The Reel Dr. Bob

MAY 12, 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) REMEMBER– Netflix

2) WHAT’S IN A NAME?– Netflix Streaming

3) RIVER OF GRASS– Netflix

4) THE MEDDLER– At the Theater

5) THE CLUB (EL CLUBO)- Netflix

6) THE FAMILY FANG– Comcast On-Demand

7) LOVE AT FIRST FIGHT– Netflix Streaming

8) I SMILE BACK– Netflix

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) THE MEDDLER– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “On the heels of her husband’s death, Marnie Minervini moves to Los Angeles and begins interfering with her daughter Lori’s life. But after Marnie’s chance encounter with a charismatic security guard, she turns her attention in a different direction.”4/22/16- Very good reviews from critics and audiences alike. TRDB.

5/8/16- A delightful, poignant comedy with a wonderful Susan Sarandon. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

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.

 5/4/16– Good reviews but some said that it needed Plummer to keep it anchored. I liked it very much and those who haven’t seen it should. TRDB. Netflix.

2) WHAT’S IN A NAME?- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Vincent and Elizabeth join her brother, his wife and a friend for dinner, and the impending birth of their child is the topic of the evening. Their shared warmth dissolves when Vincent reveals the hideous name he’s chosen for his first offspring.”

12/13/13- Good reviews including the one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

5/6/16- Clever, clever, clever!! I really liked this French comedy that examines family dynamics at a dinner party. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

3) RIVER OF GRASS– 1995. Synopsis by Netflix. “Cozy and Lee (Lisa Bowman and Larry Fessenden), lovers who are as criminally inclined as they come, plan a road spree of robbery and mayhem. But after bungling a series of heists and having to outrun the police for a crime they didn’t commit, they decide that doin’ what comes naturally requires more effort than they can exert. Talk about laid-back gangsters!”

5/4/16- Very good reviews. TRDB.

5/7/16- I enjoyed the movie but fair warning– there’s not much action. TRDB.

4) THE CLUB (EL CLUBO)- 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.

5/9/16- This film was Chile’s entry for Best Foreign Film last year but it did not get nominated. Very dark both in terms of script and actual location. The movie deals with pedophilia in the clergy but not as well as other films lately. I did like it, however. TRDB. Netflix.

5) THE FAMILY FANG– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Raised in a household dominated by their performance-artist parents, Annie and Buster have stayed far away as adults. But after an accident lands Buster back home and Annie joins him, things take an unexpected turn when Mom and Dad vanish.”

4/29/16- Fair reviews from both audiences and critics. TRDB.

5/10/16- Extremely creative and very well acted, this film makes its mark and is definitely worth seeing. Good cast also. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

6) LOVE AT FIRST FIGHT– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “When he meets the intense, muscular and beautiful Madeleine Beaulieu on France’s southwest coast, mild-mannered Arnaud Labrède becomes obsessed with her — so much so that when she signs up for a military training course, he follows suit.”

5/22/15- A wide spectrum from fair to good reviews- mostly good, however. TRDB.

5/11/16- I enjoyed this movie about 2 young adults falling in love under unusual circumstances. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

7) I SMILE BACK– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “On the surface, Laney Brooks has the life that many covet: two adorable kids, a beautiful home and a successful husband. But behind the façade, she’s headed for crisis, tortured by self-doubt and medicating herself heavily with drugs and alcohol.”

10/23/15- Generally poor reviews, one critic saying that the movie was just one more about suburban ennui. TRDB.

5/11/16- It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such divergent opinions about a movie by the critics. Count me in with those who liked it. I thought that Silverman was great in the part. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, MAY 17-

1) THEEB– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this adventure tale set in the far corners of the Ottoman Empire during World War I, a Bedouin boy who comes from a family of pilgrim guides must use all of his acquired skills to survive a desert journey gone seriously awry.”11/2/15- Terrific reviews. TRDB.

2/28/16- A well done if a bit slow movie that has been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film for 2015. I liked it- very good but not great. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

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 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.

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OPENED LAST FRIDAY, MAY 6-

1) BEING CHARLIE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “For Charlie, spending his 18th birthday in a Utah rehab clinic is not OK. So he busts out and heads back to California — only to be greeted by his politico dad, who promptly enrolls him in another facility. Here, things begin to change.”5/6/16- A few good reviews but mostly poor ones. My nephew, Matt Elisofon, co-wrote this movie and he is very funny and very creative so I’d make every attempt to see this film. TRDB.

2) BELLADONNA OF SADNESS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “A woman makes a pact with the devil to exact revenge on the man who assaulted her in this masterpiece of 1970s psychedelic cinema. The story is told through gorgeous animated watercolor stills reminiscent of Alphonse Mucha’s art nouveau paintings.”

5/6/16- Very good reviews for this animated movie and despite my dislike of that genre I will recommend this interesting movie. TRDB.

3) BRIDGEND– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “When her dad is sent to a small Welsh town to investigate a series of teen suicides, inquisitive Sara falls in with a group of the victims’ friends and gets closer than her father to figuring out what’s behind the frightening phenomenon.”

5/6/16- Very good reviews with a few notable exceptions. TRDB.

4) DARK HORSE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a bid to develop a champion racehorse, Welsh barmaid Jan Vokes and her husband persuade 30 pub patrons to purchase ownership shares in the long-shot venture — leading to the hoof-pounding saga chronicled in this upbeat documentary.”

5/6/16- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

5) DHEEPAN– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Forced into exile by war in his native Sri Lanka, former Tamil resistance fighter Dheepan is able to find refugee housing in the suburbs of Paris. However, he soon discovers that his new world is nearly as oppressive as the one he left behind.”

5/6/16- Excellent professional reviews and very good audience reaction as well. TRDB.

6) ELSTREE 1976- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Though working on the production of “Star Wars” in 1976 brought only fleeting fame for the masked bit-part actors and extras, it became a life-changing experience for them, as chronicled in this engaging documentary.”

5/6/16- Critics liked this movie but audiences have not. TRDB.

7) MAD TIGER– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “After 15 years on the rock ‘n’ roll treadmill, Red tells bandmate Yellow that he’s had enough, not only breaking up their performance-art punk group, Peelander-Z, but straining the pair’s longtime friendship.”

5/6/16- Fair reviews from critics and audiences alike. TRDB.

8) RABIN IN HIS OWN WORDS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this moving portrait of Yitzhak Rabin, filmmaker Erez Laufer lets the late Israeli statesman tell his own life story through a treasure trove of archival footage, home movies, photos and personal letters.”

5/6/16- Just a few reviews for this documentary and they are all excellent. TRDB.

9) THOSE PEOPLE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “For years, young painter Charlie has carried a torch for his handsome best friend, who’s become enveloped in a financial scandal. But when a new man — a concert pianist — arrives on the scene, Charlie finds himself facing a momentous decision.”

5/6/16- Just 4 reviews so far and 3 of them are very good. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) BEAUTIFUL SOMETHING– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Over the course of a single night, this multistranded romantic drama looks into the lives of four gay Philadelphia men — a writer, a sculptor, an actor and a talent agent — each exploring the different desires that guide them.”5/6/16- Weak reviews all around. TRDB.

2) MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Photographing rock stars and stoking her red-hot career, single shutterbug Rigby Gray is riding a wave of success when she suddenly finds herself pregnant. Slowly, her focus shifts as she begins documenting the relationship between mother and child.”

5/6/16– Awful reviews from the critics and good ones from audiences. I’ll skip it for now. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW TO COMCAST ON-DEMAND THIS WEEK-

1) MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Photographing rock stars and stoking her red-hot career, single shutterbug Rigby Gray is riding a wave of success when she suddenly finds herself pregnant. Slowly, her focus shifts as she begins documenting the relationship between mother and child.”5/6/16– Awful reviews from the critics and good ones from audiences. I’ll pass on it. TRDB.

2) ELSTREE 1976- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Though working on the production of “Star Wars” in 1976 brought only fleeting fame for the masked bit-part actors and extras, it became a life-changing experience for them, as chronicled in this engaging documentary.”5/6/16- Critics liked this movie but audiences have not. TRDB.

REPEATS-

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) MONEY MONSTER– Bethel, Danbury. 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Landing in dire financial straits after following a stock tip from bombastic TV persona Lee Gates, fuming Kyle Budwell takes the lout hostage on live television and threatens to kill him unless he turns the stock price around before the closing bell.”5/10/16- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

2) A BIGGER SPLASH– Jacob Burns. 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “As wealthy Americans Paul and Marianne are enjoying a serene vacation on a remote Italian island, two surprise guests arrive: Marianne’s former lover and his teenage daughter — who quickly change the social and sexual dynamics.”5/4/16- Very good professional reviews and fair audience reaction. TRDB.

3 EVA HESSE– Jacob Burns. 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “German-born artist Eva Hesse was a rising star in the 1960s New York City art scene before succumbing to a brain tumor at age 34. This absorbing documentary spotlights Hesse’s imaginative use of new materials in her distinctive post-minimalist style.”

4/26/16- I’ve seen just 4 reviews–  3 up and 1 down. I’ll probably see it at some point. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Fair to good reviews

2) PAPA HEMINGWAY IN CUBA– Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Weak reviews

3) A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING– Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. OK reviews

4) THE MEDDLER– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I liked it very much

5) SING STREET– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Very good reviews

6) DOUGH- 2016. Jacob Burns. 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- Reviews are positive for this comedy. TRDB.

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH AND DELRAY-

1) MONEY MONSTER– Fair reviews at best

2) THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY– Fair to good reviews

3) THE MEDDLER– I saw it and liked it very much

4) REMEMBER– Excellent!

B) STONZEK THEATER AT LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

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 and having opened a month ago in Florida I can tell you that most people I’ve spoken to have liked it. TRDB.

2) VIVA– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “After Jesus’ dream of performing in a drag club finally becomes a reality, his disapproving macho dad arrives on the scene threatening to spoil everything — and a clash of wills soon ensues between father and son.”4/29/16- Very good reviews all around. TRDB.

C) LIVING ROOM THEATER AT FAU IN BOCA RATON-

1) THE MEDDLER– I liked it very much

2) REMEMBER– Excellent movie

3) THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY– Fair to good reviews

4) A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING– OK reviews– Limited Screenings

5) EYE IN THE SKY– I didn’t care for this one– Limited Screenings

6) MILES AHEAD– Good reviews– Limited Screenings

7) RABIN IN HIS OWN WORDS Very good reviews — Limited Screenings

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB