The Reel Dr. Bob

MAY 11, 2017

DEAR FRIENDS:

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

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) NEWTOWN- Netflix Streaming

2) LITTLE SISTER– Netflix Streaming

3) NORMAN– At the Theater

4) SOPHIE AND THE RISING SUN- Netflix Streaming.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

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.

5/6/17– I liked this movie very much. Richard Gere did a great job as did the others. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) 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.

5/4/17- An excellent documentary about the Newtown tragedy. Everyone should see this film. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

2) MEAN DREAMS. Synopsis by Netflix. “After learning that new neighbor Casey is being abused by her corrupt lawman father- 15-year-old Jonas resolves to save her. Rashly stealing a bag of her dad’s dirty drug money, Jonas goes on the run with Casey as her father chases them relentlessly.”

3/17/17- Fairly good reviews for this drama although the synopsis is a bit of a turn-off. TRDB.

5/6/17- I could not get into this formulaic rural movie and turned it off. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

3) 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.

5/6/17- I enjoyed the movie. Not to be confused with “Our Little Sister.” TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

4) 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 sounds interesting to me and I’ll try to see it. TRDB.

5/8/17- A pleasant movie  with a theme that we’ve seen many times before. Still, I’d recommend it. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, MAY 16-

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OPENED LAST FRIDAY-

1) RISK– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this insightful documentary that unspools in the vein of a thriller, filmmaker Laura Poitras trains her lens on WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, whose whistle-blowing operation has reveled in a decade of exposing government surveillance programs.”5/5/17- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2) A WOMAN’S LIFE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “A moving and beautiful, but fragmented, account of the life of Jeanne as she sets out on the path of adult life and gradually experiences the harsh realities of a woman’s life in the 19th-century.”

5/5/17- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

3) ANGKOR AWAKENS: A PORTRAIT OF CAMBODIA- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Cambodia’s horrific ordeal of genocide during the 1970s — carried out by the Khmer Rouge — still casts a shadow over the nation. This incisive documentary looks at the country’s recovery from holocaust and its lingering psychological wounds.”

5/5/17-Just a few reviews so far but they are all good. TRDB.

4) THE LOVERS– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “With spouses Mary and Michael each pursuing affairs, they agree to divorce. But on the brink of their split becoming official, a sudden burst of passion between them leaves both feeling guilty for cheating on their lovers.”

5/5/17- Very good reviews for this comedy, drama, romance. TRDB.

5) BURDEN– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the 1970s, Chris Burden stunned the art world by staging performance events in which he was variously shot, electrocuted and crucified. This biographical documentary recounts the artist’s fascinating career and his recollections of the events.”

5/5/17- Great reviews by all with the notable exception of the NY Times. TRDB.

6) CHUCK– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Known for his ability to take punches and keep standing, boxer Chuck Wepner — nicknamed the “Bayonne Bleeder” — served as the inspiration for movie pugilist Rocky Balboa. This fast-paced biopic chronicles Wepner’s life in and out of the ring.

5/5/17- OK reviews by the critics and weak ones from audiences. TRDB.

7) LIKE CRAZY– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Despite their opposite personalities, mental hospital patients Donatella and Beatrice become friends and eventually escape from the facility together, embarking on a journey through the real world — which seems nuttier than the place they fled.”

5/5/17- Mostly very good reviews. TRDB.

8) TA’ANG– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “For the Ta’ang people of Myanmar’s Kokang region, civil war has been a constant for decades. Joining a group of displaced Ta’ang refugees who’ve escaped over the border to China, filmmaker Bing Wang documents their nomadic lives.”

5/5/17- Just a few early reviews but they are all good. TRDB.

9) SACRED- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Recruiting the labors of filmmakers the world over, director Thomas Lennon creates a stunning montage of the spiritual practices and beliefs — some solemn, some celebratory and some mysterious — followed by dozens of cultures.”

5/5/17- Only a few reviews but they are all good. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1) 3 GENERATIONS– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a New York City teen seeks a sex change from female to male, her life-changing decision raises identity issues for her family as her single mother and lesbian grandmother struggle to make sense of it all.”

5/3/17- Poor reviews. TRDB.

2) JULIAN SCHNABEL: A PRIVATE PORTRAIT– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Celebrating the imaginative and eclectic achievements of artist and filmmaker Julian Schnabel, this absorbing documentary recounts the high and low points of his life and career through interviews with his family, friends and fellow artists”

5/5/17- Mostly poor reviews. TRDB.

3) TAKE ME– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Despite his gift for staging simulated kidnappings, Ray’s business is flagging. So, when a stranger offers generous pay for a weekend abduction, Ray leaps at the opportunity — only to find that all is not what it seems.”

5/5/17- Poor reviews. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW ON DEMAND-

1) BURDEN– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the 1970s, Chris Burden stunned the art world by staging performance events in which he was variously shot, electrocuted and crucified. This biographical documentary recounts the artist’s fascinating career and his recollections of the events.”5/5/17- Great reviews by all with the notable exception of the NY Times. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) 20th.CENTURY WOMEN- I liked it

2) BURN COUNTRY- Fairly good reviews- I haven’t seen it yet

3) CAFE SOCIETY- I liked this movie and I never miss a Woody

4) CAPTAIN FANTASTIC- I liked it very much

5) CITIZEN JANE- Very good reviews

6) CLAIRE IN MOTION- Good reviews

7) DYING LAUGHING- Good reviews

8)THE EAGLE HUNTRESS- Very good

9) THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN- Very good

10) HELL OR HIGH WATER- I enjoyed it

11) LA LA LAND- I liked it a lot

12) LO AND BEHOLD- Fascinating and everybody should see it

13) LOVING- An excellent drama

14) MANCHESTER BY THE SEA- I loved this movie

15) MOONLIGHT- Good but not nearly as good as the critics said

16) PATERSON- Very different but I liked this slow moving film

17) SNOWDEN- I liked it

18)STRAY BULLETS- A good movie

19) SULLY- I liked it very much

20) TONI ERDMANN- I enjoyed this movie from Germany

21) ZERO DAYS- Very interesting– I recommend it

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) CHUCK- Clearview 100. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Known for his ability to take punches and keep standing, boxer Chuck Wepner — nicknamed the “Bayonne Bleeder” — served as the inspiration for movie pugilist Rocky Balboa. This fast-paced biopic chronicles Wepner’s life in and out of the ring.5/5/17- OK reviews by the critics and weak ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) THE LOVERS– Jacob Burns. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “With spouses Mary and Michael each pursuing affairs, they agree to divorce. But on the brink of their split becoming official, a sudden burst of passion between them leaves both feeling guilty for cheating on their lovers.”

5/5/17- Very good reviews for this comedy, drama, romance.

3) 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.

REPEATS-

1) NORMAN– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Good reviews and I liked the movie

2) 3 GENERATIONS– Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Weak reviews

3) THE DINNER– Clearview 100. Poor reviews

4) A QUIET PASSION– Jacob Burns, Garden Cinema Norwalk. OK reviews

5) THEIR FINEST– Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I liked this movie

6) THE ZOOKEEPER’S WIFE– Garden Cinema Norwalk. Fair reviews

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) ONE WEEK AND A DAY–

2) NORMAN–

3) THEIR FINEST–

4) GIFTED– Weak reviews but everybody I know who saw it liked it

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- same as Movies of Lake Worth above

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) THE BLACKCOAT’S DAUGHTER– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Stranded and snowbound at their isolated boarding school when their parents fail to fetch them for winter break, Rose and Kat encounter an unseen sinister presence as a haunted young woman on a mission heads in their direction.”5/9/17- Fair reviews for this horror movie and I don’t do horror. Forget it! TRDB.

2) THE DEATH OF LOUIS IV-  2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “This compelling period drama recounts the slow and painful demise of King Louis XIV as the bedbound French monarch — surrounded by doctors and family — tries to maintain control of his empire for as long as he can.”3/31/17- Fairly good reviews by the critics and weak ones by audiences. TRDB.

D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS-

1) A QUIET PASSION– Weak reviews

2) NORMAN– Good reviews and I liked it

3) ONE WEEK AND A DAY– Good reviews

4) THE DINNER– Poor reviews

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

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