The Reel Dr. Bob

FILM REVIEWS #663

October 19th, 2017

OCTOBER 19, 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) THE MEYEROWITZ STORIES– Netflix Streaming

 

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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) The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) stars Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman, Elizabeth Marvel, Grace Van Patten and Emma Thompson, and is the intergenerational tale of adult siblings contending with the influence of their aging father.

10 13 17- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

10/15/17– An excellent drama/comedy with lots of very good actors. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

 

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, OCT. 24-

1) 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.

2) PERSONAL SHOPPER– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “A few months after her twin brother’s death, Maureen is working in Paris as a personal shopper for a demanding celebrity, hoping a better job will come along. Meanwhile, she waits for a sign from her sibling, who had the ability to talk to spirits.”

3/10/17- Fairly good reviews from the critics but weak ones from audiences. TRDB.

3) AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH– I liked this scary documentary by Al Gore

 

4) BUSHWICK- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “After she emerges from the New York City subway in the Bushwick neighborhood, five blocks is all that separates Lucy from her grandmother. But navigating them will take a lot of cunning and courage — because a Texas militia has invaded Brooklyn.”

8/25/17- Poor reviews all around. TRDB.

 

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OPENED LAST FRIDAY, OCT. 13-

 

Recommended-

 

1) GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Goodbye Christopher Robin (The world of Winnie the Pooh creator A.A. Milne comes to life in this illuminating biopic that focuses on his relationship with his son (and inspiration), Christopher Robin, and how the books’ phenomenal success affected the family.”

10/13/17- Good reviews by the critics but just fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) THE MEYEROWITZ STORIES (NEW AND SELECTED)- 2017. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) stars Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman, Elizabeth Marvel, Grace Van Patten and Emma Thompson, and is the intergenerational tale of adult siblings contending with the influence of their aging father.

10 13 17- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

10/15/17– An excellent drama/comedy with lots of very good actors. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

3) MARSHALL- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Recounting an early case of attorney Thurgood Marshall — who would later become the first African-American Supreme Court justice — this riveting drama depicts his defense of a black chauffeur accused of sexual assault.”

10/13/17- Very good reviews. TRDB.

4) HUMAN FLOW– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Directed by famed artist and social activist Ai Weiwei, this affecting documentary depicts the grim circumstances and future hopes of more than 65 million refugees worldwide, driven from their homes by starvation, war and ethnic oppression.”

10/15/17- Very good critical review – audiences were less enthusiastic. TRDB.

5) TOM OF FINLAND– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Touko Laaksonen returns to his native Finland after World War II, he begins creating the frank homoerotic drawings that will eventually bring him global fame — despite living in an environment where homosexuality is a criminal offense.”

10/15/17- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

6) TE ATA– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Born in 1895, Chickasaw Nation member Mary Thompson Fisher discovered her love for acting early in life. But she soon realized that her true vocation came in sharing her people’s stories and songs, as recounted in this historical drama.”

10/16/17- Weak reviews from the critics but excellent ones from audiences. TRDB.

7) 78/52: HITCHCOCK’S SHOWER SCENE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “With one two-minute shower scene in “Psycho,” Alfred Hitchcock changed the face of cinematic horror. In this absorbing documentary, filmmakers and movie  dissect the scene’s 78 setups and 52 cuts, revealing the film’s elaborate symbolism.”

10/16/17- Great reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

8) THY FATHER’S CHAIR– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “This observational documentary follows elderly Orthodox Jewish twins who must deep clean their inherited home in Brooklyn, New York, when the upstairs tenant refuses to pay rent unless the two hoarders clean up the mess that’s accumulated for years.”

10/15/17- Just a few reviews so far but they are mostly very good. TRDB.

9) THE DEPARTURE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “This moving portrait of spiritual guide Ittetsu Nemoto charts his transformation from rebellious punk rocker to Buddhist priest. But he ends up at a crossroads as his devotion to dissuading people from committing suicide begins taking a toll on him.”

10/16/17- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

10) DIAMOND ISLAND– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Drawn from his village by the prospect of work, 18-year-old Bora joins the construction crew of a high-end Cambodian resort near Phnom Penh, where he’s unexpectedly reunited with his long-lost brother — who soon complicates Bora’s life.”

10/15/17- Just 4 or 5 reviews so far and they are all good. TRDB.

11) PROFESSOR MARSTON & THE WONDER WOMEN- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “This biopic centers on Harvard psychologist William Marston, the man who created Wonder Woman, and imbued the iconic character with the feminist ideals of his wife, Elizabeth, and the other woman in their polyamorous relationship, Olive Byrne.”

10/16/17- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

 

Not Recommended-

1) BREATHE- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “This spirit-lifting biodrama tells the story of Robin Cavendish, whose charmed and colorful life suddenly darkens when he’s paralyzed by polio. Rather than become imprisoned by his disability, however, Robin and his wife decide to tour the world.”

10/15/17- Weak reviews from the critics but OK ones from audiences. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

 

NEW ON COMCAST-

 

1) 78/52: HITCHCOCK’S SHOWER SCENE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “With one two-minute shower scene in “Psycho,” Alfred Hitchcock changed the face of cinematic horror. In this absorbing documentary, filmmakers and movie  dissect the scene’s 78 setups and 52 cuts, revealing the film’s elaborate symbolism.”

10/16/17- Great reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

 

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)LADY MACBETH- Good reviews

9)MANCHESTER BY THE SEA- I loved this movie

10) MAUDIE- I liked this movie very much

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

12) THE SALESMAN- An excellent movie from Iran

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

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

15) TAKE EVERY WAVE: THE LIFE OF LAIRD HAMILTON- Great reviews

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

17) THE UNKNOWN GIRL- I liked it

18)VICEROY’S HOUSE- Fairly good reviews

19) WALKING OUT- I really liked this very much

 

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

 

NEW IN THE BURBS-

 

1) GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Goodbye Christopher Robin (The world of Winnie the Pooh creator A.A. Milne comes to life in this illuminating biopic that focuses on his relationship with his son (and inspiration), Christopher Robin, and how the books’ phenomenal success affected the family.”

10/13/17- Good reviews by the critics but just fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) BREATHE– Bethel, Clearview 100. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “This spirit-lifting biodrama tells the story of Robin Cavendish, whose charmed and colorful life suddenly darkens when he’s paralyzed by polio. Rather than become imprisoned by his disability, however, Robin and his wife decide to tour the world.”

10/15/17- Weak reviews from the critics but OK ones from audiences. TRDB.

3) HUMAN FLOW– Jacob Burns. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Directed by famed artist and social activist Ai Weiwei, this affecting documentary depicts the grim circumstances and future hopes of more than 65 million refugees worldwide, driven from their homes by starvation, war and ethnic oppression.”

10/15/17- Very good critical review – audiences were less enthusiastic. TRDB

 

REPEATS-

 

1) THE FLORIDA PROJECT– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. A few friends have told me they HATED this movie.

 

2) VICTORIA & ABDUL– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I have no interest in seeing this

 

3) BATTLE OF THE SEXES– Bethel. I really enjoyed this movie.

 

4) MARK FELT: THE MAN WHO BROUGHT DOWN THE WHITE HOUSE– Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “This fact-based biopic charts the life of FBI informant Mark Felt, aka “Deep Throat” — the principal unnamed source for reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein as they begin writing exposés that will blow the lid off the Watergate scandal.”

9/29/17- Awful reviews but it might be at least somewhat  interesting to people who lived through this scandal. TRDB.

5) THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US– Danbury. Fair reviews at best.

6) MARSHALL– Jacob Burns. Fair reviews at best

7) LOVING VINCENT– Jacob Burns. Very good reviews

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

 

1. A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

 

1) THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US– Fair reviews at best

2) MARK FELT– Poor reviews

3) VICTORIA AND ABDUL– I have no interest in seeing this movie

4) THE KING’S CHOICE– Excellent reviews

5) BATTLE OF THE SEXES– I liked this movie very much.

 

1. B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

 

1) THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US– Fair reviews at best

2) MARK FELT– Poor reviews

3) VICTORIA & ABDUL– Good reviews but I have no interest in seeing this movie

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

5) BATTLE OF THE SEXES– I liked this movie very much

1. C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) FACES PLACES– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “A key figure in the emergence of French New Wave cinema in the 1950s, director Agnès Varda’s career continues more than 60 years later as she joins photographer and muralist JR for a road trip through France, making art as they go.”

10/3/17- Uniformly excellent reviews. TRDB.

 

2) 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.

 

1. D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS-

 

1) PARADISE- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In occupied France during World War II’s last days, Russian émigré Olga is arrested for concealing two Jewish children and sent to a concentration camp, where she encounters a German SS officer with whom she was once briefly involved.”

10/17/17- Weak professional reviews but audiences have liked it.

2) LOVING VINCENT- Good reviews

 

3) MARK FELT: THE MAN WHO BROUGHT DOWN THE WHITE HOUSE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “This fact-based biopic charts the life of FBI informant Mark Felt, aka “Deep Throat” — the principal unnamed source for reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein as they begin writing exposés that will blow the lid off the Watergate scandal.”

9/29/17- Awful reviews but it might be at least somewhat  interesting to people who lived through this scandal. TRDB.

4) THE KINGS 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.

5) VICEROY’S HOUSE AND TAKE EVERY WAVE ARE STILL HERE BUT WITH LIMITED SCREENINGS

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB

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