The Reel Dr. Bob

MAY 23, 2019

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) RAFIKI- At the Theater

2) THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM– At the Theater

3) THE IRAN JOB– Netflix Disc.

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MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) RAFIKI– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a conservative Nairobi neighborhood, forbidden same-sex love blooms between teenage girls Kena and Ziki, whose fathers are political rivals. But as suspicion swirls around them, Kena and Ziki are forced to make a painful choice.”

4/19/19- Very good to excellent reviews. TRDB.

5/16/19- Very well done and a very moving story. TRDB. 

2) THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker John Chester and his wife, Molly, long dreamed of trading Los Angeles for a rural life. So, when the couple gets evicted from their apartment thanks to their barking dog, they jump at the chance to start a diversified farm outside the city.”

5/10/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

5/20/19- I liked it very much. Beautiful nature photography as well. TRDB. 

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MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK AT HOME-

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

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

5/17/19- As far as I’m concerned this movie was like warring Mafia families and I found it boring. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

2) THE IRAN JOB– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This eye-opening documentary follows American basketball player Kevin Sheppard during his 2008-09 season playing for a professional team in Iran. Although Kevin is nervous, he makes many friends, including several politically active Iranian women.”

10/12/12- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5/22/19- I enjoyed the movie and in particular Sheppard’s relationship with the other players and several women he met while there. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

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

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

2) NOTES ON AN APPEARANCE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “David Hidell is excited about starting life anew doing research for his buddy, who’s writing a biography of a controversial philosopher. When David suddenly vanishes, his friends launch a search for him, combing through obscure circumstantial clues.”

8/17/18- Decent reviews but definitely NOT my kind of movie. TRDB.

3) GRETA- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When young Frances returns a handbag she found on the New York City subway to its owner, lonely widow Greta, she gains a new friend. But their relationship begins to take a sinister turn as Greta becomes obsessed with Frances.”

2/27/19- Early reviews are really bad. TRDB.

4) CLIMAX- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “On the outskirts of Paris, 20 young dancers gather at a closed boarding school for three days of intensive rehearsals. But at the after-party, things descend into chaos when the punch bowl is spiked with LSD.”

3/1/19- Fair reviews from critics and audiences. TRDB.

5) HER SMELL– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Despite her stardom, punk rock singer Becky Something is living out a personal mission of destruction fueled by drugs and a volatile temperament that threatens to alienate everyone she knows, including her bandmates.”

4/12/19- Very good reviews in general with a few negatives as well. I’ll give it a try. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

Recommended-

1) THE SOUVENIR– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this romantic drama, film student Julie is struggling to find her voice when she falls for the charismatic but mysterious Anthony. As love blooms, so does her creativity, but her mother and friends fear that the relationship will destroy Julie.”

5/17/19- Great reviews by the critics and terrible ones from audiences. Friends hated it. TRDB.

2) THE WANDERING SOAP OPERA– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Through interconnected vignettes, this biting satire channels the quintessence of Chile’s soap operas to weigh in on the political, societal and economic turmoil occurring in the aftermath of Augusto Pinochet’s 17-year dictatorship.”

5/17/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

3) PHOTOGRAPH– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “For young photographer Rafi’s ailing grandmother, time is running out, and she wants to see her grandson married. To placate her, Rafi asks a stranger to pose as his bride-to-be — an arrangement that will transform them both.”

5/17/19- Good reviews and it sounds like my type of movie. TRDB.

4) ALL CREATURES HERE BELOW– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Gensan and Ruby are eking out an existence on the edges of society when both suddenly lose their jobs, setting in motion a string of events that forces the desperate couple to take it on the lam.”

5/17/19- Mixed reviews– more positive than negative. TRDB.

5) WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “After a poisoning kills several of their family members, sisters Merricat and Constance share their estate with an ailing uncle. But the trio’s reclusive existence is disrupted by a visit from a charming cousin intent on stealing the family fortune.”

5/17/19- OK reviews. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR– Danbury. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Born in Jamaica but now living in New York City, realist Natasha Kingsley is facing imminent deportation. As she looks for an eleventh-hour reprieve to remain in America, fate leads her to meet young dreamer Daniel Bae … and sparks fly.”

5/17/19- Really poor reviews. TRDB.

2) ANIARA- Sci-fi and not for me

3) TRIAL BY FIRE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fact-based drama, Cameron Todd Willingham faces the death penalty when he’s convicted of murdering his children in a Texas house fire. But a caring Houston housewife believes the verdict was based on flimsy evidence — and fights to free him.”

5/17/19- Fair to poor reviews. TRDB.

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) BOOKSMART– Jacob Burns, Danbury, Clearview 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “On the eve of their graduation from high school, best friends Amy and Molly — both academic overachievers — realize they’ve missed four years of fun and set out to make up for lost time … all in one night.”

5/22/19- Excellent reviews for this comedy. TRDB.

2) PHOTOGRAPH- Bethel, Clearview 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “For young photographer Rafi’s ailing grandmother, time is running out, and she wants to see her grandson married. To placate her, Rafi asks a stranger to pose as his bride-to-be — an arrangement that will transform them both.”

5/17/19- Good reviews and it sounds like my type of movie. TRDB.

3) ALL IS TRUE- Bethel. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “After the Globe Theatre burns down in 1613, master playwright William Shakespeare returns to his wife and two daughters in Stratford, seeking to renew ties with the family he neglected during his long stay in London.”

5/21/19- Fair reviews by the critics and poor ones from audiences. TRDB.

4) THE SOUVENIR– Jacob Burns. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this romantic drama, film student Julie is struggling to find her voice when she falls for the charismatic but mysterious Anthony. As love blooms, so does her creativity, but her mother and friends fear that the relationship will destroy Julie.”

5/17/19- Great reviews by the critics and terrible ones from audiences. Friends hated it. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM– Bethel, Clearview 100. I liked it very much

2) THE WHITE CROW– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100. Reviews are mixed with more positives than negatives. TRDB.

3) RED JOAN– Clearview 100. Weak reviews but friends have liked it

4) THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR– Danbury. Weak reviews

5) NON-FICTION– Jacob Burns. Very good reviews and I’ll definitely try to see this, especially with Juliette Binoche in the movie.

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) PHOTOGRAPH- Good reviews

2) ALL IS TRUE– Fair to poor reviews

3) LONG SHOT– Good for a few laughs and that’s it

4) THE WHITE CROW– Mixed reviews

5) RED JOAN– Weak reviews but friends have liked it

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

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) WOMAN AT WAR– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Believing that the aluminum industry is destroying the Icelandic environment, middle-aged Halla begins waging a secret eco-war to protect the landscape. But her crusade is interrupted when she gets a chance to fulfill her dream of adopting a child.”

3/1/19- Excellent reviews from all sources. TRDB.

3/15/19- Very different to say the least but interesting and very well acted. I recommend it. TRDB.

2) GLORIA BELL– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This English-language remake of director Sebastián Lelio’s Chilean drama charts the life of Gloria, an aging divorcée who meets the disarming Arnold at a singles bar. But baggage from his tangled family relationships may upend their romance.”

3/8/19- Excellent reviews by the critics and weak ones by audiences. I saw the original about 6 years ago and liked it very much. TRDB.

3/25/19- Great acting by Julienne Moore. I liked it but many of you may not. TRDB. 

D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS-

1) ALL IS TRUE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “After the Globe Theatre burns down in 1613, master playwright William Shakespeare returns to his wife and two daughters in Stratford, seeking to renew ties with the family he neglected during his long stay in London.”

5/21/19- Fair reviews by the critics and poor ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) ASK DR. RUTH– Good reviews.

3) NON-FICTION– Very good reviews and I’ll definitely try to see this, especially with Juliette Binoche.

4) THE WHITE CROW-  Reviews are mixed with more positives than negatives. TRDB.

5) PHOTOGRAPH– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “For young photographer Rafi’s ailing grandmother, time is running out, and she wants to see her grandson married. To placate her, Rafi asks a stranger to pose as his bride-to-be — an arrangement that will transform them both.”

5/17/19- Good reviews and it sounds like my type of movie. TRDB.

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

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MAY 16, 2019

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) EVERYBODY KNOWS– Netflix Disc.

2) STAN & OLLIE– Netflix Disc.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

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

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

5/9/19- Despite a predictable, poor ending I still enjoyed this movie. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

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

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

5/14/19- An excellent drama- I thoroughly it. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

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

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

2) ICEMAN– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Using the discovery of a Neolithic man’s mummified remains as a jumping-off point, this inventive drama imagines that prehistoric man’s long and perilous quest to exact revenge for the murders that wiped out his tribe.”

3/16/19- Good reviews by the critics and poor ones by audiences. TRDB.

3) MY SCIENTOLOGY MOVIE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a quest to better understand the psychological impulses that attract people to the Church of Scientology, this compelling exposé re-enacts incidents described by disillusioned former members. Meanwhile, the Church tries to hamstring the project.”

3/10/17- Very good reviews by critics and fair at best reviews from audiences. TRDB.

4) LET THE SUNSHINE IN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix “Lamenting the approach of middle age, divorced Parisian artist Isabelle wades back into the romantic fray to find a compatible mate. But she soon concludes that none of the men she meets seem to comprehend the basic truths of love.”

4/26/18- Starring Juliette Binoche, this movie has received very good reviews. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

1) CHARLIE SAYS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this biographical drama that follows Leslie Van Houten, Patricia Krenwinkel and Susan Atkins after they’re imprisoned for the Manson family murders, a graduate student tries to help them come to terms with their heinous crimes.”

5/10/19- Terrible reviews by the critics but excellent ones by audiences. I’d take a chance on this one. TRDB.

2) PASOLINI– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This evocative portrait of outspoken, controversial director Pier Paolo Pasolini traces the last day of his life — Nov. 2, 1975 — which he spent with his mother and friends before vanishing into the night and being found murdered the next day.”

5/10/19- Decent reviews by the critics and awful ones by audiences. TRDB.

3) DAVID CROSS: OH, COME ON– Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Shot in Asheville, N.C. during the summer of 2018, this latest special covers a multitude of subjects. From being a new dad, who happens to be hyper aware of hacky “new dad” bits, and the joys and terrors of a “couples colonic,” to American life in the Trump era, all told in the unmistakable provocative style of David Cross – America’s original Southern Gentleman. Share the laughter, the tears, the gasps, and the salty language that you’ve come to know and love. Stare into the abyss one more time until the next time and see what makes David Cross one of the top 400 comics in America today.”

5/10/19- Just 2 reviews at this time– one up and 1 down. TRDB.

4) AT THE HEART OF GOLD: INSIDE THE USA GYMNASTICS SCANDAL– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When it was revealed that USA Gymnastics physician Larry Nassar had sexually abused scores of athletes over decades, the gymnastics world erupted. This illuminating documentary examines the culture within the sport that led to the crisis.”

5/10/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

5) THE RIVER AND THE WALL– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “With threats of a border wall looming, filmmaker Ben Masters sets out with a small group of explorers to traverse the 1,200 miles from El Paso to the Gulf of Mexico that constitute the crux of the immigration debate.”

5/10/19- Great reviews. TRDB.

6) THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker John Chester and his wife, Molly, long dreamed of trading Los Angeles for a rural life. So, when the couple gets evicted from their apartment thanks to their barking dog, they jump at the chance to start a diversified farm outside the city.”

5/10/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

7) THE SERENGETI RULES– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Taking viewers from the Pacific Northwest to Peru, the Aleutian Islands and Africa’s Serengeti region, this visually stunning documentary looks at the work of five visionary ecologists whose discoveries toppled our understanding of the food chain.”

5/10/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

8) THE THIRD WIFE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 19th-century Vietnam, 14-year-old May becomes a rich landowner’s third wife, knowing that she must give birth to a son to increase her status. But after she becomes pregnant, dormant desires force her to choose between safety and freedom.”

5/15/19- Very good reviews for this movie. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) POMS-

2) THE HUSTLE-

3) ALL IS TRUE-

4) MY SON-

5) TOLKIEN- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this absorbing biopic focusing on the university days of J.R.R. Tolkien, the author meets his future wife and muse, Edith Bratt, and forms the friendships that will inspire him to pen his classic Middle-Earth novels.”
5/7/19- Poor reviews for this biopic. TRDB.

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) THE BIGEST LITTLE FARM– Jacob Burns. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker John Chester and his wife, Molly, long dreamed of trading Los Angeles for a rural life. So, when the couple gets evicted from their apartment thanks to their barking dog, they jump at the chance to start a diversified farm outside the city.”

5/10/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

2) NON-FICTION– Jacob Burns. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this diverting comedy, Parisian book editor Alain and his longtime author Léonard — both contending with midlife crises — reluctantly find themselves trying to get a handle on the publishing industry’s new rules in the digital age.”

5/3/19- Very good reviews and I’ll definitely try to see this, especially with Juliette Binoche. TRDB.

3) ASAKO 1 & 2- Jacob Burns. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “After young Asako falls for charming rogue Baku, he vanishes one day without explanation. Although Asako is heartbroken, she moves on and two years later meets Ryôhei, who is Baku’s physical double — but otherwise opposite in every way.

5/14/19- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

4) THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR– Danbury. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Born in Jamaica but now living in New York City, realist Natasha Kingsley is facing imminent deportation. As she looks for an eleventh-hour reprieve to remain in America, fate leads her to meet young dreamer Daniel Bae … and sparks fly.”

5/15/19- No reviews as yet but it sounds interesting. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) TOLKIEN– Bethel, Cinema 100.

2) ASK DR. RUTH– Cinema 100.

3) THE WHITE CROW– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100.

4) RED JOAN– Bethel, Cinema 100.

5) AMAZING GRACE– Jacob Burns, Cinema 100.

6) LONG SHOT- Bethel.

7) THE MUSTANG– Bethel. I liked it very much

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) TOLKIEN– Poor reviews for this biopic

2) ASK DR. RUTH– Very good reviews

3) LONG SHOT– Good for a few laughs and that’s about it

4) RED JOAN– Poor reviews but friends have liked it

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

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) DOGMAN– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In his rundown beach community in Southern Italy, dog groomer Marcello gets along with everyone — even local bully (and ex-boxer) Simone. But when covering up for Simone lands Marcello in jail, he’s itching for vengeance when he’s released.”

4/12/19- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

2) STYX– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Prepared for the adventure of a lifetime, emergency room doctor Rieke sets off on a 5,000-mile solo voyage to Ascension Island in the Atlantic. But when she encounters a foundering refugee boat, she finds herself caught in a moral dilemma.”

2/27/19- Excellent reviews by the critics but just fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

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

1) JOURNEY TO A MOTHER’S ROOM– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. Leonor wants to leave home but she doesn’t dare tell her mother. Estrella doesn’t want her daughter to leave, but she isn’t able to keep her by her side. Mother and daughter will have to face a new time in their lives in which the world they share is wavering.”

5/15/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

2) RAFIKI– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a conservative Nairobi neighborhood, forbidden same-sex love blooms between teenage girls Kena and Ziki, whose fathers are political rivals. But as suspicion swirls around them, Kena and Ziki are forced to make a painful choice.”

4/19/19- Very good to excellent reviews. TRDB.

3) ASK DR. RUTH– Very good reviews.

4) THE WHITE CROW– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This stylish biopic charts the early years of Soviet ballet star Rudolf Nureyev, from his birth on a train in 1938 to his rise during the Cold War to the life-altering decision he makes while performing in Paris in 1961.”

4/26/19- Reviews are mixed with more positives than negatives. TRDB.

5) WILD NIGHTS WITH EMILY– (limited screenings)

JANUARY 3, 2019

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) A BAG OF MARBLES– Hotwire On Demand

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

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

3/23/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

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

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9/28/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

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

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

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

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

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

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

9/7/18- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

Recommended-

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

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

Not Recommended-

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

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

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

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

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

REPEATS-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

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

1) VICE-

2) MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS-

3) THE FAVOURITE-

4) THE MULE-

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

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

2) MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS– Fair reviews at best

3) THE MULE– I liked this movie-

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

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

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

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

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

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

DECEMBER 27, 2018

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY– At the Theater

2) LIZZIE– Netflix Disc.

3) ENTANGLEMENT– Netflix Streaming

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MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Born in Zanzibar, Farrokh Bulsara emigrated to England in his teens and formed the band Queen in 1970 under his new name, Freddie Mercury. This biopic charts the group’s first 15 years, culminating with their Live Aid performance in 1985.”

10/30/18- Mostly poor reviews. TRDB.

12/21/18- Much to my surprise I really enjoyed this movie. Despite the poor reviews everyone I’ve spoken to who has seen this movie has liked it very much. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK AT HOME-

1) LIZZIE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fresh take on one of America’s most notorious murder cases, 32-year-old Lizzie Borden is living unhappily under her tyrannical father’s roof when maid Bridget Sullivan joins the household — and the two women form a dangerous bond.”

9/14/18- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

12/24/18- The movie was just OK in my book. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

2) ENTANGLEMENT– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “While recuperating from a suicide attempt, Ben learns that his parents had adopted a baby girl but gave her up when they discovered they were expecting him. Aided by a caring neighbor, Ben sets off on a quest to find his would-be adoptive sister.”

2/9/18- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

12/26/18- I agree- just fair. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

_____________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

1) BAD REPUTATION– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Before there were “riot grrrls” or female rappers, there was Joan Jett — first in the seminal punk band the Runaways, then as a solo act and later the leader of her own band, as recounted in this biographical documentary.”

9/28/18- Good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2) LOVE, GILDA– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Much-loved comedienne Gilda Radner — who succumbed to cancer at age 42 — left behind a wealth of audiotapes, videos and personal diaries, all of which provide an endearing cinematic portrait of her in this affecting documentary.”

9/19/18- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

3) EATING ANIMALS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on Jonathan Safran Foer’s best-selling book, this eye-opening documentary looks at the high cost — to animals, the environment and human health — of our insistence on cheap food and reliance on the agro-industrial complex that produces it.”

6/15/18- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

4) SHINE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Salsa is the tie that binds in this tale of two brothers — both acclaimed dancers from Spanish Harlem — who become estranged after their dad’s death. But when they later reconnect, they end up on opposite sides of a gentrification battle.”

10/4/18- Just 2 reviews– 1 poor and 1 fair. TRDB.

5) TROUBLE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Estranged for years, middle-aged siblings Maggie and Ben renew their bitter rivalry when they begin a battle over the family estate. Before long, Ben resorts to skullduggery as he hatches a scheme to get back his half of the property.”

10/4/18- Fair reviews. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

Recommended-

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

12/21/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

2) VICE- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Focusing on his powerful two-term tenure as second in command to U.S. President George W. Bush, this biographical drama chronicles the long and controversial political career of Dick Cheney.”

12/24/18- Fair reviews at best by the critics. TRDB.

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

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

4) DESTROYER– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Early in her police career, Det. Erin Bell’s cover is blown while infiltrating a California gang. Sixteen years later, the leader of that gang — who escaped during the failed operation — resurfaces, and Erin is determined to take him down.”

12/25/18- Fairly good reviews. Most said that Nicole Kidman was great. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1) WELCOME TO MARWEN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “This affecting drama chronicles the real-life story of Mark Hogancamp, who loses his memory after a savage assault but works through recovery by building a miniature World War II-era town filled with figurines representing his loved ones.”

12/21/18- Awful reviews from everybody. TRDB.

2) AMERICAN RENEGADES– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the midst of the Balkan wars, a squad of Navy SEALs attempts to unravel a long-forgotten mystery after discovering an enormous treasure trove hidden at the bottom of a lake in Serbia.”

12/21/18- Bad reviews. TRDB.

3) BETWEEN WORLDS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Plagued by grief and guilt over the death of his wife and child, forlorn trucker Joe is trying to get on with his life. But that proves difficult as his dead spouse’s spirit possesses his new girlfriend’s daughter.”

12/21/18- Terrible reviews by the critics but surprisingly very good ones by audiences. TRDB.

4) “Second Act” opened also and received awful reviews.

__________________________________________________________________

HOTWIRE ON DEMAND-

1) BLACKkKLANSMAN–

2) COLETTE-

3) EIGHTH GRADE–

4) RBG-

5) THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS–

6) WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?-

__________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) VICE- Bethel, Danbury. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Focusing on his powerful two-term tenure as second in command to U.S. President George W. Bush, this biographical drama chronicles the long and controversial political career of Dick Cheney.”

12/24/18- Fair reviews at best by the critics. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) GREEN BOOK- Jacob Burns, Bethel. Excellent and a must-see

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

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

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

5) THE MULE- Danbury. I liked it very much– Clint Eastwood near the end of his career.

6) A STAR IS BORN- Clearview 100. I enjoyed this movie very much.

7) BEN IS BACK– Bethel, Clearview 100. Very good reviews.

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) VICE- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Focusing on his powerful two-term tenure as second in command to U.S. President George W. Bush, this biographical drama chronicles the long and controversial political career of Dick Cheney.”

12/24/18- Fair reviews at best by the critics. TRDB.

2) MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS– Fair reviews at best

3) THE MULE– I liked it very  much

4) THE FAVOURITE– Good reviews

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

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) SINATRA IN PALM SPRINGS- Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Palm Springs, a small desert oasis 100 miles East of Los Angeles was Sinatra’s true home for 50 years. During his brief yet turbulent marriage to Ava Gardner his Palm Springs home was center stage. For the rest of his life, the Rancho Mirage compound on Frank Sinatra Drive, was the home he called “My Heaven”.

12/24/18- No reviews as yet. We’ll see. TRDB.

2) VOX LUX– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. ” After a classroom shooting leaves teenage Celeste with a spinal injury, she performs a tribute ballad at the memorial service and suddenly becomes a pop megastar. But 18 years later, her career has crashed and burned — and it’s time for a comeback.”

12/7/18- Fair reviews from the critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB.

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

1) BEN IS BACK– Excellent reviews for this movie starring Julia Roberts.

2) FREE SOLO– I liked it- very suspenseful

3) MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS– Fair reviews at best

4) SHOPLIFTERS– Good reviews

5) MARIA BY CALLAS– Good reviews

DECEMBER 20, 2018

DEAR FRIENDS:

YOU CAN AND SHOULD VIEW MY NEWSLETTER VIA MY WEB SITE AT LEAST ONE TIME TO BE SURE YOU CAN GET IT ON-LINE

IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE AN ISSUE BY FRIDAY OF THE WEEK PLEASE TRY MY WEBSITE AT-

www.thereeldrbob.com

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) AVA- At the Theater at a private showing

2) THE MULE– At the Theater

3) THE ARMSTRONG LIE- Netflix Disc.

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) AVA-  2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Tehran teen Ava Vali is a good student, a gifted violinist and a dutiful daughter. So, when her overprotective mother demands that a gynecologist confirm Ava’s virginity, she’s outraged — leading her to rebel against far more than just her family.”

4/27/18- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

12/14/18- A bit slow at first but developed into an interesting study of the Iranian society both in the home and out in the world. A scene of an argument between the husband and wife is memorable. TRDB.

2) THE MULE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In his 80s, Earl Stone is facing business foreclosure when he’s offered a job that merely involves driving a truck. But what he doesn’t know is that he’ll be smuggling huge loads of cocaine for Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel.”

12/15/18- A very enjoyable crime caper with a weather beaten but wonderful Clint Eastwood. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK AT HOME-

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

11/22/18- Great reviews. TRDB.

12/15/18- Sorry to say but I was disappointed in this well hyped foreign drama. I found it much too slow and most of the themes presented I have seen before and done better. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

2) THE ARMSTRONG LIE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filming cyclist Lance Armstrong as he trained for the 2009 Tour de France, director Alex Gibney had intimate access to the racer’s team. Gibney’s cameras were also rolling for Armstrong’s startling 2012 confession of performance-enhancing drug use.”

10/16/13- Very good reviews. TRDB.

11/8/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

12/18/18- An excellent expose of Lance Armstrong and the sport of cycling  as well. TRDB. Netflix disc.

_____________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY-

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

10/4/18- Just 2 reviews so far and neither is particularly favorable. The premise sounds interesting. TRDB.

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

2) WHITE BOY RICK– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this taut drama, Richard Wershe Jr. is only 14 when he becomes an undercover informant for the FBI in Detroit. While his perilous work helps cripple the city’s largest drug ring, he ends up with a life sentence three years later for dealing drugs.”

9/14/18- Fair reviews at best but there were several very good ones too. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

OPENED LAST WEEK-

Recommended-

1) THE WORLD IS YOURS– 2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “To escape his life of crime, a small-time mobster in Paris accepts one last job involving Spain, drugs, the Illuminati and his overbearing mother.”

12/14/18- Excellent reviews by the critics and fair ones by audiences. On Netflix as well. TRDB.

2) IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on the novel penned by James Baldwin, this urban drama centers on pregnant Harlem resident Tish as she attempts to clear the name of her fiancé, who’s awaiting trial on a false rape accusation.”

12/14/18- Excellent reviews from the critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB.

3) GHOSTBOX COWBOY– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Looking for a new frontier in which to pitch his wares, failed entrepreneur Jimmy Van Horn trades Texas for China, where he turns to an established expatriate friend to help sell investors on an electronic device that will communicate with the dead.”

12/14/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

4) LOTS OF KIDS, A MONKEY AND A CASTLE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In his first foray behind the lens, actor Gustavo Salmerón paints a poignant portrait of his spirited mom, Julita, who got everything she wished for: scads of kids, a monkey and a castle. But changing economic fortunes are forcing her to downsize.”

12/14/18- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

5) THAT WAY MADNESS LIES– 2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “What do you do when your brother descends into a black hole of mental instability – starting with falling for a Nigerian email scam but eventually winding up involuntary committed into the hospital made famous by One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest?”

12/14/18- Just 3 reviews and they are all very good. TRDB. 

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

12/14/18- Just so-so reviews. TRDB.

7) DEAD SOULS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Representing the many thousands of Chinese citizens victimized by Mao Zedong’s Anti-Rightist campaign and exiled to “re-education” camps, the survivors interviewed in this eight-hour documentary paint a picture of horrific suffering and starvation.”

12/14/18- Excellent reviews for this foreign documentary. TRDB.

8) MARTYR- 2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “For Hassane, a young man from an impoverished neighborhood, life has stopped making sense. All he has left is a close group of friends, brought together by a shared sense of marginalization and hopelessness. Hassane’s strange sudden drowning at Beirut’s rocky shore sparks a mob procession.”

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

9) THE MULE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In his 80s, Earl Stone is facing business foreclosure when he’s offered a job that merely involves driving a truck. But what he doesn’t know is that he’ll be smuggling huge loads of cocaine for Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel.”

12/15/18- A very enjoyable crime caper with a weather beaten but wonderful Clint Eastwood. TRDB.

10) THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “For 12 years, smart serial killer Jack has committed his crimes as a form of art, expressing his dark perspectives. With the law closing in on him, his exploits become increasingly brazen as he seeks to pull off the perfect murder.”

12/14/18- Weak reviews by the critics but good ones from audiences. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) BIRD BOX– 2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “When a mysterious force decimates the world’s population, only one thing is certain: if you see it, you take your life.”

12/14/18- Bad, bad reviews and included here solely because of Sandra Bullock who I like. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

HOTWIRE ON-DEMAND-

1) BLACKkKLANSMAN–

2) COLETTE-

3) EIGHTH GRADE–

4) THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS–

5) RBG-

6) WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) BEN IS BACK– Bethel, Clearview 100. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “As troubled as he is charming, 19-year-old Ben Burns surprises everyone when he returns home for Christmas. Although his mother cautiously welcomes Ben’s arrival, he soon begins to disrupt the family.”

12/8/18- Excellent reviews for this movie starring Julia Roberts. TRDB.

2) IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK– Jacob Burns. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on the novel penned by James Baldwin, this urban drama centers on pregnant Harlem resident Tish as she attempts to clear the name of her fiancé, who’s awaiting trial on a false rape accusation.”

12/14/18- Excellent reviews from the critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB.

REPEATS-

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

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

3) SHOPLIFTERS– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100. Excellent reviews

4) CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?- Clearview 100. Good reviews

5) THE MULE– Danbury. I enjoyed this movie.

6) BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY– Danbury. Weak reviews but everyone I know has liked it

7) FREE SOLO– Jacob Burns. I enjoyed this movie- very suspenseful

8) GREEN BOOK– Jacob Burns, Bethel. A must-see!

9) SUPPORT THE GIRLS– Jacob Burns. Excellent reviews for this comedy including some great ones.

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS– Fair reviews at best

2) THE FAVOURITE– Good reviews

3) THE MULE– I enjoyed this Clint Eastwood movie

4) GREEN BOOK– This is a must see. Guaranteed to enjoy

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- SAME AS LAKE WORTH

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

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

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

D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS-

1) BEN IS BACK– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “As troubled as he is charming, 19-year-old Ben Burns surprises everyone when he returns home for Christmas. Although his mother cautiously welcomes Ben’s arrival, he soon begins to disrupt the family.”

12/8/18- Excellent reviews for this movie starring Julia Roberts. TRDB.

2) FREE SOLO– I enjoyed this movie- very suspenseful

3) MARIA BY CALLAS-Good reviews

4) MARY QUEEN OF  SCOTS– Fair reviews at best

5) SHOPLIFTERS- Excellent reviews

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

_____________________________________________________________________

DECEMBER 13, 2018

DEAR FRIENDS:

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT YOU CAN ACCESS ANY OF MY NEWSLETTERS AT MY WEBSITE– www.thereeldrbob.com

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) THE CHARMER– At the Theater at a private showing

____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) THE CHARMER– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix “Desperate to avoid deportation by securing Danish citizenship, Iranian migrant Esmail is looking for a woman who can expedite his plan. But when he falls for Sarah — who sees through his charms — Esmail’s past comes back to haunt him.”

12/5/18- Very good reviews for this Iranian drama. TRDB.

12/11/18- I found the movie both interesting and suspenseful. Definitely worth seeing. TRDB. 

____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK AT HOME-

1) DUMPLIN’– 2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Dumplin’ (Danielle Macdonald) is the plus-size, teenage daughter of a former beauty queen (Jennifer Aniston), who signs up for her mom’s pageant as a protest that escalates when other contestants follow her footsteps, revolutionizing the pageant and their small Texas town.”

12/8/18- I started watching this but soon turned it off. A waste of time. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY-

1) THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Teenager Cameron Post sees her life turn topsy-turvy when she’s caught having sex with another girl on prom night and is packed off to a conversion-therapy facility to be “cured.” Instead, she forms a bond with the two renegades in the group.”

8/3 18- Good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

8/15/18- An interesting portrayal of life in one of these religious conversion therapy programs. Be prepared for a sad movie. TRDB.

2) SCARRED HEARTS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Suffering from bone tuberculosis, 20-year-old Emanuel moves into a sanatorium, where he faces torturous therapy and years of confinement in bed. Despite his situation, he finds love and camaraderie — and inspires his fellow patients to embrace life.”

7/27/18- Fairly good reviews from critics and audiences. TRDB.

3) ACTIVE MEASURES– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Offering a gallery of alarming facts and implications regarding Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, this in-depth documentary details a program of divisive political messaging intended to benefit Donald Trump’s candidacy.”

8/31/18- Decent reviews from the critics and just passing ones from audiences. TRDB.

4) FIVE FINGERS FOR MARSEILLES– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Michael Matthews transports the Hollywood Western to South Africa’s rugged Eastern Cape province, recounting the tale of a freedom fighter turned outlaw who returns from exile to find his postapartheid township under a new kind of threat.”

9/7/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

5) A SIMPLE FAVOR– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Single mom Stephanie finds her small-town life upended when best friend Emily asks Stephanie to pick up her son from school — and promptly vanishes. Bent on solving the mystery, Stephanie joins forces with Emily’s husband.”

9/11/18- Not really my type of movie but it did get pretty good reviews. TRDB.

6) FAHRENHEIT 11/9– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In June 2016, director Michael Moore predicted that Donald Trump would win the U.S. presidency and was proved correct five months later. This documentary tries to answer two key questions of the Trump era: How did we get here, and how do we get out?”

9/21/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

7) ASSASSINATION NATION– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “High school senior Lily and her three best friends live in a world of selfies, emojis, snaps and sexts. But when their town of Salem is besieged by a massive data hack, resulting in half the citizens’ private info spewed into the public view, the community descends into anarchy. Lily is targeted after being falsely blamed for the hack—and bands together with her friends to survive a long, blood-soaked night.”

12/7/18- Violent and bloody reviews and I’d skip it if I were you. TRDB.

8) LITTLE WOMEN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this contemporary adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s immortal novel, sisters Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy look to their beloved mother and to one another for support as they navigate the rocky path to adulthood in a rapidly changing world.”

9/26/18- Reviews by the critics were awful but audiences have liked it very much. TRDB.

9) IN A RELATIONSHIP– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Though Hallie and Owen can’t agree on how many years they’ve been a couple, they agree that it’s time for a break when Owen balks at the idea of living together. Meanwhile, new love blooms between Owen’s best friend and Hallie’s heartbreaker cousin.”

11/9/18- Fair reviews but it sounded interesting to me.  TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

OPENED LAST WEEK-

1)  AMAZING GRACE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “More than 40 years after Aretha Franklin delivered two spellbinding nights of gospel music at a Baptist church in Los Angeles, this documentary — long shelved because of technical problems — takes viewers back to the legendary concerts.”

12/7/18- Great reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2) DIVIDE AND CONQUER– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “From producing “The Mike Douglas Show,” Roger Ailes moved on to became a top Republican strategist and the head of Fox News before being derailed by sexual harassment accusations, as chronicled in this revealing documentary.”

12/7/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

3) VOX LUX– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. ” After a classroom shooting leaves teenage Celeste with a spinal injury, she performs a tribute ballad at the memorial service and suddenly becomes a pop megastar. But 18 years later, her career has crashed and burned — and it’s time for a comeback.”

12/7/18- Fair reviews from the critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB.

4) ASHER– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Aging hit man (and former Mossad agent) Asher never lets emotion hamper his work, but when he meets beautiful Sophie on a botched job, he breaks his rule about mixing business and pleasure. To ensure their future, however, he must bury his past.”

12/7/18- Fair reviews. TRDB.

5) THE GREAT PRETENDER– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “To exorcise her past, French theatrical director Mona comes to New York City to stage her new play, which draws on her affair with ex-beau Nick. But complicated romantic entanglements soon spring up among Mona, Nick and the production’s cast.”

12/7/18- Just fair reviews. TRDB.

6) BEN IS BACK– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “As troubled as he is charming, 19-year-old Ben Burns surprises everyone when he returns home for Christmas. Although his mother cautiously welcomes Ben’s arrival, he soon begins to disrupt the family.”

12/8/18- Excellent reviews for this movie starring Julia Roberts. TRDB.

7) MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Political intrigue abounds in this historical drama recounting the life of Mary Stuart, who returns to Scotland from her reign as the queen of France after her husband’s death and challenges her cousin Elizabeth’s claim to the English throne.”

12/8/18- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

8) THE PARTY’S JUST BEGINNING– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “When her best friend commits suicide, 24-year-old Liusaidh turns to alcohol and sex to fill the void. As she continues in a downward spiral, she attempts to begin a relationship with an out-of-towner — who’s grappling with his own crisis.”

12/8/18- Mediocre reviews from the critics and very good ones from audiences. TRDB.

9) BITTER MELON– 2018. About an extended family of Filipino-Americans.

12/8/18- The NY Times liked the first hour of this movie but said that it went downhill from there. Sounded interesting to me. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1) SWIMMING WITH MEN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Midlife has hit accountant Eric Scott hard: He hates his job and fears his wife is two-timing him. For solace, he heads to the municipal swimming pool — where he finds confidence and a new sense of purpose with an all-male synchronized swim team.”

12/7/18- Poor reviews by the critics and slightly better ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) DUMPLIN’– 2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Dumplin’ (Danielle Macdonald) is the plus-size, teenage daughter of a former beauty queen (Jennifer Aniston), who signs up for her mom’s pageant as a protest that escalates when other contestants follow her footsteps, revolutionizing the pageant and their small Texas town.”

12/8/18- I started watching this but soon turned it off. A waste of time. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

HOTWIRE ON-DEMAND-

1) BLACKkKLANSMAN–

2) COLETTE-

3) RBG-

4) THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS–

5) WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?

____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) VOX LUX– Danbury, Clearview 100. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. ” After a classroom shooting leaves teenage Celeste with a spinal injury, she performs a tribute ballad at the memorial service and suddenly becomes a pop megastar. But 18 years later, her career has crashed and burned — and it’s time for a comeback.”

12/7/18- Fair reviews from the critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) SHOPLIFTERS– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Earning only meager incomes, Osamu and his wife supplement their wages by shoplifting, with help from son Shota. While heading home on a winter night, father and son come across a freezing young girl and make a fateful decision to take her home.”

11/23/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

3) THE MULE– Danbury. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In his 80s, Earl Stone is facing business foreclosure when he’s offered a job that merely involves driving a truck. But what he doesn’t know is that he’ll be smuggling huge loads of cocaine for Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel.”

12/11/18- No reviews at time but I’ll definitely see this at some point. TRDB.

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

11/22/18- Great reviews. TRDB.

5) MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS– Jacob Burns. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Political intrigue abounds in this historical drama recounting the life of Mary Stuart, who returns to Scotland from her reign as the queen of France after her husband’s death and challenges her cousin Elizabeth’s claim to the English throne.”

12/8/18- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

REPEATS-

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

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

3) AT ETERNITY’S GATE– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Fair to good reviews

4) CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?- Clearview 100. Good reviews.

5) INSTANT FAMILY– Danbury. Good reviews.

6) BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY– Danbury. Poor reviews but everyone has liked it

7) A STAR IS BORN– Danbury. I liked this movie very much

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) THE MULE– No reviews yet

2) GREEN BOOK– Loved the  movie- a must-see

3) AT ETERNITY’S GATE– Good reviews but friends have not liked it

4) BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY– Weak reviews but everyone has liked it

5) THE FRONT RUNNER– Poor reviews

6) THE WIFE– I liked this movie very much

7) BOY ERASED– I liked this movie very much

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

1) THE MULE– No reviews yet

2) THE FAVOURITE– Good reviews

3) GREEN BOOK– Loved the  movie- a must-see

4) BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY– Weak reviews but everyone has liked it

5) BOY ERASED– I liked the movie

6) THE WIFE– I liked this movie very much

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) BURNING– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “As he’s out on the job, shy deliveryman Jong-soo bumps into his former classmate Hae-mi, and the two quickly become lovers. But complications arise after Hae-mi travels to Africa and brings home a mysterious rich boyfriend.”

10/26/18- Excellent reviews for this drama/mystery. TRDB.

2) DIVIDE AND CONQUER– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “From producing “The Mike Douglas Show,” Roger Ailes moved on to became a top Republican strategist and the head of Fox News before being derailed by sexual harassment accusations, as chronicled in this revealing documentary.”

12/7/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

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

1) BECOMING ASTRID– Very good reviews

2) CHEF FLYNN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this compelling documentary, filmmaker Cameron Yates trains his lens on the bourgeoning career of self-taught chef Flynn McGarry, a 19-year-old culinary megastar navigating his sudden celebrity and family drama.”

11/9/18-  Mostly good reviews. TRDB.

3) FREE SOLO– I saw this and liked it

4) MARIA BY CALLAS– Very good reviews

5) SHOPLIFTERS– Very good reviews

DECEMBER 6, 2018

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) THE FENCER– Netflix Disc.

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) THE FENCER- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fact-based drama set in the 1950s, Estonian fencer Endel Nelis takes up residence in the remote town of Haapsalu to evade the Russian secret police. But after he finds fulfillment teaching his sport to children, his past catches up with him.”

7/21/17- Very good reviews for this foreign drama. TRDB.

12/1/18- I enjoyed this movie very much even though it was a bit Hollywoodish at times, especially the music. TRDB. Netflix disc.

2) HAPPY AS LAZZARO– 2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Lazzaro is a naive and optimistic twenty-year-old farmer; Tancredi is instead a young man with a fervid imagination. Between the two it is born an unexpected friendship, that above all for Lazzaro turns out to be an important moment of growth. Over time, the two face many difficulties together, until Tancredi makes his tracks lose in the city, and Lazzaro sets out to search for him.”

_____________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

1) MAKALA– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary focuses on young Kabwita, who ekes out a living producing charcoal in the Congolese countryside and then transporting it to the city to sell — a journey that involves three days of pushing a bicycle overloaded with his product.”

8/24/18- Very good to excellent reviews. TRDB.

2) LIZZIE- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fresh take on one of America’s most notorious murder cases, 32-year-old Lizzie Borden is living unhappily under her tyrannical father’s roof when maid Bridget Sullivan joins the household — and the two women form a dangerous bond.”

9/14/18- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

3) COLETTE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this engaging biopic, French writer Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette emerges as a force to be reckoned with after the novels she’s penned under her husband’s name garner fame for him but not for her, inspiring her to forge her own path.”

9/28/18- I liked this period movie. TRDB. 

4) AWAIT FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix.” For the Milgram family enclosed by a strange black substance. As tensions rise, the clan starts to act on their worst impulses.”

10/4/18- Great reviews for this horror movie– so great that I might have to see it. TRDB.

5) THE CAPTAIN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this black-and-white drama set during World War II’s last days, a 19-year-old German deserter — starving and desperate — dons a scavenged Nazi captain’s uniform and becomes increasingly intoxicated by his new authority.”

7/27/18-  Fair reviews by the critics and excellent ones by audiences. TRDB.

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

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

_____________________________________________________________________

OPENED LAST WEEK-

1) HAPPY AS LAZZARO– 2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Lazzaro is a naive and optimistic twenty-year-old farmer; Tancredi is instead a young man with a fervid imagination. Between the two it is born an unexpected friendship, that above all for Lazzaro turns out to be an important moment of growth. Over time, the two face many difficulties together, until Tancredi makes his tracks lose in the city, and Lazzaro sets out to search for him.”

NOVEMBER 22, 2018

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) JULIET, NAKED– Netflix Disc.

2) CUSTODY– Netflix Disc.

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

_____________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

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

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

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

8/24/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

OPENED LAST WEEK-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11/16/18- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

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

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

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

11/14/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

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

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

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

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

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

11/22/18- Great reviews. TRDB.

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

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

Not Recommended-

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

11/16/18- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

____________________________________________________________________

HOTWIRE ON-DEMAND-

1) RBG– Excellent

2) THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS– Excellent

3) JULIET, NAKED– I liked it very much

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

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

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

____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

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

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

 REPEATS-

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

____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

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

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

3) WIDOWS- Very good reviews

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

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

6) BOY ERASED– Very good reviews

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

1) GREEN BOOK-

2) WIDOWS–

3) THE FRONT RUNNER–

4) BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY–

6) BOY ERASED–

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

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

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

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

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

D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS-

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

2) COLETTE– I enjoyed this movie

3) FREE SOLO– I liked it

4) MARIA BY CALLAS-  Excellent reviews. 

5) STUDIO 54–  Excellent reviews for this documentary.

6) WHAT THEY HAD– Excellent! See it.

7) WILDLIFE– I was disappointed with this movie

NOVEMBER 29, 2018

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) GREEN BOOK– At the Theater

2) WHITNEY– Netflix Disc.

3) BOY ERASED– At the Theater

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

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

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

11/24/18- I really liked this movie. The acting was terrific and I loved the screenplay. TRDB.

2) BOY ERASED– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Nineteen-year-old Jared is far from ready to tell his parents that he’s gay, but they find out anyway, forcing him to make a choice: attend a “conversion therapy” program or be shunned by his family and Baptist community.”

11/2/18- Very good reviews by the critics and fairly good ones from audiences. TRDB.

11/28/18- Another good movie about what it’s like being gay and the folly of “conversion therapy.” TRDB. 

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) SORRY TO BOTHER YOU– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Losing faith in his persuasive skills, telemarketer Cassius Green takes a co-worker’s advice and finds that he suddenly has a gift for selling that elevates him to the executive echelon — where he discovers the chilling secret of his bosses.”

7/5/18- Fairly good reviews for this comedy that didn’t sound so good to me. TRDB.

11/25/18- I did not like the movie and turned it off. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

2) WHITNEY– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Whitney Houston’s stunning voice made her a pop-world icon and spawned a career that lasted from the mid-1980s through her tragic death in 2012. This comprehensive documentary charts the singer’s triumphant career and turbulent private life.”

7/4/18- Very good reviews by the critics and fairly good ones from audiences as well. TRDB.

11/27/18- I think that this was a beautifully done documentary and I enjoyed it very much. Loved the music too. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

_____________________________________________________________________

COMIING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

1) McQUEEN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “One of the most innovative fashion designers of his day, Alexander McQueen had a brilliant career that ended tragically with his suicide at age 40. This revealing documentary details McQueen’s achievements in couture and his emotional woes.

7/19/18- Uniformly good reviews but nowhere did I see “excellent.” TRDB.

2) OPERATION FINALE- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set 15 years after the end of World War II, this historical drama follows an Israeli Mossad agent and his team of operatives as they embark on a covert mission to capture Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann, the architect of the Holocaust.”

8/28/28- Mediocre reviews at best. Most of my friends who saw this movie did not care for it. TRDB.

3) PICK OF THE LITTER– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “This engaging documentary follows the two-year progress of five pooches trained from puppyhood to serve as guide dogs for the blind. The film also looks at the human devotion needed to help the canines learn a complex set of behavioral skills.

8/31/18- Great reviews. TRDB.

4) POPE FRANCIS: A MAN OF HIS WORD– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Offering an unprecedented look into the life of Pope Francis, this engrossing documentary also features the pontiff speaking directly to believers about the issues that concern him most, particularly the environment and social justice.”

5/15/18- Fair reviews– more positive than negative but none glowing. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

OPENED LAST WEEK-

1) THE FAVOURITE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Amid the hornet’s nest of rivalries and intrigue that define the court of mercurial Queen Anne in 18th-century England, cousins Abigail Masham and Sarah Churchill battle to gain the favor of the monarch and her court.”

11/23/18- Excellent reviews for this drama. I saw the trailer and it looked stupid to me. TRDB.

2) BECOMING ASTRID– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “This coming-of-age biopic focuses on the formative years of famed author Astrid Lindgren — creator of the beloved character Pippi Longstocking — and a seminal event that will turn her into a titan of children’s literature.”

11/23/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

3) FAMILY IN TRANSITION– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Amit Tsuk, the patriarch of a family living in a conservative Israeli town, announces his wish to become a woman, his wife and children are shocked but get used to the idea in time. Meanwhile, Amit’s spouse begins a personal journey of her own.”

11/23/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

4) INVISIBLE HANDS– 2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “INVISIBLE HANDS exposes child labor and child trafficking within the supply chains of the world’s biggest corporations, which produce some of our most loved items.”

11/23/18- Just 2 reviews noted and they are both good. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1) WRITE WHEN YOU GET WORK– 2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Write When You Get Work is a thorny romantic comedy set in New York City — at a private school for girls, and in the world outside its exclusive walls. It’s a story of money, access, and mischief, of who gets in through doorways and how.”

11/23/18- Weak reviews at best. TRDB.

 _____________________________________________________________________

HOTWIRE ON-DEMAND- I recommend these movies

1) PUZZLE– I loved this movie

2) WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR– An excellent documentary about Fred Rogers

3) THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS– I liked this documentary very much

4) RBG– Excellent documentary about Ruth Bader Ginsberg

5) JULIET, NAKED– I liked this very much

____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) THE WORLD BEFORE YOUR FEET– Clearview 100. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. Genial Matt Green is a man with a singular purpose: to walk every block of New York City. This personal documentary follows Green as he pursues his endless trek, chatting with residents while exploring local history and flavor along the way.”

11/27/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

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

11/23/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) BEAUTIFUL BOY– Bethel, Clearview 100. Good reviews.

2) BOY ERASED– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100. Very good reviews and I liked it very much.

3) CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100. Excellent reviews for this drama/comedy.

4) MARIA BY CALLAS– Bethel. Very good reviews.

5) WIDOWS– Bethel, Danbury. Good reviews but friends have not liked it.

6) THE FRONT RUNNER– Danbury, Clearview 100. Really poor reviews although I might see it eventually for history sake.

________________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) GREEN BOOK– Great movie– I liked it very much

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

3) BOY ERASED– Very good reviews and I liked it

4) WIDOWS– Good reviews but friends have not liked it.

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

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

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

1) GREEN BOOK– Great movie

2) WIDOWS- Good reviews but friends have not liked it.

3) THE FRONT RUNNER– Poor reviews

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

5) BOY ERASED– Very good reviews and I liked it

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) BORDER– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “With her strong sense of smell, customs officer Tina literally sniffs out smugglers and other miscreants. But when she encounters a man with a scent she can’t identify, she feels an attraction and a strange bond that leads to a shocking revelation.”

10/26/18- Excellent reviews for this drama/mystery. TRDB.

2) SEARCHING FOR INGMAR BERGMAN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “To mark the centennial of legendary director Ingmar Bergman’s birth, noted German filmmaker Margarethe von Trotta revisits the settings, scenes, people and themes key to the auteur’s creative cinematic legacy.”

11/2/18- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

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

1) BECOMING ASTRID– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “This coming-of-age biopic focuses on the formative years of famed author Astrid Lindgren — creator of the beloved character Pippi Longstocking — and a seminal event that will turn her into a titan of children’s literature.”

11/23/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

2) BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY– Friends have liked it despite weak reviews.

3) FREE SOLO– I saw this documentary and I liked it (limited screenings)

4) MARIA BY CALLAS– Very good reviews.

5) MIRAI– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Delighted at first with his newborn sister, Mirai, 4-year-old Kun quickly grows jealous of the attention she’s getting from their parents — until a magical trip to the future enables Kun to see the person Mirai will become.”

11/27/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

NOVEMBER 22, 2018

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) JULIET, NAKED– Netflix Disc.

2) CUSTODY– Netflix Disc.

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

_____________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

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

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

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

8/24/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

OPENED LAST WEEK-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11/16/18- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

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

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

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

11/14/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

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

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

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

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

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

11/22/18- Great reviews. TRDB.

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

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

Not Recommended-

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

11/16/18- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

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HOTWIRE ON-DEMAND-

1) RBG– Excellent

2) THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS– Excellent

3) JULIET, NAKED– I liked it very much

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

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

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

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

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

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

 REPEATS-

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

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

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

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

3) WIDOWS- Very good reviews

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

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

6) BOY ERASED– Very good reviews

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

1) GREEN BOOK-

2) WIDOWS–

3) THE FRONT RUNNER–

4) BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY–

6) BOY ERASED–

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

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

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

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

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

D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS-

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

2) COLETTE– I enjoyed this movie

3) FREE SOLO– I liked it

4) MARIA BY CALLAS-  Excellent reviews. 

5) STUDIO 54–  Excellent reviews for this documentary.

6) WHAT THEY HAD– Excellent! See it.

7) WILDLIFE– I was disappointed with this movie