The Reel Dr. Bob

FILM REVIEWS #445

February 13th, 2013

FEBRUARY 14, 2013
DEAR FRIENDS:

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

THE NEXT ISSUE (#446) WILL BE IN 3 WEEKS SO THIS ISSUE WILL CONTAIN INFORMATION FOR 3 WEEKS WHEN POSSIBLE.

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE LAST 2 WEEKS-

1) IN SEARCH OF BEETHOVEN- Society of the Four Arts in Palm Beach
2) HERMANO- Netflix
3) KEEP THE LIGHTS ON- Netflix

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW DURING THE LAST 2 WEEKS AT THE THEATER-

1) IN SEARCH OF BEETHOVEN- 2009. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Juliet Stevenson (Truly, Madly, Deeply) narrates this straightforward documentary account of the life of composer Ludwig van Beethoven, covering all the major highlights from his birth in 1770 through his death in 1827. Writer-director Phil Grabsky skirts around the option of dramatic period reenactments, and instead opts for an impressionistic approach. He builds much of the film around the basic foundational material of interviews and studio performances of the great man’s work by artists including Ronald Brautigam, Emanuel Ax, and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. Grabsky also offsets Stevenson’s traditional chronicle of Beethoven’s life with letters from the composer, read by David Dawson, that unveil an intense and almost belligerent side to the musical giant, leavened with offbeat humor.” 2/10/13-I saw this documentary at the Society of the Four Arts in Palm Beach and found it very insightful. I thoroughly enjoyed the music and the “talking heads” were very interesting and personal so we really learned about the man and the music. TRDB.
_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW DURING THE LAST 2 WEEKS AT HOME-

1) SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Marty, a struggling writer, needs inspiration to finish his screenplay Seven Psychopaths. He gets plenty of it when his oddball friends nab a crazed gangster’s beloved pooch and he inadvertently gets caught up in all the action.”Very good reviews. TRDB. 10/12/12- Fair review at best in today’s NY Times. TRDB. 2/3/13- For a brief period I found this movie interesting, creative and even funny but the novelty wore off quickly and while I did see the entire movie I can’t say that I liked it. TRDB. Netflix.

2) UNFORGIVABLE- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Francis (André Dussollier) is a successful crime writer who moves to Venice to work on his next novel. When he meets model-turned-real-estate-agent Judith (Carole Bouquet), he is instantly infatuated. Francis and Judith eventually marry and move to a remote house on Torcello Island but Francis’ newfound happiness hinders his writing. Obsessing over what Judith does while at work, he hires a young ex-convict to investigate. As Judith’s sexual past is revealed both men become increasing fixated on the mysterious woman. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Venice, Unforgivable examines the consequences of unresolved past relationships and their far-reaching effects into the future.” 6/29/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB. 2/4/13- I found this movie very interesting and thought provoking. To be honest, I can’t really dislike a movie with great scenes of Venice. TRDB.

3) 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. 2/11/13- I’ll give this movie a mixed review. A bit contrived, a bit formulaic but still has enough going for it for a recommendation. 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. 2/13/13- A very well acted and poignant drama about the relationship between two gay men but it could be about any two people. I liked it very much. TRDB. Netflix.
_____________________________________________________________________

CAME TO NETFLIX ON FEB. 12-

1) DANGEROUS LIAISONS- 1988. Directed by Stephen Frears. Starring Glenn Close, John Malkovich and Michelle Pfeiffer. Close and Malkovich play a pair of scheming nobles in Paris and in particular Close bets Malkovich that he can’t bed Pfeiffer and get written proof of the conquest. Considered somewhat of a classic, I did enjoy the film but not with rave reviews.
COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, FEB. 19-

1) 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. 8/31/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) END OF WATCH- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Officers Taylor and Zavala patrol the streets of South Central Los Angeles, an area of the city ruled by gangs and riddled with drug violence. Their perilous beat is captured on security footage and with the HD cameras of cops, criminals and victims.”Great reviews. TRDB. 9/21/12- I think that today’s review in the NY Times was a mixed one, the review undoubtedly more difficult to explain than the movie. TRDB.

3) 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.” Weak professional and audience reviews. TRDB. 9/7/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) HIPSTERS- 2008. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this hit Russian musical, a group of friends flaunts Soviet authority in 1950s Moscow by embracing jazz. When Communist Mels (Anton Shagin) falls for Polly (Oksana Akinshina), a free-spirited jazz fan, he risks losing his party membership by associating with her rebellious crew. Equally smitten, Polly introduces her new beau to jazz and other forbidden Western delights. Writer-director Valery Todorovsky helms this colorful take on the Cold War.” 2/24/12- OK review in today’s NY Times but mostly good reviews from others. TRDB.

5) UNDEFEATED- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Cinéma vérité tackles football in this inspirational profile of an inner-city Memphis high school football team, whose downtrodden players combine with a dedicated volunteer coach in a valiant effort to reach the school’s first-ever playoff game.” Good audience reaction but no professional reviews as yet. TRDB. 2/17/12- Excellent reviews in today’s NY Times and elsewhere for this nominated film for Best Documentary for this year’s Academy Awards. TRDB.

6) NORTH SEA TEXAS- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. Pim, an introverted child, occupies his time drawing and fantasizing while keeping his emerging desires a secret. As a teenager, he grows infatuated with Gino, the handsome boy next door. When a hunky young man from the local fair starts living with Pim and his mother, he seizes the opportunity to leave home and move in with Gino’s family. His plan backfires as Gino departs, romancing and living with a girl from across the border. It seems like Pim’s dreams will never come true, but then one rainy day Gino returns home.” 11/2/12- A good review in today’s NY Times. Other critics and audiences have liked it also. TRDB.

______________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, FEB. 26-

1) THE MASTER- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “A heavy-drinking loaner named Freddie finds some semblance of a family when he stumbles onto the ship of Lancaster Dodd, the charismatic leader of a new “religion” — some say cult — he forms after World War II.” A few early reviewers said this was a great piece of work. TRDB. 9/14/12- Great review in today’s NY Times but many of my friends did not like this movie. TRDB.

2) MADRID, 1987- Synopsis by Netflix. “During the political unrest of 1987, Ángela meets elderly journalist Miguel for an interview and ends up his captive, locked with him in his bathroom. Over the next 24 hours, they engage in verbal sparring that parallels the nation’s upheaval.” Here’s what Rotten Tomatoes had to say– “Madrid, 1987 …is a two-character story with a verbose discourse on writing, journalism, careerism, aging and politics. Shot mostly within a very constricted space, the story follows an older, celebrated journalist Miguel (José Sacristán) who meets the beautiful and coy journalism-student Angela (María Valverde) to give an interview but becomes intent upon seducing her. They end up spending time in the most unusual manner …discussing literature, prose and career trajectories …gradually divulging little insights into their own selves as we start to understand the old journalist’s cynicism and the young protégé’s intentions. 10/12/12- A good review in the NY Times. TRDB.

3) OVER YOUR CITIES GRASS WILL GROW- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Modern artist Anselm Kiefer and his monumental landscape creation at Barjac, France — a vast complex including lakes, bridges, caves and galleries displaying Kiefer’s other work — are the focus of this documentary from Sophie Fiennes. The artist’s ruminations on the creative process and his aims and ambitions are intercut with a careful study of the art itself, shining a spotlight on the processes at work in Kiefer’s expanding mini-universe.” Mixed reviews, some calling it interesting and others calling it a slumberous bore. TRDB.

4) HOW TO SURVIVE A PLAGUE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This passionate documentary focuses on the grass-roots crusade in the 1980s and ’90s to speed up efforts at developing treatments for the HIV virus. The film follows AIDS activists to Washington, where they challenge the government to act.” Excellent reviews so far. TRDB.

5) ESCAPE FIRE: THE FIGHT TO RESCUE AMERICAN HEALTHCARE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary starkly outlines the crises the United States faces in its quest to provide affordable medical care to the nation’s citizens. In response to these problems, the filmmakers propose lower-cost alternatives to high-tech medicine.” No reviews as yet and I hope that this isn’t a campaign advertisement. TRDB. 10/5/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

6) SILENT SOULS- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “Paul Hanganu (Mimi Branescu) is in love with two women: Adriana (Mirela Oprisor), his wife of 10 years, and Raluca (Maria Popistasu), his mistress of the past several months. Now, at a crossroads, Paul is forced to choose between them in this drama from Romanian director Radu Muntean. Combining careful staging and emotionally intense dialogue, the film presents an unblinking profile of a man in crisis and the women whose lives he’s ensnared.” Very good reviews. TRDB.

7) THIS IS NOT A FILM- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When the Iranian government banned director Jafar Panahi from making a film for 20 years, he titled his next project This Is Not a Film. The resulting documentary covers a day in Panahi’s life as he reflects on his unhappy situation.” Excellent reviews. TRDB.

8)THE LONELIEST PLANET- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Alex and Nica, a young engaged couple, are so eager to take a serious walking trek through Georgia’s Caucasus Mountains that they hire a local guide. Traveling deep into the wild landscape, however, the emotional atmosphere shifts for the trio.” 10/26/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB. I saw 10 minutes of this movie on Comcast on Demand previews and I almost fell asleep. TRDB.

9) 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.

10) THE EYE OF THE STORM- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “A woman recently divorced from a French prince and her washed-up actor brother return home to Australia, hoping to reconcile with their dying mother. But neither is prepared for the ensuing drama that brings the dread of their childhood back to life.” Rotten Tomatoes had this to say– “In the Sydney suburb of Centennial Park, two nurses, a housekeeper and a solicitor attend to Elizabeth Hunter as her expatriate son and daughter convene at her deathbed. But in dying, as in living, Mrs. Hunter remains a powerful force on those who surround her. Based on the novel by Nobel Prize winner Patrick White, The Eye of the Storm is a savage exploration of family relationships – and the sharp undercurrents of love and hate, comedy and tragedy, which define them.” 9/7/12- Poor reviews for this movie but it sounds interesting and I’ll probably see it eventually. TRDB.

11) HOLY MOTORS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This surreal drama from France follows DL, who becomes many different individuals living very different lives over a 24-hour period — switching effortlessly from man to woman, impoverished to affluent, young to old, and even assassin to family man.” Excellent reviews so far. TRDB.

______________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX ON MARCH 5-

1) GUN HILL ROAD- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “After serving a three-year stint in prison, tough-guy Enrique (Esai Morales) returns to his family in the Bronx to find that his wife (Judy Reyes) is a virtual stranger to him and, worse, his son (Harmony Santana) is in the middle of a sexual identity crisis. Now Enrique must find a way to accept his altered life or risk losing control and ending up back in jail. Rashaad Ernesto Green directs this compelling drama.” OK reviews so far. TRDB. 8/5/11- Good review in today’s NY Times. 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.

3) A LATE QUARTET- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Tempers flare, old jealousies reignite and new passions are sparked when the members of a world-renowned string quartet are preparing to celebrate their 25th anniversary and learn that their leader must step down due to a grim medical diagnosis.” 11/2/12- A fairly good review in today’s NY Times, especially for the actors. Other critics have liked it as well and so have audiences. TRDB. 11/11/12- I enjoyed this movie very much. Great acting and a good story with a touching screenplay. A bit of schmaltz at the end was unnecessary. TRDB. 

4) THE INTOUCHABLES- 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 that proves Hollywood can slide effortlessly into Paris. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES THAT OPENED IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS IN ADDITION TO THOSE I WROTE ABOUT ON JAN. 31-

FEB.1-

1) THE LAST GLADIATORS- 2013- Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Alex Gibney takes an unprecedented look at the National Hockey League’s most feared enforcers and explores the career of Chris “Knuckles” Nilan. The role was simple: protect their teammates no matter the cost.” 2/1/13-Mixed early reviews but the NY Times gave this movie a good review in today’s critique. TRDB.

2) JOHN DIES AT THE END- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “It’s a drug that promises an out-of-body experience with each hit. On the street they call it Soy Sauce, and users drift across time and dimensions. But some who come back are no longer human. Suddenly a silent otherworldly invasion is underway, and mankind needs a hero. What it gets instead is John and David, a pair of college dropouts who can barely hold down jobs. Can these two stop the oncoming horror in time to save humanity? No. No, they can’t.” 2/1/13- This movie sounds stupid but the NY Times and others have given it good reviews. A few have not. TRDB.

3) AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Unemployed adman Roberto is struggling to revive his career when a whimsical visit to the spot where he and his wife honeymooned leads to a potentially deadly accident. Ever the spin doctor, he skillfully turns the event into a media feeding frenzy.” 1/5/13- Poor reviews in general and in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) CAESAR MUST DIE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Brothers Paolo and Vittorio Taviani take their cameras inside Rome’s Rebbibia Prison as its inmates stage a production of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. The film reveals the Bard’s power to enlighten as the men connect the play to their own lives.” 2/6/13- Good reviews in general and in today’s NY Times as well. TRDB.
5) DAVID- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A single name — David — connects the destinies of three men living in different eras and geographies in this Hindi action thriller: 1975 David lives in London and works for the Mob; 1999 David is a Mumbai teen; and 2010 David is a Goa fisherman.” 1/5/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times and a fair one elsewhere. TRDB.

MOVIES THAT OPENED ON FEB. 8 IN ADDITION TO THOSE I WROTE ABOUT LAST WEEK-

1) LIKE SOMEONE IN LOVE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This meditative drama focuses on an encounter between two strangers in Tokyo: a young woman working as a call girl and a retired college professor. The two soon form a bond beyond their initial meeting, which begins to confuse the girl’s boyfriend.”
Good early reviews. TRDB.

2) NO- 2012- Synopsis by Netflix. “In this engaging drama from Chile, Gael García Bernal portrays René Saavedra, a hot-shot ad executive who creates a controversial media campaign opposing military dictator Augusto Pinochet during the referendum on his presidency in 1988.”
Very good reviews so far. TRDB.

3) IDENTITY THIEF- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Unlimited funds have allowed Diana (McCarthy) to live it up on the outskirts of Miami, where the queen of retail buys whatever strikes her fancy. There’s only one glitch: The ID she’s using to finance these sprees reads “Sandy Bigelow Patterson”….and it belongs to an accounts rep (Bateman) who lives halfway across the U.S. With only one week to hunt down the con artist before his world implodes, the real Sandy Bigelow Patterson heads south to confront the woman with an all-access pass to his life. And as he attempts to bribe, coax and wrangle her the 2,000 miles to Denver, one easy target will discover just how tough it is to get your name back.” 2/8/13- Poor review all around and in today’s NY Times as well. TRDB.

4) A RUBBERBAND IS AN UNLIKELY INSTRUMENT- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A Rubberband is an Unlikely Instrument is a lyrical exploration of a Brooklyn couple as they navigate their path amidst rapidly changing political, social, financial and spiritual landscapes. Walter Baker is an eccentric, multi-instrumentalist struggling to maintain balance between creating art, making ends meet and raising his twelve year old son with his third wife, a poet. Artistically and philosophically situated on the fringes of mainstream culture, Baker grasps to bear the roles of family man, business owner and aspiring composer.” 2/8/13- Mixed early reviews but the NY Times gave it an OK review today. TRDB.

5) NIGHT ACROSS THE STREET- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “A free-flowing contemplation on aging and death inspired by the stories of Hernán del Solar, director Raoul Ruiz’s final film follows as elderly man who revisits moments of his youth as he awaits the stranger he believes will kill him.” 2/8/13- Very good reviews in general and in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

6) ONCE EVERY DAY- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Highly visual, complexly edited, and without a conventional narrative ‘story’, ONCE EVERY DAY nevertheless circles a secret theme as it zeros in on a group of 25 people acting out a series of semi-ritualistic behavior patterns. But their eccentric impulses are aborted in unpredictable ways with each new attempt at action or development. As the film cuts between colored tableaus, bleached-out action sequences, expressionistic black-and-white confrontations, and slow immersion in pure light, we repeatedly hear the voices of the invisible director (Foreman) and his technicians, whispering off-camera instructions and comments to the characters – who are of course ‘actors’ as well as disturbed and inhibited human beings. The implicit question of the film becomes: could this be life itself – visibly re-making itself as art?” 2/8/13- Mixed reviews. The NY Times liked it. TRDB.

7) PORFIRIO- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This no-holds-barred docudrama examines the day-to-day life of Porfirio Ramirez Aldana, a once-wealthy Colombian man who became paralyzed after being shot by the police — and then went on to commit a shocking crime.” 2/8/13- Mixed reviews– the NY Times did not like it. TRDB.
MOVIES THAT ARE OPENING ON FEB. 15-

1) SAFE HAVEN- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This adaptation of the novel by Nicholas Sparks centers on a mysterious woman who arrives in a small North Carolina town and begins a new life but remains haunted by the terrifying secret that prompted her to travel across the country.”
No reviews as yet. TRDB.

2) THE BITTER BUDDHA- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary follows unconventional comedian Eddie Pepitone as he prepares for a show in New York City, all the while struggling with self-doubt, sobriety and a challenging family history.”
No reviews as yet. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

FEB. 15–FEB. 21

OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS

_____________________________________________________________________

COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW- NONE

REPEATS-

1) ARBITRAGE- I liked this movie a lot
2) BACHLORETTE- Fair reviews at best
3) BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD- I enjoyed the film
4) CENTRAL PARK FIVE- Very good reviews
5) FOR A GOOD TIME, CALL—- OK reviews
6) HOPE SPRINGS- I liked this movie very much
7) JOHN DIES AT THE END- Good reviews
8)MOONRISE KINGDOM- I liked it
9) THE MULBERRY TREE- Very good reviews
10) MY BEST ENEMY- A good movie
11) OCTOBER BABY- Awful professional reviews
12) PEOPLE LIKE US-  I enjoyed the movie despite some light fluff. Some good dialogue as well
13) THE PUSHER- OK reviews but critics said the original was better
14) SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN- Most liked this a lot but I found it full of Hollywood
15) THE SESSIONS- I loved this movie
16) SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS- I didn’t care for the movie
17) SOUND CITY- Very good reviews
18)SUPPORTING CHARACTERS- Very good reviews
19) TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE- Not great but I liked it
20) WAITING FOR LIGHTNING- The NY Times called this movie boring
21) WALK AWAY RENEE- Weak reviews from most critics
22) WOMAN IN THE FIFTH- I liked it
23) THE WORDS- I enjoyed this movie
24) 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

_____________________________________________________________________

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

NEW IN THE BURBS- NONE

REPEATS-

1) AMOUR- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this 2012 Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or winner, Georges and Anne, retired music teachers in their eighties, have a time-tested love. But as Anne’s health fails, Georges becomes her caregiver, and the couple’s bond is tested like never before.” 12/19/12- Great reviews all around and especially in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) QUARTET- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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?” Reviews are very good. TRDB.

3) SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, 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.

4) SIDE EFFECTS- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Emily Hawkins copes with her depression by taking large numbers of prescription medication. But when her emotions spiral out of control due to the upcoming release of her husband from prison, she turns to a new medication, with unforeseen results.” 2/8/13-Fairly good reviews in general and an OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5) ARGO- Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

6) THE IMPOSSIBLE- Clearview 100. 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.

7)  LIFE OF PI- Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

8)ZERO DARK THIRTY- Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, 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. 1/29/13- I enjoyed the last 45 min. during the raid on Bin Laden’s compound because of its historical significance and suspense despite knowing the outcome. The first hour and a half was, for me, well summed up by a reviewer when he said– “A silly film that never remotely deserved an Oscar nomination.” TRDB.

9) LINCOLN- Danbury. 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.

10) LES MISERABLES- 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.
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