The Reel Dr. Bob

JULY 7, 2011

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

Another slow week for movies and it’s getting me down!! Nothing out there in the burbs and precious little in NY as well. This is not unusual for the summer months but I still don’t like it. As you can see I did catch a few at home.

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) ORGASM INC.- Netflix

2) 3 BACKYARDS- Comcast On-Demand

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) HAPPYTHANKYOUMOREPLEASE- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “On the way to meet a publisher, aspiring novelist Sam (Josh Radnor) encounters 6-year-old Rasheen (Michael Algieri) alone on the subway. While struggling to decide whether to send him back to foster care, Sam looks after Rasheen and learns a few important life lessons. Meanwhile, Sam’s friends deal with various romantic tribulations. Radnor wrote and directed this coming-of-age comedy, which won the Best Drama Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival.” Just OK reviews, slightly more positive than negative. Awful review in NY Times on 3/4/11.6/30/11- I agree with the Times– the worst and I turned it off very quickly. TRDB.

2) ORGASM INC.- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “With humor and a wealth of research, director Liz Canner examines how drug companies promote and profit from the myth of female sexual dysfunction as they compete to produce the first FDA-approved “cure” for this condition. The provocative documentary features enlightening interviews with a passionate sex shop owner and a vintage-vibrator collector who argue that it’s society — not women’s bodies — that needs fixing.” Fairly good reviews.

7/1/11- An unusually candid documentary that makes it’s points well and exposes the drug industry yet one more time. TRDB. Netflix.

3) THE NEW WORLD- 2005. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in 1607 at the founding of the Jamestown Settlement, Terrence Malick’s epic adventure chronicles the extraordinary actions of explorer John Smith (Colin Farrell) and Native American princess Pocahontas (Q’Orianka Kilcher). As English settlers and Native Americans clash, Smith and Pocahontas find their worlds colliding and their hearts entwined, but ancestral loyalty may tear them apart. Christian Bale and Christopher Plummer co-star.”

7/2/11- Malick’s last movie until Tree of Life got average reviews and I didn’t particularly care for it. I found it unnecessarily mysterious and pretentious. TRDB. Netflix.

4) 3 BACKYARDS- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Elias Koteas, Edie Falco and Rachel Resheff star as neighbors in this slice-of-life suburban drama that follows their separate stories over the course of one long and emotionally trying autumn afternoon. A businessman and his wife find their marriage unraveling, a housewife obsesses over a minor celebrity who lives down the block, and an 8-year-old girl stumbles across a disturbing scene. Eric Mendelsohn directs.” A few good reviews. TRDB.

7/3/11- A strange movie with a slice of the life of 3 suburban families whose issues would not be apparent on the surface but we see voyeuristically through their “backyard.” TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JULY 12-

 

1) UNCLE BOONME WHO CAN RECALL HIS PAST LIVES- 2010. Synopsis 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. TRDB.

 

2) THE LINCOLN LAWYER- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Matthew McConaughey stars in the big-screen adaptation of Michael Connelly’s best-selling novel about struggling lawyer Mickey Haller, who conducts business from his Lincoln Town Car. When Mickey finally lands a big case, it has deadly consequences. Tasked with defending rich lothario Louis Roulet (Ryan Phillippe), who’s been charged with assault, Mickey finds himself and his family in danger when he deduces that the sinister Louis may be guilty.” Good review from NY Times on 3/18/11 and fairly good reviews in general. TRDB.3/11- A fun movie and I enjoyed it. TRDB.

3) MIRAL- 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.

This film stirred controversy when it’s opening was held at the UN as it was an unusual place for a film opening, particularly since it was felt by some to be anti-Israel. TRDB.

4) WHITE IRISH DRINKERS- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “In a blue-collar Irish section of 1970s Brooklyn, brothers Danny (Geoff Wigdor) and Brian Leary (Nick Thurston) come of age in a family dominated by their longshoreman father, Patrick (Stephen Lang), whose hard-drinking leaves them scrambling for a way out. As delinquent Danny and dejected mom Margaret (Karen Allen) take the brunt of Patrick’s assaults, aspiring artist Brian hides his dreams. But desperate acts will threaten them all.” A few reviews and they’re OK. TRDB.

 

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OPENING THIS WEEK REGIONALLY, NATIONALLY OR LOCALLY-

 

1) SEPTIEN- 2011. Synopsis 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.” At Sundance 2011. OK audience reviews– none professional. TRDB.

 

2) PROJECT NIM- Synopsis by Netflix. “Oscar-winning filmmaker James Marsh (Man on Wire) peers inside the landmark 1970s experiment for an unflinching look at Nim, the chimp whom scientists raised as human and taught sign language to prove that apes can communicate like humans. Firsthand accounts, previously unseen archival footage and powerful images tell of Nim‘s life in a human bubble. The result is a fascinating exposé on Nim‘s true nature — and a glimpse into our own.” Great reviews. TRDB.

 

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FLORIDA- At the Lake Worth Playhouse Stonzek Theater

 

1) THE DOUBLE HOUR- 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.

 

2) I AM- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Hollywood comedy director Tom Shadyac (Ace Ventura: Pet Detective) gets contemplative in this documentary, which finds him conversing with prominent philosophers and spiritual leaders about what ails our world and how we can improve it. Traveling the globe to conduct his in-depth interviews, Shadyac finds insights and inspiration from Archbishop Desmond Tutu, historian Howard Zinn, philosopher Noam Chomsky and other luminaries.” Winner at 2011 Palm Springs Film Festival. OK review in NY Times on 3/18/11.

 

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW- NONE

 

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) BEGINNERS- Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on indie director Mike Mills’s relationship with his father, this intriguing drama tells the story of Oliver (Ewan McGregor), a graphic artist coming to grips with the imminent death of his father (Christopher Plummer), who, at 75, has one last secret: He’s gay. Both inspired and confused by his father’s determination to find true love at last, Oliver tentatively pursues a romance with commitment-shy French actress Anna (Mélanie Laurent).” Good early reviews. TRDB. Mixed review in NY Times on 6/3/22 and friends of mine hated it. TRDB.

 

2) LARRY CROWNE- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne. Synopsis by Netflix. “After being laid off from his longtime job at a soulless retail giant, average middle-aged guy Larry Crowne (Tom Hanks) decides it’s time to change up his life, so he heads back to college. There, he finds a new perspective — and a new romance with a professor (Julia Roberts). Hanks directs this comedy-drama from a script co-written by Hanks and Nia Vardalos. Bryan Cranston, Pam Grier, Taraji P. Henson, Cedric the Entertainer and Vardalos co-star.” Good early reviews. TRDB.

7/1/11- Weak review in NY Times today. TRDB.

 

3) MIDNIGHT IN PARIS- Jacob Burns, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.6/3/11- A good story, good acting and of course great Paris. Not one of Woody’s best but it was good and I enjoyed it. TRDB.

 

4) TREE OF LIFE- Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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. The movie won best picture at Cannes 2011. 6/6/11- While grand in scale I felt that I was watching a series of coming attractions, each lasting 1 or 2 minutes. What  a waste of time. My friend Sue said it well– “Judging by the award of Best Picture at Cannes I feel like I am watching “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” I agree. TRDB.

5) BUCK- Jacob Burns, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Buck Brannaman, inspiration for “The Horse Whisperer,” is revealed as a complex figure in this documentary by Cindy Meehl. The master horseman reveals details of his troubled childhood and his dawning awareness of new ways that humans and horses might work with one another. As Buck learns more about horses, he finds that the ways we communicate with our animal companions offer lessons on how we relate to fellow human beings.” At Sundance 2011.

6) THE TRIP- Clearview 100. 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, the stars of the 2005 comedy Tristram Shandy, reunite with director Michael Winterbottom for this mockumentary about a pair of actors — handily named Steve and Rob — who embark on a foodie road trip across England. Mostly improvised and highlighting the duo’s penchant for dueling impressions of famous actors, the film follows them as they test their friendship while sampling the best restaurants in Northern England.” Good review in NY Times on 6/10/11. TRDB.

6/26/11- Great scenes of the countryside and enjoyable bantering between 2 old friends make this film worth watching. TRDB.

7)  BRIDESMAIDS- Saw Mill Hawthorne, 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.  A surprisingly good review from the NY Times on 5/13/11. TRDB.

 

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

For Independent Films in Palm Beach County go to www.lakeworthplayhouse.org

For all films go to- www.fandango.com