The Reel Dr. Bob

FILM REVIEWS #417

June 28th, 2012

  JUNE 28, 2012

DEAR FRIENDS:  

YOU CAN ACCESS ANY NEWSLETTER OR OLDER REVIEWS AT- www.thereeldrbob.com  

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-  

 1) HELLO LONESOME– Netflix

2) HOW TO LIVE FOREVER– Netflix

 3) YOUR SISTER’S SISTER– At the Theater 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-  

 1) YOUR SISTER’S SISTER– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Jack, who is mourning the death of his brother, has a complicated relationship with his best friend, Iris, who used to date his brother. Their chaotic situation becomes even more tangled when Jack has a drunken tryst with Iris’s flighty sister.” Excellent reviews. TRDB.

An article about the director in the NY Times on 5/6/12. TRDB.

6/15/12- Mixed review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

6/26/12- I liked this movie, especially the relationship between the sisters. TRDB. 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-  

1) HELLO LONESOME– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “An isolated voice-over artist (Harry Chase) befriends a local deliveryman (Kamel Boutros), an elderly widow (Lynn Cohen) develops unexpected feelings for her young neighbor (James Urbaniak), and a new couple (Nate Smith and Sabrina Lloyd) struggles to cope with devastating news in this intimate triptych. Written and directed by Adam Reid, this touching tale explores what happens when six lonely souls make meaningful connections.”

Good review in NY Times on 5/27/11 and fairly good reviews in general. TRDB.

6/22/12- I enjoyed this movie very much and I recommend it. TRDB. Netflix.

2) HOW TO LIVE FOREVER– 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “When he turned 50, Baby Boomer Mark Wexler decided to document one of the fastest-growing populations in the U.S.: centenarians. Along the way, he interviews folks who advocate special diets, laughter, or beer and a cigarette to ensure healthy aging.” Good review in NY Times on 5/13/11. TRDB.

6/25/12- A very unusual and thoughtful film that takes some of the mystery out of longevity by showing how different cultures consider aging. Worth seeing. TRDB. Netflix.

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 COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JULY 3-  

 1) THE HUNTER– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Willem Dafoe stars as a mercenary sent to Tasmania to track down the last living Tasmanian tiger and obtain its genetic material. Once he reaches the tiger’s wild habitat, the hunter poses as a scientist to begin his search.”

Good early reviews. TRDB.

4/6/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) SAFE HOUSE– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When men bent on eliminating dangerous criminal Tobin Frost attack the safe house where the CIA has squirreled him away, young operative Matt Weston must find a way to get Frost out alive and relocate him to another, securer location.”

2/10/12- OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) JESUS HENRY CHRIST– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Too-smart-for-his-own-good 10-year-old Henry James Herman sets out to locate his father, an anonymous sperm donor, in this quirky comedy. Along the way, Henry uncovers family secrets that only deepen his existential quandary.”

Weak professional reviews and fair audience reaction. TRDB.

5/4/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times but I think I’ll still see this one. TRDB.

4) HIT SO HARD- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This compelling documentary chronicles the life of former Hole drummer Patty Schemel, from childhood through her rise to fame and beyond, revealing her near-destruction by the personal demons that too often accompany celebrity.”

OK professional reviews and better audience ones. TRDB.

5) GOD BLESS AMERICA– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Disgusted with American society and diagnosed with a brain tumor, Frank teams up with teenager Roxy and the two begin killing reality TV stars, bigots and others they find repugnant in Bobcat Goldthwait’s black comedy.”

5/11/12- Fair professional reviews and better audience ones. TRDB.

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OPENING THIS WEEK-  

 1) BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In a forgotten but defiant bayou community cut off from the rest of the world by a sprawling levee, a six-year-old girl exists on the brink of orphanhood. Buoyed by her childish optimism and extraordinary imagination, she believes that the natural world is in balance with the universe until a fierce storm changes her reality. Desperate to repair the structure of her world in order to save her ailing father and sinking home, this tiny hero must learn to survive unstoppable catastrophes of epic proportions.”

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

2) THE LAST RIDE– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “A young college student agrees to drive volatile country music star Hank Williams to a concert, never guessing he’ll be the last one to see him alive. Along the way, he gets a glimpse into the mind of a troubled legend.”

OK reviews so far from audiences but nothing yet from professionals. TRDB.

3) PEOPLE LIKE US– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Sam flies home for his estranged father’s funeral, the reading of the will reveals a sister he never knew he had — and an order that Sam must bring his alcoholic sibling and her young son their inheritance.”

Very good early reviews. TRDB.

4) TED- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This adult-oriented comedy follows the curious exploits of John, a slacker whose constant companion, Ted — a childhood teddy bear who’s actually come to life — threatens to derail his belated attempts to enter adulthood and romance his dream girl.”

Great audience reviews so far. TRDB.

5) TAKE THIS WALTZ– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmed in Toronto, this intimate, unflashy romantic drama portrays a happily married woman who experiences a sudden and strong desire for another man. Further complicating the situation, the object of her desire resides just across the street.”

Very good early reviews. TRDB.

6) NEIL YOUNG JOURNEYS– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Following rocker Neil Young to his Toronto hometown, Jonathan Demme captures the artist live in concert at Massey Hall and on the road in Ontario. This film is the third in Demme’s Neil Young concert trilogy, following Heart of Gold and Trunk Show.”

Mediocre early reviews. TRDB.

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 FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse- Not Available at this time.   _________________________________________________________________________________________  

 COMCAST ON-DEMAND-  

NEW-  

1) CHELY WRIGHT: WISH ME AWAY– Synopsis by Netflix. “This poignant documentary, filmed over three years, profiles country music star Chely Wright, a devout Christian whose struggle to succeed in the music biz while hiding her homosexuality from her conservative family and fans caused her much anguish.”

A very good review in the NY Times on 6/1/12 and elsewhere as well. TRDB.

2) THE MAGIC OF BELLE ISLE– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After alcoholism depletes his enthusiasm for writing, celebrated author Monte Wildhorn finds his creative passion renewed when he moves to quaint Belle Isle and gets to know his next door neighbors — a single mother and her three daughters.”

Fair early reviews. TRDB.

REPEATS-  

 1) 50/50- A fun movie despite the heavy premise

2) BOOKER’S PLACE- Very good reviews

3) CITIZEN GANGSTER- Weak reviews

4) DESCENDANTS- I liked it very much

5) EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE- Just fair 

6) FIRST POSITION- I enjoyed this movie about ballet and about child competition in general

7) GOODBYE FIRST LOVE- I liked it

8)HUGO- Great movie for ALL ages

9) THE IRON LADY- Weak movie but worth seeing just for Meryl Streep

10) J. EDGAR- I enjoyed the movie- great DiCaprio

11) JESUS HERNY CHRIST- Weak professional reviews but audiences have liked it

12) MARLEY- Great reviews

13) MY WEEK WITH MARILYN- I liked this very much

14) PARIAH- Good reviews

15) RETURN- Good reviews

16) SARAH’S KEY- Very good

17) SLEEPLESS NIGHT- Good reviews

18)TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY- Fair reviews at best

19) WE HAVE A POPE- I liked this very much

20) WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN- Very good movie

 21) YOUNG ADULT- I thought this was good but not nearly as good as the critics said  

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- (Fairfield and Westchester Counties)  

NEW IN THE SUBURBS-   

1) TO ROME WITH LOVE– Jacob Burns. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Woody Allen plays a father meeting his daughter’s Italian in-laws to-be in this ensemble comedy that interweaves four tales set in Rome. Other cast members include Roberto Benigni as a man mistaken for a film star.”

6/22/12- Good review in today’s NY Times and excellent audience reaction so far. TRDB.

2) TED– Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This adult-oriented comedy follows the curious exploits of John, a slacker whose constant companion, Ted — a childhood teddy bear who’s actually come to life — threatens to derail his belated attempts to enter adulthood and romance his dream girl.”

Great audience reviews so far as well as better than average professional ones. TRDB.

3) PEOPLE LIKE US– Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Sam flies home for his estranged father’s funeral, the reading of the will reveals a sister he never knew he had — and an order that Sam must bring his alcoholic sibling and her young son their inheritance.”

Very good early reviews, especially from audiences. TRDB.

  REPEATS-  

1) SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED -Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “A team of journalists is dispatched to find out who’s behind a classified advertisement seeking a companion for time travel, with payment on return. After tracking down their oddball prey, the team has to decide how best to approach their subject.”

Very good early reviews. TRDB.

2) SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. ” As an asteroid hurtles toward Earth, a man whose wife has abandoned him spends the planet’s final days on a road trip to reunite with his high school sweetheart. But a lovely neighbor who tags along for the ride complicates his plans.”

Really bad reviews. TRDB.  

3) BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTLE– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “To make the most of their meager retirement savings, a group of British seniors relocates to India to live out their golden years at the Marigold Hotel. But upon arrival, they discover that the once-lavish resort has wilted considerably.”

Rotten Tomatoes said– “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel follows a group of British retirees who decide to “outsource” their retirement to less expensive and seemingly exotic India. Enticed by advertisements for the newly restored Marigold Hotel and bolstered with visions of a life of leisure, they arrive to find the palace a shell of its former self. Though the new environment is less luxurious than imagined, they are forever transformed by their shared experiences, discovering that life and love can begin again when you let go of the past.

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.

4) MOONRISE KINGDOM– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, 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.

5) YOUR SISTER’S SISTER– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Jack, who is mourning the death of his brother, has a complicated relationship with his best friend, Iris, who used to date his brother. Their chaotic situation becomes even more tangled when Jack has a drunken tryst with Iris’s flighty sister.” Excellent reviews. TRDB.

An article about the director in the NY Times on 5/6/12. TRDB.

6/15/12- Mixed review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

6/26/12- I liked this movie, especially the relationship between the sisters. TRDB. 

6) 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.

7) 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.

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

 

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