The Reel Dr. Bob

SEPTEMBER 1, 2011

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

THE 2nd L-DUB (LAKE WORTH, FL) FILM FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD FROM FRIDAY, SEPT. 30– SUNDAY, OCT. 2.

I HOPE THAT MY FLORIDA READERS WILL CONSIDER ATTENDING AT THE STONZEK THEATER LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE ON LAKE AVE IN DOWNTOWN LAKE WORTH.

I WAS THERE LAST YEAR AND ENJOYED IT!!! IT’S EASY TO MEET THE FILMMAKERS AND HAVE A GREAT TIME.

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) MEET MONICA VELOUR- Netflix

2) THE BANG BANG CLUB- Netflix

3) THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE- Netflix

4) THE CHAMELEON- Netflix

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE, but next week should be better

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) MEET MONICA VELOUR- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Eccentric teenager Tobe (Dustin Ingram) loves 1980s soft-core “art movies” so much that he steals his grandfather’s (Brian Dennehy) Wienermobile and travels cross-country to meet his favorite star, Linda Romanoli (Kim Cattrall) — but the reality of her life is more than Tobe bargains for. Tobe finds the still beautiful Linda performing at a low-rent strip joint and then tries to help the trailer-trash single mom win a contentious custody battle.” Poor professional reviews and average viewer response. TRDB.8/25/11- I tried to turn this off 3 different times but was compelled to continue and despite the ridiculous plot I managed to actually enjoy this film. TRDB. Netflix.

2) THE BANG BANG CLUB- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Four combat photojournalists document the end of apartheid in South Africa, a turbulent period marked by brutality and anger. This real-life drama is based on a memoir by Greg Marinovich (Ryan Phillippe) and Joao Silva (Neels Van Jaarsveld), who won Pulitzer Prizes for their work. Along with Ken Oosterbroek (Frank Rautenbach) and Kevin Carter (Taylor Kitsch), the group exposes the tragic violence that spawned a new regime in the country.” This sounded interesting but awful early reviews. TRDB.

8/28/11- Despite criticism of  this movie by the “experts” I really liked it. The 4 members of the club were the core of the film but the problems in South Africa as well as the moral dilemma of photographing horrendous scenes without trying to help were dealt with through the members of the “gang.” TRDB. Netflix.

3) THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE- 1948. Synopsis by Netflix. “Wrapped in a classic tale of adventure, this Academy Award winner helmed by John Huston follows a trio of gold prospectors who set out to strike it rich and agree to split the take … until paranoia and greed consumes one of them. Delivering superb performances as the three miners are Humphrey Bogart, Tim Holt and Walter Huston, who copped a Best Supporting Actor Oscar while son John scored statuettes for his direction and screenplay.”

8/26/11- A great classic!! TRDB. Netflix.

4) THE CHAMELEON- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Nicholas Barclay (Marc-André Grondin), the long-missing son of a Texas family, answers his mother’s (Ellen Barkin) prayers when he resurfaces with the sensational story that he escaped from a child prostitution ring. The catch? The man isn’t really Nicholas Barclay. Rather, it’s master identity thief Frédéric Bourdin, and an FBI agent (Famke Janssen) is hot on his trail in this gripping true-crime thriller.” An unusual review in the NY Times on 7/15/11– I’m not sure if it’s positive or negative. Awful reviews in general. TRDB.

8/30/11- Despite poor reviews I really got into this movie and found the characters interesting. TRDB. Netflix.

 

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, SEPT. 6-

 

1) EVERYTHING MUST GO- 2010. 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.” Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

 

2) THE ARBOR- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this experimental look at the life and work of British playwright Andrea Dunbar, director Clio Barnard asks her actors to lip-synch to an audio “screenplay” she created using interviews conducted with members of the Dunbar family. But Barnard also relies heavily on documentary techniques, blending archival footage with theatrical elements and shooting scenes in Dunbar’s actual neighborhood in Buttershaw estate.” Very good professional reviews and OK audience reaction. TRDB.

 

3) CARBON NATION- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Bypassing politics and fingerpointing, this forward-thinking documentary zeroes in on enterprising individuals — from a wind farmer to a solar-panel retrofitter — who are devising business-minded ways to avert the looming climate crisis. The cross-country expedition yields encounters with Virgin Group CEO Richard Branson, Earth Day founder Denis Hayes and former CIA director James Woolsey, along with everyday pioneers in low-carbon living.” A few reviews and they’re good.

 

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OPENING THIS WEEK-

 

1) THE DEBT- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Rachel Singer (Helen Mirren) is a former Mossad intelligence agent forced to relive her unsuccessful 1965 pursuit of a notorious Nazi war criminal when the bold and dangerous fugitive is thought to have reemerged 30 years later in the Ukraine. Director John Madden’s redo of Assaf Bernstein’s 2007 Israeli suspense piece also features Jessica Chastain as the young Rachel Singer, along with Sam Worthington, Tom Wilkinson and Ciarán Hinds.” Good reviews. TRDB. 

 

2) SEVEN DAYS IN UTOPIA- 2010. Synopsis by IMDB. “After a disastrous debut on the pro circuit, a young golfer finds himself unexpectedly stranded in Utopia, Texas and welcomed by an eccentric rancher.” Sounds interesting and the movie has had good audience reviews so far but none professional. TRDB.

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 

1) SQUARE GROUPER: THE GODFATHERS OF GANJA- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Documentarian Billy Corben shines a spotlight on three unusual and interrelated stories about drug trafficking in Florida during the 1970s and 1980s, when marijuana smuggling was big business practiced by everyone from ordinary folks to pirates. Interviews and archival footage examine the practices of the incendiary Ethiopian Coptic Church, the jobless fishermen who grew pot in Everglades City and the enterprising members of the Black Tuna Gang.” Just fair reviews so far. TRDB.

 

2) BUCK- 2011. Premise 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 2011.7/8/11- An excellent documentary where we see the man in action and we learn about life events that made him what he is. Definitely recommended. TRDB.

 

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) WIN WIN- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Paul Giamatti stars as bush-league lawyer Mike Flaherty, who agrees to become an aging client’s legal guardian as a way to pay the bills. But his visions of an easy stipend begin to fade when the man’s teenage grandson suddenly appears on the scene. Just when the attorney thinks he’s found a way to make this new development work for him, the boy’s mother shows up and puts Flaherty’s dreams of a big score in jeopardy.” Very good reviews. Good review in NY Times on 3/18/11. TRDB.4/11- Well acted, very funny at times and very poignant at times as well. I liked it a lot. 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-

 

NEW-

 

1) THE DEBT- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, Danbury. 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Rachel Singer (Helen Mirren) is a former Mossad intelligence agent forced to relive her unsuccessful 1965 pursuit of a notorious Nazi war criminal when the bold and dangerous fugitive is thought to have reemerged 30 years later in the Ukraine. Director John Madden’s redo of Assaf Bernstein’s 2007 Israeli suspense piece also features Jessica Chastain as the young Rachel Singer, along with Sam Worthington, Tom Wilkinson and Ciarán Hinds.” Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

 

2) CHASING MADOFF- Clearview 100. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This eye-opening documentary chronicles the decade-long and often frustrating campaign of reporter Harry Markopolos to bring regulators’ attention to the titanic and brazen investment scams engineered by now-convicted financial felon Bernie Madoff.” No reviews as yet. TRDB.

 

3) HIGHER GROUND- Jacob Burns. 2011. Premise by Netflix. “Vera Farmiga stars in and directs this sensitive and searching chronicle describing a woman’s lifetime journey of faith — one that initially leads her to join a fundamentalist sect and then leave it again years later. Adapted from the spiritual memoir This Dark World by Carolyn Briggs, the film looks deeply into human doubt and certainty, and the challenge of trying to match our lives with our spiritual beliefs.” Mentioned on 1/22/11 in NY Times re Sundance.  8/23/11- I’ve seen just a few reviews and they are weak. TRDB.

4) SENNA- Jacob Burns. 2010. Premise by Netflix. “This fast-paced documentary profiles Ayrton Senna, one of the greatest drivers in the history of Formula One racing, and a hero in his native Brazil. Using only archival footage, director Asif Kapadia examines the idealistic Senna‘s inspiring legend. Charismatic, compassionate and a dedicated risk-taker, Senna was known for his integrity in a sport often fraught with cutthroat politics, and also for the deep religious faith that gave him purpose.” At Sundance 2011.

A good (not great) review in the NY Times on 8/12/11. TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

 

1) SARAH’S KEY- Bethel, Clearview 100, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the midst of researching an article about the roundup of Jews that took place in Paris in 1942, American-born journalist Julia Jarmond (Kristin Scott Thomas) uncovers a sobering connection between her story and the home she shares with her boorish French husband (Frederic Pierrot). Gilles Paquet-Brenner directs this gripping drama based on a bestselling novel of the same name that was inspired by actual events.” Excellent professional reviews and average audience reaction. TRDB.8/15/11- Great script and wonderful acting make this Holocaust movie different from others and I highly recommend it. TRDB.

 

2) THE GUARD- Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When tightly wound FBI agent Wendell Everett (Don Cheadle) invades an Irish village in pursuit of international drug dealers, wisecracking local copper Gerry Boyle (Brendan Gleeson) does his best to annoy the American and get on with his circumscribed life. But soon there’s a murder, and Boyle finds himself swept up in detective work way beyond his pay grade. John Michael McDonagh directs this action-filled comedy.” Very good reviews. TRDB.

 

3) THE HELP- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1960s Jackson, Miss., aspiring writer Eugenia Phelan crosses taboo racial lines by conversing with Aibileen Clark about her life as a housekeeper, and their ensuing friendship upsets the fragile dynamic between the haves and the have-nots. When other long-silent black servants begin opening up to Eugenia, the disapproving conservative Southern town soon gets swept up in the turbulence of changing times.” Very few reviews so far but they are OK. TRDB.

 

4) MIDNIGHT IN PARIS- Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.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.

5) THE WHISTLEBLOWER- Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Sent to Bosnia to train cops in the aftermath of that country’s brutal civil war, American policewoman Kathryn Bolkovac (Rachel Weisz) uncovers evidence that U.N. peacekeepers are complicit in a flourishing sex-trafficking trade. But when she brings her allegations to light, she discovers that her foes are more powerful than the law. Based on a true story, this thriller from director Larysa Kondracki co-stars Monica Bellucci and David Strathairn.” Winner at 2011 Palm Springs Film Festival.

7/21/11. I saw the coming attractions recently and I plan to see it. TRDB.

8/5/11- Just saw an unimpressive review in today’s NY Times and I might not see this after all. TRDB.

6) CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) discovers that his wife (Julianne Moore) wants to end their marriage, he reluctantly faces the unwelcome prospect of single life with the counsel of the younger and smoother super-bachelor Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling). Meanwhile, Cal’s adolescent son, Robbie (Jonah Bobo), has formed an unquenchable crush on his 17-year-old babysitter (Analeigh Tipton) — but is she more interested in Robbie’s recently unwed father?” Good early reviews. TRDB.

8/6/11- Crazy and stupid but lots of fun. Poignant as well. TRDB.

7) RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “James Franco headlines the reboot of the immensely popular Planet of the Apes franchise, a prequel which boasts cutting-edge CGI effects and a gripping story set in modern-day San Francisco, where scientists are conducting genetic research on apes. The evolved primates, including Caesar (Andy Serkis), develop advanced intelligence and revolt against being used as lab rats, unleashing a war for dominion over Earth.”

8/14/11-Despite not liking  James Franco and not liking sci-fi I thoroughly enjoyed this movie that my friends Don and Sue dragged me to. Great special effects, good story and boy, you have to love those apes. 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 Films everywhere go to- www.fandango.com