The Reel Dr. Bob

APRIL 11, 2018

DEAR FRIENDS:

YOU CAN ACCESS THIS NEWSLETTER AND PAST REVIEWS AT MY WEBSITE- www.thereeldrbob.com

I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEND A NEWSLETTER NEXT WEEK AS I WILL BE TRANSITIONING BACK UP NORTH FROM FLORIDA

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) STRONGER- Netflix Disc.

2) THE WORK– Netflix Disc.

3) THE LAST SUIT– At the Theater

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) THE LAST SUIT (EL ULTIMO TRAJE)- 2018. Synopsis by IMDB. “Abraham Bursztein, an 88 years old Jewish tailor, runs away from Buenos Aires to Poland, where he proposes to find a friend who saved him from certain death at the end of World War II.”

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) 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.

4/7/18- Done very well, this drama is more than a tearjerker and I enjoyed it very much. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

2) THE WORK– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Twice a year, California’s Folsom Prison opens a group therapy program to inmates and outsiders. This documentary, codirected by a court videographer who’s a veteran of the sessions, offers a look into the participants as they delve into their pasts.”

10/27/17- Great reviews by everyone. TRDB.

4/9/18- An extremely creative movie with great reviews. Personally, I had difficulty watching the “soft side” of these brutes who are in prison for violent acts. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, APRIL 17-

1) MY FRIEND VICTORIA– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Years after spending a night at the sumptuous home of a wealthy Parisian family, a young woman, now fully grown, meets one of the family’s sons. Soon, the two begin a relationship — and end it … but not before she becomes pregnant.”

12/4/15- Mixed reviews but I’ll try to see this one. TRDB.

2) INTENT TO DESTROY: DEATH, DENIAL, & DEPICTION– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “As an epic movie about the 1915 Armenian genocide goes into production, filmmaker Joe Berlinger embeds himself with the crew to shoot a documentary about the challenges of telling a story that the Turkish government is still trying to suppress.”

11/10/17- Great reviews. TRDB.

3) KILLING FOR LOVE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “This engrossing look at a 1985 double homicide focuses on bringing to justice the killers of a Lynchburg, Virginia, husband and wife as suspicions fall on the wealthy couple’s daughter when she and her boyfriend suddenly flee abroad.”

12/15/17- Excellent reviews all around for this documentary. TRDB.

4) THE POST– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “When the “Washington Post” agrees to publish the leaked Pentagon Papers — which point to a secret escalation of the Vietnam War — the Nixon administration tries to block publication, setting off an epic legal and political battle.”

12/22/17- Very good reviews by the critics and just fair ones by audiences. TRDlly 

1/15/18- I found the movie enjoyable primarily as a history lesson– otherwise I would rate it just OK. TRDB. 

5) THE GREATEST SHOWMAN– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Behind “The Greatest Show on Earth” was one of history’s greatest showmen, P.T. Barnum. This musical biopic centers on Barnum’s creation of the three-ring circus and his infatuation with Swedish songbird Jenny Lind.”

12/22/17- Poor reviews by the critics but good ones from audiences. TRDB.

6) THE COMMUTER– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Insurance salesman Michael Woolrich’s quiet train ride home turns into a terrifying situation when a mysterious woman forces him to find a specific passenger before the last stop, entangling Woolrich in a deadly conspiracy.”

1/9/18- Weak reviews. TRDB.

9) HUMOR ME– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Dumped by his wife and forgotten by audiences, playwright Nate Kroll has nobody to turn to except Dad, which is how Nate ends up sleeping on his father’s sofa and helping some women from his retirement community mount a production of “The Mikado.”

1/12/18- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST FRIDAY-

1) A QUIET PLACE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “As a married couple and their son are enjoying their peaceful existence on a farm, a malevolent supernatural entity takes up residence in their home, forcing the family into a horrific and extended fight for their lives.”

4/4/18- Excellent reviews for this bloody horror movie. Not my kind of movie by a longshot- others will undoubtedly enjoy it. TRDB.

2) CHAPPAQUIDDICK– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this historical drama, the car accident that doomed Ted Kennedy’s presidential ambitions and resulted in the drowning death of 28-year-old Mary Jo Kopechne gets a fresh look, focusing on the cover-up that followed the crash.”

4/3/18- Fairly good reviews for this historical drama. There have been many questions about how accurate this movie is historically. TRDB.

3) WHERE IS KYRA?- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Heartbroken, unemployed and deep in debt, middle-aged Kyra returns home to care for her ailing mother. But when she dies, Kyra struggles to support herself and is soon driven to take risky measures as she faces the threat of eviction.”

4/6/18- OK reviews in general including some very good ones. TRDB.

4) LEAN ON PETE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Passing his teen years largely neglected, Charley Thompson finds a part-time job with a slightly shady horse trainer and develops a strong bond with worn-out racehorse Lean on Pete — whom Charley resolves to save from the slaughterhouse.”

4/6/18- Excellent reviews for this movie. TRDB.

5) THE HEART OF NUBA- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “With Sudan’s civil war as the backdrop, this moving documentary profiles selfless American surgeon Tom Catena, who tends to a forgotten populace at a small hospital in the Nuba Mountains — an area under constant aerial bombardment by the government.”

4/6/18- Excellent reviews for this documentary– both for style and for content. TRDB.

6) BLOCKERS- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Panicked by the discovery that their daughters all intend to lose their virginity on prom night, three parents mount a clandestine mission to prevent the girls from carrying out their plans.”

4/6/18- Very good critical review but audiences really have not liked this movie. It sounds fairly stupid. TRDB.

7) YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Emotionally scarred from his experiences as a Marine and an FBI agent, Joe earns a living by saving young women from sex-trafficking rings. But when he attempts to rescue a New York senator’s daughter from a bordello, things quickly get out of hand.”

4/6/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

8) GOOD LUCK– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “A potent critique  of capitalism, this immersive documentary follows the grueling work of miners in an underground Serbian copper mine and those toiling in an open-air gold mine in Suriname. Worlds apart, the two groups share a collective solidarity.”

4/6/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

9) SWEET COUNTRY 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Australia’s dusty outback of the 1920s is the setting for this well-crafted Western about an aboriginal stockman who faces little chance of a fair trial after killing the racist white owner of a cattle station in self-defense.”

4/6/18- Excellent reviews from the critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1)  THE MIRACLE SEASON– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Caroline Found — the undisputed star of West High School’s volleyball team — dies suddenly, the Iowa City squad is left floundering until her father and the team’s tough but caring coach inspire them to pursue the state championship.”

4/6/18- Poor reviews by the critics but good ones from audiences. I will skip this one for now. TRDB.

2) SPINNING MAN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a young woman is murdered, philosophy professor Evan Birch’s penchant for dating students raises the suspicions of a tenacious police detective and Birch’s wife, who has doubts about his alibi because of past transgressions.”

4/6/18- Poor reviews from all sources. TRDB.

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) BEIRUT– Bethel, Danbury, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1972, a tragedy forces U.S. envoy Mason Skiles to abandon his post in Beirut. A decade later, the ex-diplomat finds himself back in the same city — this time to help save the life of the colleague and friend he left behind.”

4/10/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

2) WHERE IS KYRA?- Clearview 100. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Heartbroken, unemployed and deep in debt, middle-aged Kyra returns home to care for her ailing mother. But when she dies, Kyra struggles to support herself and is soon driven to take risky measures as she faces the threat of eviction.”

4/6/18- OK reviews in general including some very good ones. TRDB.

3) YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE– Jacob Burns. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Emotionally scarred from his experiences as a Marine and an FBI agent, Joe earns a living by saving young women from sex-trafficking rings. But when he attempts to rescue a New York senator’s daughter from a bordello, things quickly get out of hand.”

4/6/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

4) LOVE AFTER LOVE– Jacob Burns. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “An introspective examination of grief, this ensemble drama focuses on a family struggling to cope in the wake of the patriarch’s death, as their anger and inner anguish build up stress on their relationships.”

3/30/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) ISLE OF DOGS– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Good reviews

2) CHAPPAQUIDDICK– Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100. Good reviews I think I’ll skip it

3) THE DEATH OF STALIN- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Good reviews but the trailer looked stupid and friends have not really liked it

4) FINDING YOUR FEET– Clearview 100.

5) FINAL PORTRAIT– Garden Cinema Norwalk. Good reviews by the critics and poor ones from audiences.

6) BOMBSHELL: THE STORY OF HEDY LAMARR- Jacob Burns. I enjoyed this documentary  very much

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) BORG vs. McENROE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “BORG The 1980 Wimbledon final caps off this historical sports drama that chronicles the fierce rivalry between Björn Borg and John McEnroe, who — despite their contrasting temperaments — share strikingly similar psyches beneath the surface.”

4/11/18- Very good reviews with some critics calling in fantastic. TRDB.

2) BACK TO BURGUNDY– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Absent for more than a decade and now living in Australia, Jean returns to his native France when his dying father asks him to come home to help his siblings save the family winery. But first they’ll have to reconnect and repair their relationships.”

3/23/18- Fair reviews from the critics and much weaker ones from audiences. I does sound interesting to me and I’ll put it on the list of recommendations. TRDB.

3) CHAPPAQUIDDICK- OK reviews but there are many questions as to how accurate it is historically

4) FINDING YOUR FEET– Good reviews

5) THE LAST SUIT– I saw this and liked it very much

6) THE DEATH OF STALIN– Stupid trailer and a friend did not like the movie

7) FOXTROT– Great reviews

8) BOMBSHELL: THE HEDY LAMARR STORY– I saw this wonderful documentary

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

1) BACK TO BURGUNDY–  2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Absent for more than a decade and now living in Australia, Jean returns to his native France when his dying father asks him to come home to help his siblings save the family winery. But first they’ll have to reconnect and repair their relationships.”

3/23/18- Fair reviews from the critics and much weaker ones from audiences. I does sound interesting to me and I’ll put it on the list of recommendations. TRDB.

2) ITZHAK– I enjoyed this documentary about the great violinist Itzhak Perlman

3) CHAPPAQUIDDICK– OK reviews but there are many questions as to how accurate it is historically

4) FOXTROT– Great reviews

5) BOMBSHELL- THE HEDY LAMARR STORY– An excellent documentary

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) 24 FRAMES– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Dispensing with a narrative structure, this carefully crafted last work of Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami consists of 24 four-and-a-half-minute segments, each inspired by one of many still photos he shot over the years.”

2/2/18- Excellent views for this drama that sounds more like a documentary to me. TRDB.

2) TALL: THE AMERICAN SKYSCRAPER AND LOUIS SULLIVAN–

Very good reviews from all of the critics– some better than others. TRDB.

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

1) BACK TO BURGUNDY– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Absent for more than a decade and now living in Australia, Jean returns to his native France when his dying father asks him to come home to help his siblings save the family winery. But first they’ll have to reconnect and repair their relationships.”

3/23/18- Fair reviews from the critics and much weaker ones from audiences. I does sound interesting to me and I’ll put it on the list of recommendations. TRDB.

2) THE FINAL PORTRAIT-2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “FINAL PORTRAIT is the story of the touching and offbeat friendship between American writer and art-lover James Lord and Alberto Giacometti, revealing unique insight into the beauty, frustration, profundity and sometimes the chaos of the artistic process.

3) FOXTROT– Good reviews from all. A friend of mine disliked it

4) THE DEATH OF STALIN– Good reviews but the trailer looked stupid

5) THE LAST SUIT– I saw this and liked it very much

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB