The Reel Dr. Bob

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

DEAR FRIENDS:

SORRY- THIS ISSUE IS A BIT LATE–

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK- NONE

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK- NONE

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NEW MOVIES IN THEATERS AND/OR STREAMING-

1) ABOUT DRY GRASSES– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Nestled away in wintry East Anatolia, public-school art teacher Samet (Deniz Celilo?lu) yearns to leave the sleepy village for cosmopolitan Istanbul. Further disenchanted when he and Kenan (Musab Ekici), a colleague, come under public scrutiny, Samet fears circumstances will keep him in Anatolia and his dreams of a new life permanently out of reach.”

2/24/24- Excellent reviews for this Turkish drama. TRDB.

2) VESELKA: THE RAINBOW ON THE CORNER AT THE CENTER OF THE WORLD- 2024. VESELKA- 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “New York City’s beloved Ukrainian restaurant Veselka is best known for its borscht and varenyky, but it has become a beacon of hope for Ukraine. As the second-generation owner Tom Birchard reluctantly retires after 54 years, his son Jason faces the pressures of stepping into his father’s shoes as the war in Ukraine impacts his family and staff.”

2/24/24- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

3) KISS THE FUTURE– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “KISS THE FUTURE, directed by Nenad Cicin-Sain, story by Bill Carter and Cicin-Sain, screenplay by Carter, based on his memoir: “Fools Rush In,” is the story of defiance amid the 1990s siege of Sarajevo during the Bosnian War.”

2/26/24- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB. In Theaters

4) THEY SHOT THE PIANO PLAYER– 2023. “A New York music journalist goes on a quest to uncover the truth behind the mysterious disappearance of young Brazilian piano virtuoso Tenorio Jr. A celebratory origin story of the world-renowned Latino musical movement Bossa Nova.”

2/26/24- Fair reviews by the critics and excellent ones from audiences. TRDB. In Theaters

5) ORDINARY ANGELS– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Based on a remarkable true story, ORDINARY ANGELS centers on Sharon Steves (Hilary Swank), a fierce but struggling hairdresser in small-town Kentucky who discovers a renewed sense of purpose when she meets Ed Schmitt (Alan Ritchson), a widower working hard to make ends meet for his two daughters. With his youngest daughter waiting for a liver transplant, Sharon sets her mind to helping the family and will move mountains to do it.”

2/26/ 24- Fair reviews by the critics and excellent ones from audiences. TRDB.

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MOVIES PLAYING AT THE JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER IN PLEASANTVILLE, NY

1) DUNE: PART TWO-

2) THE TASTE OF THINGS-

3) IO-CAPITANO-

4) PERFET DAYS-

5) DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS-

MOVIES PLAYING AT THE AMC THEATER IN DANBURY, CT-

1) DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS–

2) POOR THINGS–

3) DUNE: PART TWO–

MOVIES PLAYING AT THE GREENWOOD FEATUREW-

1) DUNE: PART TWO–

2) PERFECT DAYS–

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MOVIES PLAYING IN PALM BEACH Co., FLA-

THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1)  ORIGIN-

2) DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS-

3) THE ZONE OF INTEREST-

4) DRIVING MADELEINE-

5) THE TEACHER’S LOUNGE-

THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- SAME AS LAKE WORTH

THE STONZEK THEATER IN DOWNTOWN LAKE WORTH-

1) OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS– (Mar. 1-3 and 8–10)

(www.thereeldrbob.com)

FEBRUARY 23, 2024-

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) THE GREATEST NIGHT IN POP– NETFLIX

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK-

1) THE GREATEST NIGHT IN POP– On January 25, 1985, dozens of the biggest names in music convened at a studio in Los Angeles, checked their egos at the door and recorded a song to benefit African famine relief that would alter global pop culture history. The Greatest Night in Pop chronicles the massive undertaking to assemble the world’s most impressive supergroup in a world before cell phones and email. That group of artists — led by the song’s co-writers and two of the most significant musicians of the 20th century — Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie — came from different worlds but united to record “We Are the World.”

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NEW MOVIES IN THEATERS AND/OR STREAMING-

1) THE ARC OF OBLIVION– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “THE ARC OF OBLIVION explores a quirk of humankind: in a universe that erases its tracks, we humans are hellbent on leaving a trace. Set against the backdrop of the filmmaker’s quixotic quest to build an ark in a field in Maine, the film heads far afield — to salt mines in the Alps, fjords in the Arctic, and ancient libraries in the Sahara — to illuminate the strange world of archives, record-keeping, and memory.”

2/18/23- Excellent reviews by all for this documentary. TRDB. In Theaters

2) MONOLITH– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “While trying to salvage her career, a disgraced journalist begins investigating a strange conspiracy theory. But as the trail leads uncomfortably close to home, she is left to grapple with the lies at the heart of her own story.”

2/18/24- Very good reviews. TRDB. In Theaters and on Prime

3) ONLOOKERS– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “ONLOOKERS offers a visually striking, immersive meditation on travel and tourism in Laos, reflecting on how we all live as observers. Traversing the country’s dusty roads and tranquil rivers, we watch as elaborate painterly tableaus unfold, revealing the whimsical and at times disruptive interweaving of locals and foreigners in rest and play. Drawn to spectacle, tourists swarm to magnificent Buddhist temples, the ordered rituals of monks, and sites of dazzling natural beauty, then recede like a passing tide, leaving Laotians to continue with their daily lives.”

2/18/23- Weak reviews in general but it may appeal to some. TRDB.

4) GOD & COUNTRY– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “GOD & COUNTRY looks at the implications of Christian Nationalism and how it distorts not only our constitutional republic, but Christianity itself. Featuring prominent Christian thought leaders, GOD & COUNTRY asks this question: What happens when a faith built on love, sacrifice, and forgiveness grows political tentacles, conflating power, money, and belief into hyper-nationalism?”

2/18/24- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB. In Theaters and  on Vudu

5) BLEEDING LOVE– Terrible reviews but I can’t miss a road trip.

6) THE SPACE RACE– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “THE SPACE RACE” weaves together the stories of Black astronauts seeking to break the bonds of social injustice to reach for the stars, including Guion Bluford, Ed Dwight and Charles Bolden, among many others. In THE SPACE RACE, directors Diego Hurtado de Mendoza and Lisa Cortés profile the pioneering Black pilots, scientists and engineers who joined NASA to serve their country in space, even as their country failed to achieve equality for them back on Earth. From 1963, when the assassination of JFK thwarted Captain Ed Dwight’s quest to reach the moon, to 2020, when the echoes of the civil unrest.”

2/18/24- Very good reviews from the critics and weak ones from audiences. TRDB. On Hulu

7) UPGRADED– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Ana (Camila Mendes) is an ambitious intern dreaming of a career in the art world while trying to impress her demanding boss Claire (Marisa Tomei). When she’s upgraded to first class on a work trip, she meets handsome Will (Archie Renaux), who mistakes Ana for her boss–a white lie that sets off a glamorous chain of events, romance and opportunity, until her fib threatens to surface.”

2/18/23- Fair reviews for this romantic comedy. TRDB. On Prime

8) THE GREATEST NIGHT IN POP– On January 25, 1985, dozens of the biggest names in music convened at a studio in Los Angeles, checked their egos at the door and recorded a song to benefit African famine relief that would alter global pop culture history. The Greatest Night in Pop chronicles the massive undertaking to assemble the world’s most impressive supergroup in a world before cell phones and email. That group of artists — led by the song’s co-writers and two of the most significant musicians of the 20th century — Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie — came from different worlds but united to record “We Are the World.”

I enjoyed this movie very much. ON NETFLIX

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MOVIES PLAYING IN WESTCHESTER Co., NY AT JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER-

1) PERFECT DAYS–

2) THE TASTE OF THINGS–

3) THE TEACHERS’ LOUNGE–

4) DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Written by Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke, this comedy caper follows Jamie, an uninhibited free spirit bemoaning yet another breakup with a girlfriend, and her demure friend Marian who desperately needs to loosen up. In search of a fresh start, the two embark on an impromptu road trip to Tallahassee, but things quickly go awry when they cross paths with a group of inept criminals along the way.”

2/23/24- Fair to poor reviews for this comedy/drama. TRDB.

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MOVIES PLAYING AT THE AMC THEATER IN DANBURY-

1) DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Written by Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke, this comedy caper follows Jamie, an uninhibited free spirit bemoaning yet another breakup with a girlfriend, and her demure friend Marian who desperately needs to loosen up. In search of a fresh start, the two embark on an impromptu road trip to Tallahassee, but things quickly go awry when they cross paths with a group of inept criminals along the way.”

2/23/24- Fair reviews for this comedy/drama. TRDB.

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MOVIES PLAYING AT THE GREENWOOD FEATURES IN BETHEL-

1) AMERICAN FICTION– I liked it

2) THE ZONE OF INTEREST– I did not like it

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MOVIES PLAYING IN PALM BEACH Co.

1) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

a) Same as Delray below-

2) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

a) ORIGIN– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Isabel sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite the colossal scope of her project, she finds beauty and bravery while crafting one of the defining American books of our time.”

12/14/23- Fair reviews for this drama. TRDB.

b) THE ZONE OF INTEREST–

c) DRIVING MADELEINE– I liked it very much

d) THE TEACHERS’ LOUNGE–

3) THE STONZEK THEATER IN DOWNTOWN LAKE WORTH-

a) THE ZONE OF INTEREST—

I DID NOT LIKE THIS MOVIE

(www.thereeldrbob.com)

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK- None

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK-

1) THE ZONE OF INTEREST-2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, and his wife Hedwig, strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden next to the camp.”

2/1/24- Excellent reviews by the critics and fair reviews from audiences. I did NOT like this strange movie and I suggest you skip it. TRDB.

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NEW MOVIES IN THEATERS AND/OR STREAMING-

1) HERE– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Here follows Stefan, a Romanian construction worker living in Brussels who is about to return home to visit his mother, and maybe stay… longer. Using the leftovers from his fridge, he cooks up a big pot of soup and begins handing it out as farewell gifts to friends and family. But while waiting for his car to be fixed, he meets Shuxiu, a Belgian-Chinese woman preparing a doctorate on mosses.”

2/11/24- Excellent reviews for this French drama. TRDB.

 2) DRIFT– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Jacqueline (Two-Time Academy Award nominee Cynthia Erivo), a young refugee, lands alone and penniless on a Greek island, where she tries first to survive and then to cope with her past. While gathering her strength, she begins a friendship with a rootless tour-guide (Alia Shawkat) and together they find the resilience to forge ahead.”

2/11/23- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

3) SUNCOAST– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Inspired by Chinn’s life experience from the early 2000s, follows a teenager (Nico Parker) living with her strong-willed mother (Laura Linney), who must take her brother to live at a specialized facility.”

4) COBWEB– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In the 1970s, Director Kim is obsessed by the desire to re-shoot the ending of his completed film ‘Cobweb’, but chaos and turmoil grip the set with interference from the censorship authorities, and the complaints of actors and producers who can’t understand the re-written ending. Will Kim be able to find a way through this chaos to fulfill his artistic ambitions and complete his masterpiece?”

2/12/24- Fair reviews from the critics and poor ones from audiences for this drama from Korea. TRDB. On Prime and Vudu.

5) ENNIO– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A feature documentary directed by Giuseppe Tornatore about the life and work of legendary composer, Ennio Morricone, including interviews with renowned filmmakers and musicians.”

2/13/24- Excellent reviews from the critics and audiences as well for this documentary. TRDB. In Theaters

6) THE MONK AND THE GUN– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The Monk And The Gun captures the wonder and disruption as Bhutan becomes one of the world’s youngest democracies. Known throughout the world for its extraordinary beauty and its emphasis on Gross National Happiness, the remote Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan was the last nation to connect to the internet and television. And if that weren’t enough change, the King announced shortly afterwards that he would cede his power to the people via their vote and a new form of government: Democracy.

2/13/23- Excellent reviews from all for this documentary. TRDB.

7) PERFECT DAYS– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Hirayama seems utterly content with his simple life as a cleaner of toilets in Tokyo. Outside of his very structured everyday routine he enjoys his passion for music and for books. And he loves trees and takes photos of them. A series of unexpected encounters gradually reveal more of his past. A deeply moving and poetic reflection on finding beauty in the everyday world around us.”

2/12/23- Excellent reviews by the critics and audiences as well for this Japanese drama. TRDB. On Vudu.

8) THE TASTE OF THINGS– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Cook Eugenie and her boss Dodin grow fond of one another over 20 years, and their romance gives rise to dishes that impress even the world’s most illustrious chefs. When Dodin is faced with Eugenie’s reluctance to commit, he begins to cook for her.”

2/11/24- Great reviews by the critics and awful ones from audiences. TRDB.

9) BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE– Awful reviews!!

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MOVIES PLAYING AT THE JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER IN PLEASANTVILLE-

1) THE TASTE OF THINGS-

2) THE ZONE OF INTEREST– See above

3) THE TEACHERS’ LOUNGE–

4) AMERICAN FICTION–

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MOVIES PLAYING AT THE AMC THEATER IN DANBURY-

1) THE TASTE OF THINGS– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Cook Eugenie and her boss Dodin grow fond of one another over 20 years, and their romance gives rise to dishes that impress even the world’s most illustrious chefs. When Dodin is faced with Eugenie’s reluctance to commit, he begins to cook for her.”

2/11/24- Great reviews by the critics and awful ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) THE COLOR PURPLE-

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MOVIES PLAYING AT GREENWOOD FEATURES IN BETHEL, CT-

1) AMERICAN FICTION–

2) THE ZONE OF INTEREST– See above

3) MEMORY (2023)- 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Sylvia (Jessica Chastain) is a social worker who leads a simple and structured life: her daughter, her job, her AA meetings. This is blown open when Saul (Peter Sarsgaard) follows her home from their high school reunion. Their surprise encounter will profoundly impact both of them as they open the door to the past.”

2/14/24- Good reviews by the critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

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MOVIES PLAYING IN PALM BEACH Co. NEAR ME-

1) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

a) THE ZONE OF INTEREST–

b) DRIVING MADELEINE–

c) AMERICAN FICTION–

d) THE TEACHERS’ LOUNGE–

e) THE BOYS IN THE BOAT–

2) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- Same as :Lake Worth above but also playing:

 ORIGIN.- 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Isabel sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite the colossal scope of her project, she finds beauty and bravery while crafting one of the defining American books of our time.”

12/14/23- Fair reviews for this drama. TRDB.

3) THE STONZEK THEATER IN DOWNTOWN LAKE WORTH-

a) THE PROMISED LAND– (Feb-16–18)

FEBRUARY 8, 2024-

DEAR FRIENES:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) ANATOMY OF A FALL– On Prime

2) POOR THINGS– At the Theater

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK-

1) ANATOMY  OF A FALL– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “For the past year, Sandra, her husband Samuel, and their eleven-year-old son Daniel have lived a secluded life in a remote town in the French Alps. When Samuel is found dead in the snow below their chalet, the police question whether he was murdered or committed suicide. Samuel’s suspicious death is presumed murder, and Sandra becomes the main suspect. What follows is not just an investigation into the circumstances of Samuel’s death but an unsettling psychological journey into the depths of Sandra and Samuel’s conflicted relationship.”

2/4/24- Excellent reviews by the critics and by audiences as well. I liked it very much. TRDB. 

2) POOR THINGS– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “From filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos and producer Emma Stone comes the incredible tale and fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter (Stone), a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe).”

12/13/23- Excellent reviews by the critics and by audiences as well. I didn’t like it despite its creativity. TRDB.

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NEW MOVIES IN THEATERS AND/OR STREAMING-

1) THE PROMISED LAND– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In 18th century Denmark, Captain Ludvig Kahlen (Mads Mikkelsen) — a proud, ambitious, but impoverished war hero — sets out to tame a vast, uninhabitable land on which seemingly nothing can grow. He seeks to start farming crops, build a colony in the name of the King, and gain a noble title for himself.”

2/3/24- Excellent reviews for this drama from Denmark. TRDB.

2) HOW TO HAVE SEX– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Three British teenage girls go on a rites-of-passage holiday — drinking, clubbing and hooking up, in what should be the best summer of their lives.”

2/3/24- Excellent reviews from the critics and weak ones from audiences. TRDB.

3) DISCO BOY– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “After a painful journey through Europe, Alex, the Belarusian, joins the Foreign Legion in France and clings to a confused hope of a European identity. Jomo, the Nigerian, fights for the survival and durability of his people in the Niger Delta and is ready to die to defend his ideas. These two young people who are sacrificed and smashed together will, against all odds, meet and their destinies will merge to continue across borders, bodies, life and death.”

2/3/24- Very good reviews for this French drama. TRDB.

4)  FITTING IN– 20224. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A coming-of-age “traumedy” that follows 16-year-old Lindy (Maddie Ziegler) who is unexpectedly diagnosed with a reproductive condition, MRKH syndrome. The diagnosis upends her plans to have sex, her presumptions about womanhood and sexuality, her relationship with her mother (Emily Hampshire), and most importantly, herself.”

2/3/24- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

5) SKIN DEEP– 2022. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Seeking a retreat where they can salvage their struggling relationship, young couple Leyla (Mala Emde) and Tristan (Jonas Dassler) travel to a remote island at the invitation of Leyla’s childhood friend Stella, where it soon becomes clear that what the island offers is more mysterious than a simple vacation. Leyla and Tristan join another couple in a ritual to exchange bodies and see the world through the eyes of someone else — a chance to find themselves or, for some of them, a chance at escape.”

2/7/24- Excellent reviews for this German drama. TRDB.

6) TOTEM– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In a bustling Mexican household, seven-year-old Sol is swept up in a whirlwind of preparations for the birthday party for her father, Tona, led by her mother, aunts and other relatives. As the day goes on, building to an event both anticipated and dreaded, Sol begins to understand the gravity of the celebration this year and watches as her family does the same.”

1/28/23- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

7) THE TEACHERS’ LOUNGE– 2/8/24. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Carla Nowak, a dedicated sports and math teacher, starts her first job at a high school. She stands out among the new staff because of her idealism. When a series of thefts occur at the school and one of her students is suspected, she decides to get to the bottom of the matter on her own. Carla tries to mediate between outraged parents, opinionated colleagues and aggressive students, but is relentlessly confronted with the structures of the school system.”

2/8/24- Excellent reviews by the critics and weak ones from audiences. From Germany. TRDB

MOVIES PLAYING AT JACOB BURNS IN WESTCHESTER Co-

1) AMERICAN FICTION–

2) DRIVING MEDELINE–

3) THE TEACHERS’ LOUNGE– 2/8/24. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Carla Nowak, a dedicated sports and math teacher, starts her first job at a high school. She stands out among the new staff because of her idealism. When a series of thefts occur at the school and one of her students is suspected, she decides to get to the bottom of the matter on her own. Carla tries to mediate between outraged parents, opinionated colleagues and aggressive students, but is relentlessly confronted with the structures of the school system.”

2/8/24- Excellent reviews by the critics and weak ones from audiences. From Germany. TRDB

4) THE ZONE OF INTEREST–

5) TOTEM–

6) THE TASTE OF THINGS–

MOVIES PLAYING AT THE AMC THEATER IN DANBURY-

1) THE ZONE OF INTEREST–

2) POOR THINGS–

3) THE TEACHERS’ LOUNGE–

MOVIES PLAYING AT THE GREENWOOD FEATURES IN BETHEL, CT

1) THE ZONE OF INTEREST–

2) AMERICAN FICTION–

MOVIES PLAYING IN PALM BEACH Co. NEAR ME-

1) MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

a) THE ZONE OF INTEREST–

b) DRIVING MADELEINE–

c) AMERICAN FICTION–

d) THE BOYS IN THE BOAT–

e) THE TEACHERS’ LOUNGE–

f) FAREWELL, MR. HAFFMANN–

2) MOVIES OF DELRAY- Same as Lake Worth

3) MOVIE PLAYING AT THE STONZEK THEATER IN DOWNTOWN LAKE WORTH-

a) HOUSEHOLD SAINTS– (Fri.–Sun)

FEBRUARY 1, 2024-

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) DRIVING MADELEINE– At the Theater

2) AMERICAN FICTION– At the Theater

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK-

1) DRIVING MADELEINE– 2022- Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Madeleine, 92 years old, calls a taxi to take her to the retirement home where she will be living. Charles, a disillusioned driver with a tender heart, agrees to drive by the places that affected Madeleine’s life. Through the streets of Paris, her extraordinary past is revealed. They don’t know it yet, but they will forge a friendship during this drive that will change their lives forever.”

1/13/24- Excellent reviews from the critics and audiences. I liked it very much. TRDB.

2) AMERICAN FICTION– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten tomatoes. “AMERICAN FICTION is Cord Jefferson’s hilarious directorial debut, which confronts our culture’s obsession with reducing people to outrageous stereotypes.”

12/16/23- Very good reviews for this drama and I liked it very much. TRDB.

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NEW MOVIES IN THEATERS AND/OR STREAMING-

1) AMERICAN STAR– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “An assassin (Ian McShane) on a final assignment in Fuerteventura, to kill a man he has never met. When his target is delayed, he finds himself drawn to the island, people and a ghostly shipwreck.”

1/28/24- Fair reviews from the critics and really poor ones by audiences. TRDB. On Prime and others

2) MAMBAR PIERRETTE– Excellent reviews by the critics and by audiences as well. TRDB

.

3) THE PEASANTS– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “THE PEASANTS tells the story of Jagna, a young woman determined to forge her own path within the confines of a late 19th century Polish village — a hotbed of gossip and on-going feuds, held together, rich and poor, by pride in their land, adherence to colorful traditions and a deep-rooted patriarchy. When Jagna finds herself caught between the conflicting desires of the village’s richest farmer, his eldest son and other leading men of the community, her resistance puts her on a tragic collision course with the community around her.”

1/28/24- Excellent reviews by audiences but terrible ones from the critics. TRDB.

4) TOTUM– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In a bustling Mexican household, seven-year-old Sol is swept up in a whirlwind of preparations for the birthday party for her father, Tona, led by her mother, aunts and other relatives. As the day goes on, building to an event both anticipated and dreaded, Sol begins to understand the gravity of the celebration this year and watches as her family does the same.” In Theaters

1/28/23- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

5) PICTURES OF GHOSTS– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Downtown Recife’s classic movie palaces from the 20th century are mostly gone. That city area is now an archaeological site of sorts that reveals aspects of life in society which have been lost.”

1/29/24- Excellent reviews for this Brazilian documentary. TRDB.

6) SOMETIMES I THINK ABOUT DYING– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Lost on the dreary Oregon coast, Fran finds solace in her cubicle, listening to the constant hum of officemates and occasionally daydreaming to pass the time. She is ghosting through life, unable to pop her bubble of isolation, when a friendly new coworker, Robert, persistently tries to connect with her.”

1/29/2024- Fair reviews from critics and audiences. TRDB.

7) THE GREATEST NIGHT IN POP– 1/31/24. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “On January 25, 1985, dozens of the biggest names in music convened at a studio in Los Angeles, checked their egos at the door and recorded a song to benefit African famine relief that would alter global pop culture history. The Greatest Night in Pop chronicles the massive undertaking to assemble the world’s most impressive supergroup in a world before cell phones and email. That group of artists — led by the song’s co-writers and two of the most significant musicians of the 20th century — Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie — came from different worlds but united to record “We Are the World.”

1/31/24- Excellent reviews by all for this documentary. TRDB.

8) THE ZONE OF INTEREST-2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, and his wife Hedwig, strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden next to the camp.”

2/1/24- Excellent reviews by the critics and fair reviews from audiences. TRDB.

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MOVIES PLAYING IN WESTCHESTER, NY, DANBURY AND BETHEL–

JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER IN PLEASANTVILLE, NY-

1) THE PROMISED LAND–

2) AMERICAN FICTION–

3) DRIVING MADELEINE–

4) THE ZONE OF INTEREST–

AMC IN DANBURY-

1) AMERICAN FICTION–

2) THE ZONE OF INTEREST–

GREENWOOD FEATURES IN BETHEL, CT-

1) AMERICAN FICTION–

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES PLAYING PALM BEACH Co.-

1) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

a) THE ZONE OF INTEREST–

b) DRIVING MADELEINE–

c) AMERICAN FICTION–

d) THE BOYS IN THE BOAT–

e) FREUD’S LAST SESSION–

f) POOR THINGS–

g) FAREWELL, MR, HAFFMAN– (Limited Screenings)

2) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

a) THE ZONE OF INTEREST–

b) AMERICAN FICTION-

c) FAREWELL, MR. HAFFMAN–

d) DRIVING MADELEI NE–

e) FREUD’S LAST SESSION-

f) THE BOYS IN THE BOAT–

3) THE STONZEK THEATER IN DOWNTOWN LAKE WORTH- (Fri–Sun)

a) ANATOMY OF A FALL–

(www.thereeldrbob.com)

JANUARY 26, 2024-

DEAR FRIENDS-

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) SOCIETY OF THE SNOW– On Netflix

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK-

1) SOCIETY OF THE SNOW– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In 1972, Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, which had been chartered to fly a rugby team to Chile, crashed in the heart of the Andes. Only 29 of its 45 passengers survived the accident. Trapped in one of the most hostile and inaccessible environments on the planet, they have to resort to extreme measures to stay alive.”

1/21/24- Excellent reviews by the critics and good ones from audiences. I liked it. TRDB. On Netflix

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NEW MOVIES IN THEATERS AND/OR STREAMING-

1) OCCUPIED CITY– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The past collides with our precarious present in Steve McQueen’s bravura documentary Occupied City, informed by the book Atlas of an Occupied City (Amsterdam 1940-1945) written by Bianca Stigter. McQueen creates two interlocking portraits: a door-to-door excavation of the Nazi occupation that still haunts his adopted city, and a vivid journey through the last years of pandemic and protest.”

1/21/24- Fair reviews at best. TRDB. In Theaters

2) CONCRETE UTOPIA– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The world has been reduced to rubble by a massive earthquake. While no one knows for sure how far the ruins stretch, or what the cause of the earthquake may be, in the heart of Seoul there is only one apartment building left standing. It is called Hwang Gung Apartments. As time passes, outsiders start coming in to Hwang Gung Apartments trying to escape the extreme cold. Before long, the apartment residents are unable to cope with the increasing numbers. Feeling a threat to their very survival, the residents enact a special measure.”

1/21/24- Excellent reviews by the critics and good ones from audiences for this Korean movie. TRDB. In Theaters

3) THE KITCHEN– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “London, 2040 — rising house prices, computerized labor and eradication of the Welfare State has turned the city into a billionaire’s playground, pushing the lower classes to provincial empty slum-like high rises like The Kitchen. Ex-Smash-and-Grabber Izi is desperate to go straight but when his young son contracts a devastating illness, he is forced to take part in a heist that will change the lives of everyone in The Kitchen forever.”

1/21/24- Good reviews by the critics and poor ones from audiences. TRDB. On Netflix

4) THE BREAKING ICE– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Young urbanite Haofeng feels lost and adrift on China’s northern border. By chance, he goes on a tour led by Nana, a charming guide who instantly fascinates him. She introduces him to Xiao, and the three bond quickly.”

1/21/24- Excellent reviews for this Chinese drama. TRDB. In Theaters

5) PASANG: IN THE SHADOW OF EVEREST– 2024. “PASANG: In the Shadow of Everest chronicles Pasang Lhamu Sherpa’s tragic and inspiring journey to become the first Nepali woman to summit Everest in 1993. As an uneducated, indigenous woman and a Buddhist in a Hindu kingdom, Pasang’s dream to scale the legendary mountain pits her against family, foreign climbers, her own government, and nature itself. Her determined pursuit of Everest plays out within the context of her nation’s quest for democracy and the emergence of the commercial climbing industry

1/22/24- Fair to good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

6) INSIDE THE YELLOW COCOON SHELL– 2023. “Winner of the prestigious Camera d’Or for best first film at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, the enthralling Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell from Vietnamese filmmaker Thien An Pham is a reverie on faith, loss, and nature expressed with uncommon invention and depth.”

1/22/2024- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

7) JUNE– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “JUNE shines an important spotlight on the history of country music and the mark the Carter and Cash families made on the genre before diving into the complex life of the legendary June Carter Cash. The five-time Grammy® Award-winning singer, comedian, musician, actor and author has opened for Elvis, appeared onscreen with Robert Duvall and Jane Seymour and co-wrote one of the most recognizable country songs of all time, “Ring of Fire.” Perhaps at times overshadowed by her iconic husband Johnny Cash, she now takes center stage.”

1/21/24- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

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MOVIES IN WESTCHESTER, DANBURY AND AND BETHEL–

PLAYING AT THE JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER-

1) POOR THINGS–

2) AMERICAN FICTION–

3) ORIGIN-

4) THE ZONE OF INTEREST–

5) OPPENHEIMER– Limited screenings

6) ANATOMY OF A FALL– Limited screenings

7) THE HOLDOVERS– Limited screenings

PLAYING AT THE AMC THEATER IN DANBURY-

1) ORIGIN–

2) THE IRON CLAW–

PLAYING AT THE GREENWOOD FEATURES IN BETHEL-

1) AMERICAN FICTION–

2) POOR THINGS–

MOVIES IN PALM BEACH CO NEAR ME–

PLAYING AT THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) DRIVING MADELEINE– 2022- Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Madeleine, 92 years old, calls a taxi to take her to the retirement home where she will be living. Charles, a disillusioned driver with a tender heart, agrees to drive by the places that affected Madeleine’s life. Through the streets of Paris, her extraordinary past is revealed. They don’t know it yet, but they will forge a friendship during this drive that will change their lives forever.”

1/13/24- Excellent reviews from the critics and audiences. TRDB.

2) FREUD’S LAST SESSION– Poor reviews by most critics

3) THE BOYS IN THE BOAT–

4) POOR THINGS–

5) FAREWELL, MR. HAFFMANN– SEE THIS

PLAYING AT THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- Same as Lake Worth

(www.thereeldrbob.com)

JANUARY 19, 2024-

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) BECKHAM- Streaming on Netflix

2) BEEF– A Netflix 10 part series

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK-

1) BECKHAM– A chronicle of David Beckham’s rise from working-class beginnings to global soccer stardom. On Netflix- 4 parts

2) BEEF- 2023. Synopsis – It’s about 2 people who become acquainted by acts of road rage. Seen on Netflix. TRDB.

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NEW MOVIES IN THEATERS AND/OR STREAMING-

1) DRIVING MADELEINE– 2022- Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Madeleine, 92 years old, calls a taxi to take her to the retirement home where she will be living. Charles, a disillusioned driver with a tender heart, agrees to drive by the places that affected Madeleine’s life. Through the streets of Paris, her extraordinary past is revealed. They don’t know it yet, but they will forge a friendship during this drive that will change their lives forever.”

1/13/24- Excellent reviews from the critics and audiences. TRDB.

2) THE BEEKEEPER– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In The Beekeeper, one man’s brutal campaign for vengeance takes on national stakes after he is revealed to be a former operative of a powerful and clandestine organization known as “Beekeepers”.

1/13/23- Weak reviews by the critics and very good ones by audiences. TRDB.

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LOCAL MOVIES SHOWING FROM 1/19 TO 1/25/24-

MOVIES PLAYING AT THE JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER IN WESTCHESTER-

1) ORIGIN–

2) ALL OF US STRANGERS–

3) THE ZONE OF INTEREST–

4) AMERICAN FICTION–

5) POOR THINGS–

6) FREUD’S LAST SESSION–

MOVIES PLAYING AT THE AMC THEATER IN DANBURY-

1) THE BOYS IN THE BOAT–

2) FREUD’S LAST SESSION–

3) THE IRON CLAW–

MOVIES PLAYING IN PALM BEACH CO NEAR ME-

1) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

a) AMERICAN FICTION–

b) MEAN GIRLS-

c) THE BEEKEEPER–

d) THE BOYS IN THE BOAT–

e) POOR THINGS–

f) FAREWELL, MR. HAFFMANN– A “must see” according to me

2) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

a) AMERICAN FICTION–

b) MEAN GIRLS–

c) POOR THINGS–

d) THE BOYS IN THE BOAT–

e) FAREWELL, MR. HAFFMANN–

3) MOVIES PLAYING AT THE STONZEK THEATER IN DOWNTOWN LAKE WORTH-

NOT AVAILABLE

(www.thereeldrbob.com)