The Reel Dr. Bob

1) FREE SOLO– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this “cliff-hanging” documentary, rock climber Alex Honnold prepares for and undertakes the most daunting challenge of his life: becoming the first person to free-solo climb (without ropes or safety gear) the face of Yosemite’s El Capitan.”

9/29/18- Excellent reviews and I look forward to seeing this movie. TRDB.

10/14/18- I liked this documentary very much. Beautiful scenery as well as suspenseful. TRDB. 

1)  22 JULY– 2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In 22 July, Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Paul Greengrass (Captain Phillips, United 93) tells the true story of the aftermath of Norway’s deadliest terrorist attack. On 22 July 2011, 77 people were killed when a far-right extremist detonated a car bomb in Oslo before carrying out a mass shooting at a leadership camp for teens. 22 July uses the lens of one survivor’s physical and emotional journey to portray the country’s path to healing and reconciliation.”

1) CLAIRE’S CAMERA– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “While attending Cannes, film sales agent Man-hee is abruptly fired by her jealous boss. But when Man-hee meets Parisian teacher Claire, who takes a picture of her on the beach, the two bond — and Man-hee discovers the transformative power of photos.”

3/8/18- Fairly good reviews and I love Huppert. TRDB.

2) SORRY TO BOTHER YOU– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Losing faith in his persuasive skills, telemarketer Cassius Green takes a co-worker’s advice and finds that he suddenly has a gift for selling that elevates him to the executive echelon — where he discovers the chilling secret of his bosses.”

7/5/18- Fairly good reviews for this comedy that didn’t sound so good to me. TRDB.

3) I THINK WE’RE ALONE NOW– 2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. ” This documentary feature by director Sean Donnelly follows the adventures of two obsessed fans, 50 year old Asperger’s sufferer Jeff Turner, and 35-year-old intersex person Kelly McCormick who claim to be in love with 80’s teen-pop heartthrob Tiffany. With both humor and with sometimes heartbreaking sensitivity, Donnelly explores the lonely lives of these two people, classified by many as stalkers.”

9/14/18- Fair to good reviews from the critics and just fair ones from audiences. I’ll try to see this movie. TRDB.

1) CUSTODY– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Caught in the middle of his parents’ bitter divorce, Julien Besson finds his life ruled by the terms of a shared custody order, forcing him to navigate the competing perspectives of his warring parents and to try to keep the worst from happening.”

8/14/18- Excellent reviews by both critics and audiences. TRDB.

2) LOVE, CECIL– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “A photographer, set and costume designer, and writer, Cecil Beaton takes his own turn in the spotlight in this engaging documentary that draws on personal diaries, archival footage and photos to profile one of the 20th century’s great tastemakers.”

6/29/18- Good reviews from the critics but poor ones from audiences. TRDB.

3) CALL HER GANDA– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a U.S. Marine on leave in the Philippines murders transgender sex worker Jennifer Laude in a motel room, three women — Jennifer’s mother, an investigative journalist and an activist lawyer — are determined to see justice served.”

9/21/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

4) MANDY– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Living in the rural Pacific Northwest, Red Miller sees his blissful life spin terrifyingly out of control when a crazed cult leader and his followers kidnap and kill Red’s beloved girlfriend — sending him on a quest to exact bloody revenge.”

9/21/18- Sounds bloody as hell but reviews from the critics were very good.  I’d give it a try. TRDB.

1) THE HAPPY PRINCE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this period drama that recounts the last three years in Oscar Wilde’s life, the ailing writer — once the literary toast of London — exiles himself in Paris when he’s released from prison after serving time for gross indecency.”

10/10/18- Fair reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2) LIYANA– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Five Swaziland orphans turn painful memories into art by creating a story about a brave girl on a quest to save her twin brothers after a home invasion — a tale that unfolds through a mix of animation and live-action footage.”

10/10/18- Great reviews for this animated movie. TRDB.

3) WATERGATE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Drawing on audiotapes, archival film, declassified records, re-enactments and reflections of those involved in the scandal, this documentary unspools a detailed chronicle of the Watergate story, showing how the issues it raised still persist.”

10/11/18-Just 3 reviews noted and they are all good but not great. TRDB.

4) THE KINDERGARTEN TEACHER-2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Forty years old, stuck in Staten Island and married to a sweet but oblivious husband with kids that largely ignore her, Lisa Spinelli spends her days teaching Kindergarten with growing numbness. Her one reprieve is a nighttime poetry class across the bay in Lower Manhattan. When she discovers that a five-year-old in her class may be a poetic prodigy, Lisa becomes fascinated–then obsessed, as she struggles to protect him from neglectful parents.”

10/11/18- Excellent reviews by the critics and good ones from audiences. This movie is currently being streamed by Netflix.  TRDB.

10/13/18- A very interesting movie about obsession. Maggie Gyllenhaal was excellent in this role. TRHD. Netflix Streaming.

5) BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE-2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “The El Royale hotel near Lake Tahoe, California, has seen better days, and so have most of its guests — including a beleaguered priest, a pair of female cons and a cult leader — who are on a collision course with one another.”

10/11/18- Fair reviews so far. TRDB.

6) THE OATH– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. ” When spouses Chris and Kai agree to host the family Thanksgiving dinner, the hysterical political climate in America triggers loud and bitter arguments, ending in two federal agents being held hostage in the couple’s living room.”

10/11/18- Good reviews by most. Sounds funny. TRDB.

7) BARBARA– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this absorbing drama, director Yves Zand hires young Brigitte to play popular 1960s French singer Barbara in a biopic. But while he’s working with Brigitte, Yves becomes obsessed with the character he’s molding.”

10/11/18- Excellent reviews from the critics and really poor ones from audiences. TRDB.

8) ALL SQUARE– 2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “John Zbikowski (Michael Kelly) is a down-on-his-luck, small town bookie having a hard time collecting on outstanding debts. After a one night stand with an ex-girlfriend (Pamela Adlon), John strikes up an unlikely friendship with her 12-year old son, Brian (Jesse Ray Sheps), and develops a plan to recoup the money owed to him by taking bets on Brian’s Youth League Baseball games.”

10/11/18- Excellent reviews for this comedy. TRDB.

9) OVER THE LIMIT-2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “For 20-year-old Margarita Mamun, a member of Russia’s rhythmic gymnastics team, doing her best is never enough — as chronicled in this behind-the-scenes documentary that follows her intensive preparations in the year leading up to the 2016 Olympics.”

10/11/18- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

10) CLASSICAL PERIOD– 2018.

10/11/18- No synopsis or reviews available at this time. TRDB.

11) AFTER EVERYTHING– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Soon after young New Yorker Elliot learns that he has contracted a rare, life-threatening illness, he begins a romance with beautiful Mia. But as Elliot’s health appears to improve, Mia realizes that their fast-moving relationship may not be real.”

10/11/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

12) THE SENTENCE– 2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. ” Rudy Valdez shows the aftermath of his sister Cindy’s 15-year sentence for conspiracy charges related to crimes committed by her deceased ex-boyfriend – something known, in legal terms, as “the girlfriend problem.”

10/11/18- Excellent early reviews. TRDB.

10/16/18- A sad documentary concentrating on the effect that incarceration of a mother of 3 children has on the family left behind. TRDB. HBO On-Demand.

13) SADIE- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Troubled 13-year-old Sadie adores her soldier father, who’s been absent a long time — which she blames on her mother, Rae. When Rae begins growing closer to another man, angry Sadie devotes herself to driving away the interloper.”

10/11/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

14) BIKINI MOON-2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Selected as the subject of a documentary about New York City’s homeless, disturbed but charismatic Bikini becomes rooted in the lives of producer Kate and director Trevor — who’s willing to help Bikini as long as he can exploit her story.”

10/11/18- Just 3 reviews noted- 1 poor and 2 fair. TRDB.

15) BEAUTIFUL BOY– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on memoirs by David Sheff and his son Nic, this compelling drama seen through a father’s eyes chronicles the heartbreak of addiction as Nic struggles with his dependence on methamphetamine, which affects the entire family.”

10/12/18- Fair reviews from the critics and better ones from audiences. There is a movie from 2010 with the same name. TRDB.

16) CHARM CITY– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “This immersive documentary looks at the continuing economic malaise of a poor black neighborhood in Baltimore over a three-year span, contrasting the efforts of community leaders with the grim realities of life on the city’s mean streets.”

10/17/18- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

17) IMPULSO– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Bringing her unique spirit and artistic vision to the conventional world of flamenco, fiery dancer Rocío Molina has won over audiences and critics. This absorbing documentary follows her as she creates a show for Paris’ Chaillot National Théâtre.”

10/17/18- Just 1 review so far and it is poor. Still, I’ll put it on my list. TRDB.

18) HORN FROM THE HEART: THE PAUL BUTTERFIELD STORY– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Inducted into the rock ‘n’ roll and blues halls of fame, legendary harmonica player Paul Butterfield gets his due in this documentary that recounts his story via his words and music, and through interviews with his friends, family and peers.”

10/17/18- I’ve found 4 reviews so far– 3 are very good and 1 isn’t. TRDB.

1) THE SISTERS BROTHERS– Clearview 100.  2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this darkly comic Western set in the 1850s, two hit man brothers are tasked with hunting down and killing gold prospector Hermann Kermit Warm, who stole from their boss. But along the way, the siblings find their bond put to the test.”

9/21/18- Very good reviews for this Western. TRDB.

2) BEAUTIFUL BOY– Jacob Burns. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Based on memoirs by David Sheff and his son Nic, this compelling drama seen through a father’s eyes chronicles the heartbreak of addiction as Nic struggles with his dependence on methamphetamine, which affects the entire family.”

10/12/18- Fair reviews from the critics and better ones from audiences. There is a movie from 2010 with the same name. TRDB.

1) THE GUILTY– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Working a desk job as an emergency dispatcher after being relieved of his beat cop responsibilities, Asger Holm fields a panicked call from a kidnapped young mother — and must race against time as the situation gets worse with each passing minute.”

10/16/18- Great reviews. TRDB.

2) FIRST MAN– Very good reviews

6) THE SAMUEL PROJECT- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “While dreaming of becoming a professional artist, high school senior Eli begins working on a project to animate the story of his estranged grandfather, Samuel. In the process, Eli uncovers a surprising tale of survival and heroism.”

10/9/18- Just 2 reviews so far and they are fair. TRDB.

1) THE GUILTY– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Working a desk job as an emergency dispatcher after being relieved of his beat cop responsibilities, Asger Holm fields a panicked call from a kidnapped young mother — and must race against time as the situation gets worse with each passing minute.”

10/16/18- Great reviews. TRDB.

2) THUNDER ROAD- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Officer Jim Arnaud struggles being a single dad and police officer in the American South. After losing his Mom, he vows to become a better father to his daughter, Crystal, but circumstances have different plans for him.”

10/16/18- Great reviews. TRDB.

1) THE GUILTY– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Working a desk job as an emergency dispatcher after being relieved of his beat cop responsibilities, Asger Holm fields a panicked call from a kidnapped young mother — and must race against time as the situation gets worse with each passing minute.”

10/16/18- Great reviews. TRDB.

2) THE WIFE– I saw it and enjoyed it very much

3) TEA WITH THE DAMES-Very good reviews but I have little interest in this

4) COLETTE– I saw it and liked it very much

5) A STAR IS BORN– Good reviews