The Reel Dr. Bob

NOVEMBER 29, 2012

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

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

  

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) THE GIANT MECHANICAL MAN– Netflix

2) LET GO– Netflix

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) THE GIANT MECHANICAL MAN– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Jason Segel and Emily Blunt star in this contemporary romantic comedy as an engaged young couple who discovers that the more they get to know each other, the more unpredictable their commitment to getting married becomes.”Fairly good professional reviews yet and good audience reaction as well. TRDB.

11/26/12- Lite fluff but fun never-the-less. TRDB. Netflix.

2) LET GO– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “A disheartened parole officer struggling to find happiness in a ho-hum marriage finds inspiration from an unlikely source: his own parolees. As his slightly loopy ex-cons play out their dramas, the parole officer works to resolve his own.”

Very good early audience reviews– no professional critics yet. TRDB.

11/27/12- A cute story with some comedic scenes as well. TRDB. Netflix.

 

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, DEC. 4-

 

1) ALPS- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “With Alps, director Yorgos Lanthimos brings to the screen the story of a group of people who specialize in playing the role of deceased people to anyone (usually relatives, friends or colleagues of the deceased) willing to pay for their services. Their company, called Alps, is managed by Mont Blanc (Aris Servetalis), a strict boss who keeps his employees under a close watch. But when the company’s nurse (Aggeliki Papoulia) decides to get off her scripted routine, this eccentric group starts falling to pieces.”Excellent professional reviews and good audience reaction as well. TRDB.

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.

3) AI WEIWEI: NEVER SORRY– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This compelling documentary explores three years in the life of celebrated Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei, who uses social media and his art to inspire protests against the state, and suffers government persecution for his actions.”

Good professional reviews and fair audience ones. TRDB.

7/27/12- Excellent review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) WILD HORSE, WILD RIDE– Synopsis by Netflix. “An annual contest challenges 100 people across the United States to tame a wild mustang in 100 days. Following this dangerous and harrowing feat is a public showcase that determines whether these horses can be saved from a life in captivity.”

8/24/12- Excellent review in today’s NY Times and audiences have loved this movie as well. TRDB. 

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OPENED LAST WEEK IN ADDITION TO THE MOVIES I WROTE ABOUT ON NOV. 22-

 

1) MAN AT WAR– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Jacek Blawut’s documentary “Man at War” puts the spotlight on men fascinated by World War II who pursue their passion in the realm of computer games. Following players and their lives, the director inquires if we are witnessing the rise of a new type of human – homo virtualis.”11/23/12- A few professional reviews and they are mixed. The NY Times panned it. TRDB.

2) THE KING– 2012. Synopsis by IMDB. “A feature documentary about one of the greatest sportsmen ever. Darko Kralj (the King) is the only sportsman in the history of sports who has beaten a world record in his category five times in a row at one world championship! A croatian paralympic, seriously wounded in 1991 during the war in Croatia, Darko Kralj has almost died. Doctors didn’t expect him to survive. Today, he lives with a wife and three sons, the eldest one being the one Darko is the most attached to. Some kind of similar destiny brought them together, the kid has lost his biological father in the war. Tereza, his wife, has her own life story. Going towards the end of this unusual life story, we shall more and more understand where his strength and incredible love for life comes from.”

11/23/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times but I could not find any other reviews. TRDB.

3) SEEDS OF RESILIENCY– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Seeds of Resiliency, the new documentary by filmmaker Susan Polis Schutz, helps us to understand that our darkest moments can contain a shining light. It introduces us to twelve diverse people who have survived tragedies and challenges by having great hope and helping others. We meet a young boy who is in the Guinness book of records for performing flips in his wheelchair; a man who escaped war-torn Uganda and now assists other refugees; a Korean professor who recently became a quadriplegic, but does not consider himself unfortunate; and a survivor of the Holocaust who believes that “the worst can bring out the best in us.”

11/23/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

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OPENING THIS WEEK-

 

1) KILLING THEM SOFTLY– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Brad Pitt plays a slick and brutal enforcer assigned to investigate a robbery that targeted a high-stakes poker match run by his mob bosses. His methods feature plenty of violence and intimidation, backed up by timely lies and treachery.”Very good early reviews. TRDB.

2) THE COLLECTION– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “When Elena’s (Emma Fitzpatrick) friends take her to a secret party at an undisclosed location, she never imagined she would become the latest victim of The Collector, a psychopathic killer. The Collector kidnaps and transports her to an abandoned hotel he’s transformed into his own private maze of torture and death. Upon learning of his daughter’s disappearance, Elena’s wealthy father (Christopher McDonald) hires a group of mercenaries to retrieve her from the vicious grips of The Collector. These mercenaries coerce Arkin (Josh Stewart), the only man to have escaped the wrath of this heinous monster, to lead them through the gruesome labyrinth. Now, Arkin finds himself fighting for his own life in order to save Elena.

Not my kind of movie but it has received very good reviews so far. I’ll skip it! TRDB.

3) WHAT A MAN– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “This is a spirited and sweet romantic comedy about one man’s attempt to prove his manhood to the woman in his life. The film tells the story of Alex, a 30 year-old schoolteacher whose live-in girlfriend dumps him for a manlier man. The breakup forces him on a hilarious journey of self-discovery to prove his masculinity.”

A few good early reviews. TRDB.

4) 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.

5) MY BROTHERS– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in 1987 in Ireland, this poignant drama tells the story of three brothers, teenage Noel and young Paudie and Scwally, who steal the family van and travel to a distant amusement park to replace their dying father’s treasured watch. Noel, who broke the watch, feels responsible but is buoyed by his brothers’ support. During the tribulation-laden journey, the brothers learn much about themselves, one another and the true meaning of family.”

Rotten Tomatoes had this to say– “A sudden family crisis sends three siblings off on an adventure in this comedy-drama set in working-class England in 1987. Noel (Timmy Creed) is the oldest of three bothers living with their ailing father. Noel and his siblings — eleven-year-old Paudie (Paul Courtney), who is quick with a joke and dreams of playing professional football some day, and seven-year-old Scwally (T.J. Griffin), who is shy and fascinated with Star Wars even though he hasn’t actually seen the film — are all having a hard time dealing with the knowledge that their father has only a short time to live. When Dad falls asleep, Noel takes off his watch for safekeeping, but when he gets in a fight the timepiece is broken beyond repair. Though the watch was just a cheap digital model, it was Dad’s most prized possession, won at an amusement park in Ballybunion; Noel doesn’t want Dad to know what happened, so he “borrows” a bread truck from a neighbor and sets off for Ballybunion to find a replacement. Since he hurt his hand in the fight, Noel brings Paudie along to help him work the gear shift, and Scwally is allowed to tag along so he won’t tell on his brothers; the brothers see plenty of sights have some unexpected adventures along the way as they look for the watch and come to terms with their father’s illness. My Brothers was the firs feature film from screenwriter Paul Fraser.”

No reviews as yet. TRDB.

6) PARKED- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “A man trying to cope with his homeless situation is befriended by a dope-smoking 21-year-old who’s determined to help him sort his life out.”

Rotten Tomatoes said this– “Fred (Colm Meaney) lives a quiet and isolated life in his car, having lost all hope of improving his situation and re-entering the ranks of society. That all changes when he forms an unlikely friendship with Cathal (Colin Morgan), a dope-smoking 21-year-old with a positive attitude, who becomes his parking lot neighbor. Sharing laughs, and the hard times too, Fred and Cathal find the simple, free pleasures of life.”

No reviews as yet. TRDB.

 

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 

NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME

 

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) 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.”So-So early reviews. TRDB.

2) 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.

3) CHEERFUL WEATHER FOR THE WEDDING– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “On the day of Dolly Thatcham’s wedding, the sight of her former beau leads her to realize that going ahead with the ceremony would be a huge mistake. Dolly’s mother tries valiantly to maintain order in this refined comedy set in the 1930s.”

Sounds like fluff but it’s gotten a few early positive reviews. TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

 

 

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

 

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

 

Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com

 

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

 

NEW IN THE BURBS-

 

1) KILLING THEM SOFTLY– Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Brad Pitt plays a slick and brutal enforcer assigned to investigate a robbery that targeted a high-stakes poker match run by his mob bosses. His methods feature plenty of violence and intimidation, backed up by timely lies and treachery.”Very good early reviews. TRDB.

2) THE COLLECTION– Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “When Elena’s (Emma Fitzpatrick) friends take her to a secret party at an undisclosed location, she never imagined she would become the latest victim of The Collector, a psychopathic killer. The Collector kidnaps and transports her to an abandoned hotel he’s transformed into his own private maze of torture and death. Upon learning of his daughter’s disappearance, Elena’s wealthy father (Christopher McDonald) hires a group of mercenaries to retrieve her from the vicious grips of The Collector. These mercenaries coerce Arkin (Josh Stewart), the only man to have escaped the wrath of this heinous monster, to lead them through the gruesome labyrinth. Now, Arkin finds himself fighting for his own life in order to save Elena.Not my kind of movie but it has received very good reviews so far. I’ll skip it! TRDB.

3) HITCHCOCK– Jacob Burns. 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.

 

REPEATS-

 

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

Very good early reviews. TRDB.

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.

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

Excellent reviews. TRDB.

10/25/12- A fascinating and apparently true story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. TRDB.

4) LINCOLN– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100. 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.

 

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

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. 

9) THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER- Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

10) A ROYAL AFFAIR–  Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

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

11) 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.

 

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

NOVEMBER 8, 2012

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

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

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) THE SESSIONS– At the Theater

2) POLISSE– Netflix Streaming

3) PEOPLE LIKE US– Netflix

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) 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.

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) POLISSE– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This French drama presents a fictionalized but well-researched portrait of the juvenile protection division of the Paris court system, following a documentarian as she films the employees in the department and the children under its authority.” Good early reviews. TRDB.5/18/12- Good review in today’s NY Times and very good reviews by almost all critics. Audiences have liked it too. TRDB.

11/6/12- Although this movie was difficult to watch at times it was very realistic and portrayed well the stress that the policemen and policewomen are under while trying to protect children from predators. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

2) PEOPLE LIKE US– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Sam flies home for his estranged father’s funeral, the reading of the will reveals a sister he never knew he had — and an order that Sam must bring his alcoholic sibling and her young son their inheritance.”

Very good early reviews. TRDB.

6/29/12- Only a fair review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

11/7/12- An interesting drama that was a bit soap-opera-ish but there was some very good writing embedded in this story about family. TRDB. Netflix

 

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, NOV. 13-

 

1) THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Directed by lauded filmmaker and photographer Lauren Greenfield, who won the U.S. Directing Award for Documentary Film at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival for this film, The Queen of Versailles is a character-driven documentary about a billionaire family and their financial challenges in the wake of the economic crisis. With epic proportions of Shakespearean tragedy, the film follows two unique characters, whose rags-to-riches success stories reveal the innate virtues and flaws of the American Dream. The film begins with the family triumphantly constructing the biggest house in America, a 90,000 sq. ft. palace. Over the next two years, their sprawling empire, fueled by the real estate bubble and cheap money, falters due to the economic crisis. Major changes in lifestyle and character ensue within the cross-cultural household of family members and domestic staff.”Very good reviews in general and in the NY Times on 7/20/12. TRDB.

8/8/12- A very good and insightful documentary that also applied the psycho-social history of the characters to better understand their reaction to adversity. TRDB.

2) A BURNING HOT SUMMER– 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Loosely evoking Godard’s Contempt, A Burning Hot Summer examines the once-happy marriage between brooding painter Frédéric (Louis Garrel) and his movie-star wife Angèle (Bellucci) as it hits the rocks. When another young couple-actors Paul (Jérôme Robart) and Elisabeth (Céline Sallette)-joins them on a Roman holiday, tensions and passions flare. The film features a score by the Velvet Underground’s John Cale, with the legendary Maurice Garrel (the director’s father) in his final role.”

6/29/12- Poor reviews in general but a good one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) 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.

4) LAST CALL AT THE OASIS– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This compelling documentary explores the global water crisis, examining deficiencies in the supply system and communities affected by water shortages. Scientists, activists and social entrepreneurs shed light on this shocking and pervasive problem.”

Poor early reviews. TRDB.

5/4/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5) 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.

6) 2 DAYS IN NEW YORK– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Marion and Mingus live cozily-perhaps too cozily-with their cat and two young children from previous relationships. However, when Marion’s jolly father (played by director Delpy’s real-life dad), her oversexed sister, and her sister’s outrageous boyfriend unceremoniously descend upon them for a visit, it initiates two unforgettable days that will test Marion and Mingus’s relationship. With their unwitting racism and sexual frankness, the French triumvirate hilariously has no boundaries or filters…and no person is left unscathed in its wake.”

Mixed reviews, both audience and professional. TRDB.

7) MAKE BELIEVE– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “This illuminating look at the lives of young magicians follows six hopefuls from the United States, Japan and South Africa as they vie for the title of Teen World Champion at the World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas. On one hand, their adolescence is extraordinary, but they also share the same problems as many ordinary teens, from poverty to overbearing parents to struggling to fit in. J. Clay Tweel directs this Best Documentary Feature at the L.A. Film Festival.” Good review in NY Times on 5/13/11. TRDB.

8/7/12- Very good documentary!! Really got to know the kids and what “magic” means to them.  TRDB.

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

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

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

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OPENED LAST WEEK IN ADDITION TO THE MOVIES I WROTE ABOUT ON NOV. 1-

 

1) THE MAN WITH THE IRON FISTS– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Combining kung-fu action and hip-hop style, this martial arts thriller relates the saga of a Chinese blacksmith caught up in a battle between clans. Forced to defend his own village, the blacksmith channels primeval forces that make him invincible.”11/2/12- A good review in today’s NY Times but mediocre reviews in general. TRDB.

2) 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.

3) GIRL WALK/ ALL DAY– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Girl Walk / All Day is a feature-length dance music video and tale of urban exploration that follows three dancers across New York City. They turn the city’s sidewalks, parks and architecture into an evolving stage as they spread their joy of movement.”

11/2/12- A good review in today’s NY Times and excellent audience reviews as well. TRDB.

4) JACK AND DIANE– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Jack and Diane, two teenage girls, meet in New York City and spend the night kissing ferociously. Diane’s charming innocence quickly begins to open Jack’s tough skinned heart. But when Jack discovers that Diane is moving she pushes her away. Unable to grasp her new feelings, Diane’s emotions begin to cause unexplainable violent changes to her body. Through these awkward and insecure feelings, the two girls must struggle to turn their first love into an enduring one.”

11/2/12- Very weak reviews in the NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB.

5) 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.

6) THE UNDERSTUDY– 2008. Synopsis by Netflix. “Perennially unemployed actress Rebecca thinks that her luck is finally changing when she’s hired to understudy for a movie star making her theatrical debut — but it’s only when a mysterious “accident” sidelines the lead that Rebecca takes the stage.”

11/2/12- A “just OK” review in today’s NY Times. This movie was made 4 years ago but is just now being released. TRDB.

7) HIGH GROUND– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Eleven wounded warriors returning from Iraq and Afghanistan join an expedition to climb the 20,000-foot Mount Lobuche. Led by blind adventurer Erik Weihenmayer and a team of Everest summiters, they set out on an emotional climb to reach the top.”

11/2/12-Great reviews including the one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

8)A MAN’S STORY– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Celebrated menswear designer Ozwald Boateng is also a man of strong passions, as recorded in this revealing documentary filmed over 10 years. Boateng’s personal challenges are contrasted with the elation his designs inspire at London Fashion Week.”

11/2/12- A weak review in today’s NY Times but audiences seem to have liked this documentary. TRDB.

9) BONES BRIGADE– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Today skateboarding is omnipresent. Take a walk down any street in any town, and you are destined to see someone riding a skateboard. Well, it wasn’t always like that. In the early ’80s, skateboarding was fading away until Stacy Peralta brought a profoundly talented group of outsiders together and dubbed them the Bones Brigade. This documentary chronicles their epic rise, using awesome archival footage and moving first-person accounts from Brigade members Steve Caballero, Tommy Guerrero, Tony Hawk, Mike McGill, Lance Mountain, and Rodney Mullen, among others. Through passion, drive, creativity, and a surprising sense of teamwork, they revitalized the sport and influenced generations to come. BONES BRIGADE will blow the minds of anyone who grew up emulating these guys, but it also resonates for anyone who ever found a family or a purpose in an unexpected place.”

11/2/12- A weak review in today’s NY Times but other critics have liked it and so have audiences so far. TRDB.

10) THE BAY– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Two million fish washed ashore. One thousand blackbirds dropped from the sky. On July 4, 2009 a deadly menace swept through the quaint seaside town of Claridge, Maryland, but the harrowing story of what happened that Independence Day has never been told – until now. The authorities believed they had buried the truth about the tragedy that claimed over 700 human lives. Now, three years later, a reporter has emerged with footage revealing the cover-up and an unimaginable killer: a mysterious parasitic outbreak. Told from the perspective of those who were there and saw what happened, The Bay unfolds over 24 hours though people’s iPhones, Androids, 911 calls, web cams, and whatever else could be used to document the nightmare in Claridge”

11/2/12- OK reviews in general and in today’s NY Times but this movie is definitely not for me.  TRDB.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

OPENING THIS WEEK-

 

1) 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.

 2) AURORA– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Internationally acclaimed Romanian filmmaker Christi Puiu writes, directs and stars in this slow-burn drama as 42-year-old Viorel, a distraught engineer who takes drastic measures to end his emotional suffering after enduring a devastating divorce. Co-starring Clara Voda, Catrinel Dumitrescu and Luminita Gheorghiu, this film juxtaposes long, deliberately paced scenes with short but intense bursts of excitement.”

 

3) CHASING ICE– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This mesmerizing and beautifully shot documentary from National Geographic photographer James Balog offers a clear vision of climate change as time-lapse cameras across the Arctic reveal glaciers melting and disappearing over a period of years.”Just a few professional reviews and they are all good. TRDB.

4) IN ANOTHER COUNTRY– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Isabelle Huppert plays three women, each named Anne, in this contemplative drama set at a small hotel in the beachside town of Mohang, South Korea. All three characters subtly affect their hosts and other townspeople, including the local lifeguard.”

Very good early reviews. TRDB.

5) LINCOLN- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Steven Spielberg takes on the towering legacy of Abraham Lincoln, focusing on his stewardship of the Union during the Civil War years. The biographical saga also reveals the conflicts within Lincoln’s cabinet regarding the war and abolition.”

Just a few professional reviews and they are mixed, one calling it a mess. TRDB.

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

Fairly good reviews so far. TRDB.

7) 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.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 

1) 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) 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.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) THE DETAILS– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “After ten years of marriage, Jeff and Nealy Lang (Tobey Maguire and Elizabeth Banks) have an idyllic suburban home… and a relationship on the skids. But, when a family of hungry raccoons ransacks their perfectly manicured backyard, Jeff becomes single-mindedly obsessed with eradicating the pests by any means necessary. Soon the relentless rodents aren’t merely uprooting the lawn, but also overturning the Langs’ entire bourgeois existence, as the man-versus-beast battle leads into an absurd mess of infidelity, extortion, organ donation and other assorted mayhem.”11/2/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times but other reviews are mediocre at best. The movie sounds weird and I’ll probably skip it for now. TRDB.

2) THE LONLIEST 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.

 

REPEATS-

 

 

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

 

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

 

Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-

 

NEW IN THE BURBS-

 

1) A LATE QUARTET– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Tempers flare, old jealousies reignite and new passions are sparked when the members of a world-renowned string quartet are preparing to celebrate their 25th anniversary and learn that their leader must step down due to a grim medical diagnosis.”11/2/12- A fairly good review in today’s NY Times, especially for the actors. Other critics have liked it as well and so have audiences. TRDB.

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

10/25/12- A fascinating and apparently true story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. TRDB.  

2) THE OTHER SON– Bethel, 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.

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

Very good early reviews. TRDB.

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.

4) THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

5) SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN– Garden Cinema Norwalk.. 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.”

Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

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. 

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

 

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

 

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

 

For Films everywhere go to- www.fandango.com

 

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

NOVEMBER 4 INSTEAD OF NOV. 1, 2012

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

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

 

THIS NEWSLETTER IS BEING SENT 3 DAYS LATE BECAUSE, DUE TO HURRICANE SANDY, I HAD NO ELECTRICITY, NO INTERNET ETC. !

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) ARGO– Theater

2) THE LONGEST DAY– Netflix Streaming

3) THE HARIMAYA BRIDGE– Netflix Streaming

4) THE OTHER SON– Theater

5) THE FLAT– Comcast On-Demand

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) 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.  

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

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. _________________________________________________________________________________________

 

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) 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. Comcast On-Demand.

2) HARIMAYA BRIDGE– 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Unsure how to handle his estranged son’s sudden death in Japan, American dad Daniel (Bennet Guillory) travels to the land of the rising sun looking for answers. As he learns about his boy’s life, Daniel must re-examine the resentment he harbors toward the Japanese. The feature film debut from writer-director Aaron Woolfolk, this poignant cross-cultural drama also stars Saki Takaoka, Misa Shimizu and Danny Glover.”

8/12/11- A few OK reviews. TRDB.

10/29/12- A very interesting story but seeing this film on Netflix Streaming limited the amount of sub-titles available and there was significant dialogue that was missed. I still liked it however. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

3) THE LONGEST DAY– 1962. Synopsis by Netflix. “This Oscar-winning war epic chronicles World War II’s harrowing D-Day invasion. Shot on the beaches of Normandy, France, the ambitious film attempts to cover the historic day from all perspectives, focusing on both sides of the conflict.”

Rotten Tomatoes had this to say– “The Longest Day is a mammoth, all-star re-creation of the D-Day invasion, personally orchestrated by Darryl F. Zanuck. Whenever possible, the original locations were utilized, and an all-star international cast impersonates the people involved, from high-ranking officials to ordinary GIs. Each actor speaks in his or her native language with subtitles translating for the benefit of the audience (alternate “takes” were made of each scene with the foreign actors speaking English, but these were seen only during the first network telecast of the film in 1972). The stars are listed alphabetically, with the exception of John Wayne, who as Lt. Colonel Vandervoort gets separate billing. Others in the huge cast include Eddie Albert, Jean-Louis Barrault, Richard Burton, Red Buttons, Sean Connery, Henry Fonda, Gert Frobe, Curt Jurgens, Peter Lawford, Robert Mitchum, Kenneth More, Edmond O’Brien, Robert Ryan, Jean Servais, Rod Steiger and Robert Wagner. Paul Anka, who wrote the film’s title song, shows up as an Army private. Scenes include the Allies parachuting into Ste. Mere Englise, where the paratroopers were mowed down by German bullets; a real-life sequence wherein the German and Allied troops unwittingly march side by side in the dark of night; and a spectacular three-minute overhead shot of the troops fighting and dying in the streets of Quistreham. The last major black-and-white road-show attraction, The Longest Day made millions, enough to recoup some of the cost of 20th Century Fox’s concurrently produced Cleopatra.”

10/29/12- Truly the classic movie on the subject. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, NOV. 6-

 

1) 360– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this remake of the 1950 classic La Ronde, an all-star cast weaves through interrelated stories about love, passion and loneliness. From London and Denver to Phoenix and Vienna, people are haunted by their need to connect, despite the consequences.”Mediocre professional reviews but OK audience reaction. TRDB.

8/3/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) I WISH– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When he learns that a bullet train will soon connect the city where his mother lives to the city where his estranged father resides, young lad Koichi and his kid brother hatch a wildly imaginative plan to use the new train to reconnect their parents.”

5/11/12- Fairly good reviews in general and in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) 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.

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

Good early professional reviews but weaker audience ones. TRDB. 

7/17/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5) YOUR SISTER’S SISTER– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Jack, who is mourning the death of his brother, has a complicated relationship with his best friend, Iris, who used to date his brother. Their chaotic situation becomes even more tangled when Jack has a drunken tryst with Iris’s flighty sister.” Excellent reviews. TRDB.

An article about the director in the NY Times on 5/6/12. TRDB.

6/15/12- Mixed review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

6/26/12- I liked this movie, especially the relationship between the sisters. TRDB.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

OPENED LAST WEEK IN ADDITION TO THOSE I WROTE ABOUT ON 10/25/12-

 

1) CLOUD ATLAS– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this star-studded drama, six seemingly disparate stories take viewers from a South Pacific Island in the 19th century to 1980s America to a dystopian future, exploring the complicated links that humans share through the generations.”Reviews are mixed- a few said the movie was boring. TRDB.

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

10/26/12- A good review in today’s NY Times but reviews are very mixed and some said that it was not as good as the original. TRDB.

3) THE LONLIEST 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.

4) CHASING MAVERICKS– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Chasing Mavericks is the inspirational true story of real life surfing phenom Jay Moriarity (played by newcomer Jonny Weston). When 15 year old Jay discovers that the mythic Mavericks surf break, one of the biggest waves on Earth, is not only real, but exists just miles from his Santa Cruz home, he enlists the help of local legend Frosty Hesson (played by Gerard Butler) to train him to survive it. As Jay and Frosty embark on their quest to accomplish the impossible, they form a unique friendship that transforms both their lives, and their quest to tame Mavericks becomes about far more than surfing. Chasing Mavericks was made with the help of some of the biggest names in the surfing world, and features some of the most mind-blowing real wave footage ever captured on film.”

10/26/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times but weak professional reviews in general. Audiences have liked it. TRDB.

5) THE BLACK TULIP– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “After the Taliban is routed from Afghanistan in early 2001, the Mansouri family seizes the new window of freedom by opening a restaurant called “Poet’s Corner,” with an open microphone and an inviting platform for all to read poetry and tell their stories. This newfound hope proves to be fleeting as they struggle to maintain their lifestyle when encountering very real threats from lingering factions of the Taliban.”

10/26/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times and by other professional critics as well. Audiences have liked this movie a lot. TRDB.

6) LONG SHOT: THE KEVIN LAUE STORY– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Though born with one arm, Kevin Laue is determined to pursue his dreams and win the approval of his deceased coach father. This inspiring documentary follows Laue’s highs and lows as he works to become college basketball’s first one-armed player.”

10/26/12- A good review in today’s NY Times and OK reviews in general. TRDB.

7) DINOTASIA- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “One of our favorite natural history subjects, the good old dinosaur, gets a makeover and then some in this fantastically ambitious and groundbreaking documentary. Based on cutting-edge paleontology and the latest fossil records, DINOTASIA presents a series of vignettes about dinosaurs – both familiar faces and some we have only found out about in the past ten years.”

10/26/12– Weak review in today’s NY Times and by other professional critics as well for this new documentary narrated by Werner Herzog. Audiences have liked it. TRDB.

8)ORCHESTRA OF EXILES– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This inspiring documentary focuses on Polish violinist Bronislaw Huberman, who rescued hundreds of Jews from the holocaust and founded the globally renowned orchestra that would eventually become the Israel Philharmonic.”

10/26/12- Fairly good review in today’s NY Times and by most professional critics as well. Audiences have uniformly enjoyed it. TRDB.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

OPENING THIS WEEK-

 

1) THE DETAILS– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “After ten years of marriage, Jeff and Nealy Lang (Tobey Maguire and Elizabeth Banks) have an idyllic suburban home… and a relationship on the skids. But, when a family of hungry raccoons ransacks their perfectly manicured backyard, Jeff becomes single-mindedly obsessed with eradicating the pests by any means necessary. Soon the relentless rodents aren’t merely uprooting the lawn, but also overturning the Langs’ entire bourgeois existence, as the man-versus-beast battle leads into an absurd mess of infidelity, extortion, organ donation and other assorted mayhem.”Just a few reviews and they seem OK but this movie does sound weird. TRDB.

2) FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS– 2010. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A father and daughter are separated but are never truly apart in this touching story of a family tragically divided. Reshma is a troubled teenager in 1980s New York who struggles to discover a sense of self and strength amidst a daunting array of pressures and betrayals. While continually grappling with her tumultuous relationship with her mother, Reshma holds on to her dreams of reuniting with the father in Guyana she has not seen or heard from in thirteen years. Documentary filmmaker Shundell Prasad’s ambitious feature debut, which spans two continents and three decades, offers a nuanced and empathetic lens into the plight of displaced immigrant families struggling to create a brighter future for their children.”

No reviews as yet. 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.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 

1) SAMSARA– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmed over five years in more than 25 different countries, this dialogue-free documentary shares snippets of life from all around the world, revealing ties between the dueling rhythms of nature and humanity.”Early reviews are very good. I’ve seen the coming attractions and it looks interesting. TRDB.

2) RADIO UNNAMEABLE– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Legendary radio personality Bob Fass revolutionized late night FM radio by serving as a cultural hub for music, politics and audience participation for nearly 50 years. Long before today’s innovations in social media, Fass utilized the airwaves for mobilization encouraging luminaries and ordinary listeners to talk openly and take the program in surprising directions. Radio Unnameable is a visual and aural collage that pulls from Bob Fass’s immense archive of audio from his program, film, photographs, and video that has been sitting dormant until now.”Great reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) 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- when it comes to the Holocaust there is no end to the number of stories. TRDB.

2) THE PUSHER– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Based on the edgy and explosive series by visionary director Nicolas Winding Refn, Pusher stars Richard Coyle as a drug dealer who grows increasingly desperate over the course of a week after a botched deal lands him in the merciless clutches of a ruthless crime lord. The more desperate his behavior, the more isolated he becomes until there is nothing left standing between him and the bullet his debtors intend to fire his way.”10/26/12- A good review in today’s NY Times but reviews are very mixed and some said that it was not as good as the original. TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

1) ALL TOGHETHER- Fairly good reviews

 

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

 

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

 

Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-

 

NEW IN THE BURBS-

 

1) SMASHED– Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Married couple Kate and Charlie love to party and drink together. But when Kate’s drinking gets out of hand, threatening her teaching job, she decides to get sober. Now Kate and Charlie struggle as they learn a new way of being together.”Great early reviews. TRDB.

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

2) THE FLAT-Jacob Burns, Clearview 100. 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 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.

REPEATS-

 

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

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

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

10/25/12- A fascinating and apparently true story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. TRDB.  

4) TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE– Bethel. 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.

5) SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN– Garden Cinema Norwalk.. 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.”

Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

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. 

6) ARBITRAGE- Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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. I recommend it. TRDB.

7) THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER- Danbury, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

 

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

 

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

 

For Films everywhere go to- www.fandango.com

 

ENJOY!!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

 

 

OCTOBER 11, 2012

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

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

 

I WILL BE “OUT OF THE OFFICE” FOR A WEEK AND SO THIS NEWSLETTER, WHENEVER POSSIBLE, WILL HAVE INFORMATION FOR THE NEXT 2 WEEKS.

  

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) DARLING COMPANION– Netflix

2) CHICO AND RITA– Netflix

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) THINK LIKE A MAN– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Kevin Hart stars in this romantic comedy as a relationship expert whose thesis on love and dating has made him all the rage with single women. But despite his so-called expertise, the “relationship guru” struggles to keep his own marriage together.”4/20/12- Fair professional reviews but good audience reaction. TRDB.

10/6/12- A few good laughs and little more. I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.

2) THIN ICE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Midwest insurance salesman Mickey Prohaska (Greg Kinnear) hatches a get-rich-quick scheme that depends on him gaining possession of a rare and precious violin, but his planned score results in wild and unexpected consequences. Alan Arkin, Billy Crudup and Lea Thompson co-star in this meditation on lying and its consequences, written by sisters Jill and Karen Sprecher (Thirteen Conversations About One Thing).” Only fair review so far. TRDB.

10/7/12- Just a bit far-fetched and convoluted. You can safely skip it. TRDB. Netflix.

3) DARLING COMPANION– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Dealing with an empty nest and self-absorbed husband Joseph, Beth develops a deep bond with a dog she rescues — and when Joseph loses the dog after a wedding, Beth joins forces with wedding guests in a search that takes some unexpected turns.” Good early reviews. TRDB.

4/20/12- A good cast but weak review in today’s NY Times and by most other critics as well. Audiences haven’t cared for it either so I would skip it. TRDB.

10/8/12- I love the cast so I decided to see this despite the weak reviews. A bit ridiculous but  it was funny at times and I kind of liked it, especially Keaton and Kline. I could have done without the psychic, however. TRDB. Netflix

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

2/10/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

10/9/12- Great music along with a good old fashioned story and I liked it. TRDB. Netflix

 

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, OCT. 16-

 

1) THE FORGIVENESS OF BLOOD– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The powerful and richly textured second feature from Joshua Marston focuses on an Albanian family caught up in a blood feud. Nik (Tristan Halilaj) is a carefree teenager in a small town with a crush on the school beauty and ambitions to start his own internet café. His world is suddenly up-ended when his father and uncle become entangled in a land dispute that leaves a fellow villager murdered. According to a centuries-old code of law, this entitles the dead man’s family to take the life of a male from Nik’s family as retribution. His uncle in jail and his father in hiding, Nik is the prime target and confined to the home while his younger sister Rudina (Sindi Laçej) is forced to leave school and take over their father’s business.” Good early reviews. TRDB.2/24/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times but very good reviews in general. TRDB.

3/3/12- I thought this movie was great! TRDB. Netflix.

2) TURN ME ON, DAMMIT– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Alma is a sexually curious teenager living in a small town. To cope with her boring existence, she indulges in an active fantasy life with the help of a phone sex chat line. Soon her peers learn of Alma’s ways, forcing her to stand up for who she is.” I’ve seen some very good reviews of this film. TRDB.

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

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

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

5/4/12- Today’s NY Times gave this an OK review. TRDB.

5/11/12- I agree with the reviewers. A few good lines, a great pictoral travelogue and not a heck of a lot more. TRDB.

4) CHELY WRIGHT: WISH ME AWAY– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This poignant documentary, filmed over three years, profiles country music star Chely Wright, a devout Christian whose struggle to succeed in the music biz while hiding her homosexuality from her conservative family and fans caused her much anguish.”

A very good review in the NY Times on 6/1/12 and elsewhere as well. TRDB.

5) THE DO-DECA PANTATHLON– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “From Jay and Mark Duplass, the writer/directors of the Sundance hits The Puffy Chair, Cyrus and the upcoming Jeff Who Lives at Home comes The Do-Deca-Pentathlon, the story of two grown brothers who secretly compete in a homemade Olympics during a family reunion. When their fierce and disruptive competition is uncovered, the brothers must choose between their passion for beating the hell out of each other and the greater good of the family.”

OK early reviews. TRDB.

6) NOBODY ELSE BUT YOU– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “A local beauty’s death is ruled suicide by sleeping pills, but crime novelist Rousseau doesn’t buy it. Reality turns out to be stranger than fiction — and a source of inspiration — as he uncovers the truth about the woman’s past.”

Fairly good reviews especially from the critics. TRDB.

7) LAST RIDE– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In Last Ride, a desperate father takes his ten year old son, Chook, on the run after committing a violent crime. As the two journey into the desert and an unknown future, their troubled relationship and the need to survive sees them battling the elements and each other. Chook eventually takes control and the choice he is forced to make has a devastating effect on both their lives.”

7/6/12– Good review in today’s NY Times and by the critics in general. Audiences have liked it as well. TRDB.

7/31/12- An interesting Australian drama with beautiful scenery and I’d recommend it. TRDB.  

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

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

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COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, OCT. 23-

 

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

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

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

2) WILD HORSE, WILD RIDE– Synopsis by Netflix. “An annual contest challenges 100 people across the United States to tame a wild mustang in 100 days. Following this dangerous and harrowing feat is a public showcase that determines whether these horses can be saved from a life in captivity.”

8/24/12- Excellent review in today’s NY Times and audiences have loved this movie as well. TRDB.

3) THE INVISIBLE WAR– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary calls attention to little-known facts about the high prevalence of rape within the ranks of America’s armed forces. Interviews with military personnel, elected officials and rape victims provide alarming evidence.”

Just a few reviews so far and they are excellent. TRDB.

6/22/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

 _________________________________________________________________________________________

 

OPENED LAST WEEK IN ADDITION TO THOSE I WROTE ABOUT ON OCT. 4-

 

1) DECODING DEEPAK– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker Gotham Chopra examines the life and work of his father, spiritual teacher and author Deepak Chopra, in this documentary. Following his father around the world in 2010, Gotham seeks to understand the man behind the public image.”10/5/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times, calling it a gentle tribute. TRDB.

2) 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.

3) IT’S SUCH A BEAUTIFUL DAY– 2012. Synopsis by IMDB. “Bill struggles to put together his shattered psyche, in this new feature film version of Don Hertzfeldt’s animated short film trilogy.”

10/5/12- Excellent early reviews including a very good one in today’s NY Times- calling it unsettling as well as liking it. TRDB. 

4) THE HOUSE I LIVE IN– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Why We Fight director Eugene Jarecki shifts his focus from the military industrial complex to the War on Drugs in this documentary exploring the risks that prohibition poses to freedom, and the tragedy of addicts being treated as criminals. In the four decades since the War on Drugs commenced, over 45 millions of addicts have been arrested – and for each one jailed, another family is destroyed. Meanwhile, the prisons in America are growing overcrowded with non-violent criminals, and illegal drugs are still being sold in schoolyards. By examining just where it all went wrong, Jarecki reveals that a solution is possible if we can just find it in ourselves to be compassionate, and see past the decades of paranoia and propaganda.”

10/5/12- Excellent review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5) 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.

6) 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.

7) IN MY MOTHER’S ARMS– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A desperate phone call requesting donations for a makeshift Iraqi orphanage first brought filmmaking brothers Atia and Mohamed Jabarah Al-Daradji to a two-bedroom house in the notoriously dangerous Baghdad neighborhood of in Al-Sadr. Husham, an unlikely hero working tirelessly without state support to shelter and protect more than thirty children, had been given two weeks to vacate the premises and had neither money nor resources at his disposal. The children in his care are in dire straits: Saif can’t remember anything about his dead mother but her name; Mohammed struggles to balance school life with his search for self-identity; and Salah, who is too traumatized to speak, fears he may never be able to go to school. In My Mother’s Arms is a powerful reminder that the battlefield is only one of many places one can find the victims of war.”

Great reviews! TRDB.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

OPENING THIS WEEK- (OCT. 12)

 

1) 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.

2) EXCUSE ME FOR LIVING– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “EXCUSE ME FOR LIVING is the story of Dan Topler (TOM PELPHREY), a rich, smart, suicidal twenty-something who dropped out of medical school to pursue his own drug habit. Well provided for and a bit coddled, he refuses to grow up or get happy. After a suicide attempt on the George Washington Bridge lands him in an upscale rehabilitation clinic, Dr. Jacob Bernstein (ROBERT VAUGHN) takes him under his wing. The doctor issues these commands: obey the no-drugs rules, and join the geriatric temple men’s group he leads-or face incarceration. Despite Dan’s negative attitude attending the seniors’ club, he finds he’s among accomplished men and becomes engrossed with their lives. Meanwhile, Dan’s prep school friends continue to lure Dan to bacchanals. Dan’s addiction and tired mind can’t resist the drugs, booze, and women, until he becomes smitten with Laura (MELISSA ARCHER), Dr. Bernstein’s daughter. Resolving to turn his life around, he confronts his friends and begins to listen at his group sessions, eventually realizing he has more to offer and to learn than he ever knew.”

No reviews as yet. TRDB.

3) MIDDLE OF NOWHERE– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After her husband is sent to prison for eight years, medical student Ruby shelves her studies to focus on her partner’s welfare as he serves his time. The couple soon learns the new pressures they need to bear if their relationship is to survive.”

No reviews as yet. TRDB.

4) 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.

5) 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.

6) 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.”

No reviews as yet. TRDB.

7) 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.

________________________________________________________________________________________

 

OPENING NEXT WEEK- (OCT. 19)

 

1) AND IF WE ALL LIVED TOGETHER– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Instead of living in a retirement home, five aging friends decide to move in together after one of them suffers a heart attack. The two couples and one widower are joined by a young caregiver, an ethnology student who is studying the group.”Reviews have been just OK but friends have enjoyed it. 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.”

No reviews as yet. TRDB.

3) 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.

 

________________________________________________________________________________________

 

FLORIDA-

On Oct. 12–18. At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 

1) STARS IN SHORTS– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “On the heels of the annual Oscar Nominated Short Films program, ShortsHD presents Stars in Shorts, a collection of short films featuring some of the world’s biggest actors. Judi Dench is a neophyte in the complicated landscape of internet dating in “Friend Request Pending.” Colin Firth is an unusually needy neighbor to Keira Knightley in “Steve.” Lily Tomlin gets lost on her way to a funeral in “Procession.” Jason Alexander is a screenwriter at the end of his rope in the musical short “Not Your Time.” Also including short films starring Kenneth Branagh, Julia Stiles, Sarah Paulson, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and others.”Mixed reviews, more good than bad. TRDB.

 On Oct. 19–25

 

1) NEIGHBORING SOUNDS– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “A disparate group of upper-middle-class neighbors, including a lonely housewife and a proud grandfather, fear that their apartment building will be overrun by criminals and hire a private security firm, but the watchmen only heighten the problem.”Mixed early reviews for this Brazilian movie that was described (not reviewed) in the Arts and Leisure section of the 8/19/12 NY Times. TRDB.

 

2) 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.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) BUTTER– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a gifted butter sculptor announces his retirement, his ambitious wife sees her hopes for future fame — and the presidency — melt away. She sets out to take up the mantle, but soon learns how cutthroat the world of pro butter sculpting can be.”OK early reviews. TRDB.

10/5/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) PEOPLE LIKE US– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Sam flies home for his estranged father’s funeral, the reading of the will reveals a sister he never knew he had — and an order that Sam must bring his alcoholic sibling and her young son their inheritance.”Very good early reviews. TRDB.

6/29/12- Only a fair review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) PUSHER–  2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Based on the edgy and explosive series by visionary director Nicolas Winding Refn, Pusher stars Richard Coyle as a drug dealer who grows increasingly desperate over the course of a week after a botched deal lands him in the merciless clutches of a ruthless crime lord. The more desperate his behavior, the more isolated he becomes until there is nothing left standing between him and the bullet his debtors intend to fire his way.”A few good early reviews but a some said that it wasn’t as good as the original. TRDB.

4) 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.

 

REPEATS-

 

 

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

 

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

 

Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com

 

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

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

 

NEW IN THE BURBS-

 

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

2) THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER– Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 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.

3) SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS– Jacob Burns, Danbury. 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.

4) THE PAPERBOY– Saw Mill Hawthorne. 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.

REPEATS-

 

1) ARBITRAGE- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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. I recommend it. TRDB.

2) TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE– Bethel. 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.

3) SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk.. 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.”

Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

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) THE MASTER– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “A heavy-drinking loner 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. Friends have hated it and 2 asked for their money back. TRDB.

5) THE ORANGES– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When newly unattached Nina Ostroff (Leighton Meester) comes home for Thanksgiving dinner, her parents make plans to pair her up with their neighbors’ successful son, Toby (Adam Brody). But then Nina locks eyes with Toby’s father, wrecking everyone’s expectations. Catherine Keener, Allison Janney, Oliver Platt and Alia Shawkat co-star in this comic tale of redefining happiness when it comes to relationships.”

Just a few reviews at this time and they are all POOR. TRDB.

6) SAMSARA–  Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmed over five years in more than 25 different countries, this dialogue-free documentary shares snippets of life from all around the world, revealing ties between the dueling rhythms of nature and humanity.”

Early reviews are very good. I’ve seen the coming attractions and it looks interesting. TRDB.

 

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

 

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

 

For Films everywhere go to- www.fandango.com

 

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

 

 

 

 

________________________________________________________________________________________

OCTOBER 4, 2012

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

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

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) NATE AND MARGARET– Netflix

2) WHERE DO WE GO NOW?– Netflix

3) 17 GIRLS– Comcast On-Demand

 

________________________________________________________________________________________

 

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) NATE & MARGARET– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this quirky comedy, the odd-couple friendship between Nate, a young, gay film student, and Margaret, a 50-something eccentric, takes center stage. Trouble arrives in the form of Nate‘s first lover, who doesn’t quite “get” Margaret.”6/22/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere. TRDB.

9/30/12- A good movie about friendship between two people who on the surface appear very different. TRDB. Netflix.

2) WHERE DO WE GO NOW?- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “While their men fight a remote sectarian war, the women of a Lebanese village — one hemmed in by minefields — band together to denounce the clash of Islamic and Christian beliefs that sustains the war and threatens to poison their own community.”

5/11/12– Mediocre professional reviews and OK audience reaction but good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

10/1/12- It took a while to get into this movie but I did and even though I agree with a reviewer who said that the film was more interesting than satisfying I can still recommend it. TRDB. Netflix.

3) 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.

 

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, OCT. 9-

 

1) OCTOBER BABY– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “As the curtain rises, Hannah hesitantly steps onto the stage for her theatrical debut in college. Yet before her first lines, she collapses. Countless medical tests all point to one underlying factor: Hannah’s difficult birth. This revelation is nothing compared to discovering that she was actually adopted . . . after a failed abortion attempt. Bewildered, angered and confused, Hannah embarks on a journey with Jason, her oldest friend. In the midst of her incredible journey to discover her hidden past and find hope for her unknown future, Hannah sees that life can be so much more than what you have planned.”Fairly good early audience reviews but awful professional ones. TRDB.

3/23/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) LOLA VERSUS– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When her fiancé dumps her right before the wedding, 29-year-old Lola finds herself single for the first time in almost a decade. Desperate to figure out where her life goes next, quirky Lola seeks advice from her two best friends and hippie parents.”

An article about the actress Greta Gerwig in the NY Times on 5/6/12. TRDB.

Poor reviews all around. TRDB.

6/11/12- Weak review in the NY Times last week. TRDB.

3) THE GIANT MECHANICAL MAN– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Jason Segel and Emily Blunt star in this contemporary romantic comedy as an engaged young couple who discovers that the more they get to know each other, the more unpredictable their commitment to getting married becomes.”

Fairly good professional reviews yet and good audience reaction as well. TRDB.

4) A CAT IN PARIS– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this Oscar-nominated animated feature, little Zoe discovers that her cat, Dino, moonlights as the companion to Nico, a burglar with a heart of gold. Soon Zoe is drawn into a thriller filled with gangsters, jewels and the rooftops of Paris.”

Very good reviews. TRDB.

 

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OPENED LAST WEEK IN ADDITION TO THOSE I WROTE ABOUT ON 9/27-

 

1) SIX MILLION AND ONE– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Past present and future mix in this eloquent, intense and surprisingly humorous portrait of documentary filmmaker David Fisher and his siblings, as they retrace the footsteps of their late father-a Holocaust survivor who was interned in Gusen and Gunskirchen, Austria. David’s journey takes him to the U.S., where he meets American WWII veterans who participated in the liberation of his father and Gunskirchen camp. This sparks a remarkable journey to Austria by the Fisher siblings. They joke, kibitz and quarrel, and remind us that history and memory require active discussion among the later generations.”9/28/12- This sounds very interesting but I could not find any professional reviews as yet. Audiences have loved it. TRDB.

2) HARVEST OF EMPIRE– Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary traces the history of U.S. relations with Latin America and draws strong links to America’s current immigration crisis. Decaying economies in much of Latin America are viewed as the result of ill-conceived U.S. policies.”

9/28/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) PRIMUM NON NOCERE— FIRST DO NO HARM– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Refuting common beliefs about blood transfusions, global experts share cutting-edge evidence that transfusions may not always be as safe as previously thought, and that issues like DNA and chromosome transfers can be hazardous.”

9/28/12- Mixed reviews. The NY Times called this documentary one-sides. TRDB.

4) MY LIFE AS ABRAHAM LINCOLN- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In this dark, surreal comedy, Cindy Rossberg (Caroline Luft) has apparently killed her fiancé (Trevor Nelson) on her wedding day. Her psychiatrist encourages her to move forward with her life. However, as she attempts to do so, she finds reality too difficult to contend with as she is bound to the events of the past. As she tries to sort things out for herself, Cindy spirals into a wacky world of bizarre situations that become increasingly influenced by a murder mystery she is writing. In the end, Cindy discovers that she must act as her own emancipator in order to free herself from the role she thinks she is expected to play.”

9/28/12- A mixed review in today’s NY Times. I found only 2 other reviews and they were OK. TRDB.

5) VULGARIA– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “To (Chapman To Man-chak), a long-time film producer, has yet to produce anything resembling a hit. Beset by financial troubles, he has become desperate for money – so much so that he is unable to pay the alimony to his ex-wife (Kristal Tin). Despite his former spouse’s bitterness, their daughter still clings onto her faith in him – and wishes to see him on TV once his new movie premieres. To is soon introduced to a potential Mainland Chinese investor, Tyrannosaurus (Ronald Cheng), by his buddy Lui Wing-shing (Simon Loui Yu-yeung). But Tyrannosaurus is not only the head of a Guangxi triad gang, he turns out to have very particular tastes in food and sex. Regardless, To is determined to woo this investor, even if it means giving into his every demand.”

9/28/12- Mixed reviews at best and a weak one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5) 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.

 

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OPENING THIS WEEK (10/5)

 

1) BUTTER– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a gifted butter sculptor announces his retirement, his ambitious wife sees her hopes for future fame — and the presidency — melt away. She sets out to take up the mantle, but soon learns how cutthroat the world of pro butter sculpting can be.”OK early reviews. TRDB.

2) 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.

3) THE ORANGES– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When newly unattached Nina Ostroff (Leighton Meester) comes home for Thanksgiving dinner, her parents make plans to pair her up with their neighbors’ successful son, Toby (Adam Brody). But then Nina locks eyes with Toby’s father, wrecking everyone’s expectations. Catherine Keener, Allison Janney, Oliver Platt and Alia Shawkat co-star in this comic tale of redefining happiness when it comes to relationships.”

Just a few reviews at this time and they are all POOR. TRDB.

4) 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.

5) THE REVISIONARIES– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary looks at a pitched cultural conflict over school textbook standards in Texas, as determined by the state’s Board of Education. For many, the creationist views of the board’s chairman run counter the findings of modern science.”

Only 1 review so far and it’s very good. TRDB.

 

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 

1) 2 DAYS IN NEW YORK-  2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Marion and Mingus live cozily-perhaps too cozily-with their cat and two young children from previous relationships. However, when Marion’s jolly father (played by director Delpy’s real-life dad), her oversexed sister, and her sister’s outrageous boyfriend unceremoniously descend upon them for a visit, it initiates two unforgettable days that will test Marion and Mingus’s relationship. With their unwitting racism and sexual frankness, the French triumvirate hilariously has no boundaries or filters…and no person is left unscathed in its wake.”Mixed reviews, both audience and professional. TRDB.

 

2) THREE DAYS (OF HAMLET)- 2012.

 

 

 

 _________________________________________________________________________________________

 

COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) 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.

9/21/12- Great review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

 

 

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

 

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

 

Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com

 

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BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-

 

NEW IN THE BURBS-

 

1) THE ORANGES– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When newly unattached Nina Ostroff (Leighton Meester) comes home for Thanksgiving dinner, her parents make plans to pair her up with their neighbors’ successful son, Toby (Adam Brody). But then Nina locks eyes with Toby’s father, wrecking everyone’s expectations. Catherine Keener, Allison Janney, Oliver Platt and Alia Shawkat co-star in this comic tale of redefining happiness when it comes to relationships.”Just a few reviews at this time and they are all POOR. TRDB.

2) BUTTER– Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a gifted butter sculptor announces his retirement, his ambitious wife sees her hopes for future fame — and the presidency — melt away. She sets out to take up the mantle, but soon learns how cutthroat the world of pro butter sculpting can be.”

OK early reviews. TRDB.

3) DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL– Jacob Burns. 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.

9/21/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

REPEATS-

 

1) TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 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) ARBITRAGE- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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. I recommend it. TRDB.

3) THE MASTER– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “A heavy-drinking loner 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. Friends have hated it and 2 asked for their money back. TRDB.

4) THE INTOUCHABLES– Clearview 100. 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. For me it showed that Hollywood can slide effortlessly into Paris. TRDB.

5) SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN– Jacob Burns, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.”

Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

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. 

 

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

SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

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

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) DESERT HEARTS– Netflix Streaming

2) BALLPLAYER: PELOTERO– Netflix

3) ON THE ICE– Netflix

4) LULA, SON OF BRAZIL– Netflix

5) LIBERAL ARTS– On-Demand

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) DESERT HEARTS– 1985. Synopsis by Netflix. “Uptight literature professor Vivian Bell (Helen Shaver) heads to Reno, Nev., in 1959 for a quickie divorce. While staying with Frances Parker (Audra Lindley) at her ranch to establish residency, Bell meets Parker’s adopted daughter (Patricia Charbonneau), a casino worker 10 years her junior. Bell finds herself increasingly drawn to the open and self-assured lesbian, and their developing intimacy releases buried emotions Bell has never explored.”Obviously dated but this film was very risque and thought provoking at the time. I liked it. TRDB.

2) BALLPLAYER: PELOTERO– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “This compelling documentary, narrated by John Leguizamo and executive produced by Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine, is a gritty and never before seen look inside the world of Major League Baseball (MLB) training camps in the Dominican Republic. Miguel Angel and Jean Carlos are two of the top prospects and they are both about to turn 16, which means they can be signed to an MLB farm team and ultimately move up to the majors. Ballplayer: Pelotero filmmakers Ross Finkel, Trevor Martin and Jonathan Paley take you inside this never before seen world for an up close and personal look at the cost of the American dream.”

Excellent reviews in general and a good one in the NY Times on 7/14/12. TRDB.

9/21/12- I liked the movie, a very good expose, but I feel that it lacked the passion you’d expect with this type of exploitation of minors. TRDB. Netflix.

3) LULA, THE SON OF BRAZIL– 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Adapted from a biography by journalist Denise Paraná, this big-budget epic chronicles the formative years of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva — aka Lula — who overcame formidable obstacles to become the president of Brazil in 2003. Lula and his six young siblings live in poverty and are sent to work early; an accident on the job drives the adult Lula (Rui Ricardo Diaz) into union activism, planting the seeds for a future in politics.” Fair  reviews at best. TRDB.

9/23/12- A fair docudrama about the former president of Brazil up until his presidency. TRDB. Netflix.

4) ON THE ICE– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “The beauty and austerity of Barrow, Alaska, inform this gripping thriller about two Iñupiaq teenagers, Qalli (Josiah Patkotak) and Aivaaq (Frank Qutuq Irelan), whose decision to cover up the accidental death of their friend James, for which they are responsible, tears them apart. As the townsfolk try to reveal the truth, guilt weighs heavily on Qalli and Aivaaq, making them lash out against their families and question their traditional lifestyle.”

2/17/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times but the premise did sound interesting and I’ll probably see this eventually. Other critics have liked it. TRDB.

9/22/12- I found this drama interesting and I’d recommend it. TRDB. Netflix.

5) LIBERAL ARTS– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “A speaking engagement brings 35-year-old Jesse back to his college alma mater, where he’s blindsided by nostalgia and a plucky sophomore named Zibby. Newly single and unfulfilled by his job, Jesse finds Zibby pulling him out of his disillusionment.”

Fairly good early professional reviews. TRDB.

9/14/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

9/26/12- A fun romantic film that I’d recommend. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

 

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, OCT. 2-

 

1) THE LADY– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on the inspiring true story, this epic yet intimate biopic tells the story of Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma’s leading pro-democracy reformer who was held under house arrest for 15 years, and her English husband, who worked tirelessly for her release.” Mediocre reviews at best but I will definitely see this one on principle. TRDB.

  

2) THE FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Jason Segel and Emily Blunt star in this contemporary romantic comedy as an engaged young couple who discovers that the more they get to know each other, the more unpredictable their commitment to getting married becomes.”4/27/12- Good review in today’s NY Times and good audience reaction as well. TRDB.

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

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

4) FREE MEN– 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In German-occupied Paris, a young unemployed Algerian named Younes (played by break-out star, Tahar Rahim) earns his living as a black marketeer. Arrested by the French police but given a chance to avoid jail, Younes agrees to spy on the Paris Mosque. The police suspect the Mosque authorities, including its rector Ben Ghabrit, of aiding Muslim Resistance agents and helping North African Jews by giving them false certificates. At the Mosque, Younes meets the Algerian singer Salim Halali, and is moved by Salim’s beautiful voice and strong personality. When Younes discovers that Salim is Jewish, he stops collaborating with the police and gradually transforms from a politically ignorant immigrant into a fully-fledged freedom fighter.”

3/16/12- Mixed reviews in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4/14/12- I saw this as part of the 2012 Jewish Film Festival at the Jacob Burns Film Center and liked it very much. TRDB.

5) LET GO– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “A disheartened parole officer struggling to find happiness in a ho-hum marriage finds inspiration from an unlikely source: his own parolees. As his slightly loopy ex-cons play out their dramas, the parole officer works to resolve his own.”

Very good early audience reviews– no professional critics yet. TRDB.

6) PEOPLE LIKE US– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Sam flies home for his estranged father’s funeral, the reading of the will reveals a sister he never knew he had — and an order that Sam must bring his alcoholic sibling and her young son their inheritance.”

Very good early reviews. TRDB.

6/29/12- Only a fair review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

 

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OPENED LAST WEEK IN ADDITION TO THE MOVIES I WROTE ABOUT ON SEPT. 20-

 

1) HEAD GAMES– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This incisive documentary reveals how, with more than 1 million sports-related concussions occurring in the U.S. every year, athletes, doctors, coaches and parents are paying closer attention to the long-term damage resulting from collision sports.”9/21/12- Great review in today’s NY Times and fairly good reviews by other critics as well. TRDB.

2) 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.

9/21/12- Great review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) ELECTORAL DYSFUNCTION– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “After discovering that the right to vote is missing from the U.S. Constitution, political humorist Mo Rocca sets out on a road trip to see how voting works — and doesn’t work — in America. He heads to Indiana, home to some of the strictest election laws in the country, and meets one Republican and one Democrat who take him inside their efforts to get out every vote during the 2008 Presidential election. As he progresses on his journey, Mo searches for the Electoral College; critiques ballot design with Todd Oldham; investigates the heated battle over Voter ID and voter fraud; and explores the case of a former felon who was sentenced to ten years in prison — for the crime of voting.”

9/21/12- Mixed reviews in general and in today’s NY Times. Audiences have liked it very much. TRDB.

4) 186 DOLLARS TO FREEDOM– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This gritty drama based on a true story follows American surfer Wayne Montgomery as he moves to Peru in 1980. After being framed on drug charges, Wayne survives in the infamous El Sexto prison as corrupt officials try to extort money from his family.”

9/21/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB.

5) BLINKY AND ME– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Following his life from Nazi-occupied Poland to Israel to Australia, this documentary tells the story of pioneering animator Yoram Gross, who gained fame and fortune through his popular film series Blinky Bill.”

9/21/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times. Audience reviews have been mediocre also. TRDB.

6) THEY CALL IT MYANMAR: LIFTING THE CURTAIN– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Shot clandestinely over a two-year period in the second-most isolated country on the planet, Burma, this documentary lifts the curtain to expose everyday life in a country that has been held in the iron grip of a brutal military regime for 48 years.”

Very good reviews. TRDB.

7) DEAR MANDELA– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Destroyed homes, threats at gunpoint and high-court action, this battle by three young people to stand up for their rights is a testimony to people power. When the South African government promises to ‘eradicate the slums’ and begins to evict shack dwellers far outside the city, three friends who live in Durban’s vast shantytowns refuse to be moved. Dear Mandela follows their journey from their shacks to the highest court in the land as they invoke Nelson Mandela’s example and become leaders in a growing social movement. By turns inspiring, devastating and funny, the film offers a new perspective on the role that young people can play in political change and is a fascinating portrait of South Africa coming of age.”

Poor early reviews. TRDB.

8) HELLBOUND?- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Enough with the comforting white light when we die; what if you end up, you know, in the other place? This thought-provoking film digs for answers. Theologians, clergy and pop culture figures discuss hell: its place in religion, history and reality.”

Good review in the NY Times on 9/21/12 and OK reviews in general. TRDB.

9) FRED WON’T MOVE OUT- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “With levity and sadness, two grown children and their aging parents struggle with the decision whether the older generation should stay in the house where they have lived for fifty years. Shot in the house where the director’s parents lived for close to fifty years shortly after they moved out, the film’s semi-autobiographical story is memorably acted by a small ensemble cast led by Elliott Gould. Shot in sequence in three weeks with a heady mix of improvisational work by both author Richard Ledes and his cast, the film’s personal approach to its subject captures a universal story uniquely told. “

Poor audience reviews but no professional reviews as yet. TRDB.

 10) THREE STARS– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Focusing on ten Michelin 3 Star chefs, Three Stars depicts the everyday drama of life in gourmet restaurants and includes exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes access to some of the world’s most talented chefs as they work in their gastronomic laboratories, hunt for exquisite ingredients in local markets, and gather rare edible plants along rough coastlines. It reveals the business of cooking on the highest level and highlights the various kitchen routines and culinary philosophies of chefs like Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Yannick Alléno, and Olivier Roellinger.”

So far, poor reviews all around. TRDB.

11) DOCTORED– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Doctored is director Bobby Sheehan and producer Jeff Hays’ entry into the emerging genre of health focused feature documentaries and follows both patients and health care providers struggling within a broken health care system. The story begins with the AMA’s attack on their non-drug providing rivals, the chiropractic profession. Interviews and historical footage expose the AMA’s clandestine campaign to eliminate chiropractic services, which culminates in a 15 year legal battle known as the Wilk case. Sheehan uses this story, and the following stories of patients seeking or forced into alternative treatments, as “a small doorway into a large room.” The key point made early in the film is that as it relates to health care almost all areas have been “doctored”. Endemic of the problem is the plight of today’s MD who is forced to forgo the “art” of medicine in exchange for 12-15 minute appointments and forced prescriptions dispensing. The film also shows spectacular successes from seeming chiropractic miracles from Olympic gold medalists, Hall of Fame NBA players and a mother that was sent home to die who regains health. Sheehan and Hays shot hundreds of hours of footage from Surgeons, MD’s, DC’s, DO’s, patients from Picabo Street and John Stockton; normal, every day people fighting for their lives, shown in crisis, each having to choose to follow the normal, drug-based, standard of care or risk everything by providing or accepting belittled alternative therapies. Although the US makes up only 5% of the world’s population, we consume over 50% of all the world’s pharmaceutical drugs, while we endure worsening health. Sheehan shed’s light on this “doctored” system and opens a conversation on real solutions.”

9/21/12- Just a fair review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

12) MY UNCLE RAFAEL– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “When a TV producer is desperate to find a replacement series, she convinces a 71 year-old Armenian, tell-it-like-it-is Uncle to star in a new reality show. Cultures collide when Uncle Rafael is thrown into the Schumacher family household where he, in his own Armenian way, has one week to save an already broken and dysfunctional American family from falling apart. The only rule-everyone must follow his rules!”

9/21/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

13) 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.

9/21/12- Today’s NY Times had a mixed but basically good review. TRDB.

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OPENING THIS WEEK-

 

1) THE WAITING ROOM– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This disquieting documentary relates the stories of medical patients, many of them uninsured, as they wait to be seen at a California hospital. The film also portrays the efforts of hospital professionals to cope with a drastically strained system.”Very good reviews. TRDB.

2) BRINGING UP BOBBY– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Olive is a European exile living in Oklahoma with her 10-year-old son, trying to raise him properly even as her past begins to close in on her. Her son, however, has the same roguish charm that landed her in trouble in the first place.”

Weak 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) 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.

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 bureacracy to improve an inner-city school.”

No reviews as yet but there was reference to this movie in Frank Bruni’s Op-Ed piece in the Sunday, 8/19/12 NY Times. TRDB.

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

No reviews as yet. TRDB.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 

Sept. 28–30- THE THIRD ANNUAL L-DUB FILM FESTIVAL

 

________________________________________________________________________________________

 

COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) 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.

2) BACKWARDS– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When she doesn’t make the Olympic cut for a second time, über-competitive 30-year-old rower Abi Brooks becomes a coach at a school working for her ex-boyfriend — and as she adjusts to her new life, she makes some important discoveries about herself.”

A few early reviews are mixed. TRDB.

9/21/12- Awful review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

 

 

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

 

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

 

Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com

 

________________________________________________________________________________________

 

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

 

NEW IN THE BURBS-

 

1) END OF WATCH– Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 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.

REPEATS-

 

1) ARBITRAGE- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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. I recommend it. TRDB.

2) THE MASTER– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

3) TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 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.”

Excellent reviews for this movie starring Clint Eastwood. TRDB.

4)  THE INTOUCHABLES– Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this compelling story based on true events, affluent quadriplegic Phillipe hires Driss — a young Parisian petty criminal — to be his caregiver, and the two form an unexpected bond that changes both their lives.” Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

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

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

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

5) SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN– Jacob Burns, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.”

Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

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. 

 

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

SEPTEMBER 13, 2012

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

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

 

LAST WEEKEND I ATTENDED THE MARTHA’S VINEYARD INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. I SAW 3 MOVIES AND ENJOYED THEM ALL. PLEASE SEE “BELOW” FOR REVIEWS-

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) THE WELL DIGGER’S DAUGHTER- Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival

2) GIVE UP TOMORROW- Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival

3) WORDS OF WITNESS- Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival

4) MARLEY– Netflix Streaming

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

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

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.

2) GIVE UP TOMORROW– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “With the case continuing to polarize the Philippines, this riveting documentary looks at the trial of Paco Larrañaga, who — despite demonstrable proof of his innocence — was sentenced to death for the 1997 kidnapping, rape and murders of two women.”

No professional reviews but good audience reaction. TRDB.

9/8/12- A well constructed and convincing documentary that I viewed at the Martha’s Vineyard Int. Film Festival. I also had the opportunity to hear a Q and A with the director that was fascinating. TRDB.

3) WORDS OF WITNESS– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Witness Hosni Mubarak’s ouster through the eyes of reporter Heba Afify, who engaged in the protests while writing for an Egyptian newspaper. Amid the fervor and danger of the Arab Spring, Afify also copes with her mother’s growing disapproval.”

Excellent audience reviews but I’ve not found a single professional review as yet. TRDB.

9/7/12- I saw this today at the Martha’s Vineyard Int. Film Festival and liked it very much. TRDB.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) MARLEY- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Featuring dozens of interviews, electrifying concert performances and rare footage, this documentary explores the music, life and legacy of reggae icon Bob Marley, from his birth in 1945 to his death from cancer at age 36.” Excellent reviews. TRDB.4/20/12- Great review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

9/10/12- A well done documentary about the legend. Should have had more music as that was the best part for me. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, SEP. 18-

 

1) SALVATION BOULEVARD– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director George Ratliff combines wicked satire with an engrossing mystery in this black comedy about Pastor Dan (Pierce Brosnan), whose megachurch is endangered when he becomes entangled in an unsavory incident that is investigated by hapless parishioner Carl (Greg Kinnear). As Carl delves deeper into the case and makes some disconcerting discoveries, the reverend’s dedicated followers begin an enthusiastic campaign to prevent Carl from spilling the beans.” Poor reviews for this excellent cast. TRDB.

 

2) CHICO & RITA– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Fernando Trueba and artist Javier Mariscal collaborate on this animated celebration of Cuban music that features pianist Bebo Valdés and other jazz greats in an epic story of romance, ambition and glamour set in the 1940s. Chico (voiced by Eman Xor Oña) is a gifted pianist and composer who falls in love with Rita (Limara Meneses), an equally talented singer, but her rise to success in America tears their romance apart.” Great professional reviews but so-so audience reaction so far. TRDB.2/10/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) DETACHMENT- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “An emotionally detached substitute teacher floats from class to class without forming any bonds. But when he takes a new assignment at an inner city school, he unexpectedly finds himself becoming involved in the lives of his colleagues and students.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.

3/8/12- A truly great movie. Very difficult to watch at times– a tribute to great acting and a terrific screenplay. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

3/16/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) THE SALT OF LIFE– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Rather than living the good life he’d imagined, newly retired Gianni spends his days running errands for those around him. Bemoaning his fate, he decides to take a mistress — a task that proves easier said than done in this wistful comedy.” Very good reviews including the NY Times. TRDB.

3/11/12- A delightful comedy with a cute story. TRDB. 

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

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

6) OSLO, AUGUST 31st– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This psychological drama follows a day in the life of Anders, a recovering drug addict who travels to his old stomping grounds of Oslo for a job interview. While there, he must confront his past as well as his plans for a new life.”

Very good professional reviews and average audience ones. TRDB.

5/6/12- An article in today’s NY Times about the movie and lead actor. TRDB.

7) KATY PERRY: PART OF ME– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Pop star Katy Perry is captured on- and offstage in this revealing diary of her California Dreams Tour, featuring her Los Angeles performances in 3-D. The film shares the air of glamour and fun that radiate from this talented and unique artist.”

Very good audience reaction and good professional reviews as well. TRDB.

8) THE MAGIC OF BELLE ISLE– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After alcoholism depletes his enthusiasm for writing, celebrated author Monte Wildhorn finds his creative passion renewed when he moves to quaint Belle Isle and gets to know his next door neighbors — a single mother and her three daughters.”

Fair early reviews. TRDB.

7/6/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. I’ll try to see it. TRDB.

9) THE BABYMAKERS– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Devoted married man Tommy grows increasingly distressed by his failure to impregnate his wife, Audrey. In a desperate bid to have a child of their own, Tommy assembles an oddball group of thieves to steal his long-ago sperm bank donations.”

8/3/12- Sounds stupid and vulgar but the NY Times liked it in today’s review. Most critics did not!! TRDB.

10) CHIMPANZEE– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Spinning documentary footage into family-friendly fare, this Disneynature film follows an orphaned chimp named Oscar on his quest to find a home. In the end, he finds a new family in the unlikeliest of places.” Good early reviews. TRDB.

4/20/12- Miserable review in today’s NY Times but fairly good reviews by critics elsewhere. TRDB.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

OPENED LAST WEEK IN ADDITION TO THE MOVIES I WROTE ABOUT ON SEPT. 6-

 

1) BACHELORETTE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a single overachiever learns, to her horror, that an overweight girl she teased in high school is getting married before her, she swallows her pride and serves as maid of honor, enlisting her old clique to help through an evening of mishaps.”1/21/12- An article (not a review) in today’s NY Times about this film playing at Sundance sounded interesting. TRDB.

9/7/12- Mixed reviews for this comedy, more bad than good. The NY Times was noncommittal in today’s review other than to say the movie was viciously funny at times. TRDB.

2) 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.

3) 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- Mixed reviews for this movie but it sounds interesting and I’ll probably see it eventually. TRDB.

4) THE INBETWEENERS– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Four geeky high school friends set out on a wild sun and booze-filled vacation in The Inbetweeners Movie, the hilarious British breakout hit finally reaching American shores. Packed with outrageous sexual shenanigans, out-of-control party antics and cheekily rude humor in the tradition of American Pie, the film follows a quartet of sex-obsessed nerds to a notorious Mediterranean hotspot as they try to break their lifelong losing streak with the ladies.”

9/7/12- Weak professional reviews in general and from today’s NY Times. Audiences likes it a bit more. 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) LAS ACACIAS– 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Rubén is a lonely truck driver who has been covering for years the motorway from Asunción del Paraguay to Buenos Aires, carrying wood. However, today’s journey will be different. This morning, in a motorway stop near Asunción, Jacinta shows up an hour later to begin a journey by track which is going to take her to Buenos Aires. Wath’s more, Rubén finds out at that very moment that little Anahí, who’s 8 months old, will travel with them- It is not the best beginning. As kilometres go by, th relationship between Rubén and Jacinta will grow. they will slowly meet and sip into each other’s soul. None of them talks much about their lives. None asks much either. It’s a few word journey but it is not a silent one.”

Very good professional but weak audience reviews. TRDB.

9/7/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

7) DESPERATE ENDEAVORS– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This drama inspired by a true story follows Indian immigrant Ram Patel as he tries to make it big in New York in 1973. Ram’s desperation to provide for his growing family leaves him deeply in debt until he undergoes a spiritual awakening.”

9/7/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times but audiences have liked this so far. TRDB.

8)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.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

OPENING THIS WEEK-

 

1) 10 YEARS– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a group of friends reunites during their 10th high school reunion, they ponder old dreams and forge new connections. At the center of the crowd is Jake. Planning to propose to his girlfriend, he’s thrown for a loop when his old flame appears.”I found only 3 reviews, one positive, one very negative and one so-so. TRDB.

2) 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.

3) LIBERAL ARTS– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “A speaking engagement brings 35-year-old Jesse back to his college alma mater, where he’s blindsided by nostalgia and a plucky sophomore named Zibby. Newly single and unfulfilled by his job, Jesse finds Zibby pulling him out of his disillusionment.”

Fairly good early professional reviews. TRDB.

4) 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.

5) STEP UP TO THE PLATE– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Acclaimed French chef Michel Bras passes the torch (in this case his namesake restaurant) to his son Sébastien in this intimate documentary. The eatery, its mouth-watering cuisine and Michel’s mammoth reputation are all virtual co-stars.”

Very early reviews are a bit weak. TRDB.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 

1) SLEEPWALK WITH ME– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this autobiographical tale based on director Mike Birbiglia’s successful one-man show, an up-and-coming stand-up comedian deals with career and relationship issues while trying to ignore his outrageous sleepwalking habit.”Rotten Tomatoes had this to say– “I’m going to tell you a story, and it’s true….I always have to tell people that.” So asserts comedian-turned-playwright-turned-filmmaker Mike Birbiglia directly to the viewer at the outset of his autobiographically inspired, fictional feature debut. Birbiglia wears his incisive wit on his sleeve while portraying a cinematic surrogate. We are thrust into the tale of a burgeoning stand-up comedian struggling with the stress of a stalled career, a stale relationship threatening to race out of his control, and the wild spurts of severe sleepwalking he is desperate to ignore. Based on the successful one-man show, Sleepwalk With Me engages in the kind of passionate and personal storytelling that transfigures intimate anguish into comic art. Produced and co-written by Ira Glass (NPR’s This American Life), Sleepwalk With Mefeatures a stellar supporting cast that includes Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under), Carol Kane (Taxi), James Rebhorn (Meet the Parents), Cristin Milioti (30 Rock), and a sampling from the who’s who of today’s stand-up scene.”

Great reviews!! TRDB.

8/24/12- The NY Times called this movie “likable” but as noted others felt it was much better than that. TRDB.

9/4/12- Despite the good reviews I found this movie just mildly entertaining and not so funny. TRDB.

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.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW-

 

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.

REPEATS-

 

 

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

 

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

 

Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

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

 

NEW IN THE BURBS-

 

1) SAMSARA– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmed over five years in more than 25 different countries, this dialogue-free documentary shares snippets of life from all around the world, revealing ties between the dueling rhythms of nature and humanity.”Early reviews are very good. I’ve seen the coming attractions and it looks interesting. TRDB.

2) ARBITRAGE- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

3) CHICKEN WITH PLUMS– Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

4) FAREWELL, MY QUEEN– Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

 

REPEATS-

 

1)  THE INTOUCHABLES– Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this compelling story based on true events, affluent quadriplegic Phillipe hires Driss — a young Parisian petty criminal — to be his caregiver, and the two form an unexpected bond that changes both their lives.” Fairly good reviews. TRDB.5/6/12- An article in today’s NY Times talks about the movie and the lead actor. Apparently this has become a “hot” topic in France. TRDB.

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

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

2) ROBOT AND FRANK– Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

3) THE WORDS– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 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.”

Weak reviews in general. TRDB.

4) SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN– Jacob Burns. 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.”

Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

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.  

5) )THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES– Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Directed by lauded filmmaker and photographer Lauren Greenfield, who won the U.S. Directing Award for Documentary Film at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival for this film, The Queen of Versailles is a character-driven documentary about a billionaire family and their financial challenges in the wake of the economic crisis. With epic proportions of Shakespearean tragedy, the film follows two unique characters, whose rags-to-riches success stories reveal the innate virtues and flaws of the American Dream. The film begins with the family triumphantly constructing the biggest house in America, a 90,000 sq. ft. palace. Over the next two years, their sprawling empire, fueled by the real estate bubble and cheap money, falters due to the economic crisis. Major changes in lifestyle and character ensue within the cross-cultural household of family members and domestic staff.”

Very good reviews in general and in the NY Times on 7/20/12. TRDB.

8/8/12- A very good and insightful documentary that also applied the psycho-social history of the characters to better understand their reaction to adversity. TRDB.

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

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

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

7) HOPE SPRINGS- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 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.

 

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

SEPTEMBER 6, 2012

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

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

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) THE HUNTER– Netflix

2) MARGARET- Netflix

3) SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN- Theater

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) 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.”Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

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.  

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) THE HUNTER– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Recently released from prison, Ali (writer-director Rafi Pitts) attempts to make the most of his return to Tehran, amidst much talk of the upcoming elections and promises of change. Forced to work nights, he still tries to spend as much time as he can with his wife and their young daughter, escaping the stress of urban life through hunting trips to the secluded forest north of the city. But one day, Ali’s family goes missing-and after a long and fruitless experience with the police, Ali’s own search for his missing daughter ends in horror, pushing him over the edge into an act of terrible violence. He flees the city, pursued by the police, but soon the line between hunter and hunted becomes difficult to define.”1/4/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times but otherwise only average reviews. TRDB.

9/1/12- Slow but interesting and I liked it. TRDB. Netflix.

2) MARGARET– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “After witnessing a fatal bus crash, New York City high school student Margaret(Anna Paquin) believes she was an accidental factor in the tragedy. As she tries to deal with her feelings, Margaretbecomes emotionally abusive to those around her — and to herself. The stellar cast of this moving drama includes Matt Damon, Matthew Broderick, Mark Ruffalo, Allison Janney, Jean Reno, Rosemarie DeWitt and Kieran Culkin.”

9/30/11- OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

9/3/12- Apparently this movie had as much off-screen drama as on-screen drama as it took years to be edited and released. Despite a few too many subplots that made the film a bit unwieldy I did enjoy both the story and the acting and I’d definitely give it a try. TRDB . Netflix.

3) SLEEPWALK WITH ME– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this autobiographical tale based on director Mike Birbiglia’s successful one-man show, an up-and-coming stand-up comedian deals with career and relationship issues while trying to ignore his outrageous sleepwalking habit.”

Great reviews!! TRDB.

8/24/12- The NY Times called this movie “likable” but as noted others felt it was much better than that. TRDB.

9/4/12- Despite the good reviews I found this movie just mildly entertaining and not so funny. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

 

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, SEPT. 11-

 

1) WHERE DO WE GO NOW?- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “While their men fight a remote sectarian war, the women of a Lebanese village — one hemmed in by minefields — band together to denounce the clash of Islamic and Christian beliefs that sustains the war and threatens to poison their own community.”5/11/12– Mediocre professional reviews and OK audience reaction but good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) WE HAVE A POPE– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “The newly elected Pope suffers a panic attack just as he is due to appear on St Peter’s balcony to greet the faithful, who have been patiently awaiting the conclave’s decision. His advisers, unable to convince him he is the right man for the job, seek help from a renowned psychoanalyst (and atheist). But his fear of the responsibility suddenly thrust upon him is one that he must face on his own.” Generally poor reviews. TRDB.

4/6/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4/15/12- Despite the fair to poor reviews I enjoyed this film about a man suffering with the awesome responsibility placed on him and his questions about being able to do the job. TRDB.

3) GIRL IN PROGRESS– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “While single mom Grace is distracted by her own work, life and romantic issues, her teen daughter, Ansiedad, adopts her own plan for growing up. Patricia Arquette stars as the English teacher who inspires Ansiedad to declare her early freedom.” Good early audience reviews. TRDB.

5/11/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This star-studded romantic comedy follows the intersecting lives of several couples as they hazard the ups and downs of pregnancy and impending parenthood. In the process, they discover some important lessons about life and love.”

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

5) ELLES– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “While investigating a story about students who become prostitutes to pay their way through university, a middle-aged French journalist befriends two of her subjects, whose strong personalities cause her to reevaluate her own bourgeois life.”

4/27/12– Poor reviews including the one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

OPENED LAST WEEK IN ADDITION TO THOSE I WROTE ABOUT ON 8/30-

 

1) 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.

2) THE POSSESSION– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this supernatural horror flick, a young girl unwittingly unleashes an evil spirit that resides in a curious old box filled will mysterious relics. Now the girl and her estranged parents must break the hold the demonic force has on their family.”

8/31/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times but poor reviews in general from critics. Audiences have liked it. TRDB.

3) UNTIL THEY ARE HOME– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker Steven C. Barber profiles the activities of JPAC, the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, as they search for the still-missing remains of U.S. Marines killed on the island of Tarawa, the site of one of the bloodiest battles of World War II.”

8/31/12- Weak reviews in general and in today’s NY Times as well. TRDB.

4) THE BULLET VANISHES– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “When a young girl at a bullet factory dies under mysterious circumstances, two detectives must investigate the reasons for her death — and the strange occurrences that follow — as they themselves become the target of the phantom killer.”

8/31/12- Good review in today’s NY Times and by most other critics as well. TRDB.

5) HOLLYWOOD TO DOLLYWOOD– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Gay twin brothers Gary and Larry are determined to get their screenplay to Dolly Parton. They embark on a tumultuous quest in their RV from Hollywood to Dolly’s theme park in Tennessee to meet their idol.”

8/31/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times and audiences have loved it. TRDB.

 

________________________________________________________________________________________

 

OPENING THIS WEEK-

 

1) 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.”

  

 

 

________________________________________________________________________________________

 

FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 

1) AI WEIWEI: NEVER SORRY– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This compelling documentary explores three years in the life of celebrated Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei, who uses social media and his art to inspire protests against the state, and suffers government persecution for his actions.”Good professional reviews and fair audience ones. TRDB.

7/27/12- Excellent review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) FAMILY PORTRAIT IN BLACK AND WHITE– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Sixteen black orphans adopted by Olga Nenya struggle against racism in the Ukraine. Constantly on guard against overtly racist neighbors and skinheads, the kids look to their own inner strength and the help of Westerners to attain a brighter future. Tensions rise when a European couple offers to adopt one of the children, an offer that Olga resists as she attempts to bravely hold her family together.”Very good reviews in general and an OK one in the NY Times on 7/14/12. TRDB.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) 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.

2) SLEEPWALK WITH ME–  2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this autobiographical tale based on director Mike Birbiglia’s successful one-man show, an up-and-coming stand-up comedian deals with career and relationship issues while trying to ignore his outrageous sleepwalking habit.”Rotten Tomatoes had this to say– “I’m going to tell you a story, and it’s true….I always have to tell people that.” So asserts comedian-turned-playwright-turned-filmmaker Mike Birbiglia directly to the viewer at the outset of his autobiographically inspired, fictional feature debut. Birbiglia wears his incisive wit on his sleeve while portraying a cinematic surrogate. We are thrust into the tale of a burgeoning stand-up comedian struggling with the stress of a stalled career, a stale relationship threatening to race out of his control, and the wild spurts of severe sleepwalking he is desperate to ignore. Based on the successful one-man show, Sleepwalk With Me engages in the kind of passionate and personal storytelling that transfigures intimate anguish into comic art. Produced and co-written by Ira Glass (NPR’s This American Life), Sleepwalk With Mefeatures a stellar supporting cast that includes Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under), Carol Kane (Taxi), James Rebhorn (Meet the Parents), Cristin Milioti (30 Rock), and a sampling from the who’s who of today’s stand-up scene.”

Great reviews!! TRDB.

8/24/12- The NY Times called this movie “likable” but as noted others felt it was much better than that. TRDB.

3) THE FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Jason Segel and Emily Blunt star in this contemporary romantic comedy as an engaged young couple who discovers that the more they get to know each other, the more unpredictable their commitment to getting married becomes.”

4/27/12- Good review in today’s NY Times and good audience reaction as well. TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

 

 

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

 

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

 

Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

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

 

NEW IN THE BURBS-

 

1) THE WORDS– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 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.”Weak reviews in general. TRDB.

2) FAREWELL, MY QUEEN–  Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

REPEATS-

 

1) SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN– Jacob Burns. 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.”Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

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.  

 

2) THE IMPOSTER– Bethel. 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) ROBOT AND FRANK– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

4) THE INTOUCHABLES– Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this compelling story based on true events, affluent quadriplegic Phillipe hires Driss — a young Parisian petty criminal — to be his caregiver, and the two form an unexpected bond that changes both their lives.” Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

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

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

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

5) HOPE SPRINGS– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 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.

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

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

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

7) SLEEPWALK WITH ME– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this autobiographical tale based on director Mike Birbiglia’s successful one-man show, an up-and-coming stand-up comedian deals with career and relationship issues while trying to ignore his outrageous sleepwalking habit.”

Great reviews!! TRDB.

8/24/12- The NY Times called this movie “likable” but as noted others felt it was much better than that. TRDB.

9/4/12- Despite the good reviews I found this movie just mildly entertaining and not so funny. TRDB. 

8)THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES– Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Directed by lauded filmmaker and photographer Lauren Greenfield, who won the U.S. Directing Award for Documentary Film at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival for this film, The Queen of Versailles is a character-driven documentary about a billionaire family and their financial challenges in the wake of the economic crisis. With epic proportions of Shakespearean tragedy, the film follows two unique characters, whose rags-to-riches success stories reveal the innate virtues and flaws of the American Dream. The film begins with the family triumphantly constructing the biggest house in America, a 90,000 sq. ft. palace. Over the next two years, their sprawling empire, fueled by the real estate bubble and cheap money, falters due to the economic crisis. Major changes in lifestyle and character ensue within the cross-cultural household of family members and domestic staff.”

Very good reviews in general and in the NY Times on 7/20/12. TRDB.

8/8/12- A very good and insightful documentary that also applied the psycho-social history of the characters to better understand their reaction to adversity. 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

AUGUST 30, 2012

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

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

 

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE 4 NEWLY RELEASED MOVIES HITTING THE SUBURBS THIS WEEK AND I RECOMMEND 3 OF THEM!!– SEE BELOW FOR DESCRIPTIONS.

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) ROBOT AND FRANK- Theater

2) BERNIE– Netflix

3) ONCE UPON A TIME IN ANATOLIA– Netflix Streaming

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) 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.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) 4:44 LAST DAY ON EARTH– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After learning that the world will end the following day at 4:44 a.m., a New York City couple lives out their final hours with mixed emotions. They also try to say goodbye to loved ones, which results in some eleventh-hour issues.”3/23/12- Good review in today’s NY Times but awful professional and audience reviews in general. TRDB.

8/23/12-  After a group of better movies with a similar theme this was an incredibly boring exercise and I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.

2) BERNIE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this black comedy inspired by real-life events, affable Texas mortician Bernie befriends the small town’s wealthiest widow and then kills her. But despite the suspicious nature of her death, no one wants to think anything but the best of Bernie.”

4/27/12- Very good reviews in general from both critics and audiences alike for this movie based on a true story. The review in the NY Times was difficult to interpret. TRDB.

8/26/12- I thought that this movie was extremely clever and provocative and presented in an interesting way as well. I’d definitely recommend it. TRDB. Netflix.

3) ONCE UPON A TIME IN ANATOLIA– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “A body has been buried in the grasslands of rural Turkey. Over the course of one night, a doctor and a detective from a nearby town join a search effort in which the desolate landscape comes to symbolize their own solemn, insular lives.” Very good professional reviews but so far audiences just so-so. TRDB.

1/4/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

8/27/12- This movie was as slow as frozen molasses. Very little happened but for some reason I stuck in out and actually enjoyed it. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, SEPT. 4-

 

1) FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Determined to escape the brutality of his youth in Tel Aviv, Izek tries to start anew in L.A. — only to find himself thrown into more violence as threats from a gangster, a Columbian drug lord and his outlaw cousin force him to deal with his past.”Good early audience reaction but a poor review in the NY Times on 6/8/12 and by other professionals as well. TRDB.

2) BALLPLAYER: PELOTERO– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “This compelling documentary, narrated by John Leguizamo and executive produced by Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine, is a gritty and never before seen look inside the world of Major League Baseball (MLB) training camps in the Dominican Republic. Miguel Angel and Jean Carlos are two of the top prospects and they are both about to turn 16, which means they can be signed to an MLB farm team and ultimately move up to the majors. Ballplayer: Pelotero filmmakers Ross Finkel, Trevor Martin and Jonathan Paley take you inside this never before seen world for an up close and personal look at the cost of the American dream.”

Excellent reviews in general and a good one in the NY Times on 7/14/12. TRDB.

3) HIGH SCHOOL– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “After getting stoned with a school pothead (Sean Marquette) for the first time, a high school valedictorian (Matt Bush) unexpectedly faces a drug test that threatens his scholarship. Now the two concoct a scheme to get the entire student body high so everyone will fail. Co-stars in this indie comedy include Colin Hanks, Yeardley Smith, Adrien Brody as a drug dealer and Michael Chiklis as the school principle.”

Sounds kind of dumb but this movie has received good early reviews. TRDB.

4) FALLING OVERNIGHT– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “The day before Elliot is scheduled for a life-threatening surgery, his path intersects with Chloe, a young photographer. Elliot welcomes the distraction as Chloe, unaware of his condition, takes him on an exhilarating journey through the city.”

No professional reviews as yet but good audience reaction. TRDB.

7/27/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

OPENED LAST WEEK IN ADDITION TO THOSE I WROTE ABOUT ON 8/23-

 

1) 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.

2) 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.

3) DEATH BY CHINA– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This frank documentary chronicles the growing power and global ambitions of China, and concludes that its strength threatens America’s own future. The film views the loss of American jobs to China as one more facet of a one-sided economic rivalry.”

8/24/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. Audiences haven’t liked it either. TRDB.

4) 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.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

OPENING THIS WEEK-

 

1) THE AMBASSADOR– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker Mads Brügger poses as a diplomat in central Africa and secretly films his wheeling and dealing in a corrupt society. With forged diplomatic papers, he claims to be opening a match factory, but tries to gain access to the area’s diamonds.”Mixed review from both audiences and professionals. TRDB.

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.”

I found just one professional review and it was poor but audiences have liked this movie very much. TRDB.

8/29/12- Just a fair review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) BREATHING– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “A probationary job at a morgue leads a rootless teen delinquent to question his origins and launch a search for the mother he never knew. It all begins with the lifeless body of a woman who shares his family name but turns out to be a stranger.”

Excellent reviews. TRDB.

4) 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.

5) 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.”

Mixed reviews. TRDB.

6) 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.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 

1) OSLO, AUGUST 31st– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This psychological drama follows a day in the life of Anders, a recovering drug addict who travels to his old stomping grounds of Oslo for a job interview. While there, he must confront his past as well as his plans for a new life.”Very good professional reviews and average audience ones. TRDB.

5/6/12- An article in today’s NY Times about the movie and lead actor. TRDB.

2) CHINA HEAVYWEIGHT– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Scouted from villages throughout rural southwestern China, teens with a knack for boxing move to training centers that teach more than just the sport. While resisting pro boxing’s temptations of fame, they hone their skill for national Olympic pride.”7/6/12- Good review in today’s NY Times and from other critics as well. TRDB.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) BERNIE– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this black comedy inspired by real-life events, affable Texas mortician Bernie befriends the small town’s wealthiest widow and then kills her. But despite the suspicious nature of her death, no one wants to think anything but the best of Bernie.”4/27/12- Good reviews in general and a difficult to interpret review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) GENERAL EDUCATION–  2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Levi Collins receives a college tennis scholarship, but, unbeknownst to his parents, he didn’t actually graduate from high school. Now he must secretly attend summer school before his parents learn the truth.”8/24/12- Awful review in today’s NY Times and everywhere else too. TRDB.

3) THE GREEN WAVE– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “THE GREEN WAVE is a powerful film documenting the populist protests in Iran following the suspicious victory of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over progressive candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi in the Iranian presidential elections on June 12, 2009. Cell phone videos posted on the internet, Twitter messages, as well as animated blog posts and interviews with prominent human rights advocates and exiled Iranians bear witness to the brutal attacks by government militia in their efforts to squelch the protests that followed. THE GREEN WAVE is a highly contemporary chronicle of the Green Revolution, and a memorial for all of those who believed in freedom and lost their lives for it.”8/17/12-Very good reviews in general and a good one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

 

 

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

 

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

 

Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-

 

NEW IN THE BURBS-

 

1) SLEEPWALK WITH ME– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this autobiographical tale based on director Mike Birbiglia’s successful one-man show, an up-and-coming stand-up comedian deals with career and relationship issues while trying to ignore his outrageous sleepwalking habit.”Rotten Tomatoes had this to say– “I’m going to tell you a story, and it’s true….I always have to tell people that.” So asserts comedian-turned-playwright-turned-filmmaker Mike Birbiglia directly to the viewer at the outset of his autobiographically inspired, fictional feature debut. Birbiglia wears his incisive wit on his sleeve while portraying a cinematic surrogate. We are thrust into the tale of a burgeoning stand-up comedian struggling with the stress of a stalled career, a stale relationship threatening to race out of his control, and the wild spurts of severe sleepwalking he is desperate to ignore. Based on the successful one-man show, Sleepwalk With Me engages in the kind of passionate and personal storytelling that transfigures intimate anguish into comic art. Produced and co-written by Ira Glass (NPR’s This American Life), Sleepwalk With Mefeatures a stellar supporting cast that includes Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under), Carol Kane (Taxi), James Rebhorn (Meet the Parents), Cristin Milioti (30 Rock), and a sampling from the who’s who of today’s stand-up scene.”

Great reviews!! TRDB.

8/24/12- The NY Times called this movie “likable” but as noted others felt it was much better than that. TRDB.

2) SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN– Jacob Burns. 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.”

Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

7/27/12- A confusing but good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) COSMOPOLIS– Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

4) THE IMPOSTER– Bethel. 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.

REPEATS-

 

1) ROBOT AND FRANK– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

2) THE INTOUCHABLES– Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this compelling story based on true events, affluent quadriplegic Phillipe hires Driss — a young Parisian petty criminal — to be his caregiver, and the two form an unexpected bond that changes both their lives.” Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

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

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

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

3)  2 DAYS IN NEW YORK– Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Marion and Mingus live cozily-perhaps too cozily-with their cat and two young children from previous relationships. However, when Marion’s jolly father (played by director Delpy’s real-life dad), her oversexed sister, and her sister’s outrageous boyfriend unceremoniously descend upon them for a visit, it initiates two unforgettable days that will test Marion and Mingus’s relationship. With their unwitting racism and sexual frankness, the French triumvirate hilariously has no boundaries or filters…and no person is left unscathed in its wake.”

Mixed reviews, both audience and professional. TRDB.

8/10/12- The NY Times called this movie “a likable mess” in today’s review.

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

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

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

5) HOPE SPRINGS– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 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.

 

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