The Reel Dr. Bob

10/12/20- A poignant movie about gentrification and much more. TRDB. On Netflix and Amazon Prime

September 17, 2020

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) COASTAL ELITES– HBO Max

2) THE TRIP TO GREECE– Netflix Disc.

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MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK-

1) COASTAL ELITES- 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In one of the first films to focus on life during the 2020 pandemic, this satiric comedy follows five characters in quarantine: a longtime teacher, a YouTube personality, a volunteer nurse, a young actor and a philanthropist.”

2) THE TRIP TO GREECE– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan continue their culinary and cultural adventures as they travel to Greece — a journey inspired by Homer’s epic poem “The Odyssey” but powered by clever banter, dead-on celebrity impressions and plenty of libations.”

5/22/20- Very good reviews for this comedy. TRDB. 

9/14/20- Just like the “trips” before it this one was good as well. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

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COMING TO NETFLIX ON DISC NEXT WEEK-

1) ALL TOGETHER NOW– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “An optimistic, talented teen clings to a huge secret: She’s homeless and living on a bus. When tragedy strikes, can she learn to accept a helping hand?”

8/28/20- OK reviews for this drama. TRDB.

8/29/20- I just saw this new movie and enjoyed it. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

2) WEATHERING WITH YOU– 2020- Synopsis by Netflix. “In this coming-of-age tale, an ephemeral love affair develops between Hodaka, who’s run away to Tokyo, and Hina, who has the ability to make the sun shine on a rainy day. But Hina’s powers may ultimately doom their budding romance.”

1/17/20- Excellent reviews by the critics and audiences for this animated movie. TRDB.

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NEW STREAMABLE MOVIES-

1) ALL IN: THE FIGHT FOR DEMOCRACY– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “All In: The Fight for Democracy examines the often overlooked, yet insidious issue of voter suppression in the United States in anticipation of the 2020 Presidential Election. The film interweaves personal experiences with current activism and historical insight to expose a problem that has corrupted our democracy from the very beginning. With the perspective and expertise of Stacey Abrams, the former Minority Leader of the Georgia House of Representatives, the documentary will offer an insider’s look into laws and barriers to voting that most people don’t even know is a threat to their basic rights as citizens of the United States.”

9/12/20- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB. On Amazon

2) BUOYANCEY– 2020. Synopsis by IMDB. “There is evil and it helps keep the world running, our clothes and food coming. This is the greatest, most difficult, most unspeakable violence laid bare in Rathjen’s measured, insistently political movie.

Very good reviews, especially from the NY Times. On Kino

3) RED, WHITE & WASTED– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “RED, WHITE & WASTED follows a family of mudding enthusiasts as the last mudhole in Orlando, Florida goes up in flames and they are forced to reconsider their way of life in a city that doesn’t have room for them anymore.”

9/12/2020- Mixed reviews- more up than down for this documentary. TRDB.

4) THE SOCIAL DILEMMA– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “We tweet, we like, and we share–but what are the consequences of our growing dependence on social media? As digital platforms increasingly become a lifeline to stay connected, Silicon Valley insiders reveal how social media is reprogramming civilization by exposing what’s hiding on the other side of your screen.”

9/12/20- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB. On Netflix

4) UNPPREGNANT– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In Unpregnant, seventeen-year-old Veronica (Haley Lu Richardson) never thought she’d want to fail a test–that is, until she finds herself staring at a piece of plastic with a blue plus. With a promising college-bound future now disappearing before her eyes, Veronica considers a decision she never imagined she’d have to make.”

9/12/20– Very good reviews from the critics and weak ones from audiences. TRDB. On HMO MAX

5) COASTAL ELITES– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In one of the first films to focus on life during the 2020 pandemic, this satiric comedy follows five characters in quarantine: a longtime teacher, a YouTube personality, a volunteer nurse, a young actor and a philanthropist.” On HBO.

September 10, 2020

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) LOVE GUARANTEED– Netflix Streaming

2) I’M THINKING OF ENDING THINGS– Netflix Streaming

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK ON DISC.- SOME MAY STREAM AS WELL-

1) 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. TRDB.

2) WEATHERING WITH YOU– 2020- Synopsis by Netflix. “In this coming-of-age tale, an ephemeral love affair develops between Hodaka, who’s run away to Tokyo, and Hina, who has the ability to make the sun shine on a rainy day. But Hina’s powers may ultimately doom their budding romance.”

1/17/20- Excellent reviews by the critics and audiences for this animated movie. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK-

1) LOVE, GUARANTEED– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “To save her small law firm, earnest lawyer Susan (Rachael Leigh Cook) takes a high-paying case from Nick (Damon Wayans Jr.), a charming new client who wants to sue a dating website that guarantees love. But as the case heats up, so do Susan and Nick’s feelings for each other.”

9/7/20- Ridiculous but fun regardless. TRDB. On Netflix Streaming

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NEW STREAMABLE MOVIES-

1) CLASS ACTION PARK– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Class Action Park is the first ever documentary on the world’s most dangerous amusement park, Action Park, that had its heyday in the 80s and 90s and was a staple for anyone who grew up in New Jersey.”

9/3/20- Fairly good reviews for this documentary. TRDB. HBO MAX

2) I’M THINKING OF ENDING THINGS– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this adaptation of Iain Reid’s psychological horror novel, a young woman embarks on a road trip with her new boyfriend to meet his parents at their isolated Oklahoma farm — where reality is elusive.”

9/5/20- Good early reviews and I’ll try to see it soon. TRDB. On Netflix.

9/8/20- This movie definitely wins the “strange” award but it was interesting. TRDB. Netflix.

3) ROBIN’S WISH– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Class Action Park is the first ever documentary on the world’s most dangerous amusement park, Action Park, that had its heyday in the 80s and 90s and was a staple for anyone who grew up in New Jersey.”

9/3/20- Fairly good reviews for this documentary. TRDB. On Prime Video and Vudu

4) CHUCK BERRY– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “CHUCK BERRY tells the story of the Granddaddy of Rock & Roll. In this highly-anticipated OFFICIAL and fully-authorized feature documentary, the absolute instigator of Rock and Roll, Chuck Berry, is truly revealed with exclusive access to his family, friends, famous fans and the music icons he inspired.”

5) FEELS GOOD MAN– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes.  “In this cautionary tale, artist Matt Furie fights to regain control of his cartoon character Pepe the Frog after the Internet meme — created for a comic about postcollege slacker life — is co-opted by the alt-right and turned into a symbol of hate.”

9/5/20- Excellent reviews for this documentary. On Prime Video

6) CRITICAL THINKING– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Making his directorial debut with this fact-based drama, John Leguizamo stars as a dedicated teacher who — against all odds — leads a team of underprivileged kids from one of Miami’s toughest high schools to the national chess championship.” Good reviews. On Prime Video

7) THE MOLE AGENT– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a private eye recruits him to pose as a retirement home resident to suss out elder abuse, 83-year-old widower Sergio is happy for the distraction. As he’s gathering information, Sergio ends up becoming involved in the lives of various residents.”

9/5/20- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB. On Vudu

8) THE GOLDEN GIRL– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Andreea Raducan is a successful 32-year-old woman and one of Romania’s greatest gymnasts. She worked all her life to become an Olympic champion, and when she finally won the all-round Olympic gold medal in Sydney in 2000, she was stripped of it 3 days later, after being found positive for a doping substance found in a flu tablet that her doctor had administered to her just minutes before entering the competition. Fifteen years later, Andreea is fighting the toughest fight against the people who deceived her, as she tries to recover her medal and, along with it, her dignity.”

9/5/20- Just 3 reviews so far– 2 positive and 1 negative. Sounds interesting. TRDB. Not sure yet where to see this movie.

9) I HATE NEW YORK– 2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “New York, 2007-2017. Over a decade, the director delves into the private world of Amanda Lepore, Chloe Dzubilo, Sophia Lamar and T De Long; four artists and transgender activists from the city’s underground scene.”

9/5/20-  Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB. On Prime Video

10) CHILDREN OF THE SEA– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “When Ruka was younger, she saw a ghost in the water at the aquarium where her dad works. Now she feels drawn toward the aquarium and the two mysterious boys she meets there, Umi and Sora. They were raised by dugongs and hear the same strange calls from the sea as she does. Ruka’s dad and the other adults who work at the aquarium are only distantly aware of what the children are experiencing as they get caught up in the mystery of the worldwide disappearance of the oceans’ fish.”

9/5/20- Weak reviews for this animated  documentary. TRDB. On Vudu

11) ISADORA’S CHILDREN– 2020. Synopsis by IMDB. “After the death of her two children, the legendary dancer Isadora Duncan composed a farewell solo entitled “The Mother”. A century later, four women meet this upsetting dance.”

9/5/20- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

12)  LOVE GUARANTEED– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “To save her small law firm, earnest lawyer Susan (Rachael Leigh Cook) takes a high-paying case from Nick (Damon Wayans Jr.), a charming new client who wants to sue a dating website that guarantees love. But as the case heats up, so do Susan and Nick’s feelings for each other.”

9/4/20- Poor reviews for what sounds like a cute story. TRDB.

9/7/20- Ridiculous but some fun regardless. TRDB.

9/8/20- This movie definitely wins the “strange” award but it was interesting. TRDB. Netflix.