The Reel Dr. Bob

DECEMBER 12, 2019

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) MARRIAGE STORY– Netflix Streaming

2) WAVES- At the Theater

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MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) WAVES– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Set against the vibrant landscape of South Florida, and featuring an astonishing ensemble of award-winning actors and breakouts alike, Waves traces the epic emotional journey of a suburban African-American family–led by a well-intentioned but domineering father–as they navigate love, forgiveness and coming together in the aftermath of a loss.”

11/16/19- Excellent reviews from the critics and audiences. TRDB.

12/11/19- Definitely a sleeper- this movie was excellent. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK AT HOME-

1) 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. TRDB. Netflix Streaming

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

1) LONG DAY’S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This noirish drama follows moody drifter Luo Hongwu as he returns to his provincial hometown and is quickly flooded with memories of an enigmatic lost love, prompting him to embark on a search for her.”

4/12/19- Very good reviews from the critics and weak ones from audiences. One reviewer called it “all style and no substance.” TRDB.

2) DOWNTON ABBY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in the period between world wars, this big-screen adaptation of the beloved British TV series continues to follow the lives of the patrician Crawley family and those of the servants who keep the sprawling estate running.”

9/17/19- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

3) AD ASTRA– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Army Corps engineer Roy McBride has never stopped missing his father, a scientist who vanished on a mission to find alien life on Neptune. Twenty years later, Roy embarks on a galactic search to locate his dad and learn what happened.”

9/18/19- Fairly good reviews for this sci-fi movie starring Brad Pitt. TRDB.

4) WHERE’S MY ROY COHN?- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Serving as a good starting point for those seeking to understand what makes President Donald Trump tick, this documentary profiles attorney Roy Cohn, who prosecuted the Rosenbergs, served as Joseph McCarthy’s chief counsel and mentored Trump.”

9/21/19- Fair reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

1) MIDNIGHT FAMILY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “A woefully underserved medical market, Mexico City has just 45 ambulances for 9 million residents. To help fill the void, the Ochoa family races against an army of freelancers to provide life-saving first responses to an array of crises.”

12/6/19- Great reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2) THE DISAPPEARANCE OF MY MOTHER– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the 1960s, Benedetta Barzini became famous as a fashion model, but by the 1970s, she’d become a radical feminist. Now age 75, all she wants is to disappear from civilization — if she can get her filmmaker son to stop shoving a camera in her face.”

12/6/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

3) 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.

4) A GERMAN YOUTH– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Through archival material, this incisive documentary chronicles the birth and evolution of Germany’s Red Army Faction, a group of left-wing activists turned terrorists who committed dozens of violent crimes, including 34 killings, over 25 years.”

12/6/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

5) WHEN LAMBS BECOME LIONS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “The moral complexities of Kenya’s illegal ivory trade come into focus through a look at the lives of two men affected: an ivory dealer whose business is being undercut by conservation efforts, and his cousin, a wildlife ranger.”

12/6/19- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) IN FABRIC– A horror and supernatural movie and I’ll skip it despite the excellent ratings.

2) A MILLION LITTLE PIECES– Awful reviews for this drama about drug rehab.

3) KNIVES AND SKIN– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this offbeat thriller set in a small Midwestern town brimming with sinister secrets, residents become increasingly distrustful and unhinged after a pretty high schooler inexplicably disappears.”

12/6/19- Fair reviews at best. Not listed as a horror movie but it sure sounds like one to me. TRDB.

4) DANIEL ISN’T REAL– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Traumatized as a child, Luke creates an imaginary friend named Daniel as a coping device. A decade later, Luke again turns to his imaginary companion in the wake of his mother’s mental breakdown — unaware that Daniel has a horrifying hidden agenda.”

12/6/19- OK reviews but I’ll skip this one. TRDB.

5) LITTLE JOE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Scientist and single mom Alice is a devoted plant breeder. When her new creation — a scarlet flower that emits an ambrosial odor — exhibits an ability to make people happy, she brings one home for her son … but the seedling soon turns sinister.”

12/6/10- Weak reviews for this mystery although the premise sounds a bit interesting. TRDB.

6) THE WOLF HOUR– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1977 New York City, author June Leigh — an activist and firebrand in the 1960s — is suffering from writer’s block and paranoia, rarely leaving her flat. But her seclusion makes her a target for an unseen tormentor who rings her bell incessantly.”

12/6/19- Really poor reviews but I love Naomi Watts so I might just see this  when I can watch it at home. TRDB.

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) MARRIAGE STORY– I really liked this movie starring Scarlet Johansson. I also like and respect Johansson.

2) THE TWO POPES– Excellent reviews and I plan to see it soon

3) KNIVES OUT– Very good reviews

3) A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD– I loved the movie

4) DARK WATERS– Excellent reviews

5) FORD V FERRARI– I thought this was a waste of time

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

1) MARRIAGE STORY– Excellent and I highly recommend it

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) RAY & LIZ– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Inspired partially by photographer-turned-director Richard Billingham’s memories, this kitchen-sink drama paints a dire portrait of his boyhood growing up in a squalid council estate with an alcoholic dad and a tattooed, chain-smoking mom.”

12/10/2019- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

2) I DO NOT CARE IF WE GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS BABARIANS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This dark satire follows ambitious theater director Mariana Marin as she attempts to stage an elaborate re-enactment of the tragic 1941 Odessa massacre. But she quickly encounters opposition from a municipal bureaucrat and a rebellious cast.”

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

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

1) HONEY BOY– Mostly good reviews

2) PAIN AND GLORY– I liked it

3) PARASITE– I didn’t care for this hyped movie

4) SYNONYMS– Fairly good reviews

5) THE AERONAUTS– Good reviews

NOVEMBER 14, 2019

DEAR FRIENDS:

‘QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

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MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

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MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK AT HOME-

1) HOLIDAY IN THE WILD- 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “To keep her spirits high when their son leaves for college, Manhattanite Kate Conrad (Kristin Davis) has booked a ‘second honeymoon’ with her husband. Instead of thanking her, he brings their relationship to a sudden end; jilted Kate proceeds to Africa for a solo safari

11/8/19- One critic said the movie was “cheesy, stupid, but really quite charming. I agree!!” TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

2) PERFECT SISTERS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “On January 18, 2003, police, alerted by a frantic 911 call from a distraught pair of teenage girls, arrived at the girls Toronto area town house to find their mother dead. It appeared the 44-year-old alcoholic, having slipped into a booze-and-pill stupor, drowned in her own bathwater. The death was ruled accidental by the authorities. But rumors quickly start to circle the girls, was it an accident or something more sinister?”

4/11/14– Good reviews for the teen actresses but NOT for the movie. TRDB.

11/12/19- The review above just about says it all. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

1) TRUMAN– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Despite living far apart for much of their adult lives, boyhood pals Julián and Tomás have retained a deep connection. But when Julián is diagnosed with terminal cancer and Tomás arrives to urge him to continue treatment, tensions arise between them.”

4/20/17- Excellent reviews by the critics and fairly good ones from audiences. TRDB.

4/21/17- I liked this movie very much. Great acting and a very good story. TRDB.

2) TOO LATE TO DIE YOUNG– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this coming-of-age tale set in 1990 Chile, teenage Sofía lives off the grid with her family and a group of like-minded ex-urbanites at the foot of the Andes — where disquieting adult truths soon disrupt her youthful idyll.”

5/31/19- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

3) A FAITHFUL MAN– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “After reconnecting with Marianne — who left him nine years ago to marry his best friend — Parisian journalist Abel finds his suspicions aroused as her scheming young son plants the idea that the now-widowed Marianne poisoned her hubby.”

7/19/19- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

4) BLINDED BY THE LIGHT– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1987 England, 16-year-old Pakistani Javed feels constrained by his blue-collar town and his father’s rigid views. But things change when a friend lends Javed some Bruce Springsteen tapes — and he starts to find his voice through the Boss’ lyrics.”

8/13/19- Excellent reviews from audiences and critics. TRDB.

5) COLD CASE HAMMARSKJOLD– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1961, a plane carrying U.N. Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld crashed in Rhodesia. Though his death was widely assumed to be an assassination, the case went cold — leading director Mads Brügger to launch his own probe more than 50 years later.”

8/15/19- Reviews are just fair for this documentary. TRDB.

6) AMERICAN DREAMER– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Computer programmer Cam once had it all, but when he loses his job and family, he ends up working as a ride-share driver. Desperate to make ends meet, the irrational Cam abducts the son of a drug-dealer client, hoping to collect a ransom.”

9/14/19- Awful reviews-skip it. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

Recommended–

1) THE KINGMAKER- IMELDA MARCOS– 2019.At age 90, Imelda Marcos — the Philippines’ former first lady — continues to wield enormous influence in the country she and her husband presided over for decades as she steers her son’s bid for the vice presidency.”

11/8/19- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2) 16 BARS- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Sheriff C.T. Woody Jr. invites hip-hop star Todd “Speech” Thomas to a Virginia jail to lead a musical rehabilitation program, he works with inmates to put their stories to music and record them, as chronicled in this engaging documentary.”

11/8/19- I’ve seen just 1 review and it is fair. I’ll try to see this film. TRDB.

3) LAST CHRISTMAS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this yuletide romantic comedy, young Kate is grumbling (and jingling) her way through the holidays as an elf at a year-round Christmas store. But when dashing Tom enters her life, down come the walls Kate has built around herself.”

11/8/19- Weak reviews from the critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB.

4) HONEY BOY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Shia LaBeouf drew from his childhood to pen the screenplay for this powerful drama about the relationship between Otis Lort — a TV star at age 12 — and his father, a former rodeo clown who controls and abuses his son.”

11/8/19- Most of the reviews were very good for this drama with a few poor ones tossed in. TRDB.

5) CROWN VIC- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in Los Angeles, this gritty thriller chronicles one tumultuous night on the job for a seasoned patrol officer and his young rookie partner, who must contend with everything from a pair of cop killers to a crazed detective gone rogue.”

11/8/19- Fair reviews. TRDB.

6) KLAUS- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this animated feature, a postman is assigned to a frozen town in the North – where he discovers Santa Claus is hiding out. Directed by Sergio Pablos and featuring Jason Schwartzman and J.K. Simmons.”

11/8/19- Fair reviews at best for this animated film. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1) MIDWAY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set six months after Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, this historical drama follows U.S. naval forces as they turn the tide of World War II by defeating an attacking Japanese armada near Midway Island.”

11/8/19- Awful reviews by the critics but the movie has appealed to audiences. TRDB.

2) PLAYING WITH FIRE– Terrible reviews!

3) EARTHQUAKE BIRD– 2019. Synopsis by IMDB. “Swedish expatriate Lucy Fly has spent the past five years in Tokyo trying to fit in. But she finds herself at the center of a murder investigation when newly arrived American Lily Bridges disappears after making a play for Lucy’s .”

11/8/19-  Poor reviews. TRDB.

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) FORD VS. FERRARI– Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Fed up with the Ferrari team’s routine domination of the annual Le Mans race, Henry Ford II tasks design prodigy Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles with a mission: build a car that can defeat the Italians in the 1966 competition.

11/13/19- Excellent reviews from most of the critics. TRDB.

2) THE IRISHMAN– Cinema 100. No reviews yet

3) THE GOOD LIAR– Bethel. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “While looking for his next mark, professional con man Roy Courtnay meets wealthy widow Betty McLeish online. But reeling her in becomes complicated when Roy begins falling for her … and discovers she has secrets of her own.

11/13/19- Fair reviews for this drama starring Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) JOJO RABBIT– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100. Very good reviews

2) PARASITE– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100. I didn’t care for this movie

3) MARRIAGE STORY– Jacob Burns. Excellent reviews

4) HARRIET- Jacob Burns, Danbury. Fair reviews at best for this drama about Harriet Tubman. One of my friends said it was the best movie she has ever seen

5) PAIN AND GLORY– Jacob Burns. I liked this movie.

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1)  THE GOOD LIAR- Fair reviews

2) FORD V FERRARI– Excellent reviews

3) HARRIET- Fair reviews- some friends have loved it

4) MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN– Fair reviews at best

5) THE IRISHMAN– No reviews as yet

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

1) THE GOOD LIAR– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “While looking for his next mark, professional con man Roy Courtnay meets wealthy widow Betty McLeish online. But reeling her in becomes complicated when Roy begins falling for her … and discovers she has secrets of her own.

11/13/19- Fair reviews for this drama starring Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren. TRDB.

2) FORD VS. FERRARI– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Fed up with the Ferrari team’s routine domination of the annual Le Mans race, Henry Ford II tasks design prodigy Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles with a mission: build a car that can defeat the Italians in the 1966 competition.

11/13/19- Excellent reviews from most of the critics. TRDB.

3) THE IRISHMAN– No reviews as yet. This movie will be on Netflix in 2 weeks

4) MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN- Fair reviews at best

5) HARRIET-Fair reviews

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) ANTHROPOCENE: THE HUMAN EPOCH– Synopsis by IMDB. “Filmmakers travel to six continents and 20 countries to document the impact humans have made on the planet.”

9/25/19- Good early reviews for this documentary. TRDB. 

2) SEX, DRUGS, AND UFO’S– I am unable to find any reviews of this movie

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

1) BY THE GRACE OF GOD– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Molested as a boy by a priest, Alexandre Guérin — now a husband and dad — is dismayed to find that his abuser still works with minors. Determined to expose the church’s complicity, Alexandre joins forces with two of the clergyman’s other victims.”

10/18/19- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2) PAIN AND GLORY– I liked it

3) PARASITE- Very hyped but I didn’t care for it

4) THE IRISHMAN– No reviews as yet. This movie will be on Netflix in 2 weeks

5) THE REPORT– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fact-based drama, Daniel Jones heads the Senate investigation into the CIA’s post-9/11 Detention and Interrogation Program. But when he learns of the agency’s enhanced interrogation techniques, the powers that be are intent on stifling him.”

11/12/19- Fairly good reviews for this movie. TRDB.

NOVEMBER 7, 2019

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) A BIRDER’S GUIDE TO EVERYTHING– Netflix Disc.

2) PARASITE– At the Theater. Placed here only because of the attention it has received. See next section

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) PARASITE- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Delivering a pointed critique of social inequity, this twisty tale follows a clan of jobless grifters who engineer an elaborate ruse to slowly insinuate themselves into the lives of an affluent family.”

10/11/19- Excellent reviews for this Korean film. TRDB.

11/3/19- This movie was way too long and convoluted at that. There were some interesting scenes but overall I fail to see what all of the hoop-la was about. TRDB. 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) A BIRDER’S GUIDE TO EVERYTHING– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “The day before his widowed father’s wedding, a 15-year-old bird-watching fanatic impulsively sets off on a road trip with three friends in an effort to locate the extinct Labrador duck he may have spotted.”

3/21/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.

11/1/19- A very good no-brain needed comedy that I really enjoyed. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

2) THE AWAKENING OF MOTTI WOLKENBRUCH– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Young orthodox Jew Mordechai Wolkenbruch, called Motti, has a serious problem: All the women, whom his mame introduces to him as potential wives, look just like her. Whereas Laura, his fellow student, does not at all – but unfortunately she is a schikse.”

11/4/19- This movie was just OK.  See if you hate the mother as much as I did. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

1) THE FAREWELL– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Defying her parents’ wishes, expatriate writer Billi returns to her native China when she learns that her grandmother is terminally ill. But Billi soon finds herself conflicted by the family’s decision to hide her grandmother’s diagnosis from her.”

7/12/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

7/24/19-  I agree with the critics– truly an excellent movie. TRDB. At the Theater.

2) THE MOUNTAIN– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1953, shy young Andy is hired to photograph a tour of mental asylums accompanying Wallace Fiennes — the doctor who lobotomized Andy’s mom. As Fiennes promotes the already outdated and controversial procedure, Andy falls for a potential patient.”

7/26/19- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

3) TEL AVIV ON FIRE– 2019. Synopsis by IMDB. “Salam, an inexperienced young Palestinian man, becomes a writer on a popular soap opera after a chance meeting with an Israeli soldier.”

8/2/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.

4) BRAIN BANKS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this real-life tale, high school gridiron star Brian Banks is offered an athletic scholarship to play at the University of Southern California. Dreaming of a professional career, he sees his aspirations crumble when he’s falsely convicted of rape.”

8/9/19- Weak reviews from the critics but substantially better ones from audiences. TRDB.

5) THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “A lively 22-year-old with Down syndrome, Zak lives at a nursing home because he has nobody to care for him — but it doesn’t stop him from dreaming. Breaking out to pursue his goal of becoming a pro wrestler, he gets help from a fisherman on the lam.”

8/9/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

6) AFTER THE WEDDING– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Calcutta orphanage manager Isabel is summoned to New York City to meet a potential donor, she’s surprised to find herself invited to the wedding of the benefactor’s daughter — where Isabel comes face to face with her past.”

8/9/19- Really bad reviews for this re-make– too bad because the original, with the same name, was excellent. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

Recommended-

1) THE APOLLO– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This in-depth documentary charts the long and rich history of New York City’s Apollo Theater, which has served as the launching pad for artists such as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Jimi Hendrix, Dave Chappelle and many more.”

11/1/19- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2) MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1950s New York City, gumshoe Lionel Essrog — who has Tourette’s syndrome — sets out to hunt down his mentor’s killer. As Essrog follows clues that take him to unexpected places, he uncovers a citywide web of corruption.”

10/3/19- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

3) ADOPT A HIGHWAY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “After serving more than 20 years in prison for a marijuana rap under California’s “three strikes” law, Russell Millings is starting from scratch on the outside. But his life suddenly becomes far more complicated when he finds a baby in a dumpster.”

11/1/19- Fair reviews but I’ll definitely try to see this movie. TRDB.

4) GAY CHORUS DEEP SOUTH– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “To counter new discriminatory laws and the regressive effect of the 2016 election, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir set off on a tour of the South to deliver a musical message of tolerance.”

11/1/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

5) QUEEN OF HEARTS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When respected attorney Anne seduces her troubled teenage stepson, her reckless act of betrayal upends her life — and leads her to make an unalterable choice that has devastating repercussions.”

11/1/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.

6) HARRIET- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This inspiring biopic recounts the life of Harriet Tubman, who’s born into servitude and becomes known as the “Moses of her people” for helping slaves escape bondage through the Underground Railroad. Later, she works as a spy for the Union Army.”

10/30/19- Fair reviews at best for this drama about Harriet Tubman. The NY Times liked it very much. TRDB.

7) TO BE OF SERVICE– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “TO BE OF SERVICE explores the remarkable life changes resulting from the introduction of trained service dogs into the lives of military veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.”

11/1/19– Just 1 review so far and it is very good. TRDB.

8) AMERICAN DHARMA– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Famed documentarian Errol Morris trains his lens on one of the most divisive figures on the political landscape — alt-right ideologue (and film buff) Steve Bannon — in a wide-ranging conversation that will leave viewers unsettled.”

11/1/19- Fair reviews for this documentary that sounds more self-serving than most. TRDB.

9) LIGHT FROM LIGHT– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When mysterious events occur at a Tennessee farmhouse owned by recently widowed Richard, he believes the spirit of his deceased wife may be haunting the property and asks paranormal researcher Shelia to investigate the case.”

11/1/19- Lots of positive reviews but none are really excellent. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1) CUBBY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Man-child Mark Nabel has carefully avoided growing up. But when he moves to New York City and takes a job as a baby sitter, Mark’s 6-year-old charge and a fantasy superhero conjured from an LSD-laced cupcake nudge him toward adulthood.”

11/1/19-  Weak reviews. TRDB.

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

REPEATS-

1) PARASITE- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100. Much hyped but I did not care for it

2) THE CURRENT WAR– Danbury, Cinema 100. Good reviews but friends thought it was boring

3) JOJO RABBIT– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100. Very good reviews

4) THE LIGHTHOUSE– Cinema 100. Very good reviews

5) PAIN AND GLORY–  Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100.  I liked this movie

6) HARRIET–  Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury. Good reviews by most

7) DOWNTON ABBEY– Bethel. Fair reviews

8) MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN– Danbury.

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) HARRIET– Fair reviews

2) MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN– Fair reviews at best

3) THE CURRENT WAR– Friends said the movie was boring

4) PARASITE- I did not care for this movie

5) PAIN AND GLORY– I liked it

6) JUDY– I enjoyed this movie very much

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-Same as Lake Worth above but also showing “Cyrano, My Love (very good reviews)

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) CHAINED FOR LIFE– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A beautiful actress struggles to connect with her disfigured co-star on the set of a European auteur’s English-language debut. Through pitch-black satire, Chained for Life examines the treatment of disability on screen and on set.”

11/6/19- Very good reviews by the critics and OK ones by audiences. TRDB.

2) GIVE ME LIBERTY-2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Though protests are taking place on the streets of Milwaukee, young Russian immigrant Vic has a job to do. But the task of driving his medical transport clients becomes even more difficult when a group of elderly Russians insists on hitching a ride.”

8/23/19- Very good reviews for this drama/ comedy. TRDB.

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

1) BY THE GRACE OF GOD– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Molested as a boy by a priest, Alexandre Guérin — now a husband and dad — is dismayed to find that his abuser still works with minors. Determined to expose the church’s complicity, Alexandre joins forces with two of the clergyman’s other victims.”

10/18/19- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2) CYRANO, MY LOVE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1897 Paris, playwright Edmond Rostand is facing a creative crisis just as actor Constant Coquelin needs a hit and asks Rostand to pen a play for him. Taking inspiration from his own life, the dramatist authors the now-famous “Cyrano de Bergerac.”

10/18/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.

3) PAIN AND GLORY– I liked it

4) PARASITE– I didn’t care for it

5) WHERE’S MY ROY COHN?– Good reviews

OCTOBER 31, 2019

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) THE ART OF SELF-DEFENCE– Netflix Disc.

2) PAIN AND GLORY– At the Theater

3) MARIANNE & LEONARD– Netflix Disc.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) PAIN AND GLORY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This layered drama centers on Salvador Mallo, an aging filmmaker looking deep within his soul as he attempts to recapture the creative spirit that once inspired him. As he surveys his life, Salvador is haunted by memories of his first love.”

10/4/19- Excellent reviews for this drama by Pedro Almodovar. TRDB.

10/25/19– I enjoyed this movie very much. Great acting. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) THE ART OF SELF-DEFENSE- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “After being randomly attacked in public, Casey signs up at a martial-arts school to learn karate and ensure his protection. But he soon discovers that there’s a dark side to his enigmatic sensei’s world.”

7/12/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.

10/24/19- Weird but interesting. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

2) MARIANNE & LEONARD: WORDS OF LOVE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Documentarian Nick Broomfield chronicles the relationship between writer turned musician Leonard Cohen and his muse, Marianne Ihlen, who met in 1960 on the Greek island of Hydra — where they found love and Cohen began to find his artistic voice.”

7/5/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.

10/28/19- I enjoyed this documentary very much and definitely recommend it. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

1) PAPI CHULO– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When TV weatherman Sean finds himself on enforced leave with too much time on his hands, he hires a day laborer to paint his deck. But it soon becomes clear that what Sean really wants is a friend — even if it’s one who doesn’t speak his language.”

6/7/19- Weak reviews but it does sound interesting to me. TRDB.

2) THE KITCHEN– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen, housewives Kathy, Ruby and Claire take charge of the business when their Irish mob hubbies end up in the slammer — but the women turn out to be even more vicious than their spouses.”

10/24/19- Weak reviews. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

OPENED LAST WEEK-

1) WESTERN STARS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This intimate rockumentary captures Bruce Springsteen — flanked by his wife and a 30-piece orchestra — as he gives a single live performance of his first studio album in five years, “Western Stars,” at his New Jersey farmhouse.”

10/25/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2) FARMING– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on director Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s experiences, this powerful coming-of-age drama follows a young Nigerian whose parents send him to live with a white British family hoping boost his prospects. Instead, he falls in with a skinhead gang.”

10/25/19- Weak reviews for this drama but the critics had a few nice things to say. TRDB.

3) BURNING CANE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this slice-of-life drama about rural Louisiana and the people who inhabit it, lush cinematography blends with Southern Gothic storytelling to relate the tale of a pastor experiencing a crisis of faith and a mom trying help her alcoholic son.”

10/25/19- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

4) 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- friends have found it boring. TRDB.

5) FRANKIE– 10/25/19. Synopsis by Netflix. “After learning that she has just months left to live, famed actress Frankie gathers three generations of her family in the picturesque town of Sintra, Portugal, for an emotionally charged final holiday.”

10/25/19- Fair reviews but it sounds interesting to  me. TRDB.

6) SYNONYMS- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this well-crafted drama inspired by director Nadav Lapid’s experiences, a young Israeli lands in Paris determined to speak only French in order to shed his national identity. But assimilation proves tough until a bourgeois couple offers to help.”

10/25/19- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

7) MAKING WAVES: THE ART OF CINEMATIC SOUND– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Though cinema’s sound designers have gone largely unrecognized, they get their due in this detailed documentary that looks at the variety of ways that audio — a key element of movie magic — heightens a film’s visuals.”

10/25/19- Great reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

8) REDOUBT– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the snowy desolation of Idaho’s rugged Sawtooth Mountains, a diverse group of voiceless characters communicates via gestures and choreography that both echo and presage their encounters with wildlife.”

10/30/19- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

1) BLACK AND BLUE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “A rookie policewoman is shaken to her core when she happens upon her colleagues murdering a drug dealer. With the killing caught on her body cam, she’s soon targeted by the corrupt cops … and some vengeful criminals.”

10/25/10- Poor reviews from the critics and excellent ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) PARADISE HILLS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Uma wakes up one morning in Paradise Hills, a high-class treatment facility on an isolated tropical island where well-off families send their daughters to become perfect versions of themselves. But Uma soon realizes that lurking behind all this beauty is a sinister secret. It’s a race against the clock as Uma and her friends try to escape paradise hills before it consumes them all.”

10/25/19- Fair reviews at best for this sci-fi drama. TRDB.

3) THE GREAT ALASKAN RACE– Terrible reviews.

4) THE GALLOWS ACT 2– Awful reviews

5) THE KILL TEAM– Of no interest to me

6) PORTALS- Horror and poor reviews too

BOB’S PICKS IN WESCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES–

1)THE LIGHTHOUSE– Cinema 100- Very good reviews.

2) HARRIET- Bethel, Danbury. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This inspiring biopic recounts the life of Harriet Tubman, who’s born into servitude and becomes known as the “Moses of her people” for helping slaves escape bondage through the Underground Railroad. Later, she works as a spy for the Union Army.”

10/30/19- Fair reviews at best for this drama about Harriet Tubman. TRDB.

3) MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN- Danbury- 2019- In 1950s New York City, gumshoe Lionel Essrog — who has Tourette’s syndrome — sets out to hunt down his mentor’s killer. As Essrog follows clues that take him to unexpected places, he uncovers a citywide web of corruption.

4) WESTERN STARS- Danbury.2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This intimate rockumentary captures Bruce Springsteen — flanked by his wife and a 30-piece orchestra — as he gives a single live performance of his first studio album in five years, “Western Stars,” at his New Jersey farmhouse.”

10/25/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

1) THE CURRENT WAR– Cinema 100. Fairly good reviews. Friends have found it boring.

2) PARASITE- Bethel, Clearview 100. Danbury. Very good reviews.

3) PAIN AND GLORY– Bethel, Cinema 100

4) JUDY- Bethel. I saw this movie and liked it very much

5) DOWNTON ABBEY– Bethel. Of no interest to me.

6) THE LIGHTHOUSE– Danbury. Very good reviews.

BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY–

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) HARRIET– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This inspiring biopic recounts the life of Harriet Tubman, who’s born into servitude and becomes known as the “Moses of her people” for helping slaves escape bondage through the Underground Railroad. Later, she works as a spy for the Union Army.”

10/30/19- Fair reviews at best for this drama about Harriet Tubman. TRDB.

2) MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN– Fair reviews at best

3) PARASITE– Excellent reviews

4) THE CURRENT WAR: DIRECTOR’S CUT– Fairly good reviews but friends found it boring.

5) JUDY– I really liked this movie

6) PAIN AND GLORY– I liked the movie

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY– See above for reviews

5) JUDY-

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE–

1) THE PLAGIARISTS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “As millennial couple Anna and Tyler are on their way home, their car dies, leaving them stranded until an older black man comes to their aid. Before long, he inspires them with his insights — till they learn his words may have been plagiarized.”

6/28/19- Fair to good reviews. I’d definitely see this one. TRDB.

2) GREENER GRASS- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this absurdist comedy that lampoons politeness and social climbers, the denizens of a synthetic suburban community covet everything their neighbors possess — while hiding their searing envy behind overly gracious veneers.”

10/18/19- Excellent reviews for this comedy but honestly it sounds stupid to me. TRDB.

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

1) JUDY- I liked this movie very much

2) PAIN AND GLORY– I enjoyed this movie very much
3) PARASITE– Excellent reviews

4) WHERE’S MY ROY COHN– Fair reviews for this documentary.

5) JIM ALLISON BREAKTHROUGH- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Serving as a good starting point for those seeking to understand what makes President Donald Trump tick, this documentary profiles attorney Roy Cohn, who prosecuted the Rosenbergs, served as Joseph McCarthy’s chief counsel and mentored Trump.”

9/21/19- Fair reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

OCTOBER 24, 2019

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) FAGARA– At the Theater (Special Showing)

2) MIDNIGHT TRAVELER– At the Theater

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) FAGARA- 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “After her father died, a Hong Kong girl discovers she has two hitherto unknown sisters, one in Taiwan and one in China. To settle her father’s debt, she must reunite with them to run the family’s hot pot restaurant.”

10/18/19- I enjoyed this drama from China very much and found it even more interesting because of today’s political situation. TRDB. 

2) MIDNIGHT TRAVELER– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Targeted by the Taliban in 2015, Afghan director Hassan Fazili flees to Europe with his family. This immersive documentary — shot by Fazili, his wife and two daughters on a cell phone — captures their perilous three-year journey.”

10/16/19-  Excellent reviews from the critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB.

10/22/19- A tribute to courage and fortitude. I liked it.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) THE LAUNDROMAT– 2019. Synopsis by IMDB. “A widow investigates an insurance fraud, chasing leads to a pair of Panama City law partners exploiting the world’s financial system.”

9/27/19- Weak reviews for this movie. TRDB.

10/18/19- This movie from Netflix deserves the poor reviews it has received. Skip it! TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, OCT. 29-

1) MIKE WALLACE IS HERE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When it came to asking tough questions, longtime “60 Minutes” reporter Mike Wallace pulled few punches. This documentary takes a similar approach, using a wealth of archival footage to explore what made the journalist tick and how his career evolved.”

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

2) THEM THAT FOLLOW- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a remote Appalachian community, the daughter of a snake-handling Pentecostal preacher is about to enter an arranged marriage with a member of her father’s flock. But she’s harboring a secret: She’s carrying a nonbelieving local boy’s child.”

8/2/19- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

3) LUCE– I saw this and liked it very much- be prepared for an ambiguous story

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

1) MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Years after the conflict portrayed in “Maleficent,” the horned fairy and Princess Aurora — soon to become queen — forge new alliances and take on new foes to save the enchanted forest of the Moors and the creatures within it.”

10/18/19-  Poor reviews and not my kind of movie anyway. TRDB.

2) THE CAVE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this harrowing documentary set in war-ravaged Syria, medical care literally goes underground in a hospital composed of tunnels and subterranean rooms, where a female doctor leads the way in treating a constant stream of casualties.”

10/18/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

3) #FEMALE PLEASURE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Through the viewpoints of five brave women from diverse cultural backgrounds, documentarian Barbara Miller focuses on sexuality in the 21st century, contending that pleasure is a universal entitlement — not something reserved strictly for males.”

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

4) SERENDIPITY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When multimedia artist Prune Nourry is diagnosed with breast cancer at age 31, she decides to turn her experience into art, documenting her medical journey, the changes in her body and the evolution of her body of work.”

10/18/19- Fair reviews at best for this documentary. TRDB.

5) CYRANO, MY LOVE- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1897 Paris, playwright Edmond Rostand is facing a creative crisis just as actor Constant Coquelin needs a hit and asks Rostand to pen a play for him. Taking inspiration from his own life, the dramatist authors the now-famous “Cyrano de Bergerac.”

10/18/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.

6) GREENER GRASS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this absurdist comedy that lampoons politeness and social climbers, the denizens of a synthetic suburban community covet everything their neighbors possess — while hiding their searing envy behind overly gracious veneers.”

10/18/19- Excellent reviews for this comedy but honestly it sounds stupid to me. TRDB.

7) TELL ME WHO I AM–  2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When 18-year-old Alex Lewis wakes up from a coma after surviving a motorcycle accident, the world is not one he remembers. He has forgotten everything. His home. His parents. He can’t even remember his own name. The only thing he does know is that the person sitting next to him is his identical twin brother, Marcus.”

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

8) JOJO RABBIT– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this World War II satire, young Jojo Betzler is yearning to join the Hitler Youth when he discovers that his mother — who secretly works for the resistance — is hiding a Jewish girl in the attic to save her from death.”

10/18/19- Good reviews by the critics and excellent ones from audiences. TRDB.

9) CHEZ JOLIE COIFFURE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Cameroon native Sabine has created a refuge for other West African women in her small Brussels salon, where this observational documentary captures the conversations that take place and underscores the struggles these immigrant women face.”

10/18/19- I’ve seen just 2 reviews and they are both very good. TRDB.

10) THE ELEPHANT QUEEN– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Forced by drought conditions to leave their customary watering hole, an elephant herd headed by 50-year-old matriarch Athena undertakes a perilous trek across the African savanna to locate a new water source.”

10/18/10- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

11) THE LIGHTHOUSE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “From the director of the horror classic “The Witch” comes this hallucinatory fable set in the 1890s off the New England coast, where a temperamental old lighthouse keeper and his new assistant push each other to the brink of insanity.”

10/18/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

12) BY THE GRACE OF GOD– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Molested as a boy by a priest, Alexandre Guérin — now a husband and dad — is dismayed to find that his abuser still works with minors. Determined to expose the church’s complicity, Alexandre joins forces with two of the clergyman’s other victims.”

10/18/19- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1) KINETTA– Terrible reviews

2) ZOMBIELAND: DOUBLE TAP- Definitely not my kind of movie

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS–

1) THE CURRENT WAR: DIRECTOR’S CUT.- Danbury, Cinema 100. 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.

2) JOJO RABBIT– Jacob Burns. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this World War II satire, young Jojo Betzler is yearning to join the Hitler Youth when he discovers that his mother — who secretly works for the resistance — is hiding a Jewish girl in the attic to save her from death.”

10/18/19- Good reviews by the critics and excellent ones from audiences. TRDB.

3) THE LIGHTHOUSE– Danbury. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “From the director of the horror classic “The Witch” comes this hallucinatory fable set in the 1890s off the New England coast, where a temperamental old lighthouse keeper and his new assistant push each other to the brink of insanity.”

10/18/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) PARASITE– Jacob Burns, Cinema 100. Very good reviews

 2) PAIN AND GLORY– Bethel, Cinema 100. Very good reviews

3) JUDY– Bethel, Cinema 100. I saw this and liked it very much

4) WHERE’S MY ROY COHN– Cinema 100. Good reviews

5) DOWNTON ABBEY– Bethel. Fair reviews

6) JOKER– Danbury. People have been asking me to see this film. I think I’ll wait till I can stream it.

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) THE CURRENT WAR: DIRECTOR’S CUT– Fairly good reviews

2) PAIN AND GLORY– Very good reviews

3) JUDY- I enjoyed this movie very much

4) LINDA RONSTADT: THE SOUND OF MY VOICE– I loved this documentary

5) DOWNTON ABBEY– Fair reviews

6) ECHO IN THE CANYON– Very good reviews

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- Same as Lake Worth but not showing ECHO IN THE CANYON

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) THE GROUND BENEATH MY FEET– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Approaching 30, business consultant Lola Wegenstein is hyperfocused on success. But her tightly compartmentalized life starts to unravel when her troubled sister attempts suicide, and Lola’s personal and professional worlds begin to collide.”

7/26/19- Excellent reviews for this foreign drama. TRDB.

2) CELEBRATION– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Shelved for more than a decade, this immersive documentary goes behind the scenes to capture iconic couturier Yves Saint Laurent’s final few years at  the helm of his Parisian fashion house. Footage from his last runway show in 2002 caps off the film.”

10/4/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

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

1) JIM ALLISON BREAKTHROUGH–

2) JUDY– I enjoyed this movie very much and Zellweger was terrific playing Judy Garland

3) PAIN AND GLORY– Very good reviews

4) WHERE’S MY ROY COHN?- Good reviews

OCTOBER 17, 2019

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) BRITT-MARIE WAS HERE– At the Theater

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) BRITT-MARIE WAS HERE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this charming dramedy, 63-year-old Britt-Marie starts life anew after learning that her mate of 40 years is having an affair. But the only job available to her is as the coach of a youth soccer team.”

9/21/19- Fair to good early reviews. TRDB.

10/11/19- I enjoyed this Swedish movie about a woman’s emotional journey. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME- NONE

____________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK- 10/15/19

1) EMPTYING THE SKIES- 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Inspired by novelist Jonathan Franzen’s essay of the same name, this eye-opening documentary looks at the devastating effect of wild songbird poaching in Southern Europe, where gastronomic delicacies are pushing a variety of species into extinction.”

4/22/15- Very good professional reviews and so-so reviews by audiences. TRDB.

2) THE CHAMBERMAID– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Employed as a chambermaid in one of Mexico City’s finest hotels, Eve dreams of a better life. But try as she might — working long shifts and attending night classes — she finds that her chances for advancement depend on more than hard work.”

6/26/19- Excellent reviews for this foreign drama. TRDB.

3) DAVID CROSBY: REMEMBER MY NAME– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this illuminating documentary, trailblazing rocker David Crosby shares — with brutal candor — a slew of personal observations and reminiscences from a 50-year musical career that’s far from over.”

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

4) STRANGE BUT TRUE- 2019. “Synopsis by Netflix. “A woman who, five years after the tragic death of her boyfriend, arrives on the doorstep of his family to tell them she is pregnant with his child. Though skeptical, the family find themselves trying to prove her right, only to discover that the truth is much more terrifying than they could have imagined.”
9/5/19- Good review for this suspense movie. TRDB.

5) DEMON– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “While digging the hole for a pool at his new home, soon-to-be husband Piotr comes across some old human remains. Keeping the find to himself, Piotr is assailed by deathly nightmares the night before his wedding — but the worst is yet to come.”

9/9/16- Very good reviews by the critics and mediocre ones by audiences. I’ll probably skip it. TRDB.

6) ANGEL OF MINE– Poor reviews and I’d skip it

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

Recommended–

1) PARASITE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Delivering a pointed critique of social inequity, this twisty tale follows a clan of jobless grifters who engineer an elaborate ruse to slowly insinuate themselves into the lives of an affluent family.”

10/11/19- Excellent reviews for this Japanese film. TRDB.

2) IN MY ROOM– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “After spending much of his adult life in nightclubs, Armin knows it’s time for a change. But the notion becomes moot when he awakens one day to find that everyone has inexplicably vanished — except for a single female stranger.”

10/11/19- The description of this film sounds weird but it received very good reviews. I’ll try to see it. TRDB.

3) GIFT- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Inspired by Lewis Hyde’s best-selling 1983 book on the gift economy, this cinematic essay chronicles four stories connected by creativeness and generosity, emphasizing their importance in a society ruled more and more by money.”

10/11/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

4) EMANUEL– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “National headlines blazed the story: Churchgoers Gunned Down During Prayer Service in Charleston, South Carolina. After a 21-year-old white supremacist opened fire in Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, nine African Americans lay dead, leaving their families and the nation to grapple with this senseless act of terror. Featuring intimate interviews with survivors and family members, Emanuel is a poignant story of justice and faith, love and hate, examining the healing power of forgiveness.”

10/11/10- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

5) FANTASTIC FUNGI– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This illuminating documentary looks at the strikingly diverse properties of various mushrooms growing worldwide, detailing their myriad benefits and uses — including the vital role they play in the health of ecosystems and humans.”

10/11/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

6) MISTER AMERICA– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Co-host of the web series “On Cinema,” Tim Heidecker plays a fictionalized version of himself in this political comedy that finds him running for San Bernardino district attorney after beating a murder rap (for selling defective e-cigarettes).”

10/11/10- Weak reviews by the critics but good ones from audiences. I think I would try it. TRDB.

7) THE SKY IS PINK– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The Sky Is Pink is the incredible love story of a couple — Aditi and Niren Chaudhary — spanning 25 years, told through the lens of their spunky teenage daughter — Aisha Chaudhary, who was diagnosed with a terminal illness.”

10/11/19- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) GEMINI MAN– Don’t waste your time

2) THE KING– Not my kind of movie

3) LUCKY DAY– Also, not my kind of movie

4) MARY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Hoping to start a charter-boat business, David buys an old ship at auction and takes his family for an inaugural cruise. But as they head out to sea, a series of ominous events indicate that the vessel may be haunted.”

10/11/19- Some of the worst reviews I’ve seen despite the talent on screen. TRDB.

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) PARASITE- Jacob Burns. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Delivering a pointed critique of social inequity, this twisty tale follows a clan of jobless grifters who engineer an elaborate ruse to slowly insinuate themselves into the lives of an affluent family.”

10/11/19- Excellent reviews for this Japanese film. TRDB.

2) LUCY IN THE SKY– Cinema 100.

REPEATS-

1) DAVID CROSBY: REMEMBER MY NAME– Bethel. Very good reviews

2) JOKER– Bethel, Danbury. See it at your own peril

3) WHERE’S MY ROY COHN?- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100. Fair reviews for this documentary

4) JUDY- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100. I love Zellweger’s performance and the movie itself.

5) DOWNTON ABBEY– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100. Fair reviews

6) AD ASTRA– Danbury. OK reviews.

7) HUSTLERS- Danbury. Good reviews.

____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) JOKER- See it at your own peril

2) JUDY- I liked this movie very much. Zellweger is great in the role

3) DOWNTON ABBEY– Fair reviews

4) ECHO IN THE CANYON– Very good reviews

5) LINDA RONSTADT: THE SOUND OF MY VOICE– I loved this documentary

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

1) JOKER– See above

2) PAIN AND GLORY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This layered drama centers on Salvador Mallo, an aging filmmaker looking deep within his soul as he attempts to recapture the creative spirit that once inspired him. As he surveys his life, Salvador is haunted by memories of his first love.”

10/4/19- Excellent reviews for this drama by Pedro Almodovar. TRDB.

3) JUDY– I liked this movie very much. Zellweger is great in the role

4) DOWNTON ABBEY– See above

5) LINDA RONSTADT: THE SOUND OF MY VOICE– I loved this documentary

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) MIDNIGHT TRAVELER– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Targeted by the Taliban in 2015, Afghan director Hassan Fazili flees to Europe with his family. This immersive documentary — shot by Fazili, his wife and two daughters on a cell phone — captures their perilous three-year journey.”

10/16/19-  Excellent reviews from the critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) GENESE (GENESIS)- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this teen drama, sexual awakening and first love take a toll on the hearts of half-siblings Guillaume and Charlotte. As Guillaume wrestles with budding feelings for a male classmate, Charlotte tries to move on from a disappointing relationship.”

8/23/19- Very good reviews for this foreign drama. TRDB.

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

1) JUDY– I enjoyed this movie very much

2) MIDNIGHT TRAVELER– Excellent reviews from the critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB.

3) PAIN AND GLORY– Very good reviews

4) WHRE’S MY ROY COHN– Fair reviews for this documentary

OCTOBER 3, 2019.

DEAR FRIENDS:

I WAS OUT OF TOWN DURING THE WEEK AND DID NOT GET TO SEE ANY MOVIES AT ALL. I HOPE TO DO BETTER IN THE WEEKS TO COME!

AS I TRANSITION TO FLORIDA I MAY HAVE TO SKIP NEXT WEEK’S ISSUE

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK- No Movies seen

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- None

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME- None

_____________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

_____________________________________________________________________

OPENED LAST WEEK-

1) JUDY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in 1968, this dramatized biopic recounts singer Judy Garland’s last concerts in London, where the fragile and weary star prepares for a run of sold-out shows while beginning a courtship with her soon-to-be-fifth spouse.”

9/22/19- Very good reviews for this new film although there was much more critical praise for Zellweger than for the movie itself. TRDB.

2) FIRST LOVE- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “After being diagnosed with a brain tumor, young boxer Leo finds himself thrown into company with a call girl named Monica, who’s unwittingly involved in a drug ring. With nothing left to lose, Leo decides to become her protector.”

9/27/19- Excellent reviews for this Japanese drama. TRDB.

3) THE DAY SHALL COME– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Taking aim at the crooked tactics of U.S. Homeland Security, this biting satire follows the foibles of Moses Al Shabaz, a Miami street preacher in need of cash who accepts aid from a covert FBI unit and ends up framed as a terrorist.”

9/27/19- Mixed reviews with more good than bad. TRDB.

4) SINK OR SWIM- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “A group of 40-something guys, all on the verge of a mid-life crisis, decide to form their local pool’s first ever synchronized swimming team – for men. Braving the skepticism and ridicule of those around them, and trained by a fallen champion trying to pull herself together, the group set out an unlikely adventure, and on the way will rediscover a little self-esteem and a lot about themselves and each other.”

9/27/19- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

5) SISTER AIMEE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1926, the world’s most famous evangelist, Sister Aimee Semple McPherson, fakes her own death in order to run away to Mexico with her married lover and radio engineer Kenny. Once on the road, and equipped with new identities, they find themselves chased by the very person Aimee so desperately tried to kill.”

9/27/19- Fair reviews but it sounds interesting to me. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) THE GOLDEN GLOVE– About a serial killer–NO THANKS. And poor reviews at that.

2) ABOMINABLE– Good reviews but not my type of movie

3) THE LAUNDROMAT– 2019. Synopsis by IMDB. “A widow investigates an insurance fraud, chasing leads to a pair of Panama City law partners exploiting the world’s financial system.”

9/27/19- Weak reviews for this movie. TRDB.

4) 10 MINUTES GONE– Skip it!!

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S ;PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) ANTHROPOCENE: THE HUMAN EPOCH– Jacob Burns. Synopsis by IMDB. “Filmmakers travel to six continents and 20 countries to document the impact humans have made on the planet.”

9/25/19- Good early reviews for this documentary. TRDB. 

REPEATS-

1) JUDY– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100, Danbury. Very good reviews.

2) DOWNTON ABBEY– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100, Danbury. Fair reviews

3) LINDA RONSTADT: THE SOUND OF MY VOICE– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100. I loved this documentary.

4) HUSTLERS– Danbury. Good reviews.

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

2) AD ASTRA–  Fairly good reviews for this sci-fi movie starring Brad Pitt. TRDB.

3) DOWNTON ABBEY– Fair reviews

4) HUSTLERS– Very good reviews

5) LINDA RONSTADT: THE SOUND OF MY VOICE– I loved this documentary.

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- Same as Lake Worth above but not showing “Hustlers”

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) OFFICIAL SECRETS– Fair to good reviews

2) THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON– Very good reviews

D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON

1) DOWNTON ABBEY– Fair reviews.

2) JUDY– Very good reviews although there is much more hype for Zellweger than for the movie itself.

3) GIVE ME LIBERTY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Though protests are taking place on the streets of Milwaukee, young Russian immigrant Vic has a job to do. But the task of driving his medical transport clients becomes even more difficult when a group of elderly Russians insists on hitching a ride.”

8/23/19- Very good reviews for this drama/ comedy. TRDB.

4) MILES DAVID: THE BIRTH OF COOL– Very good reviews

5) FIDDLER: A MIRACLE OF MIRACLES– Very good reviews

SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) PLUS ONE– Netflix Disc.

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- none

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) PLUS ONE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Long-time friends Alice and Ben find themselves in that inevitable year that all late 20-somethings experience—in which seemingly every person they know gets married—and agree to be one another’s plus ones as they power through an endless parade of insufferable weddings.”

6/14/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.

9/23/19- I liked this comedy very much. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK- 10/1/19

1) THE PROPOSAL– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “As artist Jill Magid prepares an exhibition that pays tribute to Mexico’s revered architect Luis Barragán, her efforts to access his professional archive challenge the copyright that makes his work largely inaccessible to the masses.”

5/24/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2) THE QUIET ONE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “From the time he was a child, longtime Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman kept a journal — one that provides plenty of background material for this absorbing documentary, which also details his post-Stones projects.”

6/21/19- Poor reviews but I’d see it just for the history. TRDB.

3) MAIDEN– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1989, an all-female crew captained by 27-year-old Tracy Edwards entered the Whitbread Round the World Race on the yacht “Maiden.” By finishing second, the distaff sailors permanently transformed the all-male province of deep-water yacht racing.”

6/28/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

4) DRIVEN– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1989, an all-female crew captained by 27-year-old Tracy Edwards entered the Whitbread Round the World Race on the yacht “Maiden.” By finishing second, the distaff sailors permanently transformed the all-male province of deep-water yacht racing.”

6/28/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

COMING TO NETFLIX IN 2 WEEKS- 10/8/19-

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

4/19/19- Terrible reviews. TRDB.

2) AMEREICAN WOMAN– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “After her teenage daughter, Bridget, inexplicably vanishes, Deb Callahan is left to care for the girl’s 1-year-old son. But Deb never stops wondering what happened to Bridget — and 11 years later, new information surfaces that changes everything.”

6/14/19-  Very good reviews. TRDB.

3) THREE PEAKS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Setting out for a holiday in the Dolomites with his girlfriend and her 8-year-old son, Aaron hopes to forge a stronger bond with the youngster. Instead, their brewing power struggle turns perilous as the boy disappears when the two go for a hike.”

6/28/19- Fair reviews but it sounds interesting. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

1) AD ASTRA– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Army Corps engineer Roy McBride has never stopped missing his father, a scientist who vanished on a mission to find alien life on Neptune. Twenty years later, Roy embarks on a galactic search to locate his dad and learn what happened.”

9/18/19- Fairly good reviews for this sci-fi movie starring Brad Pitt. TRDB.

2) DIEGO MARADONA– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Considered by many to be the best footballer ever, Diego Maradona led Napoli its first national championship. But off the field, the charismatic athlete’s life took a darker turn, as chronicled in this comprehensive documentary.

9/21/19- Fairly good reviews for this documentary from HBO. TRDB.

3) WHERE’S MY ROY COHN-? 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Serving as a good starting point for those seeking to understand what makes President Donald Trump tick, this documentary profiles attorney Roy Cohn, who prosecuted the Rosenbergs, served as Joseph McCarthy’s chief counsel and mentored Trump.”

9/21/19- Fair reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

4) ALWAYS IN SEASON– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When teen Lennon Lacy is found hanging from a swing set in North Carolina, officials call it suicide, but his mother disagrees. Certain that her son was lynched, she begins a quest for justice, as chronicled in this powerful documentary.”

9/21/19- Mixed reviews for this documentary– some very good. TRDB.

5) DOWNTON ABBEY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in the period between world wars, this big-screen adaptation of the beloved British TV series continues to follow the lives of the patrician Crawley family and those of the servants who keep the sprawling estate running.”

9/17/19- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

6) BRITT-MARIE WAS HERE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this charming dramedy, 63-year-old Britt-Marie starts life anew after learning that her mate of 40 years is having an affair. But the only job available to her is as the coach of a youth soccer team.”

9/21/19- Fair to good early reviews. TRDB.

7) ANTHROPOCENE: THE HUMAN EPOCH– Synopsis by IMDB. “Filmmakers travel to six continents and 20 countries to document the impact humans have made on the planet.”

9/25/19- Good early reviews for this documentary. TRDB. 

1) CORPORATE ANIMALS– Poor reviews

2) ZEROVILLE– Awful reviews

_____________________________________________________________________

NEW IN THE BURBS–

1) JUDY- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in 1968, this dramatized biopic recounts singer Judy Garland’s last concerts in London, where the fragile and weary star prepares for a run of sold-out shows while beginning a courtship with her soon-to-be-fifth spouse.”

9/224/19- Very good reviews for this new film. TRDB.

2) JIM ALLISON: BREAKTHROUGH- Jacob Burns. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Though Jim Allison lost his mom to cancer at age 11, he found his life’s purpose: to find a cure for her killer. This documentary charts the struggle by Allison — now an immunologist — to get the medical community to accept his landmark discovery.”

9/24/10- I’ve seen just 1 review and it is very good. TRDB.

3) MS. PURPLE– Bethel. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. ” Working as a karaoke hostess in Los Angeles’ Koreatown, young Kasie isn’t equipped to care for her dying dad when his home-care nurse quits. With no other choice, Kasie turns to her estranged brother for help, and the two begin a wary reconciliation.”

9/3/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

4) HUSTLERS- Danbury. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Angry about being taken advantage of by their employer and their customers, a group of former strip-club employees turns the tables on their wealthy Wall Street clients in this true-life tale.”

9/10/19- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

1) DOWNTON ABBEY– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100. Fair to good reviews

2) LINDA RONSTADT: THE SOUND OF MY VOICE- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100. Great documentary

3) OFFICIAL SECRETS– Cinema 100. Fair reviews

4) BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON– Jacob Burns. Just so-so. Limited screenings

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

1) JUDY– Very good reviews

2) AD ASTRA– Good reviews

3) DOWNTON ABBEY– Fair to good reviews

4) THE GOLDFINCH– Weak reviews

5) HUSTLERS– Good reviews

6) LINDA RONSTADT: THE SOUND OF MY VOICE– I liked this very much

B) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

Same as Delray except not showing “The Goldfinch”

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

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) RAISE HELL: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF MOLLY IVINS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This entertaining documentary profiles trailblazing journalist and political commentator Molly Ivins, who passed away in 2007. But her views — including her fear that partisanship would destroy democracy — remain as relevant as ever.”

9/5/19- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS-

1) BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON– Just so-so. limited screenings

2) DOWNTON ABBEY– Fair to good reviews

3) EDIE- limited screenings. Good reviews

4) FIDDLER: A MIRACLE OF MIRACLES– Very good reviews

5) JUDY- Very good early reviews

6) MILES DAVIS: BIRTH OF THE COOL– Very good reviews

7) TEL AVIV ON FIRE– limited screenings. Very good reviews

8) PEANUT BUTTER FALCON– limited screenings. Very good reviews

SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) LINDA RONSTADT: THE SOUND OF MY VOICE– At the Theater.

____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) LINDA RONSTADT: THE SOUND OF MY VOICE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Linda Ronstadt loves to sing — a truth that can be heard in each note of every music genre she’s undertaken. This affecting documentary draws on archival footage and tributes from a wide swath of Ronstadt’s musical colleagues to chronicle her story.”

9/6/19- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

9/15/19- Great documentary. I got to know her and her music. TRDB. 

____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

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

9/9/19- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

9/18/19- A pretty weak love story. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

_____________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK- SEPT. 24-

1) YESTERDAY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “While he’s still looking for his big break, musician Jack Malik gets hit by a bus during a global blackout. But when he wakes up to find he’s the lone person on Earth who knows of the Beatles and their songbook, Jack has a huge chance at stardom.”

6/25/19- Weak reviews for this comedy/drama. TRDB.

7/21/19- Fluff with lots of Beatles music. You can safely skip it. TRDB. 

2) SKIN–  2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Raised by skinheads, young Bryon Widner finds himself in the FBI’s crosshairs as a vocal white supremacist. But fatherhood begins to change his views, leading him to undergo the excruciating process of removing the racist tattoos covering his body.”

7/26/19- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

3) PAVAROTTI- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When he died in 2007, Luciano Pavarotti had realized his dream of bringing opera to the masses. This documentary paints a compelling portrait of the tenor by drawing on family archives, home videos, behind-the-scenes material and concert footage.”

6/7/19- Good reviews. TRDB.

6/23/19- I enjoyed this documentary very much especially with all of the wonderful singing. TRDB. 

_____________________________________________________________________

OPENED LAST WEEK-

Recommended-

1) HUSTLERS- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Angry about being taken advantage of by their employer and their customers, a group of former strip-club employees turns the tables on their wealthy Wall Street clients in this true-life tale.”

9/10/19- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2) ANOTHER DAY OF LIFE- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Portugal withdraws from Angola in 1975 after five centuries of colonial rule, Polish war reporter Ryszard Kapuscinski insists on being there to capture the tumultuous events that ensue as Angola erupts into civil war.”

9/14/19- Good reviews. TRDB.

3) CRACKED UP– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this documentary, “Saturday Night Live” alumnus Darrell Hammond recounts the abuse he suffered as a child, which led to a misdiagnosis and lifelong battles with addiction and depression till a doctor helped Hammond confront his repressed memories.”

9/14/19- Fairly good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

4) Ms. PURPLE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. ” Working as a karaoke hostess in Los Angeles’ Koreatown, young Kasie isn’t equipped to care for her dying dad when his home-care nurse quits. With no other choice, Kasie turns to her estranged brother for help, and the two begin a wary reconciliation.”

9/3/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

5) MONOS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a remote mountaintop setting somewhere in Latin America, a rebel group of teenage commandos bearing noms de guerre like Rambo, Smurf, Bigfoot, Wolf and Boom-Boom perform military training exercises while watching over a prisoner (Julianne Nicholson).”

9/14/19- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

6) THE SOUND OF SILENCE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In New York City, Peter Lucian earns a living as a “house tuner,” helping his clients make their homes better fit their personalities. But when he can’t adjust the residence of a woman plagued by exhaustion, Peter begins to doubt his methods.”

9/14/19- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

7) MOONLIGHT SONATA: DEAFNESS IN THREE MOVEMENTS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this moving reflection on silence and sound, director Irene Taylor Brodsky turns her lens on her hearing-impaired parents and deaf son Jonas. As the couple looks on in awe, Jonas masters Ludwig van Beethoven’s music, thanks to cochlear implants.”

9/15/19- Good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

8) AMERICA– 2019.

9/15/19- About a family in Mexico, this PBS documentary received an excellent review in the NY Times. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) AMERICAN DREAMER– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Computer programmer Cam once had it all, but when he loses his job and family, he ends up working as a ride-share driver. Desperate to make ends meet, the irrational Cam abducts the son of a drug-dealer client, hoping to collect a ransom.”

9/14/19- Awful reviews. TRDB.

2) THE GOLFINCH– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When his mother dies in a bomb attack at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, young Theodore Decker’s life is profoundly altered — especially after he steals a priceless painting from the debris and ends up involved in the art underworld.”

9/10/19- Terrible reviews for this movie based on a novel. TRDB.

3) DEPRAVED- A horror movie that is just too much for me. Fair reviews at best. Skip it. TRDB.

4) FREAKS– A sci-fi movie that does not appeal to me at all. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN FAIRFIELD AND WESTCHESTER COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS–

1) DOWNTON ABBEY– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in the period between world wars, this big-screen adaptation of the beloved British TV series continues to follow the lives of the patrician Crawley family and those of the servants who keep the sprawling estate running.”

9/17/19- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

2) AD ASTRA– Danbury. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Army Corps engineer Roy McBride has never stopped missing his father, a scientist who vanished on a mission to find alien life on Neptune. Twenty years later, Roy embarks on a galactic search to locate his dad and learn what happened.”

9/18/19- Fairly good reviews for this sci-fi movie. TRDB.

1) LINDA RONSTADT: THE SOUND OF MY VOICE– Jacob Burns, Cinema 100. I loved this documentary and I love Linda Ronstadt’s music.

2) OFFICIAL SECRETS– Jacob Burns, Cinema 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fact-based political thriller, British intelligence translator Katharine Gun leaks a secret National Security Agency memo that proposes blackmailing smaller U.N. Security Council states into ratifying the 2003 Iraq invasion.”

9/2/19- Good reviews by a few critics but most were mediocre. I’ll see it, however. TRDB.

3) THE GOLDFINCH– Danbury, Cinema 100. Poor reviews.

4) BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON– Jacob Burns, Danbury. Fluff and you can skip it

5) ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD– Danbury. Fairly good reviews and this movie has been showing for a long time. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) DOWNTON ABBEY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in the period between world wars, this big-screen adaptation of the beloved British TV series continues to follow the lives of the patrician Crawley family and those of the servants who keep the sprawling estate running.”

9/17/19- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

2) THE GOLDFINCH- I’d skip this one

3) HUSTLERS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Angry about being taken advantage of by their employer and their customers, a group of former strip-club employees turns the tables on their wealthy Wall Street clients in this true-life tale.”

9/10/19- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

4) LINDA RONSTADT: THE SOUND OF MY VOICE– Great documentary.

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

1) DOWNTON ABBEY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in the period between world wars, this big-screen adaptation of the beloved British TV series continues to follow the lives of the patrician Crawley family and those of the servants who keep the sprawling estate running.”

9/17/19- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

2) THE GOLDFINCH- Poor reviews

3) HUSTLERS– Excellent reviews

4) LINDA RONSTADT: THE SOUND OF MY VOICE– Liked this very much.

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) THE NIGHTINGALE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Clare, an Irish convict settler in 1820s Tasmania, vows revenge when a British officer carries out a violent act against her family. Determined to catch him, Clare hires an aboriginal tracker to lead the pursuit through the Tasmanian wilderness.”

8/2/19- Good reviews from most critics. TRDB.

2) FIDDLIN’- 2019. Synopsis by IMDB. “Fiddlin’ is a foot-stomping celebration of true Americana and artistic expression. This hopeful, inspiring documentary shines a light on what is best about America. Filmed in the Appalachian Mountains at the World’s Oldest Fiddler’s Convention, Fiddlin’ shows the uplifting and healing power of music.”

9/15/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.

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

1) BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON– Mostly fluff with a few good scenes that made the film, in my opinion worth seeing but I would not inconvenience yourself to go to a theater. TRDB. 

2) DOWNTON ABBEY– Fair to good reviews.

3) EDIE–  Almost all of the critics liked the movie but none thought that it was excellent. I’d give it a try. 

4) TEL AVIV ON FIRE- Very good reviews.

5) FIDDLER: A MIRACLE OF MIRACLES– Very good reviews

6) THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON– Very good reviews

SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) IN AND OUT- Netflix Streaming

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “New Yorker Brittany Forgler is 27 years old and the life of every party. But when a doctor’s visit reveals that party life is hurting her — her weight and blood pressure are both up — she begins a block-by-block program of self-improvement.”

8/22/19- Very good reviews for this comedy. TRDB.

9/7/19- Mostly fluff with a few good scenes that made the film, in my opinion, worth seeing but I would not inconvenience yourself to go to a theater. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) IN AND OUT- 1997. Synopsis by Netflix. “When dim-bulb actor Cameron Drake (Matt Dillon) wins an Oscar for playing a gay Marine, he outs his high school drama teacher, Howard Brackett (Kevin Kline), in his acceptance speech. It all comes as a surprise to Howard — not to mention to his long-suffering fiancée, Emily (Joan Cusack). With his wedding just days away and national media descending on his town, Howard’s under the gun to prove just how much of a man he is.”

9/7/19- I haven’t seen this movie in quite a while and I still love it. During the scene where Kline plays a tape to help himself become a man I am out of control laughing. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

2) THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Having spent his early years in a San Francisco house his grandfather built — and which the family later lost — Jimmie yearns to return to that home. So, when the residence becomes vacant, he hatches a plan to reclaim it.”

6/7/19- Great reviews from nearly everybody. TRDB.

9/9/19- No matter how hard I tried to get into this movie I could not. One critic called it “languid” and I would agree. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

_____________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK- 9/17/19

_____________________________________________________________________

OPENED LAST WEEK- 9/6/19

1) I’M LEAVING NOW-2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Undocumented Mexican immigrant Felipe Hernández has spent years working in New York City and sending his earnings home to his family. Now he’s ready to return, but his family isn’t ready for him to come back — leaving Felipe at a crossroads.”

9/5/19- Good early reviews but very few published so far. TRDB.

2) STRANGE BUT TRUE– 2019. “Synopsis by Netflix. “A woman who, five years after the tragic death of her boyfriend, arrives on the doorstep of his family to tell them she is pregnant with his child. Though skeptical, the family find themselves trying to prove her right, only to discover that the truth is much more terrifying than they could have imagined.”
9/5/19- Good review for this mystery. TRDB.

3) BLINK OF AN EYE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Centering on the fateful friendship between stock-car racers Michael Waltrip and the iconic Dale Earnhardt Sr., this documentary recounts the 2001 Daytona 500 as Earnhardt blocks competitors to let Waltrip win, only to die in a crash moments later.”

9/5/19- Fair reviews at best for this documentary. TRDB.

4) RAISE HELL: THE LIFE & TIMES OF MOLLY IVINS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This entertaining documentary profiles trailblazing journalist and political commentator Molly Ivins, who passed away in 2007. But her views — including her fear that partisanship would destroy democracy — remain as relevant as ever.”

9/5/19- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

5) LINDA RONSTADT: THE SOUND OF MY VOICE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Linda Ronstadt loves to sing — a truth that can be heard in each note of every music genre she’s undertaken. This affecting documentary draws on archival footage and tributes from a wide swath of Ronstadt’s musical colleagues to chronicle her story.”

9/6/19- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

6) PROMISE AT DAWN– 2019. Synopsis by MetaCritic. “From his childhood in Poland to his adolescence in Nice to his years as a student in Paris and his tough training as a pilot during World War II, this epic drama tells the romantic story of Romain Gary, one of the most famous French novelists and sole writer to have won the Goncourt Prize for French literature two times.”

9/6/19- Fair early reviews. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) SUPER SIZE ME 2– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “After exposing the health consequences of an all-fast-food diet in his 2004 documentary, Morgan Spurlock shines a light on the dark side of agribusiness — and the food industry’s dubious health claims — by opening his own chicken restaurant.”

9/5/19- Weak reviews. Looks like the original was better. TRDB.

2) JINN– An Arabic fantasy/horror movie with awful reviews that I can and will do without.

3) NIGHT HUNTER– Miserable reviews.

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) THE GOLDFINCH– Danbury, Cinema 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When his mother dies in a bomb attack at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, young Theodore Decker’s life is profoundly altered — especially after he steals a priceless painting from the debris and ends up involved in the art underworld.”

9/10/19- Terrible reviews for this movie based on a novel. I’d skip this one. TRDB.

2) LINDA RONSTADT: THE SOUND OF MY VOICE– Jacob Burns, Cinema 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Linda Ronstadt loves to sing — a truth that can be heard in each note of every music genre she’s undertaken. This affecting documentary draws on archival footage and tributes from a wide swath of Ronstadt’s musical colleagues to chronicle her story.”

9/6/19- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

3) HUSTLERS– Danbury. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Angry about being taken advantage of by their employer and their customers, a group of former strip-club employees turns the tables on their wealthy Wall Street clients in this true-life tale.”

9/10/19- Excellent reviews for this drama starring Jennifer Lopez. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON– Jacob Burns. Cinema 100. I think this movie was highly overrated. Just OK.

2)  OFFICIAL SECRETS– Jacob Burns, Cinema 100. Fair reviews

3) MILES DAVIS: BIRTH OF THE COOL– Jacob Burns.

4) ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD– Jacob Burns.

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) FIDDLER: A MIRACLE OF MIRACLES– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This engrossing documentary traces the origins, incarnations and influence of the beloved stage musical “Fiddler on the Roof,” which opened in 1964 and became a Broadway phenomenon, running for eight years.”

8/22/19- Great reviews! TRDB.

2) LINDA RONSTADT: THE SOUND OF MY VOICE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Linda Ronstadt loves to sing — a truth that can be heard in each note of every music genre she’s undertaken. This affecting documentary draws on archival footage and tributes from a wide swath of Ronstadt’s musical colleagues to chronicle her story.”

9/6/19- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

3) AFTER THE WEDDING– Poor reviews — I Liked the original very much

4) LUCE- I liked it very much

5) THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON– Very good reviews

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- Not available at this time but usually similar or the same as Lake Worth

1) DOWNTON ABBEY–

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

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

5/14/19- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

2) BECOMING NOBODY– Mostly poor reviews

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

1) BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON– I didn’t much care for this movie

2) FIDDLER: A MIRACLE OF MIRACLES– Great reviews

3) TEL AVIV ON FIRE- Very good reviews

4) THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON– Very good reviews.

5) EDIE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When 83-year-old Edie’s husband dies, her daughter is ready to pack Mom off to an assisted-living facility. But Edie has other plans: Pursuing a lifelong dream, she heads to the Scottish Highlands to climb Mount Suilven.”

9/3/19- Almost all of the critics liked the movie but none thought that it was excellent. I’d give it a try. TRDB.