The Reel Dr. Bob

FILM REVIEWS #441

January 4th, 2013

DECEMBER 27, 2012
DEAR FRIENDS:

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

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) OLD GOATS- 2010. Synopsis by IMDB. “Old Goats is a comedy that features three elderly men playing themselves, but within a fictional framework. The story blends fiction and reality. Britt lives alone on a boat and searches for excitement and romance in his life. Bob writes a book of memoirs about his life as a soldier, para-trooper, and bush pilot, but is uneasy about revealing his sins as a younger man. David is struggling to adapt into retired life while living with his bossy wife. The story is about each man’s attempt to change his ways.12/20/12- An interesting premise and interesting quirky characters but I found the movie way too slow, I was exhausted from the day, and I drifted several times. The couple we went with liked it more. TRDB.

2) ) HITCHCOCK– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Iconic filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock struggles with his marriage, the censors and the financiers of his 1960 film Psycho in this biopic. Driven to prove he still has an edge, Hitchcock crafts what would become one of the greatest thrillers of all time.”11/23/12- Mixed reviews from most critics  and a weak one from today’s NY Times. TRDB.12/22/12- I found this movie slow, the acting forced and I dozed a couple of times. TRDB.
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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JAN.1-

1) 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.”8/29/12- Just a fair review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) COSMOPOLIS- 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.

3) LOOPER- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In the futuristic action thriller Looper, time travel will be invented – but it will be illegal and only available on the black market. When the mob wants to get rid of someone, they will send their target 30 years into the past, where a “looper” – a hired gun, like Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) – is waiting to mop up. Joe is getting rich and life is good… until the day the mob decides to “close the loop,” sending back Joe’s future self (Bruce Willis) for assassination.”9/28/12- Excellent reviews for this sci-fi thriller. TRDB.
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OPENED THIS WEEK IN ADDITION TO THE MOVIES I WROTE ABOUT ON 12/20-

1) THIS IS 40- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Writer-director Judd Apatow revisits Knocked Up’s married couple Pete and Debbie in this sequel as the pair wrestles with parenthood, keeping romance alive and the realities of getting older.”12/21/12- A good review in today’s NY Times but fair reviews elsewhere. TRDB.

2) NOT FADE AWAY- 2012. “Inspired by the music of Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, three 1960s high-schoolers form a rock band in the New Jersey suburbs. James Gandolfini co-stars in this debut feature from “Sopranos” creator David Chase.”12/21/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere too. TRDB.

3) AMERICAN EMPIRE- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “American Empire is a documentary about the hidden forces that are controlling America and the world, and how this affects you, your children and your grandchildren.”12/21/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB.

4) AQUI Y ALLA (HERE AND THERE)- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Pedro returns home to a small mountain village in Guerrero, Mexico after years of working in the US, and struggles to rebuild his family and follow his dream of starting a band: the Copa Kings.”12/21/12- Most reviewers have liked this movie but it got a poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5) CIRQUE DU SOLEIL:  WORLDS AWAY- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This family-friendly fantasy intertwines magnificent artistic and acrobatic performances from some of Cirque du Soleil’s inventive shows — including “Ka” and “O” — to create a new story that takes viewers into a beautiful, imaginative world.”12/21/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times. Just fair reviews in general, however. TRDB.

6) ON THE ROAD- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “At the height of the Beat era, New York writer Sal Paradise, his freewheeling buddy Dean, and Dean’s wife set out on a journey of self-discovery. Their cross-country quest for answers reflects the American character, attitudes and values of the time.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.5/27/12- A mention about this movie in today’s NY Times. TRDB.12/21/12- A weak review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB.

7) THE IMPOSSIBLE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Tracking one family’s harrowing experiences, this gripping drama depicts the chaos generated by the massive 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia. On December 26, Maria, Henry and their sons are vacationing in Thailand when unthinkable disaster strikes.”12/21/12- Basically a good review of the movie itself in today’s NY Times but the reviewer noted that the story was about wealthy tourists and had little to do with the thousands of native Asians who suffered. TRDB.

8) BARBARA- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1980 East Germany, Barbara, a doctor, is reassigned to a small rural hospital as punishment for trying to find work in the West. Biding time until her lover can help her defect, Barbara begins to suspect that her new boss knows of her plans.”12/21/12- Great review in today’s NT Times and elsewhere too. TRDB.

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OPENING THIS WEEK-

1) 56 UP- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Give me the child until he is seven and I will give you the man.” Starting in 1964 with Seven Up, The UP Series has explored this Jesuit maxim. The original concept was to interview 14 children from diverse backgrounds from all over England, asking them about their lives and their dreams for the future. Every seven years, renowned director Michael Apted, a researcher for Seven Up, has been back to talk to them, examining the progression of their lives.”Early reviews are very good. TRDB.
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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW-
REPEATS-

1) ALL TOGETHER- Fairly good reviews
2) ARBITRAGE- I liked this movie a lot
3) BACHLORETTE- Fair reviews at best
4) BALLPLAYER: PELOTERO- A fairly good documentary that could have been better
5) THE COMEDY- A poor review from the NY Times
6) CRAIGSLIST JOE- I did not like this one at all and turned it off
7) ESCAPE FIRE: THE FIGHT TO RESCUE AMERICAN HEALTHCARE-  Good reviews
8)THE FITZGERALD FAMILY CHRISTMAS- I liked this movie very much
9) THE FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT- OK reviews
10) THE FLAT- I liked this movie
11) FRIENDS WITH KIDS- Very good
12) GREEN WAVE- Good reviews
13) HOW TO SURVIVE A PLAGUE- Good reviews
14) THE IRON LADY- Weak movie but worth seeing just for Meryl Streep
15) THE LONELIEST PLANET- Lots of bad reviews. I saw 10 minutes for free On-Demand and did not like it
16) MOONRISE KINGDOM- I liked it
17) NESTING- Audiences have liked this more than the critics
18)OCTOBER BABY- Awful professional reviews
19) PEOPLE LIKE US-  I enjoyed the movie despite some light fluff. Some good dialogue as well
20) PRICE CHECK- Mixed reviews
21) THE PUSHER- OK reviews but critics said the original was better
22) SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN- Most liked this a lot but I found it full of Hollywood
23) SAVE THE DATE- Mixed reviews
24) WOMAN IN THE FIFTH- I liked it
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-
REPEATS-

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

Entry Filed under: All Reviews,Old Newsletters