The Reel Dr. Bob

Oct. 7, 2009 (Earlier than usual this week)

DEAR FRIENDS-

PLEASE CHECK OUT MY NEW WEBSITE AT- www.thereeldrbob.com

ONE NEW MOVIE for me this week at the-

THEATRE-

1) CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY- A new expose by Michael Moore similar to “Roger and Me” and “Sicko” where Moore mounts a relentless attack on some topic, this time the “evils” of capitalism. I did, however, enjoy the movie. 10/09

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VIEWED AT HOME-

1) AWAY WE GO- 2009. Directed by Sam Mendes.  About an unmarried couple in a long term relationship who are expecting. They travel to several cities to visit friends and relatives and to find a place to settle and raise their child. This movie got only fair reviews but public opinion kept it around for a while. I thought it was a fair drama/comedy. Netflix. 10/09

2)THE BROTHERS BLOOM- 2008. With Adrian Brody, Mark Ruffalo and Rachel Weisz. Brody and Ruffalo play con men brothers who are working on their last con job together as Brody plans to retire. OK for about a half hour and then got real boring and I turned it off. Netflix. 10/09

3) DAVID AND LAYLA- 2005. By Jay Jonroy. About a Jewish cable TV sex show host and his attempt to develop a relationship with a beautiful Arab refugee. Incredibly stupid movie and I turned it off. Netflix Streaming. 10/09

4) RACHIDA- 2002. Written and directed by Yamina Bachir and starring Djouadi Ibtissem. About a young woman, a teacher in Algeria, who refuses to carry a bomb into her school in the 1990’s during their civil war. The film is about her life and the life of other women in this society and in particular how she copes after she flees to avoid punishment by the terrorists. A good drama with insight about what it’s like to live under these conditions. Netflix Streaming. 10/09

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, OCT. 13-

1) AMERICAN VIOLET- Premise by Netflix. “Inspired by true events, this penetrating drama centers on Dee Roberts (Nicole Beharie), a 24-year-old mother of four who’s forced to take on a corrupt district attorney (Michael O’Keefe) when she’s unjustly prosecuted in a large-scale drug case. Directed by Tim Disney, the inspiring tale also stars Alfre Woodard as Dee’s mother, Alma, Tim Blake Nelson as ACLU attorney David Cohen and Will Patton as retired narcotics officer Sam Conroy.” Good reviews.

2) EVERY LITTLE STEP- Premise by Netflix. “Go backstage for an up-close look at a Broadway production with this entertaining documentary that follows hopeful dancers as they audition for coveted spots in the 2006 revival of “A Chorus Line.” Drawing parallels between the interactions of the aspiring actors and the events of the play, filmmakers Adam Del Deo and James D. Stern also intercut interview footage of composer Marvin Hamlisch and dancers from the original Broadway production.” I saw this and liked it a lot.

3) ADORATION- Premise by Netflix. “Assigned to translate a terrorism-related news story for his French class, teen Simon (Devon Bostick) weaves personal details into his tale, which soon leaves the Internet swirling with rumors that Simon’s dead father was an actual terrorist. Acclaimed auteur Atom Egoyan‘s haunting and lyrical drama — cleverly structured as a mystery — also stars Scott Speedman as Simon’s caretaker uncle and Arsinée Khanjian as Simon’s persistent teacher.” Good reviews.

4) THE PROPOSAL- Premise by Netflix. “When she learns that she’s in danger of losing her visa status and being deported back to her native Canada, overbearing book editor Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) forces her put-upon assistant, Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds), to marry her. Directed by Anne Fletcher (27 Dresses), this romantic comedy also stars Craig T. Nelson and Mary Steenburgen as Andrew’s parents, Joe and Grace, and Betty White as the outspoken Grandma Annie.” Weak reviews.

OPENING THIS WEEK-

1) DISENGAGEMENT- RottenTomatoes had this to say- “Ana is reunited with her estranged Israeli stepbrother, Uli, when he travels to France for the death of their father. She decides to return to Israel to search for the daughter she gave up at birth 20 years ago. Crossing frontiers by car, train and boat, Ana and Uli are caught up in the turmoil and emotion of the military-enforced disengagement of Israeli settlers from Gaza in 2005.” This stars Juliette Binoche and is directed by Amos Gitai. No reviews as yet.

2) FROM MEXICO WITH LOVE- RottenTomatoes said “Fight-coordinator-turned-film-director Jimmy Nickerson (RAGING BULL, ROCKY) helms this tale of a self-destructive amateur boxer seeking to follow in his father’s footsteps by making a name for himself in the ring. Hector Villa (Kuno Becker) may have the spirit of a winner, but his better judgment is consistently clouded by his anger.” No reviews as yet.

3) PETER AND VANDY- Premise by Zap2it. “Flashbacks and flash-forwards illustrate the rise and fall of a love affair between two New Yorkers.” No reviews yet.

4) AN EDUCATION- Premise by Zap2it. “Despite her sheltered upbringing, Jenny is a teen with a bright future; she’s smart, pretty, and has aspirations of attending Oxford University. When David, a charming but much older suitor, motors into her life in a shiny automobile, Jenny gets a taste of adult life that she won’t soon forget.” Very good early reviews.

5) COUPLES RETREAT- Premise by Zap2it. “Four couples, all friends, descend on a tropical island resort. Though one couple is there to work on their marriage, the others are there to just enjoy some fun in the sun. They soon find, however, that paradise comes at a price: participation in couples therapy sessions is mandatory. What started out as a cut-rate vacation turns into an examination of the common problems many couples face.” No reviews yet.

FLORIDA- At the Emerging Cinemas of Lake Worth-

1) SERAPHINE- Premise by RottenTomatoes- “Seraphine is a well-crafted French film that effectively captures one woman’s experience with art, religion, and mental illness, and features a brilliant performance from Yolande Moreau.” Great reviews.

2) SOUL POWER- Premise by Netflix- “In 1974, America’s R&B superstars traveled to Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) for a three-day concert. This documentary of the event, part of which became 1996’s When We Were Kings, is made up of footage unseen for more than 30 years. James Brown, Bill Withers, B.B. King, the Spinners, Miriam Makeba and more perform beloved tunes, while cameras capture daily life in Kinshasa and the show’s preparation.” Good reviews.

COMCAST ON-DEMAND- Same as last week.

LINK TO CABLEVISION-

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BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS- (This issue is a day early and some of the theaters have not listed their movies as yet- I’ll update the list on the website. You can check with Fandango.com)

1) BRIGHT STAR- Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I saw it and you shouldn’t.

2) THE BOYS ARE BACK- Bethel. Reviews were just OK.

3) CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY- Bethel, Jacob Burns, Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Michael Moore’s new movie about the ills of capitalism. Good to see if you like Moore’s style. Fairly good reviews. I thought it was well done.

4) THE INFORMANT!- Bethel, Danbury. A satire about a corporate whistle-blower. Just OK.

5) COCO BEFORE CHANEL- Jacob Burns, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Good reviews.

6) PARIS- Garden Cinema Norwalk. Some people liked this a lot and others felt it was so-so.

7) THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE- Garden Cinema Norwalk. A documentary about Vogue magazine and the important September issue. I saw this and felt it was OK.

emergingpictures.com/exhibition.htm and then scroll down. You can access this site directly from MY homepage on my website as well.

THAT’S IT FOR NOW-

THE REEL DR BOB