The Reel Dr. Bob

OCTOBER 10, 2013

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

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

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) MY BROTHER THE DEVIL– Netflix

2) WADJDA- At the Theater

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) WADJDA- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Persistent 10-year-old Wadjda would like nothing more than a new bicycle so she can beat her friend (a boy) in a race. But it’s going to take some ingenuity to get one — especially in her culture, which sees bikes as a threat to a girl’s virtue.”8/26/13- Very good reviews. TRDB.

10/6/13- I enjoyed this movie about a young woman from an Arab country and her quest to follow her passion in an all male activity. TRDB.

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MOVIIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) MY BROTHER THE DEVIL– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “As a 14-year-old Arab living in London, Mo is desperate to make friends and worships his older brother, Rashid, a gregarious local gang member. But Mo eventually makes an ill-fated play to fit in that changes both brothers’ lives forever.”

3/14/13- Great reviews. TRDB.

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

10/6/13- An excellent depiction of the drug and gang culture, this time about the Egyptian Diaspora living in England. The movie is also about family and, in particular, brotherly love. Very good and I enjoyed it. TRDB. Netflix.

2) TO THE WONDER– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Soon after returning to his native Oklahoma with a beautiful woman he met in Paris, Neil finds himself drifting toward an old friend. Meanwhile, the woman he brought back with him has unfinished business with her first husband.”

4/12/13- Weak reviews in general and a just OK one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

10/7/13- Poetic and beautiful but without form and, as far as I’m concerned, ambiguous substance as well. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

 

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, OCT. 15-

 

1) A HIJACKING– 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.

7/5/13- A well done suspenseful drama and I liked it very much. TRDB.

 

2) THE EAST– 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.

3) DIRTY WARS– 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.”

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

 

4) CINCO DE MAYO– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This action-packed historical epic depicts the political strategy, war tactics and human drama leading up to the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, when a scrappy Mexican army astonished its French occupiers with its resilience.”4/17/13- Reviews are very, very bad!! TRDB.

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OPENED LAST FRIDAY (OCT. 4) IN ADDITION TO THE MOVIES I WROTE ABOUT LAST WEEK-

 

1) AKA DOC POMUS- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “While childhood polio robbed Doc Pomus of the use of his legs, it couldn’t constrain his spirit — or his songwriting instincts — as documented here. Home movies and interviews with rock luminaries paint a picture of the singer-turned-songsmith.”10/4/13- Very good reviews from all critics and from today’s NY Times also. TRDB.

2) ALL IS BRIGHT– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Lie, cheat, steal: It’s all part of the holiday spirit for two men when they try to make a quick buck selling Christmas trees. For ex-con Dennis, it’s a chance to go straight, and for charmer Rene, it’s a chance to build a future with Dennis’s ex.”

10/4/13- Mixed reviews, more negative than positive but the NY Times liked it. TRDB.

3) BABYGIRL- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Nuyorican teenager Lena is a surrogate parent to her own irresponsible single mother, Lucy, who brings home one loser boyfriend after another. Lucy’s latest catch is the slimiest yet, and Lena’s planning a reality check for her oblivious mother.”

10/4/13- Just a few professional reviews so far and they are good. The NY Times liked it and audiences have liked it very much. TRDB.

4) THE DIRTIES– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Film geeks Matt and Owen make a movie about getting revenge on “the Dirties,” a group of bullies who target them at school. Then Matt decides to take things a step further, stockpiling weapons for a sequel in which they’ll open fire on their enemies.”

10/4/13- Good reviews all around. Today’s NY Times gave this a good review also. TRDB.

5) DISLECKSIA: THE MOVIE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary focuses on understanding dyslexia and minimizing its effect on children’s reading and learning abilities. Interviews with physicians, educators and autistic adults reveal diverse experiences and perspectives.”

10/4/13- Very few professional reviews so far but they are all good. Today’s NY Times gave this movie a favorable review. TRDB.

6) THE LAST DAY OF AUGUST– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Dan finally got out of the hospital after an accident left him paralyzed, he holed up in a remote family cabin to take stock of his life. But that was a year ago, and now his friends are ready to confront him and bring him back into society.”

10/4/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

7) LINSANITY– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Evan Jackson Leong profiles his longtime friend, Jeremy Lin, in this engrossing examination of the star basketball player’s humble beginnings, college days at Harvard, religious beliefs and high-scoring 2012 season with the New York Knicks.”

10/4/13- Mixed reviews, slightly more positive than negative. Today’s NY Times gave it a weak review. TRDB.

8) A RIVER CHANGES COURSE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker Kalyanee Mam returns to her native homeland to follow three young Cambodians who are struggling to overcome the crushing effects of deforestation, overfishing and overwhelming debt.”

10/4/13- Very good reviews, including the review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

9) RUNNER RUNNER– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “After losing a lot of money to online poker, a Princeton student confronts the site’s shady CEO, Ivan Block — and soon becomes Block’s protégé. But when an FBI agent tries to take Block down, the relationship between mentor and protégé goes south.”

10/4/13- Poor reviews all around including the one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

10) RUNNING WILD: THE LIFE OF DAYTON O. HYDE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Dedicated to trying to protect wild horses in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Dayton Hyde emerges as a unique brand of hero in this bio-documentary. Hyde’s efforts include rescuing feral herds from government-sanctioned wild-horse roundups.”

10/4/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

11) A TOUCH OF SIN– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Weaving together four stories of people living in different Chinese provinces, this drama follows a miner protesting corruption, a migrant worker with a gun, a factory drone always drifting to a new job and a receptionist who’s been assaulted.”

10/4/13- Excellent reviews all around. The NY Times liked this movie very much and so did audiences. TRDB.

12) WALTER: LESSONS FROM THE WORLD’S OLDEST PEOPLE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker Hunter Weeks sets out to interview six of the world’s most senior citizens, hoping to reveal some secrets and insights into longevity. Her uniquely human documentary records their reflections on a century’s worth of historical change.”

10/4/13- A poor review in today’s NY Times for this documentary. TRDB.

 

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OPENING THIS WEEK (OCT. 11)-

 

1) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this exciting adventure based on true events that made international headlines, Tom Hanks portrays Capt. Richard Phillips, who is taken hostage by Somali pirates after they hijack his cargo ship, and the U.S. Navy’s efforts to rescue him.”10/7/13- This movie, starring Tom Hanks as Captain Phillips, has received mostly good reviews but one critic said that it was a Hollywood style “A Hijacking”, a movie that I saw a few months ago that had a similar theme and was excellent. TRDB.

2) CBGB- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Renewing the legend of one of New York’s most storied nightclubs, this raucous drama features the punk and rock legends who made CBGB famous. While the club’s owner had hoped to open CBGB as a country venue, it soon became something quite different.”

10/7/13- Poor early reviews from several critics. TRDB.

3) COOPER AND HEMINGWAY: THE TRUE GEN– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Celebrating the friendship between renowned actor Gary Cooper and legendary writer Ernest Hemingway, this absorbing documentary traces their sometimes contentious bond that lasted until their deaths a few weeks apart in 1961.”

10/7/13- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

4) DESIGN IS ONE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “As artists and visual architects, husband and wife Massimo and Lella Vignelli have been producing unique and groundbreaking work as brand designers. This up-close documentary reveals their major influence in reshaping our visual environment.”

10/7/13- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

5) ESCAPE FROM TOMORROW– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “On the last day of a family vacation at Disney World, Jim White learns that he’s lost his job. Soon thereafter, he begins to lose his mind, wandering through the artificial phantasmagoria and becoming obsessed with two perky French girls.”

10/7/13- Mixed reviews, more positive than negative. TRDB.

6) GOD LOVES UGANDA– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This powerful documentary examines the evangelical campaign to spread the values of America’s Christian right in Uganda, including a fierce fight against sexual immorality taken on by both American and Ugandan fundamentalist religious leaders.”

10/7/13- Just a few reviews and they are all good. TRDB.

7) THE INEVITABLE DEFEAT OF MISTER AND PETE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When his mother is arrested for drugs and prostitution, 14-year-old Mister takes charge of 9-year-old runaway Pete and tries to shield them both from protective services. But surviving on the streets of Brooklyn is no easy task.”

9/9/13- I saw this movie a few days ago at the Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival and liked it very much. TRDB.

8) THE INSTITUTE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Meet some of the 10,000 San Franciscans who took part in the Jejune Institute, a combination citywide art project and living game, from 2008 to 2011. This documentary attempts to explain the endeavor itself, its appeal and its curious origins.”

10/7/13- Few reviews so far but they are good. Audiences have liked it. TRDB.

9) ZERO CHARISMA– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A grouchy role-playing game fanatic finds his real-life world spiraling out of control when an appealing hipster joins his game, the grandmother who cares for him becomes ill, and his estranged mom appears with a fiancé in tow.”

10/7/13- Sounds a bit silly but it has received some very good reviews. TRDB.

10) SYMPHONY OF THE SOIL– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This lyrical film takes viewers on a journey deep into the earth to learn about the complex relationships between soil and all living things. It goes on to explore agricultural misuse of soil, deforestation, development and other ecological issues.”

10/7/13-  A few early very good reviews. TRDB.

11) ROMEO AND JULIET– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Oscar-winning writer and “Downton Abbey” creator Julian Fellowes provides the screenplay for this version of Shakespeare’s classic tale. The action unfolds in Renaissance Verona with Douglas Booth and Hailee Steinfeld playing the star-crossed lovers.”

10/7/13- Poor early reviews. TRDB.

12) McCONKEY– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This exhilarating documentary tells the story of pioneering extreme skier Shane McConkey, a trailblazer for freeskiing and ski-BASE jumping — covering both his high-octane career and his poignant personal life.”

10/7/13- A few early reviews and they are very good. TRDB.

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 

1) PASSION- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Christine, an ad exec whose veins run with ice water, has no qualms about taking the credit for a plum idea dreamed up by her mousy assistant, Isabel. But the incident sparks shy, passive Isabel to undertake a campaign of revenge against her boss.”8/30/13- Poor reviews in general but the NY Times liked it in today’s review. TRDB.

2) HERB & DOROTHY 50X50– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This follow-up to 2008’s Herb & Dorothy chronicles the Vogels’ mission to donate 2,500 works of art from their extensive collection. Bestowing 50 pieces to each state, the couple unwittingly opens a discussion on the role of art in the new century.”9/13/13- Very few reviews so far and they are mixed. Today’s NY Times said that is was difficult not to like a movie dedicated to such a noble gesture but the critic didn’t really care for the film itself. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) CONCUSSION– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a blow to the head with a baseball prompts lesbian housewife Abby to shake up her suburban life — and her dull marriage — she buys a fixer-upper in Manhattan and seeks excitement by becoming a prostitute.”9/25/13- Sounds a bit odd but this film has received lots of good reviews. TRDB.

10/4/13- Today’s NY Times gave this movie a weak review. TRDB.

2) LINSANITY- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Evan Jackson Leong profiles his longtime friend, Jeremy Lin, in this engrossing examination of the star basketball player’s humble beginnings, college days at Harvard, religious beliefs and high-scoring 2012 season with the New York Knicks.”10/4/13- Mixed reviews, slightly more positive than negative. Today’s NY Times gave it a weak review. TRDB.

3) ALL IS BRIGHT– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Lie, cheat, steal: It’s all part of the holiday spirit for two men when they try to make a quick buck selling Christmas trees. For ex-con Dennis, it’s a chance to go straight, and for charmer Rene, it’s a chance to build a future with Dennis’s ex.”10/4/13- Mixed reviews, more negative than positive but the NY Times liked it. TRDB.

4) THE DIRTIES- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Film geeks Matt and Owen make a movie about getting revenge on “the Dirties,” a group of bullies who target them at school. Then Matt decides to take things a step further, stockpiling weapons for a sequel in which they’ll open fire on their enemies.”10/4/13- Good reviews all around. Today’s NY Times gave this a good review also. TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

 

 

 

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BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-

 

NEW IN THE BURBS-

 

1) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this exciting adventure based on true events that made international headlines, Tom Hanks portrays Capt. Richard Phillips, who is taken hostage by Somali pirates after they hijack his cargo ship, and the U.S. Navy’s efforts to rescue him.”10/7/13- This movie, starring Tom Hanks as Captain Phillips, has received mostly good reviews but one critic said that it was a Hollywood style “A Hijacking”, a movie that I saw a few months ago that had a similar theme and was excellent. TRDB.

2) INEQUALITY FOR ALL– Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Discussing numerous issues in clear and accessible language, former U.S. labor secretary and current UC Berkeley professor Robert Reich makes a compelling case about the serious crisis the U.S. faces due to the widening economic gap.”9/15/13- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

9/27/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) THE SUMMIT– Clearview 100. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Combining interviews, archival footage and recreations, filmmaker Nick Ryan sets out to uncover what went wrong when 11 people died on their way up the infamous K2 — the deadliest day in modern mountaineering history.”10/4/13- Fairly good reviews and the NY Times liked it very much. TRDB.

4) MOTHER OF GEORGE– Jacob Burns. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Nigerian-Americans Ayodele and Adenike marry and perform a traditional ceremony in which Adenike confirms the name of the son she will one day bear. But the stress of adjusting to life in America and the pressure to conceive soon take their toll.”

9/13/13- Excellent reviews all around including the review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5) ESCAPE FROM TOMORROW- Jacob Burns. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “On the last day of a family vacation at Disney World, Jim White learns that he’s lost his job. Soon thereafter, he begins to lose his mind, wandering through the artificial phantasmagoria and becoming obsessed with two perky French girls.”

10/7/13- Mixed reviews, more positive than negative. TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

 

1) RUSH– Bethel, Danbury. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This dramatic portrayal of the intense 1970s rivalry between race drivers Niki Lauda and James Hunt captures the contrasts between the two champions. While Hunt was a charming and handsome ladies’ man, Lauda was a loner with a single goal: victory.”9/4/13- Very good reviews. TRDB.

9/20/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) GRAVITY– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “As a medical engineer on her first shuttle mission embarks on a space walk with a seasoned astronaut, debris strikes their craft and destroys it — leaving the two floating through space tethered together, with no connection to Earth.”10/2/13- Very good reviews and this film has been well received at festivals  too. TRDB.

10/4/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) ENOUGH SAID– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Julia Louis-Dreyfus and James Gandolfini star in this charming comedy about a divorced woman venturing into a relationship with a sweet man. But things get tricky when she discovers the man she’s dating is the hated ex-husband of her new best friend.”9/24/13- Excellent reviews from nearly everyone. TRDB.

9/29/13- With a very good script, very good acting and with great chemistry between the two main actors this movie seemed like real life with all of  its conflicts. TRDB. 

4) WADJDA- Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Persistent 10-year-old Wadjda would like nothing more than a new bicycle so she can beat her friend (a boy) in a race. But it’s going to take some ingenuity to get one — especially in her culture, which sees bikes as a threat to a girl’s virtue.”8/26/13- Very good reviews. TRDB.

10/6/13- I enjoyed this movie about a young woman from an Arab country and her quest to follow her passion in an all male activity. TRDB.

5) PARKLAND- Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on Vincent Bugliosi’s book, this powerful drama takes place in the Dallas hospital where John F. Kennedy was brought after being shot on Nov. 22, 1963. Intertwining stories follow doctors, FBI agents, an unwitting cameraman and many others.”

9/25/13- Mixed reviews but many critics did not like this movie at all. TRDB.

6) BLUE JASMINE– Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.”

7/26/13- A great review in today’s NY Times and excellent reviews all around. TRDB.

7) DON JON– Danbury. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Jon Martello’s romantic exploits are legendary among his friends, but his obsession with online porn is starting to sap his enthusiasm for real sex. As he tries to regain his hunger for intimacy, Jon meets two women with vital lessons to teach him.”

9/15/13- Fairly good reviews so far. TRDB.

9/4/13- Very good reviews. TRDB.

9/20/13- A very good 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

 

 

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