The Reel Dr. Bob

FEBRUARY 12, 2015

DEAR FRIENDS:

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

THERE WILL BE NO ISSUE ON FEB. 19 SO THIS WEEK’S NEWSLETTER WILL CONTAIN INFO FOR 2 WEEKS WHENEVER POSSIBLE-

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) VIC AND FLO SAW A BEAR– Netflix Streaming

2) TIMBUKTU- At the Theater

3) ARCADIA– Netflix Streaming

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) TIMBUKTU– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this piercing tale of oppression set in 2012 A, fear grips Timbuktu after the Malian city is seized by Islamic rebels determined to impose their extreme beliefs on the moderate Muslim populace.”1/30/15- Excellent reviews from critics and very good ones from audiences. TRDB.

2/9/15– A fascinating drama that really gave the viewer a picture of what it’s like living or trying to live under these circumstances. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) DEAR WHITE PEOPLE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “A racially themed bash thrown by white Ivy League students sparks four black classmates to reflect on their identity in this knowing satire. Inspired by helmer Simien’s popular Twitter feed, the comedy skewers the idea of a “post-racial” America.”10/17/14- Great reviews from critics and mixed reviews from audiences. TRDB.

2/8/15- No matter how hard I tried, and I did try, I could not get into this movie and I turned it off. TRDB.

2) VIC AND FLO SAW A BEAR– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When newly paroled Victoria Champagne returns home to rural Quebec, her parole officer, a former lover and a menacing stranger disrupt her attempt to begin life anew. As she struggles to find normality, signs of looming peril start to grow.”

2/7/14- Very good reviews including the review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2/9/15- The movie was quite different and it held my interest. NOT for everybody!! TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

3) ARCADIA– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A coming-of-age story set in a vast, cross-country landscape, Arcadia begins when twelve-year-old Greta’s dad Tom (Academy Award nominated actor John Hawkes) wakes her up before dawn and crams her and her two siblings into a dented station wagon. They set off on a 3,000 mile journey from the New England woods to the California desert. On the way, Tom tells enchanting stories, paints pictures of a California paradise, and assures the kids that Mom will soon join them.”

4/12/13- A good review in today’s NY Times and from others as well. TRDB.

2/12/15- I enjoyed this coming of age road trip movie. I especially liked the relationship between the siblings. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEDNESDAY, FEB. 18-

1) TERMS AND CONDITIONS MAY APPLY– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This cautionary documentary looks into the consumer implications of pushing the “I Agree” button on commercial and social websites. As more information about us is shared ever more widely, former notions of privacy are becoming obsolete.”6/27/13- Just a few reviews at this time and they are all good. TRDB.

7/12/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) LIFE ITSELF– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Follow Roger Ebert from his school newspaper days to his status as America’s premier film critic in this documentary drawn from his memoir.”

6/23/14- Great reviews. TRDB.

3) ST. VINCENT– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “With his parents preoccupied with their divorce, lonely 12-year-old Oliver strikes up a friendship with his war-veteran neighbor Vincent. A hard-drinking gambler with a fondness for hookers, Vincent finds his life changed by the boy’s presence.”

10/10/14- Just fair professional reviews but audiences have liked it more. Most said that Bill Murray made the movie. TRDB.

4) THE HOMESMAN– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a frontier town in the Nebraska Territory, self-reliant spinster Mary Bee Cuddy is tasked with escorting a trio of deranged women to a sanctuary in Iowa. Joining her on the arduous trek is George Briggs, an Army deserter Mary rescued from hanging.”

11/14/14- Good professional reviews and weak audience ones. I’d see anything with Hilary Swank. TRDB.

5) POINT AND SHOOT– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “How does a shy young American afflicted with obsessive-compulsive disorder become a man? In Matthew VanDyke’s case, it involves riding a motorcycle across North Africa and the Middle East, and joining the Libyan revolt to topple Muammar Gaddafi.”

10/31/14- Mixed reviews. TRDB.

12/22/14- Fascinating documentary but to be honest I don’t see the point of it all. TRDB. 

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COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, FEB. 24-

1) WHIPLASH– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Driven by his demanding music teacher, drummer Andrew is determined to succeed as a jazz musician — even if it destroys his personality. Under the shadow of his father’s failed artistic attempts, Andrew practices until his hands bleed.”10/10/14- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

11/7/14– Great acting, great music and a very good story. I liked the movie a lot despite a bit of Hollywood at the end. TRDB.

2) THE BOOK OF LIFE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Zoe Saldana, Danny Trejo and Cheech Marin lend their voices to this splashy animated fable that weaves a Romeo-and-Juliet story against the backdrop of the Mexican customs surrounding the Day of the Dead.”10/17/14- Fairly good reviews although the NY Times basically that the film had less energy than the dead people in the movie. TRDB.

3) THE JUDGE– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “After attending his mother’s funeral in rural Indiana, defense attorney Hank Palmer heads home to Chicago, only to be called back when his senile father is charged with murder. But when Hank takes the case, he uncovers some shocking family secrets.”10/14/14- Weak professional reviews but audiences have enjoyed this movie. TRDB.

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OPENED ON FRIDAY, FEB. 6-

Recommended-

1) 1971- 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1971, eight antiwar activists broke into a Pennsylvania FBI office and made off with a treasure trove of documents revealing a massive illegal surveillance program. More than 40 years later, they’re finally talking about the burglary.”2/6/15- Excellent reviews from critics and audiences alike. TRDB.

2) BALLET 422– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Offering a backstage look at the creation and realization of a ballet by choreographer Justin Peck, this fascinating documentary chronicles the intense artistic effort behind the production, the 332nd new work staged by the New York City Ballet.”

2/6/15- Very good critical review and excellent audience reviews as well. TRDB.

3) BOY MEETS GIRL– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Growing up in conservative Kentucky, Ricky has always regarded himself as a woman in a male’s body but isn’t able to make a connection with the right man. Then he meets the stunning Francesca, who compels Ricky to reevaluate what love means to him.”

2/6/15– Excellent reviews from critics and audiences alike. The NY Times did not like it and felt that the characters were too hackneyed to match the seriousness of the topic. TRDB.

4) MATT SHEPARD IS A FRIEND OF MINE– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Bringing the modern legacy of hostility toward gays into sharp and searing focus, the uniquely cruel murder of Matthew Shepard in 1998 had a stunning effect on the American public. This poignant documentary recounts his brief life and grisly death.”

2/6/15- Great reviews from critics and audiences alike. TRDB.

5) ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL- 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “This inspiring documentary follows four persevering schoolchildren from different corners of the world as they go to great lengths — literally — to obtain an education, overcoming disabilities and danger in the process.”

2/6/15- I’ve seen just 4 professional reviews- 3 down and 1 up. Audiences have liked it. The topic is interesting enough that I’ll recommend it. TRDB.

6) THE VOICES– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Leading a quiet bachelor existence, factory employee Jerry develops a crush on the lovely Fiona from accounting but ends up killing her by accident. Luckily for Jerry, his suddenly verbal cat and dog are there to help him consider his next move.”

2/6/15- Good reviews for this ridiculous sounding movie. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1) CALL FOR HELP– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Following the catastrophic earthquake that struck Haiti in 2010, the Global Disaster Immediate Response Team adopts radical strategies in its efforts to relieve the starvation and suffering of the nation’s shattered population.”2/6/15- This sounded like it might be interesting but it has received very poor reviews, including the one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

2) LOVE, ROSIE– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Best friends from the time they were tykes, Rosie Dunne and Alex Stewart remain close as adults. Although each takes a different partner, an intimate attachment between them lingers — one that could dramatically affect the course of their lives.”

2/6/15- Awful professional reviews and weak audience ones. TRDB.

3) LOVESICK– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “School principal Charlie Darby is successful in life but for one glaring exception: Every time he begins a relationship, his excessive jealousy and paranoia ruin things. Now that he’s found the perfect woman, though, he vows to act differently.”

2/6/15- School principal Charlie Darby is successful in life but for one glaring exception: Every time he begins a relationship, his excessive jealousy and paranoia ruin things. Now that he’s found the perfect woman, though, he vows to act differently.”

2/6/15- Terrible reviews all around. TRDB.

4) MAD AS HELL– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker Andrew Napier’s intriguing documentary traces the rise of provocative political commentator Cenk Uygur, from his public-access TV days to becoming the creator and host of the wildly successful YouTube show “The Young Turks.”

2/6/15- Very weak professional reviews but very good audience ones. I’ll vote no for now. TRDB.

5) THE OTHER MAN: F.W. DE KLERK AND THE END OF APARTHEID– Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker Nicolas Rossier trains his lens on one of modern political history’s most enigmatic figures, President F.W. de Klerk of South Africa, who presided over the end of the nation’s apartheid era and the release of his successor, Nelson Mandela.”

2/6/15– Weak early reviews from audiences and critics. TRDB.

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FLORIDA- At the Stonzek Theater Lake Worth Playhouse-

FEB. 13–19

1) HUMAN CAPITAL–  2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “After a tragic roadway accident, the fates of two families become intertwined as a result of the relationship between two of their children. Love, ambition and class all play a part in this piercing look at social climbers and the überwealthy.”1/14/15- Very good reviews from critics and audiences. The NY Times did not like it. TRDB. 

2) TIMBUKTU- 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this piercing tale of oppression set in 2012 A, fear grips Timbuktu after the Malian city is seized by Islamic rebels determined to impose their extreme beliefs on the moderate Muslim populace.”1/30/15- Excellent reviews from critics and very good ones from audiences. TRDB.

2/9/15– A fascinating drama that really gave the viewer a picture of what it’s like living or trying to live under these circumstances. TRDB.

FEB. 20–26

1) THE HUMBLING– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Adapted from a Philip Roth novel, this steamy drama follows an elderly, fading actor after he retires and moves to a farmhouse, where he develops a strange and intense relationship with a young woman.”

1/23/15- Weak reviews from critics and audiences. The NY Times liked it. TRDB.

2)  A TALE OF WINTER- 1992. Synopsis by Netflix. “A young couple, Félicie and Charles, meet while on holiday and fall deeply in love. In a fatal slip, she gives him the wrong address, and, as a result, he disappears from her life. Five years later, at Christmas time, Félicie is a hairdresser in the Paris suburbs with a daughter (Charles’) and two lovers. The plot centers on Félicie’s shifting allegiances to the three men in her life, in a roundabout journey that finally brings her face to face with the most basic issues of destiny and faith.”

2/12/15– Great reviews for this movie. TRDB.

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HOTWIRE ON-DEMAND-

1) APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR

2) BEGIN AGAIN

3) CALVARY

4) FOOD CHAINS

5) FORCE MAJEURE

6) GONE GIRL

7) THE GREEN PRINCE

8) THE HOMESMAN

9) THE HUMBLING

10) THE HUNDRED FOOT JOURNEY

11) IDA

12) THE JUDGE

13) LAST DAYS IN VIETMAN

14) LITTLE ACCIDENTS

15) LOVE IS STRANGE

16) MAY IN THE SUMMER

17) MY OLD LADY

18) THE NOTEBOOK

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BOB’S PICKS IN THE NEW YORK and SOUTH FLORIDA SUBURBS-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) TIMBUKTU– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, Living Room Theater (Boca Raton). 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this piercing tale of oppression set in 2012 A, fear grips Timbuktu after the Malian city is seized by Islamic rebels determined to impose their extreme beliefs on the moderate Muslim populace.”1/30/15- Excellent reviews from critics and very good ones from audiences. TRDB.

2/9/15- A fascinating drama that really gave the viewer a picture of what it’s like living or trying to live under these circumstances. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) TWO DAYS, ONE NIGHT- Bethel, Clearview 100, Living Room Theater (Boca Raton). 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “On the verge of losing her job, Sandra comes up with a last-ditch strategy: get her workmates to give up their bonuses so that she can stay on. With a single weekend to make it work, Sandra and her husband take her crusade for sympathy all over town.”12/24/14- Excellent reviews for this drama starring Marion Cotillard. TRDB.

1/31/15- I liked this movie very much and highly recommend it. TRDB.

2)  MR. TURNER– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk, Living Room Theater (Boca Raton). 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “This incandescent biographical portrait of famed 19th-century painter J.M.W. Turner spotlights his artistic genius, along with the eccentric and frequently insensitive behavior that he exhibited in his private life.”

12/19/14 Excellent reviews by critics and just OK ones from audiences. TRDB.

3)  STILL ALICE– Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk, Living Room Theater (Boca Raton). 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “When 50-year-old linguistics professor Alice Howland begins having trouble remembering words, her symptoms ultimately lead to a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s — which forces Alice and her family to make radical changes in their lives.”

12/5/14- Mostly very good reviews but a few really did not like it at all calling it a TV type movie. TRDB.

4) AMERICAN SNIPER– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on his memoir of the same name, this military biopic centers on legendary sniper Chris Kyle, who amassed a record number of kills on the battlefield during his 10-year career as a Navy SEAL.”

12/25/14- Fairly good reviews from critics and audiences. TRDB.

1/26/15- I enjoyed the movie, especially the very realistic war scenes but I thought it was about a half hour too long and the hackneyed theme of men returning from war damaged both physically and emotionally a bit too familiar. TRDB.

5)  THE IMITATION GAME– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Synopsis by Netflix. “Chronicling mathematical wizard Alan Turing’s key role in Britain’s successful effort to crack Germany’s Enigma code during World War II, this historical biopic also recounts how his groundbreaking work helped launch the computer age.”

11/29/14- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

12/31/14- This movie was very well done with excellent acting and a basically true story. I enjoyed it very much but why did they need to sprinkle the schmaltz late in the movie- it was doing fine without? TRDB.

6) WHIPLASH– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Driven by his demanding music teacher, drummer Andrew is determined to succeed as a jazz musician — even if it destroys his personality. Under the shadow of his father’s failed artistic attempts, Andrew practices until his hands bleed.”

10/10/14- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

11/7/14- Great acting, great music and a very good story. I liked the movie a lot despite a bit of Hollywood at the end. TRDB.

7) BIRDMAN– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury.  2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Michael Keaton delivers a winking performance in this dark comedy about a cinematic superhero trying to forge a comeback with a Broadway play. With none of the super-powers of his former character, the actor struggles to rebuild his career and life.”

10/17/14- Excellent reviews from nearly all critics and audiences have liked it as well. The NY Times loved it. TRDB. 

10/31/14- Very original and interesting mixing fact and fantasy. Keaton was excellent and I enjoyed the movie. Labeled a comedy, it surely isn’t. TRDB.

8)  THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “With his body progressively ravaged by ALS, world-famous physicist Stephen Hawking must rely on his wife, Jane, to continue his life’s work as he faces various challenges. This affecting biographical drama centers on the couple’s fertile partnership.”

11/7/14- Good reviews from critics and audiences alike. TRDB.

9) A MOST VIOLENT YEAR– Danbury. 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Amid New York City’s crime-filled winter of 1981, immigrant Abel Morales and his wife try to operate a successful business, only to see their efforts threatened by the lawless atmosphere permeating the streets.

12/31/14- Excellent critical review. TRDB.

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB