March 18th, 2010
MARCH 18, 2010
DEAR FRIENDS:
QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES FROM LAST WEEK- see descriptions below
1) ONE TOO MANY MORNINGS
2) GREEN ZONE
3) TWO WOMEN
________________________________________________________________________________________
Last weekend I attended the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival, and together with my friends Sol and Donna, the 3 of us attended 2 Festival films there and one in a regular theater in Edgartown. I also saw one at Jacob Burns yesterday.
1) SOMERS TOWN- Premise by Netflix. ” After leaving his Nottingham hometown for the big city of London, brash young Tomo (
Thomas Turgoose) befriends introverted Polish immigrant Marek (
Piotr Jagiello). The mismatched teens bond as they each develop a crush on Maria (
Elisa Lasowski), a French waitress. Director
Shane Meadows‘s black-and-white coming-of-age film follows the teens as they experience their first summer in London.
Ireneusz Czop co-stars as Marek’s hard-drinking father.3/10-
I could NOT understand the British dialogue which is unusual for me. I’m really not sure what this film is even about. There should have been sub-titles. At the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival. TRDB.
2) ONE TOO MANY MORNINGS- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “After learning his longtime girlfriend has been unfaithful, devastated Peter (
Anthony Deptula) arrives at the church where his estranged high school friend, Fischer (
Stephen Hale), lives in exchange for locking up at night. But he soon discovers Fischer’s issues are bigger than his. As Peter and Fischer forge a new relationship and seek common ground, Peter’s girlfriend (
Tina Kapousis) arrives on the scene.
Michael Mohan directs this indie comedy.3/10-
The movie was shot on a shoestring, on weekends, primarily with friends acting. It was quite amateurish but very clever and I liked it. I saw this at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival and also met the director on the ferry back to Woods Hole. TRDB.
3) GREEN ZONE- Premise by Netflix. “U.S. Defense Intelligence Agent Clark Poundstone (Greg Kinnear) doesn’t want to hear what Army Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller (Matt Damon) has to say about not finding the weapons of mass destruction — evidence that could launch a war — he’s been sent to Iraq to unearth. Why the cover-up? Rajiv Chandrasekaran’s exposé Imperial Life in the Emerald City: Inside Iraq’s Green Zone inspired this frenetic wartime drama. Paul Greengrass directs.GREEN ZONE”
3/10- I usually do not go for this type of rockem-sockem type war movie but this one packed the important message noted above. Very realistic if a little too drawn out at times. TRDB.
4) A PROPHET- 2009. 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.”
3/10- Very well done with very good acting, Too many names, way too long- I don’t see this as an Academy Award nomination. TRDB.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
VIEWED AT HOME-
1) THE STONING OF SORAYA M- Premise by Netflix. “Set in 1986 Iran at the start of Khomeini’s reign, director Cyrus Nowrasteh’s drama tells the true story of Soraya (Mozhan Marnò), whose husband plots to have her falsely accused of adultery so he can divorce her and marry a young girl. French journalist Freidoune (Jim Caviezel) is pulled into Soraya’s tragic story when he meets a desperate woman named Zahra (Shohreh Aghdashloo).”
3/10- The movie feels more like a lecture than true drama and I didn’t want to stick around for the 20 minute stoning scene. TRDB. Netflix.
2) TWO WOMEN- Premise by Netflix. “Fereshteh (Niki Karimi) is promised to a traditional man from her village, and her newlywed life is fraught with abuse. This contrasts sharply with the life of Roya (Marila Zare’i), a friend of Fereshteh’s who retains her independence by living in the city. Writer-director Tahmineh Milani who would later be imprisoned for the images she put in films such as this one, a revealing work about women’s roles and lives in contemporary Iran.”
3/10- A very realistic movie about the plight of many women in Iranian society. I liked the movie very much. TRDB. Netflix.
3) WORKING GIRLS- Premise by Netflix. “Winner of a Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, director Lizzie Borden‘s gritty drama depicts a day in the lives of several prostitutes working in an upscale Manhattan whorehouse. Told largely through the eyes of one of the girls — a lesbian prostitute (Louise Smith) whose partner has no idea what she does for a living — the film provides a no-holds-barred portrayal of the world’s oldest profession.”
3/10- A new understanding of the oldest profession. Just OK. TRDB. Netflix.
4) 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.
3/10- This movie deserves the poor reviews it received. Every known cliche and a standard script. I did watch it to the end and the last 15 minutes were a very slight improvement. TRDB.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, MARCH 23-
1) THE BLACK BALLOON- Premise by Netflix. “Australian model Gemma Ward makes her feature film debut in this family drama starring Rhys Wakefield as a 16-year-old trying to make his way in a new town and at a new school — while also charged with keeping tabs on his autistic older brother (Luke Ford). Toni Collette plays the pregnant mother of the clan, and Erik Thomson is the cricket-obsessed dad in this Berlin Film Festival award winner from first-time feature director Elissa Down.” Very good reviews.
2) SERAPHINE- Premise by Netflix. “Awestruck by the vibrant and imaginative artwork of uneducated housekeeper Séraphine Louis (Yolande Moreau) — who spends her days doing menial chores — German art critic Wilhelm Unde (Ulrich Tukur) takes the promising painter under his wing. Though her neighbors and others dismiss Séraphine’s work, Unde is determined to turn the obscure French artist into a star in this revelatory biopic also starring Geneviève Mnich and Nico Rogner.”
3/10- I could not get into this movie. Lots of friends enjoyed it, however.
3) THE INFORMANT- Premise by Netflix. “While gathering evidence against his employer, ADM in Decatur, Ill., to help the FBI build a price-fixing conspiracy case, wealthy, affable executive Mark Whitacre (Matt Damon, in a Golden Globe-nominated role) begins to piece together a fantasy world of his own. Based on Kurt Eichenwald’s acclaimed nonfiction book about a true-life Corporate America whistle-blower, Steven Soderbergh’s dark comedy co-stars Scott Bakula, Joel McHale and Melanie Lynskey.”
3/10- I thought the movie was OK but a little too long and repetitive. It reminded me of Leonardo Di Caprio in “Catch Me If You Can.”
4) BROTHERS- Premise by Netflix. “When severely traumatized Capt. Sam Cahill (Golden Globe nominee Tobey Maguire) returns home alive from a military mission in Afghanistan after he was presumed dead, he learns that his brother, Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal), has gotten dangerously close to his grieving wife, Grace (Natalie Portman), and his kids. Mare Winningham and Sam Shepard also star in this wartime drama about human frailty and battles fought on the home front. Jim Sheridan directs.”
11/09- I saw this in Florida a few months ago and liked it very much. Great study of family dynamics and great acting as well. Just when you think that there can’t be another anti-war movie with a different twist one more comes along. I actually liked Natalie Portman for a change. TRDB.
5) RED CLIFF- Premise by Netflix. “When a warmongering prime minister (Fengyi Zhang) advances his armies against two rival kingdoms, he unwittingly prompts his adversaries (Chen Chang and Yong You) to work together in this martial arts action-adventure. The ensuing conflict culminates in the epic battle of Red Cliff, a struggle by the sea involving more than one million soldiers. Director John Woo’s big-budget spectacle is based on the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms.”
3/10- I have not seen this but it received some OK reviews. TRDB.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
OPENING THIS WEEK-
1) PRANZO DI FERRAGOSTO (MID-AUGUST LUNCH)- Premise by Netflix. “As the Italian holiday of Pranzo di Ferragosto approaches, cash-strapped Gianni (
Gianni Di Gregorio) gets help from his landlord, his friend and his doctor, who offer financial relief in exchange for Gianni looking after their elderly relatives over the holiday. Four mismatched Italian mamas at the same table make for an awkward, hilarious and touching mid-August lunch in this film festival favorite from Di Gregorio, who also wrote and directed.”
Excellent reviews.
2) STRIPPED: GREG FRIEDLER’S NAKED LAS VEGAS- Premise by Zap2it. “Behind-the-curtain exploration of the city’s nude workers.” No reviews as yet.
4) THE RED BARON- Premise by Netflix. “Based on the true story of the notorious World War I flying ace, this drama explores the life of Manfred von Richthofen (
Matthias Schweighöfer) — aka the Red Baron — from his childhood fascination with flying to his renowned career in the Luftwaffe. After rescuing Canadian pilot Roy Brown (
Joseph Fiennes) and falling for military nurse Käte Otersdorf (
Lena Headey), the deadly but honorable von Richthofen begins to question the value of war.”
Mostly poor reviews.
________________________________________________________________________________________
FLORIDA- At the Emerging Cinemas of Lake Worth
1) NORTH FACE- Premise by Netflix. “In 1936, young German climbers Toni Kurz (
Benno Fürmann) and Andreas Hinterstoisser (
Florian Lukas) face off against a rival Austrian duo in an attempt to be the first team to scale the infamous north face of the Eiger in the Swiss Alps. As the men make the treacherous climb, journalist Luise (
Johanna Wokalek) — Toni’s childhood love — covers the biggest story of her career.
Philipp Stölzl helms this drama based on a true story.”
Good reviews.
2) HARLAN: IN THE SHADOW OF JEW SUSS- Premise by Zap2it. “Archival footage, rare film clips and interview with relatives illustrate the life and career of notorious Third-Reich filmmaker Veit Harlan.” Very good reviews.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
COMCAST ON-DEMAND-
NEW-
1) PIRATE RADIO- Premise by Netflix. “In 1966, hard-partying British DJs have the time of their lives running a radio station on a ship in the North Sea, broadcasting generation-defining (but banned) music to millions.” I haven’t seen this yet but I will. Coming to Netflix on 4/13.
2) PRECIOUS- About an obese, abused teenage girl and the changes she makes to improve herself. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture and for numerous other awards. I liked it. Available on Netflix but with a very long wait.
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) A SERIOUS MAN- I saw it and did NOT like it but many did.15) THE HURT LOCKER- Very good movie about the guys in Iraq who disarm bombs.
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)HAPPY TEARS- About 2 adult sisters who travel home to take care of their father who is developing dementia. Mediocre reviews at best.
9) 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.
10) NEW YORK, I LOVE YOU- A series of vignettes about relationships with NY as a backdrop. Very good.
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 ART OF THE STEAL- About the breakup of the Barnes collection in Philadelphia and the politics involved in the process. Very good documentary.
13) THE BOYS ARE BACK- About a recently widowed father trying to be both a father and mother to his young son. Sappy and formulaic.
14) 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.
16) THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE- A documentary about Vogue magazine. Very good.
17) 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.
18) TSOTSI- About a thug in a South African shantytown who undergoes a remarkable transformation. Very good movie. On Netflix as well.
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
_________________________________________________________________________________________
BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS- (Westchester and Fairfield Counties)
For independent movies near you go to- http://www.emergingpictures.com/exhibition.htm
For all movies go to www.fandango.com
1) THE YELLOW HANDKERCHIEF- Bethel, Clearview 100. Very good reviews for this road trip movie with William Hurt.
2) CRAZY HEART- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I liked it but it reminded me too much of “The Wrestler.”
3) THE GHOST WRITER- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100. Roman Polanski’s latest with very good reviews.
4) THE WHITE RIBBON- Bethel. About a town in Germany at the time of WW1. I did not care for this movie but most did.
5) GREEN ZONE- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. See “above.”- I liked it.
6) THE BLIND SIDE- Saw Mill Hawthorne. About a family that takes in a homeless teenage boy. Sandra Bullock won an Academy Award for her performance in this drama. The sleeper of the season. I enjoyed it and Sandra Bullock was great.
7) THE HURT LOCKER- Garden Cinema Norwalk, Clearview 100. Academy Award winner for Best Picture- about the soldiers who disarm live bombs in Iraq. I liked this movie very much.
8)A PROPHET- Jacob Burns, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.”
3/10- Very well done with great acting. There were, however, way too many names involved and the movie was much too long- I don’t see this as an Academy Award nomination. TRDB.
9) THE LAST STATION- Garden Cinema Norwalk, Clearview 100. About the last year in the life of Leo Tolstoy.
3/10- I did not care for the movie. TRDB.
10) A SINGLE MAN- Garden Cinema Norwalk. About a man who loses his long term companion.
3/10- Very good movie.
THAT’S IT FOR NOW-
THE REEL DR BOB
The Reel Dr. Bob
Entry Filed under: All Reviews,Old Newsletters
Leave a Comment
Some HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>
Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed