The Reel Dr. Bob

FILM REVIEWS #584

March 10th, 2016

MARCH 10, 2016

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

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

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) MARSHLAND– Netflix

2) RAMS– At the Theater

3) COMING HOME– Netflix

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) RAMS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Despite the fact that they live next door to each other, brothers and fellow sheep farmers Gummi and Kiddi have gone 40 years without speaking to each other. When a deadly virus attacks both their herds, the brothers are forced to communicate again.”

3/1/16- Very good reviews for this foreign drama. TRDB.

3/7/16- I can’t rave as much as the critics have but I did enjoy the movie. TRDB. 

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) YOSEMITE– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in 1985 California, this engaging drama follows three suburban fifth-graders as they navigate shifting friendships, grapple with death for the first time in their young lives and encounter danger after a mountain lion is spotted in town.”

1/1/16- Fairly good reviews from the critics and audiences have liked it a lot. TRDB.

2/4/16- Good reviews as noted but I didn’t care for it. It was, however, a great advertisement for better child supervision as these kids were “lost.” TRDB. Netflix.

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.

3/6/16- A thriller that is well acted with a good screenplay. TRDB. Netflix.

3) COMING HOME– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the waning days of China’s Cultural Revolution, dissident Lu Yanshi returns home after he’s released from a labor camp, only to find his wife suffering from amnesia. But Lu is determined to bring back her lost memory.”

9/8/15- Very good reviews. TRDB.

3/9/16- This movie was very touching and I liked it very much. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, MARCH 15-

 

1) 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. 

2) STEVE JOBS: 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Everyone knows about the products Steve Jobs designed, but few people really knew the man behind the technology. This revealing biopic focuses on a few key incidents and relationships to tell the story of a digital visionary who changed the world.”

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

10/21/15- I enjoyed this movie very much and I think I got a good picture of the creative genius of this man who to many was a real son-of-a-bitch. TRDB.

3) CAROL- 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 liked the movie. I did feel that the love affair lacked the emotional intensity that I expected. I’ve also seen Cate Blanchett do much better. TRDB. 

4) TRUMBO– 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.

5) WHAT OUR FATHERS DID: A NAZI LEGACY–  2015- Synopsis by Netflix. “Traveling together, two sons of high-ranking Nazi officials and a Jewish human-rights attorney whose family was decimated in the German death camps make a solemn journey to the grim landscapes of their fathers’ World War II experiences.”

11/6/15- Very good reviews by critics and fair ones by audiences. A few excellent reviews tossed in as well. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST FRIDAY, MARCH 4-

 

Recommended-

 

1) THE BOY AND THE BEAST– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Kyuta, a lonely boy from the human realm, stumbles into the world of beasts, he strikes up a friendship with Kumatetsu — an equally lonely bakemono. Soon, the two are off on a series of adventures that forge an even stronger bond between them.”

3/4/16- Fairly good reviews for this animated movie. TRDB.

2) CEMETERY OF SPLENDOUR– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In Northeast Thailand, soldiers with a mysterious sleeping sickness lie bedridden in a school turned clinic, where doctors and volunteers tend to them. When a volunteer nurse forms a bond with a patient, she begins to experience odd hallucinations.”

3/4/16- Sounds silly but it has received excellent reviews so I’ll recommend it. TRDB.

3) COLLIDING DREAMS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Taking a considered look at the history of conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people, this comprehensive documentary explores Zionism’s ideals and aims, and the difficulty of finding compromise in a land scarred by decades of hostility.”

3/4/16- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

4) THEY WILL HAVE TO KILL US FIRST– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a strict reading of Sharia law, Islamic jihadists who invaded northern Mali in 2012 invoked a total ban on music, driving Malian musicians into exile. But they’re determined to reclaim their musical culture, as chronicled in this documentary.”

3/4/16- Excellent reviews by the critics and very good ones by audiences. TRDB.

5) TRAPPED– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Amid a political climate that’s produced a staggering array of regulations restricting abortion providers, this topical documentary looks at the clinics struggling to provide care and the people going to court to protect women’s reproductive rights.”

3/4/16- Great reviews for this well-timed documentary. TRDB.

6) WHITE LIES– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this early 20th-century drama set in New Zealand, Maori medicine woman Paraiti is sought out by a European desperate to terminate her pregnancy. At first Paraiti refuses to help the woman, but subsequent tragic events begin to change her mind.”

3/4/16- Just 2 professional reviews and they are both very good. TRDB.

7) HERE COME THE VIDEOFREEX– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1969, CBS News hired a group of alternative-media journalists armed with portable video cameras to report on the counterculture beat. While the results were never aired, the collective remained together and created its own progressive legacy.”

3/9/16– I’ve read just 2 reviews for this documentary and they are both good. TRDB. (Wed. 3/7)

 

Not Recommended–

1) KNIGHT OF CUPS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Drifting through life amid the hollowness of hedonistic Hollywood, an uninspired and unmoored screenwriter moves from one fleeting relationship.”

3/4/16- Weak reviews all around. TRDB.

2) LONDON HAS FALLEN- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this follow-up to the thriller “Olympus Has Fallen,” the U.S. president learns of a planned terrorist attack at the funeral of Britain’s prime minister — an event that will be attended by nearly every Western head of state.”

3/4/16- Awful reviews. TRDB.

3) ROAD GAMES– Synopsis by Netflix. “After a disastrous vacation trip, things seem to be looking up for Jack when he hooks up with lovely Véronique while hitchhiking through rural France. But things take an ominous turn when they accept a ride from the wrong man.”

3/4/16- Fair reviews. TRDB.

 

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HOTWIRE ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

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- This movie is more of a love story than about the transgender issue and is definitely worth seeing. TRDB.

 

2) STEVE JOBS– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Everyone knows about the products Steve Jobs designed, but few people really knew the man behind the technology. This revealing biopic focuses on a few key incidents and relationships to tell the story of a digital visionary who changed the world.”

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

10/21/15- I enjoyed this movie very much and I think I got a good picture of the creative genius of this man who to many was a real son-of-a-bitch. TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

1) 4^th. MAN OUT- Good reviews

2) 99 HOMES- I liked it

3) BRIDGE OF SPIES- I liked this movie very much (new last week)

4) CLOSED SEASON-  (NEW) A very good movie and I liked it very much

5) CREED- The recent one with Sly Stallone- good reviews

6) DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL- Very good reviews and I liked it a lot

7) THE END OF THE TOUR- Great movie!!

8)GRANDMA- I liked it a lot– not really a comedy despite Lily Tomlin

9) INFINITELY POLAR BEAR- I enjoyed this movie

10) LABYRINTH OF LIES- A very good movie

11) THE LAST MAN ON THE MOON-

12) MAN-UP- Good reviews and I enjoyed it as well

13) THE MARTIAN- Excellent reviews and many awards- I didn’t care for it

14) MISTRESS AMERICA- I enjoyed this movie

15) MR. HOLMES- I enjoyed it but was a bit disappointed

16) THE NEW GIRLFRIEND- I enjoyed it

17) PAWN SACRIFICE- Just a so-so movie about the chess player Bobby Fisher

18)ROOM- An excellent movie

19) RUN BOY RUN- I enjoyed this very much

20) SAMBA- I enjoyed it

21) SOUTHPAW- I enjoyed this movie despite its predictable plot

22) SPOTLIGHT- An excellent movie

23) THEEB- Excellent reviews and I hope to see this one soon

24) TRAINWRECK- I liked the movie

25) TRUMBO- Excellent movie- don’t miss it

26) YOSEMITE- I found it just OK.

 

Cablevision Link– http://www.optimum.net/VOD/movies?cat=Movies+On+Demand%2FIndependent+Films%2FIFC+In+Theaters

DirecTV- www.directv.com/DTVAPP/listing/ppvMovies.jsp

Time Warner Link- www.twondemand.com

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

 

NEW IN THE BURBS–

 

1) KNIGHT OF CUPS– Jacob Burns. 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Drifting through life amid the hollowness of hedonistic Hollywood, an uninspired and unmoored screenwriter moves from one fleeting relationship.”

3/4/16- Weak reviews all around. TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

 

1) EMBRACE OF THE SERPENT– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Excellent reviews

2) BROOKLYN– Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I enjoyed this movie

3) THE LADY IN THE VAN- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Don’t bother

4) SPOTLIGHT-  Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100. A very good movie and definitely one of my favorites of the year

5) SON OF SAUL– Bethel, Clearview 100. Difficult to watch and a “fair” movie

6) THE BIG SHORT– Bethel. Very well done and I enjoyed it

7) ROOM– Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Everybody should see this one

8) WHERE TO INVADE NEXT– Jacob Burns. Reviews all over- many very good and others really bad

9) 45 YEARS– Garden Cinema Norwalk. I liked this very much and it promoted lots of discussion for days after seeing it

10) THE REVENANT– Danbury. I didn’t care for it

 

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

 

1. A) MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH AND DELRAY-

 

1) COLLIDING DREAMS– Very good reviews for this documentary

2) ROOM- I liked it very much

3) DOUGH– OK reviews

4) SPOTLIGHT– A must-see

 

1. B) STONZEK THEATER AT LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

 

1) THE 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) A WAR– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “With his family back at home in Denmark, Claus Pedersen has another family to look after: the soldiers under his command in the Afghan province of Helmand. When his troops get caught in crossfire, he makes a decision with far-reaching consequences.”

2/13/16- Very good reviews. TRDB.

 

1. C) LIVING ROOM THEATER AT FAU IN BOCA RATON-

 

1) COLLIDING DREAMS– Very good reviews for this documentary

2) DOUGH- OK reviews and lots of people have liked it

3) THE LADY IN THE VAN– A waste of time

4) SON OF SAUL– Very depressing– the movie was fair

5) 45 YEARS– Limited Screening

6) IN THE SHADOW OF WOMEN– Limited Screening

 

For Independent Films in Your Neighborhood go to- www.emergingpictures.com

For Independent Films in Palm Beach County go to www.lakeworthplayhouse.org

For Films everywhere go to- www.fandango.com

 

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

Entry Filed under: Old Newsletters