The Reel Dr. Bob

DECEMBER 27, 2018

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY– At the Theater

2) LIZZIE– Netflix Disc.

3) ENTANGLEMENT– Netflix Streaming

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MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Born in Zanzibar, Farrokh Bulsara emigrated to England in his teens and formed the band Queen in 1970 under his new name, Freddie Mercury. This biopic charts the group’s first 15 years, culminating with their Live Aid performance in 1985.”

10/30/18- Mostly poor reviews. TRDB.

12/21/18- Much to my surprise I really enjoyed this movie. Despite the poor reviews everyone I’ve spoken to who has seen this movie has liked it very much. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK AT HOME-

1) LIZZIE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fresh take on one of America’s most notorious murder cases, 32-year-old Lizzie Borden is living unhappily under her tyrannical father’s roof when maid Bridget Sullivan joins the household — and the two women form a dangerous bond.”

9/14/18- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

12/24/18- The movie was just OK in my book. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

2) ENTANGLEMENT– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “While recuperating from a suicide attempt, Ben learns that his parents had adopted a baby girl but gave her up when they discovered they were expecting him. Aided by a caring neighbor, Ben sets off on a quest to find his would-be adoptive sister.”

2/9/18- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

12/26/18- I agree- just fair. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

1) BAD REPUTATION– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Before there were “riot grrrls” or female rappers, there was Joan Jett — first in the seminal punk band the Runaways, then as a solo act and later the leader of her own band, as recounted in this biographical documentary.”

9/28/18- Good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2) LOVE, GILDA– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Much-loved comedienne Gilda Radner — who succumbed to cancer at age 42 — left behind a wealth of audiotapes, videos and personal diaries, all of which provide an endearing cinematic portrait of her in this affecting documentary.”

9/19/18- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

3) 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.

4) SHINE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Salsa is the tie that binds in this tale of two brothers — both acclaimed dancers from Spanish Harlem — who become estranged after their dad’s death. But when they later reconnect, they end up on opposite sides of a gentrification battle.”

10/4/18- Just 2 reviews– 1 poor and 1 fair. TRDB.

5) TROUBLE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Estranged for years, middle-aged siblings Maggie and Ben renew their bitter rivalry when they begin a battle over the family estate. Before long, Ben resorts to skullduggery as he hatches a scheme to get back his half of the property.”

10/4/18- Fair reviews. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

Recommended-

1) COLD WAR– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Inspired by the turbulent marriage of the director’s parents, this bittersweet drama follows pianist Wiktor and singer Zula — star-crossed lovers with divergent backgrounds and temperaments — as they pursue an impossible romance in postwar Europe.”

12/21/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

2) VICE- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Focusing on his powerful two-term tenure as second in command to U.S. President George W. Bush, this biographical drama chronicles the long and controversial political career of Dick Cheney.”

12/24/18- Fair reviews at best by the critics. TRDB.

3) ON THE BASIS OF SEX– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Long before Ruth Bader Ginsburg became a Supreme Court justice, she advocated for women’s rights. This inspiring biopic focuses on her early career as she teams with her husband to bring a historic gender-discrimination case before the Supreme Court.”

12/25/18- Fair to good reviews. I doubt that it will be as good as RBG. TRDB.

4) DESTROYER– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Early in her police career, Det. Erin Bell’s cover is blown while infiltrating a California gang. Sixteen years later, the leader of that gang — who escaped during the failed operation — resurfaces, and Erin is determined to take him down.”

12/25/18- Fairly good reviews. Most said that Nicole Kidman was great. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1) WELCOME TO MARWEN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “This affecting drama chronicles the real-life story of Mark Hogancamp, who loses his memory after a savage assault but works through recovery by building a miniature World War II-era town filled with figurines representing his loved ones.”

12/21/18- Awful reviews from everybody. TRDB.

2) AMERICAN RENEGADES– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the midst of the Balkan wars, a squad of Navy SEALs attempts to unravel a long-forgotten mystery after discovering an enormous treasure trove hidden at the bottom of a lake in Serbia.”

12/21/18- Bad reviews. TRDB.

3) BETWEEN WORLDS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Plagued by grief and guilt over the death of his wife and child, forlorn trucker Joe is trying to get on with his life. But that proves difficult as his dead spouse’s spirit possesses his new girlfriend’s daughter.”

12/21/18- Terrible reviews by the critics but surprisingly very good ones by audiences. TRDB.

4) “Second Act” opened also and received awful reviews.

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HOTWIRE ON DEMAND-

1) BLACKkKLANSMAN–

2) COLETTE-

3) EIGHTH GRADE–

4) RBG-

5) THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS–

6) WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?-

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) VICE- Bethel, Danbury. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Focusing on his powerful two-term tenure as second in command to U.S. President George W. Bush, this biographical drama chronicles the long and controversial political career of Dick Cheney.”

12/24/18- Fair reviews at best by the critics. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) GREEN BOOK- Jacob Burns, Bethel. Excellent and a must-see

2) MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100. Fair reviews at best

3) THE FAVOURITE– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100. Good reviews

4) IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK– Jacob Burns. Excellent reviews from the critics and good ones from audiences.

5) THE MULE- Danbury. I liked it very much– Clint Eastwood near the end of his career.

6) A STAR IS BORN- Clearview 100. I enjoyed this movie very much.

7) BEN IS BACK– Bethel, Clearview 100. Very good reviews.

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) VICE- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Focusing on his powerful two-term tenure as second in command to U.S. President George W. Bush, this biographical drama chronicles the long and controversial political career of Dick Cheney.”

12/24/18- Fair reviews at best by the critics. TRDB.

2) MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS– Fair reviews at best

3) THE MULE– I liked it very  much

4) THE FAVOURITE– Good reviews

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- Same as Lake Worth above

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) SINATRA IN PALM SPRINGS- Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Palm Springs, a small desert oasis 100 miles East of Los Angeles was Sinatra’s true home for 50 years. During his brief yet turbulent marriage to Ava Gardner his Palm Springs home was center stage. For the rest of his life, the Rancho Mirage compound on Frank Sinatra Drive, was the home he called “My Heaven”.

12/24/18- No reviews as yet. We’ll see. TRDB.

2) VOX LUX– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. ” After a classroom shooting leaves teenage Celeste with a spinal injury, she performs a tribute ballad at the memorial service and suddenly becomes a pop megastar. But 18 years later, her career has crashed and burned — and it’s time for a comeback.”

12/7/18- Fair reviews from the critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB.

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

1) BEN IS BACK– Excellent reviews for this movie starring Julia Roberts.

2) FREE SOLO– I liked it- very suspenseful

3) MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS– Fair reviews at best

4) SHOPLIFTERS– Good reviews

5) MARIA BY CALLAS– Good reviews