The Reel Dr. Bob

JANUARY 14, 2016

DEAR FRIENDS:

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

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) BLIND– Netflix

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) THE REVENANT– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in the 1820s American frontier, this snowy thriller follows fur trapper Hugh Glass as he relentlessly seeks retribution against the companions who left him for dead in the Missouri River’s icy waters after he was mauled by a bear.”

1/12/16- This movie was never ending with each scene roughly the same as the one before. It reminded me of a magazine article made into a novel. Great photography saved it as far as I’m concerned. I can’t believe it has won so many awards so far. TRDB. 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) BLIND– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “When she loses her sight, Ingrid retreats to her apartment and senses that her husband may not always leave when he says he’s going to work. As her loneliness and uncertainty grow, she also comes to worry about a neighbor’s motivations.”

9/4/15- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

1/12/16- Interesting but difficult to understand at times. I would still recommend this movie. TRDB. Netflix.

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.

1/12/16- Very original and thought provoking. A bit slow at times. TRDB. Netflix.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEDNESDAY, JAN. 20-

1) SAMBA– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Living in Paris illegally for nearly a decade, Senegalese refugee Samba suddenly finds himself in a detention center and on the verge of deportation. When immigration caseworker Alice steps in to help, the two are irresistibly drawn to each other.”

7/24/15- Fair reviews at best but I plan on seeing it as I like the star Charlotte Gainsbourg very much. TRDB.

2) PAWN SACRIFICE– 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.

9/15- Overall OK but a trivial screenplay. I’ve always been fascinated with this event and the movie left me somewhat cold. TRDB. 

3) THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Life and love are complicated — a lesson that aspiring comic-book artist Minnie Goetze learns at the age of 15 when she embarks on an affair with her mother’s handsome boyfriend, Monroe Rutherford.”

8/4/15- Very good reviews including some great ones. TRDB.

9/2/15- An unusual coming of age story that honestly depicts the female side of young sexuality. Worth seeing but I did not think it was as wonderful as did the critics. TRDB. 

4) THE CUT– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “During the fall of the Ottoman empire, an Armenian blacksmith and father of twin girls is drafted into slave labor and informed that his family is dead. Years later, he discovers his daughters may be alive and embarks on a global quest to find them.”

9/15/15- Mixed reviews but it sounds interesting to me. TRDB.

5) EDEN– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “As part of a DJ duo during the 1990s heyday of electronic dance music, young Parisian Paul achieves notoriety, only to see his career wane when he fails to keep pace with the metamorphosis of musical trends.”

6/19/15- Very good critical review but audiences have NOT liked it. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST FRIDAY, JAN. 8-

1) HENRY GAMBLE’S BIRTHDAY PARTY– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “As host of a rowdy pool party on his 17th birthday, Henry Gamble finds himself in situations that stir his restrained passions and challenge his principles — especially those instilled by his evangelist father.”

1/8/16– Mixed professional reviews– 2 up and 2 down but audiences have liked this very much. I’d try it. TRDB.

2) LAMB– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “While living in misery after his father’s death and the failure of his marriage, middle-aged David Lamb has a chance meeting with a rudderless 11-year-old outcast, leading to a strange — and questionable — relationship between the two.”

1/8/16- Very good reviews. TRDB

3) SWEATY BETTY– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Events dovetail in a Washington, D.C., suburb as a Redskins fan and his family draw unwelcome attention when they tout their 1,000-lb. pig for the team’s official mascot, and two teenage dads try to score some cash by selling their new dog.”

1/8/16- Good reviews for this strange sounding movie. TRDB.

4) THE TREASURE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Family man Costi finds his life turned upside down after a neighbor convinces him that there’s treasure buried in his dead grandfather’s garden. But when Costi agrees to help dig up the cache, bureaucratic entanglements and other complications ensue.”

1/8/16- Very good reviews from critics but not so good from audiences. TRDB.

5) UNLUCKY PLAZA– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “A successful restaurant owner is disgraced by a food poisoning scandal, then finds himself on the verge of bankruptcy. His desperation turns dangerous when he takes hostages, and the crime is captured on video for the entire nation to see.”

1/8/16- Reviews are early and both critics and audiences have given it mixed reviews. TRDB.

6) TROUBLEMAKERS: THE STORY OF LAND ART– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Uncovering the history of land art created in the 1960s and early ’70s, this unique documentary focuses on a generation of visionary artists who abandoned their urban studios to craft massive earthworks in the open spaces of the American Southwest.”

1/8/16- Very good reviews from the critics and even better ones from audiences. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) ANESTHESIA– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “After opening with the savage mugging of a Columbia University philosophy professor, this nonlinear drama flashes back to events leading up to the incident, following the lives of numerous people connected to the assault.”

1/8/16- Poor professional reviews especially related to the nonlinear nature of the film. Audiences have liked it more. I think I’ll skip it for now. TRDB.

2) THE FOREST– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “After her twin sister vanishes in Japan’s storied Aokigahara Forest — where many go to commit suicide — Sara travels to the region to find her sibling but soon discovers that the woods are a far more sinister place than she ever imagined.”

1/8/16- Awful reviews. TRDB.

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HOTWIRE ON-DEMAND-

NEW THIS WEEK-

1) LAMB– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “While living in misery after his father’s death and the failure of his marriage, middle-aged David Lamb has a chance meeting with a rudderless 11-year-old outcast, leading to a strange — and questionable — relationship between the two.”

1/8/16- Very good reviews. TRDB.

2) 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.

7/21/15- A well done documentary about a troubled jazz singer and well worth seeing. TRDB.

3) 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. 

4) 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) 13 HOURS: THE SECRET SOLDIERS OF BENGHAZI– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this gripping account of the chaotic and tragic events of Sept. 11, 2012, six members of an elite security team battle to save the lives of trapped U.S. consulate personnel under attack by armed terrorists in Benghazi, Libya.”

1/13/16- Good early reviews. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) JOY– Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, 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.

1/6/16- Surprisingly enough I found myself enjoying this movie thanks mostly to the acting of Jennifer Lawrence, a character that we can all root for. TRDB. 

2) 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.

12/31/15- This movie was done in a very clever manner and managed to make the recent near collapse of the world economy understandable at the same time. Liked the movie a lot. TRDB.

3) THE REVENANT-  Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in the 1820s American frontier, this snowy thriller follows fur trapper Hugh Glass as he relentlessly seeks retribution against the companions who left him for dead in the Missouri River’s icy waters after he was mauled by a bear.”

1/12/16- This movie was never ending with each scene about the same as the one before. It reminded me of a magazine article made into a novel. Great photography saved it as far as I’m concerned and I can’t believe it has won so many awards so far. TRDB. 

4) THE DANISH GIRL– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Saw Mill Hawthorne, 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- This movie is more of a love story than about the transgender issue and is definitely worth seeing. TRDB.

5) TRUMBO– Clearview 100. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Bryan Cranston stars as famed 1940s screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, whose refusal to testify before the congressional House Un-American Activities Committee resulted in a prison sentence and being blacklisted as a communist.”

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. 

6)  YOUTH- Clearview 100. 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.

7) CAROL– Jacob Burns, 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.

1/4/16- Great reviews as noted and I did like the movie. I feel that the love affair, as portrayed, lacked the emotional intensity that I expected. I’ve also seen Cate Blanchett do much better in other roles. TRDB. 

8) BROOKLYN– Jacob Burns, Saw Mill Hawthorne, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

9)  SPOTLIGHT– Saw Mill Hawthorne, Danbury, Clearview 100. 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.”

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

10) ROOM– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “After being abducted, raped and imprisoned in a small windowless room, a young woman gives birth and is forced to raise her son, Jack, in the same improvised space. But after five years, Jack’s mother begins planning their escape.”

10/11/15- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

10/26/15- A splendid movie with wonderful acting and a great screenplay. The movie is fiction but there is ample precedent for this scenario. TRDB.

11) 45 YEARS– Jacob Burns, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

12) ANOMALISA– Jacob Burns. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Charlie Kaufman uses stop-motion animation and felt puppets to tell the tale of motivational speaker Michael Stone, whose anxieties have robbed him of all joy. But on a speaking tour, he meets a woman who may just revive his soul.”

11/28/15- Terrific reviews. TRDB.

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH AND DELRAY-

1) JOY– I saw it and liked it

2) THE REVENANT– I didn’t care for it

3) YOUTH– Just OK reviews (Starring Michael Caine)

4) THE DANISH GIRL– I liked it very much

5) CLOSED SEASON– A movie about the Holocaust with very good reviews

6) 13 HOURS: THE SECRET SOLDIERS OF BENGHAZI- Just opening with good reviews

B) STONZEK THEATER AT LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) MUSTANG- Very good reviews

2) JANIS: LITTLE GIRL BLUE– Good reviews

C) LIVING ROOM THEATER AT FAU IN BOCA-

1) CENSORED VOICES– Very good reviews

2) LABYRINTH OF LIES– I saw this and liked it very much

3) MUSTANG– Excellent reviews and I plan to see this movie

4) RUN BOY RUN– I liked it

5) TRUMBO– I enjoyed this very much

6) CLOSED SEASON– A movie about the Holocaust with very good reviews

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB