The Reel Dr. Bob

FILM REVIEWS #658

September 13th, 2017

SEPTEMBER 13, 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) MEGAN LEAVEY– Netflix Disc.

2) POLINA– At the Theater

3) THE UNKNOWN GIRL– Comcast On-Demand

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) POLINA– 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.

9/9/17- I really liked this movie very much. Great dancing also. TRDB.

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) MEGAN LEAVEY– Synopsis by Netflix. “In this affecting true-life drama, U.S. Marine Megan Leavey and her bomb-sniffing dog build a bond of trust and loyalty that sees them through more than 100 missions during the Iraq War — until an improvised explosive device injures them both.”

6/6/17- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

9/9/17- I liked the movie even though it is, at times, a tearjerker. Knowing that it is taken from a true story helped as well. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

2) THE UNKNOWN GIRL– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “After young physician Jenny closes her office for the day, she refuses to see an unfamiliar woman who’s looking for treatment. Upon learning that the woman died soon thereafter, Jenny becomes obsessed with finding out the stranger’s identity.”

9/7/17- OK reviews from the critics and weak ones from audiences. Sounds interesting to me and the NY Times liked it very much. TRDB.

9/11/17- Certainly not a great movie but this new film did hold my interest throughout. The lead actress was very good. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, Sept. 19-

 

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.

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, SEPT. 8-

 

Recommended-

 

1) THE CHALLENGE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the Arab world, falconry has been an aristocratic pastime for more than 4,000 years. This skillfully shot documentary illustrates the majesty and subtleties of the ancient sport during a tournament in Qatar.”

9/8/17- Mixed reviews for this documentary– more positive than negative. The NY Times did not like it. TRDB.

2) THE UNKNOWN GIRL– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “After young physician Jenny closes her office for the day, she refuses to see an unfamiliar woman who’s looking for treatment. Upon learning that the woman died soon thereafter, Jenny becomes obsessed with finding out the stranger’s identity.”

9/7/17- OK reviews from the critics and weak ones from audiences. Sounds interesting to me and the NY Times liked it very much. TRDB.

9/11/17- Certainly not a great movie, this new film did hold my interest throughout. The lead actress was very good. TRDB.

3) NOBODY’S WATCHING– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Already a star in Argentina, Nico relaunches his career in New York City after breaking up with his lover and producer. But landing acting gigs proves tough, and Nico — loath to face the humiliation of going home — must take on odd jobs to survive.”

9/8/17- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

4) SCHOOL LIFE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “On the eve of retirement, spouses Amanda and John Leyden look back on their shared career teaching at a boarding school in County Meath, Ireland, where they’ve applied imagination, creativity and a sense of fun to the goal of enriching young minds.”

9/8/17- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

5) COMPANY TOWN– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In Crossett, Arkansas, Georgia-Pacific’s paper and chemical plant is the town’s lifeblood. But the factory’s increasing toxic waste has led a local pastor to urge the residents to fight back against the company, which values profit over their health.”

9/8/17- Just a few reviews so far and they are all excellent. TRDB.

6) REBEL IN THE RYE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “This engaging biopic profiles the brilliant but reclusive novelist J.D. Salinger, from his early years as he resolves to become a writer through the scarring World War II experiences that led him to pen his masterpiece, “The Catcher in the Rye.”

9/8/17- Awful reviews by the critics and OK ones from audiences. I’ll recommend it solely for its historical value. TRDB.

7) TROPHY– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Examining the broad ethical issues that arise from commercial big-game hunting, this in-depth documentary focuses on the sharp debate between wildlife conservationists and those intent on breeding rare and endangered species for sport.”

9/8/17- Great reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

8) THE GOOD CATHOLIC– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Father Daniel loves his job as a small-town parish priest, but he’s shaken to the core when he finds himself attracted to a woman he meets in confession. Seeing the young cleric in a quandary, a pair of fellow priests attempts to guide him.”

9/8/17- Weak reviews by the critics but good ones from audiences. I’d give it a chance. TRDB.

 

Not Recommended-

 

1) IT- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this tale of horror adapted from a Stephen King novel, children in a small Maine town begin vanishing. When a group of seven youngsters discovers that the culprit is an evil clown named Pennywise, they band together in an effort to destroy him.”

9/8/17- Great reviews but definitely NOT my kind of movie and I won’t recommend IT. TRDB.

2) YEAR BY THE SEA– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Search – DVD Netflix. “In this indie dramedy, wife and mother Joan sets a new course for herself when she opts not to accompany her husband from New York City to his new job in Kansas. Instead, she trades her empty nest for a Cape Cod beach house.”

2/24/17- Unrealistic and it held my interest only on occasion. TRDB.

3) BORIS WITHOUT BEATRICE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Boris Malinovsky has wealth, a brilliant career, a politically powerful wife and the arrogance that often accompanies such success. But when depression fells his spouse, his world starts to unravel — and soon Boris is forced to confront his demons.”

9/8/17- Poor reviews from audiences and critics. TRDB.

4) FALLEN–  2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “When young Lucinda Price lands at a reform school after being wrongly blamed for a boy’s death, she realizes that something is amiss — and soon finds herself being courted by not one but two fallen angels.

9/8/17- Terrible reviews by the critics and weak ones by audiences. TRDB.

5) FALLEN- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Taking an unflinching look at a somber subject, this documentary pays homage to the police officers killed in America each year in the line of duty, visiting families of the fallen to tell their heartbreaking stories of loss.”

9/8/17- Just 2 reviews so far– one generally negative and the other not much better. TRDB.

6) THE LIMEHOUSE GOLEM– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In Victorian London, a succession of murders in the seamy Limehouse district sparks fears among the population that the Golem, a fearsome figure from Jewish folklore, is responsible for the grisly killings.”

9/8/17- OK reviews by critics and audiences but this is definitely not my kind of movie. TRDB.

 

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND

 

NEW ON COMCAST-

 

1) THE GOOD CATHOLIC– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Father Daniel loves his job as a small-town parish priest, but he’s shaken to the core when he finds himself attracted to a woman he meets in confession. Seeing the young cleric in a quandary, a pair of fellow priests attempts to guide him.”

9/8/17- Weak reviews by the critics but good ones from audiences. I’d give it a chance. TRDB.

2) BEATRIZ AT DINNER- 2017. I really enjoyed this movie very much

3) THE UNKNOWN GIRL– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “After young physician Jenny closes her office for the day, she refuses to see an unfamiliar woman who’s looking for treatment. Upon learning that the woman died soon thereafter, Jenny becomes obsessed with finding out the stranger’s identity.”

9/7/17- OK reviews from the critics and weak ones from audiences. Sounds interesting to me and the NY Times liked it very much. TRDB.

9/11/17- Certainly not a great movie but this new film did hold my interest throughout. The lead actress was very good. TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

 

1) THE BIG SICK- A very good movie– liked it very much

 

2) CERTAIN WOMEN- I enjoyed it

3) CHUCK- Good reviews

4) THE DINNER- I liked it

5) GET OUT- I liked it

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

7) MANCHESTER BY THE SEA- I loved this movie

8)MEGAN LEAVY- I enjoyed this movie. A bit of a tearjerker

9) THE SALESMAN- An excellent movie from Iran

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

11) SHOT CALLER- Good reviews

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

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

14) THE TRIP TO SPAIN- Fair reviews at best for this 3rd. movie of its type. If you’re desperate!

15) VICEROY’S HOUSE- Fairly good reviews

 

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

 

NEW IN THE BURBS-

 

1) REBEL IN THE RYE– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “This engaging biopic profiles the brilliant but reclusive novelist J.D. Salinger, from his early years as he resolves to become a writer through the scarring World War II experiences that led him to pen his masterpiece, “The Catcher in the Rye.”

9/8/17- Awful reviews by the critics and OK ones from audiences. I’ll recommend it solely for historical value. TRDB.

2) THE UNKNOWN GIRL– Clearview 100. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “After young physician Jenny closes her office for the day, she refuses to see an unfamiliar woman who’s looking for treatment. Upon learning that the woman died soon thereafter, Jenny becomes obsessed with finding out the stranger’s identity.”

9/7/17- OK reviews from the critics and weak ones from audiences. Sounds interesting to me and the NY Times liked it very much. TRDB.

9/11/17- Not a great movie but this new film did hold my interest throughout. The lead actress was very good. I do recommend it. TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

 

1) WIND RIVER– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I liked it a lot

2) TULIP FEVER– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100. Awful reviews

3) VICEROY’S HOUSE– Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Good reviews

4) POLINA- Jacob Burns, Bethel. I loved the movie

5) THE BIG SICK– Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I liked it very much

6) MENASHE– Garden Cinema Norwalk. I enjoyed this movie

 

 

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

 

THE THEATERS THAT I NORMALLY REVIEW- LISTED BELOW- HAVE NOT PUBLISHED THEIR SCHEDULES FOR NEXT WEEK. I’M SURE THAT THIS IS RELATED TO HURRICANE IRMA AND ITS AFTERMATH.

 

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE

1) THE TRIP TO SPAIN– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Again tasked with a culinary tour — this time of Spain — Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon arm themselves with celebrity impressions, witty banter and observations about aging, and set off on a road trip steeped in paella, gazpacho and wine.”

8/11/17- Mixed reviews at best. This is the 3rd. movie of this type with the 2 actors and the least well reviewed. I did like the first two so I’ll probably try this one also. TRDB

D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON

 

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

 

Entry Filed under: All Reviews,Newsletter from 3 weeks ago