The Reel Dr. Bob

FEBRUARY 9, 2017

DEAR FRIENDS:

YOU CAN ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AND PAST REVIEWS AT MY WEBSITE-

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE LAST WEEK-

1) CLOSET MONSTER– Netflix Disc.

2) CAMP X-RAY– Netflix Streaming

3) THE EAGLE HUNTRESS– Netflix Disc.

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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) CLOSET MONSTER– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Part coming-of-age tale, part horror saga, this is the story of teen Oscar Madly, who’s scared to reveal his sexuality because of a hate crime he witnessed as a child. Now ready to make his way in the world, Oscar must first find himself.”

9/23/16- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

2/2/17- Very good acting and an interesting story. I liked it very much.  TRDB. Netflix Disc.

2) CAMP X-RAY– 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Fresh Army recruit Amy Cole is assigned to Guantanamo Bay’s Camp X-Ray, where she forms a surprising bond with one of the prisoners in her charge. For Cole, who is routinely harassed by the detainees, the man’s friendship is a welcome change.”

10/17/14- Just OK reviews from critics and audiences including a few very negative ones. TRDB.

2/5/17- The movie was just OK but it had some good scenes and is worth seeing. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

3) THE EAGLE HUNTRESS– 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. TRDB.

2/8/17- An excellent documentary with a feminist theme. Beautiful cinematography as well. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, FEB. 14-

1) THARLO– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “To get ready for his official photo ID card, Tibetan shepherd Tharlo has his dirty, straggly locks styled by a beautiful young town girl — who soon upends the infatuated Tharlo’s entire life.”

9/28/16- I’ve seen just 5 reviews. Four are positive and one by the NY Times is very negative saying that the bottom dropped out of the film at the end. I’d try it. TRDB.

2) THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “During her daily rail commute, divorcée Rachel Watson observes the happily married couple living in a house near the train route. One day, she witnesses a scene that enrages her — and soon finds herself deeply entangled in the ensuing mystery.”

9/30/16- Mediocre reviews. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

Recommended–

1) I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “When author James Baldwin died in 1987, he left behind an unfinished book about the lives and assassinations of Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. This documentary uses that unfinished text to create a visual essay on race in America.”

2/3/17- Excellent reviews by the critics and fair to good ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) SOPHIE AND THE RISING SUN– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1941, the residents of a small South Carolina town view the arrival of an educated Japanese-American man with more than a little suspicion. When he catches the eye of one of their own — winsome spinster Sophie Willis — racial tensions mount.”

2/3/17- Mixed reviews but it sounded interesting to me and I’ll try to see it. TRDB.

3) THIS IS EVERYTHING: GIGI GORGEOUS– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Once a nationally ranked diver in his native Canada, Gregory Lazzarato approached life away from the pool fearlessly. First becoming a YouTube star via makeup tutorials, he later transitioned into a woman, as chronicled in this candid documentary.”

2/3/17- Reviews were just OK for this documentary. TRDB.

4) OKLAHOMA CITY– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Timothy McVeigh bombed an Oklahoma City federal building in 1995, it was America’s deadliest domestic terrorist act to date. This documentary examines the events — including the Waco and Ruby Ridge standoffs — that led McVeigh to act.”

2//3/17- Excellent reviews for this movie. TRDB.

5) A GOOD AMERICAN- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Unearthing a little-known aspect of 9/11, this disturbing documentary reveals that the National Security Agency’s technical director developed a surveillance system that may have averted the attack, but the program was dumped three weeks beforehand.”

2/3/17- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

6) CHAPTER & VERSE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Upon his return from serving eight years in prison, reformed gang leader S. Lance Ingram (Daniel Beaty) struggles to adapt to a changed Harlem.  Unable to find a job with the computer tech training he received in Prison, Lance is forced to take a deliveryman job in a food pantry. It is then that he meets and is befriended by Ms. Maddy (Loretta Divine), a 60 year old strong and spirited grandmother.  Lance assumes responsibility for Ty’s (Khadim Diop) well being, Ms. Maddy’s  15 year old grandson — a promising student and artist who has become involved in a dangerous Harlem Street Gang.”

2/3/17- Reviews were just OK for this drama. TRDB.

7) GROWING UP SMITH– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “ When an Indian family moves to America in 1979 with the hope of living the American Dream, their 10-year-old-son, Smith, falls head-over-heels for the girl next door. With an American Dream of his own, Smith strives to become a “good ol’ boy,” propelling him and his family further away from their traditional ideals than ever before. GROWING UP SMITH is a heartfelt coming-of-age comedy about an irrepressibly-like-able 10-year-old boy from India who may possibly lose it all–including the love of his life–when his obsession for living the American Dream unexpectedly takes a wrong turn.”

2/3/17- Good reviews. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) THE COMEDIAN– Poor reviews

2) DARK NIGHT– 2017. Weak reviews from most of the critics.

3) THE SPACE BETWEEN US– Miserable reviews

4) ELOISE– Terrible reviews

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HOTWIRE ON-DEMAND-

NEW ON HOTWIRE-

1) SOPHIE AND THE RISING SUN– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1941, the residents of a small South Carolina town view the arrival of an educated Japanese-American man with more than a little suspicion. When he catches the eye of one of their own — winsome spinster Sophie Willis — racial tensions mount.”

2/3/17- Mixed reviews but it sounded interesting to me and I’ll try to see it. TRDB.

REPEATS-

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) TONI ERDMANN- Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

2) I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO- Jacob Burns, Clearview 100. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “When author James Baldwin died in 1987, he left behind an unfinished book about the lives and assassinations of Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. This documentary uses that unfinished text to create a visual essay on race in America.”

2/3/17- Excellent reviews by the critics and fair to good ones from audiences. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) THE SALESMAN– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100.

2) LION– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I liked it but didn’t think is was great

2) MANCHESTER BY THE SEA– Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I loved the movie

3) LA LA LAND– Bethel, Danbury. Enjoyed this movie very much and I agree with the critics

4) MOONLIGHT– Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. A good movie- I liked it but didn’t love it

5) HIDDEN FIGURES– Bethel, Danbury. An excellent story but too much Hollywood for me

6) FENCES– Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk. A very good movie

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) THE SALESMAN– Very good reviews

2) HIDDEN FIGURES– A great story but a bit too much Hollywood for me

3) THINGS TO COME– I liked it- wonderful Isabel Huppert

4) LION– Very good but not as good as the critics said

5) ELLE– Very good- also with Isabel Huppert. Violent at times. Be warned.

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

1) HIDDEN FIGURES– A great story but a bit too much Hollywood for me

2) LION– Very good but not as good as the critics said

3) FENCES– A very good movie

4) 20th. CENTURY WOMEN– I liked it

5) LA LA LAND– I loved it

6) MOONLIGHT- Good but I was disappointed

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON-

1) NERUDA– Very good reviews

2) TONI ERDMANN- Excellent reviews for this movie from Germany

3) THE SALESMAN– Very good reviews for this Iranian movie by the same director who did “A SEPARATION”

4) ELLE– (Limited screenings.) A very good movie but be warned that there are several violent scenes

5) A MAN CALLED OVE– (Limited screenings)- I enjoyed this movie very much– true to the book

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB