The Reel Dr. Bob

SEPTEMBER 6, 2012

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

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

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) THE HUNTER– Netflix

2) MARGARET- Netflix

3) SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN- Theater

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN– 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.

9/3/12- A well structured suspenseful documentary about a legend coupled with great music, great interviews, a likable subject and a thought provoking screenplay make this a GREAT DOCUMENTARY. TRDB.  

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) THE HUNTER– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Recently released from prison, Ali (writer-director Rafi Pitts) attempts to make the most of his return to Tehran, amidst much talk of the upcoming elections and promises of change. Forced to work nights, he still tries to spend as much time as he can with his wife and their young daughter, escaping the stress of urban life through hunting trips to the secluded forest north of the city. But one day, Ali’s family goes missing-and after a long and fruitless experience with the police, Ali’s own search for his missing daughter ends in horror, pushing him over the edge into an act of terrible violence. He flees the city, pursued by the police, but soon the line between hunter and hunted becomes difficult to define.”1/4/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times but otherwise only average reviews. TRDB.

9/1/12- Slow but interesting and I liked it. TRDB. Netflix.

2) MARGARET– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “After witnessing a fatal bus crash, New York City high school student Margaret(Anna Paquin) believes she was an accidental factor in the tragedy. As she tries to deal with her feelings, Margaretbecomes emotionally abusive to those around her — and to herself. The stellar cast of this moving drama includes Matt Damon, Matthew Broderick, Mark Ruffalo, Allison Janney, Jean Reno, Rosemarie DeWitt and Kieran Culkin.”

9/30/11- OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

9/3/12- Apparently this movie had as much off-screen drama as on-screen drama as it took years to be edited and released. Despite a few too many subplots that made the film a bit unwieldy I did enjoy both the story and the acting and I’d definitely give it a try. TRDB . Netflix.

3) SLEEPWALK WITH ME– 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.”

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.

9/4/12- Despite the good reviews I found this movie just mildly entertaining and not so funny. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

 

________________________________________________________________________________________

 

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, SEPT. 11-

 

1) WHERE DO WE GO NOW?- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “While their men fight a remote sectarian war, the women of a Lebanese village — one hemmed in by minefields — band together to denounce the clash of Islamic and Christian beliefs that sustains the war and threatens to poison their own community.”5/11/12– Mediocre professional reviews and OK audience reaction but good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) WE HAVE A POPE– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “The newly elected Pope suffers a panic attack just as he is due to appear on St Peter’s balcony to greet the faithful, who have been patiently awaiting the conclave’s decision. His advisers, unable to convince him he is the right man for the job, seek help from a renowned psychoanalyst (and atheist). But his fear of the responsibility suddenly thrust upon him is one that he must face on his own.” Generally poor reviews. TRDB.

4/6/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4/15/12- Despite the fair to poor reviews I enjoyed this film about a man suffering with the awesome responsibility placed on him and his questions about being able to do the job. TRDB.

3) GIRL IN PROGRESS– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “While single mom Grace is distracted by her own work, life and romantic issues, her teen daughter, Ansiedad, adopts her own plan for growing up. Patricia Arquette stars as the English teacher who inspires Ansiedad to declare her early freedom.” Good early audience reviews. TRDB.

5/11/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This star-studded romantic comedy follows the intersecting lives of several couples as they hazard the ups and downs of pregnancy and impending parenthood. In the process, they discover some important lessons about life and love.”

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

5) ELLES– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “While investigating a story about students who become prostitutes to pay their way through university, a middle-aged French journalist befriends two of her subjects, whose strong personalities cause her to reevaluate her own bourgeois life.”

4/27/12– Poor reviews including the one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

OPENED LAST WEEK IN ADDITION TO THOSE I WROTE ABOUT ON 8/30-

 

1) SIDE BY SIDE– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Keanu Reeves produced and narrates this engaging documentary about the history of digital cinema technology and its vast impact on the movie industry. Despite the digital takeover, many fans still embrace the unique qualities of celluloid film.”8/31/12- Great reviews from critics and audiences alike. The NY Times loved it. TRDB.

2) THE POSSESSION– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this supernatural horror flick, a young girl unwittingly unleashes an evil spirit that resides in a curious old box filled will mysterious relics. Now the girl and her estranged parents must break the hold the demonic force has on their family.”

8/31/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times but poor reviews in general from critics. Audiences have liked it. TRDB.

3) UNTIL THEY ARE HOME– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker Steven C. Barber profiles the activities of JPAC, the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, as they search for the still-missing remains of U.S. Marines killed on the island of Tarawa, the site of one of the bloodiest battles of World War II.”

8/31/12- Weak reviews in general and in today’s NY Times as well. TRDB.

4) THE BULLET VANISHES– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “When a young girl at a bullet factory dies under mysterious circumstances, two detectives must investigate the reasons for her death — and the strange occurrences that follow — as they themselves become the target of the phantom killer.”

8/31/12- Good review in today’s NY Times and by most other critics as well. TRDB.

5) HOLLYWOOD TO DOLLYWOOD– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Gay twin brothers Gary and Larry are determined to get their screenplay to Dolly Parton. They embark on a tumultuous quest in their RV from Hollywood to Dolly’s theme park in Tennessee to meet their idol.”

8/31/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times and audiences have loved it. TRDB.

 

________________________________________________________________________________________

 

OPENING THIS WEEK-

 

1) FOR ELLEN– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Would-be rock star Joby is forced to duel for joint custody of his 6-year-old daughter, Ellen, when his wife decides to end their marriage. Long absent from his daughter’s life, he must now convince the court that he deserves to share in her future.”

  

 

 

________________________________________________________________________________________

 

FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 

1) AI WEIWEI: NEVER SORRY– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This compelling documentary explores three years in the life of celebrated Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei, who uses social media and his art to inspire protests against the state, and suffers government persecution for his actions.”Good professional reviews and fair audience ones. TRDB.

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

2) FAMILY PORTRAIT IN BLACK AND WHITE– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Sixteen black orphans adopted by Olga Nenya struggle against racism in the Ukraine. Constantly on guard against overtly racist neighbors and skinheads, the kids look to their own inner strength and the help of Westerners to attain a brighter future. Tensions rise when a European couple offers to adopt one of the children, an offer that Olga resists as she attempts to bravely hold her family together.”Very good reviews in general and an OK one in the NY Times on 7/14/12. TRDB.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) SIDE BY SIDE–  2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Keanu Reeves produced and narrates this engaging documentary about the history of digital cinema technology and its vast impact on the movie industry. Despite the digital takeover, many fans still embrace the unique qualities of celluloid film.”8/31/12- Great reviews from critics and audiences alike. The NY Times loved it. TRDB.

2) SLEEPWALK WITH ME–  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.

3) THE FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Jason Segel and Emily Blunt star in this contemporary romantic comedy as an engaged young couple who discovers that the more they get to know each other, the more unpredictable their commitment to getting married becomes.”

4/27/12- Good review in today’s NY Times and good audience reaction as well. 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

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS- (Westchester and Fairfield Counties)

 

NEW IN THE BURBS-

 

1) THE WORDS– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After finding a brilliant unpublished book in an old briefcase, wannabe writer Rory Jansen decides to claim it’s his work — but his choice sets events in motion that have him facing an ethical quandary he could never have expected.”Weak reviews in general. TRDB.

2) FAREWELL, MY QUEEN–  Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “As revolution threatens Louis XVI’s reign, Marie Antoinette asks a lady in waiting to act as her decoy in the event of a sudden escape. At first, the trusted servant is honored by the arrangement, until she comes to realize what it really means.”

Good review in the NY Times on 7/14/12 and also good reviews from other critics. Weaker reviews from audiences, however. TRDB.

REPEATS-

 

1) 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.

9/3/12- A well structured suspenseful documentary about a legend coupled with great music, great interviews, a likable subject and a thought provoking screenplay make this a GREAT DOCUMENTARY. TRDB.  

 

2) 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.

3) 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.

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) 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.

6) 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.

7) 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.”

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.

9/4/12- Despite the good reviews I found this movie just mildly entertaining and not so funny. TRDB. 

8)THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES– Clearview 100. 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.

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