FILM REVIEWS #697

June 27th, 2018

JUNE 21, 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) BOOK CLUB– At the Theater
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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-
1) BOOK CLUB– 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 anyway. TRDB.

6/19/18- I was persuaded to see this movie- I found it funny at times and silly at times as well. Overall the movie was cute and I did enjoy it. Incidently, I was the only man in the theater. TREB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME- None
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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, JUNE 26-
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. It does sound interesting to me and I’ll put it on the list of recommendations. 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) IN DARKNESS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “When blind pianist Sofia hears a murder take place in the upstairs apartment, her world is thrown into chaos as she soon finds herself immersed in London’s underworld and brought into contact with the victim’s father — an accused war criminal.”

5/25/18- Fair reviews by the critics and terrible ones by audiences. TRDB.

4) THE MUSIC OF SILENCE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Faithfully rendering the moving saga of blind tenor Andrea Bocelli, this musical biopic chronicles his meteoric rise to fame and the crossover success that turned him into a worldwide star.”

2/2/18- Terrible, terrible reviews for this movie. TRDB.

5) GEMINI- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “When personal assistant Jill LeBeau finds her boss, rising actress Heather Anderson, shot to death in her own home, Jill becomes the prime suspect in a murder mystery and the target of Hollywood gossip about the women’s close relationship.”

3/30/18- Good overall reviews from the critics but none were excellent. Audiences were less impressed. TRDB.

COMING TO NETFLIX ON 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. 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 for some historical value. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

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OPENED LAST FRIDAY-
Recommended-
1) THE YELLOW BIRDS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Friends since training, soldiers Bartle and Murph ship off to Iraq under the command of a ready-to-rumble sergeant. When only Bartle returns, a military investigator and Murph’s grieving mother are determined to make Bartle reveal what happened.”

6/15/18- This movie sounds interesting but received really poor reviews from the critics and from audiences as well. There were a few good ones- one from the NY Times. I think I’d give it a try. TRDB.

2) EATING ANIMALS– 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) STRAIGHT INTO A STORM– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “After Deer Tick formed in the mid-2000s, leader John McCauley and the band built a solid fan base that’s still with them more than a decade later, as demonstrated in this insightful rockumentary featuring New Year’s Eve performance footage.”

6/15/18- Just 4 reviews so far and 3 look good- 1 doesn’t. TRDB.

4) GABRIEL AND THE MOUNTAIN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Combining the true story of idealistic Brazilian globetrotter Gabriel Buchmann, who died alone in the mountains of Malawi, and the imagined drama of his final days, this moving docudrama also meditates on the realities and illusions of travel.”

6/15/18- Very good reviews including a few terrific ones. TRDB.

5) FIVE SEASONS: THE GARDENS OF PIET OUDOLF– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “This illuminating documentary opens a window on the complex creative process of Dutch landscape designer Piet Oudolf as he revisits some of his iconic public works around the globe while developing a major new garden in Southwest England.”

6/15/18- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

Not Recommended

1) TAG– 2018.  Synopsis by Netflix. “This off-the-wall comedy based on real-life high jinks chronicles the anything-goes game of tag played annually by five former schoolmates who go to extreme measures to avoid becoming “It” in the monthlong competition.”

6/15/18- Not my kind of movie– sounds pretty stupid as far as I’m concerned. TRDB.

2) THE YEAR OF SPECTACULAR MEN 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “After graduating from college, Izzy Klein heads to Los Angeles to join her sister, Sabrina, an ambitious actress whose star is on the rise. Lacking focus in her life, Izzy embarks on a string of romantic entanglements.”

6/15/18- OK reviews for this comedy but it sounded real stupid to me. TRDB.

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-
NEW IN THE BURBS- NONE
REPEATS-
1) WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100. Excellent reviews
2) AMERICAN ANIMALS– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100. Poor reviews
3) RBG– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100. A great documentary about Ruth Bader Ginsberg
4) HEARTS BEAT LOUD– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100. Excellent reviews
5) FIRST REFORMED– Jacob Burns, Bethel. Saw it and liked it but very depressing
6) THE SEAGULL– Jacob Burns, Bethel. Fairly good reviews
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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-
A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-
1) GOTTI- Just a few reviews and they are all horrible
2) AMERICAN ANIMALS- Poor reviews
3) 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.

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-
1) THE GUARDIANS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this ensemble drama set in rural France, the women of the Paridier farm are left to run it by themselves while their men are off fighting in World War I. But things become complicated with the arrival of American troops.’

5/4/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

2) ALWAYS AT THE CARLYLE– Poor reviews

3) GOTTI- Just a few reviews and they are all horrible

4) POPE FRANCIS: A MAN OF HIS WORD– Good reviews and I will eventually see this- Limited Screenings

4) RBG– A wonderful documentary

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-
1) THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ANDRE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this affectionate look at the life and times of André Leon Talley, the fashion maven talks about his trailblazing journey, with friends past and present sharing their thoughts on his talent, influence and enigmatic but engaging personality.”

5/25/18- Very good reviews for this documentary. 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.

D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON-
1) ALWAYS AT THE CARLYLE– Awful reviews
2)  AMERICAN ANIMALS– Poor reviews
3) THE SEAGULL– Fairly good reviews
4) SUMMER 1993– Great reviews
5) DISOBEDIENCE- Good reviews- Limited screenings
6) ON CHESIL BEACH– Mixed reviews- more + than – Limited screenings
ENJOY!!
THE REEL DR. BOB

 

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