{"id":7480,"date":"2012-07-27T09:52:18","date_gmt":"2012-07-27T09:52:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thereeldrbob.com\/?p=7480"},"modified":"2012-08-23T11:30:21","modified_gmt":"2012-08-23T11:30:21","slug":"film-reviews-421","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thereeldrbob.com\/?p=7480","title":{"rendered":"FILM REVIEWS #421"},"content":{"rendered":"

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JULY 26, 2012<\/div>\n
DEAR FRIENDS:<\/div>\n
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YOU CAN ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AND OLDER REVIEWS AT- www.thereeldrbob.com<\/a><\/div>\n
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I’VE BEEN OUT OF TOWN FOR A FEW DAYS AGAIN THIS WEEK AND HENCE FEWER MOVIES ON THIS NEWSLETTER.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-<\/div>\n
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1) TOMBOY<\/strong>– Netflix Streaming<\/div>\n
2) THE HUNTER<\/strong>– Netflix<\/div>\n
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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE<\/div>\n
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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-<\/div>\n
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1)\u00a0TOMBOY<\/strong>– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Uncomfortable living as a girl, 10-year-old Laure decides to spend her childhood as Michael. When Michael’s family moves to rural France, the child wins friends and comes to understand the complexities of gender.”1\/16\/11- Very good review in today’s NY Times and great reviews in general. TRDB.<\/strong><\/div>\n

7\/19\/12- I concur– very interesting, well acted and I liked this movie very much. TRDB.<\/strong> Netflix Streaming.<\/p>\n

2) THE HUNTER<\/strong>– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Willem Dafoe stars as a mercenary sent to Tasmania to track down the<\/strong> last living Tasmanian tiger and obtain its genetic material. Once he reaches the<\/strong> tiger’s wild habitat, the<\/strong> hunter<\/strong> poses as a scientist to begin his search.”<\/p>\n

Good early reviews. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

4\/6\/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

7\/20\/12- An interesting story and good acting made this film OK for me. Netflix.\u00a0TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

3) MY PERESTROIKA<\/strong>– 2010. Premise by Netflix. “An intimate look at five longtime friends who grew up shortly before the collapse of the Soviet Union, this documentary sheds light on how Russians have adapted to post-Soviet society and their nation’s continually shifting political landscape. Interweaving decades-old home movie footage with captivating tales of contemporary life, director Robin Hessman’s enlightening movie illustrates the stark contrast between Moscow then and now.” Very good reviews and this one<\/strong> sounds interesting. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

7\/26\/12- This movie got excellent reviews so I watched the entire\u00a0film\u00a0but I found it incredibly boring. TRDB.<\/strong> Netflix Streaming.<\/p>\n

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JULY 31-<\/div>\n
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1) LE HAVRE<\/strong>– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This comedic drama relates the poignant tale of a young immigrant African boy arriving destitute in the French port of Le<\/strong> Havre<\/strong>, where he’s eventually taken under the wing of a former Bohemian writer who now chooses to shine shoes for a living.” Good audience reaction and OK professional reviews so far. TRDB.<\/strong>10\/21\/11- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.<\/strong><\/div>\n

11\/1\/11- I found this movie interesting, in particular the characters of the neighborhood. Also, the love between the two principal characters was precious. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

2) LAST DAYS HERE<\/strong>– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this poignant documentary portrait, an aged and gaunt Bobby Liebling — the former lead singer of the heavy metal act Pentagram — rallies to restart his life after decades of disappointment and drug addiction.”<\/p>\n

3\/2\/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times and very good reviews from most other sources. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

3) LULA, THE SON OF BRAZIL<\/strong>– 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Adapted from a biography by journalist Denise Paran\u00e1, this big-budget epic chronicles the formative years of Luiz In\u00e1cio Lula da Silva — aka Lula — who overcame formidable obstacles to become the president of Brazil<\/strong> in 2003. Lula and his six young siblings live in poverty and are sent to work early; an accident on the job drives the adult Lula (Rui Ricardo Diaz) into union activism, planting the seeds for a future in politics.” Fair\u00a0 reviews at best. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

4) THE HUNTER<\/strong>– 2012.\u00a0This is\u00a0NOT<\/strong> the same movie as “The Hunter” that I saw this week!!\u00a0Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Recently released from prison, Ali (writer-director Rafi Pitts) attempts to make the most of his return to Tehran, amidst much talk of the upcoming elections and promises of change. Forced to work nights, he still tries to spend as much time as he can with his wife and their young daughter, escaping the stress of urban life through hunting trips to the secluded forest north of the city. But one day, Ali’s family goes missing-and after a long and fruitless experience with the police, Ali’s own search for his missing daughter ends in horror, pushing him over the edge into an act of terrible violence. He flees the city, pursued by the police, but soon the line between hunter and hunted becomes difficult to define.”<\/p>\n

1\/4\/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times but otherwise only average reviews. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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OPENED LAST WEEK IN ADDITION TO THOSE I WROTE ABOUT- NONE<\/div>\n
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OPENING THIS WEEK-<\/div>\n
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1) AI WEIWEI: NEVER SORRY<\/strong>– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This compelling documentary explores three years in the life of celebrated Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei, who uses social media and his art to inspire protests against the state, and suffers government persecution for his actions.”Good professional reviews and fair audience ones. TRDB.<\/strong><\/div>\n

2) KLOWN-<\/strong> 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Two wildly inappropriate pals run amok through the countryside plowing through social taboos, unspeakable debaucheries and absurd sexual encounters. Kidnapping, canoeing and cathouses all factor into this riotous escapade where chaos rules the day.”<\/p>\n

No professional reviews as yet and OK audience reaction. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

3) FALLING OVERNIGHT<\/strong>– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “The day before Elliot is scheduled for a life-threatening surgery, his path intersects with Chloe, a young photographer. Elliot welcomes the distraction as Chloe, unaware of his condition, takes him on an exhilarating journey through the city.”<\/p>\n

No professional reviews as yet but good audience reaction. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

4) SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN<\/strong>– 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.”<\/p>\n

Fairly good reviews. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-<\/div>\n
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1) NOBODY ELSE BUT YOU<\/strong>–\u00a0 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “A local beauty’s death is ruled suicide by sleeping pills, but crime novelist Rousseau doesn’t buy it. Reality turns out to be stranger than fiction — and a source of inspiration — as he uncovers the truth about the woman’s past.”Fairly good reviews especially from the critics. TRDB.<\/strong><\/div>\n
2) CHELY WRIGHT: WISH ME AWAY- <\/strong>2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This poignant documentary, filmed over three years, profiles country music star Chely<\/strong> Wright, a devout Christian whose struggle to succeed in the music biz while hiding her homosexuality from her conservative family and fans caused her much anguish.”A very good review in the NY Times on 6\/1\/12 and elsewhere as well. TRDB.<\/strong><\/div>\n
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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-<\/div>\n
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NEW-<\/div>\n
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1) 30 BEATS<\/strong>– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Paz de la Huerta, Justin Kirk, Lee Pace, Thomas Sadoski, and Jennifer Tilly headline an ensemble of New Yorkers whose lives interconnect via a string of life-changing sexual encounters during a summer heat wave. The international cast also includes Lithuanian actress Ingeborga Dapkunaite, Peruvian Jason Day, French actress Vahina Giocante, Ben Levin and Condola Rashad. 30 BEATS follows ten characters drawn into a ring of love and desire, each one caught beyond his or her control in a chain reaction of seduction, impulses and self-discovery. The screenplay was freely inspired by Arthur Schnitzler’s play LA RONDE. The film was produced by Molly Conners, Carl Ford and Lloyd and executive produced by Susan Batson, Ronald Guttman and Pierre Lagrange.”Weak early reviews in general and a barely OK review in the NY Times on 7\/20\/12. TRDB.<\/strong><\/div>\n
2) CASA DE\u00a0 MI PADRE<\/strong>– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Will Ferrell stars as a Spanish-speaking cowboy in this comedy about a Mexican clan trying to rescue their ranch from greedy creditors. When his brother can’t save the day, the simple but noble ranch hand takes on a powerful drug lord.”\u00a0 Very good early reviews. TRDB.<\/strong>3\/16\/12- One of those ambiguous reviews in today’s NY Times but I think it was so-so. TRDB.<\/strong><\/div>\n
3) TRISHNA-<\/strong> 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Self-effacing British auteur Michael Winterbottom sets his unique spin on Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles against a contemporary Indian backdrop. Freida Pinto stars as the titular Trishna, a young woman who is seduced by the wealthy son of a property developer. As the romance develops, their relationship also becomes increasingly sordid and volatile.”Good early\u00a0professional reviews but weaker audience ones. TRDB.\u00a0<\/strong><\/div>\n

7\/17\/12- An OK<\/strong> review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

4) BURNING MAN<\/strong>–\u00a0 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Tom, a charismatic but moody chef at a chic Australian restaurant, has trouble controlling his temper — an issue that finally comes to a head when an angry outburst at his son’s birthday party draws the police.”<\/p>\n

Fair reviews. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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REPEATS-<\/div>\n
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1) 50\/50- A fun movie despite the heavy premise<\/div>\n
2) ARTIST- I liked this movie very much<\/div>\n
3) BALLPLAYER: PELOTERO- Very good reviews<\/div>\n
4) BURNING HOT SUMMER- Poor reviews in general but the NY Times liked it<\/div>\n
5) CHELY WRIGHT: WISH ME AWAY- Very good reviews<\/div>\n
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6) DESCENDANTS- I liked it very much<\/div>\n
7) EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE- Just fair<\/div>\n
8)FIRST POSITION- I enjoyed this movie about ballet and about child competition in general<\/div>\n
9) FRIENDS WITH KIDS- Very good<\/div>\n
10) HUGO- Great movie for ALL ages<\/div>\n
11) THE IRON LADY- Weak movie but worth seeing\u00a0just for Meryl Streep<\/div>\n
12) LAST RIDE- Very good reviews<\/div>\n
13) MAGIC OF BELLE ISLE- Good reviews<\/div>\n
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14) MY WEEK WITH MARILYN- I liked this very much<\/div>\n
15) NESTING- Audiences have liked this more than the critics<\/div>\n
16) PARIAH- Good reviews<\/div>\n
17) PEACE, LOVE & MISUNDERSTANDING- Poor reviews all around<\/div>\n
18)POLISSE- Good reviews<\/div>\n
19) RED TAILS- Poor critical review but audiences have liked it<\/div>\n
20) SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN- Most liked this a lot but I found it full of Hollywood<\/div>\n
21) STELLA DAYS- Poor early reviews but I like Martin Sheen and I plan to see this one<\/div>\n
22) TAKE THIS WALTZ- I liked this movie very much<\/div>\n
23) TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY- Fair reviews at best<\/div>\n
24) WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN- Very good movie<\/div>\n
25) WOMAN IN THE FIFTH- I liked it<\/div>\n
26) YOUNG ADULT- I thought this was good but not nearly\u00a0as good as the critics said<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/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<\/span><\/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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BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-<\/div>\n
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NEW IN THE BURBS-<\/div>\n
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REPEATS-<\/div>\n
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1) THE INTOUCHABLES<\/strong>– Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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<\/strong> two form an unexpected bond that changes both their lives.” Fairly good reviews. TRDB.<\/strong>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.<\/strong><\/div>\n

5\/25\/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times, but good reviews in general. \u00a0TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

6\/28\/12- Despite a few good scenes\u00a0I was very disappointed by this movie.\u00a0It proves\u00a0that Hollywood can slide effortlessly into Paris. TRDB.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

2)\u00a0 MOONRISE KINGDOM<\/strong>– Bethel, Clearview 100, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Wes Anderson’s quirky drama follows the frantic search that ensues in a small New England town when two 12-year-olds fall in love and run away together. As the townsfolk hunt for the vanished kids, a storm causes even more profound communal upheaval.”<\/p>\n

Very good early reviews, especially from the professionals. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

6\/11\/12- A sweet, charming, quirky love story. See it!!! TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

3) BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD<\/strong>–\u00a0 Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In a forgotten but defiant bayou community cut off from the rest of the world by a sprawling levee, a six-year-old girl exists on the brink of orphanhood. Buoyed by her childish optimism and extraordinary imagination, she believes that the natural world is in balance with the universe until a fierce storm changes her reality. Desperate to repair the structure of her world in order to save her ailing father and sinking home, this tiny hero must learn to survive unstoppable catastrophes of epic proportions.”<\/p>\n

6\/11\/12- Great review in the NY Times last week. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

4) TO ROME WITH LOVE<\/strong>– Bethel, Clearview 100, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Woody Allen plays a father meeting his daughter’s Italian in-laws to<\/strong>-be in this ensemble comedy that interweaves four tales set in Rome<\/strong>. Other cast members include Roberto<\/strong> Benigni as a man mistaken for a film star.”<\/p>\n

6\/22\/12- Good review in today’s NY Times\u00a0but only\u00a0fair critical reviews in general. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

5) BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL<\/strong>– Saw Mill Hawthorne. 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “To make the<\/strong> most of their meager retirement savings, a group of British seniors relocates to India to live out their golden years at the<\/strong> Marigold<\/strong> Hotel<\/strong>. But upon arrival, they discover that the<\/strong> once-lavish resort has wilted considerably.”<\/p>\n

Rotten Tomatoes said– “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel follows a group of British retirees who decide to “outsource” their retirement to less expensive and seemingly exotic India. Enticed by advertisements for the newly restored Marigold Hotel and bolstered with visions of a life of leisure, they arrive to find the palace a shell of its former self. Though the new environment is less luxurious than imagined, they are forever transformed by their shared experiences, discovering that life and love can begin again when you let go of the past.<\/p>\n

Very good early reviews called this film a bit schmaltzy but well done. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

6) SAVAGES-<\/strong> Danbury. 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Laguna Beach entrepreneurs Ben (Johnson), a peaceful and charitable Buddhist, and his closest friend Chon (Kitsch), a former Navy SEAL and ex-mercenary, run a lucrative, homegrown industry-raising some of the best marijuana ever developed. They also share a one-of-a-kind love with the extraordinary beauty Ophelia (Lively). Life is idyllic in their Southern California town…until the Mexican Baja Cartel decides to move in and demands that the trio partners with them. When the merciless head of the BC, Elena (Hayek), and her brutal enforcer, Lado (Del Toro), underestimate the unbreakable bond among these three friends, Ben and Chon-with the reluctant, slippery assistance of a dirty DEA agent (Travolta)-wage a seemingly unwinnable war against the cartel.”<\/p>\n

7\/6\/12- Good review in today’s NY Times but only average reviews in general. Audiences have liked it. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

7\/9\/12- Generally this is not my kind of movie as\u00a0the film was way over the top in violence, blood and gore but I actually was surprised at how I got sucked into the different personalities involved. A qualified recommendation.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

7)\u00a0NEIL YOUNG JOURNEYS<\/strong>– Jacob Burns. 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Following rocker Neil<\/strong> Young<\/strong> to his Toronto hometown, Jonathan Demme captures the artist live in concert at Massey Hall and on the road in Ontario. This film is the third in Demme’s Neil<\/strong> Young<\/strong> concert trilogy, following Heart of Gold and Trunk Show.”<\/p>\n

Mediocre early reviews. TRDB.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

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

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For Films everywhere go to- www.fandango.com<\/span><\/a> <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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ENJOY!!<\/div>\n
THE REEL DR. BOB<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0 JULY 26, 2012 DEAR FRIENDS: \u00a0 \u00a0 YOU CAN ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AND OLDER REVIEWS AT- www.thereeldrbob.com \u00a0 I’VE BEEN OUT OF TOWN FOR A FEW DAYS AGAIN THIS WEEK AND HENCE FEWER MOVIES ON THIS NEWSLETTER. \u00a0 QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK- \u00a0 1) TOMBOY– Netflix Streaming 2) THE HUNTER– […]<\/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-7480","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-old-newsletters"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thereeldrbob.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7480","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=7480"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/thereeldrbob.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7480\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7815,"href":"https:\/\/thereeldrbob.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7480\/revisions\/7815"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thereeldrbob.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7480"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thereeldrbob.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7480"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thereeldrbob.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7480"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}