The Reel Dr. Bob

FILM REVIEWS #308

January 6th, 2010

2) MAMMOTH- Premise by Netflix. “Lukas Moodysson writes and directs this drama centered on three intersecting stories, one of a traveling New Yorker named Leo (Gael García Bernal), another of his surgeon wife, Ellen (Michelle Williams), and also the children of their Filipino nanny, Gloria (Marife Necesito), in the Philippines. A series of dramatic events unfolds after Leo visits Thailand, causing everyone to reexamine their priorities. Sophie Nyweide co-stars.

1/10- The movie was really about the bind for families worldwide who must work and leave the care of their children to others, paid or not paid. Very well done and I liked the movie a lot. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand. 1/10.

3) BLACK GIRL- 1966. Premise by Netflix. “Working as a governess for a wealthy French family, a young Senegalese woman (Mbissine Therese Diop) accompanies her charges on a vacation to the French Riviera, where her white mistress (Anne-Marie Jelinek) suddenly expects her to do the work of a common maid. This racially charged drama from Senegalese writer-director Ousmane Sembene is often recognized as one of the seminal works of African cinema.”

12/09- Very good movie with obvious racial overtones, especially for 1966. I liked it a lot. TRDB. Netflix Streaming. 

4) A FRENCH GIGOLO- 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. Comcast On-Demand.

5) A NOS AMOURS- 1983. Premise by Netflix. “Winner of two Cesars (France’s version of the Oscar), Maurice Pialat‘s sizzling drama centers on Suzanne (Sandrine Bonnaire), a teenage girl who suffers at the hands of her dysfunctional family. To escape the abuse of her father (Pialat), mother (Evelyne Ker) and brother (Dominique Besnehard), the troubled teen indulges in meaningless sexual encounters, yet declines the advances of a boy (Cyr Boitard) who is perhaps her only true friend.”

1/10- I liked this movie a lot and found it a very realistic story about this wildly dysfunctional family. Netflix Streaming.

6) IN THIS TRICKY LIFE- Premise by Netflix. “When 27-year-old Elisa (Mariana Santángelo) breaks up with her boyfriend and loses her job, she also loses any hope of realizing her dream of becoming a hair salon owner and supporting her two children. Elisa’s only option is to take a job in a Uruguayan brothel, which soon lands her in Barcelona, Spain — and into the midst of a white slavery ring. Director Beatriz Flores Silva‘s atmospheric drama also stars Andrea Fantoni and Josep Linuesa.”

1/10- While the movie was comical at times it really dealt with some serious issues, in particular a plea for help from and for the women involved unwittingly in the international sex trade. Netflix Streaming.

7) CHAMBERMAID ON THE TITANIC- Premise by Netflix. “Armed with a photo of a pretty chambermaid he met aboard the Titanic (Aitana Sánchez-Gijón), a French foundry worker (Olivier Martinez) returns home to share the titillating — and greatly embellished — story of how she asked to share his room. All the while, he suspects that his wife (Romane Bohringer) has been having an affair in his absence — and with his employer (Didier Bezace), no less. Bigas Luna directs this foreign-language drama.”

1/10- A very imaginative and sensitive drama and I liked it very much. Netflix Streaming.

8)50 DEAD MEN WALKING-Premise by Netflix. “Belfast hood Martin (Jim Sturgess) is recruited by a British agent (Ben Kingsley) to infiltrate the IRA during the height of the Northern Irish conflict and quickly becomes embroiled in a dangerous game that could cost him his life if his secret is found out. As other informers are brutally murdered, Martin starts to look for a way out, but his handler urges him to stay undercover in this taut political thriller based on a true story.”

1/10- I needed but couldn’t get sub-titles for this Irish movie and turned it off after 20 minutes. Netflix.

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 COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, JAN. 12-

1) DEPARTURES- Premise by Netflix. “Freshly unemployed, young cellist Daigo (Masahiro Motoki) has an epiphany in which he realizes he’s been heading down the wrong career path. Retreating to his hometown, he trains for a new professional role as a nakanshi, or one who prepares the dead for burial. Tsutomu Yamazaki provides comic relief as Daigo’s eccentric mentor in director Yojiro Takita‘s Oscar-winning, richly detailed — if unlikely — drama about finding your bliss.” I saw this movie at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival and LOVED it.

2) THE HURT LOCKER- Premise by Netflix. “Kathryn Bigelow directs this gripping drama (nominated for two Independent Spirit Awards) following one of the U.S. Army’s elite EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) teams operating in the ferocious war zone of Iraq. As the squad identifies and dismantles improvised explosive devices and other bombs, they must also contend with the frayed nerves and internal conflicts that arise from living in constant peril. Ralph Fiennes, David Morse, Guy Pearce, Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie star.” I enjoyed this movie very much.

3) IN THE LOOP- Premise by Netflix. “When the U.S. president and the U.K. prime minister decide to invade a certain Middle Eastern country, skeptical American and British operatives do their best to stop the runaway train to war in director Armando Iannucci‘s scathing political comedy. This 2009 Sundance Film Festival entry stars Tom Hollander as a British international development chief, James Gandolfini as a U.S. general, and Anna Chlumsky as a well-positioned intern.” Most of the people who saw this said they enjoyed it but had trouble understanding the rapid dialogue at times. Should be easier with the DVD.

4) PASSING STRANGE- Premise by Netflix. “A young black musician named Stew (played by singer-songwriter Stew himself) flees his comfortable middle-class roots in Los Angeles for a soul-searching journey to Europe and gets wrapped up in the music scene of 1980s Amsterdam and West Berlin. The one-of-a-kind Broadway musical, which netted Stew a Tony for Best Book, comes to cinematic life courtesy of film icon Spike Lee. The film premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.” I have no personal experience with this film but I’ll give it a try.

5) BIG FAN- Premise by Netflix. “Parking attendant and New York Giants fanatic Paul Aufiero (Patton Oswalt) must reexamine his life after he’s beaten up by his favorite player in this comedy written and directed by Robert D. Siegel, a former editor-in-chief of “fake news” paper The Onion. Also starring Kevin Corrigan as Sal, Michael Rapaport as Philadelphia Phil and Marcia Jean Kurtz as Theresa, the film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.” OK reviews at best.

6) AMREEKA- Premise by Netflix. “Eager to provide a better future for her son, Fadi (Melkar Muallem), divorcée Muna Farah (Nisreen Faour) leaves her Palestinian homeland and takes up residence in rural Illinois — just in time to encounter the domestic repercussions of America’s disastrous war in Iraq. Now, the duo must reinvent their lives with some help from Muna’s sister, Raghda (Hiam Abbass), and brother-in-law, Nabeel (Yussuf Abu-Warda). Cherien Dabis writes and directs.” I saw this and found it very realistic and very well acted.

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COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, JAN. 19

1) OUTRAGE- Premise by Netflix. “Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker Kirby Dick sets out to expose the hypocrisy of gay politicians who passionately criticize the LGBT community in public while concealing their own sexual orientation. In addition to exposing the secret lives of powerful policymakers — and the damage they’ve inflicted on LGBT Americans — this documentary also takes a critical look at the media’s involvement in keeping homophobic politicians closeted.” Very good reviews and I plan to see this.

2) DEATH IN LOVE- Premise by Netflix. “During World War II, a Jewish woman (Jacqueline Bisset) had an affair with a Nazi war criminal. Decades later, her two sons live in the emotional shadow of this tryst. One (Josh Lucas) drifts through life until a he’s befriended by a charming co-worker (Adam Brody); the other (Lukas Haas) is unable to flee his stifling relationship with his mother. When the war criminal reemerges, all must confront the past and new directions for the future.” Interesting premise and very mixed reviews, some loving it and some hating it.

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COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, JAN. 26

1) MOSCOW, BELGIUM- 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.” Very good reviews.

2) LITTLE ASHES- Premise by Netflix. “This evocative film explores the relationship between two of the 20th century’s most notable Spanish artists: poet Federico García Lorca (Javier Beltran) and surrealist Salvador Dalí (Robert Pattinson). Along with filmmaker Luis Buñuel (Matthew McNulty), they take the country by storm. Amid the jazz and modernism of 1920s Madrid, their friendship grows — as does the sexual tension between Lorca and Dali. Marina Gatell co-stars.” Good reviews.

3) TENNESSEE- Premise by Netflix. “On a cross-country trip to find their estranged father, brothers Carter (Adam Rothenberg) and Ellis (Ethan Peck) — whose life is on the line — meet waitress Krystal (Mariah Carey). The aspiring singer decides to drive the brothers to Nashville in hopes of jumpstarting her career. The trio becomes a united front as Krystal’s husband pursues them, Ellis’s health worsens, and Carter relives the painful past he and Ellis left behind.” Fair reviews at best.

4) THE BOYS ARE BACK- Premise by Netflix. “Following the sudden death of his wife, Australian sportswriter Joe Warr (Clive Owen) struggles to cope with his grief and comfort his young son (Nicholas McAnulty). Being a single father gets even trickier when Joe’s rebellious teenage son from a previous marriage (George MacKay) moves in. Director Scott Hicks helms this touching — and often hilarious — tale of a family in flux, based on a memoir by Simon Carr.” Mixed reviews.

5) BRIGHT STAR- Premise by Netflix. “Critically acclaimed Australian filmmaker Jane Campion helms this drama detailing the passionate three-year romance between 19th-century Romantic poet John Keats (Ben Whishaw) — who died tragically at age 25 — and his great love and muse, Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish). Much of the story was inspired by Keats’s poetry and the actual love letters the pair exchanged. Thomas Sangster, Paul Schneider and Kerry Fox co-star.” I saw this and found it very, very boring but friends liked it a lot.

6) SOUL POWER- Premise by Netflix. “In 1974, America’s R&B superstars traveled to Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) for a three-day concert. This documentary of the event, part of which became 1996’s When We Were Kings, is made up of footage unseen for more than 30 years. James Brown, Bill Withers, B.B. King, the Spinners, Miriam Makeba and more perform beloved tunes, while cameras capture daily life in Kinshasa and the show’s preparation.” Good reviews.

7) PROM NIGHT IN MISSISSIPPI- Premise by Netflix. “With actor Morgan Freeman‘s support, Mississippi’s Charleston High School stages its first senior prom to integrate both black and white students. This documentary examines the perspectives of several seniors as they prepare for this historic event. A group of disapproving white parents, who refused to meet and talk with the filmmakers, organized a separate White Prom for their children to attend.” Very good reviews.

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OPENING THIS WEEK-

1) CRAZY ON THE OUTSIDE- Premise by Zap2it. “Just out of prison, ex-con Tommy is ready for a fresh start in life. He moves in with his manipulative sister and her husband, and takes a job at a local burger joint. However, Tommy finds that staying on the straight-and-narrow is not as easy as he originally thought; Gray, his former partner-in-crime, is trying to rope him into his latest scheme. And, to complicate matters even more, Tommy is falling in love with his probation officer.” No early reviews as yet.

2) LEAP YEAR- Premise by Zap2it. “When yet another anniversary passes by without a marriage proposal from her boyfriend, Anna decides to take action. Aware of an Irish tradition that allows women to pop the question on February 29th, Anna plans to follow her lover to Dublin and ask him to marry her. Fate has other plans, however, and Anna winds up on the other side of the Emerald Isle with a handsome, but surly, Irishman named Declan — who may just lead Anna down the road to true love.” No early reviews.

3) WAITING FOR ARMAGEDDON- Premise by Zap2it. “A probe of the politically powerful alliance between Evangelical Christians and Israel.” No early reviews for this documentary.

4) WONDERFUL WORLD- Premise by Zap2it. “A failed singer slowly begins to shed his sour outlook on life with the help of his Senegalese roommate’s sister.” One awful review so far.

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OPENING ON JAN. 15

1) FISH TANK- Premise by Zap2it. “Life changes for 15-year-old Mia when her mother brings home a new boyfriend.” Great early reviews and a winner in Cannes this year.

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OPENING ON JAN. 22

1) CHANCE PE DANCE- Premise by Netflix. “Having risen from humble beginnings to become a popular children’s dance instructor, an ambitious young man (Shahid Kapur) sets his sights on winning a prestigious dance competition that could catapult him to fame and fortune. But as he pursues his dream, he must overcome his competitors and conquer his own self-doubt. Ken Ghosh directs this dance-filled musical delight that co-stars Genelia D’Souza. No early reviews.

2) CREATION- Premise by Netflix. “Paul Bettany stars as Charles Darwin in this BBC biographical drama that captures the legendary scientist in a period of intense mourning — and expansive intellectual discovery — following the untimely death of his young daughter, Annie. As Darwin dares to question the existence of God, he pens his groundbreaking tome, On the Origin of Species — much to the chagrin of his highly religious wife, Emma (Jennifer Connelly).

Described by most reviewers as well acted and interesting but much like a melodrama lacking the imagination of Darwin himself.

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FLORIDA- At the Emerging Cinemas of Lake Worth-

Begins Jan. 8—Jan. 21

1) FOUR SEASONS LODGE- About an annual get-together of Holocaust survivors. OK reviews.

2) THE MAID- About a Chilean family with domestic help. Good movie and I’ll be leading a discussion after the Jan. 18, 4PM show.

Begins Jan. 22–28

1) HOUSE- A 1977 Japanese fantasy about a group of girls who go to a haunted house. Very good reviews.

2) NO IMPACT MAN- About a man who attempts to live with no carbon impact on the environment. OK reviews.

Begins Jan. 29– Feb. 4

1) KILLING KASZTNER- About Kasztner, a man who dealt with the Nazis in order to save Jews. Good reviews.

2) THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN- About a young woman who claims that she was the target of an anti-Semitic attack. Good reviews.

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

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW-

1) THE MARC PEASE EXPERIENCE- Premise by Netflix. “Ten years after graduation, high school musical star Marc Pease (Jason Schwartzman) remains stuck in his glory days. But he’s given a chance to face his past once and for all when he helps out his old teacher and mentor Mr. Gribble (Ben Stiller) on a new production. Meanwhile, current senior and Tony nominee Meg Brickman (Anna Kendrick) romantically attaches herself to both men in this offbeat comedy from Todd Louiso (Love Liza).” Uniformly terrible reviews.

2) NO IMPACT MAN- About a man who attempts to live with no carbon impact on the environment. OK reviews. On Netflix 1/19.

3) WONDERFUL WORLD- Premise by Netflix. “Depressed, divorced and unemployed, Ben Singer (Matthew Broderick) is not inclined to see his glass as half-full. But when his roommate falls ill and Ben must host the man’s Senegalese sister (Sanaa Lathan) in their apartment, his outlook begins to change. Darkman writer Josh Goldin makes his directorial debut with this drama (which he also wrote) about the attitude-adjusting romance that blossoms between Singer and his roommate’s sister.” Poor early reviews.

REPEATS-

1) (500) DAYS OF SUMMER- A romance about a woman not interested in a permanent relationship and the guy who falls for her. Cute story with very creative writing and I enjoyed it. TRDB. Available on Netflix.

2) THE COVE- A documentary about mass capture and killing of dolphins in a protected cove in Taijii, Japan. Very well done and with great cinematography. Available on Netflix.

3) POLICE, ADJECTIVE- See “above.” I did not like it. 

4) 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. On Netflix also.

5) SUGAR- About a young Dominican man who is being groomed for a career in baseball at a Dominican baseball academy. Very realistic and I enjoyed it. On Netflix also.

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

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

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

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

10) 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.

11) 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. Netflix also.

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

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

14) 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 unique in it’s own way, very well done and I liked it.

15) PAPER HEART- A road trip by Charlyne Yi, an eccentric performer, trying to find the meaning of love. Quirky film and I liked it.

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

Time Warner Link– www.twondemand.com

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BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-

1) IT’S COMPLICATED- Bethel, Danbury. Haven’t seen this yet but I hear it’s “cute.”

2) UP IN THE AIR- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. I saw this and liked it.

3) THE YOUNG VICTORIA – Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk, Clearview 100. I found this very interesting and enlightening and I recommend it.

4) INVICTUS- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. About Nelson Mandela after he became president of South Africa. I found this too Hollywood to enjoy but most people liked it a lot.

5) BROKEN EMBRACES- Garden Cinema Norwalk, Jacob Burns, Clearview 100. Typical Almodovar and very enjoyable. Great Penelope Cruz.

6) AN EDUCATION- Garden Cinema Norwalk. Young girl is swept off her feet by a much older man. I liked it.

7) A SINGLE MAN- Jacob Burns. About a gay English professor whose long term partner dies suddenly. Very interesting and I liked it.

8)THE HURT LOCKER- Jacob Burns. About a bomb squad in Iraq. I saw this film and thought it was very good.

9) THE LAST STATION- Jacob Burns. About Leo Tolstoy. Fair reviews for this movie but everybody said that Helen Mirren saved the film.

10) LEAP YEAR- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. See “above.”

11) THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASUS- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. Supposedly about good and evil. What isn’t?

12) BROTHERS- Danbury. About 2 very different brothers, one “good” and the other “bad.” When the good one goes missing the bad one takes care of the family. Very good.

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

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