The Reel Dr. Bob

APRIL 18, 2019

DEAR FRIENDS:

MY FAMILY WAS VISITING FOR A WEEK SO I DID NOT GET OUT TO THE MOVIES. THERE IS NOTHING REALLY SPECIAL OUT THERE AT THE MOMENT BUT IT PROMISES TO IMPROVE NEXT WEEK.

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK- NONE

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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) OF FATHERS AND SONS– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Putting his life at risk, Syrian director Talal Derki returns to his war-torn homeland and spends two years living with a family of radical jihadists who erroneously believe he’s working on a film supporting the rise of the Islamic caliphate.”

11/16/18- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

4/15/19- The fact that this movie was made at all is the real issue here. Otherwise I found it repetitive and boring since the salient points were made early in the movie. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

1) RUST CREEK– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “College student Sawyer Scott is seemingly on the fast track to success when a wrong turn on the way to a job interview leaves her stuck in Kentucky’s backwoods. Soon finding herself with two outlaws on her trail, she needs all her cunning to survive.”

1/4/19- Decent reviews by the critics and distinctly poor ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) 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.

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

1) HER SMELL– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Despite her stardom, punk rock singer Becky Something is living out a personal mission of destruction fueled by drugs and a volatile temperament that threatens to alienate everyone she knows, including her bandmates.”

4/12/19- Very good reviews in general with a few negatives as well. I’ll give it a try. TRDB.

2) SATAN & ADAM– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This engaging documentary charts the story of an improbable pairing between black guitarist Sterling Magee, aka “Mr. Satan,” and white harmonica player Adam Gussow, who lived out their musical ambitions jamming together for years on Harlem sidewalks.”

4/12/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

3) WILD NIGHTS WITH EMILY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “An unknown side of poet Emily Dickinson — long characterized as a shy spinster — emerges in this sly, sometimes surreal dramedy that recounts her determination to succeed in the literary world and her romantic relationship with her sister-in-law.”

4/12/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.

4) DOGMAN- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In his rundown beach community in Southern Italy, dog groomer Marcello gets along with everyone — even local bully (and ex-boxer) Simone. But when covering up for Simone lands Marcello in jail, he’s itching for vengeance when he’s released.”

4/12/19- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

5) GIRLS OF THE SUN– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. ” Kurdish attorney Bahar sees her life upended when Islamic extremists capture her and her son during a raid on her village. After escaping, Bahar — hoping to find her son — becomes the leader of an all-female combat unit bent on retaking the town.”

4/12/19- Awful reviews by the critics but excellent ones by audiences. It does sound interesting and I would definitely give it a try. TRDB.

6) THE MOST DANGEROUS YEAR– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “As the mother of a transgender 5-year-old, filmmaker Vlada Knowlton brings firsthand knowledge to this topical documentary that follows a group of Washington state parents’ efforts to protect the civil rights of their transgender offspring.”

4/12/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

7) TEEN SPIRIT– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Underneath 17-year-old Violet’s shy exterior lurks a pop star just itching to get out. But the chances of that happening in her tiny Isle of Wight hometown seem remote — until a former opera star takes her under his wing.”

4/12/19- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) MASTER Z: IP MAN LEGACY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “After his defeat by Ip Man, martial-arts expert Cheung Tin-chi gives up the Wing Chun discipline and vows to live quietly in Hong Kong with his son. But he soon runs afoul of a triad and is pulled back into a life of violence.”

4/12/19- Good reviews for this action drama. Personally, I’ll skip it. TRDB.

2) LONG DAY’S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This noirish drama follows moody drifter Luo Hongwu as he returns to his provincial hometown and is quickly flooded with memories of an enigmatic lost love, prompting him to embark on a search for her.”

4/12/19- Very good reviews from the critics and weak ones from audiences. One reviewer called it “all style and no substance.” TRDB.

OTHERS-

1) “MISSING LINK” is not my type of movie

2) “HELLBOY”- Awful reviews

3) “LITTLE”- Received really poor reviews

4) “MARY MAGDALENE” has really poor reviews

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) TEEN SPIRIT- Danbury, Clearview 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Underneath 17-year-old Violet’s shy exterior lurks a pop star just itching to get out. But the chances of that happening in her tiny Isle of Wight hometown seem remote — until a former opera star takes her under his wing.”

4/12/19- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

2) WILD NIGHTS WITH EMILY– Clearview 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “An unknown side of poet Emily Dickinson — long characterized as a shy spinster — emerges in this sly, sometimes surreal dramedy that recounts her determination to succeed in the literary world and her romantic relationship with her sister-in-law.”

4/12/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.

3) AMAZING GRACE– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100. 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “More than 40 years after Aretha Franklin delivered two spellbinding nights of gospel music at a Baptist church in Los Angeles, this documentary — long shelved because of technical problems — takes viewers back to the legendary concerts.”

12/7/18- Great reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

4)  HER SMELL– Jacob Burns. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Despite her stardom, punk rock singer Becky Something is living out a personal mission of destruction fueled by drugs and a volatile temperament that threatens to alienate everyone she knows, including her bandmates.”

4/12/19- Very good reviews in general with a few negatives as well. I’ll give it a try. TRDB.

5) HIGH LIFE– Jacob Burns, Bethel. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In an effort to harness a black hole’s power, a crew of convicts is sent into space. But soon, isolation and an atmosphere of despair lead to conflict and death among the crew, leaving only quiet Monte and his baby daughter to continue the mission.”

4/17/19- A Sci-fi movie that doesn’t sound at all interesting to me but got good reviews from the critics along with poor ones from audiences. TRDB.

6) DIANE–  Jacob Burns. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Widowed and in her 70s, Diane spends her days helping others: feeding the homeless, caring for ailing friends and trying to reach her drug-addicted son. But as her obligations dwindle, Diane reluctantly confronts her past — and her mortality.”

3/29/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.

7) BACKYARD WILDERNESS IN 3D-

REPEATS-

1) THE MUSTANG– Bethel, Clearview 100. Very good reviews.

2) TRANSIT– Clearview 100. Excellent reviews.

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

4) THE PUBLIC– Bethel. Weak reviews.

5) HOTEL MUMBAI– Bethel. Weak reviews.

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) MARIA BY CALLAS– Very good review

2) THE MUSTANG– Very good reviews

3) PETERLOO– Weak reviews

4) THE BEST OF ENEMIES– Fair reviews at best

5) THE CHAPERONE– Poor reviews

6) THE AFTERMATH– Poor reviews

7) TRANSIT– Very good reviews

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

Same as Lake Worth above except not showing “Aftermath” there

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) ASH IS PUREST WHITE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When a young gang attacks her mobster boyfriend, Bin, loyal Qiao uses his illegal gun to save him — landing her in prison for five years. But after she’s released, Qiao finds that Bin has moved on without her, and she sets off to track him down.”

3/15/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

2) THE INVISIBLES– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This riveting docudrama follows four resourceful Jewish youths living under Nazi rule in 1943 Berlin, where they elude the roundup of Jews by taking cover in safe houses and freely walking the streets, virtually hiding in plain sight.”

1/25/19- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.

D) THELIVING ROOM THEATER AT FAU IN BOCA RATON-

1) DIANE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Widowed and in her 70s, Diane spends her days helping others: feeding the homeless, caring for ailing friends and trying to reach her drug-addicted son. But as her obligations dwindle, Diane reluctantly confronts her past — and her mortality.”

3/29/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.

2) PETERLOO– Weak reviews for this historical drama. 

3) THE CHAPERONE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the early 20th century, two women take the trip of a lifetime when they travel from conservative Kansas to cosmopolitan New York City. While young Louise seeks fame as a dancer and actress, her chaperone, Norma, wants to reconnect with her past.”

3/29/19- Weak early reviews. TRDB.

4) TRANSIT– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “As German troops near Paris, concentration camp refugee Georg escapes to Marseille, hoping to board a ship bound for safety by assuming the identity of a dead man whose papers Georg possesses. But things change when he meets a mysterious young woman.”

3/1/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.