The Reel Dr. Bob

NOVEMBER 23, 2011

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

PLEASE ACCESS MY NEWSLETTER AT www.thereeldrbob.com

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) THE LAST RITES OF JOE MAY- On-Demand

2) R- Netflix

3) AFTERSHOCK- Netflix

 

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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) THE LAST RITES OF JOE MAY– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Low-stakes hustler Joe May returns home from the hospital to find his landlord assumed he’d died, and rented his apartment out to a single mom and her daughter. Joe‘s life takes surprising turns when he agrees to let the woman and her child stay.”11/4/11- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

11/18/11- I enjoyed this movie and the 3 main characters. TRDB. On-Demand.

2) R– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “After committing a vicious crime, Rune (Johan Philip Asbæk), a career criminal even though he is only in his mid-twenties, is sentenced to two years in the harshest of Danish prisons. Although he wants to do his time quietly, prison gangs make his life a living hell. He is soon befriended by a Muslim prisoner named Rashid, who is also at the mercy of the hardcore criminals. Rune appears to appease one of the gang leaders, but is he really safe?”

11/19/11- A well done movie. Very cold, stark and realistic. TRDB. Netflix.

3) AFTERSHOCK– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Caught in the cataclysmic Tangshan earthquake of 1976, a mother is forced to choose which of her twin children — her son or her daughter — a rescue worker should save as they flee the collapsing ruins of her home. The film dramatizes the arduous struggle of the survivors — including the little girl left for dead — as families must learn to rebuild their lives in the wake of a natural disaster that left nearly 250,000 people dead.” Winner at 2011 Palm Springs Film Festival. Great reviews in general. TRDB.

11/21/11- An epic drama about one of the families devastated by the Tangshan earthquake and their quest for emotional peace living with the ramifications of the destruction. I liked it. TRDB. Netflix.

 

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, NOV. 29-

 

1) 5 DAYS OF WAR– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When American journalist Thomas Anders (Rupert Friend) is sent to cover the 2008 Russia-Georgia war, he and his cameraman become entangled with a beautiful Georgian scholar (Emmanuelle Chriqui) and soon risk becoming casualties of the brief but brutal conflict. Caught in the crossfire, Anders faces charges of espionage. Val Kilmer, Andy Garcia and Dean Cain co-star in this tense drama directed by Renny Harlin.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.8/19/11- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) THE WAVE– 2008. Synopsis by Netflix. “To give his students a real-world example of how dictatorships can grow powerful, high school teacher Rainer (Jürgen Vogel) starts a social experiment that assigns some of his students a strong advantage while leaving others subservient and powerless. The classroom exercise spreads to the rest of the school, where it mushrooms into violence, discrimination and the abuse of power.” Some great reviews, some OK and a few poor. TRDB.

3) THE FUTURE– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Suddenly aware that their lives will radically change in a month’s time, Sophie (Miranda July) and Jason (Hamish Linklater) decide to seize the opportunity to quit their jobs, pursue new interests and disconnect from the Internet, with the knowledge that their actions will literally change the course of history. As they pursue their adventures, they find their faith in one another and in themselves is put to the test.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.

Good review in NY Times on 7/29/11. TRDB.

8/8/11- This film was weird enough that I did not get bored but I could not relate to any of the characters in any way. You can safely miss this one. TRDB. 

4) CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE– 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 at times but lots of fun. Poignant as well. TRDB.

5) CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Celebrated documentary filmmaker Werner Herzog offers this unprecedented examination of Chauvet Cave, a cavern in southern France that contains the oldest human-painted images yet to be found on Earth. Besides presenting stunning cinematography of the exquisite paintings themselves, Herzog interviews experts who describe the context and reflect on the existential meaning of this artwork, which is some 30,000 years old.” Very good professional reviews and poor audience ones. TRDB.

6) WATER FOR ELEPHANTS– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this captivating Depression-era melodrama, impetuous veterinary student Jacob Jankowski (Robert Pattinson) joins a celebrated circus as an animal caretaker but faces a wrenching dilemma when he’s transfixed by angelic married performer Marlena (Reese Witherspoon). An affinity for elephants brings together the young pair, but the warmth between them sends Marlena’s cruel husband, animal trainer August (Christoph Waltz), into a frightening fury.” Mediocre professional reviews  but good audience reactions. TRDB.

4/11- A soap opera type movie with a weak screenplay that was a disappointment for me. TRDB.

7) SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. ”  Noted director Wayne Wang helms this adaptation of Lisa See’s best-selling novel about two young girls in 19th-century China who are pledged as lifelong companions through an ancient ritual, although their friendship is sorely tested as they mature. Paralleling the story of Snow Flower and Lily, who communicate by writing on the folds of a white fan, are the modern-day tribulations of Sophia and Nina, who struggle to maintain their relationship.” Poor reviews. TRDB.

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OPENING THIS WEEK-

 

1) MY WEEK WITH MARILYN– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “While filming a movie in England, Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe slips away with a young Brit for a week of self-discovery and frivolity. The story that ensues is based on the real-life memoirs of Colin Clark, once assistant to Sir Laurence Olivier.” Good audience reaction and mixed professional reviews. TRDB.

 

2) A DANGEROUS METHOD– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this David Cronenberg-helmed biopic, Viggo Mortensen stars as Sigmund Freud, whose relationship with fellow psychology luminary Carl Jung (Michael Fassbender) is tested when Sabina Spielrein (Keira Knightley), one of the first female psychoanalysts, enters their lives. This World War I-set drama also stars Vincent Cassel as Otto Gross, a disciple of Freud, and Sarah Gadon, who plays Jung’s psychoanalyst wife.” Great early reviews. TRDB.

 

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 

1) THE WOMEN ON THE 6th FLOOR– 2010. Synopsis by IMDB. “In 1960s Paris, a conservative couple’s lives are turned upside down by two Spanish maids.”10/7/11- Fairly good reviews in general but a poor one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

10/18/11- The synopsis doesn’t do the film justice. I loved the characters, the screenplay, the music and basically everything else. A must see!! TRDB.

 

2) SIDEWALLS–  (MEDIANERAS)- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Separated by the wall their apartments share, Mariana and Martin are the perfect couple. They have the same quirks, same tastes, same ideals, and even the same neuroses. They’re a match made in heaven. There’s just one problem: They’ve never met.”  Very good early reviews. TRDB.

1/16/11- Different to say the least but I can’t say that I really enjoyed it. I liked the ending. TRDB.

 

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) THE DEVIL’S DOUBLE– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Dominic Cooper stars as Uday Hussein — Saddam Hussein’s depraved, decadent elder son — and as Latif Yahia, the army lieutenant forcibly drafted to be his body double, in this drama based on Yahia’s autobiographical novel. With his family’s fate on the line, Yahia surrenders his identity to embody the hated figure but gains a conspirator in Uday’s concubine, Sarrab (Ludivine Sagnier), as he plots his escape.”The movie is discussed in a NY Times article (not a review) on 7/24/11. TRDB.

11/4/11- Weak reviews– some hating this movie and others saying it was OK. I had planned to see it but now I think I’ll skip it. TRDB.

2) SLEEPING BEAUTY– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this dark tale, college gal Lucy takes a decidedly offbeat job: As a “sleeping beauty,” she’s paid to be fondled or otherwise handled by strangers while in a sedated sleep. Soon, however, she begins to wonder just what she’s submitting to.”

9/18/11- An article (not review) in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

11/18/11- Mixed reviews with some OK ones and some terrible ones as well. 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 IN THE SUBURBS-

 

1) THE DESCENDANTS– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “When his wife is killed in a Waikiki boating accident, distant father Matt King (George Clooney) begins an iffy journey to repair his fractured relationship with his two daughters. But he’s also trying to decide whether to let go of some valuable family real estate. Judy Greer, Beau Bridges and Matthew Lillard co-star in this tragic-comic tale of legacy and unexpected loss based on the novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.

 

2) MY WEEK WITH MARILYN– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “While filming a movie in England, Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe slips away with a young Brit for a week of self-discovery and frivolity. The story that ensues is based on the real-life memoirs of Colin Clark, once assistant to Sir Laurence Olivier.” Good audience reaction and mixed professional reviews. TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

 

1) MARGIN CALL– Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “An all-star cast shines in this engrossing drama about a critical 24-hour period at a high-profile investment bank in the early days of the 2008 financial crisis, when young analyst Peter Sullivan (Zachary Quinto) uncovers information that could destroy the firm. When he alerts upper management to the precarious position of their risky investments, an emergency meeting is held to decide if they should alert clients or abscond with the profits.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.10/21/11- Excellent review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

10/31/11- A good “financial thriller” and although I enjoyed it I could have used a bit less of Kevin Spacey’s lessons. Jeremy Irons as the head honcho was great. TRDB.

 

2) LIKE CRAZY– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2011. Premise by Netflix. “American Jacob (Anton Yelchin) and British Anna (Felicity Jones) meet and fall madly in love at college in Los Angeles, but must make their relationship work long distance when Anna returns to London. With an ocean between them, their trust is tested, forcing them to confront the idea that their love may be impermanent. Or can it survive against the odds? Charlie Bewley, Oliver Muirhead, Finola Hughes and Ben York Jones also star.” Mentioned in NY Times on 1/22/11 re Sundance. Excellent reviews in general. TRDB.10/28/11- Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

 

3) J. EDGAR– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Leonardo DiCaprio stars in this riveting biopic as J. Edgar Hoover, the longtime FBI director as notorious for his overzealous methods of law enforcement as for the rumors regarding his cross-dressing and close relationship with protégé Clyde Tolson.” Poor professional reviews but audiences have liked it. TRDB.11/15/11-The movie was just OK. Reminded me of movies by Oliver Stone with a great deal of playing with the facts. DiCaprio was great. TRDB.

4) MELANCHOLIA– Jacob Burns, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This inventive drama charts the disintegrating relationship between newly married twentysomething Justine and her melancholy sister, Claire, just as Earth hurtles toward certain collision with a newly discovered planet.”

9/18/11- An article (not a review) about this in today’s NY Times. Starring Kirsten Dunst. TRDB.

10/11- Great reviews but my friends hated it and called it pretentious. 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