The Reel Dr. Bob

DEC. 31, 2015

DEAR FRIENDS:

A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF MY READERS!!!

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

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OFTHE WEEK-

1) THE DANISH GIRL– At the Theater

2) TRUE LIES- Netflix Streaming

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MOVIES I SAW AT THE THEATER-

1) THE DANISH GIRL– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1930, Danish painter Einar Wegener elects to have gender-reassignment surgery, with the blessing of his wife, Gerda. This true-life narrative of personal courage also sheds light on the medical origins of transsexual surgery.”

11/24/15- Very good reviews. TRDB.

12/29/15- While this movie is certainly about the transgender issue it is really more of a love story than anything else. I liked it a lot and it is definitely worth seeing. TRDB.

MOVIES I SAW AT HOME-

1) TRUE LIES– 1994. Synopsis by Netflix. “Special agent Harry Tasker (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a top spy in the ultra-secret Omega Sector — but his wife (Jamie Lee Curtis) thinks he’s just a boring computer salesman. When Harry’s identities collide, the Taskers find themselves in the clutches of international terrorists, fighting to save their marriage and their lives. Director James Cameron’s action comedy adds romance and special effects to the Oscar-nominated mix.”

12/26/15- I liked this movie when I saw it originally and I liked it again. Good fun and good action. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JAN. 5-

1) THE WALK– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1974, French aerialist Philippe Petit made headlines worldwide with his daring high-wire walk between the twin towers of the World Trade Center. This elevating drama recalls the unauthorized and unforgettable feat pulled off by Petit and his team.”

10/6/15- Mostly positive reviews but many of them expressed qualifications. TRDB.

2) 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.”

10/8/15- Good reviews by critics and so-so reviews by audiences. TRDB.

3) MEET THE PATELS– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Caught between his American dreams and Indian culture’s complex social imperatives, 29-year-old Ravi Patel — fresh on the heels of a breakup — initiates a global search for a woman whom he and his family both deem acceptable.’

9/11/15- Fairly good reviews by the critics and excellent reviews by audiences. TRDB.

4) 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.”

10/4/15- Great reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

5) SICARIO– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Recruited to assist in an undercover operation targeting a Mexican drug lord, federal agent Kate Macy finds her moral standards put to the test when she’s plunged into the middle of a plan that goes beyond the boundaries of the law.”

9/15/15- Great reviews. TRDB.

6) EXPERIMENTER– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on true events, Yale researcher Stanley Milgram’s psychological experiments reveal troubling findings on test subjects’ conscience and ethics when lab “technicians” request they deliver theoretically deadly electric “shocks” to total strangers.”

10/16/15- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

7) 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 story was very enjoyable. TRDB. 

8) LOVE– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “After he learns that his former flame Electra has vanished, the news sends aspiring filmmaker Murphy — who’s saddled with a wife he doesn’t love — into a reverie of memories and thoughts about what might have been.”

10/23/15- Reviews are mixed but it sounds interesting to me. I think that this summary is just for 1 of 4 separate pieces to this movie. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1) DEATHGASM- 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Looking for a way to quell teenage boredom, friends Zakk and Brodie start a heavy metal band. But their music takes a dark turn when they begin playing from mysterious sheet music that causes them to inadvertently awaken an ancient evil.

10/2/15- Very good reviews but this sounds pretty stupid to me. TRDB.

2) SLEEPING WITH OTHER PEOPLE– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Lainey and Jake were each other’s first lovers in college but quickly split, with both trying to bury their one-night stand in the past. Years later, they meet by chance in a support group for sex addicts — and sparks start to fly again.”

8/28/15- Weak reviews. TRDB.

3) CAPTIVE- 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on a tragic 2005 incident in Atlanta, this real-life crime thriller follows accused rapist Brian Nichols as he kills four people during a brazen escape from a courthouse jail and then holds single mother Ashley Smith hostage in her home.”

9/18/15- Weak professional reviews and OK audience reaction . TRDB.

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OPENED ON OR ABOUT FRIDAY, DEC. 25-

1) 45 YEARS– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Geoff and Kate Mercer’s plans for a 45th anniversary party are upset by some unexpected news: A body found in the Swiss Alps has been identified as Geoff’s long-ago love Katya, who perished in an accident 50 years earlier.”

12/23/15- Great reviews. TRDB.

2) WHERE TO INVADE NEXT– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “With an eye toward finding solutions to the social problems plaguing America, provocative documentarian Michael Moore embarks on a European expedition to interview ordinary citizens about their nations’ effective policies and practices.”

12/23/15- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

3) THE HATEFUL EIGHT– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In Quentin Tarantino’s stylish Western set in post-Civil War Wyoming, eight travelers stranded at a stagecoach way station — including bounty hunters, outlaws and former soldiers — become enmeshed in a duplicitous plot as a savage blizzard rages outside.”

12/29/15- Fairly good reviews and some weak ones too. TRDB.

4) TRANSFATTY LIVES– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Alternately poignant and inspiring, this unflinching documentary charts the harrowing journey of Internet celebrity and filmmaker Patrick O’Brien — aka TransFatty — who was diagnosed with ALS at age 30 and told he had two to five years to live.”

12/29/15- Fairly good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

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HOTWIRE ON DEMAND-

NEW-

1) JANICE: LITTLE GIRL BLUE– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this insightful portrait of 1960s rock legend Janis Joplin, private letters and interviews with her family, friends and colleagues reveal a fragile soul whose overpowering voice made her a superstar before her death from a drug overdose at age 27.”

11/24/15- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

REPEATS-

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) 45 YEARS– Jacob Burns. Synopsis by Netflix. “Geoff and Kate Mercer’s plans for a 45th anniversary party are upset by some unexpected news: A body found in the Swiss Alps has been identified as Geoff’s long-ago love Katya, who perished in an accident 50 years earlier.”

12/23/15- Great reviews. TRDB.

2) THE HATEFUL EIGHT– Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2015.  Synopsis by Netflix. “In Quentin Tarantino’s stylish Western set in post-Civil War Wyoming, eight travelers stranded at a stagecoach way station — including bounty hunters, outlaws and former soldiers — become enmeshed in a duplicitous plot as a savage blizzard rages outside.”

12/29/15- Fairly good reviews and some weak ones too. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) CAROL– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Living in a 1950s society that considers lesbian romance taboo, two women from disparate backgrounds — young store clerk Therese Belivet and wealthy socialite Carol Aird — develop an attachment to each other that ultimately turns passionate.”

10/18/15- Excellent reviews for this drama starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. TRDB.

2) CONCUSSION– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Dr. Bennet Omalu’s autopsy studies lead him to conclude that multiple concussions could be the underlying cause of the brain disorders suffered by many U.S. football players, he encounters harsh resistance from the NFL establishment.”

12/19/15- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

3) JOY- Bethel, Danbury. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “After 10 years of trying to mass-market the revolutionary floor mop she had invented, housewife Joy Mangano strikes gold with a personal pitch on QVC that turns her Miracle Mop into an overnight marketing miracle.”

12/22/15- Mixed reviews so far. TRDB.

4) THE BIG SHORT– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Before the housing and credit bubble of 2007 triggers an international economic meltdown, a handful of financial outsiders sees the crash coming and bets against the big banks in a daring play that could reap them huge profits.”

12/11/15- Very good reviews for this Wall Street drama. TRDB.

5) THE DANISH GIRL– Jacob Burns, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1930, Danish painter Einar Wegener elects to have gender-reassignment surgery, with the blessing of his wife, Gerda. This true-life narrative of personal courage also sheds light on the medical origins of transsexual surgery.”

11/24/15- Very good reviews. TRDB.

12/29/15- While this movie is certainly about the transgender issue it is really more of a love story than about the issue itself. It is definitely worth seeing. TRDB.

11/6/15- Not to be confused by the movie from 2007 with the same name, this drama got fair to good reviews. TRDB.

11/28/15– I enjoyed this movie very much and would not be surprised at a nomination for best actor for Bryan Cranston. TRDB. 

7) BROOKLYN– Jacob Burns, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “After emigrating from Ireland, Eilis Lacey readily adapts to the vastly different New York City, where she falls for a young Italian. But when tragedy pulls her back to her hometown, she finds her loyalties divided between two nations — and two men.”

10/28/15- Great reviews. TRDB.

11/14/15- I really liked this movie very much. Great acting and a very interesting story with some humor thrown in as well. TRDB. 

8) YOUTH– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “On vacation in the Alps, two friends on the verge of turning 80 look to each other for support as both rush to face potentially momentous career landmarks, realizing that time is no longer on their side.

12/4/15- Fairly good reviews for this film starring Sir Michael Caine . TRDB.

9) SPOTLIGHT– Jacob Burns. ( playing Jan. 1-3 only), Saw Mill Hawthorne. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Revealing a string of cover-ups stretching back decades, a team of “Boston Globe” reporters exposes the Catholic Archdiocese’s history of keeping reports about child molestation and other priest-initiated abuse under wraps.”

10/28/15- Great reviews for this drama. TRDB.

11/13/15- The great reviews were well deserved. A very good drama and very realistic as well. TRDB.

BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH AND DELRAY-

1) CONCUSSION– Just fair reviews

2) JOY– Mixed reviews

3) THE BIG SHORT– Haven’t seen it yet but I will

4) THE DANISH GIRL– Definitely worth seeing

5) SPOTLIGHT– Great movie

6) TRUMBO- I liked this very much

B) STONZEK THEATER AT LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE

1) PEGGY GUGGENHEIM: ART ADDICT– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “This engaging documentary recalls the remarkable and often-scandalous life of one of the 20th century’s greatest art collectors: Peggy Guggenheim, who helped establish the reputations of several landmark artists of her era, including Jackson Pollock.”

11/6/15- I’ve seen 4 reviews– 3 up and 1 down. Audiences have liked it very much. TRDB.

2) STEVE JOBS: THE MAN IN THE MACHINE– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Focusing on the harsher side of Apple’s mercurial CEO Steve Jobs, this unflinching documentary examines the demanding work environment he created for the company’s employees and his cultlike influence on technology culture.”

9/1/15- Very good reviews. TRDB.

9/4/15- A very good documentary that kept my interest throughout although I would have enjoyed knowing more about his personal life. TRDB. 

C) LIVING ROOM THEATER AT FAU IN BOCA-

1) A BALLERINA’S TALE– I liked this movie about Misty Copeland of the ABT

2) LABYRINTH OF LIES– A very good film

3) TRUMBO- I liked this very much

4) RUN BOY RUN– I liked it

5) PEGGY GUGGENHEIM: ART ADICT– Haven’t seen it yet but good reviews

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB