The Reel Dr. Bob

DECEMBER 8, 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) PETE’S DRAGON– Netflix Streaming

2) THE WAVE– Netflix Streaming

3) UNDER THE SUN– Netflix Streaming

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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) UNDER THE SUN- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “This intriguing documentary centers on 8-year-old Zin-mi, who’s about to join North Korea’s Children’s Union on the “Day of the Shining Star”: Kim Jong Il’s birthday. As the film’s crew follows Zin-mi and her parents, state watchdogs are ever present.”

7/7/16- Very good reviews from the critics and just so-so ones from audiences. One reviewer called it the deconstruction of a documentary because of the meddling by authorities. TRDB. Netflix.

11//21/16- Watching this “documentary”, with authorities observing, felt voyeuristic. Interesting but the individual scenes were much too long and ultimately because of the North Korean authorities we don’t get a great picture of life there. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

2) PETE’S DRAGON– A wonderful children’s movie about a boy with a pet dragon who live in the woods. TRDB.

3) THE WAVE– Synopsis by Netflix. “Everyone in the Norwegian village of Geiranger knows that one day the mountain overlooking their homes will collapse into the fjord and set off a tsunami. When the alarm finally sounds, residents and tourists have 10 minutes to get to high ground.”

11/30/16- Actually, I found the movie somewhat interesting. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK–

1) SPA NIGHT– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “As he stands on the cusp of adulthood, David Cho is living with his first-generation immigrant family in Los Angeles’ Koreatown. To help them when money gets tight, David takes a job at a Korean spa, where he discovers an erotic new world of gay sex.”

8/19/16- Excellent reviews from the critics and OK ones from audiences. TRDB.

 2) WHITE GIRL– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Shortly after moving into a new apartment, hedonistic college student Leah meets a drug dealer named Blue, and the two hit it off. But when Blue gets busted, Leah must decide what to do with his enormous stash of cocaine.”

9/2/16- OK reviews by the critics and by the NY Times as well. TRDB.

3) IN ORDER OF DISAPPEARENCE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “When he sets out to avenge his son’s murder, mild-mannered snowplow driver Nils sparks a war between a Norwegian mobster and his Serbian rival. As the two drug lords battle for supremacy, Nils dodges bullets to fulfill his own quest.”

8/26/16- Fairly good reviews in general. TRDB.

4) AUTHOR: THE JT LEROY STORY– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Perpetrating a literary fraud, Laura Albert — a 40-year-old punk rocker — posed as a transgender teenage boy to publish three novels that were widely hailed as brilliant. In this fascinating documentary, Albert reveals the reasons behind the hoax.”

9/9/16- Excellent reviews from critics and audiences. TRDB.

5) FOR THE LOVE OF SPOCK– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Actor Leonard Nimoy played Mr. Spock in the original “Star Trek” TV series, creating a character that would become an icon of American pop culture. In this affectionate documentary, Nimoy looks back on nearly 50 years of playing the wise Vulcan.”

9/9/16- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

6) KICKS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Fifteen-year old Brandon ventures into the tough streets of East Oakland to get back a pair of stolen sneakers. The odyssey him and his two best friends embark on is at once the night of their lives and a gamble with life and death stakes.”

9/9/16- Fairly good reviews from the critics and just OK ones from audiences. TRDB.

7) 1000 RUPEE NOTE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Impoverished housemaid Budhi receives an unexpected windfall when a campaigning politician handing out bribes stuffs several 1,000-rupee notes into her hand. Elated by her good fortune, Budhi embarks on an ill-considered shopping spree.”

9/23/16- Just 2 reviews-  1 up and 1 down. I would probably try it at home. TRDB.

8) THE GREAT GILLY HOPKINS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Spirited and rebellious, 12-year-old Gilly Hopkins has been in and out of a long string of foster homes. When she’s sent to live with the unorthodox Maime Trotter, Gilly doesn’t intend to stay long, but Maime isn’t about to quit on her young charge.”

10/7/16- Very good reviews. TRDB.

9) HEART OF A DOG– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “While her rat terrier Lolabelle provides the focus for Laurie Anderson’s meditation on love and remembrance, her lyrical essay also touches on topics as far-ranging as Buddhism’s concept of the hereafter and surveillance in the wake of Sept. 11.”

10/28/15- Great reviews by critics and OK ones by audiences. TRDB.

Not Recommended

1) ORDINARY WORLD– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Perry (Billie Joe Armstrong of the band, Green Day) is a happily married father of two living a comfortable but sedate life in the suburbs. On the occasion of his 40th birthday, he seeks to revisit his former life as the lead singer in a popular punk band though his middle-aged reality quickly (and hilariously) clashes with the indulgences of his youth.”

10/14/16- Generally weak reviews. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, DEC. 13-

Recommended-

1) 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.

2) FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS– 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- 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 as a few of my friends did like it.  TRDB.

3) HOOLIGAN SPARROW– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Human rights activist Ye Haiyan and the documentary camera crew accompanying her risk government harassment and even incarceration when Ye publicly protests the scandalous case of six elementary schoolgirls raped by their headmaster.”

7/22/16- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

4) DISORDER– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Just back from Afghanistan — and with post-traumatic stress disorder to prove it — paranoid soldier Vincent signs on to protect a Lebanese businessman’s family. But Vincent soon loses his grip on reality and is sure that somebody is after them.”

8/12/16- Mixed reviews– Fairly good from the critics and a bit weaker by audiences. Sounds good to me. TRDB.

5) SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Chronicling a fateful summer day in 1989 when a Harvard Law student wooed a pretty young attorney by taking her on a memorable South Side Chicago date, this engaging romantic drama charts the beginnings of Barack and Michelle Obama’s relationship.”

8/23/16- Very good reviews from both critics and from audiences as well. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1) 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.

8/23/16- I agree with the audience reviews on this one. I felt like I had seen this movie 3 or 4 times before. You can safely skip it. TRDB. 

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

1) LA LA LAND– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “While pursuing showbiz fame, jazz pianist Sebastian falls for aspiring actress Mia, and the two embark on an intense love affair. But as their separate paths of ambition force them to make tough choices, their relationship starts to fray.”

11/25/16- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

2) MISS SLOANE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this gripping thriller that exposes the dog-eat-dog world of Capitol Hill lobbyists, political strategist Elizabeth Sloane is determined to push through legislation enacting tougher gun control, regardless of the personal or professional cost.”

11/25/16- Mostly good reviews with a few really negative ones, including the NY Times. TRDB.

3) LION- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this affecting true story, 5-year-old Saroo is adopted by an Australian couple after losing his way in the urban jungle of Kolkata. More than two decades later, new mapping technology prompts Saroo to search for his lost family in India.”

11/25/16- Good reviews by the critics and very good ones by audiences. TRDB.

4) ALWAYS SHINE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Once close friends, actresses Beth and Anna take off on a road trip to Big Sur to try to alleviate the professional jealousy that’s grown between them. Instead, their festering mutual resentments trigger a life-changing confrontation.”

11/25/16- Excellent reviews by the professionals and good ones by audiences. TRDB.

5) EVOLUTION– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Ten-year-old Nicolas knows something is afoot in the isolated seaside village he inhabits: For starters, there are no girls or men — only young boys and women. Adding to the mystery are the weird medical treatments the boys undergo.”

11/25/16- Good reviews by the critics and weak ones from audiences. TRDB.

6) SEASONS- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “This enlightening nature documentary illustrates the dramatic and subtle effects of Earth’s changing weather cycle on the living patterns of animals and humans, stretching from 20,000 years ago to the present.”

11/25/16– Excellent reviews by the critics and poor ones by audiences. I think it’s worth a try. TRDB.

7) DEAR ZINDAGI– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Young Kaira thinks she can have it all, beginning with a brilliant career as a cinematographer. But on the way to achieving her dreams, she meets an unconventional thinker who changes her viewpoint.”

11/25/16- Audiences loved it. Just one critic reviewed it and he liked it. TRDB.

8) MIFUNE: THE LAST SAMURAI– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Renowned for his work in the films of Akira Kurosawa, actor Toshirô Mifune reigned supreme during the golden age of Japanese cinema. Through interviews with friends, family and colleagues, this film reveals the man and his influences.”

11/25/16- Good reviews but not my kind of movie. TRDB.

9) BADEN BADEN– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “When 26-year-old Ana decides that working on a film set isn’t the job for her after all, she heads to her hometown, where she pours her energy into renovating her grandmother’s bathroom — hoping to revamp herself in the process.”

11/25/11- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

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HOTWIRE–

Beginning next week I should be up and running to provide good selections for you!!

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE NORTHERN BURBS- NONE

REPEATS-

1) LOVING– Bethel, Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Good reviews.

2) ALLIED– Bethel, Clearview 100, Danbury. Fair reviews at best.

3) ARRIVAL- Bethel, Danbury. Good reviews for this weird sounding movie

4) MOONLIGHT- Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I liked it but not a great movie

5) NOCTURNAL ANIMALS– Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Fairly good reviews.

6) MANCHESTER BY THE SEA– Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Very good review.

7) RULES DON’T APPLY– Danbury. Fair to good reviews.

8) THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN– Danbury. Very good reviews.

9) THE EAGLE HUNTRESS– Garden Cinema Norwalk. Very good reviews.

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) RULES DON’T APPLY– Fair to good reviews.

2) ARRIVAL- Good reviews.

3) LOVING– Good reviews.

4) MOONLIGHT– I liked it but not a great movie

5) A MAN CALLED OVE– I saw it and liked it.

B) STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) THE BEATLES- EIGHT DAYS A WEEK- THE TOURING YEARS– Good reviews.

2) EVAN’S CRIME– 2016. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A college student named Evan White (Douglas Smith) is arrested on flimsy charges of drug possession, and finds himself facing 28 years in prison when a federal assistant district attorney (David Arquette) decides to prosecute him.”

11/30/16- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

C) LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON

1) A MAN CALLED OVE– I liked it very much.

2) DENIAL– I saw it and liked it but not a great one.

3) MANCHESTER BY THE SEA– Very good reviews.

4) THE EAGLE HUNTRESS– Very good reviews.

5) NO PAY, NUDITY– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Lester Rosenthal has enjoyed some success as an actor, but with his age now working against him, he’s beginning to spiral downward into depression. Then he’s offered the role of the Fool in his hometown’s production of King Lear.”

11/30/16- Very good reviews. TRDB.

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB