The Reel Dr. Bob

MARCH 14, 2019

DEAR FRIENDS:

A VERY SLOW WEEK FOR ME—

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) WIDOWS– Netflix Disc.

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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) WIDOWS- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “When four thieves are killed during a robbery attempt, their widows suddenly find themselves facing shaky futures. After due consideration, the ladies decide to join forces to finish the botched heist.”

11/14/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

3/10/19- Very interesting and somewhat confusing as well but I did like it. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

1) BECOMING ASTRID– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “This coming-of-age biopic focuses on the formative years of famed author Astrid Lindgren — creator of the beloved character Pippi Longstocking — and a seminal event that will turn her into a titan of children’s literature.”

11/23/18- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

1) GLORIA BELL– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This English-language remake of director Sebastián Lelio’s Chilean drama charts the life of Gloria, an aging divorcée who meets the disarming Arnold at a singles bar. But baggage from his tangled family relationships may upend their romance.”

3/8/19- Excellent reviews by the critics and weak ones by audiences. I saw the original about 6 years ago and liked it very much. TRDB.

2) BLACK MOTHER– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this engaging documentary, self-taught filmmaker and photographer Khalik Allah sets out to capture the beauty of his Jamaican homeland through its people, giving voice to residents from all walks of life.”

3/8/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

3) ISLAND OF THE HUNGRY GHOSTS– 2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Detainees from the detention center on Christmas Island recount their stories to a trauma therapist who attempts to advocate their cause. Covering the ancient traditions of humans and animals on the island, and the many secrets that will never be known in the jungle, the movement of both species is examined as they attempt to survive.”

3/8/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

4) BABYLON- 2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Never-before released in North America, Franco Rosso’s incendiary Babylon had its world premiere at Cannes in 1980 but was banned from the New York Film Festival that same year for “being too controversial, and likely to incite racial tension”

3/8/19- Excellent reviews by the critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB.

5) AN ELEPHANT SITTING STILL– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Four intertwining narratives propel this moving drama about a quartet of tortured souls trapped by circumstances and obsessed with reaching the city of Manzhouli, where a mythical elephant sits in indifference to the world’s cruelty.”

3/8/19- Excellent reviews by the critics and fair at best reviews from audiences. TRDB.

6) 3 FACES– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “From Iranian director Jafar Panahi — who’s banned from making films in his country — comes this incisive parable that follows a rural girl bent on attending a Tehran drama conservatory despite her hidebound parents’ strong opposition.”

3/8/19- Excellent reviews by the critics and weak ones from audiences. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1) FERRANTE FEVER– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Loved the world over for a body of work that includes her quartet of “Neapolitan Novels,” Elena Ferrante has long hidden her identity behind a pseudonym. This engaging documentary examines her work to analyze its universal appeal.”

3/8/19- Poor reviews. TRDB.

2) TWO PLAINS & A FANCY– 2019. About a group of women who traverse Colorado in the 1890’s.

3/8/19- Poor reviews. TRDB.

3) THE KID- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Still barely a teen, young Rio is thrust into the adult world when he goes on the run to save his sister from an evil uncle. Along the way, Rio crosses paths with Sheriff Pat Garrett and the man he’s chasing: notorious outlaw Billy the Kid.”

3/6/19- Just 1 review noted and it’s not too good. TRDB.

4) “I’M NOT HERE” received very bad reviews

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTY-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) GLORIA BELL– Jacob Burns. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This English-language remake of director Sebastián Lelio’s Chilean drama charts the life of Gloria, an aging divorcée who meets the disarming Arnold at a singles bar. But baggage from his tangled family relationships may upend their romance.”

3/8/19- Excellent reviews by the critics and weak ones by audiences. I saw the original about 6 years ago and liked it very much. TRDB.

2) WOMAN AT WAR– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Believing that the aluminum industry is destroying the Icelandic environment, middle-aged Halla begins waging a secret eco-war to protect the landscape. But her crusade is interrupted when she gets a chance to fulfill her dream of adopting a child.”

3/1/19- Excellent reviews from all sources. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) APOLLO 11– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100. Very good reviews.

2) EVERYBODY KNOWS– Bethel, Clearview 100. Mediocre reviews but it’s with Penelope Cruz.

3) THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD– Jacob Burns. Very good reviews.

4) THE WEDDING GUEST– Jacob Burns, Bethel. Weak reviews.

5) COLD WAR– Clearview 100. I was not impressed by this movie.

6) TO DUST– Clearview 100. Good reviews for this weird sounding movie.

7) THE UPSIDE– Danbury. Friends have liked this movie very much and I’ll see it eventually.

8) GREEN BOOK– Bethel, Danbury. Excellent and if you haven’t seen it at a theater yet— you should.

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH

1) TO DUST– Good reviews with a story line you’ve never heard of or even imagined

2) THE SAMUEL PROJECT– I saw it and liked it

3) WHO WILL WRITE OUR HISTORY– Very good reviews

4) THE INVISIBLES– Very good reviews

5) BIRDS OF PASSAGE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This well-crafted crime drama charts the roots of the Colombian drug trade as a tight-knit indigenous family discovers a golden opportunity to sell large quantities of marijuana to America’s hippie generation in the 1970s.”

2/13/19- Excellent reviews for this foreign drama. TRDB.

6) EVERYBODY KNOWS– Weak reviews- starring Penelope Cruz

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

1) THE SAMUEL PROJECT– I liked it

2) WHO WILL WRITE OUR HISTORY– Very good reviews

3) NEVER LOOK AWAY– OK reviews for this very long drama

4) THE LAST RESORT– Haven’t seen it yet but has good reviews.

5) HEADING HOME– About Team Israel and I liked it

6) CAPERNAUM– I liked this very much. (limited screenings)

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) MY GENERATION– 2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “British film icon Michael Caine narrates and stars in My Generation, the vivid and inspiring story of his personal journey through 1960s London.”

2) COMBAT OBSCURA– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “As a combat cameraman in Afghanistan from 2011-12, Miles Lagoze’s primary role was to gather footage for use in Marine Corps recruiting. But his camera kept rolling after the battles ended, capturing the boredom, banality and futility of endless war.”

3/13/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

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

1) STYX– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Prepared for the adventure of a lifetime, emergency room doctor Rieke sets off on a 5,000-mile solo voyage to Ascension Island in the Atlantic. But when she encounters a foundering refugee boat, she finds herself caught in a moral dilemma.”

2/27/19- Excellent reviews by the critics but just fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) NEVER LOOK AWAY– Good reviews for this very long drama (3 hr. +)

3) THE INVISIBLES– Very good reviews

4) THE LAST RESORT– Good reviews for this documentary

5) TO DUST– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Struggling to accept his wife’s sudden death, Hasidic cantor Shmuel believes he must understand how her body will decompose. Enlisting the aid of a biology professor, Shmuel begins the blasphemous act of scientific investigation.”

2/8/19- Excellent reviews for this strange sounding drama. TRDB.