The Reel Dr. Bob

AUGUST 29, 2019

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) THUNDER ROAD– Netflix Disc.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK IN THE THEATER- NONE

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) 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.

8/27/19- I liked this movie very much. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT TUESDAY-

1) BOOKSMART– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “On the eve of their graduation from high school, best friends Amy and Molly — both academic overachievers — realize they’ve missed four years of fun and set out to make up for lost time … all in one night.”

5/22/19- Excellent reviews for this comedy. Friends did not care for it. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

1) MILES DAVIS: BIRTH OF THE COOL– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Miles Davis’ groundbreaking artistry gets its due in this well-crafted documentary that recounts his story through never-before-seen archival footage, rare photographs, interviews with fellow musicians and the iconic trumpeter’s own words.”

8/22/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2) TIGERS ARE NOT AFRAID– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Chronicling the desperate plight of children made orphans by Mexico’s drug wars, this dark fable follows 10-year-old Estrella, who joins a band of street urchins after her mother vanishes, setting off a tragic series of events.”

8/22/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

3) BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “New Yorker Brittany Forgler is 27 years old and the life of every party. But when a doctor’s visit reveals that party life is hurting her — her weight and blood pressure are both up — she begins a block-by-block program of self-improvement.”

8/22/19- Very good reviews for this comedy. TRDB.

4) FRIEDKIN UNCUT– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “At the end of his career, director William Friedkin (the man behind “The Exorcist” and “The French Connection”) reflects on his artistic journey. Many of his colleagues, including Ellen Burstyn and Willem Dafoe, also share anecdotes and musings.”

8/22/19- Good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

5) FIDDLER: A MIRACLE OF MIRACLES– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This engrossing documentary traces the origins, incarnations and influence of the beloved stage musical “Fiddler on the Roof,” which opened in 1964 and became a Broadway phenomenon, running for eight years.”

8/22/19- Great reviews! TRDB.

6) VITA & VIRGINIA– – 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1920s London, iconoclastic socialite Vita Sackville-West and renowned writer Virginia Woolf occupy different worlds. But when their paths cross, the women ignore social boundaries and embark on a passionate 10-year affair.”

7) GIVE ME LIBERTY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Though protests are taking place on the streets of Milwaukee, young Russian immigrant Vic has a job to do. But the task of driving his medical transport clients becomes even more difficult when a group of elderly Russians insists on hitching a ride.”

8/23/19- Very good reviews for this drama/ comedy. TRDB.

8) JAWLINE- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Offering a glimpse into the world of online celebrity — and its appeal to youth in rural America — this documentary follows a Tennessee teen who’s parlayed good looks and an upbeat attitude into a fan base that includes thousands of young girls.”

8/23/19- Great reviews. TRDB.

9) GENESE- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this teen drama, sexual awakening and first love take a toll on the hearts of half-siblings Guillaume and Charlotte. As Guillaume wrestles with budding feelings for a male classmate, Charlotte tries to move on from a disappointing relationship.”

8/23/19- Very good reviews for this foreign drama. TRDB.

10) THE MIRACLE OF THE LITTLE PRINCE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This insightful documentary travels the globe to profile translators of the beloved children’s book “The Little Prince,” who recount how their interpretations became instruments to rediscover or preserve their disappearing native languages.”

8/28/19- Mixed reviews but it does sound interesting. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1)  HOT AIR– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. ” When conservative talk-radio star Lionel Macomb’s 16-year-old niece, Tess, turns up looking for help with a family crisis, she upends his world with her frank assessment of who he is and what he stands for.”

8/23/19- Terrible reviews. TRDB.

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) FIDDLER: A MIRACLE OF MIRACLES– Cinema 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This engrossing documentary traces the origins, incarnations and influence of the beloved stage musical “Fiddler on the Roof,” which opened in 1964 and became a Broadway phenomenon, running for eight years.”

8/22/19- Great reviews! TRDB.

2) JAY MYSELF– Jacob Burns. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker Stephen Wilkes turns his lens on his mentor, photographer Jay Maisel, as he prepares to move out of the six-story former bank building in Manhattan that he, his family and his random collection of objects have inhabited for 48 years.”

8/27/19- Good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

3) BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON– Jacob Burns. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “New Yorker Brittany Forgler is 27 years old and the life of every party. But when a doctor’s visit reveals that party life is hurting her — her weight and blood pressure are both up — she begins a block-by-block program of self-improvement.”

8/22/19- Very good reviews for this comedy. TRDB.

4) BENNETT’S WAR– Danbury. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. ” Wounded by an improvised explosive device, Army Ranger Marshall Bennett receives a medical discharge and comes home to find his dad in dire economic straits. To earn money, Marshall returns to motocross racing — but it comes with a huge health risk.”

8/27/19- No reviews as yet but it sounds like it could be interesting. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) AFTER THE WEDDING– Bethel, Cinema 100. Poor reviews for this re-make

2) WHERE’D YOU GO, BERNADETTE– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100. Fair reviews

3) THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON– Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100. Very good reviews

4) THE FAREWELL– Jacob Burns (limited screenings), Cinema 100. Very good reviews and I liked it very much

5) LUCE– Jacob Burns, Bethel. I saw it and liked it despite lots of ambiguity.

6) BLINDED BY THE LIGHT– Bethel, Danbury. Good reviews.

7) ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD– Jacob Burns, Danbury. Good reviews and I’ll see it eventually.

8) DAVID CROSBY: REMEMBER MY NAME– Jacob Burns. Very good reviews.

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) BLINDED BY THE LIGHT– Very good reviews

2) AFTER THE WEDDING– Poor reviews for this re-make

3) THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON– Very good reviews

4) TEL AVIV ON FIRE– Very good reviews

5) LUCE– I liked it but a bit ambiguous

6) WHERE’D YOU GO, BERNADETTE– Weak reviews

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

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

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) FOR SAMA– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “The besieged city of Aleppo, Syria, is the setting of this powerful documentary, as director Waad al-Kateab composes a video diary of her searing experiences for her 1-year-old daughter before the family must flee to survive.”

7/26/19- Excellent reviews for this foreign documentary. TRDB.

2) GENESIS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. In this teen drama, sexual awakening and first love take a toll on the hearts of half-siblings Guillaume and Charlotte. As Guillaume wrestles with budding feelings for a male classmate, Charlotte tries to move on from a disappointing relationship.

8/27/19 Not sure if above synopsis is for this movie or another with the same name.

D) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERSAT FAU IN BOCA RATON-

1) JAY MYSELF– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker Stephen Wilkes turns his lens on his mentor, photographer Jay Maisel, as he prepares to move out of the six-story former bank building in Manhattan that he, his family and his random collection of objects have inhabited for 48 years.”

8/27/19- Good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2) AFTER THE WEDDING– Poor reviews- I liked the original

3) ECHO IN THE CANYON– Very good reviews

4) TEL AVIV ON FIRE– Very good reviews

5) THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON– Very good reviews

5) THE FAREWELL (limited screenings)