The Reel Dr. Bob

AUGUST 4, 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) TALLULAH- Netflix Streaming

2) THE RUSSIAN WOODPECKER– Netflix.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) TALLULAH– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Acting upon a sudden maternal impulse, plucky young drifter Lu makes off with another woman’s baby. With nowhere else to go, Lu takes refuge at the home of her ex-boyfriend’s mother, who believes the tot is her grandchild.”7/29/16- Very good reviews. TRDB.

7/29/16- I liked the movie despite hating every scene in which the mother of the baby appeared. Ellen Page is very good as usual. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

2) THE RUSSIAN WOODPECKER– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Affected as a boy by the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster, Ukrainian artist Fedor Alexandrovich travels to the Exclusion Zone to pursue his suspicions about the meltdown’s link to the Duga, a huge Soviet radio antenna located near the Chernobyl site.”

10/16/15- Excellent reviews by critics and good ones by audiences. TRDB.

8/3/16- A fascinating documentary with lots of unproven theories. TRDB. Netflix.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, AUG. 9-

1) SWEET BEAN– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Looking for help in his bakery — where he specializes in doriyaki pastries — Sentaro hires 76-year-old Tokue. To Sentaro’s surprise, his new employee has a unique talent for making the popular delicacy … but she’s also hiding a troubling secret.”3/18/16- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

2) A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, U.S. businessman Alan Clay tries to reverse his fortunes by landing a lucrative contract in Saudi Arabia. As Alan attempts to navigate his way through an unfamiliar culture, he unexpectedly finds romance.” 4/22/16– Fair reviews from the critics but excellent ones from audiences. It sounds interesting to me and the NY Times liked it also. TRDB.

3) 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.

Not Recommended-

1) FATHERS AND DAUGHTERS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Unfolding via interwoven narratives, this touching drama follows novelist Jake Davis after he loses his wife in a car crash and becomes a single dad to 5-year-old Katie, who’s still struggling three decades later to overcome her tumultuous childhood.”7/8/16- Weak reviews. TRDB.

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OPENED FRIDAY, JULY 29-

1) ANTS ON A SHRIMP- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “This tasty culinary documentary follows renowned Chef René Redzepi, owner of Denmark’s world-famous Noma restaurant in Copenhagen, as he takes his entire staff to Tokyo to create a spectacular 14-course menu using only local ingredients.”7/29/16- Just 4 reviews so far– 3 good (including the NY Times) and 1 not so good. TRDB.

2) CAN WE TAKE A JOKE?- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Free speech was once a topic of pride for most Americans, but a growing sensitivity to what some consider offensive language has led comedians and social scientists to decry the current climate of political correctness as a threat to free expression.”

7/29/16- Mixed reviews for this documentary– more positive than negative. TRDB.

3) EQUITY– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “While veteran investment banker Naomi Bishop has thrived in the cutthroat, male-dominated financial world, her leadership of a technology company’s initial public offering exposes her to intense pressure from colleagues — and a prosecutor.”

7/29/16- Fairly good reviews from the critics and mixed ones from audiences. TRDB.

4) GLEASON– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Five years after a blocked punt made New Orleans Saints defensive back Steve Gleason a hero, he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease. This compelling documentary, begun as a video diary for his then-unborn son, charts Gleason’s struggle.”

7/29/16- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

5) HOMO SAPIENS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Unfolding without narration, this visually compelling documentary offers a gallery of affecting and often bleak images of abandoned structures around the world, from prisons and hospitals to amusement parks and nuclear reactors.”7/29/16- A limited number of reviews but they are all good. TRDB.

6) INDIGNATION– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “When he’s admitted to a rigidly Christian college in the Midwest, Marcus Messner also achieves another goal: to get away from his domineering Jewish dad. But Marcus’ optimism is soon tempered by a nettling dean and signs of anti-Semitism on campus.”

7/29/16- Very good reviews. TRDB.

7) INTO THE FOREST– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this near-future vision of America’s collapse, two sisters living in an isolated forest cabin slowly become aware that a continental power outage may be permanent, leaving them in uncharted territory that will test their fortitude and their bond.”

7/29/16- Sounds a bit weird but good critical review. Audiences have not cared for the movie, however. TRDB.

8) THE LAND– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Cleveland teens Cisco, Boobie, Junior and Patty Cake plan to use their skateboarding skills to catapult themselves out of the ‘hood, but a chance discovery of a cache of pills may provide an opportunity to escape much faster.”

7/29/16- Mixed reviews– more plus than minus. TRDB.

9) MISS SHARON JONES– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Barbara Kopple shadows R & B singer Sharon Jones during a difficult but ultimately triumphant year of her life, during which Jones battles cancer and struggles to keep her backing band from drifting apart.”

7/29/16- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

10) ON THE SILVER GLOBE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a spaceflight crashes on the moon, the survivors establish a new society. Shortly afterward, all but one of the adults die, leaving the children to create their own civilization. When a visitor from Earth lands in this bizarre place, the children immediately welcome him as a messiah. Filmmaker Andrzej Zulawski labored for years to complete this chilling vision of the future after the original negatives were seized by Polish authorities.”

7/29/16- Mixed reviews but I’ll see it because it was subjected to press censorship in Poland. TRDB.

11) SHELLEY– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Kasper and Louise learn that she’s unable to bear a child, their immigrant maid, Elena, agrees to serve as their surrogate — for a tidy sum. But when the fetus starts growing abnormally fast, it’s evident that this is no regular pregnancy.”

7/29/16- Not my kind of movie but it did receive good reviews. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW ON COMCAST-

1) ANTS ON A SHRIMP- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “This tasty culinary documentary follows renowned Chef René Redzepi, owner of Denmark’s world-famous Noma restaurant in Copenhagen, as he takes his entire staff to Tokyo to create a spectacular 14-course menu using only local ingredients.”7/29/16- Just 4 reviews so far– 3 good (including the NY Times) and 1 not so good. TRDB.

2) SHELLEY– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Kasper and Louise learn that she’s unable to bear a child, their immigrant maid, Elena, agrees to serve as their surrogate — for a tidy sum. But when the fetus starts growing abnormally fast, it’s evident that this is no regular pregnancy.”

7/29/16- Not my kind of movie but it did receive good reviews. TRDB.

3) INTO THE FOREST– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this near-future vision of America’s collapse, two sisters living in an isolated forest cabin slowly become aware that a continental power outage may be permanent, leaving them in uncharted territory that will test their fortitude and their bond.”

7/29/16- Sounds a bit weird but good critical review by the professionals. Be forewarned that audiences have not cared for the movie. TRDB.

REPEATS-

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) DON’T THINK TWICE– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “After years of treading the boards together, improv troupe the Commune has yet to gain much recognition for its satirical skills. When a member of the group lands a plum TV job, the news creates tumult among those left behind.”7/22/15- Excellent reviews from the critics and fairly good ones by audiences. TRDB.

2) INDIGNATION– Jacob Burns.2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “When he’s admitted to a rigidly Christian college in the Midwest, Marcus Messner also achieves another goal: to get away from his domineering Jewish dad. But Marcus’ optimism is soon tempered by a nettling dean and signs of anti-Semitism on campus.”

7/29/16- Very good reviews. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) CAFE SOCIETY– Jacob burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I saw this and liked it. Woody’s newest.

2) CAPTAIN FANTASTIC– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Good reviews.

3) HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE– Bethel. Very good reviews.

4) THE INNOCENTS– Clearview 100. Good reviews.

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH AND DELRAY-

1) CAFE SOCIETY– I saw this movie (Woody’s latest) and liked it

2) CAPTAIN FANTASTIC– Very good reviews

B) STONZEK THEATER AT LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) WIENER-DOG- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Unfolding through four vignettes, this episodic tale follows a spirited female dachshund as she’s taken in by a series of shifting owners, including a 9-year-old cancer survivor, a despondent film professor and a crotchety shut-in.”6/24/16- Fair reviews by the critics and poor ones by audiences so far. It does sound creative and I’ll probably see it eventually. TRDB.

2) THE MUSIC OF STRANGERS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Founded by famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma, the Silk Road Ensemble includes more than 50 musicians, composers and other artists. Touring the globe, the group collaborates with local performers in a quest to broaden the world’s musical horizons.”6/10/16- Very good reviews from critics and fair ones from audiences for this documentary. TRDB.

C) LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON-

1) CAPTAIN FANTASTIC– Good reviews

2) HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE– Very good reviews

3) INDIGNATION– Jacob Burns.2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “When he’s admitted to a rigidly Christian college in the Midwest, Marcus Messner also achieves another goal: to get away from his domineering Jewish dad. But Marcus’ optimism is soon tempered by a nettling dean and signs of anti-Semitism on campus.”7/29/16- Very good reviews. TRDB.

4) INNOCENTS– Good reviews. About nuns that were abused and raped by the Nazis.

5) THE KIND WORDS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “While mourning their mother’s death, Jewish siblings Dorona, Netanel and Shai learn that the man who raised them isn’t their biological dad. The news soon sends them on a quest across France to find their real father — who happens to be a Muslim.”6/24/16- Just a few reviews but they are all excellent. TRDB.

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB