November 18th, 2010
NOV. 18, 2010
DEAR FRIENDS:
YOU CAN ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AS WELL AS OLDER MOVIE SELECTIONS ON MY WEBSITE AT-
www.thereeldrbob.com
QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK- see “below”
1) EVERYONE ELSE- Netflix
2) JAFFA- Netflix
3) FAIR GAME- Theater
4) 1981- Netflix
5) INSPECTOR BELLAMY- Comcast On-Demand
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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-
1) FAIR GAME- 2010. 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 11/5/10.11/10-
This movie was very well done and packed a wallop. I liked it a lot. TRDB.
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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-
1) EVERYONE ELSE- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “In director
Maren Ade‘s complex drama about gender roles, power and desire, Chris (
Lars Eidinger) and Gitti (
Birgit Minichmayr) find their relationship tested when a brief encounter with a seemingly perfect couple prompts Chris to emulate the other man’s dominance. Gitti is game for the role-playing experiment, until submission gives way to suffocation and both partners feel their true selves slipping away.”
Good reviews.11/10-
Very well done and with sophisticated European acting this movie becomes interesting without very much dialogue. TRDB. Netflix.
2) JAFFA- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “In the Israeli city of Jaffa, an Arab father and son — Hasan and Taufik — work at a garage owned by a Jewish family that includes the pretty Mali (Dana Ivgy). But the tensions simmering beneath the surface of the genial workplace are about to come to a boil. A secret affair between Mali and Taufik has grave repercussions when Mali becomes pregnant in this gripping drama, an official selection at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.” Mixed reviews but more negative than positive.
11/10- A very well acted, thought provoking drama and I recommend it. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
3) JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT: THE RADIANT CHILD- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Controversial, charismatic artist Jean-Michel Basquiat is the subject of this insightful documentary from director Tamra Davis, who has uncovered a never-before-seen interview with the artist conducted before his untimely death at the age of 27. Also featured are numerous interviews with people who knew and loved Basquiat, a survey of his thought-provoking artworks, little-seen archival materials and footage of the artist at work in his studio.” Very good reviews.
11/10- Well done documentary but I just couldn’t get into the character or his art. The movie seemed to be a hype for Basquiat just as his friends hyped him when he was still alive. TRDB. Netflix.
4) INSPECTOR BELLAMY- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “From renowned French director Claude Chabrol comes this intriguingly low-key police thriller in which vacationing detective Paul Bellamy (Gérard Depardieu) can’t keep himself from getting involved when a mystery rears its head on holiday. Of course, his wife (Marie Bunel) is less than thrilled to share her vacation with criminals, and when Bellamy’s brother pays an unexpected visit, the family tensions ratchet up as high as the professional ones.” Good reviews.
11/10- Classic Claude Chabrol who died shortly after making this movie. I liked it. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
5) OCTOBER COUNTRY- 2009. “In their sensitive portrait of the Mosher family, who live in Mohawk Valley, N.Y., filmmakers Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher explore how people whose voices go unheard move through life like ghosts, unable to change their circumstances. Filmed over the course of a year, from one Halloween to the next, the film follows three generations as they struggle with poverty, an unplanned pregnancy, a custody battle and the lingering trauma of war. Premise by Netflix. ” Very good reviews.
11/10- Repetitive and of no interest to me. TRDB. Netflix.
6) 1981- Premise by Netflix. “After his working-class family moves to a more affluent town, anxious 11-year-old Ricardo (Jean-Carl Boucher) tries to impress the popular kids at his new school by spinning an intricate web of lies, which he frantically struggles to defend. Inspired by writer-director Ricardo Trogi‘s own life, this humorous Canadian coming-of-age tale also stars Claudio Colangelo, Sandrine Bisson and Gabriel Maille.”
11/10- Excellent French-Canadian coming of age story. TRDB. Netflix Streaming only.
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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, NOV. 23-
1) HARLAN: IN THE SHADOW OF JEW SUSS- Premise by Netflix. “Documentarian
Felix Moeller profiles one of Nazi Germany’s most notorious — yet largely forgotten — filmmakers in this penetrating biographical portrait of
Veit Harlan, best known for directing the anti-Semitic 1940 propaganda film Jew Süss. Rare footage sheds light on Harlan’s method and motivations, but interviews with his descendents reveal conflicted emotions about his tainted cinematic legacy.”4/10-
I saw this as part of the Westchester Jewish Film Festival and I thought it was fairly well done. TRDB.
2) 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.
3) COUNTDOWN TO ZERO- Premise by Netflix. “Since the first atomic bomb exploded in 1945, scientists and world leaders have grappled with the apocalyptic dangers and paradoxes posed by nuclear weapons.
Lucy Walker‘s documentary presents an unblinking look at humanity’s lethal predicament. The film outlines current threats posed by a growing list of nuclear-armed states and weighs the prospects for global disarmament, soliciting insights from a gallery of world leaders and policy experts.”
Just a few reviews and they are good.
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OPENING THIS WEEK LOCALLY, REGIONALLY OR NATIONALLY-
1) ME, TOO- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Proving everyone is equal in their need for — and ability to feel — love, Daniel (Pablo Pinedo), a thirtysomething office worker with Down’s syndrome, embarks on a romance with Laura (Lola Dueñas), a neurotic but “normal” co-worker. Despite their apparent differences, Laura is attracted to Daniel, who is the first European with Down’s to graduate from a university. Álvaro Pastor and Antonio Naharro co-directed this touching, thoughtful drama.” Good early reviews.
2) MADE IN DAGENHAM- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Sally Hawkins stars in this cheeky dramatization of the landmark 1968 labor strike initiated by hundreds of women who rebelled against discrimination and demanded the same pay as men for their work in a London automobile manufacturing plant. During one march, a banner that reads “We Want Sexual Equality” inadvertently becomes shortened to “We Want Sex.” Nigel Cole directs this film that co-stars Miranda Richardson and Richard Schiff.” Very good professional reviews but not from audiences so far.
3) WHITE MATERIAL- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Writer-director Claire Denis returns to her childhood home of Cameroon — and the site of her 1988 film, Chocolate — to spin this tale of a country torn apart by civil war, as African soldiers force French nationals to abandon their land. At the center of the story is Maria (Isabelle Huppert), a white woman who ignores her family’s fears and steadfastly refuses to leave her coffee plantation. Isaach De Bankolé and Christopher Lambert also star.” Great reviews.
4) QUEEN OF THE LOT- 2010. About an actress who travels to meet her boyfriend’s family and falls for his brother. No reviews yet but it didn’t sound good to me.
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FLORIDA- At the Emerging Cinemas of Lake Worth
1) LAST TRAIN HOME- 2009. 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.10/10-
Bare bones documentary, no talking heads and the viewer is left to his own thoughts. I liked it. TRDB.
2) A WOMAN, A GUN, AND A NOODLE SHOP- Premise by Netflix. “Master director
Yimou Zhang tackles an adaptation of the Coen brothers’ classic Blood Simple in this period dramedy full of slapstick and plot twists. When the owner of a Chinese noodle shop attempts to kill his adulterous wife, the fireworks fly. The proprietor also hopes to eliminate his wife’s woebegone lover, but complications and high-flying action arise courtesy of a rampaging band of feudal soldiers and the shop’s wacky employees.”
Good review in NY Times 9/3/10.
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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-
NEW-
1) CHARLIE ST. CLOUD- Premise by Netflix. “Ben Sherwood’s intriguing novel is the basis of this ghost story about Charlie (
Zac Efron), who is devoted to his brother, Sam, even after Sam’s death. As the caretaker of the cemetery where Sam is buried, Charlie has lots of time to commune with the dead. Sam visits frequently to hang out with Charlie, but when Charlie meets a mysterious young woman (
Amanda Crew), he must decide whether to move forward or remain trapped in the past.”
Poor reviews.
2) INSPECTOR BELLAMY- Premise by Netflix. “From renowned French director Claude Chabrol comes this intriguingly low-key police thriller in which vacationing detective Paul Bellamy (Gérard Depardieu) can’t keep himself from getting involved when a mystery rears its head on holiday. Of course, his wife (Marie Bunel) is less than thrilled to share her vacation with criminals, and when Bellamy’s brother pays an unexpected visit, the family tensions ratchet up as high as the professional ones.” Good reviews.
11/10- Classic Claude Chabrol who died shortly after making this movie. I liked it. TRDB.
3) JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIET- Premise by Netflix. “Controversial, charismatic artist
Jean-Michel Basquiat is the subject of this insightful documentary from director
Tamra Davis, who has uncovered a never-before-seen interview with the artist conducted before his untimely death at the age of 27. Also featured are numerous interviews with people who knew and loved Basquiat, a survey of his thought-provoking artworks, little-seen archival materials and footage of the artist at work in his studio.”
Very good reviews.11/10- Well done documentary but I just couldn’t get into the character or his art. The movie seemed to be a hype for Basquiat just as his friends hyped him when he was still alive. TRDB.
4) JOAN RIVERS: A PIECE OF WORK- Premise by Netflix. “Documentarians
Ricki Stern and
Annie Sundberg provide an uncompromising glimpse into the personal and professional life of comedian and red-carpet mainstay
Joan Rivers, a woman clinging stubbornly and steadfastly to the pop-culture bandwagon. Stern and Sundberg — whose previous film, The Devil Came on Horseback, covered the Darfur genocide — take a no-less-intensive approach to their subject here, taking a hard look at fame’s bitter toll.”
Fair reviews and good reviews in equal number.
5) LOVE RANCH- Premise by Netflix. “Inspired by the story of the couple who introduced legalized prostitution to Nevada with the opening of their Mustang Ranch brothel, this
Taylor Hackford-directed drama focuses on the devastating consequences of infidelity in the land of sex for pay.
Helen Mirren stars as Grace Botempo;
Joe Pesci plays her husband, Charlie; and
Sergio Peris-Mencheta plays the boxer who, on entering their world, sets into motion a violent chain of events.”
Bad reviews. TRDB.
REPEATS-
1) A PROPHET- Good reviews but I thought it was tedious
2) A SINGLE MAN- Recommended
3) BABIES- Very good reviews
4) CARLOS- Good reviews
5) GHOST WRITER- Recommended
6) GREEN ZONE- Recommended
7) HEARTBREAKER- I liked it
8)HOLY ROLLERS
9) HOWL- Fair reviews
10) I AM LOVE- Great movie
11) I’M STILL HERE- Mixed reviews
12) LEAVING- Mixed reviews
13) LETTERS TO JULIET- Not for me
14) MID-AUGUST LUNCH- Well reviewed but I found this just OK
15) MULTIPLE SARCASMS- Bad!
16) SOUL KITCHEN- Fair reviews
17) THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO- Just OK
18) UNTITLED- I hated it
19) WINTER’S BONE- I didn’t care for it
20) YOO-HOO, MRS. GOLDBERG- I liked it
21) YOUTH IN REVOLT- I liked it
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BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-
NEW-
1) 127 HOURS- Jacob Burns, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Premise by Netflix. “Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) re-teams with writer Simon Beaufoy and producer Christian Colson to tell the harrowing story of real-life mountain climber Aron Ralston (James Franco), who literally cut himself loose from danger — and lived to tell about it. When sliding rock pinned his right forearm under a boulder during a climb in the Utah mountains, Ralston resorted to his basest survival instincts to stay alive.” Very good early reviews.
REPEATS-
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, Clearview 100, 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 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.
THAT’S IT FOR NOW-
THE REEL DR BOB
The Reel Dr. Bob
Entry Filed under: Old Newsletters
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