The Reel Dr. Bob

MARCH 7, 2018

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) A FANTASTIC WOMAN– At the Theater

2) GRAN TORINO– Netflix Streaming

3) AIDA’S SECRETS– Netflix Disc.

4) LAST MEN IN ALLEPO– Netflix Streaming

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) A FANTASTIC WOMAN– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “The sudden death of her boyfriend, Orlando, devastates Marina, who in the midst of grieving is subjected to a hostile police interview. Subsequently shunned by Orlando’s family because she’s transgender, Marina is determined to exert her rights.”

11/17/17- Great reviews including an extraordinary one from the NY Times. TRDB.

3/5/178- A great movie that just won the Best Foreign Film award. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “After bad weather halts their commercial flight, surgeon Ben Payne and writer Ashley Knox hop a charter plane. But it crashes, leaving the strangers injured and alone atop a snow-covered mountain — forcing them to embark on a long journey for help.”

10/3/17- Fair reviews at best. Even some of the positive reviews had several negative things to say. TRDB

3/2/18- Pretty much a waste of time. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

2) GRAN TORINO-2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Curmudgeonly Korean War vet Walt must confront his Hmong immigrant neighbors — and his own prejudices — when their teenage son Thao tries to steal Walt’s beloved 1972 Gran Torino. Walt soon assumes the unlikely role of guardian angel to young Thao.”

3/6/18- Haven’t seen this movie in 9 years and it was about time. Liked it then and liked in all over again now. Great Clint Eastwood. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

3) AIDA’S SECRETS– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “This moving documentary chronicles the reunion of brothers Izak and Shep, born in the same refugee camp in postwar Germany yet unaware of each other’s existence for 65 years. But they soon learn there’s more to the story, including a family secret.”

10/20/17- Audiences have loved this movie and I’ve seen 4 professional reviews and they are all excellent. TRDB.

3/7/18- This was a wonderful documentary with many twists and turns in an attempt to find the truth. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

4) LAST MEN IN ALEPPO– 2017. A documentary about the men in Syria who volunteer to be “white helmets”, the guys who try to save the civilian population after they are bombed by the different forces at war.”

3/7/18- An amazing documentary in which we again see that war is hell. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, MARCH 6-

1) THE BATTLESHIP ISLAND– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this historical drama based on events that occurred near the end of World War II, 400 Koreans attempt to escape from Hashima Island, where they’re being forced into mining coal by their colonial Japanese rulers.”

8/4/17- Just 3 reviews so far- 2 poor and 1 so-so. It sounds like it might be interesting from a historical point of view. TRDB.

2) 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.

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) 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.

5) BPM (BEATS PER MINUTE)- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1990s France, the government’s seeming indifference to the AIDS epidemic incites a strident activist response as two very different men — one of whom is facing the last months of his life — fall in love.”

10/20/17- Excellent reviews by the critics and good ones by audiences. TRDB.

6) MY FRIEND DAHMER– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on an acclaimed graphic novel and filmed in and around the subject’s childhood home, this engrossing drama follows a teenage Jeffrey Dahmer before he begins the killing spree that will make him notorious.”

11/3/17- Good reviews from the critics and very good ones from audiences. TRDB.

7) MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this retelling of Agatha Christie’s classic mystery, a train ride through Europe on the famed Orient Express becomes the setting for murder when an American passenger is slain — and almost everyone on board is a suspect.”

11/8/17- Fair reviews for this re-make. TRDB.

8) THREE BILLBOARDS– I liked it but I was a bit disappointed

9) THE BREADWINNER– Very enjoyable animated movie

10) BRIMSTONE & GLORY– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary captures the Mexican town of Tultepec (whose main industry is fireworks) amid its annual festival, following the revelry as the night sky is set ablaze with kaleidoscopic pyrotechnics, while papier-mâché bulls explode in the streets.”

11/23/17- Very good reviews for this documentary with some notable exceptions. TRDB.

11) LADY BIRD– I liked it very much

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND– Recommended

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OPENED LAST FRIDAY-

1) OH LUCY!- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “After Tokyo office worker Setsuko Kawashima begins taking an English class, she cautiously comes out of her shell as she dons a blond wig, adopts a new persona and falls for her handsome tutor. When he suddenly disappears, she sets off to find him.”

3/2/18- Excellent reviews for this movie. TRDB.

2) SOUVENIR– 2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Liliane (Isabelle Huppert) lives a modest and monotonous life. By day, she works in a pâté factory, and by night, she sits on the couch and watches TV. One day, a new worker named Jean (Kévin Azaïs) arrives. The two form a platonic relationship, but Jean grows increasingly convinced that he recognizes Liliane from a European singing contest he saw as a child.”

3/2/18- Poor reviews but it sounds interesting to me and I love Huppert. TRDB.

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) LOVELESS– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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.

2) THOROUGHBREDS- Jacob Burns, Clearview 100, Danbury. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Childhood friends recently reunited, teenagers Amanda and Lily make an unlikely but inseparable pair. When Lily’s stepfather threatens to pack her off to reform school, the girls cook up a plan to kill him.”

3/6/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) THE PARTY– Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I liked it but not great

2) I, TONYA– Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I enjoyed this very much

3) THE SHAPE OF WATER– Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Great movie that deserves the awards it has received

4) THREE BILLBOARDS– Bethel, Clearview 100.  I enjoyed this movie – did not love it

5) NOSTALGIA– Bethel. Weak reviews

6) RED SPARROW– Bethel Danbury. Fair reviews– friends have NOT liked it

7) A FANTASTIC WOMAN– Jacob Burns, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Great movie- just won the Oscar for Best Foreign  Film

8) THE YOUNG KARL MARX– Jacob Burns. Weak reviews

9) PHANTOM THREAD– I liked it- just. Enjoyed Daniel Day Lewis.

10) DARKEST HOUR– Just so-so

THE JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL WILL BE SHOWING AT THE JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER!!

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) THE LEISURE SEEKER– Poor reviews even with Helen Mirren

2) RED SPARROW– Fair reviews but friends have not liked it

3) THE PARTY– An absurd comedy–OK but not for everyone

4) 1945– I liked it

5) THE SHAPE OF WATER– Great movie– my favorite of the year

6) THREE BILLBOARDS– I liked it but not great. McDormand was

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

1) RED SPARROW– Fair reviews but friends have not liked it

2) LET YOURSELF GO– Poor early reviews

3) THE PARTY– Good but not great

4) 1945– I liked it  Poor reviews even with Helen Mirren

5) NOSTALGIA– Weak reviews

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) SUBMISSION– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Impressed by the talent of creative writing student Angela Argo, professor and author Ted Swenson steadily develops an obsession with her, despite knowing that it will likely ruin his marriage and his career.’

3/5/18- Poor reviews. TRDB.

2) TEHRAN TABOO– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this biting animated portrait of modern Tehran, three women and a male musician — caught between harsh social strictures and dreams of freedom — struggle to make their way through a misogynistic and complex society.”

3/5/18- Excellent reviews for this animated drama. TRDB.

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

1) 1945– I liked it very much

2) A FANTASTIC WOMAN– Great movie and it just won an Oscar for best foreign film

3) BOMBSHELL- Good reviews

4) OH LUCY!- Excellent reviews

5) THE LEISURE SEEKER– Poor reviews even with Helen Mirren

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB