The Reel Dr. Bob

FILM REVIEWS #312

February 17th, 2010

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VIEWED AT HOME-

1) A L’AVENTURE- 2009. France. Directed by Jean-Claude Brisseau and starring Carole Brana. About  a young woman who leaves her job, her boyfriend and the rest of her life to look for fulfillment, erotic and otherwise.

2/10- Interesting at times and also pornographic at times. Miss it. Netflix.

2) DARE- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “In their final semester before graduation from an affluent suburban high school, good girl Alexa (Emmy Rossum), outcast Ben (Ashley Springer) and bad boy Johnny (Zach Gilford) decide to shed their youthful inhibitions and take some very grown-up risks. A twisty tale of betrayal, heartbreak and unleashed sexuality ensues in director Adam Salky‘s unique teen drama, which premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.”

2/10- A fairly good movie about teen angst. TRDB.

3) MY ONE AND ONLY- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “After catching her husband (Kevin Bacon) in a compromising position, Anne Devereaux (Renée Zellweger) rounds up her teenage sons and hits the road, hoping to find a wealthy new man to care for her family in this comedy based on the real-life childhood of actor George Hamilton. Anne finds no shortage of admirers — and on her quest for a husband, she soon discovers herself. Eric McCormack, Logan Lerman and Nick Stahl co-star.”

2/10- I thought that this film was delightful and I recommend it highly- other critics were less effusive. Great Zellweger also. TRDB.

4) SONG OF SPAROWS- Premise by Netflix. “Fired from his job as an ostrich wrangler on a ranch, Karim (Reza Naji) sets out to Tehran to visit his daughter. But on the way, he is mistaken for a motorcycle taxi driver and soon trades in his gentle rural ways for life in the modern world. His wife (Maryam Akbari) and kids soon realize that Karim’s new job and his sophisticated clientele are corrupting his generous nature in this rich, award-winning Iranian drama.” Very good reviews.

2/10- More like a day in the life of an Iranian ostrich farmer, just trying to honest and raise his family. I enjoyed it but a bit slow. TRDB.

5) SWING SHIFT- 1985. Premise by Netflix. “During World War II, a young woman (Goldie Hawn) takes a Rosie the Riveter-type job on a home-front factory assembly line while her husband is away defending democracy. Directed by Jonathan Demme, this is the comedy that began Kurt Russell and Hawn’s longtime real-life relationship. The all-star cast lineup includes Charles Napier, Christine Lahti, Ed Harris, Fred Ward, Holly Hunter and Lisa Pelikan.”

2/10- A very good “war movie”, despite no war scenes, that shows ALL of the victims. Well portrayed and I liked it a lot. Netflix Streaming. TRDB.

6) FRONTIER OF DAWN- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “Following a passionate affair with high-strung actress Carole (Laura Smet), young photographer François (Louis Garrel) finds contentment with the beautiful Ève (Clémentine Poidatz). But as François prepares to marry his new love, visions of Carole begin invading his consciousness. Directed by Philippe Garrel, this atmospheric black-and-white drama meditates on madness, guilt and the nature of happiness.”

2/10- I could not get into this movie and turned it off. TRDB.

7) FROM MEXICO WITH LOVE- RottenTomatoes said “Fight-coordinator-turned-film-director Jimmy Nickerson (RAGING BULL, ROCKY) helms this tale of a self-destructive amateur boxer seeking to follow in his father’s footsteps by making a name for himself in the ring. Hector Villa (Kuno Becker) may have the spirit of a winner, but his better judgment is consistently clouded by his anger.” A few reviews and none particularly good- “too many boxing cliches.” TRDB.

2/10– I saw this and turned it off quickly. I agree with the other critics. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, FEB. 23-

1) THE DAMNED UNITED- Premise by Netflix. “Arrogant Brian Clough (Michael Sheen) helms England’s soccer champs Leeds United in 1974 alongside confidant and assistant manager Peter Taylor (Timothy Spall), but he manages to bungle the deal in a mere 44 days, winding up fired. Written for the screen by Peter Morgan (The Queen, Frost/Nixon) and based on David Peace’s critically acclaimed novel, this fictionalized account of the notorious sports legend co-stars Jim Broadbent.”

2/10 Haven’t seen this yet but it’s gotten uniformly good reviews from critics and especially viewers.

2) JAY McCARROLL: ELEVEN MINUTES- Premise by Netflix. “This revealing documentary follows Jay McCarroll, the delightfully sarcastic winner of “Project Runway” season 1, as he prepares his first post-“Runway” show for New York’s Fashion Week and weathers the ups and downs of a cutthroat fashion industry. With humor and candor, filmmakers Michael Selditch and Robert Tate rip seams to expose McCarroll’s creative process and his arduous road to fashion’s ultimate runway.” Fair reviews only.

3) $9.99- Premise by Netflix. “When mild-mannered Dave Peck discovers a book about the meaning of life, he snatches it up for the bargain-basement price of $9.99 and blossoms into a voracious reader — who’s determined to share the book’s secrets with everyone he knows. That includes his father, with whom Dave shares an apartment, and his quirky neighbors. Geoffrey Rush and Anthony LaPaglia lend their voices to this stop-motion animation import from director Tatia Rosenthal.”  Most called it a fairly good animated film.

4) SHALL WE KISS?- Premise by Netflix. “After a lovely evening, Gabriel (Michael Cohen) offers his new acquaintance, Émilie (Julie Gayet), a goodnight kiss. As much as she’d like to indulge, Émilie declines and recounts the story of Nicolas (Emmanuel Mouret) and Judith (Virginie Ledoyen), best friends whose innocent smooch ended in disaster. Written and directed by Mouret, this charming romantic comedy set in Nantes, France, reflects on the consequences and complexities of love.”

2/10- I saw this months ago and liked it a lot.

5) THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE- Premise by Netflix. “Director R.J. Cutler‘s documentary offers a rare look inside Vogue as the fashion magazine’s influential editor, Anna Wintour, and creative director, Grace Coddington, produce the highly anticipated September issue. Cutler captures the demanding creative process in action for nine months, following perfectionist Wintour and stylist Coddington as they attend fashion week in Europe, endless photo shoots and intense staff meetings.”

2/10- I saw this a few months ago and enjoyed it. TRDB.

6) BLISS- Premise by Netflix. “After it’s discovered that Meryem (Özgü Namal) has been raped, the young girl is ostracized by her family and community, who hold her accountable for the “crime.” To salvage the family name, her father, Tahsin (Emin Gursoy), orders Cemal (Murat Han) to murder Meryem. But when Cemal refuses to carry out his orders, he and Meryem escape to a seaside town and set sail with a charismatic professor (Talat Bulut).” Mostly good reviews but a few called the story simplistic.

7) CRUDE- Premise by Netflix. “Filmmaker Joe Berlinger‘s provocative documentary explores the ongoing battle waged by 30,000 indigenous Ecuadorans and their lawyers against Chevron for dumping billions of gallons of toxic oil waste into the Amazon. Berlinger examines the environmental catastrophe — dubbed the “Amazon Chernobyl” — from all sides, following the drama as it moves from the contamination site to the courtroom and beyond, even landing on the cover of Vanity Fair.” Very good reviews.

8)FLAME AND CITRON- Premise by Netflix. “Based on actual events, this exciting drama tells the story of World War II Danish Resistance fighters Flame (Thure Lindhardt) and Citron (Mads Mikkelsen). Taking orders from Resistance leader Aksel Winther (Peter Mygind), the two systematically assassinate Danish collaborators and Nazi officers. But they are far from heroic in their personal lives, and filmmaker Ole Christian Madsen explores the serious flaws of these complex men.”

2/10- I saw this a while ago and liked it. TRDB.

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OPENING THIS WEEK-

1) BLOOD DONE SIGN MY NAME- Premise by Zap2it. “In 1970s North Carolina, civil unrest follows the acquittal of two white men on trial for murdering a black man in cold blood.” Just a few reviews and they are positive.

2) HAPPY TEARS- Premise by Netflix. “Jayne (Parker Posey) and Laura (Demi Moore) return to their childhood home to look after their father, Joe (Rip Torn), a lively widower who may be slipping into dementia. The sisters are soon at odds over their father’s care — and over old family dramas. As Joe’s condition deteriorates, Jayne and Laura are forced to confront some unpleasant memories while juggling the demands of own busy lives in this emotional drama.” Mostly negative reviews so far.

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FLORIDA- At the Emerging Cinemas of Lake Worth

1) OSCAR SHORTS- LIVE ACTION

2) OSCAR SHORTS- ANIMATED

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW-

1) TRUCKER- About an independent young woman who drives a long haul truck. She has her 11yr. old son deposited on her doorstep. I liked this film a lot. Great acting and very good story. Netflix also.

2) NO MAN’S LAND- 2001. About 2 soldiers on opposite sides of the Bosnian conflict who get into a predicament together and require each other’s cooperation to get through it. I saw this years ago and thought it was very good. On Netflix as well.

REPEATS-

1) ADAM- About a young man with Asperger’s Syndrome. Very good. Netflix also.

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

3) 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. On Netflix also.

4) A SERIOUS MAN- I saw it and did NOT like it but many did.

5) BIG FAN- About a guy who has nothing else in his life besides rooting for a NY football team. I saw this and liked it. Netflix also.

6) DEATH IN LOVE- About a woman who had an affair with her concentration camp doctor and it’s subsequent effects on her and her family. I liked it. Netflix also.

7) DEPARTURES- GREAT MOVIE.

8)FISH TANK- About a 15yr. old girl who lives with her single mother and her younger sister. When the movie brings home a new boyfriend it alters things. I liked it.

9) FOOD, INC.- A documentary about the food we eat. I liked it but eat before the movie. Netflix also.

10) THE GIRL FROM MONACO- A famous French lawyer is in Monaco to defend a woman who has killed her lover. He develops an interesting relationship with the bodyguard assigned to protect him. Very good romantic comedy. Netflix 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 in the process. I liked the movie. Netflix also.

17) (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.

18) TSOTSI- About a thug in a South African shantytown who undergoes a remarkable transformation. Very good movie. On Netflix as well. 

DirecTV- www.directv.com/DTVAPP/listing/ppvMovies.jsp

Time Warner Link- twondemand.com

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BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS- ( Westchester, Fairfield and your counties)

1) AN EDUCATION- Bethel, Clearview 100. About a 16yr. old girl who falls for a much older man. I liked it.

2) CRAZY HEART- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk, Danbury, Clearview 100. I liked it but it reminded me too much of “The Wrestler.”

3) THE LAST STATION- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Just OK by me.

4) VALENTINE’S DAY- Bethel. Poor reviews.

5) THE HURT LOCKER- Garden Cinema Norwalk, Clearview 100. Very good movie about the men who disarm bombs in Iraq.

6) THE WHITE RIBBON- Garden Cinema Norwalk. I saw this in Palm Springs and thought it was just OK. People I know liked it more however.

7) A SINGLE MAN- Garden Cinema Norwalk, Clearview 100. About a man who loses his long time lover. I liked it.

8)UP IN THE AIR- Danbury. OK movie.

9) BLIND SIDE- Danbury. I liked it. See “above” in Theater section.

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

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

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

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