The Reel Dr. Bob

SEPTEMBER 6, 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) THE WIFE– At the Theater

2) THE ESCAPE– Netflix Disc.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) THE WIFE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Great artists’ spouses often sacrifice their dreams for their mates’ careers, and Joan Castleman — a gifted writer — is no exception. But with hubby about to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature, Joan’s long-simmering resentment begins to emerge.”

8/15/18- Excellent reviews in general but a few critics said that the movie was carried by Glenn Close. TRDB.

8/31/18- I enjoyed this movie very much. Both leads were excellent and the story was interesting as well. TRDB. 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) 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 from the critics and weak ones from audiences. TRDB. 

9/2/18-  Pure desperation comes from the leading actress in this story about a woman who must make some important choices. I liked it very much. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY, SEPT. 11-

1) THAT SUMMER– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1972, photographer Peter Beard and Lee Radziwill set out chronicle her childhood in the Hamptons. But when the Maysles brothers join the project, the focus changes to her eccentric Aunt Edith and daughter Edie — who would inspire “Grey Gardens.”

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

2) WESTWOOD- PUNK, ICON, ACTIVIST– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Rising to celebrity with her outrageous fashions linked to the emergence of punk rock, designer Vivienne Westwood followed with an illustrious career that has made her an international icon, as chronicled in this comprehensive documentary.”

6/8/18- Very good reviews from the critics and just fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

3) NANCY– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix.  “After seeing a TV report about a couple whose young daughter vanished 30 years ago, Nancy Freeman becomes convinced they’re her real parents. Ignoring any doubts, she upends her quiet life as an office temp and insinuates herself into their lives.”

6/8/18- OK reviews by the critics and poor ones from audiences. TRDB.

4) HEARTS BEAT LOUD– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “As Brooklynite Frank Fisher is getting ready to send his daughter, Sam, off to college on the West Coast, he can’t quite seem to let go of her. Knowing that the two share a love of music, Frank comes up with a ploy to keep Sam from leaving the nest.”

6/8/18- Excellent reviews by the critics and very good ones by audiences. TRDB.

6/30/18- A fun movie with excellent music as well. I liked it very much. TRDB.

5) 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.

6) DARK RIVER– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the wake of her father’s death, Alice returns to her hometown in Yorkshire after 15 years away to settle the inheritance of the family farm with brother Joe. But a bitter quarrel between the two soon brings traumatic memories to the surface.”

6/29/18- Fairly good reviews from critics and audiences alike. TRDB.

7) IDEAL HOME– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Celebrity chef Erasmus and his life partner, Paul, are used to doing what they want, when they want. But their lifestyle is thoroughly disrupted when Erasmus’ 10-year-old grandson turns up on their doorstep in the wake of his father’s arrest.”

6/28/18- OK reviews for this comedy. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

Recommended-

1) ACTIVE MEASURES– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Offering a gallery of alarming facts and implications regarding Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, this in-depth documentary details a program of divisive political messaging intended to benefit Donald Trump’s candidacy.”

8/31/18- Decent reviews from the critics and just passing ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) INVENTING TOMORROW– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Documentarian Laura Nix trains her lens on a handful of inventive teens from around the world tackling ecological challenges as they get ready to submit their research projects at the yearly International Science and Engineering Fair.”

8/31/18- Great reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

3) A PARIS EDUCATION– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this black-and-white drama about young love and artistic ideals, naive Etienne leaves home to study film directing in Paris, where he falls in with fellow cinephiles Mathias and Jean-Noël. But the ensuing year upends the trio’s illusions.”

8/31/18- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

4) LET THE CORPSES TAN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “After crime boss Rhino and his gang of thieves steal a fortune in gold, they hide out at a moldering Mediterranean villa occupied by a reclusive female artist. But the unexpected arrival of a pair of cops soon leads to a fierce firefight.”

8/31/18- Good reviews but horror, blood and gore are not for me. TRDB.

5) PICK OF THE LITTER– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “This engaging documentary follows the two-year progress of five pooches trained from puppyhood to serve as guide dogs for the blind. The film also looks at the human devotion needed to help the canines learn a complex set of behavioral skills.

8/31/18- Great reviews. TRDB.

6) PROTOTYPE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Beginning with reality and shifting increasingly into abstraction, this immersive cinematic journey moves from period photos of the aftermath of the hurricane that hit Galveston, Texas, in 1900 to a meditation on the ocean’s powers.”

8/31/18– Excellent reviews for this science fiction documentary, whatever that is. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1) DESTINATION WEDDING– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “After meeting on the way to a destination wedding, two ill-mannered and cynical guests begin to fall for each other despite — or perhaps because of — their shared bitter view of relationships and romance.”

8/31/18- Poor reviews all around. TRDB.

2) THE LITTLE STRANGER– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Visiting a new patient, a rural doctor arrives at the crumbling mansion where his mother once worked — a place linked to stories of a malevolent ghost. Before long, the physician is witness to baffling events that may indeed be supernatural.”

8/31/18- Slightly more positive reviews than negative but some of the poor reviews were really poor. Is sounds bad to me and I’d skip it. TRDB.

3) KIN

4) REPRISAL

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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-

NEW ON DEMAND- NONE

REPEATS RECOMMENDED-

1) FIRST REFORMED–

2) ON CHESIL BEACH–

3) CHAPPAQUIDDICK–

4) THE RIDER–

5) WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR–

6) A PRAYER BEFORE DAWN–

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS–

1) THE BOOKSHOP– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1950s England, cultural growth has largely bypassed the quiet seaside village of Hardborough, but that changes when a middle-aged widow opens the town’s first bookshop. Unfortunately, she soon finds herself at odds with a local arts patron.”

8/24/18- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

2) SUPPORT THE GIRLS– Jacob Burns. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “As general manager at a sports bar, Lisa Conroy is den mother to a bevy of scantily clad beauties who serve food and drink. But when she attempts to raise money for one of her employees, Lisa runs into opposition from the crusty owner.”

8/24/18- Excellent reviews for this comedy including some great ones. TRDB.

3) SEARCHING– Danbury. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In an age dominated by electronic devices, David Kim communicates with his teenage daughter largely via iMessages and FaceTime chats. So, when she vanishes, he begins a virtual hunt for her on her laptop as a cop searches for her in the real world.”

8/24/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) OPERATION FINALE– Fair reviews but friends have really liked it. I would see it just for historical value

2) THE BOOKSHOP– Received fair reviews at best

3) THE WIFE– I liked this movie very much

4) BLACKkKLANSMAN– Spike Lee’s new movie. I liked it- even with a bit of schmaltz thrown in

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- SAME AS LAKE WORTH (see “above” for descriptions)

1) OPERATION FINALE-

2) THE BOOKSHOP–

3) THE WIFE–

4) BLACKkKLANSMAN–

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) THE CAPTAIN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this black-and-white drama set during World War II’s last days, a 19-year-old German deserter — starving and desperate — dons a scavenged Nazi captain’s uniform and becomes increasingly intoxicated by his new authority.”

7/27/18-  Fair reviews by the critics and excellent ones by audiences. TRDB.

2) THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Teenager Cameron Post sees her life turn topsy-turvy when she’s caught having sex with another girl on prom night and is packed off to a conversion-therapy facility to be “cured.” Instead, she forms a bond with the two renegades in the group.”

8/3 18- Good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

8/15/18- An interesting portrayal of life in one of these religious conversion therapy programs. Be prepared for a sad movie. TRDB.

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

1) BLACKkKLANSMAN– Spike Lee’s new movie. I liked it- even with a bit of schmaltz thrown in

2) THE BOOKSHOP– Fair reviews at best

3) THE WIFE– I liked this movie very much

4) JULIET, NAKED– Very good reviews