The Reel Dr. Bob

MAY 18, 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) THE LOVERS– At the Theater

2) THE PRESIDENT– Netflix Streaming

3) OTHER PEOPLE– Netflix Streaming

4) LOVESONG– Netflix Streaming

5) GET ME ROGER STONE– Netflix Streaming

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) 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. TRDB.

5/12/17- I liked this movie quite a bit. The acting was excellent and the story interesting. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) THE PRESIDENT– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “When revolutionaries take over the government of a nation ruled by corruption, the ousted leader finds himself on the run with his young grandson. Forced to don a disguise, the brutal despot soon comes face-to-face with the human misery he’s caused.”6/3/16- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

5/13/17- I liked this movie very much. Should be seen by all!! TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

2) GET ME ROGER STONE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “One of the major architects of Donald Trump’s landmark presidential campaign, controversial political operative Roger Stone has been involved in Republican causes since the Nixon administration, as recounted in this revealing profile.”

5/12/17- Excellent reviews by the critics and OK ones by audiences. As an aside, this movie is currently on Netflix Streaming. TRDB.

5/13/17- A well done and informative documentary that was good enough to send shivers up my spine. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

3) OTHER PEOPLE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the wake of a painful breakup, New York City comedy writer David Mulcahy decides to suspend his floundering career and help care for his dying mother in Sacramento. Though he puts on a brave face for his family, David is falling apart inside.”

9/9/16- Very good reviews all around. TRDB.

12/14/16- I really enjoyed this intimate, sensitive movie very much. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

5/14/17- I decided to see this movie again and really liked it again this time. Netflix Streaming.

4) LOVESONG– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “With her hubby constantly on the road, Sarah decides to hit the road herself and sets off with her young daughter and best friend, Mindy. Always close, the pals soon become something more — but when Mindy makes an abrupt exit, Sarah is left hanging.”

2/17/17- Fair reviews. TRDB.

5/17/17- Count me in as one who liked this movie. Very poignant and very well acted drama. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, MAY 23-

1) UNLOCKING THE CAGE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Animal rights activist Steven Wise takes his work seriously, so much so that he heads to court in an attempt to expand legal “personhood” to encompass particular animals, including chimps (and plaintiffs) Tommy and Kiko.”5/25/16- Mostly good reviews so far for this documentary. TRDB.

2) 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.

3) DHEEPAN– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Forced into exile by war in his native Sri Lanka, former Tamil resistance fighter Dheepan is able to find refugee housing in the suburbs of Paris. However, he soon discovers that his new world is nearly as oppressive as the one he left behind.”5/6/16- Excellent professional reviews and very good audience reaction as well. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST FRIDAY, MAY 12-

1) GET ME ROGER STONE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “One of the major architects of Donald Trump’s landmark presidential campaign, controversial political operative Roger Stone has been involved in Republican causes since the Nixon administration, as recounted in this revealing profile.”5/12/17- Excellent reviews by the critics and OK ones by audiences. As an aside, this movie is currently on Netflix Streaming. TRDB.

5/13/17- A well done and informative documentary that was good enough to send shivers up my spine. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

2) THE WALL– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “A crumbling concrete wall is all that stands between an American sharpshooter and the Iraqi sniper intent on killing him and his spotter. As the enemies converse over their radios, they know just one thing: Not all of them will come out alive.”

5/12/17- OK reviews– it sounded better than that to me. TRDB.

3) STEFAN ZWEIG: FAREWELL TO EUROPE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fact-based drama, Jewish author Stefan Zweig flees his native Austria to escape the threat of Nazism, eventually settling in Brazil. Watching from afar as his beloved homeland is destroyed, Zweig finds that a life in exile is no life at all.”

5/12/17- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

4) FOLK HERE & FUNNY GUY– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “While Paul’s comedy career flounders, his longtime friend Jason is having great success as a folk singer. To help his buddy, Jason invites him on tour as the opening act — but doesn’t tell Paul that there’s a covert purpose behind the road trip.”

5/12/17- Early reviews are good. TRDB.

5) PARIS CAN WAIT– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “With her daughter at college and her workaholic husband perpetually absent, Anne Lockwood is ripe for the wooing when one of her spouse’s associates offers to give her a lift from Cannes to Paris — a seven-hour journey that turns into two days.”

