The Reel Dr. Bob

FILM REVIEWS #448

Add comment March 21st, 2013

FILM REVIEWS #447

Add comment March 14th, 2013

FILM REVIEWS #446- FINAL

MARCH 7, 2013
DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE LAST 3 WEEKS-

1) AMOUR- Theater
2) NATURAL SELECTION- Netflix
3) THE IMPOSTER- Netflix
4) SIDE EFFECTS- Theater
5) QUARTET- Theater
6) BARBARA- Theater

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MOVIES I SAW DURING THE LAST 3 WEEKS AT THE THEATER-

1) AMOUR- 2012. Synopsis by IMDB. “Georges and Anne are in their eighties. They are cultivated, retired music teachers. Their daughter, who is also a musician, lives abroad with her family. One day, Anne has an attack. The couple’s bond of love is severely tested.” 5/28/12- This movie won Best Picture in Cannes this year. TRDB. 2/14/13- This movie was a look into the reality of dementia and it’s toll on ALL members of the family. Well done and I liked it very much.  TRDB.

2) SIDE EFFECTS- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Emily Hawkins copes with her depression by taking large numbers of prescription medication. But when her emotions spiral out of control due to the upcoming release of her husband from prison, she turns to a new medication, with unforeseen results.” 2/8/13-Fairly good reviews in general and an OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB. 3/1/13- I saw this with my wife Jane and my friends Barbara and Ken and we all liked this mystery. TRDB.

3) QUARTET- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A trio of retired opera singers’ annual celebration of Verdi’s birthday sours when their estranged fourth member shows up but refuses to sing. Tensions rise and diva drama erupts — will personal problems prevent the show from going on?” Early reviews are very good. TRDB. 3/3/13-  A good, if somewhat predictable, movie with lots of good music to boot. TRDB.

4) BARBARA- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1980 East Germany, Barbara, a doctor, is reassigned to a small rural hospital as punishment for trying to find work in the West. Biding time until her lover can help her defect, Barbara begins to suspect that her new boss knows of her plans.” 12/21/12- Great review in today’s NT Times and elsewhere too. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW DURING THE LAST 3 WEEKS AT HOME-

1) NATURAL SELECTION- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Asked by her dying husband to locate a boy he fathered through a sperm donation decades ago, repressed housewife Linda White sets out on a wild road trip, shedding her strict morals and making an unlikely connection with her husband’s troubled son.” Very good early reviews. TRDB. 3/16/12- So-so review in today’s NY Times but it does sound interesting. TRDB. 2/16/13- A bit flimsy and definitely not a comedy as advertised, but an OK movie over all. TRDB.

2) THE IMPOSTER- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In 1994 a 13-year-old boy disappeared without a trace from his home in San Antonio, Texas. Three and a half years later he is found alive thousands of miles away in a village in southern Spain with a horrifying story of kidnap and torture. His family is overjoyed to bring him home. But all is not quite as it seems. The boy bears many of the same distinguishing marks he always did, but why does he now have a strange accent? Why does he look so different? And why doesn’t the family seem to notice these glaring inconsistencies? It’s only when an investigator starts asking questions that this strange tale takes an even stranger turn.”Excellent reviews!! TRDB. 2/24/13- An intriguing documentary done very well and I liked it very much. TRDB.

3) SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “As an asteroid hurtles toward Earth, a man whose wife has abandoned him spends the planet’s final days on a road trip to reunite with his high school sweetheart. But a lovely neighbor who tags along for the ride complicates his plans.”Fair professional reviews but good audience reaction. TRDB. 6/22/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB. 2/26/13- I found the first 25 minutes boring and ridiculous and I turned it off. TRDB.

4) LAWLESS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This true-to-life action saga profiles Virginia’s bootlegging Bondurant gang, whose exploits during the Prohibition era made them outlaw heroes. The three Bondurant brothers tussle with the law and each other as they try to survive changing times.” Mixed reviews by critics but audiences have liked this one very much. A few called it a bad gangster movie. TRDB. 2/26/13- The movie was a waste of time and I finally turned it off with very little time left. TRDB. Netflix.
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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, MARCH 12-

1) CIRQUE DU SOLEIL:  WORLDS AWAY- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This family-friendly fantasy intertwines magnificent artistic and acrobatic performances from some of Cirque du Soleil’s inventive shows — including “Ka” and “O” — to create a new story that takes viewers into a beautiful, imaginative world.” 12/21/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times. Just fair reviews in general, however. TRDB.

2) THE FLAT- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Arnon Goldfinger’s grandmother died at 98, he was charged with cleaning out her Tel Aviv apartment, where he made a shocking discovery. The filmmaker plays detective as he sorts through decades of the Holocaust survivor’s letters and photos.” 10/19/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB. 10/28/12- A well done documentary that again makes us wonder that when it comes to the Holocaust there is no end to the number of stories. TRDB.

3) THE FIRST TIME- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This romantic comedy charts the course of young love when a chance encounter between high schoolers Dave and Aubrey sends them over the moon for each other. Over the course of a weekend, the two discover the intensity of genuine emotional intimacy.” 10/19/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times but just fair reviews elsewhere. TRDB.

4) THE SESSIONS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After spending years in an iron lung, a man decides he wants to explore his sexuality for the first time, and hires a surrogate to aid the goal. Through their intensifying relationship, this indie drama illustrates the many forms love can take.”Very good early reviews. TRDB. 10/19/12- Excellent review in today’s NY Times. TRDB. 11/3/12- I found this movie alternately touching, sad, funny and very moving. TRDB.

5) CONNECTED- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Tiffany Shlain explores the visible and invisible connections linking major issues of our time — including the environment, consumption and technology — while searching for her place in the world during a transformative time in her life.” Mediocre audience reviews.

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

7) SKYFALL- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a serious menace threatens MI6, James Bond is on the case — putting aside his own life and personal issues to hunt and obliterate the perpetrators. Meanwhile, secrets arise from M’s past that strain Bond’s loyalty to his longtime boss.” Great reviews!! TRDB.

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MOVIES THAT HAVE OPENED IN ADDITION TO THOSE I WROTE ABOUT ON 2/14-

FEB. 15-

1) ALMOST IN LOVE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Two shots — each consisting of a single 40-minute take — tell the entire story in this indie tale chronicling a love triangle among New Yorkers. What starts at a sunset Staten Island barbecue ends 18 months later during a sunrise in the Hamptons.” 2/15/13- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) NO- 2012- Synopsis by Netflix. “In this engaging drama from Chile, Gael García Bernal portrays René Saavedra, a hot-shot ad executive who creates a controversial media campaign opposing military dictator Augusto Pinochet during the referendum on his presidency in 1988.” Very good reviews so far. TRDB. 2/15/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) LIKE SOMEONE IN LOVE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This meditative drama focuses on an encounter between two strangers in Tokyo: a young woman working as a call girl and a retired college professor. The two soon form a bond beyond their initial meeting, which begins to confuse the girl’s boyfriend.” 2/15/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) SAVING LINCOLN- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This real-life historical drama profiles the eventful life of U.S. Marshal Ward Hill Lamon, who served as Abraham Lincoln’s personal bodyguard. The filmmakers produce unique visual images by digitally mixing archival photos with live-action staging.” 2/15/13- A barely OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5) THE BERLIN FILE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When an illicit arms deal goes bad, North Korean spy Pyo Jong-seong finds himself targeted not just by the South Koreans but also his own bosses. After taking over North Korea’s Berlin embassy, his pursuers try using Pyo’s wife to flush him out.” 2/15/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times and from most other critics as well. TRDB.

6) SHANGHAI CALLING- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When attorney Sam Chao’s bosses send him to dreary Shanghai on a three-month assignment, it sets him steaming in this comedy about cultural biases. But once the lawyer arrives in the city, he quickly becomes immersed in romance and business turmoil.” 2/15/13- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

7) THE JEFFREY DAHMER FILES- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Stripping away the headlines and hype, this documentary spotlights the people who surrounded serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer during and after his arrest. Comments by neighbors and police create a portrait of Dahmer that’s disturbingly normal.” 2/15/13- A fairly good review for this documentary in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

FEB. 22-

1) SNITCH- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Suburban father John Matthews is hit hard when his teenage son is sentenced to 30 years in federal prison under mandatory minimum drug laws. In order to reduce his son’s sentence, John goes undercover to take down a violent drug dealer.” 2/23/13- Fair at best review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) INESCAPABLE- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “This politically charged and emotionally powerful thriller follows a successful businessman who suddenly finds his life turned upside down when his journalist daughter goes missing during her trip to his hometown of Damascus. He knows that the reason for his exile is tied to his daughter’s disappearance. His first trip home in over 30 years turns into a frantic quest to rescue his daughter while reconnecting with the love of his life.” Weak reviews all around, including the NY Times on 2/22/13. TRDB.

3) 11 FLOWERS- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This elegantly filmed drama of village life is told from the viewpoint of an 11-year-old who unexpectedly comes into contact with an accused murderer. The upheavals of China’s Cultural Revolution provide a turbulent backdrop to the boy’s adventures.” I saw just one review at it was very good. TRDB. Good review in the NY Times on 2/22/13.

4) KAI PO CHE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on Chetan Bhagat’s novel The 3 Mistakes of My Life, this Bollywood drama tells the story of three best friends who dream of starting a cricket training academy in Ahmedabad for very different reasons.” Weak review in the NY Times on 2/22/13. TRDB.

5) A PLACE AT THE TABLE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Using personal stories, this powerful doc illuminates the plight of the 49 million Americans struggling with food insecurity. A single mother, a small-town policeman and a farmer are among those for whom putting food on the table is a daily battle.” 3/1/13- A “just OK” review in today’s NY Times with the reviewer saying that the movie had too much restaint and none of the deserved outrage. I’ll skip this one.
TRDB.

5) HAVA NAGILA (THE MOVIE)- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Morphing from Hasidic prayer to party staple, “Hava Nagila” carries with it more than a century of Jewish culture — all of it captured here. Everyone from Harry Belafonte to Leonard Nimoy weighs in on the song as the filmmakers chart its evolution.” 3/1/13- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
6) STUCK- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Following the fates of four orphans from around the world, this earnest documentary argues that international adoption laws are deeply flawed. The film reveals the maze of regulations that prospective parents must navigate to take a child home.” 2/22/13- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

7) NORTHEAST- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Will (David Call), an unemployed and aimless playboy living in Brooklyn, New York, has spent his 20’s skating on easy charm from one casual, distant affair to the next. Noticing his friends’ happiness as they gradually settle into steady jobs and committed relationships, Will decides to trade apathy for effort in order to find someone with whom he can start the next chapter of his life.” 2/22/13- Weak review in today’s NY Times and in general as well. TRDB.

MAR. 1-

1) KENYA: ANIMAL KINGDOM- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Experience an epic adventure in some of the most stunning and important animal sanctuaries on Earth. Discover Africa’s famous fauna, including the Big Five — lions, African elephants, Cape buffalo, leopards and black rhinos — as well as giraffe, hippos and cheetahs, in their natural habitat. Meet two young fearsome Maasai and follow them on their ritual safari, which means “long journey” in Swahili, before partaking in an extraordinary traditional ceremony.” No reviews as yet. TRDB.

2) A PLACE AT THE TABLE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Using personal stories, this powerful doc illuminates the plight of the 49 million Americans struggling with food insecurity. A single mother, a small-town policeman and a farmer are among those for whom putting food on the table is a daily battle.” No reviews as yet. TRDB.

3) MARCH OF THE TROOPERS- 2013. No information as yet. TRDB.

4) JACK THE GIANT SLAYER- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Princess Isabelle is kidnapped by rampaging giants, intrepid farm boy Jack, who accidentally opened the gateway that allowed the giants to enter the kingdom, goes in search of her, despite interference from the king’s wicked chief advisor.’ 3/1/13- A barely OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5) THE END OF LOVE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After the mother of his 2-year-old son dies, a struggling actor must grow up as he grapples with his new responsibilities — and meeting a young mother forces him to face up to the things he’s been avoiding.” 3/1/13- Today’s NY Times gave this movie a weak review. TRDB.

6) HERE I LEARNED TO LOVE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When brothers Avner and Itzik travel from Israel to their native Poland to find clues about their identities, they uncover emotional information about their parents, who were killed by the Nazis, and the three women who rescued them from death.” 3/1/13- A fairly good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

7) THE BATTLE OF PUSSY WILLOW CREEK- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This faux-documentary fabricates the wild chronicle of four Civil War characters whose heroic exploits for the Union have been scrubbed from history. The unlikely group includes an escaped slave, a teenage prostitute and a colonel addicted to opium.” 3/1/13- Weak reviews in general but an OK one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

8)A FIERCE GREEN FIRE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This engaging documentary profiles the evolution of environmental movements over the past five decades, from early efforts at conservation and protests against pollution to the radical tactics of Greenpeace and concerns over global climate change.” 3/1/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times saying that the film had too much restraint. TRDB.

9) PHANTOM- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A Cold War Soviet submarine captain struggles with a rogue KGB group trying to seize control of the ship’s nuclear missile. Meanwhile, he secretly suffers from seizures that affect his grip on reality.” 3/1/13- A really bad review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

10) FUTURE WEATHER- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After her mother abandons her, 13-year-old Lauduree tries to hide the fact that she’s living alone as she pursues her quest to help thwart global warming. But soon she must negotiate a difficult relationship with her alcoholic grandmother.” 3/1/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

11) WELCOME TO PINE HILL- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fascinating reflection on transformation and life choices, filmmaker Keith Miller blends reality and drama to chronicle the life of Shannon Harper, a former drug dealer trying to go clean and working as a claims adjuster and a bouncer.” 3/1/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

12) THE UNSPEAKABLE ACT- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Dan Sallitt’s remarkable, boldly conceived fourth feature is a vivid character study of Jackie, a charismatic, fiercely intelligent, soulful young woman struggling to navigate the choppy waters of adolescence, and nurturing an intense emotional attachment to her older brother that crosses over unmistakably into incestuousness.” 3/1/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

13) GENIUS ON HOLD- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “At the heart of GENIUS ON HOLD is the story of Walter L. Shaw-a brilliant inventor with an astonishing list of telecommunications patents to his name including call forwarding, touchtone dialing, speakerphone and voice recognition. His ground-breaking designs should have earned him great fortune and lasting fame, but for one thing-the power, greed, and oppression of AT&T, the largest, government-sanctioned, telecommunications monopoly in the United States.” 3/1/13- Only a fair review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

14) MOLLY’S THEORY OF RELATIVITY- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “”Molly’s Theory of Relativity” is a sexy, funny, surreal, and devastating portrait of a beautiful twenty-eight-year-old astronomer who, having unexpectedly lost her job, is poised to make perhaps the first reckless decision of her life. Her story unfolds during an eighteen hour period, on Halloween.” 3/1/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

15) LEVIATHAN- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the very waters where Melville’s Pequod gave chase to Moby-Dick, this haunting documentary — shot on a dozen cameras and presented with no spoken commentary — captures the collaborative clash of man, nature and machine.” 3/1/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

16) WAR WITCH- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In sub-Saharan Africa, 12-year-old Komona is kidnapped by rebel soldiers who force her to kill her parents and join their ranks. Over the next two years, Komona clings to life despite her horrific experiences and tries to pacify her parents’ ghosts.” 3/1/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

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MOVIES OPENING THIS WEEK- MARCH 8

1) BEYOND THE HILLS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After growing up together in an orphanage, close friends Alina and Viochita drift apart as Alina moves to Germany and Voichita becomes a nun. But when Alina returns and tries to rekindle their intense relationship, things spiral out of control.” Mixed reviews– the NY Times liked it. TRDB.

2) EMPEROR- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “As World War II ends, Gen. MacArthur oversees Japan’s surrender, an act that dispels the nation’s centuries-old beliefs about its emperor. With the eyes of the world — and history — upon them, MacArthur and his protégé will change Japan forever.” N0 reviews as yet. TRDB.

3) GREEDY LYING BASTARDS- Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Hurricane Sandy. Wildfires in the West. “Brown-Outs” in the East. Farmers losing crops to the worst drought since the Dust Bowl. Climate change is no longer a prediction for the future, but a startling reality of today. Yet, as evidence of our changing climate mounts and the scientific consensus proves human causation, there continues to be no political action to thwart the warming of our planet. “Greedy Lying Bastards” investigates the reason behind stalled efforts to tackle climate change” No reviews as yet. TRDB.

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

1) HORS SATIN- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Angel or devil, good or evil, Christ or Satan: These are the mystical questions revolving around the nameless figure living in the coastal dunes outside of a small French town. Named one of the top ten films of the year by Cahiers du Cinema and an official selection of the Cannes Film Festival, Hors Satan is a provocative parable of identity, morality, and human relationships, defying notions of genre to become a mesmerizing and haunting original.” Mixed reviews but more positive than negative. TRDB.

2) SISTER- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Every day, impoverished 12-year-old Simon sneaks into a posh Swiss ski resort, where he helps himself to the gear of wealthy tourists. Benefitting from his thievery is his lazy older sister, Louise, who refuses to live up to her responsibilities.” Rotten Tomatoes said- “Simon (Kacey Mottet Klein) lives with his older sister (Léa Seydoux) in a housing complex below a luxury Swiss ski resort. With his sister drifting in and out of jobs and relationships, twelve-year-old Simon takes on the responsibility of providing for the two of them. Every day, he takes the lift up to the opulent ski world above, stealing equipment from rich tourists to resell to the local kids down in the valley. He is able to keep their little family afloat with his small-time hustles and his sister is thankful for the money he brings in. But, when Simon partners with a crooked British seasonal worker, he begins to lose his boundaries, affecting his relationship with his sister and plummeting him into dangerous territory.” 10/5/12- Very good reviews from the NY Times and from most other critics as well. TRDB. 10/24/12- This movie gave a good depiction of the despair of the characters and therefore was a bit difficult to watch at times. All in all I’d say that I did like it. TRDB.
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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW- DURING THE LAST 3 WEEKS

1) ANNA KARENINA- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Oscar winner Tom Stoppard penned this adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel, which stars Keira Knightley as the titular 19th-century Russian aristocrat who enters into a passionate and forbidden love affair with the well-heeled Count Vronsky.”OK early reviews in general but a few miserable ones as well. TRDB.11/16/12- Basically a good review in today’s NY Times. I think the Times was disappointed. Others gave it mixed reviews, more good than bad. TRDB.

2) ARGO- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1979, when Iranian militants seize the American embassy, six Americans slip into the Canadian embassy for protection, prompting the CIA to concoct an elaborate plot to rescue them by pretending that they are filmmakers rather than diplomats.”Excellent reviews. TRDB. 10/25/12- A fascinating and apparently true story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. TRDB.

3) FLIGHT-  2012- Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In this action-packed mystery thriller, Academy Award winner, Denzel Washington stars as Whip Whitaker, a seasoned airline pilot, who miraculously crash lands his plane after a mid-air catastrophe, saving nearly every soul on board. After the crash, Whip is hailed as a hero, but as more is learned, more questions than answers arise as to who or what was really at fault and what really happened on that plane?” Very good reviews. TRDB. 11/2/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) INESCAPABLE- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “This politically charged and emotionally powerful thriller follows a successful businessman who suddenly finds his life turned upside down when his journalist daughter goes missing during her trip to his hometown of Damascus. He knows that the reason for his exile is tied to his daughter’s disappearance. His first trip home in over 30 years turns into a frantic quest to rescue his daughter while reconnecting with the love of his life.” Weak reviews all around, including the NY Times on 2/22/13. TRDB.

5) THE JEFFREY DAHMER FILES- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Stripping away the headlines and hype, this documentary spotlights the people who surrounded serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer during and after his arrest. Comments by neighbors and police create a portrait of Dahmer that’s disturbingly normal.” 2/15/13- A fairly good review for this documentary in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

6) LIKE SOMEONE IN LOVE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This meditative drama focuses on an encounter between two strangers in Tokyo: a young woman working as a call girl and a retired college professor. The two soon form a bond beyond their initial meeting, which begins to confuse the girl’s boyfriend.” Good early reviews. TRDB.

7) SKYFALL- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a serious menace threatens MI6, James Bond is on the case — putting aside his own life and personal issues to hunt and obliterate the perpetrators. Meanwhile, secrets arise from M’s past that strain Bond’s loyalty to his longtime boss.” Great reviews!! TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) ARBITRAGE- I liked this movie a lot
2) BACHLORETTE- Fair reviews at best
3) BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD- I enjoyed the film
4) FITZGERALD FAMILY CHRISTMAS- I liked this very much
5) FOR A GOOD TIME, CALL—- OK reviews
6) HOPE SPRINGS- I liked this movie very much
7) JOHN DIES AT THE END- Good reviews
8)MOONRISE KINGDOM- I liked it
9) THE MULBERRY TREE- Very good reviews
10) MY BEST ENEMY- A good movie
11) OCTOBER BABY- Awful professional reviews
12) THE PUSHER- OK reviews but critics said the original was better
13) THE SESSIONS- I loved this movie
14) SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS- I didn’t care for the movie
15) SOUND CITY- Very good reviews
16) SUPPORTING CHARACTERS- Very good reviews
17) TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE- Not great but I liked it
18)WAITING FOR LIGHTNING- The NY Times called this movie boring
19) WOMAN IN THE FIFTH- I liked it
20) THE WORDS- I enjoyed this movie
Cablevision Link– http://www.optimum.net/VOD/movies?cat=Movies+On+Demand%2FIndependent+Films%2FIFC+In+Theaters

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

Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com
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BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS- (Westchester and Fairfield Counties)

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) NO-  Jacob Burns, Clearview 100. 2012- Synopsis by Netflix. “In this engaging drama from Chile, Gael García Bernal portrays René Saavedra, a hot-shot ad executive who creates a controversial media campaign opposing military dictator Augusto Pinochet during the referendum on his presidency in 1988.” Very good reviews so far. TRDB.

2) THE GATEKEEPERS- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Meet six leaders of Israel’s secret service, the Shin Bet, which has dealt with conflict amid the quest for peace for nearly 50 years. For the first time, these men discuss the challenging truths and consequences of their counterterrorism mission.” Excellent reviews all around. TRDB.

3) GINGER & ROSA- Jacob Burns. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “With the Cold War looming over them, teen best pals Ginger and Rosa share everything in early 1960s London — until betrayal drives them apart. Sally Potter directs this intimate period drama steeped in the anxieties of the dawning nuclear age.” 3/3/13- Mixed early reviews. TRDB.

4) EMPEROR- Saw Mill Hawthorne. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “As World War II ends, Gen. MacArthur oversees Japan’s surrender, an act that dispels the nation’s centuries-old beliefs about its emperor. With the eyes of the world — and history — upon them, MacArthur and his protégé will change Japan forever.” N0 reviews as yet. TRDB.

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

REPEATS-

1) QUARTET- Bethel,Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A trio of retired opera singers’ annual celebration of Verdi’s birthday sours when their estranged fourth member shows up but refuses to sing. Tensions rise and diva drama erupts — will personal problems prevent the show from going on?”Early reviews are very good. TRDB. 3/3/13-  A good, if somewhat predictable, movie with lots of good music to boot. TRDB.

2) SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After a four-year stay in a psychiatric institution, former teacher Pat Peoples has no choice but to move back in with his mother. While he’s trying in vain to reunite with his wife, Pat meets another woman fated to change his life.”Very good reviews. TRDB. 11/16/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB. 12/4/12- A very enjoyable piece of fluff that had a few lessons about life as well. TRDB.

3)  SIDE EFFECTS- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Emily Hawkins copes with her depression by taking large numbers of prescription medication. But when her emotions spiral out of control due to the upcoming release of her husband from prison, she turns to a new medication, with unforseen results.” 2/8/13-Fairly good reviews in general and an OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB. 3/1/13- I saw this with my wife Jane and my friends Barbara and Ken and we all liked this mystery. TRDB.

4) ZERO DARK THIRTY- Saw Mill Hawthorne. 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Zero Dark Thirty reunites the Oscar winning team of director-producer Kathryn Bigelow and writer-producer Mark Boal (The Hurt Locker) for the story of history’s greatest m anhunt for the world’s most dangerous man.”1/29/13- I enjoyed only the last 45 min. One reviewer said– “A silly film that never remotely deserved an Oscar nomination.” I agree. TRDB.

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

Add comment March 6th, 2013

FILM REVIEWS #445

FEBRUARY 14, 2013
DEAR FRIENDS:

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

THE NEXT ISSUE (#446) WILL BE IN 3 WEEKS SO THIS ISSUE WILL CONTAIN INFORMATION FOR 3 WEEKS WHEN POSSIBLE.

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE LAST 2 WEEKS-

1) IN SEARCH OF BEETHOVEN- Society of the Four Arts in Palm Beach
2) HERMANO- Netflix
3) KEEP THE LIGHTS ON- Netflix

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MOVIES I SAW DURING THE LAST 2 WEEKS AT THE THEATER-

1) IN SEARCH OF BEETHOVEN- 2009. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Juliet Stevenson (Truly, Madly, Deeply) narrates this straightforward documentary account of the life of composer Ludwig van Beethoven, covering all the major highlights from his birth in 1770 through his death in 1827. Writer-director Phil Grabsky skirts around the option of dramatic period reenactments, and instead opts for an impressionistic approach. He builds much of the film around the basic foundational material of interviews and studio performances of the great man’s work by artists including Ronald Brautigam, Emanuel Ax, and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. Grabsky also offsets Stevenson’s traditional chronicle of Beethoven’s life with letters from the composer, read by David Dawson, that unveil an intense and almost belligerent side to the musical giant, leavened with offbeat humor.” 2/10/13-I saw this documentary at the Society of the Four Arts in Palm Beach and found it very insightful. I thoroughly enjoyed the music and the “talking heads” were very interesting and personal so we really learned about the man and the music. TRDB.
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MOVIES I SAW DURING THE LAST 2 WEEKS AT HOME-

1) SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Marty, a struggling writer, needs inspiration to finish his screenplay Seven Psychopaths. He gets plenty of it when his oddball friends nab a crazed gangster’s beloved pooch and he inadvertently gets caught up in all the action.”Very good reviews. TRDB. 10/12/12- Fair review at best in today’s NY Times. TRDB. 2/3/13- For a brief period I found this movie interesting, creative and even funny but the novelty wore off quickly and while I did see the entire movie I can’t say that I liked it. TRDB. Netflix.

2) UNFORGIVABLE- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Francis (André Dussollier) is a successful crime writer who moves to Venice to work on his next novel. When he meets model-turned-real-estate-agent Judith (Carole Bouquet), he is instantly infatuated. Francis and Judith eventually marry and move to a remote house on Torcello Island but Francis’ newfound happiness hinders his writing. Obsessing over what Judith does while at work, he hires a young ex-convict to investigate. As Judith’s sexual past is revealed both men become increasing fixated on the mysterious woman. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Venice, Unforgivable examines the consequences of unresolved past relationships and their far-reaching effects into the future.” 6/29/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB. 2/4/13- I found this movie very interesting and thought provoking. To be honest, I can’t really dislike a movie with great scenes of Venice. TRDB.

3) HERMANO- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Brothers Daniel and Julio love soccer, but while Julio focuses on providing for their family, Daniel dreams about playing professionally. When a pro scout comes to watch them play, they face an agonizing choice between family and their sport.” 8/24/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. Mixed professional reviews in general but audiences have liked it a lot. TRDB. 2/11/13- I’ll give this movie a mixed review. A bit contrived, a bit formulaic but still has enough going for it for a recommendation. TRDB.

4) KEEP THE LIGHTS ON- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “The physical romance between a gay filmmaker and an attorney soon evolves into a more complex relationship, laced with conflicting desires. Over several turbulent years, both men struggle to build a true acceptance of the other’s strengths and flaws.” Great early reviews in general and a very good one in the NY Times on 9/7/12. Audiences have been a bit less effusive. TRDB. 2/13/13- A very well acted and poignant drama about the relationship between two gay men but it could be about any two people. I liked it very much. TRDB. Netflix.
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CAME TO NETFLIX ON FEB. 12-

1) DANGEROUS LIAISONS- 1988. Directed by Stephen Frears. Starring Glenn Close, John Malkovich and Michelle Pfeiffer. Close and Malkovich play a pair of scheming nobles in Paris and in particular Close bets Malkovich that he can’t bed Pfeiffer and get written proof of the conquest. Considered somewhat of a classic, I did enjoy the film but not with rave reviews.
COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, FEB. 19-

1) FOR A GOOD TIME, CALL…- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Fate lands former college rivals Lauren and Kate together in the same apartment, where they launch a phone sex line to make ends meet. As business booms, the unlikely partners find themselves too busy (and too successful) to harbor old grudges.”Sounds a bit dumb but this film has gotten very good reviews. TRDB. 8/31/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) END OF WATCH- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Officers Taylor and Zavala patrol the streets of South Central Los Angeles, an area of the city ruled by gangs and riddled with drug violence. Their perilous beat is captured on security footage and with the HD cameras of cops, criminals and victims.”Great reviews. TRDB. 9/21/12- I think that today’s review in the NY Times was a mixed one, the review undoubtedly more difficult to explain than the movie. TRDB.

3) FOR ELLEN- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Would-be rock star Joby is forced to duel for joint custody of his 6-year-old daughter, Ellen, when his wife decides to end their marriage. Long absent from his daughter’s life, he must now convince the court that he deserves to share in her future.” Weak professional and audience reviews. TRDB. 9/7/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) HIPSTERS- 2008. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this hit Russian musical, a group of friends flaunts Soviet authority in 1950s Moscow by embracing jazz. When Communist Mels (Anton Shagin) falls for Polly (Oksana Akinshina), a free-spirited jazz fan, he risks losing his party membership by associating with her rebellious crew. Equally smitten, Polly introduces her new beau to jazz and other forbidden Western delights. Writer-director Valery Todorovsky helms this colorful take on the Cold War.” 2/24/12- OK review in today’s NY Times but mostly good reviews from others. TRDB.

5) UNDEFEATED- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Cinéma vérité tackles football in this inspirational profile of an inner-city Memphis high school football team, whose downtrodden players combine with a dedicated volunteer coach in a valiant effort to reach the school’s first-ever playoff game.” Good audience reaction but no professional reviews as yet. TRDB. 2/17/12- Excellent reviews in today’s NY Times and elsewhere for this nominated film for Best Documentary for this year’s Academy Awards. TRDB.

6) NORTH SEA TEXAS- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. Pim, an introverted child, occupies his time drawing and fantasizing while keeping his emerging desires a secret. As a teenager, he grows infatuated with Gino, the handsome boy next door. When a hunky young man from the local fair starts living with Pim and his mother, he seizes the opportunity to leave home and move in with Gino’s family. His plan backfires as Gino departs, romancing and living with a girl from across the border. It seems like Pim’s dreams will never come true, but then one rainy day Gino returns home.” 11/2/12- A good review in today’s NY Times. Other critics and audiences have liked it also. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, FEB. 26-

1) THE MASTER- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “A heavy-drinking loaner named Freddie finds some semblance of a family when he stumbles onto the ship of Lancaster Dodd, the charismatic leader of a new “religion” — some say cult — he forms after World War II.” A few early reviewers said this was a great piece of work. TRDB. 9/14/12- Great review in today’s NY Times but many of my friends did not like this movie. TRDB.

2) MADRID, 1987- Synopsis by Netflix. “During the political unrest of 1987, Ángela meets elderly journalist Miguel for an interview and ends up his captive, locked with him in his bathroom. Over the next 24 hours, they engage in verbal sparring that parallels the nation’s upheaval.” Here’s what Rotten Tomatoes had to say– “Madrid, 1987 …is a two-character story with a verbose discourse on writing, journalism, careerism, aging and politics. Shot mostly within a very constricted space, the story follows an older, celebrated journalist Miguel (José Sacristán) who meets the beautiful and coy journalism-student Angela (María Valverde) to give an interview but becomes intent upon seducing her. They end up spending time in the most unusual manner …discussing literature, prose and career trajectories …gradually divulging little insights into their own selves as we start to understand the old journalist’s cynicism and the young protégé’s intentions. 10/12/12- A good review in the NY Times. TRDB.

3) OVER YOUR CITIES GRASS WILL GROW- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Modern artist Anselm Kiefer and his monumental landscape creation at Barjac, France — a vast complex including lakes, bridges, caves and galleries displaying Kiefer’s other work — are the focus of this documentary from Sophie Fiennes. The artist’s ruminations on the creative process and his aims and ambitions are intercut with a careful study of the art itself, shining a spotlight on the processes at work in Kiefer’s expanding mini-universe.” Mixed reviews, some calling it interesting and others calling it a slumberous bore. TRDB.

4) HOW TO SURVIVE A PLAGUE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This passionate documentary focuses on the grass-roots crusade in the 1980s and ’90s to speed up efforts at developing treatments for the HIV virus. The film follows AIDS activists to Washington, where they challenge the government to act.” Excellent reviews so far. TRDB.

5) ESCAPE FIRE: THE FIGHT TO RESCUE AMERICAN HEALTHCARE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary starkly outlines the crises the United States faces in its quest to provide affordable medical care to the nation’s citizens. In response to these problems, the filmmakers propose lower-cost alternatives to high-tech medicine.” No reviews as yet and I hope that this isn’t a campaign advertisement. TRDB. 10/5/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

6) SILENT SOULS- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “Paul Hanganu (Mimi Branescu) is in love with two women: Adriana (Mirela Oprisor), his wife of 10 years, and Raluca (Maria Popistasu), his mistress of the past several months. Now, at a crossroads, Paul is forced to choose between them in this drama from Romanian director Radu Muntean. Combining careful staging and emotionally intense dialogue, the film presents an unblinking profile of a man in crisis and the women whose lives he’s ensnared.” Very good reviews. TRDB.

7) THIS IS NOT A FILM- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When the Iranian government banned director Jafar Panahi from making a film for 20 years, he titled his next project This Is Not a Film. The resulting documentary covers a day in Panahi’s life as he reflects on his unhappy situation.” Excellent reviews. TRDB.

8)THE LONELIEST PLANET- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Alex and Nica, a young engaged couple, are so eager to take a serious walking trek through Georgia’s Caucasus Mountains that they hire a local guide. Traveling deep into the wild landscape, however, the emotional atmosphere shifts for the trio.” 10/26/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB. I saw 10 minutes of this movie on Comcast on Demand previews and I almost fell asleep. TRDB.

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

10) THE EYE OF THE STORM- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “A woman recently divorced from a French prince and her washed-up actor brother return home to Australia, hoping to reconcile with their dying mother. But neither is prepared for the ensuing drama that brings the dread of their childhood back to life.” Rotten Tomatoes had this to say– “In the Sydney suburb of Centennial Park, two nurses, a housekeeper and a solicitor attend to Elizabeth Hunter as her expatriate son and daughter convene at her deathbed. But in dying, as in living, Mrs. Hunter remains a powerful force on those who surround her. Based on the novel by Nobel Prize winner Patrick White, The Eye of the Storm is a savage exploration of family relationships – and the sharp undercurrents of love and hate, comedy and tragedy, which define them.” 9/7/12- Poor reviews for this movie but it sounds interesting and I’ll probably see it eventually. TRDB.

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

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COMING TO NETFLIX ON MARCH 5-

1) GUN HILL ROAD- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “After serving a three-year stint in prison, tough-guy Enrique (Esai Morales) returns to his family in the Bronx to find that his wife (Judy Reyes) is a virtual stranger to him and, worse, his son (Harmony Santana) is in the middle of a sexual identity crisis. Now Enrique must find a way to accept his altered life or risk losing control and ending up back in jail. Rashaad Ernesto Green directs this compelling drama.” OK reviews so far. TRDB. 8/5/11- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) CALIFORNIA SOLO- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After a drunken driving arrest in Los Angeles, a has-been rock star must prove his absence would cause hardship to a relative or face deportation to Scotland. As he contacts his ex-wife and daughter, he must face long-buried issues.”Rotten Tomatoes had this to say— “Robert Carlyle (The Full Monty, Trainspotting) stars in this touching, human story about post-fame life and personal redemption. Former Britpop rocker Lachlan MacAldonich (Carlyle) has settled into a comfortably numb existence just outside Los Angeles. By day, he works on an organic farm and travels regularly to the city’s farmers’ markets to sell produce. By night, he retreats to his crummy apartment to record “Flame-Outs,” his podcast that recounts the tragic deaths of great musicians. The only spark in his humdrum existence is Beau (Alexia Rasmussen), a lovely struggling actress and amateur chef. One night, Lachlan gets pulled over for a DUI, a charge that dredges up his past drug offense and threatens him with deportation. Lachlan’s only hope of staying in the U.S. is proving that his removal would cause “extreme hardship” to a U.S. citizen spouse or relative, so he contacts his estranged ex-wife and daughter, raising past demons that he must finally confront. Danny Masterson co-stars. Written and directed by Marshall Lewy.”OK reviews so far. TRDB. 11/30/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) A LATE QUARTET- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Tempers flare, old jealousies reignite and new passions are sparked when the members of a world-renowned string quartet are preparing to celebrate their 25th anniversary and learn that their leader must step down due to a grim medical diagnosis.” 11/2/12- A fairly good review in today’s NY Times, especially for the actors. Other critics have liked it as well and so have audiences. TRDB. 11/11/12- I enjoyed this movie very much. Great acting and a good story with a touching screenplay. A bit of schmaltz at the end was unnecessary. TRDB. 

4) THE INTOUCHABLES- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this compelling story based on true events, affluent quadriplegic Phillipe hires Driss — a young Parisian petty criminal — to be his caregiver, and the two form an unexpected bond that changes both their lives.” Fairly good reviews. TRDB. 5/6/12- An article in today’s NY Times talks about the movie and the lead actor. Apparently this has become a “hot” topic in France. TRDB. 5/25/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times, but good reviews in general.  TRDB. 6/28/12- Despite a few good scenes I was very disappointed by this movie that proves Hollywood can slide effortlessly into Paris. TRDB.

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MOVIES THAT OPENED IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS IN ADDITION TO THOSE I WROTE ABOUT ON JAN. 31-

FEB.1-

1) THE LAST GLADIATORS- 2013- Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Alex Gibney takes an unprecedented look at the National Hockey League’s most feared enforcers and explores the career of Chris “Knuckles” Nilan. The role was simple: protect their teammates no matter the cost.” 2/1/13-Mixed early reviews but the NY Times gave this movie a good review in today’s critique. TRDB.

2) JOHN DIES AT THE END- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “It’s a drug that promises an out-of-body experience with each hit. On the street they call it Soy Sauce, and users drift across time and dimensions. But some who come back are no longer human. Suddenly a silent otherworldly invasion is underway, and mankind needs a hero. What it gets instead is John and David, a pair of college dropouts who can barely hold down jobs. Can these two stop the oncoming horror in time to save humanity? No. No, they can’t.” 2/1/13- This movie sounds stupid but the NY Times and others have given it good reviews. A few have not. TRDB.

3) AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Unemployed adman Roberto is struggling to revive his career when a whimsical visit to the spot where he and his wife honeymooned leads to a potentially deadly accident. Ever the spin doctor, he skillfully turns the event into a media feeding frenzy.” 1/5/13- Poor reviews in general and in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) 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.
5) DAVID- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A single name — David — connects the destinies of three men living in different eras and geographies in this Hindi action thriller: 1975 David lives in London and works for the Mob; 1999 David is a Mumbai teen; and 2010 David is a Goa fisherman.” 1/5/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times and a fair one elsewhere. TRDB.

MOVIES THAT OPENED ON FEB. 8 IN ADDITION TO THOSE I WROTE ABOUT LAST WEEK-

1) LIKE SOMEONE IN LOVE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This meditative drama focuses on an encounter between two strangers in Tokyo: a young woman working as a call girl and a retired college professor. The two soon form a bond beyond their initial meeting, which begins to confuse the girl’s boyfriend.”
Good early reviews. TRDB.

2) NO- 2012- Synopsis by Netflix. “In this engaging drama from Chile, Gael García Bernal portrays René Saavedra, a hot-shot ad executive who creates a controversial media campaign opposing military dictator Augusto Pinochet during the referendum on his presidency in 1988.”
Very good reviews so far. TRDB.

3) IDENTITY THIEF- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Unlimited funds have allowed Diana (McCarthy) to live it up on the outskirts of Miami, where the queen of retail buys whatever strikes her fancy. There’s only one glitch: The ID she’s using to finance these sprees reads “Sandy Bigelow Patterson”….and it belongs to an accounts rep (Bateman) who lives halfway across the U.S. With only one week to hunt down the con artist before his world implodes, the real Sandy Bigelow Patterson heads south to confront the woman with an all-access pass to his life. And as he attempts to bribe, coax and wrangle her the 2,000 miles to Denver, one easy target will discover just how tough it is to get your name back.” 2/8/13- Poor review all around and in today’s NY Times as well. TRDB.

4) A RUBBERBAND IS AN UNLIKELY INSTRUMENT- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A Rubberband is an Unlikely Instrument is a lyrical exploration of a Brooklyn couple as they navigate their path amidst rapidly changing political, social, financial and spiritual landscapes. Walter Baker is an eccentric, multi-instrumentalist struggling to maintain balance between creating art, making ends meet and raising his twelve year old son with his third wife, a poet. Artistically and philosophically situated on the fringes of mainstream culture, Baker grasps to bear the roles of family man, business owner and aspiring composer.” 2/8/13- Mixed early reviews but the NY Times gave it an OK review today. TRDB.

5) NIGHT ACROSS THE STREET- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “A free-flowing contemplation on aging and death inspired by the stories of Hernán del Solar, director Raoul Ruiz’s final film follows as elderly man who revisits moments of his youth as he awaits the stranger he believes will kill him.” 2/8/13- Very good reviews in general and in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

6) ONCE EVERY DAY- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Highly visual, complexly edited, and without a conventional narrative ‘story’, ONCE EVERY DAY nevertheless circles a secret theme as it zeros in on a group of 25 people acting out a series of semi-ritualistic behavior patterns. But their eccentric impulses are aborted in unpredictable ways with each new attempt at action or development. As the film cuts between colored tableaus, bleached-out action sequences, expressionistic black-and-white confrontations, and slow immersion in pure light, we repeatedly hear the voices of the invisible director (Foreman) and his technicians, whispering off-camera instructions and comments to the characters – who are of course ‘actors’ as well as disturbed and inhibited human beings. The implicit question of the film becomes: could this be life itself – visibly re-making itself as art?” 2/8/13- Mixed reviews. The NY Times liked it. TRDB.

7) PORFIRIO- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This no-holds-barred docudrama examines the day-to-day life of Porfirio Ramirez Aldana, a once-wealthy Colombian man who became paralyzed after being shot by the police — and then went on to commit a shocking crime.” 2/8/13- Mixed reviews– the NY Times did not like it. TRDB.
MOVIES THAT ARE OPENING ON FEB. 15-

1) SAFE HAVEN- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This adaptation of the novel by Nicholas Sparks centers on a mysterious woman who arrives in a small North Carolina town and begins a new life but remains haunted by the terrifying secret that prompted her to travel across the country.”
No reviews as yet. TRDB.

2) THE BITTER BUDDHA- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary follows unconventional comedian Eddie Pepitone as he prepares for a show in New York City, all the while struggling with self-doubt, sobriety and a challenging family history.”
No reviews as yet. TRDB.

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

FEB. 15–FEB. 21

OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW- NONE

REPEATS-

1) ARBITRAGE- I liked this movie a lot
2) BACHLORETTE- Fair reviews at best
3) BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD- I enjoyed the film
4) CENTRAL PARK FIVE- Very good reviews
5) FOR A GOOD TIME, CALL—- OK reviews
6) HOPE SPRINGS- I liked this movie very much
7) JOHN DIES AT THE END- Good reviews
8)MOONRISE KINGDOM- I liked it
9) THE MULBERRY TREE- Very good reviews
10) MY BEST ENEMY- A good movie
11) OCTOBER BABY- Awful professional reviews
12) PEOPLE LIKE US-  I enjoyed the movie despite some light fluff. Some good dialogue as well
13) THE PUSHER- OK reviews but critics said the original was better
14) SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN- Most liked this a lot but I found it full of Hollywood
15) THE SESSIONS- I loved this movie
16) SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS- I didn’t care for the movie
17) SOUND CITY- Very good reviews
18)SUPPORTING CHARACTERS- Very good reviews
19) TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE- Not great but I liked it
20) WAITING FOR LIGHTNING- The NY Times called this movie boring
21) WALK AWAY RENEE- Weak reviews from most critics
22) WOMAN IN THE FIFTH- I liked it
23) THE WORDS- I enjoyed this movie
24) YELLING TO THE SKY- Mixed reviews

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

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

Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com

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

NEW IN THE BURBS- NONE

REPEATS-

1) AMOUR- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this 2012 Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or winner, Georges and Anne, retired music teachers in their eighties, have a time-tested love. But as Anne’s health fails, Georges becomes her caregiver, and the couple’s bond is tested like never before.” 12/19/12- Great reviews all around and especially in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) QUARTET- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A trio of retired opera singers’ annual celebration of Verdi’s birthday sours when their estranged fourth member shows up but refuses to sing. Tensions rise and diva drama erupts — will personal problems prevent the show from going on?” Reviews are very good. TRDB.

3) SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After a four-year stay in a psychiatric institution, former teacher Pat Peoples has no choice but to move back in with his mother. While he’s trying in vain to reunite with his wife, Pat meets another woman fated to change his life.”Very good reviews. TRDB. 11/16/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB. 12/4/12- A very enjoyable piece of fluff that had a few lessons about life as well. TRDB.

4) SIDE EFFECTS- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Emily Hawkins copes with her depression by taking large numbers of prescription medication. But when her emotions spiral out of control due to the upcoming release of her husband from prison, she turns to a new medication, with unforeseen results.” 2/8/13-Fairly good reviews in general and an OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5) ARGO- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1979, when Iranian militants seize the American embassy, six Americans slip into the Canadian embassy for protection, prompting the CIA to concoct an elaborate plot to rescue them by pretending that they are filmmakers rather than diplomats.” Excellent reviews. TRDB. 10/25/12- A fascinating and apparently true story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. TRDB.

6) THE IMPOSSIBLE- Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Tracking one family’s harrowing experiences, this gripping drama depicts the chaos generated by the massive 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia. On December 26, Maria, Henry and their sons are vacationing in Thailand when unthinkable disaster strikes.” 12/21/12- Basically a good review of the movie itself in today’s NY Times but the reviewer noted that the story was about wealthy tourists and had little to do with the thousands of native Asians who suffered. TRDB.

7)  LIFE OF PI- Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on Yann Martel’s best-selling novel, this coming-of-age tale recounts the adventures of Pi, an Indian boy who is the sole survivor of a shipwreck. Pi finds himself on a lifeboat with only some zoo animals for company.” Excellent reviews. TRDB. 1/2/13- I enjoyed this movie very much especially the creative cinematography. See it in 3D if you can. TRDB.

8)ZERO DARK THIRTY- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “For a decade, an elite team of intelligence and military operatives, working in secret across the globe, devoted themselves to a single goal: to find and eliminate Osama bin Laden. Zero Dark Thirty reunites the Oscar winning team of director-producer Kathryn Bigelow and writer-producer Mark Boal (The Hurt Locker) for the story of history’s greatest manhunt for the world’s most dangerous man.”Great early reviews. TRDB. 1/29/13- I enjoyed the last 45 min. during the raid on Bin Laden’s compound because of its historical significance and suspense despite knowing the outcome. The first hour and a half was, for me, well summed up by a reviewer when he said– “A silly film that never remotely deserved an Oscar nomination.” TRDB.

9) LINCOLN- Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Steven Spielberg takes on the towering legacy of Abraham Lincoln, focusing on his stewardship of the Union during the Civil War years. The biographical saga also reveals the conflicts within Lincoln’s cabinet regarding the war and abolition.”11/9/12- The NY Times gave this a great review today. TRDB. 11/18/12- There have been many critics raving about this movie. Day-Lewis gave a wonderful performance but I found the movie uninspiring and I felt that it was too long, too preachy and that there were too many characters to keep track of. TRDB.

10) LES MISERABLES- Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “The musical version of Victor Hugo’s epic tale of love and sacrifice, first produced for the stage in 1985, now receives the big-screen treatment. The bloody era of the French Revolution is the backdrop to Jean Valjean’s long struggle for redemption.”Fairly good reviews even as some critics complained that the movie was poorly directed. TRDB. 12/25/12- I enjoyed this movie very much even though I generally have trouble getting into musicals on the screen. 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

Add comment February 13th, 2013

FILM REVIEWS #444

JANUARY 31, 2013
DEAR FRIENDS:

I WILL BE AWAY FROM MY FLORIDA DESK FOR A FEW DAYS SO THIS NEWSLETTER WILL INCLUDE INFORMATION FOR THE NEXT 2 WEEKS WHENEVER POSSIBLE-

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

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) 5 BROKEN CAMERAS- Netflix

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) ZERO DARK THIRTY- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “For a decade, an elite team of intelligence and military operatives, working in secret across the globe, devoted themselves to a single goal: to find and eliminate Osama bin Laden. Zero Dark Thirty reunites the Oscar winning team of director-producer Kathryn Bigelow and writer-producer Mark Boal (The Hurt Locker) for the story of history’s greatest manhunt for the world’s most dangerous man.”Great early reviews. TRDB. 1/29/13- I enjoyed the last 45 min. during the raid on Bin Laden’s compound because of its historical significance and suspense despite knowing the outcome. The first hour and a half was, for me, well summed up by a reviewer when he said– “A silly film that never remotely deserved an Oscar nomination.” TRDB.
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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) 5 BROKEN CAMERAS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this moving documentary, a Palestinian farmer chronicles his village’s nonviolent resistance to the presence of encroaching Israeli settlers and military. As camera after camera gets shot or otherwise destroyed, the farmer continues filming.”A few excellent reviews and mostly good ones. TRDB. 1/28/13- A well done home spun documentary about the Palestinian resistance presented in a one-sided manner. It’s also about the filmmaker’s need to film and what it means to him. TRDB.

2) THE GOOD DOCTOR- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Martin Blake, a young doctor setting out to establish his reputation, falls into an illicit romance with teenage patient Diane. When a colleague learns of the forbidden relationship, he uses the information to blackmail Dr. Blake for drugs.” 8/31/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB. 1/28/13- Trash and I turned it off. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, FEB. 5-

1) THE POOL- Premise by Netflix. “In this seriocomic study of class differences in India, a young hotel worker becomes obsessed with a swimming pool at an opulent mansion in Panjom, Goa. His life takes a wild turn when he meets the mysterious family that arrives at the house. The film, a World Cinema Dramatic Competition entry at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, is the narrative feature debut of director and co-writer Chris Smith, who helmed the famed documentary American Movie.”1/27/10- I found this movie very interesting and very well done. I’d definitely recommend it when it comes to Netflix. I saw it on the Sundance Channel. TRDB.

2) CELESTE AND JESSE FOREVER- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Celeste (Rashida Jones) and Jesse (Andy Samberg) met in high school, married young and are growing apart. Now thirty, Celeste is the driven owner of her own media consulting firm, Jesse is once again unemployed and in no particular rush to do anything with his life. Celeste is convinced that divorcing Jesse is the right thing to do — she is on her way up, he is on his way nowhere, and if they do it now instead of later, they can remain supportive friends. Jesse passively accepts this transition into friendship, even though he is still in love with her. As the reality of their separation sets in, Celeste slowly and painfully realizes she has been cavalier about their relationship, and her decision, which once seemed mature and progressive, now seems impulsive and selfish. But her timing with Jesse is less than fortuitous…”Fairly good reviews. TRDB. 8/3/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) LITTLE WHITE LIES- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Little White Lies follows a group of longtime friends who reunite for their annual beach vacation despite a traumatic accident involving one of their own. During their seaside getaway, they all make discoveries about each other and are finally forced to own up to the little white lies they’ve been telling one another — and themselves.”8/24/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times and mixed reviews in general. TRDB.

4) SIDE BY SIDE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Keanu Reeves produced and narrates this engaging documentary about the history of digital cinema technology and its vast impact on the movie industry. Despite the digital takeover, many fans still embrace the unique qualities of celluloid film.” 8/31/12- Great reviews from critics and audiences alike. The NY Times loved it. TRDB.

5) IN OUR NATURE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Seth and Andie had the perfect weekend getaway planned, until a booking error put Seth’s estranged father and his girlfriend in the same condo. The four agree to make the best of the unexpected arrangement, with unexpected consequences for all.”Fair early reviews. TRDB.

6) DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This intimate and loving portrait of the legendary arbiter of fashion, art and culture illustrates the many stages of Vreeland’s remarkable life. Born in Paris in 1903, she was to become New York’s “Empress of Fashion” and a celebrated Vogue editor.” Excellent reviews. TRDB.

7) SOMEWHERE BETWEEN- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Questions of race, identity and heritage are explored through the lives of young American women growing up as adoptees from China. These four distinct individuals reflect on their experiences as members of transracial families.” 8/24/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times but fairly good critical reviews otherwise. Audience reviews are mixed. TRDB.

8)PAUL WILLIAMS STILL ALIVE- 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “He won Grammys and an Academy Award; wrote many #1 songs; starred in a Brian DePalma movie; put out his own hit records and albums; was a guest on The Tonight Show fifty times; and is the president of ASCAP…and you might not have heard of him. In the 1970’s, Paul Williams was the singer / actor / songwriter that emotional, alienated teenage boys all over the world wanted to be, a sex symbol before MTV, when sex symbols could be 5″2 and sing songs about loneliness with the Muppets. A wistful musical journey that will re-introduce a new generation to Williams’ soulful classics, Paul Williams: Still Alive is the charmingly self-narrated story of Stephen Kessler’s lifelong obsession with the former superstar-and what happens when the nostalgic filmmaker finally catches up with him.”Good review in the NY Times on 6/8/12 despite a negative reaction to the director who may have taken advantage of the subject more for personal gain. TRDB.

9) HERE COMES THE BOOM- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When cutbacks threaten his high school’s music program, physics teacher Scott Voss decides to moonlight as a mixed martial arts fighter in order to raise the money that would save the program.”10/12/12- Just an OK review for this movie that was called “harmless fun.”  TRDB

10) DEADFALL- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “On the run after a casino heist, siblings Addison and Liza split up. When Liza gets a ride from a prison parolee heading to his parents’ home for Thanksgiving, unexpected events lead the two families toward a collision in this suspenseful thriller.” 12/7/12- Good review in today’s NY Times but others haven’t been so generous. TRDB.
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COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, FEB. 12-

1) THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this engaging coming-of-age tale based on the best-selling novel by Stephen Chbosky, a shy freshman struggling with depression deals with his best friend’s suicide and his first love — and finds help from two seniors who take an interest in him.” Mixed reviews, mostly good. TRDB. 9/21/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) BULLY- 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Directed by Sundance and Emmy-award winning filmmaker, Lee Hirsch, The Bully Project is a beautifully cinematic, character-driven documentary. At its heart are those with huge stakes in this issue whose stories each represent a different facet of America’s bullying crisis. The Bully Project follows five kids and families over the course of a school year. Stories include two families who have lost children to suicide and a mother awaiting the fate of her 14-year-old daughter who has been incarcerated after bringing a gun on her school bus. With an intimate glimpse into homes, classrooms, cafeterias and principals’ offices, the film offers insight into the often cruel world of the lives of bullied children.”  Very good early reviews. TRDB. 3/31/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB. 4/17/12- A very powerful documentary that should be required viewing for all parents. TRDB.

3) THE KID WITH A BIKE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “After being abandoned by his father, preteen Cyril fills with rage, and when good-hearted hairdresser Samantha tries to help him, the disillusioned boy is torn between his need to lash out at the world and his desire for love and stability.” Great early reviews. TRDB. 3/16/12- Great review in today’s NY Times. TRDB. 4/2/12- The actor who played the kid was great and the story was a heartening act of love. There were also a few terrific scenes like the scene in a car when the boy is very upset. A better understanding of the woman’s motivation would have helped me but the movie was excellent never-the-less. TRDB.

4) ROBOT AND FRANK- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Retired cat burglar Frank worries his adult children, who present him with a robot caretaker to look after his house and keep him company. Realizing that his new companion would make the perfect accomplice, Frank plans a return to his old profession.” Very good early reviews. TRDB. 8/17/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times and most critics have liked it. TRDB. 8/24/12- Frank Langella is great as usual in this funny, poignant and ultimately sad drama. TRDB.

5) WON’T BACK DOWN- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fact-based drama, two women from different classes and races (Viola Davis and Maggie Gyllenhaal) draw on their common bond of motherhood to fight institutional inertia and an antagonistic bureaucracy to improve an inner-city school.” There was reference to this movie in Frank Bruni’s Op-Ed piece in the Sunday, 8/19/12 NY Times. TRDB. 9/28/12- Weak reviews for this film in general and in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

6) GIRL MODEL- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Documentarians Ashley Sabin and David Redmon take an unflinching look at the modeling industry, focusing on a conflicted American scout — herself a former model — who recruits poverty-stricken adolescent girls from Russia to work in Japan.” 9/7/12- Good early reviews in general but a review in today’s NY Times is weak. TRDB.

7) DANGEROUS LIAISONS- 1988. Directed by Stephen Frears. Starring Glenn Close, John Malkovich and Michelle Pfeiffer. Close and Malkovich play a pair of scheming nobles in Paris and in particular Close bets Malkovich that he can’t bed Pfeiffer and get written proof of the conquest. Considered somewhat of a classic, I did enjoy the film but not with rave reviews. Netflix Streaming. 11/09

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MOVIES THAT OPENED LAST WEEK IN ADDITION TO THOSE I WROTE ABOUT ON JAN. 24-

1) THE TASTE OF MONEY- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this suspenseful erotic drama, the private male secretary and lover of Madam Baek, a Korean conglomerate’s middle-aged matriarch, falls for her more genuine daughter. Meanwhile, Madam Baek’s husband has an affair with the Filipino nanny.” 1/25/13- Mostly negative reviews but the NY Times liked this film very much. TRDB.

2) NANA- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “This spare, haunting, deceptively slight film – marking the feature debut of French filmmaker Valerie Massadian – zeroes in on the behavior and existential state of its 4-year-old protagonist. Growing up in rural France, Nana lives in a seemingly idyllic environment, but Massadian increasingly complicates our notion of the child’s innocence. Opening with a matter-of-fact depiction of the butchering of a pig (Nana lives on her grandfather’s pig farm), the film gradually tightens its focus to convey the child’s perspective as she entertains herself in solitude.” 1/25/13- Great review in today’s NY Times- mixed reviews from others. TRDB.

3) SUPPORTING CHARACTERS- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Crack film editors Nick and Darryl are hired to save a movie in desperate need of their skills, a gig that turns out to be filled with bad luck. Both men’s relationships are upended and their partnership is tested by the film’s delusional director.” 1/25/13- Good review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB.

4) KNIFE FIGHT- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This satirical drama follows a cunning political strategist as he spins the truth to keep his misbehaving governor and senator clients out of trouble. But when he starts working for an unlikely client, his take-no-prisoners game changes.” 1/25/13- Poor reviews all around including today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5) YOSSI- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “While driving through a remote part of Israel, a closeted gay doctor crosses paths with a group of soldiers who inspire him to live life in the open. Ohad Knoller reprises the title role in this sequel to Yossi & Jagger.” 1/25/13- Very good reviews in general but a poor one from the NY Times today. TRDB.
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MOVIES OPENING THIS WEEK (Feb. 1)-

1) THE GATEKEEPERS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Meet six leaders of Israel’s secret service, the Shin Bet, which has dealt with conflict amid the quest for peace for nearly 50 years. For the first time, these men discuss the challenging truths and consequences of their counterterrorism mission.”Excellent reviews all around. TRDB.

2) KOCH- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Former Mayor Ed Koch is the quintessential New Yorker. Still ferocious, charismatic, and hilariously blunt, the now 87-year-old Koch ruled New York from 1978 to 1989-a down-and-dirty decade of grit, graffiti, near-bankruptcy and rampant crime. First-time filmmaker (and former Wall Street Journal reporter) Neil Barsky has crafted an intimate and revealing portrait of this intensely private man, his legacy as a political titan, and the town he helped transform.”No reviews as yet. TRDB.

3) SOUND CITY- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Deep in the San Fernando Valley, amidst rows of dilapidated warehouses, was rock n’ roll’s best kept secret: Sound City. America’s greatest unsung recording studio housed a one-of-a-kind console, and as its legend grew, seminal bands and artists such as Fleetwood Mac, Neil Young, Rick Springfield, Tom Petty, Metallica and Nirvana all came out to put magic to tape. Directed by Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) and featuring interviews and performances from iconic musicians.”I’ve seen only one review and it’s very good. TRDB.

4) MUMIA: LONG DISTANCE REVOLUTIONARY- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Before he was convicted of murdering a policeman in 1981 and sentenced to die, Mumia Abu-Jamal was a gifted journalist and brilliant writer. Now after more than 30 years in prison and despite attempts to silence him, Mumia is not only still alive but continuing to report, educate, provoke and inspire.”I’ve seen only one review of this film and it is fairly good. TRDB.

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MOVIES OPENING NEXT WEEK (FEB. 8)-

1) FERLINGHETTI: A REBIRTH OF WONDER- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In this definitive documentary, director Christopher Felver crafts an incisive, sharply wrought portrait that reveals Ferlinghetti’s true role as catalyst for numerous literary careers and for the Beat movement itself. One-on-one interviews with Ferlinghetti, made over the course of a decade, touch upon a rich mélange of characters and events that began to unfold in postwar America.” No reviews as yet. TRDB.

2) A GLIMPSE INSIDE THE MIND OF CHARLES SWAN III- Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Set in a stylized Los Angeles, ‘A GLIMPSE INSIDE THE MIND OF CHARLES SWAN III’ is a playful comedy of lost love, friendship, revenge fantasies, and Brandy Alexanders. Charles (Charlie Sheen) is a successful graphic designer whose fame, money and charm have provided him with a seemingly perfect life. When his true love, a perplexing beauty named Ivana, suddenly breaks off their relationship, Charles’ life falls apart and he swirls into a downward spiral of doubt, confusion and reflection.” No reviews as yet. TRDB.

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

4) THE PLAYROOM- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In 1970s suburbia, Maggie and her younger siblings spend the night telling each other stories in the attic. Downstairs, as their parents entertain guests over the course of a gin-soaked evening, truths are unearthed and betrayals come to light. With standout performances from John Hawkes, Molly Parker, and a cast of talented young actors, Julia Dyer’s second feature is an honest and challenging look at the reality behind the façade of a seemingly perfect American family.” No reviews as yet. TRDB.

5) SIDE EFFECTS- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Emily Hawkins copes with her depression by taking large numbers of prescription medication. But when her emotions spiral out of control due to the upcoming release of her husband from prison, she turns to a new medication, with unforeseen results.” Just a few reviews so far and they are mixed. TRDB.
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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW-

1) THE TASTE OF MONEY- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this suspenseful erotic drama, the private male secretary and lover of Madam Baek, a Korean conglomerate’s middle-aged matriarch, falls for her more genuine daughter. Meanwhile, Madam Baek’s husband has an affair with the Filipino nanny.” 1/25/13- Mostly negative reviews but the NY Times liked this film very much. TRDB.

2) SUPPORTING CHARACTERS- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Crack film editors Nick and Darryl are hired to save a movie in desperate need of their skills, a gig that turns out to be filled with bad luck. Both men’s relationships are upended and their partnership is tested by the film’s delusional director.” 1/25/13- Good review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) ARBITRAGE- I liked this movie a lot
2) BACHLORETTE- Fair reviews at best
3) BALLPLAYER: PELOTERO- A fairly good documentary that could have been better
4) BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD- I enjoyed the film
5) CENTRAL PARK FIVE- Very good reviews
6) DEADFALL- Mixed reviews
7) THE FITZGERALD FAMILY CHRISTMAS- I liked this movie very much
8)THE FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT- OK reviews
9) HOPE SPRINGS- I liked this movie very much
10) MOONRISE KINGDOM- I liked it
11) THE MULBERRY TREE- Very good reviews
12) MY BEST ENEMY- A good movie
13) NESTING- Audiences have liked this more than the critics
14) OCTOBER BABY- Awful professional reviews
15) PEOPLE LIKE US-  I enjoyed the movie despite some light fluff. Some good dialogue as well
16) THE PUSHER- OK reviews but critics said the original was better
17) SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN- Most liked this a lot but I found it full of Hollywood
18)SAVE THE DATE- Mixed reviews
19) THE SHEIK AND I- Good reviews
20) TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE- Not great but I liked it
21) WAITING FOR LIGHTNING- The NY Times called this movie boring
22) WALK AWAY RENEE- Weak reviews from most critics
23) WOMAN IN THE FIFTH- I liked it
24) THE WORDS- I enjoyed this movie
25) YELLING TO THE SKY- Mixed reviews

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BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) RUST AND BONE- Bethel. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “To support his young son, faded boxer Ali takes a job as a bouncer and meets the free-spirited Stéphanie, who trains whales at a water park. After Stéphanie suffers a devastating accident, Ali begins a poignant and unexpected relationship with her.”Great early reviews. TRDB. 11/23/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB. 1/25/13- I saw this recently at the Palm Springs International Film Festival and I thought it was great. TRDB.

2) TABU- Jacob Burns. 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Acclaimed director Miguel Gomes returns with a sumptuous, eccentric two-part tale centered on Aurora, shown first as an impulsive, cantankerous elderly woman in present-day Lisbon. When Aurora is hospitalized, she sends her neighbor, Pilar, to pass word of her grave condition to Gian Luca, a man of which no one has ever heard her speak. Pilar’s quest to fulfill her friend’s wish transports us to Africa fifty years earlier, before the start of the Portuguese Colonial War.” 12/26/12- Excellent reviews in general but a mixed review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
REPEATS-

1) AMOUR- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this 2012 Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or winner, Georges and Anne, retired music teachers in their eighties, have a time-tested love. But as Anne’s health fails, Georges becomes her caregiver, and the couple’s bond is tested like never before.” 12/19/12- Great reviews all around and especially in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK- Bethel, Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After a four-year stay in a psychiatric institution, former teacher Pat Peoples has no choice but to move back in with his mother. While he’s trying in vain to reunite with his wife, Pat meets another woman fated to change his life.”Very good reviews. TRDB. 11/16/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB. 12/4/12- A very enjoyable piece of fluff that had a few lessons about life as well. TRDB.

3) ZERO DARK THIRTY- Bethel, Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “For a decade, an elite team of intelligence and military operatives, working in secret across the globe, devoted themselves to a single goal: to find and eliminate Osama bin Laden. Zero Dark Thirty reunites the Oscar winning team of director-producer Kathryn Bigelow and writer-producer Mark Boal (The Hurt Locker) for the story of history’s greatest manhunt for the world’s most dangerous man.”Great early reviews. TRDB. 1/29/13- I enjoyed the last 45 min. during the raid on Bin Laden’s compound because of its historical significance and suspense despite knowing the outcome. The first hour and a half was, for me, well summed up by a reviewer when he said– “A silly film that never remotely deserved an Oscar nomination.” TRDB.

4) QUARTET- Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A trio of retired opera singers’ annual celebration of Verdi’s birthday sours when their estranged fourth member shows up but refuses to sing. Tensions rise and diva drama erupts — will personal problems prevent the show from going on?” Reviews are very good. TRDB.

5) LIFE OF PI- Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on Yann Martel’s best-selling novel, this coming-of-age tale recounts the adventures of Pi, an Indian boy who is the sole survivor of a shipwreck. Pi finds himself on a lifeboat with only some zoo animals for company.” Excellent reviews. TRDB. 1/2/13- I enjoyed this movie very much especially the creative cinematography. See it in 3D if you can. TRDB.

6) LES MISERABLES- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “The musical version of Victor Hugo’s epic tale of love and sacrifice, first produced for the stage in 1985, now receives the big-screen treatment. The bloody era of the French Revolution is the backdrop to Jean Valjean’s long struggle for redemption.”Fairly good reviews even as some critics complained that the movie was poorly directed. TRDB. 12/25/12- I enjoyed this movie very much even though I generally have trouble getting into musicals on the screen. TRDB.

7) LINCOLN- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Steven Spielberg takes on the towering legacy of Abraham Lincoln, focusing on his stewardship of the Union during the Civil War years. The biographical saga also reveals the conflicts within Lincoln’s cabinet regarding the war and abolition.”11/9/12- The NY Times gave this a great review today. TRDB. 11/18/12- There have been many critics raving about this movie. Day-Lewis gave a wonderful performance but I found the movie uninspiring and I felt that it was too long, too preachy and that there were too many characters to keep track of. TRDB.

8)ARGO- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1979, when Iranian militants seize the American embassy, six Americans slip into the Canadian embassy for protection, prompting the CIA to concoct an elaborate plot to rescue them by pretending that they are filmmakers rather than diplomats.” Excellent reviews. TRDB. 10/25/12- A fascinating and apparently true story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. TRDB.

9) DJANGO UNCHAINED- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Accompanied by a German bounty hunter, a freed slave named Django travels across America to free his wife from a sadistic plantation owner. Quentin Tarantino directs this modern-day spaghetti Western.” Excellent reviews. TRDB.

10) BARBARA- Jacob Burns. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1980 East Germany, Barbara, a doctor, is reassigned to a small rural hospital as punishment for trying to find work in the West. Biding time until her lover can help her defect, Barbara begins to suspect that her new boss knows of her plans.”12/21/12- Great review in today’s NT Times and elsewhere too. TRDB.
ENJOY!!
THE REEL DR. BOB

Add comment January 31st, 2013

FILM REVIEWS #443

JANUARY 24, 2013
DEAR FRIENDS:

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

SINCE MY LAST NEWSLETTER 3 WEEKS AGO I SPENT 5 DAYS AT THE PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL WHERE I SAW 9 MOVIES–  6 THAT I LIKED VERY MUCH, 2 THAT WERE GOOD AND 1 THAT I REALLY DID NOT CARE FOR. I’LL LIST THEIR NAMES AND AS THEY ARE DISTRIBUTED INTO THEATERS (HOPEFULLY) I’LL LET YOU KNOW.

1) ALLEZ, EDDY- Great
2) IN THE FOG- Didn’t like it
3) IMAGINE- Loved it
4) ENGLISH VINGLISH- Liked this Bollywood movie a lot
5) DANDELIONS- Excellent
6) FILL THE VOID- Very good movie from Israel
7) 80 MILLION- Just OK political thriller
8) RUST AND BONE- (Already released and I liked it very much)
9) BWAKAW- Just OK movie from the Philippines

THIS WEEK I ATTENDED 2 SCREENINGS FROM THE PALM BEACH JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL AND THEY WERE BOTH EXCELLENT–BOTH ARE DESCRIBED BELOW.
NEXT YEAR I WILL GIVE MY READERS AN EARLY HEADS-UP ON THIS FESTIVAL SCHEDULE SO THAT THOSE OF YOU IN FLORIDA CAN ENJOY THIS FESTIVAL AS WELL!

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) LITTLE BIRDS- Netflix
2) TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE- Netflix
3) WHO SHOT MY FATHER?- Palm Beach Jewish FF
4) ONE DAY AFTER PEACE- Palm Beach Jewish FF

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MOVIES I’VE SEEN SINCE LAST WRITING- AT THE THEATER-

1) TCHOUPITOULAS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Join three young men for an unforgettable night in New Orleans as they explore the vibrant city streets and visit places many tourists never see. Along the way, they encounter the memorable people who make the Crescent City such a special place.”12/7/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB. 1/5/13- What a disappointment after all of the good reviews. I couldn’t understand a word they were saying and after a while I didn’t care. I walked out!! TRDB.

2) WHO SHOT MY FATHER?- 2011. Synopsis by IMDB. “Col. Joe Alon, the Israeli Air Force Attache was assassinated in 1973 in MARYLAND . An FBI investigation revealed nothing. 38 years later, the case remains unsolved and Joe’s three daughters are searching for the truth. Did he know something he shouldn’t have? The film opens with this theory and then goes on to raise personal, forensic, political and national questions and dilemmas: Why didn’t Israel cooperate with the FBI? Was Alon an undercover Mossad (Israeli undercover intelligence organization) agent? Why did the FBI destroy the evidence against protocol? Is it a part of the Yom Kippur War conspiracy theory (Dayan and Kissinger)? Includes interviews of FBI agents, Mossad chiefs, former American Air Force Chief Commander and others key personnel.” 1/21/13- I saw this at the Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival and found it interesting and provocative. TRDB.

3) ONE DAY AFTER PEACE- 2012. This is a documentary about an Israeli woman who lost her son to a Palestinian sniper and is now seeking reconciliation with both the killer and the situation by drawing from the experience of the people of South Africa and their ability to forgive the apartheid government there through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. TRDB. 1/23/13- I saw this as part of the Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival and thought it was excellent both in terms of the message and the movie itself. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SEEN SINCE LAST WRITING- AT HOME-

1) THE DAY HE ARRIVES- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This dreamlike, meandering narrative — shot in black and white and set in the Korean capital of Seoul — follows the movements of university professor Sungjoon, who’s supposed to meet a male colleague but comes across an old actress friend instead.” 4/20/12 Excellent review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB. 1/5/13- Boring as hell and I turned it off quickly. TRDB. Netflix.

2) LITTLE BIRDS- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Lily (Juno Temple) and Alison (Kay Panabaker) struggle to overcome the boredom of being teenagers in a small town in this drama directed by Elgin James. Lily yearns to escape the confines of her surroundings, while Alison finds comfort in the familiar. When they meet three street kids and follow them to Los Angeles, the girls learn just how far they’re willing to go to find their freedom and remain friends.” 8/29/12- Just a fair review in today’s NY Times. TRDB. 1/19/13-  A weak plot story but it was difficult to not get involved  with these characters and their plight with boredom and dysfunctional families and where it can lead. TRDB. Netflix.

3) TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Slowed by age and failing eyesight, crack baseball scout Gus Lobel takes his grown daughter along as he checks out the final prospect of his career. Along the way, the two renew their bond, and she catches the eye of a young player-turned-scout.”Fair reviews for this movie starring Clint Eastwood. TRDB. 9/21/12- The NY Times today called this movie “safe” and reserved praise for Amy Adams, Eastwood’s daughter in the film. TRDB. 1/19/13- A generally pleasant film with a formulaic screenplay. Just OK. TRDB.
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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JAN. 29-

1) SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Marty, a struggling writer, needs inspiration to finish his screenplay Seven Psychopaths. He gets plenty of it when his oddball friends nab a crazed gangster’s beloved pooch and he inadvertently gets caught up in all the action. “Very good reviews. TRDB.
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MOVIES THAT OPENED IN THE LAST 3 WEEKS IN ADDITION TO THOSE I WROTE ABOUT ON JAN. 3.

1) A BOTTLE IN THE GAZA SEA- 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Tal is a 17-year-old Frenchwoman who has settled in Jerusalem with her family. She writes a letter expressing her refusal to accept that only hatred can reign between Israelis and Palestinians. She slips the letter into a bottle, and her brother throws it into the sea near Gaza, where he is carrying out his military service. A few weeks later, Tal receives an e-mail response from a mysterious “Gazaman,” a young Palestinian named Naïm. And thus begins a turbulent but tender long-distance friendship between two young people that are separated by a history they are trying both to understand and change. This engrossing and hopeful drama starring Hiam Abbas is based on the award-winning novel by Valérie Zenatti.” 11/8/12- There is an article in today’s NY Times about this film that is playing in the “Other Israel Film Festival” in NY. TRDB. 1/4/13- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) CLANDESTINE CHILDHOOD- 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Argentina, 1979. After years of exile, Juan (12) and his family come back to Argentina under fake identities. Juan’s parents and his uncle Beto are members of the Montoneros Organization, which is fighting against the Military Junta that rules the country. Because of their political activities they are being tracked down relentlessly, and the threat of capture and even death is constant. However, Juan’s daily life is also full of warmth and humor, and he quickly and easily integrates into his new environment. His friends at school and the girl he has a gigantic crush on, Maria, know him as Ernesto, a name he must not forget, since his family’s survival is at stake. Juan accepts this and follows all of his parents’ rules until one day he is told that they need to move again immediately, and leave his friends and Maria behind without an explanation. This is a story about militancy, undercover life, and love. The story of a clandestine childhood.” 1/11/13- Mixed reviews in today’s NY Times and in general. Some were very good and some were just fair. TRDB.

3) LET MY PEOPLE GO- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A sweet and hilarious fusion of gay romantic comedy, Jewish family drama and French bedroom farce, Mikael Buch’s Let My People Go! follows the travails and daydreams of the lovelorn Reuben (Nicolas Maury), a French-Jewish gay mailman living in fairytale Finland (where he got his MA in “Comparative Sauna Cultures”) with his gorgeous Nordic boyfriend. But just before Passover, a series of mishaps and a lovers’ quarrel exile the heartbroken Reuben back to Paris and his zany family-including Almodovar goddess Carmen Maura as his ditzy mom, and Truffaut regular Jean-François Stévenin as his lothario father. Scripted by director Mikael Buch and renowned arthouse auteur Christophe Honoré (Love Songs), Let My People Go! both celebrates and upends Jewish and gay stereotypes with wit, gusto and style to spare. 1/11/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB.

4) UPRISING- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In January 2011, millions of Egyptians took to the streets in a spontaneous eruption against thirty years of oppression under the regime of Hosni Mubarak. Communicating via Facebook and Twitter, the largely peaceful protesters braved tear gas, beatings, and live bullets in the hope of facing down security forces and overthrowing the government. Over eight hundred lost their lives, and several thousand were arrested and tortured by security forces. UPRISING tells the story of the Egyptian revolution from the perspective of its leadership and key organizers, their struggle for freedom against tremendous odds, their sacrifice, and the courage and ingenuity that allowed them to succeed.” 1/11/13- A very good review for this documentary in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB.

5) FRACKNATION- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “There are two sides of every story and then there is the truth. FrackNation is the film that will tell the truth about fracking. People across the US told us that everything we had heard about fracking was wrong. They say that anti-fracking campaigns, one-sided media coverage and moratoriums and bans have damaged the lives of thousands of people who are now desperate to have their voices heard.” 1/11/13- A good review in today’s NY Times saying that the film described the complexity of the situation very well. Others called it too one-sided. TRDB.

6) FAIRHAVEN- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Jon is on a journey of introspection and launching a writing career when an unexpected visit from two old pals derails his train of thought. As the three travel down memory lane, Jon learns more about himself than he ever could as a writer.” 1/11/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. Others have not been as good. TRDB.

7) GANGSTER SQUAD- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When notorious East Coast mob boss Mickey Cohen looks to set up his operations in L.A., it’s up to a group of hard-nosed LAPD cops to take him down. Based on true events, this ’40s-era crime drama is directed by Ruben Fleischer.” 1/11/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times and everywhere else as well. TRDB.

8)BROKEN CITY- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “After private detective Billy Taggart informs the mayor of New York that his wife is having an affair, the woman’s lover turns up dead. In short order, the PI learns that his mayor boss is at the center of some very shady real estate dealings.” 1/181/13- An OK review in today’s NY Times calling it a solid B movie. Others have disliked it. TRDB.

9) BRIEF REUNION- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Successful businessman Aaron Clark has his 40th birthday wrecked by his no-good former classmate Teddy, who also begins stalking Aaron and his wife. Unable to contain Teddy’s sinister invasion of his life, Aaron finally arrives at his breaking point.” 1/18/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB.

10) HORS SATAN (OUTSIDE SATAN)- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this allegorical drama, a homeless man who may be more than he seems relentlessly wanders the open countryside — often accompanied by a teenage girl who feeds him — and indulges in an uneasy mixture of prayer and random violence.” 1/18/13- This movie received an OK review from the NY Times today and mixed reviews in general. TRDB.

11) GREENWICH VILLAGE: MUSIC THAT DEFINED A GENERATION- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “GREENWICH VILLAGE: MUSIC THAT DEFINED A GENERATION is a feature-length documentary about the Greenwich Village music scene and how it sparked everlasting political, social and cultural changes. For the first time, the greatest singer-songwriters, authors and performers from Greenwich Village reflect on how they collectively became the voice of a generation.” 1/18/13- I found only 2 reviews at this time, one positive and one negative. TRDB.

12) STOLEN SEAS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Utilizing exclusive interviews and unparalleled access to real pirates, hostages, ship-owners, pirate negotiators and experts on piracy, Stolen Seas presents a chilling exploration of the Somali pirate phenomenon. Stolen Seas is an eye opening refutation of preconceived ideas on how or why piracy has become the world’s most frightening multi-million dollar growth industry.” 1/18/13- This movie was one of the “best of the fest” at the Palm Springs International Film Festival this year and was praised in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

13) OUR SCHOOL- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmed over a four-year period in Transylvania, this poignant documentary chronicles the desegregation of a local school and the effect it has on three Roma — or “Gypsy” — children, as the kids face prejudice from their peers and the school system.” 1/18/13- A very good review for this documentary in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

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MOVIES OPENING THIS WEEK (JAN. 25)-

1) HAPPY PEOPLE: A YEAR IN THE TAIGA- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Venerated documentarian Werner Herzog teams with director Dmitry Vasyukov for this observant look at life along the River Yenisei in northern Russia, where the industrious inhabitants of a rural village truly live off the land.” A few mixed reviews so far. TRDB.

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

1) ANY DAY NOW- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Rudy and Paul take in their neighbor’s teenage son Marco, who has Down syndrome, when his neglectful mother throws him out of her apartment. Their attempt to legally adopt Marco sparks a court battle over gay rights in this powerful true story. “A few reviews and they are very good. TRDB.

2) THE LOVING STORY- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This riveting documentary profiles Mildred and Richard Loving, who were arrested hours after their 1958 wedding for breaking Virginia’s laws against interracial marriage. In 1967, their case was heard before the Supreme Court and changed the nation.” 1/31/12- I saw this at a special showing with the director Nancy Biurski at the Jacob Burns Film Center. A great documentary with an impressive trove of archival footage. The movie was thought provoking and has analogies to life today in various parts of society both here and abroad. TRDB.
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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW-

1) THE MULBERRY TREE- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “While fulfilling his court-ordered community service in the state hospital, Mickey Loren meets Samuel Freeman, a convicted murderer dying of AIDS, whose remaining days on “hospital detail” give him the opportunity for redemption through conversations with Mickey about their own family issues.” Very good reviews. TRDB.
REPEATS-

1) ARBITRAGE- I liked this movie a lot
2) BACHLORETTE- Fair reviews at best
3) BALLPLAYER: PELOTERO- A fairly good documentary that could have been better
4) BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD- I enjoyed the film
5) CENTRAL PARK FIVE- Very good reviews
6) DEADFALL- Mixed reviews
7) THE FITZGERALD FAMILY CHRISTMAS- I liked this movie very much
8)THE FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT- OK reviews
9) HOPE SPRINGS- I liked this movie very much
10) THE LONELIEST PLANET- Lots of bad reviews. I saw 10 minutes for free On-Demand and did not like it
11) MOONRISE KINGDOM- I liked it
12) MY BEST ENEMY- A good movie
13) NESTING- Audiences have liked this more than the critics
14) OCTOBER BABY- Awful professional reviews
15) PEOPLE LIKE US-  I enjoyed the movie despite some light fluff. Some good dialogue as well
16) THE PUSHER- OK reviews but critics said the original was better
17) SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN- Most liked this a lot but I found it full of Hollywood
18)SAVE THE DATE- Mixed reviews
19) THE SHEIK AND I- Good reviews
20) WAITING FOR LIGHTNING- The NY Times called this movie boring
21) WALK AWAY RENEE- Weak reviews from most critics
22) WOMAN IN THE FIFTH- I liked it
23) THE WORDS- I enjoyed this movie
24) YELLING TO THE SKY- Mixed reviews

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) RUST AND BONE- Bethel, Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “To support his young son, faded boxer Ali takes a job as a bouncer and meets the free-spirited Stéphanie, who trains whales at a water park. After Stéphanie suffers a devastating accident, Ali begins a poignant and unexpected relationship with her.”Great early reviews. TRDB. 1/23/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB. 1/25/13- I saw this recently at the Palm Springs International Film Festival and I thought it was great. TRDB.

2) LOVE (AMOUR)- Jacob Burns, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this 2012 Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or winner, Georges and Anne, retired music teachers in their eighties, have a time-tested love. But as Anne’s health fails, Georges becomes her caregiver, and the couple’s bond is tested like never before.” 12/19/12- Great reviews all around and especially in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) BARBARA- Jacob Burns. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1980 East Germany, Barbara, a doctor, is reassigned to a small rural hospital as punishment for trying to find work in the West. Biding time until her lover can help her defect, Barbara begins to suspect that her new boss knows of her plans.” 12/21/12- Great review in today’s NT Times and elsewhere too. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) ZERO DARK THIRTY- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “For a decade, an elite team of intelligence and military operatives, working in secret across the globe, devoted themselves to a single goal: to find and eliminate Osama bin Laden. Zero Dark Thirty reunites the Oscar winning team of director-producer Kathryn Bigelow and writer-producer Mark Boal (The Hurt Locker) for the story of history’s greatest manhunt for the world’s most dangerous man.” Great reviews and audiences have liked it too. TRDB.

2) SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After a four-year stay in a psychiatric institution, former teacher Pat Peoples has no choice but to move back in with his mother. While he’s trying in vain to reunite with his wife, Pat meets another woman fated to change his life.”Very good reviews. TRDB. 11/16/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB. 12/4/12- A very enjoyable piece of fluff that had a few lessons about life as well. TRDB.

3) HYDE PARK ON THE HUDSON- Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In June 1939, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Bill Murray) and his wife Eleanor (Olivia Williams) host the King and Queen of England (Samuel West and Olivia Colman) for a weekend at the Roosevelt home at Hyde Park on Hudson, in upstate New York – the first-ever visit of a reigning English monarch to America. With Britain facing imminent war with Germany, the Royals are desperately looking to FDR for support. But international affairs must be juggled with the complexities of FDR’s domestic establishment, as wife, mother, and mistresses all conspire to make the royal weekend an unforgettable one.” Mediocre early reviews. TRDB. 12/7/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) QUARTET- Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A trio of retired opera singers’ annual celebration of Verdi’s birthday sours when their estranged fourth member shows up but refuses to sing. Tensions rise and diva drama erupts — will personal problems prevent the show from going on?” Early reviews are very good. TRDB.

5) LIFE OF PI- Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on Yann Martel’s best-selling novel, this coming-of-age tale recounts the adventures of Pi, an Indian boy who is the sole survivor of a shipwreck. Pi finds himself on a lifeboat with only some zoo animals for company.” Excellent reviews. TRDB. 1/2/13- I enjoyed this movie very much especially the creative cinematography. See it in 3D if you can. TRDB.

6) LES MISERABLES- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “The musical version of Victor Hugo’s epic tale of love and sacrifice, first produced for the stage in 1985, now receives the big-screen treatment. The bloody era of the French Revolution is the backdrop to Jean Valjean’s long struggle for redemption.”Fairly good reviews even as some critics complained that the movie was poorly directed. TRDB. 12/25/12- I enjoyed this movie very much even though I generally have trouble getting into musicals on the screen. TRDB.

7) LINCOLN-  Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Steven Spielberg takes on the towering legacy of Abraham Lincoln, focusing on his stewardship of the Union during the Civil War years. The biographical saga also reveals the conflicts within Lincoln’s cabinet regarding the war and abolition.”11/9/12- The NY Times gave this a great review today. TRDB. 11/18/12- There have been many critics raving about this movie. Day-Lewis gave a wonderful performance but I found the movie uninspiring and I felt that it was too long, too preachy and that there were too many characters to keep track of. TRDB.

8)ARGO- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1979, when Iranian militants seize the American embassy, six Americans slip into the Canadian embassy for protection, prompting the CIA to concoct an elaborate plot to rescue them by pretending that they are filmmakers rather than diplomats.” Excellent reviews. TRDB. 10/25/12- A fascinating and apparently true story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. TRDB.

9) DJANGO UNCHAINED- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Accompanied by a German bounty hunter, a freed slave named Django travels across America to free his wife from a sadistic plantation owner. Quentin Tarantino directs this modern-day spaghetti Western.” Excellent reviews. TRDB.

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

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

For Films everywhere go to- www.fandango.com

ENJOY!!
THE REEL DR. BOB

Add comment January 24th, 2013

FILM REVIEWS #440

DECEMBER 20, 2012
DEAR FRIENDS:
 
YOU CAN ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AND OLDER REVIEWS AT- www.thereeldrbob.com
 
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE FORMAT OF THIS LETTER MAY BE VERY DIFFERENT AS I’M WORKING ON AN OLD COMPUTER HERE IN FLORIDA WITH, AMONG OTHER ISSUES HAS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF ADDRESS BOOK—- SO HERE’S HOPING AND I AM APOLOGIZING IN ADVANCE IF THIS DOES NOT ARRIVE PROPERLY

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) THE FITZGERALD FAMILY CHRISTMAS- Comcast On-Demand
 
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MOVIES I SAW AT THE THEATER- NONE
 
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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) CRAIGSLIST JOE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Setting out to explore whether America still has a sense of community, with people helping each other through hard times, 29-year-old Joseph Garner spends a month depending on the goodness of Craigslist posters for his survival.”Good audience reviews but poor professional ones. TRDB.12/13/12- I disliked this movie and turned it off quickly. If it wasn’t for the cameraman following Joe around who knows how many of those new “friends” would have been so nice to him?” TRDB. Netflix.

2) THE FITZGERALD FAMILY CHRISTMAS- 2012. “With THE FITZGERALD FAMILY CHRISTMAS, Burns returns to the working-class, Irish-American roots of THE BROTHERS MCMULLEN. Reuniting with McMullen co-stars Connie Britton (“Friday Night Lights”, “Nashville”), and Michael McGlone, along with Noah Emmerich (LITTLE CHILDREN, BEAUTIFUL GIRLS), Kerry Bishé (ARGO, RED STATE) and Caitlin FitzGerald (DAMSELS IN DISTRESS, NEWLYWEDS) Burns seamlessly weaves an ensemble story of adult siblings dealing with the desire of their estranged father (Ed Lauter, THE ARTIST, THE LONGEST YARD) to return home for Christmas for the first time since he walked out on his family 20 years ago. Family rifts emerge, and like with any family, Christmas brings a mixed bag of complicated emotions and dynamics. Alliances form, old wounds are reopened or glossed over, and the possibility for a new hope and forgiveness emerges.”12/7/12- The NY Times liked this movie. TRDB.12/17/12- I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Edward Burns “gets” family relationships in a way that others don’t. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-
 
DEC. 21-
 
1) ARBITRAGE- 2012. Synopsis  by Netflix. “It’s financial whiz Robert Miller’s day of reckoning. As he struggles to divest his empire before his fraud is brought to light, fate takes a nasty turn. Now desperate and running out of options, Miller turns to an unlikely source for help.” Great early reviews. I saw the coming attractions for this and it looked very good. TRDB.

9/14/12- Fair review at best in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

9/19/12- A suspenseful and well acted financial thriller. TRDB.

2) RED HOOK SUMMER- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Flik’s summer vacation is upended when he’s sent from suburban Atlanta to stay with his preacher grandfather in the projects of Brooklyn. As the old man tries to get religion into his grandson, Flik befriends a mischievous girl from the congregation.”

Fairly good reviews so far for this movie. TRDB.

8/10/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) PREMIUM RUSH- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fast-paced action flick, a New York City bicycle messenger (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) picks up a mysterious envelope for urgent cross-town delivery. But as the lad cycles against the clock, he must also elude a corrupt policeman who wants the package for himself.”

8/24/12- Good review in today’s NY Times and also by other professionals and audiences. TRDB.
DEC. 24-
 
1) TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Slowed by age and failing eyesight, crack baseball scout Gus Lobel takes his grown daughter along as he checks out the final prospect of his career. Along the way, the two renew their bond, and she catches the eye of a young player-turned-scout.” Fair reviews for this movie starring Clint Eastwood. TRDB.

9/21/12- The NY Times today called this movie “safe” and reserved praise for Amy Adams, Eastwood’s daughter in the film. TRDB.
 2) THE WELL DIGGER’S DAUGHTER- 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A bitter class war erupts between two families after the daughter of a humble well-digger get impregnated by the scion of a wealthy shopkeeper. Aging widower Pascale worked hard to provide for his six daughters. As the first shots of World War I are fired, Pascale’s eldest daughter Patricia (Astrid Bergés-Frisbey) returns home from Paris to help raise her younger siblings. Meanwhile, Pascale longs to see Patricia marry his longtime assistant Pascale (Kad Merad) – a hard worker who would make a loving husband. But shortly after arriving back home, Patricia has a fling with Jacques Mazel (Nicolas Duvauchelle), a fighter pilot who hails from a wealthy family, and disappears to the front lines after getting Patricia pregnant. At first, the Mazel’s are furious, accusing the impoverished Amoretti’s of using the situation to stake a claim on their fortune. When Jacques goes missing in action, however, the Mazel’s quickly realize that Patricia’s unborn child may be their only link to the son who sacrificed his life fighting for their country.” Great early professional reviews but audiences have not been as impressed. TRDB.

7/20/12- A just OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

9/7/12- An interesting French comedic drama with wonderful acting, especially a great Auteuil. You should see it. TRDB. At the Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival.

3) THE WORDS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After finding a brilliant unpublished book in an old briefcase, wannabe writer Rory Jansen decides to claim it’s his work — but his choice sets events in motion that have him facing an ethical quandary he could never have expected.”

9/7/12- Weak reviews in general and in today’s NY Times as well. TRDB.

9/18/12- Despite the weak reviews a few critics liked it very much. I thought it was done in an interesting manner with an unusual premise and I did like it. The scene at the end with Jeremy Irons I could have done without. TRDB.
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OPENED DURING THE LAST 2 WEEKS IN ADDITION TO THOSE I WROTE ABOUT ON DEC.6-
 
1) DEADFALL- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “On the run after a casino heist, siblings Addison and Liza split up. When Liza gets a ride from a prison parolee heading to his parents’ home for Thanksgiving, unexpected events lead the two families toward a collision in this suspenseful thriller.” 12/7/12- Good review in today’s NY Times but others haven’t been so generous. TRDB.

2) DELHI SAFARI- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The residents of the national park welcome a bright sunny morning, birds singing away merrily, animals running around with joy. A distant thunder breaks the silence and a closer look reveals the jungle being raided by man and machine destroying everything in its path. The night has a very tense air as all the animals gather around with fear in their heart, discussing their fate of losing their habitat to human beings.”12/7/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB

3) HONOR FLIGHT- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Honor Flight is a heartwarming, feature-length documentary about a Midwest community joining together to honor World War II veterans one last time. The film follows a devoted team of volunteers as they race against the clock to send every WWII veteran on an Honor Flight to see the war memorials in Washington, DC. The more they do, the more their cause takes on a life of its own.”12/7/12- Good review in general but the NY Times panned it in today’s review, calling it exploitive. TRDB.

4) LAY THE FAVORITE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Leaving behind her job as a Florida stripper, bubbly Beth Raymer heads to Las Vegas, where she soon joins forces with a professional sports bookie and becomes his good-luck charm — until his jealous wife steps in.”12/7/12- Awful reviews in general and in today’s NY Times as well. TRDB.

5) OFF WHITE LIES- 2012. Synopsis by IMDB. “About a father and his daughter, during the 2006 war between Israel and Lebanon.”12/7/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

6) ONLY THE YOUNG- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this poetic documentary, teens Garrison and Kevin use their love of skateboarding and devotion to Christianity to cope with their sometimes-troubled friendship with their female pal Skye and the severe economic slump of their California community.”12/7/12- A weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

7) SAHKANAGA- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In 2002, over 300 bodies were discovered on the property of the Tri-State Crematory in the Appalachian foothills of northwest Georgia, thrusting an unassuming, tight-knit community into the international spotlight. SAHKANAGA (meaning “Great Blue Hills of God” in Cherokee, pronounced “sock-uh-nogga”) imagines this event from the perspective of Paul, a teenager who stumbles upon the first body.”12/7/12- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

8) THE SHEIK AND I- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When he’s commissioned to make a movie for a Middle Eastern biennial, director Caveh Zahedi turns out a satirical film that makes fun of the sheik. Soon, his work is banned and he’s threatened with a fatwa.”12/7/12- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

9) TCHOUPITOULAS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Join three young men for an unforgettable night in New Orleans as they explore the vibrant city streets and visit places many tourists never see. Along the way, they encounter the memorable people who make the Crescent City such a special place.”12/7/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

10) WAITING FOR LIGHTNING- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “WAITING FOR LIGHTNING is the story of Danny Way, the skateboarder whose dream was to jump China’s Great Wall on a skateboard. It’s a film about how much abuse the body can sustain, how deep you have to dig to survive the challenges life presents, and how high and far dreams can fly. In his quest for greatness, Way continues to shape the very sport which helped save his own life.”12/7/12- The NY Times called this movie boring but others were not as generous. TRDB.

11) WAGNER & ME- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Actor and writer Stephen Fry explores a personal paradox: he’s Jewish, but adores the music of Richard Wagner, Hitler’s favorite composer. Fry meets Wagner’s descendants, plays his piano and visits key places in Wagner’s life in a quest for answers.”12/7/12- Critics have liked this film. Today’s NY Time review was difficult to interpret. TRDB.

12) STAND UP GUYS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This tough-guy comedy follows the rambunctious reunion between three retired gangsters and their reminiscences of wild times and crimes gone by. Energized by their own memories, the drunken friends unwisely undertake a reckless criminal adventure.”12/14/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere. TRDB.

13) 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.

14) YELLING TO THE SKY- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Rocker Lenny Kravitz’s daughter, Zoë, stars in this independent coming-of-age tale as Sweetness O’Hara, a conflicted teen trying to reconcile her purposeful dreams with the realities of her violent surroundings.”12/14/12- The Times liked this movie in today’s review. Many other critics have not liked it very much. TRDB.

15) LET FURY HAVE THE HOUR- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary explores the last three decades of “creative response”: using art as a political statement in response to reactionary politics. Interviews with more than 50 artists include Shepard Fairey, Eve Ensler, Tom Morello and Lewis Black.”12/14/12- Poor reviews all around and in today’s NY Times as well. TRDB.

16) TRASHED- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Actor Jeremy Irons and director Candida Brady go on a worldwide quest to uncover how the enormous amount of garbage generated by the human race has affected the environment and what efforts are being made to repair the extensive damage.”12/14/12- Fairly good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

17) JASON BECKER: NOT DEAD YET- 2012. “This documentary chronicles the life of Jason Becker, a teen prodigy and ’80s rock-guitar hero whose career was derailed by Lou Gehrig’s disease. Decades after his diagnosis, Becker continues to make music via an innovative computerized system.”12/14/12- Good review in today’ NY Times. TRDB.

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OPENING THIS WEEK-

1) DJANGO UNCHAINED- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Accompanied by a German bounty hunter, a freed slave named Django travels across America to free his wife from a sadistic plantation owner. Quentin Tarantino directs this modern-day spaghetti Western.”Excellent reviews. TRDB.

2) LES MISERABLES- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “The musical version of Victor Hugo’s epic tale of love and sacrifice, first produced for the stage in 1985, now receives the big-screen treatment. The bloody era of the French Revolution is the backdrop to Jean Valjean’s long struggle for redemption.”Fairly good reviews even as some critics complained that the movie was poorly directed. TRDB.

3) PARENTAL GUIDANCE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When their daughter must leave for a week, Artie and Diane Decker find themselves in charge of their three grandchildren, whose well-regimented and high-tech lives leave Grandma and Grandpa baffled and ready to bring on the old-school parenting.”No professional reviews as yet. TRDB.

4) 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.

5) LUV- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This indie drama portrays a single day shared by an 11-year-old boy and his uncle, who’s recently rejoined the world after eight years in prison. When the older Vincent brings young Woody along on business, fresh lessons in life await them both.”No reviews as yet. TRDB.

6) PROMISED LAND- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Taking advantage of hard economic times, two salespeople for a natural gas company come to a small town to buy drilling rights from the residents. To their surprise, a local schoolteacher mobilizes a campaign aimed at blocking the company’s plans.”Fair early reviews. TRDB.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
 
FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-
 
1) WUTHERING HEIGHTS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In director Andrea Arnold’s updated take on Emily Brontë’s classic tale, the youthful love between English adolescents Cathy and Heathcliff becomes a twisted passion that wreaks havoc as they navigate adult responsibilities and prejudices.” 10/5/12- A mixed review in today’s NY Times but fairly good ones from critics in general. TRDB.
2) BARRYMORE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Christopher Plummer revives his Tony Award-winning turn as the legendary John Barrymore in this filmed presentation of the stage production. His glory days gone, Barrymore reminisces and reckons with the joys and ravages of his life lived in excess.” Mixed early reviews– some very good and some poor. TRDB.
 
_________________________________________________________________________________________
 
COMCAST ON-DEMAND-
 
NEW-

1) THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This piercing documentary examines the case of five teenagers, all African-American or Latino, who were convicted of the brutal rape of a white woman in Central Park in 1989. Years later, the confession of the real rapist set the jailed men free.”Excellent reviews. TRDB.

2) DEADFALL- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “On the run after a casino heist, siblings Addison and Liza split up. When Liza gets a ride from a prison parolee heading to his parents’ home for Thanksgiving, unexpected events lead the two families toward a collision in this suspenseful thriller.”12/7/12- Good review in today’s NY Times but others haven’t been so generous. TRDB.

3) HOPE SPRINGS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Feeling disconnected in her decades-old marriage, Maeve convinces her skeptical husband to attend a marriage therapy week with a celebrated relationship expert — but now they must shed their inhibitions and learn some new sexual and emotional moves.”Very good professional and audience reviews . TRDB.8/19/12- I liked this movie very much. I found it realistic, honest and very well acted. The comedy involved was a case of “the laughs” when we were uncomfortable with the honesty of the material. Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones were great and great together. TRDB.

4) LAY THE FAVORITE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Leaving behind her job as a Florida stripper, bubbly Beth Raymer heads to Las Vegas, where she soon joins forces with a professional sports bookie and becomes his good-luck charm — until his jealous wife steps in.”12/7/12- Awful reviews in general and in today’s NY Times as well. TRDB.

5) THE SHEIK AND I- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When he’s commissioned to make a movie for a Middle Eastern biennial, director Caveh Zahedi turns out a satirical film that makes fun of the sheik. Soon, his work is banned and he’s threatened with a fatwa.”12/7/12- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

6) WAITING FOR LIGHTNING- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “WAITING FOR LIGHTNING is the story of Danny Way, the skateboarder whose dream was to jump China’s Great Wall on a skateboard. It’s a film about how much abuse the body can sustain, how deep you have to dig to survive the challenges life presents, and how high and far dreams can fly. In his quest for greatness, Way continues to shape the very sport which helped save his own life.”12/7/12- The NY Times called this movie boring. TRDB.

7) YELLING TO THE SKY- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Rocker Lenny Kravitz’s daughter, Zoë, stars in this independent coming-of-age tale as Sweetness O’Hara, a conflicted teen trying to reconcile her purposeful dreams with the realities of her violent surroundings.”12/14/12- The Times liked this movie in today’s review. Many other critics have not liked it very much. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) ALL TOGETHER- Fairly good reviews
2) ARBITRAGE- I liked this movie a lot
3) BACHLORETTE- Fair reviews at best
4) BALLPLAYER: PELOTERO- A fairly good documentary that could have been better
5) THE COMEDY- A poor review from the NY Times
6) CRAIGSLIST JOE- Good early reviews
7) ESCAPE FIRE: THE FIGHT TO RESCUE AMERICAN HEALTHCARE-  Good reviews
8)THE FITZGERALD FAMILY CHRISTMAS- I liked this movie very much
9) THE FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT- OK reviews
10) THE FLAT- I liked this movie
11) FRIENDS WITH KIDS- Very good
12) GREEN WAVE- Good reviews
13) HOW TO SURVIVE A PLAGUE- Good reviews
14) THE IRON LADY- Weak movie but worth seeing just for Meryl Streep
15) THE LONELIEST PLANET- Lots of bad reviews. I saw 10 minutes for free On-Demand and did not like it
16) MOONRISE KINGDOM- I liked it
17) NESTING- Audiences have liked this more than the critics
18)OCTOBER BABY- Awful professional reviews
19) PEOPLE LIKE US-  I enjoyed the movie despite some light fluff. Some good dialogue as well
20) PRICE CHECK- Mixed reviews
21) THE PUSHER- OK reviews but critics said the original was better
22) SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN- Most liked this a lot but I found it full of Hollywood
23) SAVE THE DATE- Mixed reviews
24) WOMAN IN THE FIFTH- I liked it

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

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

Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com
 
________________________________________________________________________________________
 
BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS- (Westchester and Fairfield Counties)
 
NEW IN THE BURBS-
REPEATS-

1) ANNA KARENINA- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Oscar winner Tom Stoppard penned this adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel, which stars Keira Knightley as the titular 19th-century Russian aristocrat who enters into a passionate and forbidden love affair with the well-heeled Count Vronsky.”OK early reviews in general but a few miserable ones as well. TRDB.11/16/12- Basically a good review in today’s NY Times. I think the Times was disappointed. Others gave it mixed reviews, more good than bad. TRDB.

2) HITCHCOCK- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Iconic filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock struggles with his marriage, the censors and the financiers of his 1960 film Psycho in this biopic. Driven to prove he still has an edge, Hitchcock crafts what would become one of the greatest thrillers of all time.”11/23/12- Mixed reviews from most critics  and a weak one from today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) HYDE PARK ON THE HUDSON- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In June 1939, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Bill Murray) and his wife Eleanor (Olivia Williams) host the King and Queen of England (Samuel West and Olivia Colman) for a weekend at the Roosevelt home at Hyde Park on Hudson, in upstate New York – the first-ever visit of a reigning English monarch to America. With Britain facing imminent war with Germany, the Royals are desperately looking to FDR for support. But international affairs must be juggled with the complexities of FDR’s domestic establishment, as wife, mother, and mistresses all conspire to make the royal weekend an unforgettable one.”Mediocre early reviews. TRDB.12/7/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) LINCOLN- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Steven Spielberg takes on the towering legacy of Abraham Lincoln, focusing on his stewardship of the Union during the Civil War years. The biographical saga also reveals the conflicts within Lincoln’s cabinet regarding the war and abolition.”11/9/12- The NY Times gave this a great review today. TRDB.11/18/12- There have been many critics raving about this movie. Day-Lewis gave a wonderful performance but I found the movie uninspiring and I felt that it was too long, too preachy and that there were too many characters to keep track of. TRDB.

5) SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After a four-year stay in a psychiatric institution, former teacher Pat Peoples has no choice but to move back in with his mother. While he’s trying in vain to reunite with his wife, Pat meets another woman fated to change his life.”Very good reviews. TRDB.11/16/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.12/4/12- A very enjoyable piece of fluff that had a few lessons about life as well. TRDB.

6) LIFE OF PI- Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on Yann Martel’s best-selling novel, this coming-of-age tale recounts the adventures of Pi, an Indian boy who is the sole survivor of a shipwreck. Pi finds himself on a lifeboat with only some zoo animals for company.” Excellent reviews. TRDB.

7) ARGO- Saw Mill Hawthorne. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1979, when Iranian militants seize the American embassy, six Americans slip into the Canadian embassy for protection, prompting the CIA to concoct an elaborate plot to rescue them by pretending that they are filmmakers rather than diplomats.” Excellent reviews. TRDB.10/25/12- A fascinating and apparently true story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. TRDB.

8) THE OTHER SON- Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “”The Other Son” is the moving and provocative tale of two young men — one Israeli, the other Palestinian — who discover they were accidentally switched at birth, and the complex repercussions facing them and their respective families. Joseph (Jules Sitruk), an 18-year-old musician preparing to join the Israeli army for his mandatory military service, lives at home in a comfortable suburb of Tel Aviv with his parents, France-born physician Orith (Emmanuelle Devos) and Israel-born army commander Alon Silbers (Pascal Elbé). A blood test for Joseph’s military service reveals that he is not their biological son. During the Gulf War Joseph was evacuated from a clinic along with another baby, and the pair were given back to the wrong families. While Palestinian Joseph went to Tel Aviv with the Silbers, their actual Jewish son, Yacine (Medhi Dehbi), was brought to the West Bank by an Arab couple, Said (Khalifa Natour) and Leila (Areen Omari). The revelation turns the lives of the two families upside-down, forcing them to reassess their respective identities, values, and beliefs.” 10/26/12- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.10/28/12- I liked this movie very much. Great acting and a different slant on a premise that has been done before. The film was very well done especially and dealing with the sensitivities regarding this region of the world. Highly recommended. 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

Add comment January 4th, 2013

FILM REVIEWS #441

DECEMBER 27, 2012
DEAR FRIENDS:

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

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

______________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

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) ) HITCHCOCK– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Iconic filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock struggles with his marriage, the censors and the financiers of his 1960 film Psycho in this biopic. Driven to prove he still has an edge, Hitchcock crafts what would become one of the greatest thrillers of all time.”11/23/12- Mixed reviews from most critics  and a weak one from today’s NY Times. TRDB.12/22/12- I found this movie slow, the acting forced and I dozed a couple of times. TRDB.
___________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

______________________________________________________________________
COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JAN.1-

1) LITTLE BIRDS- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Lily (Juno Temple) and Alison (Kay Panabaker) struggle to overcome the boredom of being teenagers in a small town in this drama directed by Elgin James. Lily yearns to escape the confines of her surroundings, while Alison finds comfort in the familiar. When they meet three street kids and follow them to Los Angeles, the girls learn just how far they’re willing to go to find their freedom and remain friends.”8/29/12- Just a fair review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) COSMOPOLIS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Wall Street whiz Eric Packer is caught in Manhattan’s gridlock as he helplessly watches his empire fall with the rise of the Chinese yuan. Activity erupts in the streets, and paranoia sets in as Packer links the clues to his imminent assassination.”8/17/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times but mixed reviews in general from both critics and viewers. TRDB.

3) LOOPER- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In the futuristic action thriller Looper, time travel will be invented – but it will be illegal and only available on the black market. When the mob wants to get rid of someone, they will send their target 30 years into the past, where a “looper” – a hired gun, like Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) – is waiting to mop up. Joe is getting rich and life is good… until the day the mob decides to “close the loop,” sending back Joe’s future self (Bruce Willis) for assassination.”9/28/12- Excellent reviews for this sci-fi thriller. TRDB.
______________________________________________________________________

OPENED THIS WEEK IN ADDITION TO THE MOVIES I WROTE ABOUT ON 12/20-

1) THIS IS 40- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Writer-director Judd Apatow revisits Knocked Up’s married couple Pete and Debbie in this sequel as the pair wrestles with parenthood, keeping romance alive and the realities of getting older.”12/21/12- A good review in today’s NY Times but fair reviews elsewhere. TRDB.

2) NOT FADE AWAY- 2012. “Inspired by the music of Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, three 1960s high-schoolers form a rock band in the New Jersey suburbs. James Gandolfini co-stars in this debut feature from “Sopranos” creator David Chase.”12/21/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere too. TRDB.

3) AMERICAN EMPIRE- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “American Empire is a documentary about the hidden forces that are controlling America and the world, and how this affects you, your children and your grandchildren.”12/21/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB.

4) AQUI Y ALLA (HERE AND THERE)- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Pedro returns home to a small mountain village in Guerrero, Mexico after years of working in the US, and struggles to rebuild his family and follow his dream of starting a band: the Copa Kings.”12/21/12- Most reviewers have liked this movie but it got a poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5) CIRQUE DU SOLEIL:  WORLDS AWAY- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This family-friendly fantasy intertwines magnificent artistic and acrobatic performances from some of Cirque du Soleil’s inventive shows — including “Ka” and “O” — to create a new story that takes viewers into a beautiful, imaginative world.”12/21/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times. Just fair reviews in general, however. TRDB.

6) ON THE ROAD- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “At the height of the Beat era, New York writer Sal Paradise, his freewheeling buddy Dean, and Dean’s wife set out on a journey of self-discovery. Their cross-country quest for answers reflects the American character, attitudes and values of the time.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.5/27/12- A mention about this movie in today’s NY Times. TRDB.12/21/12- A weak review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB.

7) THE IMPOSSIBLE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Tracking one family’s harrowing experiences, this gripping drama depicts the chaos generated by the massive 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia. On December 26, Maria, Henry and their sons are vacationing in Thailand when unthinkable disaster strikes.”12/21/12- Basically a good review of the movie itself in today’s NY Times but the reviewer noted that the story was about wealthy tourists and had little to do with the thousands of native Asians who suffered. TRDB.

8) BARBARA- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1980 East Germany, Barbara, a doctor, is reassigned to a small rural hospital as punishment for trying to find work in the West. Biding time until her lover can help her defect, Barbara begins to suspect that her new boss knows of her plans.”12/21/12- Great review in today’s NT Times and elsewhere too. TRDB.

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OPENING THIS WEEK-

1) 56 UP- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Give me the child until he is seven and I will give you the man.” Starting in 1964 with Seven Up, The UP Series has explored this Jesuit maxim. The original concept was to interview 14 children from diverse backgrounds from all over England, asking them about their lives and their dreams for the future. Every seven years, renowned director Michael Apted, a researcher for Seven Up, has been back to talk to them, examining the progression of their lives.”Early reviews are very good. TRDB.
______________________________________________________________________

FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

______________________________________________________________________
COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW-
REPEATS-

1) ALL TOGETHER- Fairly good reviews
2) ARBITRAGE- I liked this movie a lot
3) BACHLORETTE- Fair reviews at best
4) BALLPLAYER: PELOTERO- A fairly good documentary that could have been better
5) THE COMEDY- A poor review from the NY Times
6) CRAIGSLIST JOE- I did not like this one at all and turned it off
7) ESCAPE FIRE: THE FIGHT TO RESCUE AMERICAN HEALTHCARE-  Good reviews
8)THE FITZGERALD FAMILY CHRISTMAS- I liked this movie very much
9) THE FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT- OK reviews
10) THE FLAT- I liked this movie
11) FRIENDS WITH KIDS- Very good
12) GREEN WAVE- Good reviews
13) HOW TO SURVIVE A PLAGUE- Good reviews
14) THE IRON LADY- Weak movie but worth seeing just for Meryl Streep
15) THE LONELIEST PLANET- Lots of bad reviews. I saw 10 minutes for free On-Demand and did not like it
16) MOONRISE KINGDOM- I liked it
17) NESTING- Audiences have liked this more than the critics
18)OCTOBER BABY- Awful professional reviews
19) PEOPLE LIKE US-  I enjoyed the movie despite some light fluff. Some good dialogue as well
20) PRICE CHECK- Mixed reviews
21) THE PUSHER- OK reviews but critics said the original was better
22) SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN- Most liked this a lot but I found it full of Hollywood
23) SAVE THE DATE- Mixed reviews
24) WOMAN IN THE FIFTH- I liked it
Cablevision Link– http://www.optimum.net/VOD/movies?cat=Movies+On+Demand%2FIndependent+Films%2FIFC+In+Theaters

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

Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com

______________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-

NEW IN THE BURBS-
REPEATS-

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

Add comment January 4th, 2013

FILM REVIEWS #442-FINAL

JANUARY 3, 2013
DEAR FRIENDS:

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

I WILL BE AWAY FOR ABOUT 10 DAYS — TO NY AND THEN TO PALM SPRINGS, CAL. TO ATTEND THE PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL.
THIS NEWSLETTER WILL CONTAIN INFO FOR THE NEXT 3 WEEKS WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
THE NEXT ISSUE WILL ARRIVE ON OR ABOUT JAN. 24, 2013.

ALSO, PLEASE NOTE THAT MY COMPUTER HAS SOMEHOW BUNCHED SENTENCES TOGETHER AND ABSORBED SPACES IN VARIOUS PLACES BETWEEN SENTENCES. I’LL TRY TO CORRECT THAT FOR NEXT TIME BUT I MAKE NO PROMISES!!!
QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) RUBY SPARKS- Netflix
2) LIFE OF PI- Theater
3) SOUND OF MY VOICE- Netflix

______________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) PARENTAL GUIDANCE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When their daughter must leave for a week, Artie and Diane Decker find themselves in charge of their three grandchildren, whose well-regimented and high-tech lives leave Grandma and Grandpa baffled and ready to bring on the old-school parenting.”12/28/12- If you are a Billy Crystal fan this movie is for you. This comedy had me laughing out loud several times but it was not noteworthy as a movie. TRDB.

2) LIFE OF PI- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on Yann Martel’s best-selling novel, this coming-of-age tale recounts the adventures of Pi, an Indian boy who is the sole survivor of a shipwreck. Pi finds himself on a lifeboat with only some zoo animals for company.”Excellent reviews. TRDB. 1/2/13- I enjoyed this movie very much especially the creative cinematography. See it in 3D if you can. TRDB.

______________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) RUBY SPARKS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In an effort to conquer his writer’s block, a young novelist — who’s having trouble duplicating the success of his earlier work — jots down all the attributes of his dream girl. But things get weird when she suddenly comes to life.”Mixed early reviews but more good than poor. Audiences have liked it. TRDB. An article about the movie in the NY Times on 7/22/12. TRDB. 12/28/12- A charming movie with some interesting insight about trying to change those closest to us. TRDB. Netflix.

2) DARK HORSE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Now in his 30s but emotionally stuck in his early teens, a vintage-toy enthusiast strikes up an unlikely but successful relationship with a woman who has some adjustment troubles of her own — until a secret threatens to undermine the whole affair.” Fairly good reviews. TRDB. 6/11/12- Good review in NY Times last week. TRDB. 12/29/12- A story about a middle aged man with arrested development and his loneliness. Called a comedy but I didn’t think so and I found it depressing. TRDB. Netflix.

3) SOUND OF MY VOICE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Wishing to infiltrate a California cult, curiosity seekers Peter (Christopher Denham) and Lorna (Nicole Vicius) undergo an elaborate preparation process that leads from a desolate road to an unmarked location, but the mystery only deepens when their blindfolds are removed. In this absorbing psychological thriller, the line between voyeurism and belief blurs once the pretenders shake hands with sphinx-like cult leader Maggie (Brit Marling).”4/27/12- Good reviews in general and in today’s NY Times. TRDB. 1/1/13- Very mixed reviews and I almost turned it off at the midpoint but I stuck it out and actually liked it. Reviewers seemed to like Marling but I thought that she was the weakest link in the movie. TRDB. Netflix.

______________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JAN. 8-

1) TED- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This adult-oriented comedy follows the curious exploits of John, a slacker whose constant companion, Ted — a childhood teddy bear who’s actually come to life — threatens to derail his belated attempts to enter adulthood and romance his dream girl.”Great audience reviews so far as well as better than average professional ones. TRDB. 6/29/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

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

COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, JAN. 15-

1) ABOUT CHERRY- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Determined to escape her past, 18-year-old Angelina moves to San Francisco, where she becomes Cherry, an innocent-but-sexy adult film star. Her provocative new life brings fame, money, and acquaintances who have a variety of motives.”Poor early reviews in general and a weak one in the NY Times on 9/21/12. TRDB.

2) DETROPIA- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “As the focus of this sobering documentary, the decline of Detroit also reflects the nation’s larger failure to keep up in a modern global economy. The film also examines the efforts of its residents to maintain Detroit’s vibrant cultural base.”Good professional and audience reviews. TRDB.

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

4) 17 GIRLS- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on true events, this drama tells the story of 17 teenage girls from the same school in small-town France who get pregnant at the same time, baffling the adults — and the boys — in their lives.”Most reviews are OK. TRDB. 10/2/12- Somewhat interesting primarily because it’s a true story. Mostly about a group of girls, almost cult-like, who suffer from boredom, depression and a sense of being better than their parents. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

5) 5 BROKEN CAMERAS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this moving documentary, a Palestinian farmer chronicles his village’s nonviolent resistance to the presence of encroaching Israeli settlers and military. As camera after camera gets shot or otherwise destroyed, the farmer continues filming.”A few excellent reviews and mostly good ones. TRDB.

6) FAREWELL, MY QUEEN- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “As revolution threatens Louis XVI’s reign, Marie Antoinette asks a lady in waiting to act as her decoy in the event of a sudden escape. At first, the trusted servant is honored by the arrangement, until she comes to realize what it really means.”Good review in the NY Times on 7/14/12 and also good reviews from other critics. Weaker reviews from audiences, however. TRDB.

7) PITCH PERFECT- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Beca (Anna Kendrick) is that girl who’d rather listen to what’s coming out of her headphones than what’s coming out of you. Arriving at her new college, she finds herself not right for any clique but somehow is muscled into one that she never would have picked on her own: alongside mean girls, sweet girls and weird girls whose only thing in common is how good they sound when they sing together, in the new out-loud comedy Pitch Perfect. When Beca takes this acoustic singing group out of their world of traditional arrangements and perfect harmonies into all-new mash-ups, they fight to climb their way to the top of the cutthroat world of college a cappella.”Fairly good reviews. TRDB. 9/28/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

8) TO ROME WITH LOVE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Woody Allen plays a father meeting his daughter’s Italian in-laws to-be in this ensemble comedy that interweaves four tales set in Rome. Other cast members include Roberto Benigni as a man mistaken for a film star.”6/22/12- Good review in today’s NY Times but only fair critical reviews in general. TRDB. 7/2/12- While there was no magical excitement in this movie I found it funny, clever and a great travelogue of the Eternal City. TRDB.
COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, JAN. 22-

1) NOBODY WALKS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “The arrival of aspiring filmmaker Martine into a laid-back Southern California household brings about dramatic changes in the lives of her hosts. The bond between Martine and Peter, who is helping her with a project, soon becomes more complex.”Early reviews are weak. TRDB.

2) THE IMPOSTER- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In 1994 a 13-year-old boy disappeared without a trace from his home in San Antonio, Texas. Three and a half years later he is found alive thousands of miles away in a village in southern Spain with a horrifying story of kidnap and torture. His family is overjoyed to bring him home. But all is not quite as it seems. The boy bears many of the same distinguishing marks he always did, but why does he now have a strange accent? Why does he look so different? And why doesn’t the family seem to notice these glaring inconsistencies? It’s only when an investigator starts asking questions that this strange tale takes an even stranger turn.”Excellent reviews!! TRDB.

3) SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Decades after Detroit singer-songwriter Rodriguez disappeared following the failure of his two critically praised records in the 1970s, two fans from South Africa, where Rodriguez was a huge hit, try to track down their idol, with intriguing results.”7/27/12- A confusing but good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB. 9/3/12- A well structured suspenseful documentary about a legend coupled with great music, great interviews, a likable subject and a thought provoking screenplay make this a GREAT DOCUMENTARY. TRDB.

4) KEEP THE LIGHTS ON- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “The physical romance between a gay filmmaker and an attorney soon evolves into a more complex relationship, laced with conflicting desires. Over several turbulent years, both men struggle to build a true acceptance of the other’s strengths and flaws.”Great early reviews in general and a very good one in the NY Times on 9/7/12. Audiences have been a bit less effusive. TRDB.

5) BEAUTY IS EMBARRASSING- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Get to know Wayne White, one of America’s most unusual and arresting artists, with this snappy documentary that traces the ups and downs of his career. The jovial White discusses his art, strums the banjo, plays with puppets and simply enjoys life.”9/7/12- Very good professional reviews and mediocre audience reaction. TRDB.

6) THE PAPERBOY- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Convinced by a death row inmate’s female pen pal that the convict is innocent, a reporter and his brother investigate and discover a case marred by deceit, seduction and betrayal. Meanwhile, one brother falls for the convict’s mysterious confidant.”Fair early reviews. TRDB. 10/5/12- A very interesting review in today’s NY Times and it’s both + and-. TRDB.

7) FAT KID RULES THE WORLD- 2001. Synopsis by Netflix. “Depressed, obese teen Troy is about to step in front of a bus and end it all when fate enters in the form of Marcus, a free-spirited street musician. Under his samaritan’s nonjudgmental wing, talentless Troy finds acceptance in Marcus’s punk band.”10/5/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times and fair reviews from other critics. Audiences have liked it very much. TRDB.
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OPENED THIS WEEK IN ADDITION TO THE MOVIES I WROTE ABOUT ON 12/27-

1) ALLEGIANCE- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “After being granted a questionable transfer that will keep him stateside as his National Guard unit deploys for Iraq, Lieutenant Danny Sefton (Seth Gabel) becomes embroiled in a last minute AWOL attempt by one of his soldiers (Bow Wow) — forcing him to choose between his loyalties to the fleeing soldier, his unit and his fiancé.”12/28/12- A poor review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB.
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OPENING JAN. 4-

1) A DARK TRUTH- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Former CIA operative Jack now holds court on a political talk show, but his old skills come out when a whistleblower approaches him for help. A grisly massacre has unfolded in a South American dictatorship, and Jack’s the man to expose the truth.”A few early reviews and they are poor. TRDB.
OPENING JAN. 11-

1) QUARTET- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A trio of retired opera singers’ annual celebration of Verdi’s birthday sours when their estranged fourth member shows up but refuses to sing. Tensions rise and diva drama erupts — will personal problems prevent the show from going on?”Early reviews are very good. TRDB.
OPENING JAN. 18- NONE OF INTEREST

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 JAN. 4- JAN. 10

1) TCHOUPITOULAS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Join three young men for an unforgettable night in New Orleans as they explore the vibrant city streets and visit places many tourists never see. Along the way, they encounter the memorable people who make the Crescent City such a special place.”12/7/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) DEADFALL- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “On the run after a casino heist, siblings Addison and Liza split up. When Liza gets a ride from a prison parolee heading to his parents’ home for Thanksgiving, unexpected events lead the two families toward a collision in this suspenseful thriller.”12/7/12- Good review in today’s NY Times but others haven’t been so generous. TRDB.

OPENING JAN. 11- JAN.17-

1) CONSUMING SPIRITS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “The lives of three co-workers at a Midwestern newspaper intertwine in unexpected ways in this unique animated work by artist Chris Sullivan. Sullivan spent 15 years hand-animating the film, using multiple techniques to express character and drama.”Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

2) A DARK TRUTH- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Former CIA operative Jack now holds court on a political talk show, but his old skills come out when a whistleblower approaches him for help. A grisly massacre has unfolded in a South American dictatorship, and Jack’s the man to expose the truth.”A few early reviews and they are poor. TRDB.
OPENING JAN. 18- 24-

1) A ROYAL AFFAIR- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 18th-century Denmark, the unstable King Christian IV neglects his young queen, Mathilde, who falls in love with his German physician, Struensee, an intellectual whose advocation of reform transforms the country but brings about his own downfall.”Great early reviews!! TRDB.

2) CALIFORNIA SOLO-  2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After a drunken driving arrest in Los Angeles, a has-been rock star must prove his absence would cause hardship to a relative or face deportation to Scotland. As he contacts his ex-wife and daughter, he must face long-buried issues.”Rotten Tomatoes had this to say— “Robert Carlyle (The Full Monty, Trainspotting) stars in this touching, human story about post-fame life and personal redemption. Former Britpop rocker Lachlan MacAldonich (Carlyle) has settled into a comfortably numb existence just outside Los Angeles. By day, he works on an organic farm and travels regularly to the city’s farmers’ markets to sell produce. By night, he retreats to his crummy apartment to record “Flame-Outs,” his podcast that recounts the tragic deaths of great musicians. The only spark in his humdrum existence is Beau (Alexia Rasmussen), a lovely struggling actress and amateur chef. One night, Lachlan gets pulled over for a DUI, a charge that dredges up his past drug offense and threatens him with deportation. Lachlan’s only hope of staying in the U.S. is proving that his removal would cause “extreme hardship” to a U.S. citizen spouse or relative, so he contacts his estranged ex-wife and daughter, raising past demons that he must finally confront. Danny Masterson co-stars. Written and directed by Marshall Lewy.”OK reviews so far. TRDB. 11/30/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW-

1) THE WORDS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After finding a brilliant unpublished book in an old briefcase, wannabe writer Rory Jansen decides to claim it’s his work — but his choice sets events in motion that have him facing an ethical quandary he could never have expected.”9/7/12- Weak reviews in general and in today’s NY Times as well. TRDB. 9/18/12- Despite the weak reviews a few critics liked it very much. I thought it was done in an interesting manner with an unusual premise and I did like it. The scene at the end with Jeremy Irons I could have done without. TRDB.
REPEATS-

1) ARBITRAGE- I liked this movie a lot
2) BACHLORETTE- Fair reviews at best
3) BALLPLAYER: PELOTERO- A fairly good documentary that could have been better
4) CENTRAL PARK FIVE- Very good reviews
5) DEADFALL- Mixed reviews
6) THE FITZGERALD FAMILY CHRISTMAS- I liked this movie very much
7) THE FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT- OK reviews
8)THE FLAT- I liked this movie
9) FRIENDS WITH KIDS- Very good
10) HOPE SPRINGS- I liked this movie very much
11) THE IRON LADY- Weak movie but worth seeing just for Meryl Streep
12) THE LONELIEST PLANET- Lots of bad reviews. I saw 10 minutes for free On-Demand and did not like it
13) MOONRISE KINGDOM- I liked it
14) NESTING- Audiences have liked this more than the critics
15) OCTOBER BABY- Awful professional reviews
16) PEOPLE LIKE US-  I enjoyed the movie despite some light fluff. Some good dialogue as well
17) PRICE CHECK- Mixed reviews
18)THE PUSHER- OK reviews but critics said the original was better
19) SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN- Most liked this a lot but I found it full of Hollywood
20) SAVE THE DATE- Mixed reviews
21) THE SHEIK AND I- Good reviews
22) WAITING FOR LIGHTNING- The NY Times called this movie boring
23) WALK AWAY RENEE- Weak reviews from most critics
24) WOMAN IN THE FIFTH- I liked it
25) YELLING TO THE SKY- Mixed reviews

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) PROMISED LAND- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Taking advantage of hard economic times, two salespeople for a natural gas company come to a small town to buy drilling rights from the residents. To their surprise, a local schoolteacher mobilizes a campaign aimed at blocking the company’s plans.”Fair early reviews. TRDB. 12/28/12- A mixed review in today’s NY Times but, overall, the reviewer did like it. TRDB.

2) ZERO DARK THIRTY- Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “For a decade, an elite team of intelligence and military operatives, working in secret across the globe, devoted themselves to a single goal: to find and eliminate Osama bin Laden. Zero Dark Thirty reunites the Oscar winning team of director-producer Kathryn Bigelow and writer-producer Mark Boal (The Hurt Locker) for the story of history’s greatest manhunt for the world’s most dangerous man.”Great early reviews. TRDB.
REPEATS-

1) SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After a four-year stay in a psychiatric institution, former teacher Pat Peoples has no choice but to move back in with his mother. While he’s trying in vain to reunite with his wife, Pat meets another woman fated to change his life.”Very good reviews. TRDB. 11/16/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB. 12/4/12- A very enjoyable piece of fluff that had a few lessons about life as well. TRDB.

2) HYDE PARK ON THE HUDSON- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In June 1939, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Bill Murray) and his wife Eleanor (Olivia Williams) host the King and Queen of England (Samuel West and Olivia Colman) for a weekend at the Roosevelt home at Hyde Park on Hudson, in upstate New York – the first-ever visit of a reigning English monarch to America. With Britain facing imminent war with Germany, the Royals are desperately looking to FDR for support. But international affairs must be juggled with the complexities of FDR’s domestic establishment, as wife, mother, and mistresses all conspire to make the royal weekend an unforgettable one.”Mediocre early reviews. TRDB. 12/7/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) LES MISERABLES- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “The musical version of Victor Hugo’s epic tale of love and sacrifice, first produced for the stage in 1985, now receives the big-screen treatment. The bloody era of the French Revolution is the backdrop to Jean Valjean’s long struggle for redemption.”Fairly good reviews even as some critics complained that the movie was poorly directed. TRDB. 12/25/12- I enjoyed this movie very much even though I generally have trouble getting into musicals on the screen. TRDB.

4) NOT FADE AWAY- Jacob Burns, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. “Inspired by the music of Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, three 1960s high-schoolers form a rock band in the New Jersey suburbs. James Gandolfini co-stars in this debut feature from “Sopranos” creator David Chase.”12/21/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere too. TRDB.

5) LINCOLN-  Jacob Burns, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Steven Spielberg takes on the towering legacy of Abraham Lincoln, focusing on his stewardship of the Union during the Civil War years. The biographical saga also reveals the conflicts within Lincoln’s cabinet regarding the war and abolition.”11/9/12- The NY Times gave this a great review today. TRDB. 11/18/12- There have been many critics raving about this movie. Day-Lewis gave a wonderful performance but I found the movie uninspiring and I felt that it was too long, too preachy and that there were too many characters to keep track of. TRDB.

6) ARGO- Saw Mill Hawthorne. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1979, when Iranian militants seize the American embassy, six Americans slip into the Canadian embassy for protection, prompting the CIA to concoct an elaborate plot to rescue them by pretending that they are filmmakers rather than diplomats.” Excellent reviews. TRDB. 10/25/12- A fascinating and apparently true story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. TRDB.

7) DJANGO UNCHAINED- Saw Mill Hawthorne. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Accompanied by a German bounty hunter, a freed slave named Django travels across America to free his wife from a sadistic plantation owner. Quentin Tarantino directs this modern-day spaghetti Western.”Excellent reviews. TRDB.

8)HITCHCOCK- Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Iconic filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock struggles with his marriage, the censors and the financiers of his 1960 film Psycho in this biopic. Driven to prove he still has an edge, Hitchcock crafts what would become one of the greatest thrillers of all time.”11/23/12- Mixed reviews from most critics  and a weak one from today’s NY Times. TRDB. 12/22/12- I found this movie slow, the acting forced and I dozed a couple of times. TRDB.

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

10) THE SESSIONS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After spending years in an iron lung, a man decides he wants to explore his sexuality for the first time, and hires a surrogate to aid the goal. Through their intensifying relationship, this indie drama illustrates the many forms love can take.”Very good early reviews. TRDB. 10/19/12- Excellent review in today’s NY Times. TRDB. 11/3/12- I found this movie alternately touching, sad, funny and very moving. 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

Add comment January 4th, 2013

FILM REVIEWS #439

Add comment December 5th, 2012