November 24th, 2009
NOV. 24, 2009
DEAR FRIENDS:
THIS NEWSLETTER WILL BE SENT OUT A DAY EARLY AND MAY NOT CONTAIN ALL OF YOUR LOCAL MOVIES. PLEASE REFER TO FANDANGO.COM
PLEASE CHECK OUT MY NEW WEBSITE AT- thereeldrbob.com
ONE NEW MOVIE for me this week at the-
THEATER-
1) COCO BEFORE CHANEL- Premise by Netflix. “Audrey Tautou stars as legendary French designer Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel in this lively biopic that explores the fashion icon’s storied ascension from orphan to seamstress and cabaret singer and ultimately, the queen of Parisian haute couture. Alessandro Nivola plays Arthur “Boy” Capel, Chanel’s lover and influential business investor who makes a lifelong impact on the young woman. Anne Fontaine directs.”
I saw this in Florida and found the movie delightful. TRDB.
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VIEWED AT HOME-
1) THE WAY WE GET BY- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Whenever Iraq War veterans return to the U.S. via Bangor, Maine, senior citizen volunteers Bill, Joan and Jerry are at the airport to greet them. This moving documentary profiles their personal stories and the impact they’ve made on countless lives. As they share their kindness and support through handshakes and hugs, these compassionate greeters strengthen their community, their country and themselves. ”
11/20/09–2009. Directed by Aron Gaudet. I just saw this and while it was very interesting to watch for about 45 minutes the second half became redundant for me. It was more about a group of lonely people from Bangor, Maine, most living on their own, all elderly, some veterans and some women who find meaning in their lives by greeting soldiers who are going to or coming from Iraq to thank them for what they’ve done or are about to do. Netflix Streaming. TRDB
2) FOOD, INC. – Premise by Netflix. “Drawing on Eric Schlosser‘s Fast Food Nation and Michael Pollan‘s The Omnivore’s Dilemma, director Robert Kenner‘s documentary explores the food industry’s detrimental effects on our health and environment. Kenner spotlights the men and women who are working to reform an industry rife with monopolies, questionable interpretations of laws and subsidies, political ties and rising rates of E. coli outbreaks.”
11/22/09-I just saw this, found it very informative and a scathing indictment of the industry and it’s labor and safety practices. Netflix. TRDB.
3) BALLAST- Premise by Netflix. 2008. ”In a small Mississippi Delta township, one of the poorest places in the rich nation of America, a single mother struggles to provide for herself and her son. Their fragile lives are tragically ripped apart when an extreme act of violence occurs. Michael J. Smith Sr., JimMyron Ross, Tarra Riggs and Johnny McPhail star in this lyrical drama (nominated for multiple Independent Spirit Awards, including Best Feature) that explores long-standing conflicts and the meaning of family.”
From RottenTomatoes- “A searing debut by director Lance Hammer, this subtle and contemplative Mississippi set drama lingers long after its conclusion.”
11/23/09- I just saw this and liked it, although not as much as the critics and in particular I had some trouble getting into the movie at first but the second half was much better. TRDB.
4)
THE ANSWER MAN- Premise by Netflix. “He wants to be left alone, but Arlen Faber (Jeff Daniels), author of a best-selling book about spirituality, finds himself harassed by single mom Elizabeth (Lauren Graham) and recovering addict Kris (Lou Taylor Pucci), who think Arlen can solve their problems. Arlen knows he has no real answers, but as he and Elizabeth fall in love, they all discover hope in unexpected places. John Hindman directs this romantic drama.” This film got generally POOR reviews BUT a few very good ones.11/23/09- Just saw this movie and it is incredibly stupid. Miss it!! TRDB
5) THREE MONKEYS- Premise by Netflix. “When a politician accidentally runs down a pedestrian, he pays his driver to take the rap and serve the jail term. But as the driver’s family grows restless, seeing, hearing and speaking the truth cannot be ignored. Who will ultimately pay the price? Directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan, this provocative Turkish drama stars Hatice Aslan and Yavuz Bingol and won the Best Director Award at Cannes Film Festival.” Some called it plodding but others said it was very good. I’ll get it.11/24/09- I just saw this movie and LOVED it. Very subtle and very powerful at the same time. Terrific acting as well. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
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COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY DEC. 1-
1) A CHRISTMAS TALE- Premise by Netflix. “Arnaud Desplechin directs this artfully unconventional tale about members of a dysfunctional family who come together for a strained and animosity-filled Christmas reunion. The all-star ensemble cast includes Jean-Paul Roussillon, Catherine Deneuve, Mathieu Amalric, Hippolyte Girardot, Emmanuelle Devos, and Deneuve’s real-life daughter, Chiara Mastroianni. The film received a nod for the Cannes Film Festival’s Palme d’Or award. I saw this movie a few months ago and LOVED it.
2) THE BAADER MEINHOFF COMPLEX- Premise by Netflix. “Uli Edel directs this Best Foreign Language Film Oscar nominee charting the birth of West Germany’s Red Army Faction, a radical left-wing terrorist group formed in the late 1960s amid a climate of revolution and a fallen generation. Staging a series of bombings, kidnappings and assassinations, the RAF waged a war against fascism with a direct assault against the powers of American imperialism and the fledgling German democracy.” This movie has received very good reviews and I plan to see it. COMING 12/8/09
3) PAPER HEART- Premise by Netflix. “Play Preview Eccentric performer and romantic skeptic Charlyne Yi embarks on a quest to learn the true nature of love — and gathers some surprising findings when she begins a relationship with actor Michael Cera. Real-life sweethearts Yi and Cera star as themselves in this quirky hybrid of documentary and scripted comedy. The charming romance was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.” Described as a quirky mockumentary, this film got just OK reviews.
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OPENING THIS WEEK-
1) 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.” Described as light and frothy or the equivalent by most reviewers.
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FLORIDA- At the Emerging Cinemas of Lake Worth
1) PARIS- About a love affair with the City of Light. Mixed reviews.
2) BRIGHT STAR- About the secret love affair between poet John Keats and his next-door neighbor Fanny Brawne. I saw this and found it incredibly boring.
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COMCAST ON-DEMAND- LOTS OF NEW ONES THIS WEEK.
THESE ARE ALL RECOMMENDED
NEW-
1) LIMITS OF CONTROL- On Netflix.
2) MAMMOTH- Just released. Good reviews.
3) O’HORTEN- Interesting reviews but I don’t plan on seeing it. On Netflix also.
4) RED CLIFF- Just released. Does not sound interesting to me.
5) UNCERTAINTY- About responsibility and freedom with a New York couple. Good early reviews.
6) IS ANYBODY THERE- On Netflix also.
7) AFTERSCHOOL- About some highschoolers who accidentally videotape a killing. Good reviews.
8)BALLAST- On Netflix also.
9) THE MERRY GENTLEMAN- About a woman running from an abusive husband. I liked this one a lot.
10) FOOD, INC.- Good documentary. See “above.” On Netflix also.
REPEATS-
1) AMERICAN VIOLET- Very good movie. On Netflix.
2) AWAY WE GO- Interesting premise and OK film. On Netflix.
3) TYSON- I liked this film a lot. On Netflix also.
4) SUNSHINE CLEANING- I liked the movie. On Netflix also.
5) RUDO Y CURSI- I enjoyed this one. On Netflix also.
6) UNMISTAKEN CHILD- Very good reviews and I plan to see it.
http://www.optimum.net/VOD/movies?cat=Movies+On+Demand%2FIndependent+Films%2FIFC+In+Theaters.
BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-
1) AN EDUCATION- About the relationship between a very young woman and a much older man. Mixed reviews though most liked it. Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk, Jacob Burns, Bethel.
2) THE PRIVATE LIVES OF PIPPA LEE- Mixed reviews. Most liked it but some thought it was sappy and a puzzle. Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk, Bethel.
3) THE ROAD- About a father and son in a post apocalyptic world. Clearview 100. Mixed reviews.
4) PRECIOUS- Very good reviews. Garden Cinema Norwalk, Jacob Burns, Bethel.
Click on the link to see which independent films are playing in your neighborhood-
THAT’S IT FOR NOW-
THE REEL DR BOB
The Reel Dr. Bob
Entry Filed under: Old Newsletters
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