The Reel Dr. Bob

OCTOBER 17, 2013

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

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

 

THIS ISSUE WILL BE FOR THE NEXT 2 WEEKS AND WILL NOT INCLUDE LOCAL MOVIES FOR THE WEEK OF OCT. 25– 31— YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN FOR THAT.

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) GRAVITY– At the Theater

2) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS– At the Theater

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) GRAVITY– 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. This film has been well received at festivals also. TRDB.

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

10/11/13- Kind of a weak story but the special effects are definitely worth the price of admission. TRDB.

2) 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.”

10/11/13- This movie, starring Tom Hanks as Captain Phillips, has received excellent 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. The NY Times liked it also. TRDB.

10/11/13- The movie was well done and helped along by the knowledge that it was taken from a true story. Tom Hanks did his usual good job. I enjoyed the last 15min. the most. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) 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.

10/10/13- While this movie was both different and interesting it was way too long and many of the scenes were very drawn out. I really can’t recommend it. TRDB. Netflix.

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.

8/2/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

10/15/13- A very interesting concept but for me something got lost in the execution. One critic said “What isn’t straightforward about the plot is either hackneyed, implausible, or both.” I have to agree. TRDB. Netflix.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, OCT. 22 –

 

 

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.

2) AN OVERSIMPLIFICATION OF HER BEAUTY– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When the comely and intriguing Namik stands him up for a date, filmmaker Terence documents his confusion in a short film that he later shows to her. When Namik isn’t impressed, Terence decide to turn the movie into a full exploration of his feelings.”

4/21/13- Mixed early reviews but many more positive than negative. TRDB.

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

3) ICEBERG SLIM: PORTRAIT OF A PIMP– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Blending archival elements with recent interviews, this biographical portrait tells the remarkable tale of pimp turned author Iceberg Slim, whose gritty books based on his life became bona fide literature.”

7/19/13- Mixed reviews at best including the one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) THE WALL– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Vacationing with a couple in their mountain retreat, a woman finds herself alone at the cabin one afternoon, inexplicably trapped by an invisible wall. Her isolation behind the barrier grows more surreal as hours, then days, then weeks pass.”

5/31/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times and mixed reviews from others. TRDB.

5) THE WAITING ROOM– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This disquieting documentary relates the stories of medical patients, many of them uninsured, as they wait to be seen at a California hospital. The film also portrays the efforts of hospital professionals to cope with a drastically strained system.”

Excellent review all around. TRDB.

6) 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.

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

7) 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.

8) 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.”

7/5/13- Awful reviews. The NY Times didn’t hate it but didn’t like it either. TRDB.

9) I GIVE IT A YEAR– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this romantic comedy, newlyweds Nat and Josh find their marriage beginning to fall apart almost immediately after their fairy tale wedding. The couple seeks the advice of a counselor, but both are also tempted by old and new lovers.”

8/3/13- I’ve seen several reviews and they are mixed. TRDB.

8/9/13- A poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

10) 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.

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COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, OCT. 29-

1) 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.

2) 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.

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OPENED LAST FRIDAY, OCT. 11, IN ADDITION TO THOSE I WROTE ABOUT ON OCT. 10-

 

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.”10/11/13- This movie, starring Tom Hanks as Captain Phillips, has received excellent 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. The NY Times liked it also. TRDB.

10/11/13- The movie was well done and helped along by the knowledge that it was taken from a true story. Tom Hanks did his usual good job. I enjoyed the last 15min. the most. TRDB.

2) AS I LAY DYING– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Writer-director James Franco’s ambitious take on William Faulkner’s classic novel chronicles the sobering story of a poor Southern clan carrying out the family matriarch’s dying wish to be buried in a distant town”

10/11/13- The NY Times gave this a good review but most critics did not like it. TRDB.

3) GAHAN WILSON: BORN DEAD, STILL WEIRD– Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Jaffe’s moving and provocative documentary takes a penetrating look into the life and work of legendary cartoonist Gahan Wilson, whose often subversive and somewhat ghoulish drawings have appeared in The New Yorker, Playboy, National Lampoon, and Paris Match. The film features interviews with comedians, filmmakers, fellow artists, and long-tme admirers.”

10/11/13- A good review in today’s NY Times but it was the only review I could find. TRDB.

4) BROADWAY IDIOT– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Join Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong as he prepares for the debut of American Idiot, the Broadway sensation based on the band’s 2004 album. The film reveals the jarring disconnect as Armstrong navigates the worlds of punk and legit theater.”

10/11/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times and mixed reviews in general. TRDB.

5) FORGETTING THE GIRL- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Reeling from personal trauma, a photographer believes that the right woman can help him forget it all, but his search quickly degenerates into obsession. One after another, women reject him, bringing his desperation closer to the boiling point.”

10/11/13- A poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

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OPENING THIS WEEK- OCT. 18-

 

1) ALL IS LOST–  2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this harrowing drama — which has no dialogue — Robert Redford portrays a man stranded alone at sea, courageously battling a ferocious storm as he struggles to survive with just a sextant and maritime maps to guide him.”9/29/13- Very good reviews from all critics. TRDB.

2) THE AMERICAN PROMISE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A detailed examination of race, education and opportunity in America, this documentary follows two African American boys — and their parents — for 12 years, starting as they enter kindergarten at a prestigious private school.”9/29/13- Just 2 reviews so far and they are both good. TRDB.

3) BLOOD BROTHER– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “After traveling to India, American tourist Rocky Braat wound up finding new purpose in life helping children with HIV and AIDS. This inspiring film documents the challenges he faces and the love he finds as he creates a meaningful life.”9/29/13- Very good reviews. TRDB.

4) ENZO AVITABILE MUSIC LIFE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Jonathan Demme helms this musical documentary that shines a light on the eclectic sounds of songwriter-musician Enzo Avitabile. The film blends performance footage with interviews that reveal Avitabile’s independent spirit.”10/17/13- Good professional reviews. TRDB.

5) ESCAPE PLAN– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Framed and thrown into an escape-proof prison that he designed himself, structural security expert Ray must use all his know-how to break out. Ray and a fellow inmate dodge the jail’s corrupt warden and guard to track down who’s behind the setup.”9/29/13- Good audience reviews but no professional reviews at this time. TRDB.

6) THE FIFTH ESTATE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Following the working relationship between WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and Daniel Domscheit-Berg, one of his earliest supporters, this fact-based drama recounts the early days of the revolutionary website and the inevitable conflict it wrought.”9/29/13- Mostly poor reviews with a few good ones tossed in. TRDB.

7) I’M IN LOVE WITH A CHURCH GIRL– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a tough-minded ex-drug dealer falls for a beautiful but highly devout Christian woman, their mutual attraction takes them both down a twisty path that tests their love — and their faith.”9/29/13- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

8)KILL YOUR DARLINGS– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1944, budding poet Allen Ginsberg falls under the spell of Columbia classmate Lucien Carr, who introduces him to the nascent Beat movement, as well as fellow libertines Jack Kerouac and William Burroughs.”9/29/13- Fairly good early reviews. TRDB.

9) PARADISE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “The comedy follows a sheltered young woman (Julianne Hough) who loses her faith after a plane crash and decides to go to Las Vegas to experience the wild side of life. On her journey, she meets unlikely companions (Russell Brand and Octavia Spencer) who inadvertently help her find her true self.”9/29/13- Poor early reviews. TRDB.

10) 12 YEARS A SLAVE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “The autobiography of Solomon Northup, a free black man who was abducted from New York state and sold into slavery in the mid-1800s, serves as the basis for this historical drama. Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Northup, and Brad Pitt plays an abolitionist.”9/29/13- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

11) TWO JACKS– 2013. Synopsis by IMDB. “Jack Hussar is a legendary Hollywood director, whose persona commands respect and adoration from his fans. Can his son, Jack Jr. maintain his legacy?”9/29/13- No professional reviews yet but audiences have liked it very much. TRDB.

12) CAMILLE CLAUDEL 1915– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When gifted sculptress Camille Claudel, once the lover of Auguste Rodin, falls prey to mental illness, her family commits her to a psychiatric clinic. This subdued drama follows Camille’s thoughts and moods as she waits for redemption to arrive.”

10/16/13- Mixed reviews. The review in today’s NY Times was favorable. TRDB.

 

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OPENING NEXT WEEK- OCT. 25-

 

1) BASTARDS– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Family troubles bring tanker captain Marco Silvestri back to Paris: His sister’s husband has killed himself, and the family company is bankrupt. Holding sleazy tycoon Edouard Laporte responsible for their ruin, Marco devises a plan for vengeance.”9/28/13- An OK rating on IMDB but that was the only rating I could find. TRDB.

2) BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Determined to fall in love, 15-year-old Adele focuses on Thomas. But it’s a blue-haired girl she meets on the street who really piques her interest. Soon, Adele begins exploring her desire for girls as she negotiates her way to becoming a woman.”Rotten Tomatoes had this to say– “A 15-year-old girl finds her naïve perceptions of human sexuality challenged upon meeting a blue-haired girl who encourages her to assert her individuality in director Abdel Kechiche’s deeply perceptive drama. The recipient of the prestigious Palme d’ Or at the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival, Blue is the Warmest Color stars Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux.”

9/28/13- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

3) THE COUNSELOR– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Michael Fassbender stars in this thriller penned by iconic novelist Cormac McCarthy as an attorney who mistakenly believes he can dabble in the drug business without any consequences — only to find himself drowning in a nightmarish downward spiral.”9/28/13- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

4) GIRL ON A BICYCLE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Just when he’s on the brink of proposing to his beautiful girlfriend, tour bus driver Paolo becomes mesmerized by a woman he sees on a bicycle. Driven to track down the object of his obsession, Paolo ends up knocking her down with his bus.”9/28/13- Weak early reviews. TRDB.

5) S#X ACTS– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “New at her Tel Aviv school, insecure 17-year-old Gili hooks up with the coolest guy in an effort to become popular. But after he passes her on to a friend, she winds up in a series of increasingly sexually exploitative situations.”9/28/13– A good rating on IMDB but I can’t find any individual reviews at this time. TRDB.

6) SPINNING PLATES– 2013. Synopsis by IMDB. “Spinning Plates is a documentary about three extraordinary restaurants and the incredible people who make them what they are. A cutting-edge restaurant named the seventh-best in the world whose chef must battle a life-threatening obstacle to pursue his passion. A 150-year-old family restaurant still standing only because of the unbreakable bond with its community. A fledgling Mexican restaurant whose owners are risking everything just to survive and provide for their young daughter. Their unforgettable stories of family, legacy, passion and survival come together to reveal how meaningful food can be, and the power it has to connect us to one another.”9/28/13- A good rating from IMDB. TRDB.

7) TWO: THE STORY OF ROMAN & NYRO– 2013. Synopsis by IMDB. “Combining over twelve years of footage and narrated by their twin sons, TWO: The Story of Roman & Nyro, follows legendary songwriter Desmond Child and his lifelong partner’s loving journey to create their new modern family.”9/29/13- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

8) WHEN I WALK– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When 25-year-old director Jason DaSilva was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2006, he decided to document his struggles. In this wise and warm film, DaSilva explores the similarities we share as we each battle to overcome our individual problems.”9/28/13- Just a few early reviews and they are good. TRDB.

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 

Oct. 18–24-

 

1) UPRISING– 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In January 2011, millions of Egyptians took to the streets in a spontaneous eruption against thirty years of oppression under the regime of Hosni Mubarak. Communicating via Facebook and Twitter, the largely peaceful protesters braved tear gas, beatings, and live bullets in the hope of facing down security forces and overthrowing the government. Over eight hundred lost their lives, and several thousand were arrested and tortured by security forces. UPRISING tells the story of the Egyptian revolution from the perspective of its leadership and key organizers, their struggle for freedom against tremendous odds, their sacrifice, and the courage and ingenuity that allowed them to succeed.”1/11/13- A very good review for this documentary in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB.

2) IL FUTURO– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “While struggling to care for her younger brother, orphaned teen Bianca sets out to secure their future by seducing a blind neighbor who’s reputedly worth a fortune. But she’s ultimately unprepared for the effect he’ll have on her life.”9/6/13- A good review in today’s NY Times and good reviews elsewhere as well. TRDB.

 

Oct. 25–31

 

1) I USED TO BE DARKER– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When runaway Taryn seeks help from her aunt and uncle in Baltimore, she discovers a family in crisis and a marriage in ruins — and finds herself in the middle of the emotional fallout between everyone involved.”9/25/13- Mixed early reviews. TRDB.

2) C.O.G.- 2013- Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on a short story by David Sedaris, this comedy follows the brash young author as he travels to Oregon to work on an apple farm. The journey exposes him to all sorts of culture clashes, but what awaits him at the farm is far worse.”9/3/13- Mixed reviews in general, none great. The NY Times did not care for it. TRDB.

 

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW- Of the 3 New ones listed only the first got some decent reviews. All 3 are probably worth skipping.

 

1) BROADWAY IDIOT– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Join Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong as he prepares for the debut of American Idiot, the Broadway sensation based on the band’s 2004 album. The film reveals the jarring disconnect as Armstrong navigates the worlds of punk and legit theater.”10/11/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times and mixed reviews in general. TRDB.

2) FORGETTING THE GIRL– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Reeling from personal trauma, a photographer believes that the right woman can help him forget it all, but his search quickly degenerates into obsession. One after another, women reject him, bringing his desperation closer to the boiling point.”

10/11/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) 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.

10/11/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

 

 

 

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BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-

 

NEW IN THE BURBS-

 

1) A TOUCH OF SIN– Jacob Burns. 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.

2) THE FIFTH ESTATE– Bethel, Danbury. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Following the working relationship between WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and Daniel Domscheit-Berg, one of his earliest supporters, this fact-based drama recounts the early days of the revolutionary website and the inevitable conflict it wrought.”

9/29/13- Mostly poor reviews with a few good ones tossed in. TRDB.

3) CONCUSSION– Clearview 100. 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.

“Concussion” is currently showing on Comcast On-Demand!

REPEATS-

 

1) 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.

10/11/13- Kind of a weak story but the special effects are definitely worth the price of admission. TRDB.

2) 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.”

10/11/13- This movie, starring Tom Hanks as Captain Phillips, has received excellent 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. The NY Times liked it also. TRDB.

10/11/13- The movie was well done and helped along by the knowledge that it was taken from a true story. Tom Hanks did his usual good job. I enjoyed the last 15min. the most. TRDB.