The Reel Dr. Bob

FEBRUARY 16, 2012

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) NEWLYWEDS– Comcast On-Demand

2) FIREFLIES IN THE GARDEN– Netflix

3) THUNDER SOUL– Netflix

4) PINA– Theater

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) PINA– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Wim Wenders uses 3D technology to arresting effect in this performance documentary about Pina Baussch’s Tanztheater Wuppertal dance company. Performing in the streets and parks of Wuppertal, Germany, the troupe’s pieces include “The Rite of Spring.”12/23/11- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2/15/12- An amazing experience!! The dancing– c’est magnifique!!! TRDB.  

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) NEWLYWEDS– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “The honeymoon is short-lived for newlyweds Buzzy and Katy. His wild younger sister drops in unannounced, and her ex keeps asking to borrow money. Meanwhile, they watch helplessly as their best friends’ marriage of 19 years starts to come undone.” Better than average reviews– a few very good ones also. TRDB.2/9/12- I love Edward Burns’ movies and this was no exception. Clever, well acted and insightful. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

2) CONTAGION– 2011- Synopsis by Netflix. “Steven Soderbergh steers big stars through this big-screen disaster-thriller about a global team of doctors tasked with tamping down a deadly outbreak of infectious disease before it annihilates mankind.”

9/9/11- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2/13/12- I could not get into this movie that jumped from place to place so quickly that I lost any interest in following the issue. Also I felt like I had seen this several times in the past. TRDB. Netflix.

3) FIREFLIES IN THE GARDEN– 2008. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the wake of an unexpected family tragedy, novelist Michael Taylor (Ryan Reynolds) is forced to confront his fractured relationship with his father (Willem Dafoe) while dealing with painful memories of his mother (Julia Roberts), a woman who moved mountains to protect him. Emily Watson, Hayden Panettiere, Ioan Gruffudd and Carrie-Anne Moss also star in this semiautobiographical tale of rage and redemption from writer-director Dennis Lee.”

10/14/11- A weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2/13/12- Perhaps I’m a sucker for movies with intense family issues but I enjoyed this fairly well panned drama. TRDB. Netflix.

4) TALES FROM THE GOLDEN AGE– 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Everyday life in 1980s Romania under Ceausescu takes on an air of comic surrealism in this whimsical collection of shorts written by award-winning filmmaker Cristian Mungiu and helmed by several acclaimed Romanian directors. A lighthearted take on the urban myths that persisted throughout the late communist era, the comedy anthology recalls a time when laughing in the face of absurdity and oppression was the only way to survive.”

8/27/11- OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2/13/12- A lengthy series of “legends” or stories that were supposed to be funny or ironic but which were neither for me and I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

5) THUNDER SOUL– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Mark Landsman totes his cameras to a tight-knit North Houston community in this poignant documentary, which celebrates an inner-city high school band leader’s lasting influence on his now-grown students. When Conrad “Prof” Johnson took the reins of the jazz band at Kashmere High School in the 1970s, he had a group that was mediocre at best. But before anyone knew it, the school had a funk powerhouse on its hands. The film picked up awards at both the L.A. Film Festival and South by Southwest.” A few fair reviews. TRDB.

2/14/12- An OK documentary about a man who served as a beacon to a group of students with very little else in their lives. TRDB. Netflix.

 

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CAME TO NETFLIX ON FEB. 14 WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE-

 

1) PIANOMANIA– 2011. A documentary about the sounds of the piano, the tuning, the instrument itself. Very good reviews. TRDB.

 

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COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, FEB. 21-

 

1) THE WAY– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When his son dies while hiking the famed Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in the Pyrenees, Tom (Martin Sheen) flies to France to claim the remains. Looking for insights into his estranged child’s life, he decides to complete the 500-mile mountain trek to Spain. Tom soon joins up with other travelers and realizes they’re all searching for something. Emilio Estevez writes and directs this drama about self-discovery.” Very good professional reviews but so far only poor audience reaction. TRDB.9/18/11- An article (not a review) in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

10/7/11- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

12/26/11- I liked this movie very much. Enjoyed the story and the acting. TRDB. 

2) THE WHISTLEBLOWER– 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.

9/1/11- I just could not get into the characters and felt that the film was overly dramatic at times. I was also surprised at how naive the lead character was. The NY Times called the screenplay choppy and fumbling and trying to deal with too many characters. This is an important topic and should have been a documentary. TRDB. 

3) LONDON BOULEVARD– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Golden Globe winner Colin Farrell (In Bruges) stars in this gritty crime drama as Mitchell, a recently paroled ex-con whose attempt at straight life includes taking a job as a handyman for a reclusive young starlet (Keira Knightley). Based on author Ken Bruen’s critically acclaimed novel, this adaptation marks the directorial debut of Academy Award-winning screenwriter William Monahan (The Departed).” Bad reviews. TRDB.

4) OCTOBER (OCTUBRE)– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “While trying to track down the missing prostitute who left her newborn at his doorstep, solitary loan shark Clemente (Bruno Odar) forms unexpected attachments to the baby — which might be his — and Sofia (Gabriela Velasquez), the single neighbor helping him care for the child. Written and directed by brothers Daniel and Diego Vega, this bittersweet Peruvian drama also stars Carlos Gasols, Maria Carbajal and Sheryl Sánchez Mesco.” No reviews as yet but did sound interesting and I plan to see it. TRDB.

5/16/11- As far as I’m concerned this movie was like a character study of a man with NO character. No emotion and little dialogue. Miss it!! TRDB.

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OPENING THIS WEEK-

 

1) BULLHEAD– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Tortured by his past and despairing of his stultifying present life, Belgian cattle farmer Jacky becomes entangled in a violent web of deceit involving local mobsters and determined policemen after he uses illegal growth hormones on his herd.” Very well liked by audiences and I read only 1 professional review and it was terrific. TRDB.

 

2) PUTIN’S KISS– 2012. Synopsis by RottenTomatoes. “Putin’s Kiss portrays contemporary life in Russia through the story of Masha, a 19 year-old girl who is a member of Nashi, a political youth organization connected with the Kremlin. Extremely ambitious, the young Masha quickly rises to the top of Nashi, but begins to question her involvement when a dissident journalist whom she has befriended is savagely attacked.” No reviews as yet but this sounded so interesting that I’ve included it. TRDB.

 

3) UNDEFEATED– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Cinéma vérité tackles football in this inspirational profile of an inner-city Memphis high school football team, whose downtrodden players combine with a dedicated volunteer coach in a valiant effort to reach the school’s first-ever playoff game.” Good audience reaction but no professional reviews as yet. TRDB.

 

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 

 

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) 3– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Berliners Hanna (Sophie Rois) and Simon (Sebastian Schipper), a couple in their 40s, have grown restlessly comfortable in their marriage. Independently, each meets and romances Adam (Devid Striesow), a handsome younger man. When Hanna becomes pregnant, all three must face what they’ve tried to ignore. Each man has reasons for staying with Hanna — and staying together. Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run) helms this entry in the 2010 Venice Film Festival.”9/16/11- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2/7/12- If the truth is stranger than fiction this movie must be true. Interesting, weird and well acted. Certainly not for everyone. TRDB. Netflix.

2) FIREFLIES IN THE GARDEN– 2008. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the wake of an unexpected family tragedy, novelist Michael Taylor (Ryan Reynolds) is forced to confront his fractured relationship with his father (Willem Dafoe) while dealing with painful memories of his mother (Julia Roberts), a woman who moved mountains to protect him. Emily Watson, Hayden Panettiere, Ioan Gruffudd and Carrie-Anne Moss also star in this semiautobiographical tale of rage and redemption from writer-director Dennis Lee.”

10/14/11- A weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2/13/12- Perhaps I’m a sucker for movies with intense family issues but I enjoyed this fairly well panned drama. TRDB. Netflix.

3) ANONYMOUS– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Who was Shakespeare? This Elizabethan drama imagines that the man we call the Bard really didn’t pen his body of timeless plays. The stages of London erupt in intrigue as the real author of the classics credited to Shakespeare comes to light.” Very good reviews. TRDB.

10/28/11- Review in today’s NY Times sounds bad to me. TRDB.

REPEATS-

 

 

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BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS- (Westchester and Fairfield Counties)

 

NEW IN THE BURBS-

 

1) THIN ICE– Bethel. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Midwest insurance salesman Mickey Prohaska (Greg Kinnear) hatches a get-rich-quick scheme that depends on him gaining possession of a rare and precious violin, but his planned score results in wild and unexpected consequences. Alan Arkin, Billy Crudup and Lea Thompson co-star in this meditation on lying and its consequences, written by sisters Jill and Karen Sprecher (Thirteen Conversations About One Thing).” Only fair review so far. TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

 

1) THE ARTIST– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

12/24/11- I liked this movie very much. Very creative, well acted and an interesting story as well. TRDB.

2) PINA– Jacob Burns, Bethel. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Wim Wenders uses 3D technology to arresting effect in this performance documentary about Pina Baussch’s Tanztheater Wuppertal dance company. Performing in the streets and parks of Wuppertal, Germany, the troupe’s pieces include “The Rite of Spring.”

12/23/11- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) THE IRON LADY– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100. 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.

12/30/11- A weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) A DANGEROUS METHOD– Bethel. 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 reviews. TRDB.

5) A SEPARATION– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

12/30/11- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

1/13/12- I saw this at the Palm Springs Film Festival 2012 and liked it but not as much as most of my friends. TRDB.

6) MY WEEK WITH MARILYN– Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.  

7) THE DESCENDANTS– Danbury, Saw Mill Hawthorne, 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 intersperced with all of the serious material lightened up an otherwise overwhelming drama. Recommended highly. TRDB.

8)EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE– Danbury. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Believing that his father left him a message before dying in the September 11 attacks, young Oskar Schell embarks on an emotional odyssey through New York City to find the lock that matches a key he found among his father’s belongings.” Weak reviews in general but several friends have enjoyed this movie. TRDB.

 

ENJOY!!