The Reel Dr. Bob

JULY 9, 2015

DEAR FRIENDS”

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

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) BALLET 422– Netflix Streaming

2) INFINITELY POLAR BEAR– At the Theater

3) CHAMPS- Netflix Streaming

4) WOMAN IN GOLD– Netflix

5) 2 DAYS IN NEW YORK– Netflix Streaming

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) INFINITELY POLAR BEAR– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “When his wife heads to New York for an 18-month job, bipolar Harvard dropout Cameron is left to care for their two daughters. Struggling with his illness, Cameron brings his innate creativity — and love of his children — to the challenge.”6/19/15- Very good reviews from audiences and critics alike. TRDB.

7/6/15- Even though this theme has been seen on the screen many times before, this movie, with great acting and a touching and honest story was very enjoyable. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) 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 422nd new work staged by the New York City Ballet.”2/6/15- Very good critical review and excellent audience reviews as well. TRDB.

7/2/15- I enjoyed this documentary very much as it portrayed the various aspects of creating a brand new ballet and brought them together quite well. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

2) CAMILLE CLAUDEL1915- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “When gifted sculptress Camille Claudel, once the lover of Auguste Rodin, falls prey to mental illness, her family commits her to a psychiatric clinic. This subdued drama follows Camille’s thoughts and moods as she waits for redemption to arrive.”

10/16/13- Mixed reviews. The review in today’s NY Times was favorable. TRDB.

7/4/15- Unbelievably boring and I finally turned it off. Juliette Binoche is very good as usual– but not enough. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

3) CHAMPS– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Despite being born into poverty, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Bernard Hopkins beat the odds to become boxing superstars. This insightful documentary chronicles their rise to fame and difficulties coping with life outside the ring.”

3/13/15- Just OK reviews by the critics but audiences have liked it very much. The NY Times did not.  TRDB.

7/7/15– I enjoyed this documentary as I found it very honest, informative and at least a bit hopeful that the sport might become a bit safer and less exploitive of the fighters. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

4) WOMAN IN GOLD– 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.

7/8/15- Before seeing this movie I felt that a dramatization of this case, rather than a documentary such as “The Rape of Europa” would be difficult to accomplish and would trivialize the topic but I liked this movie very much. TRDB. Netflix.

5) 2 DAYS IN NEW YORK– 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Marion and Mingus live cozily-perhaps too cozily-with their cat and two young children from previous relationships. However, when Marion’s jolly father (played by director Delpy’s real-life dad), her oversexed sister, and her sister’s outrageous boyfriend unceremoniously descend upon them for a visit, it initiates two unforgettable days that will test Marion and Mingus’s relationship. With their unwitting racism and sexual frankness, the French triumvirate hilariously has no boundaries or filters…and no person is left unscathed in its wake.”

Mixed reviews, both audience and professional. TRDB.

8/10/12- The NY Times called this movie “a likable mess” in today’s review.

7/8/15- The NY Times put it well and I agree. Families–lots of fun- lots of aggravation. Also, I love Julie Delpy. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JULY 14-

1) CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA- 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Twenty years after her breakthrough role as a young woman who beguiles and ultimately destroys her mentor, Maria Enders is invited — in an ironic twist — to play the part of the older woman in a stage production of the same drama.”4/10/15- Excellent reviews from critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB.

4/20/15- Juliette Binoche was wonderful. That, together with an interesting story made for an enjoyable viewing.

2) 24 DAYS– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 2006, the shocking abduction and torture of young Jewish man Ilan Halimi in Paris set emotions aflame on the issue of anti-Semitism and the alleged inability of police investigators to comprehend the true motivations behind Ilan’s abduction.”4/24/15- OK reviews by critics but audiences have not liked this movie at all. TRDB.

3) THE SALT OF THE EARTH– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “As this artfully crafted documentary proves, legendary Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado has created a spectacular body of work during his long career, capturing both the planet’s stunning beauty and humankind’s heartbreaking atrocities.”

12/12/14- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

5/4/15- A wonderful documentary. I felt like I was in a photographic museum with the photographer speaking in the ear phones. 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 represent this aspect of our history. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

1) AMY– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Though singer Amy Winehouse released only two albums during her brief and stormy career, she left an indelible mark on pop music. This affecting documentary recounts her meteoric rise to fame and the addictions that ended her life at age 27.”7/3/15- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

2) CARTEL LAND– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “With the law failing to protect citizens from the drug cartels wreaking havoc in Mexico, vigilante groups have sprung up on both sides of the border. This potent documentary tracks two such groups, one in Mexico’s Michoacán state and one in Arizona.”

7/3/15- Excellent reviews by the critics and fairly good ones by audiences. TRDB.

3) JIMMY’S HALL- 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “After being deported from Ireland to the United States, political firebrand Jimmy Gralton returns to his hometown a decade later and reopens the dance hall he once ran as a gathering place for youngsters — much to the dismay of community leaders.”

7/3/15- Fairly good reviews by the professionals and just OK ones from audiences. TRDB.

4) STRAY DOG– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Behind his bearded biker visage, Vietnam War veteran Ron Hall is still healing from psychological scars brought about by his service. This empathetic documentary follows Hall’s journey to the Vietnam Memorial to pay tribute to his fallen comrades.”

7/3/15- Great reviews from critics and very good ones from audiences. TRDB.

5) ZARAFA– 2015. Synopsis by IMDB. “The plot of the film has a grandfather telling his grand kids the story of Maki, a young boy who escapes from slave traders, befriends a giraffe (the title character), cross the desert, meet a pirate, and a few other things on a trip that takes him from Africa to Paris.”

7/3/15- Great reviews by critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB.

NOT RECOMMENDED-

1) CLOSER TO GOD– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “After genetic scientist Victor Reed succeeds in cloning the first human, he tries to control the news of his breakthrough. But when the press finds out, a maelstrom of controversy, legal complications and previous failures threatens to engulf him.”

7/3/15– Weak reviews by the critics and even weaker ones by audiences. Most of the critics did give some positive comments as well. TRDB.

2) JACKIE & RYAN– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Happy to hop trains and entertain on street corners, musician Ryan Brenner rarely lights anywhere for long … until he meets erstwhile recording star Jackie Laurel in Ogden, Utah — a chance encounter that changes both their lives.”

7/3/15- Mediocre reviews at best from both critics and audiences. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW- NONE RECOMMENDED

REPEATS-

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BOB’S PICKS IN FAIRFIELD AND WESTCHESTER COUNTIES

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) AMY- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Though singer Amy Winehouse released only two albums during her brief and stormy career, she left an indelible mark on pop music. This affecting documentary recounts her meteoric rise to fame and the addictions that ended her life at age 27.”7/3/15- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) ME AND EARL AND THE DYIING GIRL– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Cruising through his senior year, high schooler Greg Gaines spends his free time making parody versions of famous films with his pal Earl. But when Greg’s mother asks him to befriend Rachel, a leukemia patient, his blithe outlook begins to change.”6/11/15- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

7/1/15- Very well done and even funny at times the movie handles a complex situation with finesse. TRDB.

2) LOVE & MERCY– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, 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.

3) INFINITELY POLAR BEAR– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “When his wife heads to New York for an 18-month job, bipolar Harvard dropout Cameron is left to care for their two daughters. Struggling with his illness, Cameron brings his innate creativity — and love of his children — to the challenge.”

FLORIDA- PALM BEACH COUNTY–

A) MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH–

1) THE FAREWELL PARTY– Fairly good reviews from both critics and audiences. TRDB.

2) LOVE & MERCY– I liked it very much

3) TESTAMENT OF YOUTH–  I really liked this movie.

B) STONZEK THEATER– Lake Worth Playhouse

1) THE WOLFPACK–  2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the heart of Manhattan, Baghavan and Susanne have raised their seven kids with virtually no exposure to the outside world. This startling documentary captures their offspring’s unique views of society — molded largely by films they’ve watched.”6/12/15- Very good reviews. TRDB.

6/19/15- This documentary proves once again that the truth is stranger than fiction. Nobody could make this up. The film was very different, creative and disturbing but definitely worth seeing. TRDB.

2) THE OVERNIGHT– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Transplants from Seattle, Alex and Emily feel like fish out of water in Los Angeles until a meeting at a park leads to a play date for their son and a dinner date for them. But they soon discover that their hosts have more in mind than friendship.”6/15/15- Fairly good reviews for this comedy. TRDB.

C) LIVING ROOM THEATER– In Boca

1) TESTAMENT OF YOUTH- Very good reviews by audiences and by professionals. I liked it a lot. TRDB.

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

3) FAREWELL PARTY– Fairly good reviews from both critics and audiences. TRDB.

5) A LITTLE CHAOS– Weak reviews

6) INFINITELY POLAR BEAR– I liked it very much

7) ABOUT ELLY– Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB