The Reel Dr. Bob

OCTOBER 27, 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) A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING– Netflix Disc

2) “LADIES FIRST”: SAUDI ARABIA’S FEMALE CANDIDATES– NY Times On-Line

3) DENIAL- At the Theater

4) SUNSET SONG– Netflix Streaming

5) LOUDER THAN BOMBS– Netflix Disc

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) 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.

10/22/16- While I did like the movie I felt that it was too Hollywoodish on many occasions and lacked the passion that I would have expected. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) 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 and excellent ones from audiences. It sounds interesting to me and the NY Times liked it also. TRDB.

10/22/16- I enjoyed this movie– nothing great but entertaining and I liked Tom Hanks as usual. TRDB.

2) “LADIES FIRST”: SAUDI ARABIA’S FEMALE CANDIDATES- 2016.

This excellent documentary by The New York Times is a must-see to better understand the Middle East. TRDB.

3) 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.

10/24/16- The theme is not a new one but the characters are excellent and the visual beauty of Scotland is magnificent. Even though it is very slow moving I managed to stick it out. DON’T ATTEMPT TO SEE THIS WITHOUT SUB-TITLES or you’ll lose half of the movie. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

4) LOUDER THAN BOMBS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Brought together three years after their mother’s death for an exhibit honoring her work as a photographer, brothers Conrad and Jonah share their memories of Mom as their father tries to bridge the emotional divide with his sons.”

4/8/16- Fair to good reviews including some very good ones. I’ll plan on seeing this one. TRDB.

10/25/16- An excellent movie with great acting and a passionate, potent story. Gabriel Byrne plays the father. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, NOV. 1-

1) MY LOVE, DON’T CROSS THAT RIVER– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this affecting documentary about human love and mortality, an ailing 98-year-old man and his 89-year-old wife reluctantly recognize that their time together is drawing to a close after 76 years of marriage.”6/17/16- Very good reviews from critics and audiences alike. TRDB.

2) 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.

3) MEN GO TO BATTLE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set during the Civil War, this historical drama follows brothers Francis and Henry, whose overgrown Kentucky farm has them at loggerheads. After a fight between the two gets out of hand, Henry runs off and joins the Union army.”

7/8/16- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

4) IMPERIUM– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fact-based thriller, young and eager FBI Agent Nate Foster takes on an undercover role that involves penetrating a hard-core white supremacist organization rumored to be gathering the components for a dirty bomb.”

8/19/16- Good reviews by critics and audiences but more so by the critics TRDB.

5) 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.

6) VIKTORIA– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Thanks to a fluke of nature, Viktoria is dubbed Bulgaria’s “Child of the Decade” and grows up at odds with her mother, who wanted to flee to the West. Over the years, their relationship parallels the struggles of the post-Communist era.”

4/29/16- Very good reviews from critics and audiences. TRDB.

7) FREE TO RUN– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Until the 1960s, the sport of running held little interest for most Americans. But the celebrity of top U.S. runners such as Steve Prefontaine and Kathrine Switzer inspired millions of Americans to lace up their sneakers and hit the pavement.”

7/15/16- Just fair reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

8) MAKING A KILLING: GUNS, GREED AND THE N.R.A.- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Interlaced with stories from victims of gun violence, this topical documentary details how the National Rifle Association and firearms manufacturers — driven by profit motives — lobby against all attempts to pass new gun-control laws.”

8/19/16- Just 3 reviews– 2 up and 1 down. I’ll recommend it for now. TRDB.

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OPENED ON FRIDAY, OCT. 21-

1) MOONLIGHT– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Growing up in the drug-soaked world of 1980s Miami, young Chiron struggles to make his way through a helter-skelter adolescence while also grappling with confusion and anxiety about his emerging sexuality.”10/21/16- Excellent reviews from critics and audiences as well. TRDB.

2) THE HANDMAIDEN– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Hired by a suave con man, young street-thief Sook-hee secures employment as a handmaiden for wealthy but reclusive heiress Lady Hideko. But the pair’s plan to steal her fortune becomes complicated when Lady Hideko falls in love with Sook-hee.

10/21/16- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

3) FIRE AT SEA– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “An island halfway between Sicily and Libya has become the vortex of Europe’s immigration struggles, as observed in this documentary on Lampedusa, where more than 150,000 Africans each year make their first contact with European soil.”

10/21/16- Excellent reviews from the critics and fairly good ones from audiences. TRDB.

4) A STRAY– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “After burning bridges with friends and family, Adan has nowhere to go until the imam of a local mosque allows him to sleep there in return for work. But when Adan takes in a stray dog, he finds himself homeless again — this time with a mangy charge.”

10/21/16- Excellent reviews!! TRDB.

5) BEFORE THE FLOOD– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Global climate change is examined from multiple perspectives in this illuminating documentary chronicling actor Leonardo DiCaprio’s crusade to increase awareness of the potentially catastrophic effects of the environmental changes already under way.”

10/21/16- Fair reviews for this documentary that includes Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. TRDB.

7) CREEPY– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “After exchanging the perilous life of a police detective for the far safer world of academia, criminal-psychology lecturer Koichi Takakura is drawn back into the fray when an old case is reopened. Meanwhile, odd doings are afoot in his neighborhood.”

10/21/16- Excellent reviews from the critics. TRDB.

8) IN A VALLEY OF VIOLENCE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Fleeing his past for a better future in Mexico, Paul and his dog stop along the way in Denton, an all-but abandoned mining outpost now run by hooligans. When Paul clashes with the town marshal’s blowhard son, things take a vengeful turn.”

10/21/16- Overall this movie has positive reviews but there are a whole load of negative ones as well. TRDB.

9) THE UNCONDEMNED– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “This gripping documentary recounts the landmark 1997 case of Jean-Paul Akayesu, the mayor of a Rwandan commune, who became the first man ever prosecuted for and convicted of rape as a war crime, thanks to some resolute attorneys and activists.”

10/21/16- I’ve read just 3 reviews but they are all exceptional. TRDB.

10) SUPERSONIC– 2016. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “From the Oscar winning producers of Amy comes this essential and entertaining look at the meteoric rise of the seminal 90s rock band Oasis. The film immerses us in the raucous rock stars’ fast-paced world of electrifying music, wild debauchery, and epic fraternal feuding, weaving never-before-seen concert footage with candid interviews and an astonishing firsthand account of the backstage sibling rivalry that threatened to destroy the band.”

10/26/16- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB. 10/26/16.

11) PORTRAIT OF A GARDEN– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “This observational documentary takes viewers through a remarkable fruit orchard and vegetable garden on a rural estate in the Netherlands, eavesdropping on the fascinating botanical dialogue between the gardener and the 85-year-old pruning master.”

10/26/16- Just 4 reviews noted– 3 very good and 1 negative. I’d go for it. TRDB. 10/26/16

 

Not Recommended-

1) KING COBRA– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “This shocking true crime story recounts the ruthless ambitions of two gay-porn producers who attempt to lure underage adult-film star Sean Paul Lockhart into their fold, setting off a turf war with an industry rival.”

10/21/16- Generally poor reviews from the critics with only somewhat better ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) IT HAD TO BE YOU- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Caught off guard when she realizes her boyfriend is about to propose, offbeat jingle writer Sonia is flooded with doubt as she’s forced to decide whether to join the ranks of her married friends or follow her dreams.”

10/21/16- Just 4 reviews noted– 2 good and 2 bad. TRDB.

3) THE WHOLE TRUTH– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Asked to defend a 17-year-old accused of murdering his wealthy father, attorney Richard Ramsay begins to unearth unsavory details about the victim. Believing that his client is hiding something, Richard enlists a young lawyer to dig deeper.”

10/21/16- Awful reviews. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW ON COMCAST-

1) IN A VALLEY OF VIOLENCE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Fleeing his past for a better future in Mexico, Paul and his dog stop along the way in Denton, an all-but abandoned mining outpost now run by hooligans. When Paul clashes with the town marshal’s blowhard son, things take a vengeful turn.”10/21/16- Overall this movie has positive reviews but there are a whole load of negative ones as well. TRDB.

REPEATS-

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) MOONLIGHT- Jacob Burns. 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Growing up in the drug-soaked world of 1980s Miami, young Chiron struggles to make his way through a helter-skelter adolescence while also grappling with confusion and anxiety about his emerging sexuality.”10/21/16- Excellent reviews from critics and audiences as well. TRDB.

2) THE HANDMAIDEN– Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Hired by a suave con man, young street-thief Sook-hee secures employment as a handmaiden for wealthy but reclusive heiress Lady Hideko. But the pair’s plan to steal her fortune becomes complicated when Lady Hideko falls in love with Sook-hee.

10/21/16- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) A MAN CALLED OVE- Bethel, 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.

2) CERTAIN WOMEN– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 100. 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this quiet drama, three Montana women try to find their way when life throws them curveballs. As lawyer Laura deals with a hostage crisis, Gina clashes with an elderly neighbor, and ranch hand Jamie becomes smitten with an adult education teacher.”10/14/16- Excellent reviews by the critics but poor ones by audiences. TRDB.

3) DENIAL– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

10/22/16- While I liked the movie I felt that it was too Hollywoodish on many occasions and lacked the passion that I would have expected. TRDB.

4) THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN– Bethel. 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.

5) HELL OR HIGH WATER– Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Faced with losing the family farm to foreclosure, brothers Toby and Tanner decide that their best move is to rob some banks. Not surprisingly, their plans quickly go awry, and a grizzled but relentless lawman picks up their trail.

8/12/16- Very good reviews. TRDB.

6) SULLY– Danbury. I liked it very much. TRDB.

7) AMERICAN PASTORAL– Jacob Burns, Poor reviews.

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) ONCE IN A LIFETIME– Very few reviews and they are all poor

B) STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

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) CLOSET MONSTER– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Part coming-of-age tale, part horror saga, this is the story of teen Oscar Madly, who’s scared to reveal his sexuality because of a hate crime he witnessed as a child. Now ready to make his way in the world, Oscar must first find himself.”9/23/16- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

C) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON-

1) A MAN CALLED OVE- Very good reviews

2) DENIAL– Just fair reviews but I liked it. Not a great movie but good for the sake of history

3) MISS HOKOSAI– Excellent reviews for this animated film

4) ONCE IN A LIFETIME– Very few reviews and they are all poor

5) THE PICKLE RECIPE– No reviews so far

6) THE PEOPLE VS. FRITZ BAUER– Very good reviews and this one still attracts viewers (limited showings)

7) THE BEATLES: EIGHT DAYS A WEEK: THE TOURING YEARS- Good reviews (limited showings)

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB