The Reel Dr. Bob

JUNE 1, 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) MY LIFE AS A ZUCCHINI– Netflix Disc.

2) GET OUT– Comcast On-Demand

3) LOUD PLACES– Amazon Prime

4) I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO– Netflix Disc.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE, AS I’VE SEEN NEARLY ALL THE LOCAL MOVIES I PLAN TO SEE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF “PARIS CAN WAIT”

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

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.

5/28/17- A wonderful animated movie. See it!!!!! TRDB. Netflix Disc.

2) GET OUT– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Already uneasy about meeting his girlfriend’s parents for the first time, Chris’s anxiety doesn’t diminish once he gets to their posh suburb and learns that young African-American men like himself have been vanishing from the spot.”

5/29/17- Very good reviews from critics and audiences alike. TRDB.

5/29/17- A well done drama/horror movie. Generally this genre is not for me- but this one did hold my interest. TRDB.

3) LOUD PLACES– 2017. (See above as well)

5/30/17- Synopsis from the film’s website  “A girl in a dead-end town struggles to overcome abuse, raises her young brother and finds love in a mysterious, brooding nomad with a dangerous past.”

5/30/17- I enjoyed the movie. I found it suspenseful and the cinematography was wonderful. TRDB. Amazon Prime.

4) 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.

5/31/17- A fascinating and complex documentary. Watch it when you are wide awake and can pay attention. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, JUNE 6-

1) LAND OF MINE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Illuminating a little-known piece of history from World War II’s aftermath, this gripping drama follows a group of German prisoners of war as the Allies force them to defuse thousands of land mines buried in Denmark during the Nazi occupation.”2/10/17- Very good reviews from the critics and from audiences alike. TRDB.

2) THE LAST WORD– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Not about to cede control of any facet of her life — or death — retired businesswoman Harriet Lawler hires a young writer to pen an obituary worthy of her. When the results fall short of Harriet’s expectations, she sets out to reshape her legacy.”3/3/17- The critics didn’t like this movie at all but audiences loved it. The premise sounds funny to me and I would definitely try it. TRDB.

3) THE SENSE OF AN ENDING– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Retired and living alone, Tony Webster learns of long-kept secrets from his past and realizes that his own memories are filled with errors. Seeking the truth, Tony obtains the diary of an old friend and is unnerved by what he finds.”3/10/17- Very good reviews from the critics but weak ones from audiences. I’ll see it. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST FRIDAY, MAY 26-

1) HERMIA & HELENA– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Using William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” as a departure point, this touching dramedy revolves around theater director Camila, who’s working on translating the play into Spanish while complex relationships whirl around her.”5/26/17- Mostly very good reviews. TRDB.

2) JOSHUA: TEENAGER VS. SUPERPOWER– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 2014, mass demonstrations choked the streets of Hong Kong as citizens protested the Chinese government’s refusal to grant the region autonomy. This documentary focuses on teen dissident Joshua Wong, who rallied thousands to take to the streets.”

5/26/17- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

3) BERLIN SYNDROME– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “A holiday fling in Berlin turns into something far more sinister when Australian photojournalist Clare spends a passionate night with a man who refuses to part with her, imprisoning her in his apartment as he goes about his business.”

5/26/17- I generally will not see horror or “stalking” movies but this one got fairly good reviews. TRDB.

4) BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB: ADIOS– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Adding a final chapter to the Buena Vista Social Club’s unexpected rise to fame, this engaging sequel to the 1999 documentary includes interviews with the remaining original band members and footage of their triumphant farewell tour.”

5/26/17- Poor reviews for this follow-up movie. I’ll probably see it on DVD at some point just for the music. TRDB.

5) LONG STRANGE TRIP: THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE GRATEFUL DEAD– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “To their fans, the Grateful Dead were more than a band: They represented a way of being. With newly released footage and interviews, this documentary looks at the ambitions, relationships and musical influences that drove the group’s 30-year journey.”

5/26/17- Great reviews! TRDB.

6) THE WOMEN’S BALCONY– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “As an Orthodox Jewish community in Jerusalem is celebrating the bar mitzvah of one of its members, the balcony that holds the women collapses. When an ultraconservative new rabbi takes charge of the repairs, he incites a gender war in the process.”

3/7/17- Just a few reviews but they are all good. TRDB.

3/13/17- I really enjoyed this movie. TRDB.

1) WAR MACHINE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Taking satirical aim at America’s long war in Afghanistan, this black comedy follows a general with a rock-star aura who assumes command of NATO troops in the country and employs a radical new approach to the conflict.”5/26/17- Very poor reviews despite a very good cast. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW-

1) THE SENSE OF AN ENDING– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Retired and living alone, Tony Webster learns of long-kept secrets from his past and realizes that his own memories are filled with errors. Seeking the truth, Tony obtains the diary of an old friend and is unnerved by what he finds.”

3/10/17- Very good reviews from the critics but weak ones from audiences. I’ll see it. TRDB.

2) GET OUT–  2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Already uneasy about meeting his girlfriend’s parents for the first time, Chris’s anxiety doesn’t diminish once he gets to their posh suburb and learns that young African-American men like himself have been vanishing from the spot.”

5/29/17- Very good reviews from critics and audiences alike. TRDB.

5/29/17- Very well done drama/horror movie. Generally this type is not for me- but this one did hold my interest. TRDB.

3) A UNITED KINGDOM–  2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Meeting at a dance in 1947, African prince Seretse Khama and London office worker Ruth Williams share a love of jazz and an instant attraction. When they wed after a brief courtship, their interracial union sparks an international political crisis.”

2/10/17- Very good reviews. TRDB.

 

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS–

1) CHURCHILL– Bethel, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2017. Fair reviews at best.

2) OBIT– Jacob Burns. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Documentarian Vanessa Gould trains her lens on the famed obituary desk at the “New York Times,” where the unsung staff works meticulously to craft engaging accounts of momentous lives — from historical figures to celebrities to inventors.”

5/31/17- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

3) RESTLESS CREATURE: WENDY WHELAN– Jacob Burns. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “For dancer Wendy Whelan, the New York City Ballet was home for 30 years. This engaging documentary paints a revealing portrait of the ballerina as she approaches retirement, facing physical challenges while trying to redefine herself as an artist.”

5/31/17- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

4) WAKEFIELD– Clearview 100. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Lawyer, husband, dad: between his many roles, Howard Wakefield doesn’t get much “me” time. So, when he follows a raccoon into the attic above his garage — and realizes he can observe his family from there without being seen — he decides to stay.”

5/19/17- A strange sounding movie that received OK reviews with some very positive and yes, some very negative also. TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

1) NORMAN– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk, Norman. I liked it very much.

2) PARIS CAN WAIT– Jacob Burns, Bethel. Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Good review and I plan to see it.

3) THE LOST CITY OF Z-  Bethel, Clearview 100. No interest in seeing this.

4) THE LOVERS– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. A very good movie.

5) THE WEDDING PLAN– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, 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) CHURCHILL– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Focusing on British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in the hours before the June 1944 D-Day landings, this World War II drama chronicles the growing tensions between Churchill and the Allied leaders as they prepare to retake Nazi-occupied Europe.” NEW

5/30/17- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

2) CHUCK-  OK reviews by the critics and weak ones from audiences. TRDB.

3) PARIS CAN WAIT– Fairly good reviews

4) THE LOVERS- I liked it very much

5) THE WEDDING PLAN– I liked this movie very much

 

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY– Same as Lake Worth

 

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) AFTERIMAGE–  2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “After losing an arm and a leg in World War I, Polish avant-garde artist and academic Wladyslaw Strzeminski became a passionate anti-Stalinist and a key figure in the Polish resistance to Soviet control of the nation’s politics and culture.”

5/19/17- Very good reviews. It sounds more like a documentary. TRDB.

2) COLOSSAL– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix “Booted from her boyfriend’s apartment, alcoholic Gloria returns to her hometown and takes a job in a pal’s bar. Awakening one day to learn that a giant scaly monster is terrorizing Seoul, she soon discovers she has a strange connection to the beast.”

4/7/17- Fairly good reviews from critics and audiences but I think I’ll skip it. TRDB.

 

D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS–

1) CHURCHILL– Fair reviews at best. NEW

2) LIKE CRAZY– (Limited Screenings) Mostly very good reviews

3) NORMAN- I liked it (Limited Screenings)

4) PARIS CAN WAIT– Good reviews and I plan to see it

5) THE LOVERS– I enjoyed the movie

6) THE WEDDING PLAN– I liked this very much

 

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB