The Reel Dr. Bob

FEBRUARY 11, 2016

DEAR FRIENDS:

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

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) MAN UP– Netflix

2) SON OF SAUL– At the Theater

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) SON OF SAUL– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Amid the horrors of Auschwitz, prisoner Saul Ausländer has the grim duty of transporting corpses from the camp’s gas chambers to the crematoria. But when he thinks he recognizes his son’s body, Saul sets out to save the boy from incineration.”

12/18/15- Excellent reviews for this Holocaust movie. Sounds grueling, however. TRDB.

2/10/16– “Grueling” is not quite descriptive enough. The movie is very graphic and besides telling a story describes a different class of concentration camp inmates very well. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) MAN UP– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a romantic turn of fate, perennially single Nancy is standing under a train station clock when a stranger named Jack arrives and mistakes her for his blind date. Sensing an opportunity, Nancy decides to go with the flow to see where things lead.”

11/11/15- Very good reviews. TRDB.

2/5/16- A romantic comedy that was so ridiculous at times that it was actually funny. Some poignant dialogue as well. TRDB. Netflix.

2) SHELTER– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set on the mean streets of New York City, this moving drama follows two homeless souls — a heroin junkie and a Nigerian immigrant — who join forces for survival and soon fall in love. But secrets from the past threaten to derail the relationship.”

11/11/15- Weak reviews. TRDB.

2/8/16- The poor reviews were well deserved. Despite the importance of the subject I found the screenplay often trivial and some of the situations hard to believe. TRDB. Netflix.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEDNESDAY, FEB. 17-

ALL RECOMMENDED–

1) THE IRON MINISTRY- 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the years since World War II, China’s vast interior has slowly become connected with the rest of the country by the expansion of the state railway. This documentary resulted from three years of touring and filming the colossal and vital network.”

8/21/15- Fairly good reviews from critics and OK ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) LABYRINTH OF LIES– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1958, prosecutor Johann Radmann follows up on a reporter’s tip and uncovers a trail of evidence connecting a host of public-sector employees to atrocities perpetrated at the Auschwitz concentration camp during Germany’s murderous Nazi regime.”

10/13/15- Very good reviews. TRDB.

10/29/15- Very well done and very realistic as well. This movie from Germany is yet another example of Germany’s attempt to come to grips with its past. TRDB.

3) 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.”

10/6/15- Just barely more positives from critics than negatives but audiences, including many of my friends, really liked this movie. TRDB.

4) EVEREST– 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.

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OPENED LAST FRIDAY, FEB. 5-

1) THE CLUB (EL CLUB)- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “At a seaside facility that houses disgraced priests, the death of a new arrival prompts the Catholic Church to send upright Father García to investigate. But he faces a dilemma when he finds that revealing the truth isn’t in the Church’s interests.”

2/5/16- Very good reviews by the critics and even better ones by audiences. TRDB.

2) FORT BUCHANAN– 2016. Synopsis by IMDB. “FORT BUCHANAN is a military tragicomedy set over four seasons. From France to Djibouti and back again, follow the lives of a stay-at-home dad, his adopted daughter, a woman of a certain age, three pretty young wives and their personal trainer.”

2/5/16- I’ve seen just 2 reviews- both positive including the review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

3) I KNEW HER WELL- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “This prismatic portrait of the days and nights of a party girl in sixties Rome is a revelation. On the surface, I Knew Her Well, directed by Antonio Pietrangeli, plays like an inversion of La dolce vita with a woman at its center, following the gorgeous, seemingly liberated Adriana as she dallies with a wide variety of men, attends parties, goes to modeling gigs, and circulates among the rich and famous.’

2/5/16- Good reviews for this newly restored copy of the 1969 movie. TRDB.

4) TUMBLEDOWN– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Hoping to move past the death of her husband, celebrated folk musician Hunter Miles, Hannah begins penning an account of his life. But before long, she meets an author also writing a biography of Hunter — one with a distinctly different view of him.”

2/5/16- Mixed reviews by the critics. Audiences have liked it. TRDB.

5) 4TH MAN OUT- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “When small-town auto mechanic Adam announces to his best buddies that he’s gay, they’re stunned and bewildered at first. But after the shock wears off, they learn everything they can about being gay and set out to help Adam find a beau.”

2/4/16- Early reviews and they are OK. A friend of mine has a step son-in- law who acts in this film- Jon Gabrus who plays Orfu. I’d recommend it.  TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) EISENSTEIN IN GUANAJUATO– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Famed Soviet director Sergei Eisenstein traveled to Mexico in 1931 to make a film about that nation and its history. His experiences while working on Que Viva Mexico would forever alter his life and his art, as chronicled in this provocative biopic.”

2/5/16- Weak reviews. TRDB.

2) MISCONDUCT– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Just named a partner in his respected law firm, Ben Chase takes on a high-profile case against a corrupt pharmaceutical company executive. When things turn deadly, Ben realizes he’s up against a vicious and determined foe.”

2/5/16- Awful reviews by the critics but audiences have liked it very much. I’ll skip it for now. TRDB.

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HOTWIRE ON-DEMAND-

NEW ON HOTWIRE-

1) 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.

10/8/15- A realistic look at the issue of foreclosure of homes and what people will do to prevent that from happening to them. Also a good look at the people who take over these homes. Very well done and I liked it. TRDB. 

2) THE NEW GIRLFRIEND– 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.

10/8/15- A realistic look at the issue of foreclosure of homes and what people will do to prevent that from happening to them. Also a good look at the people who take over these homes. Very well done and I liked it. TRDB.

3) RUN BOY RUN- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “On the run after fleeing the Warsaw ghetto during World War II’s dark days, an 8-year-old Jewish boy is by no means out of danger as he must scrounge for food and shelter — and disguise his faith if he’s to survive.”

3/21/15- No reviews in English but friends have told me that this movie is great. TRDB.

12/19/15- I enjoyed this Polish film that depicted the resourcefulness of this youth and his instinct for survival. 

REPEATS-

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) WHERE TO INVADE NEXT– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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 from some critics and pretty bad ones from others. Audiences have seemed to like it. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) ROOM– Jacob Burns (limited screenings)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.

2) SPOTLIGHT– 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.”

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.

3) THE LADY IN THE VAN– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this touching human drama adapted from writer Alan Bennett’s bestselling memoir, he befriends the elderly Miss Shepherd, who’s living in a van that’s been parked in his driveway for 15 years.”:

12/3/15- Very good reviews from audiences and critics. TRDB.

1/27/15– Maggie Smith is wonderful as usual and were it not for her I might not have enjoyed this movie. TRDB. 

4) 45 YEARS– Bethel, Clearview 100, 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.

1/30/16- I enjoyed this movie very much and at the same time I found it profoundly sad. It’s been a long time since a movie stimulated this degree of discussion for me, my wife and friends some of whom had not even seen the movie yet. TRDB.

5) BROOKLYN- Jacob Burns (limited screenings), Bethel, 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.

6) HAIL, CAESAR– Bethel, Danbury. 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1950s Hollywood, Eddie Mannix labors behind the scenes to “fix” the indiscretions committed by a major film studio’s marquee stars. But Eddie has his work cut out when some angry scriptwriters abduct a screen idol from a movie set.”

2/2/16- I’ve seen just 1 reviews and it is bad. Also, the coming attractions looked stupid. TRDB.

7) THE REVENANT– 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. I can’t believe it has won so many awards so far. TRDB.

8) THE BIG SHORT– 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. 

9) SON OF SAUL– Jacob Burns. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Amid the horrors of Auschwitz, prisoner Saul Ausländer has the grim duty of transporting corpses from the camp’s gas chambers to the crematoria. But when he thinks he recognizes his son’s body, Saul sets out to save the boy from incineration.”

12/18/15- Excellent reviews for this Holocaust movie. Sounds grueling, however. TRDB.

2/10/16– “Grueling” is not quite descriptive enough. The movie is very graphic and besides telling a story describes a different class of concentration camp inmates very well. TRDB.

10) MUSTANG– Jacob Burns. 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Enraged by her granddaughters’ flirtations with some male classmates, a strict Turkish grandma refuses to let her young charges out of the house to keep them from ruining their marriage chances. But the girls find ways to circumvent the restraints.”

11/20/15- Excellent reviews. TRDB. 

1/15/16- A wonderful movie that is both moving and terribly sad at the same time. TRDB.

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH AND DELRAY-

1) DOUGH– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “With his business faltering badly, Jewish baker Nat is under pressure from his son to close his shop down. The arrival of a young Muslim apprentice, however, soon puts an unexpected charge in Nat’s sales.”

2/10/16- Early reviews are positive for this comedy. TRDB.

2) SON OF SAUL– Difficult to watch but I did like it although not nearly as much as the critics.

3) THE LADY IN THE VAN– I didn’t care for it.

4) ROOM-I liked this movie very much.

B) STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) ACADEMY AWARD SHORTS

C) LIVING ROOM THEATER AT FAU IN BOCA RATON-

1) DOUGH– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “With his business faltering badly, Jewish baker Nat is under pressure from his son to close his shop down. The arrival of a young Muslim apprentice, however, soon puts an unexpected charge in Nat’s sales.”

2/10/16- Early reviews are positive for this comedy. TRDB.

2) 45 YEARS– I liked this movie very much.

3) SON OF SAUL– Difficult to watch but I did like it although not nearly as much as the critics.

4) THE LADY IN THE VAN– I didn’t care for this one.

5) MUSTANG– I liked it very much. Limited showings.

6) THEEB– Very good reviews but I haven’t seen it yet. Limited showings

7) TRUMBO– A must-see. Limited showings.

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB