FILM REVIEWS #396
December 27th, 2011
DECEMBER 22, 2011DEAR FRIENDS:THIS ISSUE OF MY NEWSLETTER WILL INCLUDE INFORMATION FOR 2 WEEKS WHENEVER POSSIBLE-THE NEXT ISSUE WILL PROBABLY BE ON JAN. 3, JUST BEFORE I GO TO THE PALM SPRINGS FILM FESTIVAL IN CALIFORNIA.I’LL WRITE AGAIN AFTER I RETURN.QUICK LOOK AT MY RECENT FAVORITES-1) 9500 LIBERTY- Netflix2) LIFE, ABOVE ALL- Netflix3) THE MYTH OF THE AMERICAN SLEEPOVER- Netflix4) RAPT- Netflix Streaming5) YOUNG ADULT- Theater6) ANTHONY ZIMMER-Netflix Streaming________________________________________________________________________________________MOVIES I SAW IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS AT THE THEATER-1) YOUNG ADULT– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Taken aback when she receives a letter from an old boyfriend announcing that he’s just had a baby with his wife, divorced fiction writer Mavis Gary decides to return to her small hometown and reconnect with her former lover.” Great audience reviews but no professional ones as yet. TRDB.12/9/11- Great review in today’s NY Times and very good ones elsewhere– both professional and audience. TRDB.12/16/11- Great, no. But an OK comedic drama that almost makes us like an unlikable character. TRDB.
________________________________________________________________________________________MOVIES I SAW IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS AT HOME-1) 9500 LIBERTY– Premise by Netflix. “Under pressure from anti-immigration groups, officials in Virginia’s Prince William County enact a controversial measure requiring police to step up their efforts to identify and detain suspected illegal aliens. Filmmakers Eric Byler and Annabel Park detail the turmoil that the new law stirs in the community, as well as the efforts of local citizens to resist what they regard as an unconstitutional assault on individual rights.” Very good early reviews.12/8/11- A good documentary showing the hate that exists in our country and some of the ways people can make a difference. TRDB. Netflix.2) THE MYTH OF THE AMERICAN SLEEPOVER– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “It’s the last night of summer vacation, and four high school friends face personal and interpersonal crossroads. As they wander the streets of suburban Detroit, each also takes the first tentative steps into the baffling world of adulthood. Recklessly chasing love and adventure, the teens end up with memories that will last a lifetime in this charming, thought-provoking debut feature from writer-director David Robert Mitchell.” Very good professional reviews but average audience reaction. TRDB.
12/9/11- I’m with the pros on this one– I thought it was unique and very interesting. TRDB. Netflix.
3) 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.
12/11/11- I could not get into this movie or even keep up with what was happening at times and even though I watched this while on Amtrak I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.
4) 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.
12/9/11- I liked this movie very much and I think that the young girl who plays Chanda was magnificent. TRDB. Netflix.
5) FLYPAPER– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Two gangs unwittingly attempt to rob a bank at the same time, catching innocent Tripp Kennedy (Patrick Dempsey) in the middle of the action. In the midst of the melee, Tripp saves bank teller Kaitlin (Ashley Judd), and together they scheme to stay alive and out of love. When the bank’s security system goes into lockdown mode, the standoff pits crook against crook while Tripp and Kaitlin execute their plan.”
8/19/11- Mostly poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
12/13/11- Really, really bad and I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.
6) BOBBY FISHER AGAINST THE WORLD– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “One of the most enigmatic of 20th-century personalities, Bobby Fischer rose to fame as a world-champion child chess prodigy who later found himself embroiled in Cold War era politics. Filmmaker Liz Garbus reveals the dark side of his fame, exploring the phenom’s descent into loneliness, despair and life on the lam. Interviews with people who were close to the legend and rare archival footage provide insights into his character.”
9/9/11- Very good review in today’s NY Times and excellent reviews in general. TRDB.
12/14/11- An excellent documentary that kept me in suspense even though I knew the outcome. A genius with all of the good and bad that came with it are well described here. TRDB. Netflix.
7) ANTHONY ZIMMER– 2005. Synopsis by Netflix. “Sophie Marceau and Yvan Attal star in this French romance-thriller about deception and the hunt for a criminal mastermind. Knowing she’s the bait to trap her unidentifiable lover, Chiara (Marceau) leads the chase to François (Attal), an innocent man. But as Russian hit men close in on François, police detective Akerman (Sami Frey) — and Chiara — soon realize that they are all pawns in a brilliant game played by the elusive Anthony Zimmer.” Good reviews. TRDB.
12/20/11- I enjoyed this movie very much. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
8)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.
12/19/11- An excellent movie on several levels with great acting by the lead. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
9) MAKING THE BOYS- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Revered by some for breaking new ground and reviled by others for reinforcing stereotypes, The Boys in the Band was the first gay-themed film to reach a mainstream audience. This documentary paints a vivid picture of how it got there. Through interviews with Tony Kushner, Edward Albee and more — plus wonderful period footage of Hollywood’s gay past (think Roddy MacDowell and Sal Mineo) — the film reveals The Boys in the Band’s enduring legacy.” Very good reviews. TRDB. Good review in NY Times on 3/11/11.
12/17/11- Well done but I lost interest about halfway through. TRDB. Netflix.
________________________________________________________________________________________COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, DEC. 27-1) THE FIRST GRADER– 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Based on a true story, this inspirational drama profiles the amazing determination of 84-year-old Kenyan Kimani N’gan’ga Maruge (Oliver Litondo), a Mau Mau freedom fighter who wants to take advantage of a new universal education decree by learning how to read. Although he faces governmental bureaucracy and tribal racism, Maruge’s cause is eventually championed by teacher Jane Obinchu (Naomie Harris), who is set on erasing illiteracy in Kenya.” Winner at 2011 Palm Springs Film Festival. A few reviews and they are mainly negative saying that the movie did not do justice to the importance of the subject. TRDB.2) TUESDAY, AFTER CHRISTMAS– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Paul Hanganu (Mimi Branescu) is in love with two women: Adriana (Mirela Oprisor), his wife of 10 years, and Raluca (Maria Popistasu), his mistress of the past several months. Now, at a crossroads, Paul is forced to choose between them in this drama from Romanian director Radu Muntean. Combining careful staging and emotionally intense dialogue, the film presents an unblinking profile of a man in crisis and the women whose lives he’s ensnared.” Good audience reviews but no professional reviews as yet. TRDB.5/25/11- Excellent review in NY Times today. TRDB.3) LOVE CRIME– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “With a nod to the machinations of All About Eve and Dangerous Liaisons, French director Alain Corneau delivers a chilling tale of two ambitious women whose professional appetites grow dangerously personal. At first, things are fine between senior executive Christine (Kristin Scott Thomas) and her eager young assistant, Isabelle (Ludivine Sagnier). But when Christine abuses her position of power, Isabelle resorts to revenge — and insubordination.”
9/2/11- An OK review in today’s NY Times. Friends saw this and thought it was OK too. TRDB.
4) BRIGHTON ROCK– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “In hopes of silencing a waitress (Andrea Riseborough) who saw him kill another criminal, a young thug (Sam Riley) decides to romance her and suss out how much she knows. But at what point does his premeditated plot blossom into true passion? And are either party’s motives 100 percent pure? John Hurt and Helen Mirren co-star in writer-director Rowan Joffe’s film adaptation of Graham Greene’s novel.” I’ve seen just a few reviews and they are not good. TRDB.
5) ONE DAY– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “After a romantic tryst on college graduation night, Emma and Dexter pursue separate dreams. This romantic drama based on a novel of the same name checks in with them each year on the same date, tracking their personal and professional progress.” Poor reviews. TRDB.
8/19/11- OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
8/27/11- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
6) ANOTHER EARTH– 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Shortly after a strange, Earth-like planet is discovered, gifted astrophysics student Rhoda Williams (Brit Marling) accidentally slams her car into the vehicle of John Burroughs (William Mapother), killing his family. After some time, Rhoda and John begin an unlikely romance. But Rhoda starts to wonder what would happen if she could actually visit the new planet in director Mike Cahill’s romantic sci-fi drama.” At Sundance 2011. Sounds interesting and good reviews as well. TRDB.
7) EAMES: THE ARCHITECT AND THE PAINTER– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary tells the story of the husband-and-wife team of Charles and Ray Eames, widely considered America’s most important designers. Their creations include furniture, photography, interiors, multimedia exhibits, games and much more.”
11/18/11- A very good review in today’s NY Times and mostly good reviews in general. TRDB.
8)JANE’S JOURNEY– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “This inspiring biopic relates the lifelong crusade of chimp researcher Jane Goodall, moving from England to the Tanzanian jungle where her work began. Nearly half a century later, Goodall continues to visit the animals that ignited her passion.” Few reviews so far and they are average. TRDB.
9/16/11- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
9) DHOBI GHAT (MUMBAI DIARIES) 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Taking its name from the Mumbai neighborhood where much of the city’s washing is done — traditionally by members of the Dhobi caste — this ensemble film represents the directorial debut of Kiran Rao, wife of Bollywood star Aamir Khan. The intimate social drama focuses on a quartet of individuals from different castes — a situation that would normally preclude them from forming friendships. Unique circumstances, however, draw them together.” Good early reviews but just a fair one in the NY Times on 1/21/11.
4/11- Bollywood without music and not bad at all. The first one I’ve watched through for a long time. TRDB.
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COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, JAN. 3-
1) THE GUARD– 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.
12/20/11- Friends liked this movie very much. TRDB.
2) PUNCTURE– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Drug-addicted attorney Mike and his business partner Paul take on a case involving an emergency room nurse who has been pricked by an infected needle. Uncovering a web of corporate conspiracies, Mike and Paul quickly find themselves outmatched.” Mediocre reviews, both professional and by audiences. TRDB.
3) 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.” Fairly good reviews. TRDB.
________________________________________________________________________________________OPENING THIS WEEK- (12/23)1) ALBERT NOBBS– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Having for decades disguised herself as a man while working as a butler in a posh 19th-century Dublin hotel, a woman calling herself Albert Nobbs reconsiders her charade when a handsome painter arrives on the scene.” Weak professional reviews in general (good one in NY Times on 12/21) and just OK audience reaction. TRDB.2) IN THE LAND OF BLOOD AND HONEY– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Actress Angelina Jolie makes her directorial debut with a tale of marriage set against the violence of the Bosnian War. Ajla and her husband struggle with to keep their relationship alive, a battle that distracts them from the nation’s upheaval.” Good audience reviews but no professional ones as yet. TRDB.3) THE FLOWERS OF WAR– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1937, as the Japanese army brutally invades the Chinese city of Nanking, an American mortician is trapped inside a western cathedral and vows to protect a group of young schoolgirls and 13 courtesans who are seeking refuge from the soldiers.” Awful professional reviews but audiences appear to like it. TRDB.________________________________________________________________________________________OPENING NEXT WEEK (12/30)1) THE IRON LADY– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Meryl Streep provides a subtle and nuanced portrait of Margaret Thatcher, the first female prime minister of Britain, whose political career and determination changed the rules that had limited women’s opportunities for leadership.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.2) A SEPARATION– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “An Iranian husband and wife split up over his decision to stay and care for his aging father instead of leaving the country with his family. But his fateful choice to hire a stranger to do most of the caretaking breeds unexpected consequences.” Very good reviews and indeed on the top ten list of at least one reviewer I’ve read. TRDB.3) PARIAH– 2011. Premise by Netflix. “Brooklyn teen Alike (Adepero Oduye) is a model child around her devoutly religious family, but she sheds the good-girl image to reveal a harder side during a nightclub excursion with butch pal Laura (Pernell Walker) in this coming-of-age tale of urban identity and sexual expression. With curfew looming and her parents none the wiser, Alike must catch the bus back home, where she faces the complex negotiation of her contradictory worlds.” At Sundance 2011. Great reviews. TRDB.4) ANGELS 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.12/6/11- A very well done tragic story with no winners and only losers. Don’t see it if you’re in a bad mood. I liked it. TRDB.________________________________________________________________________________________FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-DEC. 23–DEC. 29-1) TYRANNOSAUR– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Joseph (Peter Mullan), a doomed, damaged petty thief finds love in the most unlikely place when he literally runs into pious Hannah (Olivia Colman). He thinks her religious nature makes her better off than him, which is far from the truth. As Hannah opens up to him, Joseph discovers a woman as damaged and hungry for human contact as he. Eddie Marsan co-stars in the writing and directing debut of actor Paddy Considine.” Good early reviews. TRDB.2) MY REINCARNATION– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “While fighting to preserve his spiritual legacy, a Tibetan spiritual master must also do battle with his own son, who has no interest in his destiny. The story that unfolds is a fascinating father-son conflict.”10/28/11- An interesting review in today’s NY Times and I’ll try to see this movie. TRDB.DEC. 30– JAN. 5
1) GARBO: THE SPY– 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Using interviews, archival footage and clips from old movies, director Edmon Roch tells the fascinating tale of Juan Pujol, a Spaniard who, under the codename Garbo, worked as a double agent during World War II and helped the Allies win the war.”
11/18/11- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
2) YOUNG GOETHE IN LOVE– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “The love life of aspiring young poet Johann Goethe is the subject of this period biopic. As Goethe strains against his family’s expectation that he study law, he falls in love with Lotte, who is to be wed to another.”
11/4/11- Just an OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
________________________________________________________________________________________MOVIES ON-DEMAND IN FLORIDA AS OF 12/22/11- REMEMBER THAT THIS MAY NOT BE THE SAME AS IN NORTHERN MARKETS—1) ANGELS CREST- I liked this one- see “above” for my review2) ARTHUR- This is the re-make– Fair reviews at best3) BEATS RHYMES & LIFE- I did not like this movie at all4) BEGINNERS- I liked this very much5) BLUE VALENTINE- I thought this was a very good movie with lots of raw emotion. Not for everyone6) BRIDESMAIDS- Not worth the 2 hours for a few laughs7) CONSPIRATOR- I found this one just OK. Would have been a better documentary8)CRAZY, STUPID LOVE- I actually enjoyed this movie9) HANNA- Weak screenplay but I did like the movie10) THE HELP- Good reviews11) HOUSE OF PLEASURES- Also called HOUSE OF TOLERANCE- A few reviews and they are mixed12) INCENDIES- Loved the film13) JANE EYRE- Just OK reviews but I liked it14) THE LAST RITES OF JOE MAY- I saw this and liked it very much15) LOOSIES- No reviews as yet16) MAN ON THE TRAIN- I enjoyed it very much17) MARGIN CALL- I enjoyed it but I do not agree with those who said it was great18)MELANCHOLIA- Good reviews but friends hated it19) MY PIECE OF THE PIE- Luke warm reviews20) POINT BLANK21) SARAH’S KEY- Very good22) SIDEWALLS- I saw this movie from Argentina and thought it was just OK23) SLEEPING BEAUTY- Mixed reviews with some OK and some terrible ones as well24) SOURCE CODE- I didn’t care for this one25) THE TREE OF LIFE- I did not like this one at all26) WEEKEND- Great reviews but I couldn’t understand half the dialogue27) WIN WIN- Very good and highly recommended________________________________________________________________________________________BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS- (Westchester and Fairfield Counties)NEW IN THE SUBURBS-1) THE ARTIST– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This modern-day silent film artfully recounts the poignant end of the silent-movie era in the late 1920s. The story contrasts the declining fortunes of a silent-screen superstar with his lover’s rise to popularity as a darling of the “talkies.”11/26/11- Great reviews including one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.2) TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY– Clearview 100. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “John Le Carré’s classic thriller of Cold War espionage follows an English spy as he returns to MI-6 under a cloud of suspicion. In the years since he was sacked by the agency, some suspect he’s become an operative for the Soviet Union.”
12/9/11- Great review in today’s NY Times and from others as well. TRDB.
3) WAR HORSE– 2011. Opens Christmas Day. Synopsis by Netflix. “Adapted from a novel by Michael Morpurgo, this majestic World War I drama centers on Devon lad Albert and his steadfast horse, Joey, whose faithful bond cannot be shaken — even when Joey is sold to the cavalry and sent off to France.” Good reviews although it’s been snubbed by the Golden Globe nominations. TRDB.
REPEATS-1) MY WEEK WITH MARILYN– Bethel. 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.2) THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a young computer hacker is tasked with investigating a prying journalist, their separate missions become entangled amid a decades-old conspiracy. David Fincher directs this English adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s novel.” Good audience reviews but none professional as yet. TRDB.3) YOUNG ADULT– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Taken aback when she receives a letter from an old boyfriend announcing that he’s just had a baby with his wife, divorced fiction writer Mavis Gary decides to return to her small hometown and reconnect with her former lover.” Great audience reviews but no professional ones as yet. TRDB.12/9/11- Great review in today’s NY Times and very good ones elsewhere– both professional and audience. TRDB.12/16/11- Great, no. But an OK comedic drama that almost makes us like an unlikable character. TRDB.
4) A DANGEROUS METHOD– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100. 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.
5) THE DESCENDANTS– Jacob Burns, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100. 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 intersperced with all of the serious material lightened up an otherwise overwhelming drama. Recommended highly. TRDB.
6) J. EDGAR– 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.
ENJOY!!THE REEL DR BOB
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