The Reel Dr. Bob

JUNE 9, 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) MAGGIE’S PLAN– At the Theater

2) SIDDARTH- Netflix Streaming

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) MAGGIE’S PLAN– 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 some had negative things to say as well. Audiences were mixed. I like both Ethan Hawke and Greta Gerwig and I’ll try to see this movie. TRDB.

6/3/16- I saw this movie and I enjoyed every moment. Funny and poignant with wonderful characters, each of them trying to be honest with the others and with themselves. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) SIDDARTH– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “After sending his 12-year-old son away to work, impoverished street merchant Mahendra Saini launches a search for the boy when he doesn’t return on the expected date. But Mahendra has no money and no picture of his child, hampering the hunt.”6/27/14– Good critical review but audiences didn’t care for it. TRDB.

6/8/16- I enjoyed this sad but very realistic drama. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JUNE 14-

1) 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 and friends have liked it. TRDB.

2) VALLEY OF LOVE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “While still reeling from the suicide of their son, Michael, an estranged couple receives letters from him written prior to his death. The missives instruct his parents to meet in California’s Death Valley — where Michael plans to appear before them.”3/25/16- Good reviews by critics and OK ones by audiences. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST FRIDAY-

1) ART BASTARD– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “This engrossing documentary profiles the career of artistic rebel Robert Cenedella, whose vivid urban portraits reflect his determination to go his own way during an era dominated by pop art, minimalism and money.”6/3/16- Not many reviews as yet but the ones available are fairly good. TRDB.

2) THE FITS- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Captivated by a dance drill team known as the Lionesses and yearning for social acceptance, insecure tomboy Toni tries out for the squad and lands a spot. But just as she starts to gain confidence, inexplicable episodes of fainting plague the group.”

6/3/16- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

3) GURUKULAM– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “This meditative documentary travels to a remote ashram in southern India, where the sage Swami Dayananda Saraswati tutors a diverse group of acolytes on the connection between the spiritual and material worlds, and the process of self-discovery.”

6/3/16- Very few reviews and they are evenly divided. TRDB.

4) POPSTAR: NEVER STOP NEVER STOPPING– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Taking aim at the modern music industry, this rollicking mockumentary follows a rap star whose life nose-dives after his latest album flops. Looking to make a comeback, he reluctantly resurrects his former boy band.”

6/3/16- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

5) THE PRESIDENT– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “When revolutionaries take over the government of a nation ruled by corruption, the ousted leader finds himself on the run with his young grandson. Forced to don a disguise, the brutal despot soon comes face-to-face with the human misery he’s caused.”

6/3/16- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

6) TIME TO CHOOSE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Proclaiming that now is the time to act in order to avert climate change’s catastrophic effects, filmmaker Charles Ferguson sets out to prove it in this topical documentary that looks at the array of challenges and offers potential solutions.”

6/3/16- Very good reviews from critics and from audiences. TRDB.

7) THE WITNESS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “More than 10 years in the making, this affecting documentary follows Bill Genovese on his personal crusade to learn the truth about the 1964 death of his sister Kitty, who was raped and murdered as dozens of witnesses purportedly did nothing.”

6/3/16- The critics liked this movie– audience reviews were mixed. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) THE GOD CELLS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Medical experiments using fetal stem cell injections have shown great efficacy in treating various neurological and immune disorders. But religious opposition has severely slowed approval of the therapy in America, as detailed in this documentary.”

6/3/16- Poor reviews from the critics but very good ones from audiences. The reviews I read make the movie seem more emotional than informative. 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 THOUGHTS THAT ONCE WE HAD–  2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “French philosopher Gilles Deleuze’s writings on cinema are the inspiration behind this nonlinear documentary that traverses history via film, incorporating clips from directors ranging from Erich von Stroheim to Jean-Luc Godard.”

6/3/16- Just 3 reviews so far and they are positive but it sounds boring and confusing to me. TRDB.

4) THE WAILING– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a tiny village in the mountains of South Korea, everyone knows one another. So, when a sudden spate of deaths occur shortly after a stranger arrives in town, he quickly falls under suspicion.”

6/3/16- Great reviews but this is a horror/stalking movie and I’ll skip it. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW ON DEMAND- NONE RECOMMENDED

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS- NONE

REPEATS–

1) LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Great reviews but I’m skipping it

2) MAGGIE’S PLAN– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I liked this movie very much

3) MONEY MONSTER– Bethel. Fair reviews at best

4) THE LOBSTER– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I did NOT like this at all

5) WEINER- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I liked this painful to watch documentary

6) THE MEDDLER– Clearview 100. I liked this movie very much

7) THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY– Jacob Burns.

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH AND DELRAY-

1) WEINER– Painful to watch but I enjoyed it

2) LOVE & FRIENDSHIP– Great reviews but I’ll pass for now

3) MAGGIE’S PLAN- I liked it very much

4) SHELLY ISAACS WILL BE SHOWING “THE LAST ELVIS” ON FRIDAY AT 1PM

THE LAST ELVIS– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Elvis Gutiérrez is a star – his singing and stage presence bring back to life the King of Rock and Roll in all his glory. By day, though, Gutiérrez slaves away at a dead-end factory job and endures the scorn of his ex-wife; only his young daughter, Lisa Marie, brings any joy outside of his Elvis tribute gigs.”

6/8/16- Some fairly good reviews. TRDB.

B) STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) SUNSET SONG– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In early 20th-century Scotland, farmer’s daughter Chris Guthrie dreams of making her way in the world, but life has other plans for her. When a series of tragedies leaves Chris in charge of the land, she rises to the challenge. She even finds love.”5/13/16- Very good reviews by the professionals and weak ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) CASH ONLY– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “With poor past decisions contributing to his current financial troubles, Detroit landlord Elvis Martini needs to figure out one big score to clear his debts. But the plan he comes up with soon makes matters far worse.”5/13/16- Excellent reviews from critics and audiences. 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 WAIT (L’ATTESA)- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “As single mother Anna mourns her son’s death, Jeanne, a stranger claiming to be his lover arrives for a visit — unaware of his demise. Withholding the unspeakable truth for as long as possible, Anna begins to grow close to Jeanne.”

4/29/16- Weak professional reviews and somewhat better audience ones. TRDB.

3) LOVE & FRIENDSHIP– Great reviews but I’m skipping it

4) MAGGIE’S PLAN– I liked it very much

5) THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY– Fair to good reviews- I’ll see it on DVD later on

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB