The Reel Dr. Bob

JULY 6, 2017

DEAR FRIENDS:

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

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE LAST 2 WEEKS-

1) HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS– Amazon Prime

2) THE HERO- At the Theater

3) THE SENSE OF AN ENDING– Netflix Disc.

4) THE BIG SICK– At the Theater

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) THE HERO– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Now in the sunset of his long film career as a Western cowboy, Lee Hayden earns a living doing voice-overs while spending his spare time in a marijuana haze. But a cancer diagnosis leads him to reassess his past and mend his fractured relationships.”6/9/17- Mixed reviews at best- more positive than negative. TRDB.

6/23/17- I enjoyed the movie very much. The acting was wonderful. The plot, we’ve seen before but not done as well as in this movie. TRDB.

2) THE BIG SICK- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “After meeting at a stand-up comedy show, funnyman Kumail and graduate student Emily embark on a romance. But as the expectations of his strict Muslim family create conflict between the couple, their relationship begins to crumble.”

6/22/17- Excellent reviews by the critics and good ones by audiences. TRDB.

7/4/17- I really enjoyed this comedy. Good story and very well acted. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Inspired by insights gained through a self-help seminar, 60-year-old Doris Miller brazenly steps forward to pursue the affections of a much younger co-worker — and inadvertently becomes a hit with his hipster cohorts.”3/11/16- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

6/22/17- I enjoyed this movie, especially Sally Field who plays the older woman. TRDB. Amazon Prime.

2) NOBODY SPEAK: TRIALS OF THE FREE PRESS– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “When wrestler Hulk Hogan learned that tabloid website Gawker had posted a sex tape of him with the wife of radio personality Bubba the Love Sponge, Hogan filed suit against the company. This absorbing documentary chronicles the ensuing battle.”

6/23/17- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

6/23/17- This documentary held my interest only briefly as the topic of privacy vs. press freedom has been done many, many times before in much more interesting ways. TRDB. Netflix.

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.

7/4/17- I liked this movie very much and as usual Jim Broadbent gives a wonderful performance. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

4) BURN COUNTRY– 2017.

7/6/17– Don’t waste your time. TRDB. Netflix.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JULY 11-

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.”3/3/17- Poor reviews but it does sound funny!! TRDB.

2) A QUIET PASSION–  2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Famously reclusive poet Emily Dickinson comes to life in this lush biopic that follows her from her days as a gifted but insecure student through her years as an introverted adult whose attachment to her family leads to self-imposed sequestration.”4/14/17– Excellent reviews by the critics but only mediocre ones from audiences. TRDB.

3) THEIR FINEST– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Hired to pen scripts for films intended to boost Britain’s spirits during World War II’s London Blitz, Catrin Cole finds drama and comedy offscreen as she contends with a chauvinistic fellow screenwriter and a self-important aging actor.”4/7/17– Excellent reviews by the critics and very good ones by audiences. TRDB.

4/30/17- I enjoyed the film but I did not think it was special. TRDB.

4) 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 really liked this movie very much. Richard Gere did a great job as did the others as well. TRDB.

5) THE LOST CITY OF Z- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “This absorbing tale of mystery recounts the story of real-life British explorer Percy Fawcett, who in 1925 embarked on a journey through the Amazon jungle to locate a fabled ancient city — and never returned.”4/14/17- Very good reviews from the critics and only fair ones from audiences. I’d see it. TRDB.

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OPENED FRIDAY, JUNE 23-

1) THE BIG SICK– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “After meeting at a stand-up comedy show, funnyman Kumail and graduate student Emily embark on a romance. But as the expectations of his strict Muslim family create conflict between the couple, their relationship begins to crumble.”6/22/17- Excellent reviews by the critics and good ones by audiences. TRDB.

2) THE BEGUILED– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this remake of the 1971 drama set during the Civil War, a wounded Union soldier finds refuge in a Southern boarding school for girls and soon becomes a catalyst for a torrent of jealousy and animosity among the occupants.”

6/23/17- Fair to good reviews by nearly all of the critics. TRDB.

3) PAULINA– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Unfulfilled by her career as an attorney, Paulina becomes a schoolteacher in a remote region of Argentina. But just as she’s beginning to adjust to her new world, Paulina is brutally assaulted by a gang of boys that may include some of her students.”

6/23/17- Excellent reviews by the critics and OK ones from audiences. TRDB.

4) IN TRANSIT– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In his last film, documentarian Albert Maysles captures a journey aboard the Empire Builder, a long-distance train route where the passengers connect as they share their thoughts about events they anticipate at their final destination.”

6/23/17- Good reviews. TRDB.

5) ALL THE RAGE- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “A personal journey to end his immobilizing back pain led co-director Michael Galinsky to John Sarno, the doctor whose book on the topic cured Galinsky’s father. This documentary shows how Sarno’s mind-body approach could revolutionize pain treatment.”

6/23/17- Just a few reviews so far and they are good.  TRDB.

6) NOBODY SPEAK: TRIALS OF THE FREE PRESS– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “When wrestler Hulk Hogan learned that tabloid website Gawker had posted a sex tape of him with the wife of radio personality Bubba the Love Sponge, Hogan filed suit against the company. This absorbing documentary chronicles the ensuing battle.”

6/23/17- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

6/23/17- This documentary held my interest only briefly as the topic of privacy vs. press freedom has been done many, many times before in much more interesting ways. TRDB.

7) MY JOURNEY THROUGH FRENCH CINEMA– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Renowned director Bertrand Tavernier takes viewers on an enlightening tour of French cinema — from its humble roots in the 1930s to the revolutionary impact of the New Wave, including Tavernier’s own first feature, “The Clockmaker.”

6/23/17- GREAT REVIEWS. TRDB.

8) FOOD EVOLUTION– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Narrated by Neil deGrasse Tyson, this thought-provoking documentary looks at the heated debate surrounding the safety of genetically modified foods, separating hype from science to provide a different perspective on the subject.”

6/23/17- I’ve seen 3 or 4 reviews and they are all very good. TRDB.

9) THE ORNITHOLOGIST– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Searching for an elusive stork species, ornithologist Fernando is swept away by rapids while hiking along a river. Though he survives, he faces a long and perilous trek through the forest — a journey that will steadily transform him as a man.”

6/23/17- Very good reviews by the critics who said that this movie was most unusual. Audiences were not as praising. TRDB.

10) bwoy- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Adrift and heartbroken in the wake of his son’s accidental death, Brad O’Connor ends up on a Jamaican hookup site looking for solace. When he becomes fixated on a young man he meets there, Brad’s marriage and life are pushed to the brink.”

6/23/17- Very good reviews. TRDB.

11) IN PURSUIT OF SILENCE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the modern-day industrial world, silence has become equated with nothingness — a perception this introspective documentary goes far to negate, demonstrating the importance of silence as a font of respite and rejuvenation.”

6/23/17- Excellent reviews by the critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB.

12) NOWHERE TO HIDE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this affecting documentary about suffering and survival, Iraqi medic Nori Sharif records five years of his life in the war-ravaged Diyala province, with the country descending into chaos as multiple armed groups battle for territory.”

6/23/17- GREAT REVIEWS!! TRDB.

 

Not Recommended-

1) CAN’T STOP WON’T STOP: A BAD BOY STORY– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “The three-week run-up to the star-studded 2016 reunion concert of the Bad Boy Records family provides a jumping-off point for this engaging documentary that looks at the history of the label and its founder, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs.”

6/23/17- Poor reviews by most of the critics. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST FRIDAY, JUNE 30-

1) THE B-SIDE: ELSA DORFMAN’S PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this endearing profile of renowned photographer Elsa Dorfman, documentarian Errol Morris visits her in her Massachusetts studio, which is packed with decades’ worth of pictures that include everyone from counterculture icons to everyday people.”6/29/17- Very good to excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2) THE LITTLE HOURS– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this medieval romp, convent life is far from pure — or even pure of heart — for Sisters Alessandra, Fernanda and Ginevra, who drive the nunnery’s laborer away with their taunts and drive his replacement crazy with their attempts at seduction.”

6/30/17- Fairly good reviews in general with a few negative ones in there as well. Sounds interesting and I’ll see it if I can. TRDB.

3) THE REAGAN SHOW– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Using all archival footage — much of it shot for the Reagan administration — this intriguing documentary captures the spectacle and magnetism that followed image-savvy actor Ronald Reagan from Tinseltown to the White House.”6/30/17- Good reviews with some notable disagreement. TRDB.

4) THE SKYJACKER’S TALE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary tells the story of Ishmael LaBeet, who was convicted (with four others) of mass murder at a U.S. Virgin Islands country club. Being transported to a mainland prison 12 years later, he hijacked a plane to Cuba, where he found asylum.”

6/30/17- Fair reviews at best but there were excellent ones in the bunch. TRDB.

5) MALI BLUES– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Mali’s renowned musical culture has come under grave threat from radical Islamists, who view music as offensive to the faith. This urgent documentary spotlights the anxieties of Malian singer Fatou prior to her first concert in her home country.”

6/30/17- Just 4 reviews noted and they are all good. TRDB.

6) MARIE COURIE: THE COURAGE OF KNOWLEDGE- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Between 1903 and 1911, scientist Marie Curie wins two Nobel Prizes and becomes the first woman offered a professional chair at the Sorbonne. But when her unorthodox love life leads to a scandal, it threatens to be her undoing.”

6/30/17- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

7) 13 MINUTES– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “By 1939, Adolf Hitler has mesmerized most of Germany with his oratory and charisma. But carpenter Georg Elser is convinced that Hitler’s rule will lead to a devastating war and plans a daring attempt on the Nazi leader’s life.”

6/30/17- Fair reviews at best but I’ll see it. TRDB.

 

Not Recommended-

1) LOOK & SEE: A PORTRAIT OF WENDELL BERRY– 2017. “In this documentary about writer and activist Wendell Berry, the subject is seen only in vintage photographs and clips, but his words resonate as a picture of him emerges through the Kentucky land he loves and the people who work it.”

6/30/17- Poor reviews- just a few critics liked it. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW ON COMCAST- NONE OF CONSEQUENCE

REPEATS-

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) THE BIG SICK– Jacob Burns, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “After meeting at a stand-up comedy show, funnyman Kumail and graduate student Emily embark on a romance. But as the expectations of his strict Muslim family create conflict between the couple, their relationship begins to crumble.”6/22/17- Excellent reviews by the critics and good ones by audiences. TRDB.

2) THE BEGUILED– Jacob Burns, Danbury, Clearview, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this remake of the 1971 drama set during the Civil War, a wounded Union soldier finds refuge in a Southern boarding school for girls and soon becomes a catalyst for a torrent of jealousy and animosity among the occupants.”6/23/17- Fair to good reviews by nearly all of the critics. TRDB.

3) MAUDIE- Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “This affecting biopic charts the story of Maud Lewis, who rises above the juvenile rheumatoid arthritis that made her a social outcast and finds a passion for painting, becoming a beloved Canadian folk artist in the process.”

6/16/17- Good to excellent reviews. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) BIATRIZ AT DINNER– Clearview 100., Garden Cinema Norwalk.

2) THE WOMEN’S BALCONY– Clearview 100.

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) THE BEGUILED– Good reviews

2) BIATRIZ AT DINNER– I liked it very much

3) THE HERO– I saw it and liked it

4) THE EXCEPTION– Good reviews

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

1) MAUDIE- Good to excellent reviews

2) THE BEGUILED– Good reviews

3) THE HERO– I saw it and liked it

4) PAST LIFE– Very good reviews by the critics and fair ones from audiences.

5) THE EXCEPTION– Good reviews

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) MY JOURNEY THROUGH FRENCH CINEMA– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Renowned director Bertrand Tavernier takes viewers on an enlightening tour of French cinema — from its humble roots in the 1930s to the revolutionary impact of the New Wave, including Tavernier’s own first feature, “The Clockmaker.”6/23/17- GREAT REVIEWS. TRDB.

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

1) MAUDIE– Good to excellent reviews

2) BEATRIZ AT DINNER– I saw it and liked it very much

3) PAST LIFE– Very good reviews

4) THE EXCEPTION– Good reviews

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

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