The Reel Dr. Bob

1) 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.

8/6/16- I liked this movie very much. A painful story to watch but worth the effort. TRDB.

1) ZERO DAYS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “When the United States and Israel developed malware to sabotage a key part of Iran’s nuclear program, the worm was supposed to vanish after doing its job. Though the first phase was a success, the second wasn’t, as detailed in this chilling documentary.”7/8/16- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

8/7/16- A scary documentary about cyber warfare and its effects on our society. Definitely worth seeing. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

2) 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- Reviews are positive for this comedy. TRDB.

8/10/16- A fluffy comedy that was totally predictable at every stage. A few funny parts also if you can suspend reality. TRDB. Netflix.

1) INGRID BERGMAN IN HER OWN WORDS– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Although she was one of cinema’s most legendary stars, Ingrid Bergman managed to keep her private life invisible to the public. This intimate documentary explores the actress’s revealing and eloquent diaries, as well as her personal film collection.”11/11/15- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

2) OUR LAST TANGO– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Maria Nieves Rego and Juan Carlos Copes fell in love as teenagers, neither imagined that it would mark the beginning of a stormy 50-year relationship during which they would become the world’s most celebrated tango dancers.”4/15/16- Great reviews by the critics– just fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

3) IN JACKSON HEIGHTS– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Famous for his profiles of institutions ranging from prisons to ballet companies, Frederick Wiseman turns his lens on something different: a community. The result is a riveting portrait of Jackson Heights, Queens, where 167 languages are spoken.”12/1/15- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

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) SKY  2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Parisians Romy and Richard are vacationing in the United States when fissures in their marriage finally erupt, leading Romy to turn her back on her former life and head into the unknown to explore her newfound independence.”

4/15/16- Mixed early reviews from critics but audiences have not liked this at all. TRDB.

1) CITIZEN SOLDIER– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Citizen Soldier is a unique look into the Oklahoma 45th National Guard Brigade, better known as the “Thunderbirds.” Sgt. Eran Harrill represents the members of the Thunderbirds well. He is a hero, a devoted single father and a proud member of the Oklahoma National Guard. The film, Citizen Soldier, is as close to experiencing war on the front lines of fighting without actually being there. He used helmet cams to capture the daily life of his unit – a unit that had one of the highest enemy kill rates, as well as one of the largest casualty counts of the Iraq and Afghanistan war. This is the story of the National Guard…one day working a normal 9 to 5 job, the next day fighting America’s wars on the front lines.”8/5/16- Fairly good reviews for this documentary and I’d like to see it. TRDB.

2) FRONT COVER- 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “One man does all he can to veil his Asian heritage; the other takes great pains to hide his sexual orientation. Both of these things begin to change when Ryan is hired to prepare film star Ning for a fashion shoot, and the men develop a bond.”

8/5/16- Fairly good reviews in general– the NY Times gave it passing grades. TRDB.

3) LITTLE MEN- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “When 13-year-old Jake moves into his late grandfather’s home, he’s happy to find a built-in pal in Tony, the son of the seamstress who rents the downstairs shop. But while the boys hit it off, a rent dispute quickly puts their parents in conflict.”

8/5/16- Very good reviews from the critics and good ones from audiences as well. TRDB.

4) THE LITTLE PRINCE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Adapting the classic children’s book as an animated feature for the first time, this magical tale follows a pilot who’s crash-landed in the desert, where he meets a remarkable alien boy who’s on Earth as part of a tour of the cosmos.”

8/5/16- Animation is not my kind of movie but this one received such wonderful reviews that I’ve included it here. TRDB.

1) BAZODEE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Plans for Anita Panchouri’s arranged marriage to a wealthy Londoner hit a snag when she falls for Lee de Leon, a rasta singer who’s hired to perform at her engagement party. The lovestruck Anita decides to spend one night with Lee before her wedding.”8/5/16- Weak reviews, even from the ones who said they liked it. TRDB.

2) FIVE NIGHTS IN MAINE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Just before Sherwin’s wife dies from wounds suffered in a car crash, she asks him to visit her mother, Lucinda, who he’s never met. After an awkward meeting, the strangers begin a dialogue that helps both come to terms with their shock and grief.”

8/5/16- The NY Times gave this an OK rating but few others did likewise. It sounds good but I’ll skip it for now. TRDB.

3) WILL YOU DANCE WITH ME? 2016. Synopsis by IMDB. “Twenty years after the death of Derek Jarman, a heretofore unknown Jarman film comes to light. Found by friend Ron Peck, Jarman shot inside Benjy’s, a now closed gay nightclub in east London. The film is shown in it’s 78 minute unedited glory, meant to be experimental footage to assist friend Peck for the future filming of Peck’s Empire State (1987), and set to Frankie Goes to Hollywood, among others.”

8/6/16- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

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) RICHARD LINKLATER: DREAM IS DESTINY–  2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Award-winning director Richard Linklater is a rarity in the movie business: a true independent who’s refused to abandon his home base of Austin and continues to work with a core group of artists. This film reveals the man and the movement he sparked.”8/5/16- Good reviews for this documentary about the famed movie director. The NY Times thought that it was a bit too conventional for a guy who isn’t. TRDB.

3) 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) FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury.2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Despite her horrid singing voice, New York City heiress Florence Foster Jenkins is certain she can become an opera star. Her partner and manager, St Clair Bayfield, does all he can to shield Florence from the truth, but his task may prove impossible.”8/10/16- To open tomorrow, this movie got very good ratings but it seems to me that the ratings were based on the actors likability in the past and not on the story at all. I’ll recommend it but just barely. TRDB.

1) LIFE, ANIMATED– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “When once-chatty Owen Suskind stops speaking at age 3, the only stimuli he responds to are Disney films. Four years later, his dad breaks Owen’s silence by talking to him as a character from one of those movies — which suddenly opens up his world.”7/1/16- Uniformly very good reviews for this documentary with the notable exception of the NY Times. TRDB.

2) THE INNOCENTS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the wake of World War II, French physician Mathilde Beaulieu travels to Warsaw to care for survivors and is taken to a convent where numerous nuns were raped by Russian soldiers. With her help, the women begin to regain their faith in God’s mercy.”6/30/16- Very good reviews. TRDB.

4) OUR LITTLE SISTER– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “When three sisters travel to their long-absent father’s rural home to attend his funeral, they meet their now-orphaned half-sister for the first time and offer to take her in, setting the stage for a confrontation with the family’s past.”7/8/16- Excellent reviews for this Japanese film. TRDB.