The Reel Dr. Bob

DECEMBER 15, 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) MISS SLOANE– At the Theater

2) OUR LITTLE SISTER– Netflix Disc

3) BLUE JAY– Netflix Streaming

4) OTHER PEOPLE– Netflix Streaming

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) 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.

12/9/16- A good political thriller that I enjoyed. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) 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.

12/11/16– I liked this movie very much– a great story about a loving family. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

2) BLUE JAY– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “By chance, two former high-school sweethearts meet when they return to their small hometown. Reminiscing about their shared past, the pair forms a new connection over their dissatisfaction with the way their lives have turned out.”

10/7/16- Very good reviews. TRDB.

12/12/16- This movie was a bit weak until the last 15 minutes when it really became interesting . TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

3) OTHER PEOPLE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the wake of a painful breakup, New York City comedy writer David Mulcahy decides to suspend his floundering career and help care for his dying mother in Sacramento. Though he puts on a brave face for his family, David is falling apart inside.”

9/9/16- Very good reviews all around. TRDB.

12/14/16- I enjoyed this intimate, sensitive movie very much. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, DEC. 20-

1) GOAT– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “As he starts college, Brad Land decides to pledge to the same fraternity that his older brother, Brett, already belongs to. But a series of humiliating hazing rituals soon rattles both siblings to the core.”

9/23/16- Good reviews by the critics and fairly weak ones by audiences. I’ll skip it. TRDB.

2) THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this remake of the rousing 1960 Western, a motley group of gunslingers comes together to protect the residents of a mining town, who are being terrorized and victimized by a ruthless gold tycoon and his gang of thugs.”

9/22/16- Unfortunately, reviews are fairly weak and even the positives were barely positive. TRDB.

3) HITCHCOCK/TRUFFAUT– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Movie history was changed forever when director François Truffaut published his 1966 book “Cinema According to Hitchcock.” In this engaging documentary, a host of prominent filmmakers describes the effect that Truffaut’s book had on their work.”

1/5/16- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

4) 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.

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OPENED LAST FRIDAY, DEC. 9-

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) LOST AND BEAUTIFUL– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this mystical fable, masked figure Pulcinella is summoned from the afterlife to fulfill humble shepherd Tommaso Cestrone’s last wish by guiding his young buffalo, Sarchiapone, to a place of safety.”

12/9/16– Weak reviews in general but the premise drew me in and I think I’ll see this if the film comes around. TRDB.

3) FRANK & LOLA– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this psychosexual drama spanning two continents, talented Las Vegas chef Frank falls for a struggling fashion designer, but love soon turns to something far darker when betrayal and obsessive jealousy lead him to Paris to extract revenge.”

12/9/16– The critics thought this one was just OK and audiences were 50/50. The trailer looked interesting and I might just see this one. TRDB.

4) THE BRAND NEW TESTAMENT- 2016. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “God exists and He’s a jerk. He lives in a high-rise apartment in Brussels and never gets out of His pajamas. He takes sadistic delight in dreaming up new “laws” to torment humanity.”

12/6/16- Good reviews. TRDB.

5) BURN COUNTRY– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Given asylum in America after working as a fixer for Western reporters in Afghanistan, 28-year-old Osman lands in a bucolic Northern California town. Accepting a job with the local paper, he soon finds his new environs as dangerous as his homeland.”

12/9/16- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

6) ON THE MAP– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1977 — with the scars of the 1973 Yom Kippur War still fresh — an underrated Israeli soccer team goes up against four-time defending European Champion CSKA Moscow. This film examines what the game meant to the players and the country.”

12/9/16- Very good reviews by the critics. TRDB.

7) HARRY BENSON: SHOOT FIRST– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Acclaimed as a photojournalist since the 1960s, Harry Benson has lensed some of the most iconic images of the times. As deftly detailed in this documentary, Benson’s huge body of work makes up a remarkable visual encyclopedia of the 20th century.”

12/9/16- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

8) SLASH– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Introverted freshman Neil is obsessed with writing fan fiction about the hero of his favorite sci-fi series. After an older classmate prompts Neil to post his steamy stories to an adults-only online forum, he starts to experience a sexual awakening.”

12/9/16– Excellent reviews by the critics and OK reviews by audiences. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1)  ALL WE HAD- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Left homeless by their landlord, Rita and her teenage daughter struggle to get by until they decide to head east to seek a new life. When their car breaks down in a small town along the way, they have no choice but to try to make a go of it there.”

12/9/16- Poor reviews all around. TRDB.

2) BEYOND THE GATES– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “After their father’s disappearance, brothers Gordon and John are closing down his video store when they come across an old board game and VHS tape. On the cassette, a ghostly woman reveals their dad’s bizarre fate and offers them a way to rescue him.”

12/9/16 Very good reviews by the critics and panned by audiences. I will definitely miss this one. TRDB.

3) SWORD MASTER– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Hong Kong cinema giants Derek Yee and Tsui Hark join forces in this martial arts epic, about an elite swordsman who is haunted by his skill, and a challenger who aims to take his place at all costs.”

12/9/16- Good reviews but I don’t do martial arts films.

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HOTWIRE ON-DEMAND-

1) BURN COUNTRY– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Given asylum in America after working as a fixer for Western reporters in Afghanistan, 28-year-old Osman lands in a bucolic Northern California town. Accepting a job with the local paper, he soon finds his new environs as dangerous as his homeland.”

12/9/16- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

2) SLASH– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Introverted freshman Neil is obsessed with writing fan fiction about the hero of his favorite sci-fi series. After an older classmate prompts Neil to post his steamy stories to an adults-only online forum, he starts to experience a sexual awakening.”

12/9/16– Excellent reviews by the critics and OK reviews by audiences. TRDB.

3)  FRANK & LOLA– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this psychosexual drama spanning two continents, talented Las Vegas chef Frank falls for a struggling fashion designer, but love soon turns to something far darker when betrayal and obsessive jealousy lead him to Paris to extract revenge.”

12/9/16– The critics thought this one was just OK but audiences were 50/50. The trailer looked interesting and I might just see this one. TRDB.

4) 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.

REPEATS-

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) LA LA LAND– Jacob Burns, Danbury.

REPEATS-

1) LOVING– Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Uniformly god reviews.

2) MANCHESTER BY THE SEA- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Good reviews.

3) MISS SLOANE– Bethel, Danbury. I saw it and liked it.

4) MOONLIGHT– Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I saw and liked it but not as much as the critics.

5) NOCTURNAL ANIMALS– Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100. Good reviews.

6) ALLIED– Danbury. I liked it.

7) THE EAGLE HUNTRESS– Garden Cinema Norwalk. Good reviews

8) LION– Jacob Burns. Very good reviews.

9) JACKI– Jacob Burns. Very good reviews.

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) NOCTURNAL ANIMALS– Good reviews

2) MISS SLOANE– I saw it and liked it- a good thriller

3) ALLIED– I liked it

4) MANCHESTER BY THE SEA– Good reviews but most of my friends found it slow and boring

B) MOVIES OF DELRAY- Same as Lake Worth above but also has LOVING (good reviews) and MOONLIGHT( also good reviews)

C) STONZEK THEATER AT LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) 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.

2) A KIND OF MURDER–  2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Fantasizing about murder and committing the deed are two different things. But they become uncomfortably close for architect and mystery writer Walter Stackhouse, whose guilty conscience puts him in a suspicious light when his wife is found dead.”

12/13/16- Early reviews are negative. TRDB.

D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON

1) THINGS TO COME– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Middle-aged philosophy teacher Nathalie seems to have it all: a job she’s passionate about, a family she loves and a beautiful Paris apartment. But her world changes in an instant when her husband of 25 years announces that he’s leaving her.”

12/2/16- Great reviews by the critics and fairly good ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) MANCHESTER BY THE SEA– Good reviews but most of my friends found it slow and boring.

3) EAGLE HUNTRESS- Very good reviews.

4) THE BRAND NEW TESTAMENT– Good reviews.

5) NO PAY, NUDITY– Good reviews. (limited screenings)

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB