The Reel Dr. Bob

AUGUST 23, 2012

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

YOU CAN ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AND OLDER REVIEWS AT- www.thereeldrbob.com

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) CASA DE MI PADRE– Netflix

2) HOPE SPRINGS– At the Theater

3) JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI– Netflix.

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) HOPE SPRINGS– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Feeling disconnected in her decades-old marriage, Maeve convinces her skeptical husband to attend a marriage therapy week with a celebrated relationship expert — but now they must shed their inhibitions and learn some new sexual and emotional moves.”Very good  professional and audience reviews . TRDB.

8/19/12- I liked this movie very much. I found it realistic, honest and very well acted. The comedy involved was a case of “the laughs” when we were uncomfortable with the honesty of the material. Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones were great and great together. TRDB.

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) CASA DE MI PADRE– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Will Ferrell stars as a Spanish-speaking cowboy in this comedy about a Mexican clan trying to rescue their ranch from greedy creditors. When his brother can’t save the day, the simple but noble ranch hand takes on a powerful drug lord.”  Very good early reviews. TRDB.3/16/12- One of those ambiguous reviews in today’s NY Times but I think it was so-so. TRDB.

8/18/12- A cute spoof that may have gone on just a bit too long but I liked it. TRDB. Netflix.

2) JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This delectable documentary profiles sushi chef Jiro Ono, an 85-year-old master whose 10-seat, $300-a-plate restaurant is legendary among Tokyo foodies. Ono is also a father, whose sons struggle to live up to his legacy and make their own marks.” Good early reviews. TRDB.

3/9/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

8/20/12- As noted above this documentary is about the Japanese master of sushi. He has earned and kept the Michelin 3 Star rating even with his basement, no toilet restaurant that holds a mere 10 people. Rave reviews for this film but I felt that there was a bit too much hero worship and a bit too little about the making of the sushi itself. Definitely worth seeing however. TRDB. Netflix.

 

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, AUG. 28-

 

1) DARLING COMPANION– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Dealing with an empty nest and self-absorbed husband Joseph, Beth develops a deep bond with a dog she rescues — and when Joseph loses the dog after a wedding, Beth joins forces with wedding guests in a search that takes some unexpected turns.” Good early reviews. TRDB.4/20/12- A good cast but weak review in today’s NY Times and by most other critics as well. Audiences haven’t cared for it either so I would skip it. TRDB.

2) MONSIEUR LAZHAR– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When an Algerian immigrant seeking asylum in Montreal takes a job replacing an elementary school teacher who committed suicide, he finds that his own secret, tragic background enables him to help the children deal with their loss.”

4/13/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

I saw this at the Palm Springs Film Festival 2012 and loved it. TRDB.

DON’T MISS THIS ONE!!!

3) THINK LIKE A MAN- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Kevin Hart stars in this romantic comedy as a relationship expert whose thesis on love and dating has made him all the rage with single women. But despite his so-called expertise, the “relationship guru” struggles to keep his own marriage together.”

4/20/12- Fair to poor professional reviews but good audience reaction. TRDB.

4) HEADHUNTERS– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Living way beyond his means, corporate recruiter Roger Brown steals rare artworks to maintain his lavish lifestyle. But when he plans to boost an especially valuable painting, he targets a man who has headhunting skills of a different variety.”

4/27/12- Very good reviews in general but a weak one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5) THE PIRATES: BAND OF MISFITS– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This animated tale follows a pirate captain from the high seas to the streets of London as he strives to win the Pirate of the Year Award. But to snag the coveted prize, he’ll have to beat his dreaded rivals Black Bellamy and Cutlass Liz. Featuring an all-star cast that includes the voices of Hugh Grant, Jeremy Piven and Salma Hayek.”

4/30/12- We took our grandchildren to see this– ages 7 and 4. The animation and technique were very good and a pleasure to watch in 3D. The story is incidental. TRDB. 

6) NATE & MARGARET– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this quirky comedy, the odd-couple friendship between Nate, a young, gay film student, and Margaret, a 50-something eccentric, takes center stage. Trouble arrives in the form of Nate‘s first lover, who doesn’t quite “get” Margaret.”

6/22/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK IN ADDITION TO THOSE I WROTE ABOUT ON 8/16-

 

1) ROBOT AND FRANK– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Retired cat burglar Frank worries his adult children, who present him with a robot caretaker to look after his house and keep him company. Realizing that his new companion would make the perfect accomplice, Frank plans a return to his old profession.”Very good early reviews. TRDB.

8/17/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times and most critics have liked it. TRDB.

2) COMPLIANCE– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on a true incident, this tense drama unfolds as a prank caller pretends to be a cop and convinces a restaurant manager to interrogate her teenaged employee about a supposed theft from a customer — a situation that soon spins out of control.” Very good early reviews. There is an article in the NY Times on 5/6/12 about this movie and about the lead actor, Ann Dowd, and about the controversy when it was shown at Sundance this year. TRDB.

8/17/12- An interesting and intriguing review in today’s NY Times that details the controversy regarding this movie at Sundance 2012. TRDB.

3) THE MATCHMAKER– 2010. Premise by Netflix. “In an Israel still recovering from World War II yet also grappling with the tumultuous “Swinging Sixties,” teenager Arik (Tuval Shafir) works for matchmaker Yankele Bride (Adir Miller) as a “spy-guy” who investigates potential clients, and gets a master class in the art of love. Yankele, who operates in an unsavory area of Haifa, is in love with fellow Holocaust survivor Clara (Maya Dagan), while Arik finds romance with a wild American (Neta Porat).” A few good reviews.

8/17/12- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) SPEAK- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Focusing on the well-spoken participants at the intense and highly competitive Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking, this talky documentary profiles those who excel at one of the most universally feared activities there is.”

8/17/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5) BROTHER, CAN YOU SPARE A DOLLAR?- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Drawing a comparison between the Great Depression and today’s economic woes, this documentary explores how our lessening commitment to personal responsibility and community has affected our economic survival strategies.”

8/17/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

6) THE GREEN WAVE– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “THE GREEN WAVE is a powerful film documenting the populist protests in Iran following the suspicious victory of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over progressive candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi in the Iranian presidential elections on June 12, 2009. Cell phone videos posted on the internet, Twitter messages, as well as animated blog posts and interviews with prominent human rights advocates and exiled Iranians bear witness to the brutal attacks by government militia in their efforts to squelch the protests that followed. THE GREEN WAVE is a highly contemporary chronicle of the Green Revolution, and a memorial for all of those who believed in freedom and lost their lives for it.”

8/17/12-Very good reviews in general and a good one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

7) CHICKEN WITH PLUMS– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1950s Tehran, a musician’s life comes undone: an old flame doesn’t recognize him, his violin is broken and he becomes bedridden with worry. As he spirals into despair without the ability to play music, he teeters on the edge of oblivion.”

8/17/12- A good review in today’s NY Times and very good professional reviews in general. Fairly good audience reaction as well. TRDB.

8) THE AWAKENING– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In post-World War I England, a boarding school haunted by a boy’s ghost calls on Florence Cathcart, who disproves hoaxes for a living. But Cathcart senses something truly strange about the school, leading her to question her belief in the rational.”

8/17/12- Weak reviews all around and in today’s NY Times as well. TRDB.

 

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OPENING THIS WEEK-

 

1) HIGH GROUND– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Eleven wounded warriors returning from Iraq and Afghanistan join an expedition to climb the 20,000-foot Mount Lobuche. Led by blind adventurer Erik Weihenmayer and a team of Everest summiters, they set out on an emotional climb to reach the top.”Great early reivews. TRDB.

2) LITTLE WHITE LIES– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Little White Lies follows a group of longtime friends who reunite for their annual beach vacation despite a traumatic accident involving one of their own. During their seaside getaway, they all make discoveries about each other and are finally forced to own up to the little white lies they’ve been telling one another — and themselves.”

Poor early reviews. TRDB.

3) SOMEWHERE BETWEEN– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Questions of race, identity and heritage are explored through the lives of young American women growing up as adoptees from China. These four distinct individuals reflect on their experiences as members of transracial families.”

Just a few reviews and they are OK. TRDB.

4) WILD HORSE, WILD RIDE– Synopsis by Netflix. “An annual contest challenges 100 people across the United States to tame a wild mustang in 100 days. Following this dangerous and harrowing feat is a public showcase that determines whether these horses can be saved from a life in captivity.”

Just a few reviews and they are not good. TRDB.

 

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 

1) THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES–  2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Directed by lauded filmmaker and photographer Lauren Greenfield, who won the U.S. Directing Award for Documentary Film at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival for this film, The Queen of Versailles is a character-driven documentary about a billionaire family and their financial challenges in the wake of the economic crisis. With epic proportions of Shakespearean tragedy, the film follows two unique characters, whose rags-to-riches success stories reveal the innate virtues and flaws of the American Dream. The film begins with the family triumphantly constructing the biggest house in America, a 90,000 sq. ft. palace. Over the next two years, their sprawling empire, fueled by the real estate bubble and cheap money, falters due to the economic crisis. Major changes in lifestyle and character ensue within the cross-cultural household of family members and domestic staff.”Very good reviews in general and in the NY Times on 7/20/12. TRDB.

 

2) TRISHNA–  2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Self-effacing British auteur Michael Winterbottom sets his unique spin on Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles against a contemporary Indian backdrop. Freida Pinto stars as the titular Trishna, a young woman who is seduced by the wealthy son of a property developer. As the romance develops, their relationship also becomes increasingly sordid and volatile.”Good early professional reviews but weaker audience ones. TRDB. 

7/17/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

 

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) THE GOOD DOCTOR–  2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Martin Blake, a young doctor setting out to establish his reputation, falls into an illicit romance with teenage patient Diane. When a colleague learns of the forbidden relationship, he uses the information to blackmail Dr. Blake for drugs.”Mixed reviews. TRDB.

2) THE GREEN WAVE–  2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “THE GREEN WAVE is a powerful film documenting the populist protests in Iran following the suspicious victory of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over progressive candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi in the Iranian presidential elections on June 12, 2009. Cell phone videos posted on the internet, Twitter messages, as well as animated blog posts and interviews with prominent human rights advocates and exiled Iranians bear witness to the brutal attacks by government militia in their efforts to squelch the protests that followed. THE GREEN WAVE is a highly contemporary chronicle of the Green Revolution, and a memorial for all of those who believed in freedom and lost their lives for it.”8/17/12-Very good reviews in general and a good one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) WHY STOP NOW– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “On the day piano prodigy Eli is to audition for a famous conservatory, he gets sidetracked by an attempt to stash his cocaine-addled mother, Penny, in rehab. When Penny is denied admittance, Eli enters into a bizarre partnership with her dealers.”8/17/12- Poor reviews by critics and by audiences make you want to miss this one. TRDB.

REPEATS-

 

1) 2 DAYS IN NEW YORK

2) 50/50- I liked it- a fun movie despite the heavy premise

 

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-

 

1) ROBOT AND FRANK– Jacob Burns, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Retired cat burglar Frank worries his adult children, who present him with a robot caretaker to look after his house and keep him company. Realizing that his new companion would make the perfect accomplice, Frank plans a return to his old profession.”Very good early reviews. TRDB.

8/17/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times and most critics have liked it. TRDB.

REPEATS-

 

1) BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD– Bethel. 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.

7/30/12- I’ll start off by saying that I enjoyed the film except for the dialogue which was realistic but difficult to understand on many occasions. The acting and the individual scenes of this movie were unforgettable but I felt that the sum total of these scenes far outweighed the movie itself. Still, I’d recommend seeing it. TRDB.

2) CELESTE AND JESSE FOREVER– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Celeste (Rashida Jones) and Jesse (Andy Samberg) met in high school, married young and are growing apart. Now thirty, Celeste is the driven owner of her own media consulting firm, Jesse is once again unemployed and in no particular rush to do anything with his life. Celeste is convinced that divorcing Jesse is the right thing to do — she is on her way up, he is on his way nowhere, and if they do it now instead of later, they can remain supportive friends. Jesse passively accepts this transition into friendship, even though he is still in love with her. As the reality of their separation sets in, Celeste slowly and painfully realizes she has been cavalier about their relationship, and her decision, which once seemed mature and progressive, now seems impulsive and selfish. But her timing with Jesse is less than fortuitous…”  

Fairly good reviews BUT all of my friends who saw this film hated it. TRDB.

8/3/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) HOPE SPRINGS– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Feeling disconnected in her decades-old marriage, Maeve convinces her skeptical husband to attend a marriage therapy week with a celebrated relationship expert — but now they must shed their inhibitions and learn some new sexual and emotional moves.”

Very good professional and audience reviews . TRDB.

8/19/12- I liked this movie very much. I found it realistic, honest and very well acted. The comedy involved was a case of “the laughs” when we were uncomfortable with the honesty of the material. Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones were great and great together. TRDB.

4) THE INTOUCHABLES– Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

6/28/12- Despite a few good scenes I was very disappointed by this movie. It proves that Hollywood can slide effortlessly into Paris. TRDB. 

5) THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES– Jacob Burns, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Directed by lauded filmmaker and photographer Lauren Greenfield, who won the U.S. Directing Award for Documentary Film at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival for this film, The Queen of Versailles is a character-driven documentary about a billionaire family and their financial challenges in the wake of the economic crisis. With epic proportions of Shakespearean tragedy, the film follows two unique characters, whose rags-to-riches success stories reveal the innate virtues and flaws of the American Dream. The film begins with the family triumphantly constructing the biggest house in America, a 90,000 sq. ft. palace. Over the next two years, their sprawling empire, fueled by the real estate bubble and cheap money, falters due to the economic crisis. Major changes in lifestyle and character ensue within the cross-cultural household of family members and domestic staff.”

Very good reviews in general and in the NY Times on 7/20/12. TRDB.

8/8/12- A very good and insightful documentary that also applied the psycho-social history of the characters to better understand their reaction to adversity. TRDB. 

6) 2 DAYS IN NEW YORK– Jacob Burns. 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Marion and Mingus live cozily-perhaps too cozily-with their cat and two young children from previous relationships. However, when Marion’s jolly father (played by director Delpy’s real-life dad), her oversexed sister, and her sister’s outrageous boyfriend unceremoniously descend upon them for a visit, it initiates two unforgettable days that will test Marion and Mingus’s relationship. With their unwitting racism and sexual frankness, the French triumvirate hilariously has no boundaries or filters…and no person is left unscathed in its wake.”

Mixed reviews, both audience and professional. TRDB.

8/10/12- The NY Times called this movie “a likable mess” in today’s review.

7) MOONRISE KINGDOM– Saw Mill Hawthorne. 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.

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