The Reel Dr. Bob

FILM REVIEWS #442-FINAL

January 4th, 2013

JANUARY 3, 2013
DEAR FRIENDS:

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

I WILL BE AWAY FOR ABOUT 10 DAYS — TO NY AND THEN TO PALM SPRINGS, CAL. TO ATTEND THE PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL.
THIS NEWSLETTER WILL CONTAIN INFO FOR THE NEXT 3 WEEKS WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
THE NEXT ISSUE WILL ARRIVE ON OR ABOUT JAN. 24, 2013.

ALSO, PLEASE NOTE THAT MY COMPUTER HAS SOMEHOW BUNCHED SENTENCES TOGETHER AND ABSORBED SPACES IN VARIOUS PLACES BETWEEN SENTENCES. I’LL TRY TO CORRECT THAT FOR NEXT TIME BUT I MAKE NO PROMISES!!!
QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) RUBY SPARKS- Netflix
2) LIFE OF PI- Theater
3) SOUND OF MY VOICE- Netflix

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) PARENTAL GUIDANCE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When their daughter must leave for a week, Artie and Diane Decker find themselves in charge of their three grandchildren, whose well-regimented and high-tech lives leave Grandma and Grandpa baffled and ready to bring on the old-school parenting.”12/28/12- If you are a Billy Crystal fan this movie is for you. This comedy had me laughing out loud several times but it was not noteworthy as a movie. TRDB.

2) LIFE OF PI- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on Yann Martel’s best-selling novel, this coming-of-age tale recounts the adventures of Pi, an Indian boy who is the sole survivor of a shipwreck. Pi finds himself on a lifeboat with only some zoo animals for company.”Excellent reviews. TRDB. 1/2/13- I enjoyed this movie very much especially the creative cinematography. See it in 3D if you can. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) RUBY SPARKS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In an effort to conquer his writer’s block, a young novelist — who’s having trouble duplicating the success of his earlier work — jots down all the attributes of his dream girl. But things get weird when she suddenly comes to life.”Mixed early reviews but more good than poor. Audiences have liked it. TRDB. An article about the movie in the NY Times on 7/22/12. TRDB. 12/28/12- A charming movie with some interesting insight about trying to change those closest to us. TRDB. Netflix.

2) DARK HORSE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Now in his 30s but emotionally stuck in his early teens, a vintage-toy enthusiast strikes up an unlikely but successful relationship with a woman who has some adjustment troubles of her own — until a secret threatens to undermine the whole affair.” Fairly good reviews. TRDB. 6/11/12- Good review in NY Times last week. TRDB. 12/29/12- A story about a middle aged man with arrested development and his loneliness. Called a comedy but I didn’t think so and I found it depressing. TRDB. Netflix.

3) SOUND OF MY VOICE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Wishing to infiltrate a California cult, curiosity seekers Peter (Christopher Denham) and Lorna (Nicole Vicius) undergo an elaborate preparation process that leads from a desolate road to an unmarked location, but the mystery only deepens when their blindfolds are removed. In this absorbing psychological thriller, the line between voyeurism and belief blurs once the pretenders shake hands with sphinx-like cult leader Maggie (Brit Marling).”4/27/12- Good reviews in general and in today’s NY Times. TRDB. 1/1/13- Very mixed reviews and I almost turned it off at the midpoint but I stuck it out and actually liked it. Reviewers seemed to like Marling but I thought that she was the weakest link in the movie. TRDB. Netflix.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JAN. 8-

1) 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 as well as better than average professional ones. TRDB. 6/29/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times. 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.

COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, JAN. 15-

1) ABOUT CHERRY- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Determined to escape her past, 18-year-old Angelina moves to San Francisco, where she becomes Cherry, an innocent-but-sexy adult film star. Her provocative new life brings fame, money, and acquaintances who have a variety of motives.”Poor early reviews in general and a weak one in the NY Times on 9/21/12. TRDB.

2) DETROPIA- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “As the focus of this sobering documentary, the decline of Detroit also reflects the nation’s larger failure to keep up in a modern global economy. The film also examines the efforts of its residents to maintain Detroit’s vibrant cultural base.”Good professional and audience reviews. TRDB.

3) THE OTHER DREAM TEAM- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “As the U.S. basketball “Dream Team” took the 1992 Olympics by storm, the scrappy team from the newly independent Lithuania sought only to defeat Russia. Their tale involves personal freedom, the end of communism and, unexpectedly, the Grateful Dead.”Very good reviews. TRDB.

4) 17 GIRLS- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on true events, this drama tells the story of 17 teenage girls from the same school in small-town France who get pregnant at the same time, baffling the adults — and the boys — in their lives.”Most reviews are OK. TRDB. 10/2/12- Somewhat interesting primarily because it’s a true story. Mostly about a group of girls, almost cult-like, who suffer from boredom, depression and a sense of being better than their parents. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

5) 5 BROKEN CAMERAS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this moving documentary, a Palestinian farmer chronicles his village’s nonviolent resistance to the presence of encroaching Israeli settlers and military. As camera after camera gets shot or otherwise destroyed, the farmer continues filming.”A few excellent reviews and mostly good ones. TRDB.

6) FAREWELL, MY QUEEN- 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.

7) PITCH PERFECT- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Beca (Anna Kendrick) is that girl who’d rather listen to what’s coming out of her headphones than what’s coming out of you. Arriving at her new college, she finds herself not right for any clique but somehow is muscled into one that she never would have picked on her own: alongside mean girls, sweet girls and weird girls whose only thing in common is how good they sound when they sing together, in the new out-loud comedy Pitch Perfect. When Beca takes this acoustic singing group out of their world of traditional arrangements and perfect harmonies into all-new mash-ups, they fight to climb their way to the top of the cutthroat world of college a cappella.”Fairly good reviews. TRDB. 9/28/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

8) TO ROME WITH LOVE- 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 but only fair critical reviews in general. TRDB. 7/2/12- While there was no magical excitement in this movie I found it funny, clever and a great travelogue of the Eternal City. TRDB.
COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, JAN. 22-

1) NOBODY WALKS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “The arrival of aspiring filmmaker Martine into a laid-back Southern California household brings about dramatic changes in the lives of her hosts. The bond between Martine and Peter, who is helping her with a project, soon becomes more complex.”Early reviews are weak. TRDB.

2) THE IMPOSTER- 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) 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.”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.

4) KEEP THE LIGHTS ON- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “The physical romance between a gay filmmaker and an attorney soon evolves into a more complex relationship, laced with conflicting desires. Over several turbulent years, both men struggle to build a true acceptance of the other’s strengths and flaws.”Great early reviews in general and a very good one in the NY Times on 9/7/12. Audiences have been a bit less effusive. TRDB.

5) BEAUTY IS EMBARRASSING- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Get to know Wayne White, one of America’s most unusual and arresting artists, with this snappy documentary that traces the ups and downs of his career. The jovial White discusses his art, strums the banjo, plays with puppets and simply enjoys life.”9/7/12- Very good professional reviews and mediocre audience reaction. TRDB.

6) THE PAPERBOY- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Convinced by a death row inmate’s female pen pal that the convict is innocent, a reporter and his brother investigate and discover a case marred by deceit, seduction and betrayal. Meanwhile, one brother falls for the convict’s mysterious confidant.”Fair early reviews. TRDB. 10/5/12- A very interesting review in today’s NY Times and it’s both + and-. TRDB.

7) FAT KID RULES THE WORLD- 2001. Synopsis by Netflix. “Depressed, obese teen Troy is about to step in front of a bus and end it all when fate enters in the form of Marcus, a free-spirited street musician. Under his samaritan’s nonjudgmental wing, talentless Troy finds acceptance in Marcus’s punk band.”10/5/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times and fair reviews from other critics. Audiences have liked it very much. TRDB.
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OPENED THIS WEEK IN ADDITION TO THE MOVIES I WROTE ABOUT ON 12/27-

1) ALLEGIANCE- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “After being granted a questionable transfer that will keep him stateside as his National Guard unit deploys for Iraq, Lieutenant Danny Sefton (Seth Gabel) becomes embroiled in a last minute AWOL attempt by one of his soldiers (Bow Wow) — forcing him to choose between his loyalties to the fleeing soldier, his unit and his fiancé.”12/28/12- A poor review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB.
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OPENING JAN. 4-

1) A DARK TRUTH- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Former CIA operative Jack now holds court on a political talk show, but his old skills come out when a whistleblower approaches him for help. A grisly massacre has unfolded in a South American dictatorship, and Jack’s the man to expose the truth.”A few early reviews and they are poor. TRDB.
OPENING JAN. 11-

1) QUARTET- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A trio of retired opera singers’ annual celebration of Verdi’s birthday sours when their estranged fourth member shows up but refuses to sing. Tensions rise and diva drama erupts — will personal problems prevent the show from going on?”Early reviews are very good. TRDB.
OPENING JAN. 18- NONE OF INTEREST

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

 JAN. 4- JAN. 10

1) TCHOUPITOULAS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Join three young men for an unforgettable night in New Orleans as they explore the vibrant city streets and visit places many tourists never see. Along the way, they encounter the memorable people who make the Crescent City such a special place.”12/7/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) DEADFALL- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “On the run after a casino heist, siblings Addison and Liza split up. When Liza gets a ride from a prison parolee heading to his parents’ home for Thanksgiving, unexpected events lead the two families toward a collision in this suspenseful thriller.”12/7/12- Good review in today’s NY Times but others haven’t been so generous. TRDB.

OPENING JAN. 11- JAN.17-

1) CONSUMING SPIRITS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “The lives of three co-workers at a Midwestern newspaper intertwine in unexpected ways in this unique animated work by artist Chris Sullivan. Sullivan spent 15 years hand-animating the film, using multiple techniques to express character and drama.”Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

2) A DARK TRUTH- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Former CIA operative Jack now holds court on a political talk show, but his old skills come out when a whistleblower approaches him for help. A grisly massacre has unfolded in a South American dictatorship, and Jack’s the man to expose the truth.”A few early reviews and they are poor. TRDB.
OPENING JAN. 18- 24-

1) A ROYAL AFFAIR- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 18th-century Denmark, the unstable King Christian IV neglects his young queen, Mathilde, who falls in love with his German physician, Struensee, an intellectual whose advocation of reform transforms the country but brings about his own downfall.”Great early reviews!! TRDB.

2) CALIFORNIA SOLO-  2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After a drunken driving arrest in Los Angeles, a has-been rock star must prove his absence would cause hardship to a relative or face deportation to Scotland. As he contacts his ex-wife and daughter, he must face long-buried issues.”Rotten Tomatoes had this to say— “Robert Carlyle (The Full Monty, Trainspotting) stars in this touching, human story about post-fame life and personal redemption. Former Britpop rocker Lachlan MacAldonich (Carlyle) has settled into a comfortably numb existence just outside Los Angeles. By day, he works on an organic farm and travels regularly to the city’s farmers’ markets to sell produce. By night, he retreats to his crummy apartment to record “Flame-Outs,” his podcast that recounts the tragic deaths of great musicians. The only spark in his humdrum existence is Beau (Alexia Rasmussen), a lovely struggling actress and amateur chef. One night, Lachlan gets pulled over for a DUI, a charge that dredges up his past drug offense and threatens him with deportation. Lachlan’s only hope of staying in the U.S. is proving that his removal would cause “extreme hardship” to a U.S. citizen spouse or relative, so he contacts his estranged ex-wife and daughter, raising past demons that he must finally confront. Danny Masterson co-stars. Written and directed by Marshall Lewy.”OK reviews so far. TRDB. 11/30/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW-

1) THE WORDS- 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.”9/7/12- Weak reviews in general and in today’s NY Times as well. TRDB. 9/18/12- Despite the weak reviews a few critics liked it very much. I thought it was done in an interesting manner with an unusual premise and I did like it. The scene at the end with Jeremy Irons I could have done without. TRDB.
REPEATS-

1) ARBITRAGE- I liked this movie a lot
2) BACHLORETTE- Fair reviews at best
3) BALLPLAYER: PELOTERO- A fairly good documentary that could have been better
4) CENTRAL PARK FIVE- Very good reviews
5) DEADFALL- Mixed reviews
6) THE FITZGERALD FAMILY CHRISTMAS- I liked this movie very much
7) THE FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT- OK reviews
8)THE FLAT- I liked this movie
9) FRIENDS WITH KIDS- Very good
10) HOPE SPRINGS- I liked this movie very much
11) THE IRON LADY- Weak movie but worth seeing just for Meryl Streep
12) THE LONELIEST PLANET- Lots of bad reviews. I saw 10 minutes for free On-Demand and did not like it
13) MOONRISE KINGDOM- I liked it
14) NESTING- Audiences have liked this more than the critics
15) OCTOBER BABY- Awful professional reviews
16) PEOPLE LIKE US-  I enjoyed the movie despite some light fluff. Some good dialogue as well
17) PRICE CHECK- Mixed reviews
18)THE PUSHER- OK reviews but critics said the original was better
19) SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN- Most liked this a lot but I found it full of Hollywood
20) SAVE THE DATE- Mixed reviews
21) THE SHEIK AND I- Good reviews
22) WAITING FOR LIGHTNING- The NY Times called this movie boring
23) WALK AWAY RENEE- Weak reviews from most critics
24) WOMAN IN THE FIFTH- I liked it
25) YELLING TO THE SKY- Mixed reviews

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) PROMISED LAND- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Taking advantage of hard economic times, two salespeople for a natural gas company come to a small town to buy drilling rights from the residents. To their surprise, a local schoolteacher mobilizes a campaign aimed at blocking the company’s plans.”Fair early reviews. TRDB. 12/28/12- A mixed review in today’s NY Times but, overall, the reviewer did like it. TRDB.

2) ZERO DARK THIRTY- Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “For a decade, an elite team of intelligence and military operatives, working in secret across the globe, devoted themselves to a single goal: to find and eliminate Osama bin Laden. Zero Dark Thirty reunites the Oscar winning team of director-producer Kathryn Bigelow and writer-producer Mark Boal (The Hurt Locker) for the story of history’s greatest manhunt for the world’s most dangerous man.”Great early reviews. TRDB.
REPEATS-

1) SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After a four-year stay in a psychiatric institution, former teacher Pat Peoples has no choice but to move back in with his mother. While he’s trying in vain to reunite with his wife, Pat meets another woman fated to change his life.”Very good reviews. TRDB. 11/16/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB. 12/4/12- A very enjoyable piece of fluff that had a few lessons about life as well. TRDB.

2) HYDE PARK ON THE HUDSON- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In June 1939, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Bill Murray) and his wife Eleanor (Olivia Williams) host the King and Queen of England (Samuel West and Olivia Colman) for a weekend at the Roosevelt home at Hyde Park on Hudson, in upstate New York – the first-ever visit of a reigning English monarch to America. With Britain facing imminent war with Germany, the Royals are desperately looking to FDR for support. But international affairs must be juggled with the complexities of FDR’s domestic establishment, as wife, mother, and mistresses all conspire to make the royal weekend an unforgettable one.”Mediocre early reviews. TRDB. 12/7/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) LES MISERABLES- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “The musical version of Victor Hugo’s epic tale of love and sacrifice, first produced for the stage in 1985, now receives the big-screen treatment. The bloody era of the French Revolution is the backdrop to Jean Valjean’s long struggle for redemption.”Fairly good reviews even as some critics complained that the movie was poorly directed. TRDB. 12/25/12- I enjoyed this movie very much even though I generally have trouble getting into musicals on the screen. TRDB.

4) NOT FADE AWAY- Jacob Burns, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

5) LINCOLN-  Jacob Burns, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Steven Spielberg takes on the towering legacy of Abraham Lincoln, focusing on his stewardship of the Union during the Civil War years. The biographical saga also reveals the conflicts within Lincoln’s cabinet regarding the war and abolition.”11/9/12- The NY Times gave this a great review today. TRDB. 11/18/12- There have been many critics raving about this movie. Day-Lewis gave a wonderful performance but I found the movie uninspiring and I felt that it was too long, too preachy and that there were too many characters to keep track of. TRDB.

6) ARGO- Saw Mill Hawthorne. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1979, when Iranian militants seize the American embassy, six Americans slip into the Canadian embassy for protection, prompting the CIA to concoct an elaborate plot to rescue them by pretending that they are filmmakers rather than diplomats.” Excellent reviews. TRDB. 10/25/12- A fascinating and apparently true story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. TRDB.

7) DJANGO UNCHAINED- Saw Mill Hawthorne. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Accompanied by a German bounty hunter, a freed slave named Django travels across America to free his wife from a sadistic plantation owner. Quentin Tarantino directs this modern-day spaghetti Western.”Excellent reviews. TRDB.

8)HITCHCOCK- Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

9) ANNA KARENINA- Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Oscar winner Tom Stoppard penned this adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel, which stars Keira Knightley as the titular 19th-century Russian aristocrat who enters into a passionate and forbidden love affair with the well-heeled Count Vronsky.”OK early reviews in general but a few miserable ones as well. TRDB.

10) THE SESSIONS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After spending years in an iron lung, a man decides he wants to explore his sexuality for the first time, and hires a surrogate to aid the goal. Through their intensifying relationship, this indie drama illustrates the many forms love can take.”Very good early reviews. TRDB. 10/19/12- Excellent review in today’s NY Times. TRDB. 11/3/12- I found this movie alternately touching, sad, funny and very moving. 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

Entry Filed under: All Reviews,Old Newsletters