September 30th, 2010
SEPT. 30, 2010
DEAR FRIENDS:
QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-
1) AFTERSCHOOL- Netflix
2) HEARTBREAKER- Theater
3) A FILM UNFINISHED- Theater
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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-
1) A FILM UNFINISHED- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “This potent documentary uses a long-lost film reel to illustrate how the Nazis controlled images of Jewish life during World War II. Though the Nazis made a propaganda movie of contented Jews in the Warsaw ghetto, the missing spool exposes the truth. Director
Yael Hersonski shows how the imagery was staged to distort historical knowledge and, with the aid of Jewish survivors’ testimony, chronicles the horrifying reality of ghetto life.”
A few reviews, all positive.9/10-
Yet one more piece of the most horrific time in history as shown by this revealing footage! Everyone should see this. TRDB. At the theater.
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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-
1) AFTERSCHOOL- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “Bullied prep school loner Robert (
Ezra Miller) captures his classmates’ various escapades on video, but when he winds up filming two girls fatally overdosing on cocaine, his footage plays a role in the emotional fallout within the school community. As the students and faculty at the sheltered academy try to cope with the tragedy, many spiral into despair.
Antonio Campos directs this film, which explores the ethics of voyeurism.”
Mixed reviews, mostly positive, but all said it was different.9/10-
I agree! Different it is and I liked it. TRDB. Netflix.
2) RENDITION- Premise by Netflix. “Suspected of being a terrorist, Egyptian-born Anwar El-Ibrahim (Omar Metwally) “vanishes” from an international flight and is taken to a secret prison. Now, his wife, Isabella (Reese Witherspoon), desperately tries to uncover his whereabouts — as well as his true intentions. While she looks for answers, CIA analyst Douglas Freeman (Jake Gyllenhaal) objects to the interrogation practices used on El-Ibrahim. Meryl Streep and Alan Arkin co-star.”
9/10- Heavy on the talent here makes for an enjoyable movie. TRDB. Netflix.
3) 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.”
9/10-
Described as light and frothy or the equivalent by most reviewers and I agree. I think you can skip this one. Netflix.
4) HEARTBREAKER- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Hardworking brother-and-sister team Alex (Romain Duris) and Mélanie (Julie Ferrier) don’t run a matchmaking business; rather, they get paid to break matches by splitting up unhealthy couples. But their 100 percent success rate is in serious jeopardy when their own hearts get involved. Now, falling in love could be an occupational hazard. Pascal Chaumeil directs this French-language romantic comedy.” Fair review in NY Times 9/10/10.
9/10- Incredibly ridiculous comedy but I enjoyed it very much. In theaters presently. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
5) CALVIN MARSHALL- 2009. 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.
9/10- Could have been an interesting message but went downhill as soon as the secondary actors spoke. They should have stayed with the two main characters. TRDB. Netflix.
6) BABIES- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Documentary filmmaker Thomas Balmes charts the simultaneous early development of four babies from different parts of the world, illustrating what makes human life unique, similar and precious wherever it occurs. Training his camera on newborns Hattie from San Francisco, Ponijao from Namibia, Bayarjargal from Mongolia and Mari from Tokyo, Balmes captures every moment, from their first screaming breaths to their first tentative steps.” Fairly good reviews.
9/10- Interesting and informative documentary but could have been even shorter than the already short 79min.
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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, OCT. 5-
1) UDAAN- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “After spending eight long, lonely years in a boarding school, Rohan (Rajat Barmecha) returns to his industrial hometown in India, where he must decide whether to follow his own dreams or acquiesce to his imperious father’s (Ronit Roy) plans for his future. As he begins work at his father’s steel factory and ponders his ambition to become a writer, Rohan also tries to build a relationship with the younger half-brother he didn’t even know existed.” Good review in NY Times on 7/27/10.
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OPENING REGIONALLY, NATIONALLY OR LOCALLY-
1) TAPESTRIES OF HOPE- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “In present-day Zimbabwe, women and girls are routinely victimized, and an epidemic of “virgin rapes” is being fueled by the widley held misconception that men can cure themselves of HIV/AIDS by having sex with virgin women. Filmmaker Michealene Cristini Risley profiles the tireless efforts of Betty Makoni, founder and director of the 1998-established Girl Child Network, to seek basic human rights for the women of Zimbabwe.” No reviews as yet.
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FLORIDA- At the Emerging Cinemas of Lake Worth-
1) MESRINE: KILLER INSTINCT- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “This blistering biopic stars Vincent Cassel as notorious French gangster Jacques Mesrine. The first in a duology, the film details the genesis of Mesrine’s career, including an incident in the army that gave him his first taste of violent power. Gerard Depardieu co-stars in this commanding, stylish film (based on the autobiography Mesrine wrote shortly before breaking out of prison), which has been favorably compared to Brian DePalma’s Scarface.” OK reviews but not my kind of movie.
2) SOUL KITCHEN- 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. Also on Comcast On-Demand.
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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-
NEW-
1) HEARTBREAKER- Premise by Netflix. “Hardworking brother-and-sister team Alex (
Romain Duris) and Mélanie (
Julie Ferrier) don’t run a matchmaking business; rather, they get paid to
break matches by splitting up unhealthy couples. But their 100 percent success rate is in serious jeopardy when their own hearts get involved. Now, falling in love could be an occupational hazard.
Pascal Chaumeil directs this French-language romantic comedy.”
Fair review in NY Times 9/10/10.9/10- Incredibly ridiculous comedy but I enjoyed it very much. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
3) 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.
4) LETTERS TO JULIET- Premise by Netflix. “By responding to a letter addressed to Shakespeare’s tragic heroine Juliet Capulet, a young American woman (
Amanda Seyfried) vacationing in Verona, Italy, sets in motion a series of events that leads her — and the missive’s lovelorn author (
Vanessa Redgrave) — in search of romance. Directed by
Gary Winick, this deeply tender and uplifting drama also features
Gael García Bernal and
Franco Nero.
Lousy reviews but several people I know did like it for what it was.
5) I’M STILL HERE- 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) AJAMI- Well received Israeli award winner but I was disappointed
2) A PROPHET- Good reviews but I thought it was tedious
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) HEY HEY IT’S ESTHER BLUEBERGER- I liked it
15) INVICTUS- Just OK
16) IT’S COMPLICATED- Recommended
17) JOHN RABE- I did not like this well reviewed film
18) KISSES- Good reviews
19) LA MISSION- I liked it
20) LET IT RAIN- Just OK
21) LIFE DURING WARTIME- Very different but I’d recommend it
22) LOSS OF A TEARDROP DIAMOND- I did not like this
23) MAKING PLANS FOR LENA- I haven’t seen it but very mixed reviews
24) MANUELA AND MANUEL- I liked this film
25) MAP OF THE SOUNDS OF TOKYO- I haven’t seen this yet
26) ME AND ORSON WELLES- I didn’t care for this
27) MULTIPLE SARCASMS- Bad!
28) MY NAME IS KHAN- I liked it
29) SOUL KITCHEN- Fair reviews
30) THAT EVENING SUN- I liked it
31) THE CITY OF YOUR FINAL DESTINATION- OK
32) THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO- Just OK
33) THE EXTRA MAN- Haven’t Seen It
34) THE WHITE RIBBON- I didn’t care much for this one
35) YOO-HOO, MRS. GOLDBERG- I liked it
36) YOUTH IN REVOLT- I liked it
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BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-
NEW-
1) THE SOCIAL NETWORK- Danbury, Saw Mill Hawthorne. Premise by Netflix. “
David Fincher‘s biographical drama chronicles the meteoric rise of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg (
Jesse Eisenberg) from Harvard sophomore to Internet superstar, examining his relationships with co-founder Eduardo Saverin (
Andrew Garfield) and founding president Sean Parker (
Justin Timberlake). Aaron Sorkin penned the screenplay based on Ben Mezrich’s best-seller
The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook.”
Reviews just OK.
3) WAITNG FOR SUPERMAN- 2010. Jacob Burns. Premise by Netflix. “Dynamic documentarian
Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth) weaves together the stories of students, families, educators and reformers to shed light on the failing public school system and its consequences on the future of the United States. In this Sundance Audience Award winner for Best Documentary, Guggenheim deftly examines the options to improve public education and provide America’s teachers and students with the help they need.”
Very good reviews.
5) RESTREPO- Jacob Burns. Premise by Netflix. “Sebasatian Junger, author of
The Perfect Storm, teamed with photographer
Tim Hetherington to spend a year embedded with the Second Platoon in Afghanistan, documenting the hard work, fear and brotherhood that come with repelling a deadly enemy. Hunkered down with the soldiers in one of the region’s most strategic valleys, the filmmakers uncover the dark humor, sleepless surreality and constant anxiety of war in this Best Documentary winner at Sundance.”
Very good early reviews.7/10-
Excellent documentary and clearly done by two men who won the confidence of their subjects. TRDB.
REPEATS-
1) JACK GOES BOATING- Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.”
Fair reviews.
2) HEARTBREAKER- 2010- Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Premise by Netflix. “Hardworking brother-and-sister team Alex (
Romain Duris) and Mélanie (
Julie Ferrier) don’t run a matchmaking business; rather, they get paid to
break matches by splitting up unhealthy couples. But their 100 percent success rate is in serious jeopardy when their own hearts get involved. Now, falling in love could be an occupational hazard.
Pascal Chaumeil directs this French-language romantic comedy.”
Fair review in NY Times 9/10/10.9/10-
Incredibly ridiculous comedy but I enjoyed it very much. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
3) THE TOWN- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne. 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.
4) WALL STREET- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. Premise by Netflix. “20-plus years after he introduced us to the phrase “greed is good,” controversial filmmaker
Oliver Stone (W., World Trade Center) returns to the world of high finance, unfettered capitalism and white-collar crime.
Michael Douglas reprises his Oscar-winning role as Gordon Gekko, the deliciously diabolical money magnate who never passes up a chance to make a buck.
Shia LaBeouf also stars as a young trader embroiled in a puzzling murder.”
Poor reviews.
5) GET LOW- 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.
6) MAO’S LAST DANCER- Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Premise by Netflix. 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.
7) WINTER’S BONE- Garden Cinema Norwalk. Premise by Netflix. “In this noir drama set deep in Ozark territory, resilient teenager Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence) goes on the trail of her missing drug-dealing father when his absence jeopardizes the safety of their family. The deadbeat dad has a critical court date pending, and Ree is determined that he make it — despite the objections of the insular Dolly clan. Director Debra Granik‘s unflinching drama won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance.” Great reviews.
6/10-Very good acting in this Appalachian slice of life but I was disappointed in the film. I felt that not enough happened and what did seemed contrived to me. A friend who I saw this with spent a year in Missouri and felt that it was indeed realistic. TRDB.
THAT’S IT FOR NOW-
THE REEL DR BOB
The Reel Dr. Bob
Entry Filed under: Old Newsletters
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