The Reel Dr. Bob

FILM REVIEWS #403

March 1st, 2012

  MARCH 1, 2012

DEAR FRIENDS:  

THIS NEWSLETTER IS OUT A BIT LATE AS I WAS “STUCK” IN BOSTON DUE TO THE WEATHER CONDITIONS YESTERDAY–  

YOU CAN ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AND PAST MOVIE REVIEWS AT-

www.thereeldrbob.com  

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-  

1) THE FISH CHILD– Netflix Streaming

2) QUEEN OF THE SUN- Netflix

3) THE LIE– Netflix Streaming

4) HOW TO DIE IN OREGON– Netflix   _________________________________________________________________________________________   MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE   _________________________________________________________________________________________   MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-  

1) TODAY’S SPECIAL– 2010. Premise by Netflix. “After he gets passed over for promotion, haute cuisine sous chef Samir (Aasif Mandvi) quits to pursue his dream of cooking in Paris, but an emergency forces him to take over his family’s shabby Indian restaurant in Queens. Taxi driver-turned-chef Akbar (Naseeruddin Shah) shares his passion for Indian food with Samir, whose romance with fellow chef Carrie (Jess Weixler) fuels his desire to prove himself and save the restaurant.”

Fair review in NY Times 11/19/10. Good reviews in general. TRDB.

2/24/12- A lightweight Hollywood/Bollywood that did have some merit. I watched it through. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

2) THE LIE– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Sometimes, you reeeeally don’t want to go to work. And sometimes that feeling is so strong that you’ll do anything to get out of it — even if that means telling a lie that has the power to completely change the trajectory of your life. Joshua Leonard (who co-starred in the indie breakout hit The Blair Witch Project) makes his directorial debut with this indie drama based on a short story by T.C. Boyle.” Winner at Sundance 2011.

A few good early reviews. TRDB.

11/18/11- An excellent review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2/24/12- A very well acted and interesting story about relationships, particularly spousal, and mid- course corrections in life. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

3) THE FISH CHILD– 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Wealthy Argentinean teen Lala has been gaga for her family’s maid, Ailin, since the day she joined the household three years ago. Now 16, Lala finds her affections returned, and the pair is planning to run off together in this romantic thriller.” Good professional reviews and average audience ones. TRDB.

2/25/12- I enjoyed this movie despite a bit of confusion with the back and forth in time nature of the drama. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

4) QUEEN OF THE SUN– 2011. Synopsis by RottenTomatoes. “What Are the Bees Telling Us? is a profound, alternative look at the global bee crisis from Taggart Siegel, director of THE REAL DIRT ON FARMER JOHN. Taking us on a journey through the catastrophic disappearance of bees.” Very good reviews and a good review in the NY Times on 6/10/11. TRDB.

2/26/12- An enlightening documentary that has application for other issues besides just bees. TRDB. Netflix.

5) PIANOMANIA– 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “This engaging documentary profiles Stefan Knüpfer, the master tuner for Steinway & Sons, who is tasked with the often-demanding job of pairing world-famous pianists with the right instrument and supervising all aspects of each piano’s performance.”

11/4/11- Fairly good review for the documentary in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2/27/12- Honestly, this was one of the more boring movies I’ve seen in a long time and I was sorely disappointed. I lasted 30 minutes. TRDB. Netflix.

6) HOW TO DIE IN OREGON– 2011. Premise by Netflix. “Director Peter Richardson’s documentary takes you into the lives of terminally ill men and women as they consider availing themselves of physician-assisted suicide, which is legal in Oregon under the state’s 1994 Death with Dignity Act. As patients discuss their wishes with families, friends and doctors, Richardson examines all sides of this weighty issue and even documents an assisted suicide as it occurs.” Very good reviews. TRDB.

3/1/12- An extraordinary documentary about the Oregon law but even more than that, about some of the brave people who took advantage of it. TRDB. Netflix.

  ________________________________________________________________________________________   CAME TO NETFLIX ON 2/21 WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE-  

1) BLANK CITY– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker Celine Danhier directs this lively documentary that retraces the birth of the underground film movement in New York in the early 1980s, spurred by the work of artists like Richard Kern, Casandra Stark and John Waters. As part of what author and filmmaker Nick Zedd coined the Cinema of Transgression, these low-budget films were noted for being chock-full of explicit sex, gratuitous violence and dark humor.” Good reviews. TRDB.   _________________________________________________________________________________________   COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, MARCH  6-  

1) FOOTLOOSE– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This musical remake of the infectious 1984 hit finds dance-lovin’, big-city kid Ren MacCormack stuck in a small town where dancing is illegal. As he rebels against the town and its influential Rev. Moore, Ren falls for the pastor’s lovely daughter.” Mixed early reviews. TRDB.

10/14/11- Poor review in today’s NY Times and even some of the positive reviews I read were qualified. I don’t plan to see it. TRDB.

2) THE SKIN I LIVE IN– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Robert Ledgard, a brilliant plastic surgeon, seeks to overcome the grief of his late wife’s disfigurement in a fiery car crash by inventing skin that is impervious to injury, but his experiments on a living woman hasten his descent into madness.”

10/14/11- By Almodovar, this film got a weird but great review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) LIKE CRAZY– 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.

4) SENNA– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “This fast-paced documentary profiles Ayrton Senna, one of the greatest drivers in the history of Formula One racing, and a hero in his native Brazil. Using only archival footage, director Asif Kapadia examines the idealistic Senna‘s inspiring legend. Charismatic, compassionate and a dedicated risk-taker, Senna was known for his integrity in a sport often fraught with cutthroat politics, and also for the deep religious faith that gave him purpose.” At Sundance 2011.

A good (not great) review in the NY Times on 8/12/11. TRDB.

  _________________________________________________________________________________________   OPENING THIS WEEK-  

1) BEING FLYNN– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “A young man employed at a Boston homeless shelter comes upon his long-lost, destitute and alcoholic father while at work one evening in this subtle, emotionally charged drama based on the acclaimed memoir by poet and playwright Nick Flynn.” Good early audience reaction but no professional reviews as yet. TRDB.   

2) BOY– 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Filmed in his native New Zealand, this comedy from writer-director Taika Waititi (Eagle vs. Shark) follows 11-year-old Boy and his younger brother, Rocky, whose rich fantasy lives are stopped cold when their father returns home after years away. Although Boy has imagined that his father (Waititi) is a dashing, accomplished hero who is related to Michael Jackson, in reality he is a failed gangster seeking to restore his family’s faith in him.” Good audience reviews but no professional reviews as yet. TRDB.  

3) LAST DAYS HERE– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this poignant documentary portrait, an aged and gaunt Bobby Liebling — the former lead singer of the heavy metal act Pentagram — rallies to restart his life after decades of disappointment and drug addiction.” No reviews as yet. TRDB.  

4) LET THE BULLETS FLY– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this comedic Western set in 1920s China, outlaw Zhang hijacks a train carrying the governor and a whole lot of loot. When the train derails, Zhang hatches a scheme to impersonate the governor with the help of the official’s shady assistant.” Excellent early reviews. TRDB.   _________________________________________________________________________________________   FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-  

1) 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.” Very good reviews.  TRDB.

2/17/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) MICHAEL– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Michael seems like an ordinary — even boring — middle-aged guy. But after work, he returns home and unlocks the basement cell where he keeps 10-year-old Wolfgang. This harrowing drama chronicles five months of Wolfgang’s captivity.” This sounds weird but it got very good reviews. TRDB.

  _________________________________________________________________________________________   COMCAST ON-DEMAND-  

NEW-  

1) 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.

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

2) MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE–  2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “After escaping from a violent cult in rural New York, Martha (Elizabeth Olsen) tries to reconnect with her estranged sister, Lucy (Sarah Paulson), and Lucy’s well-to-do husband, Ted (Hugh Dancy), but the brainwashing she endured continues to prevent her from forming an identity of her own. Overwhelmed with paranoia, guilt and shame, Martha isolates herself until Lucy begins to suspect her sister’s emotional trauma has deeper underlying causes.” Winner at Sundance 2011.

10/21/11-  Only a fair review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

11/8/11- An interesting and very well acted psychological thriller and I liked it. TRDB.  

REPEATS-  

1) ANGELS CREST- I liked this one

2) ANONYMOUS- Fair reviews at best and I didn’t like it

3) ANOTHER EARTH- Good reviews but I did not like it

4) BEGINNERS- I liked this very much

5) A BETTER LIFE- I enjoyed this one very much

6) BLACK SNAKE MOAN- Very good movie from a few years ago- never got recognized but I liked it

7) CRAZY, STUPID LOVE- I actually enjoyed this movie

8)THE DEBT- Good reviews

9) DECLARATION OF WAR- Good reviews

10) DIRTY GIRL- A few good reviews but the NY Times hated it

11) DRIVE- I liked it

12) FIRST GRADER- Fair reviews at best

13) FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS- Surprisingly good reviews but I didn’t like it and turned it off

14) THE GUARD- Very good reviews. I thought it was OK

15) THE HELP- Good reviews- I’ll see it eventually

16) HIGHER GROUND- I liked this very much

17) I’M GLAD MY MOTHER IS ALIVE- The NY Times gave it a good review and I liked it as well

18)THE IDES OF MARCH- I enjoyed the movie

19) KNUCKLE- I saw this and liked it

20) THE LIE- Very good reviews and I just saw it and liked it- see “above”

21) LIFE, ABOVE ALL- I enjoyed this movie much and highly recommend it

22) MAN ON A MISSION- Fair reviews 2

3) MIDNIGHT IN PARIS- Great movie

24) MONEYBALL- I liked it

25) MOZART’S SISTER- I saw this months ago and enjoyed it

26) NEWLYWEDS- I liked it a lot and all of Edward Burns’ work as well 2

7) POETRY- Good movie

28) SARAH’S KEY- Very good

29) SIDEWALLS- Can’t say I really liked it but it was different. I liked the ending

30) TAKE SHELTER- An excellent movie- you should definitely see this one

31) THUNDER SOUL- An OK documentary- worth seeing

32) THE TREE OF LIFE- I did not like this one at all

33) URBANIZED- Great review in NY Times

34) WARRIOR- I liked this one very much  

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 BURBS- NONE

REPEATS-

1) A SEPARATION– Bethel, 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.

2/26/12- Just won Best Foreign Film Oscar. TRDB.

2)  THE ARTIST– Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100, Saw Mill Hawthorne, 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.

2/26/12- Just won Best Picture Oscar. TRDB.

3) THE IRON LADY– Bethel, Clearview 100, Saw Mill Hawthorne. 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) THE DESCENDANTS– Bethel, 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 interspersed with all of the serious material lightened up an otherwise overwhelming drama. Recommended highly. TRDB.

5) 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 reviews so far. TRDB.

6) MY WEEK WITH MARILYN– Clearview 100, Saw Mill Hawthorne, 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 but loved Michelle Williams as the breathless Monroe. The screenplay was just mediocre. TRDB.  

7) HUGO 3D– Danbury. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When his father dies, 12-year-old orphan Hugo takes up residence behind the walls of a Parisian train station. There, he meets Isabelle, the daughter of filmmaker Georges Méliès, who holds the key to Hugo‘s destiny.” Great reviews. TRDB.

2/18/12- A delightful story and wonderful in 3D as well. TRDB. For ALL ages. Go see it or rent it at home!! 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

ENJOY!!

—
THE REEL DR. BOB
The Reel Dr. Bob

Entry Filed under: Old Newsletters