The Reel Dr. Bob

NOV. 23, 2010

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

This issue will come out a bit early because of the holidays. A Happy Thanksgiving to all of my readers.

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) LEMON POPSICLE- Netflix Streaming

2) A MOTHER’S COURAGE- Netflix

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) 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, especially NY Times 11/19/10.11/10- Despite all of the great reviews I found this movie disjointed with lots of individual scenes and no glue between them. Isabel Huppert is great as usual. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) LOVE RANCH- 2009. 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.11/10- I watched for 15 minutes and had to turn it off. The worst. TRDB. Netflix.

2) THE EXTRA MAN- 2010. 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.

11/10- Miserable movie and I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.

3) LEMON POPSICLE- 1978. “In 1950s Israel, Benzi (Yftach Katzur), Momo (Jonathan Sagall) and Yudale (Zachi Noy) are typical teenagers with one-track minds. Obsessed with losing their virginity, the three embark on a sex expedition. Calling on young girls, middle-aged nymphomaniacs and prostitutes with questionable hygiene, the boys are well on their way to becoming men. Director Boaz Davidson’s amusing coming-of-age jaunt earned a Golden Globe nomination.”

11/10- Very well done with excellent sound track. I liked the movie despite it being dubbed into English from Hebrew. TRDB. Netflix.

4) A MOTHER’S COURAGE- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Icelandic filmmaker Fridrik Thór Fridriksson follows Margrét Dagmar Ericsdóttir’s quest to find answers about autism, a condition that confounds traditional medical practitioners and renders her 11-year-old son, Keli, unable to communicate. Across the United States and Europe, Ericsdóttir encounters autism experts exploring promising new methods and meets autistic “miracle patients” who eventually found their voices. Kate Winslet narrates.” OK review in NY Times 9/24/10.

11/10- A unique documentary with footage of a noted therapist working with new patients immediately upon arrival to their clinic. Recommended. TRDB. Netflix.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, NOV. 30-

 

1) WAKING SLEEPING BEAUTY- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Walt Disney Studios veteran Don Hahn directs and produces this documentary that shines a light on Disney animation work during the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s — from the team’s humble beginnings at CalArts to the box office triumph of The Lion King. In exploring the works of that era, the film illuminates the careers of top animators of the time, including John Lasseter, Brad Bird, John Musker, Ron Clements and many others.” Mixed reviews for this documentary.

 

2) CAIRO TIME- 2010. 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.

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OPENING THIS WEEK REGIONALLY, NATIONALLY OR LOCALLY-

 

1) UNDERTOW (CONTRACORRIENTE)- Premise by Netflix. “Writer-director Javier Fuentes-León sets this offbeat romantic ghost story on the rough-hewn but gorgeous Peruvian coast, where a married fisherman must come to terms with his love for another man, despite the strict moral codes of his homeland. This winner of the World Cinema Audience Award: Dramatic at Sundance is a vivid examination of the ways in which affairs of the heart supersede social strictures and all other forms of logic.” Very good reviews.

 

2) LOVE AND OTHER DRUGS- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Pharmaceutical representative Jamie Reidy (Jake Gyllenhaal) becomes a player in the big game of male-performance-enhancement-drug sales and, along the way, finds unexpected romance with a woman (Anne Hathaway) suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Based on the real-life Jamie Reidy’s memoir, Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman, this satirical look inside the culture of Big Pharm is directed by Edward Zwick.” Fair reviews at best.

 

3) BURLESQUE- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “After club owner Tess (Cher) hires her to wait tables in an old-school Los Angeles burlesque joint, starry-eyed Ali (Christina Aguilera) sets her sights on taking the stage and blowing patrons away with her soaring voice. But she faces a lot of resistance. Ali’s hot performances have other performers seething with jealousy. Steve Antin directs this drama that co-stars Stanley Tucci, Alan Cumming, Peter Gallagher and Kristen Bell.” I’ve seen just 2 reviews and they are both good.

 

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FLORIDA- At the Emerging Cinemas of Lake Worth

 

1) BOXING GYM- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Acclaimed documentary director Frederick Wiseman brings his cameras to Lord’s Gym in Austin, Texas, where ex-puncher Richard Lord works with a diverse crowd of amateur boxing enthusiasts spanning every age, ethnicity and occupation. Wiseman’s signature style relies little on interviews and instead focuses on the rituals of training and the disciplined, determined approach of students and coaches to mastering the precise, brutal art of gloved combat.” Very good professional reviews so far but poor audience ratings.

 

2) LEAVING- 2010. 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. Coming attractions looked good to me.

 

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) LA DANSE- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Captured by renowned documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman, the lives of the men and women that comprise world-famous Opéra national de Paris reveal an unending devotion to their craft and a passion for the dance that is unequaled. Wiseman provides an intimate behind-the-scenes view of rehearsals, performances and ephemeral moments of the dancers, choreographers and others that make up the creative troupe inside the Palais Garnier.” Good reviews.

 

2) THE DRY LAND- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “American soldier Raymond Gonzales (Wilmer Valderrama) returns home to Texas after his tour of duty, unsure how to reconcile what he’s seen and experienced with the everyday mundanities of home and family life. This drama, from first-time writer-director Ryan Piers Williams, takes a head-on approach to confronting the conflicted emotions of the modern warrior. The stellar cast includes America Ferrera (“Ugly Betty”), Melissa Leo and Ethan Suplee.” Fair reviews.

 

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) LOVE AND OTHER DRUGS- 2010. Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. Premise by Netflix. “Pharmaceutical representative Jamie Reidy (Jake Gyllenhaal) becomes a player in the big game of male-performance-enhancement-drug sales and, along the way, finds unexpected romance with a woman (Anne Hathaway) suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Based on the real-life Jamie Reidy’s memoir, Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman, this satirical look inside the culture of Big Pharm is directed by Edward Zwick.” Fair reviews at best.

 

2) BURLESQUE- 2010. Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. Premise by Netflix. “After club owner Tess (Cher) hires her to wait tables in an old-school Los Angeles burlesque joint, starry-eyed Ali (Christina Aguilera) sets her sights on taking the stage and blowing patrons away with her soaring voice. But she faces a lot of resistance. Ali’s hot performances have other performers seething with jealousy. Steve Antin directs this drama that co-stars Stanley Tucci, Alan Cumming, Peter Gallagher and Kristen Bell.” I’ve seen just 2 reviews and they are both good.

  

REPEATS-

 

1) FAIR GAME-  2010.  Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100. 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. At the theater.

2) MORNING GLORY- 2010. Bethel, Clearview 100, 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.

 

3) 127 HOURS- 2010. Bethel, Clearview 100, 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.

 

4) 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.

 

5)  INSIDE JOB- 2010. 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.

 

  

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

 

For all films go to- www.fandango.com