The Reel Dr. Bob

FEBRUARY 22, 2018

DEAR FRIENDS:

YOU CAN ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AND PAST REVIEWS AT MY WEBSITE-

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) ON BODY AND SOUL– Netflix Streaming

2) GOOD TIME– Netflix Disc.

3) DUNKIRK– Netflix Disc. (Included here only because of its historical value)

4) THE INSULT– At the Theater

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) THE INSULT– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “On a Beirut street undergoing repairs, a Lebanese Christian and a Palestinian refugee butt heads. When an insult is hurled, they end up in court, and the case triggers a nationwide debate that opens old wounds and could erupt into a political crisis.”

1/12/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

2/21/18- An excellent drama about the Middle East and its hatreds. Also about the hidden power of women in the area. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) ON BODY AND SOUL– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “When shy Mária takes a job in a slaughterhouse, she quickly catches the eye of mild-mannered financial director Endre. After an event at work leads to psychiatric evaluations of the staff, the two discover that they share the same dream each night.”

2/17/18- An interesting and well acted foreign drama. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

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.

2/19/18- A very good  and very intense drama/mystery, especially the first half. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

3) DUNKIRK– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “This action-thriller chronicles the epic battle to evacuate more than 300,000 Allied soldiers who find themselves trapped on the beaches of Northern France after the country falls to the Third Reich in 1940.”

7/18/17- Great reviews for this action/drama. TRDB.

2/20/18- I hate to say this but I was bored for most of this movie that tried to portray the real life drama by telling a few personal stories. The war scenes were way too long also. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, FEB.27-

1) DARKEST HOUR– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Winston Churchill’s stirring defiance of the Nazi threat is the focus of this historical drama that depicts his fearless refusal to surrender Britain to Adolf Hitler and his relentless army during World War II’s early days.”

11/23/17-  Fairly good reviews with some notable poor ones. Audience reviews were fair. TRDB.

12/31/17- I was disappointed with this movie that people told me was excellent. The historical portions were interesting but I found the movie Hollywoodish and geared to earn an Academy Award for its star. TRDB. 

2) NOCTURAMA– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Angry with the French establishment, a group of young Parisians from diverse backgrounds plants a series of bombs around the city. As the band of radicals hides out in a closed-for-the-night department store, authorities launch a colossal manhunt.”

8/11/17-  Good reviews by the critics and weak ones by audiences. TRDB.

3) QUEST– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in a neglected North Philadelphia neighborhood, this affecting documentary charts a decade in the lives of the Rainey family, whose home music studio has become a refuge from the strife that pervades their community.”

12/7/17- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

1) ABE & PHIL’S LAST POKER GAME– I liked this movie

2) BECKS– Very good reviews- I’ll see it

3) BRAD’S STATUS– Very good

4) GOLDEN EXITS– Fairly good reviews

5) LOVING VINCENT– I liked it

6) THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE– I enjoyed this movie

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OPENED LAST FRIDAY-

1) THE BOY DOWNSTAIRS– 2018- Synopsis by Netflix. “Returning to New York City after living in London, aspiring writer Diana begins the nightmarish effort to find an apartment. When she finally finds the ideal digs, there’s one catch: The man whose heart she broke lives one floor below.”

2/15/18- Mixed reviews at best but I’d give it a try. TRDB.

2) WESTERN- 2018- Synopsis Sent to rural Bulgaria to build a hydroelectric power plant, a crew of German construction workers stirs up an atmosphere of suspicion with their loutish behavior. When a new man in the group begins fraternizing with the locals, tensions boil over.”

2/15/18- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

3) THE PARTY– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “After being appointed as Health Minister, career politician Janet invites a handful of friends over to join her and her husband, Bill, for a celebration. But the evening turns explosive when Bill chooses the moment to make two shocking revelations.”

1) NOSTALGIA– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this finely acted ensemble drama, a group of people who have all suffered a loss attempts to find comfort and connection through what remains: the artifacts that evoke shared memories.”

2/15/18- Weak reviews but this movie will probably appeal to some. TRDB.

2) HONOR UP– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Executive-produced by Kanye West, this crime saga set in Harlem follows OG, a drug lord’s lieutenant who’s torn between work and family. But for OG, the stakes are life-or-death as he tries to protect his clan while honoring the code of the streets.”

2/15/18- Just 1 review and it is fair. Not my kind of movie. TRDB.

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) THE PARTY– Jacob Burns. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “After being appointed as Health Minister, career politician Janet invites a handful of friends over to join her and her husband, Bill, for a celebration. But the evening turns explosive when Bill chooses the moment to make two shocking revelations.”

2/15/17- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2) A FANTASTIC WOMAN– Jacob Burns.2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “The sudden death of her boyfriend, Orlando, devastates , Garden Cinema Norwalk. 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) DOUBLE LOVER– Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this erotic thriller, young psychiatric patient Chloé makes the mistake of falling in love with her therapist. But once she moves in with him, Chloé begins to believe that he’s concealing part of his life from her.”

2/13/18- Mixed reviews at best including some very good and some poor ones as well. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) CALL ME BY YOUR NAME– Bethel, Clearview 100. I liked it very much

3) THE INSULT– Jacob Burns, Bethel.

4) THE SHAPE OF WATER– Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Great movie

5) THREE BILLBOARDS– Bethel, Clearview 100. I enjoyed it

6) I, TONYA– Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I liked this movie very much

7) THE POST– Jacob Burns, Danbury. Just fair and a vehicle for Oldman

8) PHANTOM THREAD– Jacob Burns, Garden Cinema Norwalk. I liked it but not great

9) LADY BIRD– Jacob Burns. An excellent movie. One of my favorites of the year

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) 1945- Saw it and liked it

2) FILM STARS DON’T DIE IN LIVERPOOL– Reviews are just OK with a few very good ones as well

3) 15:17 TO PARIS– Poor reviews but it’s Clint Eastwood

4) THE POST– I found it just OK

5) THE INSULT– I plan to see this soon

6) I, TONYA– I liked this movie very much

7) THE SHAPE OF WATER– Great movie

8) THREE BILLBOARDS– Liked but did not love it

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- see “above” for reviews of #1–#6

1) 1945–

2) FILM STARS DON’T DIE–

3) THE POST–

4) THREE BILLBOARDS–

5) THE INSULT–

6) DARKEST HOUR– Just so-so in my book. A vehicle for Gary Oldman

7) CALL ME BY YOUR NAME– I liked it very much

8) ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD– An OK movie with an excellent Christopher Plummer

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) LOVING VINCENT- Very good reviews

2) SIDEMEN: LONG ROAD TO GLORY– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Featuring footage of their last joint performances, this toe-tapping documentary looks at the lives and musical legacies of aging sidemen Pinetop Perkins, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith and Hubert Sumlin, who once played with Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf.”

8/18/17- Great early reviews. TRDB.

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

1) 1945- I liked it

2) A FANTASTIC WOMAN– Good reviews

3) BOMBSHELL– Good reviews

4) DOUBLE LOVER– Mixed reviews- worth a chance

5) FILM STARS DON’T DIE IN LIVERPOOL- Poor reviews but it is Clint Eastwood

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB