The Reel Dr. Bob

FILM REVIEWS #339

September 1st, 2010

 SEPTEMBER 1, 2010

DEAR FRIENDS:  

PLEASE ACCESS MY NEWSLETTER AT www.thereeldrbob.com

  QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-  

1) MAO’S LAST DANCER- THEATER

2) MAX MANUS- Privately owned DVD

3) 8: THE MORMON PROPOSITION- Netflix

4) YOO-HOO MRS. GOLDBERG- Netflix   _________________________________________________________________________________________   MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-  

1) MAO’S LAST DANCER- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “A delegation from Madame Mao’s Beijing Dance Academy selects 11-year-old peasant villager Li Cunxin to study ballet in far-off Beijing, where he trains for seven grueling years to become one of China’s greatest dancers. His efforts win him the opportunity to dance in America, opening his eyes to a new love and the possibility of a dramatic defection from China in this remarkable true story based on Cunxin’s autobiography.” Fairly good reviews but a few said the movie was too timid. TRDB.

8/10- Great dancing makes up for a somewhat weak story. I enjoyed the movie despite the schmaltz. TRDB.

  ________________________________________________________________________________________   MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-  

1) CHLOE- 2009. Netflix had this to say–“Suspecting her husband, David (Liam Neeson), of infidelity, doctor Catherine (Julianne Moore) hires sexy escort Chloe (Amanda Seyfried) to seduce him and test his faithfulness. But as Catherine checks in on Chloe’s encounters with David, Chloe’s reports become increasingly lurid. Soon, the relationships between all three intensify in unexpected ways. Renowned filmmaker Atom Egoyan directs this psychological drama.” Only fair reviews for this film, called by one reviewer a B- List film with an A- List cast.

8/10-  A mediocre story with top talent makes this film somewhat enjoyable. TRDB. Netflix.

2) MAX MANUS- Directed by Espen Sandberg and Joachim Roenning. Premise by Netflix. “Dismayed by Norway’s swift capitulation to Nazi Germany during World War II, Max Manus (Aksel Hennie) — who would become one of Norway’s greatest war heroes — immediately joined the Resistance. This biographical drama tells his story. From his audacious escapes from German captivity (one from a military hospital) to his bold acts of sabotage (which included blowing up warships), the film chronicles all Manus’s derring-do.”

8/10- A very good docudrama about a resistance fighter most people know nothing about. TRDB. Privately owned DVD.

3) YOUTH IN REVOLT- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Nick Twisp (Michael Cera), a cynical, sex-deprived teenager living a less-than-satisfactory existence, is pushed by the manifestation of his debonair, rebellious id (also Cera) to bed his dream girl, Sheeni Saunders (Portia Doubleday). Miguel Arteta directs this irreverent, dark comedy based on the popular novel series by C.D. Payne. Steve Buscemi, Ray Liotta, Justin Long, Fred Willard, Jean Smart, M. Emmet Walsh and Zach Galifianakis co-star.”

8/10- At times silly but still enjoyable. TRDB. Netflix.

4) 8: THE MORMON PROPOSITION- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Filmmaker and ex-Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints member Reed Cowan examines that church’s nationwide efforts to prevent the legalization of gay marriage — including California’s Proposition 8, which was passed by voters in 2008. Confidential church documents, statements by high-ranking church officials and other sources detail 30 years of efforts to turn back gay rights, particularly by the Mormon-sponsored National Organization for Marriage.” Fairly good early reviews.

8/10- What more can I say– the film was well done and also addresses the many conflicts that families of gay people wrestled with on dual loyalties to their family and to the Church. TRDB. Netflix.

5) YOO-HOO, MRS. GOLDBERG- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “The history of “The Goldbergs” — and the massive appeal and influence of its Jewish American main character — is explored in this fascinating documentary from filmmaker Aviva Kempner. Though she is not a household name today, Molly Goldberg — the indelible creation of writer and performer Gertrude Berg — was one of the most popular characters on radio and television from the 1930s to the ’50s.” Good reviews.

8/10- A good portrait of this pioneer of radio and TV. It places her well in the context of U.S. society at the time. I liked it. TRDB. Netflix.

6) BANGKOK GIRL- 2005. Premise by Netflix. “This poignant documentary explores Thailand’s thriving sex tourism industry by examining the life of 19-year-old bar girl Pla. Though she’s worked in bars since the age of 13, Pla has — amazingly — avoided prostitution so far, but it’s unlikely she’ll be able to continue holding out. Filmmaker Jordan Clark provides a searing look at how the influx of foreigners has changed Thailand’s economy and culture.”

8/10- The movie was OK but I had to wonder why this Canadian film maker had to go to Thailand when there are plenty of similar stories in North America. TRDB. Netflix Streaming. Available by DVD also.

7) A QUIET LITTLE MARRIAGE- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “With her dad descending into an Alzheimer’s haze and a junkie for a brother-in-law, happily married Olive (Mary Elizabeth Ellis) decides that the answer to life’s problems is a baby — too bad her spouse (Cy Carter) doesn’t agree. But with the missus poking holes in her diaphragm and hubby spiking her coffee with birth control pills, love may not conquer all in this Slamdance Film Festival award winner. Jimmi Simpson and Charlie Day also star.” Good reviews.

8/10- An OK film until a disappointing ending. TRDB. Netflix.

  ________________________________________________________________________________________   COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, SEPT. 7-  

1) THAT EVENING SUN- Premise by Netflix. “Frustrated with being confined to a nursing facility, Abner Meecham (Hal Holbrook) breaks out and walks all the way back to his farm. When he realizes his biggest enemy (Ray McKinnon) now lives in his house, Abner devises a plan to reclaim what rightfully belongs to him. Based on William Gay’s short story, this Southern drama co-stars Walton Goggins as Abner’s son, Paul, and Holbrook’s real-life wife, Dixie Carter, as Abner’s spouse, Ellen. “Great early reviews, especially in relation to Hal Holbrook.  

 2) THE LOSS OF A TEARDROP DIAMOND- Premise by Netflix. “Based on an unproduced original screenplay by Tennessee Williams, this drama follows Fisher Willow (Bryce Dallas Howard), the headstrong daughter of a Southern plantation owner. Forced to fulfill her role as a debutante, she chooses farmhand Jimmy Dobyne (Chris Evans) as her escort. As if this weren’t scandalous enough, her announcement that she’s fallen in love with Jimmy threatens to destroy the family. Ann-Margret and Ellen Burstyn co-star.” Poor reviews but I’ve included it anyway.  

3) JOHN RABE- Premise by Netflix. “Florian Gallenberger directs this gripping drama about John Rabe (Ulrich Tukur), a German businessman living in Nanking, China, who in 1937 used his Nazi party affiliation to save some 200,000 Chinese civilians from slaughter at the hands of the Japanese army. As Rabe labors to establish an official safety zone to shelter the innocent, he forms an unlikely friendship with an American doctor (Steve Buscemi). Anne Consigny and Daniel Brühl co-star.” Very good reviews.  

4) SORRY, THANKS- Premise by Netflix. “Although he’s in a relationship with Sara (Ia Hernandez), Max Callahan (Wiley Wiggins) develops an obsession with Kira (Kenya Miles), his recent one-night stand. While he tries to figure whether he has a conscience, Kira seriously questions her personal and professional choices. Andrew Bujalski co-stars as Max’s best friend, Mason, and Dia Sokol directs this romantic drama that explores the heart’s questionable emotions.” Fair reviews.  

5) THE EXPLODING GIRL- Premise by Netflix. “Zoe Kazan carries this indie romance from writer-director Bradley Rust Gray with her finely nuanced performance as Ivy, a college student who uses her Brooklyn spring break sojourn to reevaluate her life and loves. With her current relationship fizzling out via cell phone, Ivy finds herself rethinking her longtime platonic friendship with best pal Al (Mark Rendall). Franklin Pipp and Maryann Urbano co-star.” Fairly good reviews.  

6) SOLITARY MAN- Premise by Netflix. “Michael Douglas stars as a former car dealership owner who sees his personal and professional lives take a nosedive when the repercussions of years of shady business dealings and chronic womanizing finally catch up with him. Susan Sarandon, Mary-Louise Parker, Danny DeVito and Jenna Fischer co-star in this comedic drama written and co-directed by Brian Koppelman.” Good review in NY Times.   6/10- Very well acted and very interesting script make this movie a winner. TRDB.  

7) A CALL GIRL- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “This insightful, allegorical drama follows Aleksandra (Nina Ivanisin), a student, as she travels from a small town to the big city. A cynical and callous young woman, Aleksandra uses the move to transform herself into a well-paid call girl. Her self-imposed isolation and guilt-free life end, however, when a politician client dies. As the police pursue her, Aleksandra must figure out how to finish growing up without losing her soul.”

7/10- This movie, about an isolated woman, was only mildly interesting to me. TRDB. Netflix.

8)MANUELA AND MANUEL- Premise by Netflix. “When her best friend, Coca (Elena Iguina), finds herself pregnant after a casual fling, unlucky-in-love drag queen Manuela (Humberto Busto) helps Coca face her disapproving family by embracing a male identity, Manuel, and posing as the baby’s father. But things go sideways when Manuela discovers that the baby’s real daddy is a regular at the gay club where she works. Raúl Marchand Sánchez directs this screwball comedy.” OK reviews.

    __________________________________________________________________________________________   OPENING LOCALLY, REGIONALLY OR NATIONALLY THIS WEEK-  

1) WO AI NI MOMMY- Premise by Netflix. “Exploring the multifaceted meanings of love and family, filmmaker Stephanie Wang-Breal traces an 8-year-old girl’s emotional journey from her homeland in China to her new home in the United States, where she’ll live with her adoptive Jewish parents. Born Fang Sui Yong, she’s now known as Faith. But her new name isn’t the only unfamiliar element in the strange — yet undeniably comfortable — situation she now finds herself in.” Only one review but it’s great.  

2) HAPPYTHANKYOUMOREPLEASE- Premise by Netflix. “On the way to meet a publisher, aspiring novelist Sam (Josh Radnor) encounters 6-year-old Rasheen (Michael Algieri) alone on the subway. While struggling to decide whether to send him back to foster care, Sam looks after Rasheen and learns a few important life lessons. Meanwhile, Sam’s friends deal with various romantic tribulations. Radnor wrote and directed this coming-of-age comedy, which won the Best Drama Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival.” Just OK reviews.   __________________________________________________________________________________________   FLORIDA- At the Emerging Cinemas of Lake Worth-  

1) WINNEBAGO MAN- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “This entertaining documentary explores the phenomenon of Jack Rebney, who became an Internet sensation after a grainy, nearly 20-year-old video of him furiously swearing up a storm while filming a Winnebago sales video made the rounds online. Traveling to a mountaintop, filmmaker Ben Steinbauer tracks down Rebney — who’s become known in underground circles as the “Angriest Man in the World” — and tries to discover what makes the loner tick.” Very good reviews.  

 2) THE EXTRA MAN- Premise by Netflix. “Forced to quit his prep school job after a humiliating incident, would-be dramatist Louis Ives (Paul Dano) heads to New York City, where he rents a room from has-been playwright Henry Harrison (Kevin Kline) — who earns a living escorting rich dowagers about town. Despite their huge age difference, the two develop a bond as Henry takes Louis under his wing and leads him on a series of wild adventures. Katie Holmes and John C. Reilly also star.” Mixed reviews, more plus than minus. TRDB.   _________________________________________________________________________________________   COMCAST ON-DEMAND-   NEW-  

1) AJAMI- Premise by Netflix. “When their uncle wounds an important clan member, 13-year-old Nasri (Fouad Habash) and his older brother, Omar (Shahir Kabaha), fear he has put their whole family in terrible danger in this moving, Oscar-nominated drama set on the West Bank. A truce is arranged, but Omar must start selling drugs to pay the fine he now owes. Meanwhile, a number of other locals struggle to negotiate the political and social tinderbox of Jaffa’s Ajami neighborhood.”

Very good reviews but I found it fairly sterile and could not get into the main characters. TRDB.

2) A CHANGE OF PLANS- Premise by RottenTomatoes. “CHANGE OF PLANS (LE CODE A CHANGÉ), is a delicious comedy of manners from acclaimed Oscar- and César-nominated writer/director Danièle Thompson… CHANGE OF PLANS (LE CODE A CHANGÉ), is a delicious comedy of manners from acclaimed Oscar- and César-nominated writer/director Danièle Thompson (COUSIN COUSINE, LA BÛCHE, JET LAG, AVENUE MONTAIGNE). The film centers around a summer dinner party where ten acquaintances, each attempting to mask their own personal troubles, come together for an evening of food, wine and friendship. It’s not long before the couples begin revealing their dissatisfaction with their partners and it becomes obvious that they are planning or having affairs. The all-star ensemble cast includes Dany Boon (MICMACS), Emanuelle Seigner (THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY), Karin Viard (PARIS), and Marina Hands (LADY CHATTERLEY). Poor early reviews.

  REPEATS-  

1) 8: THE MORMON PROPOSITION- Haven’t Seen It

2) A SINGLE MAN- Recommended

3) A YEAR AGO IN WINTER- Haven’t Seen It

4) AVATAR- Haven’t Seen It

5) BABIES- Very good reviews

6) BLUEBEARD- Haven’t Seen It

7) CAIRO TIME- I was disappointed but others liked it

8)CHLOE- Back again. I liked it

9) CITY ISLAND- I’d recommend it

10) CRAZY HEART- Recommended

11) GHOST WRITER- Recommended

12) GREEN ZONE- Recommended

13) GREENBERG- I liked it

14) HELEN- Haven’t seen it

15) HERE AND THERE- Recommended

16) HEY HEY IT’S ESTHER BLUEBERGER- I liked it

17) INVICTUS- Just OK

18) IT’S COMPLICATED- Recommended

19) JUNO- Back again- I liked it

20) KISSES- Good reviews

21) LA MISSION- I liked it

22) LET IT RAIN- Just OK

23) LIFE DURING WARTIME- Very different but I’d recommend it

24) MAKING PLANS FOR LENA- I haven’t seen it but very mixed reviews

25) MAP OF THE SOUNDS OF TOKYO- Positive reviews

26) MOTHER- I liked it

27) MULTIPLE SARCASMS- Bad!

28) MY NAME IS KHAN- I liked it

29) PIRATE RADIO- Just OK

30) SOUL KITCHEN- Good reviews

31) THE EXPLODING GIRL- Haven’t seen it

32) THE EXTRA MAN- Haven’t Seen It

33) THE GREATEST- Recommended

34) THE WHITE RIBBON- Very popular but I found it weird and didn’t like it

35) UP IN THE AIR- Recommended

36) YOUTH IN REVOLT- I liked it  

Cablevision Link– http://www.optimum.net/VOD/movies?cat=Movies+On+Demand%2FIndependent+Films%2FIFC+In+Theaters

DirecTV- www.directv.com/DTVAPP/listing/ppvMovies.jsp

Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com   ________________________________________________________________________________________   BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS (Westchester and Fairfield Counties)   NEW-  

1) ANIMAL KINGDOM- Clearview 100. 2010. Premise by Netflix. “When his mother dies suddenly, a 17-year-old boy (James Frecheville) finds himself drawn into the clutches of a diabolical criminal family, until a good-hearted detective (Guy Pearce) makes a concerted effort to change the boy’s fate. Australian writer-director David Michôd‘s first feature-length drama won the World Cinema Jury Prize: Dramatic at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.” Great reviews.  

2) THE AMERICAN- 2010. Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. Premise by Netflix. “On the heels of a rough assignment, assassin Jack (George Clooney) declares that his next job will be his last. Dispatched to a small Italian town to await further orders, Jack embarks on a double life that may be more relaxing than is good for him. Although duty will surely call, Jack becomes friends with Father Benedetto (Paolo Bonacelli) and falls for villager Clara (Violante Placido) in this suspense thriller directed by Anton Corbijn.” Good reviews.  

3) SOUL KITCHEN- Jacob Burns. Premise by Netflix. “Young restaurant owner Zinos (Adam Bousdoukos) decides to revamp Soul Kitchen, his dumpy diner, but the customer response isn’t what he was hoping for. To make matters worse, his girlfriend (Anna Bederke) flies off to Shanghai, and the tax collector comes knocking. But with the help of an inspired new chef (Birol Ünel), Zinos still has a chance at redemption. German director Fatih Akin delivers a riotous modern romantic comedy.” The reviews I read all barely liked the movie- none liked it a lot.”  

4) FAREWELL- Jacob Burns. 2009. Premise by Netflix. “In this thinking man’s spy thriller, KGB agent Sergei Grigoriev (Emir Kusturica) plans to hand over hard evidence that proves the depth of his agency’s penetration of U.S. intelligence, in a one-man crusade to bring down the Soviet empire. French engineer Pierre Froment (Guillaume Canet) is drawn into this web of espionage against his will, but proves a surprisingly resourceful operative in the process.” Mostly good reviews.  

REPEATS-  

1) CAIRO TIME- Bethel, Clearview 100. Premise by Netflix. “When magazine editor Juliette (Patricia Clarkson) travels to Cairo to meet her diplomat husband, Mark (Tom McCamus), she learns from his friend Tareq (Alexander Siddig) that Mark has been delayed. As Tareq introduces her to the city and its customs, an unexpected attraction arises between them. Juliette soon grows accustomed to life in Cairo while she and Tareq try to find the best way to deal with their complex feelings in this romantic drama.” Mostly good reviews. NY Times felt it was good but a bit timid.

8/10- I felt that the movie was poorly scripted and the characters weak, particularly the waif-like Patricia Clarkson whose acting I generally enjoy. Too many lessons about the Muslim culture. TRDB.

 2) GET LOW- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Premise by Netflix. “Robert Duvall and Sissy Spacek team up to tell the true story of Felix “Bush” Breazeale, a Tennessee loner who planned his own funeral in 1938 while he was still around to attend — and enjoy — the proceedings. Also starring Bill Murray and Lucas Black as the co-proprietors of the funeral home, the dramatic thriller was penned by the screenwriting team of C. Gaby Mitchell (Blood Diamond) and Chris Provenzano (“Mad Men”).” Great reviews.   8/10 To my surprise I did like this movie even though it was clearly a vehicle for Duvall to shine once more. I have never liked Murray outside of the comic role and didn’t here either. TRDB.  

3) MAO’S LAST DANCER- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2009. Premise by Netflix. “A delegation from Madame Mao’s Beijing Dance Academy selects 11-year-old peasant villager Li Cunxin to study ballet in far-off Beijing, where he trains for seven grueling years to become one of China’s greatest dancers. His efforts win him the opportunity to dance in America, opening his eyes to a new love and the possibility of a dramatic defection from China in this remarkable true story based on Cunxin’s autobiography.” Fairly good reviews but a few said the movie was too timid. TRDB.

8/10- Great dancing makes up for a somewhat weak story and I enjoyed the movie despite all the schmaltz as well. TRDB.

4) THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT- Clearview 100, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Premise by Netflix. “The children of same-sex parents Nic (Annette Bening) and Jules (Julianne Moore), Joni (Mia Wasikowska) and Laser (Josh Hutcherson) become curious about the identity of their sperm-donor dad (Mark Ruffalo) and set out to make him part of their family unit, with frequently comical results. With his arrival, the household dynamics quickly become complicated, and nobody’s quite sure where or how he fits in, if at all.” Excellent reviews.

7/10- Great acting, great script and great idea make this a must see. Really about how couples slog through life at times, gay or straight. I loved the movie. TRDB.

5) THE CONCERT- Garden Cinema Norwalk. Premise by Netflix. “The winner of two César Awards, this uplifting comedy focuses on Andrei Filipov (Aleksei Guskov), a Russian conductor whose music career was cut short by politics. Now an alcoholic janitor, Filipov seizes a chance to reunite his orchestra and reclaim his life. Using a purloined invitation to a Parisian festival as incentive, Filipov gathers his rag-tag musicians and a French violinist (Mélanie Laurent) to realize his long-cherished dream.” A few very positive reactions but more fairly negative ones. The story sounds interesting and I’ll give it a try. TRDB.

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

For all films go to- www.fandango.com

THAT’S IT FOR NOW-
THE REEL DR BOB
The Reel Dr. Bob

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