The Reel Dr. Bob

FEB. 16, 2011

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

PLEASE ACCESS MY WEBSITE AT- www.thereeldrbob.com

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) MIDDLE MEN- Netflix

2) BARNEY’S VERSION- Theater

3) TAMARA DREWE- Netflix

4) LOVERS OF HATE- Sundance Channel

5) SHAKE HANDS WITH THE DEVIL- Netflix

6) NICE GUY JOHNNY- Netflix

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) BARNEY’S VERSION- 2010. “Golden Globe winner Paul Giamatti stars as Barney Panofsky, a Jewish Canadian television producer who reflects in flashbacks on three strange decades — and three wives — in this adaptation of Mordecai Richler’s acclaimed novel. There’s Clara (Rachelle Lefevre), a free-spirited proponent of free love; “Mrs. P” (Minnie Driver), a self-centered princess; and Miriam (Rosamund Pike), the right woman who comes along at the wrong time.” Good reviews.2/11- Great acting and a magnificent screenplay make this a terrific movie. Highly recommended. TRDB.

2) THE ILLUSIONIST- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Compelled to perform in obscure venues as his profession becomes overshadowed by rock stars, a magician gets an emotional boost when a girl from a remote Scottish village believes he possesses real magic in this animated film. She comes with him to the city and takes care of his domestic chores while he performs. Delighted by her enthusiasm, the Illusionist begins “magically” acquiring generous presents for her in spite of his limited finances.” Good professional reviews but only fair audience reviews.

2/11- What were they thinking? Boring for sure and I’d suggest you don’t go to see it. TRDB.

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) 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.2/11- I have to admit that I actually enjoyed this movie, particularly the narrative style in which it was presented. TRDB. Netflix.

2) SHAKE HANDS WITH THE DEVIL- 2007. Premise by Netflix. “Assigned to lead the United Nations troops in Rwanda in 1993, Canadian Lt. Gen. Roméo Dallaire (Roy Dupuis) tries desperately — and unsuccessfully — to obtain international help as the Hutus begin their genocide of the Tutsis in this true story. Roger Spottiswoode directed this compelling historical drama based on Dallaire’s award-winning autobiographical book detailing the horrific events of the massacre in Rwanda.”

2/11- This movie is well worth seeing as a reminder of the tragedy and the frustrations of trying to help while being constrained by governmental policies. Nothing really new here in that regard but the film gives us an unusual view of Dallaire’s torture as he watches his men and mission die. TRDB. Netflix. 

3) LOVERS OF HATE- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Sibling rivalry fulfills its hilarious potential in this bittersweet comedy directed by indie favorite Bryan Poyser. After a lifetime of contention, brothers Rudy (Chris Doubek) and Paul (Alex Karpovsky) are further torn apart by their love for the same woman. Rudy has always felt betrayed by children’s books author Paul, whom he believes is writing about their childhood, but jealously enters the picture when Paul begins dating Rudy’s estranged wife.” Very good reviews.

2/11- Very interesting film about the competitiveness of the 2 brothers. TRDB. Sundance Channel.

4) 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.

2/11- Funny, occasionally poignant and definitely worth seeing. TRDB. Netflix.

5) 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.

2/11- I agree with the Times– trite screenplay and unlikable characters. TRDB. Netflix.

6) NIGHT CATCHES US- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “After growing up during the tumultuous 1960s, ex-Black Panther Marcus (Anthony Mackie) returns to his home in Philadelphia in 1978 and reconnects with Pat (Kerry Washington), the widow of a Panther leader. Marcus befriends Pat’s young daughter and attempts to conquer his demons. Interfering with Marcus’s good intentions are the neighborhood’s continuing racial and social conflicts, as well as old enemies and friends — both with scores to settle.” Good reviews.

2/11- A good depiction of life at that time and the difficulty in getting out of the hood. TRDB. Netflix.

7) NICE GUY JOHNNY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Although he loves his job as sports radio talk show host, Johnny (Matt Bush) promises to take a dull but high-paying position to satisfy his fiancée (Anna Wood). But when he falls for a free-spirited beauty (Kerry Bishé) in the Hamptons, Johnny starts to reconsider everything. Written, directed and co-starring Edward Burns, this romantic comedy explores the difficulty in choosing between one’s duty and one’s dreams.”

2/11- I love just about everything done by Edward Burns and I liked this one very much also, especially the character played by Burns himself. TRDB. Netflix.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, FEB. 22-

 

1) LIKE DANDELION DUST- Premise by Netflix. “Jack (Cole Hauser) and Molly Campbell (Kate Levering) are horrified to learn that the biological father (Barry Pepper) of their adopted son, Joey (Maxwell Perry Cotton), has been released from prison and wants custody of the boy. As the legal case builds against the Campbells, the couple hatches a risky plan to save their family. Mira Sorvino also stars in this gripping drama as Pepper’s girlfriend, Wendy.” Mostly very good reviews.

 

2) SEE WHAT I’M SAYING: THE DEAF ENTERTAINERS DIARY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Four dedicated stage artists, all either deaf or hearing-impaired, are profiled in their struggle to make inroads not only in the deaf community, but with mainstream audiences as well — despite the obvious obstacles facing them. Featuring open captions to translate the sign language used by the performers, the documentary spotlights the drummer for a deaf rock band, as well as an actor, a stage comic and an aspiring songstress.” No professional reviews as yet but audience reaction has been very good.

 

3) FISH TANK- Premise by Netflix. “The life of hot-tempered teen outcast Mia (Katie Jarvis) takes an unexpected turn when her mother (Kierston Wareing) brings home a handsome and mysterious boyfriend named Connor (Michael Fassbender), who pledges to bring sweeping positive changes to the household. For her sophomore feature, British writer-director Andrea Arnold draws upon the same themes from her Oscar-winning short “Wasp.”1/28/10- I liked the movie and thought that Katie Jarvis’ performance was better than the movie itself. TRDB.

4) GET LOW- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Robert Duvall and Sissy Spacek team up to tell the true story of Felix “Bush” Breazeale, a Tennessee loner who planned his own funeral in 1938 while he was still around to attend — and enjoy — the proceedings. Also starring Bill Murray and Lucas Black as the co-proprietors of the funeral home, the dramatic thriller was penned by the screenwriting team of C. Gaby Mitchell (Blood Diamond) and Chris Provenzano (“Mad Men”).” Great reviews.

7) ROAD, MOVIE- Premise by Netflix. “Reluctant to take over his father’s flailing hair-oil business, young Vishnu (Abhay Deol) becomes the sole proprietor of a traveling cinema after he happens upon an abandoned truck containing a library of film reels and a film projector. During his odyssey across small-town India, he befriends a young runaway, a gorgeous gypsy, a wandering minstrel and others in this funny and romantic adventure, a hit at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.” Very good reviews.

5/10- A cute Bollywood comedy. Worth the time to watch it. TRDB. 

8)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 and thought provoking drama and I recommend it. TRDB.

9) 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- Barebones documentary, no talking heads and the viewer is left to his own thoughts. I liked it. TRDB.

10) ROOM IN ROME- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Elena Anaya and Natasha Yarovenko star in this provocative drama about Alba and Natasha, two women who meet in Rome and end up in a hotel room where they bare their bodies and souls to each other during one memorable, passionate night. As their steamy encounter brings them emotionally closer, they share their deepest secrets and desires. Award-winning writer-director Julio Medem brings us this serious and sexy foray into uncharted territory.” Two reviews, both good.

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OPENING THIS WEEK REGIONALLY, NATIONALLY OR LOCALLY-

 

1) RISE- Premise by Zap2it. “A celebration of American figure skating also commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 1961 plane crash that claimed the lives of the U.S. World Figure Skating team.” No reviews yet.

 

2) THE CHAPERONE- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “After serving time in the slammer for driving the getaway car in an attempted bank robbery, Ray Bradstone (professional wrestling star Paul Levesque — better known as Triple H) is a reformed family man who wants to chaperone his daughter’s class trip. But some bad guys (Kevin Corrigan and Kevin Rankin) from his past have other plans. Can Ray outwit these nitwits while keeping himself and his daughter (Ariel Winter) safe from harm?” This one has actually received a few good reviews.

 

3) THE LAST LIONS- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “Narrated by actor Jeremy Irons, this thrilling documentary follows an African lioness named Ma di Tau as she and her cubs flee a devastating fire, then struggle to live in new territory amidst dangerous predators and a lethal pride of rival lions. Besides being a harrowing tale of survival, this film from directors Dereck and Beverly Joubert illuminates the urgent plight of all Africa’s lions, whose population has reached dangerously low levels.” Only one review and it’s very good.

 

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FLORIDA- At the Emerging Cinemas of Lake Worth-

 

1) STEAM OF LIFE- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Filmmakers Joonas Berghäll and Mika Hotakainen offer this absorbing documentary that takes viewers into real-life saunas across Finland, where ordinary (and naked) men let down their guard and bond over shared tales of life‘s struggles. As they relate their stories of lost children, fatal accidents, failed marriages and more, these customarily reticent men reveal the profound cathartic power of baring your deepest emotions to another soul.” Good audience reviews.

 

2) NIGHT CATCHES US- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “After growing up during the tumultuous 1960s, ex-Black Panther Marcus (Anthony Mackie) returns to his home in Philadelphia in 1978 and reconnects with Pat (Kerry Washington), the widow of a Panther leader. Marcus befriends Pat’s young daughter and attempts to conquer his demons. Interfering with Marcus’s good intentions are the neighborhood’s continuing racial and social conflicts, as well as old enemies and friends — both with scores to settle.” Good reviews.

  

2/11- A good depiction of life at that time and the difficulty in getting out of the hood. TRDB.

 

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) COLD WEATHER- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “After things go south for former forensic science major Doug (Cris Lankenau), he leaves Chicago and returns home to Oregon to live with his sister, Gail (Trieste Kelly Dunn) — and soon finds himself entangled in an unexpected situation that calls on his investigative mind. Together with Gail and his friend Carlos, Doug uses his forensic skills and the techniques he’s learned as a detective fiction enthusiast to unravel the mystery he encounters.” Fairly good reviews.

 

2) IT’S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Being a teenager is too much for 16-year-old Craig (Keir Gilchrist), who shocks his parents (Lauren Graham and Jim Gaffigan) by checking himself into a mental health clinic for a little R & R. But when the youth ward is unexpectedly closed, he’s forced to live among the adult patients. Zach Galifianakis, Viola Davis, Emma Roberts and Aasif Mandvi co-star in this quirky drama written and directed by the screenwriters of Half Nelson.” Just 50/50 early reviews. OK review in NY Times 10/8/10.

 

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- None

 

REPEATS-

 

1) 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).” 12/10- 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) BARNEY’S VERSION- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2010. “Golden Globe winner Paul Giamatti stars as Barney Panofsky, a Jewish Canadian television producer who reflects in flashbacks on three strange decades — and three wives — in this adaptation of Mordecai Richler’s acclaimed novel. There’s Clara (Rachelle Lefevre), a free-spirited proponent of free love; “Mrs. P” (Minnie Driver), a self-centered princess; and Miriam (Rosamund Pike), the right woman who comes along at the wrong time.” Good reviews.

2/11- Great acting and a magnificent screenplay make this a terrific movie. Highly recommended.

3) BIUTIFUL- Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2010. 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.

2/11- A very moving drama with a terrific Bardem. TRDB. 

4) THE KING’S SPEECH- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, Danbury, 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.  

5) THE ILLUSIONIST- Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Compelled to perform in obscure venues as his profession becomes overshadowed by rock stars, a magician gets an emotional boost when a girl from a remote Scottish village believes he possesses real magic in this animated film. She comes with him to the city and takes care of his domestic chores while he performs. Delighted by her enthusiasm, the Illusionist begins “magically” acquiring generous presents for her in spite of his limited finances.” Good professional reviews but only fair audience reviews.

2/11- What were they thinking? Boring for sure and I’d suggest you don’t go to see it. TRDB.

6) TRUE GRIT- 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.”

7) 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. Good review in NY Times on 12/9/10.

8)BLACK SWAN- 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. 

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

 

For all films go to- www.fandango.com