The Reel Dr. Bob

1) THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “When law enforcement fails to make headway on the months-long hunt for her daughter’s killer, Mildred Hayes takes the drastic step of putting up three large signs questioning the motivation of the town’s widely respected police chief.”

11/10/17- Excellent reviews by all. TRDB.

12/3/17- I enjoyed this movie– perhaps not as much as others did. Still, definitely recommended. Great acting too. TRDB.

1) VOYEUR- 2017. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “”Gerald Foos bought a motel in Colorado in the 1960s, furnished the room with louvered vents that allowed him to spy on his guests, and kept a journal of their sexual encounters…among other things. As writer Gay Talese, who had known Foos for more than three decades, came close to the publication of his book The Voyeur’s Motel (preceded by an excerpt in The New Yorker), factual discrepancies in Foos’s account emerged, and documentarians Kane and Koury were on hand to record some wild encounters between the veteran New York journalist and his enigmatic subject.”

12/2/17- A fascinating documentary. TRDB.

1) ATOMIC BLONDE- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “When an MI6 agent is murdered in 1989 Berlin, fellow spy Lorraine Broughton is dispatched to investigate and retrieve the list of double agents he was carrying. But that means working with the Berlin station chief — which could prove tricky.”

7/28/17- Mixed reviews– more positive than negative. TRDB.

2) 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.

3) GOOK– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “On April 29, 1992, the acquittals of the police accused in the Rodney King beating spark a flurry of riots in South Central Los Angeles. In the midst of the looting and chaos, Korean-American brothers Eli and Daniel fight to save their small store.”

8/25/17- Excellent reviews by the critics despite several calling this movie “uneven.” TRDB.

4) 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.

5) 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.

6) 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. 

1) WONDER WHEEL– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Venerated director Woody Allen looks back to the New York City of his youth in this 1950s drama set amid the surroundings of Coney Island amusement park, where love, greed, betrayal and youthful dreams coalesce.”

11/30/17- Awful reviews but I never miss a new Woody. TRDB.

2) THE SHAPE OF WATER– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “During the Cold War era, lonely Elisa works as a cleaning lady in a top-secret U.S. government laboratory. But her life is altered forever after she and a co-worker stumble upon a hush-hush experiment.”

11/30/17– Excellent reviews. TRDB.

3) THE DISASTER ARTIST– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Opening to blistering reviews in 2003, “The Room” has since become a so-bad-it’s-good cult classic. This showbiz spoof provides a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film and the friendship between the director and star who propelled it.”

11/30/17- Excellent reviews for this comedy. TRDB.

4) THE OTHER SIDE OF HOPE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Syrian refugee Khaled and ex-traveling salesman Wikström have many miles under their belts when they cross paths in Helsinki. Now a restaurateur, Wikström finds Khaled sleeping behind his diner and offers him a job, leading to an unlikely friendship.”

12/1/17- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

5) SHADOWMAN– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “For a few glittering moments in the 1980s, “Shadowman” painter Richard Hambleton was at the top of New York City’s art heap, but neuroses and addiction forced him into isolation. This documentary chronicles his rise, fall and eventual re-emergence.”

12/1/17- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

6) 32 PILLS: MY SISTER’S SUICIDE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “When troubled artist and photographer Ruth Litoff takes her life, her sister Hope begins a quest to understand the path that led Ruth to suicide, obsessively studying her journals and artwork seeking answers that seem elusive.”

12/1/17- I’ve seen just 4 reviews and they are all excellent. TRDB.

7) LOVE BEATS RHYMES– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “When aspiring rapper Coco enrolls in a college poetry course, she’s drawn to the alternative possibilities of slam poetry. Challenged by one of her professors to express what she feels, Coco comes away newly inspired by what she’s learned.”

12/1/17- Fair reviews by the critics but audiences have liked this film very much. TRDB.

8) LOVELESS– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this riveting morality tale, Boris and Zhenya are so intent on their vitriolic marital battles that they don’t notice initially when their 12-year-old son disappears during one of their protracted fights. Now, they must join forces to find him.”

12/1/17- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

9) BIG TIME– 2017. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The puckish architect Bjarke Ingels has built his career on defying convention and distancing himself from his peers. He is 39 years old, founder of a company pretentiously and provocatively called BIG and is on his definite way to becoming one of the world’s most innovative and successful contemporary architects.”

12/1/17- Very good reviews. TRDB.

10) THE NEW RADICAL– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a world they see as corporatized and soul-killing, a generation of millennial radicals are taking to the Internet and using technology to attack the system. This documentary shines a light on the crypto-anarchists at the heart of the movement.”

12/1/17- Fair reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

11) THE TRIBES OF PALOS VERDES– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “When the Mason family moves to Palos Verdes, California, everything changes: Suddenly, Dad is a surgeon to the stars, Mom is on the verge of a breakdown, and son Jim has become a druggie. For solace, daughter Medina turns to surfing.”

12/1/17- Fair reviews from the critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) THE DANCER– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “This dramatized biopic follows aspiring actress Loïe Fuller, who instead becomes a dancing sensation thanks to her entrancing performances at the Folies Bergère. But an encounter with ambitious young dancer Isadora Duncan may lead to Loïe’s downfall.”

12/1/17- Weak reviews for this docudrama. TRDB.

1) THE SHAPE OF WATER– Jacob Burns. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “During the Cold War era, lonely Elisa works as a cleaning lady in a top-secret U.S. government laboratory. But her life is altered forever after she and a co-worker stumble upon a hush-hush experiment.”

11/30/17– Excellent reviews. TRDB.

2) WONDER WHEEL– Jacob Burns. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Venerated director Woody Allen looks back to the New York City of his youth in this 1950s drama set amid the surroundings of Coney Island amusement park, where love, greed, betrayal and youthful dreams coalesce.”

11/30/17- Awful reviews but I never miss a new Woody. TRDB.

3) THE DISASTER ARTIST– Danbury. 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Opening to blistering reviews in 2003, “The Room” has since become a so-bad-it’s-good cult classic. This showbiz spoof provides a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film and the friendship between the director and star who propelled it.”

11/30/17- Excellent reviews for this comedy. TRDB.

1) TANGERINE- 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Back on the streets on Christmas Eve after serving a month in jail, transgender prostitute Sin-Dee Rella launches a vengeful search across Los Angeles for her unfaithful pimp boyfriend, Chester, and his new squeeze, Dinah..”

7/10/15- Excellent reviews from the critics and very good reviews from audiences. TRDB.

8/10/15- When I saw this movie there was only 1 other person in the theater and he walked out. The film was extremely creative and very well acted and like nothing you’ve seen before. Still, it was weird and I can not in good conscience recommend this film. TRDB. 

1) DEALT– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Although Richard Turner lost his sight early in life, his determination to become a virtuoso card magician would bring him global fame. In this fascinating documentary, Turner shares his unique perspectives on his life and his craft.”

10/20/17- Very good reviews from critics and audiences. TRDB.

2) JANE– Very good reviews and I’ll see this eventually

3) LADY BIRD– I enjoyed this movie very much

4) LOVING VINCENT– Good reviews (limited screenings)