The Reel Dr. Bob

JUNE 13, 2013

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

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

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) PROMISED LAND– Netflix

2) ALL TOGETHER– Netflix Streaming

3) WHITE ELEPHANT– Netflix

4) BEFORE MIDNIGHT– At the Theater

5) DEAD MAN’S BURDEN– Netflix

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) BEFORE MIDNIGHT– 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Before Midnight is an upcoming American romance drama film and the sequel to Before Sunrise (1995) and Before Sunset (2004). Like its predecessors, the film was directed by Richard Linklater. As with the previous film, Linklater shares screenplay credit with both actors from the movies, Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy”5/13/13- Uniformly excellent reviews. TRDB.

5/24/13- An excellent review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

6/11/13- An excellent movie that beautifully depicted the tensions that exist between spouses even when they deeply love each other. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) PROMISED LAND– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Taking advantage of hard economic times, two salespeople for a natural gas company come to a small town to buy drilling rights from the residents. To their surprise, a local schoolteacher mobilizes a campaign aimed at blocking the company’s plans.”Fair early reviews. TRDB.

12/28/12- A mixed review in today’s NY Times but, overall, the reviewer did like it. TRDB.

6/7/13- An interesting enough film about a current topic. I liked Matt Damon in the role but found it hard to believe the ending. TRDB. Netflix.

2) ALL TOGETHER– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Instead of living in a retirement home, five aging friends decide to move in together after one of them suffers a heart attack. The two couples and one widower are joined by a young caregiver, an ethnology student who is studying the group.”

10/19/12-Fairly good reviews in general and a “just OK” one in the NY Times. TRDB.

6/9/13- I enjoyed this drama/comedy very much. Loved each character as well. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

3) WHITE ELEPHANT– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Two fellow priests and friends, Julian and Nicolas, join together on a project to complete construction of a hospital in the slums of Buenos Aires. The unfinished “White Elephant” challenges their efforts to do virtuous work amid social chaos.”

3/20/13- Just a few reviews so far and they are good. TRDB.

6/10/13- A very interesting and well acted movie depicting a true story about 2 priests who worked in the slums of Buenos Aires. Hard not to like even though a whole lot was crammed into an hour and three quarters. TRDB.

4) DEAD MAN’S BURDEN– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1870, homesteader Martha McCall wants to sell the family farm in New Mexico and move with her husband, Heck, to San Francisco. But the unexpected return of Wade, her brother who was presumed dead in the Civil War, throws her plans into turmoil.”

5/3/13- Excellent reviews all around including today’s NY Times. TRDB.

6/12/13- I enjoyed this old fashioned “adult western” that was driven by family disputes. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JUNE 18-

 

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

3/1/13- I saw this with my wife Jane and my friends Barbara and Ken and we all liked this mystery. TRDB.

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

Early reviews are very good. TRDB.

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

 

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OPENED LAST WEEK (JUNE 7) IN ADDITION TO THE MOVIES I WROTE ABOUT ON JUNE 6-

 

1) AS COOL AS I AM– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “About to turn 16, Lucy realizes that her parents’ marriage is on shaky ground — and that theirs is not the only relationship that’s in trouble. After her longtime boyfriend leaves town, Lucy opts to ditch her tomboy image and restyle her life.”6/7/13- Awful reviews by everybody. TRDB.

2) FAME HIGH– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This coming-of-age chronicle captures a year in the life of students at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, also known as “Fame High” — the alma mater of well-known alums like Josh Groban, Corbin Bleu, Anthony Anderson and Jenna Elfman.”

6/7/13- A good review in today’s NY Times and from others as well. TRDB.

3) FREE SAMPLES– 2003. Synopsis by Netflix. “Jillian has dropped out of law school and migrated to Los Angeles in this comedy about deferred adulthood and the romantic hazards of heavy drinking. But a day spent doling out ice cream samples to the Angelenos dramatically changes her attitude.”

6/7/13- Mixed reviews in general and in today’s NY Times as well. TRDB.

4) FREE CHINA: THE COURAGE TO BELIEVE– Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary examines the Chinese government’s crackdown on practitioners of Falun Gong, and the global impact of its intolerance. The film profiles a Beijing mother and a Chinese-American businessman, two of the nation’s countless prisoners.”

6/7/13- Very good early reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

5) HELLO HERMAN– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Just after 16-year-old Herman Howards embarks on a shooting spree that kills 42 people, he sends a message to journalist Lax Morales. When Lax interviews the bullied youth who became a killer he gets entangled in a national dialogue about violence.”

6/7/13- This movie has received poor professional reviews including the one in today’s NY Times. Audiences, however, have liked it very much. TRDB.

6) HEY BARTENDER– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Celebrating the rebirth of cocktail culture, this documentary follows an injured Marine and a struggling pub owner as they pursue bartending dreams. The film also visits New York’s hottest watering holes and hears from the world’s top barkeeps.”

6/7/13- An OK review for this documentary in today’s NY Times. Other critics are “mixed” on this movie. TRDB.

7) THE INTERNSHIP– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Two out-of-work salesmen, lacking the digital-savvy skills they need to find jobs, sign on as interns at a high-tech company. While their new assignment may give them the training they need, it also means staying one step ahead of their ignorance.”

6/7/13- Poor professional reviews but audiences seem to have liked it. TRDB.

8)I SEND YOU THIS PLACE– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Blending documentary and drama, this lyrical film follows a woman’s quest to understand her schizophrenic brother as she travels through the surreal landscape of Iceland with her new husband and reflects on the nature of the human condition.”

6/7/13- An OK review in today’s NY Times. I saw 2 other reviews, one OK and the other miserable. TRDB.

9) 1 MILE ABOVE (KORA)- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Based on a true story, One Mile Above depicts a young man’s cycling journey to the highest point in Tibet to fulfill his brother’s final wish.”

6/7/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times, mixed reviews in general. Audiences have liked it. TRDB.

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

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

11) THE RAMBLER– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Freshly released from prison, a man sets off on a surreal journey through the back roads of America to reconnect with his estranged brother. Along the way, he encounters horrific supernatural hallucinations, grisly violence and other depravities.”

6/7/13- A poor review in today’s NY Times and by others as well. TRDB.

12) RAPTURE-PALOOZA– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this revelatory comedy, a pair of teenagers survives the apocalypse only to find themselves on an all-or-nothing mission to defeat the Antichrist — who turns out to have numerous psychiatric issues and a powerful yen for an Earth virgin.”

6/7/13- The NY Times gave this a luke warm review but others have not been so kind. TRDB.

13) VIOLET AND DAISY– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Teen assassins Violet and Daisy are normally unaffected by the gruesome details of their job. But when their latest target turns out to be someone unexpected, a simple hit becomes much more complicated in this vivid thriller.”

6/7/13- Awful reviews by everybody. TRDB.

 

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OPENING THIS WEEK (JUNE 14)-

 

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

2) PANDORA’S PROMISE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Former antinuclear activists and groundbreaking scientists speak out in favor of the much-maligned energy source in this provocative documentary that explores the history and future of nuclear power.”

6/5/13- Early reviews are poor. TRDB.

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

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

4) CALL ME KUCHU– 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In Uganda, a new bill threatens to make homosexuality punishable by death. With unprecedented access, the filmmakers follow David Kato – Uganda’s first openly gay man – and his fellow activists as they work against the clock to defeat the legislation while combating vicious persecution in their daily lives.”

6/5/13- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

5) FAR OUT ISN’T ENOUGH: THE TOMI UNGERER STORY– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Blending elements of film and animation, this documentary examines the fascinating career of children’s book author and illustrator Tomi Ungerer, who pushed the boundaries of his own life with the same fearlessness he applied to his art.”

6/5/13- Just a few reviews and so far they seem OK. TRDB.

6) MAN OF STEEL– 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this Earth. As a young man, he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind.”

6/5/13- No reviews as yet but I can’t imagine NOT seeing this movie. TRDB.

 

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 

1) THE BIG PICTURE– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Successful Paris attorney Paul Exben (Romain Duris) has everything going for him, including power, wealth and a picture-perfect family. But the mirror suddenly cracks when Paul discovers that his wife, Sarah, is carrying on an affair with a photographer. After a tragic error closes the door on all that he’s achieved, Paul makes a fateful decision to escape, fleeing abroad to try and begin a new life as someone else altogether.”10/12/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) IN BED WITH ULYSSES– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Racing against impending blindness, a monomaniacal genius feeds off his own love life to create a novel he hopes will change the art form of fiction forever. And James Joyce got his way, but at an enormous price. The feature length documentary “In Bed With Ulysses” tells the provocative story of how the novel that is widely considered the greatest work of modern fiction was created. With readings featuring Kathleen Chalfant (Angels in America, Wit) as Molly Bloom.”6/11/13– No reviews at present. TRDB.

3) LET MY PEOPLE GO- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “A lover’s quarrel with his Nordic boyfriend sends French-Jewish postman Reuben back home to Paris to join his maddeningly zany family for Passover. After his unbearable relatives drive him out to a nightclub, a chance encounter leads to further woe.”6/11/13- Awful reviews all around. TRDB.

 

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) WE STEAL SECRETS: THE STORY OF WIKILEAKS– 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Acclaimed documentarian Alex Gibney (Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room) takes the reins for this no-holds-barred look at one of the most unusual phenomena of early 21st century media. In 2006, an Iceland-based outfit called The Sunshine Press launched the web site WikiLeaks.org. As run by Australian Internet activist Julian Assange, the site’s mandate involved regularly publishing top-secret documents and covert information, often regarding governments and their respective military operations.”5/24/13- Very good review by everyone, including the NY Times today. TRDB.

2) TIGER EYES- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Tiger Eyes marks the first major motion picture adaptation from the work of iconic author Judy Blume, whose books have sold more than 82 million copies in 41 countries. Davey is a 17 year-old girl abruptly relocated by her grieving mother to the strange “atom bomb” town of Los Alamos, New Mexico. With the sudden and violent death of her father, the displaced Davey no longer knows who to be or how to fit in.”5/25/13- Mostly good reviews. TRDB.

3) FINDING JOY– 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A self-absorbed writer, stuck in more ways than one, rediscovers himself, his offbeat family, and what it means to be happy when he meets Joy–a spirited young woman who asks him to write her obituary.”5/25/13- A few poor professional reviews but audiences have liked it. TRDB.

4) FREE SAMPLES– 2003. Synopsis by Netflix. “Jillian has dropped out of law school and migrated to Los Angeles in this comedy about deferred adulthood and the romantic hazards of heavy drinking. But a day spent doling out ice cream samples to the Angelenos dramatically changes her attitude.”

6/7/13- Mixed reviews in general and in today’s NY Times as well. TRDB.

 

 

REPEATS-

 

 

 

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BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-

 

NEW IN THE BURBS-

 

1) THE KINGS OF SUMMER– Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Chafing under his widowed father’s control, Joe Toy invites a friend and an offbeat new kid to help him build his own house in the nearby woods. Now that the trio is finally free from parents and responsibility, what’s next?”5/14/13- Great reviews!! TRDB.

5/31/13- Just an OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) MAN OF STEEL– Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this Earth. As a young man, he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind.”

6/5/13- No reviews as yet but I can’t imagine NOT seeing this movie. TRDB.

3) MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING– Jacob Burns. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In Joss Whedon’s modern take on the Shakespearean comedy, Claudio’s love for the beautiful Hero makes him a target of his friend Benedick’s mockery. But as Benedick trades barbs with Hero’s cousin Beatrice, he just may be falling in love.”

6/7/13- Very good reviews from multiple sources including the review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) DIRTY WARS– Clearview 100. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Exploring America’s covert operations in the war on terror, investigative reporter Jeremy Scahill takes viewers on a revealing journey through drone strikes, night raids, kill lists that include U.S. citizens and secret government-condoned torture.”

5/25/13- I’ve seen just one review and it was good. TRDB.

6/7/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

 

1) MUD- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Two Mississippi teens, Ellis and Neckbone, meet a mysterious drifter named Mud hiding on a deserted river island and get caught up in his tangled web of tall tales about bounty hunters, crimes of passion, lost love and a perfect woman named Juniper.”4/19/13- Very good reviews so far. TRDB.

4/26/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4/27/13- As far as I’m concerned this movie could have been titled “Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn Meet Rambo. What a waste! TRDB.

2) FRANCES HA- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Determined to make it as a modern dancer in New York, young Frances Ha pursues her unlikely goal with more enthusiasm than natural talent. The rest of the time, she and her sardonic best friend, Sophie, put off growing up for as long as they can.”

9/5/12- Mentioned briefly in the NY Times as being shown at the Telluride Film Festival this September. TRDB.

5/4/13- Very good early reviews. TRDB.

5/17/13- Fairly good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5/25/13- I liked this movie very much. Very good acting and an insightful screenplay. TRDB.

3) BEFORE MIDNIGHT– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Before Midnight is an upcoming American romance drama film and the sequel to Before Sunrise (1995) and Before Sunset (2004). Like its predecessors, the film was directed by Richard Linklater. As with the previous film, Linklater shares screenplay credit with both actors from the movies, Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy”

5/13/13- Uniformly excellent reviews. TRDB.

5/24/13- An excellent review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

6/11/13- An excellent movie that beautifully depicted the tensions that exist between spouses even when they deeply love each other. TRDB.

 

4) THE EAST– Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “As an agent for a private intelligence firm, Sarah Moss is charged with infiltrating an anarchist group whose attacks threaten her corporate clients. But after penetrating the organization, she finds herself drawn to its charismatic leader.”

5/31/13- An OK review in today’s NY Times and positive reviews from others as well for this thriller. TRDB.

5) WHAT MAISIE KNEW– Clearview 100. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this updated rendering of the timeless Henry James novel, a perceptive 6-year-old girl becomes a bargaining tool when she gets caught in the midst of a toxic custody fight between her self-seeking, childish parents.”

4/21/13- Very good early reviews. TRDB.

5/3/13- Great review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

 

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

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

For Films everywhere go to- www.fandango.com

 

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB