The Reel Dr. Bob

FILM REVIEWS #660

September 28th, 2017

SEPTEMBER 28, 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) LIKE CRAZY– Netflix Disc.

2) CHUCK– Netflix Disc.

3) BRAD’S STATUS– At the Theater

4) GAGA: FIIVE FOOT TWO– Netflix Streaming

5) JERRY BEFORE SEINFELD– Netflix Streaming

6) TRAMONTANE- At the Theater (Arab Film Festival at Jacob Burns)

7) THE SQUID AND THE WHALE– Netflix Streaming

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

 

1) BRAD’S STATUS– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “While touring East Coast colleges for his son’s benefit, Brad Soares bumps into some former college buddies whose success leaves him dismayed by his relative lack of achievement. Increasingly vexed by his failings, Brad begins a redemptive journey.”

9/15/17- Very good reviews. TRDB.

9/23/17- Great movie. TRDB.

2) TRAMONTANE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “When blind Lebanese youth Rabih applies for a passport to go on tour in Europe with his musical ensemble, he learns that his ID card is a forgery. Determined to unearth his real identity, he sets out on a journey across the country to look for clues.”

9/26/17- I saw this wonderful movie at the 2017 Arab Film Festival at Jacob Burns. Interesting and full of issues still pertinent  today. TRDB.

 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

 

1) LIKE CRAZY– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Despite their opposite personalities, mental hospital patients Donatella and Beatrice become friends and eventually escape from the facility together, embarking on a journey through the real world — which seems nuttier than the place they fled.”

5/5/17- Mostly very good reviews. TRDB.

9/22/17- An excellent comedy with some serious moments as well. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

2) CHUCK– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Known for his ability to take punches and keep standing, boxer Chuck Wepner — nicknamed the “Bayonne Bleeder” — served as the inspiration for movie pugilist Rocky Balboa. This fast-paced biopic chronicles Wepner’s life in and out of the ring.

5/5/17- OK reviews by the critics and weak ones from audiences. TRDB.

9/23/17- What can I say— I liked it. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

3) GAGA: FIVE FOOT TWO– Synopsis by Netflix. “Offering an inside look at the life and career of fashion-forward pop star Lady Gaga, this high-energy documentary follows the singer as she marks the release of a new album and prepares for a lavishly staged halftime show at Super Bowl LI.”

9/22/17- Fairly good reviews by the critics and excellent ones by audiences. TRDB.

9/24/17- I enjoyed the movie but it contained much of the “hero worship” that documentaries of famous performers have. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

4) JERRY BEFORE SEINFELD– 2017. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Jerry Before Seinfeld: Jerry Seinfeld returns to The Comic Strip for an intimate ?stand-up ? set at the club that helped launch his career. Interspersed with never-before-seen material — including a library of legal pads with every joke he’s written since 1975, childhood videos, and more — Jerry performs the jokes that put him on the comedy map in an hour-long stand-up special, only on Netflix.”

9/25/17- Jerry at his best. Worth seeing. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

5) THE SQUID AND THE WHALE– 2005. Synopsis by Netflix. “This insightful indie drama looks at the crumbling marriage between a self-centered novelist — whose career is waning — and his up-and-coming writer wife. Meanwhile, the warring couple’s two sons are caught in the cross fire.”

9/28/17- Great movie and still a classic for me. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, OCT. 3-

 

1) MR. GAGA– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “This vibrant documentary follows renowned choreographer Ohad Naharin as he leads classes for up-and-coming dancers around the world. Naharin also details his creation of Gaga, an innovative movement language he developed for training dancers.”

2/22/17- Good reviews by the critics and even better ones by audiences. TRDB.

 

2) 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 even though it was a bit too long. TRDB.

 

3) 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.

 

4) 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.

 

5) A GHOST STORY– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a young husband suffers a tragic premature death, his mournful spirit lingers, unable to leave the home or wife he loves. But after she moves on and moves out, he remains, eventually learning lessons about life, love and loss.”

7/7/17- Fairly good reviews– better from the critics than audiences. TRDB.

 

6) 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.”

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

 

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OPENED LAST FRIDAY-

 

Recommended-

 

1) GAGA: FIVE FOOT TWO- Synopsis by Netflix. “Offering an inside look at the life and career of fashion-forward pop star Lady Gaga, this high-energy documentary follows the singer as she marks the release of a new album and prepares for a lavishly staged halftime show at Super Bowl LI.”

9/22/17- Fairly good reviews by the critics and excellent ones by audiences. You can see this on Netflix Streaming as well as at a NY theater. TRDB.

9/24/17- I enjoyed the movie although it contained much of the “hero worship” that documentaries of famous performers have. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

2) BATTLE OF THE SEXES– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1973, Billie Jean King, the world’s No. 2 female tennis player, took on 55-year-old ex-champ Bobby Riggs in a match hyped as the Battle of the Sexes. This sports dramedy delves into the battles being played out in their lives beyond the spotlight.”

9/22/17- Very good reviews by the critics and 50/50 by audiences. TRDB.

3) BOBBI JENE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Rebooting her personal and professional lives, American dancer Bobbi Jene Smith returns to the United States from Israel, where’s she’s been a star for more than a decade. This engrossing documentary follows Smith as she branches out on her own.”

9/22/17– Fair reviews. TRDB.

4) UNREST- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “When 28-year-old Jennifer Brea begins suffering symptoms that leave her bedridden, doctors claim her condition is psychosomatic. Looking for answers, she turns a lens on herself and four others to document their battles with chronic fatigue syndrome.”

9/22/17- Excellent reviews from critics and audiences. TRDB.

5) THE FORCE- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Taking viewers inside police vehicles and providing a glimpse of the challenges crime fighters face, this documentary profiles a department in transition as Oakland, California, strives to end corruption in its police force and restore public trust.”

9/22/17- Excellent reviews by the critics and just OK ones by audiences. TRDB.

6) LOVING VINCENT– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “This animated biopic recounts the life and last days of tormented Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh, with each frame of the film consisting of an oil painting executed in the master’s style and a plot based on letters he penned.”

9/22/17- Fairly good reviews by the critics and excellent ones by audiences. TRDB.

7) STRONGER- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fact-based drama, life changes irrevocably for Jeff Bauman when a bomb goes off at his feet as he’s celebrating his completion of the 2013 Boston Marathon. Despite losing his legs, Bauman is determined to help find the culprits.”

9/19/17- Great reviews by the critics and very good ones by audiences. TRDB.

8) THE KING’S CHOICE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “When the Nazis invaded Norway on April 9, 1940, the country’s king — Haakon VII — was given an ultimatum: surrender or die. When Haakon answered that he would abdicate before appointing the German-approved government, the bombing began.”

9/22/17- Very good reviews from all sources. TRDB.

9) THE TIGER HUNTER– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Hoping to live up to his tiger-hunter father’s legacy and prove himself worthy of wedding boyhood crush Ruby, Sami Malik leaves India for Chicago to work as an engineer. But when the job falls through, Sami concocts a half-baked charade to woo Ruby.”

9/22/17– Fairly good reviews by both audiences and critics. TRDB.

 

Not Recommended-

1) HONG KONG TRILOGY– 2017. “Reframing Hong Kong in a new light, cinematographer Christopher Doyle’s intriguing fusion of documentary and fiction gives three generations of the city’s denizens a platform to express — and dramatize — their viewpoints and concerns.”

9/22/17- Very few reviews so far and they are mostly poor. TRDB.

2) WOODSHOCK– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this immersive thriller, a young woman reeling from the pain of a deep personal loss ingests powerful, mind-bending cannabinoids in an effort to put the past behind her. But she soon begins to spiral out of control.”

9/22/17- This movie received some of the worst reviews I’ve seen in a long time from the critics. Somehow audiences seemed to have liked it. I’ll pass. TRDB.

3) VICTORIA & ABDUL– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this historical drama, young Indian clerk Abdul Karim journeys to Britain to participate in the celebration of Queen Victoria’s 50th year on the throne. In the process, he unexpectedly forms a deep friendship with the monarch.”

9/22/17- I saw the trailer to this movie and it looked superficial to me. Also, I read so-called positive reviews that I thought were weak. TRDB.

 

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

AS A REMINDER, IN A FEW WEEKS MY NEWSLETTER WILL COME FROM FLORIDA, USING A DIFFERENT COMPUTER AND ALSO USING THE “HOTWIRE CABLE SYSTEM” WITH A DIFFERENT ON-DEMAND MOVIE SELECTION

 

NEW ON COMCAST- NONE TO REPORT ON-

 

REPEATS-

 

1) BEATRIZ AT DINNER- I enjoyed this movie very much

 

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

 

3) CHUCK- Good reviews and I liked it

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) THE GOOD CATHOLIC- Weak reviews by critics but good ones from audiences

8)MANCHESTER BY THE SEA- I loved this movie

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

10) THE SALESMAN- An excellent movie from Iran

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

12) SHOT CALLER- Good reviews

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

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

15) THE UNKNOWN GIRL- I liked it

16) VICEROY’S HOUSE- Fairly good reviews

 

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

 

NEW IN THE BURBS-

 

1) BATTLE OF THE SEXES– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1973, Billie Jean King, the world’s No. 2 female tennis player, took on 55-year-old ex-champ Bobby Riggs in a match hyped as the Battle of the Sexes. This sports dramedy delves into the battles being played out in their lives beyond the spotlight.”

9/22/17- Very good reviews by the critics and 50/50 by audiences. TRDB.

2) VICTORIA AND ABDUL– Jacob Burns. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this historical drama, young Indian clerk Abdul Karim journeys to Britain to participate in the celebration of Queen Victoria’s 50th year on the throne. In the process, he unexpectedly forms a deep friendship with the monarch.”

9/22/17- I saw the trailer to this movie and it looked superficial to me. Also, I read so-called positive reviews that I thought were weak. TRDB.

 

REPEATS-

 

1) BRAD’S STATUS– Jacob Burns, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I saw this and it is a great movie

 

2) STRONGER- Bethel, Clearview 100. Very good reviews

 

3) VICEROY’S HOUSE– Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Good reviews but I haven’t seen it yet

 

4) WIND RIVER– Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I liked it- suspenseful and well acted

 

5) REBEL IN THE WIND–  Weak reviews.Garden Cinema Norwalk

 

6) THE BIG SICK– Garden Cinema Norwalk. I liked this very much

 

 

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

 

1) BATTLE OF THE SEXES– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1973, Billie Jean King, the world’s No. 2 female tennis player, took on 55-year-old ex-champ Bobby Riggs in a match hyped as the Battle of the Sexes. This sports dramedy delves into the battles being played out in their lives beyond the spotlight.”

9/22/17- Very good reviews by the critics and 50/50 by audiences. TRDB.

2) STRONGER- Very good reviews

3) BRAD’S STATUS– Great movie

4) VICEROY’S HOUSE– Good reviews

5) REBEL IN THE RYE– Poor reviews

 

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- Same as Lake Worth

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) MENASHE– I liked it a lot

 

2) GOOD TIME– 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 don’t recommend movies of this sort but this one received excellent reviews– with a few notable exceptions. TRDB.

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

 

1) MANOLO, THE BOY WHO MADE SHOES FOR LIZARDS– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1970, fashion designer Manolo Blahnik met style maven Diana Vreeland, who recommended he focus on shoes. Within a few years, Blahnik’s imaginative styles made his name the gold standard in tony footwear, as chronicled in this in-depth documentary.”

9/27/17- Fair reviews from the critics but excellent ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) REBEL IN THE RYE– Poor reviews

3) STRONGER– Very good reviews

4) VICEROY’S HOUSE– Good reviews and I’ll see it

 

“INGRID GOES WEST” AND “SCHOOL LIFE” ARE BEING SHOWN HERE WITH LIMITED SCREENINGS

 

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

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