The Reel Dr. Bob

FILM REVIEWS #306

December 24th, 2009

12/14/09- I was a guest speaker for a showing of this film in Lake Worth, Florida last week and I  liked the film very much. While there may not be a whole lot of new material it was a great history lesson with great archival footage that only his family could have gotten. Highly recommended. TRDB.

2)  INVICTUS- Premise by Netflix. “In this sports drama based on real-life events, director Clint Eastwood tells the story of what happened after the end of apartheid when newly elected president Nelson Mandela used the 1995 World Cup rugby matches to unite his people. Based on a book by John Carlin, the film stars Morgan Freeman as Mandela and Matt Damon as Francois Pienaar, the captain of the scrappy South African team that makes a run for the championship.”

12/21/09- I saw this a few days ago in Florida and I was the only one who did not like it. I felt that it was way too Hollywood and therefore trivialized the great deeds that this man has accomplished. Matt Damon irritated me also. TRDB.

3) BROTHERS- Premise by Zap2it. “Siblings Sam and Tommy Cahill are as far apart as brothers can be; while Sam serves his country as a Marine, Tommy is a drifter who just got out of prison. When Sam is shot down and presumed dead in Afghanistan, Tommy vows to take care of Sam’s wife, Grace, and his children. Tommy and Grace become close, and when Sam unexpectedly returns home, the consequences of their actions threaten the foundation of the entire family.” Several great reviews.

12/21/09- I saw this in Florida a few days ago and liked it very much. Great study of family dynamics and great acting as well. I actually liked Natalie Portman for a change. TRDB.

4) PRECIOUS- Premise by Zap2it. “Pregnant by her own father for the second time, 16-year-old Claireece “Precious” Jones can neither read nor write and suffers constant abuse at the hands of her vicious mother . Precious instinctively sees a chance to turn her life around when she is offered the opportunity to transfer to an alternative school. Under the patient, firm guidance of her new teacher, Ms. Rain, Precious begins the journey from oppression to self-determination.” This film has been discussed and hyped so much for so long that I hope it meets it’s expectations. Early reviews say that the performances made the film special instead of the story itself.

12/23/09- I saw this a few days ago in Florida and liked it very much. The story was painful  to watch but the acting was so superb that I really could enjoy it. TRDB.

5) UP IN THE AIR- Netflix had this to say– “Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) racks up major miles flying around the country firing employees on behalf of companies. But he faces losing the job he savors to Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick) — and losing the ability to escape emotional ties to anything. A connection he builds with Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga), however, might change his outlook on the future. Jason Reitman‘s smart comedy also stars Jason Bateman as Bingham’s boss, Craig.

12/23/09- I saw this today and liked it– some depth, some funny parts and also some poignant moments. TRDB.

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VIEWED AT HOME-

1) WORLD’S GREATEST DAD- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Play Preview After his son (Daryl Sabara) dies in an awkward freak accident, high school poetry teacher Lance (Robin Williams) ghostwrites a suicide note to spare the family embarrassment. But when the note becomes an unexpected hit, Lance sees a chance to resurrect his writing career. In a bid for literary fame, Lance writes his son’s journal and passes it off as his own. Writer-director Bob Goldthwait’s comedy debuted at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.” This film got fairly good reviews and I’ll see it.

12/10/09– I liked it a lot. One critic called the film “a mind blowing shot of black-comic genius” and I agree. TRDB. Netflix. 12/09

2) MATADOR- 1986. By Pedro Almodovar. With Antonio Banderas, Assumpta Serna and Nacho Martinez. About a bullfighter who can no longer fight because of an injury in the ring. He becomes obsessed with death and a love triangle. I liked the movie. Netflix. 12/09

3) THE HEADLESS WOMAN- Premise by Netflix. “After she runs over something with her car — maybe a dog, maybe a human — affluent dentist Verónica (María Onetto) suffers a strange breakdown and finds she can’t recognize familiar faces in her rural Argentine town. Director Lucrecia Martel‘s third feature, a loosely structured, visually complex reflection on grief, guilt and class relations, was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival. Another film with an interesting premise and decent reviews.

12/21/09- I did NOT like it at all. Way too ambiguous and so little dialogue from the main character that the movie seemed ODD at best. TRDB.

4) THE GIRL FROM MONACO- Premise by Netflix. “Middle-aged lawyer Bertrand (Fabrice Luchini) chafes at the presence of Christophe (Roschdy Zem), a bodyguard assigned to protect him during a dangerous case. Things worsen when Bertrand catches the eye of free-spirited weather girl Audrey (Louise Bourgoin), Christophe’s old flame. Audrey brings out long-dormant feelings in the counselor, who finds himself competing against his guardian for her affections in this charming romantic comedy.” An interesting premise and OK reviews.

12/22/09- I enjoyed this movie a lot, especially the developing relationship between the attorney and his assigned bodyguard. TRDB.

5) BLIND DATE- Premise by Rotten Tomatoes. “Don and Janna are a married couple struggling to reconnect after the death of their daughter. They answer each other’s phony classified ads and begin an elaborate game of pretend on a series of blind dates, hoping that this ruse will allow them finally to talk openly about the demise of their relationship in the wake of tragedy.”

12/22/09- I liked it. A little slow at times and sad beyond sad but very well acted and sincere. Netflix Streaming. TRDB.

