The Reel Dr. Bob

OCTOBER 17, 2019

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) BRITT-MARIE WAS HERE– At the Theater

____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) BRITT-MARIE WAS HERE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this charming dramedy, 63-year-old Britt-Marie starts life anew after learning that her mate of 40 years is having an affair. But the only job available to her is as the coach of a youth soccer team.”

9/21/19- Fair to good early reviews. TRDB.

10/11/19- I enjoyed this Swedish movie about a woman’s emotional journey. TRDB.

____________________________________________________________________

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME- NONE

____________________________________________________________________

COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK- 10/15/19

1) EMPTYING THE SKIES- 2015. Synopsis by Netflix. “Inspired by novelist Jonathan Franzen’s essay of the same name, this eye-opening documentary looks at the devastating effect of wild songbird poaching in Southern Europe, where gastronomic delicacies are pushing a variety of species into extinction.”

4/22/15- Very good professional reviews and so-so reviews by audiences. TRDB.

2) THE CHAMBERMAID– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Employed as a chambermaid in one of Mexico City’s finest hotels, Eve dreams of a better life. But try as she might — working long shifts and attending night classes — she finds that her chances for advancement depend on more than hard work.”

6/26/19- Excellent reviews for this foreign drama. TRDB.

3) DAVID CROSBY: REMEMBER MY NAME– 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.

4) STRANGE BUT TRUE- 2019. “Synopsis by Netflix. “A woman who, five years after the tragic death of her boyfriend, arrives on the doorstep of his family to tell them she is pregnant with his child. Though skeptical, the family find themselves trying to prove her right, only to discover that the truth is much more terrifying than they could have imagined.”
9/5/19- Good review for this suspense movie. TRDB.

5) DEMON– 2016. Synopsis by Netflix. “While digging the hole for a pool at his new home, soon-to-be husband Piotr comes across some old human remains. Keeping the find to himself, Piotr is assailed by deathly nightmares the night before his wedding — but the worst is yet to come.”

9/9/16- Very good reviews by the critics and mediocre ones by audiences. I’ll probably skip it. TRDB.

6) ANGEL OF MINE– Poor reviews and I’d skip it

_____________________________________________________________________

OPENED LAST WEEK-

Recommended–

1) PARASITE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Delivering a pointed critique of social inequity, this twisty tale follows a clan of jobless grifters who engineer an elaborate ruse to slowly insinuate themselves into the lives of an affluent family.”

10/11/19- Excellent reviews for this Japanese film. TRDB.

2) IN MY ROOM– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “After spending much of his adult life in nightclubs, Armin knows it’s time for a change. But the notion becomes moot when he awakens one day to find that everyone has inexplicably vanished — except for a single female stranger.”

10/11/19- The description of this film sounds weird but it received very good reviews. I’ll try to see it. TRDB.

3) GIFT- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Inspired by Lewis Hyde’s best-selling 1983 book on the gift economy, this cinematic essay chronicles four stories connected by creativeness and generosity, emphasizing their importance in a society ruled more and more by money.”

10/11/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

4) EMANUEL– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “National headlines blazed the story: Churchgoers Gunned Down During Prayer Service in Charleston, South Carolina. After a 21-year-old white supremacist opened fire in Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, nine African Americans lay dead, leaving their families and the nation to grapple with this senseless act of terror. Featuring intimate interviews with survivors and family members, Emanuel is a poignant story of justice and faith, love and hate, examining the healing power of forgiveness.”

10/11/10- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

5) FANTASTIC FUNGI– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This illuminating documentary looks at the strikingly diverse properties of various mushrooms growing worldwide, detailing their myriad benefits and uses — including the vital role they play in the health of ecosystems and humans.”

10/11/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

6) MISTER AMERICA– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Co-host of the web series “On Cinema,” Tim Heidecker plays a fictionalized version of himself in this political comedy that finds him running for San Bernardino district attorney after beating a murder rap (for selling defective e-cigarettes).”

10/11/10- Weak reviews by the critics but good ones from audiences. I think I would try it. TRDB.

7) THE SKY IS PINK– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The Sky Is Pink is the incredible love story of a couple — Aditi and Niren Chaudhary — spanning 25 years, told through the lens of their spunky teenage daughter — Aisha Chaudhary, who was diagnosed with a terminal illness.”

10/11/19- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) GEMINI MAN– Don’t waste your time

2) THE KING– Not my kind of movie

3) LUCKY DAY– Also, not my kind of movie

4) MARY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Hoping to start a charter-boat business, David buys an old ship at auction and takes his family for an inaugural cruise. But as they head out to sea, a series of ominous events indicate that the vessel may be haunted.”

10/11/19- Some of the worst reviews I’ve seen despite the talent on screen. TRDB.

_____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) PARASITE- Jacob Burns. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Delivering a pointed critique of social inequity, this twisty tale follows a clan of jobless grifters who engineer an elaborate ruse to slowly insinuate themselves into the lives of an affluent family.”

10/11/19- Excellent reviews for this Japanese film. TRDB.

2) LUCY IN THE SKY– Cinema 100.

REPEATS-

1) DAVID CROSBY: REMEMBER MY NAME– Bethel. Very good reviews

2) JOKER– Bethel, Danbury. See it at your own peril

3) WHERE’S MY ROY COHN?- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100. Fair reviews for this documentary

4) JUDY- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100. I love Zellweger’s performance and the movie itself.

5) DOWNTON ABBEY– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100. Fair reviews

6) AD ASTRA– Danbury. OK reviews.

7) HUSTLERS- Danbury. Good reviews.

____________________________________________________________________

BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) JOKER- See it at your own peril

2) JUDY- I liked this movie very much. Zellweger is great in the role

3) DOWNTON ABBEY– Fair reviews

4) ECHO IN THE CANYON– Very good reviews

5) LINDA RONSTADT: THE SOUND OF MY VOICE– I loved this documentary

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

1) JOKER– See above

2) PAIN AND GLORY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This layered drama centers on Salvador Mallo, an aging filmmaker looking deep within his soul as he attempts to recapture the creative spirit that once inspired him. As he surveys his life, Salvador is haunted by memories of his first love.”

10/4/19- Excellent reviews for this drama by Pedro Almodovar. TRDB.

3) JUDY– I liked this movie very much. Zellweger is great in the role

4) DOWNTON ABBEY– See above

5) LINDA RONSTADT: THE SOUND OF MY VOICE– I loved this documentary

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) MIDNIGHT TRAVELER– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Targeted by the Taliban in 2015, Afghan director Hassan Fazili flees to Europe with his family. This immersive documentary — shot by Fazili, his wife and two daughters on a cell phone — captures their perilous three-year journey.”

10/16/19-  Excellent reviews from the critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) GENESE (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.”

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

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

1) JUDY– I enjoyed this movie very much

2) MIDNIGHT TRAVELER– Excellent reviews from the critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB.

3) PAIN AND GLORY– Very good reviews

4) WHRE’S MY ROY COHN– Fair reviews for this documentary