The Reel Dr. Bob

FILM REVIEWS #315

March 10th, 2010

2) CARRETERAS SECUNDARIAS- 1997. Premise by Netflix. “Inspired by the fall of dictator Francisco Franco’s regime, Antonio Lozano (Antonio Resines) and his teen son Felipe (Fernando Ramallo) decide to leave their unsatisfying lives behind and hit the road, driving along the coast of Spain in search of wonder and adventure. When they cross paths with a beautiful villager (Maribel Verdú), their road trip takes a series of hilarious twists and turns they never expected.”

3/10- A cute comedy with a very serious side as well and I liked it a lot. TRDB. Netflix.

3) $9.99- Directed by Talia Rosenthal. Premise by Netflix. “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.”

3/10- Very clever animated film but not well developed and I’m not sure of what they were really trying to say. TRDB. Netflix.

4) SUGISBALL (AUTUMN BALL- Premise by Netflix. “Set in Estonia before the Soviet stranglehold was shattered, filmmaker Veiko Öunpuu’s award-winning drama brings together a group of disparate — and desperate –characters from a local housing complex. A writer, an architect, a single mother, her young daughter, a barber and a nightclub doorman make up this collection of lost souls who bleakly face the future while reaching blindly for some form of connection.”

3/10- Awful movie and I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.

5) THE BIG BAD SWIM- 2006. Directed by Ishai Setton. Premise by Netflix. “Students of an adult swim class find much more than a way to conquer their fear of water in this ensemble dramedy, which follows the life-altering journeys of soon-to-be-divorced schoolteacher Amy (Paget Brewster), stripper Jordan (Jess Weixler) and swim instructor Noah (Jeff Branson). Held back by their past heartbreaks, the three learn that sometimes the only way to move on is to take a really big plunge.”

3/10- A very interesting story with very real characters and I found it very interesting. TRDB. Netflix.

6) SERVICE- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “While the Pineda family matriarch, Nanay Flor (Gina Pareño), brings suit against her bigamist husband, the rest of her brood struggle with their own demons as they operate a run-down porno theater in the Philippines in director Brillante Mendoza’s drama. The goings-on include one son (Coco Martin) dealing with a boil on his butt as another pair of siblings contemplates incest, all amid the seedy sexual shenanigans of the theater’s clientele.”

3/10- The movie was very, very slow but did show a slice of life in this poor, sex trade community. TRDB. Netflix.

7) SHELTER ME- Premise by Netflix. “Lovers Anna (Maria de Medeiros) and Mara (Antonia Liskova) find their carefree lives turned upside down when, upon returning home from vacation, they discover a young Moroccan named Anis (Mounir Ouadi) has stowed away in the trunk of their car to cross the border into Italy. Forming a makeshift family, the trio soon finds the pressures of the outside world threatening to ruin the delicate relationships they’ve forged with one another.”

3/10- I really enjoyed this movie. Great acting by the women especially. TRDB. Netflix.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, MARCH 16-

1) PARIS- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “As Pierre (Romain Duris), a young cabaret dancer sidelined by a heart condition, awaits a risky transplant surgery, he and his sister, Élise (Juliette Binoche), closely watch the streets of Paris, their lives gradually intersecting with a diverse array of strangers. Written and directed by Cédric Klapisch, this visually striking tribute to the City of Lights co-stars Fabrice Luchini, Albert Dupontel and François Cluzet.” Described as “uneven” it still received fairly good reviews. TRDB.

2) BROKEN EMBRACES- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Aging filmmaker Mateo Blanco (Lluís Homar) — aka screenwriter Harry Caine — tells his assistant (Tamar Novas) about life before the accident that left him blind, when he became embroiled in a torrid affair with aspiring actress Lena (Penélope Cruz). Harry’s story involves his agent, Judit (Blanca Portillo), and deceitful financier Ernesto Martel (José Luis Gómez). Pedro Almodovar writes and directs this colorful, romantic and tragic thriller.”

12/25/09- I liked this movie a lot. Beautiful photography and beautiful Cruz as well. You’ll probably have questions and lots of discussion at the end. TRDB.

3) WONDERFUL WORLD- Premise by Netflix. “Dejected, divorced and jobless, Ben Singer (Matthew Broderick) is not inclined to see his glass as half-full. But when his roommate falls ill and Singer 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 Khadi.” Generally poor reviews but a few very good ones so, liking Matthew Broderick, I think I’ll try it. TRDB.

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OPENING THIS WEEK-

1) THE EXPLODING GIRL- Premise by Netflix. “Zoe Kazan carries this indie romance from writer-director Bradley Rust Gray with her finely nuanced performance as Ivy, a college student who uses her Brooklyn spring break sojourn to reevaluate her life and loves. With her current relationship fizzling out via cell phone, Ivy finds herself rethinking her longtime platonic friendship with best pal Al (Mark Rendall). Franklin Pipp and Maryann Urbano co-star.” Three awful reviews and one great one. What can I say?

2) THE HARIMAYA BRIDGE- Premise by Zap2it. “A grieving father learns some secrets about his estranged son while in rural Japan to collect the late man’s belongings.” No reviews yet.

3) REMEMBER ME- Premise by Netflix. “Still reeling from his brother’s startling suicide and his parents’ subsequent divorce, Tyler (Robert Pattinson) discovers a fresh lease on life when he meets Ally (Emilie de Ravin), a gregarious beauty who witnessed her mother’s murder. But as the couple draws closer, the fallout from their separate tragedies jeopardizes their love. Allen Coulter directs this romantic drama that co-stars Pierce Brosnan, Lena Olin and Chris Cooper. Only one early review and it’s NOT good.

4) OUR FAMILY WEDDING- Premise by Netflix. “Comedy Central funnyman Carlos Mencia and Oscar winner Forest Whitaker butt heads as two domineering dads forced to set aside their culture-clash differences and team up to plan their children’s wedding, with only two weeks until the big day arrives. America Ferrera plays the pregnant bride-to-be opposite Lance Gross as her medical resident fiancé in this wacky comedy from writer-director Rick Famuyiwa (Brown Sugar, The Wood).” No early reviews.

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FLORIDA- At the Emerging Cinemas of Lake Worth

1) THE PRIVATE LIVES OF PIPPA LEE-  Premise by Netflix. “When her husband (Alan Arkin), who’s 30 years her senior, relocates the family to a retirement community, flawless wife and mother Pippa Lee (Robin Wright Penn) slides toward a nervous breakdown as she reflects on her tumultuous past and befriends her neighbor’s enigmatic son (Keanu Reeves). With a powerful cast that also includes Julianne Moore and Winona Ryder, this pensive drama is adapted from director Rebecca Miller‘s novel of the same name.”

2/10 I saw this a few months ago and liked it very much. I highly recommend it. On Comcast On-Demand as well. TRDB.

2) THE IMAGINARIUM OF DR. PARNASSUS- Premise by Netflix. “Christopher Plummer and Heath Ledger star in this quirky fantasy from director Terry Gilliam. When a deal with the devil comes due, the immortal Doctor Parnassus (Plummer) must renegotiate the pact to save his daughter. Now, with the help of his mystical theater troupe and a mysterious stranger, Parnassus attempts to right the wrongs of his past. The Oscar-nominated film is Ledger’s last, with Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law all completing his role.”

3/10- I haven’t seen this as yet but I probably will at some point. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW-

1) LORNA’S SILENCE- About a woman from Albania who marries a junky in Belgium in a sham marriage in order to raise money. I saw this and it’s just OK.

2) THE PRIVATE LIVES OF PIPPA LEE- A very interesting study of a woman (Robin Wright Penn) and her attempt to escape her childhood traumas. I liked this one a lot and highly recommended.

RELATIVELY NEW-

1)  THE ART OF THE STEAL- In theaters now, it’s a documentary about control of the famous Barnes art collection after the death of the owner. I liked it. 

2) HAPPY TEARS- About 2 adult sisters who travel home to take care of their father who is developing dementia. Good reviews.

3) EVERYBODY’S FINE- With Robert DeNiro who plays a father who visits his adult children at holiday time. Poor reviews generally. On Netflix with a long wait.

4) THE JOY OF SINGING- A thriller about several characters who join a singing class in France in order to get closer to a target of their mission. I saw this and felt that it was just OK.

REPEATS-

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

2) A SERIOUS MAN- I saw it and did NOT like it but many did.11) 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.12) THE HURT LOCKER- Very good movie about the guys in Iraq who disarm bombs.

16) WONDERFUL WORLD- See “above” — Coming to Netflix. I haven’t seen it yet.

17) MY ONE AND ONLY- Cute drama about  a woman (Renee Zellweger) who takes her two teenage sons on a road trip looking for a new husband. I liked it a lot.

18) THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE- A documentary about Vogue magazine. Very good. 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)-

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

1) CRAZY HEART- Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. I liked it but it reminded me too much of “The Wrestler.”

2) THE GHOST WRITER- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne. Roman Polanski’s latest with very good reviews.

3) THE WHITE RIBBON- Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. About a town in Germany at the time of WW1. I did not care for this movie but most did.

4) AJAMI- Clearview 100. See “above” in NEW MOVIE section.

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

6) THE HURT LOCKER- Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Very good movie about the men who disarm bombs in Iraq. Now an Academy Award winner.

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

8)THE LAST STATION- Jacob Burns, Garden Cinema Norwalk, Saw Mill Hawthorne. About the last year of Leo Tolstoy. Just OK by me.

9) THE ART OF THE STEAL- Jacob Burns. Premise by Netflix. “A gripping tale of intrigue and mystery in the art world, this film traces the history of the Barnes collection of Post-Impressionist paintings, which was worth billions and became the subject of a power struggle after the 1951 death of the owner. Dr. Albert Barnes collected 181 Renoirs, 69 Cézannes, 59 Matisses, 46 Picassos and many other valuable paintings. But the political wrangling over the collection eventually led to its division.” 

3/10- I saw this on Comcast On-Demand and liked it. Very good and persuasive documentary about how monied interests can effect this aspect of life. A bit too one-sided, one reviewer calling it similar to a lawyer’s brief. TRDB.

10) A PROPHET- Jacob Burns. Premise by Netflix. “After refusing to snitch, 18-year-old Arab Malik (Tahar Rahim) is thrown into a French prison, where the Corsican mafia rules with a firm fist. The obedient newcomer slowly rises through the organization’s ranks but soon begins to double-cross his superiors. A follow-up to his 2005 gem The Beat My Heart Skipped, French director Jacques Audiard‘s A Prophet was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.” Very good reviews and I’ll definitely see this one.

11) THE BLIND SIDE- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. About a family that takes in a homeless teenage boy. Sandra Bullock won an Academy Award for her performance in this drama.

2/10- This film was undoubtedly the “sleeper” of the year. I liked it a lot. TRDB.

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

3) 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.4) 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.5) DEPARTURES- GREAT MOVIE.

6)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. 7) FOOD, INC.- A documentary about the food we eat. I liked it but eat before the movie. Netflix also.8)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.9) 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.

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