The Reel Dr. Bob

MAY 25, 2011

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) BHUTTO- Netflix

2) COUNTRY STRONG- Netflix

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

NONE- As I’ve seen most of what I want to see.

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) BHUTTO- 2010. 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 early reviews.5/19/11- A very well done documentary if a little one-sided toward the Bhutto family. TRDB.

2) DAYDREAM NATION- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “City girl Caroline Wexler (Kat Dennings) feels like she’s spinning her wheels when she moves to a small rural town, where she’s got nothing in common with anyone — except her disarmingly handsome teacher, Mr. Anderson (Josh Lucas). But when Wexler tires of their clandestine affair, Mr. Anderson isn’t ready to let her go. Andie MacDowell co-stars in this humorous dark romance from writer-director Michael Goldbach.” Fair audience reviews and professional reviews as well. TRDB.

5/23/11- Good at times and a bit hard to believe at times also. Fair at best. TRDB. Netflix.

3) COUNTRY STRONG- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “While out on tour to revive her stalled career, once-popular country singer Kelly (Gwyneth Paltrow) falls for emerging newcomer Beau (Garrett Hedlund) and tries desperately to hide their burgeoning romance from her ever-present husband and manager, Ed (Tim McGraw). Written and directed by Shana Feste, this musical drama co-stars Leighton Meester as a former beauty queen trying to break out as a songstress.” Fair reviews at best.

5/24/11- Despite the poor reviews I loved the music and managed through the dialogue. I’d recommend it if you like C&W music. TRDB. Netflix.

 

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, MAY 31-

 

1) THE WAITING CITY- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Radha Mitchell and Joel Edgerton star as adoptive parents-to-be, en route from Australia to Calcutta to pick up their new baby, in this unconventional love story infused with the exotic charms of India from director Claire McCarthy. To foreigners who have never been on Indian soil, the city is at once intoxicating and overwhelming. But it also has the power to pull the couple’s already fragile marriage apart at the seams.” Reviewers were OK with this one but audience reaction was poor. TRDB.

 

2) WAITING FOR FOREVER- 2010. Synopsis 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.”  Poor review in NY Times on 2/4/11.

 

3) UNDERTOW (CONTRACORRIENTE)- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Writer-director Javier Fuentes-León sets this offbeat romantic ghost story on the rough-hewn but gorgeous Peruvian coast, where a married fisherman must come to terms with his love for another man, despite the strict moral codes of his homeland. This winner of the World Cinema Audience Award: Dramatic at Sundance is a vivid examination of the ways in which affairs of the heart supersede social strictures and all other forms of logic.” Very good reviews.I saw this at the Palm Springs Int. Film Festival and liked it very much. TRDB.

4) BIUTIFUL- 2010. Synopsis 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.

5) MAO’S LAST DANCER- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “A delegation from Madame Mao’s Beijing Dance Academy selects 11-year-old peasant villager Li Cunxin to study ballet in far-off Beijing, where he trains for seven grueling years to become one of China’s greatest dancers. His efforts win him the opportunity to dance in America, opening his eyes to a new love and the possibility of a dramatic defection from China in this remarkable true story based on Cunxin’s autobiography.” Fairly good reviews but a few said the movie was too timid. TRDB.

8/10- Great dancing makes up for a somewhat weak story. I enjoyed the movie despite all the schmaltz. TRDB.

6) KABOOM- 2010. Synopsis 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. At Sundance 2011.

 

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OPENING THIS WEEK REGIONALLY, NATIONALLY OR LOCALLY-

 

1) TUESDAY, AFTER CHRISTMAS- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Paul Hanganu (Mimi Branescu) is in love with two women: Adriana (Mirela Oprisor), his wife of 10 years, and Raluca (Maria Popistasu), his mistress of the past several months. Now, at a crossroads, Paul is forced to choose between them in this drama from Romanian director Radu Muntean. Combining careful staging and emotionally intense dialogue, the film presents an unblinking profile of a man in crisis and the women whose lives he’s ensnared.” Good audience reviews but no professional reviews as yet. TRDB.

 

2) THE TREE OF LIFE- Synopsis by Netflix. “Brad Pitt and Sean Penn star in Terrence Malick’s 1950s adventure about a confused man named Jack, who sets off on a journey to understand the true nature of the world. Growing up in the Midwest with two brothers, Jack has always been torn between his mother’s guidance to approach everything he encounters with an open heart and his father’s advice to look after his own interests. Now, Jack must find a way to regain purpose and perspective.” Good audience reviews so far but no professional ones as yet. TRDB.

  

3) UNITED RED ARMY- 2007. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on actual events, this tense Japanese docudrama details the formation of early-1970s leftist paramilitary group the United Red Army, the turmoil and strife within its ranks, and several members’ perilous attempt to seize a mountainside lodge. Directed by former URA member Kôji Wakamatsu, this riveting exploration of human nature’s dark side stars Maki Sakai, Arata, Akie Namiki and Go Jibiki.” Mediocre reviews so far. TRDB.

 

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FLORIDA- At the Lake Worth Playhouse Stonzek Theater-

 

1) PRINCESS OF MONTPENSIER- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Aristocrat Marie de Mézières (Mélanie Thierry) loves the dashing Duke Henri de Guise (Gaspard Ulliel), but her father (Philippe Magnan) forces her to marry a prince she doesn’t know (Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet). With her new husband at war, Marie’s passion for Henri grows stronger than ever. Bertrand Tavernier directs this historical drama set against a backdrop of religious conflict in 16th-century France.” Very good audience reviews. TRDB. 

 

2) UNCLE BOONME WHO CAN RECALL HIS PAST LIVES- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Under the care of his dedicated sister-in-law (Jenjira Pongpas), terminally ill Uncle Boonmee (Thanapat Saisaymar) spends his final days reminiscing about his past lives with the recently arrived ghost of his dead wife (Natthakarn Aphaiwonk) and his long-missing son (Geerasak Kulhong). Directed by celebrated Thai filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul, this free-floating fantasy film took home the Palme d’Or at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.” Three reviews, all great.

 

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) DAYDREAM NATION- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “City girl Caroline Wexler (Kat Dennings) feels like she’s spinning her wheels when she moves to a small rural town, where she’s got nothing in common with anyone — except her disarmingly handsome teacher, Mr. Anderson (Josh Lucas). But when Wexler tires of their clandestine affair, Mr. Anderson isn’t ready to let her go. Andie MacDowell co-stars in this humorous dark romance from writer-director Michael Goldbach.” Fair audience reviews and professional reviews as well. TRDB.

 

5/23/11- Good at times and a bit hard to believe at times also. Fair at best. TRDB.

 

2) THE PRINCESS OF MONTPENSIER- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Aristocrat Marie de Mézières (Mélanie Thierry) loves the dashing Duke Henri de Guise (Gaspard Ulliel), but her father (Philippe Magnan) forces her to marry a prince she doesn’t know (Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet). With her new husband at war, Marie’s passion for Henri grows stronger than ever. Bertrand Tavernier directs this historical drama set against a backdrop of religious conflict in 16th-century France.” Very good audience reviews. TRDB.

 

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- (Westchester and Fairfield Counties)

At this time the Saw Mill Hawthorne and Garden Cinema Norwalk have not released their lineup for next week.

 

NEW-

 

1) MIDNIGHT IN PARIS- Jacob Burns. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this bittersweet dramatic comedy, legendary director Woody Allen focuses his lens on a young engaged couple whose experiences traveling together in Paris make them begin to question the kind of life they want to live as a couple.” Very good audience reviews but no professional reviews as yet. Fair review in NY Times from Cannes on 5/13/11. TRDB. Good review in NY Times on 5/20/11. I’ll definitely see it. TRDB.

 

2) MIRAL- Jacob Burns. 2010. Premise by Netflix. “After she rescues dozens children who survived a massacre in Jerusalem in 1948, Palestinian Hind Husseini (Hiam Abbass) establishes an orphanage that helps thousands of other children left homeless by violence. But the success of her peace-through-education institution is tested when pupil Miral (Freida Pinto) gets a taste of radical politics in the region’s refugee camps. Julian Schnabel directs this film that co-stars Willem Dafoe.” Uniformly poor reviews but the film does sound interesting. TRDB.Jacob Burns. MAY 31 ONLY!!

 

REPEATS-

 

1)  EVERYTHING MUST GO- Bethel. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director-writer Dan Rush makes his film debut with this dramedy based on a Raymond Carver short story about Nick (Will Ferrell), a good-hearted but relapsed alcoholic who decides to live on his front lawn after losing his job and being thrown out by his wife. Needing money and wanting to shed the past, Nick holds a yard sale to get rid of his possessions, but after befriending some lonely neighbors and reevaluating his life, he tries AA again.” Very good reviews. TRDB.

 

2) WATER FOR ELEPHANTS- Bethel, Danbury. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this captivating Depression-era melodrama, impetuous veterinary student Jacob Jankowski (Robert Pattinson) joins a celebrated circus as an animal caretaker but faces a wrenching dilemma when he’s transfixed by angelic married performer Marlena (Reese Witherspoon). An affinity for elephants brings together the young pair, but the warmth between them sends Marlena’s cruel husband, animal trainer August (Christoph Waltz), into a frightening fury.” Mediocre professional reviews  but good audience reactions. TRDB. 4/11- A soap opera type movie with a weak screenplay that was a disappointment for me. TRDB.

3) INCENDIES- Bethel, Clearview 100. 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “When their mother’s (Lubna Azabal) will implores them to deliver letters to the father they thought was dead and a brother they never knew about, twins Jeanne (Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin) and Simon (Maxim Gaudette) journey to the Middle East and attempt to reconstruct their family’s hidden history. Adapted from a Wajdi Mouawad play, director Denis Villeneuve’s drama flashes back to intense scenes set during the Lebanese Civil War in the 1970s.” Showed at HIFF 2010. Great professional reviews and very good audience response as well. TRDB.

5/15/11- This movie was done in a most realistic fashion with great acting and superb direction. While it was often difficult to watch I thought that it was a great movie. TRDB. 

4) BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK- Bethel. 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Living simply and using a bicycle to get around New York, 80-year-old photographer Bill Cunningham tirelessly records what people are wearing in the city — both out on the sidewalk and in the salons of the wealthy. Through his “Evening Hours” and “On the Street” photo columns in the Sunday New York Times, Cunningham has faithfully chronicled the city’s fashions and sparkling nightlife while maintaining his own unassuming charm.” Very good reviews. TRDB.

5) CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS- Bethel, Clearview 100. 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Celebrated documentary filmmaker Werner Herzog offers this unprecedented examination of Chauvet Cave, a cavern in southern France that contains the oldest human-painted images yet to be found on Earth. Besides presenting stunning cinematography of the exquisite paintings themselves, Herzog interviews experts who describe the context and reflect on the existential meaning of this artwork, which is some 30,000 years old.” Very good professional reviews and poor audience ones. TRDB.

6) BRIDESMAIDS- Danbury. 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Kristen Wiig leads the cast as Annie, a maid of honor whose life unravels as she leads her best friend, Lillian (Maya Rudolph), and a group of colorful bridesmaids (Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey and Ellie Kemper) on a wild ride down the road to matrimony.” Fairly good reviews so far but a fair number of negative ones as well. TRDB.

7)  THE DOUBLE HOUR- Clearview 100. 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this constantly twisting Italian thriller, Sonia (Kseniya Rappoport) is a newly arrived Slovenian immigrant who is in the wrong place at the wrong time during a violent art robbery. Surviving a bullet in the head, Sonia is haunted by visions after the crime. Her mysterious past, meanwhile, comes to light under the watchful eye of a suspicious policeman. Rappoport won the Best Actress award at the 2009 Venice Film Festival for her turn as Sonia.” Very good professional reviews but only average audience reaction. TRDB.

5/11/11- A real thriller and I’d like to watch it again to figure out what actually happened. It’s fun and recommended. TRDB.

8)THE FIRST GRADER- Clearview 100. 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on a true story, this inspirational drama profiles the amazing determination of 84-year-old Kenyan Kimani N’gan’ga Maruge (Oliver Litondo), a Mau Mau freedom fighter who wants to take advantage of a new universal education decree by learning how to read. Although he faces governmental bureaucracy and tribal racism, Maruge’s cause is eventually championed by teacher Jane Obinchu (Naomie Harris), who is set on erasing illiteracy in Kenya.” Winner at 2011 Palm Springs Film Festival. A few reviews and they are mainly negative saying that the movie did not do justice to the importance of the subject. TRDB.

 

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

 

For all films go to- www.fandango.com