The Reel Dr. Bob

FILM REVIEWS #323

May 13th, 2010

MAY 12, 2010

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

PLEASE ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AT- www.thereeldrbob.com

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES FOR THE WEEK- See “below” for details.

 

1) THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN

2) TOKYO SONATA

3) LOST SON OF HAVANA

4) NORTHFACE

 

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MOVIES I’VE SEEN THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “A startling discovery comes to light for retired Argentine criminal investigator Benjamín Espósito (Ricardo Darín) as he pens a biographical novel about the unsolved case of a young newlywed’s brutal rape and murder years ago. Past and present intertwine for Espósito and colleague Pablo Sandoval (Guillermo Francella) in director Juan José Campanella’s suspenseful character study in which justice, pain and love collide.”

 

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MOVIES I’VE VIEWED THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) TOKYO SONATA- Premise by Netflix. “From Japanese director Kiyoshi Kurosawa comes a drama about the Sasakis, an ordinary Japanese family living a bucolic life — until the father is abruptly laid off from his job and decides to keep the news from his wife and kids. Soon, the father’s sense of shame, and the indignity he faces while passing each day in the park in his suit and tie, quickly turns into a rage that proves to hold irrevocable consequences for all concerned.” Excellent reviews.

 

2) THE BLUE TOOTH VIRGIN- Premise by Netflix. “When magazine editor David (Bryce Johnson) reluctantly confesses that he’s not too fond of his buddy Sam’s (Austin Peck) latest screenplay effort, the admission threatens to destroy the longtime relationship between the two best friends. Honored with a special jury prize at the Seattle International Film Festival, Russell Brown’s witty treatment of the creative process co-stars 1970s mainstay Karen Black as an eccentric script consultant.” Good reviews and I’ll see it.

 

3) TETRO- Premise by Netflix. “Francis Ford Coppola writes, directs and produces this captivating drama that centers on the relationship between Bennie (Alden Ehrenreich) and Tetro (Vincent Gallo), two brothers who reunite in Buenos Aires after a 10-year estrangement. Maribel Verdu, Klaus Maria Brandauer, Carmen Maura and Rodrigo de la Serna also star in this moving tale loosely inspired by Coppola’s own experiences growing up in a creative Argentine-Italian family.” Very good reviews.

 

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COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, MAY 18

 

1) THE MESSENGER- Premise by Netflix. “An injured U.S. soldier, Sgt. Will Montgomery (Ben Foster), is paired up with by-the-book Capt. Tony Stone (Oscar nominee Woody Harrelson) to notify families of killed soldiers — a job that bonds them as they debate different views on serving America. At odds at first, the two find common ground while facing life’s variety of battles. Oren Moverman directs this poignant military tale that co-stars Samantha Morton and Jena Malone.” Very good reviews and I look forward to seeing this next week.

  

2) CRAZY HEART- Premise by Netflix. “When reporter Jean Craddock (Oscar nominee Maggie Gyllenhaal) interviews Bad Blake (Oscar winner Jeff Bridges) — an alcoholic, seen-better-days country music legend — they connect, and the hard-living crooner sees a possible saving grace in a life with Jean and her young son. But can he leave behind an existence playing in the shadow of Tommy (Colin Farrell), the upstart kid he once mentored? Robert Duvall produces and co-stars.”

 

1/10- I liked it. Great music also. For me, a weak Gyllenhaal kept it from being even better. The movie reminded me a little too much of “The Wrestler.” TRDB.

  

3) DEFAMATION- Premise by Netflix. “In addition to gathering thoughts from political scientist Norman Finkelstein, filmmaker Yoav Shamir examines contemporary anti-Semitism and the possibility of a modern-day Jewish holocaust in his incisive documentary. Surprisingly amusing and unquestionably thought-provoking, Shamir also profiles other figures such as Anti-Defamation League director Abraham Foxman and explores topics” Mostly very good reviews.

 

4) THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN- Premise by Netflix. “Inspired by a true story, director André Téchiné’s riveting drama centers on a young Parisian woman (Émilie Dequenne) who captures the attention of her country when she claims she’s been the target of a hate crime. International film legend Catherine Deneuve also stars in this ripped-from-the-headlines tale, which explores the power of prejudice and the diminishing credibility of modern-day media.”

I liked this movie very much AND it’s basically a true story. TRDB.

 

5) WAITING FOR ARMAGEDDON- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “In this eye-opening, equitable documentary, filmmakers Kate Davis, David Heilbroner and Franco Sacchi explore the lives of evangelical Christians who believe that Armageddon is imminent and that Israel will be the site of Christ’s second coming. The film follows evangelicals as they prepare for the apocalypse and examines how their beliefs have influenced the U.S. government’s relationships with Israel and the Muslim world.” Very good reviews.

 

6) EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “After their two young children are diagnosed with a rare genetic disease for which conventional medicine has no cure, John (Brendan Fraser) and Aileen (Keri Russell) pin their hopes on the work of unconventional scientist Dr. Robert Stonehill (Harrison Ford). Director Tom Vaughan’s heartfelt drama is based on the true story of the Crowley family, as chronicled by journalist Geeta Anand in her book The Cure.” Poor reviews. I’ve included this one because it’s medically interesting.

 

7) MISCONCEPTIONS- Premise by Netflix. ” When God calls, you answer, even if it means carrying a child for two men when you’re a married Christian conservative from the South. Worlds collide when one of the dads (Orlando Jones) descends on the mom (A.J. Cook) to “manage” the pregnancy in this comedy. With the African American choreographer and dad-to-be refusing to budge from the surrogate’s home, her very Southern community and anti-gay marriage hubby are in a tizzy.” Poor reviews. Included because of the contemporary nature of the topic.

 

8)LOST SON OF HAVANA- Premise by Netflix. “When Castro rose to power in Cuba, Major League Baseball pitcher Luis Tiant lost the ability to return to his homeland to see his family. This documentary chronicles Tiant’s story and his emotional visit to Havana after nearly 50 years in exile. During the course of his long professional career, Tiant played on three All-Star teams and pitched for six MLB clubs, including the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees.” STREAMING ONLY– NOT ON DVD.

 

 

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OPENING THIS WEEK-

 

1) DADDY LONGLEGS- Premise by Netflix. “Frazzled divorced dad Lenny (Ronald Bronstein) gets just two weeks each year to spend time with his sons Sage and Frey (Sage and Frey Ranaldo), so he’s determined to make those 14 days memorable. But the 34-year-old New Yorker isn’t quite what you’d call a responsible adult. Dodging his responsibilities left and right, Lenny grapples with the age-old dilemma of whether to act like a father or a friend to his kids.” Good early reviews. Also on Comcast On-Demand.

 

2) LOOKING FOR ERIC- Premise by Netflix. “Eric Bishop (Steve Evets) is a soccer-loving Manchester postman on the brink of a nervous breakdown. With his work life and love life in shambles, Eric seeks advice from his hero, the famously philosophical Manchester United star Eric Cantona (playing himself). The sports comedy-drama — in competition at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival — comes courtesy of master British director Ken Loach.” Good reviews.

 

3) LETTERS TO JULIET- Premise by Netflix. “By responding to a letter addressed to Shakespeare’s tragic heroine Juliet Capulet, a young American woman (Amanda Seyfried) vacationing in Verona, Italy, sets in motion a series of events that leads her — and the missive’s lovelorn author (Vanessa Redgrave) — in search of romance. Directed by Gary Winick, this deeply tender and uplifting drama also features Gael García Bernal and Franco Nero.” Poor early reviews.

 

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FLORIDA- At the Emerging Cinemas of Lake Worth

 

1) A PROPHET- 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.”

 

 

 

 

 

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

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 (Westchester and Fairfield Counties)

 

For Independent Films in Your Neighborhood go to- http://lakeworthplayhouse.org/indie_films.html

 

For all films go to- www.fandango.com

 

1) BABIES- Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk, Danbury, Clearview 100. Premise by Netflix. “Documentary filmmaker Thomas Balmes charts the simultaneous early development of four babies from different parts of the world, illustrating what makes human life unique, similar and precious wherever it occurs. Training his camera on newborns Hattie from San Francisco, Ponijao from Namibia, Bayarjargal from Mongolia and Mari from Tokyo, Balmes captures every moment, from their first screaming breaths to their first tentative steps.” Fairly good reviews.

 

2) PLEASE GIVE- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Premise by Netflix. “It’s a comedy that threatens to rip the lid off the New York housing market as a young couple engages in a tenant feud with the wily granddaughters of an elderly woman to whom they rent an apartment. The indie all-star cast includes Oliver Platt, Amanda Peet, Catherine Keener, Kevin Corrigan and Lois Smith in this feature from veteran writer-director Nicole Holofcener (“Lovely & Amazing,” “Friends with Money”).” Very good reviews.

 

3) THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES- 2009. Jacob Burns, Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Premise by Netflix. “A startling discovery comes to light for retired Argentine criminal investigator Benjamín Espósito (Ricardo Darín) as he pens a biographical novel about the unsolved case of a young newlywed’s brutal rape and murder years ago. Past and present intertwine for Espósito and colleague Pablo Sandoval (Guillermo Francella) in director Juan José Campanella’s suspenseful character study in which justice, pain and love collide.”

 

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

5/10- This entry from Argentina won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film for 2009. The story was replete with holes making it somewhat difficult to believe but it was interesting, well acted and the back and forth was well done without being confusing. In my opinion not really the “Best Foreign Film” of the year.TRDB.

4) CITY ISLAND- Garden Cinema Norwalk, Clearview 100. About people in families and the secrets they keep from one another. I liked the movie.

5) EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP- Jacob Burns, Clearview 100. Premise by Netflix. “Filmmaker Thierry Guetta had been casually documenting the underground world of street art for years, but when he encounters Banksy, an elusive British stencil artist, his project takes a fascinating twist. Unimpressed with Guetta’s footage, Banksy takes over filmmaking duties and Guetta reinvents himself as a street artist named Mr. Brainwash — and, much to Banksy‘s surprise, immediately becomes a darling of the Los Angeles art scene.” Great reviews.

6) THE CITY OF YOUR FINAL DESTINATION- Premise by Netflix. “After duping school officials into awarding him a grant to write a biography on novelist Jules Gund, grad student Omar Razaghi (Omar Metwally) is forced to travel to Uruguay to get legitimate authorization from the late author’s three executors. Directed by James Ivory (A Room with a View), this moving adaptation of author Peter Cameron’s novel of the same name also stars Anthony Hopkins, Laura Linney and Charlotte Gainsbourg.” Very good reviews.

5/10- I found this movie very creative and while a bit too long I did enjoy it. TRDB.

4) LOST SON OF HAVANA- Premise by Netflix. “When Castro rose to power in Cuba, Major League Baseball pitcher Luis Tiant lost the ability to return to his homeland to see his family. This documentary chronicles Tiant’s story and his emotional visit to Havana after nearly 50 years in exile. During the course of his long professional career, Tiant played on three All-Star teams and pitched for six MLB clubs, including the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees.”

5/10- A good documentary, especially if you followed his career in baseball. Some touching moments, primarily in the second half. TRDB.

5) NORTHFACE- 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.”

5/10- Interesting and suspenseful. I liked the juxtaposition of what’s primitive on the mountain and what’s elegant at the hotel where everybody is waiting for them to complete the climb. Try not to be upset at the melodramatic ending. I liked it. TRDB.

5/10- A just so-so character study of 2 friends who are both writers. Some interesting dialogue but the movie lacked something and could have been much better. TRDB.

5/10-An interesting and also very poignant family study. Worth seeing. TRDB.

5/10- This entry from Argentina won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film for 2009. The story was replete with holes making it somewhat difficult to believe but it was interesting, well acted and the back and forth was well done without being confusing. In my opinion not really the “Best Foreign Film” of the year. TRDB.

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