The Reel Dr. Bob

SEPTEMBER 22, 2015

DEAR FRIENDS:

THERE WILL NOT BE A NEWSLETTER NEXT WEEK SO THIS ISSUE WILL INCLUDE INFORMATION FOR THE NEXT 2 WEEKS WHENEVER POSSIBLE–

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

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) TIME OUT OF MIND– Comcast On-Demand

2) BREATHE– At the Theater

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) BREATHE– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “When the worldly and charismatic Sarah enrolls at Charlie’s high school, they soon become the best of friends — until a holiday at the beach leads to emotional complications and misunderstandings between the two girls.”9/8/15- Very good reviews. TRDB.

9/2/15- A well acted, well written French movie that was painful to watch. Not for the faint of heart. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) TIME OUT OF MIND– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Homeless and struggling to survive on the streets of New York City, George Hammond admits himself to Bellevue Hospital as a last resort. Before long, he finds a sympathetic soul named Dixon, who encourages George to reshape his future.”9/9/15- Fairly good professional reviews for this drama starring Richard Gere. Weak reviews from audiences so far. TRDB.

9/18/15- A very good portrait of what it’s like to be homeless and desperate. The movie grew on me after an initial period where I had trouble understanding the mumbled dialogue. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, SEPT. 29

1) SOUL BOYS OF THE WESTERN WORLD– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Formed in 1978 by five blue-collar London lads, Spandau Ballet set the pace for pop music in the 1980s, capturing the electronic beat of the times. This nostalgic documentary produced 30 years later spotlights the band’s memories of the era.”4/29/15- Fairly good reviews from both audiences and critics. TRDB.

2) UNEXPECTED– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Soon after high school teacher Samantha becomes pregnant, she discovers that star student Jasmine is expecting as well. Their already-close bond deepens as the women help each other come to terms with the sudden changes in their lives.’

7/19/15- Very good reviews. TRDB.

3) COP CAR- 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “When two rambunctious 10-year-olds come across an unattended police car with the keys inside, they take off on a joyride, only to discover that they’ve put themselves in the thick of a lethal cops-and-robbers drama.”

8/7/15- Good reviews although the movie sounds a bit trivial. Kevin Bacon stars.TRDB.

4) A MURDER IN THE PARK– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “This arresting documentary chronicles a murder case that made headlines in 1999 when Alstory Simon’s confession led to the release of death-row inmate Anthony Porter, who was convicted of the crime. But his exoneration has been called into question.”

6/26/15- Good reviews from critics and excellent ones from audiences. TRDB.

5) I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS– 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 script. Blythe Danner was wonderful. TRDB.

 

Not Recommended-

1) THE CONNECTION– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Pierre Michel goes from serving as a court magistrate to investigating the Marseille crime cartel that controls the city’s heroin trade. In the process, he becomes obsessed with bringing down the operation’s powerful and feared leader, Gaëtan Zampa.”

5/15/15- Weak reviews in general. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX ON OCT. 6-

1) THE FALLING– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “After a conservative English boarding school suffers a tragic and mysterious death, 16-year-old best friends Lydia and Abbie begin exhibiting disturbing swooning fits. Soon the inexplicable affliction spreads en masse to the other students.”8/4/15- Good reviews. TRDB.

2) AWAKE: THE LIFE OF YOGANANDA– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “This meticulously assembled documentary chronicles the life of Paramahansa Yogananda, who played a key role in changing Western attitudes toward Asian spiritual traditions and expanding the popularity of yoga and meditation around the world.”

10/10/14- Just 3 reviews and they are all very good. Audiences have liked it a lot. TRDB.

3) PEOPLE PLACES THINGS– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “When graphic novelist Will Henry discovers his wife’s infidelity, it sends him into exile from his family. Living in a tiny apartment, Will is too depressed to write and can’t let go of his ex — until a student challenges him to move forward.”

8/10/15- Fairly good reviews from critics and audiences. TRDB.

4) 1001 GRAMS– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “When newly divorced scientist Marie Ernst is tasked with transporting a perfect kilogram weight from Norway to a seminar in France, she soon finds herself being nudged out of her meticulously structured existence.”

5/8/15- Very good professional reviews but just so-so reviews from audiences. TRDB.

5) WHEN MARNIE WAS THERE– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “A lonely city girl with chronic asthma, Anna Sasaki is sent to spend the summer with relatives in a seaside town where the air is clean. Before long, Anna makes friends with a mysterious girl living in a deserted villa — but is she real or a dream?”

5/22/15- Very good reviews for this animated film. TRDB.

6) FRESH DRESSED– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Just as hip-hop music transformed the entertainment world, the genre has left its mark on the fashion industry. This stylish documentary takes a look at a generation of designers who turned youth culture into a billion-dollar business.”

6/26/15- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

7) ROAD HARD– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Bruce Madsen’s success as a stand-up comedian led to TV and movie roles, but those have long since dried up — along with his marriage. To pay his daughter’s college fees, he reluctantly returns to the rigors of life as a touring comic.”

3/6/15- Critics are 50/50 on this one but audiences have liked it a lot. TRDB.

8) PARTICLE FEVER– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “The creation of the Higgs boson particle, an elusive key to unlocking secrets of the universe, unfolds on camera in this landmark documentary. Scientists discuss the race to create the particle and its potential to explain the origin of all matter.”

3/26/14- Great reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

9) GOING CLEAR: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE PRISON OF BELIEF– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on the best-selling exposé by Lawrence Wright, this in-depth documentary about the Church of Scientology includes interviews with eight former members who recall the abuses they witnessed and suffered during their time as followers.”

3/13/15- Very good professional reviews and OK reviews by audiences. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) 10,000 SAINTS– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “After a friend overdoses, 17-year-old Jude is uprooted from his Vermont home and sent to live with his father in New York City. Amid a social scene awash in drugs and alcohol, Jude unexpectedly finds kinship with a group of straight-edge abstainers.”8/10/15-

2) MATEO– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Mateo is a complicated guy. Born Matthew Stoneman and raised in New Hampshire, he loves nothing more than singing mariachi — a talent he acquired while serving time in prison. Now, his life is all about getting to Cuba to complete his dream project.”8/18/15- So far just 2 reviews– one very good and the other very bad. TRDB.

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OPENED ON SEPT. 18 IN ADDITION TO THE MOVIES I WROTE ABOUT ON SEPT. 16-

1) PROPHET’S PREY– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “A writer and a private eye compare notes on a rogue fundamentalist sect of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, shining a light on alarming charges that would later result in the conviction of the group’s delusional leader, Warren Jeffs.”9/18/15- Very good reviews from critics and audiences. TRDB.

2) OFFICE– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “When the employees at a Seoul business learn that one of their colleagues has murdered his family, their reaction is one of shocked disbelief. But police seem to think that his co-workers may be hiding something.”

9/18/15- Very good professional reviews but audiences have not liked this movie at all. I think it’s actually a musical. TRDB.

3) THE NEW GIRLFRIEND– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Dropping in unannounced to visit David, her best friend’s widower, Claire is stunned to discover his secret penchant for cross-dressing. Though she’s initially put off, Claire finds herself increasingly drawn to his feminine persona.”

9/18/15- Fairly good professional reviews for this movie- less so by audiences. TRDB.

4) RACING EXTINCTION– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the face of accelerating species extinctions worldwide, a diverse team of activists, scientists and inventors works together to come up with technologies and regulations that could forestall this seemingly unstoppable global tragedy.”

9/18/15- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

5) UNCLE JOHN– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Taking a spur-of-the-moment trip to his small hometown with his pretty new boss, graphic designer Ben arrives to learn that the recent disappearance of a local man has created a cloud of suspicion around Ben’s beloved Uncle John.”

9/18/15- OK critical review but excellent audience reviews. TRDB.

6) SONGS FROM THE NORTH– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Through a collection of interviews, archival news clips, film excerpts and footage from her three trips to North Korea, documentarian Soon-Mi Yoo offers a thought-provoking view of the enigmatic nation as she delves into its ethos and ideology.”

9/18/15- Just a few professional reviews– all Positive. Audiences have liked it very much also. TRDB.

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OPENING ON SEPT. 25- (Partial List)

1) FINDERS KEEPERS– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In an episode amplified and enabled by the media, Shannon Whisnant finds an amputated leg in the grill he purchased at auction. Sucked into a mass-media whirlpool, Whisnant decides to make the most of his moment — but then the limb’s owner shows up.”9/19/15- Generally positive reviews with a few critics calling this the funniest documentary ever. TRDB.

2) 99 HOMES– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “After being evicted from his home by a flinty real-estate dealer, jobless Dennis Nash unexpectedly ends up working for the man. But to Nash’s dismay, his new boss soon begins ordering him to turn other families out of their houses.”

9/22/15- Very good reviews. TRDB.

3) THE KEEPING ROOM– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “With the men of their clan all fighting or lost on the battlefield, three Southern women face the sinister attentions of two Union Army deserters who are pillaging the landscape ahead of the main forces in this taut Civil War drama.”

9/22/15- Good professional reviews but none were very good. I’d try it. TRDB.

4) MISSISSIPPI GRIND– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Deeply in debt because of his compulsive gambling, 44-year-old Gerry hopes to change his luck by teaming with a slick young poker ace and heading to New Orleans to buy into a renowned high-stakes poker game.”

9/22/15- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

5) MISUNDERSTOOD– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “When her parents’ marriage dissolves in acrimony, 9-year-old Aria struggles to make her way through the world with little or no help from them. After losing her best friend and getting tossed out of both parents’ homes, Aria makes a drastic decision.”

9/22/15- Just found 4 reviews– 2 up and 2 down for this foreign drama. I’ll try it. TRDB.

6) WILDLIKE– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “With her mother in rehab, 14-year-old Mackenzie is sent to live with her uncle in Juneau, Alaska. But when he turns into a sexual predator, Mackenzie flees into the unfamiliar wilderness, where a widowed backpacker reluctantly becomes her lifeline.”

9/22/15- Just 1 review noted but it is very positive. TRDB.

 

Not Recommended–

1) THE INTERN– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Agreeing to participate in a community outreach program, e-commerce entrepreneur Jules Ostin hires a 70-year-old intern — who ends up bringing his special brand of business savvy to her fashion enterprise.”

9/22/15- Just 2 professional reviews– 1 OK and the other bad. The good one merely commented on the chemistry between the two main actors. TRDB.

2) STONEWALL– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Estranged from his parents, young Danny finds a home in Greenwich Village’s close-knit gay community, where he gets caught up in a violent protest that would go down in history as the catalyst for the LGBT rights movement.”

9/22/15- Terrible reviews for this drama. TRDB.

3) PAY THE GHOST– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Nearly a year after his 8-year-old son vanishes in the midst of a Halloween parade, Mike Cole begins having horrifying visions of the boy’s fate. Renewing his search for the youngster, Mike realizes he’s up against a vengeful Halloween spirit.”

9/22/15- Just 1 review and it is negative. TRDB.

4) ME YOU AND FIVE BUCKS– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Slinging hash and dreaming of selling his self-help book for healing the male heart, Charlie Castillo is strapped for cash and looking for a roommate. But when the first person to respond to his ad turns out to be his ex, life becomes complicated.”

9/22/15- Sounds stupid. TRDB.

 

Too soon to tell-

1) A BRAVE HEART: THE LIZZIE VELASQUEZ STORY– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker Sara Bordo traces the inspiring journey of Lizzie Velasquez, who was born with a medical condition that left her with distorted facial features. Suffering verbal abuse during her youth, she rose above it to become an anti-bullying advocate.”

9/22/15- No reviews yet but it sounds good. TRDB.

2) ENDGAME- 2015. Synopsis by IMDB. “Since he was 5 yrs old, Jose’s abuelita taught him to play chess like his grandfather who was a champion in Mexico. Now as part of the Brownsville school team, Jose has the chance to use his skills and for once in his life, finds himself in the spotlight, as he tries to help his team make it to the Texas state finals. As their coach, Mr. Alvarado, teaches his students the meaning of perseverance and team effort in the face of adversity, Jose discovers his own strengths and uses them to bring his broken family together.”

9/22/15- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

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OPENING ON OCT. 2- (Partial List)

1) NORTHERN SOUL– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1970s Northern England, Lancashire pals John and Matt have tunnel vision. Their quest: to travel to the United States, discover a gold mine of unknown soul music and bring it back to the home country, where they will become famous DJs.”9/19/15- Very good reviews. TRDB.

2) TAXI- 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Donning a disguise, director Jafar Panahi goes in front of the lens, masquerading as a Tehran taxi driver. As he shuttles a procession of idiosyncratic fares across the bustling city, a dashboard camera captures their candid conversations.”

9/19/15- Very good reviews. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW-

1) TIME OUT OF MIND– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Homeless and struggling to survive on the streets of New York City, George Hammond admits himself to Bellevue Hospital as a last resort. Before long, he finds a sympathetic soul named Dixon, who encourages George to reshape his future.”9/9/15- Fairly good professional reviews for this drama starring Richard Gere. Weak reviews from audiences so far. TRDB.

9/18/15- A very good portrait of what it’s like to be homeless and desperate. The movie grew on me after an initial period where I had trouble understanding the mumbled dialogue. TRDB.

REPEATS-

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

Remember that the following list is not complete as many theaters don’t announce until tomorrow.

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) PAWN SACRIFICE– Danbury, Clearview 100. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set during the height of the Cold War, this compelling biopic charts the tumultuous life of chess wunderkind Bobby Fischer, from his formative years to his epic world championship match against Soviet archrival Boris Spassky in Reykjavik, Iceland.”9/15/15- Very good reviews. TRDB.

2) STONEWALL– Clearview 100. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Estranged from his parents, young Danny finds a home in Greenwich Village’s close-knit gay community, where he gets caught up in a violent protest that would go down in history as the catalyst for the LGBT rights movement.”

9/22/15- Terrible reviews for this drama. TRDB.

3) THE INTERN– Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Agreeing to participate in a community outreach program, e-commerce entrepreneur Jules Ostin hires a 70-year-old intern — who ends up bringing his special brand of business savvy to her fashion enterprise.”

9/22/15- Just 2 professional reviews– 1 OK and the other bad. The good one merely commented on the chemistry between the two main actors. TRDB.

4) EVEREST– Danbury. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on a true-life tale of death and survival on the world’s tallest mountain, this epic adventure tracks the fate of two climbing parties that become trapped when a savage snowstorm engulfs the summit of Mount Everest.”

9/15/15- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) LEARNING TO DRIVE– Clearview 100. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “When soon-to-be-divorced Wendy Shields signs up for driving lessons, her instructor is Darwan, a Sikh immigrant to America. Though their cultural perspectives are poles apart, the two begin to develop a bond that transcends their differences.”8/18/15- Mostly poor reviews with a few good ones thrown in. TRDB.

2) PHOENIX– Clearview 100. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “After a reconstructive facial operation, concentration-camp survivor Nelly Lenz tracks down her husband, Johnny, who believes she’s dead. Unrecognizable to Johnny, Nelly befriends him to find out whether he betrayed her to the Nazis.”7/24/15- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

8/9/15– Another beautifully done German movie, this one post Holocaust with yet a new twist. TRDB.

3) GRANDMA– Clearview 100. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Urgently in need of $600 to pay for an abortion, 18-year-old Sage seeks help from her acerbic grandmother, Elle Reid — who has no extra money. Setting off to raise the cash from Elle’s erstwhile friends and exes, the two instead dredge up the past.”8/18/15– Excellent reviews for this comedy. TRDB.

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FLORIDA- BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY- This is an incomplete list

A) MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH AND DELRAY- Not Available at this time

B) STONZEK THEATER AT LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) QUEEN OF EARTH- 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “After Catherine experiences a series of life-altering events, her best friend Virginia invites her to her lake house to recuperate. Instead of reconnecting, the two women find their bond fractured when Catherine can’t control her obsessive thoughts.”8/24/15- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

8/31/15- Great acting. You feel that you are in the head of Catherine and it does not feel good. I can’t say that the movie was terrific but I did enjoy it. TRDB.

2) MARSHLAND– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Ordered to work as a team despite their incompatible personalities, two Madrid homicide detectives journey to the countryside to track down a serial killer before he takes more victims in this gripping thriller set in 1980.”8/27/15- Excellent reviews for this foreign thriller. TRDB.

C) LIVING ROOM THEATER AT FAU IN BOCA- Not available at this time