The Reel Dr. Bob

FILM REVIEWS #622

December 29th, 2016

DECEMBER 29, 2016

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

YOU CAN ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AND MY PAST REVIEWS AT MY WEBSITE- www.thereeldrbob.com

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) CITIZEN SOLDIER– Netflix Disc.

2) LION– At the Theater

3) FENCES- At the Theater

4) ELLE- At the Theater

 

_____________________________________________________________________

 

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) 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.

12/25/16- I enjoyed this movie very much. The film once again proves that truth is stranger than fiction. TRDB.

2) FENCES– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Working as a trash collector in 1950s Pittsburgh, Troy Maxson struggles to raise his family while trying to transcend the bitter experience of being a talented baseball player denied the opportunity to play in the majors because of his race.”

12/16/16- Great reviews for this drama starring Denzel Washington. TRDB.

12/27/16- A wonderful, powerful movie with a great cast. TRDB.

3) ELLE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Elle (2016) -After ruthless businesswoman Michèle becomes the victim of a brutal rape, she begins an obsessive hunt for her assailant. When she tracks him down, the two begin a macabre dialogue that Michèle can’t resist, despite the danger.”

12/20/16- Very good reviews. TRDB.

12/28/16- A weird, sometimes violent French drama with the great actress Isabelle Huppert. Interesting at times but I cannot recommend it. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

 

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) CITIZEN SOLDIER– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Citizen Soldier is a unique look into the Oklahoma 45th National Guard Brigade, better known as the “Thunderbirds.” Sgt. Eran Harrill represents the members of the Thunderbirds well. He is a hero, a devoted single father and a proud member of the Oklahoma National Guard. The film, Citizen Soldier, is as close to experiencing war on the front lines of fighting without actually being there. He used helmet cams to capture the daily life of his unit – a unit that had the one of the highest enemy kill rates, as well as one of the largest casualty counts of the Iraq and Afghanistan war. This is the story of the National Guard…one day working a normal 9 to 5 job, the next day fighting America’s war on the front lines.”

8/5/16- Fairly good reviews for this documentary and I’d like to see it. TRDB.

12/22/16- This was an OK documentary that stressed the bonding of soldiers in combat. I’d recommend it. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

3) 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.

12/28/16- Who knew that there were these competitions for chickens? As soon as I did I slowly got bored with this documentary. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

 

_____________________________________________________________________

 

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JAN. 3 AND JAN. 4-

 

Recommended-

 

1) DON’T THINK TWICE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “After years of treading the boards together, improv troupe the Commune has yet to gain much recognition for its satirical skills. When a member of the group lands a plum TV job, the news creates tumult among those left behind.”

7/22/15- Excellent reviews from the critics and fairly good ones by audiences. TRDB.

2)  MY KING- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “While recuperating from a severe skiing injury, Tony takes time to look back at her turbulent, decade-long marriage to former husband Georgio. In the process, she realizes that her accident may not have been an accident after all.”

8/12/16- Fairly good reviews in general with a smattering of poor ones. 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) MIDDLE SCHOOL: THE WORST YEARS OF MY LIFE- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Finding his new middle school stifling, imaginative budding artist Rafe Khatchadorian and his best friend, Leo, decide to stir up some trouble by breaking every rule in their school’s hated handbook.”

10/7/16- Just OK reviews in general with a few good and poor ones as well. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

 

OPENED LAST WEEK-

 

Recommended-

 

1) A MONSTER CALLS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this adaptation of a children’s fantasy novel, 12-year-old Conor has been devastated by his mother’s terminal cancer diagnosis. Then a monster begins visiting Conor at night, who tells stories that help him come to terms with the truth.”

12/23/16- Very good reviews for this sci-fi drama. TRDB.

2) TONI ERDMANN– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Looking to reconnect with his buttoned-up executive daughter, incorrigible prankster Winfried Conradi sets off for Bucharest, Romania, to pay her a surprise visit — and soon turns her life upside down with his practical jokes.”

12/23/16- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

3) I, DANIEL BLAKE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “A carpenter for most of his life, Daniel Blake is forced to seek state welfare after suffering a heart attack at 59. While trudging through an endless maze of red tape, he befriends a young single mother of two stuck in similar circumstances.”

12/23/16- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

4) HIDDEN FIGURES– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the race to space between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, three black female mathematicians play a key role in launching astronaut John Glenn into outer space, making him the first American to orbit Earth.”

12/23/16- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

5) DANGAL– 2016. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Dangal (‘Wrestling’) revolves around the extraordinary life of Mahavir Singh, an ex-wrestler who is forced to give up his dreams of winning gold for India in international wrestling due to lack of financial support. He resolves to train his future son to one-day represent India in his passion sport.”

12/23/16- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

 

Not Recommended-

1) LIVE BY NIGHT– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “With bootlegging profits skyrocketing during the era of Prohibition, Joe Coughlin — the son of a cop — makes a name for himself in the underworld by becoming a smuggler and then a gangster. But as his power grows, Joe finds there’s a price to pay.”

12/23/16- Weak reviews. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

 

HOTWIRE ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW ON HOTWIRE-

 

1) A TALE OF LOVE AND DARKNESS–  Lots of love and lots of darkness in this drama by Natalie Portman that follows a family that made it to Israel after WW2. All was not so rosy. TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

 

1) A BIGGER SPLASH- Great acting and a very good story

2) BURN COUNTRY- Good reviews

3) CAFE SOCIETY- I enjoyed it and I never miss a Woody

4) THE FAMILY FANG- Creative and well acted- well recommended

5) FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS- Good reviews but I resisted seeing this one

6) FRANK & LOLA- OK reviews

7) GLEASON- An excellent documentary about a football player- a story of courage and determination

8)THE GREAT GILLY HOPKINS- Good reviews

9) HANDS OF STONE- Good reviews and I will see this one

10) HELL OR HIGHWATER- I enjoyed this movie quite a bit

11) A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING- I enjoyed this movie

12) IN A VALLEY OF VIOLENCE- I liked it

13) INDIGNATION- I liked it but not as much as the critics did

14) JOSHY- Partly frat-boy antics and part meaningful conversation. Judge for yourself.

15) LITTLE MEN- Very good reviews and I liked it very much

16) MIA MADRE- I liked it

17) NO PAY, NUDITY- Fairly good reviews

18)OUR KIND OF TRAITOR- A bit preposterous but still OK. Definitely not as good as most critics gave it credit for.

19) PETER AND THE FARM- Very good reviews for this documentary

20) PETE’S DRAGON- A fun children’s movie that adults can enjoy as well- I did

21) SLASH- Excellent reviews for this movie

22) SULLY- I liked it very much

 

_____________________________________________________________________

 

BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

 

NEW IN THE BURBS- NONE RECOMMENDED

 

REPEATS-

 

1) LA LA LAND– Jacob Burns, Danbury. I haven’t seen it yet but I plan to soon.

2) ELLE– Jacob Burns, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I can’t recommend because of the violence but the movie was interesting at times.

3) LION-  Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100,Garden Cinema Norwalk. I saw it and enjoyed it very much.

4) JACKI- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Good reviews for this movie.

5) MANCHESTER BY THE SEA– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I saw it and liked it very much

6) FENCES– Bethel, Danbury. A wonderful, powerful movie- I really enjoyed it

7) EAGLE HUNTRESS– Garden Cinema Norwalk. Very good reviews.

8) MOONLIGHT– Clearview 100. I liked it but not as much as the critics.

 

_____________________________________________________________________

 

BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

 

1. A) MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

 

1) FENCES– A very good movie

2) LA LA LAND– Good reviews and I’ll see it soon

3) MANCHESTER BY THE SEA– Excellent movie and I liked it very much

4) LION– I saw it and liked it very much

5) JACKI- Good reviews and I plan to see it

 

1. B) MOVIES OF DELRAY- Same as above without LION.

 

 

1. C) STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

 

1) TOWER– 2016. Synopsis by IMDB. “Nearly fifty years ago, a gunman rode the elevator to the twenty-seventh floor of the University of Texas Tower and opened fire. TOWER, an animated and action-packed documentary, shares the untold story of that day – when the worst in one man brought out the best in so many others.”

10/12/16- Great reviews for this animated documentary. TRDB.

2) CAMERPERSON– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Longtime cinematographer Kirsten Johnson turns her hand to directing in this compelling visual memoir that combines images from far-flung locations she’s filmed — including Bosnia, Yemen and Rwanda — with touching scenes of her family.”

9/9/16– Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

 

1. D) LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON-

 

1) BEST WORST THING THAT EVER COULD HAVE HAPPENED– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. ” new Stephen Sondheim-Harold Prince musical is always an event, so it was amid much fanfare that “Merrily We Roll Along” opened in 1981 — but the show closed 16 performances later. This nostalgic documentary recounts the experiences of the cast.”

11/18/16- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2) ELLE– I just saw this and it is definitely strange. It is also violent at times but interesting at times as well. I really can’t recommend it.

3) A MAN CALLED OVE– I saw it and liked it very much.

4) MANCHESTER BY THE SEA– An excellent movie and I like it a lot.

5) THINGS TO COME– I enjoyed this film from France with Isabel Hubert.

6) EAGLE HUNTRESS– Very good reviews for this documentary.

 

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

Entry Filed under: Old Newsletters