Well, I’m off to the LAKE WORTH FILM FESTIVAL for a few days and I’ll report back next week.
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2) LEBANON- Premise by Netflix. “In this claustrophobic drama by first-time director Samuel Maoz — a veteran of the early ’80s Israel/Lebanon conflict in which the film is set — four Israeli soldiers command a tank in a situation that becomes increasingly tense and chaotic. Like Das Boot before it, most of the action is confined to the stark interiors of that tank, as the men wrestle with fear, anger and their own consciences in the face of possible death and worse.” Very good early reviews.
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1) THAT EVENING SUN- 2009. Directed by Scott Teems. Premise by Zap2it. “Vowing not to die in a nursing home, Abner Meecham leaves the facility and returns to his Tennessee farm. There, an unpleasant surprise awaits him: Abner’s son has leased the property to ne’er-do-well Lonzo Choat and his white-trash family. Abner suspects that the Choats will not be able to afford the farm, and moves into a shack to await their departure. Tensions escalate between Abner and Lonzo, who are each determined not to give in to the other.” Great early reviews especially in relation to Hal Holbrook. 9/10- The script was a bit erratic but Hal Holbrook was very good in this film about memories and forgiveness. I liked it. TRDB. New to On-Demand also this week. Netflix.
2) SORRY, THANKS- 2009. 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.
4) THE LOSS OF A TEARDROP DIAMOND- 2010. Directed by Jodi Markell. 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.
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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, SEPT. 21-
4) CALVIN MARSHALL- Premise by Netflix. “Though he has no athletic ability whatsoever, college student Calvin Marshall (Alex Frost) is so blindly single-minded about making the school baseball team that Coach Little (Steve Zahn) — a former minor league player — relents and lets him on the squad. But when he’s sidelined by an injury, Calvin has an opportunity to discover his true talent in life. Gary Lundgren directs this charming comedy that co-stars Michelle Lombardo.” OK review in NY Times 8/20/10.
OPENING REGIONALLY, NATIONALLY OR LOCALLY-
1) I AM COMIC- Premise by Netflix. “Going way beyond the funny, filmmaker
Jordan Brady crafts an eye-opening portrait of the life of a professional comedian, shadowing retired comic Ritch Shydner as he bravely returns to the stand-up stage after more than a decade out of the spotlight. With the aid of candid interviews, backstage footage and performance clips, the film also rounds up advice from many popular comedians on what makes modern audiences laugh.”
No reviews as yet.
2) JACK GOES BOATING- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “
Philip Seymour Hoffman directs and stars in this romantic comedy about Jack, a marijuana-smoking Manhattan limo driver who begins an unlikely regimen of self-improvement to win the heart of a fellow misfit named Connie (
Amy Ryan). But as Jack learns to cook and swim for the benefit of his girl, he also witnesses the breakup of his best friends’ marriage.
John Ortiz and
Daphne Rubin-Vega co-star in this adaptation of Bob Glaudini’s play.”
Only a few reviews available and they are mixed.
4) CATFISH- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “
Henry Joost and
Ariel Schulman document the strange series of events that unfolds when a gifted 8-year-old artist named Abby contacts Nev, a 24-year-old photographer (and Schulman’s brother), through Facebook. After Abby sends Nev a remarkable painting based on one of his photos, Nev begins corresponding with her family — including her seductive 19-year-old sister. Realizing that something’s not quite right, Nev sets out to uncover the truth.”
Good reviews.
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FLORIDA- At the Emerging Cinema of Lake Worth-
1) RACING DREAMS- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “From go-kart champs, NASCAR winners are bred — or so goes the thinking of the drivers (and their families) involved in the World Karting Association’s National Pavement Series. This documentary follows three of the series’ top contenders. Although small in stature, the adolescent racers harbor big dreams as they hit speeds of 60 to 70 miles per hour in their quest to ascend the first rung on their way to NASCAR in this film from
Marshall Curry.”
Great reviews.
2) LOVELY, STILL- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “When his beautiful new neighbor Mary (
Ellen Burstyn) asks him out on a date, elderly bachelor Robert (
Martin Landau) suddenly finds himself swept up in the excitement and panic of new love. But as romance blossoms between the couple, an unexpected challenge arises that threatens to undermine the fledgling relationship.
Nicholas Fackler directs this touching drama that also stars
Adam Scott and
Elizabeth Banks.”
Excellent reviews.
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COMCAST ON-DEMAND- Of Interest
NEW to On-Demand
1) 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. Also on Netflix.
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.
9/14- The poor reviews are well founded. I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.
3) MANUELA AND MANUEL- 2007. 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.9/10-
Very funny and poignant as well. Lots of interesting and funny secondary characters. I saw this last week. TRDB. Netflix also.
4) THAT EVENING SUN- 2009. Directed by Scott Teems. Premise by Zap2it. “Vowing not to die in a nursing home, Abner Meecham leaves the facility and returns to his Tennessee farm. There, an unpleasant surprise awaits him: Abner’s son has leased the property to ne’er-do-well Lonzo Choat and his white-trash family. Abner suspects that the Choats will not be able to afford the farm, and moves into a shack to await their departure. Tensions escalate between Abner and Lonzo, who are each determined not to give in to the other.” Great early reviews especially in relation to Hal Holbrook.
9/10- The script was a bit erratic but Hal Holbrook was very good in this film about memories and forgiveness. I liked it. TRDB. I saw this last week on Netflix.
5) ME AND ORSON WELLES- Premise by Zap2it. “After a chance encounter, theater-loving teen Richard Samuels gets the opportunity of a lifetime when famed director Orson Welles gives him a small role in his 1937 production of “Julius Caesar.” Unexpectedly thrust into the heady world of the stage, Richard finds himself surrounded by ambition, clashing egos and sheer brilliance.” Described as light and frothy or the equivalent by most reviewers.
REPEATS on On-Demand
1) 8: THE MORMON PROPOSITION- Haven’t Seen It
2) AJAMI- Well received Israeli award winner but I was disappointed
3) A SINGLE MAN- Recommended
4) AVATAR- Haven’t Seen It
5) BABIES- Very good reviews
6) CAIRO TIME- I was disappointed but others liked it
7) CALVIN MARSHALL- OK reviews
8)CHANGE OF PLANS- Mixed reviews
9) CHLOE- Back again. I liked it
10) CITY ISLAND- I’d recommend it
11) CRAZY HEART- Recommended
12) GHOST WRITER- Recommended
13) GREEN ZONE- Recommended
14) HELEN- Haven’t seen it
15) HEY HEY IT’S ESTHER BLUEBERGER- I liked it
16) INVICTUS- Just OK
17) IT’S COMPLICATED- Recommended
18) JUNO- Back again- I liked it
19) KISSES- Good reviews
20) LA MISSION- I liked it
21) LET IT RAIN- Just OK
22) LIFE DURING WARTIME- Very different but I’d recommend it
23) MAKING PLANS FOR LENA- I haven’t seen it but very mixed reviews
24) MAP OF THE SOUNDS OF TOKYO- Positive reviews
25) MOTHER- I liked it
26) MULTIPLE SARCASMS- Bad!
27) MY NAME IS KHAN- I liked it
28) SOUL KITCHEN- Good reviews
29) THE EXTRA MAN- Haven’t Seen It
30) YOO-HOO, MRS. GOLDBERG- I liked it
31) YOUTH IN REVOLT- I liked it
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BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS (Westchester and Fairfield Counties)-
NEW-
1) LOVELY, STILL- 2008. Bethel. Premise by Netflix. “When his beautiful new neighbor Mary (
Ellen Burstyn) asks him out on a date, elderly bachelor Robert (
Martin Landau) suddenly finds himself swept up in the excitement and panic of new love. But as romance blossoms between the couple, an unexpected challenge arises that threatens to undermine the fledgling relationship.
Nicholas Fackler directs this touching drama that also stars
Adam Scott and
Elizabeth Banks.”
Excellent reviews in general. Only a fair review in NY Times 9/10/10.
2) THE TOWN- 2010. Saw Mill Hawthorne, Bethel, Danbury. Premise by Netflix. “As tenacious FBI agent Adam (
Jon Hamm) hunts him down, ingenious bank robber Doug (
Ben Affleck) pursues a risky relationship with Claire (
Rebecca Hall), one of his former hostages. But while Doug and his cohorts plan their next hit, Adam hones in on Claire and falls for her in the process. Directed by Affleck and based on Chuck Hogan’s novel
Prince of Thieves, this intricate thriller also stars
Chris Cooper,
Blake Lively and
Jeremy Renner.”
Fairly good reviews.
3) I’M STILL HERE- Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Premise by Netflix. “In 2008, Oscar nominee
Joaquin Phoenix walked away from acting to pursue a rap career, an inexplicably bizarre detour captured in stunning detail in this documentary directed by Phoenix’s brother-in-law,
Casey Affleck. Some speculated Phoenix’s behavior was part of a well-orchestrated hoax — or, even worse, a mental breakdown. But some of the film’s graphic footage suggests it could have been a little of both.”
Mixed reviews but some really bad ones included.
REPEATS-
1) GET LOW- 2010. Jacob Burns, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Bethel, 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.
2) CAIRO TIME- 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.
3) LEBANON- Clearview 100. Premise by Netflix. “In this claustrophobic drama by first-time director
Samuel Maoz — a veteran of the early ’80s Israel/Lebanon conflict in which the film is set — four Israeli soldiers command a tank in a situation that becomes increasingly tense and chaotic. Like Das Boot before it, most of the action is confined to the stark interiors of that tank, as the men wrestle with fear, anger and their own consciences in the face of possible death and worse.”
Very good early reviews.9/10-
Yet one more piece of evidence that war is definitely hell, this time involving a bunch of very frightened Israeli soldiers fighting in the confined space of the tank. I liked it very much but be aware that this is not for the faint of heart. TRDB. At the Clearview 100 theater.
4) MAO’S LAST DANCER- Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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 all the schmaltz. TRDB.5) THE TILLMAN STORY- 2010. Jacob Burns. Premise by Netflix. “When
Pat Tillman, a former pro football player and decorated U.S. soldier, was killed in Afghanistan, the military reported that he’d died battling the Taliban. But later, a much different story emerged: Tillman was killed by friendly fire. Since that day, Tillman’s family has waged their own war, fighting tirelessly with the government in order to unravel the truth behind the cover-up. Filmmaker
Amir Bar-Lev documents their struggle.”
Very good reviews.9/10-
Very well done and a scathing indictment of the government’s actions in this case. TRDB. Theater.
6) THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT- 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.
THAT’S IT FOR NOW-
THE REEL DR BOB
The Reel Dr. Bob
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