The Reel Dr. Bob

JANUARY 3, 2019

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) A BAG OF MARBLES– Hotwire On Demand

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) A BAG OF MARBLES– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “As the German army occupies Paris in 1941, Jewish barber Roman Joffo realizes his family is in danger of detention and worse. Planning their escape to the “free zone” in southern France, he sends his youngest sons on the perilous trip by themselves.”

3/23/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

12/28/18- Yet another Holocaust movie with excellent acting and a grueling screenplay. Definitely recommended. TRDB. Hotwire On Demand.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

1) FAR FROM THE TREE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Challenging conventional perceptions of “normality,” this affecting documentary looks at the special effort required to raise children who are profoundly different, profiling seven families as they confront the difficulties and reap the rewards.”

7/19/18- Just a few reviews at present and they are all good. TRDB.

2) MEMOIR OF WAR– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “A resistance member in Nazi-occupied France, young writer Marguerite Duras is frantic to learn the fate of her communist husband, who’s been sent to a concentration camp. In return for news, she begins a risky relationship with a German collaborator.”

8/17/18- Mostly good reviews, especially for the acting. TRDB.

3) 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.

4) MONSTERS AND MEN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Depicting the aftermath when a white police officer shoots an unarmed black man, this timely drama intertwines the stories of the onlooker who filmed the act, a conflicted African-American cop and a young athlete turned into an activist by the event.”

9/28/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.

5) WHAT THEY HAD– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “When her mother wanders into a snowstorm on Christmas Eve, Bridget responds to her brother’s call for help by returning to her hometown, where the siblings face the unenviable task of persuading their dad to put Mom in a care home.”

10/19/18- Very good  reviews for this drama. TRDB.

11/11/18- An excellent drama with wonderful acting and a perceptive look at a good family dealing with a real crisis. TRDB. 

6) MID 90’s– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1990s Los Angeles, teenage Stevie is looking for his place in a world dominated by his abusive older brother and needy single mom. After finding acceptance with the crew at a skateboard shop, Stevie learns some hard lessons about race and class.”

10/19/18- Fairly good reviews noted. TRDB.

7) KUSAMA: INFINITY– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Liberating herself from Japanese society’s restrictive tenets and aesthetics, avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama moved to New York City in 1958 and developed a unique multimedia style featuring oceans of polka dots, as detailed in this documentary.”

9/7/18- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

Recommended-

1) STAN & OLLIE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “With their glory days as Hollywood’s premier comedy team long behind them, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy begin a 1953 farewell tour of England and Ireland, reminding audiences — and themselves — of the magic of their partnership.”

12/28/18- Very good to excellent reviews. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1) HOLMES & WATSON– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Literary sleuth Sherlock Holmes and his stalwart sidekick, Dr. Watson, get the comedic treatment as the legendary private detective meets his match in a woman who possesses superior intelligence.”

12/28/18- Some of the worst reviews I have ever seen. TRDB.

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) ON THE BASIS OF SEX– Jacob Burns. 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.

REPEATS-

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

2) GREEN BOOK– Jacob Burns, Bethel. Excellent movie and a must-see

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

4) IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK– Jacob Burns, Danbury, Clearview 100. Excellent reviews from the critics and good ones from audiences.

5) BEN IS BACK– Bethel, Clearview 100. Good reviews.

6) A STAR IS BORN– Clearview 100. I liked it very much. Great Lady Gaga.

7) VICE- Bethel, Danbury. Fair reviews. Friends have not liked this movie but felt that it was worthwhile for historical value.

8) THE MULE– Danbury. Clint Eastwood doing what he’s good at

9) BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY– Danbury. I liked it very much

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH- see Movies of Delray below

1) VICE-

2) MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS-

3) THE FAVOURITE-

4) THE MULE-

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

1) VICE– Fair reviews and friends are luke warm about it

2) MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS– Fair reviews at best

3) THE MULE– I liked this movie-

4) GREEN BOOK– An excellent movie and a must-see

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) 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.

D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON- Not available at press time

ENJOY!!

THE REEL DR. BOB