The Reel Dr. Bob

DECEMBER 1, 2011

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

REMEMBER– ONE MORE ISSUE UNTIL I’M AWAY SO NEXT WEEK’S ISSUE WILL CONTAIN INFORMATION FOR SEVERAL WEEKS–

 

PLEASE ACCESS MY WEB SITE AT- www.thereeldrbob.com

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) THE DESCENDANTS- Theater

2) THESE AMAZING SHADOWS- Netflix

3) ADRIFT- Netflix Streaming

4) MY WEEK WITH MARILYN- Theater

5) THE WAVE- Netflix

 

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MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) THE DESCENDANTS– 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.11/26/11- A very thoughtful and well acted family drama. Humor interspersed with all of the serious material lightened up an otherwise overwhelming drama. Recommended. TRDB.

2) 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.

11/28/11- I liked the movie, loved Michelle Williams as the breathless Monroe but the screenplay was just mediocre. TRDB.

 

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MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) PUTTY HILL– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a vacant house in Baltimore’s skid row, a young man named Cory dies of a heroin overdose. As his friends and family unite for his funeral, their reflections reveal as much about the condition of the city as their tragic loss. Filmed over just a few days and largely improvised, this moving drama by director Matthew Porterfield was an official selection of the 2010 South By Southwest Film Festival.” Very good professional reviews and average audience reaction. TRDB.11/23/11- Despite it’s creativity I just could not get into this drama and it’s characters including the deceased. TRDB. Netflix.

2) THESE AMAZING SHADOWS– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Fueled by exclusive interviews and dazzling archival footage, filmmakers Paul Mariano and Kurt Norton shine a light on the work of the National Film Registry and the art of preserving aesthetically, culturally and historically significant cinema. Highlights in this Sundance selection include input from the likes of Christopher Nolan, John Waters, Rob Reiner, Debbie Reynolds, Tim Roth and George Takei.” At Sundance 2011.

11/26/11- This documentary is a must-see for anybody seriously interested in movies and their influence on our culture. Quotes I loved are “movies are a window to the world” and “movies are a time capsule of our society.” Great Documentary. TRDB. Netflix.

3) ADRIFT- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a teenaged girl finds out that her debonair father, Matias (Vincent Cassel), is a philanderer, she enters into a voyeuristic world while trying to figure out her own burgeoning sexuality. Camilla Belle co-stars as Matias’s gorgeous mistress, Ângela, in this sensitive, coming-of-age drama set in the 1980s. Brazilian Heitor Dhalia writes and directs this film, which was an official selection at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.”

11/27/11- A good coming-of-age movie with a family in transition. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

4) 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.

11/29/11- I shouldn’t have given this one a try. What garbage, from the acting with phony accents to the gangster like action. Miss this one! TRDB. Netflix.

5) 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.

11/29/11- A very powerful movie that gave me the creeps. Important to see! TRDB. Netflix.

 

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, DEC. 6-

 

1) LIFE, ABOVE ALL– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a tiny village near Johannesburg, 12-year-old Chanda (Khomotso Manyaka) is left to care for two younger siblings when her infant sister dies and her mother becomes gravely ill. But this isn’t the only challenge she faces; the town has turned against her. Rumors that her family carries a deadly disease have made Chanda a pariah. This indictment of small-town gossip was an Official Selection of the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.” Great professional reviews but only average viewer responses. TRDB.

 

2) RAPT- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “When corporate figurehead Stanislas Graff (Yvan Attal) is kidnapped and held for an absurd ransom of 50 million Euros, the police and powerful business he represents are forced to debate whether one man’s life can really be worth that much money. But every minute they spend talking about the issue gives the press more time to dig through Graff’s murky past — and Graff’s captors more time to torture their hostage.” Great professional reviews and average audience reaction. TRDB.

 

3) THE HELP– 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.” OK reviews. TRDB.

 

4) POINT BLANK– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Samuel Pierret (Gilles Lellouche) is a nurse who saves the wrong guy — a thief (Roschdy Zem) whose henchmen take Samuel’s pregnant wife (Elena Anaya) hostage to force him to spring their boss from the hospital. A race through the subways and streets of Paris ensues, and the body count rises. Can Samuel evade the cops and the criminal underground and deliver his beloved to safety? Fred Cavayé directs, with nods to classic French thrillers.” Good review in NY Times on 7/29/11. TRDB.

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OPENING NEXT WEEK-

 

1) ANSWERS TO NOTHING– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This gripping ensemble drama follows a philandering husband, a depressed Hollywood screenwriter, a vigilante schoolteacher and other citizens of Los Angeles as their daily lives intersect an LAPD detective’s search for a missing child.” No reviews as yet. TRDB.

 

2) SHAME– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Thirtysomething New Yorker Brandon is outwardly reserved, but inside is seething with an overwhelming sexual addiction. When his tempestuous and much-loved younger sister invades his life, Brandon struggles to escape his self-destructive behavior.” Very good reviews. TRDB. 

 

3) 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.

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 

1) SURVIVING HITLER: A LOVE STORY– No reviews noted. TRDB.

 

2) THE SWELL SEASON– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “To cope with his father’s terminal cancer, a troubled high schooler begins telling everyone — including his new girlfriend — that he has the same disease. But keeping up the ruse proves just as difficult as dealing with real life.”

10/21/11- Fairly good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

 

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) AMIGO– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Writer-director John Sayles steers this poignant period drama, set in turn-of-the-century Philippines, that examines the U.S. occupation of the islands from the perspective of American soldiers, who settle in with native residents. Making connections between the past and modern-day dealings in Iraq and Afghanistan, Sayles draws some surprising parallels through repeated history. Chris Cooper stars as Col. Hardacre.” Worse than average early audience reviews. TRDB.8/19/11- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) SARAH’S KEY– 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.

3) ANGEL’S CREST– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Through a careless indiscretion, a young father (Thomas Dekker) inadvertently allows his 3-year-old son to freeze to death. But as he tries to manage his grief, the man comes under harsh criticism from local townspeople, his ex-wife (Lynn Collins) and an angry prosecutor (Jeremy Piven). Mira Sorvino, Kate Walsh and Elizabeth McGovern co-star in this powerful drama, an adaptation of Leslie Schwartz’s novel Angels Crest.” Good reviews. TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

1) A BETTER LIFE- A wonderful movie

2) AFTERSHOCK- Excellent movie

3) ARTHUR- This is the re-make– Fair reviews at best

 

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)-

 

NEW IN THE SUBURBS- NONE

 

REPEATS-

 

1) MARGIN CALL– Bethel, Clearview 100. 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) 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.

3) MELANCHOLIA– Jacob Burns. 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.

4) THE DESCENDANTS– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, Danbury, 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.

11/26/11- A very thoughtful and well acted family drama. Humor interspersed with all of the serious material lightened up an otherwise overwhelming drama. Recommended. TRDB.

5) 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.

11/28/11- I liked the movie, loved Michelle Williams as the breathless Monroe but the screenplay was just mediocre. TRDB.

6) LIKE CRAZY– 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.

7) MONEYBALL– Danbury. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “An all-star cast brings to life the true story of Billy Beane, a former jock turned general manager who uses unconventional methods to bring the best players to the Oakland A’s, a major league baseball team struggling against financial hardship.”

9/23/11- Good review in today’s NY Times and very good reviews in general. TRDB.

10/3/11- I liked this movie very much and I thought that Brad Pitt did a wonderful job playing Beane. TRDB.  

8)THE IDES OF MARCH– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Dirty tricks stand to soil an ambitious young press spokesman’s idealism in a cutthroat presidential campaign where “victory” is relative. The film is inspired by the real-life experiences of an aide who worked on Howard Dean’s failed 2004 run.” Very good early reviews. I saw the coming attractions and it looked good. TRDB.

10/7/11- Only a fair review at best in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

10/10/11- A very good political drama, especially George Clooney as the candidate. 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