The Reel Dr. Bob

MAY 16, 2019

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) EVERYBODY KNOWS– Netflix Disc.

2) STAN & OLLIE– 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) EVERYBODY KNOWS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “With her kids in tow, Laura travels from her adopted Argentinean home to her native Spain to attend her sister’s nuptials, anticipating a joyful reunion. But things turn sour when Laura’s teen daughter vanishes and long-kept secrets begin to surface.”

2/8/19- Fair reviews from critics and poor ones from audiences. I’d see this just to look at Penelope Cruz. TRDB.

5/9/19- Despite a predictable, poor ending I still enjoyed this movie. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

2) 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.

5/14/19- An excellent drama- I thoroughly it. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

1) ISN’T IT ROMANTIC– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Young architect Natalie, who’s had little luck in love or career advancement, awakens one day to find that her life has morphed into a romantic comedy, with her as the star. Making matters worse, her assistant and confidante is now her mortal enemy.”

2/13/19- Fair reviews at best. One review said it wasn’t funny and it wasn’t romantic. TRDB.

2) ICEMAN– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Using the discovery of a Neolithic man’s mummified remains as a jumping-off point, this inventive drama imagines that prehistoric man’s long and perilous quest to exact revenge for the murders that wiped out his tribe.”

3/16/19- Good reviews by the critics and poor ones by audiences. TRDB.

3) MY SCIENTOLOGY MOVIE– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a quest to better understand the psychological impulses that attract people to the Church of Scientology, this compelling exposé re-enacts incidents described by disillusioned former members. Meanwhile, the Church tries to hamstring the project.”

3/10/17- Very good reviews by critics and fair at best reviews from audiences. TRDB.

4) LET THE SUNSHINE IN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix “Lamenting the approach of middle age, divorced Parisian artist Isabelle wades back into the romantic fray to find a compatible mate. But she soon concludes that none of the men she meets seem to comprehend the basic truths of love.”

4/26/18- Starring Juliette Binoche, this movie has received very good reviews. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

1) CHARLIE SAYS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this biographical drama that follows Leslie Van Houten, Patricia Krenwinkel and Susan Atkins after they’re imprisoned for the Manson family murders, a graduate student tries to help them come to terms with their heinous crimes.”

5/10/19- Terrible reviews by the critics but excellent ones by audiences. I’d take a chance on this one. TRDB.

2) PASOLINI– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This evocative portrait of outspoken, controversial director Pier Paolo Pasolini traces the last day of his life — Nov. 2, 1975 — which he spent with his mother and friends before vanishing into the night and being found murdered the next day.”

5/10/19- Decent reviews by the critics and awful ones by audiences. TRDB.

3) DAVID CROSS: OH, COME ON– Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Shot in Asheville, N.C. during the summer of 2018, this latest special covers a multitude of subjects. From being a new dad, who happens to be hyper aware of hacky “new dad” bits, and the joys and terrors of a “couples colonic,” to American life in the Trump era, all told in the unmistakable provocative style of David Cross – America’s original Southern Gentleman. Share the laughter, the tears, the gasps, and the salty language that you’ve come to know and love. Stare into the abyss one more time until the next time and see what makes David Cross one of the top 400 comics in America today.”

5/10/19- Just 2 reviews at this time– one up and 1 down. TRDB.

4) AT THE HEART OF GOLD: INSIDE THE USA GYMNASTICS SCANDAL– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When it was revealed that USA Gymnastics physician Larry Nassar had sexually abused scores of athletes over decades, the gymnastics world erupted. This illuminating documentary examines the culture within the sport that led to the crisis.”

5/10/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

5) THE RIVER AND THE WALL– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “With threats of a border wall looming, filmmaker Ben Masters sets out with a small group of explorers to traverse the 1,200 miles from El Paso to the Gulf of Mexico that constitute the crux of the immigration debate.”

5/10/19- Great reviews. TRDB.

6) THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker John Chester and his wife, Molly, long dreamed of trading Los Angeles for a rural life. So, when the couple gets evicted from their apartment thanks to their barking dog, they jump at the chance to start a diversified farm outside the city.”

5/10/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

7) THE SERENGETI RULES– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Taking viewers from the Pacific Northwest to Peru, the Aleutian Islands and Africa’s Serengeti region, this visually stunning documentary looks at the work of five visionary ecologists whose discoveries toppled our understanding of the food chain.”

5/10/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

8) THE THIRD WIFE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 19th-century Vietnam, 14-year-old May becomes a rich landowner’s third wife, knowing that she must give birth to a son to increase her status. But after she becomes pregnant, dormant desires force her to choose between safety and freedom.”

5/15/19- Very good reviews for this movie. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) POMS-

2) THE HUSTLE-

3) ALL IS TRUE-

4) MY SON-

5) TOLKIEN- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this absorbing biopic focusing on the university days of J.R.R. Tolkien, the author meets his future wife and muse, Edith Bratt, and forms the friendships that will inspire him to pen his classic Middle-Earth novels.”
5/7/19- Poor reviews for this biopic. TRDB.

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) THE BIGEST LITTLE FARM– Jacob Burns. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker John Chester and his wife, Molly, long dreamed of trading Los Angeles for a rural life. So, when the couple gets evicted from their apartment thanks to their barking dog, they jump at the chance to start a diversified farm outside the city.”

5/10/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

2) NON-FICTION– Jacob Burns. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this diverting comedy, Parisian book editor Alain and his longtime author Léonard — both contending with midlife crises — reluctantly find themselves trying to get a handle on the publishing industry’s new rules in the digital age.”

5/3/19- Very good reviews and I’ll definitely try to see this, especially with Juliette Binoche. TRDB.

3) ASAKO 1 & 2- Jacob Burns. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “After young Asako falls for charming rogue Baku, he vanishes one day without explanation. Although Asako is heartbroken, she moves on and two years later meets Ryôhei, who is Baku’s physical double — but otherwise opposite in every way.

5/14/19- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

4) THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR– Danbury. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Born in Jamaica but now living in New York City, realist Natasha Kingsley is facing imminent deportation. As she looks for an eleventh-hour reprieve to remain in America, fate leads her to meet young dreamer Daniel Bae … and sparks fly.”

5/15/19- No reviews as yet but it sounds interesting. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) TOLKIEN– Bethel, Cinema 100.

2) ASK DR. RUTH– Cinema 100.

3) THE WHITE CROW– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100.

4) RED JOAN– Bethel, Cinema 100.

5) AMAZING GRACE– Jacob Burns, Cinema 100.

6) LONG SHOT- Bethel.

7) THE MUSTANG– Bethel. I liked it very much

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) TOLKIEN– Poor reviews for this biopic

2) ASK DR. RUTH– Very good reviews

3) LONG SHOT– Good for a few laughs and that’s about it

4) RED JOAN– Poor reviews but friends have liked it

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

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) 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.

2) 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.

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

1) JOURNEY TO A MOTHER’S ROOM– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. Leonor wants to leave home but she doesn’t dare tell her mother. Estrella doesn’t want her daughter to leave, but she isn’t able to keep her by her side. Mother and daughter will have to face a new time in their lives in which the world they share is wavering.”

5/15/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

2) RAFIKI– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a conservative Nairobi neighborhood, forbidden same-sex love blooms between teenage girls Kena and Ziki, whose fathers are political rivals. But as suspicion swirls around them, Kena and Ziki are forced to make a painful choice.”

4/19/19- Very good to excellent reviews. TRDB.

3) ASK DR. RUTH– Very good reviews.

4) THE WHITE CROW– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This stylish biopic charts the early years of Soviet ballet star Rudolf Nureyev, from his birth on a train in 1938 to his rise during the Cold War to the life-altering decision he makes while performing in Paris in 1961.”

4/26/19- Reviews are mixed with more positives than negatives. TRDB.

5) WILD NIGHTS WITH EMILY– (limited screenings)