6) HERB AND DOROTHY- Premise by Rotten Tomatoes. “This documentary film tells the extraordinary story of Herb, a postal clerk, and Dorothy, a librarian — an ordinary couple of modest means who managed to build one of the most important contemporary art collections in history.” Good reviews.

12/23/09- I found this movie very interesting and I’d definitely recommend it. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, DEC. 29- Nothing of Interest.

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OPENING THIS WEEK-

1) WHY AM I DOING THIS?- Premise by Zap2it. “Two down on their luck entertainers ponder the age old question.” Fair early reviews at best.

2) POLICE, ADJECTIVE- Premise by Zap2it. “A Romanian cop is reluctant to arrest a teen suspected of possessing and possibly selling marijuana.” Fairly good early reviews, although one reviewer said it’s boring and bring plenty of popcorn.

3) THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS- Premise by Zap2it. “Dr. Parnassus, the leader of a traveling show, has a dark secret. Thousands of years ago he traded the soul of his daughter, Valentina, to the devil. Now the devil has come to collect his prize. In order to save Valentina, Parnassus must make a final wager: Whoever collects five souls first will win Valentina’s. Tony, a man saved from hanging by Parnassus’ troupe, agrees to help collect them, with Valentina’s hand in marriage as the prize.” Described as a lovable mess of a movie but most liked it.

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FLORIDA- At the Emerging Cinemas of Lake Worth

1) LA DANSE- A wonderful documentary about the Paris Opera Ballet by Frederick Wiseman.

2) MR. HULOT’S HOLIDAY- A slapstick comedy from 1953 France. I did not like it. Also on Netflix.

For independent movies near you go to-   http://www.emergingpictures.com/exhibition.htm

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW-

1) SUGAR- About a young Dominican man who is being groomed for a career in baseball at a Dominican baseball academy. Very good and I recommend it.

2) A WOMAN IN BERLIN- Based on a true story, it’s about how one woman from Berlin survives the rapes by the occupying Russian soldiers. Very good and I recommend it.

REPEATS-

1) AFTERSCHOOL- About some highschoolers who accidentally videotape a killing. Good reviews.

2) AWAY WE GO- Interesting premise and OK film. On Netflix.

3) BALLAST- A good movie about the south. On Netflix also.

4) EVERY LITTLE STEP- About the auditioning process for the return of “A Chorus Line.” Great documentary. Available on Netflix also.

5) FOOD, INC.- Good documentary. About the food we eat and in particular, the corporate aspect of food development. Very good documentary. On Netflix also. 

6) I’LL COME RUNNING- About a man who has a one night stand in Austin, Texas and is then visited by the woman after he has gone back to Europe. I saw this and liked it a lot. Very good reviews also.

7) JULIE AND JULIA- Two parallel stories. One about Julia Child and the other about a young woman trying to find herself and finds Julia Child. I liked the movie.

8)MAMMOTH- Story about a man, his wife, and their Filipino nanny. Good reviews but I haven’t seen it yet.

9) RUDO Y CURSI- About two brothers who come from Mexico to the US to play soccer. I enjoyed this one. On Netflix also.

10) SUNSHINE CLEANING- I liked the movie. On Netflix also.

11) THE MERRY GENTLEMAN- About a woman running from an abusive husband. I liked this one a lot. On Netflix too.

12) UNCERTAINTY- About a young couple who are trying to decide where to spend July 4th. The movie simultaneously follow them after two different decisions. Like “Sliding Doors” and others but very well done and I liked it.

 Cablevision Link– http://www.optimum.net/VOD/movies?cat=Movies+On+Demand%2FIndependent+Films%2FIFC+In+Theaters

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BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-

1) INVICTUS- Bethel, Danbury, Saw Mill Hawthorne.I saw this and did not like it. See “above.”

2) IT’S COMPLICATED- Bethel, Danbury, Saw Mill Hawthorne. Fair reviews although Meryl Streep is getting early recognition.

3) UP IN THE AIR- Bethel, Danbury, Saw Mill Hawthorne. Very good early reviews and I enjoyed it. Good but not great. See “above.”

4) THE YOUNG VICTORIA- Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk, Clearview 100, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Jacob Burns. Good reviews.

5) BROKEN EMBRACES- Garden Cinema Norwalk, Clearview 100, Jacob Burns. Good reviews of Almodovar’s latest.

6) AN EDUCATION- Garden Cinema Norwalk, Clearview 100. I saw this and liked it.

7) ME AND ORSON WELLES- Garden Cinema Norwalk, Jacob Burns. Very good early reviews.

8)NINE- Clearview 100, Danbury, Saw Mill Hawthorne. Poor early reviews despite a star cast.

9) BROTHERS- Danbury. Liked it a lot. See “above.”

THAT’S IT FOR NOW-
THE REEL DR BOB
The Reel Dr. Bob

 “HERB AND DOROTHY- Premise by Netflix. “Chronicling the story of unlikely art collectors Herb Vogel and Dorothy Vogel, filmmaker Megumi Sasaki demonstrates that it’s not necessary to be wealthy in order to build a significant collection in this fascinating documentary. A postal clerk and a librarian, the Vogels share a passion for art, which they pursued over decades, becoming two of the most important collectors of minimalist and conceptual art with more than 4,000 pieces.” Very good reviews.

12/23/09- I saw this and found it very interesting and I’d definitely recommend it. TRDB.

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