{"id":5471,"date":"2011-11-23T23:53:54","date_gmt":"2011-11-23T23:53:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thereeldrbob.com\/?p=5471"},"modified":"2012-01-05T11:19:23","modified_gmt":"2012-01-05T11:19:23","slug":"film-reviews-393","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thereeldrbob.com\/?p=5471","title":{"rendered":"FILM REVIEWS #393"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

NOVEMBER 23, 2011<\/div>\n
DEAR FRIENDS:<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n

PLEASE ACCESS MY NEWSLETTER AT www.thereeldrbob.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/div>\n
QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n
1) THE LAST RITES OF JOE MAY- On-Demand<\/div>\n
2) R- Netflix<\/div>\n
3) AFTERSHOCK- Netflix<\/div>\n
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_________________________________________________________________________________________<\/div>\n
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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE<\/div>\n
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_________________________________________________________________________________________<\/div>\n
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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-<\/div>\n
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1) THE LAST RITES OF JOE MAY<\/strong>– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Low-stakes hustler Joe<\/strong> May<\/strong> returns home from the<\/strong> hospital to find his landlord assumed he’d died, and rented his apartment out to a single mom and her daughter. Joe<\/strong>‘s life takes surprising turns when he agrees to let the<\/strong> woman and her child stay.”11\/4\/11- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

11\/18\/11- I enjoyed this movie and the 3 main characters. TRDB.<\/strong> On-Demand.<\/p>\n

2) R<\/strong>– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “After committing a vicious crime, Rune (Johan Philip Asb\u00e6k), a career criminal even though he is only in his mid-twenties, is sentenced to two years in the harshest of Danish prisons. Although he wants to do his time quietly, prison gangs make his life a living hell. He is soon befriended by a Muslim prisoner named Rashid, who is also at the mercy of the hardcore criminals. Rune appears to appease one of the gang leaders, but is he really safe?”<\/p>\n

11\/19\/11- A well done movie. Very cold, stark and\u00a0realistic. TRDB. <\/strong>Netflix.<\/p>\n

3) AFTERSHOCK<\/strong>– 2010.\u00a0Synopsis by Netflix. “Caught in the cataclysmic Tangshan earthquake of 1976, a mother is forced to choose which of her twin children — her son or her daughter — a rescue worker should save as they flee the collapsing ruins of her home. The film dramatizes the arduous struggle of the survivors — including the little girl left for dead — as families must learn to rebuild their lives in the wake of a natural disaster that left nearly 250,000 people dead.” Winner at 2011 Palm Springs Film Festival. Great reviews in general. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

11\/21\/11- An epic drama about one of the families devastated by the Tangshan earthquake and their quest for emotional peace living with the ramifications of the destruction. I liked it. TRDB.<\/strong> Netflix.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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_________________________________________________________________________________________<\/div>\n
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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, NOV. 29-<\/div>\n
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1) 5 DAYS OF WAR<\/strong>– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When American journalist Thomas Anders (Rupert Friend) is sent to cover the 2008 Russia-Georgia war<\/strong>, he and his cameraman become entangled with a beautiful Georgian scholar (Emmanuelle Chriqui) and soon risk becoming casualties of the brief but brutal conflict. Caught in the crossfire, Anders faces charges of espionage. Val Kilmer, Andy Garcia and Dean Cain co-star in this tense drama directed by Renny Harlin.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.<\/strong>8\/19\/11- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

2) THE WAVE<\/strong>– 2008. Synopsis by Netflix. “To give his students a real-world example of how dictatorships can grow powerful, high school teacher Rainer (J\u00fcrgen Vogel) starts a social experiment that assigns some of his students a strong advantage while leaving others subservient and powerless. The<\/strong> classroom exercise spreads to the<\/strong> rest of the<\/strong> school, where it mushrooms into violence, discrimination and the<\/strong> abuse of power.” Some great reviews, some OK and a few poor. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

3) THE FUTURE<\/strong>– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Suddenly aware that their lives will radically change in a month’s time, Sophie (Miranda July) and Jason (Hamish Linklater) decide to seize the<\/strong> opportunity to quit their jobs, pursue new interests and disconnect from the<\/strong> Internet, with the<\/strong> knowledge that their actions will literally change the<\/strong> course of history. As they pursue their adventures, they find their faith in one another and in themselves is put to the<\/strong> test.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Good review in NY Times on 7\/29\/11. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

8\/8\/11- This film was weird enough that I did not get bored but I could not relate to any of the characters in any way. You can safely miss this one. TRDB.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

4) CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE<\/strong>– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) discovers that his wife (Julianne Moore) wants to end their marriage, he reluctantly faces the unwelcome prospect of single life with the counsel of the younger and smoother super-bachelor Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling). Meanwhile, Cal’s adolescent son, Robbie (Jonah Bobo), has formed an unquenchable crush on his 17-year-old babysitter (Analeigh Tipton) — but is she more interested in Robbie’s recently unwed father?” Good early reviews. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

8\/6\/11- Crazy and stupid at times\u00a0but lots of fun. Poignant as well. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

5) CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS<\/strong>– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Celebrated documentary filmmaker Werner Herzog offers this unprecedented examination of Chauvet Cave<\/strong>, a cavern in southern France that contains the oldest human-painted images yet to be found on Earth. Besides presenting stunning cinematography of the exquisite paintings themselves, Herzog interviews experts who describe the context and reflect on the existential meaning of this artwork, which is some 30,000 years old.” Very good professional reviews and poor audience ones. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

6) WATER FOR ELEPHANTS<\/strong>– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this captivating Depression-era melodrama, impetuous veterinary student Jacob Jankowski (Robert Pattinson) joins a celebrated circus as an animal caretaker but faces a wrenching dilemma when he’s transfixed by angelic married performer Marlena (Reese Witherspoon). An affinity for elephants<\/strong> brings together the young pair, but the warmth between them sends Marlena’s cruel husband, animal trainer August (Christoph Waltz), into a frightening fury.” Mediocre professional reviews\u00a0 but good audience reactions. TRDB. <\/strong><\/p>\n

4\/11- A soap opera type movie with a weak screenplay that was a disappointment for me. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

7) SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN<\/strong>– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. ”\u00a0\u00a0Noted director Wayne Wang helms this adaptation of Lisa See’s best-selling novel about two young girls in 19th-century China who are pledged as lifelong companions through an ancient ritual, although their friendship is sorely tested as they mature. Paralleling the story of Snow<\/strong> Flower<\/strong> and Lily, who communicate by writing on the folds of a white fan<\/strong>, are the modern-day tribulations of Sophia and Nina, who struggle to maintain their relationship.” Poor reviews. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

_______________________________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

OPENING THIS WEEK-<\/div>\n
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1) MY WEEK WITH MARILYN<\/strong>– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “While filming a movie in England, Hollywood icon Marilyn<\/strong> Monroe slips away with a young Brit for a week<\/strong> of self-discovery and frivolity. The story that ensues is based on the real-life memoirs of Colin Clark, once assistant to Sir Laurence Olivier.” Good\u00a0audience\u00a0reaction\u00a0and mixed\u00a0professional reviews. TRDB.<\/strong><\/div>\n
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2) A DANGEROUS METHOD<\/strong>– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this David Cronenberg-helmed biopic, Viggo Mortensen stars as Sigmund Freud, whose relationship with fellow psychology luminary Carl Jung (Michael Fassbender) is tested when Sabina<\/strong> Spielrein (Keira<\/strong> Knightley), one of the first female psychoanalysts, enters their lives. This World War I-set drama<\/strong> also stars Vincent Cassel as Otto Gross, a<\/strong> disciple of Freud, and Sarah Gadon, who plays Jung’s psychoanalyst wife.” Great early reviews. TRDB.<\/strong><\/div>\n
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_________________________________________________________________________________________<\/div>\n
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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-<\/div>\n
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1) THE WOMEN ON THE 6th FLOOR<\/strong>– 2010. Synopsis by IMDB. “In 1960s Paris, a conservative couple’s lives are turned upside down by two Spanish maids.”10\/7\/11- Fairly good reviews in general but a poor one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

10\/18\/11- The synopsis doesn’t do the film justice. I loved the characters, the screenplay, the music and basically everything else. A must see!! TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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2) SIDEWALLS<\/strong>–\u00a0 (MEDIANERAS)- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Separated by the wall their apartments share, Mariana and Martin are the perfect couple. They have the same quirks, same tastes, same ideals, and even the same neuroses. They’re a match made in heaven. There’s just one problem: They’ve never met.”\u00a0 Very good early reviews. TRDB.<\/strong><\/div>\n
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1\/16\/11- Different to say the least but I can’t say that\u00a0I really enjoyed it.\u00a0I\u00a0liked the ending.\u00a0TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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_________________________________________________________________________________________<\/div>\n
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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-<\/div>\n
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NEW-<\/div>\n
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1) THE DEVIL’S DOUBLE<\/strong>– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Dominic Cooper stars as Uday Hussein — Saddam Hussein’s depraved, decadent elder son — and as Latif Yahia, the<\/strong> army lieutenant forcibly drafted to be his body double<\/strong>, in this drama based on Yahia’s autobiographical novel. With his family’s fate on the<\/strong> line, Yahia surrenders his identity to embody the<\/strong> hated figure but gains a conspirator in Uday’s concubine, Sarrab (Ludivine Sagnier), as he plots his escape.”The movie is discussed in a NY Times article (not a review)\u00a0on 7\/24\/11. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

11\/4\/11-\u00a0Weak reviews– some hating this movie and others saying it was\u00a0OK. I had planned to see it but now I think I’ll skip it. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

2) SLEEPING BEAUTY<\/strong>– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this dark tale, college gal Lucy takes a decidedly offbeat job: As a “sleeping beauty<\/strong>,” she’s paid to be fondled or otherwise handled by strangers while in a sedated sleep. Soon, however, she begins to wonder just what she’s submitting to.”<\/p>\n

9\/18\/11- An article (not review) in today’s NY Times. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

11\/18\/11- Mixed reviews with some OK ones and some terrible ones as well. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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REPEATS-<\/div>\n
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\n
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1) ARTHUR- This is the re-make– Fair reviews at best<\/div>\n
2) BEATS RHYMES & LIFE- I did not like this movie at all<\/div>\n
3) BEAUTIFUL BOY- I liked this movie very much<\/div>\n
4) BLACKTHORN- OK reviews and I’ll see this eventually<\/div>\n
\n
\n
5) BLIND SIDE- I liked it<\/div>\n
6) BLUE VALENTINE- I thought this was a very good movie with lots of raw emotion. Not for everyone<\/div>\n
7) BRIDESMAIDS- Not worth the 2 hours for a few laughs<\/div>\n
8)BRIGHTON ROCK- OK reviews<\/div>\n
9) COLD FISH- Different enough to be interesting but I can’t say I liked it<\/div>\n
10) CONSPIRATOR- I found this one just OK. Would have been a better documentary<\/div>\n
11) CRAZY, STUPID LOVE- I actually enjoyed this movie<\/div>\n
12) HANNA- Weak screenplay but I\u00a0did\u00a0like the movie<\/div>\n
13) HOUSE OF PLEASURES- Also called HOUSE OF TOLERANCE-\u00a0A few reviews and they are mixed<\/div>\n
14) HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER- I liked this one<\/div>\n
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\n
\n
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15) IN A BETTER WORLD- I loved the movie<\/div>\n
16) INCENDIES- Loved the film<\/div>\n
17) JANE EYRE- Just OK reviews but I liked it<\/div>\n
18)THE LAST RITES OF JOE MAY- I saw this and liked it very much<\/div>\n
19) LINCOLN LAWYER- Good movie<\/div>\n
20) LOOSIES- No reviews as yet<\/div>\n
21) LOVE CRIME- OK reviews- I haven’t seen it yet<\/div>\n
22) MAN ON THE TRAIN- I enjoyed it very much<\/div>\n
23) MARGIN CALL- I enjoyed it but I did not agree with those who said it was great<\/div>\n
24) MELANCHOLIA- Good reviews but friends hated it<\/div>\n
25) THE ROBBER- I liked this movie very much<\/div>\n
26) SIDEWALLS- I saw this movie from Argentina and thought it was just OK<\/div>\n
27) SOURCE CODE- I didn’t care for this one<\/div>\n
28)TERRI- I liked the movie<\/div>\n
29) THE KING’S SPEECH- I liked it with a few complaints<\/div>\n
30) THE TREE OF LIFE- I did not like this one at all<\/div>\n
31) VIVA RIVA- Good reviews but I hated it<\/div>\n
32) WEEKEND- Great reviews but I couldn’t understand half the dialogue<\/div>\n
33) WIN WIN- Very good and highly recommended<\/div>\n
34) THE WRESTLER- Been around for a while but I liked it<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Cablevision Link– http:\/\/www.optimum.net\/VOD\/movies?cat=Movies+On+Demand%2FIndependent+Films%2FIFC+In+Theaters<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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DirecTV- www.directv.com\/DTVAPP\/listing\/ppvMovies.jsp<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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_________________________________________________________________________________________<\/div>\n
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BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-<\/div>\n
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NEW IN THE SUBURBS-<\/div>\n
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1) THE DESCENDANTS<\/strong>– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne,\u00a0Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “When his wife is killed in a Waikiki boating accident, distant father Matt King (George Clooney) begins an iffy journey to repair his fractured relationship with his two daughters. But he’s also trying to decide whether to let go of some valuable family real estate. Judy Greer, Beau Bridges and Matthew Lillard co-star in this tragic-comic tale of legacy and unexpected loss based on the<\/strong> novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.<\/strong><\/div>\n
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2) MY WEEK WITH MARILYN<\/strong>– Jacob Burns, Clearview\u00a0100. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “While filming a movie in England, Hollywood icon Marilyn<\/strong> Monroe slips away with a young Brit for a week<\/strong> of self-discovery and frivolity. The story that ensues is based on the real-life memoirs of Colin Clark, once assistant to Sir Laurence Olivier.” Good\u00a0audience\u00a0reaction\u00a0and mixed\u00a0professional reviews. TRDB.<\/strong><\/div>\n
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REPEATS-<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n
1) MARGIN CALL<\/strong>– Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2011.\u00a0Synopsis by Netflix. “An all-star cast shines in this engrossing drama about a critical 24-hour period at a high-profile investment bank in the early days of the 2008 financial crisis, when young analyst Peter Sullivan (Zachary Quinto) uncovers information that could destroy the firm. When he alerts upper management to the precarious position of their risky investments, an emergency meeting is held to decide if they should alert clients or abscond with the profits.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.<\/strong>10\/21\/11- Excellent review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

10\/31\/11- A good “financial thriller” and although I enjoyed it I could have used a bit less of Kevin Spacey’s lessons. Jeremy Irons as the\u00a0head honcho was great.\u00a0TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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2) LIKE CRAZY<\/strong>– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne,\u00a0Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2011. Premise by Netflix. “American Jacob (Anton Yelchin) and British Anna (Felicity Jones) meet and fall madly in love at college in Los Angeles, but must make their relationship work long distance when Anna returns to London. With an ocean between them, their trust is tested, forcing them to confront the idea that their love may be impermanent. Or can it survive against the odds? Charlie Bewley, Oliver Muirhead, Finola Hughes and Ben York Jones also star.” Mentioned in NY Times on 1\/22\/11 re Sundance. Excellent reviews in general. TRDB.<\/strong>10\/28\/11- Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n
3) J. EDGAR<\/strong>– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Leonardo DiCaprio stars in this riveting biopic as J. Edgar<\/strong> Hoover, the longtime FBI director as notorious for his overzealous methods of law enforcement as for the rumors regarding his cross-dressing and close relationship with prot\u00e9g\u00e9 Clyde Tolson.”\u00a0Poor professional reviews but audiences have liked it. TRDB.<\/strong>11\/15\/11-The movie was just OK. Reminded me of movies by Oliver Stone with a great deal of playing with the facts. DiCaprio was great. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

4) MELANCHOLIA<\/strong>– Jacob Burns, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This inventive drama charts the disintegrating relationship between newly married twentysomething Justine and her melancholy sister, Claire, just as Earth hurtles toward certain collision with a newly discovered planet.”<\/p>\n

9\/18\/11- An article (not a review)\u00a0about this in today’s NY Times. Starring Kirsten Dunst. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

10\/11- Great reviews but my friends hated it and called it pretentious.\u00a0TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\n

For Independent Films in\u00a0Your Neighborhood\u00a0go to- www.emergingpictures.com<\/span><\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For Independent Films in Palm Beach County go to www.lakeworthplayhouse.org<\/a> \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For Films everywhere go to- www.fandango.com<\/span><\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/div>\n
—
\nTHE REEL DR. BOB<\/span>
\nThe Reel Dr. Bob<\/span><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0 NOVEMBER 23, 2011 DEAR FRIENDS: \u00a0 PLEASE ACCESS MY NEWSLETTER AT www.thereeldrbob.com \u00a0 QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK- \u00a0 1) THE LAST RITES OF JOE MAY- On-Demand 2) R- Netflix 3) AFTERSHOCK- Netflix \u00a0 _________________________________________________________________________________________ \u00a0 MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE \u00a0 _________________________________________________________________________________________ \u00a0 MOVIES I SAW […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[42],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5471","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-old-newsletters"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thereeldrbob.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5471","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thereeldrbob.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thereeldrbob.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thereeldrbob.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thereeldrbob.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5471"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/thereeldrbob.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5471\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5776,"href":"https:\/\/thereeldrbob.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5471\/revisions\/5776"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thereeldrbob.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5471"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thereeldrbob.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5471"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thereeldrbob.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5471"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}