The Reel Dr. Bob

JULY 10, 2014

DEAR FRIENDS:

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

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) BEGIN AGAIN– At the Theater

2) MADRID, 1987– Netflix Streaming

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) BEGIN AGAIN– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Moving to New York City proves disastrous for a young singer after her boyfriend yields to the temptation of another woman. But opportunity comes knocking when she meets a recently axed music producer looking to launch her career — and save his own.”6/27/14– Fairly good reviews by critics and audiences. The NY Times did not like it. TRDB.

7/6/14- A well done fun movie with great music and very likable characters. I liked it very much. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) ENEMY– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When humdrum academic Adam Bell spots his double in a rented movie, he launches a search that leads him to a small-time actor who seems uncannily like him in every way — except for his personality.”3/14/14- Good review from the NY Times and from most other critics as well. TRDB.

7/5/14- I just couldn’t get past what I thought was awful acting with an awful script. The story itself was moderately entertaining. TRDB. Netflix.

2) MADRID, 1987– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “During the political unrest of 1987, Ángela meets elderly journalist Miguel for an interview and ends up his captive, locked with him in his bathroom. Over the next 24 hours, they engage in verbal sparring that parallels the nation’s upheaval.”

Here’s what Rotten Tomatoes had to say– “Madrid, 1987 …is a two-character story with a verbose discourse on writing, journalism, careerism, aging and politics. Shot mostly within a very constricted space, the story follows an older, celebrated journalist Miguel (José Sacristán) who meets the beautiful and coy journalism-student Angela (María Valverde) to give an interview – but becomes intent upon seducing her. They end up spending time in the most unusual manner …discussing literature, prose and career trajectories …gradually divulging little insights into their own selves as we start to understand the old journalist’s cynicism and the young protégé’s intentions.

10/12/12- A good review in the NY Times. TRDB.

7/8/14- This is an “all talk” movie that I found interesting with all of the action taking place in about 100 sq. feet. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JULY 15-

1) BETHLEHEM– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “An informant for Israel’s Shin Bet intelligence service, Palestinian Sanfur is torn when his brother becomes an agency target. His tragic choice is complicated by his relationship with Razi, the boss, mentor and father figure who hired him as a teen.”3/10/14- Very good reviews in general. The NY Times liked it also. TRDB.

3/10/14- I saw this today and liked it very much– just a few too many characters. Definitely worth seeing. TRDB.

2) A NIGHT IN OLD MEXICO– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “After losing his longtime home to property developers, rancher Red Bovie decides to take a road trip to Mexico, accompanied by his grandson. But their adventure turns dangerous after the pair unwittingly drives off with a drug dealer’s money.”

5/16/14- Poor reviews by most critics– the NY Times liked it. I’ll recommend it with some reservation as I love road movies. TRDB.

3) THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Between the world wars, Gustave H, the concierge at a prestigious European hotel, takes a bellboy named Zero as a trusted protégé. Meanwhile, the upscale guests are involved in an art theft and a dispute over a vast family fortune.”

3/7/14- Good reviews all around. TRDB.

4/13/14- A fun over-the-top comedy with relevance to the history of the times. TRDB.

4) WHAT’S IN A NAME?- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Vincent and Elizabeth join her brother, his wife and a friend for dinner, and the impending birth of their child is the topic of the evening. Their shared warmth dissolves when Vincent reveals the hideous name he’s chosen for his first offspring.”

12/13/13- Good reviews including the one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) UNDER THE SKIN– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Jonathan Glazer’s atmospheric, visually arresting abstraction stars Scarlett Johansson as a seductive alien who prowls the streets of Glasgow in search of prey: unsuspecting men who fall under her spell, only to be consumed by a strange liquid pool.”4/4/14- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

4/11/14– Good reviews as noted but I found the movie really boring and pretentious. TRDB.

2) THE FACE OF LOVE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Years after the death of her husband, Garrett, Nikki begins a romance with Tom, a great guy who looks almost exactly like Garrett. As their relationship unfolds, fate seems to be delivering Nikki both a new start and a second chance.”

3/7/14- Weak reviews all around. The NY Times said that the actors held whatever there was together. TRDB.

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OPENING THIS WEEK- 7/4–7/10

1) ME AND YOU– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Bernardo Bertolucci helms this tale about a 14-year-old boy who dreams of  being left alone with his stack of horror novels. Astonishingly, the clever lad makes it happen by hiding out in a cellar while his mates embark on a week-long ski trip.”7/4/14- Mixed reviews in general from critics– the NY Times liked it very much and audiences were 50/50. TRDB.

2) GABRIELLE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Musicians Gabrielle and Martin fall in love and want to begin a relationship, which is against the rules at the home for the disabled where they live. Refusing to part with Martin, Gabrielle is determined to prove that she can live independently.”

4/14/14- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

3) BEYOND THE EDGE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Edmund Hillary’s 1953 ascent of Mt. Everest was an event that amazed the world and led to a new age of mountaineering and ambitious exploration. Hilary’s triumphant saga is retold using both modern footage, and recordings and photos from the time.”

7/4/14- Mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike. The NY Times liked it very much. TRDB.

4) MARIUS– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Young Marius dreams of setting off to sea. But when the woman he loves begins courting an older man to make him jealous, Marius is torn between true love and his longtime passion for a life of sailing.”

7/4/14- Mixed reviews– more positive than negative. The NY Times did not care for it. TRDB.

5) WRINKLES– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in a nursing home, this poignant animated feature chronicles the friendship between new arrival Emilio, a retired bank manager afflicted with Alzheimer’s, and his chatty Argentine roommate, Miguel.”

7/4/14- Excellent reviews for this animated feature. TRDB.

6) CLOSED CURTAIN– 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “CLOSED CURTAIN, Jafar Panahi’s most recent non-film, made in secret, combines documentary and fictitious elements. A screenwriter goes into hiding with his dog after the regime declares dogs “impure” and bans them from walking in public.”

7/9/14- Great reviews. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) NOTHING BAD CAN HAPPEN– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Rebelling against organized religion but embracing Christ’s teachings, a young Christian “punk” has his faith sorely tested in this gritty drama. Proving that no good deed goes unpunished, he finds himself tortured by the very man he’s helped.”7/4/14- The reviews of this movie sounded really weird but the film got mostly good reviews. I don’t think I’ll see it. TRDB.

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

1) POLICEMAN- 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Yaron, an elite special operations squad leader, is the spiritual leader and alpha male among his peers, a small, highly trained team that is part of the Israeli Defense Ministry’s Anti-Terrorism unit.”

7/5/14- OK reviews from critics- the NY Times liked it very much. Audiences not so much. TRDB.

2) COLD IN JULY– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a man kills a home invader in self-defense, the burglar’s father begins threatening the victim’s young son. But soon, both men will become embroiled in a mystery that eclipses the violence and rage already in play.”

7/5/14- Very good reviews from both critics and audiences. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW-

1) BEYOND THE EDGE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Edmund Hillary’s 1953 ascent of Mt. Everest was an event that amazed the world and led to a new age of mountaineering and ambitious exploration. Hilary’s triumphant saga is retold using both modern footage, and recordings and photos from the time.”

7/4/14- Mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike. The NY Times liked it very much. TRDB.

2) LIFE ITSELF– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Follow Roger Ebert from his school newspaper days to his status as America’s premier film critic in this documentary drawn from his memoir.”

6/23/14- Great reviews. TRDB.

3) LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Ryota (Masaharu Fukuyama) is a successful Tokyo architect who works long hours to provide for his wife, Midori (Machiko Ono) and six-year-old son, Keita. But when a blood test reveals Keita and another baby were switched at birth, two very different families are thrown together and forced to make a difficult decision while Ryota confronts his own issues of responsibility and what it means to be a father. LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON extends the Japanese cinema tradition of familial exploration to deliver a gentle and moving story of personal redemption that playfully navigates its way through the drama.”

1/17/14– An excellent review in today’s NY Times and from others as well. TRDB.

3/12/14- An superb portrayal of what “family” means. Wonderful acting by all and definitely a must-see.” TRDB.

4) LOUDER THAN WORDS– 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “This inspiring film, based on a true story, finds a couple, John (David Duchovny) and Brenda (Hope Davis) trying to put their life together after the tragic death of their young daughter, Maria (Olivia Steele-Falconer). As they deal with their numbing grief, they discover a way to honor their daughter’s wish for health and well-being for all children. With the help of their community, led by good friend Bruce (Timothy Hutton), they establish a children’s hospital called the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital.”

7/5/14- No reviews yet for this documentary. TRDB.

REPEATS-

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BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) THIRD PERSON– Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2014.  Synopsis by Netflix. “A trio of relationship stories set alternately in New York, Paris and Rome explore the range of human emotion when it comes to love — and love lost.”

6/18/14- Weak early reviews but a more complete description did sound interesting. The NY Times didn’t care for it. TRDB.

2) LIFE ITSELF– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Follow Roger Ebert from his school newspaper days to his status as America’s premier film critic in this documentary drawn from his memoir.”

6/23/14- Great reviews. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) CHEF– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “When chef Carl Casper’s plans for opening a restaurant in Los Angeles fail to pan out, he returns home to Miami and debuts a food truck instead. While trying to regain his zest for cookery, Carl also tries to mend his fractured family ties”

5/9/14- Very good professional and audience reviews. TRDB.

6/8/14- A Hollywoodish feel good movie that made me feel good. TRDB.

2) BEGIN AGAIN– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Moving to New York City proves disastrous for a young singer after her boyfriend yields to the temptation of another woman. But opportunity comes knocking when she meets a recently axed music producer looking to launch her career — and save his own.”

6/27/14– Fairly good reviews by critics and audiences. The NY Times did not like it. TRDB.

7/6/14- A well done fun movie with great music and very likable characters. I liked it very much. TRDB.

3) JERSEY BOYS– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Adapted from the hit Broadway musical, this nostalgic look at the Four Seasons and their bumpy offstage lives stretches across four decades.”

6/13/14- Mixed reviews by critics although audiences have liked it. TRDB.

4) IDA– Bethel. 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Raised in a Catholic orphanage during the Nazi occupation of Poland, Anna is poised to join the order when she learns she has a surviving aunt. But visiting the woman before taking her vows uncovers some inconvenient truths about her heritage.”

5/2/14- Excellent reviews all around including the one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5/23/14– Difficult to watch at times but a very interesting story. Definitely recommended. TRDB.

5) SNOWPIERCER– Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “The Earth’s remaining inhabitants are confined to a single train circling the globe as revolution brews among the class-divided cars. Based on a French graphic novel and set in a new ice age, this futuristic thriller stars a top-notch ensemble cast.”

6/27/14- Very good reviews from critics and fairly good ones from audiences as well. TRDB.

6) THE GRAND SEDUCTION– Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “The cash-strapped burg of Tickle Cove must persuade a doctor to move to town if they want a plastics manufacturer to build a new factory there. But selling the advantages of the tiny Newfoundland village to a young professional won’t be easy.”

5/30/14- Good reviews. TRDB.

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

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB