The Reel Dr. Bob

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

HAPPY 4th. TO ALL!!!

 

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

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) THE ATTACK- At the Theater

2) THE INVISIBLE WAR– Netflix Streaming

3) A PLACE AT THE TABLE– Netflix

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) THE ATTACK– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “An Arab Israeli physician offers assistance at the scene of a gruesome suicide bombing in Tel Aviv and then learns that the bomber was his own wife. Stunned and furious, he sets out to confront the people who encouraged her deadly decision.”6/7/13- Only a few reviews so far but they are all excellent. TRDB.

6/21/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

6/30/13- A riveting thriller that according to one critic is about politics, love and betrayal. I can’t agree more. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) THE INVISIBLE WAR– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary calls attention to little-known facts about the high prevalence of rape within the ranks of America’s armed forces. Interviews with military personnel, elected officials and rape victims provide alarming evidence.”Just a few reviews so far and they are excellent. TRDB.

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

7/1/13- Interview after interview of woman who were sexually assaulted while serving our nation in the military AND the cover-ups that denied them any justice. Very well done and this film was nominated for the 2012 Academy Award for best documentary. TRDB.

2) A PLACE AT THE TABLE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Using personal stories, this powerful doc illuminates the plight of the 49 million Americans struggling with food insecurity. A single mother, a small-town policeman and a farmer are among those for whom putting food on the table is a daily battle.”

3/1/13- A “just OK” review in today’s NY Times with the reviewer saying that the movie had too much restraint and none of the deserved outrage. I’ll skip this one. TRDB.

7/2/13- This movie got very good reviews with the exception of the NY Times. I have to agree with the Times that although the movie presented a lot of facts it lacked the fire that should be evoked by this travesty. It’s more of an indictment of poverty than of food itself. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JULY 9-

 

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

3/10/13- I liked this movie very much but it did seem unusual to me that each of the men seemed to distance himself from Israeli tactics. Were there any heads of Shin Bet that agreed with the policies even if they don’t appear to have worked in retrospect? TRDB.

2) BOY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Filmed in his native New Zealand, this comedy from writer-director Taika Waititi (Eagle vs. Shark) follows 11-year-old Boy and his younger brother, Rocky, whose rich fantasy lives are stopped cold when their father returns home after years away. Although Boy has imagined that his father (Waititi) is a dashing, accomplished hero who is related to Michael Jackson, in reality he is a failed gangster seeking to restore his family’s faith in him.” Good audience reviews. TRDB.3/2/12- Excellent review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) SPRING BREAKERS-  2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After four college girls rob a fast food joint to fund their spring break in Florida, they hit the road and wind up in jail and hungover. They’re bailed out by a deeply weird dude named Alien, who demands their help with his own criminal enterprises.”3/15/13- This movie got an OK review in today’s NY Times and from others as well although it sounded pretty stupid from the description. TRDB.

4) HELLBOUND-  2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Enough with the comforting white light when we die; what if you end up, you know, in the other place? This thought-provoking film digs for answers. Theologians, clergy and pop culture figures discuss hell: its place in religion, history and reality.”Good review in the NY Times on 9/21/12 and OK reviews in general. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST FRIDAY (JUNE 28) IN ADDITION TO THE MOVIES I WROTE ABOUT ON JUNE 27-

 

1) BYZANTIUM– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “On the run for a gruesome crime, two mysterious “sisters” take refuge in a seaside town, where their shocking secret lies waiting to be discovered. Bloody and brooding, Neil Jordan’s gothic tale delves into the ladies’ shared dark history.”6/28/13- Mixed reviews in general and an OK one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) GIDEON’S ARMY– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “At Atlanta’s Southern Public Defender Training Center, three recent law school grads prepare to represent some of the poorest of the poor. But their idealism will be tested by an overtaxed system — and the culture’s low opinion of their defendants.”

6/28/13- Just a few professional reviews so far and they are very good. Mixed audience reviews, however. TRDB.

3) I’M SO EXCITED– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a flight bound for Mexico City runs into trouble, the frightened passengers aboard start sharing their deepest secrets to distract themselves from impending doom — with hilarious results.”

6/28/13- Mixed review in general and a very weak one in today’s NY Times for this latest by Almodovar. TRDB.

4) LAURANCE ANYWAYS– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Thirtysomething high school teacher Laurence seems to have the perfect life, but when he confesses to his fiancée that he wants to live as a woman, he must overcome both her resistance and that of his bewildered family and dubious co-workers.”

6/28/13- Very good reviews all around including the one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5) MAGIC CAMP– 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “To escape the pressures of growing up, magic-obsessed kids congregate at the one place they can be themselves. They want to prove their worth on the same stage where superstar magicians like Blaine & Copperfield once performed. But to get there, they need to learn more than sleight of hand & tricks of the trade. They have to find the magic inside.”

6/28/13- Today’s review in the NY Times was the only one I could find and it was very good. TRDB.

6) PETUNIA- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Charlie Petunia hails from a family of neurotic New Yorkers and has sworn off sex. When he meets George, Charlie thinks he’s finally found a guy worth breaking that pledge — but their relationship hits a snag when Charlie learns George has a wife.”

6/28/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times and from all professional reviews that I’ve read. TRDB.

7) REDEMPTION– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Back home after a harrowing tour in Afghanistan and haunted by his dark past, veteran Joey Jones takes on an assumed identity and tries to atone. But when his pregnant girlfriend is murdered, he must risk stepping into the light to get revenge.”

6/28/13- An equal number of good and bad reviews. The NY Times did not like it. TRDB.

8)SOME GIRL(S)- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A narcissistic writer who’s about to get married embarks on a cross-country journey to reconnect with each of his exes, including his high school sweetheart, a married professor and his friend’s younger sister.

6/28/13- Mixed reviews in general and in today’s NY Times as well. TRDB.

9) THE SECRET DISCO REVOLUTION– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Featuring interviews with disco legends and vintage clips from the glory days of polyester and strobe lights, this documentary theorizes that the maligned musical genre was more than a cultural phenomenon: It was an anthem for change.”

6/28/13- Weak reviews in general but the NY Times seemed to like it in today’s review. TRDB.

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OPENING THIS WEEK (JULY 5)-

 

1) THE LONE RANGER– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this reboot of the 1950s television series, Native American warrior Tonto rescues wounded lawman John Reid and restores him to health, thus creating an often-contentious but effective partnership as they attempt to rid the Old West of corruption.”6/21/13- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

2) JUST LIKE A WOMAN– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Sienna Miller stars in this cross-cultural comedy as a Chicago housewife with a penchant for belly dancing. When she decides to take her art to the next level by entering a competition held in Las Vegas, she drags along her dance instructor.”

6/21/13- A few reviews and they are OK. TRDB.

3) STUCK IN LOVE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “By turns funny and affecting, this quirky indie tale follows a turbulent year in the lives of the literary Borgens clan, which is in a tailspin thanks to the family patriarch’s obsession with his former wife.”

6/21/13- Weak early reviews. TRDB.

4) THE WAY WAY BACK– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A stifled teen finds his voice with encouragement from the manager of a local water park, where he takes a summer job to escape his unbearable home life with his mom and her overbearing boyfriend.”

6/21/13- Uniformly good reviews. TRDB.

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 

1) THE ATTACK–  2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “An Arab Israeli physician offers assistance at the scene of a gruesome suicide bombing in Tel Aviv and then learns that the bomber was his own wife. Stunned and furious, he sets out to confront the people who encouraged her deadly decision.”6/7/13- Only a few reviews so far but they are all excellent. TRDB.

6/21/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) THE ICEMAN–  2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This thriller based on a true story follows Richard Kuklinski, who killed more than 100 people for the mob — and his own pleasure — between 1964 and 1986. Despite his prolific violence, Kuklinski was a devoted husband and father of two daughters.”Early reviews look good for this docudrama including a NY Times review on 5/3/13. TRDB.

5/1/13- A riveting performance by Michael Shannon as the contract killer Richard Kuklinski places this movie at a suspenseful level and keeps it there. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) EUROPA REPORT– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this nail-biting thriller, a private space-exploration company sends six astronauts to determine whether Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, can sustain life — and what they find terrifies and transforms them.”6/28/13- Reviews are fairly good for this sci-fi thriller. TRDB.

REPEATS-

 

 

 

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

 

NEW IN THE BURBS-

 

1) A HIJACKING– Bethel. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Tension mounts when a Danish cargo ship bound for harbor is hijacked by Somali pirates and held for a hefty ransom in the millions, prompting the shipping company’s CEO to hire a professional negotiator.”6/7/13- Uniformly good reviews. TRDB.

6/21/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

 

1) UNFINISHED SONG– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “With his wife Marion terminally ill, 72-year-old Arthur sees a future that’s nothing but grim. But when he takes Marion’s place in their church’s very unconventional choir, he begins to find joy in life again.”6/7/13- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

6/21/13- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) BEFORE MIDNIGHT– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, 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.

3) THE ATTACK– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “An Arab Israeli physician offers assistance at the scene of a gruesome suicide bombing in Tel Aviv and then learns that the bomber was his own wife. Stunned and furious, he sets out to confront the people who encouraged her deadly decision.”6/7/13- Only a few reviews so far but they are all excellent. TRDB.

6/21/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

6/30/13- A riveting thriller that according to one critic is about politics, love and betrayal. I can’t agree more. TRDB.

4) 20 FEET FROM STARDOM– Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

6/14/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5) FILL THE VOID– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Eighteen-year-old Shira (Hada Yaron) is the youngest daughter of the family and is about to be married off to a very promising young man of the same age. On Purim, her twenty-eight-year-old sister, Esther (Renana Raz), dies during childbirth, leaving her husband to care for the child and postponing Shira’s promised match. When the girls’ mother finds out that Yochay may leave the country with her only grandchild, she proposes a match between Shira and the widower, which leaves Shira to choose between her heart’s wish and her family’s wish to keep the child with them.

5/14/13- I saw this excellent movie as part of  a Jewish Film Festival this year. I definitely recommend it. TRDB.

6) THE BLING RING– Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on fact, this comic thriller tracks the saga of the Hollywood Hills Burglar Bunch, who used the Web to time their robberies of stars’ homes. The teenage band stole millions in cash, jewelry and other items from victims including Paris Hilton.”

6/14/13- Mixed reviews in general and a weak one 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