The Reel Dr. Bob

FILM REVIEWS #639

April 26th, 2017

APRIL 26, 2017′

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

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

 

AS I’VE SAID, I AM TRANSITIONING BACK TO NY AND I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEND OUT A NEWSLETTER NEXT WEEK. IF I CAN’T— YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN FOR A WEEK!!!

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITE OF THE WEEK-

 

1) TRUMAN- At the Theater

 

________________________________________________________________________

 

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) TRUMAN- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Despite living far apart for much of their adult lives, boyhood pals Julián and Tomás have retained a deep connection. But when Julián is diagnosed with terminal cancer and Tomás arrives to urge him to continue treatment, tensions arise between them.”

4/20/17- Excellent reviews by the critics and fairly good ones from audiences. TRDB.

4/21/17- I liked this movie very much. Great acting and a very good story. TRDB.

________________________________________________________________________

 

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME- NONE

 

________________________________________________________________________

 

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, MAY 2-

 

1) THE AGE OF SHADOWS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “During Japan’s occupation of Korea, a former resistance member now working for the Japanese police is tasked with infiltrating a band of freedom fighters intent on blowing up key Japanese facilities. But he soon ends up in an impossible situation.”

9/23/16- Excellent reviews for this movie although it sounds mighty confusing from the full review. TRDB.

2) JUNCTION 48– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the midst of Tel Aviv’s thriving hip-hop scene, two Palestinian rappers take on conservative resistance to a wave of change in their own community and the oppression of Israeli authorities.”

3/3/17- Fair reviews. TRDB.

3) NEWTOWN– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Revisiting the quiet Connecticut community of Newtown three years after America’s deadliest school shooting took place there, this heartrending documentary focuses on the lasting trauma plaguing the victims’ families and the community as a whole.”

10/7/16- Very good reviews by the critics and fairly good ones by audiences. TRDB.

________________________________________________________________________

 

OPENED LAST WEEK-

 

Recommended-

 

1) THE HAPPIEST DAY IN THE LIFE OF OLLI MAKI– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Artfully re-creating the atmosphere of early 1960s Finland, this riveting boxing drama follows 25-year-old Olli Mäki as he prepares to fight for the world featherweight crown on his home turf in Helsinki, with his nation’s hopes riding on his fists.

4/21/17- Excellent reviews by the critics and good ones by audiences as well. TRDB.

2) CITIZEN JANE: BATTLE FOR THE CITY– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the 1960s, when urban renewal became synonymous with the destruction of historic neighborhoods, Jane Jacobs battled some of New York’s most powerful people to save places like Greenwich Village and Little Italy.”

4/21/17- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

3) LET IT FALL: LA 1982-1992- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Tracing the roots of the ongoing hostility between the Los Angeles police and the city’s black community, this documentary examines the decade and events that preceded the Rodney King verdict, which resulted in the riots of April 1992.”

4/21/17- Just a handful of reviews so far but all are very positive. TRDB.

4) JEREMIAH TOWER: THE LAST MAGNIFICENT– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “This tasty documentary profiles renowned master chef Jeremiah Tower, an uncompromising epicurean who created a new American cuisine, revolutionized the restaurant business and became the country’s first celebrity chef.”

4/21/17- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

5) TOMORROW (DEMAIN)- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In response to dire predictions about climate change, environmental activist Cyril Dion and actress Mélanie Laurent travel the world exploring ways to avert catastrophe, talking with pioneers in agriculture, energy, economics, education and more.”

4/21/17- Excellent reviews for this foreign documentary. TRDB.

6) BORN IN CHINA– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Featuring spectacular imagery, this nature documentary takes viewers on an expedition into the wilds of China to follow the lives of three families of animals: pandas, golden monkeys and snow leopards.”

4/21/17- Very good reviews by critics and audiences alike. TRDB.

7) THE PENGUIN COUNTERS– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Embracing a challenge that many others might decline, a team of biologists traverses the southern reaches of Argentina and Antarctica’s Deception Island to record the effects of global climate change on regional populations of penguins.”

4/21/17- Just 1 review (from the NY Times) and it’s excellent. TRDB.

 

 

Not Recommended-

 

1) UNFORGETTABLE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Tessa is still waiting for the dust to settle on her failed marriage when her ex gets hitched again. With the new wife not only living in Tessa’s former home but playing stepmother to her daughter, Tessa’s jealousy begins to spin out of control.”

4/21/17- Awful reviews. TRDB.

2) SLACK BAY– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “With tourists vanishing from the shores of Channel Coast, famed sleuths Malfoy and Machin are bought in to work the case. Their investigation leads to two clans on opposite ends socially: the rabble-rousing Bréforts and the bourgeois Van Peteghems.”

4/21/17- Weak reviews from audiences and critics. TRDB.

3) BEHIND THE WHITE GLASSES– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Famed director Lina Wertmüller’s potent cinematic imagination is celebrated in this loving tribute, which surveys her impressive film oeuvre and her trailblazing role in bringing more women to the director’s chair.”

4/21/17– Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

4) THE PROMISE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “As the Ottoman Empire is waning and the population of Constantinople stands on the brink of World War I, a love triangle develops among a veteran American journalist, an unassuming doctor-to-be and an beautiful Armenian artist.”

4/21/17- Poor reviews. TRDB,

________________________________________________________________________

 

 

HOTWIRE ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW ON HOTWIRE- NONE THAT INTERESTED ME

 

REPEATS-

 

1)  ACTOR MARTINEZ- Very good reviews

2) 20th. CENTURY WOMEN- I liked it very much

3) BURN COUNTRY- Good reviews

4) CHRONIC- I liked it

5) DENIAL- A good movie

6) DYING LAUGHING- Fairly good reviews for this comedy

7) THE EAGLE HUNTRESS- Excellent

8)THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN- I liked this movie

9) FENCES- An excellent movie

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

11) THE GREAT GILLY HOPKINS- Predictable but fun

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

13) JULIETA- I liked it very much. Sad though!

14) LOVING- An excellent drama and great acting

15) MANCHESTER BY THE SEA- I loved this movie

16) MOONLIGHT- A good movie but not as good as the critics said

17) MY SCIENTOLOGY MOVIE- Good reviews

18)STRAY BULLETS- I liked it very much

19) SULLY- I liked it very much

20) TANNA- A wonderful movie

21) TONI ERDMANN- I liked it very much

 

________________________________________________________________________

 

 

BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

 

NEW IN THE BURBS-

 

1) A QUIET PASSION– Jacob Burns, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the 1960s, when urban renewal became synonymous with the destruction of historic neighborhoods, Jane Jacobs battled some of New York’s most powerful people to save places like Greenwich Village and Little Italy.”

4/21/17- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2) GRADUATION– Jacob Burns. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Romeo Aldea faces a dilemma after his daughter, Eliza, is assaulted the day before a critical final exam. Fearing that the incident may threaten Eliza’s future, Romeo has the power to remedy the situation — but only if he compromises his principles.”

4/7/17- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

3) CITIZEN JANE: BATTLE FOR THE CITY-2017. Jacob Burns. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the 1960s, when urban renewal became synonymous with the destruction of historic neighborhoods, Jane Jacobs battled some of New York’s most powerful people to save places like Greenwich Village and Little Italy.”

4/21/17- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

4) THE CIRCLE– Bethel, Danbury. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Ambitious Mae Holland can’t believe her good luck when the mightiest tech company on Earth — The Circle — hires her. But Mae’s enthusiasm for her new job wavers after meeting a colleague who’s skeptical of the company’s objectives.”

4/25/17- No reviews as yet but the premise sounds interesting. With Tom Hanks and Emma Watson. TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

 

1) THE ZOOKEEPER’S WIFE– Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Poor reviews

2) THE LOST CITY OF Z– Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Weak reviews

3) THEIR FINEST– Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Very good reviews

4) GIFTED– Bethel, Clearview 100. Mixed reviews

 

________________________________________________________________________

 

BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

 

1. A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) NORMAN: THE MODERATE RISE AND TRAGIC FALL OF A NEW YORK FIXER- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “As a small-time “fixer” whose business involves arranging quiet deals among politicos and other power brokers, opportunistic Norman Oppenheimer makes a golden connection when a politician he once befriended later becomes Israel’s prime minister.”

4/14/17- Excellent reviews by the critics and fairly good ones by audiences. TRDB.

2) GIFTED- Fair reviews- I may or may not see this one

 

3) THE LOST CITY OF Z- Weak reviews

 

1. B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- Same as Lake Worth

 

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

 

1) FRANTZ– I liked this movie very much

 

2) PERSONAL SHOPPER– Good reviews and I’d like to see this

 

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

 

1) NORMAN: THE MODERATE RISE AND TRAGIC FALL OF A NEW YORK FIXER– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “As a small-time “fixer” whose business involves arranging quiet deals among politicos and other power brokers, opportunistic Norman Oppenheimer makes a golden connection when a politician he once befriended later becomes Israel’s prime minister.”

4/14/17- Excellent reviews by the critics and fairly good ones by audiences. TRDB.

2) GRADUATION– . 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Romeo Aldea faces a dilemma after his daughter, Eliza, is assaulted the day before a critical final exam. Fearing that the incident may threaten Eliza’s future, Romeo has the power to remedy the situation — but only if he compromises his principles.”

4/7/17- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

3) THE LOST CITY OF Z- Weak reviews

4) TOMMY HONOUR– Mixed reviews

“Truman” and “Frantz” are showing also- with limited screenings and I liked both very much.

 

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

 

 

 

Entry Filed under: Old Newsletters