The Reel Dr. Bob

NOVEMBER 7, 2019

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) A BIRDER’S GUIDE TO EVERYTHING– Netflix Disc.

2) PARASITE– At the Theater. Placed here only because of the attention it has received. See next section

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

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 Korean film. TRDB.

11/3/19- This movie was way too long and convoluted at that. There were some interesting scenes but overall I fail to see what all of the hoop-la was about. TRDB. 

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) A BIRDER’S GUIDE TO EVERYTHING– 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “The day before his widowed father’s wedding, a 15-year-old bird-watching fanatic impulsively sets off on a road trip with three friends in an effort to locate the extinct Labrador duck he may have spotted.”

3/21/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.

11/1/19- A very good no-brain needed comedy that I really enjoyed. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

2) THE AWAKENING OF MOTTI WOLKENBRUCH– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Young orthodox Jew Mordechai Wolkenbruch, called Motti, has a serious problem: All the women, whom his mame introduces to him as potential wives, look just like her. Whereas Laura, his fellow student, does not at all – but unfortunately she is a schikse.”

11/4/19- This movie was just OK.  See if you hate the mother as much as I did. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

1) THE FAREWELL– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Defying her parents’ wishes, expatriate writer Billi returns to her native China when she learns that her grandmother is terminally ill. But Billi soon finds herself conflicted by the family’s decision to hide her grandmother’s diagnosis from her.”

7/12/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

7/24/19-  I agree with the critics– truly an excellent movie. TRDB. At the Theater.

2) THE MOUNTAIN– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1953, shy young Andy is hired to photograph a tour of mental asylums accompanying Wallace Fiennes — the doctor who lobotomized Andy’s mom. As Fiennes promotes the already outdated and controversial procedure, Andy falls for a potential patient.”

7/26/19- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

3) TEL AVIV ON FIRE– 2019. Synopsis by IMDB. “Salam, an inexperienced young Palestinian man, becomes a writer on a popular soap opera after a chance meeting with an Israeli soldier.”

8/2/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.

4) BRAIN 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.

5) 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.

6) 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.

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

Recommended-

1) THE APOLLO– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This in-depth documentary charts the long and rich history of New York City’s Apollo Theater, which has served as the launching pad for artists such as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Jimi Hendrix, Dave Chappelle and many more.”

11/1/19- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2) MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1950s New York City, gumshoe Lionel Essrog — who has Tourette’s syndrome — sets out to hunt down his mentor’s killer. As Essrog follows clues that take him to unexpected places, he uncovers a citywide web of corruption.”

10/3/19- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

3) ADOPT A HIGHWAY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “After serving more than 20 years in prison for a marijuana rap under California’s “three strikes” law, Russell Millings is starting from scratch on the outside. But his life suddenly becomes far more complicated when he finds a baby in a dumpster.”

11/1/19- Fair reviews but I’ll definitely try to see this movie. TRDB.

4) GAY CHORUS DEEP SOUTH– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “To counter new discriminatory laws and the regressive effect of the 2016 election, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir set off on a tour of the South to deliver a musical message of tolerance.”

11/1/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

5) QUEEN OF HEARTS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When respected attorney Anne seduces her troubled teenage stepson, her reckless act of betrayal upends her life — and leads her to make an unalterable choice that has devastating repercussions.”

11/1/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.

6) HARRIET- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This inspiring biopic recounts the life of Harriet Tubman, who’s born into servitude and becomes known as the “Moses of her people” for helping slaves escape bondage through the Underground Railroad. Later, she works as a spy for the Union Army.”

10/30/19- Fair reviews at best for this drama about Harriet Tubman. The NY Times liked it very much. TRDB.

7) TO BE OF SERVICE– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “TO BE OF SERVICE explores the remarkable life changes resulting from the introduction of trained service dogs into the lives of military veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.”

11/1/19– Just 1 review so far and it is very good. TRDB.

8) AMERICAN DHARMA– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Famed documentarian Errol Morris trains his lens on one of the most divisive figures on the political landscape — alt-right ideologue (and film buff) Steve Bannon — in a wide-ranging conversation that will leave viewers unsettled.”

11/1/19- Fair reviews for this documentary that sounds more self-serving than most. TRDB.

9) LIGHT FROM LIGHT– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When mysterious events occur at a Tennessee farmhouse owned by recently widowed Richard, he believes the spirit of his deceased wife may be haunting the property and asks paranormal researcher Shelia to investigate the case.”

11/1/19- Lots of positive reviews but none are really excellent. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1) CUBBY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Man-child Mark Nabel has carefully avoided growing up. But when he moves to New York City and takes a job as a baby sitter, Mark’s 6-year-old charge and a fantasy superhero conjured from an LSD-laced cupcake nudge him toward adulthood.”

11/1/19-  Weak reviews. TRDB.

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

REPEATS-

1) PARASITE- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100. Much hyped but I did not care for it

2) THE CURRENT WAR– Danbury, Cinema 100. Good reviews but friends thought it was boring

3) JOJO RABBIT– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100. Very good reviews

4) THE LIGHTHOUSE– Cinema 100. Very good reviews

5) PAIN AND GLORY–  Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100.  I liked this movie

6) HARRIET–  Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury. Good reviews by most

7) DOWNTON ABBEY– Bethel. Fair reviews

8) MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN– Danbury.

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) HARRIET– Fair reviews

2) MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN– Fair reviews at best

3) THE CURRENT WAR– Friends said the movie was boring

4) PARASITE- I did not care for this movie

5) PAIN AND GLORY– I liked it

6) JUDY– I enjoyed this movie very much

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-Same as Lake Worth above but also showing “Cyrano, My Love (very good reviews)

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) CHAINED FOR LIFE– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A beautiful actress struggles to connect with her disfigured co-star on the set of a European auteur’s English-language debut. Through pitch-black satire, Chained for Life examines the treatment of disability on screen and on set.”

11/6/19- Very good reviews by the critics and OK ones by audiences. TRDB.

2) 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.

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

1) BY THE GRACE OF GOD– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Molested as a boy by a priest, Alexandre Guérin — now a husband and dad — is dismayed to find that his abuser still works with minors. Determined to expose the church’s complicity, Alexandre joins forces with two of the clergyman’s other victims.”

10/18/19- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2) CYRANO, MY LOVE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1897 Paris, playwright Edmond Rostand is facing a creative crisis just as actor Constant Coquelin needs a hit and asks Rostand to pen a play for him. Taking inspiration from his own life, the dramatist authors the now-famous “Cyrano de Bergerac.”

10/18/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.

3) PAIN AND GLORY– I liked it

4) PARASITE– I didn’t care for it

5) WHERE’S MY ROY COHN?– Good reviews