The Reel Dr. Bob

FILM REVIEWS #353

2) TRUE GRIT- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “After her father is murdered by drifter Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), 14-year-old Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld), hires Reuben “Rooster” Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), an alcoholic U.S. Marshal, to help her exact vengeance. The disreputable Rooster still has grit though, and mounts an epic search. The pair is joined on their quest by Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon), who is also hunting for Chaney, in this updated Western from Joel and Ethan Coen. Very good review in NY Times on 12/22/10.

1/11- To be honest I thought that the film was not nearly as good as the critics said it was. I also needed sub-titles for a good portion of the dialogue. Bring back “The Duke.”

7) HOWL- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “James Franco steps into the shoes of famed Beat poet Allen Ginsberg in this star-studded biopic centered around Ginsberg’s poem “Howl” — and the widely publicized obscenity trial that followed its publication in 1957. Documentarians Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman (The Times of Harvey Milk) direct, with an A-list ensemble cast that includes Jon Hamm, David Strathairn, Alan Alda, Jeff Daniels, Mary-Louise Parker and Paul Rudd.” Mostly poor reviews.

1/11- I just could not get into this film– boring and relying on gimmick to make it presentable. TRDB. Netflix.

9) JACK GOES BOATING- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Philip Seymour Hoffman directs and stars in this romantic comedy about Jack, a marijuana-smoking Manhattan limo driver who begins an unlikely regimen of self-improvement to win the heart of a fellow misfit named Connie (Amy Ryan). But as Jack learns to cook and swim for the benefit of his girl, he also witnesses the breakup of his best friends’ marriage. John Ortiz and Daphne Rubin-Vega co-star in this adaptation of Bob Glaudini’s play.” Only a few reviews available and they are mixed.

1/11- I found the movie interesting in it’s simplicity and as usual Hoffman gives a great performance. TRDB. Netflix.

10) C.R.A.Z.Y.- 2005. Premise by Netflix. “There are five boys in the Beaulieu family — Christian, Raymond, Antoine, Zachary and Yvan. But Zac (played by Emile Vallee and Marc-Andre Grondin) is the only one who’s gay. That’s why growing up in Montreal alongside his heterosexual brothers and his strict, emotionally distant father (Michel Cote) proves especially challenging for the blossoming outsider, who finds solace in the music of Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie.”

1/11- I enjoyed this movie a lot although a bit too long. Good depiction of what it’s like to be different in general and gay in particular. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

11) MAP OF THE SOUNDS OF TOKYO- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “When the daughter of prominent Tokyo businessman Mr. Nagara (Takeo Nakahara) commits suicide, Nagara’s heartbroken employee Ishida (Hideo Sakaki) hires part-time hit woman Ryu (Rinko Kikuchi) to kill the man (Sergi López) perceived as responsible for the daughter’s death. Meanwhile, a curious sound engineer becomes obsessed with Ryu and her life in this lyrical and mysterious drama from acclaimed Spanish director Isabel Coixet.” Fair early reviews at best.

1/11- This one is definitely different but appealing never-the-less and I did enjoy it. TRDB. Netflix.

12) ARMY OF CRIME- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “This gripping historical drama recounts the story of Armenian-born Missak Manouchian (Simon Abkarian), a woodworker and political activist who led an immigrant laborer division of the Parisian Resistance on 30 operations against the Nazis in 1943. The Nazis branded the group an Army of Crime, an anti-immigrant propaganda stunt that backfired as the team’s members became martyrs for the Resistance. Virginie Ledoyen co-stars as Manouchian’s wife.” Very good review in NY Times on 8/20/10.

1/11- Another good movie about the resistance but with little to add to the wealth of material on this subject. TRDB. Netflix.

13) DOGTOOTH- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “In this Greek drama, siblings who grow up cut off from the world — homeschooled and dependent on one another for entertainment — develop their own blissful alternative universe. That universe is shattered when their father lets in an outsider. Sex enters the picture when dad begins bringing home a female security officer to satisfy his son’s sexual needs. Suddenly, nothing is quite the same within this highly idiosyncratic family unit.”

1/11- Clearly one of the strangest movies I’ve ever seen and I’ve seen a lot of strange movies. Also, very well done and it held my interest. Not for most people. The movie won Best Picture at Cannes 2009. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

14) MAKE-OUT WITH VIOLENCE- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “Reeling from the disappearance of classmate Wendy Heart (Shellie Marie Shartzer), the lives of twin brothers Patrick (Eric Lehning) and Carol (Cody DeVos) take a dark turn when they discover the body of the teenage beauty — and much to their surprise, she’s not totally dead. Mystified by her condition, the brothers stash Wendy in their family’s abandoned summerhouse and search for ways to bring her back to life completely.” Good reviews.

1/11- I watched for about 20min. and could not stand the movie. TRDB. Netflix.

2) SKIN- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “Both her father (Sam Neill) and mother (Alice Krige) are white, but Sandra Laing (Sophie Okonedo) is born with dark skin — a complex problem in the era of South African apartheid that soon drives a wedge into the family in this poignant drama based on a true story. Though her parents fight to have the government classify her as white, Sandra grows up in a divided world, and experiences her parents can’t understand make her question her identity.”

3) WELCOME TO THE RILEYS- Premise by Netflix. “Devastated by their daughter’s death eight years ago, Doug (James Gandolfini) and his guilt-ridden wife, Lois (Melissa Leo), lead depressing lives without much meaning. But by forming an unconventional relationship with teen call girl Mallory (Kristen Stewart), the couple begins to rediscover hope. Directed by Jake Scott, this compelling family drama also stars David Jensen, Kathy Lamkin and Lance E. Nichols.” Only fair reviews by most.

4) THE TILLMAN STORY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “When Pat Tillman, a former pro football player and decorated U.S. soldier, was killed in Afghanistan, the military reported that he’d died battling the Taliban. But later, a much different story emerged: Tillman was killed by friendly fire. Since that day, Tillman’s family has waged their own war, fighting tirelessly with the government in order to unravel the truth behind the cover-up. Filmmaker Amir Bar-Lev documents their struggle.” Very good reviews.

9/10- Very well done and a scathing indictment of the government’s actions in this case. TRDB.

5) A WOMAN, A GUN, AND A NOODLE SHOP- Premise by Netflix. “Master director Yimou Zhang tackles an adaptation of the Coen brothers’ classic Blood Simple in this period dramedy full of slapstick and plot twists. When the owner of a Chinese noodle shop attempts to kill his adulterous wife, the fireworks fly. The proprietor also hopes to eliminate his wife’s woebegone lover, but complications and high-flying action arise courtesy of a rampaging band of feudal soldiers and the shop’s wacky employees.” Good review in NY Times 9/3/10. Friends did not like this film.

6) NIGHT CATCHES US- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “After growing up during the tumultuous 1960s, ex-Black Panther Marcus (Anthony Mackie) returns to his home in Philadelphia in 1978 and reconnects with Pat (Kerry Washington), the widow of a Panther leader. Marcus befriends Pat’s young daughter and attempts to conquer his demons. Interfering with Marcus’s good intentions are the neighborhood’s continuing racial and social conflicts, as well as old enemies and friends — both with scores to settle.” Good reviews.

5) 127 HOURS- Danbury. Premise by Netflix. “Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) re-teams with writer Simon Beaufoy and producer Christian Colson to tell the harrowing story of real-life mountain climber Aron Ralston (James Franco), who literally cut himself loose from danger — and lived to tell about it. When sliding rock pinned his right forearm under a boulder during a climb in the Utah mountains, Ralston resorted to his basest survival instincts to stay alive.” Very good reviews.

7) THE SOCIAL NETWORK- Saw Mill Hawthorne. 2010. Premise by Netflix. “David Fincher‘s biographical drama chronicles the meteoric rise of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) from Harvard sophomore to Internet superstar, examining his relationships with co-founder Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield) and founding president Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake). Aaron Sorkin penned the screenplay based on Ben Mezrich’s best-seller The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook.” Reviews just OK.

10/10- I liked this movie a lot even though there was probably a good deal of artistic license given to the story. Well acted (Eisenberg was great) and truly a success story. TRDB.

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THE REEL DR BOB
The Reel Dr. Bob

Add comment January 27th, 2011

FILM REVIEWS #352

2) THE KING’S SPEECH- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Tom Hooper directs this drama based on the true story of Britain’s King George VI (Colin Firth), a man who for years struggled with a nervous disposition and an embarrassing stutter — until he seeks help from unorthodox Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). Logue’s pioneering treatment and unlikely friendship give the royal leader a sense of confidence that serves him and his country well during the dark days of World War II. Very good reviews.

12/10- While I enjoyed this film I felt the “Hollywood Effect” throughout most of the nearly 2 hours. TRDB.

3) THE FIGHTER- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Mark Wahlberg stars as boxer “Irish” Mickey Ward and Christian Bale as half brother and trainer Dicky Eklund in this inspiring drama based on the fighter’s rise from working-class Lowell, Mass., to world-class welterweight champion. After a string of defeats, Mickey rediscovers his fighting will with support from Dicky, himself a once talented fighter now battling drug addiction. Together, they aim to clinch boxing glory.” Very good reviews. Good review in NY Times on 12/9/10.

12/10- Very realistic portrayal of the family relationships and the conflicts involved. I liked it. TRDB.  

2) THE WIND JOURNEYS- 2009. “In the wake of his wife’s death, Ignacio leaves his small Colombian town and journeys to the country’s remote northern region, resolving to return his devil-cursed accordion to the teacher who once gave it to him. His traveling companion is teenager Fermín, who aspires to emulate Ignacio’s past life as an accordion-playing troubadour who roamed the countryside. Marciano Martínez and Yull Núñez star in filmmaker Ciro Guerra’s enthralling odyssey.”

12/10- A bit long but an interesting journey and definitely worth seeing. Great photography. TRDB. Netflix.

3) JOAN RIVERS: A PIECE OF WORK- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Documentarians Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg provide an uncompromising glimpse into the personal and professional life of comedian and red-carpet mainstay Joan Rivers, a woman clinging stubbornly and steadfastly to the pop-culture bandwagon. Stern and Sundberg — whose previous film, The Devil Came on Horseback, covered the Darfur genocide — take a no-less-intensive approach to their subject here, taking a hard look at fame’s bitter toll.” Fair reviews and good reviews in equal number.

12/10– Very good documentary about the diva, the ups and downs of her career and her need to continue and all costs. Definitely recommended. TRDB. Netflix.

4) EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Filmmaker Thierry Guetta had been casually documenting the underground world of street art for years, but when he encounters Banksy, an elusive British stencil artist, his project takes a fascinating twist. Unimpressed with Guetta’s footage, Banksy takes over filmmaking duties and Guetta reinvents himself as a street artist named Mr. Brainwash — and, much to Banksy‘s surprise, immediately becomes a darling of the Los Angeles art scene.” Great reviews.

12/10- To be honest, I just don’t know what the hoopla is with this movie. I can take it or leave it with the comment “who cares?” TRDB. Netflix.

5) MICMACS- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “French filmmaker Jean-Pierre Jeunet takes a satirical look at the global arms trade with this foreign-language comedy starring Dany Boon as Bazil, who rallies his friends to take down weapons manufacturers responsible for his father’s death. Bazil also transforms a dump into an underground haven for cool tools and sculptures crafted from discarded junk. Dominique Pinon, André Dussollier and Jean-Pierre Marielle co-star.” Good review in NY Times.

12/10- A farce and an awful one at that. I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.

6) OWL AND THE SPARROW- 2007. Premise by Netflix. “After angering her stern uncle (Trong Hai), 10-year-old Thuy (Han Thi Pham) runs away and lands on the tough streets of Saigon. There, she befriends shy zookeeper Hai (The Lu Le) and flight attendant Lan (Cat Ly). Dreaming of a new family, Thuy plays matchmaker to bring the two together. Meanwhile, Thuy’s furious uncle tracks her through the city. Stephane Gauger wrote and directed this Los Angeles Film Festival Audience Award winner.” Good reviews.

12/10- Great, touching film!!! TRDB. Netflix.

7) EASY A- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “High school is the setting for this freewheeling comedic twist on Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 19th-century novel The Scarlet Letter. Ambitious student Olive (Emma Stone) decides to boost her popularity by pretending to be the school slut. As the school’s swirling rumor mill increases both her notoriety and her finances, Olive enjoys her newfound status but eventually must decide which is more important: popularity or self-esteem.” Fairly good reviews.

12/10- Sounds stupid but actually was fun. Only problem for me was that all of the “high school” students looked like they were in their late 20’s. TRDB. Netflix.

8)FLIPPED- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “From director Rob Reiner comes a multigenerational family saga about the highs and lows of love. Bryce and Juli first meet as second graders, with Juli having a crush on the uncertain Bryce, and as they mature, it appears their love may blossom. As they wrestle with the problems of adolescence, their parents cope with an assortment of issues of their own. Aidan Quinn, Rebecca De Mornay and Anthony Edwards co-star in this poignant romantic comedy.” Reviews were just OK, more positive than negative.

1/11- I loved this thoughtful movie, both substance and technique. TRDB. Netflix.

2) THE TOWN- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “As tenacious FBI agent Adam (Jon Hamm) hunts him down, ingenious bank robber Doug (Ben Affleck) pursues a risky relationship with Claire (Rebecca Hall), one of his former hostages. But while Doug and his cohorts plan their next hit, Adam hones in on Claire and falls for her in the process. Directed by Affleck and based on Chuck Hogan’s novel Prince of Thieves, this intricate thriller also stars Chris Cooper, Blake Lively and Jeremy Renner.” Fairly good reviews.

3) HEARTBREAKER- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Hardworking brother-and-sister team Alex (Romain Duris) and Mélanie (Julie Ferrier) don’t run a matchmaking business; rather, they get paid to break matches by splitting up unhealthy couples. But their 100 percent success rate is in serious jeopardy when their own hearts get involved. Now, falling in love could be an occupational hazard. Pascal Chaumeil directs this French-language romantic comedy.” Fair review in NY Times 9/10/10.

9/10- Incredibly ridiculous comedy but I enjoyed it very much. TRDB.

4) SAMSON & DELILAH- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “In the desert of Central Australia, aimless Samson (Rowan McNamara) takes a fancy to Delilah (Marissa Gibson), a fellow teen who takes care of her grandmother. Branded as outcasts by the rest of the community, Samson and Delilah set out for Alice Springs on a grueling road trip. The epic journey subjects the aboriginal duo to poverty, addiction and hunger in writer-director Warwick Thornton’s sparse and grittily beautiful feature debut.” Good review in NY Times on 10/15/10.

10/10- I saw this about 6 months ago and it’s one of the few that I hated. TRDB.

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2) SALT- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “After she’s accused of being a Russian sleeper spy, rogue CIA agent Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie) goes on the run, using every tactic, accent and disguise she knows to elude her pursuers, clear her name and protect her husband. Her supervisor, Winter (Live Schreiber), buys her story, while counterintelligence officer Peabody (Chiwetel Ejiofor) decidedly does not and will do anything to stop her in this fast-paced, intrigue-filled spy adventure.” More positive reviews than negative but even the good ones weren’t very good. I’ll wait for the DVD. TRDB.

3) ANIMAL KINGDOM- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “When his mother dies suddenly, a 17-year-old boy (James Frecheville) finds himself drawn into the clutches of a diabolical criminal family, until a good-hearted detective (Guy Pearce) makes a concerted effort to change the boy’s fate. Australian writer-director David Michôd‘s first feature-length drama won the World Cinema Jury Prize: Dramatic at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.” Great reviews.

9/10- Violent, poignant and very well acted. I liked it. TRDB.

4) ARMY OF CRIME- Premise by Netflix. “This gripping historical drama recounts the story of Armenian-born Missak Manouchian (Simon Abkarian), a woodworker and political activist who led an immigrant laborer division of the Parisian Resistance on 30 operations against the Nazis in 1943. The Nazis branded the group an Army of Crime, an anti-immigrant propaganda stunt that backfired as the team’s members became martyrs for the Resistance. Virginie Ledoyen co-stars as Manouchian’s wife.” Very good review in NY Times on 8/20/10.

5) BURIED- Premise by Netflix. “While on a job in Iraq, civilian contractor Paul Conroy (Ryan Reynolds) is attacked and kidnapped, then awakens to find himself buried alive in the middle of the desert with nothing but a lighter, a candle, a cell phone and a knife. Does Paul have the instincts he’ll need to save himself? Director Rodrigo Cortés crafts a tense psychological thriller with sociopolitical undertones that doubles as an exercise in claustrophobic terror.” Good reviews.

6) STONE- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Edward Norton plays a convicted arsonist who hopes to get out of prison early by putting to work the seductive talents of his beautiful wife, Lucetta (Milla Jovovich). Robert DeNiro plays the parole officer who is the target of the couple’s cat-and-mouse scheming. John Curran (The Painted Veil) directs this subtle psychological thriller based on the play by screenwriter Angus MacLachlan (Junebug).” Great audience reviews. Poor review in NY Times on 10/8/10.

7) JACK GOES BOATING- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Philip Seymour Hoffman directs and stars in this romantic comedy about Jack, a marijuana-smoking Manhattan limo driver who begins an unlikely regimen of self-improvement to win the heart of a fellow misfit named Connie (Amy Ryan). But as Jack learns to cook and swim for the benefit of his girl, he also witnesses the breakup of his best friends’ marriage. John Ortiz and Daphne Rubin-Vega co-star in this adaptation of Bob Glaudini’s play.” Only a few reviews available and they are mixed.

4) NOWHERE BOY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Raised by his aunt Mimi (Kristin Scott Thomas) since he was a young boy, charismatic 15-year-old John Lennon (Aaron Johnson) is suddenly reunited with his mother, Julia (Anne-Marie Duff), which ignites a bitter battle between the two sisters for John’s affections. Along the way, John inherits his mother’s love of music and befriends fellow Liverpool lad Paul McCartney (Thomas Sangster) in this biopic of the music icon’s formative years.” Very good early reviews. Fair review in NY Times 10/8/10.

5) SECRETARIAT- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “When Penny Chenery (Diane Lane) agrees to take over her ailing father’s thoroughbred stable, she transforms from housewife to horse breeder — and owner of the colt that will take the 1973 Triple Crown — in this dramatic biopic. The film explores Chenery’s bond with “Big Red” and depicts her rise to greatness as the “first lady of racing.” John Malkovich plays trainer Lucien Laurin, and Fred Dalton Thompson co-stars as big-shot breeder Bull Hancock.” Fair review in NY Times 10/8/10.

6) INHALE- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “In a desperate move to save his daughter’s life, a New Mexico district attorney (Dermot Mulroney) crosses the border to look into an illegal lung transplant. But upon arrival, he learns the truth about where these “donated” organs really come from. Diane Kruger, Sam Shepard and Rosanna Arquette co-star in this gritty examination of ethics, immigration and innocent lives from director Baltasar Kormákur.” OK review in NY Times 11/11/10.

7) INSPECTOR BELLAMY- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “From renowned French director Claude Chabrol comes this intriguingly low-key police thriller in which vacationing detective Paul Bellamy (Gérard Depardieu) can’t keep himself from getting involved when a mystery rears its head on holiday. Of course, his wife (Marie Bunel) is less than thrilled to share her vacation with criminals, and when Bellamy’s brother pays an unexpected visit, the family tensions ratchet up as high as the professional ones.” Good reviews.

11/10- Classic Claude Chabrol who died shortly after making this movie. I liked it. TRDB.

Add comment January 2nd, 2011

FILM REVIEWS #351

2) COUNTDOWN TO ZERO- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Since the first atomic bomb exploded in 1945, scientists and world leaders have grappled with the apocalyptic dangers and paradoxes posed by nuclear weapons. Lucy Walker‘s documentary presents an unblinking look at humanity’s lethal predicament. The film outlines current threats posed by a growing list of nuclear-armed states and weighs the prospects for global disarmament, soliciting insights from a gallery of world leaders and policy experts.” Just a few reviews and they are good.

12/10- Great documentary!! TRDB. Netflix.

3) DANCING ACROSS BORDERS- 2010. Premise by Netflix. ” Art enthusiast and philanthropist Anne Bass makes her first foray into filmmaking with this moving documentary that traces the journey of a talented young Cambodian man in his transformation from street performer to classically trained ballet dancer. Discovered by Bass in his native land, Sokvannara “Sy” Sar must learn to assimilate to the rigid structures of Western ballet to fulfill his dream of becoming a professional dancer.” Reviews just more positive than negative.”

12/10- OK reviews but I liked the movie a lot, especially the parts with the dancer speaking about his 2 disparate worlds. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

4) WAKING SLEEPING BEAUTY- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Walt Disney Studios veteran Don Hahn directs and produces this documentary that shines a light on Disney animation work during the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s — from the team’s humble beginnings at CalArts to the box office triumph of The Lion King. In exploring the works of that era, the film illuminates the careers of top animators of the time, including John Lasseter, Brad Bird, John Musker, Ron Clements and many others.” Mixed reviews for this documentary.

12/10- An good documentary about the venerable company. TRDB. Netflix.

5) THE MILK OF SORROW- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Stricken with a pathological fear she contracted from her mother’s breast milk — the “milk of sorrow,” a condition suffered by women who were raped during Peru’s civil wars — Fausta (Magaly Solier) goes to extreme lengths to protect her own sexuality and safety. But when her anguished mother finally dies, Fausta finds herself compelled to embark on a frightening journey that could lead her to freedom and wholeness. Claudia Llosa directs this Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Film.” Good reviews.

12/10- I enjoyed this movie a lot despite it’s being slow moving. One scene of a traditional mass wedding was worth the movie. TRDB. Netflix.

2) MICMACS- Premise by Netflix. “French filmmaker Jean-Pierre Jeunet takes a satirical look at the global arms trade with this foreign-language comedy starring Dany Boon as Bazil, who rallies his friends to take down weapons manufacturers responsible for his father’s death. Bazil also transforms a dump into an underground haven for cool tools and sculptures crafted from discarded junk. Dominique Pinon, André Dussollier and Jean-Pierre Marielle co-star.” Good review in NY Times.

3) MOTHER AND CHILD- Premise by Netflix. “A stellar cast heads this emotional drama about motherhood, romance and self-fulfillment. Embittered matron Karen (Annette Bening) regrets having given up her daughter, Elizabeth (Naomi Watts), for adoption, and 35 years later, Elizabeth is questioning her own approach to life. Their stories intersect with that of Lucy (Kerry Washington), who hopes to fulfill her dreams of motherhood through adoption, even though her need for a child jeopardizes her marriage.” Very good early reviews.

6/10- I really enjoyed this well written and well acted drama about mothers and children. TRDB

4) JOAN RIVERS: A PIECE OF WORK- Premise by Netflix. “Documentarians Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg provide an uncompromising glimpse into the personal and professional life of comedian and red-carpet mainstay Joan Rivers, a woman clinging stubbornly and steadfastly to the pop-culture bandwagon. Stern and Sundberg — whose previous film, The Devil Came on Horseback, covered the Darfur genocide — take a no-less-intensive approach to their subject here, taking a hard look at fame’s bitter toll.” Fair reviews and good reviews in equal number.

5) LOTTERY TICKET- Premise by Netflix. “Kevin Carson (Bow Wow), a young man living in the projects, dreams of having his life changed by winning the lottery — as do all his neighbors — but when Kevin finally hits it big, he must keep his good luck secret until he can claim the prize. Thrilled to be in possession of the $370 million ticket, Kevin endeavors to keep his scheming and sometimes hostile neighbors at bay in this uproarious comedy co-starring Ice Cube.” Generally poor reviews.

6) EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP- Premise by Netflix. “Filmmaker Thierry Guetta had been casually documenting the underground world of street art for years, but when he encounters Banksy, an elusive British stencil artist, his project takes a fascinating twist. Unimpressed with Guetta’s footage, Banksy takes over filmmaking duties and Guetta reinvents himself as a street artist named Mr. Brainwash — and, much to Banksy‘s surprise, immediately becomes a darling of the Los Angeles art scene.” Great reviews.

7) TROPICO DE SANGRE (RAINS OF INJUSTICE)- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Writer Juan Delancer also directs this stirring foreign-language drama based on the true story of Minerva Mirabal (Michelle Rodriguez) and her sisters (Sharlene Taulé, Celines Toribio and Luchi Estevez), married women and political dissidents who lost their lives standing up to Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo (Juan Fernández). Although they once led lives of privilege, the sisters risked everything for what they believed was right.” Only 1 review and it’s bad.

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3) FLIPPED- Premise by Netflix. “From director Rob Reiner comes a multigenerational family saga about the highs and lows of love. Bryce and Juli first meet as second graders, with Juli having a crush on the uncertain Bryce, and as they mature, it appears their love may blossom. As they wrestle with the problems of adolescence, their parents cope with an assortment of issues of their own. Aidan Quinn, Rebecca De Mornay and Anthony Edwards co-star in this poignant romantic comedy.” Reviews were just OK, more positive than negative.

4) EAT PRAY LOVE- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Julia Roberts stars in the adaptation of Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir about coping with a traumatic divorce. After failing to conceive a child and deciding to reshape her life, Elizabeth (Roberts) travels the world in search of direction. She heads to Italy, India and Indonesia, seeking the perfect pasta, a route to self-enlightenment and the true meaning of faith. Along the way she meets a bevy of odd characters and, possibly, her true love.” Poor reviews.

5) SOUL KITCHEN- Premise by Netflix. “Young restaurant owner Zinos (Adam Bousdoukos) decides to revamp Soul Kitchen, his dumpy diner, but the customer response isn’t what he was hoping for. To make matters worse, his girlfriend (Anna Bederke) flies off to Shanghai, and the tax collector comes knocking. But with the help of an inspired new chef (Birol Ünel), Zinos still has a chance at redemption. German director Fatih Akin delivers a riotous modern romantic comedy.” The reviews I read all barely liked the movie- none liked it a lot.

6) PEEPLI LIVE- Premise by Netflix. “When indigent farmers Natha (Omkar Das) and Budhia (Raghuvir Yadav) stand to lose their land over a loan they can’t repay, a government official comes up with a modest proposal: Commit suicide and collect a subsidy that’s paid to the relatives of deceased farmers. As Natha weighs his options, a journalist learns of his predicament and the media circus begins. Anusha Rizvi directs this satirical take on a real-life crisis afflicting India’s underclass.” OK review in NY Times 8/13/10.

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2) GOING THE DISTANCE- Premise by Netflix. “New couple Erin (Drew Barrymore) and Garrett (Justin Long) don’t want their summer fling to end, but Erin must move across the country to finish school. As the bicoastal lovers try to keep their relationship going, they experience the tricky challenges of living long-distance. Directed by established documentary filmmaker Nanette Burstein (The Kid Stays in the Picture), this romantic comedy also stars Christina Applegate and Ron Livingston.” OK review in NY Times 9/3/10.

3) MY NAME IS KHAN- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Rizwan Khan (Shahrukh Khan), a Muslim man with Asperger syndrome, lives happily with his wife, Mandira (Kajol), in San Francisco until a tragedy drives her away after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Now he is on a quest to recapture the heart of the woman he loves. Traveling across America, Rizwan faces prejudice because of his religion and unusual behavior, but he also inspires the people he meets with his unique outlook on life.” The reviews were mostly very good.

8/10- I can’t believe that I liked this schmaltz infested piece of Bollywood, but I did. TRDB. Netflix.

4) TOKYO SONATA- Premise by Netflix. “From Japanese director Kiyoshi Kurosawa comes a drama about the Sasakis, an ordinary Japanese family living a bucolic life — until the father is abruptly laid off from his job and decides to keep the news from his wife and kids. Soon, the father’s sense of shame, and the indignity he faces while passing each day in the park in his suit and tie, quickly turns into a rage that proves to hold irrevocable consequences for all concerned.” Excellent reviews.

5/10-An interesting and also very poignant family study. Worth seeing. TRDB.

4) ALL GOOD THINGS- 2010. Bethel, Clearview 100. Premise by Netflix. “When David Marks (Ryan Gosling), the heir to a New York real estate fortune, gets entangled in the mystery of Katie McCarthy’s (Kirsten Dunst) disappearance, he risks everything in this drama set in the 1980s and inspired by the true story of real estate scion Robert Durst. While unexpected evidence turns up and increases political heat, people with ties to the case begin to die. Andrew Jarecki (“Felicity”) directs.” Generally poor reviews.

5) THE KING’S SPEECH- 2010. Jacob Burns. Premise by Netflix. “Tom Hooper directs this drama based on the true story of Britain’s King George VI (Colin Firth), a man who for years struggled with a nervous disposition and an embarrassing stutter — until he seeks help from unorthodox Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). Logue’s pioneering treatment and unlikely friendship give the royal leader a sense of confidence that serves him and his country well during the dark days of World War II. Very good reviews.

6) THE SOCIAL NETWORK- 2010. Saw Mill Hawthorne. Premise by Netflix. “David Fincher‘s biographical drama chronicles the meteoric rise of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) from Harvard sophomore to Internet superstar, examining his relationships with co-founder Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield) and founding president Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake). Aaron Sorkin penned the screenplay based on Ben Mezrich’s best-seller The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook.” Reviews just OK.

10/10- I liked this movie a lot even though there was probably a good deal of artistic license given to the story. Well acted (Eisenberg was great) and truly a success story. TRDB.

7) THE TOURIST- 2010. Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. Premise by Netflix. “Watery, enchanted Venice provides the setting for this thriller starring Johnny Depp as an American tourist seeking solace there for his shattered heart — only to find it in danger once again after encountering a beautiful Interpol agent (Angelina Jolie). Little does the poor Yank know that the artful agent has gone to great lengths to arrange their “chance” meeting and is using him to trap a criminal who also happens to be her ex-lover.” Very good audience reviews, none professional.

8)INSIDE JOB- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Uncover the root of the 2008 global economic crisis with this documentary that combines extensive research, convincing interviews and cogent arguments to single out a rogue industry that’s tainted every sector of the financial system. Narrated by actor Matt Damon, this complex yet comprehensible film — an Official Selection at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival — features discussions with influential politicians, academics and journalists.” Good audience reviews as of now.

Add comment December 9th, 2010

FILM REVIEWS #350

  DEC. 2, 2010

DEAR FRIENDS:  

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-  

1) LEAVING (PARTIR)- Comcast On-Demand   ________________________________________________________________________________________   MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE   ________________________________________________________________________________________   MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-  

1) THE DRY LAND- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “American soldier Raymond Gonzales (Wilmer Valderrama) returns home to Texas after his tour of duty, unsure how to reconcile what he’s seen and experienced with the everyday mundanities of home and family life. This drama, from first-time writer-director Ryan Piers Williams, takes a head-on approach to confronting the conflicted emotions of the modern warrior. The stellar cast includes America Ferrera (“Ugly Betty”), Melissa Leo and Ethan Suplee.” Fair reviews.

11/10- This movie was just OK in portraying a common theme. TRDB. Netflix.

2) KINGS OF THE EVENING- Premise by Netflix. “Homer Hobbs (Tyson Beckford) returns from prison to a town gripped by the Depression. Stuck in a boardinghouse with four strangers and no resources, Homer figures he may be down and out, but he can still dress for success at the local weekly “swanking” contest. Every Sunday evening at a nearby hall, the men about town pull on their best threads and strut their stuff. All may compete, but at night’s end, only one will be king.”

11/10- Cliched but entertaining only because I watched it on Amtrak from Baltimore to Stamford. I’d have turned it off otherwise. TRDB. Netflix.

3) LEAVING- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Bored with her life of leisure, Suzanne (Kristin Scott Thomas) decides to reestablish her career as a physiotherapist. But first, she’ll need an office … and that’s where her troubles begin in this drama from Catherine Corsini. As soon as Suzanne meets the man her husband hired to construct her backyard office, she falls hard — and the attraction is mutual … and dangerous. Sergi López and Yvan Attal co-star.” Fair review in NY Times 10/1/10. Coming attractions looked good to me.

11/10- I found this film engrossing and not so difficult to believe as people make these types of decisions every day. I recommend it. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

4) RACING DREAMS- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “From go-kart champs, NASCAR winners are bred — or so goes the thinking of the drivers (and their families) involved in the World Karting Association’s National Pavement Series. This documentary follows three of the series’ top contenders. Although small in stature, the adolescent racers harbor big dreams as they hit speeds of 60 to 70 miles per hour in their quest to ascend the first rung on their way to NASCAR in this film from Marshall Curry.” Great reviews.

11/10- Very good documentary reminding me of what it takes for a child to be single minded in pursuit of a dream and what it takes from the parents to keep the dream alive. TRDB. Netflix.

  ________________________________________________________________________________________   COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, DEC. 7-  

1) DANCING ACROSS BORDERS- 2010. Premise by Netflix. ” Art enthusiast and philanthropist Anne Bass makes her first foray into filmmaking with this moving documentary that traces the journey of a talented young Cambodian man in his transformation from street performer to classically trained ballet dancer. Discovered by Bass in his native land, Sokvannara “Sy” Sar must learn to assimilate to the rigid structures of Western ballet to fulfill his dream of becoming a professional dancer.” Reviews just more positive than negative.”  

2) THE MILK OF SORROW- Premise by Netflix. “Stricken with a pathological fear she contracted from her mother’s breast milk — the “milk of sorrow,” a condition suffered by women who were raped during Peru’s civil wars — Fausta (Magaly Solier) goes to extreme lengths to protect her own sexuality and safety. But when her anguished mother finally dies, Fausta finds herself compelled to embark on a frightening journey that could lead her to freedom and wholeness. Claudia Llosa directs this Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Film.” Good reviews.  

3) ONLY WHEN I DANCE- Premise by Netflix. “To achieve their shared dream of becoming ballet superstars, two young black dancers from the slums of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, must overcome poverty, prejudice and incredible odds — a journey captured in this inspiring documentary. Filmmaker Beadie Finzi chronicles the day-to-day struggles of these gifted performers as they challenge the notion that ballet is the province of the wealthy, white elite.” OK review in NY Times.  

4) CHARLIE ST. CLOUD- Premise by Netflix. “Ben Sherwood’s intriguing novel is the basis of this ghost story about Charlie (Zac Efron), who is devoted to his brother, Sam, even after Sam’s death. As the caretaker of the cemetery where Sam is buried, Charlie has lots of time to commune with the dead. Sam visits frequently to hang out with Charlie, but when Charlie meets a mysterious young woman (Amanda Crew), he must decide whether to move forward or remain trapped in the past.” Poor reviews.  

5) RESTREPO- Premise by Netflix. “Sebasatian Junger, author of The Perfect Storm, teamed with photographer Tim Hetherington to spend a year embedded with the Second Platoon in Afghanistan, documenting the hard work, fear and brotherhood that come with repelling a deadly enemy. Hunkered down with the soldiers in one of the region’s most strategic valleys, the filmmakers uncover the dark humor, sleepless surreality and constant anxiety of war in this Best Documentary winner at Sundance.” Very good early reviews.

7/10- Excellent documentary and clearly done by two men who won the confidence of their subjects. TRDB.

6) MY OWN LOVE SONG- Premise by Netflix. “Years after a life-changing car accident that left her paralyzed, a wheelchair-bound woman (Renée Zellweger) embarks on a cross-country journey to reconnect with her long-lost son, accompanied by a friend (Forest Whitaker) who won’t let her wallow in self-pity. She used to be a singer, but lately, she’s lost her voice. Maybe facing her emotional demons will bring music back into her life. Olivier Dahan (La Vie en Rose) writes and directs.”

___________________________________________________________________________________________   OPENING REGIONALLY, NATIONALLY OR LOCALLY-  

1) BLACK SWAN- Premise by Netflix. ” In this supernatural thriller from director Darren Aronofsky, ambitious New York City ballet dancer Nina (Natalie Portman) lands a key role in “Swan Lake,” but soon finds her dreams of stardom threatened by rival ballerina Lilly (Mila Kunis). As the contentious rivalry between the dancers intensifies, Nina’s obsession descends into paranoia, delusion and more. Winona Ryder, Barbara Hershey and Vincent Cassel co-star.” Very good reviews.  

2) I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “When upstanding Texas cop Steven Russell (Jim Carrey) realizes he’s gay, he changes his entire life and pulls a series of bold con jobs that lands him jail — where he meets his one true love, cellmate Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor). When Morris is transferred to another prison, lovesick Russell mounts a series of jailbreaks just to be with his beloved soul mate. Glenn Ficarra directs this comedy based on a true story.” Reviews just more positive than negative.  

3) NIGHT CATCHES US- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “After growing up during the tumultuous 1960s, ex-Black Panther Marcus (Anthony Mackie) returns to his home in Philadelphia in 1978 and reconnects with Pat (Kerry Washington), the widow of a Panther leader. Marcus befriends Pat’s young daughter and attempts to conquer his demons. Interfering with Marcus’s good intentions are the neighborhood’s continuing racial and social conflicts, as well as old enemies and friends — both with scores to settle.” Good reviews.   ________________________________________________________________________________________   FLORIDA- At the Emerging Cinemas of Lake Worth  

1) WASTE LAND- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “World-renowned artist Vik Muniz embarks on one of the most inspired collaborations of his career, joining creative forces with Brazilian catadores — garbage pickers who mine treasure from the towering trash heaps of Rio’s Jardim Gramacho landfill. In this Sundance award-winning documentary, the catadores prove to be unique and surprising individuals in their own right, waxing philosophic as they impart a valuable lesson about what society discards. Great reviews.  

2) YOU WILL MEET A TALL DARK STRANGER- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “When a woman (Naomi Watts) consults a fortune-teller to learn what fate has in store for her, she’s told she’ll meet a tall, dark stranger who will become the love of her life in this quirky romantic dramedy from iconic writer-director Woody Allen. But the not-yet-lovestruck heroine isn’t the only character in search of answers. The ensemble cast includes Josh Brolin, Anthony Hopkins, Antonio Banderas, Freida Pinto, Lucy Punch and Anna Friel.” Sad for me to say, this film has received many poor early reviews.

10/10- Pleasantly surprised with this latest Woody film. I liked the characters, the acting, and a few very creative aspects of the film. TRDB.

  ______________________________________________________________________________________   COMCAST ON-DEMAND-   NEW-  

1) COUNTDOWN TO ZERO- Premise by Netflix. “Since the first atomic bomb exploded in 1945, scientists and world leaders have grappled with the apocalyptic dangers and paradoxes posed by nuclear weapons. Lucy Walker‘s documentary presents an unblinking look at humanity’s lethal predicament. The film outlines current threats posed by a growing list of nuclear-armed states and weighs the prospects for global disarmament, soliciting insights from a gallery of world leaders and policy experts.” Just a few reviews and they are good.  

2) EAT PRAY LOVE- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Julia Roberts stars in the adaptation of Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir about coping with a traumatic divorce. After failing to conceive a child and deciding to reshape her life, Elizabeth (Roberts) travels the world in search of direction. She heads to Italy, India and Indonesia, seeking the perfect pasta, a route to self-enlightenment and the true meaning of faith. Along the way she meets a bevy of odd characters and, possibly, her true love.” Poor reviews.  

3) EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP- Premise by Netflix. “Filmmaker Thierry Guetta had been casually documenting the underground world of street art for years, but when he encounters Banksy, an elusive British stencil artist, his project takes a fascinating twist. Unimpressed with Guetta’s footage, Banksy takes over filmmaking duties and Guetta reinvents himself as a street artist named Mr. Brainwash — and, much to Banksy‘s surprise, immediately becomes a darling of the Los Angeles art scene.” Great reviews.  

4) EYES WIDE OPEN- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “Married Jerusalem butcher Aaron (Zohar Strauss) takes pity on homeless student Ezri (Ran Danker) and hires him to work in his shop. But when romantic sparks fly between the unlikely pair, Aaron’s wife, Rivkeh (Tinkerbell), becomes suspicious and consults their ultra-Orthodox rabbi. The rabbi assigns his “modesty guards” to monitor Aaron’s every move in this tragic drama, an official selection at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.

Well done movie and I enjoyed it. TRDB.

5) FLIPPED- Premise by Netflix. “From director Rob Reiner comes a multigenerational family saga about the highs and lows of love. Bryce and Juli first meet as second graders, with Juli having a crush on the uncertain Bryce, and as they mature, it appears their love may blossom. As they wrestle with the problems of adolescence, their parents cope with an assortment of issues of their own. Aidan Quinn, Rebecca De Mornay and Anthony Edwards co-star in this poignant romantic comedy.” Reviews were just OK, more positive than negative.

6) HANDSOME HARRY- Premise by Netflix. “For many years, small-town resident Harry Sweeney (Jamey Sheridan) has avoided confronting painful memories from his past. But when his best friend becomes seriously ill, Harry builds up enough courage to explore long-hidden secrets and uncover his true identity. Directed by Bette Gordon, this character-driven drama boasts a strong ensemble cast that features Steve Buscemi, Aidan Quinn, John Savage and Campbell Scott.” Very good reviews.

7) THE DRY LAND- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “American soldier Raymond Gonzales (Wilmer Valderrama) returns home to Texas after his tour of duty, unsure how to reconcile what he’s seen and experienced with the everyday mundanities of home and family life. This drama, from first-time writer-director Ryan Piers Williams, takes a head-on approach to confronting the conflicted emotions of the modern warrior. The stellar cast includes America Ferrera (“Ugly Betty”), Melissa Leo and Ethan Suplee.” Fair reviews.

11/10- This movie had some good points and some bad points but overall it was enjoyable. TRDB.

8)TINY FURNITURE- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “When twenty-something film theory major Aura (Lena Dunham) returns home after college to live with her artist mother in TriBeCa, she confronts a long list of personal and professional failures and wonders whether her dismal past will become her future. It’s an early midlife crisis for sure, but there’s hope on the horizon if Aura can figure out who she is and what she’s really meant to do. Dunham also wrote and directed this wry comedy.” OK review in NY Times on 11/12/10. Two friends hated it.

9) TROPICO DE SANGRE (RAINS OF INJUSTICE)- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Writer Juan Delancer aslo directs this stirring foreign-language drama based on the true story of Minerva Mirabal (Michelle Rodriguez) and her sisters (Sharlene Taulé, Celines Toribio and Luchi Estevez), married women and political dissidents who lost their lives standing up to Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo (Juan Fernández). Although they once led lives of privilege, the sisters risked everything for what they believed was right.” Only 1 review and it’s bad.

10) WILD GRASS- 2009. Premise by Netflix. ” WILD GRASS- Premise by Netflix. “When the bag of amateur pilot Marguerite Muir (Sabine Azéma) is stolen and its contents are strewn over a parking lot, fate sets into motion an intriguing sequence of events involving the pilot, a dentist and a mysterious man (André Dussollier) who finds her wallet. French new wave pioneer Alain Resnais adapts the Christian Gailly novel into a stirring drama, which screened in competition at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.” Fair reviews.

11/10- Somewhat weird but enjoyable movie. TRDB. Netflix.

11)  WHITE MATERIAL- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Writer-director Claire Denis returns to her childhood home of Cameroon — and the site of her 1988 film, Chocolate — to spin this tale of a country torn apart by civil war, as African soldiers force French nationals to abandon their land. At the center of the story is Maria (Isabelle Huppert), a white woman who ignores her family’s fears and steadfastly refuses to leave her coffee plantation. Isaach De Bankolé and Christopher Lambert also star.” Great reviews, especially NY Times 11/19/10.

11/10- Despite all of the great reviews I found this movie disjointed with lots of individual scenes and no glue between them. Isabel Huppert is great as usual. TRDB.

  REPEATS-  

1) A SINGLE MAN- Recommended

2) CARLOS- Good reviews

3) CHARLIE ST. CLOUD- Poor reviews

4) GHOST WRITER- Recommended

5) COCO CHANEL AND IGOR STRAVINSKY- I liked it

6) GREEN ZONE- Recommended

7) HEARTBREAKER- I liked it

8)HOLY ROLLERS- I liked it

9) I AM LOVE- Great movie

10) I’M STILL HERE- Mixed reviews

11) INSPECTOR BELLAMY- I liked it

12) JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT- THE RADIANT CHILD- I didn’t care for this one

13) JOAN RIVERS: A PIECE OF WORK- Fair reviews

14) LA DANSE- I haven’t seen it yet but I will

15) LEAVING (PARTIR)- I liked this a lot

16) LETTERS TO JULIET- Not for me

17) MID-AUGUST LUNCH- Well reviewed but I found this just OK

16) MULTIPLE SARCASMS- Bad!

17) THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO- Just OK

 18) THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT- Loved it

19) WHITE MATERIAL- I didn’t care for this one

20) WINTER’S BONE- I didn’t care for it

21) YOO-HOO, MRS. GOLDBERG- I liked it

22) YOUTH IN REVOLT- I liked it  

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

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

Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com

  ______________________________________________________________________________________   BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-  

NEW- Nothing  

 REPEATS-  

1)  FAIR GAME-  2010.  Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100. Premise by Netflix. “After her husband, Ambassador Joseph Wilson (Sean Penn), writes op-ed columns accusing the Bush administration of misleading the public to justify invading Iraq, Valerie Plame Wilson’s (Naomi Watts) status as a covert CIA agent is leaked by administration officials. Based on events described in Plame Wilson’s memoir, this drama explores the political scandal that led to the conviction of Lewis “Scooter” Libby.” Fair review in NY Times on 11/5/10.

11/10- This movie was very well done and packed a wallop. I liked it a lot. TRDB. 

2) 127 HOURS- 2010. Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Premise by Netflix. “Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) re-teams with writer Simon Beaufoy and producer Christian Colson to tell the harrowing story of real-life mountain climber Aron Ralston (James Franco), who literally cut himself loose from danger — and lived to tell about it. When sliding rock pinned his right forearm under a boulder during a climb in the Utah mountains, Ralston resorted to his basest survival instincts to stay alive.” Very good early reviews. 

3) MORNING GLORY- 2010. Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, Danbury. Premise by Netflix. “Whiz-kid producer Becky Fuller (Rachel McAdams) finds her abilities put to the test when she’s charged with bringing a network morning show back from ratings purgatory. Her first job: getting the show’s feuding, acid-tongued co-hosts (Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton) under control. Jeff Goldblum co-stars as Fuller’s network-exec boss and Patrick Wilson is Becky’s put-upon boyfriend in this comedy from the writer of The Devil Wears Prada.” Fair reviews.

4) LOVE AND OTHER DRUGS- 2010. Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. Premise by Netflix. “Pharmaceutical representative Jamie Reidy (Jake Gyllenhaal) becomes a player in the big game of male-performance-enhancement-drug sales and, along the way, finds unexpected romance with a woman (Anne Hathaway) suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Based on the real-life Jamie Reidy’s memoir, Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman, this satirical look inside the culture of Big Pharm is directed by Edward Zwick.” Fair reviews at best.

5)  INSIDE JOB- 2010. Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Premise by Netflix. “Uncover the root of the 2008 global economic crisis with this documentary that combines extensive research, convincing interviews and cogent arguments to single out a rogue industry that’s tainted every sector of the financial system. Narrated by actor Matt Damon, this complex yet comprehensible film — an Official Selection at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival — features discussions with influential politicians, academics and journalists.” Good audience reviews as of now.

6) THE SOCIAL NETWORK- 2010. Saw Mill Hawthorne. Premise by Netflix. “David Fincher‘s biographical drama chronicles the meteoric rise of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) from Harvard sophomore to Internet superstar, examining his relationships with co-founder Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield) and founding president Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake). Aaron Sorkin penned the screenplay based on Ben Mezrich’s best-seller The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook.” Reviews just OK.

10/10- I liked this movie a lot even though there was probably a good deal of artistic license given to the story. Well acted (Eisenberg was great) and truly a success story. TRDB. At the theater.

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

For all films go to- www.fandango.com

  THAT’S IT FOR NOW-
THE REEL DR BOB
The Reel Dr. Bob

Add comment December 2nd, 2010

FILM REVIEWS #349

Add comment November 23rd, 2010

FILM REVIEWS #348

Add comment November 18th, 2010

FILM REVIEWS #347

Add comment November 11th, 2010

FILM REVIEWS #346

  OCTOBER 19, 2010

DEAR FRIENDS:  

YOU CAN READ THIS NEWSLETTER ON MY WEBSITE AT- www.thereeldrbob.com  

 I will be away from “my desk” for 2 weeks and so, when possible I will include information now for those weeks as well. While I’m away you can check the links at the bottom to find out what’s playing near you.   QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES FOR THE WEEK- See descriptions below.  

1) CATFISH- Theater

2) YOU WILL MEET A TALL DARK STRANGER- Theater   ________________________________________________________________________________________   MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-  

1) CATFISH- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman document the strange series of events that unfolds when a gifted 8-year-old artist named Abby contacts Nev, a 24-year-old photographer (and Schulman’s brother), through Facebook. After Abby sends Nev a remarkable painting based on one of his photos, Nev begins corresponding with her family — including her seductive 19-year-old sister. Realizing that something’s not quite right, Nev sets out to uncover the truth.” Good reviews.

10/10- A very unusual human drama involving privacy and identity on the Internet. I liked it a lot. This movie is a sleeper. TRDB. At the Theater.

2) YOU WILL MEET A TALL DARK STRANGER- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “When a woman (Naomi Watts) consults a fortune-teller to learn what fate has in store for her, she’s told she’ll meet a tall, dark stranger who will become the love of her life in this quirky romantic dramedy from iconic writer-director Woody Allen. But the not-yet-lovestruck heroine isn’t the only character in search of answers. The ensemble cast includes Josh Brolin, Anthony Hopkins, Antonio Banderas, Freida Pinto, Lucy Punch and Anna Friel.” Sad for me to say, this film has received many poor early reviews.

10/10- Pleasantly surprised with this latest Woody film. I liked the characters, the acting, and a few very creative aspects of the film. TRDB. At the Theater.

  _________________________________________________________________________________________   MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-  

1) TOKYO STORY- 1953. Premise by Netflix. “Director Yasujiro Ozu focuses on an elderly couple (Chishu Ryu and Chieko Higashiyama) in post-World War II Japan who travel to Tokyo to visit their children but are received rather coldly by their offspring; in fact, the only one happy to see them is their widowed daughter-in-law (Setsuko Hara). In an attempt to get them out of the way, the children shuttle their aging parents off to a health spa, a decision that could come back to haunt them.”

10/10- A sad story about family relationships. Well done and I liked it. TRDB. Netflix.

2) PUPPY- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “Soon after the manipulative Liz (Nadia Townsend) is tossed out by her angry sister, she’s “rescued” by Aiden (Bernard Curry), a guy with serious issues who thinks she’s actually his runaway wife. Liz is willing to play along — for a while. But her knack for getting what she wants is no match for Aiden’s powerful delusions. Self-taught filmmaker Kieran Galvin shot this independent drama, which marks his feature film debut, in just 20 days.” OK audience awards but no professional ones as yet.

10/10- Weird movie with little to show for it when it’s done. I watched it but you shouldn’t. TRDB. Netflix.

3) HOLY ROLLERS- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Inspired by a true story, director Kevin Asch‘s film tells the story of Sam Gold (Jesse Eisenberg), a young Hasidic Jew from Brooklyn who breaks with Orthodox tradition when he becomes an intercontinental Ecstasy smuggler for an Israeli drug cartel. A blend of neurotic coming-of-age dramedy and tense crime thriller, the film features Justin Bartha (“National Treasure”) as Sam’s pal Yosef and hip-hop recording artist Q-Tip in a supporting role.” Fair reviews.

10/10- I agree- I thought that the movie was fair. Netflix.

_________________________________________________________________________________________   COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, OCT. 26-  

1) WINTER’S BONE- Premise by Netflix. “In this noir drama set deep in Ozark territory, resilient teenager Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence) goes on the trail of her missing drug-dealing father when his absence jeopardizes the safety of their family. The deadbeat dad has a critical court date pending, and Ree is determined that he make it — despite the objections of the insular Dolly clan. Director Debra Granik‘s unflinching drama won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance.” Great reviews.

6/10-Very good acting in this Appalachian slice of life but I was disappointed in the film. I felt that not enough happened and what did seemed contrived to me. A friend who I saw this with spent a year in Missouri and felt that it was indeed realistic. TRDB.

2) OCTOBER COUNTRY- 2009. “In their sensitive portrait of the Mosher family, who live in Mohawk Valley, N.Y., filmmakers Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher explore how people whose voices go unheard move through life like ghosts, unable to change their circumstances. Filmed over the course of a year, from one Halloween to the next, the film follows three generations as they struggle with poverty, an unplanned pregnancy, a custody battle and the lingering trauma of war. Premise by Netflix. ” Very good reviews.

3) DANCING ACROSS BORDERS- 2010. Premise by Netflix. ” Art enthusiast and philanthropist Anne Bass makes her first foray into filmmaking with this moving documentary that traces the journey of a talented young Cambodian man in his transformation from street performer to classically trained ballet dancer. Discovered by Bass in his native land, Sokvannara “Sy” Sar must learn to assimilate to the rigid structures of Western ballet to fulfill his dream of becoming a professional dancer.” Reviews just more positive than negative.”

4) SOUTH OF THE BORDER- Premise by Netflix. “Eager to investigate how the U.S. media has depicted Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, director Oliver Stone journeys south to interview the man himself and speaks with several other South American presidents in the process. Among the distinguished subjects in Stone’s probing and controversial documentary are Bolivia’s Evo Morales, Brazil’s Lula da Silva, Argentina’s Nestor Kirchner and Cuba’s Raúl Castro.” Poor reviews.

5) WILD GRASS- Premise by Netflix. ” WILD GRASS- Premise by Netflix. “When the bag of amateur pilot Marguerite Muir (Sabine Azéma) is stolen and its contents are strewn over a parking lot, fate sets into motion an intriguing sequence of events involving the pilot, a dentist and a mysterious man (André Dussollier) who finds her wallet. French new wave pioneer Alain Resnais adapts the Christian Gailly novel into a stirring drama, which screened in competition at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.” Fair reviews.

6) THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE- Premise by Netflix. “Disaster hits Millennium magazine when publisher Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist) launches an exposé of the Swedish sex trade, leading to the deaths of two staffers and then to the police pursuit of a third — tech expert Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) — as the prime suspect. In Part 2 of the trilogy, based on the action novels of Stieg Larsson, the vampiric Salander vanishes as Blomkvist digs deep into a possible conspiracy.” Mostly good reviews.

7/10- I was bored as hell. It was initially hard to tell who was who and I never recovered. See “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” twice instead. TRDB.

7) KISSES- Premise by Netflix. “In this incisive Irish import, best friends Dylan (Shane Curry) and Kylie (Kelly O’Neill) find urban beauty — and peril — when they flee their dysfunctional homes in a squalid housing project after Dylan has a terrible row with his tosspot father. Arriving in Dublin to hunt for Dylan’s older brother, the youngsters embark on a shopping spree using cash Kylie stole from her sister. But as night falls, the city takes on a menacing air.” Very good reviews.

