The Reel Dr. Bob

1) HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Young misfit Ricky Baker has grown comfortable with his foster parents, Aunt Bella and Uncle Hec. But when Bella’s death threatens to send Ricky back to child services, the irascible Hec heads for the bush with Ricky, setting off a national manhunt.”6/24/16- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

9/29/16- A poignant and fun movie. Loved the scene about filling out forms. TRDB. Netflix.

2) DANCER- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Though blessed with ballet skills that brought him global fame, Sergei Polunin had misgivings about the meaning and worth of stardom. At the age of 25, he abandoned the dance world — a decision he candidly reflects on in this immersive documentary.”

9/16/16- Fair to good reviews from the critics and much better ones from audiences. I’ll see it. TRDB.

10/4/16- I enjoyed this movie very much. There was just enough dance in this documentary and I was able to understand what it meant for him to be a prodigy and also for him to leave it all behind. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

1) LES COWBOYS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the midst of a country-western festival in Eastern France, a 16-year-old girl disappears into the sea of visitors who’ve descended on the area, prompting her father to begin an all-consuming search for the missing girl.”6/24/16- Fairly good critical review but audiences are not as enthusiastic. TRDB.

2) THE INFILTRATOR– 2016.  Synopsis by Netflix. “The exploits of U.S. Customs agent Robert Mazur are recounted in this narco-crime thriller set in the 1980s. Gaining the trust of some of the world’s most notorious drug lords, Mazur becomes a key player in an intricate government sting.”

7/25/16- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1) HILLARY’S AMERICA– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Continuing his determined advocacy of conservative Christian values, writer-director Dinesh D’Souza trains a highly critical lens on his favorite target, Hillary Clinton, and the Democrat party’s sometimes checkered past.”

7/22/16- Awful reviews by the critics but audiences have liked it. TRDB.

1) THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “During her daily rail commute, divorcée Rachel Watson observes the happily married couple living in a house near the train route. One day, she witnesses a scene that enrages her — and soon finds herself deeply entangled in the ensuing mystery.”9/30/16- Mediocre reviews. TRDB.

2) DENIAL– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the 1990s, well-known Holocaust denier David Irving sued historian Deborah Lipstadt — issuing a complaint under British law requiring the American academic to prove that the greatest atrocity of World War II actually took place. “9/30/16- Decent reviews from critics and audiences. The NY Times did not like it. TRDB.

3) GIRL ASLEEP– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “With her 15th birthday bearing down on her, Greta Driscoll is anything but eager to abandon childhood for the quagmires of adolescence. But after a calamitous birthday party tosses her into a phantasmic world of dreams, nothing can be the same.”

9/30/16- Fairly good reviews for this weird sounding movie. TRDB.

4) AMERICAN HONEY– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Throwing caution to the wind, runaway teen Star joins a crew of traveling magazine sellers and soon embraces their rambunctious lifestyle, which consists of knocking on doors by day and morphing into drunken miscreants by night.”

9/30/16- Good reviews by critics and audiences. TRDB.

5) THE 13th- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Combining archival footage with testimony from activists and scholars, director Ava DuVernay’s examination of the U.S. prison system looks at how the country’s history of racial inequality drives the high rate of incarceration in America.”

9/30/16- Very good early reviews. TRDB.

6) AMONG THE BELIEVERS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Depicting the escalating battle between Islamic fundamentalism and secularism in Pakistani schools, this eye-opening documentary centers on radical cleric Abdul Aziz Ghazi, whose Red Mosque network of madrassas trains children to become jihadists.”

9/30/16- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

7) DO NOT RESIST- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “This unsettling documentary examines the implications of police departments acquiring armored vehicles and other military-grade weaponry. Director Craig Atkinson questions whether this nationwide trend truly serves the goal of protecting the public.”

9/30/16– Very good reviews but most critics said that the material overshadowed the technical elements of the documentary. TRDB.

8) HARRY AND SNOWMAN– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “After World War II, Dutchman Harry de Leyer immigrated to America and became a riding instructor — who paid $80 for a horse no one else wanted. Calling the horse Snowman, Harry began training him for show jumping: Two years later, he had a champion.”

9/30/16- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

9) AMANDA KNOX- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “One day she was the girl next door studying abroad in Italy and the next she was the American femme fatale accused of killing her roommate. This incisive documentary revisits the headline-grabbing case of Amanda Knox — which gripped the world.”

9/30/16- Excellent reviews by the critics and good ones by audiences. TRDB.

10) DEEPWATER HORIZON– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Replaying the catastrophic explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in 2010, this tense drama recounts the horrific experiences of the 126 crew members onboard and the numerous acts of courage that saved untold lives.”

9/28/16- Generally good reviews with a bunch of negative ones thrown in as well. TRDB.

11) LONG WAY NORTH– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this animated adventure, young Russian aristocrat Sasha is worried about the fate of her beloved grandfather Oloukine, who vanished during a polar expedition. Defying her parents’ wishes, the determined Sasha embarks on a quest to find Oloukine.”

9/30/16- Great reviews for this animated movie. TRDB.

12) A MAN CALLED OVE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Despite being deposed as president of his condo’s resident association, 59-year-old misanthrope Ove continues to plague his neighbors with dictatorial demands. But when Ove’s new neighbor runs over his mailbox, the old crank finds he’s met his match.”

9/30/16- Very good reviews by critics and audiences. TRDB.

13) THE ROLLING STONES OLE OLE OLE!: A TRIP ACROSS LATIN AMERICA– Synopsis by IMDB.  “Rocknroll concert doc following the Stones on their 2016 tour, culminating in their historic stop in Havana, Cuba.

9/39/16- Just a few reviews so far and they are all good. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) DANNY SAYS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Embracing the fevered atmosphere of rock ‘n’ roll in the 1960s, Danny Fields played a key role in promoting bands destined to become music legends, including the Ramones, the Doors and the Stooges, whose front man was the infamous Iggy Pop.”

9/30/16- Weak reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2) NEVER SURRENDER: THE ED RAMSEY STORY– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the early part of World War II, U.S. Army Lt. Edwin Ramsey led the last cavalry charge in American history during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines and later joined the Filipino resistance, as recounted in this documentary salute.”

9/30/16- I’ve seen just 2 reviews and they are both  poor. TRDB.

1) CHRONIC– Clearview 100. 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Working as a home-care nurse, David’s dedication leads him to form strong bonds with his terminally ill patients. Managing friendships in his personal life, however, proves far more challenging.”9/23/16- Mostly good reviews but all critics said that it was very difficult to watch this film because of the content. The full reviews sounds even more interesting and I will try to see this movie. TRDB.

2) A MAN CALLED OVE– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Despite being deposed as president of his condo’s resident association, 59-year-old misanthrope Ove continues to plague his neighbors with dictatorial demands. But when Ove’s new neighbor runs over his mailbox, the old crank finds he’s met his match.”

9/30/16- Very good reviews by critics and audiences. TRDB.

3) THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN– Bethel, Danbury. 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “During her daily rail commute, divorcée Rachel Watson observes the happily married couple living in a house near the train route. One day, she witnesses a scene that enrages her — and soon finds herself deeply entangled in the ensuing mystery.”

9/30/16- Mediocre reviews. TRDB.

4) THE BIRTH OF A NATION– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury. 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in 1831 Virginia, this compelling biopic charts the story of slave and preacher Nat Turner, whose owner exploits his preaching skills to subdue rebellious slaves. But after witnessing the scope of slavery, Nat leads a revolt to free his people.’

10/4/16- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

1) THE BIRTH OF A NATION–  2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in 1831 Virginia, this compelling biopic charts the story of slave and preacher Nat Turner, whose owner exploits his preaching skills to subdue rebellious slaves. But after witnessing the scope of slavery, Nat leads a revolt to free his people.’10/4/16- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

2) THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “During her daily rail commute, divorcée Rachel Watson observes the happily married couple living in a house near the train route. One day, she witnesses a scene that enrages her — and soon finds herself deeply entangled in the ensuing mystery.”

9/30/16- Mediocre reviews. TRDB.

3) DEEPWATER HORIZON– Generally good reviews with several negatives thrown in as well.

4) THE DRESSMAKER– Weak reviews.

5) THE PEOPLE VS. FRITZ BAUER– Very good reviews.

1) IN ORDER OF DISAPPEARANCE– 2016. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Introverted and hard-working snow plow driver Nils has just been named Citizen of The Year, when he receives news that his son has died of a heroin overdose. Disbelieving the official report, Nils soon uncovers evidence of the young man’s murder–a victim in a turf war between the local crime boss, known as “The Count”, and his Serbian rivals. Armed with heavy machinery and a good dose of beginner’s luck, Nils embarks upon a quest for revenge that soon escalates into a full-blown underworld gang war, with the body count spiraling ever higher and higher.”10/4/16- Sounds awful and even the positive reviews were with qualifications. I’ll skip it. TRDB.

2) KATE PLAYS CHRISTINE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “This intriguing mash-up of documentary and drama follows actress Kate Lynn Sheil as she heads to Florida to prepare for her film role as Christine Chubbuck, the Sarasota newscaster who committed suicide on the air in 1974.8/26/16- Excellent reviews by the critics and fair ones by audiences. TRDB.

1) GIRL ASLEEP– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “With her 15th birthday bearing down on her, Greta Driscoll is anything but eager to abandon childhood for the quagmires of adolescence. But after a calamitous birthday party tosses her into a phantasmic world of dreams, nothing can be the same.”9/30/16- Fairly good reviews for this weird sounding movie. TRDB.

2) COME WHAT MAY– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “After Nazi forces rout the French army in May 1940, the denizens of a threatened village abandon their homes and head west. Traveling together are a German dissenter in search of his son, and a Scottish officer whose entire unit has been slaughtered.”

9/9/16- This movie sounds interesting but unfortunately received poor reviews. TRDB.

3) TANNA- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Living on an isolated Pacific island, a young girl from the indigenous Yakel tribe refuses to submit to an arranged marriage and flees with her lover instead. The couple’s defiance soon threatens to ignite a bitter blood feud on the island.”

9/16/16- Good reviews by the critics and very good ones by audiences. TRDB.

4) THE PEOPLE VS. FRITZ BAUER- Very good reviews.

5) LITTLE MEN– Good reviews.