The Reel Dr. Bob

JULY 23, 2020

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) FATHER SOLDIER SON– Netflix.

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MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK AT HOME-

1) FATHER SOLDIER SON– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “This intimate documentary from The New York Times follows one military family over the course of ten years, becoming an intergenerational exploration of the meaning of sacrifice, purpose and American manhood in the aftermath of war.”

7/17/20- Excellent early reviews. TRDB. Stream on Netflix.

7/17/20- Very well done and I liked it very much. Very sad and uplifting at the same time! TRDB. Netflix.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK- JULY 28 On Disc.

1) LOVELESS– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this riveting morality tale, Boris and Zhenya are so intent on their vitriolic marital battles that they don’t notice initially when their 12-year-old son disappears during one of their protracted fights. Now, they must join forces to find him.”

12/1/17- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

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NEW STREAMABLE MOVIES-

1) FATHER SOLDIER SON– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “This intimate documentary from The New York Times follows one military family over the course of ten years, becoming an intergenerational exploration of the meaning of sacrifice, purpose and American manhood in the aftermath of war.”

7/17/20- Excellent early reviews. TRDB. Stream on Netflix.

7/17/20- Very well done and I liked it very much. Very sad! TRDB. Netflix.

2) DIRT MUSIC–    Lousy reviews.  VUDU

3) FATAL AFFAIR– Terrible reviews.  Netflix

4) THE SUNLIT NIGHT-Awful reviews

5) THE PAINTED BIRD– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In an effort to save their child from the massive extermination of Jews, a Jewish couple send their son to hide in the countryside with a relative somewhere in Eastern Europe. The little boy’s aunt dies unexpectedly and the stray child is suddenly forced to hit the road and make it on his own in a hostile world governed by hate, fear and violence.”

7/18/20- Good reviews. TRDB. On Google Play

6) BLESSED CHILD– Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “More than a decade after leaving the Reverend Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church (the “Moonies”), through a trove of never before seen footage from within the church and extraordinary home videos of her family’s upbringing alongside Reverend Moon and his disciples, filmmaker Cara Jones attempts to finally break free from the religious cult which dominated her childhood.” 

7/18/20- Few reviews but generally positive. TRDB. On Amazon

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JULY 16, 2020

DEAR FRIENDS-

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) ADU- Netflix.

2) JUST FINISHED THE LAST (#6) SERIES OF “SCHITT’S CREEK” AND ENJOYED IT VERY MUCH- Netflix.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) ADU- 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In a desperate attempt to reach Europe and crouched before an airstrip in Cameroon, a six-year-old boy and his older sister wait to sneak into the holds of an airplane. Not too far away, an environmental activist contemplates the terrible image of an elephant, dead and fangless. “Thousands of kilometers to the north, in Melilla, a group of civil guards prepare to face the furious crowd of sub-Saharan people who have begun the assault on the fence.”

7/9/20- Very  good reviews by audiences. I liked the movie despite awful or absent sub-titles. TRDB. On Netflix.

2) 365 DAYS- 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Introverted sales director Laura heads to Italy to save her relationship, only to get kidnapped and held captive by the Sicilian mafia, who give her 365 days to fall in love with Massimo Torricelli, a young and handsome member of the mafia family and the most dangerous man on the island.”

7/11/20- A controversial film, this movie received a Zero rating from Rotten Tomatoes but it has been on the top 10 streamed list in the US and in Europe. TRDB.

7/12/20- Forget about the Stockholm Syndrome– this soft porn movie is the worst. Zero ratings are too high. TRDB.

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NEW STREAMABLE MOVIES-

1) INMATE #1: THE RISE OF DANNY TREJO– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Inmate #1: The Rise Of Danny Trejo is the feature documentary revealing the extraordinary life journey of hollywood’s most unlikely hero, Danny Trejo.From an early life of drugs, armed robbery and hard prison time, to the red carpets of Hollywood blockbusters and helping troubled addicts. Danny gives a first hand account of one of the greatest transformations of human character ever put to film. To this day, Danny continues to council recovering addicts and speak at state prisons.”

7/9/20- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB. On Amazon- rent or buy

2) THE BEACH HOUSE– 2020. Synopsis by IMDB. “A romantic getaway for two troubled college sweethearts turns into a struggle for survival when unexpected guests – and the surrounding environment – exhibit signs of a mysterious infection.”

7/9/20- Not my kind of movie but it received fair reviews. TRDB.

3) AI WEIWEI: YOURS TRULY– Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Following Ai Weiwei’s detention at the hands of the Chinese authorities, the outspoken artist and activist transformed the former island penitentiary of Alcatraz into an artistic platform.”

4) PALM SPRINGS– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “When carefree Nyles (Andy Samberg) and reluctant maid of honor Sarah (Cristin Milioti) have a chance encounter at a Palm Springs wedding, things get complicated when they find themselves unable to escape the venue, themselves, or each other.”

7/10/20- Very good reviews for this drama/comedy. TRDB. On HULU.

7) THE TOBACCONIST– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Seventeen-year-old Franz journeys to Vienna to apprentice at a tobacco shop. There he meets Sigmund Freud, a regular customer, and over time the two very different men form a singular friendship. When Franz falls desperately in love with the music-hall dancer Anezka, he seeks advice from the renowned psychoanalyst, who admits that the female sex is as big a mystery to him as it is to Franz. As political and social conditions in Austria dramatically worsen with the Nazis’ arrival in Vienna, Franz, Freud, and Anezka are swept into the maelstrom of events. Each has a big decision to make: to stay or to flee?”

7/10/20- Weak reviews from the critics and pretty good ones from audiences. TRDB.

8) DATELINE- SAIGON– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A look at the early years of the Vietnam War through distinguished reporters and photographers of the time.” Just a few reviews and they are good.

7/15/20- Just 1 review so far and its good. TRDB. Rent or buy on iTunes and perhaps Prime as well. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK ON DISC.

1) THE WHISTLERS– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “With a big payday at stake, corrupt policeman Cristi teams with femme fatale Gilda to spring a white-collar crook from a Canary Islands jail. But Cristi will need to communicate with the local mob, which requires learning a secret whistling language.”

2/29/20- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

2) RESISTANCE– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “During the Nazi occupation of France, Marcel Mangel — who would later become legendary mime Marcel Marceau — shelves his artistic ambitions to join a group of Jewish Boy Scouts helping the Resistance smuggle out children orphaned by the Holocaust.”

3/30/20- Weak reviews for this drama but it sounds interesting to me. TRDB.

3) MARRIAGE STORY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this incisive portrayal of a dissolving marriage, a New York City theatre director and his discontented actress wife find their rancorous divorce becoming increasingly hostile as custody of their young son ups the ante.”

11/12/19- Excellent reviews by critics and audiences. TRDB. 

12/6/19-The movie was very good and beautifully acted by the lead actors. This is not a fun movie to watch but was a pretty good depiction of the dissolution of a marriage. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

JULY 9, 2020-

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) THE OUTPOST– On Demand

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MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK-

1) THE OUTPOST– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this adaptation of Jake Tapper’s best seller, 53 U.S. soldiers attempt to fend off an attack by almost 400 Taliban fighters at a remote outpost in Afghanistan during one of Operation Enduring Freedom’s bloodiest battles.”

7/3/20- Good reviews. TRDB.

7/4/20- Another war is hell movie– OK-better than most. TRDB. On Demand.

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COMING TO NETFLIX BY DISC NEXT TUESDAY-

NEW STREAMABLE MOVIES-

1) VIENA AND THE FANTOMES– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Working as a roadie on a punk band’s cross-country tour, Viena is having the time of her life. But it comes to an end as she’s pulled into the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle’s dangerous currents, including drugs, alcohol and a fatal attraction to celebrity.”

7/1/20- Just 1 review noted and it is good. TRDB.

2) SCHEME BIRDS– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Four years in the making, this absorbing documentary focuses on tenacious Scottish teen Gemma as she comes of age in a declining steel town. Though she’s surrounded by bleakness and disorder, Gemma sees a ray of hope in her approaching motherhood.”

7/1/20- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB. 

3) THE OUTPOST– 2020.  “In this adaptation of Jake Tapper’s best seller, 53 U.S. soldiers attempt to fend off an attack by almost 400 Taliban fighters at a remote outpost in Afghanistan during one of Operation Enduring Freedom’s bloodiest battles.” TRDB.

7/3/20- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB. On VUDU.

7/4/20- Another war is hell movie– just OK. TRDB. On Demand.

4) JOHN LEWIS: GOOD TROUBLE- 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. Using interviews and rare archival footage, John Lewis: Good Trouble chronicles Lewis’ 60-plus years of social activism and legislative action on civil rights, voting rights, gun control, health-care reform and immigration.

7/3/20- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

5) THE TRUTH– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Returning to Paris to visit her mom — beloved film actress Fabienne — screenwriter Lumir is upset by revelations in Fabienne’s just-published memoir, igniting an emotional showdown between mother and daughter that exposes their painful past.”

2/13/20- Fair reviews for this French drama starring Catherine DeNeuve. TRDB.

2/14/20- Very, very slow even for me but there were some very good scenes between mother and daughter and it is worth seeing. TRDB.

6) BUNGALOW– Synopsis by IMDB. “A German soldier goes AWOL and returns home to more problems than he left.”

7/2/20- Fair reviews but the overall premise sounds interesting. TRDB.

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

JUNE 25, 2020-

DEAR FRIENDS-

I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEND MY NEWSLETTER  OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AS I TRANSTION FROM FLORIDA TO NY.

I WILL INCLUDE INFORMATION FOR THE NEXT 2-3 WEEKS IN THIS NEWSLETTER

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) NEVER RARELY SOMETIMES ALWAYS– Netflix Disc.

2) NOBODY KNOWS I’M HERE– Netflix.

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MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK-

1) NEVER RARELY SOMETIMES ALWAYS– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “When teenage Autumn learns she’s pregnant, she must look beyond her rural Pennsylvania home to deal with the situation. With her cousin Skylar at her side, Autumn heads to New York City with only a small amount of cash and the address of a clinic.”

3/14/2020- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

6/20/20- I enjoyed this movie and wondered about all of the real life stories like this one that happen every day. TRDB. On Netflix Disc. or stream by VUDU- rent or buy.

2)  DISCLOSURE- 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Disclosure is an unprecedented look at the depiction of transgender people and experiences throughout the history of film and television.”

6/19/20- This documentary received excellent reviews. TRDB. On Netflix.

6/22/20- Despite the extensive research and presentation I just could not get into this documentary. TRDB. Netflix.

3) NOBODY KNOWS I’M HERE– 2020. Synopsis by IMDB. “Memo lives on a remote Chilean sheep farm, hiding a beautiful singing voice from the outside world. A recluse with a glittery flair, he can’t stop dwelling on the past, but what will happen once someone finally listens?”

6/24/20- Good reviews for this foreign drama. TRDB.

6/24/20- Interesting but very different. One vomit scene you’ll never forget and one nice scene at the end. TRDB. Netflix.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK- July 2 On Disc.- NONE

AVAILABLE ON DISC. AS OF JULY 7-

1) THE WILD GOOSE LAKE– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “After killing a cop, small-time crime boss Zhou Zenong finds a large bounty on his head. As he nurses his wounds at an isolated lake, Zhou forms a bond with a hooker sent to help him — but her motives are unclear.”

3/7/20- The critics liked it a lot but audiences didn’t. TRDB.

2) THE OTHER LAMB– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Young Selah has lived her entire life in a cult whose members — apart from their spiritual leader, Shepherd — are all women. But as Selah approaches adolescence, disquieting revelations cause her to question Shepherd’s teachings.”

3) SLAY THE DRAGON– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Shedding new light on the political practice known as gerrymandering — i.e., enabling the majority party to redraw voting districts to make them “safe” — this absorbing documentary chronicles grassroots efforts to put an end to the practice.”

4/3/20- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

4) BALLOON– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1979, two East German families determined to escape to freedom work together to fashion a hot-air balloon that will carry them over the border to the West. When their first attempt fails, they resolve to try again.”

2/22/20- Weak reviews from most reviewers but it does sound like an interesting premise. TRDB.

AVAILABLE AS OF JULY 14-

1) VHYes– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this offbeat comedy, 12-year-old Ralph is camcorder crazy, constantly filming his antics and recording late-night TV shows. But when he inadvertently tapes over his parents’ wedding video, he captures the first signs of a divorce in the offing.”

1/17/20- Good reviews in general for this comedy. TRDB.

2) THE BOOKSELLERS– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “This absorbing documentary provides a look into the business of rare books in New York City, visiting with bibliophiles of every stripe and examining a galaxy of volumes from the past that range from priceless to the seemingly prosaic.”

3/6/20- Fair to good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

3) DRIVEWAYS– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “When 8-year-old Cody travels cross-country with his mom to clean out her late sister’s house, he’s ready for adventure. But little does he know that it will take the form of a friendship with the grouchy Korean War veteran next door.”

5/8/20- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB. On Prime Video.

5/15/20- I enjoyed the movie. This was the last movie with Brian Dennehy as he died shortly before the movie was released. TRDB.

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NEW STREAMABLE MOVIES–

1) MR. JONES– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Agnieszka Holland’s thriller, set on the eve of WWII, sees Hitler’s rise to power and Stalin’s Soviet propaganda machine pushing their “utopia” to the Western world. Meanwhile an ambitious young journalist, Gareth Jones (James Norton) travels to Moscow to uncover the truth behind the propaganda.”

6/21/20- Good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2) BULLY. COWARD. VICTIM. THE STORY OF ROY COHN– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “This documentary takes an unflinching look at the life and death of infamous attorney Roy Cohn, who first gained prominence by prosecuting Julius and Ethel Rosenberg in what came to be known as the “atomic spies” case.

6/20/20- Fairly good reviews. TRDB. On HBO Documentary Films. On HBO

3) MISS JUNETEENTH– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Turquoise Jones is a single mom who holds down a household, a rebellious teenager, and pretty much everything that goes down at Wayman’s BBQ & Lounge. Turquoise is also a bona fide beauty queen–she was once crowned Miss Juneteenth, a title commemorating the day slaves in Texas were freed–two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.”

6/21/20- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

On Google Play and On some On-Demand platforms

4) MY DARLING VIVIAN- 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In 1951, Catholic schoolgirl Vivian Liberto meets handsome Air Force cadet Johnny Cash at her local San Antonio, Texas skating rink. Their whirlwind summer romance lays the foundation for a feverish three-year-long correspondence while Johnny is stationed in Germany. Thousands of letters later, the two marry upon his return in 1954. Within a year, a career blossoms and a family is started.”

6/19/20- Excellent reviews. TRDB. On Virtual Cinemas

5) 7500- About an aircraft hijacking.

6/19/20- Poor reviews from all sources. On Amazon Prime

6) DISCLOSURE- 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Disclosure is an unprecedented look at the depiction of transgender people and experiences throughout the history of film and television.”

6/19/20- This documentary received excellent reviews. TRDB. On Netflix.

6/22/20- Despite the extensive research and presentation I just could not get into this documentary. TRDB.

7) PICTURE OF HIS LIFE– On Virtual Cinemas

8) BABYTEETH–  2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “When seriously ill teenager Milla falls madly in love with smalltime drug dealer Moses, it’s her parents’ worst nightmare. But as Milla’s first brush with love brings her a new lust for life, things get messy and traditional morals go out the window.”

6/24/20- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB. VUDU rent or buy

9) WASP NETWORK– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In the late 80s and early 90s, rebel groups based in Florida enact violent attacks on Cuba to protest Castro’s influence, bombing hotels and murdering innocent beachgoers. In retaliation, the Cuban government deploys an elite group of spies to take down the terrorist groups from the inside.”

6/20/20- Poor reviews but you can watch Penelope Cruz. TRDB. On varius On Demand platforms.

THE NEXT 3 MOVIES ARE ALL AVAILABLE ON NETFLIX.

10) LOST BULLET– Synopsis by IMDB. ” A small time delinquent, turned police mechanic for a go fast task force, is forced to defend his innocence when his mentor is killed by dirty cops.”

6/24/20- Very good reviews including the one from the NY Times. TRDB. On Netflix.

11) ATHLETE A– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the riveting Athlete A, filmmakers Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk delve into the unchecked abuse inside the world of elite competitive gymnastics. Equal parts devastating and inspiring, the film follows the IndyStar reporters as they reveal the extensive cover-up and culture of cruelty that was allowed to thrive within elite gymnastics. “

6/24/20- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB. On Netflix.

12) NOBODY KNOWS I’M HERE– 2020. Synopsis by IMDB. “Memo lives on a remote Chilean sheep farm, hiding a beautiful singing voice from the outside world. A recluse with a glittery flair, he can’t stop dwelling on the past, but what will happen once someone finally listens?”

6/24/20- Good reviews for this foreign drama. TRDB. On Netflix.

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JUNE 18, 2020

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) DA 5 BLOODS– Netflix.

2) THE WAY BACK– Netflix

3) JUST MERCY– Netflix

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK-

1) DA 5 BLOODS– 2020. Synopsis by IMDB. “Four African-American vets battle the forces of man and nature when they return to Vietnam seeking the remains of their fallen Squad Leader and the gold fortune he helped them hide.”

6/12/20- Reviews of this new Spike Lee movie were very good from the critics and OK from audiences. I enjoyed the movie despite its in-your-face style. TRDB.

2) THE WAY BACK– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “After losing his wife and family while in the throes of alcohol addiction, a former professional hoops star looking for redemption returns to his high school to begin life anew when its head basketball coach resigns.”

3/4/20- Very good reviews. TRDB.

6/16/20- Somewhat predictable but I enjoyed it anyway. TRDB. Netflix.

3) JUST MERCY– 2019. In this fact-based drama, newly minted attorney Bryan Stevenson moves to Alabama to begin a career defending the wrongly condemned, including Walter McMillian, a black man convicted of murder and sentenced to death despite evidence of his innocence.”

12/26/19- Good reviews by audiences and really good ones from the critics. TRDB.

6/17/20- I liked the movie- it could not have come at a better time than the present. TRDB. Netflix.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK (DISC.)

1) PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When hesitant bride-to-be Héloïse refuses to sit for a portrait to entice a marriage proposal, commissioned artist Marianne must observe Héloïse during the day and paint her at night. In the process, Marianne begins to fall for her beautiful subject.”

12/6/19- Excellent reviews for this drama that takes place in 1760 France. TRDB.

3/2/20- I liked the movie although it was a bit slow at times. TRDB.

2) AND THEN WE DANCED– 2020- Synopsis by Netflix. “In the conservative domain of Georgian dance, gender roles are rigidly defined. So, when Merab — a dancer training at the National Georgian Ensemble — falls for self-assured newcomer Irakli, Merab finds his world thrown into turmoil.”

2/7/20- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

3) CORPUS CHRISTI– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “As 20-year-old Daniel is serving time in a youth detention center, he finds God. But after being released on parole, Daniel is unable to enter seminary school because of his violent past — prompting him to pose as a parish priest.”

3/11/20- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

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NEW STREAMABLE MOVIES-

1) THE KING OF STATEN ISLAND– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “”Saturday Night Live” favorite Pete Davidson co-wrote and stars in this comic tale loosely based on his life, with a focus on his years as a directionless burnout in his mid-20s living with his mother (a 9/11 widow).

6/14/20- Fair to good reviews from the critics and very good ones from audiences. TRDB.

Rent or buy on Amazon. Buy on VUDU

2) HILL OF FREEDOM– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Kwon (Seo Younghwa) returns to Seoul from a restorative stay in the mountains.She is given a packet of letters left by Mori (Ryo Kase), who has come back from Japan to propose to her. As she walks down a flight of stairs, Kwon drops and scatters the letters, all of which are undated. When she reads them, she has to make sense of the chronology… and so must we.”

6/14/20- Very good reviews for this drama from Seoul. TRDB.

3) DA 5 BLOODS– 2020. Synopsis by IMDB. “Four African-American vets battle the forces of man and nature when they return to Vietnam seeking the remains of their fallen Squad Leader and the gold fortune he helped them hide.”

6/12/20- Reviews were very good from the critics and OK from audiences. I enjoyed the movie despite its in-your-face Spike Lee style. TRDB. Netflix.

4) AVIVA– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this experimental drama, transatlantic lovers Aviva and Eden — each played by an actor and an actress — navigate their turbulent relationship while a battle between their male and female sides goes on within them both.”

6/12/20- Very good reviews. TRDB.

5) SEAHORSE: THE DAD WHO GAVE BIRTH– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Transgender man Freddy McConnell has long dreamed of raising a family. So, when he and his partner are ready to be parents, Freddy elects to carry the baby, embarking on a course that brings confusion and discomfort to others.”

6/16/20- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB. Rent or buy on Amazon Prime.

6) MY FATHER, THE SPY– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “As a young Soviet student in 1978, Ieva Lesinska-Geibere could not have predicted that a holiday visit to her father, Imants Lesinskis, then working in the Soviet mission at the United Nations in New York City, would irreversibly split her life in two. Entangled in a dark spy game, Leva is forced to leave her former life behind, never to see her mother or her homeland of Latvia again. Pulling back the curtain on the shady behind-the-scenes world of the Cold War, this film tells a daughter’s dramatic story of her double-agent father, exploring their relationship against the backdrop of events which have their roots over four decades ago. In order to find herself and understand the game she was part of, Leva sets out on a journey to the past, confronting family secrets, lies and betrayal.”

6/16/20- Just 1 review noted (from NY Times) and it is very good. TRDB. Rent or buy on Amazon Prime.

7) THE POLLINATORS– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Our complex food system rests on the wings of the honey bee and the commercial beekeepers that move them from farm to orchard pollinating the crops that produce the food we all eat.”

6/16/20- Very good early reviews for this documentary. TRDB. I’m not sure where you can see this.

OLDER MOVIES– NOW STREAMABLE

1) THE GUILTY– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. ” Working a desk job as an emergency dispatcher after being relieved of his beat cop responsibilities, Asger Holm fields a panicked call from a kidnapped young mother — and must race against time as the situation gets worse with each passing minute.”

10/20/18- Great reviews. TRDB.

2/22/19- I enjoyed this thriller very much. See this movie! TRDB. Streamable on HULU. Also available on Netflix Disc.  

2) MR. KAPLAN– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Depressed by his advancing age, Uruguayan transplant Jacob Kaplan is lamenting his irrelevance when he becomes convinced that a local bar owner is an ex-Nazi — and promptly embarks on a quest to expose the old German.”

3/8/15- A bit slow and sad but an interesting premise and excellent acting contribute to make this well worth seeing. TRDB. Amazon Prime.

JUNE 11,2020

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) BEANPOLE– VUDU

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) BUFFALOED– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. ” Young Peg Dahl is so intent on escaping her hometown of Buffalo, New York, that she starts running scams in high school to raise money. After a scalping scheme lands her in jail, Peg turns to a new enterprise when she’s released: debt collection.”

2/14/20- Fair reviews for this drama. TRDB. 

6/4/20- I just couldn’t get into this movie and eventually turned it off. Netflix Disc.

2) BEANPOLE- 2020- Synopsis by Netflix. “During World War II, Iya and Masha form a strong bond while fighting together as anti-aircraft gunners. But when the conflict is over, the two women find themselves struggling to remake their lives amid the wreckage of 1945 Leningrad.”

1/29/20- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

6/8/20- This movie offered a good depiction of post war Leningrad although it could have been post war anywhere. From there on it went from weird to strange and back to weird again. With all that said I could not turn it off. TRDB. On VUDU

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK ON DVD-

1) HONEYLAND– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In an isolated Balkan landscape, beekeeper Hatidze Muratova lovingly tends her hives, scratching out a living by selling honey at a faraway market. But when a nomadic family and their 150 cows move in next door, her fragile existence is threatened.”

7/26/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2) SAINT FRANCES– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Fresh on the heels of an unplanned pregnancy and subsequent abortion, Bridget is in no mood for care-giving when she’s offered a job as a 6-year-old’s nanny. But after getting off to a rocky start, she begins to form a connection with her charge.”

3) WHAT SHE SAID: THE ART OF PAULINE KAEL– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “As film critic at “The New Yorker” from 1967 to 1991, charismatic and controversial Pauline Kael exercised a profound influence over the direction of cinema, as detailed in this engaging documentary that includes interviews with her friends and foes.”

12/28/19- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

4) BEANPOLE– 2020- Synopsis by Netflix. “During World War II, Iya and Masha form a strong bond while fighting together as anti-aircraft gunners. But when the conflict is over, the two women find themselves struggling to remake their lives amid the wreckage of 1945 Leningrad.”

1/29/20- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

6/8/20- This movie offered a good depiction of post war Leningrad although it could have been post war anywhere. From there on it went from weird to strange and back to weird again. With all that said I could not turn it off. TRDB. On VUDU

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NEW STREAMABLE MOVIES-

1) SEARCHING EVA– Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Eva — 25, drifter, Berliner, poet, pet-owner, sex worker, virgo, recovering addict, housewife, feminist, model — declared privacy an outdated concept at the age of 14. This is the tale of a young woman growing up in the age of the internet, turning the search for oneself into a public spectacle, challenging you on what a woman “should be”. Through her fragmented personalities you see the emergence of a generation, in which the concept of a fixed identity has grown old. A portrait of modern existence.”

3)  PHOENIX, OREGON- 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Two longtime buddies decide to resist a slow fade into middle age by quitting their jobs and opening a bowling-and-pizza joint in their little town. But the realities of becoming business owners soon put a few kinks in their plan.”

6/8/20- Most reviews were favorable- there were no “very good” reviews. TRDB. On VUDU.

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

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MAY 7, 2020

DEAR FRIENDS:

IF YOU’VE SEEN ANY GOOD MOVIES BY STREAMING, PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THOUGHT OF THEM!!

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) THE HALF OF IT– Netflix.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) THE HALF OF IT– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “”Shy, straight-A student Ellie is hired by sweet but inarticulate jock Paul, who needs help winning over a popular girl. But their new and unlikely friendship gets complicated when Ellie discovers she has feelings for the same girl.”

5/2/20- Very good reviews for this comedy/drama. Predictable but fun anyway. On Netflix.

2)  ALL DAY AND A NIGHT– Poor reviews from the critics and good ones from audiences. I didn’t care for it although it was well done. On Netflix.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY-

1) A HIDDEN LIFE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this affecting real-life drama, Austrian Franz Jägerstätter tends to his fields and his family on his farm in the Alps, but Adolf Hitler has other plans for him. When Jägerstätter refuses to fight for the Nazis, he’s in for the battle of his life.”

12/13/19- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

2) THE TRAITOR– 2020- Synopsis by Netflix. “As gang war rages in Sicily in the 1980s, Mafia captain Tommaso Buscetta flees to Brazil rather than risk assassination by his foes. After Buscetta is arrested and extradited to Italy, he becomes a critical witness in a mass trial of mob kingpins.”

1/31/20- OK reviews for this gangster movie. TRDB.

3) THE PHOTOGRAPH–  2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Seeking answers after the death of her famous photographer mother, Mae finds an old picture of her mom that could be the key to her mysterious past. When Mae teams with up-and-coming journalist Michael, their working rapport soon evolves into more.”

2/11/20- Sounds interesting. TRDB.

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NEW MOVIES FOR STREAMING-

1) OUR MOTHERS– 2020. Synopsis by IMDB. ” Guatemala, 2018. The whole country is immersed in the trial of the soldiers who sparked the civil war. Victim statements come one after another. Ernesto is a young anthropologist working for the Forensic Foundation; his job is to identify the missing. One day, while hearing the account of an old woman, he thinks he has found a lead that might guide him to his father, a guerrillero who went missing during the war. Against his mother’s wishes, he flings himself body and soul into the case, looking for truth and resilience.

3) THE HALF OF IT– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “”Shy, straight-A student Ellie is hired by sweet but inarticulate jock Paul, who needs help winning over a popular girl. But their new and unlikely friendship gets complicated when Ellie discovers she has feelings for the same girl.”

5/2/20- Very good reviews for this comedy/drama. On Netflix.

5/2/20- Very good reviews for this comedy/drama. Predictable but fun anyway. On Netflix.

4) UNTIL THE BIRDS RETURN-

5/3/20- Very good reviews for this drama from Algeria with a few excellent ones thrown in also. TRDB.

5) CLOSENESS- ???

6) 15 YEARS– 2019. Synopsis by IMDB. “Yoav’s demons start haunting him after his best friend becomes pregnant without telling him, and after his boyfriend of 15 years starts talking about children too. His life unravels, and self-destruction seems inevitable.”

5/3/20- Fair to good reviews. TRDB. On Amazon

7) BULL– Fair reviews. On Amazon.

8) ALL DAY AND A NIGHT– Poor reviews from the critics and good ones from audiences. I didn’t care for it although it was well done. On Netflix.

APRIL 16, 2020

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) TIGERTAIL– Netflix.

2) THE WINDERMEER CHILDREN– Amazon Prime

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MOVIES I SAW AT HOME THIS WEEK-

1) THE WINDERMERE CHILDREN– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes; “This is the stark, moving ultimately redemptive story of the bonds these children make with one another, and of how the friendships forged at Windermere become a lifeline to a fruitful future.”

4/13/20- I enjoyed this powerful and moving drama. The fact that it was mostly true added to its power. Amazon Prime

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

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

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

2) BOTTOM OF THE 9th.- Synopsis by Netflix. “Once a promising baseball player with a bright future and a beautiful girlfriend, Sonny Stano instead ended up in prison paying for a deadly mistake. Out of jail 18 years later, he’s ready to take another shot at a professional baseball career.”

7/19/19- Mixed reviews at best. TRDB.

3) THE LAST FULL MEASURE– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “This fact-based drama charts the story of Vietnam War medic William Pitsenbarger, who proves his valor by refusing to abandon 60 soldiers trapped in an ambush. Decades later, a Pentagon staffer works to have Pitsenbarger awarded the Medal of Honor.”

1/25/20- Mixed reviews from the critics and very good ones from audiences. TRDB.

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NEW STREAMABLE MOVIES-

1) SAME BOAT– Poor reviews- on Amazon and others

3) THE MAIN EVENT– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “When 11-year-old Leo Thompson (Seth Carr) discovers a magical wrestling mask that grants him super strength, he uses it to enter a WWE competition.”

4/10/20- Awful reviews. TRDB. Netflix.

4) LA ORIGINALS– Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “An exploration of the culture and landmarks of the chicano and street art movement that cemented Mister Cartoon and Estevan Oriol’s status as behind-the-scenes hip hop legends.” on Netflix.

5) TIGERTAIL– Synopsis  by Rotten Tomatoes.” In this poignant multi-generational drama, Pin-Jui (Hong-Chi Lee) is a free-spirited yet impoverished young Taiwanese factory worker, who makes the difficult decision to leave his homeland — and the woman he loves — behind in order to seek better opportunities in America. But years of monotonous work and an arranged marriage devoid of love or compassion leave an older Pin-Jui (Tzi Ma) a shadow of his former self. Unable to sympathize with his daughter Angela (Christine Ko) and at risk of living out his retirement in solitude, Pin-Jui must reconnect with his past in order to finally build the life he once dreamed of having”.

4/11/20- I enjoyed this movie very much. Netflix.

APRIL 9, 2020

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD– Netflix.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Actor Rick Dalton once starred in a hit TV Western, but six years after the show’s demise, his career has faded. As Rick and his stunt double, Cliff Booth, try to reinvent themselves, all hell is about to break loose at neighbor Sharon Tate’s house.”

7/16/19- Very good reviews for this comedy/drama by Quentin Tarantino. TRDB.

4/8/20- Some interesting and clever scenes but the movie, Starring Leonardo di Caprio and Brad Pitt working well together, was just so-so. TRDB. Netflix.

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COMING TO NETFLIX IN DISC. FORM FOR THOSE WHO RECEIVE DISCS BY MAIL-

1) GRASS-  2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this intimate drama, young Areum sits in a Seoul café typing on her laptop, recording her impressions of the lives of the patrons — whose discussions start with small talk but soon turn to darker matters such as suicide and isolation.”

4/19/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

2) JUST MERCY– 2019. In this fact-based drama, newly minted attorney Bryan Stevenson moves to Alabama to begin a career defending the wrongly condemned, including Walter McMillian, a black man convicted of murder and sentenced to death despite evidence of his innocence.”

12/26/19- Good reviews by audiences and really good ones from the critics. TRDB.

3) GOLDIE– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Eighteen-year-old Goldie is sure she’s going to make it as a dancer: She just needs a break and a yellow fur coat for an audition. But when her mom lands in jail, it’s up to Goldie to look after her sisters — and keep child welfare services at bay.”

2/21/20- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

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NEW MOVIES THIS WEEK THAT ARE STREAMABLE-

1) THE OTHER LAMB– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Young Selah has lived her entire life in a cult whose members — apart from their spiritual leader, Shepherd — are all women. But as Selah approaches adolescence, disquieting revelations cause her to question Shepherd’s teachings.”

4/3/20- Fairly good reviews for this drama. TRDB.On Amazon and other platforms. Also on some pay-TV outlets

2) ALMOST LOVE– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Maya is a 40-year-old woman struggling with frustrations of not having achieved more in life. As an experienced, quick-witted, perceptive employee, she is passed over for a promotion solely because she doesn’t have a college degree. Until, that is, she gets the chance to prove that street smarts are as valuable as book smarts, and that it is never too late for a Second Act.”

4/3/20- Decent reviews by most. TRDB. On Amazon and others. Also on some pay-TV

3) CLOVER– On Google play, Vudu and others. Also on some pay-TV

4/3/20- Awful reviews

4) LAZY SUSAN– 2020. Poor reviews

5) SLAY THE DRAGON– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Shedding new light on the political practice known as gerrymandering — i.e., enabling the majority party to redraw voting districts to make them “safe” — this absorbing documentary chronicles grassroots efforts to put an end to the practice.”

4/3/20- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

On Amazon and Google play and others. Also on some pay-TV

6) THE UPRISING– 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In January 2011, millions of Egyptians took to the streets in a spontaneous eruption against thirty years of oppression under the regime of Hosni Mubarak. Communicating via Facebook and Twitter, the largely peaceful protesters braved tear gas, beatings, and live bullets in the hope of facing down security forces and overthrowing the government. Over eight hundred lost their lives, and several thousand were arrested and tortured by security forces. UPRISING tells the story of the Egyptian revolution from the perspective of its leadership and key organizers, their struggle for freedom against tremendous odds, their sacrifice, and the courage and ingenuity that allowed them to succeed.”

1/11/13- A very good review for this documentary in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. TRDB.

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MARCH 26. 2020-

DEAR FRIENDS:

AS YOU KNOW, NEARLY ALL MOVIE THEATERS ARE CLOSED INDEFINITELY OR ARE EXPECTED TO CLOSE SOON. I WILL CONTINUE TO REVIEW WHATEVER I CAN UNTIL WE ARE ABLE TO RETURN TO THE MOVIES

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) BLOW THE MAN DOWN– Amazon Prime

2) A FORTUNATE MAN– Netflix

3) UNORTHODOX– Netflix series of 4 episodes

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) BLOW THE MAN DOWN– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the small fishing village of Easter Cove, Maine, sisters Mary Beth and Priscilla — fresh on the heels of their mother’s death — find themselves stuck with a body and under suspicion after Mary Beth kills a stranger in self-defense.”

3/20/20- Very good to excellent reviews. TRDB.

3/21/20- A fair mystery and worth a viewing. The movie captures the feeling of a small town on the Maine coast. TRDB. Amazon Prime.

2) A FORTUNATE MAN– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “About a brilliant engineer from a lower social class than his peers and lovers.”

3/25/20- Weak reviews but I enjoyed this period piece from Denmark. TRDB.

3) UNORTHODOX- 2020. About a Hasidic woman in Williamsburg who runs away from her community and her husband to begin a new life in Berlin.

3/26/20- Great reviews for this Netflix mini-series. TRDB.

3/27/20- I liked this series very much and binged on all 4 episodes. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX THIS WEEK-

1) THE CURRENT WAR– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the early days of electricity, Thomas Edison’s direct current (DC) was the U.S. standard. This historical drama charts the battle that erupted when George Westinghouse began touting alternating current (AC) as a more sustainable standard.”

10/22/19- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK- Streaming instead of at theaters

1) BLOW THE MAN DOWN– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the small fishing village of Easter Cove, Maine, sisters Mary Beth and Priscilla — fresh on the heels of their mother’s death — find themselves stuck with a body and under suspicion after Mary Beth kills a stranger in self-defense.”

3/20/20- Very good to excellent reviews. TRDB.

3/21/20- A fair mystery and worth a viewing. The movie captures the feeling of a small town on the Maine coast. TRDB. Amazon Prime.

2) SELF MADE– 2020. Fair to good reviews. Netflix Series

4) HOOKING UP– 2020. Really poor reviews.

5) DOSED– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “After many years of prescription medications failed her a suicidal woman turns to underground healers to try and overcome her depression, anxiety, and opioid addiction with illegal psychedelic medicine like magic mushrooms and iboga.”

3/23/20- Fair reviews from the critics and excellent ones from audiences. TRDB.

6) UNORTHODOX– 2020. A four part series bout a woman who runs away from an arranged marriage in a Brooklyn Hasidic community in an attempt to be free. TRDB.

3/26/20- Very good reviews. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

3/27/20- I liked this series very much and binged on all 4 episodes. TRDB.

ENJOY WHAT LITTLE THERE IS!!!

THE REEL DR. BOB