FEBRUARY 2, 2017
DEAR FRIENDS:
I WAS AWAY MOST OFTHE LAST WEEK SO NOT TOO MANY MOVIES FOR ME THIS TIME–
UNFORTUNATELY– NO FAVORITES THIS WEEK
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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE
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MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK AT HOME-
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.
1/29/17- It was a ridiculous movie. The worst!!! TRDB.
2) HANDS OF STONE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “The life and legend of championship boxer Roberto Duran are captured in this biographical drama, which depicts his impoverished childhood, his professional debut at 16, and the 34-year career that made him one of the most revered boxers of all time.”
8/26/16- Poor reviews for this movie but I might see it anyway. TRDB.
1/31/17- I watched half of this movie which was half too much. What was Robert DeNiro thinking? Awful. TRDB.
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COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, FEB. 7-
THESE WERE LISTED LAST WEEK AS WELL-
Recommended-
1)
LOOK AT US NOW, MOTHER!- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Candidly recalling the abusive treatment she received from her carping mother in childhood, filmmaker Gayle Kirschenbaum turns the lens on herself and her family, trying to gain insight into and resolve the issues that made them bitter adversaries.”
4/8/16- Good to excellent reviews. TRDB.
2) THE TENTH MAN– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “After years of living in New York City, middle-aged Ariel returns to his native Buenos Aires to see his father, who runs a Jewish aid organization. But Ariel quickly finds that reconnecting with his roots and his distant dad won’t be easy.”
8/5/16- Very good professional reviews but audiences have not cared for it. TRDB.
3) THE BIRTH OF A NATION– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in 1831 Virginia, this compelling biopic charts the story of slave and preacher Nat Turner, whose owner exploits his preaching skills to subdue rebellious slaves. But after witnessing the scope of slavery, Nat leads a revolt to free his people.’
10/4/16- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.
4) KEVIN HART: WHAT NOW?- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Kevin Hart returns to his hometown and shares his trademark manic wisdom with 53,000 delirious fans at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, marking the first time a stand-up comedian filled an NFL stadium to capacity.”
10/14/16- Mostly good review for this documentary. TRDB.
Not Recommended
1)
BLEAK STREET– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Re-creating a bizarre real-life tale, this black-and-white drama follows the fate of dwarf twins working as masked mascots for professional wrestlers. But during a post-victory celebration, the siblings fall victim to a pair of aging hookers.”
1/20/16- Poor reviews. TRDB.
2)
COME WHAT MAY– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “After Nazi forces rout the French army in May 1940, the denizens of a threatened village abandon their homes and head west. Traveling together are a German dissenter in search of his son, and a Scottish officer whose entire unit has been slaughtered.”
9/9/16- This movie sounds interesting but unfortunately received poor reviews. TRDB.
3)
THE ACCOUNTANT– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Offering two very different skills to his clients, a financial forensics expert and trained assassin goes to work for a tech mogul who’s determined to eliminate those responsible for secretly manipulating the company’s financial records.”
10/14/16- Poor reviews by the critics and OK ones by audiences. Sounds like a rock-em sock-em to me and I’ll skip it. TRDB.
4) LITTLE SISTER– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Upon learning that her brother has returned from the Iraq War, novitiate nun Colleen heads home, only to find herself struggling to reconnect with her disfigured, emotionally scarred sibling — and with the rest of her troubled family.”
10/14/16- Very good reviews from the critics and really poor ones from audiences. TRDB.
5)
AMERICAN PASTORAL– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Living a seemingly charmed life, Seymour Levov sees his family and once-idyllic world begin to crumble after his rebellious young daughter joins a violent band of Vietnam War protesters.”
10/19/16– Terrible reviews for this movie adapted from Philip Roth’s novel. TRDB.
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HOTWIRE ON-DEMAND-
NEW ON HOTWIRE- NONE OF ANY INTEREST TO ME
REPEATS-
1) AMERICAN HONEY- Good reviews but I didn’t like it
2) BURN COUNTRY- Good reviews
3) CAFE SOCIETY- I enjoyed it and I never miss a Woody
4) CAPTAIN FANTASTIC- A very good movie about family- liked it alot
5) CLAIRE IN MOTION- Very good and very bad reviews. You choose!
6) DENIAL- A good movie
7) FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS- Good reviews but I resisted seeing this one
8)FRANK & LOLA- OK reviews
9) THE GREAT GILLY HOPKINS- Predictable but fun
10) HANDS OF STONE- I didn’t like it at all
11) HELL OR HIGHWATER- I enjoyed this movie quite a bit
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) A MAN CALLED OVE- I enjoyed this very much– true to the book
17) OUR KIND OF TRAITOR- A bit preposterous but still OK. Definitely not as good as most critics gave it credit for.
18)OUR LITTLE SISTER- I liked this one
19) THE PEOPLE VS. FRITZ BAUER- An excellent historical documentary
20) PETER AND THE FARM- Very good reviews for this documentary
21) PETE’S DRAGON- A fun children’s movie that adults can enjoy as well- I did
22) SLASH- Excellent reviews for this movie
23) SNOWDEN- OK but not nearly as good as the documentary “Citizenfour”
24) SULLY- I liked it very much
25) A TALE OF LOVE AND DARKNESS- I liked it
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OPENED LAST FRIDAY- Jan. 27-
Recommended-
1)
THE SALESMAN– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Forced to move when their apartment building nearly collapses, Emad and Rana find a new flat, unaware that the prior tenant was a hooker. When Rana unwittingly lets in a stranger and is assaulted, Emad sets out to find and punish his wife’s attacker.”
1/27/17- Excellent reviews by critics and audiences alike for this Iranian drama. TRDB.
2) THE DAUGHTER– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this modern reimagining of Henrik Ibsen’s play “The Wild Duck,” prodigal son Christian Neilson returns to his hometown for his father’s wedding, where his arrival leads to the revelation of a family secret — with shattering repercussions.”
1/27/17- Reviews were generally good with the exception of the NY Times that didn’t like it at all. TRDB.
3) PARIS 0559: THEO AND HUGO– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a sex club, Théo and Hugo’s bodies meet, click together and merge in a passionate embrace. After the headiness of desire and the ecstasy of their first encounter, the two young men, in the empty streets of Paris by night, are faced with their budding love.”
1/27/17– Excellent reviews. TRDB.
4) MIDSUMMER IN NEWTOWN– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Refusing to let tragedy define them, the citizens of Newtown, Connecticut, turn to the arts to ease their pain. While one couple honors their fallen daughter with a jazz album, Newtown’s children perform a rock version of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
1/27/17- Great reviews for this documentary. TRDB.
5) S IS FOR STANLEY– 2017. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “S Is For Stanley is the story of Emilio D’Alessandro, Stanley Kubrick’s personal driver. It’s also the story of a thirty-year-long friendship, involving the meticulous creation of four absolute cinematic masterpieces, and uniting two individuals apparently worlds apart, each of whom found his own ideal travel companion far from home.”
1/27/17- I’ve seen just 2 reviews— one up and one down. TRDB.
Not Recommended–
1)
GOLD- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this epic crime caper based on real-life events, an out-of-luck gold prospector and a willing geologist pull off a brazen scam. Falsely claiming to have located a major gold deposit in Indonesia, the duo proceeds to hoodwink the experts.”
1/24/17- Generally poor reviews. TRDB.
2) A DOG’S PURPOSE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Unfolding through the prospect of a reincarnated dog, this affecting family tale follows the faithful canine as he learns the purpose of his existence through the lives of his numerous owners.”
1/27/17- Poor reviews from almost all of the critics and mixed reviews from audiences. TRDB.
3) THE AGE OF CONSEQUENCES– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “While its existence is denied by some — including various heads of state — climate change is a grave scientific and political issue. This disquieting documentary looks at its effects from the prospect of U.S. national security and global stability.”
1/27/17- Mostly poor reviews but even the negative ones had something good to say about it. TRDB.
4) RAEES– 2017. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. ” RAEES is the fictitious story of a man named Raees, set in early 1980’s to 1990’s Gujarat, India. The film explores how Raees’ relationships and meteoric rise helped him build an entire empire from scratch, to make him the single most powerful man in the state.”
1/27/17- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.
5) I AM MICHAEL– 2017 – Synopsis by Netflix. “Michael Glatze has embraced his sexuality and is living in San Francisco as a gay-rights activist inspiring others through his films and writing when a sudden health crisis jolts him to the core. Soon, he turns to Christ and renounces homosexuality.”
1/27/17– Fair reviews at best. TRDB.
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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-
NEW IN THE BURBS-
1)
NERUDA– Jacob Burns. 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Neruda (2016) – In 1948 Chile, an arrest warrant is issued for acclaimed poet and communist politician Pablo Neruda when he publicly criticizes the government. After failing to flee the country, Neruda and his wife become fugitives, hunted by a relentless policeman.”
12/16/16- Great reviews by everybody. TRDB.
2)
THE SALESMAN– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Forced to move when their apartment building nearly collapses, Emad and Rana find a new flat, unaware that the prior tenant was a hooker. When Rana unwittingly lets in a stranger and is assaulted, Emad sets out to find and punish his wife’s attacker.”
1/27/17- Excellent reviews by critics and audiences alike for this Iranian drama. TRDB.
REPEATS-
1) HIDDEN FIGURES– Bethel, Danbury. A good story but a bit too much Hollywood mixed in
2) LA LA LAND– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury. Loved it!!
3) LION– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I liked this movie
4) MANCHESTER BY THE SEA– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I loved the movie
5) MOONLIGHT– Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I liked it but not as much as the critics
6) FENCES– Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk. An excellent movie
7) JACKIE– Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk. An OK movie. I enjoyed the historical perspective
8) PATERSON- Clearview 100. Excellent reviews
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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-
A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-
1) HIDDEN FIGURES- A good story but a bit too much Hollywood
2) LION– I liked it but I didn’t think it was great
3) LA LA LAND– A love story and I Loved it-
4) 20th. CENTURY WOMEN– I enjoyed the movie
5) MOONLIGHT- I liked it but not as much as the critics did
B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- Same as Lake Worth
C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-
1)
PATHS OF THE SOUL– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Depicting a remarkable real-life spiritual journey, this compelling docudrama follows a small band of Tibetan villagers on their walking pilgrimage to the holy capital of Lhasa, an arduous trek of more than 1,000 miles.”
5/13/16- Great reviews by audiences and the critics. TRDB.
2) MOONLIGHT- I liked it but not as much as the critics did
D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON
1) NERUDA– Great reviews
2) THE TENTH MAN- Very good professional reviews. Audiences not so good
3) ELLE– A good movie but violent- be warned. Isabel Huppert is great
ALSO PLAYING AT THE LIVING ROOM ARE “YOUTH IN OREGON” AND “THE COMEDIAN” BOTH OF WHICH GOT TERRIBLE REVIEWS.
ENJOY!!
THE REEL DR. BOB
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