The Reel Dr. Bob

FEB. 3, 2011

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) ANOTHER YEAR- Theater

2) MAD BASTARDS- Comcast On-Demand

3) NOWHERE BOY- Netflix

4) BLUE VALENTINE- Theater

5) THE SICILIAN GIRL- Netflix Streaming

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) ANOTHER YEAR- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Over the course of a tumultuous year, contented medical counselor Gerri (Ruth Sheen) and her geologist husband, Tom (Jim Broadbent), see their friends and relations through a series of happy events and heartbreaks — including a birth and a death. Imelda Staunton and Oliver Maltman co-star in this character-driven ensemble dramedy from writer-director Mike Leigh (Happy-Go-Lucky, Vera Drake, Secrets & Lies).” Very good review in NY Times on 12/29/10.1/11- A slice of  life of a well adjusted and content older couple who spend time with family and friends over the course of a year. I liked it. TRDB.

2) BLUE VALENTINE- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Once crazy about each other, Cindy (Michelle Williams) and David (Ryan Gosling) have now grown apart. Cindy is bored and disenchanted with her life while David languishes in the emotional emptyness of their sexless, routine life in rural Pennsylvania. As they muddle through their marriage, they hearken back to the golden days when life was filled with possibility and romance. Derek Cianfrance writes and directs this drama.” Very good reviews and good review in NY Times on 12/29/10.

1/11- About the dissolution of a relationship in about as raw a form as I’ve seen in a while. Great movie. Williams and Gosling are great. TRDB.

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) NOWHERE BOY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Raised by his aunt Mimi (Kristin Scott Thomas) since he was a young boy, charismatic 15-year-old John Lennon (Aaron Johnson) is suddenly reunited with his mother, Julia (Anne-Marie Duff), which ignites a bitter battle between the two sisters for John’s affections. Along the way, John inherits his mother’s love of music and befriends fellow Liverpool lad Paul McCartney (Thomas Sangster) in this biopic of the music icon’s formative years.” Very good reviews. Fair review in NY Times 10/8/10.1/11- I felt that the movie was just OK but I did learn more about what made Lennon Lennon. TRDB. Netflix.

2) BE WITH ME- 2005. By Eric Khoo. Premise by Netflix. “This poetic film weaves together three stories of human connection with a minimalist flair. In “Meant to Be,” an elderly shopkeeper experiences intense loneliness until he reads the autobiography of an extraordinary blind and deaf woman. “So in Love” explores the bittersweet relationship between two teenage girls, and “Finding Love” tells the story of a security guard who has twin passions: for food and for a woman who works in his building.”

1/11- Slow beginning but I advise you to stay with it and reap the rewards. TRDB. Netflix.

3) MAD BASTARDS- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “Tough men try to do right by their families in this Australian production featuring an Aboriginal cast of non-professional actors. TJ (Dean Daley-Jones) travels across northwestern Australia to the Kimberley region to track down his son Bullet (Ngaire Pigram), who’s fast on his way to repeating his father’s mistakes. Meanwhile TJ’s police officer father seeks to undo the damage to his community and right some wrongs of his own.” At Sundance 2011.

1/11- I enjoyed this movie ON-DEMAND straight from the Sundance Film Festival. Good story and great music. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

4) INHALE- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “In a desperate move to save his daughter’s life, a New Mexico district attorney (Dermot Mulroney) crosses the border to look into an illegal lung transplant. But upon arrival, he learns the truth about where these “donated” organs really come from. Diane Kruger, Sam Shepard and Rosanna Arquette co-star in this gritty examination of ethics, immigration and innocent lives from director Baltasar Kormákur.” OK review in NY Times 11/11/10.

1/11- A very interesting premise but the plot was unfortunately trivialized with a cops and robbers mentality. I turned it off midway. TRDB. Netflix.

5) WALL STREET: MONEY NEVER SLEEPS- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Trader Jake (Shia LaBeouf) tries to mend the broken relationship between his fiancée, Winnie (Carey Mulligan), and her father, Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas), while avenging the fate of his mentor, Lou (Frank Langella), by getting close to Wall Street’s new megalomaniac, Bretton James (Josh Brolin). Centered on the 2008 financial crisis, director Oliver Stone’s follow-up is a modern-day ode to unfettered capitalism and, of course, greed.” Fair reviews at best.

1/11- I watched for 18min.- way too long. Garbage! TRDB. Netflix.

6) THE TIME THAT REMAINS- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “From the creation of Israel in 1948 all the way through the early 21st century, a single Palestinian family endures many triumphs and tragedies over the course of several generations in this sweeping drama. Writer-director Elia Suleiman also stars in this semiautobiographical film, the third installment in a trilogy that also includes the critically acclaimed Chronicle of a Disappearance and Divine Intervention.” Good review in NY Times on 1/8/11. At Sundance 2011.

1/11- I don’t know what the critics were thinking. I found this movie of NO value and fairly stupid at that. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand straight from Sundance 2011.

7) INCEPTION- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Intellectual property assumes another dimension in writer-director Christopher Nolan‘s sci-fi thriller, in which entrepreneur Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) wields a technology that lets him enter people’s dreams and pilfer their ideas. The enterprise sends Cobb and his team — including engineers Ariadne (Ellen Page) and Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) — hurtling across space and time, but nemesis Saito (Ken Watanabe) has a notion to stop them.” Very good reviews.

1/11- I don’t know what the hoopla is about this movie. I did not like it and turned it off quickly. TRDB. Netflix.

8)THE HOUSEMAID- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “A wealthy family’s new maid, Eun-yi (Do-yeon Jeon), attracts the attention of Hoon (Jung-Jae Lee), the man of the house, and a fiery affair develops between them. But although Hoon signs Eun-yi’s checks, he’s not the one controlling the relationship. One secret leads to another, until Eun-yi threatens to destroy the entire family. This update of the 1960 chiller was an Official Selection of the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.” Fair review in NY Times on 1/21/11.

2/11- Very well done until the ending which seemed incomprehensible to me. Worth seeing however. TRDB. On Concast On-Demand straight from Sundance 2011.

9) THE SICILIAN GIRL- 2009. By Marco Amenta. Premise by Netflix. “In this taut drama based on a true story, 17-year-old Rita (Veronica D’Agostino) is leading a privileged life when her father and brother are slain by rival Mafiosi. Bent on revenge, she turns to a sympathetic magistrate (Gérard Jugnot) and breaks the code of silence. In her journey from self-centered teenager to fearless advocate for justice, Rita enrages Sicily’s most powerful men, putting her life in jeopardy.” Very good reviews.

2/11- More of a drama than a documentary this film, based on a true story, was beautifully acted and very realistic. Highly recommended. TRDB. Netflix Streaming. Also available on DVD.

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RELEASED BY NETFLIX ON 2/1 WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE-

 

1) THE YELLOW HANDKERCHIEF- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “Recently released from jail, convict Brett Hanson (William Hurt) grows close to a young couple, Martine (Kristen Stewart) and Gordy (Eddie Redmayne), while journeying back home to his wife, May (Maria Bello). Set in Louisiana, this romantic road trip drama explores the loneliness everyone carries. Director Udayan Prasad remakes Yôji Yamada’s acclaimed 1977 Japanese film, which was adapted from a column by American novelist Pete Hamill.”3/10- Very good Hurt as usual and I liked the film. TRDB.

2) TOUCHING HOME- Premise by Netflix. “Based on the lives of Miller twins Logan and Noah, this indie drama weaves knotty family relationships and crushed dreams into a tapestry of human emotion. After the Colorado Rockies cut Lane Winston (Logan Miller) and poor grades force his brother (Noah Miller) to chuck his college baseball career, the siblings return home to work in a quarry with their father, Charlie (Ed Harris). Will his alcoholism drive a wedge between Charlie and his sons?” Poor professional reviews but very good audience ones.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, FEB. 8-

 

1) STILL WALKING- About a Japanese family who gets together to remember a lost sibling. Very good reviews.12/25/09- About an extended Japanese family having lost an adult child 12 yrs. earlier. They get together once a year in memory of the deceased. The family dynamics play out and the pain is revealed. I liked the movie very much and HIGHLY recommend it. Netflix Streaming. TRDB.

2) UNMADE BEDS- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “The lives of Axl (Fernando Tielve), who’s searching for his long-lost father, and Vera (Déborah François), who’s recovering from a recent breakup, crisscross — and eventually collide — after they both take up residence in a London flat populated with artsy, free-spirited squatters. Director Alexis Dos Santos’s intimate and imaginative film about youthful awakenings also stars Michiel Huisman, Katia Winter and Richard Lintern.” Good reviews.

 

3)  A FRENCH GIGOLO- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Josiane Balasko‘s part farce, part drama centers on Judith (Nathalie Baye), an entrepreneur in her 50s who gets caught in a tangle of emotions with sensitive, money-strapped prostitute Patrick (Eric Caravaca) and his cute wife, Fanny (Isabelle Carré). While financially supporting relatives in the Paris projects, Patrick begins to despair until Fanny, who has learned of her husband’s secret profession, drives him back to Judith’s arms and money.”1/10- A cute farce with some poignant moments also. Recommended for light fare. TRDB.

4) HIDEAWAY- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “When Louis (Melvil Poupaud) dies of a drug overdose in Paris, his wealthy mother instructs his strung-out but pregnant girlfriend, Mousse (Isabelle Carré), to get an abortion. Determined to keep her child, Mousse flees Paris for a country home. Louis’s brother (Louis-Ronan Choisy) visits, and she develops a fascination with him that is both erotic and angry. François Ozon crafts an intimate portrait of an enigmatic woman seeking a purpose.” Good reviews.

5) MIDDLE MEN- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “After spotting a big financial opportunity in the future of Internet pornography, straightlaced entrepreneur Jack Harris (Luke Wilson) enlists his pals Buck (Gabriel Macht) and Wayne (Giovanni Ribisi) to help him develop an online billing company specializing in adult entertainment. But as the firm takes off, Jack finds some unexpected kinks in the business of kink — including mobsters, the FBI, con men and terrorists.” Mixed reviews, more negative than positive.

6) THE ROMANTICS- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Mischief and sexual escapades ensue when a group of college friends reunite for the wedding of group members Lila (Anna Paquin) and Tom (Josh Duhamel) — and an old rivalry resurges between Lila and her maid of honor, Laura (Katie Holmes), who still holds a torch for the groom. Malin Akerman, Elijah Wood, Adam Brody and Jeremy Strong also star in this indie romantic comedy based on writer-director Galt Niederhoffer‘s novel.” Good early reviews but poor review in NY Times 9/10/10.

7) THE SOCIAL NETWORK- 2010. 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.” Good reviews.

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.

8)TAMARA DREWE- 2010. 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.

 

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OPENING THIS WEEK REGIONALLY, LOCALLY OR NATIONALLY-

 

1) INTO ETERNITY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Filmmaker Michael Madsen directs this documentary that chronicles the construction of Finland’s underground Onkalo nuclear waste repository, the world’s first permanent disposal zone for radioactive waste generated by nuclear power plants. As it examines the technology designed to keep the waste safely sequestered for 100,000 years, this film also explores strategies for convincing future generations to leave the lethal material undisturbed.” Good review in NY Times on 2/2/11.

 

2) AROUND JUNE- 2008. Premise by RottenTomatoes. “A love story set in the shadow of the shipyards of San Francisco. A young woman (JUNE) living with her much adored (UNCLE HENRY) and domineering, abusive father (MURRY), meets a penniless illegal immigrant (JUAN DIEGO), whose love gives her the insight and courage to finally break free and live her own life.” No reviews.

 

3) WAITING FOR FOREVER- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Contentedly jobless, wanderer Will Donner (Tom Sturridge) decides to focus his energies on reconnecting with the girl he loved as a child, Emma Twist (Rachel Bilson) — who is now a 20-something television actress living in Hollywood — and spending the rest of his life with her. Directed by James Keach, this romantic drama co-stars Blythe Danner, Richard Jenkins, Jaime King and Nikki Blonsky.” No professional reviews as yet.

  

4) THESE AMAZING SHADOWS- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “Fueled by exclusive interviews and dazzling archival footage, filmmakers Paul Mariano and Kurt Norton shine a light on the work of the National Film Registry and the art of preserving aesthetically, culturally and historically significant cinema. Highlights in this Sundance selection include input from the likes of Christopher Nolan, John Waters, Rob Reiner, Debbie Reynolds, Tim Roth and George Takei.” At Sundance 2011. Also on Comcast On-Demand. Only one review noted and it’s great.

 

 

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FLORIDA- At the Emerging Cinemas of Lake Worth

 

1) BHUTTO- Premise by Netflix. “Duane Baughman and Johnny O’Hara’s documentary is an in-depth and at times incendiary look at the epic life and tragic death of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, whose 2007 assassination sent her country’s political system into a tailspin. As a passionate and outspoken voice of reason and democracy, Bhutto‘s return to the seat of power seemed inevitable; but as a deeply divisive figure, her death was perhaps inescapable as well.” Very good reviews.

 

2) PHIL OCHS: THERE BUT FOR FORTUNE- 2010. “Fiercely devoted to championing peace and social justice, folk singer Phil Ochs rose to fame at the height of the 1960s protest movements, yet his incisive lyrics and resonant melodies remain relevant for audiences today. This film tells his story. Through performance footage and interviews with Ochs’s contemporaries and admirers — including Joan Baez, Pete Seeger and Sean Penn — the documentary paints a portrait of a uniquely American artist.” Great reviews.

 

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

FROM SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2011

 

1) THESE AMAZING SHADOWS- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “Fueled by exclusive interviews and dazzling archival footage, filmmakers Paul Mariano and Kurt Norton shine a light on the work of the National Film Registry and the art of preserving aesthetically, culturally and historically significant cinema. Highlights in this Sundance selection include input from the likes of Christopher Nolan, John Waters, Rob Reiner, Debbie Reynolds, Tim Roth and George Takei.” Only one review noted and it’s great. From Sundance.

 

2) KABOOM- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Lovelorn college student Smith (Thomas Dekker) spends his days hanging with his friend Stella (Haley Bennett) and his nights lusting after his straight roommate Thor (Chris Zylka), until one wild party shatters his world in this comic thriller from edgy director Gregg Araki. After eating drug-laced cookies, Smith witnesses the murder of an enigmatic woman who has haunted his dreams, and he begins a bizarre journey that will determine his future.” Only fair reviews. From Sundance.

 

3) SEPTIEN- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “Writer-director Michael Tully also stars in this quirky tale of broken ties as Cornelius Rawlings, a long-absent son who returns to his dead parents’ farm to reunite with his surviving siblings. His brother Ezra (Robert Longstreet) is a Jesus freak, while his brother Amos (Onur Tukel) embraces Satan and sports. Meanwhile, Cornelius is content to call getting alternately drunk and high a form of living.” From Sundance.

 

4) THE TIME THAT REMAINS- Premise by Netflix. “From the creation of Israel in 1948 all the way through the early 21st century, a single Palestinian family endures many triumphs and tragedies over the course of several generations in this sweeping drama. Writer-director Elia Suleiman also stars in this semiautobiographical film, the third installment in a trilogy that also includes the critically acclaimed Chronicle of a Disappearance and Divine Intervention.” Good review in NY Times on 1/8/11.

 

1/11- I don’t know what the critics were thinking. I found this movie of NO value and fairly stupid at that. From the Sundance 2011. TRDB.

 

5) UNCLE KENT- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “Kent (Kent Osborne), a pothead cartoonist working from his Los Angeles home, invites Kate (Jennifer Prediger), a New York journalist he met on a chat site, for a weekend visit. He’s sure that they’ll end up sleeping together, but Kate seems to have other things on her mind. Sexual escapades — even a threesome — abound, but the matchup of Kent‘s dreams is always just out of reach. Writer-director Joe Swanberg co-stars.” At Sundance 2011.

 

6) MAD BASTARDS- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “Tough men try to do right by their families in this Australian production featuring an Aboriginal cast of non-professional actors. TJ (Dean Daley-Jones) travels across northwestern Australia to the Kimberley region to track down his son Bullet (Ngaire Pigram), who’s fast on his way to repeating his father’s mistakes. Meanwhile TJ’s police officer father seeks to undo the damage to his community and right some wrongs of his own.”

 

 

1) DOGTOOTH- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “In this Greek drama, siblings who grow up cut off from the world — homeschooled and dependent on one another for entertainment — develop their own blissful alternative universe. That universe is shattered when their father lets in an outsider. Sex enters the picture when dad begins bringing home a female security officer to satisfy his son’s sexual needs. Suddenly, nothing is quite the same within this highly idiosyncratic family unit.”1/11- Clearly one of the strangest movies I’ve ever seen and I’ve seen a lot of strange movies. Also, very well done and it held my interest. Not for most people. The movie won Best Picture at Cannes 2009. TRDB.

 

2) THE HOUSEMAID- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “A wealthy family’s new maid, Eun-yi (Do-yeon Jeon), attracts the attention of Hoon (Jung-Jae Lee), the man of the house, and a fiery affair develops between them. But although Hoon signs Eun-yi’s checks, he’s not the one controlling the relationship. One secret leads to another, until Eun-yi threatens to destroy the entire family. This update of the 1960 chiller was an Official Selection of the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.” Fair review in NY Times on 1/21/11.2/11- Very well done until the ending which seemed incomprehensible to me. Worth seeing however. TRDB. On Concast On-Demand straight from Sundance 2011.

 

3) JACK GOES BOATING- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Philip Seymour Hoffman directs and stars in this romantic comedy about Jack, a marijuana-smoking Manhattan limo driver who begins an unlikely regimen of self-improvement to win the heart of a fellow misfit named Connie (Amy Ryan). But as Jack learns to cook and swim for the benefit of his girl, he also witnesses the breakup of his best friends’ marriage. John Ortiz and Daphne Rubin-Vega co-star in this adaptation of Bob Glaudini’s play.” Only a few reviews available and they are mixed.1/11- I found the movie interesting in it’s simplicity and as usual Hoffman gives a great performance. TRDB.

 

4) NOWHERE BOY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Raised by his aunt Mimi (Kristin Scott Thomas) since he was a young boy, charismatic 15-year-old John Lennon (Aaron Johnson) is suddenly reunited with his mother, Julia (Anne-Marie Duff), which ignites a bitter battle between the two sisters for John’s affections. Along the way, John inherits his mother’s love of music and befriends fellow Liverpool lad Paul McCartney (Thomas Sangster) in this biopic of the music icon’s formative years.” Very good early reviews. Fair review in NY Times 10/8/10.1/11- I felt that the movie was just OK but I did learn more about what made Lennon Lennon. TRDB.

 

5) THE OTHER WOMAN- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Romance becomes reality for Emilia Greenleaf (Natalie Portman), who wins the heart of the handsome object of her affection (Scott Cohen), only to find that the relationship comes with some very real baggage — including her new beau’s troubled son (Charlie Tahan). Don Roos directs the film adaptation of Ayelet Waldman’s compelling novel, co-starring Lisa Kudrow, Lauren Ambrose and Elizabeth Marvel.” Only fair reviews for this movie although all said that Portman was very good.

  

6) OWL AND THE SPARROW- MOSCOW, BELGIUM- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “When harried mother of three Matty (Barbara Sarafian) causes a fender bender with twentysomething Johnny (Jurgen Delnaet), their flirting blossoms into an unlikely affair. But when Matty’s estranged husband, Werner (Johan Heldenbergh), declares that he wants back in her life, she must choose between old, familiar love and the uncertainty of starting life afresh. Christophe Van Rompaey directs this comedy.”2/2/10- Great acting and a very good script make this somewhat formulaic story totally believable and fun to watch. I liked it a lot. TRDB.

 

7) MIDDLE MEN- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “After spotting a big financial opportunity in the future of Internet pornography, straightlaced entrepreneur Jack Harris (Luke Wilson) enlists his pals Buck (Gabriel Macht) and Wayne (Giovanni Ribisi) to help him develop an online billing company specializing in adult entertainment. But as the firm takes off, Jack finds some unexpected kinks in the business of kink — including mobsters, the FBI, con men and terrorists.” Mixed reviews, more negative than positive.

 

8)THE TILLMAN STORY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “When Pat Tillman, a former pro football player and decorated U.S. soldier, was killed in Afghanistan, the military reported that he’d died battling the Taliban. But later, a much different story emerged: Tillman was killed by friendly fire. Since that day, Tillman’s family has waged their own war, fighting tirelessly with the government in order to unravel the truth behind the cover-up. Filmmaker Amir Bar-Lev documents their struggle.” Very good reviews.9/10- Very well done and a scathing indictment of the government’s actions in this case. TRDB.

 

9) MOSCOW, BELGIUM- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “When harried mother of three Matty (Barbara Sarafian) causes a fender bender with twentysomething Johnny (Jurgen Delnaet), their flirting blossoms into an unlikely affair. But when Matty’s estranged husband, Werner (Johan Heldenbergh), declares that he wants back in her life, she must choose between old, familiar love and the uncertainty of starting life afresh. Christophe Van Rompaey directs this comedy.”2/2/10- Great acting and a very good script make this somewhat formulaic story totally believable and fun to watch. I liked it a lot. TRDB.

 

10) CONVICTION- 2010. 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 reviews.

 

 

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-

 

 

1) BIUTIFUL- Clearview 100, Saw Mill Hawthorne. Premise by Netflix. “When a love affair goes bitterly awry, Uxbal (Javier Bardem) must pick up the pieces of his broken heart while protecting his children and facing the powerful demons of his past. A run-in with a childhood friend proves pivotal. Acclaimed director Alejandro González Iñárritu (Babel) is reunited with his ace cinematographer, Rodrigo Prieto, for this probing Spanish drama shot in Barcelona, Badalona and Santa Coloma.” Good early reviews. OK review in NY Times on 12/29/10.

 

 

1) TRUE GRIT- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2010. Premise by Netflix. “After her father is murdered by drifter Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), 14-year-old Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld), hires Reuben “Rooster” Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), an alcoholic U.S. Marshal, to help her exact vengeance. The disreputable Rooster still has grit though, and mounts an epic search. The pair is joined on their quest by Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon), who is also hunting for Chaney, in this updated Western from Joel and Ethan Coen. Very good review in NY Times on 12/22/10.1/11- To be honest I thought that the film was not nearly as good as the critics said it was. I also needed sub-titles for a good portion of the dialogue. Bring back “The Duke.”

 

2) THE KING’S SPEECH- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Tom Hooper directs this drama based on the true story of Britain’s King George VI (Colin Firth), a man who for years struggled with a nervous disposition and an embarrassing stutter — until he seeks help from unorthodox Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). Logue’s pioneering treatment and unlikely friendship give the royal leader a sense of confidence that serves him and his country well during the dark days of World War II. Very good reviews.12/10- While I enjoyed this film I felt the “Hollywood Effect” throughout most of the nearly 2 hours. TRDB.

 

3) BLACK SWAN- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2010. Premise by Netflix. ” In this supernatural thriller from director Darren Aronofsky, ambitious New York City ballet dancer Nina (Natalie Portman) lands a key role in “Swan Lake,” but soon finds her dreams of stardom threatened by rival ballerina Lilly (Mila Kunis). As the contentious rivalry between the dancers intensifies, Nina’s obsession descends into paranoia, delusion and more. Winona Ryder, Barbara Hershey and Vincent Cassel co-star.” Very good reviews.12/10-A very suspenseful and disturbing movie with enough to keep Freud busy for years. I liked it. TRDB. 

 

4) ANOTHER YEAR- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Over the course of a tumultuous year, contented medical counselor Gerri (Ruth Sheen) and her geologist husband, Tom (Jim Broadbent), see their friends and relations through a series of happy events and heartbreaks — including a birth and a death. Imelda Staunton and Oliver Maltman co-star in this character-driven ensemble dramedy from writer-director Mike Leigh (Happy-Go-Lucky, Vera Drake, Secrets & Lies).”  Very good review in NY Times on 12/29/10.1/11- A slice of  life of a well adjusted and content older couple who spend time with family and friends over the course of a year. I liked it. TRDB.

5) THE FIGHTER- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Mark Wahlberg stars as boxer “Irish” Mickey Ward and Christian Bale as half brother and trainer Dicky Eklund in this inspiring drama based on the fighter’s rise from working-class Lowell, Mass., to world-class welterweight champion. After a string of defeats, Mickey rediscovers his fighting will with support from Dicky, himself a once talented fighter now battling drug addiction. Together, they aim to clinch boxing glory.” Very good reviews in general. Good review in NY Times on 12/9/10.

12/10- Very realistic portrayal of the family relationships and the conflicts involved. I liked it. TRDB.

6) BLUE VALENTINE- Clearview 100. 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Once crazy about each other, Cindy (Michelle Williams) and David (Ryan Gosling) have now grown apart. Cindy is bored and disenchanted with her life while David languishes in the emotional emptyness of their sexless, routine life in rural Pennsylvania. As they muddle through their marriage, they hearken back to the golden days when life was filled with possibility and romance. Derek Cianfrance writes and directs this drama.” Very good reviews and good review in NY Times on 12/29/10.

1/11- About the dissolution of a relationship in about as raw a form as I’ve seen in a while. Great movie. TRDB.

7) THE SOCIAL NETWORK- Saw Mill Hawthorne. 2010. 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.” Good reviews.

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.

8)127 HOURS- Danbury. 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 reviews.

  

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

 

For all films go to- www.fandango.com