The Reel Dr. Bob

JUNE 28, 2018

DEAR FRIENDS:

YOU CAN ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AND PAST REVIEWS AT MY WEBSITE- www.thereeldrbob.com

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK–

1) IN THE FADE– Netflix Disc.

2) LBJ- Netflix Streaming

3) LOVE MEANS ZERO– ShowTime

___________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER–

1) THE SEAGULL- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set at a Russian country estate at the end of the 19th century, this adaptation Anton Chekhov’s classic play revolves around a small group of friends and lovers, all of whom have their hearts set on the wrong person.”

5/11/18- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

6/25/18- Despite a wonderful cast the movie managed to be boring most of the time. TRDB.

____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME–

1) IN THE FADE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “With her life upended by the death of her husband and son in a bomb attack, Katja Sekerci can only nurse her pain at first. But she soon becomes obsessed with the hunt for the perpetrators and the ensuing trial of the neo-Nazis accused of the crime.

12/27/17- Fair reviews by both critics and audiences. TRDB.

6/23/18- I liked this German drama starring the German actress Diane Kruger. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

2) LBJ– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “After taking the reins of state in the wake of President Kennedy’s 1963 assassination, Lyndon Baines Johnson assumes leadership at one of the most tumultuous times in U.S. history. This engrossing biopic looks at the man behind the political mask.”

10/31/17- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

6/24/18- A good history lesson from a “just fair” movie. I’d recommend it on that basis alone. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

3) LOVE MEANS ZERO– 2018. This documentary is about the famous tennis coach Nick Bolletieri and his unusual relationships with his students.

6/25/18- A very interesting documentary about the famous and controversial tennis coach. TRDB. ShowTime.

_____________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JULY 3–

1) SUBMISSION– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Impressed by the talent of creative writing student Angela Argo, professor and author Ted Swenson steadily develops an obsession with her, despite knowing that it will likely ruin his marriage and his career.’

3/5/18- Poor reviews. TRDB.

2) JOURNEY’S END– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in March 1918, this tense World War I drama focuses on a small group of British soldiers in the trenches at Mont Saint-Quentin, France, who know exactly what’s coming: a massive German offensive. But what they don’t know is when.”

3/16/18- Excellent reviews from all sources. TRDB.

3) ISMAEL’S GHOSTS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “While preparing to shoot a movie about a diplomat’s life, director Ismaël Vuillard gets an unexpected visit from his long-dead lover Carlotta — which not only drives away his current partner but soon begins driving him out of his mind.”

3/23/18- Fair reviews from the critics and poor ones from audiences. TRDB.

4) FINDING YOUR FEET– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Smugly confident, Sandra Abbott gets a shock when she learns that her longtime husband is sleeping with her best friend. Taking refuge with her free-spirited sister, Sandra grudgingly tags along to a dance class — where she experiences an awakening.”

3/30/18- Good reviews by the critics and weak ones from audiences. TRDB.

5) WHERE IS KYRA?- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Heartbroken, unemployed and deep in debt, middle-aged Kyra returns home to care for her ailing mother. But when she dies, Kyra struggles to support herself and is soon driven to take risky measures as she faces the threat of eviction.”

4/6/18- OK reviews in general including some very good ones. TRDB.

6) BLOCKERS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Panicked by the discovery that their daughters all intend to lose their virginity on prom night, three parents mount a clandestine mission to prevent the girls from carrying out their plans.”

4/6/18- Very good critical review but audiences really have not liked this movie. It sounds fairly stupid to me. TRDB.

7) BEIRUT– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1972, a tragedy forces U.S. envoy Mason Skiles to abandon his post in Beirut. A decade later, the ex-diplomat finds himself back in the same city — this time to help save the life of the colleague and friend he left behind.”

4/10/18- Very good reviews in general– the NY Times did not like it. TRDB.

8) BORG vs. McENROE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “BORG The 1980 Wimbledon final caps off this historical sports drama that chronicles the fierce rivalry between Björn Borg and John McEnroe, who — despite their contrasting temperaments — share strikingly similar psyches beneath the surface.”

4/11/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

4/20/18- This movie left me cold in general and the tennis scenes were terrible. Contrast this to “Battle of the Sexes” that was most enjoyable and you’ve got a weak movie that was OK just for some historical value. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

_____________________________________________________________________

1) BOUNDARIES– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “With her teenage son in tow, single mom Laura embarks on a road trip she knows will be hellish: picking up her pot-dealer dad from the nursing home he’s been kicked out of and driving him cross-country to her sister’s house.”

6/19/18- Weak reviews but I love road movies and I will try to see this one, starring Christopher Plummer. TRDB.

2) THE CATCHER WAS A SPY– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fact-based World War II thriller, Boston Red Sox catcher Moe Berg follows a mediocre baseball career with a heroic stint in military intelligence when he’s tasked with stopping the Nazis’ efforts to build an atomic bomb.”

6/19/18- Poor reviews. TRDB.

3) THE KING– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Driving a Rolls-Royce once owned by Elvis Presley — with a revolving crew of musicians in the backseat — director Eugene Jarecki embarks on a 2016 cross-country road trip to explore how Elvis lost his authenticity as America lost its democracy.”

6/22/18- Fair reviews from the critics and terrible ones from audiences. TRDB.

4) DAMSEL– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this loopy take on the classic Hollywood Western, Samuel Alabaster journeys deep into the frontier — with a miniature pony in tow — to find and wed his beloved Penelope. But the trek turns out to be more complicated than Samuel imagined.”

6/22/18- Very good reviews for this comedy. TRDB.

5) ARABY- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “When factory worker Cristiano is hurt on the job and becomes comatose, young neighbor Andre brings some of Cristiano’s belongings to the hospital. Among them is a diary charting 20 years of his nomadic life, which unspools as Andre reads the journal.”

6/22/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

6) MARLINA THE MURDERER IN FOUR ACTS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a group of bandits tries to rape young widow Marlina and steal her cattle, she turns the tables on them, decapitating the leader. The next day, she sets out for the nearest police station to report the crime, carrying the severed head as proof.”

6/22/18- Excellent reviews for this foreign film. TRDB.

7) SPIRAL– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Documentarian Laura Fairrie takes a look at the disturbing rise of anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial across Europe, especially in France — which is home to the world’s third-largest population of Jews.”

6/22/18- Mixed reviews- mostly poor but it sounds like it would be worth seeing. TRDB.

Not recommended-

1) IZZY GETS THE F*CK ACROSS TOWN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Awakening hung over in a stranger’s bed, hot mess Izzy learns from Facebook that her soul mate is going to marry her former best friend. Vowing to stop the engagement party, Izzy has five hours to make it across Los Angeles — without transportation.”

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES–

NEW IN THE BURBS–

1) DAMSEL– Clearview Cinema 100. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this loopy take on the classic Hollywood Western, Samuel Alabaster journeys deep into the frontier — with a miniature pony in tow — to find and wed his beloved Penelope. But the trek turns out to be more complicated than Samuel imagined.”

6/26/18- Very good reviews for this Western. TRDB.

2) EATING ANIMALS– Clearview Cinema 100. 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.

3) SUMMER 1993– Jacob Burns. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Shaken by her mother’s death and confused by her sudden transfer to her uncle’s care, 6-year-old orphan Frida is unable to open up to her new family. Meanwhile, her relatives begin to wonder who it is they’ve welcomed into their home.”

5/25/18- Great reviews. TRDB.

1) HEARTS BEAT LOUD- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100.  Excellent reviews and I want to see this movie

2) RBG- Jacob Burns, Cinema 100. An excellent documentary about Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg

3) WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100. Excellent reviews

4) FIRST REFORMED– Jacob Burns, Bethel. I liked it but be warned– it’s depressing.

5) THE SEAGULL– Bethel. I found it boring.

6) AMERICAN ANIMALS– Jacob Burns. Poor reviews

7) THE CATCHER WAS A  SPY– Jacob Burns. Poor reviews

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN PALM  BEACH COUNTY-

A) MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH–

1) THE CATCHER WAS A SPY– Poor reviews

2) GOTTI- Poor reviews

3) AMERICAN ANIMALS– Poor reviews

B) MOVIES OF DELRAY–

1) THE CATCHER WAS A SPY– Poor reviews

2) GOTTI- Poor reviews

3) RBG- A great documentary about Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg

4) WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR– Excellent reviews

5) ALWAYS AT THE CARLYLE– Poor reviews

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE–

1) A KID LIKE JAKE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Progressive parents Alex and Greg have always accepted their 4-year-old son Jake’s penchant for dolls and dresses. But the couple finds themselves at odds when his preschool director suggests the boy’s preferences may signal gender-identity issues.”

5/31/18- Mixed reviews– slightly more positive than negative. TRDB.

2) LEG UP- I can’t find reviews for this movie but it is about a horseman who needs an amputation of his leg. TRDB.

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

1) A BAG OF MARBLES– Excellent reviews and audience feedback

2) ALWAYS AT THE CARLYLE– Weak reviews

3) AMERICAN ANIMALS– Poor reviews

4) DISOBEDIENCE- Very good reviews

5) SUMMER 1993- Very good reviews

6) WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR– Excellent reviews

JUNE 14, 2018-

DEAR FRIENDS:

YOU CAN ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AND PAST REVIEWS AT MY WEBSITE- www.thereeldrbob.com

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) FIRST REFORMED– At the Theater

____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) FIRST REFORMED– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Mired in guilt over his son’s death, the pastor of a small church agrees to counsel a pregnant congregant and her environmentalist husband, who challenges the clergyman’s views and leads him to embrace the same cause, regardless of the consequences.”

5/18/18- Great reviews. TRDB.

6/8/18- I enjoyed this movie despite the torment of the main character (Ethan Hawke). Very well acted. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) DJANGO– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this poignant biopic, jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt escapes the persecution that his Gypsy brethren suffer in German-occupied France, but when the Nazis demand that Django use his music to fuel their propaganda, he faces a daunting decision.”

1/5/18- Weak reviews by the critics but very good ones from audiences. TRDB.

6/13/18- I liked it but not great by any means. TRDB.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

OPENED LAST FRIDAY

1) EN EL SEPTIMO DIA– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “After a six-day workweek, bike messenger José — an undocumented immigrant — treasures his Sundays off when he and friends play soccer in a local league. But when he’s ordered to work the day of the league final, he must choose his job or his team.”

6/8/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

2) WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Touching on the many facets and talents of a unique and beloved personality, this affectionate documentary profiles ingenuous and kindly Fred Rogers, host of the children’s show “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” for more than 30 years.”

6/6/17- Great reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

3) WESTWOOD: PUNK, ICON, ACTIVIST– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Rising to celebrity with her outrageous fashions linked to the emergence of punk rock, designer Vivienne Westwood followed with an illustrious career that has made her an international icon, as chronicled in this comprehensive documentary.”

6/8/18- Very good reviews from the critics and just fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

4) BERNARD AND HUEY– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “A lost script by satirist Jules Feiffer provides the basis for this black comedy about college buddies Huey and Bernard, who reconnect 25 years later and find their fates have been reversed, with former ladies’ man Huey now a bedraggled loser.”

6/8/18- Fair reviews from the critics and very good ones from audiences. TRDB.

5) THE QUEST OF ALAIN DUCASSE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “With 23 restaurants and 18 Michelin stars, Alain Ducasse could be forgiven for resting on his laurels. Instead, the famed chef continues to crisscross the world searching for new flavors and ingredients — a journey chronicled in this documentary.”

6/8/18- Fair reviews. TRDB.

6) HALF THE PICTURE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Via interviews with sex-discrimination experts and the stories of leading female auteurs, this timely documentary looks at Hollywood’s inequitable hiring practices to learn why woman helm only a tiny fraction of the films made by the top six studios.”

6/8/18- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

7) NANCY- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix.  “After seeing a TV report about a couple whose young daughter vanished 30 years ago, Nancy Freeman becomes convinced they’re her real parents. Ignoring any doubts, she upends her quiet life as an office temp and insinuates herself into their lives.”

6/8/18- OK reviews by the critics and poor ones from audiences. TRDB.

8) HEARTS BEAT LOUD– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “As Brooklynite Frank Fisher is getting ready to send his daughter, Sam, off to college on the West Coast, he can’t quite seem to let go of her. Knowing that the two share a love of music, Frank comes up with a ploy to keep Sam from leaving the nest.”

6/8/18- Excellent reviews by the critics and very good ones by audiences. TRDB.

9) THE WORKERS CUP– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “The throngs of migrant workers from Africa and Asia constructing oil-rich Qatar’s stadiums and facilities for the 2022 World Cup barely earn enough to live. But when given a chance to play in the soccer palaces they’re constructing, they leap at it.’

6/8/18- Fairly good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) HOTEL ARTEMIS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this futuristic thriller, by-the-book caregiver the Nurse runs Hotel Artemis, a secret, members-only hospital for criminals. But the arrival of an injured crime boss — who’s looking to kill a specific patient — leads to the eruption of violence.”

6/8/18- Terrible reviews and I’d definitely miss this one. TRDB.

2) THE VALLEY– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Indian-American entrepreneur Neal Kumar and his family seem to be living the dream with an affluent life in Silicon Valley. But it blows up when his youngest daughter kills herself, and Neal begins to fixate on finding the reason behind her death.”

6/8/18- Poor reviews. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) AMERICAN ANIMALS– Bethel, Clearview 100. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this riveting drama based on a real-life crime caper, college freshmen Spencer and Warren cook up a plan to make off with their school’s rare book collection, enlisting two fellow students as accomplices to carry out the daring heist.”

5/31/18- Weak reviews– one critic called it mundane and stupid. TRDB.

2) HEARTS BEAT LOUD– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “As Brooklynite Frank Fisher is getting ready to send his daughter, Sam, off to college on the West Coast, he can’t quite seem to let go of her. Knowing that the two share a love of music, Frank comes up with a ploy to keep Sam from leaving the nest.”

6/8/18- Excellent reviews by the critics and very good ones by audiences. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) FIRST REFORMED– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100.  I enjoyed this movie despite the torment of the main character (Ethan Hawke). Very well acted. TRDB.

2) RBG- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100. An excellent documentary about Ruth Bader Ginsberg

3) WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR– Jacob Burns. Very good reviews

4) THE SEAGULL– Clearview 100

5) BOOK CLUB– Danbury

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) GOTTI– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Unfolding through the eyes of the son who ultimately turned his back on the family business, this crime drama recounts the life of legendary mobster John Gotti, from his meteoric rise to his death in prison in 2002.”

6/13/18- Just 4 reviews noted and they are all horrible. TRDB.

2) FIRST REFORMED– I liked it- but very depressing

3) BOOK CLUB– Weak reviews but everybody I know seems to like it

4) RBG– An excellent documentary about Ruth Bader Ginsberg

5) ALWAYS AT THE CARLYLE– Awful reviews

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

1) SUMMER 1993– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Shaken by her mother’s death and confused by her sudden transfer to her uncle’s care, 6-year-old orphan Frida is unable to open up to her new family. Meanwhile, her relatives begin to wonder who it is they’ve welcomed into their home.”

5/25/18- Great reviews. TRDB.

2) GOTTI– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Unfolding through the eyes of the son who ultimately turned his back on the family business, this crime drama recounts the life of legendary mobster John Gotti, from his meteoric rise to his death in prison in 2002.”

6/13/18- Just 4 reviews noted and they are all horrible. TRDB.

3) BOOK CLUB- Weak reviews but everybody I know seems to like it

4) ALWAYS AT THE CARLYLE– Awful reviews

5) RBG– An excellent documentary about Ruth Bader Ginsberg

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) 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.

2) SCARLET DIVA– 2018- Synopsis by Netflix. “Asia Argento writes, directs and stars in this semiautobiographical film, a darkly dramatic, sexually charged and surreal descent into the shockingly intimate world of Anna Battista, an actress on the rise. Anna’s harrowing and graphic journey plunges her into the dark heart of the film industry, where she experiences despair, loneliness and degradation while trying to recapture her innocence.”

6/11/18- Weak reviews from critics and audiences alike. TRDB.

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

1) SUMMER 1993– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Shaken by her mother’s death and confused by her sudden transfer to her uncle’s care, 6-year-old orphan Frida is unable to open up to her new family. Meanwhile, her relatives begin to wonder who it is they’ve welcomed into their home.”

5/25/18- Great reviews. TRDB.

2) ALWAYS AT THE CARLYLE– Awful reviews

3) DISOBEDIENCE– Very good reviews

4) ON CHESIL BEACH– Fairly good reviews

5) THE SEAGULL– Fairly good reviews

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

JUNE 7, 2018

DEAR FRIENDS:

YOU CAN ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AND PAST REVIEWS AT MY WEBSITE- www.thereeldrbob.com

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK- NONE

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME- NONE

_____________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JUNE 12 ( also listed in last week’s edition )

MAY 10, 2018

DEAR FRIENDS:

YOU CAN ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AND PAST REVIEWS AT MY WEBSITE- www.thereeldrbob.com–

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) TULLY– At the Theater

2) MARJORIE PRIME– Amazon Prime

3) THE RIDER– At the Theater

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) TULLY- 2018, Synopsis by Netflix. “After her first two kids were born, Marlo had no help, so it’s with reluctance that she accepts her brother’s gift of “night nanny” Tully upon the birth of her third child. Initially at loggerheads, Marlo and Tully gradually form a bond.”

5/2/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

5/5/18- Good but certainly not great. How about that ending? I would definitely recommend the movie. TRDB.

2) THE RIDER– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Brady Blackburn’s singular focus on being a professional rodeo rider ends with a severe head injury sustained in competition, he suddenly faces the prospect of an entirely different life, with no inkling of how to begin.”

4/13/18- Excellent reviews by the critics and good ones by audiences. TRDB.

5/9/18- A good slice of life drama, this movie portrays the culture of the rodeo riders very well. TRDB. 

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) THE 12th MAN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fact-based World War II drama, Norwegian resistance fighter Jan Baalsrud survives a Nazi attack that kills 11 of his comrades, but the real struggle lies ahead. Alone and wounded, he must make a nine-week journey to safety in Sweden.”

5/4/18- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

5/6/18- One critic called this movie more tedious than suspenseful and I agree. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

2) MARJORIE PRIME– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this futuristic sci-fi tale, the subjective nature of memory and identity is explored through 86-year-old Marjorie and her interactions with a hologram — a lookalike of her deceased husband programmed to stir her fading memories.”

8/18/17- Very good reviews by critics and just OK ones from audiences. Sounds interesting to me. TRDB.

5/7/18- Unusual to say the least but I enjoyed it. TRDB. Amazon Prime.

_____________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JUNE 15-

1) THE OTHER SIDE OF HOPE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Syrian refugee Khaled and ex-traveling salesman Wikström have many miles under their belts when they cross paths in Helsinki. Now a restaurateur, Wikström finds Khaled sleeping behind his diner and offers him a job, leading to an unlikely friendship.”

12/1/17- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2) IN SEARCH OF ISRAELI CUISINE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Just what is Israeli cuisine? That’s the question restaurateur Michael Solomonov sets out to answer as he travels the country. As he talks to chefs, cheese makers, winemakers, farmers, fisherman and more, a portrait of the Israeli people emerges.”

3/24/17- I’ve seen just 4 reviews and they are all very good. TRDB.

10/24/17- I liked this documentary very much. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

_____________________________________________________________________

OPENED LAST FRIDAY-

1) ANGELS WEAR WHITE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “A seaside motel’s sleepy façade hides the danger within for two schoolgirls assaulted there by a high-level police officer — and for the teenager working the reception desk who observes the attack on surveillance video but is afraid to come forward.”

5/3/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

2) RAY MEETS HELEN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Both down on their luck, Ray and Helen suddenly see their fortunes change and decide to re-create their personas, pretending they’ve led affluent lives. But as they cross paths in a string of chance encounters, each falls for the other’s true self.”

5/3/18- Just 3 reviews so far– 2 fairly good including the one from the NY Times and 1 just OK. TRDB.

3) EVERYTHING ELSE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this quiet drama that satirizes dehumanizing bureaucracy, government clerk Doña Flor is all-but invisible to the citizens she serves. But her daily routine is shaken by the death of her sole companion, a cat, reopening wounds related to a tragedy.”

5/3/18- I’ve seen 2 reviews– one by the NY Times that was very good and another that was fair at best. TRDB.

6) STRANGERS ON THE EARTH– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “With his instrument strapped to his back, American cellist Dane Johansen sets off on a pilgrimage along the hallowed paths of the Camino de Santiago in Northwestern Spain, sharing his music with fellow travelers looking for meaning and truth.”

5/4/18- Fairly good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

7) THE 12th MAN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fact-based World War II drama, Norwegian resistance fighter Jan Baalsrud survives a Nazi attack that kills 11 of his comrades, but the real struggle lies ahead. Alone and wounded, he must make a nine-week journey to safety in Sweden.”

5/4/18- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

5/6/18- One critic called this movie more tedious than suspenseful and I agree. TRDB.

8) RBG– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Providing an illuminating look at the life of trailblazer Ruth Bader Ginsburg — including her career-defining work in gender-discrimination law — this engaging documentary charts her journey to becoming a justice on America’s highest court.”

5/4/18- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

9) SON OF BIGFOOT– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Teenage outsider Adam sets out on an epic and daring quest to uncover the mystery behind his long-lost dad, only to find out that he is none other than the legendary Bigfoot!”

5/4/18- This movie actually got fairly good critical review– audiences did not agree and panned it. TRDB.

10) THE DESERT BRIDE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “When the Buenos Aires family who’s employed Teresa as a maid for more than 30 years can no longer afford her, they find her a job in far-off San Juan. During the 700-mile bus trip, she meets a traveling salesman who changes her life and her outlook.”

5/4/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

11) THE CLEANSE– 2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Johnny Galecki (TV’s “Big Bang Theory) plays Paul Berger, an unemployed, down and out, heartbroken man searching for happiness. When Paul sees an ad for a spiritual retreat promising to restart your life, he immediately signs up, hoping to cleanse himself and fix his broken life.”

4/4/18- Good reviews in general by the critics with some really poor ones tossed in as well. Audiences have not liked it. TRDB.

12) THE GUARDIANS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this ensemble drama set in rural France, the women of the Paridier farm are left to run it by themselves while their men are off fighting in World War I. But things become complicated with the arrival of American troops.’

5/4/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

These 3 movies either did not seem interesting to me or received poor reviews:

1) OVERBORD

2) RACER AND THE JAILBIRD

3) BAD SAMARITAN

_____________________________________________________________________

COMCAST ON DEMAND-

NEW THIS WEEK

1) THE 12th MAN– I did not care for this movie- skip it!

2) LET THE SUNSHINE IN– Fair to good reviews

3) THE CLEANSE– Fair reviews

4) RAY MEETS HELEN– Sounds interesting

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) DISOBEDIENCE– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “After the death of her Orthodox rabbi father, lapsed Jew Ronit returns to her London roots and sparks community outrage when she resumes her past affair with childhood friend Esti, who has since married Ronit’s cousin.”

4/26/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

2) RBG– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Providing an illuminating look at the life of trailblazer Ruth Bader Ginsburg — including her career-defining work in gender-discrimination law — this engaging documentary charts her journey to becoming a justice on America’s highest court.”

5/4/18- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

REPEATS-

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) TULLY– I saw it and liked it. Unusual ending

2) AFTER AUSCHWITZ– Very good reviews

3) THE RIDER– A good slice of life drama, this one portrays the culture of the rodeo riders very well.

4) FINDING YOUR FEET– Good reviews by the critics and weak ones from audiences. TRDB.

5) A BAG OF MARBLES– Excellent reviews

6) THE LAST SUIT- I saw this and liked it very much

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

1) RBG– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Providing an illuminating look at the life of trailblazer Ruth Bader Ginsburg — including her career-defining work in gender-discrimination law — this engaging documentary charts her journey to becoming a justice on America’s highest court.”

5/4/18- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2) AFTER AUSCHWITZ– Good reviews.

3) THE RIDER– A good slice of life drama, this one portrays the culture of the rodeo riders very well. TRDB. 

4) A BAG OF MARBLES– Excellent reviews

5) THE LAST SUIT– I saw this and liked it very much. Highly Recommended.

6) FINDING YOUR FEET–  Good reviews by the critics and weak ones from audiences. TRDB.

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) THE ENDLESS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Acclaimed filmmakers Moorhead and Benson return with this mind-bending thriller that follows two brothers who receive a cryptic video message inspiring them to revisit the UFO death cult they escaped a decade earlier.”

5/8/18- Not my kind of movie but it did get excellent reviews. TRDB.

2) GODARD MON AMOUR– 2018. Synopsis by IMDB. ” During the making of one of his films, French film director Jean-Luc Godard falls in love with 17-year old actress Anne Wiazemsky and later marries her.”

4/20/18- Early reviews appear good but they are hard to find. TRDB.

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

1) A BAG OF MARBLES– Excellent reviews

2) AFTER AUSCHWITZ– Excellent reviews

3) KEEP THE CHANGE– Starring my niece Samantha Elisofon. I saw it and loved it and so did the critics.

4) THE RIDER– A good slice of life drama, this one portrays the culture of the rodeo riders very well.

5) THE MEASURE OF A MAN– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “After his long and humiliating search for employment — while scrambling to feed his family — Thierry Taugourdeau lands a job at a megamarket catching shoplifters. But he faces a moral quandary as he begins to sympathize with those he apprehends.”

4/15/16- Excellent reviews and I’ll try to see this one. TRDB.

9/20/16- I really enjoyed this French film and found myself rooting for Thierry to succeed. Netflix Streaming.

6) LEAN ON PETE– Very good reviews

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

MAY 17, 2018

DEAR FRIENDS:

YOU CAN ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AND PAST REVIEWS AT MY WEBSITE- www.thereeldrbob.com–

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) HOSTILES– Netflix Disc.

2) THE LITTLE DEATH– Netflix Streaming

____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK AT HOME-

1) HOSTILES– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in 1892, this engrossing Western depicts the animosity between a U.S. Army captain and a Cheyenne war chief whose family the cavalry is escorting back to their Montana homeland — a journey that proves long and perilous for both sides.”

12/22/17- Fair reviews from the critics and better ones from audiences. Sounds good to me. TRDB.

5/11/18- A better than average western that survives some really poor writing. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

2) THE LITTLE DEATH– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a typical suburban neighborhood, the veil over four couples’ personal lives are pulled aside to reveal their erotic fetishes, including a woman turned on by tears, a couple’s out-of-control experimentation and phone sex for the hearing impaired.”

6/26/15- Weak reviews from critics and OK ones from audiences. TRDB.

12/3/15 and 5/15/18- I found it interesting and very clever.

3) CAFE DE FLORE– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Two dramatic narratives weave together in a meditation on human love. Set decades apart in Paris and in Montreal, the two stories share subtle yet profound links through their characters — a mother and son, and a divorced couple.”

Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

5/16/18– I could not get into this movie and I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix disc.

_____________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, MAY 22-

1) GRADUATION– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Romeo Aldea faces a dilemma after his daughter, Eliza, is assaulted the day before a critical final exam. Fearing that the incident may threaten Eliza’s future, Romeo has the power to remedy the situation — but only if he compromises his principles.”

4/7/17- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

2) THE PARTY– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “After being appointed as Health Minister, career politician Janet invites a handful of friends over to join her and her husband, Bill, for a celebration. But the evening turns explosive when Bill chooses the moment to make two shocking revelations.”

2/15/17-  Fairly good reviews for this comedy. TRDB.

2/24/18- A comedy of the absurd. Entertaining most of the time with very well known actors. It’s worth seeing but don’t rush out. TRDB.

3) EARLY MAN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this animated caveman saga, early bands of humans share the earth with mammoths and other prehistoric creatures. When the forces of an odious tyrant threaten one small clan, heroic tribesman Dug emerges to lead his people.”

2/15/18- Excellent reviews for this animated drama. TRDB.

4) I KILL GIANTS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Bored and lonely middle-schooler Barbara Thorson has developed an active fantasy life to compensate. But when a new girl in town offers friendship and a counselor tries to help Barbara, real life begins to intrude on her monster-killing fantasies.”

3/23/18- Fair reviews from both critics and audiences. TRDB.

5) VAZANTE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “When slave trader António loses his wife to childbirth, he soon weds 12-year-old Beatriz. Resuming his travels, he leaves her with a houseful of slaves in the remote Diamantina Mountains, where she commits an offense that has shocking repercussions.”

1/12/18- Good reviews by the critics and excellent ones by audiences. TRDB.

6) WONDERSTRUCK- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on the novel of the same name, this period drama unspools two tales that play out 50 years apart. In 1927, a girl runs away to New York City to meet the actress she idolizes, while in 1977, a boy travels to the Big Apple find his long-lost dad.

10/20/17- Fair reviews for this new movie by Todd Haynes. TRDB.

7) ON A BEACH AT NIGHT ALONE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the wake of a failed relationship with a married man, South Korean film star Young-hee travels to Germany to put some space between herself and her former lover, hoping to clear her head. But leaving the past behind proves difficult.”

11/17/17- Excellent reviews by the critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

OPENED LAST WEEK-

1) BOOM FOR REAL– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Before his untimely death at 27, Jean-Michel Basquiat’s meteoric career altered the New York City arts scene forever. This introspective video essay looks at Basquiat’s formative years and the energy that drove his prodigious creative output.”

5/11/18- Very good reviews for this documentary although  a few critics felt that people who were not Basquiat fans might not like it as much. TRDB. 

2) THE DAY AFTER– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “After the married manager of a publishing company ends his affair with a now-departed employee, his wife finds a love note, storms into her husband’s office and mistakes his pretty new assistant for his ex-mistress, leading to a comedy of errors.”

5/11/18- Lots of positive reviews but none seemed special. TRDB.

3) THE SEAGULL– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set at a Russian country estate at the end of the 19th century, this adaptation Anton Chekhov’s classic play revolves around a small group of friends and lovers, all of whom have their hearts set on the wrong person.”

5/11/18- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

4) FILMWORKER– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Acting in director Stanley Kubrick’s “Barry Lyndon” proved life-changing for Leon Vitali: He devoted his next 20 years to helping carry out the renowned auteur’s artistic vision, as chronicled in this riveting documentary about their partnership.”

5/11/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

5) LU OVER THE WALL– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this charming animated tale, teenage Kai is none-too happy to be living in a tiny fishing village far from his Tokyo home, thanks to his parents’ divorce. But things start to look up after he’s asked to join a band and meets a singing mermaid.”

5/11/18- More positive than negative reviews but the positive ones were really only fair. TRDB.

6) BEAST– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Moll has always been a handful, at least according to her parents, who’ve kept her on a tight leash too long. Eager to escape, she moves in with an attractive stranger she meets at a nightclub — only to find he’s a suspect in a string of murders.”

5/11/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

7) REVENGE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Tagging along on a hunting trip with married lover Richard and two of his pals, nubile mistress Jen is raped by one of his friends. To ensure her silence, the trio leaves her for dead in the desert, but Jen survives — and unleashes her rage on them.”

5/11/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

8) ANYTHING– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the wake of his wife’s death, Early Landry moves from Mississippi to Los Angeles, where his sister lives. After renting an apartment in a shabby building, Early soon meets his neighbor Freda — a woman unlike any he’s ever met before.”

5/11/18- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

9) THE ESCAPE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Suffocating in her seemingly picture-perfect existence as a stay-at-home mom with two young children and a prosperous husband, Tara does the unthinkable: She deserts her family to find herself and determine what she wants from life.”

5/11/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

10) MOUNTAIN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “With narration by actor Willem Dafoe, spectacular cinematography and a stirring score performed by the Australian Chamber Orchestra, this immersive documentary captures the dizzying rush of ascending — and descending — the world’s tallest peaks.”

5/11/18- Excellent reviews by the critics and fair reviews by audiences. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1) ALWAYS AT THE CARLYLE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “A landmark since its 1930 debut, New York City’s Carlyle Hotel houses a raft of celebrities, many of whom share their reminiscences in this documentary, which also includes engaging stories from longtime staffers who are legendary in their own right.”

5/11/18- Awful reviews. TRDB.

2) I HAD NOWHERE TO GO– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Famed avant-garde filmmaker Jonas Mekas reads from his memoirs in this evocative look at his dramatic life, describing his escape from a German labor camp in 1945 and eventual migration to New York City, where his artistic journey began.”

5/11/18- Poor reviews. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) POPE: A MAN OF HIS WORD- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

2) BEAST– Clearview 100. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Moll has always been a handful, at least according to her parents, who’ve kept her on a tight leash too long. Eager to escape, she moves in with an attractive stranger she meets at a nightclub — only to find he’s a suspect in a string of murders.”

5/11/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

3) BOOK CLUB-Bethel. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Friends and members of the 60-plus set, Diane, Jane, Sharon and Carol have seen it all when it comes to relationships. But after reading “Fifty Shades of Gray,” they’re inspired to make bold choices in the romance department, with hilarious results.”

5/16/18- Early reviews are mixed for this comedy. Not my kind of movie. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) RBG– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Very good reviews

2) DISOBEDIANCE– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Very good reviews

3) TULLY- Jacob Burns, Danbury. I saw this movie and liked it very much

4) THE RIDER– Jacob Burns. I liked it

5) LET THE SUNSHINE IN– Garden Cinema Norwalk. Good reviews

____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) RBG- Excellent reviews

2) DISOBEDIENCE– Very good reviews

3) THE RIDER– I liked this movie very much

4) A BAG OF MARBLES– Excellent reviews

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

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

1) A BAG OF MARBLES– Excellent reviews

2) DISOBEDIENCE- Very good reviews

3) KEEP THE CHANGE– Starring my niece Samantha Elisofon- I really loved the movie and you will too

4) LET THE SUNSHINE IN– Good reviews

5) THE RIDER– I liked the movie and recommend it

6) AFTER AUSCHWITZ– Good reviews

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

APRIL 4, 2018

DEAR FRIENDS:

YOU CAN ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AND PAST REVIEWS AT MY WEBSITE- www.thereeldrbob.com

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) TOM OF FINLAND– Netflix Disc.

2) ITZHAK- At the Theater

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) ITZHAK– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Though Itzhak Perlman is widely regarded as the finest violinist of his time, his journey has been far from easy. This affectionate documentary recounts his story through conversations with Perlman, his friends, family and colleagues.”

3/9/18- Fair reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

4/3/18- I liked this documentary very much. Great music too. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) TOM OF FINLAND– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Touko Laaksonen returns to his native Finland after World War II, he begins creating the frank homoerotic drawings that will eventually bring him global fame — despite living in an environment where homosexuality is a criminal offense.”

10/15/17- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

3/31/18- I liked the movie but it was way too slow at times and often lacked momentum. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

2) TAKE EVERY WAVE: THE LIFE OF LAIRD HAMILTON– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Turning to the mammoth waves of Oahu’s north shore to escape an abusive home, Laird Hamilton has made surfing innovation his life’s work. With a winter surf season on Kauai as the backdrop, this in-depth documentary charts his story.”

10/6/17- Great reviews. TRDB.

4/4/18- I guess you need to have some interest in this topic in order to enjoy. I definitely did not. I found it repetitive and boring.  TRDB. Netflix Disc.

_____________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, APRIL 10-

1) FOR AHKEM– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set against the backdrop of the Ferguson events, this documentary follows Missouri teen Daje Shelton, whose fighting lands her at an alternative school. Vowing to do better, she refuses to let the tough world she grew up in define her or her future.”

10/15/17- Excellent reviews from the critics and weak reviews from audiences. TRDB.

2) ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD– Just so-so in my book. Great Plummer

3) PHANTOM THREAD– I liked it but not as much as others did

4) MOLLY’S GAME- Very good reviews- looking forward to getting this movie

_____________________________________________________________________

OPENED LAST FRIDAY-

1) GEMINI– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “When personal assistant Jill LeBeau finds her boss, rising actress Heather Anderson, shot to death in her own home, Jill becomes the prime suspect in a murder mystery and the target of Hollywood gossip about the women’s close relationship.”

3/30/18- Good overall reviews from the critics but none were excellent. Audiences were less impressed. TRDB.

2) PERSONAL PROBLEMS– 2018. Here’s what Glenn Kenny wrote for the NY Times. “For all its rough edges, “Personal Problems” retains a vitality and an integrity that practically bounds off the screen.”

3/30/18- Most of the reviews are like the one above. TRDB.

3) THE CHINA HUSTLE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “While the 2008 financial crash offered painful lessons to Wall Street investors, similar accounting chicanery by some Chinese-based companies is leading to the same results. This incisive documentary looks at the major players (and crooks) involved.”

3/30/18- Fairly good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

4) OUTSIDE IN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Life in the small town where he grew up is a far cry from what Chris remembers when he returns home after a 20-year stint in prison. Struggling to adjust, he turns to the one person who never gave up on him: his high school English teacher, Carol.”

3/30/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

5) AFTER LOUIE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “After experiencing the grim early years of the AIDS epidemic and its shattering effects, Sam Cooper feels alienated from modern gay culture and politics — until the far younger Braeden Devries revitalizes Sam’s life and helps him deal with the past.”

3/30/18- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

6) FINDING YOUR FEET– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Smugly confident, Sandra Abbott gets a shock when she learns that her longtime husband is sleeping with her best friend. Taking refuge with her free-spirited sister, Sandra grudgingly tags along to a dance class — where she experiences an awakening.”

3/30/18- Good reviews by the critics and weak ones from audiences. TRDB.

7) THE GARDENER– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Showcasing the sublime landscapes of Les Quatre Vents, a 20-acre private garden in Quebec created by horticulturist Frank Cabot, this sumptuous documentary represents the first visit to the garden by a film crew since it opened decades earlier.”

3/30/18- Just 4 reviews – 3 very good and 1 OK. TRDB.

8) THE LAST MOVIE STAR– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Aging actor Vic Edwards is no longer the toast of Hollywood, but he hasn’t lost his desire for the spotlight and agrees to accept an award at a film festival. When he finds it’s a low-rent affair, he slips away and begins a journey into his past.”

3/30/18- Weak reviews from the critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

9) LOVE AFTER LOVE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “An introspective examination of grief, this ensemble drama focuses on a family struggling to cope in the wake of the patriarch’s death, as their anger and inner anguish build up stress on their relationships.”

3/30/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) CHAPPAQUIDDICK– Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this historical drama, the car accident that doomed Ted Kennedy’s presidential ambitions and resulted in the drowning death of 28-year-old Mary Jo Kopechne gets a fresh look, focusing on the cover-up that followed the crash.”

4/3/18- Fairly good reviews for this historical drama. TRDB.

2) FINDING YOUR FEET– Clearview 100. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Smugly confident, Sandra Abbott gets a shock when she learns that her longtime husband is sleeping with her best friend. Taking refuge with her free-spirited sister, Sandra grudgingly tags along to a dance class — where she experiences an awakening.”

3/30/18- Good reviews by the critics and weak ones from audiences. TRDB.

3) FOXTROT- Jacob Burns, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Beginning with a couple’s shock upon learning that their son, an Israeli soldier, has been killed, this heart-wrenching drama then recounts his service at a lonely military checkpoint and the absurdly tragic facts surrounding his death.”

12/8/17- Great reviews from all. TRDB.

4) A QUIET PLACE– Danbury. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “As a married couple and their son are enjoying their peaceful existence on a farm, a malevolent supernatural entity takes up residence in their home, forcing the family into a horrific and extended fight for their lives.”

4/4/18- Excellent reviews for this bloody horror movie. Not my kind of movie by a longshot. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) THE DEATH OF STALIN– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Good reviews but the trailer looked stupid

2) ISLE OF DOGS– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk.

3) THE LEISURE SEEKERS– Bethel, Clearview 100. Weak reviews and friends have not liked it

4) BOMBSHELL: THE HEDY LAMARR STORY– I saw this and liked it very much

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) THE LAST MOVIE STAR– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Aging actor Vic Edwards is no longer the toast of Hollywood, but he hasn’t lost his desire for the spotlight and agrees to accept an award at a film festival. When he finds it’s a low-rent affair, he slips away and begins a journey into his past.”

3/30/18- Weak reviews from the critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) CHAPPAQUIDDICK– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this historical drama, the car accident that doomed Ted Kennedy’s presidential ambitions and resulted in the drowning death of 28-year-old Mary Jo Kopechne gets a fresh look, focusing on the cover-up that followed the crash.”

4/3/18- Fairly good reviews for this historical drama. TRDB.

3) THE DEATH OF STALIN– Good reviews but the trailer looked stupid

4) THE LAST SUIT- Very good reviews

5) FOXTROT– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Beginning with a couple’s shock upon learning that their son, an Israeli soldier, has been killed, this heart-wrenching drama then recounts his service at a lonely military checkpoint and the absurdly tragic facts surrounding his death.”

12/8/17- Great reviews from all. TRDB.

6) BOMBSHELL: THE HEDY LAMARR STORY– I liked this documentary very much

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

1) THE LAST MOVIE STAR– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Aging actor Vic Edwards is no longer the toast of Hollywood, but he hasn’t lost his desire for the spotlight and agrees to accept an award at a film festival. When he finds it’s a low-rent affair, he slips away and begins a journey into his past.”

3/30/18- Weak reviews from the critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) CHAPPAQUIDDICK– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this historical drama, the car accident that doomed Ted Kennedy’s presidential ambitions and resulted in the drowning death of 28-year-old Mary Jo Kopechne gets a fresh look, focusing on the cover-up that followed the crash.”

4/3/18- Fairly good reviews for this historical drama. TRDB.

3) THE LAST SUIT- Very good reviews

4) ITZHAK– I liked this documentary very much. Great music of course

5) FOXTROT– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Beginning with a couple’s shock upon learning that their son, an Israeli soldier, has been killed, this heart-wrenching drama then recounts his service at a lonely military checkpoint and the absurdly tragic facts surrounding his death.”

12/8/17- Great reviews from all. TRDB.

6) FINDING YOUR FEET– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Smugly confident, Sandra Abbott gets a shock when she learns that her longtime husband is sleeping with her best friend. Taking refuge with her free-spirited sister, Sandra grudgingly tags along to a dance class — where she experiences an awakening.”

3/30/18- Good reviews by the critics and weak ones from audiences. TRDB.

7) BOMBSHELL: THE HEDY LAMARR STORY– An excellent documentary

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) LADY BIRD–  2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In her senior year of high school in Sacramento, teenage Lady Bird is set on making her way east to attend college in New York City. With help from her adopted brother, Miguel, she begins putting together a plan for her great escape.”

11/3/17- Excellent reviews by all. TRDB.

11/28/17- I liked it very much. TRDB.

2) CLAIRE’S CAMERA– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “While attending Cannes, film sales agent Man-hee is abruptly fired by her jealous boss. But when Man-hee meets Parisian teacher Claire, who takes a picture of her on the beach, the two bond — and Man-hee discovers the transformative power of photos.”

3/8/18- Fairly good reviews and I love Huppert. TRDB.

D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON

1) FOXTROT- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Beginning with a couple’s shock upon learning that their son, an Israeli soldier, has been killed, this heart-wrenching drama then recounts his service at a lonely military checkpoint and the absurdly tragic facts surrounding his death.”

12/8/17- Great reviews from all. TRDB.

2) THE DEATH OF STALIN– Good reviews but the trailer looked stupid

3) ITZHAK– Fair reviews

4) THE LAST SUIT– Very good reviews

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

MARCH 29, 2018

DEAR FRIENDS:

YOU CAN ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AND PAST REVIEWS AT MY WEBSITE-

 QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) THE DISASTER ARTIST– Netflix Disc.

2) ONLY THE BRAVE– Netflix Disc.

3) FROM THE LAND OF THE MOON– Netflix Streaming

____________________________________________________________________________

MOIVES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

_____________________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) THE DISASTER ARTIST– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Opening to blistering reviews in 2003, “The Room” has since become a so-bad-it’s-good cult classic. This showbiz spoof provides a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film and the friendship between the director and star who propelled it.”

11/30/17- Excellent reviews for this comedy. TRDB.

3/22/18- I enjoyed this nutty movie very much. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

2) ONLY THE BRAVE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “This action-drama chronicles the true story of 19 elite firefighters from Arizona’s Prescott Fire Department who lost their lives in June 2013 while battling the Yarnell Hill wildfire that was ignited by lightning.”

10/20/17- Excellent reviews by nearly everyone. TRDB.

3/25/18- An excellent movie– enjoyed it thoroughly. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

3) FROM THE LAND OF THE MOON– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this absorbing adaptation of novelist Milena Agus’ “Mal de Pierres,” passionate Frenchwoman Gabrielle finds herself torn between the man she’s expected to wed and a disarming veteran of World War II.”

7/28/17- The premise sounds interesting but reviews have been negative– better from audiences than from the critics. I’d try it. TRDB.

3/27/18- Mostly negative reviews but I liked it despite some problems with the screenplay. I love Marian Cotillard. TRDB.

_______________________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, APRIL 3-

1) LIKE ME– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In search of celebrity at any cost, young loner Kiya begins recording bizarre and often repellent “real life” episodes for an online audience that swells to viral proportions. But the effect on Kiya’s life soon becomes nightmarish.”

1/26/18- Good to “very good” reviews. TRDB.

2) THE BOY DOWNSTAIRS– 2018- Synopsis by Netflix. “Returning to New York City after living in London, aspiring writer Diana begins the nightmarish effort to find an apartment. When she finally finds the ideal digs, there’s one catch: The man whose heart she broke lives one floor below.”

2/15/18- Mixed reviews at best but I’d give it a try. TRDB.

_______________________________________________________________________________

OPENED LAST FRIDAY-

1) ISLE OF DOGS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Featuring a star-studded voice cast and set against the landscape of rural Japan, this animated adventure follows a game young boy on his long and often-dangerous search to find his beloved dog.”

3/23/18- Excellent reviews for this animated movie. TRDB.

2) ISMAEL’S GHOSTS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “While preparing to shoot a movie about a diplomat’s life, director Ismaël Vuillard gets an unexpected visit from his long-dead lover Carlotta — which not only drives away his current partner but soon begins driving him out of his mind.”

3/23/18- Fair reviews from the critics and poor ones from audiences. TRDB.

3) THE WORKSHOP– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Once bustling, the port town of La Ciotat has seen better times — which writers in a workshop there are trying to reflect in their collective novel. But the hostility and disturbing vision of one participant soon alarm his peers and the instructor.”

3/23/18- Very good reviews for this French drama. TRDB.

4) THE FINAL PORTRAIT– 2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “FINAL PORTRAIT is the story of the touching and offbeat friendship between American writer and art-lover James Lord and Alberto Giacometti, revealing unique insight into the beauty, frustration, profundity and sometimes the chaos of the artistic process.

_______________________________________________________________________________

HOTWIRE ON-DEMAND-

I’VE SEEN ALL OF THE FOLLOWING AND RECOMMEND EACH OF THEM

1) CALL ME BY YOUR NAME

2) CROWN HEIGHTS

3) THE DISASTER ARTIST

4) THE FLORIDA PROJECT

5) I, TONYA

6) LADY BIRD

7) LOVING VINCENT

8) THE SHAPE OF  WATER

9) THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

_________________________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES=

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) ISLE OF DOGS– Jacob Burns.

2) LOVE, SIMON– Clearview 100. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Closeted gay teen Simon is mortified when his classmate Martin gets hold of Simon’s intimate email to his online love. With the prospect of humiliation looming, Simon reluctantly agrees to help Martin get closer to Abby, Simon’s female best friend.”

3/16/18- Mostly good reviews but none great. TRDB.

3) READY PLAYER ONE– Clearview 100. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a future dominated by a virtual-reality program, young Wade Watts joins a cyber scavenger hunt for the fortune left by the system’s late creator. But with the prize valued in the billions, Wade has lots of competition — including corporate foes.”

3/28/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

4) FOXTROT– Jacob Burns. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Beginning with a couple’s shock upon learning that their son, an Israeli soldier, has been killed, this heart-wrenching drama then recounts his service at a lonely military checkpoint and the absurdly tragic facts surrounding his death.”

12/8/17- Great reviews from all. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) THE DEATH OF STALIN– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk.

BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) THE LAST SUIT– Very good reviews

2) THE DEATH OF STALIN– Excellent reviews but the trailer looked stupid

3) BOMBSHELL: THE HEDY LAMARR STORY– I liked this movie very much

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

1) THE LAST SUIT– Very good reviews

2) ITZHAK– Fair reviews

3) 1945– I liked it a lot

4) BOMBSHELL: THE HEDY LAMARR STORY– I liked this movie very much

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) MARIE CURIE: THE COURAGE OF KNOWLEDGE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Between 1903 and 1911, scientist Marie Curie wins two Nobel Prizes and becomes the first woman offered a professional chair at the Sorbonne. But when her unorthodox love life leads to a scandal, it threatens to be her undoing.”

6/30/17- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2) BOMBSHELL- THE HEDY LAMARR STORY– Excellent

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

1) THE LAST SUIT– Very good reviews and friends have liked it

2) ITZHAK– Fair reviews

3) THE DEATH OF STALIN – Excellent reviews but the trailer looked stupid

4) LOVELESS- Good reviews

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

MARCH 22, 2018

DEAR FRIENDS:

YOU CAN ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AND PAST REVIEWS AT MY WEBSITE- www.thereeldrbob.com

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) THE FLORIDA PROJECT– Netflix Disc.

2) BOMBSHELL: THE HEDY LAMARR STORY– At the Theater.

3) FREE SAMPLES– Netflix Disc.

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) THOROUGHBREDS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Childhood friends recently reunited, teenagers Amanda and Lily make an unlikely but inseparable pair. When Lily’s stepfather threatens to pack her off to reform school, the girls cook up a plan to kill him.”

3/6/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

3/16/18- The whole is less than the sum of its parts. Some aspects of the movie were interesting but I can’t say that I’d recommend it. TRDB.

2) BOMBSHELL: THE HEDY LAMARR STORY– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Remembered as one of the most ravishing stars of her day, screen legend Hedy Lamarr had brains and beauty — which are on full display in this illuminating documentary that spotlights her World War II-era coinvention of wireless communication forms.”

11/23/17- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) THE FLORIDA PROJECT- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Living within sight of Disney World’s glittering attractions, the children of families residing in tacky motels near the megapark create their own magical world together, led by the spirited 6-year-old Moonee.

10/6/17- Excellent reviews by the critics and very good ones by audiences. TRDB.

3/15/18- An engaging movie about poverty in the midst of middle class America, this time in Orlando, right near the opulence of DisneyWorld. TRDB.

2) FREE SAMPLES– 2003. Synopsis by Netflix. “Jillian has dropped out of law school and migrated to Los Angeles in this comedy about deferred adulthood and the romantic hazards of heavy drinking. But a day spent doling out ice cream samples to the Angelenos dramatically changes her attitude.”

6/7/17- Mixed reviews in general and in today’s NY Times as well. TRDB.

3/19/18- Almost embarrassed to say this but I liked it. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

___________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, MARCH 27-

1) PERMISSION- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Anna and Will are heading for marriage when Anna’s brother and his boyfriend suggest that the couple get more sexual experience before making lifetime commitments. But when they step outside their exclusive relationship, things don’t go as expected.”

2/9/18- Fair reviews– definitely more positive than negative. TRDB.

2) 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.

3) DOLORES– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the early 1960s, Dolores Huerta cofounded the first farm workers’ union in America, yet after Cesar Chavez’s death, she was forced out of the union’s all-male leadership. This documentary charts her fight for workers’ rights and gender equality.”

9/1/17- Great reviews. TRDB.

____________________________________________________________________

OPENED LAST FRIDAY-

1) KEEP THE CHANGE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this offbeat romantic comedy, David is wealthy, charismatic and autistic. When an inappropriate comment lands him in a court-mandated support group, he meets quirky young Sarah — and love begins to blossom.’

11/22/17- I LOVED the movie– starring my niece Samantha Elisofon. TRDB.

3/16/18- Excellent reviews all around. Read Glenn Kenny’s review (NY Times)  which  is by far the most compelling. TRDB. 

2) LOVE, SIMON 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Closeted gay teen Simon is mortified when his classmate Martin gets hold of Simon’s intimate email to his online love. With the prospect of humiliation looming, Simon reluctantly agrees to help Martin get closer to Abby, Simon’s female best friend.”

3/16/18- Mostly good reviews but none great. TRDB.

3) MAINELAND– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “This coming-of-age documentary follows two children from affluent Chinese families, both sent to get a Western education at a boarding school in Maine. Feeling displaced and bewildered, the teens try to find their places amid unfamiliar surroundings.”

3/16/18- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

4) 12 DAYS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Under French law, people involuntarily committed to a psychiatric hospital must be brought before a judge within 12 days. As this documentary reveals, the brief interview that takes place can mean the difference between liberty and confinement.”

3/16/18- Very good reviews for this movie. TRDB.

5)  ALLURE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “While trying to overcome her miserable past, 30-year-old Laura meets teenage Eva, a client’s daughter suffocating under her mother’s discipline. Laura and Eva quickly bond, but what seems to be compassion for Eva soon becomes Laura’s obsession.”

3/16/18- I’ve seen just 4 reviews- 2 up and 2 down.  I’d give it a try. TRDB.

6) NO LIGHT AND NO LAND ANYWHERE– 2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Grieving her mother’s death and her own failing marriage, Lexi boards a plane from London to Los Angeles in search of the estranged father who abandoned her when she was three-years-old. Based out of a seedy Hollywood motel, she follows a tenuous trail of breadcrumbs, beginning with his aging former in-laws, collecting numbers and addresses in the hopes that one will lead to her father. Along the way, she establishes other unexpected connections: her father’s ailing former second wife, her bitter half-sister Tanya and her caregiver girlfriend, and two local barflies.”

3/16/18- I’ve seen just 1 review and it is mixed. TRDB.

7) DEAR DICTATOR– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “When island-nation dictator Anton Vincent gets run out of office, he takes refuge in the garage of his 16-year-old American pen-pal, Tatiana Mills. Before long, he’s teaching his young protégé how to dethrone the mean girls and rule her school.”

3/16/18- Awful reviews and recommended only because Sir Michael Caine is one of the stars. TRDB.

8) JOURNEY’S END– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in March 1918, this tense World War I drama focuses on a small group of British soldiers in the trenches at Mont Saint-Quentin, France, who know exactly what’s coming: a massive German offensive. But what they don’t know is when.”

3/16/18- Excellent reviews from all sources. TRDB.

9) RAMEN HEADS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “For most Westerners, ramen means a quick and simple meal. But for Osamu Tomita, Japan’s most respected ramen chef, the noodle dish is part of a culinary tradition that goes back centuries, as detailed in this fascinating documentary.”

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) UNSANE– Bethel. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Shot in secret on an iPhone in just over one week, this experimental tale from director Steven Soderbergh focuses on a woman who finds herself committed to a mental asylum, where she will confront her greatest fear.”

3/21/18- Fairly good reviews for this drama/mystery. TRDB.

2) THE LEISURE SEEKER– Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Poor reviews despite an all-star cast

3) FLOWER– Clearview 100. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “After befriending Luke, the troubled son of her mother’s new beau, sexually adventurous teen Erica learns that a teacher molested Luke years ago. Looking to punish the predator, Erica concocts an elaborate plan — but it goes horribly awry.”

3/16/18- Fair reviews from the critics but excellent ones from audiences. TRDB.

4) THE DEATH OF STALIN– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk

5) ITZHAK– Clearview 100.  Fair reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) A FANTASTIC WOMAN– Bethel. Great movie and it won Best Foreign Film

2) RED SPARROW– Bethel, Danbury.Weak reviews

3) 7 DAYS IN ENTEBBE– Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Poor reviews

4) THOROUGHBREDS- Danbury, Clearview 100.

3/16/18- The whole is less than the sum of its parts. Some aspects of the movie were interesting but I can’t say that I’d recommend it. TRDB.

5) THREE BILLBOARDS– Garden Cinema Norwalk. A good movie- I enjoyed it but certainly not a great one

6) THE SHAPE OF WATER– Danbury. Loved it!!

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) THE LAST SUIT (EL ULTIMO TRAJE)- 2018. Synopsis by IMDB. “Abraham Bursztein, an 88 years old Jewish tailor, runs away from Buenos Aires to Poland, where he proposes to find a friend who saved him from certain death at the end of World War II.”

2) THE LEISURE SEEKER– Weak reviews despite an all star cast

3) 7 DAYS IN ENTEBBLE– Poor reviews

4) ITZHAK– Fair reviews

5) 1945- A very interesting movie that I recommend

6) BOMBSHELL: THE HEDY LAMARR STORY– I liked this movie very much

7) RED SPARROW– Weak reviews

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- SAME AS LAKE WORTH

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) DID YOU WONDER WHO FIRED THE GUN?- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1946, filmmaker Travis Wilkerson’s great-grandfather S.E. Branch killed an unarmed black man but was never convicted of the crime. Looking to find the facts behind the case, Wilkerson travels to the rural Alabama town where the murder occurred.”

3/21/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

2) THE PARTY–A comedy of the absurd. Entertaining most of the time with very well known actors. It’s worth seeing but don’t rush out. TRDB.

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

1) THE LAST SUIT (EL ULTIMO TRAJE)- 2018. Synopsis by IMDB. “Abraham Bursztein, an 88 years old Jewish tailor, runs away from Buenos Aires to Poland, where he proposes to find a friend who saved him from certain death at the end of World War II.”

2) A FANTASTIC WOMAN– Great movie and it won for Best Foreign Film

3) 1945- A very good movie

4) ITZHAK– Fair reviews

5) OH LUCY!- Fairly good reviews

6) THE LEASURE SEEKER– Weak reviews

7) LOVELESS– Good reviews for this drama

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

MARCH 15, 2018

DEAR FRIENDS:

YOU CAN ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AND PAST REVIEWS AT MY WEBSITE- www.thereeldrbob.com–

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) CROWN HEIGHTS- Amazon Prime

2) THE SQUARE– Netflix Disc.

_________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

___________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) CROWN HEIGHTS- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Wrongly pegged as the perpetrator of a shooting, 18-year-old Colin Warner spends 20 years in prison — even though the real killer eventually comes forward. But Colin’s best friend, Carl King, never stops fighting to free him.”

8/18/17- Fair reviews but it sounds interesting to me and I’ll probably see it. TRDB.

3/11/18- An excellent drama taken from a true story. TRDB. Amazon Prime.

2) THE SQUARE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Testing the thin line between art and reality, a famed museum’s new creative director mounts an installation — “The Square” — intended to foster altruism. But he sets off a hue and cry after enlisting a public relations firm to tout the exhibition.”

10/27/17- Fairly good reviews for this odd sounding drama. I’ll see it. TRDB.

3/14/18- The reviews were on target. A weird movie but it definitely had merit and I watched the entire 2 hours and 22 minutes. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

____________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, MARCH 20-

1) DJANGO– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this poignant biopic, jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt escapes the persecution that his Gypsy brethren suffer in German-occupied France, but when the Nazis demand that Django use his music to fuel their propaganda, he faces a daunting decision.”

1/5/18- Weak reviews by the critics but very good ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) THE WORK– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Twice a year, California’s Folsom Prison opens a group therapy program to inmates and outsiders. This documentary, codirected by a court videographer who’s a veteran of the sessions, offers a look into the participants as they delve into their pasts.”

10/27/17- Great reviews by everyone. TRDB.

3) THE SHAPE OF WATER– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “During the Cold War era, lonely Elisa works as a cleaning lady in a top-secret U.S. government laboratory. But her life is altered forever after she and a co-worker stumble upon a hush-hush experiment.”

11/30/17– Excellent reviews. TRDB.

1/22/18- Great love story- I enjoyed every minute. TRDB.

4) THE DIVINE ORDER- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Young Nora lives a serene life in a Swiss village, but in 1971 the reverberations of feminist movements elsewhere prompt her to begin campaigning for women’s suffrage. The residents’ reaction to Nora’s advocacy, however, is surprisingly hostile.”

10/27/17- Mostly very good reviews. TRDB.

5) PORTO– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “A single encounter can haunt a life forever, as American expatriate Jake Kleeman and French archaeology student Mati Vargnier come to discover when they look back wistfully on their passionate one-night stand in the Portuguese city of Porto.”

11/17/17- Weak reviews in general with a few very good ones. TRDB.

6) COURT– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a sewage worker is found dead after listening to a song by social activist Narayan Kamble, he’s accused of provoking the decedent to suicide. But at Kamble’s trial, it’s clear that he’s the victim of an obscure law — and politics.”

7/14/15- Great reviews for this film from India. TRDB.

7) THE DISASTER ARTIST– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Opening to blistering reviews in 2003, “The Room” has since become a so-bad-it’s-good cult classic. This showbiz spoof provides a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film and the friendship between the director and star who propelled it.”

11/30/17- Excellent reviews for this comedy. TRDB.

____________________________________________________________________

OPENED LAST FRIDAY-

1) THE DEATH OF STALIN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Before his sudden death in 1953, Joseph Stalin held the Soviet Union in his iron grip for more than 30 years. This dark satire depicts the subsequent turmoil as his scheming minions begin jockeying for power.”

 3/8/18- Excellent reviews. I saw a trailer for this film and it looked pretty stupid. TRDB.

2) CLAIRE’S CAMERA– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “While attending Cannes, film sales agent Man-hee is abruptly fired by her jealous boss. But when Man-hee meets Parisian teacher Claire, who takes a picture of her on the beach, the two bond — and Man-hee discovers the transformative power of photos.”

3/8/18- Fairly good reviews and I love Isabelle Huppert. TRDB.

3) ITZHAK– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Though Itzhak Perlman is widely regarded as the finest violinist of his time, his journey has been far from easy. This affectionate documentary recounts his story through conversations with Perlman, his friends, family and colleagues.”

3/9/18- Fair reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

4) HANNAH– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “This layered character study follows the aging Hannah, who’s attempting to come to grips with the ramifications of her husband’s incarceration. But as she faces scorn from family and friends, she begins to unravel.”

3/9/18- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

5) SHINING MOON- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “When gay actors Renato and Ivan — also a couple — are cast as a pair of notorious drag queens by a handsome young filmmaker, they must confront society’s prejudices and their own if they’re to play the roles of a lifetime.”

3/9/18- I’ve seen just 1 review and it was fairly good. TRDB.

6) LEANING INTO THE WIND– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Environmental artist Andy Goldsworthy’s works are ephemeral, designed to weather along with the landscapes in which they’re placed. This well-crafted documentary follows Goldsworthy across the globe as he constructs his fragile and diverse creations.”

3/9/18- Great reviews. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) THE STRANGERS: PREY AT NIGHT– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “During a road trip, a family plans to stay with relatives at their trailer park home. Upon arriving, the clan finds the place deserted and borrows an empty unit for the night.”

3/9/18- Not my kind of movie and apparently not the kind of movie that critics like either. Audiences were more generous. TRDB.

2) THE FORGIVEN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this taut political drama set in postapartheid South Africa, Archbishop Desmond Tutu gives audience to a convicted murderer looking for redemption. But the meeting tests Tutu’s notions of mercy and morality.”

3/9/18- Poor reviews. TRDB.

3) A WRINKLE IN TIME– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Adapted from the children’s book of the same name, this space adventure follows Meg, her brother, Charles, and her schoolmate Calvin on a trip through time as they try to locate the siblings’ astrophysicist father after he vanishes.”

_____________________________________________________________________

COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW ON COMCAST-

1) I, TONYA- Excellent

2) THE SHAPE OF WATER- Great movie and it won Best Picture

REPEATS-

1) CALL ME BY YOUR NAME– I liked it very much

2) DARKEST HOUR– Good but not great

3) LADY BIRD– Excellent

4) LOVING VINCENT– I liked it

5) THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE– I enjoyed this movie quite a bit

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) 7 DAYS IN ENTEBBE– Bethel, Clearview 100, Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “The true-life saga of the 1976 Air France hijacking and rescue is vividly recounted in this tense drama, from the commandeering of a commercial flight by Palestinian and German radicals to the brilliant and daring Israeli raid to free the hostages.”

3/14/18- Terrible reviews. TRDB.

2) ITZHAK– Clearview 100. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Though Itzhak Perlman is widely regarded as the finest violinist of his time, his journey has been far from easy. This affectionate documentary recounts his story through conversations with Perlman, his friends, family and colleagues.”

3/9/18- Fair reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

3) TWO MEN IN MANHATTAN– Jacob Burns. 1959. Synopsis by Netflix. “The dark shadows of New York come to life in this moody, jazz-soaked noir classic from Jean-Pierre Melville, who cast himself as a journalist on an ethically fraught mission to track down a missing French diplomat.”

3/14/18- Weak reviews for this 60 year old film. TRDB.

4) ARMY OF SHADOWS– Jacob Burns. 1969. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Jean-Pierre Melville’s experiences as a member of the French Resistance during World War II inform this movie about a civil engineer who becomes one of the chiefs of the underground movement.”

3/14/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) THE SHAPE OF WATER– Bethel, Danbury. Great movie!

2) THE PARTY– Bethel. An absurd comedy. Just OK

3) A FANTASTIC WOMAN– Jacob Burns, BetheI, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Loved this movie and it won for best foreign film (Chile).

4) LOVELESS– Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Excellent reviews.

5) RED SPARROW– Bethel, Danbury. Just fair reviews and friends have not liked it

6) THOROUGHBREDS– Jacob Burns, Danbury, Clearview 100. Very good reviews

7) DARKEST HOUR– Garden Cinema Norwalk. Just so-so movie with a great Gary Oldman

8) THREE BILLBOARDS– Garden Cinema Norwalk. A good moive but not great as some have said

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1)  7 DAYS IN ENTEBBE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “The true-life saga of the 1976 Air France hijacking and rescue is vividly recounted in this tense drama, from the commandeering of a commercial flight by Palestinian and German radicals to the brilliant and daring Israeli raid to free the hostages.”

3/14/18- Terrible reviews. TRDB.

2) THE LEISURE SEEKER– Weak reviews

3) RED SPARROW– Weak reviews and friends have not liked it

4) 1945– A good post Holocaust movie

5) THE SHAPE OF WATER– Great movie!!

6) THREE BILLBOARDS– Good movie but not terrific as some have said

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

1) 7 DAYS IN ENTEBBE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “The true-life saga of the 1976 Air France hijacking and rescue is vividly recounted in this tense drama, from the commandeering of a commercial flight by Palestinian and German radicals to the brilliant and daring Israeli raid to free the hostages.”

3/14/18- Terrible reviews. TRDB.

2) 1945– A good movie about the post Holocaust period

3) THE LEISURE SEEKER– Weak reviews

4) RED SPARROW– Weak reviews

5) BOMBSHELL: THE HEDY LAMARR STORY– Good reviews

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) THE PEACEMAKER– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “For more than 40 years, peacemaker and college professor Padraig O’Malley has used his ability to gain people’s trust to broker deals between clashing parties across the globe. But finding peace in his personal life has proved more elusive.”

2/9/18- I’ve seen just 4 reviews for this documentary and they are all great. TRDB.

2) WESTERN– 2018- Synopsis Sent to rural Bulgaria to build a hydroelectric power plant, a crew of German construction workers stirs up an atmosphere of suspicion with their loutish behavior. When a new man in the group begins fraternizing with the locals, tensions boil over.”

2/15/18- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

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

1) 1945– A very good movie about post Holocaust

2) A FANTASTIC WOMAN– Great movie and won Best Foreign Film

3) LOVELESS– Very good reviews

4) OH LUCY!- Excellent reviews for this movie

5) THE LEISURE SEEKER- Weak reviews

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

MARCH 1, 2018

DEAR FRIENDS:

YOU CAN ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AND PAST REVIEWS AT MY WEBSITE- www.thereeldrbob.com

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) BECKS– Comcast On-Demand

2) THE BREADWINNER– Netflix Streaming

3) THE PARTY– At the Theater

4) A PERFECT DAY- Netflix Streaming

5) LOVING VINCENT– Netflix Disc

6) CONSPIRACY– Comcast On-Demand

____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) THE PARTY– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “After being appointed as Health Minister, career politician Janet invites a handful of friends over to join her and her husband, Bill, for a celebration. But the evening turns explosive when Bill chooses the moment to make two shocking revelations.”

2/15/17-  Fairly good reviews for this comedy. TRDB.

2/24/18- A comedy of the absurd. Entertaining most of the time with very well known actors. It’s worth seeing but don’t rush out. TRDB.

____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1)  BECKS- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “After following her girlfriend to Los Angeles, singer-songwriter Becks is crushed to learn she’s already been replaced. With no better plan, she moves into her mom’s home in the Midwest and makes a surprising connection with a discontented housewife.”

2/9/18- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2/22/18- A good drama with very good acting but few surprises. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

2) THE BREADWINNER- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this animated tale based on Deborah Ellis’ best-selling novel, life under Taliban rule in Afghanistan is already hard for 11-year-old Parvana, but with her father in jail, she’s forced to don male clothing and become the family breadwinner.”

11/17/17- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

2/23/18- A wonderful animated movie! TRDB.

3)  A PERFECT DAY– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Sent to a deadly combat zone to recover a corpse from a well — where the body is contaminating a village’s crucial water supply — a motley group of aid workers finds the ostensibly simple job turning into a Sisyphean task.”

2/26/18- I enjoyed this movie with an all star cast. TRDB. Netflix Streaming

4) LOVING VINCENT– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “This animated biopic recounts the life and last days of tormented Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh, with each frame of the film consisting of an oil painting executed in the master’s style and a plot based on letters he penned.”

9/22/17- Fairly good reviews by the critics and excellent ones by audiences. TRDB.

2/27/18- A very interesting and creative animated drama that could be considered a docudrama as well. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

5) CONSPIRACY– 2001. Synopsis by Netflix. “On January 20, 1942, at the height of the World War II, 15 government officials and SS Commanders attended a conference on the outskirts of Berlin. It was a simple meeting, which — by the end — would decide the fate of 6 million lives. This BBC movie is based on the only surviving record of that meeting, which would stand as the blueprint for Hitler’s final solution. Kenneth Branagh won an Emmy for his performance as Reinhard Heydrich.”

2/27/18- Chilling!! TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

6) MANOLO, THE BOY WHO MADE SHOES FOR LIZARDS– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1970, fashion designer Manolo Blahnik met style maven Diana Vreeland, who recommended he focus on shoes. Within a few years, Blahnik’s imaginative styles made his name the gold standard in tony footwear, as chronicled in this in-depth documentary.”

9/27/17- Fair reviews from the critics but excellent ones from audiences. TRDB.

2/28/18- Wonderful if you’re into women’s shoes. I’m NOT! TRDB. Netflix Disc

________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, MARCH 6-

1) DARKEST HOUR– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Winston Churchill’s stirring defiance of the Nazi threat is the focus of this historical drama that depicts his fearless refusal to surrender Britain to Adolf Hitler and his relentless army during World War II’s early days.”

11/23/17-  Fairly good reviews with some notable poor ones. Audience reviews were fair. TRDB.

12/31/17- I was disappointed with this movie- people told me it was excellent. The historical portions were interesting but I found the movie Hollywoodish and geared to earn an Academy Award for its star. TRDB. 

2) QUEST– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in a neglected North Philadelphia neighborhood, this affecting documentary charts a decade in the lives of the Rainey family, whose home music studio has become a refuge from the strife that pervades their community.”

12/7/17- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

____________________________________________________________________

OPENED LAST FRIDAY-

1) NOVEMBER– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in a pagan Estonian village, this surreal tale centers on a love triangle among a peasant girl, a cocky stable boy and a sleepwalking baroness. Meanwhile, the approach of winter prompts the inhabitants to steal food and supplies from one another.”

2/22/18- Excellent reviews for this movie that I usually wouldn’t touch with a 10 foot pole. TRDB.

2) EL MAR LA MAR– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Seeking to illegally enter the United States from Mexico, refugees try to cross the parched Sonoran Desert to reach the border. For many, the choice becomes a life-or-death trial to find a better future, as detailed in this observational documentary.”

2/22/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

3) GAME NIGHT– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Friendly competition turns deadly serious when a group of friends’ weekly game night becomes a murder-mystery party instead. As the players attempt to crack the case, they soon find that all is not what it seems.”

2/22/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) THE YOUNG KARL MARX– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “On a collision course with history, political philosopher Karl Marx and businessman Friedrich Engels meet in Paris in 1844 and jointly develop a radical theory that eventually leads to the fateful birth of the Communist Party.”

2/22/18- Poor reviews in general. TRDB.

2) WE ARE NOT CATS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In just one day, young Eli loses his apartment, his job and his girlfriend. Undaunted, he lands a gig making a delivery to a distant town, where he meets the bewitching Anya and finds that they share a peculiar habit: eating human hair.”

2/22/18- Not my kind of movie but it did get good reviews. TRDB.

3-5) THE CURED, ANNIHILATION AND THE LODGERS ARE NOT RECOMMENDED!

______________________________________________________________

COMCAST ON-DEMAND- Recommended

______________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) NOSTALGIA- Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this finely acted ensemble drama, a group of people who have all suffered a loss attempts to find comfort and connection through what remains: the artifacts that evoke shared memories.”

2/15/18- Weak reviews but this movie will probably appeal to some. TRDB.

2) RED SPARROW– Bethel, Danbury  2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Sidelined by a leg injury, ballerina Dominika Egorova becomes a Russian spy tasked with seducing a CIA operative working in Moscow. As their liaison begins to blur her loyalties, Dominika considers becoming a double agent.”

2/27/18- Fair reviews with more positive than negative. TRDB.

3) THE YOUNG KARL MARX– Jacob Burns. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “On a collision course with history, political philosopher Karl Marx and businessman Friedrich Engels meet in Paris in 1844 and jointly develop a radical theory that eventually leads to the fateful birth of the Communist Party.”

2/22/18- Poor reviews in general. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) CALL ME BY YOUR NAME– Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100. I liked it very much

2) DARKEST HOUR– Bethel, Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk . I was disappointed

3) A FANTASTIC WOMAN– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Very good reviews and I’ll see it soon

4) THE PARTY– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. An absurd comedy with name brand talent

5) THE SHAPE OF WATER– Danbury. Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Great movie

5) THREE BILLBOARDS– Bethel. I liked it

6) PHANTOM THREAD– Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I liked it but was disappointed

7) I, TONYA– Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I liked it very much

8) LADY BIRD– Jacob Burns. I  really liked this movie very much.

9) THE INSULT– Jacob Burns. Excellent movie

______________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) LET YOURSELF GO– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “As psychoanalyst Elia Venezia is leading a dreary existence in an apartment on the same floor as his ex-wife, a doctor counsels him to get some exercise. Grudgingly, Elia hires a personal coach — who inspires him to pursue his life with vigor.”

2/28/18- Just a few reviews so far and they are all poor. TRDB.

2) 1945– I liked it

3) NOSTALGIA– Fair reviews

4) THE 15:17 TO PARIS– Weak reviews but it is Clint Eastwood

5) FILM STARS DON’T DIE IN LIVERPOOL- Fair reviews

6) I, TONYA– I liked it very much

7) THE SHAPE OF WATER– Great movie

8) THREE BILLBOARDS– I liked it but not a great movie as some have said

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

1) RED SPARROW- Fair reviews

2) LET YOURSELF GO– Just a few reviews so far and they are all poor.

3) THE PARTY– An absurd comedy- I liked it but it is not for everybody

4) 1945– A good movie

5) CALL ME BY YOUR NAME– I liked this very much

6) NOSTALGIA– Fair reviews

C) THE STONZEK  THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1)1945- Liked it a lot

2) BOMBSHELL: THE HEDY LAMARR STORY– Good reviews

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

1) 1945– A good movie

2) A FANTASTIC WOMAN– Good reviews

3) BOMBSHELL– Good reviews

4) LET YOURSELF GO– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “As psychoanalyst Elia Venezia is leading a dreary existence in an apartment on the same floor as his ex-wife, a doctor counsels him to get some exercise. Grudgingly, Elia hires a personal coach — who inspires him to pursue his life with vigor.”

2/28/18- Just a few reviews so far and they are all poor. TRDB.

The Insult, In Between and I, Tonya are playing here with very limited screenings

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB