The Reel Dr. Bob

AUGUST 14, 2014

DEAR FRIENDS:

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

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) BOXING GYM– Netflix

2) BOYHOOD- At the Theater

3) BEFORE MIDNIGHT– Netflix

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) BOYHOOD– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “After divorcing, a mother and father continue to share the task of guiding their young son through youth and adolescence, and finally to adulthood. As the years roll by, the relationships among the three characters continue to evolve as well.”7/11/14- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

8/11/14- Richard Linklater has really done it. I enjoyed this movie very much and the continuity with the same actors made this film very real. What a project! TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) BOXING GYM– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Acclaimed documentary director Frederick Wiseman brings his cameras to Lord’s Gym in Austin, Texas, where ex-puncher Richard Lord works with a diverse crowd of amateur boxing enthusiasts spanning every age, ethnicity and occupation. Wiseman’s signature style relies little on interviews and instead focuses on the rituals of training and the disciplined, determined approach of students and coaches to mastering the precise, brutal art of gloved combat.”8/8/14– An interesting documentary that I liked, especially the diversity of the boxers. TRDB. Netflix.

2) BICYCLING WITH MOLIERE– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “A TV celebrity faces an uphill battle as he tries to persuade his old pal, once-famous actor Serge Tanneur, to take on the lead in a Moliere play, no easy task considering the reclusive Serge has given up acting and burns every script he receives.”

7/18/14- Fairly good reviews by the critics and 50/50 by audiences. TRDB.

8/10/14- I found the movie insufferable and finally turned it off. It reminded me of “My Dinner With Andre,” which is on my “worst” list. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

3) BEFORE MIDNIGHT– 2013. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Before Midnight is an upcoming American romance drama film and the sequel to Before Sunrise (1995) and Before Sunset (2004). Like its predecessors, the film was directed by Richard Linklater. As with the previous film, Linklater shares screenplay credit with both actors from the movies, Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy”

5/13/13- Uniformly excellent reviews. TRDB.

5/24/13- An excellent review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

6/11/13- An excellent movie that beautifully depicted the tensions that exist between spouses even when they deeply love each other. TRDB.

8/14/14- I just saw this for the 2nd. time and liked it as much as before. TRDB. Netflix.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, AUG. 19-

1) FADING GIGOLO– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Middle-aged Fioravante and Murray are an unlikely gigolo and pimp in this farce about two cash-strapped friends who turn to the sex trade to make ends meet. Their new enterprise is fruitful, but things get complicated when romance enters the picture.”4/12/14- Mixed reviews but more positive than negative. I’ll see it just to see Woody Allen in a movie that’s not his. TRDB.

4/18/14- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5/1/14- I really liked this movie which was written by John Turturo and had to be written with Woody Allen in mind. TRDB.

2) ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Depressed over the state of the human world, underground musician Adam — a vampire — hooks up again with Eve, his mysterious lover of many centuries. But the antics of Eve’s spirited little sister threaten to destroy their eternal love.”

4/11/14– Good reviews for this movie and I’ll probably see it despite recently saying that I’ll never see a vampire movie. TRDB.

NOT RECOMMENDED-

1) GO FOR SISTERS– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Just out of prison, Fontanye discovers that her parole officer is Bernice, a former friend. Bernice takes it easy on Fontanye, and in turn, the ex-con promises to help find Bernice’s son Rodney, who disappeared near the Mexican border.”

10/16/13- A few reviews and they are mixed. TRDB.

11/8/13- The NY Times said that this movie had good characters and poor story. TRDB.

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OPENED AUG. 8 IN ADDITION TO THOSE I WROTE ABOUT ON AUG. 7-

1) FIFI HOWLS FROM HAPPINESS– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Dubbed the Persian Picasso, Iranian artist Bahman Mohassess delighted the art world with his provocative work but ended up at odds with his country’s political leaders. This documentary finds him self-exiled in Italy, where he tells his story.”

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

2) NO CAMERAS ALLOWED– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “This coming-of-age documentary chronicles the journey of James Marcus Haney, who’s obsessed with rock music and rock groups — a fascination that draws him into the world behind the stage when he joins one band’s cross-country tour.”

8/8/14- Just 2 reviews– 2 up (including the NY Times) and 1 down. TRDB.

3) WHAT IF- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Wallace meets Chantry an animator and form an instant connection, striking up a close friendship. There is no denying the chemistry between them, leading the pair to wonder, what if the love of your life is actually your best friend?”

8/8/14- The movie sounds corny but has received good reviews. The NY Times didn’t care for it. TRDB.

4) WHAT NOW? REMIND ME– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this unflinching video diary, Portuguese filmmaker Joaquim Pinto documents his struggle with HIV over the course of a year-long clinical trial. The moving and funny film captures Pinto’s indomitable spirit, home life and creative impulse.”

8/8/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.

1) ABOUT ALEX– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “After a troubled young man attempts to commit suicide, six of his former college classmates plan a weekend reunion to help him deal with his dark feelings. But their sojourn turns into an emotional minefield as old issues begin to resurface.”8/8/14- Poor reviews. TRDB.

2) AFTER– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Nora Valentino, a woman whose husband, Mitch loves her more than anything in the world. So much so that he, along with his four children and sister-in-law have gone to obscene lengths to hide a horror too painful for Nora to bear.”

8/8/14- Miserable reviews. TRDB.

3) INTO THE STORM– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a wave of powerful tornadoes bears down on the town of Silverton, a band of high school students tries to capture the destruction on videotape. As nature’s raw power overwhelms everything in its path, the residents hang on for dear life.”

8/8/14- Poor reviews. TRDB.

4) THE MAID’S ROOM– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “After going to work for a wealthy American family as a maid, undocumented immigrant Drina becomes privy to the household’s darkest secret. She wants to report the incident to authorities, but her alien status and powerful boss conspire to stop her.”

8/8/14- Bad reviews- even the few that were OK were critical. TRDB.

5) DEEPSEA CHALLENGE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “This epic documentary chronicles director James Cameron’s solo dive on March 26, 2012, as he pilots a submersible seven miles down to the lowest point of the Mariana Trench to gather data for scientific research.”

8/8/14- Very bad reviews from most critics, calling it a vanity project for James Cameron. TRDB.

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DUE TO OPEN ON AUG. 15-

1) FORT McCoy– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Unable to serve in World War II because of a heart condition, a barber moves his family adjacent to a Wisconsin army base and prisoner-of-war camp to provide his services. But even in rural America — far from the frontline — the war finds victims.”8/7/14- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

COMCAST ON- DEMAND-

NEW-

1) THE MAID’S ROOM– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “After going to work for a wealthy American family as a maid, undocumented immigrant Drina becomes privy to the household’s darkest secret. She wants to report the incident to authorities, but her alien status and powerful boss conspire to stop her.”8/8/14- Bad reviews- even the few that were OK were critical. TRDB.

REPEATS-

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BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) CALVARY- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “An anonymous man comes to Father James in confession and vows to kill him in one week, simply because the priest is himself a good man. The father spends the week contemplating good and evil, viewing his small Irish community with new eyes.”7/27/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.

2) WHAT IF– Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Wallace meets Chantry an animator and form an instant connection, striking up a close friendship. There is no denying the chemistry between them, leading the pair to wonder, what if the love of your life is actually your best friend?”

8/8/14- The movie sounds corny but has received good reviews. The NY Times didn’t care for it. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1)THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Relocating from India to a quiet village in the south of France, chef Hassan Kadam and his family open a restaurant called Maison Mumbai. But when their business starts to thrive, a competing restaurateur launches a war between the eateries.”8/5/14- Reviews are weak from most critics. I’ve seen the coming attractions and I’d have to agree. TRDB.

2) BOYHOOD- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “After divorcing, a mother and father continue to share the task of guiding their young son through youth and adolescence, and finally to adulthood. As the years roll by, the relationships among the three characters continue to evolve as well.”

7/11/14- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

3) A MOST WANTED MAN– Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “A half-Russian, half-Chechen man, brutalized by torture, arrives in Hamburg, where he seeks a British banker’s help in recovering his father’s estate. But the man may not be all he seems to be in this riveting adaptation of John le Carré’s novel.”

7/8/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.

4) MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Exposing a phony soothsayer proves harder than expected when the debunker (an Englishman) becomes smitten with the purported fraud (a French beauty). This deft romantic comedy unwinds amid the gilt and glamour of the French Riviera in the 1920s.”

7/25/14- Woody’s latest has gotten poor reviews from most critics. I’m certain to see it anyway. TRDB.

5) CHEF– Saw Mill Hawthorne, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “When chef Carl Casper’s plans for opening a restaurant in Los Angeles fail to pan out, he returns home to Miami and debuts a food truck instead. While trying to regain his zest for cookery, Carl also tries to mend his fractured family ties”

5/9/14- Very good professional and audience reviews. TRDB.

6/8/14- A Hollywoodish feel good movie that made me feel good. TRDB.

6) A MOST WANTED MAN– Saw Mill Hawthorne. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “A half-Russian, half-Chechen man, brutalized by torture, arrives in Hamburg, where he seeks a British banker’s help in recovering his father’s estate. But the man may not be all he seems to be in this riveting adaptation of John le Carré’s novel.”

7/8/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.

7) GET ON UP– Danbury. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “This powerhouse biopic traces the legendary James Brown’s rocky road from humble origins to superstardom as the Godfather of Soul. The film also reveals the demons — drugs, violence and near-bankruptcy — that haunted Brown on his rise to fame.”

7/31/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.

8) LUCY– Danbury. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this action-thriller set in Taiwan, a young woman forced to become a drug mule for the mob develops superhuman abilities when the narcotics she’s carrying in her stomach accidentally leak into her system.”

7/25/14- Weak reviews but I’ll see it anyway because I like Luc Besson and Scarlett Johansson. TRDB.

8/3/14- Science fiction is not my thing but all in all this movie was OK. Some interesting effects and some eye candy (Scarlett Johansson) brought the movie up a few notches. TRDB.

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB