The Reel Dr. Bob

JUNE 2, 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) LITTLE ENGLAND– Netflix Streaming

2) THE LAST MAN ON THE MOON– Netflix Streaming

3) SONG OF LAHORE– Netflix.

4) WEINER– Comcast On-Demand

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) LITTLE ENGLAND– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “On the island of Andros, sea captain’s wife Mina Saltaferou dashes her daughter Orsa’s dream of wedding second mate Spyros Maltabes, marrying her off to another man. To make matters worse, Mina arranges for Spyros to wed Orsa’s younger sister.’5/26/16- Way too long but I still enjoyed it. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

2) SONG OF LAHORE– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “The city of Lahore was once an artistic haven famous for its music, but that changed with the imposition of Sharia law. This engaging documentary follows some passionate Pakistani musicians trying to revive a tradition in a shrinking cultural sphere.”

11/13/15- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

5/28/16- A very good documentary with lots of very good music. TRDB. Netflix.

3) THE LAST MAN ON THE MOON– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this artful blend of memoir and documentary, former Apollo astronaut Gene Cernan looks back to the glory days of NASA’s lunar landings and his unique distinction of being the last man to stand on the moon.”

2/26/16- Fairly good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

5/26/16- A well done and interesting documentary that explores the emotional aspects of the astronauts as well as their accomplishments in space. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

4) WEINER– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “After resigning from Congress amid a sexting scandal, Anthony Weiner sets out to make a comeback in a 2013 campaign for mayor of New York City. Yet, as chronicled in this incisive documentary, his ambitions get derailed when a new scandal erupts.”

5/20/16- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

5/30/16- Painful to watch but it was a very good study of self-destruction that seems to affect lots of public figures. Worth seeing. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JUNE 7-

Recommended-

1) ANOMALISA– 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.

1/23/16- I can assure you that this movie will be seen as one of the top 5 strangest movies you’ll ever see. I’m not sure if I understood this animated feature or if it is understandable at all but it held my interest throughout and I definitely recommend it. TRDB.

2) TOUCHED WITH FIRE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Committed to a mental hospital after going off their medications, bipolar patients Carla and Marco — who share a passion for poetry — soon fall in love. But the feelings that connect them fuel their volatility, and starts to spin out of control.”2/13/16- Mixed reviews by the critics but audiences have liked it very much. TRDB.

3) 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. I plan to see it. TRDB.

4) 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. I’ll take a chance. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

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.”1/15/16- Weak reviews. TRDB.

2) 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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OPENED LAST FRIDAY MAY 27-

1) AS I AM: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF DJ AM– Synopsis by Netflix. “This absorbing documentary charts the rocky road to fame and success taken by Adam Goldstein, the mash-up master known as DJ AM in the world of electronic club music, whose life was cut short at age 36 after a drug overdose.”5/27/16- I’ve seen just 4 reviews of this documentary and they are all very positive. Audiences have liked this movie very much as well. TRDB.

2) CHEVALIER– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “While on a yacht in the Aegean Sea, six men engage in a competition that includes everything from singing to building furniture. As the challenges escalate from mundane to elaborate, the contest turns into a revealing game of machismo.”

5/27/16- Very good reviews from the critics but audiences have panned it. I’d give it a try. TRDB.

3) HOLY HELL– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Through more than two decades of footage that he shot while a member of the Buddhafield spiritual community, documentarian Will Allen recounts his gradual immersion into the Southern California cult and his eventual disenchantment with it.”

5/27/16- Mixed reviews from critics and terrible ones from audiences but I read enough positive comments to warrant a recommendation. TRDB.

4) THE IDOL– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Hany Abu-Assad, this fascinating biopic dramatizes the life story of wedding singer Mohammad Assaf, who surmounted the odds and became the first Palestinian vocalist to win “Arab Idol.”

5/27/16- Mostly good reviews from the critics but weak ones from audiences. TRDB.

5) JIA ZHANGKE, A GUY FROM FENYANG– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Focusing a lens on trailblazing director Jia Zhang-ke, this incisive documentary follows the auteur as he returns to his hometown of Fenyang. While revisiting shooting locales from his films, Jia ruminates on his career and China’s uncertain future.”

5/27/16- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB. 

6) PRESENTING PRINCESS SHAW– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “With the Internet awash in millions of videos by musicians seeking notice, few such artists have much success. But singer-songwriter Samantha Montgomery becomes an exception after drawing the attention of Ophir Kutiel, a master mixer of viral videos.”

5/27/16- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

7) PRINCESS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “While her mother works, 12-year-old Adar and her jobless stepfather engage in role-playing routines — but they soon begin to unnerve her. When she meets Alan, a homeless boy who looks just like her, he helps Adar face the reality of her situation.

5/27/16– I could not find a single review for this Israeli film except for the very good one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

8) TO LIFE (A LA VIE)- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “After surviving the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp, three women who were close friends in confinement lose contact. Fifteen years later, they meet again at a French seaside resort, where they help one another transcend their shared trauma.”

5/27/16- Weak reviews but the subject sounds interesting enough that I’ll probably see it. TRDB.

 

Not Recommended-

1) THE ONES BELOW– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “As Kate and Justin nervously await the birth of their first child, a couple who’s also expecting moves into the downstairs flat. The couples become fast friends, but their relationship turns ugly when their first joint dinner party ends in tragedy.”

5/27/16- Mixed reviews and I’ll definitely skip this one. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW ON-DEMAND

1) WEINER– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “After resigning from Congress amid a sexting scandal, Anthony Weiner sets out to make a comeback in a 2013 campaign for mayor of New York City. Yet, as chronicled in this incisive documentary, his ambitions get derailed when a new scandal erupts.”5/20/16- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

5/30/16- Painful to watch but it was a very good study of self-destruction that seems to affect lots of public figures. Worth seeing. TRDB. 

2) PRESENTING PRINCESS SHAW– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “With the Internet awash in millions of videos by musicians seeking notice, few such artists have much success. But singer-songwriter Samantha Montgomery becomes an exception after drawing the attention of Ophir Kutiel, a master mixer of viral videos.”5/27/16- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

REPEATS-

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) MAGGIE’S PLAN- Jacob Burns. 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Although Maggie may not be able to sustain a romantic relationship, she has the rest of her life figured out. But just when she’s ready to roll with her plan to have a sperm-donor baby, Maggie meets the man of her dreams.”5/20/16- Positive reviews by the critics but many had some negative things to say as well. Audiences were less enthusiastic. I like both Ethan Hawke and Greta Gerwig and I’ll try to see this movie. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) LOVE & FRIENDSHOP– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk

2) MONEY MONSTER– Bethel, Danbury. Fair reviews at best

3) THE LOBSTER– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Very good reviews but I really disliked this movie

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

5) THE MEDDLER- Bethel, Clearview 100. I liked this movie

6) WEINER– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I saw this and liked it

7) A BIGGER SPLASH– Jacob Burns. I liked it very much

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH AND DELRAY-

1) TO LIFE (A LA VIE)- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “After surviving the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp, three women who were close friends in confinement lose contact. Fifteen years later, they meet again at a French seaside resort, where they help one another transcend their shared trauma.”5/27/16- Weak reviews but the subject sounds interesting enough that I’ll probably see it. TRDB.

2) ME BEFORE YOU– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Planning to stay just six months, Lou Clark takes on the job of looking after rich but depressed Will Traynor, who’s been left a quadriplegic by an accident. Despite Will’s disillusionment, Lou is determined to show him that his life is worth living.”

6/2/16- Weak reviews from most of the critics. TRDB.

3) THE MEDDLER– I liked this movie

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

5) MONEY MONSTER– Fair reviews at best

6) LOVE & FRIENDSHIP– Very good reviews but I’ll skip it

AT THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH Shelly Isaacs presents on Friday at 1pm-

A MONSTER WITH A THOUSAND HEADS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “As her husband grapples with cancer, Sonia’s repeated calls to their medical insurers go unanswered, preventing any treatment. Driven to desperation, Sonia vows to get the company’s attention by any means necessary — including violence.”

5/15/16- Very good reviews by the critics and excellent ones from audiences. TRDB.

6/2/16- SHELLY ISAACS IS GREAT AND THIS MOVIE IS WELL REVIEWED- I’d go if I were you!!

B) STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) TALE OF TALES– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Intertwining three tales of irony, magic and monsters, this surreal anthology follows an infertile queen fixated on bearing a child, a feckless monarch obsessed with a gifted flea and a randy ruler who develops an unwitting infatuation.”4/22/16- Good professional reviews and fair audience ones but this sci-fi movie does not appeal to me at all. TRDB.

2) HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS–  2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Inspired by insights gained through a self-help seminar, 60-year-old Doris Miller brazenly steps forward to pursue the affections of a much younger co-worker — and inadvertently becomes a hit with his hipster cohorts.”3/11/16- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

C) LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON

1)  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.

2) THE IDOL– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Hany Abu-Assad, this fascinating biopic dramatizes the life story of wedding singer Mohammad Assaf, who surmounted the odds and became the first Palestinian vocalist to win “Arab Idol.”

5/27/16- Mostly good reviews from the critics but weak ones from audiences. TRDB.

3) LOVE & FRIENDSHIP– Great reviews but I’m not planning to see this

4) REMEMBER– Excellent. A must see!!

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

6) THE MEDDLER– I liked this one very much

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB