The Reel Dr. Bob

FILM REVIEWS #446- FINAL

March 6th, 2013

MARCH 7, 2013
DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE LAST 3 WEEKS-

1) AMOUR- Theater
2) NATURAL SELECTION- Netflix
3) THE IMPOSTER- Netflix
4) SIDE EFFECTS- Theater
5) QUARTET- Theater
6) BARBARA- Theater

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MOVIES I SAW DURING THE LAST 3 WEEKS AT THE THEATER-

1) AMOUR- 2012. Synopsis by IMDB. “Georges and Anne are in their eighties. They are cultivated, retired music teachers. Their daughter, who is also a musician, lives abroad with her family. One day, Anne has an attack. The couple’s bond of love is severely tested.” 5/28/12- This movie won Best Picture in Cannes this year. TRDB. 2/14/13- This movie was a look into the reality of dementia and it’s toll on ALL members of the family. Well done and I liked it very much.  TRDB.

2) SIDE EFFECTS- 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. 3/1/13- I saw this with my wife Jane and my friends Barbara and Ken and we all liked this mystery. TRDB.

3) 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. 3/3/13-  A good, if somewhat predictable, movie with lots of good music to boot. TRDB.

4) 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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MOVIES I SAW DURING THE LAST 3 WEEKS AT HOME-

1) NATURAL SELECTION- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Asked by her dying husband to locate a boy he fathered through a sperm donation decades ago, repressed housewife Linda White sets out on a wild road trip, shedding her strict morals and making an unlikely connection with her husband’s troubled son.” Very good early reviews. TRDB. 3/16/12- So-so review in today’s NY Times but it does sound interesting. TRDB. 2/16/13- A bit flimsy and definitely not a comedy as advertised, but an OK movie over all. 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. 2/24/13- An intriguing documentary done very well and I liked it very much. TRDB.

3) SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “As an asteroid hurtles toward Earth, a man whose wife has abandoned him spends the planet’s final days on a road trip to reunite with his high school sweetheart. But a lovely neighbor who tags along for the ride complicates his plans.”Fair professional reviews but good audience reaction. TRDB. 6/22/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB. 2/26/13- I found the first 25 minutes boring and ridiculous and I turned it off. TRDB.

4) 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. 2/26/13- The movie was a waste of time and I finally turned it off with very little time left. TRDB. Netflix.
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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, MARCH 12-

1) 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.

2) THE FLAT- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Arnon Goldfinger’s grandmother died at 98, he was charged with cleaning out her Tel Aviv apartment, where he made a shocking discovery. The filmmaker plays detective as he sorts through decades of the Holocaust survivor’s letters and photos.” 10/19/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB. 10/28/12- A well done documentary that again makes us wonder that when it comes to the Holocaust there is no end to the number of stories. TRDB.

3) THE FIRST TIME- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This romantic comedy charts the course of young love when a chance encounter between high schoolers Dave and Aubrey sends them over the moon for each other. Over the course of a weekend, the two discover the intensity of genuine emotional intimacy.” 10/19/12- A very good review in today’s NY Times but just fair reviews elsewhere. TRDB.

4) 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.

5) CONNECTED- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Tiffany Shlain explores the visible and invisible connections linking major issues of our time — including the environment, consumption and technology — while searching for her place in the world during a transformative time in her life.” Mediocre audience reviews.

6) SMASHED- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Married couple Kate and Charlie love to party and drink together. But when Kate’s drinking gets out of hand, threatening her teaching job, she decides to get sober. Now Kate and Charlie struggle as they learn a new way of being together.” Great early reviews. TRDB.

7) SKYFALL- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a serious menace threatens MI6, James Bond is on the case — putting aside his own life and personal issues to hunt and obliterate the perpetrators. Meanwhile, secrets arise from M’s past that strain Bond’s loyalty to his longtime boss.” Great reviews!! TRDB.

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MOVIES THAT HAVE OPENED IN ADDITION TO THOSE I WROTE ABOUT ON 2/14-

FEB. 15-

1) ALMOST IN LOVE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Two shots — each consisting of a single 40-minute take — tell the entire story in this indie tale chronicling a love triangle among New Yorkers. What starts at a sunset Staten Island barbecue ends 18 months later during a sunrise in the Hamptons.” 2/15/13- Very good review in today’s NY Times. 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. 2/15/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) LIKE SOMEONE IN LOVE- 2013. 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.” 2/15/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) SAVING LINCOLN- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This real-life historical drama profiles the eventful life of U.S. Marshal Ward Hill Lamon, who served as Abraham Lincoln’s personal bodyguard. The filmmakers produce unique visual images by digitally mixing archival photos with live-action staging.” 2/15/13- A barely OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5) THE BERLIN FILE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When an illicit arms deal goes bad, North Korean spy Pyo Jong-seong finds himself targeted not just by the South Koreans but also his own bosses. After taking over North Korea’s Berlin embassy, his pursuers try using Pyo’s wife to flush him out.” 2/15/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times and from most other critics as well. TRDB.

6) SHANGHAI CALLING- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When attorney Sam Chao’s bosses send him to dreary Shanghai on a three-month assignment, it sets him steaming in this comedy about cultural biases. But once the lawyer arrives in the city, he quickly becomes immersed in romance and business turmoil.” 2/15/13- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

7) THE JEFFREY DAHMER FILES- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Stripping away the headlines and hype, this documentary spotlights the people who surrounded serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer during and after his arrest. Comments by neighbors and police create a portrait of Dahmer that’s disturbingly normal.” 2/15/13- A fairly good review for this documentary in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

FEB. 22-

1) SNITCH- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Suburban father John Matthews is hit hard when his teenage son is sentenced to 30 years in federal prison under mandatory minimum drug laws. In order to reduce his son’s sentence, John goes undercover to take down a violent drug dealer.” 2/23/13- Fair at best review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) INESCAPABLE- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “This politically charged and emotionally powerful thriller follows a successful businessman who suddenly finds his life turned upside down when his journalist daughter goes missing during her trip to his hometown of Damascus. He knows that the reason for his exile is tied to his daughter’s disappearance. His first trip home in over 30 years turns into a frantic quest to rescue his daughter while reconnecting with the love of his life.” Weak reviews all around, including the NY Times on 2/22/13. TRDB.

3) 11 FLOWERS- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This elegantly filmed drama of village life is told from the viewpoint of an 11-year-old who unexpectedly comes into contact with an accused murderer. The upheavals of China’s Cultural Revolution provide a turbulent backdrop to the boy’s adventures.” I saw just one review at it was very good. TRDB. Good review in the NY Times on 2/22/13.

4) KAI PO CHE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on Chetan Bhagat’s novel The 3 Mistakes of My Life, this Bollywood drama tells the story of three best friends who dream of starting a cricket training academy in Ahmedabad for very different reasons.” Weak review in the NY Times on 2/22/13. TRDB.

5) A PLACE AT THE TABLE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Using personal stories, this powerful doc illuminates the plight of the 49 million Americans struggling with food insecurity. A single mother, a small-town policeman and a farmer are among those for whom putting food on the table is a daily battle.” 3/1/13- A “just OK” review in today’s NY Times with the reviewer saying that the movie had too much restaint and none of the deserved outrage. I’ll skip this one.
TRDB.

5) HAVA NAGILA (THE MOVIE)- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Morphing from Hasidic prayer to party staple, “Hava Nagila” carries with it more than a century of Jewish culture — all of it captured here. Everyone from Harry Belafonte to Leonard Nimoy weighs in on the song as the filmmakers chart its evolution.” 3/1/13- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
6) STUCK- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Following the fates of four orphans from around the world, this earnest documentary argues that international adoption laws are deeply flawed. The film reveals the maze of regulations that prospective parents must navigate to take a child home.” 2/22/13- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

7) NORTHEAST- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Will (David Call), an unemployed and aimless playboy living in Brooklyn, New York, has spent his 20’s skating on easy charm from one casual, distant affair to the next. Noticing his friends’ happiness as they gradually settle into steady jobs and committed relationships, Will decides to trade apathy for effort in order to find someone with whom he can start the next chapter of his life.” 2/22/13- Weak review in today’s NY Times and in general as well. TRDB.

MAR. 1-

1) KENYA: ANIMAL KINGDOM- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Experience an epic adventure in some of the most stunning and important animal sanctuaries on Earth. Discover Africa’s famous fauna, including the Big Five — lions, African elephants, Cape buffalo, leopards and black rhinos — as well as giraffe, hippos and cheetahs, in their natural habitat. Meet two young fearsome Maasai and follow them on their ritual safari, which means “long journey” in Swahili, before partaking in an extraordinary traditional ceremony.” No reviews as yet. TRDB.

2) A PLACE AT THE TABLE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Using personal stories, this powerful doc illuminates the plight of the 49 million Americans struggling with food insecurity. A single mother, a small-town policeman and a farmer are among those for whom putting food on the table is a daily battle.” No reviews as yet. TRDB.

3) MARCH OF THE TROOPERS- 2013. No information as yet. TRDB.

4) JACK THE GIANT SLAYER- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Princess Isabelle is kidnapped by rampaging giants, intrepid farm boy Jack, who accidentally opened the gateway that allowed the giants to enter the kingdom, goes in search of her, despite interference from the king’s wicked chief advisor.’ 3/1/13- A barely OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5) THE END OF LOVE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After the mother of his 2-year-old son dies, a struggling actor must grow up as he grapples with his new responsibilities — and meeting a young mother forces him to face up to the things he’s been avoiding.” 3/1/13- Today’s NY Times gave this movie a weak review. TRDB.

6) HERE I LEARNED TO LOVE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When brothers Avner and Itzik travel from Israel to their native Poland to find clues about their identities, they uncover emotional information about their parents, who were killed by the Nazis, and the three women who rescued them from death.” 3/1/13- A fairly good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

7) THE BATTLE OF PUSSY WILLOW CREEK- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This faux-documentary fabricates the wild chronicle of four Civil War characters whose heroic exploits for the Union have been scrubbed from history. The unlikely group includes an escaped slave, a teenage prostitute and a colonel addicted to opium.” 3/1/13- Weak reviews in general but an OK one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

8)A FIERCE GREEN FIRE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This engaging documentary profiles the evolution of environmental movements over the past five decades, from early efforts at conservation and protests against pollution to the radical tactics of Greenpeace and concerns over global climate change.” 3/1/13- A weak review in today’s NY Times saying that the film had too much restraint. TRDB.

9) PHANTOM- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A Cold War Soviet submarine captain struggles with a rogue KGB group trying to seize control of the ship’s nuclear missile. Meanwhile, he secretly suffers from seizures that affect his grip on reality.” 3/1/13- A really bad review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

10) FUTURE WEATHER- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After her mother abandons her, 13-year-old Lauduree tries to hide the fact that she’s living alone as she pursues her quest to help thwart global warming. But soon she must negotiate a difficult relationship with her alcoholic grandmother.” 3/1/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

11) WELCOME TO PINE HILL- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fascinating reflection on transformation and life choices, filmmaker Keith Miller blends reality and drama to chronicle the life of Shannon Harper, a former drug dealer trying to go clean and working as a claims adjuster and a bouncer.” 3/1/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

12) THE UNSPEAKABLE ACT- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Dan Sallitt’s remarkable, boldly conceived fourth feature is a vivid character study of Jackie, a charismatic, fiercely intelligent, soulful young woman struggling to navigate the choppy waters of adolescence, and nurturing an intense emotional attachment to her older brother that crosses over unmistakably into incestuousness.” 3/1/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

13) GENIUS ON HOLD- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “At the heart of GENIUS ON HOLD is the story of Walter L. Shaw-a brilliant inventor with an astonishing list of telecommunications patents to his name including call forwarding, touchtone dialing, speakerphone and voice recognition. His ground-breaking designs should have earned him great fortune and lasting fame, but for one thing-the power, greed, and oppression of AT&T, the largest, government-sanctioned, telecommunications monopoly in the United States.” 3/1/13- Only a fair review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

14) MOLLY’S THEORY OF RELATIVITY- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “”Molly’s Theory of Relativity” is a sexy, funny, surreal, and devastating portrait of a beautiful twenty-eight-year-old astronomer who, having unexpectedly lost her job, is poised to make perhaps the first reckless decision of her life. Her story unfolds during an eighteen hour period, on Halloween.” 3/1/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

15) LEVIATHAN- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the very waters where Melville’s Pequod gave chase to Moby-Dick, this haunting documentary — shot on a dozen cameras and presented with no spoken commentary — captures the collaborative clash of man, nature and machine.” 3/1/13- A very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

16) WAR WITCH- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In sub-Saharan Africa, 12-year-old Komona is kidnapped by rebel soldiers who force her to kill her parents and join their ranks. Over the next two years, Komona clings to life despite her horrific experiences and tries to pacify her parents’ ghosts.” 3/1/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

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MOVIES OPENING THIS WEEK- MARCH 8

1) BEYOND THE HILLS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After growing up together in an orphanage, close friends Alina and Viochita drift apart as Alina moves to Germany and Voichita becomes a nun. But when Alina returns and tries to rekindle their intense relationship, things spiral out of control.” Mixed reviews– the NY Times liked it. TRDB.

2) EMPEROR- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “As World War II ends, Gen. MacArthur oversees Japan’s surrender, an act that dispels the nation’s centuries-old beliefs about its emperor. With the eyes of the world — and history — upon them, MacArthur and his protégé will change Japan forever.” N0 reviews as yet. TRDB.

3) GREEDY LYING BASTARDS- Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Hurricane Sandy. Wildfires in the West. “Brown-Outs” in the East. Farmers losing crops to the worst drought since the Dust Bowl. Climate change is no longer a prediction for the future, but a startling reality of today. Yet, as evidence of our changing climate mounts and the scientific consensus proves human causation, there continues to be no political action to thwart the warming of our planet. “Greedy Lying Bastards” investigates the reason behind stalled efforts to tackle climate change” No reviews as yet. TRDB.

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

1) HORS SATIN- 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Angel or devil, good or evil, Christ or Satan: These are the mystical questions revolving around the nameless figure living in the coastal dunes outside of a small French town. Named one of the top ten films of the year by Cahiers du Cinema and an official selection of the Cannes Film Festival, Hors Satan is a provocative parable of identity, morality, and human relationships, defying notions of genre to become a mesmerizing and haunting original.” Mixed reviews but more positive than negative. TRDB.

2) SISTER- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Every day, impoverished 12-year-old Simon sneaks into a posh Swiss ski resort, where he helps himself to the gear of wealthy tourists. Benefitting from his thievery is his lazy older sister, Louise, who refuses to live up to her responsibilities.” Rotten Tomatoes said- “Simon (Kacey Mottet Klein) lives with his older sister (Léa Seydoux) in a housing complex below a luxury Swiss ski resort. With his sister drifting in and out of jobs and relationships, twelve-year-old Simon takes on the responsibility of providing for the two of them. Every day, he takes the lift up to the opulent ski world above, stealing equipment from rich tourists to resell to the local kids down in the valley. He is able to keep their little family afloat with his small-time hustles and his sister is thankful for the money he brings in. But, when Simon partners with a crooked British seasonal worker, he begins to lose his boundaries, affecting his relationship with his sister and plummeting him into dangerous territory.” 10/5/12- Very good reviews from the NY Times and from most other critics as well. TRDB. 10/24/12- This movie gave a good depiction of the despair of the characters and therefore was a bit difficult to watch at times. All in all I’d say that I did like it. TRDB.
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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW- DURING THE LAST 3 WEEKS

1) ANNA KARENINA- 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.11/16/12- Basically a good review in today’s NY Times. I think the Times was disappointed. Others gave it mixed reviews, more good than bad. TRDB.

2) ARGO- 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.

3) FLIGHT-  2012- Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In this action-packed mystery thriller, Academy Award winner, Denzel Washington stars as Whip Whitaker, a seasoned airline pilot, who miraculously crash lands his plane after a mid-air catastrophe, saving nearly every soul on board. After the crash, Whip is hailed as a hero, but as more is learned, more questions than answers arise as to who or what was really at fault and what really happened on that plane?” Very good reviews. TRDB. 11/2/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4) INESCAPABLE- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “This politically charged and emotionally powerful thriller follows a successful businessman who suddenly finds his life turned upside down when his journalist daughter goes missing during her trip to his hometown of Damascus. He knows that the reason for his exile is tied to his daughter’s disappearance. His first trip home in over 30 years turns into a frantic quest to rescue his daughter while reconnecting with the love of his life.” Weak reviews all around, including the NY Times on 2/22/13. TRDB.

5) THE JEFFREY DAHMER FILES- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Stripping away the headlines and hype, this documentary spotlights the people who surrounded serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer during and after his arrest. Comments by neighbors and police create a portrait of Dahmer that’s disturbingly normal.” 2/15/13- A fairly good review for this documentary in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

6) 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.

7) SKYFALL- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a serious menace threatens MI6, James Bond is on the case — putting aside his own life and personal issues to hunt and obliterate the perpetrators. Meanwhile, secrets arise from M’s past that strain Bond’s loyalty to his longtime boss.” Great reviews!! TRDB.

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) FITZGERALD FAMILY CHRISTMAS- I liked this very much
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) THE PUSHER- OK reviews but critics said the original was better
13) THE SESSIONS- I loved this movie
14) SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS- I didn’t care for the movie
15) SOUND CITY- Very good reviews
16) SUPPORTING CHARACTERS- Very good reviews
17) TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE- Not great but I liked it
18)WAITING FOR LIGHTNING- The NY Times called this movie boring
19) WOMAN IN THE FIFTH- I liked it
20) THE WORDS- I enjoyed this movie
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- (Westchester and Fairfield Counties)

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) NO-  Jacob Burns, Clearview 100. 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.

2) THE GATEKEEPERS- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Meet six leaders of Israel’s secret service, the Shin Bet, which has dealt with conflict amid the quest for peace for nearly 50 years. For the first time, these men discuss the challenging truths and consequences of their counterterrorism mission.” Excellent reviews all around. TRDB.

3) GINGER & ROSA- Jacob Burns. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “With the Cold War looming over them, teen best pals Ginger and Rosa share everything in early 1960s London — until betrayal drives them apart. Sally Potter directs this intimate period drama steeped in the anxieties of the dawning nuclear age.” 3/3/13- Mixed early reviews. TRDB.

4) EMPEROR- Saw Mill Hawthorne. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “As World War II ends, Gen. MacArthur oversees Japan’s surrender, an act that dispels the nation’s centuries-old beliefs about its emperor. With the eyes of the world — and history — upon them, MacArthur and his protégé will change Japan forever.” N0 reviews as yet. TRDB.

5) LORE- Bethel. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After her Nazi parents are imprisoned, Lore leads her younger siblings across a war-torn Germany in 1945. Amid the chaos, she encounters a mysterious refugee named Thomas, who shattersLORE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After her Nazi parents are imprisoned, Lore leads her younger siblings across a war-torn Germany in 1945. Amid the chaos, she encounters a mysterious refugee named Thomas, who shatters her fragile reality with hatred and desire.” 2/8/13- Very good reviews in general with just a few critics saying that the film was a bit slow. The NY Times liked it as well. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) QUARTET- Bethel,Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100. 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. 3/3/13-  A good, if somewhat predictable, movie with lots of good music to boot. TRDB.

2) 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.

3)  SIDE EFFECTS- 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 unforseen results.” 2/8/13-Fairly good reviews in general and an OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB. 3/1/13- I saw this with my wife Jane and my friends Barbara and Ken and we all liked this mystery. TRDB.

4) ZERO DARK THIRTY- Saw Mill Hawthorne. 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “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 m anhunt for the world’s most dangerous man.”1/29/13- I enjoyed only the last 45 min. One reviewer said– “A silly film that never remotely deserved an Oscar nomination.” I agree. TRDB.

5) ARGO- 2012. Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 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. I liked the movie. 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

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