The Reel Dr. Bob

JUNE 28, 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) IN THE FADE– Netflix Disc.

2) LBJ- Netflix Streaming

3) LOVE MEANS ZERO– ShowTime

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER–

1) 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.

6/25/18- Despite a wonderful cast the movie managed to be boring most of the time. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME–

1) IN THE FADE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “With her life upended by the death of her husband and son in a bomb attack, Katja Sekerci can only nurse her pain at first. But she soon becomes obsessed with the hunt for the perpetrators and the ensuing trial of the neo-Nazis accused of the crime.

12/27/17- Fair reviews by both critics and audiences. TRDB.

6/23/18- I liked this German drama starring the German actress Diane Kruger. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

2) LBJ– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “After taking the reins of state in the wake of President Kennedy’s 1963 assassination, Lyndon Baines Johnson assumes leadership at one of the most tumultuous times in U.S. history. This engrossing biopic looks at the man behind the political mask.”

10/31/17- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

6/24/18- A good history lesson from a “just fair” movie. I’d recommend it on that basis alone. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

3) LOVE MEANS ZERO– 2018. This documentary is about the famous tennis coach Nick Bolletieri and his unusual relationships with his students.

6/25/18- A very interesting documentary about the famous and controversial tennis coach. TRDB. ShowTime.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JULY 3–

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) JOURNEY’S END– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in March 1918, this tense World War I drama focuses on a small group of British soldiers in the trenches at Mont Saint-Quentin, France, who know exactly what’s coming: a massive German offensive. But what they don’t know is when.”

3/16/18- Excellent reviews from all sources. TRDB.

3) ISMAEL’S GHOSTS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “While preparing to shoot a movie about a diplomat’s life, director Ismaël Vuillard gets an unexpected visit from his long-dead lover Carlotta — which not only drives away his current partner but soon begins driving him out of his mind.”

3/23/18- Fair reviews from the critics and poor ones from audiences. TRDB.

4) FINDING YOUR FEET– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Smugly confident, Sandra Abbott gets a shock when she learns that her longtime husband is sleeping with her best friend. Taking refuge with her free-spirited sister, Sandra grudgingly tags along to a dance class — where she experiences an awakening.”

3/30/18- Good reviews by the critics and weak ones from audiences. TRDB.

5) 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.

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 to me. TRDB.

7) BEIRUT– 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 in general– the NY Times did not like it. TRDB.

8) 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. TRDB.

4/20/18- This movie left me cold in general and the tennis scenes were terrible. Contrast this to “Battle of the Sexes” that was most enjoyable and you’ve got a weak movie that was OK just for some historical value. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

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1) BOUNDARIES– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “With her teenage son in tow, single mom Laura embarks on a road trip she knows will be hellish: picking up her pot-dealer dad from the nursing home he’s been kicked out of and driving him cross-country to her sister’s house.”

6/19/18- Weak reviews but I love road movies and I will try to see this one, starring Christopher Plummer. TRDB.

2) THE CATCHER WAS A SPY– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fact-based World War II thriller, Boston Red Sox catcher Moe Berg follows a mediocre baseball career with a heroic stint in military intelligence when he’s tasked with stopping the Nazis’ efforts to build an atomic bomb.”

6/19/18- Poor reviews. TRDB.

3) THE KING– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Driving a Rolls-Royce once owned by Elvis Presley — with a revolving crew of musicians in the backseat — director Eugene Jarecki embarks on a 2016 cross-country road trip to explore how Elvis lost his authenticity as America lost its democracy.”

6/22/18- Fair reviews from the critics and terrible ones from audiences. TRDB.

4) DAMSEL– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this loopy take on the classic Hollywood Western, Samuel Alabaster journeys deep into the frontier — with a miniature pony in tow — to find and wed his beloved Penelope. But the trek turns out to be more complicated than Samuel imagined.”

6/22/18- Very good reviews for this comedy. TRDB.

5) ARABY- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “When factory worker Cristiano is hurt on the job and becomes comatose, young neighbor Andre brings some of Cristiano’s belongings to the hospital. Among them is a diary charting 20 years of his nomadic life, which unspools as Andre reads the journal.”

6/22/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

6) MARLINA THE MURDERER IN FOUR ACTS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a group of bandits tries to rape young widow Marlina and steal her cattle, she turns the tables on them, decapitating the leader. The next day, she sets out for the nearest police station to report the crime, carrying the severed head as proof.”

6/22/18- Excellent reviews for this foreign film. TRDB.

7) SPIRAL– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Documentarian Laura Fairrie takes a look at the disturbing rise of anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial across Europe, especially in France — which is home to the world’s third-largest population of Jews.”

6/22/18- Mixed reviews- mostly poor but it sounds like it would be worth seeing. TRDB.

Not recommended-

1) IZZY GETS THE F*CK ACROSS TOWN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Awakening hung over in a stranger’s bed, hot mess Izzy learns from Facebook that her soul mate is going to marry her former best friend. Vowing to stop the engagement party, Izzy has five hours to make it across Los Angeles — without transportation.”

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES–

NEW IN THE BURBS–

1) DAMSEL– Clearview Cinema 100. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this loopy take on the classic Hollywood Western, Samuel Alabaster journeys deep into the frontier — with a miniature pony in tow — to find and wed his beloved Penelope. But the trek turns out to be more complicated than Samuel imagined.”

6/26/18- Very good reviews for this Western. TRDB.

2) EATING ANIMALS– Clearview Cinema 100. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on Jonathan Safran Foer’s best-selling book, this eye-opening documentary looks at the high cost — to animals, the environment and human health — of our insistence on cheap food and reliance on the agro-industrial complex that produces it.”

6/15/18- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

3) SUMMER 1993– Jacob Burns. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Shaken by her mother’s death and confused by her sudden transfer to her uncle’s care, 6-year-old orphan Frida is unable to open up to her new family. Meanwhile, her relatives begin to wonder who it is they’ve welcomed into their home.”

5/25/18- Great reviews. TRDB.

1) HEARTS BEAT LOUD- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100.  Excellent reviews and I want to see this movie

2) RBG- Jacob Burns, Cinema 100. An excellent documentary about Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg

3) WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100. Excellent reviews

4) FIRST REFORMED– Jacob Burns, Bethel. I liked it but be warned– it’s depressing.

5) THE SEAGULL– Bethel. I found it boring.

6) AMERICAN ANIMALS– Jacob Burns. Poor reviews

7) THE CATCHER WAS A  SPY– Jacob Burns. Poor reviews

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM  BEACH COUNTY-

A) MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH–

1) THE CATCHER WAS A SPY– Poor reviews

2) GOTTI- Poor reviews

3) AMERICAN ANIMALS– Poor reviews

B) MOVIES OF DELRAY–

1) THE CATCHER WAS A SPY– Poor reviews

2) GOTTI- Poor reviews

3) RBG- A great documentary about Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg

4) WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR– Excellent reviews

5) ALWAYS AT THE CARLYLE– Poor reviews

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE–

1) A KID LIKE JAKE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Progressive parents Alex and Greg have always accepted their 4-year-old son Jake’s penchant for dolls and dresses. But the couple finds themselves at odds when his preschool director suggests the boy’s preferences may signal gender-identity issues.”

5/31/18- Mixed reviews– slightly more positive than negative. TRDB.

2) LEG UP- I can’t find reviews for this movie but it is about a horseman who needs an amputation of his leg. TRDB.

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

1) A BAG OF MARBLES– Excellent reviews and audience feedback

2) ALWAYS AT THE CARLYLE– Weak reviews

3) AMERICAN ANIMALS– Poor reviews

4) DISOBEDIENCE- Very good reviews

5) SUMMER 1993- Very good reviews

6) WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR– Excellent reviews