The Reel Dr. Bob

JULY 31, 2014

DEAR FRIENDS:

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

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) THE BATTERED BASTARDS OF BASEBALL– Netflix Streaming

2) THE ACT OF KILLING- Netflix

3) A SHORT HISTORY OF DECAY– Netflix

4) SOME VELVET MORNING- Netflix

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) THE BATTERED BASTARDS OF BASEBALL– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary tells the little-known story of how actor Bing Russell (of TV’s “Bonanza”) created an independent baseball team in the 1970s. Armed with big-time dreams and plenty of spirit, Russell’s Portland Mavericks become lovable underdogs.”7/11/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.

7/18/14- A documentary that was informative and actually fun to watch. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

2) TIM’S VERMEER– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Teller, of Penn & Teller fame, directs this absorbing film about inventor Tim Jenison’s quest to solve one of art’s greatest mysteries: How did Dutch master Johannes Vermeer paint so photo-realistically 150 years before the invention of photography?”

1/31/14- Good reviews in general and the NY Times liked it also. TRDB.

7/20/14- Excellent reviews but I just could not get into this movie despite seeing Vermeer in a new light for the first time. No pun intended. TRDB. Netflix.

3) 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.

7/19/13- The NY Times liked this movie very much. TRDB.

7/27/14- A breathtaking documentary that must be taken seriously. Creative and bold in its scope. TRDB. Netflix.

4) A SHORT HISTORY OF DECAY– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “With his future as a writer in ruins and his girlfriend gone, Nathan Fisher travels to Florida to help take care of his ailing parents. There, Nathan meets a manicurist who may be able to help him put things in perspective and step up to the plate.”

5/16/14- Fairly good reviews for this comedy. TRDB.

7/27/14- A delightful family drama if a little puffy. One really funny scene between the two brothers. TRDB. Netflix.

5) BLACK NATIVITY– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Langston Hughes’s play is the basis for this uplifting drama about an angry teen whose single mother sends him to spend Christmas with his grandparents. Frustrated by their strictness, the youth runs away and learns about faith during his journey.”

11/27/13- Mixed reviews at best. TRDB.

7/29/14- I felt like I was in church instead of the movies. Skip it! TRDB. Netflix.

6) SOME VELVET MORNING– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Pretty young Velvet is amazed when her ex-lover Fred shows up unannounced at her New York home with his suitcases, eager to rekindle their romance. What follows is a long emotional dialogue between the two, as Fred’s hopes are thoroughly dashed.”

12/13/13- Mixed reviews from critics but audiences have liked it. The NY Times did not care for it. TRDB.

7/30/14- I found the movie somewhat slow in the beginning but it got better and ended with a bang. Most of the critical review was either VERY positive or VERY negative. Little in between. TRDB. Netflix.

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CAME TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, JULY 29-

1) LA DANCE– Le Ballet de L’Opera de Paris. Premise by Netflix. “Captured by renowned documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman, the lives of the men and women that comprise world-famous Opéra national de Paris reveal an unending devotion to their craft and a passion for the dance that is unequaled. Wiseman provides an intimate behind-the-scenes view of rehearsals, performances and ephemeral moments of the dancers, choreographers and others that make up the creative troupe inside the Palais Garnier.”

2) CRAZY HORSE– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Renowned documentarian Frederick Wiseman sets up his cameras inside Paris’s famed Crazy Horse cabaret, “the best nude dancing show in the world.” The result is a titillating take on “nude chic” — and the surprising amount of work that goes into it.”1/15/12- An article about this film in today’s NY Times. Sounds interesting and the film has received good reviews. TRDB.

3) BOXING GYM– 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Acclaimed documentary director Frederick Wiseman brings his cameras to Lord’s Gym in Austin, Texas, where ex-puncher Richard Lord works with a diverse crowd of amateur boxing enthusiasts spanning every age, ethnicity and occupation. Wiseman’s signature style relies little on interviews and instead focuses on the rituals of training and the disciplined, determined approach of students and coaches to mastering the precise, brutal art of gloved combat.” Very good professional reviews so far but poor audience ratings.

4) AT BERKELY– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Documentarian Frederick Wiseman turns his cameras on one of America’s best-known schools to expose tensions over rising tuition and slashed budgets. University leaders discuss the crisis as the film captures protests and the effects of cutbacks.”7/27/14- Good reviews. TRDB.

1) FIVE DANCES– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Real dance phenoms show their acting chops in this tale about Chip, a prodigy from Kansas hoping to make it big in New York City. Chip’s first weeks of rehearsal are marked by triumphs and setbacks both in his personal life and in the studio.”10/4/13- Just a few professional reviews for this documentary and they are poor. Today’s NY Times did not like it. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, AUG. 5-

1) BICYCLING WITH MOLIERE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A TV celebrity faces an uphill battle as he tries to persuade his old pal, once-famous actor Serge Tanneur, to take on the lead in a Moliere play, no easy task considering the reclusive Serge has given up acting and burns every script he receives.”

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OPENED ON FRIDAY, JULY 18 IN ADDITION TO THE MOVIES I WROTE ABOUT ON JULY 17.

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OPENED ON FRIDAY, JULY 25- IN ADDITION TO THE MOVIES I MENTIONNED IN THE LAST ISSUE-

Not Recommended–

1) AND SO IT GOES– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “When he’s obliged to take over the care of a previously unknown granddaughter, wealthy and self-absorbed Oren is suddenly in need of major help. His neighbor Leah comes to the rescue — not only bailing out Oren but also capturing his heart.”7/25/14- Starring Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton this movie has received miserable reviews. TRDB.

2) UNDER THE ELECTRIC SKY– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Get a free pass to America’s largest music festival and uber-party, the Electric Daisy Carnival, where attendees shed their inhibitions and enter a vivid world of incredible music, interactive art and stunning pyrotechnics.”

7/25/14- Weak reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

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WILL OPEN ON AUG. 1-

1) 4 MINUTE MILE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “4 MINUTE MILE is the inspirational story of a high school track star who falls on hard times. A new coach puts him on the right path but his resolve is threatened as tragedy strikes, forcing him to confront everything that has been holding him back.”7/27/14- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

2) CALVARY- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “An anonymous man comes to Father James in confession and vows to kill him in one week, simply because the priest is himself a good man. The father spends the week contemplating good and evil, viewing his small Irish community with new eyes.”

7/27/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.

3) GET ON UP– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “This powerhouse biopic traces the legendary James Brown’s rocky road from humble origins to superstardom as the Godfather of Soul. The film also reveals the demons — drugs, violence and near-bankruptcy — that haunted Brown on his rise to fame.”

7/31/14- Very good reviews. 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.”

7/31/14- Just a few reviews and they are mixed with more negative than positive. TRDB.

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

1) SIDDHARTH- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “After sending his 12-year-old son away to work, impoverished street merchant Mahendra Saini launches a search for the boy when he doesn’t return on the expected date. But Mahendra has no money and no picture of his child, hampering the hunt.”

7/30/14- Good reviews. TRDB.

2) THE EMPTY HOURS– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “On the desolated coast of Veracruz, 17 year-old Sebastián takes over running his uncle’s small and cozy rent-by-the hour motel. There he meets Miranda, a regular customer who comes to the motel to meet a lover who always keeps her waiting. As Sebastián and Miranda get to know each other, an ambiguous game of seduction begins between them.”7/11/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW- NONE WORTHY OF MENTION

REPEATS-

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BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT– Jacob Burns. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Exposing a phony soothsayer proves harder than expected when the debunker (an Englishman) becomes smitten with the purported fraud (a French beauty). This deft romantic comedy unwinds amid the gilt and glamour of the French Riviera in the 1920s.”7/25/14- Woody’s latest has gotten poor reviews from most critics. I’m certain to see it anyway. TRDB.

2) GET ON UP– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “This powerhouse biopic traces the legendary James Brown’s rocky road from humble origins to superstardom as the Godfather of Soul. The film also reveals the demons — drugs, violence and near-bankruptcy — that haunted Brown on his rise to fame.”7/31/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) BEGIN AGAIN– Bethel, Clearview 100. 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.

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB