The Reel Dr. Bob

JUNE 11, 2015

DEAR FRIENDS:

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

CHECK OUT THE NEW FLORIDA SECTION AT THE END OF THE NEWSLETTER!!!

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) THE SLEEPWALKER– Netflix

2) RESULTS– Comcast On-Demand

3) KINK– Netflix

4) MIDDLE OF NOWHERE– Netflix Streaming

5) LOVE AND MERCY– At the Theater

6) CUPCAKES- Netflix

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK IN THE THEATER-

1) LOVE AND MERCY– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “This candid biopic traces the winding path of Brian Wilson, creator of the Beach Boys’ unique sound. Battling mental illness, Wilson traded stardom for an isolated existence in the 1960s but returned to the stage in the ’80s after taming his demons.”6/2/15- Very good reviews. TRDB.

6/9/15- I liked this movie very much. The acting and the music were great. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) THE SLEEPWALKER– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “As Kaia and her boyfriend work to restore her childhood home, they get an unexpected visit from her estranged sister, Christine, and her fiancé. And it doesn’t take long for recriminations old and new to enter the women’s lives as well.”11/21/14- Mixed critical reviews and weak audience reviews. TRDB.

6/5/15– I got pulled into this movie about family dysfunction and I’m glad I did. TRDB. Netflix.

2) RESULTS– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Pursuing personal renewal in the wake of an ugly divorce, the wealthy but unhappy Danny takes himself to the neighborhood gym and soon develops an unusual relationship with the gym’s owner, Trevor, and captivating trainer, Kat.”

5/30/15- Very good reviews from the critics and just OK reviews from audiences. TRDB.

6/6/15- I enjoyed this drama/comedy, especially the interaction between the main characters. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

3) KINK- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Take a peek into the secret world of sex, fetishes and bondage with this eye-opening documentary that tells the story of the people who work at San Francisco’s Kink.com, the world’s largest producer of BDSM porn.”

8/22/14- Good reviews in general and the NY Times liked it as well. TRDB.

6/8/15- A one of a kind documentary about a porn film company that has tried to improve the reputation of the industry by using various precautions to insure the safety of the actors, both male and female. I couldn’t help looking for the elephant in the room. TRDB. Netflix.

4) MIDDLE OF NOWHERE– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After her husband is sent to prison for eight years, medical student Ruby shelves her studies to focus on her partner’s welfare as he serves his time. The couple soon learns the new pressures they need to bear if their relationship is to survive.”

6/8/15- Very good reviews. TRDB.

6/9/15- I enjoyed this movie as it gave a really good picture of the issues involved in being a “prison widow.”. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

5) CUPCAKES– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “When six friends gather in a Tel Aviv suburb to watch a televised song competition, little do they know that they’ll soon become celebrities. But that’s exactly what happens when the tune they record to cheer up a chum becomes Israel’s entry.”

3/27/15- Fairly good reviews for this Israeli comedy. TRDB.

6/10/15- A delightful  comedy!! TRDB. Netflix.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JUNE 16-

Recommended-

1) THE WRECKING CREW– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Prolific session musicians the Wrecking Crew, who provided backup instrumentals for numerous popular bands in the 1960s, are profiled by filmmaker Denny Tedesco, whose father, Tommy, was a member of the band, in this absorbing documentary. Cher, Brian Wilson, Mickey Dolenz, Dick Clark and others reflect on the amazing musicians who backed up the Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, the Mamas and the Papas, the Monkees and many more. “3/13/15- Excellent reviews all around with the notable exception of the NY Times. TRDB.

2) WILD TALES– 2015. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Inequality, injustice and the demands of the world we live in cause stress and depression for many people. Some of them, however, explode. This is a movie about those people. Vulnerable in the face of a reality that shifts and suddenly turns unpredictable, the characters of Wild Tales cross the thin line that divides civilization and barbarism.” TRDB.

2/16/15- An article in yesterday’s NY Times about this movie sounds very interesting. The film just won a Golden Bear in Berlin. TRDB.

2/26/15- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

3/22/15– I enjoyed this movie very much. Like nothing you’ve seen before, it crosses the line and goes over the top frequently. TRDB.

3) AMERICAN SNIPER– 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.

4) WELCOME TO ME– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “When mentally unstable Alice Klieg hits the lottery, she uses her winnings to produce and star in an off-the-wall talk show. Ignoring her illness and skipping her medication, she uses the spotlight to work through her deep-rooted pain.”

5/1/15- OK reviews from critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

5/19/15- Kristen Wiig was wonderful in this dramatic comedy and I really enjoyed the movie. TRDB.

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OPENED THIS WEEK-

1) CHARLIE’S COUNTRY– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Living among fellow Aborigines in Australia’s Northern Territory, Charlie grows resentful of the oppression and regulations of white authorities and retreats to the bush to live in keeping with old traditions.”6/5/15- Very good reviews from both critics and audiences. TRDB.

2) DOOMSDAYS– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Making a way of life out of squatting in the unoccupied vacation homes of strangers, Dirty Fred and his pal Bruho are getting by with barely a care in the world — until a hapless teenager and a slinky woman join their ranks.”

6/5/15- This movie sounds really stupid BUT has received some very good reviews. TRDB.

3) SPY- 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Unassuming CIA analyst Susan Cooper is far from being a James Bond type, but when she’s thrust into the field to investigate the disappearance of her partner, she turns into an improbable superspy.”

6/5/15- Very good reviews both by critics and by audiences. TRDB.

4) TESTAMENT OF YOUTH– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this adaptation of her World War I memoir, smart and ambitious Vera Brittain breaks free of her conservative home life to attend Oxford University, but news of war soon brings her studies and a blossoming romance to a halt.”

6/5/15- Very good reviews by audiences and by professionals. TRDB.

5) A PIGEON SAT ON A BRANCH REFLECTING ON EXISTENCE– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Connecting a succession of absurdist vignettes through running jokes and a pair of unsuccessful traveling salesmen, director Roy Andersson wraps up his comic existential trilogy about being human.”

6/3/15- Excellent reviews except for 1 reviewer who said that it was “absurdism to the point of incoherence.” TRDB.

6) LIVE FROM NEW YORK– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “This retrospective documentary looks at the evolution of “Saturday Night Live,” a national institution that has transformed late-night TV entertainment and brought global recognition to a host of future stars, including Eddie Murphy and Bill Murray.”

6/8/15- Good reviews by critics and very good ones by audiences. TRDB.

NOT RECOMMENDED-

1) FREEDOM– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Pursued by a relentless tracker, Samuel Woodward and his family escape servitude on a Virginia plantation through a network of safe houses, an underground organization of ordinary citizens who smuggle runaway slaves to freedom.”

6/5/15- Every review I read by professionals said that this movie was awful and failed to convey this aspect of our history. TRDB.

2) HUNGRY HEARTS– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Mina and Jude get stuck in the bathroom of a New York City restaurant, romance, marriage and a child soon follow. But before long, the couple finds themselves clashing over the care of their infant, who’s not developing.”

6/5/15- Barely OK reviews at best. TRDB.

3) THE NIGHTMARE– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Through interviews and a series of eerie re-enactments, this intriguing documentary investigates real-life incidents of sleep paralysis, which leaves sufferers trapped in an often-terrifying transitional state between the sleeping and waking worlds.”

6/5/15- Weak reviews by critics and awful ones by audiences. TRDB.

4) UNITED PASSIONS– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Told through the stories of three driven men whose efforts were key to soccer’s global success, this engaging drama tracks the history of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport’s international governing body.”

6/5/15- Terrible reviews, period.

5) WILD HORSES– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Aging rancher Scott Briggs must confront his past when a Texas Ranger resurrects a 15-year-old cold case and unearths family secrets involving a hate crime and a missing-persons mystery connected to the Briggs clan.”

6/5/15- This movie could have the worst reviews I have ever seen. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON DEMAND-

NEW- Several but None Recommended

REPEATS-

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BOB’S PICKS IN THE NORTHERN SUBURBS ( Westchester and Fairfield Counties)

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) LIVE FROM NEW YORK– Clearview 100. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “This retrospective documentary looks at the evolution of “Saturday Night Live,” a national institution that has transformed late-night TV entertainment and brought global recognition to a host of future stars, including Eddie Murphy and Bill Murray.”6/8/15- Good reviews by critics and very good ones by audiences. TRDB.

2) GUEROS- Jacob Burns. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “During a student strike at Mexico’s National University, flatmates Sombra and Santos settle into a different routine — until the arrival of Sombra’s brother, Tomás, sends the trio on a quest to find a long-forgotten musical star.”

5/20/15- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) LOVE AND MERCY– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “This candid biopic traces the winding path of Brian Wilson, creator of the Beach Boys’ unique sound. Battling mental illness, Wilson traded stardom for an isolated existence in the 1960s but returned to the stage in the ’80s after taming his demons.”6/2/15- Very good reviews. TRDB.

6/9/15- I liked this movie very much. The acting and, of course, the music were great. TRDB.

2) I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “With her well-ordered life thrown out of balance by the death of her beloved canine companion, aging widow Carol Petersen — who hasn’t dated in 20 years — unexpectedly finds herself involved with two very different men.”5/15/15- Excellent reviews for this movie and for Blythe Danner as well. TRDB.

5/30/15- A delightful comedy/romance movie with a very good and accurate script. Blythe Danner was wonderful. TRDB.

3) FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD– Bethel, Clearview 100 Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this period drama based on Thomas Hardy’s classic novel, winsome Bathsheba Everdene wins the hearts of three disparate men: sheep farmer Gabriel Oak, dashing soldier Frank Troy and William Boldwood, a moneyed older man.”5/1/15- Very good reviews from critics and audiences alike. TRDB.

4) 5 FLIGHTS UP– Bethel. 2015.  Synopsis by Netflix. “Married for four decades, New Yorkers Ruth and Alex have had a wonderful life together — most of it spent in their cherished Brooklyn walk-up. But now that it’s time to sell, the universe seems determined to thwart them.”

5/5/15- Reviews were more negative than positive but I did read a more extensive review and I will recommend the movie. TRDB.

5/18/15- A delightful drama/comedy starring Morgan Freeman, Diane Keaton and Cynthia Nixon, all of whom play very well with each other. TRDB.

5) IRIS-Bethel. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “At 93, fashion legend Iris Apfel is clearly still at the top of her game — supervising the dress selections for a tour, advising models and negotiating with buyers — in this affectionate documentary by Albert Maysles, himself an octogenarian.”

4/29/15- Excellent reviews by all critics and by audiences as well. TRDB.

6) GEMMA BOVARY– Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Living in a Norman village when British couple Gemma and Charlie Bovery settle nearby, urban exile Martin Joubert — a fan of the novel “Madame Bovary” — soon discovers that the pair’s name isn’t all they share with Gustave Flaubert’s famous tale.”

5/30/15- Weak reviews in general. The NY Times liked it. TRDB.

7) WOMAN IN GOLD– Saw Mill Hawthorne, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Six decades after World War II, Jewish octogenarian Maria Altmann begins a quest to reclaim the artwork confiscated from her family by the Nazis — including a famed Gustav Klimt masterpiece.”

4/1/15- Poor reviews!! Everyone I know who has seen this has loved it!! TRDB.

8) THE 100 YEAR OLD MAN– Jacob Burns. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Allan Karlsson caps off his long and colorful life by escaping from his nursing home on his 100th birthday. In short order, he comes into a possession of a suitcase stuffed with cash. With his new friend Julius, Allan decides to take it on the lam.”

5/8/15- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

5/16/15- This movie was a big hit in Sweden but for me and for many critics it seemed ridiculous. There were a few funny scenes. TRDB.

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH

1) GEMMA BOVARY– Weak reviews

2) I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS– I liked this movie

B) THE STONZEK THEATER-

1) IN THE NAME OF MY DAUGHTER– Weak reviews despite starring Catherine DeNeuve

2) IRIS– Good reviews

C) THE LIVING ROOM THEATER-

1) 5 FLIGHTS UP– Saw it and liked it

2) LOVE AND MERCY– Very good reviews and I intend to see it soon

3) IN THE NAME OF MY DAUGHTER– Weak reviews

4) GEMMA BOVARY– Mostly weak reviews

5) FELIX & MEIRA– I enjoyed this movie

6) THE 100 YEAR OLD MAN– I didn’t care for it