The Reel Dr. Bob

1) AQUARIUS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “As the last remaining occupant of an old building in Recife, Brazil, 65-year-old Clara is determined to hang on to the home that has defined her life — despite generous offers from a developer who wants to clear the site for new construction.”

10/14/16- Excellent reviews by the critics and fairly good ones by audiences. TRDB.

11/5/16- I enjoyed this Brazilian movie very much!! TRDB.

2) 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.

11/6/16- A very good movie that was an excellent adaptation from the book of the same name. TRDB.

3) 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.

11/9/16- Great reviews as noted above but I did not like this movie at all. The one reviewer who dissented from the others said this- “I haven’t hated a movie this much since I saw The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover. Artful and well-acted but tedious and vulgar. Sorry folks. Call me a prude if you like but that’s what I think.” That’s my sentiment as well. TRDB. 

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.

11/3/16- A love story from China definitely worth seeing. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

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.”

11/5/16- Reviews by the critics were excellent but only fair from audiences. I really enjoyed this movie and would highly recommend it. TRDB. 

3) HOW HE FELL IN LOVE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Still reeling from the death of a close friend, young musician Alex meets an older married woman, Ellen, and sparks immediately fly — despite their age difference and the wall of emotional barriers between them.”

7/15/16- The critics did not like this movie but audiences liked it very much. I’d give it a try. TRDB.

11/6/16- I’m not sure why I watched the whole thing. There were a few good lines in the movie but the rest was barely believable. Miss it!! TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

4) THE GIRL IN THE BOOK– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “As 29-year-old Alice Harvey is working hard to find herself as a writer, a secret she’s kept buried in the past resurfaces in the form of aging novelist Milan Daneker — who seduced Alice 15 years earlier.”

12/11/15- Very good reviews from critics and audiences. TRDB.

11/8/16- I liked it very much. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

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1) FORT TILDEN–  2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Setting off on bicycles to the beach at Fort Tilden, pals Allie and Harper face a series of maddening but self-inflicted setbacks along the way. Before long, they realize the trek reflects their lives — and the uncertainty of their destinations.”

8/14/15- Very good reviews. TRDB.

8/22/15- An enjoyable comedy involving New York stereotypes and some clever writing. TRDB. 

2) SUMMERTIME– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Fleeing her rural life and moving to Paris, the gay but unschooled Delphine meets avowed feminist Carole, and they begin a passionate affair. When her father falls ill, Delphine goes home to help her mother, and Carole must decide whether to follow.”

7/22/16- Very good reviews for this French drama. TRDB.

8/29/16- I saw this and liked it very much. TRDB.

3) MIA MADRE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Thrown off balance by her mother’s grave illness, film director Margherita must also struggle with the brash and uncooperative Hollywood actor who’s starring in the dramatic feature she’s trying to finish shooting.”

8/26/16- Very good reviews from the critics and just OK ones from audiences. TRDB.

1) COSMOS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Looking for a few days of rest and relaxation, a would-be writer and a fashion maven arrive at a family-run rural guesthouse, only to find themselves obsessed with unraveling a macabre mystery involving a hanged sparrow.”

6/17/16- Some weird reviews but most professional critics liked it. Audiences not so much. I’ll miss it. TRDB.

1) WE ARE X- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Big hair and big drama have long been the hallmarks of glam rockers X Japan, whose music has thrilled fans for more than three decades. This absorbing documentary profiles the group in the lead-up to their 2014 Madison Square Garden performance.”

11/4/16- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

2) PETER AND THE FARM– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmed over the course of a year, this absorbing documentary profiles Vermont farmer Peter Dunning, a grizzled alcoholic who continues to work the gradually deteriorating farm he’s nurtured for decades, despite the toll it has taken on him.”

11/4/16- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

3) IVORY: A CRIME STORY– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “When filmmaker and former trophy hunter Sergey Yastrzhembskiy learned about the ruinous effects of Africa’s illegal ivory trade, he spent three years uncovering the network of corruption and greed that he exposes in this probing documentary.”

11/4/16- Few reviews but all are good. TRDB.

4) THE IVORY GAME– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “African elephants are dying out at an alarming rate, on a path to extinction fueled by the world’s lust for ivory — aka “white gold.” Documentary filmmakers go undercover with conservationists and others to expose the scourge of ivory trafficking.”

11/4/16- Very good to excellent reviews. You can stream this on Netflix at present. TRDB.

5) LOVING– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Recounting a landmark chapter in the struggle for civil rights, this absorbing drama depicts the 1958 arrest and imprisonment of Richard and Mildred Loving for violating Virginia’s law against interracial marriage.”

11/4/16- Excellent reviews by the critics and just “good” ones from audiences. TRDB.

6) THE PICKLE RECIPE- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Party emcee Joey Miller faces a dilly of a problem when a fire destroys his equipment, which he needs to replace to work his daughter’s upcoming bat mitzvah. Desperate for cash, he turns to his shifty Uncle Morty, who agrees to help on one condition.”

11/4/16- The critics panned this but audiences have liked it. Might be worth a try. TRDB.

7) THE PRISON IN TWELVE LANDSCAPES– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this prismatic look at America’s penal system, director Brett Story takes viewers everywhere except behind bars, turning her lens on women inmates fighting fires in California, an Appalachian town counting on jobs a new jail will bring and more.”

11/4/16- Just a few very good reviews at this time. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1) DOG EAT DOG– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “After trying to fit into life on the outside, a trio of ex-cons soon agrees that what they need is one last score. When a mobster offers them big bucks to kidnap a baby whose father owes him millions, the pals are just dumb enough to accept.”

11/4/16- Good cast– poor reviews. I’d skip it. TRDB.

2) DOCTOR STRANGE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “After an auto accident ends his career as a neurosurgeon, Stephen Strange embarks on a quest to heal himself. His path him leads to the Ancient One, a mysterious mentor who trains Strange to defend Earth by becoming the next Sorcerer Supreme.”

11/4/16- Very good to excellent reviews with a few really bad ones as well. You won’t catch me watching this movie. TRDB.

3) RAINBOW TIME- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Even though Todd’s sibling, Shonzi, is mentally challenged, he’s still the big brother and maintains the upper hand. But after he moves in with Todd and his girlfriend, Shonzi’s presence threatens the couple’s relationship.”

11/4/16- Weak reviews by the professionals. TRDB.

1) PETER AND THE FARM– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmed over the course of a year, this absorbing documentary profiles Vermont farmer Peter Dunning, a grizzled alcoholic who continues to work the gradually deteriorating farm he’s nurtured for decades, despite the toll it has taken on him.”

11/4/16- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

1) THE EAGLE HUNTRESS– Jacob Burns. 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Aspiring to be an eagle hunter — a role historically performed only by men — Mongolian teen Aisholpan Nurgaiv dedicates herself to the art of taming and training golden eagles to hunt game in the stark Altai Mountains.”

11/3/16- Very good reviews for this documentary and the trailer looks very good. TRDB.

2) ARRIVAL– Bethel, Danbury. 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Confronted by a mass landing of alien vessels around the globe, military leaders seek the help of brilliant linguist Louise Banks in an effort to communicate with the extraterrestrials and determine their intentions.”

11/8/16- Great reviews for this ridiculous sounding movie. TRDB.

3) LOVING– Jacob Burns. 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Recounting a landmark chapter in the struggle for civil rights, this absorbing drama depicts the 1958 arrest and imprisonment of Richard and Mildred Loving for violating Virginia’s law against interracial marriage.”

11/4/16- Excellent reviews by the critics and just “good” ones from audiences. While you’re at it– I saw a documentary about the same family a few years ago called “The Loving Story” that was very good. TRDB

1) ARRIVAL– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Confronted by a mass landing of alien vessels around the globe, military leaders seek the help of brilliant linguist Louise Banks in an effort to communicate with the extraterrestrials and determine their intentions.”

11/8/16- Great reviews for this ridiculous sounding movie. TRDB.

1) COMMAND AND CONTROL– Synopsis by Netflix. “This taut documentary recounts and re-enacts a chilling episode from the Cold War as a minor human error in a U.S. Air Force nuclear missile silo triggers a fuel leak, threatening to detonate the 9-megaton warhead atop the missile.”

11/7/16- Excellent reviews by the critics and just fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) CHICKEN PEOPLE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “While many people view chickens as less-than majestic creatures, competitive poultry breeders — a large and eclectic flock — disagree. This lively documentary follows three breeders as they prepare for the all-important Ohio National Poultry Show.”

9/23/16- Very few reviews so far but all are good. One reviewer said that this documentary is much better than you’d expect. I hope so! TRDB.