June 12th, 2019
JUNE 13, 2019
DEAR FRIENDS:
QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-
1) ROCKETMAN- At the Theater
2) EVERYDAY– Netflix Disc.
_____________________________________________________________________
MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-
1) ROCKETMAN– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In the early 1970s, Elton John begins a rocket ride to fame. With his topnotch composing skills and over-the-top showmanship, he becomes one of the world’s most beloved rock stars over the next four decades, as recounted in this tuneful biopic.”
5/28/19- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.
6/6/19- I loved the movie- great acting, touching screenplay and of course great music. TRDB.
_____________________________________________________________________
MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-
1)
EVERYDAY– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “
With her husband imprisoned on drug charges, young mother Karen tries to raise four kids alone in this documentary-style drama filmed over five years. As Karen awaits her husband’s release, the trials of everyday life test her endurance.”
11/22/13- Very good although the NY Times commented that it was difficult at times to understand the Scottish accent. TRDB.
6/6/19- An excellent depiction of the realities involved. I liked it very much. TRDB. Netflix Disc.
_____________________________________________________________________
COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK- JUNE 18-
1)
THE BRINK– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fascinating documentary, director Alison Klayman begins filming political firebrand Steve Bannon a week after he leaves his White House post, following him around the world as he stokes the flames of a global “populist movement.”
3/29/19- OK reviews. TRDB.
2)
HALE COUNTY THIS MORNING, THIS EVENING– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Five years in the making, this lyrical documentary creates a revelatory picture of black identity in the South as cameras follow a group of African-American residents of Hale County, Alabama, going about their day-to-day lives.”
9/14/18- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.
3)
THUNDER ROAD– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Officer Jim Arnaud struggles being a single dad and police officer in the American South. After losing his Mom, he vows to become a better father to his daughter, Crystal, but circumstances have different plans for him.”
10/16/18- Great reviews. TRDB.
4)
GIANT LITTLE ONES– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this coming-of-age drama, best friends Franky Winter and Ballas Kohl — both popular students and athletes — are thick as thieves until an amorous encounter at a 17th birthday party throws them into turmoil.”
3/1/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.
5)
HOTEL MUMBAI– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this fact-based drama, a wave of terrorist attacks across Mumbai causes many people to seek refuge in the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Unfortunately for them — and the guests and employees — the terrorists are waiting and take them hostage.”
3/22/19- Mediocre reviews at best. TRDB.
_____________________________________________________________________
OPENED LAST FRIDAY-
Recommended-
1)
LATE NIGHT– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Accused of being antifeminist, late-night talk-show host Katherine Newbury hires her first female writer, Molly Patel. But what begins as a “marriage of convenience” evolves into more as Molly injects a much-needed fresh viewpoint.”
6/7/19- Very good reviews for this drama/ comedy. TRDB.
2) GHOST FLEET– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Shocking in its details, this eye-opening documentary follows Thai human rights activist Patima Tungpuchayakul as she exposes the widespread practice of slavery aboard modern fishing boats operating in Southeast Asia.”
6/7/19- Good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.
3)
FUNAN– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Drawing on his mom’s experiences, director Denis Do paints a grim picture of life in Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge as a young mother is separated from her 4-year-old son and forced into servitude. But she’s determined to survive and find her child.”
6/7/19- Excellent reviews for this animated drama. TRDB.
4) PAPI CHULO– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When TV weatherman Sean finds himself on enforced leave with too much time on his hands, he hires a day laborer to paint his deck. But it soon becomes clear that what Sean really wants is a friend — even if it’s one who doesn’t speak his language.”
6/7/19- Weak reviews but it does sound interesting to me. TRDB.
5) PAVAROTTI– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When he died in 2007, Luciano Pavarotti had realized his dream of bringing opera to the masses. This documentary paints a compelling portrait of the tenor by drawing on family archives, home videos, behind-the-scenes material and concert footage.”
6/7/19- Good reviews. TRDB.
6) THE BLACK GODFATHER– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “An expansive look at the exceptional life and legacy of Clarence Avant, one of the most influential dealmakers in music, entertainment, and politics over the last 60 years.”
6/7/19- Early reviews are very good. TRDB.
7) FRAMING JOHN DELOREAN- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Archival film interlaces with dramatized vignettes to chart the rise and fall of auto-design genius John DeLorean, who developed a revolutionary vehicle but ended up on trial when he tried to save his struggling company by making a massive drug deal.”
6/7/19- Good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.
8) NUREYEV– 2019. “Charting ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev’s journey from his indigent boyhood to global fame to his untimely death at age 54, this lyrical documentary includes unearthed performance footage that places the Russian-born artist in the context of his times.”
6/7/19- Early reviews by the critics are mixed but generally positive. Audience scores are just OK. TRDB.
9) THE RAFT– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Documentarian Marcus Lindeen reunites the surviving crew members of a life-changing 1973 rafting trip to recall the three-month voyage, which anthropologist Santiago Genovés initiated and filmed to study the link between aggression and sexual desire.”
6/7/19- Mixed reviews. TRDB.
10) THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Having spent his early years in a San Francisco house his grandfather built — and which the family later lost — Jimmie yearns to return to that home. So, when the residence becomes vacant, he hatches a plan to reclaim it.”
6/7/19- Great reviews from everybody. TRDB.
11) LETO– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in early 1980s Leningrad on the eve of perestroika, this bittersweet musical biopic recounts the brief but momentous career of pop icon Viktor Tsoi, co-founder and front man of legendary Soviet rock band Kino.”
6/7/19- Mostly good reviews with some poor ones mixed in. TRDB.
12) 16 SHOTS– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A documentary examining the 2014 shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald by Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke and thecover-up that ensued.”
6/7/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.
13) THE REPORTS ON SARAH AND SALEEM– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Sarah is Israeli and runs a cafe? in West Jerusalem. Saleem is Palestinian from East Jerusalem and works as a deliveryman. Despite being worlds apart, Sarah and Saleem risk everything as they embark on an illicit affair that could tear apart their unsuspecting respective families. When a risky late-night tryst goes awry and threatens to expose them, the two of them look on helplessly as their frantic efforts to salvage what’s left of their lives further escalate things.”
Not Recommended–
1) THIS ONE’S FOR THE LADIES– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This engaging documentary focuses on a children’s karate school that once a week becomes a male strip club catering to women of color who gather for a potluck fundraiser. As the dancers entertain, the ladies hold forth on life, love and sexuality.”
6/7/19- Poor reviews. TRDB.
_____________________________________________________________________
BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-
NEW IN THE BURBS-
1)
LATE NIGHT– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Accused of being antifeminist, late-night talk-show host Katherine Newbury hires her first female writer, Molly Patel. But what begins as a “marriage of convenience” evolves into more as Molly injects a much-needed fresh viewpoint.”
6/7/19- Very good reviews for this drama/ comedy. TRDB.
2) PAVAROTTI– Jacob Burns. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When he died in 2007, Luciano Pavarotti had realized his dream of bringing opera to the masses. This documentary paints a compelling portrait of the tenor by drawing on family archives, home videos, behind-the-scenes material and concert footage.”
6/7/19- Good reviews. TRDB.
3) THE DEAD DON’T DIE– Jacob Burns. Poor reviews for this zombie movie
4) FRAMING JOHN DeLOREAN– Jacob Burns. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Archival film interlaces with dramatized vignettes to chart the rise and fall of auto-design genius John DeLorean, who developed a revolutionary vehicle but ended up on trial when he tried to save his struggling company by making a massive drug deal.”
6/7/19- Good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.
REPEATS-
1) BOOKSMART– Jacob Burns, Danbury. Good reviews but friends have not liked it
2) THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM– Bethel. I really enjoyed this very much
3) ROCKETMAN– Bethel, Danbury, Clearview. Great movie
4) ECHO IN THE CANYON– Clearview 100. Very good reviews
_____________________________________________________________________
BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-
A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-
1) ROCKETMAN- A great movie
2) LATE NIGHT– Very good reviews for this comedy
3)
SHELTER– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Mossad agent Naomi returns to work after a long absence, she’s assigned to guard Mona, a Lebanese informant recovering from plastic surgery in a German safe house. Meanwhile, Mona’s former Hezbollah comrades are determined to hunt her down.”
6/5/19- No reviews yet but it sounds interesting. TRDB.
B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-
1)
SAY MY NAME– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Casual sex turns into a chaotic nightmare when a robbery disrupts Mary Page and Statton Taylor’s hookup at a hotel. Determined to go after their stolen property, the two soon end up involved in a series of wild misadventures.”
6/12/19- No reviews as yet. TRDB.
2) ROCKETMAN– A great movie
3) THE SOUVENIR– Great reviews by the critics and terrible ones from audiences. I’ll try to see this one. TRDB.
4) SHELTER– No reviews yet but it sounds interesting. TRDB.
C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-
1)
NON-FICTION– 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.
2)
THE MAN WHO KILLED DON QUIXOTE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Returning to the village where he made a student film of the classic tale “Don Quixote,” disenchanted adman Toby finds that the man who was cast as the idealist now believes he’s Don Quixote and that Toby is his squire, Sancho Panza.”
4/19/19-Weak reviews at best. TRDB.
D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS
1) LATE NIGHT– Very good reviews
2) ROCKETMAN– I loved the movie
3)
SAY MY NAME– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Casual sex turns into a chaotic nightmare when a robbery disrupts Mary Page and Statton Taylor’s hookup at a hotel. Determined to go after their stolen property, the two soon end up involved in a series of wild misadventures.”
6/12/19- No reviews as yet. TRDB.
4) THE SOUVENIR– Mixed reviews
5)
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.
ENJOY!!
THE REEL DR. BOB
Entry Filed under: Old Newsletters
Leave a Comment
Some HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>
Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed