The Reel Dr. Bob

JULY 18, 2913

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

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

 

 

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) ELENA– Netflix Streaming

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) MUSEUM HOURS– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Anne arrives in Vienna to visit an ailing relative, she takes refuge in the Kunsthistorisches Museum and befriends Johann, a guard. Director Jem Cohen blends fiction and documentary in this meditation on how art and the world shape each other.”6/28/13- Great reviews all around including the one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

7/17/13- While parts of this movie were both novel and interesting the movie itself was a bit boring and the one relationship in the film went nowhere. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) ELENA- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Middle-aged Elena is a meek wife to her emotionally distant second husband, Vladimir. When he decides to leave his riches to his estranged daughter, Elena chooses to take drastic action to provide for her own adult son.”Rotten Tomatoes had this to say– “Winner of Cannes’ Un Certain Regard Special Jury Prize, Elena is a gripping, modern twist on the classic noir thriller. Sixty-ish spouses Vladimir and Elena uneasily share his palatial Moscow apartment-he’s a still-virile, wealthy businessman; she’s his dowdy former nurse who has clearly “married up.” Estranged from his own wild-child daughter, Vladimir openly despises his wife’s freeloading son and family. But when a sudden illness and an unexpected reunion threaten the dutiful housewife’s potential inheritance, she must hatch a desperate plan. Very good early reviews. TRDB.

7/16/13- Well acted, slow paced and I found it interesting. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JULY 23-

 

1) THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE– 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Superstar magicians Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell) and Anton Marvelton (Steve Buscemi) have ruled the Las Vegas strip for years, raking in millions with illusions as big as Burt’s growing ego. But lately the duo’s greatest deception is their public friendship, while secretly they’ve grown to loathe each other. Facing cutthroat competition from guerilla street magician Steve Gray (Jim Carrey), whose cult following surges with each outrageous stunt, even their show looks stale. But there’s still a chance Burt and Anton can save the act-both onstage and off-if Burt can get back in touch with what made him love magic in the first place.”3/15/13- A poor review in today’s NY Times and mostly negative reviews from others as well. TRDB.

2) THE JEFFREY DAHMER FILES– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Stripping away the headlines and hype, this documentary spotlights the people who surrounded serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer during and after his arrest. Comments by neighbors and police create a portrait of Dahmer that’s disturbingly normal.”

2/15/13– A fairly good review for this documentary in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) LOOSE CANNONS– 2009. Premise by Netflix. “This fiery comedy from director Ferzan Ozpetek finds young Tommaso (Riccardo Scamarcio) about to reveal to his large, frenetic Italian family that he’s gay. But he’s beaten to the punch by his older brother, who is promptly disinherited by their furious father. Tommaso is then put in charge of the family’s pasta factory, and while he tries hard to be a successful businessman, it’s difficult for him to hide his true feelings.”

Winner at 2011 Palm Springs Film Festival.

4) VEHICLE 19– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Recent parolee Michael Woods unsuspectingly rents a car that ends up entangling him in a dangerous web of corruption involving the local police. With his future freedom at stake, Michael has to decide whether to flee or to try and be a good citizen.”

6/14/13- Weak reviews all around including the review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5) 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.

6) PIETA– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Kang-do, an enforcer for a loan shark in a destitute area of Seoul, is unrelentingly brutal in his collection of debts. But when a mysterious woman appears and claims that she is his mother, Kang-do finds himself developing a hunger for human warmth.”

5/4/13- Early reviews look pretty good. TRDB.

5/17/13- An excellent review in today’s NY Times although most people will shun the film because of its violence. TRDB.

5/20/13- Yes, it was at times violent and yes, it was strange as well but this Korean movie was also riveting and I couldn’t turn it off. Certainly not for everyone. TRDB.

7) GRACELAND– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When criminals accidentally abduct the daughter of chauffeur Marlon Villar instead of the daughter of his longtime boss Manuel Chango, a corrupt Filipino politician, Marlon finds himself caught up in a nightmare of deception and betrayal.”

4/26/13- Very good review in today’s NY Times and from most other critics as well. TRDB.

8)LOVE AND HONOR– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Dalton, serving in Vietnam, gets a “Dear John” letter and turns a week’s furlough into a desperate (and illegal) trip home to win back his girl. Joined by his friend and fellow soldier Mickey, Dalton’s move could land them both in the stockade.”

3/14/13- Just a few early reviews and they are mixed. TRDB.

3/22/13- An awful review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

9) GINGER & ROSA– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “With the Cold War looming over them, teen best pals Ginger and Rosa share everything in early 1960s London — until betrayal drives them apart. Sally Potter directs this intimate period drama steeped in the anxieties of the dawning nuclear age.”

3/3/13- Mixed early reviews. TRDB.

3/15/13- Good review in today’s NY Times and from others as well. TRDB.

3/31/13- Despite being slow paced, good acting and some interesting characters made this movie enjoyable. TRDB.

10) STARBUCK- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “A fortysomething slacker’s life is turned upside down when he learns that his many sperm donations have resulted in more than 500 children — 100 of whom are now suing to meet their father, who’s desperate to keep his identity a secret.”

Friends saw this at the Palm Springs Film Festival and loved it. TRDB.

3/22/13- Today’s NY Times gave this an OK review. TRDB.

4/7/13- A fun screenplay with very good acting made this movie most enjoyable. I liked it very much. TRDB.

11) 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.

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COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, JULY 30-

1) FILLY BROWN– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Offered a chance to be a star, a young rapper must decide whether to go for the gold or remain true to herself and the friends who’ve helped her. Meanwhile, her family struggles, with her mom in jail and her ex-gangbanger dad trying to go straight.”

4/19/13- Mixed professional reviews but audiences have liked this movie. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 6-

1) MUD– 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) THE STORY OF LUKE– 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A comedy about Luke, a young man with autism who embarks on a quest for a job and a girlfriend. Starring Lou Taylor Pucci, Seth Green, Cary Elwes and Kristin Bauer. Written and Directed by Alonso Mayo, based on his experiences at Centro Ann Sullivan del Perú, as seen in his research documentary “Just Like Anyone”. Winner of Best Film at Irvine International Film Festival & San Diego Film Festival, and Audience Awards at Fort Lauderdale Film Festival & Bahamas International Film Festival”

7/15/13- Good reviews. TRDB.

3) WEST OF MEMPHIS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After the 1994 conviction of three troubled teens for the murders of three younger boys, questions began to arise about the prosecution of the case, with numerous legal experts and celebrities demanding that previously ignored evidence be examined.”

Excellent reviews. TRDB.

4) PARADISE: LOVE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Teresa, a 50-year-old Austrian, vacations on Kenya’s sun-kissed shores looking for love among the local beach boys who survive on European “sugar mamas.” She falls for Munga, but soon realizes that his false sincerity is part of the sex tourism game.”

7/15/13- Mixed reviews but all said it was a disturbing movie. TRDB.

5) ADMISSION– 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.

6) THE SAPPHIRES–  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.

7) ON THE ROAD– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “At the height of the Beat era, New York writer Sal Paradise, his freewheeling buddy Dean, and Dean’s wife set out on a journey of self-discovery. Their cross-country quest for answers reflects the American character, attitudes and values of the time.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.

5/27/12- A mention about this movie in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

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

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OPENED LAST FRIDAY, JULY 12, IN ADDITION TO THE MOVIES I WROTE ABOUT ON JULY 11-

 

1) ASSAULTED- CIVIL RIGHTS UNDER FIRE– 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A documentary that brings audiences to the center of the controversy over the issue that is dividing our nation – gun control. Narrated by Ice-T, critically acclaimed rapper and actor, the film takes a critical look at current gun laws and the rising movement to restrict the rights guaranteed by our Second Amendment.”7/12/13- Today’s NY Times review said that this documentary was too one-sided to be good and most other reviewers agreed. TRDB.

2) BHAAG MILKHA BHAAG– 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Award-winning filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra (writer/director of the BAFTA-nominated Rang De Basanti starring Aamir Khan) returns with his newest film BHAAG MILKHA BHAAG telling the true story of the “Flying Sikh” – world champion runner and Olympian Milkha Singh. Played by acclaimed actor Farhan Akhtar, Singh overcame the bloody massacre of his family, civil war during the India-Pakistan partition, and homelessness to become one of India’s most iconic athletes.”

7/12/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) CRYSTAL FAIRY– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A self-absorbed young American traveling in Chile plans a journey with his pals to find a legendary hallucinogenic cactus. But when he invites the free-spirited Crystal Fairy along, they find themselves locked in a battle of wills.”

7/12/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. Others have liked it as well. TRDB.

4) EXIT ELENA– 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “With no place to call home, 19-year-old Elena takes a job as a live-in aide. She finds herself thrust into the middle of a family in crisis: all the things that go on between a father, grandmother, mother, and cat. Eventually, Elena strikes something of a balance though… That is, until the prodigal son returns home. Placing fictional characters alongside real people, ‘Exit Elena’ is shot through with all the rough edges inherent to family life and home movie form – in short, it’s a dark comedy.”

7/12/13- A pretty good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5) THE HOT FLASHES– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A group of middle-aged women — all former basketball champs — come together to challenge the current all-star high school team in a fun-filled, fast-paced tournament to raise money for breast cancer prevention.”

7/12/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB.

6) KILLING SEASON– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Tormented by memories of combat in the Bosnian War, American vet Benjamin Ford seeks peace of mind deep in the Appalachian Mountains. But when a Bosnian vet of the same war comes to settle a score, a new war erupts in the American wilderness.”

7/12/13- Poor reviews all around including the one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

 

7) PAWN SHOP CHRONICLES– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. The stories of a man searching for his abducted wife, a couple of white-supremacist meth heads and a sad sack Elvis impersonator find a common link through items in a small Southern town’s local pawn shop … and a wild goose chase ensues.”7/12/13- Awful reviews all over. TRDB.

8)THE SHINE OF DAY– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Philipp Hochmair is a serious young actor who absorbs himself so fully in his stage characters that he begins to lose touch with his own reality. When his uncle comes to visit, the two men slowly shed their differences and develop a strong bond.”

7/12/13- A fairly good review in today’s NY Times and from other critics as well. TRDB.

9) VIOLA– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Viola, a bike courier in Buenos Aires, unexpectedly joins an all-female Shakespeare troupe that’s rehearsing for a production of “Twelfth Night.” As she grows comfortable with her fellow actresses, the line between life and art begins to blur.”

7/12/13- A good review in today’s NY Times and from others as well. TRDB.

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OPENING THIS WEEK- JULY 19-

 

1) COMPUTER CHESS– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This comedic period piece set before PCs became commonplace centers on a 1980s chess tournament in which human competitors get their first crack at testing their skills against a machine.”7/3/13- Just a few reviews and they are good. TRDB.

2) THE ACT OF KILLING– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This unique documentary recalls the bloody era in Indonesia when pro-government death squads slaughtered more than a million suspected Communists. Now in positions of power, two ex-squad leaders gleefully reenact their atrocities for the filmmakers.

7/3/13- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

3) BLACKFISH- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This fascinating documentary examines the life of performing killer whale Tilikum — who has caused the deaths of several people while in captivity — and questions the safety and humaneness of confining these intelligent creatures.”

7/3/13- Just a few reviews and they are all good. TRDB.

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OPENING JULY 26-

 

1) THE TIME BEING– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Awash in seductive cinematography, this engrossing drama explores the enigmatic relationship between a struggling young artist and his testy, reclusive benefactor who’s trying to come to terms with his mortality.”Here’s what Rotten Tomatoes had to say– “Daniel (Wes Bentley) is a struggling young artist whose ambitions have pushed his marriage to the brink. When a reclusive millionaire named Warner (Frank Langella) purchases one of his pieces, he hopes for additional commissions from a new benefactor. Instead, Werner offers him a series of increasingly bizarre surveillance assignments. As Daniel starts to unravel the secrets behind the requests, he must determine if Warner is out to further his career or ruin his life.”

7/15/13- A few good early reviews. TRDB.

2) BLUE JASMINE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “The high life leads to high anxiety for a fashionable New York City homemaker in crisis who finds herself forced to live a more modest lifestyle in San Francisco. Woody Allen directs an ensemble cast that includes Cate Blanchett and Alec Baldwin.”

7/15/13- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

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OPENING AUGUST 2-

1) THE ARTIST AND THE MODEL– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1943, disillusioned by the horrors of two world wars, sculptor Marc Cros gives up his art to live quietly in occupied France. When his wife brings home a young Spanish refugee, her beauty inspires the 80-year-old man to return to work.”

7/15/13- A few early OK reviews. TRDB.

2) 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.

3) OUR CHILDREN– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on a true story, this intense drama follows young Belgian Murielle, who marries Moroccan-born Mounier. As their four children arrive in rapid succession and Mounier’s intrusive guardian runs their lives, Murielle grows increasingly desperate.”

7/15/13- Early reviews are good for this movie. TRDB.

4) THE SPECTACULAR NOW- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When high school loner Aimee Finicky finds her classmate Sutter Keely passed-out drunk on a lawn, it marks the start of an unlikely friendship. After deciding to help Aimee raise her social confidence, Sutter finds himself falling for his creation.”

7/15/13- Very good early reviews. TRDB.

5) RISING FROM ASHES– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This film follows Rwanda’s first national cycling team as they struggle to move past their country’s horrific genocide and make it to the 2012 Olympics. Coached by cycling legend Jock Boyer, the eclectic group fights against huge obstacles.”

7/15/13- Early reviews appear good. TRDB.

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 

1) YOU AIN’T SEEN NOTHIN’ YET– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Upon the death of a celebrated playwright, his actor friends gather to view a recording of his play in which they’ve all appeared over the years. As they watch, memories take them back to their stage roles, and each reflects on life, love and death.”5/25/13- Very good reviews. TRDB.

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

2) WHAT MAISIE KNEW-  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.

6/21/13- This very good movie was also very difficult to watch most of the time. It was well acted and you have to enjoy the spirit of Maisie who always seemed to “go with it” despite what went on around her. A bit of a Hollywood ending! TRDB.  

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) CRYSTAL FAIRY– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A self-absorbed young American traveling in Chile plans a journey with his pals to find a legendary hallucinogenic cactus. But when he invites the free-spirited Crystal Fairy along, they find themselves locked in a battle of wills.”7/12/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. Others have liked it as well. TRDB.

REPEATS-

 

 

 

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

 

NEW IN THE BURBS-

 

1) THE HUNT– Jacob Burns. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Lucas is rebuilding his life after a bitter divorce: He has a new job and a girlfriend, and is working on his relationship with his teenage son. But an unfounded accusation of pedophilia changes everything as his community turns against him.”

6/27/13- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

7/12/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) STILL MINE– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “His home in disrepair, elderly farmer Craig Morrison must build a better shelter for his wife, whose health is deteriorating rapidly. He faces the wrath of an overzealous government inspector but refuses to back down.”

6/27/13- Great reviews. TRDB.

3) GIRL MOST LIKELY– Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Synopsis by Netflix. 2013. After staging an unsuccessful suicide to get her boyfriend’s attention, a struggling playwright moves back home to live with her mother, her mother’s boyfriend and a handsome lodger who sings with a Backstreet Boys cover band.”

7/16/13- Bad reviews from most critics. TRDB.

4) RED 2– 2013. Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. Synopsis by Netflix. “Ex-CIA agent Frank Moses and his crew return for another high-stakes mission, scouring the globe for a missing nuclear device. Along the way, they’ll face off against assassins, terrorists and corrupt government officials.”

7/16/13- Poor reviews for this stupid sounding movie. What’s Bethel Cinema coming to? TRDB.

5) I’M SO EXCITED– Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

REPEATS-

 

1) THE WAY WAY BACK– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.”7/5/13- Uniformly good reviews but just an OK one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) THE ATTACK– 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.

3) 20 FEET FROM STARDOM– 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.

4) FILL THE VOID– Clearview 100. 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.

5) BEFORE MIDNIGHT– Clearview 100. 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.