The Reel Dr. Bob

FILM REVIEWS #589

April 13th, 2016

APRIL 14, 2016

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

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

www.thereeldrbob.com

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) APPLES IN THE DESERT– At the Theater.

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) EYE IN THE SKY– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Leading an operation to nab a terrorist and her collaborators in Kenya, Col. Katherine Powell ends up in a political and moral quagmire as the mission changes and a drone strike is ordered, putting a young girl at risk of becoming collateral damage.”

3/11/16- Very good reviews. TRDB.

4/7/16- Long and drawn out and with little to add after seeing the trailers, this movie should have been a short instead of a full length movie. TRDB. 

2) APPLES IN THE DESERT– 2016. This movie from Israel is about a 19 year old girl living in an ultra orthodox community with her parents and her quest for freedom from what she considers an oppressive way of life.

4/11/16- A very good movie about issues that have been brought up before but generally not as well. The film prompted lots of discussion. TRDB. At the Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival in Boynton Beach.

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

Not Recommended–

 

1) VICTORIA– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “When adventurous Victoria goes out for a night of clubbing, she meets four young men who invite her to join them for some after-hours revelry. Only after they start planning a brazen heist does Victoria realize she’s running with a dangerous crowd.”

10/8/15- Very good reviews. TRDB.

4/10/16- A “single take” movie which was quite a feat but I did not like the film as it felt like a stalking situation that I hate. I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, APRIL 19-

THESE WERE LISTED IN LAST WEEK’S EDITION BUT HERE THEY ARE AGAIN-

 

Recommended-

 

1) DRUNK STONED BRILLIANT DEAD: THE STORY OF THE NATIONAL LAMPOON- 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Founded in 1970 as a wacky, shocking and irreverent humor magazine, “National Lampoon” touched off a revolution in American comedic style, as chronicled in this affectionate look at the publication’s history and legacy.”

9/25/15- Very good reviews from both critics and audiences alike for this documentary. 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) ALL MISTAKES BURIED– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Bent on recovering a stolen pendant he’d given to his estranged wife, struggling crack addict Sonny takes on a dangerous gang of crooks — certain that if he can retrieve the necklace, he can save his marriage.”

1/22/16- Weak reviews by the critics but excellent ones from audiences. I might just give this a try. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1) THE LETTERS– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “This inspiring biographical drama portrays the remarkable life of Mother Teresa through the lens of a decades-long correspondence with her confidant and spiritual mentor, Father Celeste van Exem.”

11/29/15- Just saw 1 review and she called it necessary but punishingly dull. TRDB.

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

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OPENED ON FRIDAY, APRIL 8-

 

Recommended-

 

1) LOUDER THAN BOMBS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Brought together three years after their mother’s death for an exhibit honoring her work as a photographer, brothers Conrad and Jonah share their memories of Mom as their father tries to bridge the emotional divide with his sons.”

4/8/16- Fair to good reviews including some very good ones. I’ll plan on seeing this one. TRDB.

2) NEON BULL– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Working behind the scenes of the macho Brazilian sport of vaquejada, Iremar prepares bulls for their entry into the arena, where cowboys try to tug the animals to the ground by their tails. But Iremar’s real ambition is to become a costume designer.

4/8/16– Great reviews for this drama. TRDB.

3) HAVANA MOTOR CLUB– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “After the 1959 Cuban revolution, the nation’s new leader outlawed car racing. More than 50 years later, a handful of Cuban auto enthusiasts are at last allowed to bring out their carefully preserved classic models for a legal drag-racing competition.”

4/8/16- Very good reviews by the critics for this documentary. TRDB.

4) HIGH STRUNG– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “When classical dance student Ruby Adams meets street musician Johnnie Blackwell, the attraction is mutual. With both facing adversity, the pair — aided by a hip-hop dance crew — begins preparing for a competition in which everything is at stake.”

4/8/16- Just fair reviews but the premise sounded interesting enough that I’d see it. TRDB.

5) LOOK AT US NOW, MOTHER! 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Candidly recalling the abusive treatment she received from her carping mother in childhood, filmmaker Gayle Kirschenbaum turns the lens on herself and her family, trying to gain insight into and resolve the issues that made them bitter adversaries.”

4/8/16- Good to excellent reviews. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1) 11 MINUTES– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “While a handful of disparate Warsaw residents are caught up personal dramas, several sharp turns take place in their lives over the space of 11 minutes as their paths start to intersect, leading to a fateful outcome.”

4/8/16- Very weak reviews. TRDB.

2) MR. RIGHT– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Just when Martha thinks she’s found the man of her dreams, she learns that the charismatic Francis is a hit man who offs his clients instead of the intended marks. But his past may catch up with him when contract killers set their sights on Francis.”

4/8/16- Audiences have liked this movie but the critics have not. TRDB.

3) ONE MORE TIME– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Beaten down by New York City, aspiring singer Jude Lombard decides to take a break at her father’s house in the Hamptons. But she soon realizes that living with dad, a faded old crooner trying to launch a comeback, poses its own challenges.”

4/8/16- Poor reviews in general although it did sound somewhat interesting. TRDB.

 

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HOTWIRE ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW-

 

1) YOUTH– 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.

4/7/16- I enjoyed this film very much– well acted by Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel and Paul Dano with some important messages as well. TRDB.

REPEATS-

 

1) 4^th. MAN OUT- Good reviews

2) 99 HOMES- I liked it

3) ALL MISTAKES BURIED- Back On-Demand. Good reviews

4) THE BIG SHORT- Very good review and I liked it very much

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

6) BROOKLYN – I liked it a lot

7) CAROL- I liked it very much

8)CLOSED SEASON- A very good movie and I liked it very much

9) CREED- The recent one with Sly Stallone- good reviews but I’ll skip it

10) THE DANISH GIRL- A very good movie

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

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

13) FASTBALL- Very good reviews

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

15) LABYRINTH OF LIES- A very good movie

16) LAMB- Good reviews

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

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

19) ROOM- An excellent movie

20) SAMBA- I enjoyed it

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

22) SPOTLIGHT- An excellent movie

23) STEVE JOBS- I liked it.

24) THEEB- Excellent reviews and I liked it

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

 

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) CITY OF GOLD– Bethel. 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “From behind the wheel of his green pickup truck, acclaimed food writer Jonathan Gold sets off on a journey to explore the panoply of regional cuisines and trademark dishes to be found within the vast urban sprawl of Los Angeles.”

3/11/16- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2) LOUDER THAN BOMBS– Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Brought together three years after their mother’s death for an exhibit honoring her work as a photographer, brothers Conrad and Jonah share their memories of Mom as their father tries to bridge the emotional divide with his sons.”

4/8/16- Fair to good reviews including some very good ones. I’ll plan on seeing this one. TRDB.

3) EVERYBODY WANTS SOME– Jacob Burns. 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in the 1980s, this campus comedy chronicles the triumphs and humiliations of a group of freshman friends intent on making the school’s baseball team — while exploring a brave new world of adult temptations off the field.”

4/13/15- Very good reviews for this comedy. TRDB.

REPEATS-

 

1) DEMOLITION– Bethel, Danbury. Weak reviews

 

2) EYE IN THE SKY– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury. Just so-so. Reminded me of a short story made into a novel or a short made into a full length feature

 

3) HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100. Good reviews

 

4) BORN TO BE BLUE– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Very good reviews.

 

5) MY GOLDEN DAYS– Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Good reviews

 

6) REMEMBER–  Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Good reviews

 

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

 

1. A) MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

 

1) EYE IN THE SKY– I didn’t care for it- movie should have been a short instead

2) REMEMBER– Fairly good reviews

3) HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS– Good reviews

 

1. B) STONZEK THEATER AT LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

 

1) REMEMBER- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “As lifelong friends Zev and Max move into their last years, they make a solemn pact to hunt down and take revenge on the Nazi commander who was responsible for slaughtering their families during World War II.”

3/11/16– Fairly good reviews especially by audiences. TRDB.

2) MY GOLDEN DAYS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this episodic drama that unfolds in three segments, middle-aged anthropologist Paul Dédalus leaves the field and takes a desk job in Paris, where he muses on his turbulent youth and the love of his life, Esther.”

3/18/16- Very good reviews from critics and fairly good ones from audiences. The NY Times and WSJ both rated it highly. TRDB.

 

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

 

1) BORN TO BE BLUE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “This inventive reimagining of jazzman Chet Baker’s life picks up during the late 1960s, when the trumpeter is almost as famous for his addiction as he is for his music. Looking for a career boost, he agrees to take part in a movie about his life.”

3/25/16- Very good reviews by critics and audiences. TRDB.

2) EYE IN THE SKY– Just so-so

3) DOUGH– Good reviews but limited screenings now

4) HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS– Good reviews

5) REMEMBER– Interesting premise and OK reviews

 

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

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