The Reel Dr. Bob

1) CAPERNAUM– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this dark fable set in a Middle East country undergoing political and social upheaval, a 12-year-old boy sees nothing but suffering and pain in his future, prompting him to sue his parents for bringing him into the world.”

12/14/18- Just so-so reviews. TRDB.

2/10/19- I liked the movie very much but prepare to be sad

afterwards.  TRDB.

1) A PRIVATE WAR– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fact-based drama, dauntless war correspondent Marie Colvin reports from the front lines of conflict in hot spots all over the world, including Chechnya, Kosovo, the Middle East and East Timor.”

11/2/18- Very good reviews from the critics but just fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

2/10/19- I enjoyed the movie especially its demonstration once again that war is hell- in this case documented by Colvin. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

1) COLUMBUS– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “After traveling from Korea to Columbus, Indiana — where his architect father lies in a coma — middle-aged Jin meets young Casey, who’s put her dreams on hold to care for her mother. As Jin and Casey bond, her architectural ambitions are reignited.”

8/4/17- Excellent reviews by the critics and good ones by audiences. TRDB.

8/19/17- It felt like reading an emotional article in Architecture Digest. Very well done with wonderful, understated acting and excellent screenplay. TRDB.

4) THE LAST RACE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Small-town stock-car racing venues are a disappearing slice of Americana, but Long Island’s Riverhead Raceway is still open and hosting low-budget meets. Meanwhile, the track’s once-rural surroundings have become a bustling commercial district.”

11/16/18- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

1) HIGH FLYING BIRD– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In the midst of a pro basketball lockout, sports agent Ray Burke (André Holland) finds himself caught in the face-off between the league and the players.”

2/8/19- Excellent reviews by the critics. TRDB.

2) ANGELA’S DIARIES– 2019. About the real couple Angela Ricci Lucchi and Yervant Gianikian.

2/8/19-Here’s what the NY Times had to say– “Angela’s Diaries” asks of the viewer a kind of patience that may only reside in those already conversant with the couple’s contributions, but its tenderness and straightforwardness are immediately admirable.”

3) TO DUST– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Struggling to accept his wife’s sudden death, Hasidic cantor Shmuel believes he must understand how her body will decompose. Enlisting the aid of a biology professor, Shmuel begins the blasphemous act of scientific investigation.”

2/8/19- Excellent reviews for this strange sounding drama. TRDB.

4) EVERYBODY KNOWS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “With her kids in tow, Laura travels from her adopted Argentinean home to her native Spain to attend her sister’s nuptials, anticipating a joyful reunion. But things turn sour when Laura’s teen daughter vanishes and long-kept secrets begin to surface.”

2/8/19- Weak reviews from critics and audiences. I’d see this just to look at Penelope Cruz. TRDB.

5) ONE MILLION AMERICAN DREAMS– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “If you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere…’ But what happens if you don’t make it in New York? What happens if you fall so far short of success in the world’s most iconic city that you can’t even afford to be buried properly? Less than 16 miles from central Manhattan lies Hart Island, a 101-acre cemetery and the final resting place of over 1 million New Yorkers.”

2/8/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

6) THE GOSPEL OF EUREKA– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Juxtaposing performance footage recounting Jesus Christ’s last days with a gospel-themed drag show, this engaging documentary set in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, looks at the peaceful coexistence of the town’s evangelical Christians and LGBTQ community.”

2/8/19- OK reviews. TRDB.

7) BIRDS OF PASSAGE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This well-crafted crime drama charts the roots of the Colombian drug trade as a tight-knit indigenous family discovers a golden opportunity to sell large quantities of marijuana to America’s hippie generation in the 1970s.”

2/13/19- Excellent reviews for this foreign drama. TRDB.

1) LORDS OF CHAOS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fact-based rock ‘n’ roll drama, a teen’s dream turns into something much darker when Øystein Aarseth (aka Euronymous) forms heavy metal band Mayhem in 1987, only to fall prey six years later to the violence reflected in its music.”

2/8/19- Fair reviews at best– several calling the movie just plain boring. TRDB.

2) ISN’T IT ROMANTIC– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Young architect Natalie, who’s had little luck in love or career advancement, awakens one day to find that her life has morphed into a romantic comedy, with her as the star. Making matters worse, her assistant and confidante is now her mortal enemy.”

2/13/19- Fair reviews at best. One review said it wasn’t funny and it wasn’t romantic. TRDB.

EACH OF THE FOLLOWING MOVIES RECEIVED TERRIBLE REVIEWS AND WERE NOT WORTH REVIEWING!!! RARELY SO MANY IN A SINGLE WEEK-

1) COLD PURSUIT-

2) BERLIN, I LOVE YOU-

3) THE MAN WHO KILLED HITLER AND THEN THE BIGFOOT-

4) WHAT MEN WANT-

5) THE PRODIGY-

6) UNDER THE EIFFEL TOWER-

7) UNTOGETHER-

1) ARCTIC– Bethel. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When his plane crashes in the Arctic, Danish explorer Overgård hunkers down to await rescue. But after a helicopter promising salvation also crashes — leaving its co-pilot badly hurt — Overgård must decide whether to begin a long trek to find help.”

2/1/19- Excellent reviews for this drama starring Mads Mikkelsen. TRDB.

2) THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD– Bethel, Danbury. 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Peter Jackson directs this homage to the British troops of the First World War with never-before-seen-footage of soldiers as they faced the fear and uncertainty of frontline battle in Belgium.”

1/30/19- Great reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

3) THE HEIRESSES– Jacob Burns. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Together for more than 30 years, Chela and Chiquita stick to their defined roles, with Chiquita managing their lives and Chela working on her art. But when Chiquita is jailed for fraud, timid Chela begins awakening to her long-dormant passions.”

1/16/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

4) NEVER LOOK AWAY– Jacob Burns. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this absorbing drama based loosely on the life of visual artist Gerhard Richter, an art student trying to get past the trauma of growing up in Nazi Germany falls for a fellow student. But her father — an ex-Nazi — is bent on keeping them apart.”

1/25/19- OK reviews for this very long drama. TRDB.

5) TO DUST– Clearview 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Struggling to accept his wife’s sudden death, Hasidic cantor Shmuel believes he must understand how her body will decompose. Enlisting the aid of a biology professor, Shmuel begins the blasphemous act of scientific investigation.”

2/8/19- Excellent reviews for this strange sounding drama. TRDB.

5) THE INVISIBLES— Clearview 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This riveting docudrama follows four resourceful Jewish youths living under Nazi rule in 1943 Berlin, where they elude the roundup of Jews by taking cover in safe houses and freely walking the streets, virtually hiding in plain sight.”

1/25/19- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

2) COLD WAR– I wasn’t overly impressed.

3) HEADING HOME: THE TALE OF TEAM ISRAEL– Fair reviews.

4) THE LAST RESORT– 2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “An uncannily revealing portrait of American photographers Andy Sweet and Gary Monroe and the vibrant community of Jewish retirees they obsessively focused their camera’s lens on in the sunburned paradise of 1970s Miami Beach.”

12/21/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

5) CAPERNAUM– I liked it very much

6) GREEN BOOK– Excellent and a must-see

5) THE LAST RESORT– 2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “An uncannily revealing portrait of American photographers Andy Sweet and Gary Monroe and the vibrant community of Jewish retirees they obsessively focused their camera’s lens on in the sunburned paradise of 1970s Miami Beach.”

12/21/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

FEBRUARY 7, 2019-

DEAR FRIENDS:

JUST 2 MOVIES FOR ME THIS WEEK, NEITHER OF WHICH I CAN RECOMMEND!

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK- NONE

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) COLD WAR– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Inspired by the turbulent marriage of the director’s parents, this bittersweet drama follows pianist Wiktor and singer Zula — star-crossed lovers with divergent backgrounds and temperaments — as they pursue an impossible romance in postwar Europe.”

12/21/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

2/1/19- A cold war romance that I didn’t find that interesting. TRDB. 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) MID 90’s- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1990s Los Angeles, teenage Stevie is looking for his place in a world dominated by his abusive older brother and needy single mom. After finding acceptance with the crew at a skateboard shop, Stevie learns some hard lessons about race and class.”

10/19/18- Fairly good reviews noted. TRDB.

2/1/19- I didn’t like this movie at all and turned it off. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

1) THE FRONT RUNNER– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fact-based drama, Sen. Gary Hart is the front-runner for the 1988 Democratic presidential nomination — but he sees his ambitions short-circuited when reports of an extramarital affair turn up in the media.”

11/20/18- Really poor reviews although I might see it eventually for history sake. TRDB.

2) AT ETERNITY’S GATE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “This dramatized biopic recounts the last days in the turbulent and tragically brief life of master Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, who comes to realize that his brilliant work will never be recognized as such during his lifetime.”

11/16/18- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

3) SHOPLIFTERS- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Earning only meager incomes, Osamu and his wife supplement their wages by shoplifting, with help from son Shota. While heading home on a winter night, father and son come across a freezing young girl and make a fateful decision to take her home.”

11/23/18- Excellent reviews but friends have not cared for it. TRDB.

4) BAYOU CAVIAR-  2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Once a boxing champion, Rodney Jones is now a nightclub bouncer — who resorts to partnering with a photographer and an ambitious starlet to make a compromising sex tape of a married real-estate magnate.”

12/18/18- Terrible reviews from the critics and very good ones from audiences. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

1) ARCTIC– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When his plane crashes in the Arctic, Danish explorer Overgård hunkers down to await rescue. But after a helicopter promising salvation also crashes — leaving its co-pilot badly hurt — Overgård must decide whether to begin a long trek to find help.”

2/1/19- Excellent reviews for this drama starring Mads Mikkelsen. TRDB.

2) BRAID- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “To support themselves, would-be artists Petula and Tilda deal drugs till a bust puts them in debt to their supplier. When they flee to the estate of childhood chum Daphne — who’s become unhinged — she forces them into a warped game of role-playing.”

2/1/19- Most of the reviews were very good but some didn’t like it at all. TRDB.

3) PIERCING– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Haunted by an impulse to kill his infant, new father Reed decides to get rid of his homicidal demons by killing a prostitute instead. But his intended victim proves more than a match, and the two are soon locked in a battle of wills.”

2/1/19- Fair reviews by the critics and poor ones by audiences. TRDB.

4) VELVET BUZZSAW– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Eager to make it in the Los Angeles art scene, young agent Josephina is elated when she finds a collection of paintings by a recently deceased neighbor. Disregarding instructions to destroy the works, she begins showing them … with dire results.”

2/1/19- Fair to poor reviews from critics and audiences but I’d give it a try. TRDB.

5) DAUGHTER OF MINE-2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Ten-year-old Vittoria is already chafing at the rules her doting mom imposes on her when she meets free-spirited Angelica, who mesmerizes Vittoria. But she finds her world upended after learning that Angelica is her birth mother.”

2/1/19- Excellent reviews from the critics and really poor ones from audiences. TRDB.

6) THE UNICORN– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Four years into their engagement — with wedlock nowhere in sight — Caleb and Malory learn the secret ingredient in Malory’s parents’ long union: threesomes. Seeking a spark, Caleb and Malory decide to bring a third person into their relationship.”

2/1/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.

7) THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Peter Jackson directs this homage to the British troops of the First World War with never-before-seen-footage of soldiers as they faced the fear and uncertainty of frontline battle in Belgium.”

1/30/19- Great reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

1) MISS BALA–

2) OUTLAWS-

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) THE INVISIBLES– Clearview 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This riveting docudrama follows four resourceful Jewish youths living under Nazi rule in 1943 Berlin, where they elude the roundup of Jews by taking cover in safe houses and freely walking the streets, virtually hiding in plain sight.”

1/25/19- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) GREEN BOOK– Jacob Burns, Bethel. Excellent reviews and

2) STAN & OLLIE– Bethel, Clearview 100.

3) THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD– Bethel, Danbury. Very good reviews.

4) COLD WAR– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100. I thought it was so-so

5) CAPERNAUM– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100. So-so reviews

6) THE FAVOURITE– Clearview 100. Good reviews but of no interest to me

7) VICE– Clearview 100. I liked the movie even though it infuriated me

8) BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY– Danbury. I really enjoyed this movie

9) A STAR IS BORN– Danbury. I liked it very much

10) ON THE BASIS OF SEX– Jacob Burns. I liked this movie- didn’t think I would

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) STAN & OLLIE– Very good reviews

2) COLD WAR– I thought it was so-so

3) 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. Early reviews are mixed

4) CAPERNAUM- So-so reviews but friends have liked it and I will see it soon

5) GREEN BOOK– Excellent and a must-see

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- same as Lake Worth above

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) OSCAR SHORTS

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

1) CAPERNAUM– So-so reviews but friends have liked it and I will see it soon

2) COLD WAR– I thought it was just so-so

3) HEADING HOME– 2019. 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.

4) THE INVISIBLES– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This riveting docudrama follows four resourceful Jewish youths living under Nazi rule in 1943 Berlin, where they elude the roundup of Jews by taking cover in safe houses and freely walking the streets, virtually hiding in plain sight.”

1/25/19- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

JANUARY 3, 2019

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) A BAG OF MARBLES– Hotwire On Demand

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) A BAG OF MARBLES– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “As the German army occupies Paris in 1941, Jewish barber Roman Joffo realizes his family is in danger of detention and worse. Planning their escape to the “free zone” in southern France, he sends his youngest sons on the perilous trip by themselves.”

3/23/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

12/28/18- Yet another Holocaust movie with excellent acting and a grueling screenplay. Definitely recommended. TRDB. Hotwire On Demand.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

1) FAR FROM THE TREE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Challenging conventional perceptions of “normality,” this affecting documentary looks at the special effort required to raise children who are profoundly different, profiling seven families as they confront the difficulties and reap the rewards.”

7/19/18- Just a few reviews at present and they are all good. TRDB.

2) MEMOIR OF WAR– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “A resistance member in Nazi-occupied France, young writer Marguerite Duras is frantic to learn the fate of her communist husband, who’s been sent to a concentration camp. In return for news, she begins a risky relationship with a German collaborator.”

8/17/18- Mostly good reviews, especially for the acting. TRDB.

3) THE OATH– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. ” When spouses Chris and Kai agree to host the family Thanksgiving dinner, the hysterical political climate in America triggers loud and bitter arguments, ending in two federal agents being held hostage in the couple’s living room.”

10/11/18- Good reviews by most. Sounds funny. TRDB.

4) MONSTERS AND MEN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Depicting the aftermath when a white police officer shoots an unarmed black man, this timely drama intertwines the stories of the onlooker who filmed the act, a conflicted African-American cop and a young athlete turned into an activist by the event.”

9/28/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

5) WHAT THEY HAD– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “When her mother wanders into a snowstorm on Christmas Eve, Bridget responds to her brother’s call for help by returning to her hometown, where the siblings face the unenviable task of persuading their dad to put Mom in a care home.”

10/19/18- Very good  reviews for this drama. TRDB.

11/11/18- An excellent drama with wonderful acting and a perceptive look at a good family dealing with a real crisis. TRDB. 

6) MID 90’s– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1990s Los Angeles, teenage Stevie is looking for his place in a world dominated by his abusive older brother and needy single mom. After finding acceptance with the crew at a skateboard shop, Stevie learns some hard lessons about race and class.”

10/19/18- Fairly good reviews noted. TRDB.

7) KUSAMA: INFINITY– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Liberating herself from Japanese society’s restrictive tenets and aesthetics, avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama moved to New York City in 1958 and developed a unique multimedia style featuring oceans of polka dots, as detailed in this documentary.”

9/7/18- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

Recommended-

1) STAN & OLLIE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “With their glory days as Hollywood’s premier comedy team long behind them, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy begin a 1953 farewell tour of England and Ireland, reminding audiences — and themselves — of the magic of their partnership.”

12/28/18- Very good to excellent reviews. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1) HOLMES & WATSON– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Literary sleuth Sherlock Holmes and his stalwart sidekick, Dr. Watson, get the comedic treatment as the legendary private detective meets his match in a woman who possesses superior intelligence.”

12/28/18- Some of the worst reviews I have ever seen. TRDB.

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) ON THE BASIS OF SEX– Jacob Burns. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Long before Ruth Bader Ginsburg became a Supreme Court justice, she advocated for women’s rights. This inspiring biopic focuses on her early career as she teams with her husband to bring a historic gender-discrimination case before the Supreme Court.”

12/25/18- Fair to good reviews. I doubt that it will be as good as RBG. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) THE FAVOURITE– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100. Good reviews

2) GREEN BOOK– Jacob Burns, Bethel. Excellent movie and a must-see

3) MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100. Fair reviews at best

4) IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK– Jacob Burns, Danbury, Clearview 100. Excellent reviews from the critics and good ones from audiences.

5) BEN IS BACK– Bethel, Clearview 100. Good reviews.

6) A STAR IS BORN– Clearview 100. I liked it very much. Great Lady Gaga.

7) VICE- Bethel, Danbury. Fair reviews. Friends have not liked this movie but felt that it was worthwhile for historical value.

8) THE MULE– Danbury. Clint Eastwood doing what he’s good at

9) BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY– Danbury. I liked it very much

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH- see Movies of Delray below

1) VICE-

2) MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS-

3) THE FAVOURITE-

4) THE MULE-

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

1) VICE– Fair reviews and friends are luke warm about it

2) MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS– Fair reviews at best

3) THE MULE– I liked this movie-

4) GREEN BOOK– An excellent movie and a must-see

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) HORN FROM THE HEART: THE PAUL BUTTERFIELD STORY– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Inducted into the rock ‘n’ roll and blues halls of fame, legendary harmonica player Paul Butterfield gets his due in this documentary that recounts his story via his words and music, and through interviews with his friends, family and peers.”

10/17/18- I’ve found 4 reviews so far– 3 are very good and 1 isn’t. TRDB.

D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON- Not available at press time

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

12/14/18- I’ve read just 2 reviews and they are both excellent. TRDB.

NOVEMBER 22, 2018

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) JULIET, NAKED– Netflix Disc.

2) CUSTODY– Netflix Disc.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) JULIET, NAKED– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Once madly in love with Annie, his longtime girlfriend, Duncan has become more dedicated to faded rocker Tucker Crowe than to her, causing the relationship to founder. But in a surprising twist of fate, it’s Annie who ultimately connects with Tucker.”

8/27/28- Fair reviews by the critics and excellent ones from audiences. TRDB.

11/15/18- I liked this movie very much. Ethan Hawke was wonderful as usual. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

2) CUSTODY– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Caught in the middle of his parents’ bitter divorce, Julien Besson finds his life ruled by the terms of a shared custody order, forcing him to navigate the competing perspectives of his warring parents and to try to keep the worst from happening.”

8/14/18- Excellent reviews by both critics and audiences. TRDB.

11/16/18- This movie was good but became excellent with the last scene. Very realistic!! TRDB. Netflix Disc.

3) THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS– 2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is a six-part Western anthology film, a series of tales about the American frontier told through the unique and incomparable voice of Joel and Ethan Coen. Each chapter tells a distinct story about the American West.”

11/9/18- Excellent reviews by the critics and very good ones by audiences. TRDB.

11/17/18- I couldn’t get into this movie and turned it off. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

1) DOG DAYS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this ensemble comedy, dogs are not only man’s best friend, they’re his best matchmaker as a disparate group of Angelenos — including a mom, an athlete turned TV host and a barista — connects through their canine companions.”

8/10/18- Weak reviews from audiences but very good ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) SEARCHING– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In an age dominated by electronic devices, David Kim communicates with his teenage daughter largely via iMessages and FaceTime chats. So, when she vanishes, he begins a virtual hunt for her on her laptop as a cop searches for her in the real world.”

8/24/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

1) INSTANT FAMILY– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Adopting three foster children at once thinking that it’s a perfect way to start a family, Pete and Ellie fail to consider that their new charges may be hellions — which they are. Not only do the kids flout the rules, they see no reason for parents.”

11/14/18-  Good reviews from the critics and excellent ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) OF FATHERS AND SONS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Putting his life at risk, Syrian director Talal Derki returns to his war-torn homeland and spends two years living with a family of radical jihadists who erroneously believe he’s working on a film supporting the rise of the Islamic caliphate.”

11/16/18- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

3) THE LAST RACE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Small-town stock-car racing venues are a disappearing slice of Americana, but Long Island’s Riverhead Raceway is still open and hosting low-budget meets. Meanwhile, the track’s once-rural surroundings have become a bustling commercial district.”

11/16/18- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

4) THE WILD BOYS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “As punishment for committing a ritualistic murder, five teen boys on the island of La Réunion are forced to sail with a Dutch captain whose cruelty drives them to rebel. But they soon end up on a mysterious island, where they undergo a metamorphosis.”

11/16/18- Excellent reviews by the critics and good ones by audiences. TRDB.

5) AT ETERNITY’S GATE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “This dramatized biopic recounts the last days in the turbulent and tragically brief life of master Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, who comes to realize that his brilliant work will never be recognized as such during his lifetime.”

11/16/18- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

6) CAM- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “CAM is a technology driven psychological thriller set in the world of webcam porn. It follows Alice, an ambitious camgirl, who one day discovers she’s been replaced on her show with an exact replica of herself.”

11/16/18- Excellent reviews for this drama/mystery. TRDB.

7) WIDOWS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “When four thieves are killed during a robbery attempt, their widows suddenly find themselves facing shaky futures. After due consideration, the ladies decide to join forces to finish the botched heist.”

11/14/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

8) GREEN BOOK– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “This fact-based drama follows black jazz pianist Don Shirley as he sets off on a concert tour that takes him through the Deep South in 1962. After he hires an Italian-American bouncer as his driver, the two forge a unique bond along the way.”

11/16/18- Good reviews in general and I enjoyed the trailer as well. TRDB.

9) UNDER THE WIRE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “This powerful documentary follows war correspondent Marie Colvin and photographer Paul Conroy in their travels to the besieged Syrian town of Homs. After Colvin is killed in a bomb attack, a badly injured Conroy must make a dramatic escape to safety.”

11/16/18- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

10) ROMA- 2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. ” ROMA follows Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio), a young domestic worker for a family in the middle-class neighborhood of Roma in Mexico City.”

11/22/18- Great reviews. TRDB.

11) LAS SANDINISTAS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “This compelling documentary looks at the pivotal role played by the female rebel forces who battled on the front lines in Nicaragua’s Sandinista revolution and continue to fight for equality and justice 35 years later.”

11/21/18- Very few reviews so far and they are mixed. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1)  JONATHAN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Brothers Jonathan and John are as close as siblings could be, given that they share the same body. To accommodate their situation, they live in shifts and pursue different lives — until they make the mistake of falling for the same woman.”

11/16/18- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

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HOTWIRE ON-DEMAND-

1) RBG– Excellent

2) THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS– Excellent

3) JULIET, NAKED– I liked it very much

4) WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?- An excellent documentary

5) THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST– I enjoyed this movie

6) DON’T WORRY, HE WON’T GET FAR ON FOOT– I liked this movie very much

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) THE FRONT RUNNER– Danbury, Clearview 100. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fact-based drama, Sen. Gary Hart is the front-runner for the 1988 Democratic presidential nomination — but he sees his ambitions short-circuited when reports of an extramarital affair turn up in the media.”

11/20/18- Really poor reviews although I might see it eventually for history sake. TRDB.

 REPEATS-

1) GREEN BOOK– Jacob Burns, Danbury. Good reviews.

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) GREEN BOOK–  Good reviews in general and I enjoyed the trailer as well. TRDB.

2) INSTANT FAMILY– Good reviews from the critics and excellent ones from audiences. TRDB.

3) WIDOWS- Very good reviews

4) THE FRONT RUNNER– Really poor reviews although I might see it eventually for history sake. TRDB.

5) BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY– Weak reviews but all of my friends liked it

6) BOY ERASED– Very good reviews

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- See “above” for reviews!!

1) GREEN BOOK-

2) WIDOWS–

3) THE FRONT RUNNER–

4) BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY–

6) BOY ERASED–

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) BODIED– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “At first, graduate student Adam Merkin is only interested in the brutal art of battle rap as a thesis topic — until he discovers by chance that he has a talent for the art form. But his gift for public putdowns soon has unexpected consequences.”

11/2/18-  Excellent reviews from critics and audiences alike. TRDB.

2) SECOND TIME AROUND– 2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Katherine Mitchell (Linda Thorson), a widowed yet vibrant senior, wasn’t looking for love a second time – not at her age, and certainly not with grumpy Isaac Shapiro (Stuart Margolin). Despite the nosey bunch of seniors in the residence where Katherine convalesces after breaking her hip, she and Isaac warm to each other over their shared love of music.”

11/20/18- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS-

1) BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY– Weak reviews but friends have liked it

2) COLETTE– I enjoyed this movie

3) FREE SOLO– I liked it

4) MARIA BY CALLAS-  Excellent reviews. 

5) STUDIO 54–  Excellent reviews for this documentary.

6) WHAT THEY HAD– Excellent! See it.

7) WILDLIFE– I was disappointed with this movie