The Reel Dr. Bob

JULY 16, 2015

DEAR FRIENDS:

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

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) HUMAN CAPITAL– Netflix

2) LITTLE ACCIDENTS– Netflix

3) GERONTOPHILIA– Netflix Streaming

4) IF YOU DON’T, I WILL– Netflix Streaming

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

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. 

7/13/15- I was enjoying this movie until 1:12:09 when the DVD stopped and would not start again. I’ll report again after I watch the replacement disc. I can recommend it now, however. TRDB.

ps- the replacement disc is damaged also– I’m done! Netflix.

2) LITTLE ACCIDENTS– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “When fate selects Amos Jenkins as the only survivor of a coal-mining disaster, it also makes him part of the turmoil that follows the tragedy. After a mine executive’s son is murdered, Amos and the boy’s mother join forces to find the killer.”

1/12/15- Reviews are fair at best. The NY Times was so-so on this film. TRDB.

7/13/15- I liked this movie very much as it portrayed the characters in an extremely realistic manner. TRDB. Netflix.

3) GERONTOPHILIA– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “After 18-year-old Lake realizes that he’s attracted to much older men, he starts working at a senior citizens home, where he begins a tender romance with a former actor. But the lovers must hit the road when their affair causes consternation.”

5/1/15- Generally poor reviews but a few critics thought it was excellent. The NY Times did not like it. I might give this one a try. TRDB.

7/15/15– Definitely different but interesting as well with a new twist on “different” types of relationships. Good music also. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

4) IF YOU DON’T, I WILL– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Already facing a rift in their marriage, Pomme and Pierre find things getting worse when their son leaves for college. During one of the couple’s regular hikes, Pomme decides to take a break from her discontent and stays behind to live in the woods.”

7/16/15– I liked the movie, but mostly because of the principal actor and actress. I found the script alternating between sad and irritating but I would still recommend seeing it. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JULY 21-

ALL 4 ARE RECOMMENDED

1) SET FIRE TO THE STARS– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “When he invites Dylan Thomas to America for a series of poetry readings, hidebound academic John M. Brinnin is well aware of the Welshman’s reputation as a hell-raiser. But Brinnin is unprepared for the lengths he’ll have to go to keep Thomas sober.”6/11/13- Fair reviews from critics and OK ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) TANGERINES– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “During the vicious Georgian-Abkhazian conflict of the 1990s, two Estonian tangerine farmers refuse to leave their homes as the fighting grows ever closer. After each one rescues a wounded soldier from the opposite side, a very personal battle ensues.4/17/15- Very good critical review and audiences have liked it very much. TRDB.

Don’t confuse this movie with the new movie “Tangerine.” (see below)

3) JAUJA- 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the late 1800s, Danish military engineer Gunnar Dinesen travels to the South American desert with his daughter, Ingeborg, after being dispatched to map the region for European settlers. When Ingeborg steals away, Dinesen sets out after her.”3/20/15-Fairly good critical reviews but weak audience reaction. The full synopsis sounded interesting to me and I’ll try to see it. TRDB.

4) GORE VIDAL: THE UNITED STATES OF AMNESIA– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “With interviews and footage from his television appearances, this documentary chronicles the life and career of outspoken writer Gore Vidal, a liberal icon who never shied away from sharing his views on American politics and culture.”

5/23/14– Very good reviews from critics and audiences. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK- 7/10/15

1) TANGERINE- 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Back on the streets on Christmas Eve after serving a month in jail, transgender prostitute Sin-Dee Rella launches a vengeful search across Los Angeles for her unfaithful pimp boyfriend, Chester, and his new squeeze, Dinah..”7/10/15- Excellent reviews from the critics and very good reviews from audiences. TRDB.

2) BOULEVARD– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Accustomed to his comfortable life and sexless marriage, unassuming bank employee Nolan Mack finds himself at a crossroads as he’s forced to confront his long-suppressed desires after meeting a troubled young hustler.”

7/10/15- Mediocre reviews from both critics and audiences. It’s Robin Williams’ last film and I’ll probably see it. TRDB.

3) DO I SOUND GAY– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Seeking to explore his self-doubt and curious about other men’s discomfort with “sounding gay,” journalist David Thorpe helms this candid documentary about his research into the matter, which includes interviews with a host of gay celebrities.”

7/10/15- Good reviews by the critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

4) MEET ME IN MONTENEGRO– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Playing dramatized versions of themselves, Alex Holdridge and Linnea Saasen also co-direct this comedic account of their relationship, which starts with a brief affair in Germany. After rekindling the romance, the couple begins a film collaboration.”

7/10/15- Weak professional reviews but fairly good audience ones. TRDB.

5) TAP WORLD– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Tap is a dynamic blend of ethnic percussive dances — a distinctively American art form that has spread across the globe. Thanks to a new generation of talented dancers, tap is experiencing a renaissance, as detailed in this upbeat documentary.”

7/10/15- Just 4 reviews–  3 up and 1 down. TRDB.

6) 10,000 km- 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Deeply in love and planning to have a baby, Barcelona residents Alex and Sergi must alter those plans when Alex is offered a one-year artist residency in America. But the couple vows to stay close via digital technology.”

7/10/15- Good reviews from critics and audiences alike. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) MAD WOMEN– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Imprisoned for a crime of conscience, a middle-aged mother adopts even more radical convictions while serving her sentence — and after she’s released, she becomes determined to transform the world.”7/10/15- Terrible professional reviews but most audiences have liked it. TRDB.

2) STRANGERLAND– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Newly relocated to the desert town of Nathgari, Catherine and Matthew Parker are frantic when their two teenage kids vanish into the outback. Already a daunting task, the search for the children becomes even tougher as a monster dust storm arrives.”

7/10/15- Weak reviews from nearly everybody for this drama with Nicole Kidman. TRDB.

3) WHAT WE DID ON OUR HOLIDAY– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “During a visit to celebrate the 75th birthday of the family patriarch — who’s terminally ill — soon-to-be-divorced Doug and Abi try to maintain the pretense that they’re happy together. But the couple’s three kids have trouble keeping up the ruse.”

7/10/15- Weak reviews and I’ll skip this one. TRDB.

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OPENING THIS FRIDAY, JULY 17 ( partial list)

ALL RECOMMENDED–

1) TRAINWRECK– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Single and successful, Amy has no intention of settling down — or even going on a second date — until she meets the subject of her next magazine piece, a handsome doctor. Confronted with a real-life good guy, she begins to reconsider bachelorhood.”7/14/15- Very good critical reviews. TRDB.

2) THE ARDOR– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this atmospheric tale of vengeance set in the Argentinean jungle, a mysterious stranger comes to the rescue of a tobacco farmer’s kidnapped daughter after he’s murdered by a band of baddies intent on taking his land.”

7/14/15- Poor reviews but it does sound interesting and it is starring Gael Garcia Bernal. I’ll probably see it eventually. TRDB.

3) COURT– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a sewage worker is found dead after listening to a song by social activist Narayan Kamble, he’s accused of provoking the decedent to suicide. But at Kamble’s trial, it’s clear that he’s the victim of an obscure law — and politics.”

7/14/15- Great reviews. TRDB.

4) IRRATIONAL MAN– Synopsis by Netflix. “A middle-aged professor at a small Rhode Island college edges close to his breaking point, until he finds renewed purpose in his life after embarking on an unusual relationship with one of his students.”

7/14/15- As usual, Woody Allen’s reviews are all over the place– some very good and others horrible. More negative than positive but that won’t stop me from seeing it. TRDB.

5) NORTHERN LIMIT LINE– 2015. Synopsis by IMDB. “Based on the true story that is known as the second battle of Yeonpyeong, this movie tells the story of some of the young soldiers who fought and died in the battle. The battle took place in the yellow sea on 29th of June in 2002, when two North-Korean vessels boarded the NLL – the Northern Limit Line – and fired at the South-Korean patrol boat named Chamsuri 357, killing six men and left 18 injured.”

7/14/15- No reviews as yet but it does sound interesting to me. TRDB.     

6) A HARD DAY– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “After leaving his mother’s funeral on a quintessentially bad day, homicide cop Go Geon-soo accidentally hits and kills a pedestrian. Geon-soo quickly devises an ingenious plan to get rid of the victim’s body, only to encounter more than a few snags.”

7/14/15- Very good reviews. TRDB.

7) THE STANFORD PRISON EXPERIMENT– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Conducting a study on the psychology of incarceration, a Stanford professor assigns prisoner and guard roles to 24 male test subjects in a mock jail. Authority quickly escalates to abuse of power, which is allowed to continue in the name of research.”

7/14/15- Very good reviews. for this drama. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON DEMAND-

1) MEET ME IN MONTENEGRO– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Playing dramatized versions of themselves, Alex Holdridge and Linnea Saasen also co-direct this comedic account of their relationship, which starts with a brief affair in Germany. After rekindling the romance, the couple begins a film collaboration.”7/10/15- Weak professional reviews but fairly good audience ones. TRDB.

2) DO I SOUND GAY?– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Seeking to explore his self-doubt and curious about other men’s discomfort with “sounding gay,” journalist David Thorpe helms this candid documentary about his research into the matter, which includes interviews with a host of gay celebrities.”

7/10/15- Good reviews by the critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

3) 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- Very well acted- Juliette Binoche was wonderful- and an interesting story make for an enjoyable viewing.

4) 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.

5) 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.

6) 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.

7) 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, 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.

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

1) MR. HOLMES– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Long retired to a country farmhouse, 93-year-old Sherlock Holmes tends his apiary and reflects on his remarkable career. But the legendary sleuth, whose mental powers are fading, remains haunted by the unsolved case that caused him to call it quits.”7/13/15- Mostly good reviews with some notable exceptions. TRDB.

2) CARTEL LAND- Bethel. 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) TRAINWRECK– Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Single and successful, Amy has no intention of settling down — or even going on a second date — until she meets the subject of her next magazine piece, a handsome doctor. Confronted with a real-life good guy, she begins to reconsider bachelorhood.”

7/14/15- Very good critical reviews. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) AMY– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, 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.

2) ME AND EARL AND THE DYIING GIRL– 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.

3) LOVE & MERCY– Jacob Burns, Bethel, 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.

4) I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS– Bethel, 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.

5) INFINITELY POLAR BEAR– Bethel, 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.”

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 story was very enjoyable. TRDB.

FLORIDA- PALM BEACH COUNTY–

A) MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH–

1) MR. HOLMES- Mostly good reviews

2) TRAINWRECK– Very good reviews

3) LOVE & MERCY– I liked it very much

4) TESTAMENT OF YOUTH– Very good movie and I liked it a lot.

1) GUEROS– OK reviews but everyone I know who has seen it did NOT like it.

2) STATIONS OF THE CROSS– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Though her family is already devoutly Catholic, 14-year-old Maria wants to be a saint, subjecting herself to the physical pains suffered by Christ. But her devotion, however divine, prompts her family to consider the line between faith and obsession.”7/10/15- Very good reviews. TRDB.

C) LIVING ROOM THEATER–

1) LILA & EVE– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Two mothers each lost a child to a murderer on the same day. After meeting at a support group, the women join forces to conduct their own investigation of the crimes when law enforcement authorities fail to vigorously pursue either case.”

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB