The Reel Dr. Bob

APRIL 6, 2024-

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) ANATOMY OF A FALL– Prime

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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. TRDB. 

4/3/24- I just saw this movie a second time and again liked it very much. TRDB.

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NEW MOVIES IN THEATERS AND/OR STREAMING-

1) LA CHIMERA– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Everyone has their own Chimera, something they try to achieve but never manage to find. For the band of tombaroli, thieves of ancient grave goods and archaeological wonders, the Chimera means redemption from work and the dream of easy wealth.”

3/31/24- Excellent reviews for this Italian drama. TRDB. In Theaters

2) ON THE ADAMANT– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Winner of the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival, this affecting, enlightening documentary from nonfiction master Nicolas Philibert (To Be and to Have, In the Land of the Deaf) invites viewers to come aboard the Adamant and witness the transformational power of art and community. The Adamant is a one-of-a-kind place: a floating refuge on the Seine River in the heart of Paris that offers day programs for adults with mental illnesses.”

4/1/24- Excellent reviews for this documentary from France. TRDB.

3) DOGMAN– A man finds salvation through the love of his dogs. Awful reviews from everyone

4) LOUSY CARTER– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In LOUSY CARTER, David Krumholtz (OPPENHEIMER) stars as a ne’er-do-well literature professor adrift on a soulless college campus who learns he only has six months to live. With the clock ticking, will he change his ways? Probably not.”

4/2/24- Fair reviews from the critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB.

In Theaters and on Prime, Vudu and Apple TV

5) THE BEAUTIFUL GAME– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Mal (Bill Nighy, Living, About Time) is the manager of England’s homeless football team, taking his players to Rome with the hope of being crowned champions of the Homeless World Cup, a global street soccer tournament.”

4/2/24-Very good reviews by the critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

On Netflix

6) ASPHALT CITY– Poor reviews

7) THE LISTENER– Fair reviews at best.

8) ROAD HOUSE– Awful reviews

9) THE TRUTH VS. ALEX JONES– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Filmed over four years with unprecedented access, THE TRUTH VS. ALEX JONES chronicles the riveting courtroom drama of two defamation lawsuits brought by Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims’ families against Alex Jones and his website, InfoWars.”

4/2/24- Great reviews from the critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

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

1) WICKED LITTLE LETTERS– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A 1920s English seaside town bears witness to a farcical and occasionally sinister scandal in this riotous mystery comedy. Based on a stranger than fiction true story, WICKED LITTLE LETTERS follows two neighbors: deeply conservative local Edith Swan (Olivia Colman) and rowdy Irish migrant Rose Gooding (Jessie Buckley). When Edith and fellow residents begin to receive wicked letters full of unintentionally hilarious profanities, foul-mouthed Rose is charged with the crime.”

4/4/24- Fair reviews for this drama/comedy. TRDB.

2) PROBLEMISTA– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Alejandro (Julio Torres) is an aspiring toy designer from El Salvador, struggling to bring his unusual ideas to life in New York City. As time on his work visa runs out, a job assisting an erratic art-world outcast (Tilda Swinton) becomes his only hope to stay in the country and realize his dream. From writer/director Julio Torres comes a surreal adventure through the equally treacherous worlds of New York City and the U.S. Immigration system.”

3/3/24- Excellent reviews for this comedy/drama. TRDB.

MOVIES PLAYING AT THE AMC THEATER IN DANBURY, CT-

1) WICKED LITTLE LETTERS- See above

MOVES PLAYING AT THE GREENWOOD FEATURES IN BETHEL, CT-

1) WICKED LITTLE LETTERS–

2) PROBLEMISTA–

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MOVIES PLAYING IN FLORIDA NEAR ME-

1) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

a)  REMEMBORING GENE WILDER–

b) THE BOY IN THE WOODS–

c) WICKED LITTLE LETTERS–

d) ONE LIFE–

2) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- Same as Lake Worth above

3) THE STONZEK THEATER IN DOWNTOWN LAKE WORTH-

a) LOVE LIES BLEEDING– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “From Director Rose Glass comes an electric new love story; reclusive gym manager Lou falls hard for Jackie, an ambitious bodybuilder headed through town to Vegas in pursuit of her dream. But their love ignites violence, pulling them deep into the web of Lou’s criminal family.”

3/10/24- Good reviews. TRDB.

(www.thereeldrbob.com)

MARCH 29, 2024-

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK- NONE

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK-

1) SHIRLEY– I did not like this movie at all. On Netflix

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NEW MOVIES IN THEATERS AND/OR STREAMING-

1) DO NOT EXPECT TOO MUCH FROM THE END OF THE WORLD– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “From Golden Bear winner Radu Jude, DO NOT EXPECT TOO MUCH FROM THE END OF THE WORLD takes a fierce and darkly comic swipe at modern day life. Overworked and underpaid production assistant Angela (Ilinca Manolache) is assigned to film a workplace safety video for a multinational corporation in Bucharest. When one of the interviewees makes a statement that ignites a scandal, Angela has to re-invent the story.”

3/24/24- Excellent reviews by the critics and weak ones from audiences for this movie from Romania. TRDB. In Theaters

2) RIDDLE OF FIRE– Fair reviiews at best

3) FEMME– Good reviews

4) FREE TIME– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Drew is approaching the end of his twenties and, with it, his relative youth. Looking to make a sudden change, he decides to quit his cushy desk job and “embrace life.” Cycling quickly through friends, hobbies, and goals, it’s not long until Drew realizes he has no idea what to do with his newfound freedom. Led by Colin Burgess and featuring a wide ensemble of New York City’s funniest performers, Ryan Martin Brown’s debut feature is an uproarious comedy — filmed on location in the midst of America’s “Great Resignation” — about the search for meaning in the modern world.”

3/24/2024- Good reviews for this comedy/drama. TRDB.

5) SHIRLEY– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The story of the first Black congresswoman, Shirley Chisholm, and her trailblazing run for president of the United States.”

3/24/24- Fair reviews for this documentary. I watched for about a half hour and turned it off. TRDB. Netflix 

6) STORMY– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “From reporters to lawyers to politicians, many have attempted to define Stormy Daniels. Stormy tells the unvarnished truth about an unlikely American icon — this time, in her own words.”

3/24/24- Weak reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

7) PROBLEMISTA– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Alejandro (Julio Torres) is an aspiring toy designer from El Salvador, struggling to bring his unusual ideas to life in New York City. As time on his work visa runs out, a job assisting an erratic art-world outcast (Tilda Swinton) becomes his only hope to stay in the country and realize his dream.”

3/29/24- Good reviews for this comedy/drama. TRDB.

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MOVIES PLAYING AT THE JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER-

1) PROBLEMISTA– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Alejandro (Julio Torres) is an aspiring toy designer from El Salvador, struggling to bring his unusual ideas to life in New York City. As time on his work visa runs out, a job assisting an erratic art-world outcast (Tilda Swinton) becomes his only hope to stay in the country and realize his dream.”

3/29/24- Good reviews for this comedy/drama. TRDB

2) ONE LIFE– I saw it and liked it very much

3) NOSTALGHIA-

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MOVIES PLAYING AT THE AMC THEATER IN DANBURY-

1) BOB MARLEY–

2) CABRINI-

3) IMMACULATE–

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MOVIES PLAYING AT THE GREENWOOD FEATURES IN BETHEL-

1) ONE LIFE–

2) PROBLEMISTA–

MOVIES PLAYING IN PALM BEACH CO. NEAR ME-

1) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

a) PROBLEMISTA–

b) THE BOY IN THE WOODS– No reviews as of this time

2) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- Same as lake worth above

(www.thereeldrbob.com)

MARCH 21, 2024-

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) ONE LIFE– At the Theater

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK-

1) ONE LIFE– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Based on the book If It’s Not Impossible…: The Life of Sir Nicholas Winton by Barbara Winton, ONE LIFE tells the incredible, emotional true story of Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Winton (Johnny Flynn), a young London broker who visits Prague in December 1938. In a race against time, Winton convinces Trevor Chadwick (Alex Sharp) and Doreen Warriner (Romola Garai) of the British Committee for Refugees in Czechoslovakia to rescue hundreds of predominantly Jewish children before Nazi occupation closes the borders.”

3/14/24- Excellent reviews for this movie. TRDB.

3/19/24- I saw this movie and liked it very much. TRDB.

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NEW MOVIES IN THEATERS AND/OR STREAMING-

1) THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MAGICAL NEGROES– Awful Reviews

2) THE TUBA THIEVES– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “From 2011 to 2013, tubas are stolen from Los Angeles high schools. This story isn’t about thieves or missing tubas. Instead, it asks what it means to listen.”

3/17/24- Excellent reviews for this docudrama. TRDB.

3) KNOX GOES AWAY– When a contract killer has a rapidly evolving form of dementia, he is offered an opportunity to redeem himself by saving the life of the adult son with whom he had been estranged. Poor reviews by the critics. TRDB

4) FRENCH GIRL– Terrible reviews- TRDB

5) ARTHUR THE KING– Poor reviews from the critics and excellent ones from audiences. TRDB

6) WILLIAM SHATTNER: YOU CAN CALL ME BILL– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “From make-believe starship captain to a real-life rocketman, William Shatner has led one of the most unique and best-lived lives on the planet. And while the actor William Shatner may be recognizable around the globe, the man behind the masks is even more interesting than the iconic roles he’s played.”

3/22/24- Good to excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

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

1) ONE LIFE-

2) SHAYDA-

3) PROBLEMISTA-

4) LOVE LIES BLEEDING-

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MOVIES PLAYING AT THE AMC THEATER IN DANBURY, CT

1) LOVE LIES BLEEDING-

2) CABRINI-

3) BOB MARLEY-

4) ONE LIFE-

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MOVIES PLAYING AT THE GREENWOOD FEATURES IN BETHEL, CT-

1) ONE LIFE–

2) THE TASTE OF THINGS–

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MOVIES PLAYING IN PALM BEACH CO. NEAR ME-

1) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

2) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

a) ONE LIFE–

b) YOU CAN CALL ME BILL–

c) KNOX GOES AWAY–

d) CABRINI–

3) THE STONZEK THEATER IN DOWNTOWN LAKE WORTH-

( Fri–Sun)

a) 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.

(www.thereeldrbob.com)

MARCH 15, 2024-

DEAR FRIENDS:

THE NEW MOVIE ABOUT NICKY WINTON- ONE LIFE – ADDS TO THE TWO MOVIES ABOUT HIM THAT SHOWED ABOUT 20 YRS. AGO. REVIEWS ARE VERY GOOD AND I PLAN TO SEE IT.

SEE BELOW!!

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) SPACE: THE LONGEST GOODBYE– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In the next decade, NASA will send astronauts to Mars for the first time. Separated from Earth, and unable to communicate with ground in real time, crew members will experience extreme isolation that could gravely affect their three-year journey. This Sundance-premiering documentary follows a savvy NASA psychologist tasked with protecting daring space explorers.”

3/10/24- Mostly good reviews. TRDB. On various platforms.

2) LOVE LIES BLEEDING– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “From Director Rose Glass comes an electric new love story; reclusive gym manager Lou falls hard for Jackie, an ambitious bodybuilder headed through town to Vegas in pursuit of her dream. But their love ignites violence, pulling them deep into the web of Lou’s criminal family.”

3/10/24- Good reviews. TRDB.

3) HIGH & LOW: JOHN GALLIANO. 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “HIGH & LOW – JOHN GALLIANO is the gripping and thought-provoking new documentary from Academy Award® winner Kevin Macdonald, charting the rise-and-fall story of fashion designer John Galliano.”

3/10/23- Good reviews. TRDB.

4) A REVOLUTION ON CANVAS– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In this hybrid political thriller and verité portrait documentary, Sara Nodjoumi, working with co-director and husband, Till Schauder, makes her directorial debut with this personal film, diving into the mystery surrounding the disappearance of more than 100 “treasonous” paintings by her father, seminal Iranian modern artist Nickzad Nodjoumi.”

3/10/23- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

5) THE SHADOWLESS TOWER– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Gu Wentong, a middle-aged food critic, is drifting through the local eateries of vibrant Beijing with his younger photographer colleague Oyang. A divorcé with a 6-year-old daughter and estranged from his father for decades, he is looking for a new perspective on life while reconsidering his failings as a father, a son, and a lover.”

3/14/24- Fairly good reviews for this movie from China. TRDB.

 6) ONE LIFE– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Based on the book If It’s Not Impossible…: The Life of Sir Nicholas Winton by Barbara Winton, ONE LIFE tells the incredible, emotional true story of Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Winton (Johnny Flynn), a young London broker who visits Prague in December 1938. In a race against time, Winton convinces Trevor Chadwick (Alex Sharp) and Doreen Warriner (Romola Garai) of the British Committee for Refugees in Czechoslovakia to rescue hundreds of predominantly Jewish children before Nazi occupation closes the borders.”

3/14/24- Excellent reviews for this movie. TRDB.

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MOVIES PLAYING AT THE JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER-

1) ONE LIFE–

2) THE TASTE OF THINGS–

3) LOVE LIES BLEEDING–

4) PERFECT DAYS–

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MOVIES PLAYING AT THE AMC THEATER IN DANBURY-

1) ONE LIFE–

2) CABRINI–

3) LOVE LIES BLEEDING–

4) POOR THINGS–

5) OPPENHEIMER–

 MOVIES PLAYING AT THE GREENWOOD FEATURES IN BETHEL, CT

1) ONE LIFE–

2) THE TASTE OF THINGS–

3) PERFECT DAYS–

MOVIES PLAYING IN PALM BEACH COUNTY NEAR ME-

1) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

a) ONE LIFE–

b) CABRINI-

c) ORDINARY ANGELS–

d) KNOX GOES AWAY– Poor reviews

e) ARTHUR THE KING– Weak reviews

2) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- Same as Lake Worth

3) THE STONZEK THEATER IN DOWNTOWN, LAKE WORTH-

a) GOD & COUNTRY– 2024. 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?”

(www.thereeldrbob.com)

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)