The Reel Dr. Bob

APRIL 18, 2013

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

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

 

THE JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL OF WESTCHESTER IS STILL ON AT THE JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER!

 

 QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) IN ANOTHER COUNTRY– Netflix Streaming

2) A BOTTLE IN THE GAZA SEA- At the Theater (Westchester Jewish Film Festival)

3) YOSSI– At the Theater- (Westchester Jewish Film Festival)

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) ALYAH– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Low-level drug dealer Alex dreams of a better life away from his needy older brother and distant father, but before he can leave France to join a cousin in Tel Aviv, Alex must make a lot of money and come to terms with his complicated relationships.”4/10/13- Seen as part of the Jewish Film Festival at Jacob Burns this drama was not as good as the individual scenes especially one scene near the end in a restaurant, but the lead actor and his girlfriend were appealing. TRDB.

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

11/8/12- There is an article in today’s NY Times about this film that is playing in the “Other Israel Film Festival” in NY. TRDB.

1/4/13- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4/14/13- I felt that the characters were interesting, the acting was very good and the film conveyed a message of hope despite all of the misery involved. See this film if you get the chance. TRDB.

3) YOSSI– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “While driving through a remote part of Israel, a closeted gay doctor crosses paths with a group of soldiers who inspire him to live life in the open. Ohad Knoller reprises the title role in this sequel to Yossi & Jagger.”

1/25/13- Very good reviews in general but a poor one from the NY Times today. TRDB.

4/16/13- I did like the movie but I felt it was a bit hard to believe at a few points. Nowhere as good as “Yossi and Jagger” from 11 years ago. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) 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.

11/9/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times.  TRDB.

4/11/13- I found the movie interesting, especially after deciding not to parse each and every detail. Isabel Huppert is wonderful as usual. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

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.

4/15/13- This movie sounded dumb to me but I gave it a try because of a few good reviews. Miserable and I turned it off. TRDB.

3) 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.

4/15/13- Beautiful but not for the restless among us. I watched about half the movie and then turned it off. Very, very slow with NO dialogue. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, APRIL 23-

 

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

12/14/12- The NY Times gave this a good review today as did most critics. TRDB.

2) THE IMPOSSIBLE– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Tracking one family’s harrowing experiences, this gripping drama depicts the chaos generated by the massive 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia. On December 26, Maria, Henry and their sons are vacationing in Thailand when unthinkable disaster strikes.”

12/21/12- Basically a good review of the movie itself in today’s NY Times but the reviewer noted that the story was about wealthy tourists and had little to do with the thousands of native Asians who suffered. TRDB.

3) PARENTAL GUIDANCE– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When their daughter must leave for a week, Artie and Diane Decker find themselves in charge of their three grandchildren, whose well-regimented and high-tech lives leave Grandma and Grandpa baffled and ready to bring on the old-school parenting.”

12/28/12- If you are a Billy Crystal fan this movie is for you. The comedy had me laughing out loud several times but it was not noteworthy as a movie.  TRDB.

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

1/25/13- A few mixed reviews so far and from today’s NY Times as well. 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.

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OPENED LAST WEEK (APRIL 12) IN ADDITION TO THE MOVIES I WROTE ABOUT ON APRIL 11-

 

1) PARIS MANHATTAN– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Thirtysomething Alice, who lives only for Woody Allen movies, is introduced to a handsome French man by her parents, who hope that sparks will fly. But will he be able to compete with the legendary director in Alice’s star-struck eyes?”4/2/13- Good reviews for this movie although most called it kind of fluffy. TRDB.

4/12/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) AMERICAN MEAT– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This eye-opening documentary provides a sympathetic contrast of factory-type farming, where thousands of animals live in crowded conditions, and open-grazing farming, which results in fewer animals but better conditions for both humans and livestock.”

4/12/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times but other critics have liked it more. TRDB.

3) ANTIVIRAL- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This wild sci-fi vision imagines a freaky future where diseases caught by celebrities are put on the market for injection by their obsessed fans. Virus dealer Syd March makes a big mistake when he gives himself the same bug that killed a superstar.”

4/12/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times but other critics have given this sci-fi thriller better reviews. TRDB.

4) ARCADIA– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A coming-of-age story set in a vast, cross-country landscape, Arcadia begins when twelve-year-old Greta’s dad Tom (Academy Award nominated actor John Hawkes) wakes her up before dawn and crams her and her two siblings into a dented station wagon. They set off on a 3,000 mile journey from the New England woods to the California desert. On the way, Tom tells enchanting stories, paints pictures of a California paradise, and assures the kids that Mom will soon join them.”

4/12/13- A good review in today’s NY Times and from others as well. TRDB.

5) IT’S A DISASTER– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “After gathering for Sunday brunch at one of their homes, four couples realize they are stranded together as the world may be coming to an end during an apocalyptic crisis. Nevertheless, they continue to deal with their various relationship issues.”

4/12/13- Good reviews in general but today’s NY Times did not like it. TRDB.

6) THE REVOLUTIONARY– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “At 91, American citizen Sidney Rittenberg reflects on his 35 years spent in China, where he was a member of the Chinese Communist Party and an active participant in the Chinese communist revolution.”

4/12/13- A very good review from today’s NY Times and from other critics as well. TRDB.

7) THIS AIN’T CALIFORNIA– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This fascinating documentary explores the underground skateboarding subculture in the repressive East Germany of the 1970s and ’80s, following three passionate skaters through their childhood and teen years, and into adulthood as Germany reunified.”

4/12/13- Good reviews all around for this documentary, including the review in today’s NY Tims. TRDB.

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OPENING THIS WEEK (APRIL 19)-

 

1) ERRORS OF THE HUMAN BODY– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After his infant son dies from a rare genetic mutation, Dr. Geoff Burton moves to Germany to continue his work on a regenerative drug that might have saved the boy’s life. But he soon suspects that something is afoot with his new colleagues.”4/9/13- I read just 2 reviews and they were both good. TRDB.

2) HERMAN’S HOUSE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “After 40 years in solitary confinement, Herman Wallace was asked to design his dream house, which forms the centerpiece of this sobering documentary. The project, helmed by art student Jackie Sumell, drives home the impact of decades of solitude.”

4/9/13- Just a few early reviews for this documentary and they are all good. TRDB.

3) HOME RUN– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “To cure his drinking problem, pro baseball star Cory Brand returns to his hometown and begins coaching a Little League team as part of his rehab. After faking his recovery at first, Cory starts to glimpse real redemption in the kids playing for him.”

4/9/13- No reviews as yet but it does sound interesting. TRDB.

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 

1)THE SILENCE–  2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When 13-year-old Sinikka goes missing from the same spot where another girl was murdered 23 years earlier, a retired investigator teams up with a younger colleague to unravel the parallel mysteries.”3/8/13- Good reviews all around including today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) BEYOND THE HILLS- 2012. Synopsis by IMDB. “A drama centered on the friendship between two young women who grew up in the same orphanage; one has found refuge at a convent in Romania and refuses to leave with her friend, who now lives in Germany.”5/28/12- The writer won Best Screenwriter at Cannes this year. TRDB.

3/8/13- A good review in today’s NY Times and very good reviews in general. TRDB.

3/17/13- Interesting at first but the movie dragged on and on and on for no apparent reason and I’d have to recommend against seeing it. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) ANTIVIRAL– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This wild sci-fi vision imagines a freaky future where diseases caught by celebrities are put on the market for injection by their obsessed fans. Virus dealer Syd March makes a big mistake when he gives himself the same bug that killed a superstar.”4/12/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times but other critics have given this sci-fi thriller better reviews. TRDB.

2) SIMON KILLER– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Young and heartbroken, a New Yorker travels to Paris to escape his romantic woes but soon falls into another all-consuming attraction. Hopelessly smitten with a young prostitute, he finds himself drawn into her dark and alien world.”

4/5/13- A good review in today’s NY Times and from other critics as well. TRDB.

3) THE ANGELS’ SHARE– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After avoiding jail, Robbie vows to turn his life around for his newborn son. He has a talent for discerning fine whiskeys, and he and his community service cohorts hatch a plan to lift a few expensive bottles to buy themselves a better future.”

3/30/13- Very good reviews so far. TRDB.

4/12/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

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

Excellent reviews. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) ANNA KARENINA- Good reviews

 

 

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

 

NEW IN THE BURBS-

 

1) THE ANGELS’ SHARE– Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After avoiding jail, Robbie vows to turn his life around for his newborn son. He has a talent for discerning fine whiskeys, and he and his community service cohorts hatch a plan to lift a few expensive bottles to buy themselves a better future.”3/30/13- Very good reviews so far. TRDB.

4/12/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) THE COMPANY YOU KEEP– Jacob Burns, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Robert Redford stars as Jim Grant, a lawyer and single dad who has to go on the lam after a reporter identifies him as a long-sought U.S. terrorist. As the journalist locates more of Grant’s old contacts, his guilt begins to appear less certain.”

3/21/13- Fairly good reviews for this Robert Redford movie. TRDB.

4/5/13- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

REPEATS-

 

1) THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Luke is a professional motorcycle rider who turns to bank robberies to support his newborn son, but when he crosses paths with a rookie police officer, their violent confrontation spirals into a tense generational feud.”3/28/13- A mixed review in today’s NY Times but  better reviews from other critics. TRDB.

2) 42- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This biopic focuses on the relationship between baseball icon Jackie Robinson and Brooklyn Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey, who signed Robinson and in 1947 made him the first black Major League Baseball player of the modern era.”

3/30/13- Just fair reviews but I can’t wait to see this movie. TRDB.

3) THE SAPPHIRES– Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “The spirit and vitality of 1960s soul music are at the core of this film about a real-life Australian aborigine singing group and their bumpy career. Three sisters and a cousin are brought together as the Sapphires by a talent scout with a plan”

3/14/13- Excellent reviews all around. TRDB.

3/22/13- A poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) TRANCE– Bethel. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Danny Boyle directs this psychological thriller about an art heist gone wrong and the hypnotist who’s hired to ferret out the missing masterpiece. Everything is a jumble after an auctioneer gets hit in the head while double-crossing some art thieves.”

4/5/13- A good review in today’s NY Times and from others as well. TRDB.

5)  RENOIR- Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1915, elderly painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir is crippled by both loss and arthritis, but when vibrant teenager Andrée brightens his life, he finds new purpose — as does his son Jean, a wounded soldier who is inspired by Andrée’s love of cinema.”

3/18/13- A few early reviews and they are very good. TRDB.

3/29/13- A good review in today’s NY Times emphasizing the visual aspect of the film. TRDB.

4/5/13- I enjoyed the story, the acting and the beautiful photography. TRDB.

6) ADMISSION– Saw Mill Hawthorne. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “While scouting applicants at an experimental high school, Ivy League admissions officer Portia Nathan discovers that the school’s founder is her former college classmate John Halsey — and that she may have a connection to one of his students.”

3/14/13- Mixed reviews at best. TRDB.

3/22/13- A barely OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

7) QUARTET-  Saw Mill Hawthorne. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A trio of retired opera singers’ annual celebration of Verdi’s birthday sours when their estranged fourth member shows up but refuses to sing. Tensions rise and diva drama erupts — will personal problems prevent the show from going on?”

Early reviews are very good. TRDB.

3/3/13-  A good, if somewhat predictable, movie with lots of good music to boot. TRDB.

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