The Reel Dr. Bob

AUGUST 15, 2019

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) LUCE– At the Theater

2) A KID LIKE JAKE– Netflix Disc.

3) A SIMPLE FAVOR– Netflix Disc.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) LUCE– 2019. “A married couple is forced to reckon with their idealized image of their son, adopted from war-torn Eritrea, after an alarming discovery by a devoted high school teacher threatens his status as an all-star student.”

8/2/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

8/9/19– I enjoyed this movie very much despite what I thought was some ambiguity. Some reviewers really panned it. TRDB. 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) A KID LIKE JAKE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Progressive parents Alex and Greg have always accepted their 4-year-old son Jake’s penchant for dolls and dresses. But the couple finds themselves at odds when his preschool director suggests the boy’s preferences may signal gender-identity issues.”

5/31/18- Mixed reviews– slightly more positive than negative. TRDB.

8/10/19- I liked it. TRDB.

2) A SIMPLE FAVOR– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Single mom Stephanie finds her small-town life upended when best friend Emily asks Stephanie to pick up her son from school — and promptly vanishes. Bent on solving the mystery, Stephanie joins forces with Emily’s husband.”

9/11/18- Not really my type of movie but it did get pretty good reviews. TRDB.

8/11/19- Enough twists and turns to give you whiplash. While I enjoyed many of the scenes I did have trouble following the plot. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

1) 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.

5/20/19- I liked it very much. Beautiful nature photography as well. TRDB. 

2) THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR– 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.

3) TOMORROW MAN– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Retiree Ed Hemsler is focused on the future, specifically on the disaster he’s certain is just around the corner. But in the midst of his doomsday preparations, he meets shopaholic Ronnie Meisner, and the two quirky characters develop a bond.”

5/24/19- Poor reviews with most critics saying that great acting kept this movie alive at all. TRDB.

4) BLAZE– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “A little-known “outlaw” country artist, Blaze Foley gets his due in this affecting biopic that interlaces three narratives — recounting his final show, his relationship with girlfriend Sybil Rosen and a radio interview — to tell his story.”

9/7/18- Directed by Ethan Hawke this movie has received excellent early reviews. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

1) ONE CHILD NATION– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “From 1979 to 2015, the Chinese government strictly enforced a one-child policy. In this eye-opening documentary, director (and first-time mother) Nanfu Wang looks at the history, social ramifications and personal costs of that draconian measure.”

8/9/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2) ODE TO JOY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Middle-aged librarian Charlie tries to maintain an even keel because extreme emotions cause him to lose control of his muscles and pass out. But Charlie finds his coping methods tested when he falls for the spirited Francesca.”

8/9/19- Fair to OK reviews. TRDB.

3) THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING is a feature-length documentary that uncover what is beneath one of the most confounding dilemmas in the entertainment industry — the under-representation and misrepresentation of women.”

8/9/19- Good reviews from the critics and excellent ones from audiences. TRDB.

4) THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “A lively 22-year-old with Down syndrome, Zak lives at a nursing home because he has nobody to care for him — but it doesn’t stop him from dreaming. Breaking out to pursue his goal of becoming a pro wrestler, he gets help from a fisherman on the lam.”

8/9/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

5) THIS IS NOT BERLIN– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in 1986 Mexico City, this coming-of-age drama follows disaffected teens Carlos and Gera, who find their lives transformed when they’re invited to an underground nightclub and discover a world of sex, drugs and punk rock.”

8/9/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.

6) BRIAN BANKS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this real-life tale, high school gridiron star Brian Banks is offered an athletic scholarship to play at the University of Southern California. Dreaming of a professional career, he sees his aspirations crumble when he’s falsely convicted of rape.”

8/9/19- Weak reviews from the critics but substantially better ones from audiences. TRDB.

7) LIGHT OF MY LIFE– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A girl (Anna Pniowsky) and her father (Casey Affleck) journey through the outskirts of society a decade after a pandemic has wiped out nearly all the world’s female population. As a father struggles to protect his daughter’s innocence, shielding her from newfound dangers, their bond and the character of humanity is tested.”

8/9/19- Fair reviews. TRDB.

8) VISION PORTRAITS– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “VISION PORTRAITS is a deeply personal documentary by award-winning filmmaker Rodney Evans (Brother to Brother) as he explores how his loss of vision may impact his creative future, and what it means to be a blind or visually impaired creative artist.

8/9/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

9) LOVE, ANTOSHA– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Russian-born actor Anton Yelchin made an indelible mark on Hollywood with a spate of TV and movie roles before his death in a freak accident at age 27. This documentary paints a moving portrait of Yelchin via film clips and co-stars’ reminiscences.”

8/9/19- Excellent reviews by the critics and fair ones by audiences. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) AFTER THE WEDDING– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Calcutta orphanage manager Isabel is summoned to New York City to meet a potential donor, she’s surprised to find herself invited to the wedding of the benefactor’s daughter — where Isabel comes face to face with her past.”

8/9/19- Really bad reviews for this re-make– too bad because the original, with the same name, was excellent. TRDB.

2) THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN – Awful reviews.

3) THE KITCHEN– Poor reviews

4)  SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK– Decent reviews but it is all “horror.”

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) WHERE’D YOU GO, BERNADETTE– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “After eccentric architect Bernadette Fox vanishes without explanation, her 15-year-old daughter, Bee, is determined to find her. But while searching for clues to Bernadette’s whereabouts, Bee uncovers her mother’s troubled past.”

8/13/19- No reviews as yet. TRDB.

2) ONE CHILD NATION– Clearview 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “From 1979 to 2015, the Chinese government strictly enforced a one-child policy. In this eye-opening documentary, director (and first-time mother) Nanfu Wang looks at the history, social ramifications and personal costs of that draconian measure.”

8/9/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) MAIDEN– Clearview 100. Good reviews.

2) THE FAIRWELL– Jacob Burns, Clearview 100. I liked this movie very much.

3) ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD- Clearview 100.

4) DAVID CROSBY: REMEMBER MY NAME– Jacob Burns. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this illuminating documentary, trailblazing rocker David Crosby shares — with brutal candor — a slew of personal observations and reminiscences from a 50-year musical career that’s far from over.”

7/19/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

5) LUCE- Jacob Burns. I liked this movie but found it hard to follow at times. TRDB.

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) BLINDED BY THE LIGHT– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1987 England, 16-year-old Pakistani Javed feels constrained by his blue-collar town and his father’s rigid views. But things change when a friend lends Javed some Bruce Springsteen tapes — and he starts to find his voice through the Boss’ lyrics.”

8/13/19- Excellent reviews from audiences and critics. TRDB.

2) THE KITCHEN– Doesn’t sound good to me

3) THE FAREWELL– I liked it very much

4) THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN– Weak reviews

5) WHERE’D YOU GO BERNADETTE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “After eccentric architect Bernadette Fox vanishes without explanation, her 15-year-old daughter, Bee, is determined to find her. But while searching for clues to Bernadette’s whereabouts, Bee uncovers her mother’s troubled past.”

8/13/19- No reviews as yet.

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

1) BLINDED BY THE LIGHT–

2) THE KITCHEN–

3) THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN-

4) THE FAREWELL–

5) WHERE’D YOU GO, BERNADETTE

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) TONI MORRISON:THE PIECES I AM– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This in-depth documentary looks at the life and works of Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Toni Morrison, who gives voice to the African-American experience through fiction that exposes a point of view counter to the establishment.”

6/21/10- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

2) MARIANNE & LEONARD: WORDS OF LOVE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Documentarian Nick Broomfield chronicles the relationship between writer turned musician Leonard Cohen and his muse, Marianne Ihlen, who met in 1960 on the Greek island of Hydra — where they found love and Cohen began to find his artistic voice.”

7/5/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.

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

1) AFTER THE WEDDING– Weak reviews for this re-make. I really liked the original

2) DAVID CROSBY: REMEMBER MY NAME– Excellent reviews for this documentary.

3) ECHO IN THE CANYON– Very good reviews.

4) THE FAREWELL– I liked this movie very much.

5) THE OTHER STORY- Fair to good reviews