews so far. TRDB.

9/27/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times and from others as well. TRDB.

4) CONCUSSION- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a blow to the head with a baseball prompts lesbian housewife Abby to shake up her suburban life — and her dull marriage — she buys a fixer-upper in Manhattan and seeks excitement by becoming a prostitute.”

9/25/13- Sounds a bit odd but this film has received lots of good reviews. TRDB.

10/4/13- Today’s NY Times gave this movie a weak review. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

10/21/13- A bit different but I liked it. TRDB.

5) A PERFECT MAN- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “On the cusp of their ninth anniversary, James and Nina seem to have the perfect marriage and ideal lives – an affluent life in Amsterdam, lucrative jobs and adoring friends. Yet when Nina discovers James’s infidelity with a mutual friend of theirs after a long line of extramarital affairs, it’s the final straw, shattering whatever illusions they’ve created about their relationship and leaving them separated. Heartbroken about their separation, a stroke of luck leads Nina to impersonate James’s chatty travel agent on the phone, and he’s soon pouring his heart out and unwittingly falling for his wife all over again as they discuss the uncertainty of love and the eternal misunderstanding between men and women.”

11/1/13- A really poor review in today’s NY Times. I’ve seen one other professional review and it was good. Audiences have liked it very much. TRDB.

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OPENED ON FRIDAY, JAN. 10 IN ADDITION TO THE MOVIES I WROTE ABOUT ON JAN. 9-

Some of the movies opening today got miserable reviews so I’m just going to list those without a review–

1) DUMBELLS

2) COLD COMES THE NIGHT

3) DIVORCE CORP.

4) CHANDER PAHAR

5) THE GROUNDED

6) THE SUSPECT

7) RAZE

8) TRUTH

9) THE TRUTH ABOUT EMANUEL

THE FOLLOWING MOVIES FARED BETTER-

1) HAMLET-2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This retelling of the classic strips it to its core story of murder and betrayal and centers it over one night in a post-World War II London hotel room. The result remains true to the original while adding provocative new dimensions.”

1/10/14- Poor review in today’s NY Times and from everybody else as well. TRDB.

2) LOVES HER GUN- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Allie is attacked in New York, she picks up and moves to Austin. Paranoid and still haunted by the incident, she immerses herself in the city’s gun culture as a way to feel less vulnerable.”

1/10/14- A good review from the NY Times in today’s issue. Most other critics have liked it also. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST FRIDAY, JAN. 17, IN ADDITION TO THE MOVIES I WROTE ABOUT ON   JAN. 9-

1) GENERATION WAR- (Opened Jan. 15) 2013. Synopsis by IMDB. “Berlin, 1941. Five friends eager to become heroes in an adventure that will change the face of Europe – and that will forever change them as well.1/15/14- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) WHEN I SAW YOU- (Opened Jan. 15) 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Displaced to a Jordanian refugee camp with his mother in the wake of the Six-Day War, a restless 11-year-old Palestinian has trouble adjusting. Yearning to reunite with his missing father, the headstrong boy sets out on a life-changing journey.”

1/15/14-A very good  review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Ryota (Masaharu Fukuyama) is a successful Tokyo architect who works long hours to provide for his wife, Midori (Machiko Ono) and six-year-old son, Keita. But when a blood test reveals Keita and another baby were switched at birth, two very different families are thrown together and forced to make a difficult decision while Ryota confronts his own issues of responsibility and what it means to be a father. LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON extends the Japanese cinema tradition of familial exploration to deliver a gentle and moving story of personal redemption that playfully navigates its way through the drama.”

1/17/14- An excellent review in today’s NY Times and from others as well. TRDB.

4) BAND OF SISTERS- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This inspiring documentary illustrates the turbulent journey of Catholic nuns in the U.S. following Vatican II in the early 1960s, when they began to leave behind their sheltered lives and become vocal advocates for social justice and civil rights.”

1/17/14- The NY Times gave this a fair at best review. Audiences have liked it. TRDB.

5) WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME TOMORROW?- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In this madcap and lighthearted comedic romp, introverted optometrist Weichung begins to question his marriage with his wife Feng, upon learning of her desire to have another baby. At his sister’s engagement party, Weichung bumps into an old friend, Stephen, a wedding photographer who, though also married, is living the high life of a younger, single gay man. When Stephen teases Weichung for his newly straight-laced lifestyle, dormant emotions are awakened in Weichung, setting him off on a quest for true romance and desire.”

9/13/13- This movie showed at the Martha’s Vineyard Int. Film Festival and has received some good early reviews. TRDB.

1/17/14- An OK review in today’s NY Times- mixed reviews from others. TRDB.

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OPENING THIS WEEK- JAN. 24-

1) GIMME SHELTER- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “After running away from her abusive mother, streetwise teen Apple locates her father, who’s never been part of her life, but he rejects her when he learns that she’s pregnant. Desperate and alone, Apple seeks help from a compassionate priest.”1/6/14- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

1) THE SELFISH GIANT- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Two teenage boys band together to steal copper wire from power stations and railway lines to sell to a local scrap dealer in this dour drama. Their friendship sours when Kitten, the scrap dealer, begins to favor one of the boys over the other.”12/20/13- Very good reviews. TRDB.

1/5/14- This movie got very good reviews but frankly I just can’t understand it. One negative reviewer said that she checked her watch several times and that about says it for me. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

2) 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.

_____________________________________________________________________

COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW-

1) FRUITVALE STATION- I liked this one very much

2) LEE DANIELS: THE BUTLER- Good reviews but I didn’t really like it

3) THE SPECTACULAR NOW- I enjoyed this one

REPEATS-

1) 20 FEET FROM STARDOM- Good reviews

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-

NEW-

1) THE INVISIBLE WOMAN- Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

2) THE PAST (LE PASSE)- Jacob Burns, Clearview 100.  2013. Synopsis by Netflix. When Iranian Ahmad returns to France after a four-year separation from his French wife, Marie, he discovers that she now has a boyfriend — and that behind her difficult relationship with their daughter lies a secret from the past.”

12/3/13- Very good reviews. TRDB.

12/20/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) 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.

2) 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.

3) AMERICAN HUSTLE- Bethel, 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.,

4)  AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury.  2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When their father disappears, three strong-willed women return to their childhood home and to their equally strong-willed mother. As they search for their patriarch, the dysfunctional family members wind up facing difficult truths about themselves.”

12/3/13- Mixed reviews but more positive than negative. TRDB.

12/27/13- The NY Times gave this movie a poor review in today’s issue. TRDB.

5)  PHILOMENA- 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.

6)  NEBRASKA- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100, 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.

7) 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.

8)  DALLAS BUYERS CLUB-  Danbury, 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.

9) HER- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 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.

10) 12 YEARS A SLAVE– Saw Mill Hawthorne , Danbury. 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.

