FILM REVIEWS #692

May 31st, 2018

MAY 17, 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) HOSTILES– Netflix Disc.
2) THE LITTLE DEATH– Netflix Streaming
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MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE
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MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK AT HOME-
1) HOSTILES– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in 1892, this engrossing Western depicts the animosity between a U.S. Army captain and a Cheyenne war chief whose family the cavalry is escorting back to their Montana homeland — a journey that proves long and perilous for both sides.”

12/22/17- Fair reviews from the critics and better ones from audiences. Sounds good to me. TRDB.

5/11/18- A better than average western that survives some really poor writing. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

2) THE LITTLE DEATH– 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a typical suburban neighborhood, the veil over four couples’ personal lives are pulled aside to reveal their erotic fetishes, including a woman turned on by tears, a couple’s out-of-control experimentation and phone sex for the hearing impaired.”

6/26/15- Weak reviews from critics and OK ones from audiences. TRDB.

12/3/15 and 5/15/18- I found it interesting and very clever.

3) CAFE DE FLORE– 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Two dramatic narratives weave together in a meditation on human love. Set decades apart in Paris and in Montreal, the two stories share subtle yet profound links through their characters — a mother and son, and a divorced couple.”

Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

5/16/18 I could not get into this movie and I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix disc.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, MAY 22-
1) GRADUATION– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Romeo Aldea faces a dilemma after his daughter, Eliza, is assaulted the day before a critical final exam. Fearing that the incident may threaten Eliza’s future, Romeo has the power to remedy the situation — but only if he compromises his principles.”

4/7/17- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

2) 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.”

2/15/17-  Fairly good reviews for this comedy. TRDB.

2/24/18- A comedy of the absurd. Entertaining most of the time with very well known actors. It’s worth seeing but don’t rush out. TRDB.

3) EARLY MAN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this animated caveman saga, early bands of humans share the earth with mammoths and other prehistoric creatures. When the forces of an odious tyrant threaten one small clan, heroic tribesman Dug emerges to lead his people.”

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

4) I KILL GIANTS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Bored and lonely middle-schooler Barbara Thorson has developed an active fantasy life to compensate. But when a new girl in town offers friendship and a counselor tries to help Barbara, real life begins to intrude on her monster-killing fantasies.”

3/23/18- Fair reviews from both critics and audiences. TRDB.

5) VAZANTE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “When slave trader António loses his wife to childbirth, he soon weds 12-year-old Beatriz. Resuming his travels, he leaves her with a houseful of slaves in the remote Diamantina Mountains, where she commits an offense that has shocking repercussions.”

1/12/18- Good reviews by the critics and excellent ones by audiences. TRDB.

6) WONDERSTRUCK- 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on the novel of the same name, this period drama unspools two tales that play out 50 years apart. In 1927, a girl runs away to New York City to meet the actress she idolizes, while in 1977, a boy travels to the Big Apple find his long-lost dad.

10/20/17- Fair reviews for this new movie by Todd Haynes. TRDB.

7) ON A BEACH AT NIGHT ALONE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the wake of a failed relationship with a married man, South Korean film star Young-hee travels to Germany to put some space between herself and her former lover, hoping to clear her head. But leaving the past behind proves difficult.”

11/17/17- Excellent reviews by the critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK-
Recommended-
1) BOOM FOR REAL– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Before his untimely death at 27, Jean-Michel Basquiat’s meteoric career altered the New York City arts scene forever. This introspective video essay looks at Basquiat’s formative years and the energy that drove his prodigious creative output.”

5/11/18- Very good reviews for this documentary although  a few critics felt that people who were not Basquiat fans might not like it as much. TRDB. 

2) THE DAY AFTER– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “After the married manager of a publishing company ends his affair with a now-departed employee, his wife finds a love note, storms into her husband’s office and mistakes his pretty new assistant for his ex-mistress, leading to a comedy of errors.”

5/11/18- Lots of positive reviews but none seemed special. TRDB.

3) THE SEAGULL– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set at a Russian country estate at the end of the 19th century, this adaptation Anton Chekhov’s classic play revolves around a small group of friends and lovers, all of whom have their hearts set on the wrong person.”

5/11/18- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

4) FILMWORKER– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Acting in director Stanley Kubrick’s “Barry Lyndon” proved life-changing for Leon Vitali: He devoted his next 20 years to helping carry out the renowned auteur’s artistic vision, as chronicled in this riveting documentary about their partnership.”

5/11/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

5) LU OVER THE WALL– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this charming animated tale, teenage Kai is none-too happy to be living in a tiny fishing village far from his Tokyo home, thanks to his parents’ divorce. But things start to look up after he’s asked to join a band and meets a singing mermaid.”

5/11/18- More positive than negative reviews but the positive ones were really only fair. TRDB.

6) BEAST– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Moll has always been a handful, at least according to her parents, who’ve kept her on a tight leash too long. Eager to escape, she moves in with an attractive stranger she meets at a nightclub — only to find he’s a suspect in a string of murders.”

5/11/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

7) REVENGE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Tagging along on a hunting trip with married lover Richard and two of his pals, nubile mistress Jen is raped by one of his friends. To ensure her silence, the trio leaves her for dead in the desert, but Jen survives — and unleashes her rage on them.”

5/11/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

8) ANYTHING– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the wake of his wife’s death, Early Landry moves from Mississippi to Los Angeles, where his sister lives. After renting an apartment in a shabby building, Early soon meets his neighbor Freda — a woman unlike any he’s ever met before.”

5/11/18- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

9) THE ESCAPE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Suffocating in her seemingly picture-perfect existence as a stay-at-home mom with two young children and a prosperous husband, Tara does the unthinkable: She deserts her family to find herself and determine what she wants from life.”

5/11/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

10) MOUNTAIN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “With narration by actor Willem Dafoe, spectacular cinematography and a stirring score performed by the Australian Chamber Orchestra, this immersive documentary captures the dizzying rush of ascending — and descending — the world’s tallest peaks.”

5/11/18- Excellent reviews by the critics and fair reviews by audiences. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1) ALWAYS AT THE CARLYLE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “A landmark since its 1930 debut, New York City’s Carlyle Hotel houses a raft of celebrities, many of whom share their reminiscences in this documentary, which also includes engaging stories from longtime staffers who are legendary in their own right.”

5/11/18- Awful reviews. TRDB.

2) I HAD NOWHERE TO GO– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Famed avant-garde filmmaker Jonas Mekas reads from his memoirs in this evocative look at his dramatic life, describing his escape from a German labor camp in 1945 and eventual migration to New York City, where his artistic journey began.”

5/11/18- Poor reviews. TRDB.

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-
NEW IN THE BURBS-
1) POPE: A MAN OF HIS WORD- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Offering an unprecedented look into the life of Pope Francis, this engrossing documentary also features the pontiff speaking directly to believers about the issues that concern him most, particularly the environment and social justice.”

5/15/18- Fair reviews– more positive than negative but none glowing. TRDB.

2) BEAST– Clearview 100. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Moll has always been a handful, at least according to her parents, who’ve kept her on a tight leash too long. Eager to escape, she moves in with an attractive stranger she meets at a nightclub — only to find he’s a suspect in a string of murders.”

5/11/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

3) BOOK CLUB-Bethel. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Friends and members of the 60-plus set, Diane, Jane, Sharon and Carol have seen it all when it comes to relationships. But after reading “Fifty Shades of Gray,” they’re inspired to make bold choices in the romance department, with hilarious results.”

5/16/18- Early reviews are mixed for this comedy. Not my kind of movie. TRDB.

REPEATS-
1) RBG– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Very good reviews
2) DISOBEDIANCE– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Very good reviews
3) TULLY- Jacob Burns, Danbury. I saw this movie and liked it very much
4) THE RIDER– Jacob Burns. I liked it
5) LET THE SUNSHINE IN– Garden Cinema Norwalk. Good reviews
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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-
A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-
1) RBG- Excellent reviews
2) DISOBEDIENCE– Very good reviews
3) THE RIDER– I liked this movie very much
4) A BAG OF MARBLES– Excellent reviews
B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-
1) RBG- Excellent reviews
2) DISOBEDIENCE– Very good reviews
3) THE RIDER– I liked this movie very much
4) A BAG OF MARBLES– Excellent reviews
C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-
1) RBG- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Providing an illuminating look at the life of trailblazer Ruth Bader Ginsburg — including her career-defining work in gender-discrimination law — this engaging documentary charts her journey to becoming a justice on America’s highest court.”

5/4/18- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2) THE LAST MOVIE STAR– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Aging actor Vic Edwards is no longer the toast of Hollywood, but he hasn’t lost his desire for the spotlight and agrees to accept an award at a film festival. When he finds it’s a low-rent affair, he slips away and begins a journey into his past.”

3/30/18- Weak reviews from the critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON-
1) A BAG OF MARBLES– Excellent reviews
2) DISOBEDIENCE- Very good reviews
3) KEEP THE CHANGE– Starring my niece Samantha Elisofon- I really loved the movie and you will too
4) LET THE SUNSHINE IN– Good reviews
5) THE RIDER– I liked the movie and recommend it
6) AFTER AUSCHWITZ– Good reviews
ENJOY!!
THE REEL DR. BOB

 

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