The Reel Dr. Bob

OCTOBER 6, 2010

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

YOU CAN ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER VIA MY WEBSITE AT- www.thereeldrbob.com

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK- See “below” for summaries.

 

1) MERCY- Netflix.

2) THE OATH- Netflix.

3) PURITY- Purchase College.

4) THE SOCIAL NETWORK- Theater.

 

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MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) PURITY- 2002. Directed by Anat Zuria. Israeli documentary about the Jewish ritual mikvah.10/10- I found this to be quite interesting and I learned a lot from it. Just 63 minutes long. TRDB. At Purchase College as part of their Jewish Studies program.

2) THE SOCIAL NETWORK- 2010. 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.

10/10- I liked this movie a lot even though there was probably a good deal of artistic license given to the story. Well acted (Eisenberg was great) and truly a success story. TRDB. At the theater.

 

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MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) MERCY- 2009. Directed by Patrick Hoelck. Premise by Netflix. “A pessimistic writer who’s never known true love struggles to pen a novel that captures that puzzling emotion’s all-consuming nature. While hunting for inspiration, the author falls for Mercy (Wendy Glenn), a woman who drastically alters his outlook on life. Scott Caan writes and stars in this enthralling romance that co-stars his father, James Caan, as well as Erika Christensen, Dylan McDermott and Troy Garity. Mixed reviews but many more negative than positive.10/10- A love story about a guy who begins as a womanizer but meets the girl of his dreams and she turns him around. OK. Netflix.

2) THE OATH- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Oscar-nominated director Laura Poitras’s documentary tells of two men whose fateful meeting in 1996 led them on a journey that would include Osama bin Laden, the horrific events of 9/11, Guantanamo Bay and a brush with the U.S. Supreme Court. Shot in Yemen, this intriguing film is the second installment — after My Country, My Country — of Poitras’s “The New American Century” trilogy about post-9/11 America.” Very good reviews.

10/10- Fascinating documentary about two men involved with Jihad, one who has forsworn 9/11 type violence after being Bin Laden’s personal bodyguard for 4 years and one who was imprisoned at Guantanamo. Footage of Bin Laden himself. Very good. Netflix.

3) SOUNDTRACK FOR A REVOLUTION- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Music was a powerful tool in the American civil rights movement, spreading a message that was difficult for many to hear and serving as an energizing force for nonviolent protest. This documentary celebrates that intersection of movement and music. Featuring new performances of freedom songs by artists such as Mary J. Blige, Wyclef Jean and John Legend, the film also includes archival footage and interviews with civil rights leaders.” Very good reviews.

10/10- Interesting documentary about the civil rights movement which would stand alone even without the music. TRDB. Netflix.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, OCT.12-

 

1) BREAKING UPWARDS- Premise by Netflix. “Breaking up is painful — but does it have to be? Subdued individually by their relationship yet scared of life apart, Zoe Lister-Jones and Daryl Wein set out to meticulously orchestrate and manage their split into painlessness in this docu-drama. The New York couple’s struggles attain an extra air of authenticity as they expose — pretty much uncensored — every bit of their four-year, complex and codependent union for audiences to witness.” Fairly good early reviews.4/10- I found the movie interesting and sad as they genuinely appeared to love each other. I’d recommend it. TRDB.

2) I AM LOVE- Premise by Netflix. “Oscar winner Tilda Swinton shows off her multilingual skills in this Italian melodrama, in which family dissension, unbidden desire and other tensions bubble to the surface during the patriarch’s birthday party. When the seemingly picture-perfect Recchi family gathers at the family manse to celebrate the great old man, the veneer of civility falls quickly away in director Luca Guadagnino‘s lush, atmospheric film.”

6/10- Beautifully photographed, very good story with good acting. I enjoyed this one very much. Highly recommended!! TRDB.

 

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OPENING REGIONALLY, NATIONALLY OR LOCALLY-

 

1) IT’S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Being a teenager is too much for 16-year-old Craig (Keir Gilchrist), who shocks his parents (Lauren Graham and Jim Gaffigan) by checking himself into a mental health clinic for a little R & R. But when the youth ward is unexpectedly closed, he’s forced to live among the adult patients. Zach Galifianakis, Viola Davis, Emma Roberts and Aasif Mandvi co-star in this quirky drama written and directed by the screenwriters of Half Nelson.” Just 50/50 early reviews.

 

2) INSIDE JOB- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Uncover the root of the 2008 global economic crisis with this documentary that combines extensive research, convincing interviews and cogent arguments to single out a rogue industry that’s tainted every sector of the financial system. Narrated by actor Matt Damon, this complex yet comprehensible film — an Official Selection at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival — features discussions with influential politicians, academics and journalists.” Good audience reviews as of now, none professional.

 

3) LIFE AS WE KNOW IT- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Caterer Holly Berenson (Katherine Heigl) and network sports director Eric Messer (Josh Duhamel) discover a reciprocal hatred during an ill-fated first date — but are forced to put their feelings aside when their mutual friends die and they become the guardians for orphaned Sophie. Now, Holly and Eric must learn to live with each other and juggle their promising careers while taking care of the little girl in this romantic comedy.” No professional reviews yet.

 

4) NOWHERE BOY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Raised by his aunt Mimi (Kristin Scott Thomas) since he was a young boy, charismatic 15-year-old John Lennon (Aaron Johnson) is suddenly reunited with his mother, Julia (Anne-Marie Duff), which ignites a bitter battle between the two sisters for John’s affections. Along the way, John inherits his mother’s love of music and befriends fellow Liverpool lad Paul McCartney (Thomas Sangster) in this biopic of the music icon’s formative years.” Very good early reviews.

5) SECRETARIAT- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “When Penny Chenery (Diane Lane) agrees to take over her ailing father’s thoroughbred stable, she transforms from housewife to horse breeder — and owner of the colt that will take the 1973 Triple Crown — in this dramatic biopic. The film explores Chenery’s bond with “Big Red” and depicts her rise to greatness as the “first lady of racing.” John Malkovich plays trainer Lucien Laurin, and Fred Dalton Thompson co-stars as big-shot breeder Bull Hancock.” Good audience reviews, none professional.

6) STONE- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Edward Norton plays a convicted arsonist who hopes to get out of prison early by putting to work the seductive talents of his beautiful wife, Lucetta (Milla Jovovich). Robert DeNiro plays the parole officer who is the target of the couple’s cat-and-mouse scheming. John Curran (The Painted Veil) directs this subtle psychological thriller based on the play by screenwriter Angus MacLachlan (Junebug).” Great audience reviews, none professional.

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FLORIDA- At the Emerging Cinema of Lake Worth-

 

1) MESRINE: PUBLIC ENEMY #1- Premise by Netflix. “Jacques Mesrine (Vincent Cassel) finds his star rising throughout the 1970s as both a gangster and a publicity-hungry celebrity. But while his criminal plans are as grandiose as ever, the Paris police are redoubling their efforts with a special anti-Mesrine unit. The conclusion to Jean-François Richet’s epic crime biopic also stars the luminous Ludivine Sagnier as Mesrine’s glamorous Italian lover, Sylvia Jeanjacquot.” OK reviews but not my kind of movie.

  

2) GENIUS WITHIN: THE INNER LIFE OF GLENN GOULD- Premise by Netflix. “Pianist Glenn Gould was known as a unique and enigmatic personality, and his brief life has long fascinated both biographers and filmmakers. But behind Gould’s carefully cultivated image lurked a number of shadowy issues, including drug use. Through interviews and never-before-seen footage, the film carefully sifts through and examines the seemingly contradictory influences and motivations that shaped the legendary musician.” Very good reviews.

 

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND- Of Interest

 

NEW- Nothing of Interest

 

REPEATS-

 

 

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

 

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BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS- (Westchester and Fairfield Counties)

 

NEW-

 

1) IT’S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY- 2010. Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100. Premise by Netflix. “Being a teenager is too much for 16-year-old Craig (Keir Gilchrist), who shocks his parents (Lauren Graham and Jim Gaffigan) by checking himself into a mental health clinic for a little R & R. But when the youth ward is unexpectedly closed, he’s forced to live among the adult patients. Zach Galifianakis, Viola Davis, Emma Roberts and Aasif Mandvi co-star in this quirky drama written and directed by the screenwriters of Half Nelson.” Just 50/50 early reviews.

 

2) SECRETARIAT- 2010. Saw Mill Hawthorne. Premise by Netflix. “When Penny Chenery (Diane Lane) agrees to take over her ailing father’s thoroughbred stable, she transforms from housewife to horse breeder — and owner of the colt that will take the 1973 Triple Crown — in this dramatic biopic. The film explores Chenery’s bond with “Big Red” and depicts her rise to greatness as the “first lady of racing.” John Malkovich plays trainer Lucien Laurin, and Fred Dalton Thompson co-stars as big-shot breeder Bull Hancock.” Good audience reviews, none professional.

 

3) LAST TRAIN HOME- 2009. Jacob Burns. Premise by Netflix. “Every year, 200 million Chinese peasants embark on a distant, arduous journey to visit family and celebrate the greatness of China. But as we learn through one family’s odyssey, just getting a train ticket can be an ordeal of Orwellian proportions. First-time Chinese-Canadian director Lixin Fan makes no judgments, allowing the audience to draw their own conclusions about this heavily ritualized act.” Great reviews.

 

4) YOU WILL MEET A TALL DARK STRANGER- 2010. Garden Cinema Norwalk. Premise by Netflix. “When a woman (Naomi Watts) consults a fortune-teller to learn what fate has in store for her, she’s told she’ll meet a tall, dark stranger who will become the love of her life in this quirky romantic dramedy from iconic writer-director Woody Allen. But the not-yet-lovestruck heroine isn’t the only character in search of answers. The ensemble cast includes Josh Brolin, Anthony Hopkins, Antonio Banderas, Freida Pinto, Lucy Punch and Anna Friel.” Sad for me to say, this film has received many poor early reviews.

 

5) LEAVING- Clearview 100. Premise by Netflix. “Bored with her life of leisure, Suzanne (Kristin Scott Thomas) decides to reestablish her career as a physiotherapist. But first, she’ll need an office … and that’s where her troubles begin in this drama from Catherine Corsini. As soon as Suzanne meets the man her husband hired to construct her backyard office, she falls hard — and the attraction is mutual … and dangerous. Sergi López and Yvan Attal co-star.” Fair review in NY Times 10/1/10.

 

REPEATS-

 

1) 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.

 

2) WALL STREET- Bethel, 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.

 

3) NEVER LET ME GO- Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Premise by Netflix. “While retracing her experiences attending a boarding school for special children, Kathy (Carey Mulligan) reconnects with her former classmates, Ruth (Keira Knightley) and Tommy (Andrew Garfield), in an effort to determine exactly what sets them apart from other people. Based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s highly acclaimed novel, this sci-fi thriller from director Mark Romanek also stars Sally Hawkins, Charlotte Rampling and Andrea Riseborough.” Just OK reviews.

 

4) THE SOCIAL NETWORK- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 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.

 

10/10- I liked this movie a lot even though there was probably a good deal of artistic license given to the story. Well acted (Eisenberg was great) and truly a success story. TRDB.

 

5) JACK GOES BOATING- 2010. 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.” Only a few reviews available and they are mixed.

 

6) MAO’S LAST DANCER- 2010. 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.

  

  

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

 

For all films go to- www.fandango.com