11) GRAVITY- Danbury. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “As a medical engineer on her first shuttle mission embarks on a space walk with a seasoned astronaut, debris strikes their craft and destroys it — leaving the two floating through space tethered together, with no connection to Earth.”

10/2/13- Very good reviews and this film has been well received at festivals  too. TRDB.

10/4/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

10/11/13- Kind of a weak story but the special effects are definitely worth the price of admission. 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

JANUARY 9, 2013

DEAR FRIENDS:

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

THIS ISSUE WILL CONTAIN INFORMATION FOR 2 WEEKS WHENEVER POSSIBLE.

THE NEXT ISSUE WILL BE SENT ON OR ABOUT JAN. 23-

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

____________________________________________________________________)

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) THE SELFISH GIANT- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Two teenage boys band together to steal copper wire from power stations and railway lines to sell to a local scrap dealer in this dour drama. Their friendship sours when Kitten, the scrap dealer, begins to favor one of the boys over the other.”12/20/13- Very good reviews. TRDB.

1/5/14- This movie got very good reviews but frankly I just can’t understand it. One negative reviewer said that she checked her watch several times and that about says it for me. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JAN. 14-

1) LEE DANIELS’ THE BUTLER- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Oscar-winner Forest Whitaker delivers a powerful performance as Cecil Gaines, who served as the White House butler under eight presidents. His three decades of service unfold against a backdrop of unparalleled change in American history.”8/6/13- Very good reviews. TRDB.

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

8/25/13- Although I did enjoy parts of this movie, I was disappointed with the film as a whole. I thought it was a lackluster story about the butler used as a vehicle for a very powerful piece of history and it just didn’t seem to fit for me. The acting carried the movie. TRDB.

2) FRUITVALE STATION- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This dramatic rendering of a real-life tragedy recounts the final hours of Oscar Grant, shot by San Francisco transit police on New Year’s Day, 2009. In portraying the energy Oscar brought to life, the film mourns the tragic loss of a unique soul.”

6/27/13- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

7/12-13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

8/4/13- An excellent movie with great acting from a true story a few years ago. My only objection was some difficulty understanding the conversation at times. TRDB.

3) 20 FEET FROM STARDOM- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Get a behind-the-scenes look at the world of backup vocalists in this documentary that weaves interviews with legendary singers like Bruce Springsteen and Bette Midler with the comments of those whose voices support them.”

6/5/13- A few early reviews for this documentary, some positive and some negative. TRDB.

6/14/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) CAFE DE FLORE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Two dramatic narratives weave together in a meditation on human love. Set decades apart in Paris and in Montreal, the two stories share subtle yet profound links through their characters — a mother and son, and a divorced couple.”

Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

A mixed review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5) TERRAFERMA- About a man who saves a group of men, women and children who come to Italy illegally by sea. I saw this at the Palm Springs Film Festival 2 years ago, in 2012, and liked it very much. TRDB.

6) BLUE CAPRICE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In their lead-up to the infamous 2002 Beltway sniper attacks, John Muhammad and Lee Malvo embark on a nationwide trip, forming a deadly bond along the way that distorts the definition of a father-son relationship.”

9/13/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times and from most other critics as well. TRDB.

7) A.C.O.D.- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “After enduring decades of conflict between his divorced parents, Carter tries to end the hostilities on the eve of his brother’s marriage. Instead, he ends up making surprising discoveries about his past that only increase the tumult.”

10/4/13- Poor review in today’s NY Times. Other critics are evenly divided. TRDB.

8) BIG SUR- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the wake of his literary success, Beat writer Jack Kerouac retreats to a small cabin in California’s Big Sur to try and sort out his life. When isolation leads him to take a break in San Francisco, he’s soon involved with his buddy’s mistress.”

11/1/13- Today’s NY Times gave this a good review but most other critics said it was pretty bad. TRDB.

9) THE SPECTACULAR NOW- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When high school loner Aimee Finicky finds her classmate Sutter Keely passed-out drunk on a lawn, it marks the start of an unlikely friendship. After deciding to help Aimee raise her social confidence, Sutter finds himself falling for his creation.”

7/15/13- Very good early reviews. TRDB.

8/2/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

I saw this movie and liked it. TRDB.

10) SHORT TERM 12- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Grace, a compassionate young supervisor at a foster care facility, works with her boyfriend and colleague, Mason, to help at-risk teens. But when a new charge dredges up memories of her own troubled past, Grace’s tough exterior begins eroding.”

8/23/13- An excellent review from most critics and the NY Times liked it as well. TRDB.

9/15/13- I liked this movie very much. Great acting and a very touching story. TRDB.

11) PRISONERS- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When his 6-year-old daughter is abducted and the investigation stalls, carpenter Keller Dover tracks down the culprit himself. But his vigilante action pits him against the case’s lead detective and puts his own sanity at risk.”

9/4/13- Very good reviews for this suspense drama. TRDB .

9/20/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

12) A SINGLE SHOT- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “After accidentally shooting a young woman, hunter John Moon panics and tries to hide the body in a cave. Stumbling onto a huge stash of cash there, he decides to keep it — and soon finds himself being hunted by backwater outlaws and redneck bullies.”

9/4/13- I’ve seen 3 reviews– all positive. TRDB.

9/20/13- A poor review in today’s NY Times and only fair ones in general.  TRDB.

13) OUR NIXON- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Nixon himself wasn’t the only one obsessively recording his presidency; three of his top aides were filming it, too, with Super 8 cameras. These home movies –from H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman and Dwight Chapin — form the basis of this portrait.”

8/14/13- Some very good early reviews. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUES. JAN. 21-

1) BLUE JASMINE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “The high life leads to high anxiety for a fashionable New York City homemaker in crisis who finds herself forced to live a more modest lifestyle in San Francisco. Woody Allen directs an ensemble cast that includes Cate Blanchett and Alec Baldwin.”

7/26/13- A great review in today’s NY Times and excellent reviews all around. TRDB.

8/7/13- Woody is as creative as ever as he constructs another story that most audiences can relate to. Cate Blanchett’s acting was great and I liked the movie. After the rave reviews I was a little disappointed. TRDB.

2) SUNLIGHT JR.- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Hard times befall an already struggling convenience-store clerk and her paraplegic boyfriend when they’re evicted from the seedy motel they call home, and she loses the job that barely supports them.”

11/15/13- Very good reviews in general but the NY Times review today was barely OK and said that the actors were not convincing. TRDB.

11/21/13- I enjoyed this movie very much as it presented a very realistic picture of what it’s like to be poor with little hope of improvement. I was rooting for the couple. TRDB.

3) THE PREY- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This thriller follows the ups and downs of thief Franck Adrien, who’s serving prison time for a job whose proceeds he’s safely stashed away. But when the hidden loot and his family are compromised, Franck has no choice but to bust out early.”

6/7/13- With some initial disclaimers, the NY Times gave this a good review. Mixed reviews elsewhere.  TRDB.

4) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this exciting adventure based on true events that made international headlines, Tom Hanks portrays Capt. Richard Phillips, who is taken hostage by Somali pirates after they hijack his cargo ship, and the U.S. Navy’s efforts to rescue him.”

10/11/13- This movie, starring Tom Hanks as Captain Phillips, has received excellent reviews but one critic said that it was a Hollywood style “A Hijacking”, a movie that I saw a few months ago that had a similar theme and was excellent. The NY Times liked it also. TRDB.

10/11/13- The movie was well done and helped along by the knowledge that it was taken from a true story. Tom Hanks did his usual good job. I enjoyed the last 15min. the most. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST FRIDAY (JAN. 3) IN ADDITION TO THE MOVIES I WROTE ABOUT ON JAN. 2-

1) IN NO GREAT HURRY: 13 LESSONS IN LIFE WITH SAUL LEITER- 2013.Once part of a renaissance in art photography, Saul Leiter chose to avoid the limelight in later years while continuing to take pictures. This affectionate documentary captures the reticent octogenarian living amid piles of his work.”1/5/14- Mixed critical review and audiences have not cared for this documentary. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

OPENING THIS WEEK (JAN. 10)-

1) FREE RIDE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Growing up with full exposure to her mom’s drug-smuggling activities, 7-year-old Shell willingly helps out with business despite the obvious perils. Once the operation attracts the attention of the law, though, Shell begins worrying about her future.”1/5/14- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

2) IF YOU  BUILD IT-  2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Hoping to renew the economic health of a rural North Carolina town, a designer and architect together create a new kind of high school design class. This documentary records their unique approach to the art of design and the positive results.”

1/5/14- Only 1 review so far and it’s very good. TRDB.

3) IN BLOOM- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In post-Soviet Georgia, teen pals Eka and Natia live with their families in decaying high-rises and a social landscape rife with crime and despair. Sticking together in this bleak world, the girls use their nascent sexuality to gain the upper hand.”

1/5/14- No reviews as yet but this sounds interesting. TRDB.

4) THE ROCKET- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Determined to disprove the common belief that he brings bad luck to everyone around him, outcast Laotian boy Ahlo builds a giant rocket with the intention of participating in the lucrative but dangerous competition at a rocket festival.”

1/5/14- Universally great reviews. TRDB.

5) A SONG FOR YOU- 2013. Synopsis by IMDB. “”A song for you” tells a story of defiance, courage, creativity and love. Processing her family history, filmmaker Sharon Karp weaves interviews with her mother, fragments of a book her father wrote, photographs, documents and historical footage. In 1943 the Karp family escaped the Nazis by crossing the Pyrenees on foot with the help of the French Resistance. Now the filmmaker and her sisters retrace the escape route, trying to separate history from present day reality. The impact of the Holocaust on the daughters is revealed. The film provides an uplifting message while raising questions of responsibility in our choices. ‘A Song for You’ underscores the bravery of the righteous ones who risked their own lives to save the family.”

1/5/14- I couldn’t find any reviews at this time. TRDB.

6) IN NO GREAT HURRY: 13 LESSONS IN LIFE WITH SAUL LEITER- 2013.Once part of a renaissance in art photography, Saul Leiter chose to avoid the limelight in later years while continuing to take pictures. This affectionate documentary captures the reticent octogenarian living amid piles of his work.”

1/5/14- Mixed critical review but audiences have not cared for this documentary. TRDB.

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OPENING ON JAN. 17-

1) GLORIA- 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.”1/5/14- Great reviews. TRDB.

2) LIFE OF A KING- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “After serving an 18-year prison sentence, Eugene Brown resolves to remake his life and gets a job as detention monitor at a local high school. In an effort to raise the goals of the malcontents he deals with, Eugene founds the Big Chair Chess Club.”

1/5/14- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

3) MAIDENTRIP- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Critics called her delusional. Child welfare agents tried to intervene. But Laura Dekker would not be denied her shot at sailing round the world. This documentary captures the 14-year-old’s solo feat through footage she shot on her two-year voyage.”

1/5/14- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-Jan.10–Jan. 16-

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) FAUST- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “The legendary German tale is transplanted to the 19th century, where the title character — a thinker and iconoclast — makes a deal with the devil and trades away his soul for limitless scientific knowledge.”11/15/13- Fairly good reviews in general and a very good one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW- NONE

REPEATS-

1) ADORE- Fair at best reviews

2) BASTARDS- Mixed reviews

3) BEFORE MIDNIGHT- Great movie

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When their father disappears, three strong-willed women return to their childhood home and to their equally strong-willed mother. As they search for their patriarch, the dysfunctional family members wind up facing difficult truths about themselves.”12/3/13- Mixed reviews but more positive than negative. TRDB.

12/27/13- The NY Times gave this movie a poor review in today’s issue. TRDB.

2) HER- Saw Mill Hawthorne. Danbury. 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.

REPEATS-

1) ) INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

2)  PHILOMENA- Jacob Burns, 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)  NEBRASKA- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, 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.

4) AMERICAN HUSTLE- Bethel, 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.

5) THE WOLF OF WALL STREET- Bethel, 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.

6)  DALLAS BUYERS CLUB-  Clearview 100. 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.

7) THE BOOK THIEF-   Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Young Liesel steals books to teach herself to read, giving her refuge from the horrors of Nazi Germany and her cold foster parents. When not reading, she forms a bond with the Jewish man her adoptive family is hiding in their home.”

11/8/13- A really bad review in today’s NY Times and from most 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

DECEMBER 19, 2014

DEAR FRIENDS:

This is the first Newsletter from Florida this winter. It’s been 2 weeks since the last one and so this issue will include some information from the last couple of weeks as well as material for the next 2 weeks whenever possible.

The next issue will be on or about Jan. 2, 2014.

Still having some computer issues so please let me know if you’re having any difficulty reading this issue either by email or on-line.

You can access this Newsletter and old reviews at www.thereeldrbob.com

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) WEST OF MEMPHIS- Netflix

2) THE GIRL- Netflix

3) THE PRIME MINISTERS: THE PIONEERS- At the Theater

4) INFORMANT- Netflix

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) THE PRIME MINISTERS: THE PIONEERS- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Discover the legacy of two of Israel’s early prime ministers, Levi Eshkol and Golda Meir, as seen through the eyes of adviser and author Yehuda Avner. Leonard Nimoy, Sandra Bullock and other stars voice this film from the Simon Wiesenthal Center.”10/18/13- Early reviews are mostly negative. The NY Times liked it. I’m sure I’ll see this one regardless of the reviews. TRDB.

12/11/13- Despite the poor reviews I enjoyed this movie very much. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) WEST OF MEMPHIS– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After the 1994 conviction of three troubled teens for the murders of three younger boys, questions began to arise about the prosecution of the case, with numerous legal experts and celebrities demanding that previously ignored evidence be examined.”Excellent reviews. TRDB.

12/6/13- An extremely well done documentary that held my interest despite its two and a half hour length. It should be required viewing for all lawyers. TRDB.

2) THE GIRL- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “While transporting illegal immigrants across the Texas border, a cash-strapped single mother finds herself caring for a young Mexican girl. Along the way, she’s forced to reexamine her life with a critical eye.”

12/14/12- Fair reviews in today’s NY Times and by other professional critics as well. Audiences have not liked this film. TRDB.

12/6/13- Weak reviews but I found it interesting and I got into the story. TRDB.

2) INFORMANT- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “What turned Brandon Darby from an outspoken radical to a right-wing FBI informant in only three years? This doc gets the story from the man himself. Darby explains the shift in his allegiances that made him one of activism’s most maligned figures.”

9/13/13- Excellent reviews all around with a somewhat weaker review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

12/16/13- A very well done and informative documentary about Brandon Darby leaving us with many questions about his motivation in changing sides. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, DEC. 24 AND DEC. 31-

DEC. 24-

1) MORE THAN HONEY- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Already hailed as a definitive work on the subject, this comprehensive documentary examines the disappearance of honeybee populations worldwide. Cutting-edge filmmaking illustrates the causes and consequences of this alarming phenomenon.”6/5/13- Early reviews are good  for this documentary. TRDB.

6/12/13- The review in today’s NY Times called this movie fascination but rambling. TRDB.

2) CAESAR MUST DIE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Brothers Paolo and Vittorio Taviani take their cameras inside Rome’s Rebbibia Prison as its inmates stage a production of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. The film reveals the Bard’s power to enlighten as the men connect the play to their own lives.”

2/6/13- Good reviews in general and in today’s NY Times as well. TRDB.

3) UNA NOCHE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After Cuban teenager Raul is accused of assault, he and his best friend decide to flee the country and make the 90-mile journey to the United States. Elio’s twin sister — whom he is reluctant to leave behind — narrates their harrowing story.”

8/23/13- An excellent review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

9/11/13- I liked this movie that was about coming of age in the setting of Havana, Cuba but instead of rebelling against their parents they are rebelling against the state. Excellent acting made this movie excel. TRDB.

4) JOBS- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Ashton Kutcher delivers a tour de force performance as Apple founder Steve Jobs in this biopic that spans three decades of the entrepreneur’s life. The story follows Jobs from the obscurity of a Palo Alto garage to global fame as a technology icon.”

8/6/13- Early reviews are weak. TRDB.

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

DEC. 31-

1) CBGB- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Renewing the legend of one of New York’s most storied nightclubs, this raucous drama features the punk and rock legends who made CBGB famous. While the club’s owner had hoped to open CBGB as a country venue, it soon became something quite different.”

10/11/13- Poor reviews from nearly all critics including the NY Times. TRDB.

2) LOVE, MARILYN- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “A diverse group of actresses read from Marilyn Monroe’s recently discovered diaries and personal papers in this intimate portrait that examines the luminous star’s life and legend through her own words.”

11/30/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times but weak critical review so far. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

OPENED ON FRIDAY DEC. 6 AND FRIDAY DEC. 13 IN ADDITION TO THE MOVIES I WROTE ABOUT ON DEC. 5–

DEC. 6-

1) INSIDE LLEYN DAVIS- 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.

2) ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE EVENING- 2013. About NY City musicians cut down by AIDS.

12/6/13- An OK review from the NY Times today and a few other critics have liked it as well. TRDB.

3) COMMITMENT- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “To free his sister from a labor camp, 19-year-old Myung-hoon takes on a spying mission for North Korean authorities, posing as a defector. But while living a secret life in South Korea, Myung-hoon becomes a target of his own government.”

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

4) IMPLANTED- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “After undergoing a mysterious medical procedure that he remembers nothing about, Ethan can’t grasp what’s real and what isn’t in this sci-fi drama. As he tries to piece together his memories, his friends and family are hiding details about his past.”

12/6/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times. Other critics are negative too but audiences have liked it very much. TRDB.

5) KHUMBA- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Rejected by his superstitious herd, a half-striped zebra embarks on a daring quest to earn his stripes but finds the courage and self-acceptance to save all the animals of the Great Karoo.”

12/6/13- A surprisingly good review for this animated movie. TRDB.

6) LENNY COOKE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Lenny Cooke was America’s top-ranked high school basketball player in 2001, but surprisingly, no team picked him up in the NBA draft. This documentary captures the story of a promising young player who never fulfilled his destiny.”

12/6/13- Very good reviews in general but the NY Times gave it a poor review. TRDB.

7) S#X ACTS– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “New at her Tel Aviv school, insecure 17-year-old Gili hooks up with the coolest guy in an effort to become popular. But after he passes her on to a friend, she winds up in a series of increasingly sexually exploitative situations.”

9/28/13– A good rating on IMDB but I can’t find any individual reviews at this time. TRDB.

12/6/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times. Other reviews have been mixed, more positive than negative. TRDB

8) SWERVE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This Australian outback thriller brings together the classic film noir ingredients when a man’s cross-country drive is diverted by car trouble. Soon after, he witnesses a spectacular car crash that includes one survivor and a money-stuffed suitcase.”

12/6/13- Poor reviews in general and from the NY Times today. TRDB.

9) TWICE BORN- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Summoned by a longtime friend, a middle-aged woman returns to Bosnia with her teenage son, who was conceived amid the tumult of the 1990s Balkan wars. But the visit soon sparks a torrent of memories that force her to confront painful truths.”

12/6/13- Weak reviews all around, including the review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

10) NIGHT TRAIN TO LISBON- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Raimund Gregorius, a classics professor in Switzerland, embarks on a quest to uncover the truth about the life and death of charismatic Portuguese poet Amadeu de Prado, whose life in the 1970s was dedicated to overthrowing Salazar’s dictatorship.”

12/6/13- Weak reviews all over including the review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

11) WHITE RAINDEER- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This downbeat Christmas comedy follows the ordeal of property agent Suzanne, whose husband Jeff is killed just as her favorite holiday approaches. On learning that Jeff was having an affair before his demise, Suzanne seeks out his ex-lover, Fantasia.”

12/6/13– Good reviews. TRDB.

12) REVOLUTION- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Continuing his adventurous journey around the world, filmmaker Rob Stewart brings us Revolution, a full length feature film that is inspiring humans to change the world and save our planet. Along with world renowned experts, he learns that past evolutions can help solve some of our current and future environmental problems. Startling, beautiful, and provocative, Revolution has already won awards at international film festivals and shows us that we can make a difference.”

12/6/13- Good reviews. TRDB.

13) LIVE AT THE FOXES DEN- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Disillusioned lawyer Bobby seeks to shake off a bad day at the Foxes Den, an old-school lounge, and immediately feels at home. He soon quits his job and starts singing nightly at the Den, whose welcoming clientele happen to need some legal advice.”

12/6/13- Critics have not liked this movie including the review in today’s NY Times. Audiences, however, have liked it very much.

DEC. 13-

1) AMERICAN HUSTLE- 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.

2) BEATOCELLO’S UMBRELLA- 2013. Synopsis  by Netflix. “For 40 years, Swiss pediatrician and cellist Beat Richner has lifted spirits through music — and his comic alter ego, Beatocello. But he’s also devoted decades to building children’s hospitals in Cambodia and saving thousands of lives.

12/13/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. I’ve seen just 1 other review and it’s good also. TRDB.

3) FRIEND 2: THE LEGACY- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The long-awaited sequel to Korea’s cultural phenomenon of 2001, Friend 2: The Legacy opens with LEE Joon-seok (YOO Oh-seong) preparing to complete his 17-year prison sentence for ordering the hit on his best friend turned rival gang boss. Joon-seok still has the affection of the crime boss and is the rightful heir, but must face the reality that the intervening period has significantly eroded his mentor’s health and power as well as his own standing.”

12/13/13- Weak reviews in general but an OK one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) LIV AND INGMAR- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary chronicles the collaboration of Swedish director Ingmar Bergman and actress Liv Ullmann, who made 12 films together over 42 years. The film weaves behind-the-scenes footage, film clips, and excerpts from letters and memoirs.”

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

5)  SAVING MR. BANKS- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Walt Disney sets his sights on obtaining the rights to the children’s classic “Mary Poppins,” he reaches out to the book’s author, P.L. Travers, only to find that she proves a tough nut to crack.”

12/13/13- Good reviews all around including the review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

6) SOME VELVET MORNING- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Pretty young Velvet is amazed when her ex-lover Fred shows up unannounced at her New York home with his suitcases, eager to rekindle their romance. What follows is a long emotional dialogue between the two, as Fred’s hopes are thoroughly dashed.”

12/13/13- Mixed reviews from critics but audiences have liked it. The NY Times did not care for it. TRDB.

7) WHAT’S IN A NAME?- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Vincent and Elizabeth join her brother, his wife and a friend for dinner, and the impending birth of their child is the topic of the evening. Their shared warmth dissolves when Vincent reveals the hideous name he’s chosen for his first offspring.”

12/13/13- Good reviews including the one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

8) TRICKED- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This in-depth documentary examines all sides of America’s sex-trafficking trade, which destroys lives as it generates $3 billion a year. Prostitutes (both voluntary and forced), law enforcement, pimps, and johns discuss the enterprise and its impact.”

12/13/13- The NY Times liked this film but other reviews are mixed. TRDB.

9) THE UNBELIEVERS- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Richard Dawkins and Lawrence Krauss — the dynamic duo of science — travel the globe seeking to promote a scientific worldview and the rational questioning of religious belief, with celebrities, professors and ordinary folks supporting their work.”

12/13/13- Poor critical review from most professionals including the NY Times. Audiences have liked it very much. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

OPENING THIS WEEK (DEC. 20)-

1) THE PAST (LE PASSE)- 2013. When Iranian Ahmad returns to France after a four-year separation from his French wife, Marie, he discovers that she now has a boyfriend — and that behind her difficult relationship with their daughter lies a secret from the past.”12/3/13- Very good reviews. TRDB.

2) THE INVISIBLE WOMAN- 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.

3) NUCLEAR NATION- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This harrowing documentary centers on refugees from Futaba, ground zero for the Fukushima nuclear disaster of March 2011. Three stories unfold against a backdrop of government indifference and a history of local exploitation.”

12/11/13- Good review from everyone including the review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) HER- 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.

OPENING NEXT WEEK (DEC. 27)-

1) THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this remake of the 1947 classic comedy, shy photo manager Walter Mitty is constantly daydreaming to escape his humdrum life and domineering mother, but when he gets embroiled in a real-life adventure, he discovers that being a hero is tough work.”

12/15/13- Weak reviews from most critics. TRDB.

2) THE WOLF OF WALL STREET- 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.”

12/15/13- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

3) ONE CHANCE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “From shop worker to worldwide phenomena, this film tells the story of Paul Potts, who shot to stardom on his vocal talents in “Britain’s Got Talent.” James Cordon stars as the shy singer Simon Cowell brought to the public’s attention.”

12/15/13- Good reviews. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

1) AT BERKELEY- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Documentarian Frederick Wiseman turns his cameras on one of America’s best-known schools to expose tensions over rising tuition and slashed budgets. University leaders discuss the crisis as the film captures protests and the effects of cutbacks.”11/3/13- Excellent reviews for this documentary that is over 4 hours. TRDB.

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

2) ROLLING STONES: SWEET SUMMER SUN- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Captured live in the summer of 2013, the Rolling Stones historic and triumphant return to Hyde Park was without doubt the event of the summer. Over 100,000 fans of all ages packed into the park for two spectacular outdoor concerts to watch Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood do what they do best.”

12/18/13- I found just one critical review and it was good. Audiences have liked it. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW-

1) BASTARDS- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Family troubles bring tanker captain Marco Silvestri back to Paris: His sister’s husband has killed himself, and the family company is bankrupt. Holding sleazy tycoon Edouard Laporte responsible for their ruin, Marco devises a plan for vengeance.”9/28/13- An OK rating on IMDB and mixed reviews in general. The NY Times liked it. TRDB.

2) HOURS- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “After Nolan’s wife dies in childbirth during Hurricane Katrina, his newborn daughter is placed on a ventilator. When the hospital is evacuated, he stays with her, desperate to keep her alive as the storm rages around them.”12/13/13- Mixed reviews in general but the NY Times liked it. TRDB.

3) SOME VELVET MORNING- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Pretty young Velvet is amazed when her ex-lover Fred shows up unannounced at her New York home with his suitcases, eager to rekindle their romance. What follows is a long emotional dialogue between the two, as Fred’s hopes are thoroughly dashed.”12/13/13- Mixed reviews from critics but audiences have liked it. The NY Times did not care for it. TRDB.

REPEATS-

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) SAVING MR. BANKS- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Walt Disney sets his sights on obtaining the rights to the children’s classic “Mary Poppins,” he reaches out to the book’s author, P.L. Travers, only to find that she proves a tough nut to crack.”12/13/13- Good reviews all around including the review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) AMERICAN HUSTLE- Bethel, 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.

REPEATS-

1) NEBRASKA– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, 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.

2) PHILOMENA- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, 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)  DALLAS BUYERS CLUB-  Clearview 100. 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.

4) ) 12 YEARS A SLAVE- Clearview 100. 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.

5) THE BOOK THIEF-   Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Young Liesel steals books to teach herself to read, giving her refuge from the horrors of Nazi Germany and her cold foster parents. When not reading, she forms a bond with the Jewish man her adoptive family is hiding in their home.”

11/8/13- A really bad review in today’s NY Times and from most critics as well. TRDB.

6) INSIDE LLEYN DAVIS- Jacob Burns, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

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

DECEMBER 5, 2013

DEAR FRIENDS:

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THIS IS THE LAST ISSUE FROM NY FOR A WHILE AND FOR THE NEXT 4 MONTHS I WILL BE WRITING FROM FLORIDA.

MY COMPUTER WILL BE DIFFERENT AND THE PRINT AND LAYOUT WILL PROBABLY LOOK DIFFERENT AS WELL.

ALSO, ISSUES MAY NOT BE WEEKLY.

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

THIS HAS BEEN A VERY SLOW MOVIE WEEK FOR ME AS THE GRANDCHILDREN WERE HERE. WELL WORTH IT!!

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) PHILOMENA– At the Theater

2) NEBRASKA- At the Theater

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) PHILOMENA- 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 movie. TRDB.

2) NEBRASKA- 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.

12/4/13- Basically I enjoy almost every road movie I see and this was no exception. An interesting story about families. Dern was great. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) THE WAY WAY BACK- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A stifled teen finds his voice with encouragement from the manager of a local water park, where he takes a summer job to escape his unbearable home life with his mom and her overbearing boyfriend.”7/5/13- Uniformly good reviews but just an OK one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

12/3/13- The worst!! TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, DEC. 10 AND ALSO TUESDAY, DEC. 17

DEC. 10-

1) 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.

2) YOU AIN’T SEEN NOTHIN’ YET – 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Upon the death of a celebrated playwright, his actor friends gather to view a recording of his play in which they’ve all appeared over the years. As they watch, memories take them back to their stage roles, and each reflects on life, love and death.”

_____________________________________________________________________

OPENED LAST FRIDAY, NOV. 29, IN ADDITION TO THE MOVIES I WROTE ABOUT ON NOV. 28-

1) PAD YATRA– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Hoping to preserve the fragile environment surrounding the world’s highest mountain range, 700 trekkers cross the Himalayas to spread their message. As part of the mission, the group also collects and packs out hundreds of pounds of litter.”11/29/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times for this documentary. Other reviews have been mixed. TRDB.

2) SHORED UP–  2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary spotlights the imminent disappearance of shorelines — and shoreside communities — amid global climate change. The film follows efforts to bolster towns in New Jersey and North Carolina, and reveals the roadblocks against change.”11/29/13- A good review in today’s NY Times and from others as well. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

OPENING THIS WEEK (DEC. 6)-

1) CAUGHT IN THE WEB– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Reeling from a cancer diagnosis, Lanqiu inadvertently slights a fellow subway passenger, an act that’s caught on another rider’s camera phone. Facing her illness and overnight national notoriety, Lanqiu will discover that fate cuts both ways.”

An article about this movie and it’s director in the NY Times Arts and Leisure section on Sunday, 9/16/12. TRDB.

11/21/13- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

OPENING NEXT WEEK (DEC. 13)-

1) THE CRASH REEL– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Two childhood friends become snowboard legends in this documentary about Shaun White and Kevin Pearce that incorporates 15 years of film footage. While Pearce recovers from a nearly fatal crash, White wins gold at the Vancouver Winter Olympics.11/21/13- Great reviews. TRDB.

2) HOURS- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “After Nolan’s wife dies in childbirth during Hurricane Katrina, his newborn daughter is placed on a ventilator. When the hospital is evacuated, he stays with her, desperate to keep her alive as the storm rages around them.”

11/21/13- I’ve seen just 1 review and it’s bad. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

DEC. 6-

1) BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR-2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Determined to fall in love, 15-year-old Adele focuses on Thomas. But it’s a blue-haired girl she meets on the street who really piques her interest. Soon, Adele begins exploring her desire for girls as she negotiates her way to becoming a woman.”Rotten Tomatoes had this to say– “A 15-year-old girl finds her naïve perceptions of human sexuality challenged upon meeting a blue-haired girl who encourages her to assert her individuality in director Abdel Kechiche’s deeply perceptive drama. The recipient of the prestigious Palme d’ Or at the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival, Blue is the Warmest Color stars Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux.”

9/28/13- Excellent reviews although A.O. Scott from the NY Times wrote a negative review after this film won at Cannes. TRDB.

11/2/13- Great acting by the two lead women and a lot of graphic lesbian sex have contributed to making this movie, the winner of the Palme d’Or Award in Cannes, the most talked about movie in a long time. The story itself was very good as well and I recommend the film. TRDB.

2) BASTARDS- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Family troubles bring tanker captain Marco Silvestri back to Paris: His sister’s husband has killed himself, and the family company is bankrupt. Holding sleazy tycoon Edouard Laporte responsible for their ruin, Marco devises a plan for vengeance.”9/28/13- An OK rating on IMDB and mixed reviews in general. The NY Times liked it. TRDB.

DEC. 13-

1) BROKEN CIRCLE BREAKDOWN- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Elise is a tattoo artist and religiously devout, while Didier is an atheist banjo player in a bluegrass band, but the two fall instantly in love. Years later, when their daughter becomes ill, the crisis brings new challenges to their relationship.”11/1/13- Fairly good reviews in general but a weak one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) BETTIE PAGE REVEALS ALL– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “20th-century America’s most famous pinup girl recounts her drama-filled life, both in front of the camera and facing Senate investigators. This adoring documentary pays homage to Page’s bold willingness to model for racy fetishistic photos.”11/22/13- Very good reviews all around including the one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW-

1) JOBS- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Ashton Kutcher delivers a tour de force performance as Apple founder Steve Jobs in this biopic that spans three decades of the entrepreneur’s life. The story follows Jobs from the obscurity of a Palo Alto garage to global fame as a technology icon.”8/6/13- Early reviews are weak. TRDB.

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

2) THE PUNK SINGER- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker Sini Anderson chronicles the life of outspoken feminist musician Kathleen Hanna, including her mysterious and sudden retirement in 2005. New and vintage performance clips, spanning Hanna’s entire career, reveal her undeniable power.”11/20/13- I’ve seen 4 reviews– all very good. TRDB.

11/29/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) IS THE MAN WHO IS TALL HAPPY?- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Director Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) applies his playful imagination to animating a series of conversations with the esteemed linguist, philosopher, political commentator and activist Noam Chomsky. At the heart of these talks is Chomsky’s theory of the emergence of language. In this intellectual feast, Gondry uses drawings to make complex ideas more accessible and to expand the documentary form.”

11/22/13- Very good reviews from everybody. 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-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

REPEATS-

1) THE BOOK THIEF–  Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Young Liesel steals books to teach herself to read, giving her refuge from the horrors of Nazi Germany and her cold foster parents. When not reading, she forms a bond with the Jewish man her adoptive family is hiding in their home.”11/8/13- A really bad review in today’s NY Times and from most 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

NOVEMBER 28, 2013

DEAR FRIENDS:

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

NEXT WEEK’S EDITION WILL CONTAIN INFORMATION FOR A FEW WEEKS AS I TRANSITION TO FLORIDA FOR THE WINTER.

I WILL BE SENDING MY NEWSLETTER FROM FLORIDA BUT THE FREQUENCY WILL PROBABLY BE DIMINISHED.

ALSO, THE APPEARENCE OF THE NEWSLETTERS FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS WILL BE SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT SINCE I WILL BE USING A DIFFERENT COMPUTER.

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) SUNLIGHT JR.- Netflix

2) WHICH WAY IS THE FRONT LINE FROM HERE?- At the Theater

3) THE SQUARE– At the Theater

4) HANNAH ARENDT– Netflix

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) DALLAS BUYERS CLUB– 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.

2) WHICH WAY IS THE FRONT LINE FROM HERE? 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this moving documentary, Sebastian Junger pays tribute to Tim Hetherington, his co-director on the Oscar-nominated film Restrepo, a talented and compassionate photojournalist who was killed while covering the war in Libya in 2011.”

11/22/13- Excellent reviews by everybody. TRDB.

11/23/13- An excellent documentary about Tim Hetherington, the man who was killed doing his job as a photojournalist in Libya. Plenty of footage of war but also plenty of Hetherington speaking directly to the camera about his views of life. TRDB.

3) THE SQUARE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This intimate documentary filmed in the midst of the Egyptian revolution follows its subjects on a life-changing journey through the euphoria of victory into the uncertainties and dangers of a “transitional period” under military rule.”

10/25/13- A good review in today’s NY Times and from everyone else as well. TRDB.

11/24/13- An excellent documentary about the political changes in Egypt over the last 2 years with an emphasis on the realities involved in a popular revolution. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) SUNLIGHT JR.- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Hard times befall an already struggling convenience-store clerk and her paraplegic boyfriend when they’re evicted from the seedy motel they call home, and she loses the job that barely supports them.”11/15/13- Very good reviews in general but the NY Times review today was barely OK and said that the actors were not convincing. TRDB.

11/21/13- I enjoyed this movie very much as it presented a very realistic picture of what it’s like to be poor with little hope of improvement. I was rooting for the couple. TRDB.

2) HANNAH ARENDT– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After fleeing Nazi Germany for the United States, a Jewish-German philosopher accepts an assignment from the New Yorker to cover the trial of an infamous war criminal, resulting in an article that ignites controversy all over the world.”

8/6/13- Good reviews all over. TRDB.

11/25/13- I think that the movie gave a good description of the character and what she was about but as for the movie it felt a bit Hollywoodish and overacted. Still, I enjoyed it. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, DEC. 3-

1) SPARK: A BURNING MAN STORY– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Each year, Nevada’s Burning Man festival gathers revelers for one free-spirited weeklong party in the middle of the desert. Capturing the energy of the festivities, organizers and attendees share their passion for this renowned artistic event.”8/16/13- A few professional reviews and they are good including the one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) IL FUTURO– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “While struggling to care for her younger brother, orphaned teen Bianca sets out to secure their future by seducing a blind neighbor who’s reputedly worth a fortune. But she’s ultimately unprepared for the effect he’ll have on her life.”

9/6/13- A good review in today’s NY Times and good reviews elsewhere as well. TRDB.

3) GOOD OL’ FREDA– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Freda Kelly was just a shy Liverpudlian teenager when she was asked to work for a local band hoping to make it big: the Beatles. In Good Ol’ Freda, the band’s former secretary tells her personal stories for the first time in 50 years.”

9/13/13- Mixed reviews, mostly positive but the NY Times didn’t care for it,  saying that it was more coy than candid. TRDB.

4) OUR CHILDREN– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on a true story, this intense drama follows young Belgian Murielle, who marries Moroccan-born Mounier. As their four children arrive in rapid succession and Mounier’s intrusive guardian runs their lives, Murielle grows increasingly desperate.”

7/15/13- Early reviews are good for this movie. TRDB.

8/2/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5) DRINKING BUDDIES– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Workmates at a small Chicago brewery, Luke and Kate are romantically involved with others but also the best of friends — on and off the clock. Things get complicated, however, when the couples spend a weekend together at a lakeside retreat.”

8/23/13- An excellent review in today’s NY Times and very good ones all around. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST FRIDAY (NOV. 22) IN ADDITION TO THE MOVIES I WROTE ABOUT ON NOV. 21-

1) BETTIE PAGE REVEALS ALL– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “20th-century America’s most famous pinup girl recounts her drama-filled life, both in front of the camera and facing Senate investigators. This adoring documentary pays homage to Page’s bold willingness to model for racy fetishistic photos.”11/22/13- Very good reviews all around including the one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) COLD TURKEY- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this holiday-gone-bad yarn, Peter Bogdanovich plays the patriarch of the dysfunctional Turner clan, a blended family gathering for Thanksgiving. But with the arrival of estranged daughter Nina, long-simmering grievances and resentments surface.”

11/22/13- Awful reviews all over and in today’s NY Times as well. TRDB.

3) DETROIT UNLEADED- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a robber kills his father, Lebanese-American Sami abandons his college plans and takes over the family’s Detroit gas station. Co-managing with his ambitious cousin, Sami watches his future unfold amid a series of long days and weird customers.”

11/22/13- Good reviews in general and a very good one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) EVERYDAY– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “With her husband imprisoned on drug charges, young mother Karen tries to raise four kids alone in this documentary-style drama filmed over five years. As Karen awaits her husband’s release, the trials of everyday life test her endurance.”

11/22/13- Very good although the NY Times commented that it was difficult at times to understand the Scottish accent. TRDB.

5) HOME- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Pushing ahead in his battle with mental illness, 33-year-old Jack is ready to leave his group home and rent an apartment, despite his doctor’s doubts. But when the rent is raised and his work hours cut, Jack considers some risky options for funds.”

11/22/13- Just an OK review in today’s NY Times and it was the only review I could find. TRDB.

6) IS THE MAN WHO IS TALL HAPPY?- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Director Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) applies his playful imagination to animating a series of conversations with the esteemed linguist, philosopher, political commentator and activist Noam Chomsky. At the heart of these talks is Chomsky’s theory of the emergence of language. In this intellectual feast, Gondry uses drawings to make complex ideas more accessible and to expand the documentary form.”

11/22/13- Very good reviews from everybody. TRDB.

7) IT’S BETTER TO JUMP– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary about past and present-day Akka, a village in Northern Israel, looks at Arab families trying to hold on to their roots. All the while, the young villagers’ defiant attitude is reflected in their reckless leaps from a seaside cliff.”

11/22/13- Weak reviews in general and in today’s NY Times as well. TRDB.

8)JFK: A PRESIDENT BETRAYED- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The Kennedy Administration, the golden days of our American “Camelot”, is one of the most written about and popular periods of American history. But there is one profound and moving story still waiting to be told. JFK: A President Betrayed uncovers new evidence that reveals how President John F. Kennedy boldly reversed deeply entrenched pro-war government policy to embark on secret back-channel peace efforts with Russian President Nikita Khrushchev, Cuban dictator Fidel Castro and other “enemies” of the United States.”

11/22/13- Good reviews from nearly every critic including the NY Times in today’s edition. TRDB.

9) DIE NARDE (THE SCAR)- 2013. “Comprising a single helicopter ride that follows the entire length of the former Berlin Wall in real time, this compelling film traces the remains of a barrier that once split the city in two.”

11/22/13- Poor reviews including the one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
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OPENING THIS WEEK (11/27, 28)

1) BLACK NATIVITY– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Langston Hughes’s play is the basis for this uplifting drama about an angry teen whose single mother sends him to spend Christmas with his grandparents. Frustrated by their strictness, the youth runs away and learns about faith during his journey.”11/19/13- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

2) COUSIN JULES– 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “COUSIN JULES: a rare combination of sophisticated movie-making technique (shot in CinemaScope and recorded in stereo) and content that is a veritable ode to the beauty of rural France, the simplicity of daily peasant life, and the nearly wordless intimacy of a lifelong relationship. Recording over a 5-year period, director Benicheti palpably captures the rhythms and rituals of blacksmith Jules Guiteaux and his wife Félicie as Jules dons wooden clogs and leather apron to begin work in his shop.”11/12/13- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

3) HOMEFRONT- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When ex-DEA agent Phil Broker is widowed, he moves with his 10-year-old daughter to a small town in pursuit of a quiet life, but he finds his dream destroyed by a murderous drug trafficker, Gator, and his gang of meth-making thugs.”11/20/13- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

4) MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Golden Globe-winner Idris Elba stars as Nelson Mandela in this in-depth biopic that portrays the groundbreaking South African leader from his rural childhood through his long imprisonment to his election as the country’s first black president.”11/20/13- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

5) OLDBOY– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “After being unaccountably held captive for years, Joe Doucett is suddenly released. Now, his only mission is to hunt down and punish his captors. Aided by a young stranger, he sets about unlocking his past in this remake of a popular Korean thriller.”11/12/13- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

6) THE END OF TIME– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Human perception of time is the elusive topic of this feature-length documentary that explores its subject as real and conceptual, while advancing the idea that the clock may not be the only way to perceive, gauge and experience time.”11/20/13- I’ve seen just 2 reviews, one up and one down. TRDB.

7) THE PUNK SINGER– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker Sini Anderson chronicles the life of outspoken feminist musician Kathleen Hanna, including her mysterious and sudden retirement in 2005. New and vintage performance clips, spanning Hanna’s entire career, reveal her undeniable power.”11/20/13- I’ve seen 4 reviews– all very good. TRDB

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

1) BIG SUR– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the wake of his literary success, Beat writer Jack Kerouac retreats to a small cabin in California’s Big Sur to try and sort out his life. When isolation leads him to take a break in San Francisco, he’s soon involved with his buddy’s mistress.”11/1/13- Today’s NY Times gave this a good review but most other critics said it was pretty bad. TRDB.

2) GO FOR SISTERS– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Just out of prison, Fontanye discovers that her parole officer is Bernice, a former friend. Bernice takes it easy on Fontanye, and in turn, the ex-con promises to help find Bernice’s son Rodney, who disappeared near the Mexican border.”10/16/13- A few reviews and they are mixed. TRDB.

11/8/13- The NY Times said that this movie had good characters and poor story. TRDB.

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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

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BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) THE BOOK THIEF–  Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Young Liesel steals books to teach herself to read, giving her refuge from the horrors of Nazi Germany and her cold foster parents. When not reading, she forms a bond with the Jewish man her adoptive family is hiding in their home.”11/8/13- A really bad review in today’s NY Times and from most critics as well. TRDB.

2) PHILOMENA– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100. 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.

3) NEBRASKA– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100. 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.

4)  OLDBOY- Danbury. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “After being unaccountably held captive for years, Joe Doucett is suddenly released. Now, his only mission is to hunt down and punish his captors. Aided by a young stranger, he sets about unlocking his past in this remake of a popular Korean thriller.”

11/27/13- Weak reviews all around and in today’s NY Times as well. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) DALLAS BUYERS CLUB- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100. 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.

2) 12 YEARS A SLAVE-  Saw Mill Hawthorne, 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.

3) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS- Saw Mill Hawthorne. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this exciting adventure based on true events that made international headlines, Tom Hanks portrays Capt. Richard Phillips, who is taken hostage by Somali pirates after they hijack his cargo ship, and the U.S. Navy’s efforts to rescue him.”

10/11/13- This movie, starring Tom Hanks as Captain Phillips, has received excellent reviews but one critic said that it was a Hollywood style “A Hijacking”, a movie that I saw a few months ago that had a similar theme and was excellent. The NY Times liked it also. TRDB.

10/11/13- The movie was well done and helped along by the knowledge that it was taken from a true story. Tom Hanks did his usual good job. I enjoyed the last 15min. the most. TRDB.

4) GRAVITY- Saw Mill Hawthorne. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “As a medical engineer on her first shuttle mission embarks on a space walk with a seasoned astronaut, debris strikes their craft and destroys it — leaving the two floating through space tethered together, with no connection to Earth.”

10/2/13- Very good reviews and this film has been well received at festivals  too. TRDB.

10/4/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

10/11/13- Kind of a weak story but the special effects are definitely worth the price of admission. TRDB.

5) THE ARMSTRONG LIE- Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

6) BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR- Garden Cinema Norwalk.  2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Determined to fall in love, 15-year-old Adele focuses on Thomas. But it’s a blue-haired girl she meets on the street who really piques her interest. Soon, Adele begins exploring her desire for girls as she negotiates her way to becoming a woman.”

Rotten Tomatoes had this to say– “A 15-year-old girl finds her naïve perceptions of human sexuality challenged upon meeting a blue-haired girl who encourages her to assert her individuality in director Abdel Kechiche’s deeply perceptive drama. The recipient of the prestigious Palme d’ Or at the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival, Blue is the Warmest Color stars Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux.”

9/28/13- Excellent reviews although A.O. Scott from the NY Times wrote a negative review after this film won at Cannes. TRDB.

11/2/13- Great acting by the two lead women and a lot of graphic lesbian sex have contributed to making this movie, the winner of the Palme d’Or Award in Cannes, the most talked about movie in a long time. The story itself was very good as well and I recommend the film. 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