8)A MOTHER’S COURAGE- Premise by Netflix. “Icelandic filmmaker Fridrik Thór Fridriksson follows Margrét Dagmar Ericsdóttir’s quest to find answers about autism, a condition that confounds traditional medical practitioners and renders her 11-year-old son, Keli, unable to communicate. Across the United States and Europe, Ericsdóttir encounters autism experts exploring promising new methods and meets autistic “miracle patients” who eventually found their voices. Kate Winslet narrates.” OK review in NY Times 9/24/10.

9) THE INFIDEL- Premise by Netflix. “When his mother dies, Muslim business owner and family man Mahmud Nasir (Omid Djalili) uncovers the two biggest surprises of his life: he was adopted as a baby, and his birth parents weren’t Muslim — they were Jewish. As he scrambles to get a handle on his existential identity crisis, Mahmud turns to boozy Jewish cab driver Lenny (Richard Schiff) for a little spiritual counsel. Josh Appignanesi directs this indie comedy.” OK review in NY Times. Fair reviews in general.

10) EVERYONE ELSE- Premise by Netflix. “In director Maren Ade‘s complex drama about gender roles, power and desire, Chris (Lars Eidinger) and Gitti (Birgit Minichmayr) find their relationship tested when a brief encounter with a seemingly perfect couple prompts Chris to emulate the other man’s dominance. Gitti is game for the role-playing experiment, until submission gives way to suffocation and both partners feel their true selves slipping away.” Good early reviews.

_________________________________________________________________________________________   COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, NOV. 2-  

1) WINNEBAGO MAN- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “This entertaining documentary explores the phenomenon of Jack Rebney, who became an Internet sensation after a grainy, nearly 20-year-old video of him furiously swearing up a storm while filming a Winnebago sales video made the rounds online. Traveling to a mountaintop, filmmaker Ben Steinbauer tracks down Rebney — who’s become known in underground circles as the “Angriest Man in the World” — and tries to discover what makes the loner tick.” Very good reviews.   _________________________________________________________________________________________   COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, NOV. 9-    

1) LOVE RANCH- Premise by Netflix. “Inspired by the story of the couple who introduced legalized prostitution to Nevada with the opening of their Mustang Ranch brothel, this Taylor Hackford-directed drama focuses on the devastating consequences of infidelity in the land of sex for pay. Helen Mirren stars as Grace Botempo; Joe Pesci plays her husband, Charlie; and Sergio Peris-Mencheta plays the boxer who, on entering their world, sets into motion a violent chain of events.”  I’ve seen two reviews so far and they’re both negative. TRDB.  

2) THE DRY LAND- Premise by Netflix. “American soldier Raymond Gonzales (Wilmer Valderrama) returns home to Texas after his tour of duty, unsure how to reconcile what he’s seen and experienced with the everyday mundanities of home and family life. This drama, from first-time writer-director Ryan Piers Williams, takes a head-on approach to confronting the conflicted emotions of the modern warrior. The stellar cast includes America Ferrera (“Ugly Betty”), Melissa Leo and Ethan Suplee.” No reviews so far.  

3) LOVELY, STILL- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “When his beautiful new neighbor Mary (Ellen Burstyn) asks him out on a date, elderly bachelor Robert (Martin Landau) suddenly finds himself swept up in the excitement and panic of new love. But as romance blossoms between the couple, an unexpected challenge arises that threatens to undermine the fledgling relationship. Nicholas Fackler directs this touching drama that also stars Adam Scott and Elizabeth Banks.” Excellent reviews in general. Only a fair review in NY Times 9/10/10.

9/10- I saw this in Florida and I thought it was excellent. Great story with great acting. TRDB.

  _________________________________________________________________________________________   OPENING REGIONALLY, NATIONALLY OR LOCALLY THIS WEEK-  

1) 11/4/08- Premise by Netflix. “On November 4, 2008, the drama of Barack Obama’s victory in the U.S. presidential election transfixed the world. Weeks before, director Jeff Deutchman asked filmmakers living around the globe to record their experiences on that fateful day. Using footage shot in Chicago, St. Louis, Geneva, New Delhi, Berlin and more, the documentary provides a sweeping, emotional look at peoples’ hopes and concerns about the historic moment as it unfolded.” No reviews yet.  

2) THE COMPANY MEN- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Written, directed and produced by John Wells (“The West Wing”), this indie drama stars Ben Affleck as a successful businessman who comes face-to-face with America’s downsizing epidemic when he loses his job and is forced to take a construction gig. Rounding out the all-star cast are Kevin Costner as Affleck’s brother-in-law, Tommy Lee Jones as a conflicted corporate bigwig and Chris Cooper as a struggling blue-collar worker.” No professional reviews yet but enjoyed by audiences so far.   ________________________________________________________________________________________   OPENING REGIONALLY, NATIONALLY, OR LOCALLY IN THE NEXT 2 WEEEKS-  

1) WELCOME TO THE RILEYS- Premise by Netflix. “Devastated by their daughter’s death eight years ago, Doug (James Gandolfini) and his guilt-ridden wife, Lois (Melissa Leo), lead depressing lives without much meaning. But by forming an unconventional relationship with teen call girl Mallory (Kristen Stewart), the couple begins to rediscover hope. Directed by Jake Scott, this compelling family drama also stars David Jensen, Kathy Lamkin and Lance E. Nichols.” Only fair reviews by most.  

2) 127 HOURS- Premise by Netflix. “Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) re-teams with writer Simon Beaufoy and producer Christian Colson to tell the harrowing story of real-life mountain climber Aron Ralston (James Franco), who literally cut himself loose from danger — and lived to tell about it. When sliding rock pinned his right forearm under a boulder during a climb in the Utah mountains, Ralston resorted to his basest survival instincts to stay alive.” Very good early reviews.  

3) CLIENT 9: THE RISE AND FALL OF ELIOT SPITZER- Premise by Netflix. “Director Alex Gibney turns the spotlight on the life and career of politician Eliot Spitzer, the New York governor whose potential to become the first Jewish president of the United States was thwarted by his indiscretions. Supporters and opponents opine about Spitzer, who was a well-respected attorney general before becoming governor. Spitzer’s career crashed and burned with the revelation that he was involved with prostitutes.” Good audience ratings so far, none professional.  

4) FAIR GAME- Premise by Netflix. “After her husband, Ambassador Joseph Wilson (Sean Penn), writes op-ed columns accusing the Bush administration of misleading the public to justify invading Iraq, Valerie Plame Wilson’s (Naomi Watts) status as a covert CIA agent is leaked by administration officials. Based on events described in Plame Wilson’s memoir, this drama explores the political scandal that led to the conviction of Lewis “Scooter” Libby.” Bad, bad reviews in NY Times.  

5) GUY AND MADELINE ON A PARK BENCH- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Black-and-white verité meets the charm of the classic Hollywood musical in writer-director Damien Chazelle’s romantic drama about a jazz trumpeter named Guy (Jason Palmer) who’s perennially falling in and out of love. After connecting with the shy Madeline (Desiree Garcia), Guy embarks on a quest for a more gregarious paramour, but through a series of twists and turns punctuated by an original score, the two lovers reunite in the end.” Mixed reviews but a few said it was very interesting and very different.   _________________________________________________________________________________________   FLORIDA- At the Emerging Cinemas of Lake Worth   OCT. 22–28  

1) IN SEARCH OF MEMORY- Premise by Netflix. “Filmmaker Petra Seeger present a fascinating portrait of neuroscientist Eric Kandel — who won a Nobel Prize in 2000 for his groundbreaking research — and illuminates his work on the brain and memory in this documentary. While examining Kandel’s discoveries about the brain’s function in chronicling and preserving memory, Seeger also explores his life, beginning with his childhood in Nazi-occupied Austria, through interviews and archival footage.” Very good professional reviews.  

2) LEBANON- Premise by Netflix. “In this claustrophobic drama by first-time director Samuel Maoz — a veteran of the early ’80s Israel/Lebanon conflict in which the film is set — four Israeli soldiers command a tank in a situation that becomes increasingly tense and chaotic. Like Das Boot before it, most of the action is confined to the stark interiors of that tank, as the men wrestle with fear, anger and their own consciences in the face of possible death and worse.” Very good early reviews.

9/10- Yet one more piece of evidence that war is definitely hell, this time involving a bunch of very frightened Israeli soldiers fighting in the confined space of the tank. I liked it very much but be aware that this is not for the faint of heart. TRDB.

  OCT. 29–NOV. 4  

1) ANIMAL KINGDOM- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “When his mother dies suddenly, a 17-year-old boy (James Frecheville) finds himself drawn into the clutches of a diabolical criminal family, until a good-hearted detective (Guy Pearce) makes a concerted effort to change the boy’s fate. Australian writer-director David Michôd‘s first feature-length drama won the World Cinema Jury Prize: Dramatic at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.” Great reviews.

9/10- Violent, poignant and very well acted. I liked it. TRDB. At the Theater.

2) THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO- 2009. Sweden. Premise by Netflix. “Journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist) and rebellious computer hacker Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) team up to investigate the unsolved disappearance of wealthy Henrik Vanger’s (Sven-Bertil Taube) teen niece (Ewa Fröling), only to uncover dark secrets about Vanger’s powerful family. Niels Arden Oplev directs this Swedish thriller based on the first novel from Stieg Larsson’s best-selling trilogy.”

3/10- I found it a bit difficult to understand at times but enjoyed it a lot. TRDB.

  3) THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE- Premise by Netflix. “Disaster hits Millennium magazine when publisher Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist) launches an exposé of the Swedish sex trade, leading to the deaths of two staffers and then to the police pursuit of a third — tech expert Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) — as the prime suspect. In Part 2 of the trilogy, based on the action novels of Stieg Larsson, the vampiric Salander vanishes as Blomkvist digs deep into a possible conspiracy.” Mostly good reviews.

7/10- I was bored as hell. It was initially hard to tell who was who and I never recovered. See “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” twice instead. TRDB.

    ________________________________________________________________________________________   COMCAST ON-DEMAND-   NEW-  

1) UNTITLED- Premise by Zap2it. “Adrian is an avant-garde music composer whose poorly attended concerts contrast wildly with his brother Josh’s great success as a commercial artist. Adrian’s luck appears to change when Josh introduces him to Madeleine, an art dealer who sells Josh’s work. Adrian and Madeleine begin a torrid affair, but when Josh learns about the relationship and Madeleine stops exhibiting his artwork, the stage is set for a showdown between siblings.” Very few reviews but mixed so far. Sounds interesting to me. TRDB

11/4/09- I just saw this movie and for the first time in years I walked out. Miserable, attempted farce of the art industry but the movie itself was a farce. Thank me for this review now. TRDB

  2) CLIENT 9: THE RISE AND FALL OF ELIOT SPITZER- Premise by Netflix. “Director Alex Gibney turns the spotlight on the life and career of politician Eliot Spitzer, the New York governor whose potential to become the first Jewish president of the United States was thwarted by his indiscretions. Supporters and opponents opine about Spitzer, who was a well-respected attorney general before becoming governor. Spitzer’s career crashed and burned with the revelation that he was involved with prostitutes.” Very good early reviews.  

REPEATS-  

 1) AJAMI- Well received Israeli award winner but I was disappointed

2) A PROPHET- Good reviews but I thought it was tedious

3) A SINGLE MAN- Recommended

4) AVATAR- Haven’t Seen It

5) BABIES- Very good reviews

6) CAIRO TIME- I was disappointed but others liked it

7) CHANGE OF PLANS- Mixed reviews

8)CHLOE- Back again. I liked it

9) CITY ISLAND- I’d recommend it

10) GHOST WRITER- Recommended

11) GREEN ZONE- Recommended

12) HEARTBREAKER- I liked it

13) I AM LOVE- Great movie

14) INVICTUS- Just OK

15) JOHN RABE- I did not like this well reviewed film

16) KISSES- Good reviews

17) LETTERS TO JULIET- OK reviews.

18) LIFE DURING WARTIME- Very different but I’d recommend it

19) LOSS OF A TEARDROP DIAMOND- I did not like this

20) MAKING PLANS FOR LENA- I haven’t seen it but very mixed reviews

21) MAP OF THE SOUNDS OF TOKYO- I haven’t seen this yet

22) ME AND ORSON WELLES- I didn’t care for this

23) MID-AUGUST LUNCH- Well reviewed but I found this just OK

24) MULTIPLE SARCASMS- Bad!

25) SOLITARY MAN- I liked the film

26) SOUL KITCHEN- Fair reviews

27) THAT EVENING SUN- I liked it

28) THE CITY OF YOUR FINAL DESTINATION- I liked the film

29) THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO- Just OK

30) YOO-HOO, MRS. GOLDBERG- I liked it

 31) YOUTH IN REVOLT- I liked it  

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

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

Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com

_________________________________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-

NEW-

1) HEREAFTER- 2010. Bethel. Premise by Netflix. “Clint Eastwood directs this supernatural thriller about three very different people and their responses to death, including a hesitant American psychic named George (Matt Damon) who may be able to help the others find answers and peace. Marie (Cécile De France) is a French journalist caught up in the aftereffects of the devastating 2004 tsunami, while in London, young Marcus (Frankie McLaren) seeks to contact his deceased twin brother.” Fair early reviews.

2) CARLOS- 2010. Jacob Burns–On Sunday, Oct. 12 only so far. Premise by Netflix. “Édgar Ramírez stars as Ilich Ramírez Sánchez — aka Carlos the Jackal — an elusive Venezuelan terrorist who executed scores of assassination plots, kidnappings and bombings across Europe and the Middle East. Olivier Assayas’s gripping biopic follows Sanchez from 1973 to 1994, as he and his cohorts wreak havoc on Paris’s Left Bank, storm OPEC headquarters in Vienna and carry out other devastating acts of politically motivated violence.” Good reviews.

REPEATS-

1) IT’S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY- 2010. Saw Mill Hawthorne, Bethel, Danbury. Premise by Netflix. “Being a teenager is too much for 16-year-old Craig (Keir Gilchrist), who shocks his parents (Lauren Graham and Jim Gaffigan) by checking himself into a mental health clinic for a little R & R. But when the youth ward is unexpectedly closed, he’s forced to live among the adult patients. Zach Galifianakis, Viola Davis, Emma Roberts and Aasif Mandvi co-star in this quirky drama written and directed by the screenwriters of Half Nelson.” Just 50/50 early reviews. OK review in NY Times 10/8/10.

2) NEVER LET ME GO- 2010. Bethel.. Premise by Netflix. “While retracing her experiences attending a boarding school for special children, Kathy (Carey Mulligan) reconnects with her former classmates, Ruth (Keira Knightley) and Tommy (Andrew Garfield), in an effort to determine exactly what sets them apart from other people. Based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s highly acclaimed novel, this sci-fi thriller from director Mark Romanek also stars Sally Hawkins, Charlotte Rampling and Andrea Riseborough.” Just OK reviews.

3) NOWHERE BOY- 2010.  Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Premise by Netflix. “Raised by his aunt Mimi (Kristin Scott Thomas) since he was a young boy, charismatic 15-year-old John Lennon (Aaron Johnson) is suddenly reunited with his mother, Julia (Anne-Marie Duff), which ignites a bitter battle between the two sisters for John’s affections. Along the way, John inherits his mother’s love of music and befriends fellow Liverpool lad Paul McCartney (Thomas Sangster) in this biopic of the music icon’s formative years.” Very good early reviews. Fair review in NY Times 10/8/10.

4) YOU WILL MEET A TALL DARK STRANGER- 2010. Saw Mill Hawthorne, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Premise by Netflix. “When a woman (Naomi Watts) consults a fortune-teller to learn what fate has in store for her, she’s told she’ll meet a tall, dark stranger who will become the love of her life in this quirky romantic dramedy from iconic writer-director Woody Allen. But the not-yet-lovestruck heroine isn’t the only character in search of answers. The ensemble cast includes Josh Brolin, Anthony Hopkins, Antonio Banderas, Freida Pinto, Lucy Punch and Anna Friel.” Sad for me to say, this film has received many poor early reviews.

10/10- Pleasantly surprised with this latest Woody film. I liked the characters, the acting, and a few very creative aspects of the film. TRDB. At the Theater.

5)  WAITNG FOR SUPERMAN- 2010. Garden Cinema Norwalk. Premise by Netflix. “Dynamic documentarian Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth) weaves together the stories of students, families, educators and reformers to shed light on the failing public school system and its consequences on the future of the United States. In this Sundance Audience Award winner for Best Documentary, Guggenheim deftly examines the options to improve public education and provide America’s teachers and students with the help they need.” Very good reviews.

6) MAO’S LAST DANCER- 2009. Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Premise by Netflix. “A delegation from Madame Mao’s Beijing Dance Academy selects 11-year-old peasant villager Li Cunxin to study ballet in far-off Beijing, where he trains for seven grueling years to become one of China’s greatest dancers. His efforts win him the opportunity to dance in America, opening his eyes to a new love and the possibility of a dramatic defection from China in this remarkable true story based on Cunxin’s autobiography.” Fairly good reviews but a few said the movie was too timid. TRDB.

8/10- Great dancing makes up for a somewhat weak story. I enjoyed the movie despite all the schmaltz. TRDB.

7) CATFISH- 2010. Clearview 100. Premise by Netflix. “Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman document the strange series of events that unfolds when a gifted 8-year-old artist named Abby contacts Nev, a 24-year-old photographer (and Schulman’s brother), through Facebook. After Abby sends Nev a remarkable painting based on one of his photos, Nev begins corresponding with her family — including her seductive 19-year-old sister. Realizing that something’s not quite right, Nev sets out to uncover the truth.” Good reviews.

10/10- A very unusual human drama involving privacy and identity on the Internet. I liked it a lot. This movie is a sleeper. TRDB.

8)THE SOCIAL NETWORK- 2010. Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. Premise by Netflix. “David Fincher‘s biographical drama chronicles the meteoric rise of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) from Harvard sophomore to Internet superstar, examining his relationships with co-founder Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield) and founding president Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake). Aaron Sorkin penned the screenplay based on Ben Mezrich’s best-seller The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook.” Reviews just OK.

10/10- I liked this movie a lot even though there was probably a good deal of artistic license given to the story. Well acted (Eisenberg was great) and truly a success story. TRDB.  

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

For all films go to- www.fandango.com

THAT’S IT FOR NOW-
THE REEL DR BOB
The Reel Dr. Bob

Add comment October 19th, 2010

FILM REVIEWS #345

Add comment October 13th, 2010

FILM REVIEWS #344

Add comment October 6th, 2010