The Reel Dr. Bob

JANUARY 8, 2015

DEAR FRIENDS:

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

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) THE OVERNIGHTERS– At the Theater

2) MIELE– Netflix Streaming

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) THE OVERNIGHTERS– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Local pastor Jay Reinke tries to help the unemployed men drawn to North Dakota by the lure of jobs in the state’s booming shale oil industry. This documentary portrait of desperation, charity and hope reveals multiple facets of the human spirit.”10/10/14- Excellent reviews all around. TRDB.

1/2/15- An excellent documentary with many ramifications and food for thought. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) MIELE- 2013- Synopsis by Netflix. “Despite the controversial nature of her work, Miele remains convinced she’s doing the humane thing by helping suffering people end their lives. But when a client insists he’s lived long enough — despite being healthy — her belief system is shaken.”3/7/14- Excellent reviews from everybody including the NY Times. TRDB.

1/7/15- Very well acted story that deals with euthanasia in an unusual manner. I liked it very much. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

Not Recommended–

1) SALVO- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Salvo is a dead-cold Mafia hit man who invades a rival gangster’s home to off him and encounters his target’s  sister, the attractive but blind Rita. Unwilling to take Rita’s life, Salvo takes her hostage instead, growing ever more fascinated by her.”8/14-  Mostly good reviews from the critics and less so from audiences. The NY Times liked it. TRDB.

1/2/15- Very little dialogue in this mostly disappointing drama from Italy. TRDB.

2) ACTRESS– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Shelving a burgeoning small-screen career, actress Brandy Burre settles down to motherhood and domesticity but eventually grows restless. This engaging documentary chronicles the conflicts and complications she faces as she tries to make a comeback.”

11/7/14- Excellent professional reviews. One critic called this the best documentary she had ever seen. TRDB.

1/3/15- This film was a complete bore!!! I can’t imagine what the critics were thinking. TRDB.

3) PATEMA INVERTED- 2014.  Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “”Time of Eve director Yasuhiro Yoshiura is a perspective-twisting sci-fi adventure about two kids separated by opposite gravities. Patema lives in an underground world of tunnels, the long-abandoned ruins of a giant industrial complex.”

8/29/14- Excellent reviews for this animated feature. TRDB.

1/7/15- I tried to get into this animated film but could not and turned it off. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JAN. 13-

1) EXPEDITION TO THE END OF THE WORLD– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this thoughtful and amusing adventure documentary, an eclectic crew of scientists and aesthetes sets sail for an untracked region of Northeastern Greenland, where they encounter an icy landscape full of danger and beauty.”8/20/14- Fairly good reviews for this documentary. The NY Times liked it as well. TRDB.

2) BAD TURN WORSE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “What starts as an unwise way to finance a weekend of pre-college partying ends up as something far worse for the teens in this noir-ish crime drama. After stealing from his boss, Billy Joe learns that the cash he lifted was earmarked for a gangster.”

11/14/14- Liked by many critics but not one gave it a “very good” review. Audiences were mixed.  I’ll recommend it but it’s up for grabs. TRDB.

3) FINDING FELA– 2014. “Oscar-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney explores the life of Fela Kuti, whose seminal Afrobeat sound made him a music icon and political lightning rod. Performance footage and interviews are interspersed with scenes from the hit Broadway bio Fela!”

8/1/14- OK but mixed reviews– more positive than negative. TRDB.

4) LOVE IS STRANGE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “After 28 years together, Ben and George finally get hitched. But when the marriage raises controversy at the school where George works, he’s fired. Unable to afford their New York City apartment, the couple is forced to live apart.”8/12/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.

9/16/14- Very well done movie with fine acting from Alfred Molina and John Lithgow. TRDB.

5) WETLANDS– 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Eighteen year-old Helen Memel (Carla Juri) likes to skateboard, masturbate with vegetables and thinks that body hygiene is greatly overrated. Struggling with her parents’ divorce, she spends her time experimenting and breaking one social taboo after the other with her best friend, Corinna (Marlen Kruse). When a shaving accident lands her in the hospital, she sees it as a way to reconcile her parents, but ends up forming an unlikely bond with her male nurse, Robin (Christoph Letkowski) in the process.”

9/1/14- Uniformly good reviews for this unusual sounding comedy/drama. An article about this film and about Juri appears in the Arts and Leisure section of the NY Times on Aug. 31. TRDB.

6) MEMPHIS– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Profiled against the storied musical backdrop of Memphis, a talented young singer fails to focus on his career as he struggles to understand himself. However, his internal journey threatens to be derailed by alcohol and the passions of the flesh.”

9/4/14- Fairly good professional reviews but not so popular with audiences. TRDB.

7) JIMI: ALL IS BY MY SIDE– 2014. “Synopsis by Netflix. “André Benjamin stars as Jimi Hendrix in this biopic that chronicles his rise to fame and the personal demons he battled along the way. Clips of the actual Hendrix punctuate the film as it explores little-known aspects of the troubled star’s life.”

9/26/14- Fairly good reviews from professionals. Audiences gave it mixed reviews. TRDB.

8) HONEYMOON– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Soon after arriving at a secluded woodland cabin, a honeymooning couple sees their bliss evaporate when a sleepwalking incident leads to increasingly odd behavior by the bride — and mounting paranoia on the part of her groom.”

9/12/14- Sounds stupid to me but this movie has received good reviews. The NY Times liked it. TRDB.

9) THE TWO FACES OF JANUARY – 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “A young American working as a tour guide and part-time con artist in Greece finds himself caught in a dangerous arrangement when a wealthy couple invites him to dinner at their hotel — and an accident forces them to flee the scene together.”9/26/14- Very good reviews by the critics– audiences have been 50/50. TRDB.

10/16/14- I enjoyed this thriller very much. Great acting and an interesting story. TRDB.

10) KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON – Synopsis by Netflix. “Legendary jazzman Clark Terry is profiled in this touching documentary that traces the trumpeter’s long career. At age 89, he begins sharing his passion and experiences with an aspiring jazz pianist — Justin Kauflin — who’s 66 years Terry’s junior.”

10/3/14- Excellent reviews all around. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “This insightful social drama examines the countless ways the online landscape affects the relationships, communication and self-images of digital-age adolescents, whose parents try to contend with the pitfalls.10/2/14- Poor reviews from both critics and viewers as well. TRDB.

2) BIRD PEOPLE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “When two strangers yearning to escape their discontented lives eventually cross paths in a Paris airport hotel, neither of them is prepared for the series of surprises that follow their chance meeting.”

9/12/14- Weak reviews in general. TRDB.

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OPENED FRIDAY, JAN. 2

Both Recommended–

1) THE SEARCH FOR GENERAL TSO– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Despite the popularity of General Tso’s Chicken in Chinese eateries throughout the United States, the dish’s origin remains a mystery to most. This globe-hopping documentary seeks out the enigmatic General Tso and his culinary legacy.”1/2/15-Very good reviews for this film. TRDB.

2) LI’L QUINQUIN– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “This slapstick police procedural begins with a gruesome discovery: a dismembered female body recovered from inside a dead cow. Tasked with solving the crime, police captain Van der Weyden launches a wildly incompetent investigation.”

1/2/15- Very good reviews. TRDB.

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

From Friday, January 9 through Sunday, January 11 the Stonzek Theater will host its local Annual Film Festival, primarily with local talent. I’ve been there before and have enjoyed it.

January 12 through Jan 15-

1) GLEN CAMPBELL: I’LL BE ME– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “When country music giant Glen Campbell was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2011, he chose to make his condition public. He then began his farewell tour — a remarkable musical journey chronicled in this affecting documentary.”10/24/14- Excellent reviews from critics and audiences as well. TRDB.

2) ADVANCED STYLE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “This well-put-together documentary profiles seven New York City women in their 60s through their 90s, whose snappy style decidedly disproves the notion that advanced years and glamour are mutually exclusive.”9/26/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW-

1) FORCE MAJEURE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “At a ski resort in the Alps, the sudden and terrifying approach of an avalanche opens a deep fissure in the lives of a vacationing Swedish family when the patriarch flees to save himself instead of protecting his wife and children.”10/24/14- Very good reviews and I’ll plan on seeing this movie. TRDB.

11/2/14- I enjoyed this movie very much and it led to lively discussion. TRDB.

2) THE SEARCH FOR GENERAL TSO– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Despite the popularity of General Tso’s Chicken in Chinese eateries throughout the United States, the dish’s origin remains a mystery to most. This globe-hopping documentary seeks out the enigmatic General Tso and his culinary legacy.”

1/2/15-Very good reviews for this film. TRDB.

3) KELLY & CAL– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Struggling with the challenges of parenthood, a dispirited young mother finds an unlikely friend and confidante in her paralyzed teenage neighbor. But when their relationship crosses the line, she starts to consider the consequences.”

9/7/14- Mixed reviews from professional and from audiences as well. TRDB.

REPEATS-

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BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) INHERENT VICE– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the counterculture world of 1970s Los Angeles, gumshoe Doc Sportello finds himself pulled into bizarre circumstances by his ex-girlfriend, who suspects that her new lover’s wife is intent on having him committed to a mental asylum.”12/12/14- Sounds stupid but this film has some received some good reviews. TRDB.

2) SELMA– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1965 civil rights march from Selma, Ala., to Montgomery, this stirring historical drama highlights the courage of the marchers as they withstand racist and violent attacks by the police.”12/25/14- Excellent reviews from critics and very good ones from audiences.  TRDB.

3) TWO DAYS, ONE NIGHT– Jacob Burns. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “On the verge of losing her job, Sandra comes up with a last-ditch strategy: get her workmates to give up their bonuses so that she can stay on. With a single weekend to make it work, Sandra and her husband take her crusade for sympathy all over town.”

12/24/14- Excellent reviews for this drama starring Marion Cotillard. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) WILD- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “With the dissolution of her marriage and the death of her mother, Cheryl Strayed has lost all hope. After years of reckless, destructive behavior, she makes a rash decision. With absolutely no experience, driven only by sheer determination, Cheryl hikes more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, alone.”12/3/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.

12/25/14- I enjoyed this movie very much. Reese Witherspoon was very believable in this part as a young woman determined to turn her life around. TRDB.

2) THE IMITATION GAME– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Synopsis by Netflix. “Chronicling mathematical wizard Alan Turing’s key role in Britain’s successful effort to crack Germany’s Enigma code during World War II, this historical biopic also recounts how his groundbreaking work helped launch the computer age.”11/29/14- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

12/31/14- This movie was very well done with excellent acting and a basically true story. I enjoyed it very much but why did they need to sprinkle the schmaltz late in the movie- it was doing fine without? TRDB.

3) FOXCATCHER– Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Preparing for the 1988 Olympics, two sibling wrestlers cross paths with a paranoid schizophrenic millionaire in this drama based on a true story. The competitive Schultz brothers soon learn their new acquaintance is a dangerous distraction.”

11/14/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.

12/1/14- I liked this movie very much and highly recommend it. TRDB.

4) BIRDMAN– Saw Mill Hawthorne. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Michael Keaton delivers a winking performance in this dark comedy about a cinematic superhero trying to forge a comeback with a Broadway play. With none of the super-powers of his former character, the actor struggles to rebuild his career and life.”

10/17/14- Excellent reviews from nearly all critics and audiences have liked it as well. The NY Times loved it. TRDB. 

10/31/14- Very original and interesting mixing fact and fantasy. Keaton was excellent and I enjoyed the movie. Labeled a comedy, it surely isn’t. TRDB.

5) THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING– Saw Mill Hawthorne, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “With his body progressively ravaged by ALS, world-famous physicist Stephen Hawking must rely on his wife, Jane, to continue his life’s work as he faces various challenges. This affecting biographical drama centers on the couple’s fertile partnership.”

11/7/14- Good reviews from critics and audiences alike. TRDB.

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

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB