The Reel Dr. Bob

FILM REVIEWS #657

September 7th, 2017

SEPTEMBER 7, 2017

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

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

 

MOST LIKELY THERE WILL BE NO ISSUE NEXT WEEK— AT BEST AN ABREVIATED VERSION

 

 

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

 

1) VIOLETA WENT TO HEAVEN– Netflix Disc.

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) VIOLETA WENT TO HEAVEN– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Chile’s answer to Bob Dylan, Violeta Parra brought folk to the masses. This dramatized biography combines her music and life into a unique pastiche. The result reveals Parra’s conviction and passion as no conventional documentary could.”

3/29/13- A good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

9/4/17- I really liked this movie very much. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, SEPT. 12-

 

1) CITIZEN JANE: BATTLE FOR THE CITY– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the 1960s, when urban renewal became synonymous with the destruction of historic neighborhoods, Jane Jacobs battled some of New York’s most powerful people to save places like Greenwich Village and Little Italy.”

4/21/17- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

 

2) ABACUS: SMALL ENOUGH TO JAIL– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Thomas Sung opened tiny Abacus Bank to serve fellow Chinese immigrants, little did he dream that his would be the only financial institution indicted in the wake of the 2008 mortgage meltdown. This documentary chronicles his long legal battle.”

5/19/17- Very good reviews for this movie. TRDB.

 

3) BEATRIZ AT DINNER– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “When her car breaks down at the home of rich clients, holistic health practitioner Beatriz is invited to stay for the couple’s important dinner party — which becomes a battleground as Beatriz clashes with billionaire real-estate developer Doug.”

6/9/17- Fairly good reviews from the critics and excellent ones from audiences. TRDB.

6/16/17- I liked this movie very much. Interesting and foreboding and definitely recommended. TRDB.

 

COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, SEPT. 19- (just in case there’s no issue next week)

1) MANIFESTO–  2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this unique drama, Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett brings to life — via 13 different characters — the manifestos of influential 20th-century artists, including sculptor Claes Oldenburg, film director Jim Jarmusch and dancer Yvonne Rainer.”

6/20/17- Critics have liked it but audiences have not. TRDB.

2) THE TREASURE– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “Family man Costi finds his life turned upside down after a neighbor convinces him that there’s treasure buried in his dead grandfather’s garden. But when Costi agrees to help dig up the cache, bureaucratic entanglements and other complications ensue.”

1/8/16- Very good reviews from critics but not so good from audiences. TRDB.

6/16/16- Interesting if a bit slow with an unusual ending. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

3) CERTAIN WOMEN– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this quiet drama, three Montana women try to find their way when life throws them curveballs. As lawyer Laura deals with a hostage crisis, Gina clashes with an elderly neighbor, and ranch hand Jamie becomes smitten with an adult education teacher.”

10/14/16- Excellent reviews by the critics but poor ones by audiences. TRDB.

10/31/16- Slow paced but very interesting with wonderful acting as well. TRDB. 

4) 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 primarily because of the acting. The plot we’ve seen before. TRDB.

5) 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 poignant comedy. Good story and very well acted. TRDB.

 

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OPENED LAST FRIDAY-

 

Recommended–

 

1) FREE IN DEED– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “When conventional medicine fails to control the pain that propels her autistic son to harm himself, weary single mother Melva Neddy turns to a self-professed faith healer for help. Unfortunately, he has demons of his own to conquer.”

9/1/17- Just 3 reviews and they are all excellent. TRDB.

2) DOLORES–  2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the early 1960s, Dolores Huerta cofounded the first farm workers’ union in America, yet after Cesar Chavez’s death, she was forced out of the union’s all-male leadership. This documentary charts her fight for workers’ rights and gender equality.”

9/1/17- Great reviews. TRDB.

3) JESUS– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Wayward teen Jesus lives in Santiago with his father, dedicating his life to new and stupid thrills. He gets more than he bargained for when he and his friends beat another teen into a coma, forcing Jesus to turn to his fed-up father for help.”

9/1/17- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

4) THE VICEROY’S HOUSE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “An epic chapter in the history of the British Empire is recounted in this period drama that follows the last viceroy of India, Lord Mountbatten, as he oversees the nation’s seismic transition to independence in 1947.”

9/1/17- Mixed reviews– more up than down. TRDB.

 

Not Recommended–

1) KILL ME PLEASE (2017)- Synopsis by Netflix. “In the upscale Barra da Tijuca district of Rio de Janeiro, an ongoing series of grisly murders sparks the morbid fascination of a group of bored teenage girls — particularly Bia, who becomes increasingly obsessed with the crimes.”

9/1/17- Weak reviews from critics and terrible ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) THE LAYOVER– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “When the unexpected approach of a hurricane reroutes the plane carrying best friends Kate and Meg, they end up with a layover long enough for both woman to fall for an attractive man also grounded by the same flight.”

9/1/17- Terrible reviews. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON DEMAND-

COMCAST HAS ELIMINATED A LARGE NUMBER OF MOVIES THAT THEY WERE SHOWING ON DEMAND- MANY FOR A LONG TIME

NEW ON COMCAST-

1) VICEROY’S HOUSE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “An epic chapter in the history of the British Empire is recounted in this period drama that follows the last viceroy of India, Lord Mountbatten, as he oversees the nation’s seismic transition to independence in 1947.”

9/1/17- Mixed reviews– more up than down. TRDB.

2) MEGAN LEAVEY– Very good reviews (just released by Netflix)

 

REPEATS-

 

1) CERTAIN WOMEN- I enjoyed it

2) CHUCK- Good reviews

3) THE DINNER- I liked it

4) GET OUT- I liked it

5) GIFTED- Just ok reviews but friends have liked it very much and so did I

6) MANCHESTER BY THE SEA- I loved this movie

7) THE SALESMAN- An excellent movie from Iran

8)THE SENSE OF AN ENDING- I liked the movie and Jim Broadbent in particular

9) SHOT CALLER- Good reviews

10) SNOWDEN- I liked it– the topic is still in the news

11) STRANGE WEATHER- Critics are 50/50 on this one but I love road trips

12) THE TRIP TO SPAIN- Fair reviews at best for this 3rd. movie of its type

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) VICEROY’S HOUSE– Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “An epic chapter in the history of the British Empire is recounted in this period drama that follows the last viceroy of India, Lord Mountbatten, as he oversees the nation’s seismic transition to independence in 1947.”

9/1/17- Mixed reviews– more up than down. TRDB.

2)  BEACH RATS– Jacob Burns. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Teenage Frankie isn’t sure what he wants other than to escape from his dreary home life. In his quest to find himself — and to have some fun — he begins hooking up with older men while also pursuing a relationship with a prospective new girlfriend.”

8/25/17- Very good reviews from the critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

3) POLINA- Jacob Burns. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “All Polina has ever wanted to do is dance. But her presumed path from being a student bound for the Bolshoi Ballet to star ballerina shifts when she meets a French dancer who introduces Polina to modern choreography and a more expressive dance form.”

8/25/17- Fair reviews by the critics and weaker ones from audiences. Sounds interesting to me. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) THE BIG SICK– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk.

2) THE TRIP TO SPAIN– Bethel. Weak reviews

3) TULIP FEVER– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100. Terrible reviews but friends have liked it

4) WIND RIVER– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I liked the movie

5) LOGAN LUCKY– Bethel. OK reviews

6) MENASHE– Garden Cinema Norwalk. I liked this movie very much

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

1. A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) TULIP FEVER– Poor reviews for this period piece

2) MENASHE– I enjoyed this movie

3) WIND RIVER– I liked this very much

4) THE ONLY LIVING BOY IN NEW YORK– Poor reviews

 

1. B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- Same as “Movies of Lake Worth”
2. C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

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.

2) 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.

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

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

1) LOGAN LUCKY– Good reviews

2) MENASHE– I liked this movie very much

3) THE TRIP TO SPAIN– Weak reviews

4) LETTERS FROM BAGHDAD– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Dubbed the female Lawrence of Arabia, archaeologist Gertrude Bell swapped the strictures of Edwardian England for the wilds of the Arabian Desert, where she helped shape the modern Middle East. This documentary tells Bell’s story in her own words.”

6/2/17- Good reviews. TRDB.

5) MAUDIE- I liked this very much (limited screenings)

6) FROM THE LAND OF THE MOON– Good reviews (limited screenings)

7) INGRID GOES WEST– Good reviews (limited screenings)

 

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

 

Entry Filed under: Old Newsletters