5/12/17- Fairly good reviews.

6) URBAN HYMN– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this coming-of-age drama that unfolds against England’s 2011 urban riots, wayward teenager Jamie Harrison is lucky enough to be assigned an empathetic social worker who urges Jamie to use her remarkable singing voice to escape her grim environs.”

5/12/17- Weak reviews by the critics but stronger ones by audiences.

7) THE WEDDING PLAN– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “This offbeat comedy follows bride-to-be Michal, a 32-year-old Orthodox Jew whose fiancé breaks their engagement. Rather than call off the nuptials, Michal decides to let God provide her with a groom by the scheduled wedding day.”

5/12/17- Fairly good reviews.

8) TRACKTOWN– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Clocking 100 miles a week in pursuit of her Olympic dream, long-distance runner Plumb Marigold finds little time left over for life. But when an ankle injury sidelines her, she’s faced with the unfathomable: taking a day off.”

5/12/17- Very good reviews from the critics and mediocre ones from audiences.

 

Not Recommended–

1) SNATCHED- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this action comedy inspired by the screenwriter’s relationship with her mom, a mother-daughter trip goes terribly awry, turning their dream vacation into a holiday nightmare with hilarious consequences.

5/12/17- Poor reviews. TRDB.

2) THE LAST SHAMAN– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Young James Freeman’s life appears filled with promise … to everyone but him. Unable to shake severe depression, he travels to the jungles of the Amazon in search of a shaman who will perform a healing ritual with a psychoactive brew.”

5/12/17- Mostly negative reviews with a few decent ones thrown in.

3) LOWRIDERS– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “As a teenager in East Los Angeles, street artist Danny embraces the lowrider world and its culture. But when an annual lowrider competition pits his ex-con brother against their old-style father, Danny is forced to make a difficult choice.”

5/12/17- The critics didn’t care for this movie- audiences did.

4) WHISKY GALORE!- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “This wacky maritime saga is based on the true story of the 1941 shipwreck of a freighter carrying 28,000 cases of malt whiskey. When the vessel runs aground near a remote Scottish island, the thirsty residents are all eager to help save the cargo.”

5/12/17- Mostly weak reviews. TRDB.

5) HOUNDS OF LOVE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Kidnapped by a deranged couple intent on torture and murder, 17-year-old schoolgirl Vicki Maloney soon figures out that her only chance for survival is to set her sadistic captors against each other.”

5/12/17- Good reviews for this drama by the critics. The NY Times did not like it and neither do I.

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW ON-DEMAND- NONE OF CONSEQUENCE

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

 1) THE WEDDING PLAN- Jacob Burns, Clearview 100. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “This offbeat comedy follows bride-to-be Michal, a 32-year-old Orthodox Jew whose fiancé breaks their engagement. Rather than call off the nuptials, Michal decides to let God provide her with a groom by the scheduled wedding day.”5/12/17- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) NORMAN– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I saw it and liked it

2) A QUIET PASSION– Jacob Burns, Bethel. Good reviews.

3) THE LOVERS– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I liked it very much.

4) CHUCK– Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Reviews were just OK.

5) THE LOST CITY OF Z– Bethel. Weak reviews.

6) THE DINNER– Clearview 100. Weak reviews but friends have liked it.

7) THEIR FINEST– Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I liked it very much.

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) THE WEDDING PLAN– Fairly good reviews

2) ONE WEEK AND A DAY– Good reviews

3) GIFTED- Mediocre reviews but friends who have seen it have liked it

4) NORMAN– I liked it very much

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

1) THE WEDDING PLAN– Fairly good reviews

2) THE DINNER– Weak reviews but friends have liked it

3) ONE WEEK AND A DAY– Good reviews

4) GIFTED- Mediocre reviews but friends who have seen it have liked it

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE

1) 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.

2) FREE FIRE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a deserted Boston warehouse, two criminal gangs meet to complete an arms transaction, but the deal ends up going horribly awry, pitting the two sides against each other in a high-voltage shootout.”5/15/17- Weak reviews. TRDB.

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

1) A QUIET PASSION– Good reviews

2) LIKE CRAZY– Mostly very good reviews

3) NORMAN– I liked it very much

4) THE DINNER– Weak reviews but friends have liked it

5) THE WEDDING PLAN– Fairly good reviews

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB