The Reel Dr. Bob

MAY 21, 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) AMIRA & SAM– Netflix

2) 5 FLIGHTS UP– Comcast On-Demand

3) WELCOME TO ME– Comcast On-Demand

4) THE BLUE ROOM– Netflix

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) THE 100 YEAR OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Allan Karlsson caps off his long and colorful life by escaping from his nursing home on his 100th birthday. In short order, he comes into a possession of a suitcase stuffed with cash. With his new friend Julius, Allan decides to take it on the lam.”5/8/15- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

5/16/15- This movie was a big hit in Sweden but for me and for many critics it seemed ridiculous. There WERE a few funny scenes, particularly the one involving Mikhail Gorbachev. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) AMIRA & SAM– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Still struggling to readjust to American culture, Iraq War veteran Sam visits his former translator and is mesmerized by the man’s attractive niece, Amira. But if Sam wants to capture her heart, he must first find a way to prevent her deportation.”1/30/15- Very good reviews from audiences and critics alike. TRDB.

5/14/15- A likable love story with a poor ending. Still worth seeing. TRDB. Netflix.

2) 5 FLIGHTS UP– 2015.  Synopsis by Netflix. “Married for four decades, New Yorkers Ruth and Alex have had a wonderful life together — most of it spent in their cherished Brooklyn walk-up. But now that it’s time to sell, the universe seems determined to thwart them.”

5/5/15- Reviews were more negative than positive but I did read a more extensive review and I will recommend the movie. TRDB.

5/18/15- A delightful drama/comedy starring Morgan Freeman, Diane Keaton and Cynthia Nixon, all of whom play very well with each other. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

3) WELCOME TO ME– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “When mentally unstable Alice Klieg hits the lottery, she uses her winnings to produce and star in an off-the-wall talk show. Ignoring her illness and skipping her medication, she uses the spotlight to work through her deep-rooted pain.”

5/1/15- OK reviews from critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

5/19/15- Kristen Wiig was wonderful in this dramatic comedy and I really enjoyed the movie. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

4) THE BLUE ROOM– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the intimate confines of a hotel room, married Julien Gahyde and his paramour, Esther Despierre, meet regularly for erotic encounters — until he’s arrested for an unstipulated crime connected to their intense affair.”

10/3/14- Fairly good reviews although a few were very negative and several brought up the violence. TRDB.

5/20/15- Interesting and enjoyable but definitely confusing at the same time. It’s worth seeing, however. TRDB. Netflix.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEDNESDAY, MAY 27-

1) INHERENT VICE- 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) BALLET 422– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Offering a backstage look at the creation and realization of a ballet by choreographer Justin Peck, this fascinating documentary chronicles the intense artistic effort behind the production, the 422nd new work staged by the New York City Ballet.”2/6/15- Very good critical review and excellent audience reviews as well. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

1) GOOD KILL– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Sitting in an operations facility 7,000 miles away, U.S. Air Force pilot Tommy Egan directs strikes from an armed drone deployed over Afghanistan. But eventually, the moral quandaries raised by Egan’s job begin to gnaw at his psyche.”5/15/15- Good reviews by the critics. The NY Times liked it but the WSJ did not. Audiences were divided. TRDB.

2) THE FILM CRITIC– Synopsis by Netflix. “Steeped in movies, cheerless film critic Víctor Tellez can’t help feeling that the cinematic world has descended into mediocrity. He also views real life as just another bad romantic comedy — until he meets the beautiful, devil-may-care Sofia.”

5/15/15- Reviews for this movie are mediocre with a few good ones noted.  It sounds interesting to me and I’ll give it a try. TRDB.

3) I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “With her well-ordered life thrown out of balance by the death of her beloved canine companion, aging widow Carol Petersen — who hasn’t dated in 20 years — unexpectedly finds herself involved with two very different men.”

5/15/15- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

4) ANIMALS– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “While living near a Chicago zoo in their wreck of an auto, a drug-addicted young couple supports their habit through petty theft and hustling. But they’re forced to face reality when one of them requires medical help.’

5/15/15- Very good reviews from both critics and audiences as well. TRDB.

5) SLOW WEST- 2015. “A 16-year-old boy (Smit-McPhee) heads west on a journey across 19th Century frontier America in search of the woman he loves. He encounters a mysterious traveler named Silas (Fassbender) who protects him from the savage elements and outlaws in a lawless land, but is Silas really watching out for him¿or tied to the band of thieves tracking their every step?”

5/15/15- Very good reviews. TRDB.

6) CHILDLESS- 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “As 16-year-old Katherine’s closest adult relatives prepare and gather for her funeral in Los Angeles, each of them — and the deceased — describes the swirl of emotions surrounding them.”

5/15/15- Just 2 reviews and both are positive. Sounds interesting and draining as well. TRDB.

7) KNOW HOW- 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a film written and acted by former foster care youth, five journeys interweave as they confront loss, heartbreak, and come of age in this tale about transience, survival and perseverance.”

5/15/15- I’ve seen just 4 reviews– 2 up and 2 down. I’d give it a chance. TRDB.

8) OUR MAN IN TEHRAN– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Following close on the heels of Hollywood’s version of the 1979 Iran hostage crisis (Argo), this documentary focuses on Canada’s role in the ordeal, revealing new details about the efforts of the Canadian ambassador and the CIA to save six Americans.”

5/15/15- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

9) ONE CUT, ONE LIFE– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Upon learning he’s terminally ill, revered documentarian Ed Pincus decides to make a final movie — about his life. Collaborator Lucia Small weighs in with musings on his life and their creative relationship in this candid autobiographical portrait.”

5/15/15- Great reviews from critics and audiences. TRDB.

10) ECHOES OF WAR– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Upon returning to his Texas home after the Civil War, ex-soldier Wade Riley becomes entangled in the battle between his family of animal trappers and Randolph McCluskey, a cattle rancher whose men have been stealing animals from the Rileys’ traps.”

5/15/15- Poor reviews by critics but audiences have liked it very much. I’ll give it a try. TRDB.

11) GUEROS– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “During a student strike at Mexico’s National University, flatmates Sombra and Santos settle into a different routine — until the arrival of Sombra’s brother, Tomás, sends the trio on a quest to find a long-forgotten musical star.”

5/20/15- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

Net Recommended-

1) THE CONNECTION– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Pierre Michel goes from serving as a court magistrate to investigating the Marseille crime cartel that controls the city’s heroin trade. In the process, he becomes obsessed with bringing down the operation’s powerful and feared leader, Gaëtan Zampa.”

5/15/15- Weak reviews in general. TRDB.

2) DARK STAR: H.R. GIGER’S WORLD– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “This definitive new documentary brings viewers into the home and life of the surrealist goth artist who won an Academy Award for designing the legendary character from Ridley Scott’s Alien films starring Sigourney Weaver opposite creatures of Giger’s creation.”

5/15/15- Poor professional reviews but audiences have liked it. I’ll miss it. TRDB.

3)  EVERY SECRET THING– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Convicted of killing an infant when they were 11-year-old girls, Alice and Ronnie — now 18 and just out of jail — find themselves suspects again. This time, it’s a 3-year-old who’s missing … and no one in town can forget the young women’s pasts.”

5/15/15- Awful reviews. TRDB.

4) IN THE NAME OF MY DAUGHTER– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Leaving a soured marriage behind, Agnès Le Roux returns home to live with her mother, who owns a casino. Before long, Agnes begins a fateful romance with her mother’s closest adviser, the conniving Maurice Agnelet — and then vanishes into thin air.”

5/15/15- Poor reviews for this drama with a cast that includes Catherine DeNeuve. TRDB.

5) WHERE HOPE GROWS– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “After chronic anxiety attacks bring a premature end to Calvin Campbell’s professional baseball career, he spirals into depression — until he begins an unlikely friendship with a young supermarket clerk who has Down syndrome.”

5/15/15- Poor critical review but audiences have liked it. TRDB.

6) L FOR LEISURE– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in the early 1990s, this quirky comedy follows a group of vacationing graduate students as they share the pleasures of partying, idling and speculating about the nature of the universe.”

5/15/15- Sounds dumb to me and the few reviews available are mixed. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON DEMAND-

NEW-

1) ANIMALS– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “While living near a Chicago zoo in their wreck of an auto, a drug-addicted young couple supports their habit through petty theft and hustling. But they’re forced to face reality when one of them requires medical help.’5/15/15- Very good reviews from both critics and audiences as well. TRDB.

2) SLOW WEST– 2015. “A 16-year-old boy (Smit-McPhee) heads west on a journey across 19th Century frontier America in search of the woman he loves. He encounters a mysterious traveler named Silas (Fassbender) who protects him from the savage elements and outlaws in a lawless land, but is Silas really watching out for him¿or tied to the band of thieves tracking their every step?”5/15/15- Very good reviews. TRDB.

3) ECHOES OF WAR– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Upon returning to his Texas home after the Civil War, ex-soldier Wade Riley becomes entangled in the battle between his family of animal trappers and Randolph McCluskey, a cattle rancher whose men have been stealing animals from the Rileys’ traps.”5/15/15- Poor reviews by critics but audiences have liked it very much. I’ll give it a try. TRDB.

REPEATS-

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NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) IN THE NAME OF MY DAUGHTER– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Leaving a soured marriage behind, Agnès Le Roux returns home to live with her mother, who owns a casino. Before long, Agnes begins a fateful romance with her mother’s closest adviser, the conniving Maurice Agnelet — and then vanishes into thin air.”5/15/15- Poor reviews for this drama with a cast that includes Catherine DeNeuve. TRDB.

2) SAINT LAURENT– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Spanning a decade in the life of couture designer Yves Saint Laurent — who left an indelible stamp on high fashion — this sleek biopic delves into a turbulent private life that was beset with drugs, romantic frustration and other personal crises.”

5/8/15- Weak reviews all around. TRDB.

3) WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS– Jacob Burns. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Three roommates deal with the usual give and take of sharing space — but since they’re vampires, things are a bit more complicated. For one thing, they must adapt to contemporary society, not to mention sunlight crises and fang emergencies.”

2/13/15- Great reviews but I don’t do Vampires. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) THE 100 YEAR OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED– Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Allan Karlsson caps off his long and colorful life by escaping from his nursing home on his 100th birthday. In short order, he comes into a possession of a suitcase stuffed with cash. With his new friend Julius, Allan decides to take it on the lam.”5/8/15- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

5/16/15- This movie was a big hit in Sweden but for me and for many critics it seemed ridiculous. There WERE a few funny scenes, particularly the one involving Mikhail Gorbachev. TRDB.

2) 5 FLIGHTS UP– Bethel. 2015.  Synopsis by Netflix. “Married for four decades, New Yorkers Ruth and Alex have had a wonderful life together — most of it spent in their cherished Brooklyn walk-up. But now that it’s time to sell, the universe seems determined to thwart them.”

5/5/15- Reviews were more negative than positive but I did read a more extensive review and I will recommend the movie. TRDB.

5/18/15- A delightful drama/comedy starring Morgan Freeman, Diane Keaton and Cynthia Nixon, all of whom play very well with each other. TRDB.

3) FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD-. Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this period drama based on Thomas Hardy’s classic novel, winsome Bathsheba Everdene wins the hearts of three disparate men: sheep farmer Gabriel Oak, dashing soldier Frank Troy and William Boldwood, a moneyed older man.”

5/1/15- Very good reviews from critics and audiences alike. TRDB.

4) WOMAN IN GOLD- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Six decades after World War II, Jewish octogenarian Maria Altmann begins a quest to reclaim the artwork confiscated from her family by the Nazis — including a famed Gustav Klimt masterpiece.”

4/1/15- Poor reviews!! Everyone I know who has seen this has loved it!! TRDB.

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

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB