The Reel Dr. Bob

NOVEMBER 11, 2010

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

AFTER A 2 WEEK HIATUS I’M BACK!!! No new films to report about but I saw several at home.

 

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

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK

 

1) SMASH HIS CAMERA- Netflix

2) CLIENT 9- THE RISE AND FALL OF ELIOT SPITZER- Comcast On-Demand

3) SOUTH OF THE BORDER- Netflix Streaming

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) 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.11/5– I saw this on an airplane and it was OK for an hour and a half diversion. TRDB.

2) CYRUS- Premise by Netflix. “Indie favorites Jay and Mark Duplass co-direct this wry look at modern love and family dysfunction. John C. Reilly plays a recently divorced man who thinks he’s found just the right woman (Marisa Tomei) to help him recover and move on. Unfortunately, the woman’s son, played by Jonah Hill, has no interest in allowing another man into their lives — a stance he proceeds to demonstrate in a variety of obnoxious ways.” Very good early reviews.

11/5- I saw this on an airplane and found it OK. Don’t pay to see it. TRDB.

3) SMASH HIS CAMERA- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “While profiling the controversial life and career of pioneering paparazzo Ron Galella, Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Leon Gast raises intriguing questions about the freedom of the press, the right to privacy and our celebrity-obsessed culture. A great risk taker who never backed down, Galella suffered a broken jaw at the hands of Marlon Brando and fought two major lawsuits filed by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.” I’ve seen 2 reviews, both very good.

11/10- Well done documentary about Galella who was a nemesis to many famous people but personified the conflict between privacy and free speech. TRDB. Netflix.

 4) WILD GRASS- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “When the bag of amateur pilot Marguerite Muir (Sabine Azéma) is stolen and its contents are strewn over a parking lot, fate sets into motion an intriguing sequence of events involving the pilot, a dentist and a mysterious man (André Dussollier) who finds her wallet. French new wave pioneer Alain Resnais adapts the Christian Gailly novel into a stirring drama, which screened in competition at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.” Fair reviews.11/10- Somewhat weird but enjoyable movie. TRDB. Netflix.

5) THEATER OF WAR- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “Go behind the scenes of the Public Theater’s 2006 production of Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Courage and Her Children, starring the legendary Meryl Streep and translated by Pulitzer Prize winner Tony Kushner. In addition to offering a rare window into Streep’s process, the documentary also examines how Brecht’s own tumultuous life experiences informed his remarkable play. Other interviewees include Streep’s co-star Kevin Kline.” Generally good reviews.

11/10- A very interesting concept but not such an interesting movie. TRDB. Netflix.

6) THE INFIDEL- Premise by Netflix. “When his mother dies, Muslim business owner and family man Mahmud Nasir (Omid Djalili) uncovers the two biggest surprises of his life: he was adopted as a baby, and his birth parents weren’t Muslim — they were Jewish. As he scrambles to get a handle on his existential identity crisis, Mahmud turns to boozy Jewish cab driver Lenny (Richard Schiff) for a little spiritual counsel. Josh Appignanesi directs this indie comedy.” OK review in NY Times. Fair reviews in general.

11/10- A few funny, clever parts but otherwise very routine ethnic cliches and I was bored. TRDB. Netflix.

7) CLIENT 9: THE RISE AND FALL OF ELIOT SPITZER- Premise by Netflix. “Director Alex Gibney turns the spotlight on the life and career of politician Eliot Spitzer, the New York governor whose potential to become the first Jewish president of the United States was thwarted by his indiscretions. Supporters and opponents opine about Spitzer, who was a well-respected attorney general before becoming governor. Spitzer’s career crashed and burned with the revelation that he was involved with prostitutes.” Very good early reviews.

11/10- Very good documentary which centered on Spitzer’s personality, method of governing and his growing list of enemies rather than the prostitution scandal. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

8)SOUTH OF THE BORDER- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Eager to investigate how the U.S. media has depicted Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, director Oliver Stone journeys south to interview the man himself and speaks with several other South American presidents in the process. Among the distinguished subjects in Stone’s probing and controversial documentary are Bolivia’s Evo Morales, Brazil’s Lula da Silva, Argentina’s Nestor Kirchner and Cuba’s Raúl Castro.” Poor reviews.

11/10- This documentary is, of course, completely one-sided but it is the most thorough series of interviews with regional world leaders that I can remember and provides us with views that we do not see in our media. Definitely worth seeing. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

 

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, NOV.16-

 

1) EYES WIDE OPEN- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “Married Jerusalem butcher Aaron (Zohar Strauss) takes pity on homeless student Ezri (Ran Danker) and hires him to work in his shop. But when romantic sparks fly between the unlikely pair, Aaron’s wife, Rivkeh (Tinkerbell), becomes suspicious and consults their ultra-Orthodox rabbi. The rabbi assigns his “modesty guards” to monitor Aaron’s every move in this tragic drama, an official selection at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.Well done movie and I enjoyed it. TRDB.

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.

 

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OPENING REGIONALLY, NATIONALLY OR LOCALLY THIS WEEK-

 

1) MORNING GLORY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Whiz-kid producer Becky Fuller (Rachel McAdams) finds her abilities put to the test when she’s charged with bringing a network morning show back from ratings purgatory. Her first job: getting the show’s feuding, acid-tongued co-hosts (Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton) under control. Jeff Goldblum co-stars as Fuller’s network-exec boss and Patrick Wilson is Becky’s put-upon boyfriend in this comedy from the writer of The Devil Wears Prada.” Good audience reviews, none professional.

 

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FLORIDA- At the Emerging Cinemas of Lake Worth

 

1) GET LOW- 2010. 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.

 

2) THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET’S NEST- Premise by Netflix. “Third in a trio of films inspired by Swedish author Stieg Larsson’s “Millennium Trilogy,” this thriller follows feisty computer hacker Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) as she finds herself hospitalized, suspected of murder and targeted for death by thugs. Meanwhile, Lisbeth’s journalist pal, Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist), crusades to prove her innocence. Daniel Alfredson directs this film that also stars Lena Endre and Jacob Ericksson.” I felt the first one was OK, didn’t like the second and have no reason to believe I’ll like the third. Audience reaction has been good.

 

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) CARLOS- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Édgar Ramírez stars as Ilich Ramírez Sánchez — aka Carlos the Jackal — an elusive Venezuelan terrorist who executed scores of assassination plots, kidnappings and bombings across Europe and the Middle East. Olivier Assayas’s gripping biopic follows Sanchez from 1973 to 1994, as he and his cohorts wreak havoc on Paris’s Left Bank, storm OPEC headquarters in Vienna and carry out other devastating acts of politically motivated violence.” Good reviews.

 

2) HOLY ROLLERS- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Inspired by a true story, director Kevin Asch‘s film tells the story of Sam Gold (Jesse Eisenberg), a young Hasidic Jew from Brooklyn who breaks with Orthodox tradition when he becomes an intercontinental Ecstasy smuggler for an Israeli drug cartel. A blend of neurotic coming-of-age dramedy and tense crime thriller, the film features Justin Bartha (“National Treasure”) as Sam’s pal Yosef and hip-hop recording artist Q-Tip in a supporting role.” Fair reviews.10/10- I agree- I thought that the movie was fair. TRDB. Netflix.

3) LEAVING- 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-

 

 

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-

 

NEW-

 

1) FAIR GAME- 2010. Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, Danbury. Premise by Netflix. “After her husband, Ambassador Joseph Wilson (Sean Penn), writes op-ed columns accusing the Bush administration of misleading the public to justify invading Iraq, Valerie Plame Wilson’s (Naomi Watts) status as a covert CIA agent is leaked by administration officials. Based on events described in Plame Wilson’s memoir, this drama explores the political scandal that led to the conviction of Lewis “Scooter” Libby.” Fair review in NY Times on 11/5/10.

 

2) INSIDE JOB- 2010. Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

 

3) MORNING GLORY- 2010. Bethel, Clearview 100, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. Premise by Netflix. “Whiz-kid producer Becky Fuller (Rachel McAdams) finds her abilities put to the test when she’s charged with bringing a network morning show back from ratings purgatory. Her first job: getting the show’s feuding, acid-tongued co-hosts (Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton) under control. Jeff Goldblum co-stars as Fuller’s network-exec boss and Patrick Wilson is Becky’s put-upon boyfriend in this comedy from the writer of The Devil Wears Prada.” Good audience reviews, none professional.

 

4) THE RISE AND FALL OF ELIOT SPITZER- Jacob Burns. Premise by Netflix. “Director Alex Gibney turns the spotlight on the life and career of politician Eliot Spitzer, the New York governor whose potential to become the first Jewish president of the United States was thwarted by his indiscretions. Supporters and opponents opine about Spitzer, who was a well-respected attorney general before becoming governor. Spitzer’s career crashed and burned with the revelation that he was involved with prostitutes.” Very good early reviews.11/10- Very good documentary which centered on Spitzer’s personality, method of governing and his growing list of enemies rather than the prostitution scandal. TRDB.  

REPEATS-

 

1) 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.10/10- Pleasantly surprised with this latest Woody film. I liked the characters, the acting, and a few very creative aspects of the film. TRDB.

 

2) MAO’S LAST DANCER- 2009. 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.

 

3) WAITING FOR SUPERMAN- 2010. Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

 

4) TAMARA DREWE- 2010. Garden Cinema Norwalk. Premise by Netflix. “After undergoing plastic surgery and a complete fashion makeover, suddenly sexy journalist Tamara (Gemma Arterton) triumphantly returns to her tiny hometown, where she exploits her irresistible appeal by recklessly toying with others’ emotions and breaking hearts. Adapted from a comic strip by Posy Simmonds, this Stephen Frears-directed comedy explores themes such as unrequited loved, envy and lust.” Mostly good professional reviews. Just OK from audiences.

 

5) CONVICTION- 2010. Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100. Premise by Netflix. “Convinced that her brother, Kenneth (Sam Rockwell), has been unjustly convicted of murder and incompetently defended by court-ordered attorneys, high school dropout Betty Anne Waters (Hilary Swank) puts herself through law school in order to represent him in his appeal. Inspired by a true story, director Tony Goldwyn’s stirring drama also stars Melissa Leo, Minnie Driver, Peter Gallagher and Clea DuVall.” Good early reviews.

 

6) THE SOCIAL NETWORK- 2010. 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.   

  

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

 

For all films go to- www.fandango.com