The Reel Dr. Bob

FILM REVIEWS #415

June 14th, 2012

6/11/12- A sweet, charming, quirky love story. See it!!! TRDB.

2) CRIME AFTER CRIME– 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Convicted of killing her brutally abusive boyfriend in 1983, Deborah Peagler languished in prison for 20 years. When California legislation allowing incarcerated domestic-violence survivors to reopen their cases becomes law, a pair of novice attorneys agree to take on her case. Armed with evidence of their client’s innocence, the two encounter a bewildering maze of bureaucratic procedures and political corruption as they seek justice.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.

5/28/12- I enjoyed this movie that was helped by making the attorneys as much of the story as this prisoner. TRDB. Netflix.

3) MAN ON A LEDGE– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When fugitive ex-cop Nick Cassidy steps onto a window ledge high above a busy Manhattan street, police psychologist Lydia Anderson tries to talk him down. But soon Anderson suspects that there’s more to Cassidy’s stunt than meets the eye.” Weak reviews in general. TRDB.

6/10/12- I saw this on a flight to Hawaii and did not care for it. The fact that the hearing device wasn’t working too well may have improved the movie. TRDB.

4) IN DARKNESS– 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “From acclaimed director Agnieszka Holland, In Darkness is based on a true story. Leopold Socha, a sewer worker and petty thief in Lvov, a Nazi occupied city in Poland, one day encounters a group of Jews trying to escape the liquidation of the ghetto. He hides them for money in the labyrinth of the town’s sewers beneath the bustling activity of the city above. What starts out as a straightforward and cynical business arrangement turns into something very unexpected, the unlikely alliance between Socha and the Jews as the enterprise seeps deeper into Socha’s conscience. The film is also an extraordinary story of survival as these men, women and children all try to outwit certain death during 14 months of ever increasing and intense danger.”

12/4/11- An article (not a review) about this movie in the NY Times today. TRDB.

12/9/11- Fair review in today’s NY Times but excellent ones from others. TRDB.

6/10/12- I saw this today on a flight coming home from California and I thought it was an OK movie that took a true story and managed to Hollywood-ize it to some degree. TRDB.

6/11/12- A cute romantic comedy and since I love road trip movies I enjoyed this one too. TRDB. Netflix.

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.

12/27/11- A very interesting and well made documentary and I’d definitely recommend it. TRDB.

3) RED TAILS– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “The 332nd Fighter Group, an all-black World War II unit made up of the best escort pilots and known as the Red Tails, fights racism at home while fighting the Nazis abroad in this action-packed drama based on the true story of the Tuskegee Airmen.”

1/20/12- Excellent audience reviews, poor professional ones and a “just OK” review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) A BAG OF HAMMERS– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Best friends Alan and Ben are unable to face adulthood and lead decent, moral lives, much to Alan’s sister’s chagrin. But when the twosome must become “fathers” to a new neighbor’s son, stealing cars at funeral homes is no longer an option.”

5/11/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times and in general. Audiences seem to have liked it though. TRDB.

5) KEYHOLE– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “From surrealist master Guy Maddin comes this tale of a gangster trying desperately to reach his wife. Ulysses Pick arrives home with a body in tow and must hunt from room to room to find Hyacinth in a dreamlike odyssey taking place indoors.”

4/6/12- Good review in today’s NY Times and some others as well. TRDB.

6) THIS MEANS WAR– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Each determined to win the heart of a sexy blonde bombshell, two best friends and CIA spies turn their secret-agent skills against each other, heedless of the ever-widening trail of wreckage and collateral damage they leave in their wake.”

2/17/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times and in general. Audiences seem to like it so far. TRDB.

7) JEFF, WHO LIVES AT HOME– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Siblings Jay and Mark Duplass direct this stoner comedy focusing on two brothers — one a moderate success, the other still living with Mom. A trip to the store for glue, however, turns into an encounter with destiny for the stay-at–home slacker.” Mostly very good reviews. TRDB.

3/16/12- OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5/8/12- I found the story and the acting quite believable and interesting as well. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

2) RED TAILS– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “The 332nd Fighter Group, an all-black World War II unit made up of the best escort pilots and known as the Red Tails, fights racism at home while fighting the Nazis abroad in this action-packed drama based on the true story of the Tuskegee Airmen.”

1/20/12- Excellent audience reviews, poor professional ones and a “just OK” review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) BEL AMI– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Bel Ami is the story of Georges Duroy, who travels through 1890s Paris, from cockroach ridden garrets to opulent salons, using his wits and powers of seduction to rise from poverty to wealth, from a prostitute’s embrace to passionate trysts with wealthy beauties, in a world where politics and media jostle for influence, where sex is power and celebrity an obsession.” Weak professional reviews but good audience reaction so far. TRDB.

Very good early audience reaction. TRDB.

6/11/12- Weak review in the NY Times last week. TRDB.

2) PEACE, LOVE & MISUNDERSTANDING– Clearview 100. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Distraught over her impending divorce, conservative lawyer Diane seeks refuge with her mother, Grace, even though the two haven’t spoken in years. Diane’s children are thrilled with their free-spirited grandma, while Diane finds peace and romance.”

Really bad reviews. TRDB.

Very good early reviews called this film a bit schmaltzy but well done. TRDB.

5/4/12- Today’s NY Times gave this an OK review. TRDB.

5/11/12- I agree with the reviewers. A few good lines, a great travelogue and not a heck of a lot much more. TRDB.

2) BERNIE– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this black comedy inspired by real-life events, affable Texas mortician Bernie befriends the small town’s wealthiest widow and then kills her. But despite the suspicious nature of her death, no one wants to think anything but the best of Bernie.”

4/27/12- Good reviews in general and a difficult to interpret review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) MOONRISE KINGDOM– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Wes Anderson’s quirky drama follows the frantic search that ensues in a small New England town when two 12-year-olds fall in love and run away together. As the townsfolk hunt for the vanished kids, a storm causes even more profound communal upheaval.”

Very good early reviews, especially from the professionals. TRDB.

6/11/12- A sweet, charming, quirky love story. See it!!! TRDB.

4) HYSTERIA– Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Hysteria is a romantic comedy with an accomplished cast led by Maggie Gyllenhaal, Hugh Dancy, Jonathan Pryce, Felicity Jones and Rupert Everett, that tells an untold tale of discovery – the surprising story of the birth of the electro-mechanical vibrator at the very peak of Victorian prudishness.”

5/18/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times and weak reviews in general. TRDB.

5) THE INTOUCHABLES- Jacob Burns. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this compelling story based on true events, affluent quadriplegic Phillipe hires Driss — a young Parisian petty criminal — to be his caregiver, and the two form an unexpected bond that changes both their lives.” Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

5/6/12- An article in today’s NY Times talks about the movie and the lead actor. Apparently this has become a “hot” topic in France. TRDB.

5/25/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times, but good reviews in general.  TRDB.

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