MARCH 2, 2017
DEAR FRIENDS:
YOU CAN ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AND PAST REVIEWS AT MY WEBSITE-
QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-
1) TANNA– Hotwire On-Demand
2) FANNY’S JOURNEY– At the Theater
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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-
1
) YEAR BY THE SEA– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Search – DVD Netflix. “In this indie dramedy, wife and mother Joan sets a new course for herself when she opts not to accompany her husband from New York City to his new job in Kansas. Instead, she trades her empty nest for a Cape Cod beach house.”
2/22/17- I’ve seen just 1 review and it’s great. TRDB.
2/24/17- Mostly unrealistic and it held my interest only on occasion. TRDB.
2) NERUDA- 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.
2/27/17- A confused, poorly acted fictional account of Neruda. Skip it!! TRDB.
3) LE VOYAGE DE FANNY (FANNY’S JOURNEY)- 2017. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Based on a true story, this is an incredible tale of bravery, strength and survival, a story of a daring young girl who will stop at nothing and fear no one. In 1943, 13-year old Fanny and her younger sisters were sent from their home in France to an Italian foster home for Jewish children. When the Nazis arrive in Italy, their caretakers desperately organize the departure of the children to Switzerland. When they are suddenly left on their own, these 11 children do the impossible and reach the Swiss border to freedom.”
2/14/17- No reviews as yet but it does sound interesting. TRDB.
3/1/17- An interesting historical story with the usual attempt to sweeten the screenplay with enough schmaltz to change it from a fascinating documentary to a fair drama. TRDB.
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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-
1)
TANNA– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Living on an isolated Pacific island, a young girl from the indigenous Yakel tribe refuses to submit to an arranged marriage and flees with her lover instead. The couple’s defiance soon threatens to ignite a bitter blood feud on the island.”
9/16/16- Good reviews by the critics and very good ones by audiences. TRDB.
2/26/17- I thought that this movie was wonderful!! The wisdom of these “primitive” tribes is astounding. TRDB. Hotwire On Demand.
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COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, MARCH 7-
1) DON’T BLINK: ROBERT FRANK- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “One of America’s most respected and revolutionary photographers, Robert Frank is renowned for choosing unlikely subjects. This comprehensive documentary includes Frank’s candid reflections on his background, career and philosophy as a shutterbug.”
7/25/16– Fairly good reviews. TRDB.
2) TANNA- I just saw this and liked it very much.
3) DESIERTO- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “After traveling through harsh desert terrain to cross the border into the United States, a desperate group of Mexicans finds themselves targeted by a psychotic vigilante determined to pursue his deranged version of border security.”
10/14/16- Really poor reviews from everyone and I’d miss this one. TRDB.
4) MISS HOKUSAI- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “As the daughter of master Japanese woodblock print maker Hokusai, O-Ei is herself a skilled painter. The girl’s talent may even surpass her father’s, as she creates exquisite artwork that she passes off as his, and which provoke powerful responses.”
10/14/16- Excellent reviews for this animated film by the critics but just fair ones by audiences. TRDB.
5) LOVING- 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Recounting a landmark chapter in the struggle for civil rights, this absorbing drama depicts the 1958 arrest and imprisonment of Richard and Mildred Loving for violating Virginia’s law against interracial marriage.”
11/4/16- Excellent reviews by the critics and just “good” ones from audiences. TRDB
6) THE HIMALAYAS- 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “After a disastrous end to a 2005 Mount Everest expedition, climber Hong-gil Um returns to try to recover the bodies of those who died on the mountain, including his friend and protégé, Moo-taek Park.”
1/1/16- Just 4 reviews– 3 down including the NY Times and 1 up. We’ll see. TRDB.
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OPENED LAST WEEK-
1)
MY LIFE AS A ZUCCHINI– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “When his alcoholic single mom dies in an accident, 9-year-old Courgette is sent to live at a children’s home with other youngsters from troubled backgrounds. Though he struggles to fit in at first, Courgette gradually bonds with his new companions.”
2/24/17- Excellent reviews for this animated movie. TRDB.
2) DYING LAUGHING– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Offering the perspectives of a gallery of well-known stand-up comedians, this revealing documentary looks at the joys and miseries of performing, along with the challenges posed by unpredictable audiences.”
2/24/17- Fairly good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.
3) PUNCHING HENRY– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “After years of abysmal failure as a singer-songwriter, Henry Phillips is presented with a doubled-edged gift from the gods: A well-known Hollywood producer wants to cast Henry as the star of a TV series about a total loser.”
2/24/17- Very good reviews for this comedy. TRDB.
4) AS YOU ARE-2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in early 1990s rural New York, this engrossing drama unspools as a series of conflicting memories of three misfit teenage friends, whose secrets are part of the mystery surrounding a tragic crime.”
2/24/17- Mixed reviews with more positive than negative. TRDB.
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HOTWIRE ON-DEMAND-
NEW ON HOTWIRE-
1)
PUNCHING HENRY– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “After years of abysmal failure as a singer-songwriter, Henry Phillips is presented with a doubled-edged gift from the gods: A well-known Hollywood producer wants to cast Henry as the star of a TV series about a total loser.”
2/24/17- Very good reviews for this comedy. TRDB.
2) DYING LAUGHING– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Offering the perspectives of a gallery of well-known stand-up comedians, this revealing documentary looks at the joys and miseries of performing, along with the challenges posed by unpredictable audiences.”
2/24/17- Fairly good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.
3) TANNA– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Living on an isolated Pacific island, a young girl from the indigenous Yakel tribe refuses to submit to an arranged marriage and flees with her lover instead. The couple’s defiance soon threatens to ignite a bitter blood feud on the island.”
9/16/16- Good reviews by the critics and very good ones by audiences. I saw it and liked it very much TRDB.
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) DENIAL- A good movie
5) THE EAGLE HUNTRESS- Excellent
6) FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS- Good reviews but I resisted seeing this one
7) FRANK & LOLA- OK reviews
8)THE GREAT GILLY HOPKINS- Predictable but fun
9) HANDS OF STONE- I didn’t like it at all
10) HELL OR HIGHWATER- I enjoyed this movie quite a bit
11) IN A VALLEY OF VIOLENCE- I liked it
12) JOSHY- Partly frat-boy antics and part meaningful conversation. Judge for yourself.
13) LITTLE MEN- Very good reviews and I liked it very much
14) MANCHESTER BY THE SEA- I loved the movie
15) MOONLIGHT- A good movie but not as good as the critics said
16) OUR KIND OF TRAITOR- A bit preposterous but still OK. Definitely not as good as most critics gave it credit for.
17) THE PEOPLE VS. FRITZ BAUER- An excellent historical documentary
18)PETE’S DRAGON- A fun children’s movie that adults can enjoy as well- I did
19) SLASH- Excellent reviews for this movie
20) SNOWDEN- OK but not nearly as good as the documentary “Citizenfour”
21) SULLY- I liked it very much
22) A TALE OF LOVE AND DARKNESS- I liked it
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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-
NEW IN THE BURBS-
1) KEDI- Jacob Burns, Clearview 100.
REPEATS-
1) I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO– Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Good reviews
2) LION– Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I liked it but not as much as the critics did
3) MOONLIGHT– Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. A good movie that I enjoyed but I was disappointed
4) THE SALESMAN– Bethel. An excellent drama from Iran
5) A UNITED KINGDOM– Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Very good reviews
6) FENCES– Garden Cinema Norwalk. A very good movie
7) MANCHESTER BY THE SEA– Garden Cinema Norwalk. An excellent movie and my choice for “Best Picture.”
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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-
A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-
1)
TABLE 19- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix “Table 19 (2017) -“After her boyfriend dumps her via text, Eloise McGarry finds herself demoted at the wedding of her ex’s brother, from maid of honor to a seat at the table reserved for guests of little consequence. But Eloise soon realizes it’s the best table of all.”
2/28/17- No reviews yet for this comedy but the premise sounds funny. TRDB.
2
) KEDI– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Experience daily life in the eyes of a cat in Istanbul, where hundreds of thousands of felines roam the streets freely. Many citizens of the Turkish metropolis regard themselves as guardians of these cats, which exist between the tame and the wild.”
2/10/17- Great reviews for this weird sounding documentary. TRDB.
3)
ON THE MAP– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1977 — with the scars of the 1973 Yom Kippur War still fresh — an underrated Isra eli 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.
4) FANNY’S JOURNEY– Very good reviews
5) A UNITED KINGDOM– Very good reviews
6) THE SALESMAN– A very good movie from Iran
B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- Same as above but includes “Lion”
C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-
1) LAPLAND ODYSSEY–
D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON-
1) KEDI- Very good reviews for this weird sounding documentary
2) THE RED TURTLE– Very good reviews
3) FANNY’S JOURNEY– Very good reviews
4) THE SALESMAN– I saw this one and liked it very much. It won “Best Foreign Film.”
5) TONI ERDMANN- Excellent reviews
6) YEAR BY THE SEA– I did not like this movie
ENJOY!!
THE REEL DR. BOB
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