The Reel Dr. Bob

AUGUST 30, 2012

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

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

 

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE 4 NEWLY RELEASED MOVIES HITTING THE SUBURBS THIS WEEK AND I RECOMMEND 3 OF THEM!!– SEE BELOW FOR DESCRIPTIONS.

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) ROBOT AND FRANK- Theater

2) BERNIE– Netflix

3) ONCE UPON A TIME IN ANATOLIA– Netflix Streaming

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

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.

8/24/12- Frank Langella is great as usual in this funny, poignant and ultimately sad drama. TRDB.

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) 4:44 LAST DAY ON EARTH– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After learning that the world will end the following day at 4:44 a.m., a New York City couple lives out their final hours with mixed emotions. They also try to say goodbye to loved ones, which results in some eleventh-hour issues.”3/23/12- Good review in today’s NY Times but awful professional and audience reviews in general. TRDB.

8/23/12-  After a group of better movies with a similar theme this was an incredibly boring exercise and I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.

2) BERNIE- 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- Very good reviews in general from both critics and audiences alike for this movie based on a true story. The review in the NY Times was difficult to interpret. TRDB.

8/26/12- I thought that this movie was extremely clever and provocative and presented in an interesting way as well. I’d definitely recommend it. TRDB. Netflix.

3) ONCE UPON A TIME IN ANATOLIA– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “A body has been buried in the grasslands of rural Turkey. Over the course of one night, a doctor and a detective from a nearby town join a search effort in which the desolate landscape comes to symbolize their own solemn, insular lives.” Very good professional reviews but so far audiences just so-so. TRDB.

1/4/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

8/27/12- This movie was as slow as frozen molasses. Very little happened but for some reason I stuck in out and actually enjoyed it. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

 

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, SEPT. 4-

 

1) FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Determined to escape the brutality of his youth in Tel Aviv, Izek tries to start anew in L.A. — only to find himself thrown into more violence as threats from a gangster, a Columbian drug lord and his outlaw cousin force him to deal with his past.”Good early audience reaction but a poor review in the NY Times on 6/8/12 and by other professionals as well. TRDB.

2) BALLPLAYER: PELOTERO– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “This compelling documentary, narrated by John Leguizamo and executive produced by Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine, is a gritty and never before seen look inside the world of Major League Baseball (MLB) training camps in the Dominican Republic. Miguel Angel and Jean Carlos are two of the top prospects and they are both about to turn 16, which means they can be signed to an MLB farm team and ultimately move up to the majors. Ballplayer: Pelotero filmmakers Ross Finkel, Trevor Martin and Jonathan Paley take you inside this never before seen world for an up close and personal look at the cost of the American dream.”

Excellent reviews in general and a good one in the NY Times on 7/14/12. TRDB.

3) HIGH SCHOOL– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “After getting stoned with a school pothead (Sean Marquette) for the first time, a high school valedictorian (Matt Bush) unexpectedly faces a drug test that threatens his scholarship. Now the two concoct a scheme to get the entire student body high so everyone will fail. Co-stars in this indie comedy include Colin Hanks, Yeardley Smith, Adrien Brody as a drug dealer and Michael Chiklis as the school principle.”

Sounds kind of dumb but this movie has received good early reviews. TRDB.

4) FALLING OVERNIGHT– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “The day before Elliot is scheduled for a life-threatening surgery, his path intersects with Chloe, a young photographer. Elliot welcomes the distraction as Chloe, unaware of his condition, takes him on an exhilarating journey through the city.”

No professional reviews as yet but good audience reaction. TRDB.

7/27/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

 

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OPENED LAST WEEK IN ADDITION TO THOSE I WROTE ABOUT ON 8/23-

 

1) PREMIUM RUSH– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fast-paced action flick, a New York City bicycle messenger (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) picks up a mysterious envelope for urgent cross-town delivery. But as the lad cycles against the clock, he must also elude a corrupt policeman who wants the package for himself.”8/24/12- Good review in today’s NY Times and also by other professionals and audiences. TRDB.

2) 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.”

8/24/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times but fairly good critical reviews otherwise. Audience reviews are mixed. TRDB.

3) DEATH BY CHINA– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This frank documentary chronicles the growing power and global ambitions of China, and concludes that its strength threatens America’s own future. The film views the loss of American jobs to China as one more facet of a one-sided economic rivalry.”

8/24/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. Audiences haven’t liked it either. TRDB.

4) HERMANO– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Brothers Daniel and Julio love soccer, but while Julio focuses on providing for their family, Daniel dreams about playing professionally. When a pro scout comes to watch them play, they face an agonizing choice between family and their sport.”

8/24/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. Mixed professional reviews in general but audiences have liked it a lot. TRDB.

 

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OPENING THIS WEEK-

 

1) THE AMBASSADOR– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker Mads Brügger poses as a diplomat in central Africa and secretly films his wheeling and dealing in a corrupt society. With forged diplomatic papers, he claims to be opening a match factory, but tries to gain access to the area’s diamonds.”Mixed review from both audiences and professionals. TRDB.

2) LITTLE BIRDS– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Lily (Juno Temple) and Alison (Kay Panabaker) struggle to overcome the boredom of being teenagers in a small town in this drama directed by Elgin James. Lily yearns to escape the confines of her surroundings, while Alison finds comfort in the familiar. When they meet three street kids and follow them to Los Angeles, the girls learn just how far they’re willing to go to find their freedom and remain friends.”

I found just one professional review and it was poor but audiences have liked this movie very much. TRDB.

8/29/12- Just a fair review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) BREATHING– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “A probationary job at a morgue leads a rootless teen delinquent to question his origins and launch a search for the mother he never knew. It all begins with the lifeless body of a woman who shares his family name but turns out to be a stranger.”

Excellent reviews. TRDB.

4) FOR A GOOD TIME, CALL…- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Fate lands former college rivals Lauren and Kate together in the same apartment, where they launch a phone sex line to make ends meet. As business booms, the unlikely partners find themselves too busy (and too successful) to harbor old grudges.”

Sounds a bit dumb but this film has gotten very good reviews. TRDB.

5) 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.

6) LAWLESS– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This true-to-life action saga profiles Virginia’s bootlegging Bondurant gang, whose exploits during the Prohibition era made them outlaw heroes. The three Bondurant brothers tussle with the law and each other as they try to survive changing times.”

Mixed reviews by critics but audiences have liked this one very much. A few called it a bad gangster movie. TRDB.

 

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 

1) OSLO, AUGUST 31st– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This psychological drama follows a day in the life of Anders, a recovering drug addict who travels to his old stomping grounds of Oslo for a job interview. While there, he must confront his past as well as his plans for a new life.”Very good professional reviews and average audience ones. TRDB.

5/6/12- An article in today’s NY Times about the movie and lead actor. TRDB.

2) CHINA HEAVYWEIGHT– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Scouted from villages throughout rural southwestern China, teens with a knack for boxing move to training centers that teach more than just the sport. While resisting pro boxing’s temptations of fame, they hone their skill for national Olympic pride.”7/6/12- Good review in today’s NY Times and from other critics as well. TRDB.

 

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) BERNIE– 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.

2) GENERAL EDUCATION–  2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Levi Collins receives a college tennis scholarship, but, unbeknownst to his parents, he didn’t actually graduate from high school. Now he must secretly attend summer school before his parents learn the truth.”8/24/12- Awful review in today’s NY Times and everywhere else too. TRDB.

3) 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.

 

REPEATS-

 

 

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-

 

NEW IN THE BURBS-

 

1) SLEEPWALK WITH ME– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this autobiographical tale based on director Mike Birbiglia’s successful one-man show, an up-and-coming stand-up comedian deals with career and relationship issues while trying to ignore his outrageous sleepwalking habit.”Rotten Tomatoes had this to say– “I’m going to tell you a story, and it’s true….I always have to tell people that.” So asserts comedian-turned-playwright-turned-filmmaker Mike Birbiglia directly to the viewer at the outset of his autobiographically inspired, fictional feature debut. Birbiglia wears his incisive wit on his sleeve while portraying a cinematic surrogate. We are thrust into the tale of a burgeoning stand-up comedian struggling with the stress of a stalled career, a stale relationship threatening to race out of his control, and the wild spurts of severe sleepwalking he is desperate to ignore. Based on the successful one-man show, Sleepwalk With Me engages in the kind of passionate and personal storytelling that transfigures intimate anguish into comic art. Produced and co-written by Ira Glass (NPR’s This American Life), Sleepwalk With Mefeatures a stellar supporting cast that includes Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under), Carol Kane (Taxi), James Rebhorn (Meet the Parents), Cristin Milioti (30 Rock), and a sampling from the who’s who of today’s stand-up scene.”

Great reviews!! TRDB.

8/24/12- The NY Times called this movie “likable” but as noted others felt it was much better than that. TRDB.

2) SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN– Jacob Burns. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Decades after Detroit singer-songwriter Rodriguez disappeared following the failure of his two critically praised records in the 1970s, two fans from South Africa, where Rodriguez was a huge hit, try to track down their idol, with intriguing results.”

Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

7/27/12- A confusing but good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) COSMOPOLIS– Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Wall Street whiz Eric Packer is caught in Manhattan’s gridlock as he helplessly watches his empire fall with the rise of the Chinese yuan. Activity erupts in the streets, and paranoia sets in as Packer links the clues to his imminent assassination.”

8/17/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times but mixed reviews in general from both critics and viewers. TRDB.

4) THE IMPOSTER– Bethel. 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In 1994 a 13-year-old boy disappeared without a trace from his home in San Antonio, Texas. Three and a half years later he is found alive thousands of miles away in a village in southern Spain with a horrifying story of kidnap and torture. His family is overjoyed to bring him home. But all is not quite as it seems. The boy bears many of the same distinguishing marks he always did, but why does he now have a strange accent? Why does he look so different? And why doesn’t the family seem to notice these glaring inconsistencies? It’s only when an investigator starts asking questions that this strange tale takes an even stranger turn.”

Excellent reviews!! TRDB.

REPEATS-

 

1) ROBOT AND FRANK– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, 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.

8/24/12- Frank Langella is great as usual in this funny, poignant and ultimately sad drama. TRDB.

2) 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. 

3)  2 DAYS IN NEW YORK– Clearview 100. 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.

4)  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.

5) 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.

 

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