The Reel Dr. Bob

AUGUST 24, 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) COLUMBUS– At the Theater

2) TO THE BONE– Netflix Streaming

3) THE BEGUILED (1971)- Netflix Disc.

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MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) COLUMBUS– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “After traveling from Korea to Columbus, Indiana — where his architect father lies in a coma — middle-aged Jin meets young Casey, who’s put her dreams on hold to care for her mother. As Jin and Casey bond, her architectural ambitions are reignited.”8/4/17- Excellent reviews by the critics and good ones by audiences. TRDB.

8/19/17- It felt like reading an emotional article in Architecture Digest. Very well done with wonderful, understated acting and excellent screenplay. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK AT HOME-

1) TO THE BONE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Long struggling with anorexia, 20-year-old Ellen enters a group recovery home, where she encounters a doctor with an unusual approach: He suggests that her disorder may stem from her conflicted feelings about whether life is worth living.”8/20/17- Fair reviews by the critics but I, along with several critics, liked it very much. Very well acted and realistic. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

2) THE BEGUILED (1971)- Synopsis by Netflix. “An injured Civil War soldier (Clint Eastwood) takes refuge in a fancy Southern girls’ school and quickly becomes the center of attention as the girls clamor for his affections, and the headmistress (Geraldine Page) freely practices her surgical skills on him. A far cry from typical Eastwood films, this moody, atmospheric drama is a tension-filled cult favorite from director Don Siegel (Dirty Harry, Escape from Alcatraz).”

8/23/17- I just saw this for the first time and liked it very much. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, AUG. 29-

1) DEAN– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Still grappling with his mom’s death, New York City illustrator Dean impulsively takes a trip to Los Angeles but stays on after meeting cute Nicky at a party. Meanwhile, much to Dean’s dismay, his dad is trying to move on by selling the family home.”6/2/17- Fair reviews from the critic but better ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) MIMOSAS– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “With his life waning, an elderly sheikh is carried into the Atlas Mountains to be buried near his family. But after he dies en route, the caravaners transporting the old man refuse to continue the arduous journey — except for a pair of scoundrels.”4/14/17- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

3) IN THE SHADOW OF WOMEN– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Despite being happily married to his creative partner, filmmaker Pierre finds himself mired in a love triangle when he falls for a young intern. Unable to choose between the two women, Pierre tries to keep them both as his lovers.”1/15/16- Very good reviews. TRDB.

4) WAKEFIELD-  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.

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OPENED LAST FRIDAY-

1) MARJORIE PRIME– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this futuristic sci-fi tale, the subjective nature of memory and identity is explored through 86-year-old Marjorie and her interactions with a hologram — a lookalike of her deceased husband programmed to stir her fading memories.”8/18/17- Very good reviews by critics and just OK ones from audiences. Sounds interesting to me. TRDB.

2) LIZA, LIZA, SKIES ARE GREY– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “As tidal changes in social values sweep through America in the summer of 1966, 16-year-old Brett and his girlfriend, Liza, climb on his motorcycle for a road trip up the California coast — and are exposed to far more than they expected.”

8/18/17- Poor reviews in general but as I’ve said before I love road movies and I’ll probably see this one eventually. TRDB.

3) SIDEMEN: LONG ROAD TO GLORY– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Featuring footage of their last joint performances, this toe-tapping documentary looks at the lives and musical legacies of aging sidemen Pinetop Perkins, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith and Hubert Sumlin, who once played with Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf.”

8/18/17- Great early reviews. TRDB.

4) CALIFORNIA TYPEWRITER– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Once a key technology in business and literature, manual typewriters are viewed by most people as quaint 20th-century artifacts. But as this engaging documentary reveals, hard-core typewriter fans are ensuring that these predigital marvels live on.

8/18/17- Great reviews. TRDB.

5) WALK WITH ME– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “A Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Zen Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh introduced the concept of mindfulness to the West. This documentary takes viewers into his monastery in France and on the road with his followers, providing insight into monastic life.”

8/18/17- Excellent reviews from all except The NY Times. TRDB.

6) CROWN HEIGHTS– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Wrongly pegged as the perpetrator of a shooting, 18-year-old Colin Warner spends 20 years in prison — even though the real killer eventually comes forward. But Colin’s best friend, Carl King, never stops fighting to free him.”

8/18/17- Fair reviews but it sounded interesting to me and I’ll probably see it. TRDB.

7) PATTI CAKE$– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Defying the typical rapper profile, Jersey girl Patricia Dombrowski is determined to make it in the hip-hop world and escape her dead-end life. After a chance meeting with a reclusive heavy metal devotee named Basterd, her dream may become reality.”

8/18/17- OK reviews. TRDB.

8) SHOT CALLER– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Recently released from prison and back on the streets of Southern California, an ex-con receives orders from his gang leaders to put together plans for committing an audacious crime with a rival gang.”

8/18/17- Fairly good reviews– somewhat better from audiences than the critics. TRDB.

9) WHITNEY: CAN I BE ME– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Shocking millions of fans, singer Whitney Houston accidentally drowned in 2012, but by then her domestic and addition struggles had already taken a toll on a career that began at age 15. This revealing documentary chronicles her roller-coaster life.”

8/18/17- Very good reviews from the critics and poor ones from audiences. I’d see it.  TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) THE HITMAN’S BODYGUARD– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Fate comes full circle when a top bodyguard takes on the job of protecting the world’s best hit man, who’s bound for the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands to testify against an Eastern European country’s ruthless ex-ruler.”8/18/17- Poor reviews from the critics and OK ones from audiences. I’d skip it! TRDB.

2) THE QUEEN OF SPAIN– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “After making it big in 1950s Hollywood, movie star Macarena Granada returns to her native Spain to play Queen Isabella in an upcoming period drama. But trouble begins almost immediately when the fascist government arrests the film’s director.”

8/18/17- Terrible reviews!!! TRDB.

3) 6 DAYS– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this riveting real-life thriller set in 1980, a tense standoff takes place between London police and heavily armed gunmen after they seize the Iranian Embassy, taking 26 hostages and barricading themselves inside.”

8/18/17- Poor reviews but it may interest some people– not me. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW ON COMCAST-

1) SHOT CALLER– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Recently released from prison and back on the streets of Southern California, an ex-con receives orders from his gang leaders to put together plans for committing an audacious crime with a rival gang.”8/18/17- Fairly good reviews– somewhat better from audiences than the critics. TRDB.

REPEATS-

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) INGRID GOES WEST– Jacob Burns, Danbury. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “After getting out of a mental hospital, Ingrid Thorburn becomes fixated on making friends with Instagram star Taylor Sloane, going to great lengths to get close to her. But when Taylor’s brother enters the picture, Ingrid’s behavior turns dangerous.”8/11/17- Very good reviews by critics and audiences alike. TRDB.

2) PATTI CAKE$– Jacob Burns. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Defying the typical rapper profile, Jersey girl Patricia Dombrowski is determined to make it in the hip-hop world and escape her dead-end life. After a chance meeting with a reclusive heavy metal devotee named Basterd, her dream may become reality.”8/18/17- OK reviews. TRDB.

3) GOOD TIME- Clearview 100. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “When an ill-fated bank robbery attempt puts his brother behind bars, Constantine Nikas begins a frenzied all-night scramble to get his sibling out of lockup while trying to stay one step ahead of a police manhunt himself.”

8/11/17- I usually do not recommend movies of this sort but this one received excellent reviews– with a few notable exceptions. TRDB.

4) THE ONLY LIVING BOY IN NEW YORK– Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “With college out of the way and the rest of his life ahead of him, Thomas is taking his time to decide what he really wants. On the other hand, his father’s young mistress, Johanna, knows exactly what she wants — and it’s Thomas.”

8/24/17- Terrible reviews from the critics and just OK ones from audiences. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) AN INCONVENIENT SEQUEL– Bethel. I liked it

2) LOGAN LUCKY– Bethel, Danbury.Good reviews but I haven’t seen it yet

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

4) WIND RIVER– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I enjoyed it

5) MENASHE– Jacob Burns, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I liked it very much

6) COLUMBUS- Jacob Burns. I enjoyed this very much (limited screenings)

7) THE TRIP TO SPAIN– Jacob Burns, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Weak reviews and I’ll skip it for now

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) LOGAN LUCKY– Good reviews and I’ll try to see it

2) MENASHE– I liked this one very much

3) WIND RIVER– I enjoyed this movie

4) MAUDIE– I liked it a lot

B) MOVIES OF DELRAY-

1) LOGAN LUCKY– Good reviews and I’ll try to see it

2) MENASHE– I liked this one very much

3) WIND RIVER– I enjoyed this movie

4) THE ONLY LIVING BOY IN NEW YORK– Terrible reviews from the critics and just OK ones from audiences.

C) STONZEK THEATER AT LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) IT COMES AT NIGHT– Not my kind of movie (horror) Even the title scared me

2) THE MIDWIFE–  I liked this French movie very much. Typical slow development of the plot with excellent acting by Catherine DeNeuve and Catherine Frot. TRDB.

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

1) FROM THE LAND OF THE MOON– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this absorbing adaptation of novelist Milena Agus’ “Mal de Pierres,” passionate Frenchwoman Gabrielle finds herself torn between the man she’s expected to wed and a disarming veteran of World War II.”7/28/17- The premise sounds interesting but reviews have been negative– better from audiences than from the critics. I’d try it. TRDB.

2)  LOGAN LUCKY– Good reviews but I haven’t seen it yet

3) LADY MACBETH– Good reviews- limited screenings

4) MAUDIE- I liked it very much- limited screenings

5) MENASHE– I really enjoyed this very much

6) LANDLINE– Good reviews- limited screenings

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB