Posts filed under 'Newsletter from 3 weeks ago'

FILM REVIEWS #790

APRIL 2, 2020-
DEAR FRIENDS:
ANOTHER WEEK WITH NO IN-THEATER FILMS SHOWING!!
DURING THIS PERIOD I WILL TRY TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF NEW STREAMING MOVIES THAT I REVIEW
QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-
1) UNCORKED– Netflix
_____________________________________________________________________
MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-
1) UNCORKED- 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Fueled by his love for wine, Elijah enrolls in a course to become a master sommelier, an elite designation given only to a handful who are able to pass its notoriously difficult exam. It’s a dream that upends the expectations of his father, Louis (Courtney B. Vance), who insists Elijah take over the popular Memphis barbeque joint that’s been passed down from father to son.”

3/27/20- Very good reviews. TRDB.

3/28/20- I enjoyed this movie. TRDB. Netflix

____________________________________________________________________
COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-
1) CITIZEN K– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Oligarch-turned-political-dissident Mikhail Khodorkovsky became rich after the Soviet Union’s collapse but landed in jail when he accused Vladimir Putin’s government of corruption. Now exiled in London, Khodorkovsky continues his anti-Putin activism.”

2/4/20- Excellent reviews from the critics but audiences have not liked it at all. TRDB.

2) CATS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Featuring a star-studded cast, this cinematic adaptation of composer Andrew Lloyd Webber’s beloved stage musical follows a band of singing junkyard felines over the course of one momentous night.”

12/17/19- Awful reviews. TRDB.

____________________________________________________________________
NEW STREAMING MOVIES-
1) BANANA SPLIT– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. ” The newly single April mends her heartbreak by striking up an unexpected friendship with an unlikely candidate: Her ex boyfriend’s new girlfriend.”

3/27/20- Very good reviews. TRDB. On several streaming platforms

2) RESISTANCE- 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “During the Nazi occupation of France, Marcel Mangel — who would later become legendary mime Marcel Marceau — shelves his artistic ambitions to join a group of Jewish Boy Scouts helping the Resistance smuggle out children orphaned by the Holocaust.”

3/30/20- Weak reviews for this drama but it sounds interesting to me. TRDB. Amazon

3) UNCORKED– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Fueled by his love for wine, Elijah enrolls in a course to become a master sommelier, an elite designation given only to a handful who are able to pass its notoriously difficult exam. It’s a dream that upends the expectations of his father, Louis (Courtney B. Vance), who insists Elijah take over the popular Memphis barbeque joint that’s been passed down from father to son.”

3/27/20- Very good reviews. TRDB.

3/28/20- I enjoyed this movie. TRDB. Netflix.

ENJOY!!
THE REEL DR. BOB

 

Add comment April 2nd, 2020

FILM REVIEWS #787

MARCH 12, 2020
DEAR FRIENDS:
QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-
1) YOU GO TO MY HEAD– At the Theater
_____________________________________________________________________
MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-
1) YOU GO TO MY HEAD– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Awakening after an auto accident with no memory of her past, Dafne finds herself stranded in the Sahara Desert until a man named Jake rescues her. Dafne’s beauty inspires Jake to tell her they’re married — but his gambit soon begins to fall apart.”

2/14/20- Great reviews. TRDB.

3/10/20- I enjoyed this movie very much plus the Sahara was beautifully photographed. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________
MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME- NONE
_____________________________________________________________________
COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-
1) RICHARD JEWELL– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “For security guard Richard Jewell, finding a backpack bomb at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics is just the beginning of his nightmare. Instead of being hailed a hero, he is immediately (and wrongly) fingered as a suspect.”

12/10/19- Fairly good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2) INTRIGO: DEATH OF AN AUTHOR– 2020- Synopsis by Netflix. “In this tense, riveting thriller starring Academy Award® winner Ben Kingsley (Ghandi), an author plots the murder of his wife—but her body is never found, and he’s convinced that she’s still alive.”

1/17/20- I’ve seen just 4 reviews and they are all poor. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________
OPENED LAST WEEK-
Recommended-
1) THE BOOKSELLERS– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “This absorbing documentary provides a look into the business of rare books in New York City, visiting with bibliophiles of every stripe and examining a galaxy of volumes from the past that range from priceless to the seemingly prosaic.”

3/6/20- Fair to good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2)  FIRST COW– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “For soft-spoken Cookie Figowitz, it’s a lonely life cooking for a group of fur trappers in the early 19th century Oregon Territory. But Cookie finds a friend and business partner in Chinese immigrant King Lu.”

3/6/20- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

3) THE WAY BACK– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “After losing his wife and family while in the throes of alcohol addiction, a former professional hoops star looking for redemption returns to his high school to begin life anew when its head basketball coach resigns.”

3/4/20- Very good reviews. TRDB.

4) GO BACK TO CHINA– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “When spoiled rich girl Sasha Li blows through half of her trust fund, she is cut off by her father and forced to go back to China and work for the family toy business. What begins simply as a way to regain financial support soon turns into a life-altering journey of self-discovery.”

3/7/20- Fair to good reviews. It sounds interesting and I’ll try to see it. TRDB.

5) SWALLOW– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “A loving husband, a beautiful house, doting in-laws: Newly pregnant Hunter seems to have it all. But when her home starts to feel like a prison, she begins the subliminally subversive act of swallowing household objects to regain control.”

3/7/20- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

6) THE WILD GOOSE LAKE– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “After killing a cop, small-time crime boss Zhou Zenong finds a large bounty on his head. As he nurses his wounds at an isolated lake, Zhou forms a bond with a hooker sent to help him — but her motives are unclear.”

3/7/20- The critics liked it a lot but audiences didn’t. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1) BACURAU- 3/6/20- Synopsis by Netflix. “After the 94-year-old matriarch of a Brazilian outback village dies, residents find that their town, Bacurau, is disappearing from maps of the area. Meanwhile, a party of wealthy hunters arrives for a deadly safari to eradicate the townsfolk, too.”

3/6/20- Very good reviews but this premise does absolutely nothing and I will skip it. TRDB.

2) HOPE GAP- Really poor reviews. Critics said that Annette Bening’s talent was wasted here. TRDB.

3) THE BANKER– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the 1950s, enterprising black businessmen Bernard Garrett and Joe Morris start up a bank but are obliged to hire a white man to front their organization while they pose as a janitor and a chauffeur.”

3/6/20- Poor reviews. TRDB.

4) EXTRA ORDINARY– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this “spirited” comedy, sweet but lonely driving instructor Rose Dooley reluctantly dusts off her supernatural skills to save a man’s daughter from a faded rock star who’s cast a spell on her and plans to use her for evil purposes.”

3/6/20- Good reviews but this doesn’t appeal to me at all. TRDB.

5) ONLY– Terrible reviews for this sci-fi movie.

6) RUN THIS TOWN– Miserable reviews for this drama.

____________________________________________________________________
BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIED COUNTIES-
NEW IN THE BURBS-
1) HOPE GAP- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100. Really poor reviews. Critics said that Annette Bening’s talent was wasted here. TRDB.
2) SAINT FRANCES– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Fresh on the heels of an unplanned pregnancy and subsequent abortion, Bridget is in no mood for care-giving when she’s offered a job as a 6-year-old’s nanny. But after getting off to a rocky start, she begins to form a connection with her charge.”

2/29/20- Very good reviews. TRDB.

REPEATS-
1) EMMA– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100. 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Writer Jane Austen’s meddling heroine Emma Woodhouse comes alive again in this big-screen adaptation of the classic novel about a young woman who delights in matchmaking despite her woeful record of success.”

2/22/20- Very good reviews for this re-make. TRDB.

2) GREED– Cinema 100. Weak reviews.
3) PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100. I liked it.
4) BURDEN– Bethel, Cinema 100. Don’t waste your time and money. TRDB.
5) THE WHISTLERS– Jacob Burns. 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “With a big payday at stake, corrupt policeman Cristi teams with femme fatale Gilda to spring a white-collar crook from a Canary Islands jail. But Cristi will need to communicate with the local mob, which requires learning a secret whistling language.”

2/29/20- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

6) THE WAY BACK– Danbury. Fairly good reviews.

____________________________________________________________________
BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-
A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-
1) THE WAY BACK–  Fairly good reviews
2) HOPE GAP– Really poor reviews. Critics said that Annette Bening’s talent was wasted here. TRDB.
3) EMMA– Good reviews
4) THOSE WHO REMAINED– Excellent movie. I really liked it and everyone should see it
5) THE SONG OF NAMES– Excellent- see it!
6) PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE– I liked it
7) THE TIMES OF BILL CUNNINGHAM– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “”New York Times” photographer Bill Cunningham loved his work, and that joy pervades this documentary built around a 1994 interview in which the shutterbug discusses his upbringing, his days as a milliner, his unique view of fashion and more.”

2/14/20- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

8) GREED– Fair reviews
B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- Same as Lake Worth above
C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-
1) BALLOON- 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1979, two East German families determined to escape to freedom work together to fashion a hot-air balloon that will carry them over the border to the West. When their first attempt fails, they resolve to try again.”

2/22/20- Weak reviews from most reviewers. It sounds interesting. TRDB.

2) VITALINA VARELA– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Living apart from her husband, who’s been working in Lisbon for decades, 55-year-old Vitalina Varela finally makes it from Cape Verde to Lisbon — three days after he dies. As she settles his affairs, Vitalina discovers he had a secret life.”

2/22/20. Great reviews for this drama. TRDB.

D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON-
1) BEANPOLE– 2020- Synopsis by Netflix. “During World War II, Iya and Masha form a strong bond while fighting together as anti-aircraft gunners. But when the conflict is over, the two women find themselves struggling to remake their lives amid the wreckage of 1945 Leningrad.”

1/29/20- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2) CORPUS CHRISTI– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “As 20-year-old Daniel is serving time in a youth detention center, he finds God. But after being released on parole, Daniel is unable to enter seminary school because of his violent past — prompting him to pose as a parish priest.”

3/11/20- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

3) ORDINARY LOVE– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “All the comfortable routines of Joan and Tom’s long and happy marriage are thrown into disarray when Joan is diagnosed with breast cancer. As the couple navigates Joan’s medical treatment, they begin to contemplate the unthinkable.”

2/14/20- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

4) THE SONG OF NAMES– Excellent movie. A must-see
5) THOSE WHO REMAINED– Excellent movie. Also a must-see
ENJOY!!
THE REEL DR. BOB

 

Add comment March 11th, 2020

FILM REVIEWS #783

FEBRUARY 13, 2020-
DEAR FRIENDS-
QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-
1) ANTIGONE- At the Theater
2) WHERE’S MY ROY COHN?- Netflix Disc.
_____________________________________________________________________
MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) ANTIGONE- 2/7/20. Synopsis by IMDB. “A modern adaptation of the classic Greek tragedy which falls within a social realism. To the law of men, the young Antigone apposes her own sets of values.”

2/7/20- An excellent drama!! TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________
MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) WHERE’S MY ROY COHN?- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Serving as a good starting point for those seeking to understand what makes President Donald Trump tick, this documentary profiles attorney Roy Cohn, who prosecuted the Rosenbergs, served as Joseph McCarthy’s chief counsel and mentored Trump.”

9/21/19- Fair reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2/10/20- An excellent documentary about an awful man. TRDB.

____________________________________________________________________
COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

1) FOR SAMA– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “The besieged city of Aleppo, Syria, is the setting of this powerful documentary, as director Waad al-Kateab composes a video diary of her searing experiences for her 1-year-old daughter before the family must flee to survive.”

7/26/19- Excellent reviews for this foreign documentary. TRDB.

2) FRANKIE– 10/25/19. Synopsis by Netflix. “After learning that she has just months left to live, famed actress Frankie gathers three generations of her family in the picturesque town of Sintra, Portugal, for an emotionally charged final holiday.”

10/25/19- Fair reviews but it sounds interesting to  me. TRDB.

3) SCANDALOUS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Generoso Pope Jr. bought the “National Enquirer” in 1952, he rebranded the racing publication as a mass-market tabloid. Through interviews with ex-staffers and media observers, this documentary examines the scandal-filled paper’s influence.”

11/17/19- Fair to good reviews in general for this documentary. TRDB.

4) A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this heartwarming drama, journalist Lloyd Vogel sets out to profile the host of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”: the iconic Fred Rogers. After approaching his subject with skepticism, Vogel changes his outlook when he forms a friendship with Rogers.”

11/22/19– Excellent reviews from everybody. TRDB.

11/24/19- The critics are right– an excellent, sensitive movie. TRDB. 

_____________________________________________________________________
OPENED LAST WEEK-
Recommended-

1) CANE RIVER– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A racially-charged love story in Natchitoches Parish, a “free community of color” in Louisiana.”

2/7/20-Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB. 

2) AND THEN WE DANCED– 2020- Synopsis by Netflix. “In the conservative domain of Georgian dance, gender roles are rigidly defined. So, when Merab — a dancer training at the National Georgian Ensemble — falls for self-assured newcomer Irakli, Merab finds his world thrown into turmoil.”

2/7/20- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1) BIRDS OF PREY(AND THE FANTABULOUS EMANCIPATION OF ONE HARLEY QUINN)- Synopsis by Netflix. “After parting company with the Joker, Harley Quinn joins a bevy of DC Comics superheroes, including Huntress and Black Canary, to save young Cassandra Cain from the icy-hearted mobster Black Mask.”

2/7/20- Good reviews but I’ll skip this movie– Just not my type. TRDB

2) THE LODGE– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Soon to become a stepmom, Grace faces an uphill battle winning over her fiancé’s children until she’s snowed in with them at the family’s secluded lodge. But as their relationship defrosts, psychological demons from her past begin to haunt them all.”

2/7/20- Strictly horror and I will, as usual, skip this one. TRDB.

3) COME TO DADDY– Sounds awful to me

4) WAITING FOR ANYA– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this World War II drama, 13-year-old shepherd Jo and his grandfather hatch a daring plan with reclusive widow Horcada to smuggle Jewish children from their village in occupied Southern France to safety across the border in Spain.”

2/7/20- Most reviewers said that the movie had laudable intentions but they did not like it. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-
NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) DOWNHILL– Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100. 2020- Synopsis by Netflix. “When Tom and his family embark on a ski vacation in the Alps, an avalanche disrupts their perfect holiday, leaving them physically unscathed but exposing cracks in the couple’s marriage as Tom’s courage fails in the moment of crisis.”

2/10/20- A remake of “Force Majeure” which I really liked. This one received poor reviews. TRDB.

2) THE ASSISTANT– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100. 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “After landing a job as an assistant to an entertainment mogul, aspiring producer Jane thinks she has it made. But as she settles into her new role, Jane begins to notice abuses large and small — until finally she must speak up.”

1/31/20- Good reviews. TRDB.

3) THE PHOTOGRAPH– Danbury. 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Seeking answers after the death of her famous photographer mother, Mae finds an old picture of her mom that could be the key to her mysterious past. When Mae teams with up-and-coming journalist Michael, their working rapport soon evolves into more.”

2/11/20- No reviews as yet but it sounds interesting. TRDB.

4) BEANPOLE– Jacob Burns. 1/29/20. Synopsis by Netflix. “During World War II, Iya and Masha form a strong bond while fighting together as anti-aircraft gunners. But when the conflict is over, the two women find themselves struggling to remake their lives amid the wreckage of 1945 Leningrad.”

1/29/20- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

5) BECOMING NOBODY– Jacob Burns.  2020- Synopsis by Netflix. “Born Richard Alpert in 1931, Ram Dass — over the course of his life — has morphed from Jewish scion to Harvard professor to counterculture adventurer to spiritual teacher, a momentous journey chronicled in this documentary.”

2/5/20- Poor reviews. TRDB.

REPEATS-
1) 1917– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100. A fair “war is hell” movie with excellent scenes and OK script
2) LITTLE WOMEN– Cinema 100. Fairly well liked especially by women
3) PARASITE– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100. A not so funny “comedy” that has won many awards
4) JOJO RABBIT- Bethel. Excellent reviews. Back with limited screenings.
_____________________________________________________________________
BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-
A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

THE TRUTH–  2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Returning to Paris to visit her mom — beloved film actress Fabienne — screenwriter Lumir is upset by revelations in Fabienne’s just-published memoir, igniting an emotional showdown between mother and daughter that exposes their painful past.”

2/13/20- Fair reviews for this French drama starring Catherine DeNeuve. TRDB. Showing Friday at 1pm only

1) THOSE WHO REMAINED– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Though 42-year-old doctor Aldo and 16-year-old Klára have survived the Holocaust, the scars remain. When the two Budapest residents meet, a healing father-daughter bond develops — but the innocence of their connection is soon questioned.”

2/11/20- Just 4 reviews so far but they are all excellent. TRDB.

2) DOWNHILL- 2020- Synopsis by Netflix. “When Tom and his family embark on a ski vacation in the Alps, an avalanche disrupts their perfect holiday, leaving them physically unscathed but exposing cracks in the couple’s marriage as Tom’s courage fails in the moment of crisis.”

2/10/20- A remake of “Force Majeure” which I really liked. This one received poor reviews. TRDB.

3) JUST MERCY– Good reviews.
4) 1917– A fair “war is hell” type movie.
5) THE SONG OF NAMES– Good reviews.
6) PARASITE– I didn’t care for this movie but it won many awards.
B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- Same as Lake Worth above and in addition showing
“PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE ” THIS FRIDAY ONLY AT 7:35PM
PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When hesitant bride-to-be Héloïse refuses to sit for a portrait to entice a marriage proposal, commissioned artist Marianne must observe Héloïse during the day and paint her at night. In the process, Marianne begins to fall for her beautiful subject.”

12/6/19- Excellent reviews for this drama that takes place in 1760 France. TRDB.

C) THE STONZEK THEATE AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE

1) JOSE– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Living in poverty with his devout mother, young Guatemalan José finds comfort through casual sex with other gay men. But after falling for a migrant who asks José to run off with him, José must make a choice between his needy mom and his lover.”

1/31/20- Very good reviews. TRDB.

2) PARASITE- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Delivering a pointed critique of social inequity, this twisty tale follows a clan of jobless grifters who engineer an elaborate ruse to slowly insinuate themselves into the lives of an affluent family.”

10/11/19- Excellent reviews for this Korean film. TRDB.

11/3/19- This movie was way too long and too convoluted. There were some interesting scenes but overall I fail to see what all of the hoop-la was about. TRDB.

D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON-

1) CITIZEN K- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Oligarch-turned-political-dissident Mikhail Khodorkovsky became rich after the Soviet Union’s collapse but landed in jail when he accused Vladimir Putin’s government of corruption. Now exiled in London, Khodorkovsky continues his anti-Putin activism.”

2/4/20- Excellent reviews from the critics but audiences have not liked it at all. TRDB.

2) JOSE- 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Living in poverty with his devout mother, young Guatemalan José finds comfort through casual sex with other gay men. But after falling for a migrant who asks José to run off with him, José must make a choice between his needy mom and his lover.”

1/31/20- Very good reviews. TRDB

3) PARASITE– I didn’t care much for this movie. Many others did!
4) THE SONG OF NAMES– Fairly good reviews.

5) THE TRAITOR– 1/31/20- Synopsis by Netflix. “As gang war rages in Sicily in the 1980s, Mafia captain Tommaso Buscetta flees to Brazil rather than risk assassination by his foes. After Buscetta is arrested and extradited to Italy, he becomes a critical witness in a mass trial of mob kingpins.”

1/31/20- OK reviews for this gangster movie. TRDB. 

ENJOY!!
THE REEL DR. BOB

 

Add comment February 13th, 2020

FILM REVIEWS #779

JANUARY 16, 2020
DEAR FRIENDS:
QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-
1) 1917- At the Theater
_____________________________________________________________________
MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) 1917– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “At the height of World War I, two British soldiers battle to survive a single day of ferocious combat, facing death at any moment in a landscape littered with the corpses of their comrades-in arms.”

12/26/19- Excellent reviews by critics and audiences alike. TRDB.

1/14/20- An excellent piece of film making but I have to say that I felt it was repetitive, sometimes Hollywoodish and I wondered if the lead character had 9 lives. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) AD ASTRA– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Army Corps engineer Roy McBride has never stopped missing his father, a scientist who vanished on a mission to find alien life on Neptune. Twenty years later, Roy embarks on a galactic search to locate his dad and learn what happened.”

9/18/19- Fairly good reviews for this sci-fi movie starring Brad Pitt. TRDB.

1/9/20- I didn’t care for it and I turned it off. TRDB.

2) HUSTLERS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Angry about being taken advantage of by their employer and their customers, a group of former strip-club employees turns the tables on their wealthy Wall Street clients in this true-life tale.”

9/10/19- Good reviews by the critics and weak reviews from audiences for this lousy movie. Don’t bother. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________
COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

1) PAIN AND GLORY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This layered drama centers on Salvador Mallo, an aging filmmaker looking deep within his soul as he attempts to recapture the creative spirit that once inspired him. As he surveys his life, Salvador is haunted by memories of his first love.”

10/4/19- Excellent reviews for this drama by Pedro Almodovar. TRDB.

10/25/19– I enjoyed this movie very much– the story and the acting as well. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________
OPENED LAST WEEK-
Recommended

1) AFTERWARD– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this timely documentary, Jerusalem-born psychoanalyst Ofra Bloch travels from New York City to Germany, Israel and Palestine to talk with people she was raised to see as enemies, delving into the psychological obstacles to peace.”

1/10/20- Few reviews for this documentary but they are all good and it sounds interesting. TRDB.

2) EARTH- 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Humankind’s enormous effect on Earth’s landscape is examined at seven sites around the globe where industry and resource mining are decimating vast tracts of land, ruining unspoiled environments and irreversibly destroying ecosystems.”

1/10/20- Could be interesting but I haven’t seen any reviews as yet. TRDB.

3) THE SONATA– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “As gifted violinist Rose Fisher strives to make her mark on the music world, her composer father suddenly dies, leaving her his mansion. Upon moving in, she finds a musical score littered with strange symbols — which unlock a sinister secret.”

1/10/20- Weak reviews but it sounded interesting to me. TRDB.

4) CHHAPAAK– 1/10/20- Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Malti (Deepika Padukone) was attacked with acid on a street in New Delhi, in 2005. Through her story, the film makes an attempt to understand the on-ground consequences of surviving an acid attack in India, the medico-legal-social state of affairs that transpires after the acid has been hurled and the face is irreparably burnt.”

1/10/20- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

5) THE WOMAN WHO LOVES GIRAFFES– Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary profiles giraffe enthusiast Anne Innis Dagg, one of the first zoologists to study African wildlife in their native habitats. Despite her pioneering research, she faced gender bias in academia, turning her into a feminist activist.”

1/10/20- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

Not Recommended
1) LIKE A BOSS- Terrible reviews

2) THREE CHRISTS– 1/10/20- Synopsis by Netflix. “Bringing to life a real medical episode from 1959, this period drama follows psychiatrist Alan Stone as he treats three mental patients — each believing he’s Jesus Christ — by putting them together to deal with their delusions.”

1/10/20- Poor reviews for this movie. TRDB.

3) UNDERWATER– 1/10/20- In this aquatic thriller, disaster strikes a deep-sea laboratory and its crew of researchers when an earthquake destroys their station, forcing them to take drastic measures to get to safety.

1/10/20- Poor reviews.

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-
NEW IN THE BURBS- NONE
REPEATS-
1) JUST MERCY– Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100.
2) 1917– Jacob Burns, Bethel. Cinema 100. A so-so war movie
3) KNIVES OUT– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury. Many critics called this a pleasant who-dun-it. I’ll skip it
4) LITTLE WOMEN– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100.
5) PARASITE– Cinema 100. I didn’t care for this movie
6) UNCUT GEMS– Jacob Burns, Danbury. Good reviews many of my friends hated it and most walked (or ran) out
7) JOJO RABBIT– Danbury. Back after a long absence this movie was very well received and I’m sorry I’ve missed it so far
_____________________________________________________________________
BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-
A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) JUST MERCY– 2019. In this fact-based drama, newly minted attorney Bryan Stevenson moves to Alabama to begin a career defending the wrongly condemned, including Walter McMillian, a black man convicted of murder and sentenced to death despite evidence of his innocence.”

12/26/19- Good reviews by audiences and really good ones from the critics. TRDB.

2) LITTLE WOMEN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this contemporary adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s immortal novel, sisters Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy look to their beloved mother and to one another for support as they navigate the rocky path to adulthood in a rapidly changing world.”

9/26/18- Reviews by the critics were awful but audiences have liked it very much. TRDB.

3) 1917– A so-so war is hell movie

4) THE SONG OF NAMES– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This sweeping drama charts the story of two Jewish friends: young Londoner Martin and Polish refugee Dovidl, a talented violinist. When Dovidl vanishes shortly before his first recital, it takes Martin more than three decades to unravel the mystery.”

12/28/19- Poor reviews but it does sound interesting. TRDB.

5) BOMBSHELL– I liked this movie
6) ONCE UPON A TIME…IN HOLLYWOOD– Back after Oscar nominations. It’s On-Demand as well.
7) RICHARD JEWELL– Good reviews
B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- Same as Lake Worth above but showing “Parasite”  instead of “Richard Jewell.”
C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) CHINESE PORTRAIT– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Assembled over a 10-year period, this unique picture of modern China emerges through a sequence of still-frame video portraits of citizens from every location and social standing, captured against the nation’s ever-shifting backdrop.”

12/13/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2) UNCUT GEMS– Good reviews but friends hated it an several walked out
D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON-

1) INVISIBLE LIFE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1950s Rio de Janeiro, sisters Eurídice and Guida long to escape their conservative family home. But after Guida breaks free, she soon returns to Brazil — a fact their father keeps from Eurídice, exiling the siblings from each other.”

12/20/19- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2) PARASITE- I didn’t care for this movie

3) THE SONG OF NAMES– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This sweeping drama charts the story of two Jewish friends: young Londoner Martin and Polish refugee Dovidl, a talented violinist. When Dovidl vanishes shortly before his first recital, it takes Martin more than three decades to unravel the mystery.”

12/28/19- Poor reviews but it does sound interesting. TRDB.

ENJOY!!
THE REEL DR. BOB

 

Add comment January 17th, 2020

FILM REVIEWS #779

JANUARY 16, 2020
DEAR FRIENDS:
QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-
1) 1917- At the Theater
_____________________________________________________________________
MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-
1) 1917– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “At the height of World War I, two British soldiers battle to survive a single day of ferocious combat, facing death at any moment in a landscape littered with the corpses of their comrades-in arms.”

12/26/19- Excellent reviews by critics and audiences alike. TRDB.

1/14/20- An excellent piece of film making but I have to say that I felt it was repetitive, sometimes Hollywoodish and I wondered if the lead character had 9 lives. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________
MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-
1) AD ASTRA– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Army Corps engineer Roy McBride has never stopped missing his father, a scientist who vanished on a mission to find alien life on Neptune. Twenty years later, Roy embarks on a galactic search to locate his dad and learn what happened.”

9/18/19- Fairly good reviews for this sci-fi movie starring Brad Pitt. TRDB.

1/9/20- I didn’t care for it and I turned it off. TRDB.
2) HUSTLERS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Angry about being taken advantage of by their employer and their customers, a group of former strip-club employees turns the tables on their wealthy Wall Street clients in this true-life tale.”

9/10/19- Good reviews by the critics and weak reviews from audiences for this lousy movie. Don’t bother. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________
COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-
1) PAIN AND GLORY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This layered drama centers on Salvador Mallo, an aging filmmaker looking deep within his soul as he attempts to recapture the creative spirit that once inspired him. As he surveys his life, Salvador is haunted by memories of his first love.”

10/4/19- Excellent reviews for this drama by Pedro Almodovar. TRDB.

10/25/19– I enjoyed this movie very much– the story and the acting as well. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________
OPENED LAST WEEK-
Recommended
1) AFTERWARD– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this timely documentary, Jerusalem-born psychoanalyst Ofra Bloch travels from New York City to Germany, Israel and Palestine to talk with people she was raised to see as enemies, delving into the psychological obstacles to peace.”

1/10/20- Few reviews for this documentary but they are all good and it sounds interesting. TRDB.

2) EARTH- 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Humankind’s enormous effect on Earth’s landscape is examined at seven sites around the globe where industry and resource mining are decimating vast tracts of land, ruining unspoiled environments and irreversibly destroying ecosystems.”

1/10/20- Could be interesting but I haven’t seen any reviews as yet. TRDB.

3) THE SONATA– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “As gifted violinist Rose Fisher strives to make her mark on the music world, her composer father suddenly dies, leaving her his mansion. Upon moving in, she finds a musical score littered with strange symbols — which unlock a sinister secret.”

1/10/20- Weak reviews but it sounded interesting to me. TRDB.

4) CHHAPAAK– 1/10/20- Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Malti (Deepika Padukone) was attacked with acid on a street in New Delhi, in 2005. Through her story, the film makes an attempt to understand the on-ground consequences of surviving an acid attack in India, the medico-legal-social state of affairs that transpires after the acid has been hurled and the face is irreparably burnt.”

1/10/20- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

5) THE WOMAN WHO LOVES GIRAFFES– Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary profiles giraffe enthusiast Anne Innis Dagg, one of the first zoologists to study African wildlife in their native habitats. Despite her pioneering research, she faced gender bias in academia, turning her into a feminist activist.”

1/10/20- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

Not Recommended
1) LIKE A BOSS- Terrible reviews
2) THREE CHRISTS– 1/10/20- Synopsis by Netflix. “Bringing to life a real medical episode from 1959, this period drama follows psychiatrist Alan Stone as he treats three mental patients — each believing he’s Jesus Christ — by putting them together to deal with their delusions.”

1/10/20- Poor reviews for this movie. TRDB.

3) UNDERWATER– 1/10/20- In this aquatic thriller, disaster strikes a deep-sea laboratory and its crew of researchers when an earthquake destroys their station, forcing them to take drastic measures to get to safety.

1/10/20- Poor reviews.

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-
NEW IN THE BURBS- NONE
REPEATS-
1) JUST MERCY– Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100.
2) 1917– Jacob Burns, Bethel. Cinema 100. A so-so war movie
3) KNIVES OUT– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury. Many critics called this a pleasant who-dun-it. I’ll skip it
4) LITTLE WOMEN– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100.
5) PARASITE– Cinema 100. I didn’t care for this movie
6) UNCUT GEMS– Jacob Burns, Danbury. Good reviews many of my friends hated it and most walked (or ran) out
7) JOJO RABBIT– Danbury. Back after a long absence this movie was very well received and I’m sorry I’ve missed it so far
_____________________________________________________________________
BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-
A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-
1) JUST MERCY– 2019. In this fact-based drama, newly minted attorney Bryan Stevenson moves to Alabama to begin a career defending the wrongly condemned, including Walter McMillian, a black man convicted of murder and sentenced to death despite evidence of his innocence.”

12/26/19- Good reviews by audiences and really good ones from the critics. TRDB.

2) LITTLE WOMEN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this contemporary adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s immortal novel, sisters Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy look to their beloved mother and to one another for support as they navigate the rocky path to adulthood in a rapidly changing world.”

9/26/18- Reviews by the critics were awful but audiences have liked it very much. TRDB.

3) 1917– A so-so war is hell movie
4) THE SONG OF NAMES– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This sweeping drama charts the story of two Jewish friends: young Londoner Martin and Polish refugee Dovidl, a talented violinist. When Dovidl vanishes shortly before his first recital, it takes Martin more than three decades to unravel the mystery.”

12/28/19- Poor reviews but it does sound interesting. TRDB.

5) BOMBSHELL– I liked this movie
6) ONCE UPON A TIME…IN HOLLYWOOD– Back after Oscar nominations. It’s On-Demand as well.
7) RICHARD JEWELL– Good reviews
B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- Same as Lake Worth above but showing “Parasite”  instead of “Richard Jewell.”
C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-
1) CHINESE PORTRAIT– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Assembled over a 10-year period, this unique picture of modern China emerges through a sequence of still-frame video portraits of citizens from every location and social standing, captured against the nation’s ever-shifting backdrop.”

12/13/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2) UNCUT GEMS– Good reviews but friends hated it an several walked out
D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON-
1) INVISIBLE LIFE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1950s Rio de Janeiro, sisters Eurídice and Guida long to escape their conservative family home. But after Guida breaks free, she soon returns to Brazil — a fact their father keeps from Eurídice, exiling the siblings from each other.”

12/20/19- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2) PARASITE- I didn’t care for this movie
3) THE SONG OF NAMES– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This sweeping drama charts the story of two Jewish friends: young Londoner Martin and Polish refugee Dovidl, a talented violinist. When Dovidl vanishes shortly before his first recital, it takes Martin more than three decades to unravel the mystery.”

12/28/19- Poor reviews but it does sound interesting. TRDB.

ENJOY!!
THE REEL DR. BOB

 

Add comment January 15th, 2020

FILM REVIEWS #773

DECEMBER 5, 2019
DEAR FRIENDS:
QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-
1) THE IRISHMAN– Netflix Streaming
2) THE BODY REMEMBERS WHEN THE WORLD BROKE OPEN– Netflix Streaming
_________________________________________________________________
MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE
_________________________________________________________________
MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-
1) THE IRISHMAN– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “This biographical crime thriller follows Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro) as he recalls his past years working for the Bufalino crime family. Now older, the WWII veteran once again reflects on his most prolific hits and, in particular, considers his involvement with his good friend Jimmy Hoffa’s disappearance in 1975.”

11/29/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

12/3/19- Lots of hype for this new Scorsese drama about organized crime. I liked the movie even though I feel that it was carried by the acting of several super stars.  The last half hour was, for me, the best. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

2) THE BODY REMEMBERS WHEN THE WORLD BROKE OPEN- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “While Áila and Rosie — both indigenous women — inhabit the same Vancouver neighborhood, their lives are very different. But they forge a delicate bond when Áila takes Rosie into her home after finding her barefoot and hurt on the street.”

11/29/19- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB. 

12/4/19- A little slow at times but I enjoyed it very much. TRDB.

_________________________________________________________________
COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-
1) AN ELEPHANT SITTING STILL– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Four intertwining narratives propel this moving drama about a quartet of tortured souls trapped by circumstances and obsessed with reaching the city of Manzhouli, where a mythical elephant sits in indifference to the world’s cruelty.”

3/8/19- Excellent reviews by the critics and fair at best reviews from audiences. TRDB.

2) ROJO– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Evoking the surreal atmosphere of Argentinean society under military dictatorship during the mid-1970s, this taut drama focuses on a prominent lawyer whose life takes an ominous turn after a stranger berates him in a restaurant.”

7/12/19- Generally not my kind of movie but reviews were very good and I will try to see this movie. TRDB.

3) ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Actor Rick Dalton once starred in a hit TV Western, but six years after the show’s demise, his career has faded. As Rick and his stunt double, Cliff Booth, try to reinvent themselves, all hell is about to break loose at neighbor Sharon Tate’s house.”

7/16/19- Very good reviews for this comedy/drama by Quentin Tarantino. TRDB.

4) BEFORE YOU KNOW IT– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “For the Gurner family — including dad Mel and adult sisters Rachel and Jackie — life in the flat above the theater they own rarely changes. But the siblings’ world is upended when Mel dies and the mom they thought was dead turns up on a soap opera.”

9/2/19- Good reviews from most. Some said there were too many sub-plots. TRDB.

5) LINDA RONSTADT: THE SOUND OF MY VOICE- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Linda Ronstadt loves to sing — a truth that can be heard in each note of every music genre she’s undertaken. This affecting documentary draws on archival footage and tributes from a wide swath of Ronstadt’s musical colleagues to chronicle her story.”

9/6/19- Very good reviews for this documentary. I loved it. TRDB.

6) HUSTLERS- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Angry about being taken advantage of by their employer and their customers, a group of former strip-club employees turns the tables on their wealthy Wall Street clients in this true-life tale.”

9/10/19- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

_________________________________________________________________
OPENED LAST WEEK-
Recommended-
1) THE BODY REMEMBERS WHEN THE WORLD BROKE OPEN– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “While Áila and Rosie — both indigenous women — inhabit the same Vancouver neighborhood, their lives are very different. But they forge a delicate bond when Áila takes Rosie into her home after finding her barefoot and hurt on the street.”

11/29/19- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

12/4/19- A little slow at times but I enjoyed it very much. TRDB. Netflix Streaming

2) LES MISERABLES– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in the impoverished Parisian district of Montfermeil, this gritty drama follows newly minted cop Stéphane and his two corrupt colleagues, who patrol the streets as tensions mount between the police and the disadvantaged community.”

11/29/19- Good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

AFTER PARKLAND– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “On Valentine’s Day 2018, a former student at Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High opened fire at the school, leaving 17 dead. This moving documentary follows survivors and parents as they try to navigate through a changed world.”

11/29/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.

4) MELODY MAKERS: SHOULD’VE BEEN THERE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Founded in 1926 to cover the jazz scene, London’s “Melody Maker” evolved into rock ‘n’ roll’s seminal journal. This documentary charts the magazine’s rise and fall through the eyes of lensman Barrie Wentzell, who captured many of its iconic shots.”

11/29/19- Reviews were just OK for this documentary. TRDB.

5) CAVALE– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “After escaping from a psychiatric clinic, three teenage girls hit the road in France, eager to seek out adventure and experience their newfound freedom.”

11/29/19- Just 4 reviews noted and they are all good. TRDB.

6) TREMORS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When devout husband and father Pablo reveals to his family that he’s gay, they’re shocked, angry and unforgiving. But things go from bad to worse when he’s forced to choose between his two children and his sexual identity.”

11/29/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.

7) MY FRIEND THE POLISH GIRL– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When American filmmaker Katie sets out to make an observational documentary about the immigrant experience in London, she trains her lens on aspiring Polish actress Alicja. But fiction and reality soon blur as both women pursue their own agendas.”

11/29/19- Fair reviews but it sounds interesting to me. TRDB.

8) XIMEI– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Ximei is a young peasant woman from rural China’s Henan Province who contracted AIDS during the government-sanctioned “Black Blood Economy.” In the late 1990s, the Chinese government encouraged impoverished villagers to sell their blood plasma for money, literally bleeding people for profit.”

11/29/19- Just 4 reviews so far and they are all good. TRDB.

9) FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Those interested in experimental works that incite contemplation and debate will find much to chew on throughout the course of this concise, canny effort.”

11/29/19- Good reviews. TRDB.

10) WHITE SNAKE

11/29/19- Good reviews by audiences but this animated film is just not for me.

_________________________________________________________________
BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-
NEW IN THE BURBS-
1) DARK WATERS– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this legal drama based on a “New York Times Magazine” story, lawyer Robert Bilott — whose specialty is defending chemical companies — takes on DuPont when one of his grandmother’s neighbors accuses the corporation of killing his cattle.”

11/22/19- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2) THE TWO POPES– Cinema 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a historic encounter, Pope Benedict XVI and his likely successor, Argentine Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, come together to engage in a deep dialogue about the Catholic Church’s present and future, and to find a path forward for its followers.”

12/4/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

3) WAVES– Jacob Burns. 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Set against the vibrant landscape of South Florida, and featuring an astonishing ensemble of award-winning actors and breakouts alike, Waves traces the epic emotional journey of a suburban African-American family–led by a well-intentioned but domineering father–as they navigate love, forgiveness and coming together in the aftermath of a loss.”

11/16/19- Excellent reviews from the critics and audiences. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) KNIVES OUT– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury. Very good reviews
2) A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury. Great movie
3) FORD V FERRARI– Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100. I didn’t care for this movie
4) THE GOOD LIAR– Danbury. Good reviews
5) JOJO RABBIT– Danbury. Very good reviews.
4) MARRIAGE STORY– Cinema 100. Excellent reviews.
_________________________________________________________________
BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-
A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH- Same as Delray below
B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-
1) KNIVES OUT– Very good reviews
2) DARK WATERS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this legal drama based on a “New York Times Magazine” story, lawyer Robert Bilott — whose specialty is defending chemical companies — takes on DuPont when one of his grandmother’s neighbors accuses the corporation of killing his cattle.”

11/22/19- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

3) A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD– I saw it and liked it very much. I haven’t met anyone yet who has not liked this movie
4) THE GOOD LIAR– Good reviews
5) FORD V FERRARI– I did not care for this movie
C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-
1) THE WANDERING SOAP OPERA– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Through interconnected vignettes, this biting satire channels the quintessence of Chile’s soap operas to weigh in on the political, societal and economic turmoil occurring in the aftermath of Augusto Pinochet’s 17-year dictatorship.”

5/17/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

2) AMERICAN DHARMA– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Famed documentarian Errol Morris trains his lens on one of the most divisive figures on the political landscape — alt-right ideologue (and film buff) Steve Bannon — in a wide-ranging conversation that will leave viewers unsettled.”

11/1/19- Fair reviews for this documentary that sounds self-serving. TRDB.

D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON-
1) HONEY BOY– Mostly good reviews
2) MARRIAGE STORY-Excellent reviews
3) SYNONYMS– Fairly good reviews
4) THE AERONAUTS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1862, hot-air balloon pilot Amelia Wren and scientist James Glaisher soar higher than anyone before them — until their audacious achievement turns into a life-threatening crisis in the thin air of Earth’s upper atmosphere.”

12/4/19- Good reviews. TRDB.

5) PARASITE– I did not care for this movie
ENJOY!!
THE REEL DR. BOB

 

Add comment December 5th, 2019

FILM REVIEWS #771

NOVEMBER 21, 2019
DEAR FRIENDS:
QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-
1) ECHO IN THE CANYON– Netflix Streaming
2) TEL AVIV ON FIRE– Netflix Disc.
3) EARTHQUAKE BIRD– Netflix Streaming
____________________________________________________________________
MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-
1) FORD V FERRARI– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Fed up with the Ferrari team’s routine domination of the annual Le Mans race, Henry Ford II tasks design prodigy Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles with a mission: build a car that can defeat the Italians in the 1966 competition.

11/13/19- Excellent reviews from most of the critics. TRDB.

11/20/19- Friends and critics have liked this movie. I didn’t. TRDB. 

_____________________________________________________________________
MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-
1) TEL AVIV ON FIRE- 2019. Synopsis by IMDB. “Salam, an inexperienced young Palestinian man, becomes a writer on a popular soap opera after a chance meeting with an Israeli soldier.”

8/2/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.

11/16/19- I enjoyed this comedy/drama from Israel. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

2) EARTHQUAKE BIRD– 2019. Synopsis by IMDB. “Swedish expatriate Lucy Fly has spent the past five years in Tokyo trying to fit in. But she finds herself at the center of a murder investigation when newly arrived American Lily Bridges disappears after making a play for Lucy’s boyfriend.”

11/8/19- Early reviews are weak at best along with a few fairly good ones. I liked it. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

3) ECHO IN THE CANYON– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the mid-1960s, Laurel Canyon in the Hollywood Hills became the creative nexus for a generation of young musicians who would become rock ‘n’ roll icons. This affectionate documentary looks at that famous scene’s history and ongoing influence.”

5/31/19- Excellent reviews by the critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB.

11/15/19- So much fun sitting back and listening to the music of the 60’s. A very good documentary. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

_____________________________________________________________________
COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-
1) A TUBA TO CUBA– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this engaging documentary, New Orleans’ Preservation Hall Jazz Band heads to Cuba to explore the sounds that gave rise to the Big Easy’s musical style. Collaborating with Cuba’s best musicians, the band discovers a deep connection with the nation.”

2/15/19- Great reviews. TRDB.

2) HOTEL BY THE RIVER– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Five lives intersect at a provincial hotel on the Han River when an aging poet — convinced that death is near — summons his two estranged sons. As he waits for them, a pair of beautiful hotel guests attracts his attention.”

2/15/19- Excellent reviews by the critics and very good ones from audiences. TRDB.

3) MASTERPIECE: THE CHAPERONE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the early 20th century, two women take the trip of a lifetime when they travel from conservative Kansas to cosmopolitan New York City. While young Louise seeks fame as a dancer and actress, her chaperone, Norma, wants to reconnect with her past.”

3/29/19- Weak reviews. TRDB.

4) WHERE’D YOU GO BERNADETTE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “After eccentric architect Bernadette Fox vanishes without explanation, her 15-year-old daughter, Bee, is determined to find her. But while searching for clues to Bernadette’s whereabouts, Bee uncovers her mother’s troubled past.”

8/13/19-  Weak reviews by the critics and fair ones by audiences. TRDB.

5) OFFICIALSECRETS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fact-based political thriller, British intelligence translator Katharine Gun leaks a secret National Security Agency memo that proposes blackmailing smaller U.N. Security Council states into ratifying the 2003 Iraq invasion.”

9/2/19- Good reviews by a few critics but most were mediocre. I’ll see it, however. TRDB.

6) SLACK BAY– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “With tourists vanishing from the shores of Channel Coast, famed sleuths Malfoy and Machin are bought in to work the case. Their investigation leads to two clans on opposite ends socially: the rabble-rousing Bréforts and the bourgeois Van Peteghems.”

4/21/17- Weak reviews from audiences and critics. TRDB.

7) HAROLD AND LILLIAN: A HOLLYWOOD LOVE STORY– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Rarely credited on-screen for their work, storyboard artist Harold Michelson and his wife, film researcher Lillian, nonetheless had a profound impact on 60 years of filmmaking. This documentary spotlights their professional and romantic partnership.”

4/28/17- Excellent reviews by the critics and very good ones from audiences. TRDB.

8) 78/52- HITCHCOCK’S SHOWER SCENE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “With one two-minute shower scene in “Psycho,” Alfred Hitchcock changed the face of cinematic horror. In this absorbing documentary, filmmakers and movie  dissect the scene’s 78 setups and 52 cuts, revealing the film’s elaborate symbolism.”

10/16/17- Great reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________
OPENED LAST WEEK-
Recommended
1) SCANDALOUS- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Generoso Pope Jr. bought the “National Enquirer” in 1952, he rebranded the racing publication as a mass-market tabloid. Through interviews with ex-staffers and media observers, this documentary examines the scandal-filled paper’s influence.”

11/17/19- Fair to good reviews in general for this documentary. TRDB.

2) EVERYBODY’S EVERYTHING– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This in-depth documentary charts the meteoric rise of Gustav Åhr — aka Lil Peep — who brought a jolt of fresh energy to rap by incorporating punk, emo and trap into his sound before dying of a drug overdose at age 21.”

11/16/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

3) THE HOTTEST AUGUST– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “During New York City’s hottest summer on record, climate change is the unnamed elephant in the room as Big Apple residents — from an air-conditioner repairman to a fisherman dealing with rising sea levels — discuss their anxieties about the future.”

11/16/19- Fair to good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

4) ATLANTICS– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In Dakar, a group of construction workers abandon their work on a sky-scraper in response to months of withheld wages. The group then seeks better opportunities as they take to the sea. At the heart of the narrative are lovers Suleiman and Ada who must contend with Ada’s betrothal to another man.”

11/16/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

5) ERNIE & JOE: CRISIS COPS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This immersive documentary follows officers Joe Smarro and Ernie Stevens — partners in the San Antonio Police Department’s Mental Health Unit — whose job is to assist people in crisis who might otherwise become part of the jail population.”

11/16/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

6) WAVES– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Set against the vibrant landscape of South Florida, and featuring an astonishing ensemble of award-winning actors and breakouts alike, Waves traces the epic emotional journey of a suburban African-American family–led by a well-intentioned but domineering father–as they navigate love, forgiveness and coming together in the aftermath of a loss.”

11/16/19- Excellent reviews from the critics and audiences. TRDB.

Not Recommended

1) RADIOFLASH– Some of the worst reviews I’ve seen in a long time

_____________________________________________________________________
BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-
NEW IN THE BURBS-
1) A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury.
REPEATS-
1) JOJO RABBIT– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100
2) FORD V FERRARI– Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100
3) MARRIAGE STORY– Jacob Burns, Cinema 100
4) PARASITE– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100
5) PAIN AND GLORY– Cinema 100
6) THE IRISHMAN– Cinema 100
7) THE GOOD LIAR– Bethel, Danbury
_____________________________________________________________________
BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-
A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-
1) A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD– Excellent reviews
2) THE GOOD LIAR– Fair reviews
3) FORD V FERRARI– Excellent reviews
4) HARRIET- Fair reviews but several friends have liked this movie very much
5) MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN– Fair reviews at best
6) THE IRISHMAN– Excellent reviews
B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- Same as Lake Worth above
C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-
1) LIGHT FROM LIGHT– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When mysterious events occur at a Tennessee farmhouse owned by recently widowed Richard, he believes the spirit of his deceased wife may be haunting the property and asks paranormal researcher Shelia to investigate the case.”

11/1/19- Lots of positive reviews but none are really excellent. TRDB.

2) BY THE GRACE OF GOD– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Molested as a boy by a priest, Alexandre Guérin — now a husband and dad — is dismayed to find that his abuser still works with minors. Determined to expose the church’s complicity, Alexandre joins forces with two of the clergyman’s other victims.”

10/18/19- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON-
1) FRANKIE- 2019.. Synopsis by Netflix. “After learning that she has just months left to live, famed actress Frankie gathers three generations of her family in the picturesque town of Sintra, Portugal, for an emotionally charged final holiday.”

10/25/19- Fair reviews but it sounds interesting to  me. TRDB.

2) PARASITE– I didn’t care for this movie
3) THE REPORT– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fact-based drama, Daniel Jones heads the Senate investigation into the CIA’s post-9/11 Detention and Interrogation Program. But when he learns of the agency’s enhanced interrogation techniques, the powers that be are intent on stifling him.”

11/12/19- Fairly good reviews for this movie.

4) THE IRISHMAN– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “This biographical crime thriller follows Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro) as he recalls his past years working for the Bufalino crime family. Now older, the WWII veteran once again reflects on his most prolific hits and, in particular, considers his involvement with his good friend Jimmy Hoffa’s disappearance in 1975.”

11/29/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

ENJOY!!
THE REEL DR. BOB
_____________________________________________________________________

 

Add comment November 21st, 2019

FILM REVIEWS #765

OCTOBER 10, 2019-
DEAR FRIENDS:
QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-
1) JUDY– At the Theater
____________________________________________________________________
MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) JUDY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in 1968, this dramatized biopic recounts singer Judy Garland’s last concerts in London, where the fragile and weary star prepares for a run of sold-out shows while beginning a courtship with her soon-to-be-fifth spouse.”

9/22/19- Very good reviews for this new film although there was much more critical praise for Zellweger than for the movie itself. TRDB. 

10/7/19- I enjoyed this movie very much and Zellweger was wonderful as Judy Garland. TRDB.

____________________________________________________________________
MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME- None
_____________________________________________________________________
COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK- OCT. 16-

1) MARIANNE & LEONARD- WORDS OF LOVE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Documentarian Nick Broomfield chronicles the relationship between writer turned musician Leonard Cohen and his muse, Marianne Ihlen, who met in 1960 on the Greek island of Hydra — where they found love and Cohen began to find his artistic voice.”

7/5/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.

2) THE ART OF SELF-DEFENSE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “After being randomly attacked in public, Casey signs up at a martial-arts school to learn karate and ensure his protection. But he soon discovers that there’s a dark side to his enigmatic sensei’s world.”

7/12/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________
OPENED LAST WEEK-
Recommended-

1) PAIN AND GLORY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This layered drama centers on Salvador Mallo, an aging filmmaker looking deep within his soul as he attempts to recapture the creative spirit that once inspired him. As he surveys his life, Salvador is haunted by memories of his first love.”

10/4/19- Excellent reviews for this drama by Pedro Almodovar. TRDB.

2) LUCY IN THE SKY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “For astronaut Lucy Cola, living in space was easy compared with returning to Earth, where her disconnection from family and friends leads her to begin an affair with a fellow astronaut as she slowly loses her grip on reality.”

10/4/19- Weak reviews but it sounds interesting to me and I like Natalie Portman. I’ll see it! TRDB.

3) DOLEMITE IS MY NAME– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Stung by a string of showbiz failures, floundering comedian Rudy Ray Moore (Academy Award nominee Eddie Murphy) has an epiphany that turns him into a word-of-mouth sensation: step onstage as someone else.”

10/4/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

4) LOW TIDE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “As Jersey Shore townies Red, Alan and Smitty are spending the summer on the boardwalk and robbing vacation homes, Alan and his younger brother, Peter, stumble on a bag of gold coins. But trouble erupts when they try to hide the loot from the others.”

10/4/19- Fair reviews at best but it does sound interesting to me. TRDB.

5) MEMORY: THE ORIGINS OF ALIEN– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Released in 1979, director Ridley Scott’s “Alien” ushered in a new style of visual storytelling. This comprehensive documentary uses original materials to recount the creation of the film, which has its roots in mythology and underground comics.”

10/4/19- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

6) CELEBRATION- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Shelved for more than a decade, this immersive documentary goes behind the scenes to capture iconic couturier Yves Saint Laurent’s final few years at the helm of his Parisian fashion house. Footage from his last runway show in 2002 caps off the film.”

10/4/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

7) ON THE PRESIDENT’S ORDERS– Synopsis by Netflix. “In this documentary that plays like a thriller, filmmakers James Jones and Olivier Sarbil turn their lens on Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal war on drugs, which has led to the shooting deaths of more than 3,000 suspects in its first year.”

10/4/19- Reviews are generally positive but none glowing. TRDB.

8) WALLFLOWER– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “On the night a disturbed man from a small town plans to commit a mass shooting at a Seattle rave, he is befriended by an eccentric group of ravers who invite him into their home.”

10/4/19- The few early reviews I’ve seen are mixed. TRDB

Not Recommended

1) JOKER– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in 1980s Gotham City, this origin story of DC Comics’ notorious archvillain the Joker chronicles the cautionary tale of a stand-up comedian whose failure drives him to criminal madness.”

10/4/19- Fair reviews for this much hyped movie. I’ skip it for sure. TRDB.

2) THE PRETENDERS– Miserable reviews

3) THE PARTS YOU LOSE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “The Parts You Lose follows the unlikely friendship that unfolds between a young deaf boy, Wesley, and a fugitive criminal who takes refuge in an abandoned barn on the family’s rural North Dakota farm. After forming a deep bond with the man, Wesley must decide where to place his allegiances when the authorities begin to close in on the fugitive.”

10/4/19- Generally poor reviews. TRDB.

4) SEMPER FI- Great title and terrible reviews
5) CUCK- Poor reviews
_____________________________________________________________________
BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-
NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) LUCY IN THE SKY- Cinema 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “For astronaut Lucy Cola, living in space was easy compared with returning to Earth, where her disconnection from family and friends leads her to begin an affair with a fellow astronaut as she slowly loses her grip on reality.”

10/4/19- Weak reviews but it sounds interesting to me and I like Natalie Portman. I’ll see it! TRDB.

2) EL CAMINO: A BREAKING BAD MOVIE- Jacob Burns. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “The Netflix Television Event EL CAMINO: A BREAKING BAD MOVIE reunites fans with Jesse Pinkman (Emmy-winner Aaron Paul). In the wake of his dramatic escape from captivity, Jesse must come to terms with his past in order to forge some kind of future.

10/9/19- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

3) GIVE ME LIBERTY– Cinema 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Though protests are taking place on the streets of Milwaukee, young Russian immigrant Vic has a job to do. But the task of driving his medical transport clients becomes even more difficult when a group of elderly Russians insists on hitching a ride.”

8/23/19- Very good reviews for this drama/ comedy. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) JUDY- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100. I enjoyed this movie and felt that there was more to this movie than just Renee Zellweger
2) DOWNTON ABBEY– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100. Fair reviews
3) JOKER- Bethel. See it at your peril
4) AD ASTRA– Danbury. Good reviews
5) HUSTLERS- Danbury. Good reviews
6) WHERE’S MY ROY COHN?- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100.
7) LINDA RONSTADT: THE SOUND OF MY VOICE– Jacob Burns. I loved this documentary.
____________________________________________________________________
BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-
A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-
1) JUDY- I saw it and liked it very much
2) DOWNTON ABBEY– Fair reviews
3) LINDA RONSTADT: THE SOUND OF MY VOICE– Loved this documentary
4) JOKER- See it at your peril
B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- Same as Lake Worth above but also showing
“SCHOOL OF LIFE”- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When the wife of a gamekeeper on a country estate plucks Paul from a Paris orphanage in 1927, he’s transported to a world of natural wonders, including a vast woodland he explores with a crafty poacher. But hidden within the forest lies a secret.”

10/9/19- Weak reviews in general. TRDB.

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) FOR SAMA– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “The besieged city of Aleppo, Syria, is the setting of this powerful documentary, as director Waad al-Kateab composes a video diary of her searing experiences for her 1-year-old daughter before the family must flee to survive.”

7/26/19- Excellent reviews for this foreign documentary. TRDB.

2) TATTOO UPRISING– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “The history of tattoos — from ancient times to their current renaissance — is chronicled in this comprehensive documentary that examines Western fascination with Polynesian tattoo art after Capt. James Cook was exposed to South Seas cultures.”

10/6/19- Just 2 reviews so far and they are both positive. TRDB.

D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATER AT FAU IN BOCA RATON-
1) GIVE ME LIBERTY– Very good reviews for this drama/comedy
2) JUDY– I liked it very much and Zellweger was terrific
3) WHERE’S MY ROY COHN?– Fair reviews for this documentary

4) MONOS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a remote mountaintop setting somewhere in Latin America, a rebel group of teenage commandos bearing noms de guerre like Rambo, Smurf, Bigfoot, Wolf and Boom-Boom perform military training exercises while watching over a prisoner (Julianne Nicholson).”

9/14/19- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

ENJOY!!
THE REEL DR. BOB
_____________________________________________________________________

 

Add comment October 9th, 2019

FILM REVIEWS #760

SEPTEMBER 5, 2019
DEAR FRIENDS:
QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-
1) THE COMMAND– Netflix Disc.
_____________________________________________________________________
MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE
_____________________________________________________________________
MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-
1) THE COMMAND– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This real-life thriller set in 2000 recounts the sinking of Russia’s nuclear submarine “Kursk,” focusing on the 23 crew members who survive the crash in an isolated air pocket, only to wait days for rescue as their oxygen runs out.”

6/21/19- Fair reviews for this drama based on a real situation. TRDB.

9/3/19- I agree with the above assessment. Even the positive reviews were luke warm. I was bored at some points but I did watch the entire movie. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

_____________________________________________________________________
COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK (9/10)
1) HESBURGH– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This well-crafted documentary profiles renowned Catholic priest Theodore Hesburgh, who served as president of the University of Notre Dame for 35 years and was an ardent activist in the turbulent struggle for racial equality during the 1960s.”

5/3/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2) THE THIRD WIFE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 19th-century Vietnam, 14-year-old May becomes a rich landowner’s third wife, knowing that she must give birth to a son to increase her status. But after she becomes pregnant, dormant desires force her to choose between safety and freedom.”

5/15/19- Very good reviews for this movie. TRDB.

3) DISTANT CONSTELLATION– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “As the world outside an Istanbul retirement home undergoes rapid change, the residents within — including artists, pranksters and historians — live out their last years with an eye on the past while they recount their colorful stories.”

11/3/18- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

COMING TO NETFLIX ON 9/17-
1) STUCK- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “The typical reserve of New York City subway riders falls away when six strangers find themselves stuck in a car that’s not going anywhere. As they begin to tell their stories, conversation soon turns into song.”

4/19/19- Awful reviews. TRDB.

2) IN THE AISLES– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “An affecting and bittersweet glimpse into the shared connections of a motley group of nightshift workers at a big box store, including the reclusive newbie Christian and the charming but mysterious Marion.”

6/14/19- OK reviews for this foreign drama. TRDB.

3) WILD ROSE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “While single mom — and just paroled ex-con — Rose-Lynn Harlan dreams of becoming a country music star, Nashville is a long way from her Scottish home. But she finds an improbable champion in the well-heeled woman whose house Rose cleans.”

6/21/19- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

7/1/19- I enjoyed this movie especially the music and the wonderful performance of the star. TRDB.

4) TONI MORRISON: THE PIECES I AM– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This in-depth documentary looks at the life and works of Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Toni Morrison, who gives voice to the African-American experience through fiction that exposes a point of view counter to the establishment.”

6/21/10- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

COMING TO NETFLIX ON 9/24-
1) YESTERDAY- Synopsis by Netflix. “While he’s still looking for his big break, musician Jack Malik gets hit by a bus during a global blackout. But when he wakes up to find he’s the lone person on Earth who knows of the Beatles and their songbook, Jack has a huge chance at stardom.”

6/25/19- Weak reviews for this comedy/drama. TRDB.

7/21/19- Fluff with lots of great Beatles music. You can safely skip it. TRDB. 

2) SKIN- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Raised by skinheads, young Bryon Widner finds himself in the FBI’s crosshairs as a vocal white supremacist. But fatherhood begins to change his views, leading him to undergo the excruciating process of removing the racist tattoos covering his body.”

7/26/19- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________
OPENED LAST WEEK-
Recommended
1) THE LOAD– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this slow-burning drama set in 1999 Serbia, sullen truck driver Vlada is hired to make a dangerous trek across the war-torn landscape to deliver top-secret cargo to Belgrade — no questions asked.”

9/2/19- Few reviews but they are very good. TRDB.

2) BEFORE YOU KNOW IT– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “For the Gurner family — including dad Mel and adult sisters Rachel and Jackie — life in the flat above the theater they own rarely changes. But the siblings’ world is upended when Mel dies and the mom they thought was dead turns up on a soap opera.”

9/2/19- Good reviews from most. Some said there were too many sub-plots. TRDB.

3) OFFICIAL SECRETS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fact-based political thriller, British intelligence translator Katharine Gun leaks a secret National Security Agency memo that proposes blackmailing smaller U.N. Security Council states into ratifying the 2003 Iraq invasion.”

9/2/19- Good reviews by a few critics but most were mediocre. I’ll see it at some point, however. TRDB.

4) Ms. PURPLE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. ” Working as a karaoke hostess in Los Angeles’ Koreatown, young Kasie isn’t equipped to care for her dying dad when his home-care nurse quits. With no other choice, Kasie turns to her estranged brother for help, and the two begin a wary reconciliation.”

9/3/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB. (opens 9/6)

5) AGA- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the bone-chilling world of northern Siberia, aging couple Nanook and Sedna eke out an existence consistent with indigenous traditions. When Sedna becomes gravely ill, Nanook undertakes a grueling journey to try to find their estranged daughter.”

9/3/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB. (opens 9/6)

6) EDIE- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When 83-year-old Edie’s husband dies, her daughter is ready to pack Mom off to an assisted-living facility. But Edie has other plans: Pursuing a lifelong dream, she heads to the Scottish Highlands to climb Mount Suilven.”

9/3/19- Almost all of the critics liked the movie but none thought that it was excellent. I’d give it a try. TRDB. (opens 9/6)

Not Recommended
1) DON’T LET GO– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “A few days after discovering his brother, sister-in-law and niece, Ashley, dead in an apparent homicide, police detective Jack Radcliff gets a phone call from Ashley. Operating in a time warp, Jack and Ashley must work together to alter her fate.”

9/2/19- Really bad professional reviews but OK audience ones. I’ll skip it. TRDB.

2) ANGEL OF MINE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Fighting for custody of her son, Lizzie is already in a fragile state when she meets Lola, a girl Lizzie believes to be the baby she lost in a fire seven years ago. As Lizzie insinuates herself into Lola’s life, long-held secrets begin to surface.”

9/2/19- Poor reviews for this movie. TRDB.

3) THE FANATIC– Terrible reviews

4) KILLERMAN– Synopsis by IMDB.  “Moe Diamond is a New York City money launderer who wakes up with no memory and millions of dollars in stolen cash and drugs. He must soon scour the streets in search of answers.

A super violent crime movie and I’m not interested. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________
BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-
NEW IN THE BURBS-
1) OFFICIAL SECRETS– Jacob Burns. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fact-based political thriller, British intelligence translator Katharine Gun leaks a secret National Security Agency memo that proposes blackmailing smaller U.N. Security Council states into ratifying the 2003 Iraq invasion.”

9/2/19- Good reviews by a few critics but most were mediocre. I’ll see it, however. TRDB.

2) FIDDLER: A MIRACLE OF MIRACLES– Cinema 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This engrossing documentary traces the origins, incarnations and influence of the beloved stage musical “Fiddler on the Roof,” which opened in 1964 and became a Broadway phenomenon, running for eight years.”

8/22/19- Great reviews! TRDB.

3) HEADING HOME: THE TALE OF TEAM ISRAEL– 2019. Cinema 100. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “HEADING HOME: THE TALE OF TEAM ISRAEL is the David-and-Goliath story of Israel’s national baseball team as it competes for the first time in the World Baseball Classic.”

3/5/19- I liked the movie and I especially enjoyed the various interviews with the players and their views about being Jewish and their relationship with Israel. TRDB. 

4) BEFORE YOU KNOW IT– Cinema 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “For the Gurner family — including dad Mel and adult sisters Rachel and Jackie — life in the flat above the theater they own rarely changes. But the siblings’ world is upended when Mel dies and the mom they thought was dead turns up on a soap opera.”

9/2/19- Good reviews from most. Some said there were too many sub-plots. TRDB.

REPEATS-
1) WHERE’D YOU GO, BERNADETTE– Jacob Burns, Bethel. Weak reviews
2) BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100. Very good reviews
3) JAY MYSELF– Jacob Burns. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker Stephen Wilkes turns his lens on his mentor, photographer Jay Maisel, as he prepares to move out of the six-story former bank building in Manhattan that he, his family and his random collection of objects have inhabited for 48 years.”

8/27/19- Good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

4) ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD– Jacob Burns, Danbury. Good reviews
5) MILES DAVIS: BIRTH OF THE COOL– Jacob Burns. Very good reviews.
6) LUCE– Bethel.  I liked it despite some ambiguity.
7) THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON– Bethel, Cinema 100. Very good reviews.
8) AFTER THE WEDDING– Bethel, Cinema 100. Poor reviews.
9) BLINDED BY THE LIGHT– Danbury. Good reviews.
10) THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON– Cinema 100.
_______________________________________________________________________
BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-
A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-
1) FIDDLER: A MIRACLE OF MIRACLES– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This engrossing documentary traces the origins, incarnations and influence of the beloved stage musical “Fiddler on the Roof,” which opened in 1964 and became a Broadway phenomenon, running for eight years.”

8/22/19- Great reviews! TRDB.

2) THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN– Fair reviews- friends have liked it

3) BLINDED BY THE LIGHT– Good reviews.

4) LUCE– I liked it even though I found it ambiguous at times.

5) THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON– Very good reviews.

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-
1) FIDDLER: A MIRACLE OF MIRACLES– Great reviews.
2) BLINDED BY THE LIGHT– Good reviews
3) THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN– Fair reviews- friends have liked it
4) TEL AVIV ON FIRE– Very good reviews
5) AFTER THE WEDDING– Poor reviews
6) LUCE– I liked it even though I found it ambiguous at times.
7) WHERE’D YOU GO, BERNADETTE- Weak reviews.
C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-
1) BUNUEL IN THE LABYRINTH OF THE TURTLES– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This poignant animated drama centers on the early days of renowned auteur Luis Buñuel, recounting the filmmaker’s timely stroke of luck when a friend’s winning lottery ticket unexpectedly gives Luis enough money to finance his second movie.”

8/16/19- Excellent reviews for this animated drama. TRDB.

2) THE FAREWELL– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Defying her parents’ wishes, expatriate writer Billi returns to her native China when she learns that her grandmother is terminally ill. But Billi soon finds herself conflicted by the family’s decision to hide her grandmother’s diagnosis from her.”

7/12/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

7/24/19-  I agree with the critics– truly an excellent movie. TRDB.

D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON-
1) AQUARELA– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker Viktor Kossakovsky’s immersive nature documentary takes the form of a rich visual poem that exposes viewers to the many forms of water, its enormous power and the vital role that it plays in sustaining life on Earth.”

8/15/19- Excellent reviews for this foreign documentary. TRDB.

2) FIDDLER: A MIRACLE OF MIRACLES– Great reviews
3) TEL AVIV ON FIRE– Very good reviews
4) THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON– Very good reviews
5) AFTER THE WEDDING– Poor reviews (limited screenings)
6) JAY MYSELF– Good reviews for this documentary
ENJOY!!
THE REEL DR. BOB
_____________________________________________________________________

 

Add comment September 5th, 2019

FILM REVIEWS #756

AUGUST 8, 2019
DEAR FRIENDS:
QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-
1) THE PUBLIC- Netflix Disc.
2) THE RED SEA DIVING RESORT– Netflix Streaming
_____________________________________________________________________
MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE
_____________________________________________________________________
MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-
1) THE PUBLIC– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “As Cincinnati endures a blast of Arctic cold, the public library serves as a refuge for all. But as closing time nears — and with emergency shelters already full — a group of homeless patrons refuses to leave, leading to a clash with authorities.”

4/3/19- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

8/4/19- Fair is how I would describe the movie. Hollywoodish but it portrays the homeless as an extended family fairly well. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

2) THE RED SEA DIVING RESORT– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Inspired by remarkable true life rescue missions, THE RED SEA DIVING RESORT is the incredible story of a group of international agents and brave Ethiopians who in the early 80s used a deserted holiday retreat in Sudan as a front to smuggle thousands of refugees to Israel.”

8/5/19- The movie gets merits as a historical reminder but otherwise falls flat. I did watch the entire movie and audiences have liked it. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

____________________________________________________________________
COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK, JULY 13-
1) THE OTHER SIDE OF EVERYTHING– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Chronicling her Serbian family’s past and the nation’s history since World War II, filmmaker Mila Turajlic includes pointed and humorous conversations with her mother, Srbijanka, who was a political activist during the region’s decades of turmoil.”

7/12/18- Very good reviews by the critics and even better ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) UNPLANNED– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fact-based drama, Planned Parenthood clinic director Abby Johnson goes from counseling women about their reproductive rights and choices to becoming an antiabortion activist after seeing firsthand what an abortion entails.”

4/10/19- Poor reviews by the critics and fairly good ones by audiences. TRDB.

3) CHARLIE SAYS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this biographical drama that follows Leslie Van Houten, Patricia Krenwinkel and Susan Atkins after they’re imprisoned for the Manson family murders, a graduate student tries to help them come to terms with their heinous crimes.”

5/10/19- Terrible reviews by the critics but excellent ones by audiences. TRDB.

4) TRIAL BY FIRE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fact-based drama, Cameron Todd Willingham faces the death penalty when he’s convicted of murdering his children in a Texas house fire. But a caring Houston housewife believes the verdict was based on flimsy evidence — and fights to free him.”

5/17/19- Fair to poor reviews. TRDB.

5) ALL IS TRUE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “After the Globe Theatre burns down in 1613, master playwright William Shakespeare returns to his wife and two daughters in Stratford, seeking to renew ties with the family he neglected during his long stay in London.”

5/21/19- Fair reviews by the critics and poor ones from audiences. TRDB.

6) SEARCHING FOR INGMAR BERGMAN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “To mark the centennial of legendary director Ingmar Bergman’s birth, noted German filmmaker Margarethe von Trotta revisits the settings, scenes, people and themes key to the auteur’s creative cinematic legacy.”

11/2/18- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

7) CLARENCE CLEMONS: WHO DO I THINK I AM– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “After Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s marathon “Rising Tour” came to an end in 2003, Clarence Clemons felt like he needed a break. So he packed up his saxophone and voyaged to China, where he could be more-or-less a nameless traveler in a foreign land. Follow Clarence after China and document his transcendent awakening and then tragedy struck. While in Florida Clarence suffered a stroke and passed away.”

7/9/19- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

____________________________________________________________________
OPENED LAST WEEK-
Recommended-
1) LADYWORLD– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Eight teenage girls become trapped in an endless birthday party after a massive (imaginary?) earthquake. The girls’ sanity and psyches dissolve as they run out of food and water. Eventually, they regress to their baser instincts, exploiting each other’s fears and insecurities.”

8/2/19- Just OK reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2) THEM THAT FOLLOW– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a remote Appalachian community, the daughter of a snake-handling Pentecostal preacher is about to enter an arranged marriage with a member of her father’s flock. But she’s harboring a secret: She’s carrying a nonbelieving local boy’s child.”

8/2/19- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

3) LUCE– 2019. “A married couple is forced to reckon with their idealized image of their son, adopted from war-torn Eritrea, after an alarming discovery by a devoted high school teacher threatens his status as an all-star student.”

8/2/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

4) THE NIGHTINGALE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Clare, an Irish convict settler in 1820s Tasmania, vows revenge when a British officer carries out a violent act against her family. Determined to catch him, Clare hires an aboriginal tracker to lead the pursuit through the Tasmanian wilderness.”

8/2/19- Good reviews from most critics. TRDB.

5) TEL AVIV ON FIRE– 2019. Synopsis by IMDB. “Salam, an inexperienced young Palestinian man, becomes a writer on a popular soap opera after a chance meeting with an Israeli soldier.”

8/2/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.

Not Recommended

1) A SCORE TO SETTLE– Awful reviews

2) THE OPERATIVE– Poor reviews

________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) BRIAN BANKS– Bethel. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this real-life tale, high school gridiron star Brian Banks is offered an athletic scholarship to play at the University of Southern California. Dreaming of a professional career, he sees his aspirations crumble when he’s falsely convicted of rape.

8/6/19- Just a few more positives than negatives but there were also a few excellents tossed in. TRDB.

2) THEM THAT FOLLOW– Clearview 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a remote Appalachian community, the daughter of a snake-handling Pentecostal preacher is about to enter an arranged marriage with a member of her father’s flock. But she’s harboring a secret: She’s carrying a nonbelieving local boy’s child.”

8/2/19- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

3) DAVID CROSBY: REMEMBER MY NAME– Jacob Burns. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this illuminating documentary, trailblazing rocker David Crosby shares — with brutal candor — a slew of personal observations and reminiscences from a 50-year musical career that’s far from over.”

7/19/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

4) LUCE– Jacob Burns. 2019. “A married couple is forced to reckon with their idealized image of their son, adopted from war-torn Eritrea, after an alarming discovery by a devoted high school teacher threatens his status as an all-star student.”

8/2/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100. Haven’t seen it yet but I plan to

2) THE FAREWELL– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100. I liked this one very much

3) MAIDEN– Bethel, Clearview 100. Good reviews

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD– Fair to good reviews

2) THE OTHER STORY- Fair to good reviews.

3) YESTERDAY– The movie was fair but the music was great

4) THE REPORTS ON SARAN & SALEEM– Good reviews

5) THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM– Excellent!

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

1) THE KITCHEN– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen, housewives Kathy, Ruby and Claire take charge of the business when their Irish mob hubbies end up in the slammer — but the women turn out to be even more vicious than their spouses.”

8/6/19- Poor early reviews. TRDB.

2) THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this heartfelt dramedy based the best-selling book of the same name, insightful family canine Enzo reflects on his life through the lessons he’s learned from his owner, race-car driver Denny Swift.”

8/6/19- Weak reviews at best. TRDB.

3) THE FAREWELL– I liked it very much

4) ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD– Fair to good reviews

5) THE REPORTS ON SARAH & SALEEM– Very good reviews

6) PAVAROTTI– I enjoyed this documentary

C) THE STONZEK THEATER-

1) ECHO IN THE CANYON– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the mid-1960s, Laurel Canyon in the Hollywood Hills became the creative nexus for a generation of young musicians who would become rock ‘n’ roll icons. This affectionate documentary looks at that famous scene’s history and ongoing influence.”

5/31/19- Excellent reviews by the critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) THE LAST– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The survivors of four generations of a Jewish family are rocked to their core when the family’s beloved 92-year-old matriarch makes a stunning confession.”

3/29/19- Just 5 reviews noted. Four of them were very good and 1 was fair. TRDB.

D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS-

1) DAVID CROSBY: REMEMBER MY NAME– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this illuminating documentary, trailblazing rocker David Crosby shares — with brutal candor — a slew of personal observations and reminiscences from a 50-year musical career that’s far from over.”

7/19/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2) ECHO IN THE CANYON– Very good reviews

3) THE FAREWELL– I liked it very much

4) THE OTHER STORY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Raised a secular Jew, Anat Abadi seems to be on the path to ultra-Orthodox zealotry when she joins a seminary and announces her upcoming marriage to a devout musician. But her relatives are having none of it, especially her grandfather.”

6/28/19– Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

5) THE REPORTS ON SARAH & SALEEM– Very good reviews

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

 

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