The Reel Dr. Bob

NOVEMBER 18, 2021-

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) MAYOR PETE– Amazon

2) PASSING– Netflix

3) 7 PRISONERS– Netflix

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK-

1) MAYOR PETE– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Mayor Pete brings viewers inside Pete’s campaign to be the youngest U.S. President, providing an unprecedented intimacy with the candidate, his husband Chasten, and their ambitious team. From the earliest days of the campaign, to his unlikely, triumphant victory in Iowa and beyond. This film reveals what really goes on inside a campaign for the highest office in the land — and the myriad ways it changes the lives of those at its center. Recently appointed to U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Buttigieg serves as the first openly LGBTQ Cabinet member in U.S. history.”

11/13/21- Fairly good reviews for this documentary and I liked it very much. TRDB. Amazon.

2) PASSING– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In 1920s New York City, a Black woman finds her world upended when her life becomes intertwined with a former childhood friend who’s passing as white.”

11/14/21- Very good reviews by all reviewers. TRDB. On Netflix.

11/14/21- A bit slow but I liked it just the same. TRDB.

3) 7 PRISONERS– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “When 18-year-old Mateus learns about work at a scrap yard in São Paulo, he leaps at the chance to bring money home to his family in rural Brazil. But after he discovers that the job amounts to enslavement, he’s faced with tough moral choices.”

11/13/21- Excellent reviews from all. TRDB.

11/14/21- I agree with the critics- excellent and definitely worth a viewing. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX THIS WEEK ON DISC- None I Can Recommend. There will be lots more next month.

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NEW MOVIES IN THEATERS AND/OR STREAMABLE-

1) PASSING– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In 1920s New York City, a Black woman finds her world upended when her life becomes intertwined with a former childhood friend who’s passing as white.”

11/3/21- Very good reviews by all.  TRDB. On Netflix.

2) WHAT DO WE SEE WHEN WE LOOK AT THE SKY– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In the Georgian riverside town of Kutaisi, summertime romance and World Cup fever are in the air. After a pair of chance encounters, pharmacist Lisa and soccer player Giorgi find their plans for a date undone when they both awaken magically transformed — with no way to recognize each other.”

11/13/21- Excellent reviews. TRDB. In theaters now and On MUBI, Streaming on Jan. 7, 2022.

3) BELFAST-.2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “BELFAST is a movie straight from Branagh’s own experience. A nine-year-old boy must chart a path towards adulthood through a world that has suddenly turned upside down. His stable and loving community and everything he thought he understood about life is changed forever but joy, laughter, music and the formative magic of the movies remain.”

11/10/21- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.  In Theaters

4) RED NOTICE– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “FBI profiler John Hartley’s latest assignment — to catch the world’s most wanted art thief — puts him in the middle of a heist and in league with another top art thief in a chase that takes them around the globe.”

11/13/21- Awful reviews by the critics and excellent ones from audiences. TRDB. Netflix

5) 7 PRISONERS– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “When 18-year-old Mateus learns about work at a scrap yard in São Paulo, he leaps at the chance to bring money home to his family in rural Brazil. But after he discovers that the job amounts to enslavement, he’s faced with tough moral choices.”

11/13/21- Excellent reviews from all. TRDB. Netflix

11/14/21- I agree with the critics- excellent and definitely worth a viewing. TRDB.

6) PAPER & GLUE–  2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Using unexpected canvasses, artist JR intends to give a global voice to everyday people through a genre-blending combination of public art, photography and large format spectacle.”

11/13/21- Good reviews for this documentary. TRDB. In Theaters

7) JULIA– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “JULIA tells the story of the legendary cookbook author and television superstar who changed the way Americans think about food, television, and even about women. Using never-before-seen archival footage, personal photos, first-person narratives, and cutting-edge, mouth-watering food cinematography, the film traces Julia Child’s surprising path, from her struggles to create and publish the revolutionary Mastering the Art of French Cooking (1961) which has sold more than 2.5 million copies to date, to her empowering story of a woman who found fame in her 50s, and her calling as an unlikely television sensation.”

11/13/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.  In Theaters-

8) UPPERCASE PRINT– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Mugur C?linescu, a 16-year-old teenager, writes another story on walls with chalked uppercase protest messages against the regime. His actions are compiled in a voluminous file kept by the Secret Police (Securitate), which observed, apprehended, interrogated and destroyed him. Linking both stories — secret and public, personal and collective — brings to light an unknown hero 30 years after the fall of communism.”

11/13/21- Reviews are just fair but it sounds OK to me. TRDB. In Theaters

9 ) 3212 UN-REDACTED– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “When ODA 3212, an elite U.S. Special Forces team is caught in a surprise attack deep in the Saharan Desert, killing four soldiers and leaving the rest stranded with no rescue or reinforcements sent their way, military brass immediately start spinning a fractured tale to hide the full truth from the public and the families of the fallen. Two years later, the Pentagon’s highly-redacted report on the ambush near Tongo Tongo, Niger shockingly accuses the team of going on a rogue mission to kill or capture a top ISIS commander. 3212 UN-REDACTED is the result of an exhaustive three-year investigation that contains explosive interviews with a top Pentagon whistleblower, the former general in charge of special operations in Africa, the team’s own commander in Niger and the families of all four fallen soldiers united in their quest for the truth.”

11/13/21- No reviews yet. TRDB. On Hulu

10) MAYOR PETE– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Mayor Pete brings viewers inside Pete’s campaign to be the youngest U.S. President, providing an unprecedented intimacy with the candidate, his husband Chasten, and their ambitious team. From the earliest days of the campaign, to his unlikely, triumphant victory in Iowa and beyond. This film reveals what really goes on inside a campaign for the highest office in the land — and the myriad ways it changes the lives of those at its center. Recently appointed to U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Buttigieg serves as the first openly LGBTQ Cabinet member in U.S. history.”

11/13/21- Fairly good reviews for this documentary and I liked it very much. TRDB. On Amazon

11) THEY SAY NOTHNG STAYS THE SAME– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In the debut directorial feature by actor Joe Odagiri, The Say Nothing Stays the Same follows an old ferryman in a remote Meiji-era community. His life is a peaceful, cyclical existence, given meaning by the essential role he plays in transporting people, livestock and goods across the water, connecting villages and lives. When news arrives that a bridge is being built, it’s clear that his services will no longer be needed. Meanwhile, his life will be equally transformed by the appearance of a mysterious young woman whom he saves from drowning.”

11/13/21- Great reviews for this Japanese drama. TRDB. In Theaters and on virtual cinemas

12) LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE is three stories that explore love, commitment, and loyalty between couples and friends. In the film’s first story TWO FOR DINNER, a married couple (Joanne Whalley and Chris Messina) find an unconventional way to transcend long distance through technology, but discover they were farther apart than they knew. In SAILING LESSON, a long-married couple (Kathy Baker and Marshall Bell) tries to reignite their honeymoon-phase heat through a spontaneous sailing trip… and unexpected events arise. And in LATE LUNCH, a young woman (Maya Kazan) who recently lost her mother gathers together a group of her mother’s friends (including Cybill Shepherd, Rosanna Arquette, and Rita Wilson) to share memories. Surprising revelations ensue.  In Theaters

13) CUSP– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In a small military town in Texas, three spirited teenage girls live out a fever-dream summer. Through their characters, photographers and debut filmmakers Parker Hill and Isabel Bethencourt share a fascinating glimpse into authentic American girlhood, where the strictures of adolescence clash with the growing desire for personal agency.”

11/13/21- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB. On Showtime 11/26

SKIP THESE-

1)  NIGHT RAIDERS– In Theaters and pay per view

2)  HOME SWEET HOME ALONE– On Disney +

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MOVIES SHOWING IN WESTCHESTER Co, NY AND FAIRFIELD Co. CT-

A) JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER IN PLEASANTVILLE, NY

NEW-

1) THE POWER OF THE DOG– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1925 Montana, the relationship between brothers Phil and George — rich ranchers who are polar opposites — sours when George weds a young widow and Phil begins a relentless crusade to torment his sibling’s wife and her bookish teenage son.”

11/18/21- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2) JULIA– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “JULIA tells the story of the legendary cookbook author and television superstar who changed the way Americans think about food, television, and even about women. Using never-before-seen archival footage, personal photos, first-person narratives, and cutting-edge, mouth-watering food cinematography, the film traces Julia Child’s surprising path, from her struggles to create and publish the revolutionary Mastering the Art of French Cooking (1961) which has sold more than 2.5 million copies to date, to her empowering story of a woman who found fame in her 50s, and her calling as an unlikely television sensation.”

11/13/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) BELFAST– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “BELFAST is a movie straight from Branagh’s own experience. A nine-year-old boy must chart a path towards adulthood through a world that has suddenly turned upside down. His stable and loving community and everything he thought he understood about life is changed forever but joy, laughter, music and the formative magic of the movies remain.”

11/10/21- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2) SPENCER- 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Princess Diana’s exit from Britain’s royal family is recounted in this historical drama set at the queen’s Sandringham estate during the 1991 Christmas holidays, where Diana makes the fateful decision to leave Prince Charles.”

11/9/21- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

3) THE FRENCH DISPATCH– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in 1950s France and featuring a star-studded cast, this ensemble dramedy threads together and brings to life a trio of short stories written for the final edition of an American magazine.”

10/20/21- Fair to good reviews for this dramedy. TRDB.

B) AMC DANBURY, CT-

1) BELFAST- 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “BELFAST is a movie straight from Branagh’s own experience. A nine-year-old boy must chart a path towards adulthood through a world that has suddenly turned upside down. His stable and loving community and everything he thought he understood about life is changed forever but joy, laughter, music and the formative magic of the movies remain.”

11/10/21- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2) SPENCER– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Princess Diana’s exit from Britain’s royal family is recounted in this historical drama set at the queen’s Sandringham estate during the 1991 Christmas holidays, where Diana makes the fateful decision to leave Prince Charles.”

11/9/21- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

3) NO TIME TO DIE– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the 25th installment of the James Bond movie franchise, Agent 007 is enjoying retirement in Jamaica when his leisure is interrupted by a longtime friend from the CIA who needs help rescuing a kidnapped scientist.”

10/1/21- Good reviews for this movie featuring Daniel Craig for the last time as Bond. TRDB.

4) THE FRENCH DISPATCH– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in 1950s France and featuring a star-studded cast, this ensemble dramedy threads together and brings to life a trio of short stories written for the final edition of an American magazine.”

MOVIES SHOWING IN PALM BEACH FL-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) SPENCER– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Princess Diana’s exit from Britain’s royal family is recounted in this historical drama set at the queen’s Sandringham estate during the 1991 Christmas holidays, where Diana makes the fateful decision to leave Prince Charles.”

11/9/21- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

2) KING RICHARD– 2021. Armed with a clear vision and a brazen 78-page plan, Richard Williams is determined to write his daughters, Venus and Serena, into history. Training on Compton, California’s neglected tennis courts–rain or shine–the girls are shaped by their father’s unyielding commitment and their mother’s balanced perspective and keen intuition, defying the seemingly insurmountable odds and prevailing expectations laid before them. Based on the true story that will inspire the world.

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

1) SPENCER– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Princess Diana’s exit from Britain’s royal family is recounted in this historical drama set at the queen’s Sandringham estate during the 1991 Christmas holidays, where Diana makes the fateful decision to leave Prince Charles.”

11/9/21- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

2) JULIA– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “JULIA tells the story of the legendary cookbook author and television superstar who changed the way Americans think about food, television, and even about women. Using never-before-seen archival footage, personal photos, first-person narratives, and cutting-edge, mouth-watering food cinematography, the film traces Julia Child’s surprising path, from her struggles to create and publish the revolutionary Mastering the Art of French Cooking (1961) which has sold more than 2.5 million copies to date, to her empowering story of a woman who found fame in her 50s, and her calling as an unlikely television sensation.”

11/13/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

3) TANGO SHALOM–

Fair reviews

4) KING RICHARD– 2021. Armed with a clear vision and a brazen 78-page plan, Richard Williams is determined to write his daughters, Venus and Serena, into history. Training on Compton, California’s neglected tennis courts–rain or shine–the girls are shaped by their father’s unyielding commitment and their mother’s balanced perspective and keen intuition, defying the seemingly insurmountable odds and prevailing expectations laid before them. Based on the true story that will inspire the world.

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

1) BELFAST– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “BELFAST is a movie straight from Branagh’s own experience. A nine-year-old boy must chart a path towards adulthood through a world that has suddenly turned upside down. His stable and loving community and everything he thought he understood about life is changed forever but joy, laughter, music and the formative magic of the movies remain.”

11/10/21- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2) LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE- 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE is three stories that explore love, commitment, and loyalty between couples and friends. In the film’s first story TWO FOR DINNER, a married couple (Joanne Whalley and Chris Messina) find an unconventional way to transcend long distance through technology, but discover they were farther apart than they knew. In SAILING LESSON, a long-married couple (Kathy Baker and Marshall Bell) tries to reignite their honeymoon-phase heat through a spontaneous sailing trip… and unexpected events arise. And in LATE LUNCH, a young woman (Maya Kazan) who recently lost her mother gathers together a group of her mother’s friends (including Cybill Shepherd, Rosanna Arquette, and Rita Wilson) to share memories. Surprising revelations ensue.

3) JULIA– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “JULIA tells the story of the legendary cookbook author and television superstar who changed the way Americans think about food, television, and even about women. Using never-before-seen archival footage, personal photos, first-person narratives, and cutting-edge, mouth-watering food cinematography, the film traces Julia Child’s surprising path, from her struggles to create and publish the revolutionary Mastering the Art of French Cooking (1961) which has sold more than 2.5 million copies to date, to her empowering story of a woman who found fame in her 50s, and her calling as an unlikely television sensation.”

11/13/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

4) ONLY THE ANIMALS– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Following the disappearance of the glamorous and secretive Evelyne Ducat (Valeria Bruni Tedeschi) during a blizzard in the highlands of southern France, the lives of five people inextricably linked to Evelyne are brought together to devastating effect as the local police investigate the case.”

10/28/21- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

5) SPENCER- 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Princess Diana’s exit from Britain’s royal family is recounted in this historical drama set at the queen’s Sandringham estate during the 1991 Christmas holidays, where Diana makes the fateful decision to leave Prince Charles.”

11/9/21- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

D) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) KURT VONNEGUT: UNSTUCK IN TIME–

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK- NONE

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COMING TO NETFLIX ON DISC-

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

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

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NEW MOVIES IN THEATERS AND/OR STREAMING-

1) SPENCER– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Princess Diana’s exit from Britain’s royal family is recounted in this historical drama set at the queen’s Sandringham estate during the 1991 Christmas holidays, where Diana makes the fateful decision to leave Prince Charles.”

11/9/21- Fairly good reviews by the critics and poor ones from audiences.TRDB. In Theaters

2) THE HARDER THEY FALL– 2021. “Synopsis by Netflix. “When outlaw Nat Love learns that the man who killed his parents, Rufus Buck, is getting out of prison, Nat assembles his former gang (including ex-love Stagecoach Mary) to exact revenge. But Rufus has a badass crew of his own.”

11/5/21- Very good reviews for this Western. TRDB.  On Netflix

11/5/21- I did not like this mish-mosh of a movie one bit. Too many bandits, too many gangs and nearly impossible to follow the action. TRDB

3) A MAN NAMED SCOTT– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In 2009, Scott Mescudi aka Kid Cudi released his debut LP, Man on the Moon: The End of Day. A genre-bending album that broke barriers by featuring songs dealing with depression, anxiety, and loneliness, it resonated deeply with young listeners and launched Cudi as a musical star and cultural hero. Director Robert Alexander’s A Man Named Scott explores Cudi’s journey over a decade of creative choices, struggles, and breakthroughs, making music that continues to move and empower his millions of fans around the world.”

11/5/21- Just 3 reviews so far– 2 up and 1 down. Stay tuned. On Amazon.

4) HIVE- 2021. Synopsis by  Rotten Tomatoes. “HIVE is a searing drama based on the true story of Fahrije (Yllka Gashi), who, like many of the other women in her patriarchal village, has lived with fading hope and burgeoning grief since her husband went missing during the war in Kosovo. In order to provide for her struggling family, she pulls together the other widows in her community to launch a business selling a local food product. Finding healing and solace in considering a future without their husbands–but their will to begin living independently is met with hostility. The men in the village condemn Fahrije’s efforts to empower herself and the women around her,”

11/5/21- Excellent reviews for this drama from Albania. TRDB. In Theaters.

5) ALL IS FORGIVEN– 2007. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A father and daughter reunite 11 years after the father’s drug addiction took control and tore their family apart.”

11/5/21- Just a few reviews and they are mixed. This movie is from 2007. TRDB. On several virtual platforms

6) THIS IS NOT A WAR STORY– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Timothy Reyes hustles through the NYC subway system. Oblivious passers-by don’t notice he is popping pills, fading, killing himself. Discovered dead on an empty train, no one knows him to be a combat veteran. His mentor, Will LaRue blames himself and wrestles with the guilt, and a resurgence of his own demons from war. His refuge: a multi-generational community of artist veterans, who make handmade paper out of military uniforms. Shredding them, pulverizing them — uniforms are reconstituted into paper, onto which the veterans express their rage, humor, memories, and hopes, in the form of art and poetry.”

11/5/21- Excellent reviews. TRDB. On HBO Max

7) A COP MOVIE– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Following family tradition, Teresa and Montoya join the police force, only to find their convictions and hopes crushed by a dysfunctional system. Their emotional bond becomes a refuge for the hostility they are exposed to. Through a bold experiment of narrative and documentary storytelling, A Cop Movie propels the viewer into an unusual cinematic space, giving voice to one of Mexico’s most controversial institutions.”

11/5/21- Excellent reviews for this Spanish language drama. TRDB. On Netflix.

11/5/21-  Really boring and I turned it off. TRDB.

8) BEANS– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Twelve-year-old Beans is on the edge: torn between innocent childhood and reckless adolescence; forced to grow up fast and become the tough Mohawk warrior she needs to be during the Oka Crisis, the turbulent Indigenous uprising that tore Quebec and Canada apart for 78 tense days in the summer of 1990.”

11/5/21- Excellent reviews for this drama.  TRDB. In Theaters and various streaming platforms.

9)  SIMPLE AS WATER– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Epic in scope but intimate and elegant in feel, SIMPLE AS WATER is a meditation on the elemental bonds between parent and child. A masterful look at the impact of war, separation and displacement, the film takes audiences into Syrian families’ quests for normalcy and through the whirlwind of obstacles — to building life anew. Filmed over the course of five years in five countries including Turkey, Greece, Germany, Syria and the US, Mylan’s sensitive camera reifies the universal importance of family.”

11/5/21- No reviews yet but the premise seems interesting to me. TRDB.  In Theaters

10) FINCH– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In “Finch,” a man, a robot and a dog form an unlikely family in a powerful and moving adventure of one man’s quest to ensure that his beloved canine companion will be cared for after he’s gone. Tom Hanks stars as Finch, a robotics engineer and one of the few survivors of a cataclysmic solar event that has left the world a wasteland. But Finch, who has been living in an underground bunker for a decade, has built a world of his own that he shares with his dog, Goodyear. He creates a robot, played by Caleb Landry Jones, to watch over Goodyear when he no longer can. “

11/5/2021. Fair reviews. TRDB.

SKIP THIS-

1) MARK, MARY & SOME OTHER PEOPLE- Terrible reviews.

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MOVIES SHOWING IN WESTCHESTER Co., NY

A) JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER- IN PLEASANTVILLE, NY

NEW-

1) BELFAST– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “BELFAST is a movie straight from Branagh’s own experience. A nine-year-old boy must chart a path towards adulthood through a world that has suddenly turned upside down. His stable and loving community and everything he thought he understood about life is changed forever but joy, laughter, music and the formative magic of the movies remain.”

11/10/21- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2) tick, tick… Boom– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda makes his feature directorial debut with tick, tick…BOOM!, an adaptation of the autobiographical musical by Jonathan Larson, who revolutionized theater as the creator of Rent. The film follows Jon (Academy Award nominee and Tony Award winner Andrew Garfield), a young theater composer who’s waiting tables at a New York City diner in 1990 while writing what he hopes will be the next great American musical. Days before he’s due to showcase his work in a make-or-break performance, Jon is feeling the pressure from everywhere.”

11/10/21- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) SPENCER– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Princess Diana’s exit from Britain’s royal family is recounted in this historical drama set at the queen’s Sandringham estate during the 1991 Christmas holidays, where Diana makes the fateful decision to leave Prince Charles.”

11/9/21- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

2) THE FRENCH DISPATCH– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in 1950s France and featuring a star-studded cast, this ensemble dramedy threads together and brings to life a trio of short stories written for the final edition of an American magazine.”

10/20/21- Fair to good reviews for this dramedy. TRDB.

3) THE VELVET UNDERGROUND– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Anchored by charismatic singer-songwriter Lou Reed, the Velvet Underground’s musical output left a deep imprint on the rock scene of the 1960s and beyond. This engaging documentary details the seminal group’s storied history.”

10/14/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

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MOVIES SHOWING IN FAIRFIELD Co., CT

A) AMC- IN DANBURY, CT

1) BELFAST– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “BELFAST is a movie straight from Branagh’s own experience. A nine-year-old boy must chart a path towards adulthood through a world that has suddenly turned upside down. His stable and loving community and everything he thought he understood about life is changed forever but joy, laughter, music and the formative magic of the movies remain.”

11/10/21- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2) SPENCER– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Princess Diana’s exit from Britain’s royal family is recounted in this historical drama set at the queen’s Sandringham estate during the 1991 Christmas holidays, where Diana makes the fateful decision to leave Prince Charles.”

11/9/21- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

3) THE FRENCH DISPATCH– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in 1950s France and featuring a star-studded cast, this ensemble dramedy threads together and brings to life a trio of short stories written for the final edition of an American magazine.”

10/20/21- Fair to good reviews for this dramedy. TRDB.

4) NO TIME TO DIE– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the 25th installment of the James Bond movie franchise, Agent 007 is enjoying retirement in Jamaica when his leisure is interrupted by a longtime friend from the CIA who needs help rescuing a kidnapped scientist.”

10/1/21- Good reviews for this movie featuring Daniel Craig for the last time as Bond. TRDB.

MOVIES SHOWING IN PALM BEACH COUNTY

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) SPENCER– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Princess Diana’s exit from Britain’s royal family is recounted in this historical drama set at the queen’s Sandringham estate during the 1991 Christmas holidays, where Diana makes the fateful decision to leave Prince Charles.”

11/9/21- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

2) NO TIME TO DIE– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the 25th installment of the James Bond movie franchise, Agent 007 is enjoying retirement in Jamaica when his leisure is interrupted by a longtime friend from the CIA who needs help rescuing a kidnapped scientist.”

10/1/21- Good reviews for this movie featuring Daniel Craig for the last time as Bond. TRDB.

3) THE FRENCH DISPATCH–  2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in 1950s France and featuring a star-studded cast, this ensemble dramedy threads together and brings to life a trio of short stories written for the final edition of an American magazine.”

10/20/21- Fair to good reviews for this dramedy. TRDB.

4) GOLDEN VOICES– 2020. “Synopsis by Netflix. “After the Soviet Union collapses, Victor and Raya migrate to Israel. But when they realize their adopted home has no use for their professional forte — dubbing Western films in Russian — they have to change their talents to find work.”

10/27/21- Excellent reviews for this drama/comedy. TRDB.

5) MASS– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this poignant drama, two sets of shattered parents gingerly seek to bridge the emotional chasm between them, which formed six years earlier when one couple’s son killed the other couple’s son in a school shooting.”

10/8/21- Excellent reviews for this poignant drama. TRDB.

6) TANGO SHALOM– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Moshe Yehuda (Jos Laniado), a Hasidic Rabbi and amateur Hora dancer, enters a big televised Tango competition to save his Hebrew school from bankruptcy. There is only one problem: due to his orthodox religious beliefs, he is not allowed to touch a woman!”

9/21/21- Fairly good reviews for this comedy. TRDB.

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- Same as Lake Worth above!!

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

1) LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE– 2021. Synopsis by  Rotten Tomatoes.”LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE is three stories that explore love, commitment, and loyalty between couples and friends. In the film’s first story TWO FOR DINNER, a married couple (Joanne Whalley and Chris Messina) find an unconventional way to transcend long distance through technology, but discover they were farther apart than they knew. In SAILING LESSON, a long-married couple (Kathy Baker and Marshall Bell) tries to reignite their honeymoon-phase heat through a spontaneous sailing trip… and unexpected events arise. And in LATE LUNCH, a young woman (Maya Kazan) who recently lost her mother gathers together a group of her mother’s friends (including Cybill Shepherd, Rosanna Arquette, and Rita Wilson) to share memories. Surprising revelations ensue.”

2) BELFAST– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “BELFAST is a movie straight from Branagh’s own experience. A nine-year-old boy must chart a path towards adulthood through a world that has suddenly turned upside down. His stable and loving community and everything he thought he understood about life is changed forever but joy, laughter, music and the formative magic of the movies remain.”

11/10/21- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

3) ONLY THE ANIMALS– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Following the disappearance of the glamorous and secretive Evelyne Ducat (Valeria Bruni Tedeschi) during a blizzard in the highlands of southern France, the lives of five people inextricably linked to Evelyne are brought together to devastating effect as the local police investigate the case.”

10/28/21- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

4) SPENCER- 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Princess Diana’s exit from Britain’s royal family is recounted in this historical drama set at the queen’s Sandringham estate during the 1991 Christmas holidays, where Diana makes the fateful decision to leave Prince Charles.”

 11/9/21- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

D) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) WHEEL OF FORTUNE AND FANTASY– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Centering on a trio of female characters and playing out in vignettes with common themes, this three-part anthology depicts tales about an unforeseen love triangle, a bungled seduction trap and an encounter stemming from a case of mistaken identity.

10/16/21- Excellent reviews for this Japanese drama. TRDB.

NOVEMBER 4, 2021-

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) MY UNORTHODOX LIFE– Neflix

2) WHITE RIGHT:  MEETING THE ENEMY

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK-

1) MY UNORTHODOX LIFE– A 9 episode Netflix series about a very wealthy Jewish family with many of the strengths and weaknesses most families need to work out. Most of the characters were in the past part of ultrareligous Jewish groups. I found the  series interesting, funny at times and poignant. TRDB.

2) SQUID GAME- I saw 1 episode and could not watch any longer. Mega violent. TRDB.

3) WHITE RIGHT: MEETING THE ENEMY- 2021. 

10/29/21- I saw this documentary as part of  AJC of Westchester/ Fairfield and liked it very much. A series of interviews by a Muslim journalist with skinheads and other white supremacist. Excellent!! TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX THIS WEEK ON DISC

1) OLD HENRY- 2021- Synopsis by Netflix. “When widowed farmer Henry and his son, Wyatt, take in an injured man who arrives on their doorstep with a satchel full of money, they soon find their homestead under siege by a posse of “lawmen.” But Henry has some gunslinging skills up his sleeve.”

10/1/21- Excellent reviews for this Western. TRDB.

2) SWAN SONG– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Once a respected hairdresser and well-known drag performer, ailing Pat Pitsenbarger finds himself confined to a Sandusky, Ohio, retirement home. But his old magic returns when he sets off on a crosstown journey to style a now-dead client’s hair.”

9/9/21- Excellent reviews from the critics and OK ones from audiences. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

NEW MOVIES IN THEATERS AND/OR STREAMING-

1) LAST NIGHT IN SOHO– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this psychological thriller, a young woman who longs to become a fashion designer finds herself transported to 1960s London to meet her singing idol. But her dream come true quickly turns into a nightmare.”

10/27/21- Fair reviews at best. TRDB. In Theaters.

2) JOY RIDE– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Frenemies and veteran comedians Dana Gould and Bobcat Goldthwait, having learned very little from their near-fatal car accident, get back on the road and journey throughout the American South. The documentary captures the duo as they carefully navigate highways and their decades-old contentious friendship; reflecting upon their careers and relationship with comedy. Buckle up.”

10/28/21- Just 3 reviews for this comedic documentary and they are all great. TRDB. In Theaters and various platforms

3) ARMY OF THIEVES– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In this prequel to Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead, small-town bank teller Dieter gets drawn into the adventure of a lifetime when a mysterious woman recruits him to join a crew of Interpol’s most wanted criminals, attempting to heist a sequence of legendary, impossible-to-crack safes across Europe.”

10/28/21- Fair reviews for this drama/action movie. TRDB. On Neflix

5) ONLY THE ANIMALS– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Following the disappearance of the glamorous and secretive Evelyne Ducat (Valeria Bruni Tedeschi) during a blizzard in the highlands of southern France, the lives of five people inextricably linked to Evelyne are brought together to devastating effect as the local police investigate the case.”

10/28/21- Excellent reviews. TRDB. In Theaters

6) ATTICA- 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In the fall of 1971, tensions between inmates and guards at the Attica Correctional Facility are at an all-time high. On the morning of September 9, it all comes to a head when inmates erupt into one of the largest U.S. prison riots ever witnessed.”

10/28/21- Great reviews from all. TRDB. On Showtime on Nov. 6

7) BULLETPROOF- 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Bulletproof explores the complexities of violence in schools by looking at the strategies employed to prevent it.”10/28/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB. On virtual cinema

8) A MOUTHFUL OF AIR–  2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A bestselling children’s author who writes about unlocking childhood fears has yet to unlock her own. After the birth of her second child, things get dark for her as a dark secret from her past comes rushing forward.”

10/28/21- Weak reviews but I would probably see this if I had the chance. TRDB. In Theaters

9) CICADA– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Ben, a young bisexual man, comes out to the world and develops an intense relationship with Sam, a closeted man struggling with deep wounds of his own. As summer progresses and their intimacy grows, secrets from the past come to light.”

10/29/21- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB. In Theaters

10) SNAKEHEAD– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Indebted to the crime family who brought her to New York City from China, shrewd immigrant Sister Tse ingratiates herself to the matriarch and becomes a human smuggler, turning victimhood into power. But Tse soon lands in the FBI’s crosshairs.”

10/29/21- Fair reviews at best. TRDB. In Theaters and streaming platforms

11) SOUVENIR PART 2- 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In the aftermath of her tumultuous relationship with a charismatic and manipulative older man, Julie begins to untangle her fraught love for him in making her graduation film, sorting fact from his elaborately constructed fiction.”

10/29/21- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

12) SPEER GOES TO HOLLYWOOD– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “How did a man in charge of 12 million slave laborers become “the good Nazi”? SPEER GOES TO HOLLYWOOD offers an intriguing look at the inner workings of a man responsible for the deaths of millions, yet whom many people still consider a decent man in indecent circumstances. This new film by director Vanessa Lapa, award-winning director of The Decent One (2014), is a cautionary tale about Albert Speer’s 1971 attempt to whitewash his past with a Hollywood adaptation of his bestselling wartime memoir, “Inside the Third Reich”.

SKIP THESE-

1) ANTLERS– Horror and I’d skip it if I were you

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES PLAYING IN WESTCHESTER Co. NY AND IN FAIRFIELD Co. CT-

A) JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER IN PLEASANTVILLE NY

NEW-

1) SPENCER– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The marriage of Princess Diana and Prince Charles has long since grown cold. Though rumors of affairs and a divorce abound, peace is ordained for the Christmas festivities at the Queen’s Sandringham Estate. There’s eating and drinking, shooting and hunting. Diana knows the game. But this year, things will be profoundly different. SPENCER is an imagining of what might have happened during those few fateful days.”

11/3/21- Very good reviews. TRDB

REPEATS-

1) LAST NIGHT IN SOHO– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this psychological thriller, a young woman who longs to become a fashion designer finds herself transported to 1960s London to meet her singing idol. But her dream come true quickly turns into a nightmare.”

10/27/21- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

2) THE FRENCH DISPATCH– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in 1950s France and featuring a star-studded cast, this ensemble dramedy threads together and brings to life a trio of short stories written for the final edition of an American magazine.”

10/20/21- Fair to good reviews for this dramedy. TRDB.

3) PASSING- 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In 1920s New York City, a Black woman finds her world upended when her life becomes intertwined with a former childhood friend who’s passing as white.”

11/3/21- Very good reviews by the critics and weak ones from audiences. TRDB.

4) THE VELVET UNDERGROUND– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Anchored by charismatic singer-songwriter Lou Reed, the Velvet Underground’s musical output left a deep imprint on the rock scene of the 1960s and beyond. This engaging documentary details the seminal group’s storied history.”

10/14/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

B) AMC IN DANBURY CT.

1) SPENCER– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The marriage of Princess Diana and Prince Charles has long since grown cold. Though rumors of affairs and a divorce abound, peace is ordained for the Christmas festivities at the Queen’s Sandringham Estate. There’s eating and drinking, shooting and hunting. Diana knows the game. But this year, things will be profoundly different. SPENCER is an imagining of what might have happened during those few fateful days.”

11/3/21- Very good reviews. TRDB

2) A MOUTHFUL OF AIR–  2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A bestselling children’s author who writes about unlocking childhood fears has yet to unlock her own. After the birth of her second child, things get dark for her as a dark secret from her past comes rushing forward.”

10/28/21- Weak reviews but I would probably see this if I had the chance. TRDB.

3) LAST NIGHT IN SOHO-2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this psychological thriller, a young woman who longs to become a fashion designer finds herself transported to 1960s London to meet her singing idol. But her dream come true quickly turns into a nightmare.”

10/27/21- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

4) THE FRENCH DISPATCH– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in 1950s France and featuring a star-studded cast, this ensemble dramedy threads together and brings to life a trio of short stories written for the final edition of an American magazine.”

10/20/21- Fair to good reviews for this dramedy. TRDB.

5) NO TIME TO DIE– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the 25th installment of the James Bond movie franchise, Agent 007 is enjoying retirement in Jamaica when his leisure is interrupted by a longtime friend from the CIA who needs help rescuing a kidnapped scientist.”

10/1/21- Good reviews for this movie featuring Daniel Craig for the last time as Bond. TRDB.

________________________________________________________________________

MOVIES PLAYING IN PALM BEACH Co, FL

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) SPENCER– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The marriage of Princess Diana and Prince Charles has long since grown cold. Though rumors of affairs and a divorce abound, peace is ordained for the Christmas festivities at the Queen’s Sandringham Estate. There’s eating and drinking, shooting and hunting. Diana knows the game. But this year, things will be profoundly different. SPENCER is an imagining of what might have happened during those few fateful days.”

11/3/21- Very good reviews. TRDB

2) THE FRENCH DISPATCH– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in 1950s France and featuring a star-studded cast, this ensemble dramedy threads together and brings to life a trio of short stories written for the final edition of an American magazine.”

10/20/21- Fair to good reviews for this dramedy. TRDB.

3) NO TIME TO DIE– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the 25th installment of the James Bond movie franchise, Agent 007 is enjoying retirement in Jamaica when his leisure is interrupted by a longtime friend from the CIA who needs help rescuing a kidnapped scientist.”

10/1/21- Good reviews for this movie featuring Daniel Craig for the last time as Bond. TRDB.

4) GOLDEN VOICES– 2020. “Synopsis by Netflix. “After the Soviet Union collapses, Victor and Raya migrate to Israel. But when they realize their adopted home has no use for their professional forte — dubbing Western films in Russian — they have to change their talents to find work.”

10/27/21- Excellent reviews for this drama/comedy. TRDB.

5) MASS– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this poignant drama, two sets of shattered parents gingerly seek to bridge the emotional chasm between them, which formed six years earlier when one couple’s son killed the other couple’s son in a school shooting.”

10/8/21- Excellent reviews for this poignant drama. TRDB.

6) TANGO SHALOM–

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

C) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON

1) MASS– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this poignant drama, two sets of shattered parents gingerly seek to bridge the emotional chasm between them, which formed six years earlier when one couple’s son killed the other couple’s son in a school shooting.”

10/8/21- Excellent reviews for this poignant drama. TRDB.

2) ONLY THE ANIMALS– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Following the disappearance of the glamorous and secretive Evelyne Ducat (Valeria Bruni Tedeschi) during a blizzard in the highlands of southern France, the lives of five people inextricably linked to Evelyne are brought together to devastating effect as the local police investigate the case.”

10/28/21- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

3) THE FRENCH DISPATCH– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in 1950s France and featuring a star-studded cast, this ensemble dramedy threads together and brings to life a trio of short stories written for the final edition of an American magazine.”

10/20/21- Fair to good reviews for this dramedy. TRDB.

4) THE BETA TEST– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A married Hollywood agent receives a mysterious letter for an anonymous sexual encounter and becomes ensnared in a sinister world of lying, murder and infidelity.”

11/3/21- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

D) THE STONZEK THEATER IN THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE- Not available as yet

1) POSSESSION– From 1983. On Friday, NOV. 5

OCTOBER 21, 2021-

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK

1) “SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE”- HBO

2) THE RAILWAY MAN– On Demand

3) BERGMAN ISLAND– at Jacob Burns Film Center

4) LANSKY- Netflix Disc

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK-

1) “SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE” – The fifth and final episode

2) FEVER DREAM 2921. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A young woman lies dying far from home. A boy sits beside her. She is not his mother. He is not her child. Together, they tell a haunting story of broken souls, an invisible threat, and the power and desperation of family. Based on the internationally critically acclaimed novel by Samanta Schweblin.”

10/15/21- Basically a t.pe of horror movie that I did not like. TRDB.

3) THE TRIP-2021, I couldn’t get into this movie.

4) THE BEST OF ENEMIES– 2019- Synopsis by Netflix. “On opposite sides for a decade, civil rights activist Ann Atwater and Ku Klux Klan leader C.P. Ellis grudgingly work together on a committee overseeing school desegregation in Durham, North Carolina. In the process, the two form an unlikely bond.”

4/5/19- Mixed reviews– more poor than good for this drama. TRDB.

10/20/21-  Somewhat Hollywoodish but I did like the movie. TRDB.

5) THE RAILWAY MAN– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Decades after his brutal captivity under the Japanese during World War II, Eric Lomax still has nightmares about the ordeal. But when he unexpectedly meets and falls for Patti, a bizarre coincidence brings his past back into focus.”

4/11/14- Mixed reviews for this war related movie, more good than bad. TRDB.

4/18/14- A good movie that dealt well with revenge and reconciliation. I could have done well without the amount of torture portrayed. TRDB.

6) BERGMAN ISLAND– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Planning to work separately on their screenplays, American filmmaking couple Chris and Tony head to Sweden’s Fårö Island, where Ingmar Bergman lived. But as they spend time apart, reality and fiction begin to blur, testing the pair’s relationship.”

10/14/21- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

10/18/21- I really enjoyed this movie. TRDB.

7) LANSKY– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this gangland biopic, aging crime boss Meyer Lansky hires writer David Stone to help record Lansky’s memories of a life filled with danger, murder and corruption on a grand scale. Meanwhile, the FBI is pressuring Stone to dig deeper for them.”

10/19/21- Poor reviews by the critics but audiences liked it and so did I. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX ON DISC-

1) ON THE ROCKS– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Doubting the fidelity of her hubby, Dean, as he takes more business trips, stay-at-home mom Laura turns to her playboy dad for advice. When he suggests that they tail Dean all over town, it leads to a comic adventure and growing father-daughter bond.”

10/2/20- Very good reviews for this comedy/drama. 

_____________________________________________________________________E

NEW MOVIES IN THEATERS AND/OR STREAMING-

1) INTRODUCING, SELMA BLAIR– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “When actress Selma Blair was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2018, it explained her many health issues but didn’t explain how to move forward. This documentary follows Blair as she comes to terms with her new reality.”

10/15/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB. On Discovery+ and In Theaters

2) BERGMAN ISLAND– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Planning to work separately on their screenplays, American filmmaking couple Chris and Tony head to Sweden’s Fårö Island, where Ingmar Bergman lived. But as they spend time apart, reality and fiction begin to blur, testing the pair’s relationship.”

10/14/21- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB. In Theaters

10/18/21- I really enjoyed this movie. TRDB.

3) SON OF MONARCHS- 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “After years spent conducting research in New York City, an ambitious biologist returns to the land of his youth in the butterfly forests of Michoacán, Mexico, where he’s forced to grapple with his identity and past family trauma.”

10/15/21 Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB. In Theaters and AppleTV

4) CONVERGENCE: COURAGE IN A CRISIS– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In an attempt to wrest some hope from the Covid-19 pandemic, this documentary focuses on people from across the world who have stepped in where governments have failed, bringing hope, help and healing to their communities.”

10/15/21- Fairly good reviews for this documentary . TRDB. In Theaters and on Netflix.

5: LUZZU– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Because of dwindling harvests and government restrictions, Maltese fisherman Jesmark is struggling to feed his family. Backed into a corner when his boat breaks down, he joins a black-market fishing operation as his priorities change.”

10/16/21- Excellent reviews for this drama from Malta. TRDB. In Theaters

6) THE VELVET UNDERGROUND– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Anchored by charismatic singer-songwriter Lou Reed, the Velvet Underground’s musical output left a deep imprint on the rock scene of the 1960s and beyond. This engaging documentary details the seminal group’s storied history.”

10/14/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB. In Theaters and on Apple tv+

7) WHEEL OF FORTUNE AND FANTASY– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Centering on a trio of female characters and playing out in vignettes with common themes, this three-part anthology depicts tales about an unforeseen love triangle, a bungled seduction trap and an encounter stemming from a case of mistaken identity.

10/16/21- Excellent reviews for this Japanese drama. TRDB. In Theaters

8) HELD FOR RANSOM– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “When photographer Daniel Rye accepts an assignment in Syria, he knows little about the country he’s visiting. But this changes abruptly when he’s taken hostage by the Islamic State and begins a yearlong struggle for survival and his freedom.”

10/16/21- Excellent reviews for this Danish drama. TRDB. In Theaters and on various streaming platforms including Prime.

9)  ALL ABOUT MY SISTERS– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “After giving birth to two daughters, Qiong’s parents were desperate for a boy. When they learned that they were pregnant with a third daughter, the couple embarked on a path that would affect their family for generations to come.”

10/16/21- Just a few reviews for this Chinese documentary and they are all good. TRDB. In Theaters

SKIP THESE

1) THE LAST DUEL– Violent and I’ll skip it

2) THE TRIP- Very poor reviews

3) FEVER DREAM– Poor reviews.

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES SHOWING IN WESTCHESTER Co NY AND FAIRFIELD Co. CT-

A) THE JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER-

NEW-

1) THE FRENCH DISPATCH– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in 1950s France and featuring a star-studded cast, this ensemble dramedy threads together and brings to life a trio of short stories written for the final edition of an American magazine.”

10/20/21- Fair to good reviews for this dramedy. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) BERGMAN ISLAND– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Planning to work separately on their screenplays, American filmmaking couple Chris and Tony head to Sweden’s Fårö Island, where Ingmar Bergman lived. But as they spend time apart, reality and fiction begin to blur, testing the pair’s relationship.”

10/14/21- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB. In Theaters

10/18/21- I really enjoyed this movie. TRDB.

2) THE VELVET UNDERGROUND– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Anchored by charismatic singer-songwriter Lou Reed, the Velvet Underground’s musical output left a deep imprint on the rock scene of the 1960s and beyond. This engaging documentary details the seminal group’s storied history.”

10/14/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

3) THE RESCUE– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In June 2018, Thailand’s Wild Boars youth soccer team and their assistant coach get trapped in a cave by monsoonal flooding. This documentary chronicles their extraordinary rescue, which plays out over 18 days and involves more than 100 divers.”

10/9/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

B) AMC Danbury-

1) NO TIME TO DIE–

2) BECOMING COUSTEAU– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “While Jacques Cousteau is best known for his undersea films, he was also a French naval officer, co-inventor of the Aqua-Lung, an explorer, an ardent environmentalist and more. This documentary charts his transformative journey.”

10/20/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

MOVIES SHOWING IN PALM BEACH COUNTY

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) GOLDEN VOICES– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Raya and Victor built a shared career as the Soviet Union’s most beloved film dubbers. As the USSR collapses, the Jewish couple must immigrate to Israel and reinvent themselves to find employment.”

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

1) GOLDEN VOICES– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Raya and Victor built a shared career as the Soviet Union’s most beloved film dubbers. As the USSR collapses, the Jewish couple must immigrate to Israel and reinvent themselves to find employment.”

2) NO TIME TO DIE– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the 25th installment of the James Bond movie franchise, Agent 007 is enjoying retirement in Jamaica when his leisure is interrupted by a longtime friend from the CIA who needs help rescuing a kidnapped scientist.”

10/1/21- Good reviews for this movie featuring Daniel Craig for the last time as Bond. TRDB.

3) I’M YOUR MAN– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “To obtain funds for her research project, workaholic Alma agrees to take part in an experiment with Tom, a humanoid robot designed to be her ideal mate. Before long, Tom becomes a sounding board for Alma to dissect her deep-rooted disillusionment.”

9/25/31- Excellent reviews from the critics but just fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

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

1) BERGMAN ISLAND– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Planning to work separately on their screenplays, American filmmaking couple Chris and Tony head to Sweden’s Fårö Island, where Ingmar Bergman lived. But as they spend time apart, reality and fiction begin to blur, testing the pair’s relationship.”

10/14/21- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

10/18/21- I really enjoyed this movie. TRDB.

2) FALLING FOR FIGARO– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “For young fund manager Millie, her dream of opera stardom begins with singing lessons in the Scottish Highlands from a former diva. As Millie trains for a competition, she finds herself battling against — and then bonding with — fellow student Max.”

9/29/21- Just 3 reviews so far and they are mixed. TRDB.

10/6/21– Reviews are just fair for this movie but it sounds interesting to me. TRDB.

3) GOLDEN VOICES– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Raya and Victor built a shared career as the Soviet Union’s most beloved film dubbers. As the USSR collapses, the Jewish couple must immigrate to Israel and reinvent themselves to find employment.”

4) THE ELECTRICAL LIFE OF LOUIS WAIN– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “This offbeat biopic depicts the improbable life of British painter Louis Wain, an imaginative but exceptionally eccentric artist whose anthropomorphized cat portraits brought him fame and fortune in the late 1800s”

10/21/21- Fair reviews at best for this biopic. TRDB.

5) WIFE OF A SPY– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “While living in Kobe, Japan, in 1940, affluent merchant Yusaku Fukuhara takes a business trip to Japanese-occupied Manchuria, where he witnesses government-sanctioned acts of cruelty — and he’s intent on bringing them to light.”

9/18/21- Excellent reviews for this foreign drama. TRDB.

D) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) MEMORY HOUSE– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “After migrating for work from his home in northern Brazil to a former Austrian colony in the south, Cristovam has his soul crushed by racism. But when he finds an abandoned home full of objects reminiscent of his roots, he begins a transformation.”

10/21/21- Fair to good reviews for this Brazilian drama. TRDB.

OCTOBER 14, 2021-

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK- NONE

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK- NONE

_____________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX ON DISC-

1) ON THE ROCKS– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Doubting the fidelity of her hubby, Dean, as he takes more business trips, stay-at-home mom Laura turns to her playboy dad for advice. When he suggests that they tail Dean all over town, it leads to a comic adventure and growing father-daughter bond.”

10/2/20- Very good reviews for this comedy/drama. 

____________________________________________________________________

NEW MOVIES- IN THEATERS AND/OR STREAMING-

1) LAMB– Synopsis by Netflix. “On their remote farm, María and Ingvar share a peaceful life raising sheep — all that’s missing is a child. After finding a newborn in the barn, they agree to raise it as their own, until Ingvar’s brother arrives and upends the family dynamic.”

10/6/21- Very good reviews for this foreign drama. TRDB.  In Theaters

2) NO TIME TO DIE–  2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the 25th installment of the James Bond movie franchise, Agent 007 is enjoying retirement in Jamaica when his leisure is interrupted by a longtime friend from the CIA who needs help rescuing a kidnapped scientist.”

10/1/21- Good reviews for this movie featuring Daniel Craig for the last time as Bond. TRDB. In Theaters

3) SUZANNA ANDLER–. In Theaters and various streaming sites

10/9/21- The NY Times reviewer felt that the movie was boring. I couldn’t find other reviews. TRDB.

4) JACINTA– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Tracing trauma that snakes through generations, this documentary follows 26-year-old Jacinta as she’s released from prison. After being incarcerated with her mother for drug offenses, Jacinta seeks to rebuild her life and reconnect with her daughter.”

10/8/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB. On Hulu.

5) PHARMA BRO– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Martin Shkreli, the 38-year-old financial entrepreneur and pharmaceutical tycoon from Brooklyn, New York, was dubbed “the most hated man in America” by the media after he rose to infamy in 2015 for price gouging the prescription drug Daraprim by 5500% overnight depriving patients of the life-saving medication.”

10/8/21- Fair reviews for this documentary. TRDB. On streaming services

6) PRISM– 2020. Synopsis not available at this time.

10/8/21- Just 2 reviews and they are both excellent. In Theaters

7) MASS– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this poignant drama, two sets of shattered parents gingerly seek to bridge the emotional chasm between them, which formed six years earlier when one couple’s son killed the other couple’s son in a school shooting.”

10/8/21- Excellent reviews for this poignant drama. TRDB,  In Theaters

8) THE RESCUE– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In June 2018, Thailand’s Wild Boars youth soccer team and their assistant coach get trapped in a cave by monsoonal flooding. This documentary chronicles their extraordinary rescue, which plays out over 18 days and involves more than 100 divers.”

10/9/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

9) THE MUSTANGS: AMERICA’S WILD HORSES ( Friday to Sunday)- 2021. “The Mustangs: America’s Wild Horses” is a feature documentary that takes audiences on an odyssey throughout America to places few people have seen or know about. There are more than 80,000 wild horses on our public lands and 50,000 in government corrals.”

SKIP THESE–

1)  SOUTH OF HEAVEN– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Convicted felon Jimmy gets early parole after serving twelve years for armed robbery. Upon his release he vows to give his girlfriend Annie, who is dying of cancer, the best last year of her life.”

10/8/21- Poor reviews; TRDB.

2) KNOCKING-

10/9/21– Fair reviews for this horror driven movie

____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES PLAYING IN WESTCHESTER Co, NY AND FAIRFIELD Co, CT

A) JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER-

NEW-

1) THE VELVEVET UNDERGROUND- 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Anchored by charismatic singer-songwriter Lou Reed, the Velvet Underground’s musical output left a deep imprint on the rock scene of the 1960s and beyond. This engaging documentary details the seminal group’s storied history.”

10/14/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2) THE RESCUE– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In June 2018, Thailand’s Wild Boars youth soccer team and their assistant coach get trapped in a cave by monsoonal flooding. This documentary chronicles their extraordinary rescue, which plays out over 18 days and involves more than 100 divers.”

10/9/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

3) BERGMAN ISLAND– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Planning to work separately on their screenplays, American filmmaking couple Chris and Tony head to Sweden’s Fårö Island, where Ingmar Bergman lived. But as they spend time apart, reality and fiction begin to blur, testing the pair’s relationship.”

10/14/21- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) LAMB– Synopsis by Netflix. “On their remote farm, María and Ingvar share a peaceful life raising sheep — all that’s missing is a child. After finding a newborn in the barn, they agree to raise it as their own, until Ingvar’s brother arrives and upends the family dynamic.”

10/6/21- Very good reviews for this foreign drama. TRDB.

2) I’M YOUR MAN–

B) AMC- Danbury, Ct

1) LAMB- Synopsis by Netflix. “On their remote farm, María and Ingvar share a peaceful life raising sheep — all that’s missing is a child. After finding a newborn in the barn, they agree to raise it as their own, until Ingvar’s brother arrives and upends the family dynamic.”

10/6/21- Very good reviews for this foreign drama. TRDB.

2) NO TIME TO DIE– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the 25th installment of the James Bond movie franchise, Agent 007 is enjoying retirement in Jamaica when his leisure is interrupted by a longtime friend from the CIA who needs help rescuing a kidnapped scientist.”

10/1/21- Good reviews for this movie featuring Daniel Craig for the last time as Bond. TRDB.

3) THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK- 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this big-screen prequel to the long-running TV series “The Sopranos,” the action takes place during the 1960s in Newark, New Jersey, as hostilities reach a fever pitch between the black and Italian-American communities.”

9/28/21- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

4) TITINE– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “After nearly being killed in a car accident, young Alexia is left with a titanium plate in her skull — and a penchant for metal and blood. On the run from the law a decade later, Alexia begins masquerading as a macho firefighter’s long-missing son.”

10/1/21- Very good reviews but everybody said it was bloody. I’ll skip it. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES SHOWING IN PALM  BEACH COUNTY-

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

NEW-

1) BERGMAN ISLAND– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Planning to work separately on their screenplays, American filmmaking couple Chris and Tony head to Sweden’s Fårö Island, where Ingmar Bergman lived. But as they spend time apart, reality and fiction begin to blur, testing the pair’s relationship.”

10/14/21- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) FALLING FOR FIGARO–

2) I’M YOUR MAN–

3) WIFE OF A SPY–

B) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH- (Fri–Sun only)

1) NO TIME TO DIE–

2) I[M YOUR MAN–

3) TANGO SHALOM–

C) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

1) NO TIME TO DIE-

2) THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK–

3) I’M YOUR MAN–

4) TANGO SHALOM–

D) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE

1) THE MUSTANGS: AMERICA’S WILD HORSES ( Friday to Sunday)- 2021. “The Mustangs: America’s Wild Horses” is a feature documentary that takes audiences on an odyssey throughout America to places few people have seen or know about. There are more than 80,000 wild horses on our public lands and 50,000 in government corrals.”

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE– On HBO

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK-

1) SEASON 1 EPISODE 1 OF “ON THE VERGE“- This tv series has received poor reviews and so far I agree.

2) EPISODE 3 OF “SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE“- Very well done and I like it very much

3) IN THE HEIGHTS– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Adapted from a Broadway hit, this musical drama centers on New York City bodega owner Usnavi, a Dominican immigrant longing to retire to his homeland. But when he inherits the money to relocate, he’s reluctant to sever his new bonds.”

6/11/21- Excellent reviews for this musical. TRDB.

9/30/21- I enjoyed the singing and group dancing but not so much the story itself. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX THIS WEEK ON DISC- None that I recommend

_____________________________________________________________________

NEW MOVIES IN THEATERS AND/OR STREAMABLE-

1) EL PLANETA– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “After Spain’s 2009 financial crisis leaves recently widowed María and her daughter destitute, they seize on a number of dishonest means to maintain their lifestyle, even as they face the threat of eviction from María’s seaside home.”

9/25/21- Excellent reviews for this Spanish drama. TRDB. In Theaters

2) EAST OF THE MOUNTAINS– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Upon learning that he’s dying, retired heart surgeon Ben Givens opts not to tell his family and instead heads to his hometown in Eastern Washington, planning to commit suicide. But a connection with a caring stranger gives Ben a new perspective.”

9/25/21- Excellent reviews for this drama/adventure. TRDB. In Theaters and on Prime video

3) THE VILLAGE DETECTIVE: A SONG CYCLE– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Examining the life and career of Soviet actor Mikhail Zharov after four reels of 35mm film were discovered off the coast of Iceland in 2016.”

9/25/21- Fairly good reviews for this documentary. TRDB. In Theaters

4) I’M YOUR MAN– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “To obtain funds for her research project, workaholic Alma agrees to take part in an experiment with Tom, a humanoid robot designed to be her ideal mate. Before long, Tom becomes a sounding board for Alma to dissect her deep-rooted disillusionment.”

9/25/31- Excellent reviews from the critics but just fair ones from audiences. TRDB. In Theaters

5) THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this big-screen prequel to the long-running TV series “The Sopranos,” the action takes place during the 1960s in Newark, New Jersey, as hostilities reach a fever pitch between the black and Italian-American communities.”

9/28/21- Fair to good reviews. TRDB. In Theaters

6) BORIS KARLOFF: THE MAN BEHIND THE MONSTER– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Despite a 60-year career, Boris Karloff (who died in 1969) will forever be associated with one role: the monster in 1931’s “Frankenstein.” This documentary uses extensive interviews to bring the rest of Karloff’s career — and life — into focus.”

9/29/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB. 

SKIP THESE-

1) JE SUIS KARL- After most of her family is murdered in a terrorist bombing, a young woman is unknowingly lured into joining the very group that killed them. On Netflix.

2) THE STARLING– A woman adjusting to life after loss contends with a feisty bird that’s taken over her garden — and a husband who’s struggling to find a way forward. On Netflix.

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES SHOWING IN WESTCHESTER Co NY AND FAIRFIELD Co CT-

A) JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER-

NEW-

1) BREATHLESS- 1960. A classic.

2) I’M YOUR MAN- 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “To obtain funds for her research project, workaholic Alma agrees to take part in an experiment with Tom, a humanoid robot designed to be her ideal mate. Before long, Tom becomes a sounding board for Alma to dissect her deep-rooted disillusionment.”

9/25/31- Excellent reviews from the critics but just fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

3) AZOR- 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Swiss banker Yvan De Wiel travels to Argentina to pick up the pieces after his partner suddenly disappears, he finds a sinister landscape in which the country’s elite are in cahoots with the murderous military junta.”

9/11/21- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

REPEATS-

4) LANGUAGE LESSONS– Limited screenings

5) THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE– Reviewed earlier

6) THE CARD COUNTER– Limited screenings

B) AMC DANBURY

1) THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this big-screen prequel to the long-running TV series “The Sopranos,” the action takes place during the 1960s in Newark, New Jersey, as hostilities reach a fever pitch between the black and Italian-American communities.”

9/28/21- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

2) DEAR EVAN HANSEN– Poor reviews

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES SHOWING IN PALM BEACH Co

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

NEW-

1) ASIA- 2021. Synopsis by Netflix.  “To all outward appearances, single mom Asia and her teenage daughter, Vika, seem more like siblings, though they have little to do with each other. But as Vika’s health begins to fail, the underlying bond between them slowly surfaces.”

9/21/21- Excellent reviews from the critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) FALLING FOR FIGARO– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “For young fund manager Millie, her dream of opera stardom begins with singing lessons in the Scottish Highlands from a former diva. As Millie trains for a competition, she finds herself battling against — and then bonding with — fellow student Max.”

9/29/21- Just 3 reviews so far and they are mixed. TRDB.

3) BORIS KARLOFF: THE MAN BEHIND THE MONSTER– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Despite a 60-year career, Boris Karloff (who died in 1969) will forever be associated with one role: the monster in 1931’s “Frankenstein.” This documentary uses extensive interviews to bring the rest of Karloff’s career — and life — into focus.”

9/29/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB. 

REPEATS- Previously reviewed

4) LANGUAGE LESSONS– Limited screenings

5) LITTLE GIRL– Limited screenings

6) THE CAPOTE TAPES– Limited screenings

B) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH– (Friday to Sunday)

1) THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this big-screen prequel to the long-running TV series “The Sopranos,” the action takes place during the 1960s in Newark, New Jersey, as hostilities reach a fever pitch between the black and Italian-American communities.”

9/28/21- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

2) DEAR EVAN HANSEN- Poor reviews

C) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY–  (Friday to Sunday)

D) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE–

1) DAYS– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Seeking therapy for his chronic pain, middle-aged Kang travels to Bangkok, where he hires young masseur Non for a full body massage. Though the two solitary men lead markedly different lives, they find a special — if brief — connection.”

9/28/21- Very good early reviews. TRDB. Showing Fri.- Sunday only

SEPTEMBER 23, 2021-

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE– HBO

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK-

1) Episode 1 and 2 of SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE ( the re-make)- I’m enjoying this series although it is painful to watch. On HBO with the next 3 episodes available on the next 3 Sundays.

_____________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX ON DISC- None

_____________________________________________________________________

NEW MOVIES IN THEATERS AND/OR STREAMING-

1) WIFE OF A SPY– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “While living in Kobe, Japan, in 1940, affluent merchant Yusaku Fukuhara takes a business trip to Japanese-occupied Manchuria, where he witnesses government-sanctioned acts of cruelty — and he’s intent on bringing them to light.”

9/18/21- Excellent reviews for this foreign drama. TRDB. In Theaters

2) LITTLE GIRL– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Born into a boy’s body but identifying as a girl since learning to talk, 8-year-old Sasha faces a host of challenges growing up in a provincial French town. This moving documentary follows her family’s struggle to have Sasha accepted for who she is.”

9/18/21- Great reviews for this foreign documentary. TRDB. In Theaters

3) SAVIOR FOR SALE: DA VINCI’S LOST MASTERPIECE– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Looking into one of Renaissance art’s great mysteries, this documentary examines the history of the painting known as the “Salvator Mundi,” picking up the debate among art experts over whether Leonardo da Vinci created the portrait.”

4) IN BALANCHINES CLASSROOM– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Recollections from students of famed choreographer George Balanchine paint a revealing portrait of the creative genius, who changed ballet. Cameras follow his disciples into his studio as they pass on his legacy, teaching a new generation of dancers.”

9/18/21- Just 3 reviews noted and they are all very good. TRDB. In Theaters

5) A LA CALLE– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A La Calle is a firsthand account of the extraordinary efforts of ordinary Venezuelans to reclaim their democracy from the dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro, whose corrupt and brutal policies have plunged the country into economic ruin.”

9/18/21- Excellent reviews for this foreign documentary. TRDB. HBO MAX

6) THE MAD WOMAN’S BALL– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A committed woman and a tormented nurse prepare to attend a famous ball at a neurological clinic in the 19th century.”

9/18/21- Good reviews. TRDB. Amazon

7) I AM NOT ALONE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “As Armenia is in political turmoil in 2018, activist (and former political prisoner) Nikol Pashinyan begins a two-week protest march aimed at driving the prime minister from office. This absorbing documentary chronicles Pashinyan’s bold crusade.”

9/19/21- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB. Virtual cinemas.

8) LOS ULTIMOS FRIKIS– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A feature-length documentary about Cuba’s legendary heavy metal band, ZEUS, and their 30-year fight to be heard.”

9/19/21- Good reviews for this documentary. TRDB. On Topic

9) THE NOWHERE INN– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Intent on producing her own musical self-portrait, pop songstress St. Vincent hires her best friend, Carrie Brownstein, to direct a documentary about St. Vincent’s music and life on tour. But the decision soon puts their friendship to the test.”

9/19/21- Fair to good reviews. TRDB. In Theaters and various streaming platforms.

10) SAINT-NARCISSE– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Canada, 1972. Dominic, 22 years old, has a fetish… for himself. Nothing turns him on more than his reflection, with much of his time spent taking Polaroid selfies. When his loving grandmother dies, he discovers a deep family secret: his lesbian mother didn’t die in childbirth and he has a twin brother, Daniel, raised in a remote monastery by a depraved priest.”

9/19/21- Very good reviews for this strange movie. TRDB. In Theaters

11) MY NAME IS PAULI MURRAY– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “This uplifting documentary pays homage to the unique legacy of African-American lawyer Pauli Murray, a social justice campaigner and Episcopal priest whose colorful life and tireless crusades greatly influenced 20th century civil-rights struggles.”

9/19/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB. In Theaters.

SKIP THESE–

1) PRISONERS OF THE GHOSTLAND– Fair reviews but not for me

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES SHOWING IN WESTCHESTER Co NY AND FAIRFIELD Co CT-

A) JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER IN PLEASANTVILLE, NY-

1) LANGUAGE LESSONS– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “When Adam’s (Mark Duplass) husband surprises him with weekly Spanish lessons, he’s unsure about where or how this new element will fit into his already structured life. But when tragedy strikes, his Spanish teacher, Cariño (Natalie Morales), becomes a lifeline he didn’t know he needed.”

9/9/21- Excellent reviews for this drama. TREB.

B) DANBURY AMC–

1) DEAR EVAN HANSEN–

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES SHOWING IN PALM BEACH Co, FL

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH– See Movies of Delray below for reviews

1) DEAR EVAN HANSEN–

2) CRY MACHO–

3) THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE–

4) TANGO SHALOM–

5) ASIA-

B) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON–

NEW–

1) ASIA– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix.  “To all outward appearances, single mom Asia and her teenage daughter, Vika, seem more like siblings, though they have little to do with each other. But as Vika’s health begins to fail, the underlying bond between them slowly surfaces.”

9/21/21- Excellent reviews from the critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) LANGUAGE LESSONS– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “When Adam’s (Mark Duplass) husband surprises him with weekly Spanish lessons, he’s unsure about where or how this new element will fit into his already structured life. But when tragedy strikes, his Spanish teacher, Cariño (Natalie Morales), becomes a lifeline he didn’t know he needed.”9/9/21- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

3) LITTLE GIRL– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Born into a boy’s body but identifying as a girl since learning to talk, 8-year-old Sasha faces a host of challenges growing up in a provincial French town. This moving documentary follows her family’s struggle to have Sasha accepted for who she is.”

9/18/21- Great reviews for this foreign documentary. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) THE CAPOTE TAPES–

2) WHO YOU THINK I AM-

C) MOVIES OF DELRAY–

1) DEAR EVAN HANSEN- 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this cinematic version of the hit Broadway musical, high schooler Evan Hansen gets entangled in a lie after a classmate kills himself and his parents mistakenly conclude that Evan’s letter to himself is their son’s suicide note.”

9/22/21- Awful reviews from everybody. TRDB.

2) CRY MACHO– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Former rodeo star and washed-up horse breeder Miko has seen better days. But when he’s hired to snatch an ex-boss’s 11-year-old son from his alcoholic mother in Mexico, the journey back to Texas gives Miko a chance at redemption.”

9/16/21- Awful reviews with very few good ones mixed in. TRDB.

3) TANGO SHALOM– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Moshe Yehuda (Jos Laniado), a Hasidic Rabbi and amateur Hora dancer, enters a big televised Tango competition to save his Hebrew school from bankruptcy. There is only one problem: due to his orthodox religious beliefs, he is not allowed to touch a woman!”

9/21/21- Fairly good reviews for this comedy. TRDB.

4) ASIA– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix.  “To all outward appearances, single mom Asia and her teenage daughter, Vika, seem more like siblings, though they have little to do with each other. But as Vika’s health begins to fail, the underlying bond between them slowly surfaces.”

9/21/21- Excellent reviews from the critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

D) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) FAYA DAYI- 2001. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this engrossing documentary, director Jessica Beshir takes viewers to Ethiopia’s Harar highlands to show how khat — a plant with stimulant properties, and social and religious significance — has become the nation’s most important cash crop.”

9/4/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB. Friday through Sunday only

SEPTEMBER 16, 2021

DEAR FRIENDS:

BEGINNING FRIDAY, SEPT. 17, HBO WILL BE SHOWING A REMAKE OF   “SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE” IN 5 EPISODES

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK- None

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK- I’m watching the TV series “CLICKBAIT” and enjoying it

_____________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX ON DISC-

None that I can recommend

________________________________________________________________________

NEW MOVIES IN THEATERS AND/OR STREAMING-

1) AZOR- 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Swiss banker Yvan De Wiel travels to Argentina to pick up the pieces after his partner suddenly disappears, he finds a sinister landscape in which the country’s elite are in cahoots with the murderous military junta.”

9/11/21- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB. In Theaters

2) FIRE MUSIC– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Long overlooked in the story of jazz, the free jazz movement gets its due in this documentary that explores the roots of the radical sound, which began with Ornette Coleman and includes the innovative stylings of Albert Ayler, Sun Ra and more.”

9/11/21- Just a few reviews and they are excellent. TRDB. In Theaters

3) THE CAPOTE TAPES– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “With talent to burn, an acid tongue and a penchant for gossip, author Truman Capote was his own best creation. This documentary draws on George Plimpton’s interviews with a host of Capote’s friends and foes to create a revealing portrait of him.”

9/11/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB. In Theaters

4) NO RESPONDERS LEFT BEHIND-” No Responders Left Behind follows 9/11 social activists Jon Stewart and John Feal as they take on the U.S. government to ensure Health and Compensation for thousands of ailing First Responders who are dying from toxins released at Ground Zero” .

No reviews as yet. On Discovery +

5) QUEEENPINS– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this comic caper based on a true story, crime pays for a pair of suburban housewives who cook up an illegal coupon scheme that scams millions from corporations while providing deals to hordes of fellow coupon clippers.”

9/12/21- Terrible reviews from the critics and excellent ones from audiences. TRDB. In Theaters

6) FAUCI- 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “As a result of Covid-19, Anthony Fauci is a household name. But as Washington, D.C.’s longest-serving public health leader, the infectious disease specialist has led the battle against everything from AIDS to Ebola, as detailed in this documentary.”

9/12/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB. In Theaters

THE FOLLOWING 3 MOVIES ARE ALSO NEW AND I REVIEWED THEM LAST WEEK-

1) THE CARD COUNTER

2) THE ALPINIST

3) LANGUAGE LESSONS

SKIP THESE-

1) DATING & NEW YORK–

9/12/21- Awful reviews. In Theaters and on streaming platforms

2) SMALL ENGINE REPAIR–  IAt a meeting of single dad Frank and his roughneck pals Swaino and Packie — who helped raise Frank’s teen daughter — they get liquored up and chew the fat. But Swaino and Packie realize Frank has an agenda when he breaks out the high-end whiskey.

________________________________________________________________________

MOVIES PLAYING IN WESTCHESTER Co. NY AND FAIRFIELD Co. CT-

A) JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER–

NEW-

1) BLUE BAYOU– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Born in Korea but adopted by Americans and raised in the heart of the Louisiana bayou, Antonio LeBlanc has worked hard to make a good life for his wife and stepdaughter. But his world is upended when he suddenly faces the prospect of deportation.”

9/15/21- Fair reviews but it does sound interesting. TRDB.

2) THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Dressed to the nines and with a face full of paint, Tammy Faye Bakker preaches a gospel of acceptance and prosperity on “The PTL Club.” But her fall from grace is swift and precipitous after she and her hubby, Jim, are rocked by a series of scandals.”

9/15/21- Fair reviews for this drama. TRDB.

REPEATS-

3) THE CARD COUNTER–

4) THE ALPINIST–

5) THE LOST LEONARDO– Limited Screenings

6) ON BROADWAY– Limited screenings

B) DANBURY AMC–

1) BLUE BAYOU– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Born in Korea but adopted by Americans and raised in the heart of the Louisiana bayou, Antonio LeBlanc has worked hard to make a good life for his wife and stepdaughter. But his world is upended when he suddenly faces the prospect of deportation.”

9/15/21- Fair reviews but it does sound interesting. TRDB.

2) THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Dressed to the nines and with a face full of paint, Tammy Faye Bakker preaches a gospel of acceptance and prosperity on “The PTL Club.” But her fall from grace is swift and precipitous after she and her hubby, Jim, are rocked by a series of scandals.”

9/15/21- Fair reviews for this drama. TRDB

3) CRY MACHO– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Former rodeo star and washed-up horse breeder Miko has seen better days. But when he’s hired to snatch an ex-boss’s 11-year-old son from his alcoholic mother in Mexico, the journey back to Texas gives Miko a chance at redemption.”

9/16/21- Awful reviews with very few good ones mixed in. TRDB.

4) THE CARD COUNTER–

________________________________________________________________________

MOVIES PLAYING IN PALM BEACH Co. FL

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

NEW-

1)  WHO YOU THINK I AM– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Concerned that her lover, Ludo, may be cheating on her, 50-year-old teacher Claire creates a phony online identity using a pretty young woman’s photo as bait. Instead, Claire attracts Ludo’s 29-year-old assistant, Alex, who instantly becomes smitten.”

8/31/21- Fairly good reviews for this French drama/comedy starring Juliette Binoche. TRDB.

2) LANGUAGE LESSONS– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “When Adam’s (Mark Duplass) husband surprises him with weekly Spanish lessons, he’s unsure about where or how this new element will fit into his already structured life. But when tragedy strikes, his Spanish teacher, Cariño (Natalie Morales), becomes a lifeline he didn’t know he needed.”9/9/21- Excellent reviews for this drama. TREB.

3) THE CAPOTE TAPES– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “With talent to burn, an acid tongue and a penchant for gossip, author Truman Capote was his own best creation. This documentary draws on George Plimpton’s interviews with a host of Capote’s friends and foes to create a revealing portrait of him.”

9/11/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) ON BROADWAY–

2) THE LOST LEONARDO–

B) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH–

NEW-

1) THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Dressed to the nines and with a face full of paint, Tammy Faye Bakker preaches a gospel of acceptance and prosperity on “The PTL Club.” But her fall from grace is swift and precipitous after she and her hubby, Jim, are rocked by a series of scandals.”

9/15/21- Fair reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2) CRY MACHO- 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Former rodeo star and washed-up horse breeder Miko has seen better days. But when he’s hired to snatch an ex-boss’s 11-year-old son from his alcoholic mother in Mexico, the journey back to Texas gives Miko a chance at redemption.”

9/16/21- Awful reviews with very few good ones mixed in. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) ON BROADWAY–

2) RESPECT–

3) THE LOST LEONARDO–

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE

1) LONG STRANGE TRIP: THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE GRATEFUL DEAD- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “To their fans, the Grateful Dead were more than a band: They represented a way of being. With newly released footage and interviews, this documentary looks at the ambitions, relationships and musical influences that drove the group’s 30-year journey.”

5/26/17- Great reviews! TRDB. Sat. and Sunday only.  4 hours long!!!

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021-

DEAR FRIENDS

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK- NONE

_____________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX THIS WEEK ON DISC-

1) TOGETHER TOGETHER– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “When 26-year-old Anna agrees to be a gestational surrogate for middle-aged bachelor Matt — who’s eager to be a dad — she’s looking for a way to finance her college degree. But she gets much more as the two develop an unexpected friendship.”

4/22/21- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

7/20/21- I liked this movie very much and highly recommend it. TRDB.

2) ZOLA- 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “On a life-changing whim, Detroit waitress Zola joins her new and licentious friend Stefani on a road trip to Florida, where they plan to rake in a bundle as strippers. Instead, they get entangled in a wild ride that includes violence and murder.”

6/30/21- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

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NEW MOVIES IN THEATERS AND/OR STREAMING-

1) ANNE AT 13000 ft– 2021- Synopsis by Netflix. “Not much is going right for 27-year-old Anne when she goes skydiving during a friend’s bachelorette party. Transformed by the experience, Anne tries to apply the clarity and focus she discovered in midair to the rest of her life, with mixed results.”

9/3/21- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB. In Theaters

2) MORGUL MOWGLI- 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Before starting a world tour, British-Pakistani rapper Zed visits his family in London to reconnect with them. But he soon ends up hospitalized with an autoimmune disorder, suffering from unnerving hallucinations involving repressed boyhood memories.”

9/3/21- Excellent reviews from the critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB. In Theaters

3) WHO YOU THINK I AM- 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Concerned that her lover, Ludo, may be cheating on her, 50-year-old teacher Claire creates a phony online identity using a pretty young woman’s photo as bait. Instead, Claire attracts Ludo’s 29-year-old assistant, Alex, who instantly becomes smitten.”

8/31/21- Fairly good reviews for this French drama/comedy starring Juliette Binoche. TRDB. In Theaters.

4) FAYA DAYI- 2001. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this engrossing documentary, director Jessica Beshir takes viewers to Ethiopia’s Harar highlands to show how khat — a plant with stimulant properties, and social and religious significance — has become the nation’s most important cash crop.”

9/4/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB. In Theaters.

5) HAPPIER THAN EVER: A LOVE LETTER TO LOS ANGELES– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “GRAMMY® Award-winning and chart-topping artist Billie Eilish will make her Disney+ debut with “Happier than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles,” a cinematic concert experience. Fresh off the heels of her brand-new album, “Happier than Ever,” the Disney+ original will feature an intimate performance of every song in the album’s sequential order – for the first and only time – from the stage of the legendary Hollywood Bowl.”

9/4/21- Excellent early reviews for this documentary. On Disney +

6) MEMORY HOUSE– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “After migrating for work from his home in northern Brazil to a former Austrian colony in the south, Cristovam has his soul crushed by racism. But when he finds an abandoned home full of objects reminiscent of his roots, he begins a transformation.”

9/4/21- Good reviews for this foreign drama. TRDB. In Theaters and on filmmovement.com

7) THE BIG SCARY “S” WORD– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Taking a look at the stormy debate over socialism in the United States — and strong voter opposition to the term — this in-depth documentary explores the notion that socialist policy and American democracy share many basic tenets.”

9/4/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB. In Theaters and on Vudo and several streaming platforms.

8) THE YEAR OF THE EVERLASTING STORM– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A love letter to cinema, shot across the US, Iran, Chile, China and Thailand, by seven of today’s most vital filmmakers. New life in the old house. A breakaway, a reunion. Surveillance and reconciliation. An unrecognizable world, in the year of the everlasting storm.”

9/4/21- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB. In Theaters.

9) BITCHIN: THE SOUND AND FURY OF RICK JAMES– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A raw and intimate documentary look at the wildly colorful life of legendary funk artist Rick James from acclaimed Director Sacha Jenkins.”

9/4/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

10) THE CARD COUNTER– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Now making his living as a card shark, military veteran William Tell ekes out a meager existence on the casino circuit. But when a troubled young man seeks Tell’s help in exacting revenge on a mutual foe, he finds himself facing his dark past.”

9/9/21- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB. In Theaters and Prime Video

11) LANGUAGE LESSONS– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “When Adam’s (Mark Duplass) husband surprises him with weekly Spanish lessons, he’s unsure about where or how this new element will fit into his already structured life. But when tragedy strikes, his Spanish teacher, Cariño (Natalie Morales), becomes a lifeline he didn’t know he needed.”

9/9/21- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB. In Theaters

12) SWAN SONG– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Once a respected hairdresser and well-known drag performer, ailing Pat Pitsenbarger finds himself confined to a Sandusky, Ohio, retirement home. But his old magic returns when he sets off on a crosstown journey to style a now-dead client’s hair.”

9/9/21- Excellent reviews from the critics and OK ones from audiences. TRDB. In Theaters

13) THE ALPINIST– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Avoiding the limelight, solo climber Marc-André Leclerc scales remote alpine peaks, risking his life to pursue his passion. Following Leclerc for two years, filmmaker Peter Mortimer explores the mountaineer’s unswerving search for adventure.”

9/9/21- Excellent reviews by the critics for this documentary. TRDB. In Theaters

SKIP THESE-

1) YAKUZA PRINCESS

2) WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING– Horror. In Theaters and on streaming platforms

3) ZONE 414- Awful reviews

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES SHOWING IN WESTCHESTER CO NY AND FAIRFIELD CO CT

A) JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER–

1) THE CARD COUNTER– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Now making his living as a card shark, military veteran William Tell ekes out a meager existence on the casino circuit. But when a troubled young man seeks Tell’s help in exacting revenge on a mutual foe, he finds himself facing his dark past.”

9/9/21- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2) SWAN SONG– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Once a respected hairdresser and well-known drag performer, ailing Pat Pitsenbarger finds himself confined to a Sandusky, Ohio, retirement home. But his old magic returns when he sets off on a crosstown journey to style a now-dead client’s hair.”

9/9/21- Excellent reviews from the critics and OK ones from audiences. TRDB.

3) THE ALPINIST– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Avoiding the limelight, solo climber Marc-André Leclerc scales remote alpine peaks, risking his life to pursue his passion. Following Leclerc for two years, filmmaker Peter Mortimer explores the mountaineer’s unswerving search for adventure.”

9/9/21- Excellent reviews by the critics for this documentary. TRDB.

4) ON BROADWAY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “With Broadway coming back after being shuttered because of the Covid-19 pandemic, this engaging documentary revisits the last time (the late 1960s) the Great White Way faced the abyss, showing how innovation and inclusion helped save the day.”9/3/21- Very good reviews. TRDB

5) THE LOST LEONARDO– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this documentary that unfolds like a thriller, an ancient painting of Jesus Christ sparks an art world frenzy as experts declare it the work of Leonardo da Vinci. But after fetching a record price at auction, the canvas vanishes before exhibition.”

8/14/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

B) DANBURY AMC

1) THE CARD COUNTER– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Now making his living as a card shark, military veteran William Tell ekes out a meager existence on the casino circuit. But when a troubled young man seeks Tell’s help in exacting revenge on a mutual foe, he finds himself facing his dark past.”

9/9/21- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2) RESPECT- Fair reviews for this drama based on the life of Aretha Franklin.

MOVIES SHOWING IN PALM BEACH CO, FL-

A) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON–

1) ON BROADWAY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “With Broadway coming back after being shuttered because of the Covid-19 pandemic, this engaging documentary revisits the last time (the late 1960s) the Great White Way faced the abyss, showing how innovation and inclusion helped save the day.”9/3/21- Very good reviews. TRDB

2) THE LOST LEONARDO– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this documentary that unfolds like a thriller, an ancient painting of Jesus Christ sparks an art world frenzy as experts declare it the work of Leonardo da Vinci. But after fetching a record price at auction, the canvas vanishes before exhibition.”

8/14/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

3) WHO YOU THINK I AM- 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Concerned that her lover, Ludo, may be cheating on her, 50-year-old teacher Claire creates a phony online identity using a pretty young woman’s photo as bait. Instead, Claire attracts Ludo’s 29-year-old assistant, Alex, who instantly becomes smitten.”

8/31/21- Fairly good reviews for this French drama/comedy starring Juliette Binoche. TRDB.

4) THE MACALUSO SISTERS– Limited screenings

5) LANGUAGE LESSONS– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “When Adam’s (Mark Duplass) husband surprises him with weekly Spanish lessons, he’s unsure about where or how this new element will fit into his already structured life. But when tragedy strikes, his Spanish teacher, Cariño (Natalie Morales), becomes a lifeline he didn’t know he needed.”

9/9/21- Excellent reviews for this drama. TREB.

B) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) ON BROADWAY- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “With Broadway coming back after being shuttered because of the Covid-19 pandemic, this engaging documentary revisits the last time (the late 1960s) the Great White Way faced the abyss, showing how innovation and inclusion helped save the day.”9/3/21- Very good reviews. TRDB

2) RESPECT- Fair reviews for this drama based on the life of Aretha Franklin.

3) STILLWATER– Good reviews Limited screenings

4) THE LOST LEONARDO- 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this documentary that unfolds like a thriller, an ancient painting of Jesus Christ sparks an art world frenzy as experts declare it the work of Leonardo da Vinci. But after fetching a record price at auction, the canvas vanishes before exhibition.”

8/14/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE–

1) LONG STRANGE TRIP– 2018. Emerging from the Bay Area’s vibrant 1960s counterculture, the Grateful Dead were a motley crew whose unique sound sprang from an eclectic blend of influences: bluegrass, folk ballads, R&B, free-form jazz, classical and jug band.

September 2, 2021

DEAR FRIENDS:

REMEMBER– YOU CAN  ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AND ANY PAST ONE ON MY WEBSITE–

ALSO, YOU CAN ACCESS MY REVIEWS OF PAST MOVIES ON MY WEBSITE

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) RED JOAN— Netflix

2) UNTOLD: CAITLYN JENNER– Netflix

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK-

1) RED JOAN– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Loosely inspired by a true story, this dramatized biopic shifts between two eras as it recounts the tale of Joan Stanley, a longtime British spy for the KGB who sees her peaceful suburban retirement abruptly shattered when she’s arrested for treason.”

4/19/19- Terrible reviews. TRDB.

8/29/21- I enjoyed the movie! TRDB

2) UNTOLD: CAITLYN JENNER– 2021.

An excellent documentary about the decathlon champion Bruce Jenner and his/her struggle with gender identity. TRDB.

COMING TO NETFLIX ON A DISC-

1) 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.

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NEW MOVIES– IN THEATERS AND/OR STREAMING-

1) ISABELLA- 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Moving back and forth in time, this abstract drama centers on financially strapped actress Mariel’s attempts to audition for a Shakespeare play. But her ambitions are undermined as she receives help from a more assured and accomplished actress.”

8/28/21- Fairly good reviews for this drama. TRDB. In Theaters

2) TOGETHER– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Unspooling from the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, this timely dramedy follows a couple maintaining a coexistence for the sake of their 10-year-old son. But when lockdown occurs, they must re-evaluate their relationship.”

8/28/21- Fair reviews for this Indie drama/comedy. TRDB. In Theaters

3) NO MAN OF GOD– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fact-based drama, FBI analyst Bill Hagmaier sits down with serial killer Ted Bundy for a series of conversations, hoping to gain insight into his psyche. But in the process, Hagmaier’s feelings about Bundy grow increasingly complicated.”

8/28/21- Fair to good reviews. TRDB. In Theaters and on Prime Video

4) KIPCHOGE: THE LAST MILESTONE– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Turning the spotlight on Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge — often described as the greatest marathoner of the modern era — this inspiring documentary chronicles his quest to become the first person to complete a marathon in less than two hours.”

8/28/21- Early reviews are mixed. TRDB On Prime Video

5) BOB ROSS: HAPPY ACCIDENTS– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed brings us the shockingly untold story of the prolific landscape artist and host of The Joy of Painting. With a keen appreciation for nature, and a kind and gentle demeanor, Bob Ross encouraged everyone he met to embrace their creativity and believe in themselves, becoming a cultural phenomenon along the way.”

8/29/21- Fair reviews for this documentary. TRDB. On Netflix.

6) MOSQUITO STATE– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “August 2007. Isolated in his austere penthouse overlooking Central Park, obsessive Wall Street data analyst Richard Boca (Beau Knapp) sees ominous patterns: His computer models are behaving erratically, as are the swarms of mosquitos breeding in his apartment, an infestation that attends his psychological meltdown.”

8/29/20- Fair reviews. TRDB.

SKIP THESE–

1) VACATION FRIENDS– Poor reviews

2) CANDYMAN-

3) HE’S ALL THAT–

4) LILY TOPLES THE WORLD

5) AMERICAN SAUSAGE STANDOFF– Terrible reviews

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MOVIES SHOWING IN WESTCHESTER Co, NY AND FAIRFIELD Co, CT-

A) JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER IN PLEASANTVILLE,

NO NEW MOVIES-

1) RESPECT–

2) CODA–

3) THE MACALUSO SISTERS–

4) TOGETHER-

5) EMMA–

B) DANBURY, CT

1) TOGETHER- 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Unspooling from the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, this timely dramedy follows a couple maintaining a coexistence for the sake of their 10-year-old son. But when lockdown occurs, they must re-evaluate their relationship.”

8/28/21- Fair reviews for this Indie drama/comedy. TRDB.

2) RESPECT– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Following the rise of Aretha Franklin’s career — from a child singing in her father’s church choir to her international superstardom — it’s the remarkable true story of the music icon’s journey to find her voice.”

8/12/21- Weak reviews from the critics and very good ones from audiences. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES SHOWING IN PALM BEACH Co, FL-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) ON BROADWAY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “With Broadway coming back after being shuttered because of the Covid-19 pandemic, this engaging documentary revisits the last time (the late 1960s) the Great White Way faced the abyss, showing how innovation and inclusion helped save the day.”

8/20/21- Just 4 reviews and they are all good. TRDB.

9/3/21- Very good reviews. TRDB

2) RESPECT– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Following the rise of Aretha Franklin’s career — from a child singing in her father’s church choir to her international superstardom — it’s the remarkable true story of the music icon’s journey to find her voice.”

8/12/21- Weak reviews from the critics and very good ones from audiences. TRDB.

3) STILLWATER– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Unemployed roughneck Bill Baker (Academy Award® winner Matt Damon) travels from Oklahoma to Marseille to visit his estranged daughter Allison (Academy Award® nominee Abigail Breslin). Imprisoned for a murder she claims she did not commit.”

7/25/21- Good reviews for this drama. TRDB

4) THE LOST LEONARDO– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this documentary that unfolds like a thriller, an ancient painting of Jesus Christ sparks an art world frenzy as experts declare it the work of Leonardo da Vinci. But after fetching a record price at auction, the canvas vanishes before exhibition.”

8/14/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

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

NEW-  WHO YOU THINK I AM– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Concerned that her lover, Ludo, may be cheating on her, 50-year-old teacher Claire creates a phony online identity using a pretty young woman’s photo as bait. Instead, Claire attracts Ludo’s 29-year-old assistant, Alex, who instantly becomes smitten.”

8/31/21- Fairly good reviews for this French drama/comedy starring Juliette Binoche. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) NINE DAYS– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “A man interviews five unborn souls to determine which one can be given life on Earth.”

7.31.20- Fairly good reviews for this sci-fi movie. TRDB.

2) THE LOST LEONARDO– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this documentary that unfolds like a thriller, an ancient painting of Jesus Christ sparks an art world frenzy as experts declare it the work of Leonardo da Vinci. But after fetching a record price at auction, the canvas vanishes before exhibition.”

8/14/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

3) THE MALACUSO SISTERS– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “After the death of Antonella — the youngest of five sisters sharing an apartment — her remaining siblings continue living together for decades, But a deeply held secret finally leads one sister to accuse another of murdering Antonella.

6/6/21- Great reviews for this drama. TRDB.

4) TOGETHER– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “A man interviews five unborn souls to determine which one can be given life on Earth.”

7.31.20- Fairly good reviews for this sci-fi movie. TRDB.

5) THE MEANING OF HITLER– Limited screenings

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) ON BROADWAY– From 9/3–9/5. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “With Broadway coming back after being shuttered because of the Covid-19 pandemic, this engaging documentary revisits the last time (the late 1960s) the Great White Way faced the abyss, showing how innovation and inclusion helped save the day.”

8/20/21- Just 4 reviews and they are all good. TRDB.

9/3/21- Very good reviews. TRDB