The Reel Dr. Bob

DECEMBER 5, 2019

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) THE IRISHMAN– Netflix Streaming

2) THE BODY REMEMBERS WHEN THE WORLD BROKE OPEN– Netflix Streaming

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) THE IRISHMAN– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “This biographical crime thriller follows Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro) as he recalls his past years working for the Bufalino crime family. Now older, the WWII veteran once again reflects on his most prolific hits and, in particular, considers his involvement with his good friend Jimmy Hoffa’s disappearance in 1975.”

11/29/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

12/3/19- Lots of hype for this new Scorsese drama about organized crime. I liked the movie even though I feel that it was carried by the acting of several super stars.  The last half hour was, for me, the best. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

2) THE BODY REMEMBERS WHEN THE WORLD BROKE OPEN- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “While Áila and Rosie — both indigenous women — inhabit the same Vancouver neighborhood, their lives are very different. But they forge a delicate bond when Áila takes Rosie into her home after finding her barefoot and hurt on the street.”

11/29/19- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB. 

12/4/19- A little slow at times but I enjoyed it very much. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

1) AN ELEPHANT SITTING STILL– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Four intertwining narratives propel this moving drama about a quartet of tortured souls trapped by circumstances and obsessed with reaching the city of Manzhouli, where a mythical elephant sits in indifference to the world’s cruelty.”

3/8/19- Excellent reviews by the critics and fair at best reviews from audiences. TRDB.

2) ROJO– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Evoking the surreal atmosphere of Argentinean society under military dictatorship during the mid-1970s, this taut drama focuses on a prominent lawyer whose life takes an ominous turn after a stranger berates him in a restaurant.”

7/12/19- Generally not my kind of movie but reviews were very good and I will try to see this movie. TRDB.

3) ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Actor Rick Dalton once starred in a hit TV Western, but six years after the show’s demise, his career has faded. As Rick and his stunt double, Cliff Booth, try to reinvent themselves, all hell is about to break loose at neighbor Sharon Tate’s house.”

7/16/19- Very good reviews for this comedy/drama by Quentin Tarantino. TRDB.

4) BEFORE YOU KNOW IT– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “For the Gurner family — including dad Mel and adult sisters Rachel and Jackie — life in the flat above the theater they own rarely changes. But the siblings’ world is upended when Mel dies and the mom they thought was dead turns up on a soap opera.”

9/2/19- Good reviews from most. Some said there were too many sub-plots. TRDB.

5) LINDA RONSTADT: THE SOUND OF MY VOICE- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Linda Ronstadt loves to sing — a truth that can be heard in each note of every music genre she’s undertaken. This affecting documentary draws on archival footage and tributes from a wide swath of Ronstadt’s musical colleagues to chronicle her story.”

9/6/19- Very good reviews for this documentary. I loved it. TRDB.

6) HUSTLERS- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Angry about being taken advantage of by their employer and their customers, a group of former strip-club employees turns the tables on their wealthy Wall Street clients in this true-life tale.”

9/10/19- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

Recommended-

1) THE BODY REMEMBERS WHEN THE WORLD BROKE OPEN– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “While Áila and Rosie — both indigenous women — inhabit the same Vancouver neighborhood, their lives are very different. But they forge a delicate bond when Áila takes Rosie into her home after finding her barefoot and hurt on the street.”

11/29/19- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

12/4/19- A little slow at times but I enjoyed it very much. TRDB. Netflix Streaming

2) LES MISERABLES– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in the impoverished Parisian district of Montfermeil, this gritty drama follows newly minted cop Stéphane and his two corrupt colleagues, who patrol the streets as tensions mount between the police and the disadvantaged community.”

11/29/19- Good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

3 AFTER PARKLAND– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “On Valentine’s Day 2018, a former student at Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High opened fire at the school, leaving 17 dead. This moving documentary follows survivors and parents as they try to navigate through a changed world.”

11/29/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.

4) MELODY MAKERS: SHOULD’VE BEEN THERE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Founded in 1926 to cover the jazz scene, London’s “Melody Maker” evolved into rock ‘n’ roll’s seminal journal. This documentary charts the magazine’s rise and fall through the eyes of lensman Barrie Wentzell, who captured many of its iconic shots.”

11/29/19- Reviews were just OK for this documentary. TRDB.

5) CAVALE– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “After escaping from a psychiatric clinic, three teenage girls hit the road in France, eager to seek out adventure and experience their newfound freedom.”

11/29/19- Just 4 reviews noted and they are all good. TRDB.

6) TREMORS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When devout husband and father Pablo reveals to his family that he’s gay, they’re shocked, angry and unforgiving. But things go from bad to worse when he’s forced to choose between his two children and his sexual identity.”

11/29/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.

7) MY FRIEND THE POLISH GIRL– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When American filmmaker Katie sets out to make an observational documentary about the immigrant experience in London, she trains her lens on aspiring Polish actress Alicja. But fiction and reality soon blur as both women pursue their own agendas.”

11/29/19- Fair reviews but it sounds interesting to me. TRDB.

8) XIMEI– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Ximei is a young peasant woman from rural China’s Henan Province who contracted AIDS during the government-sanctioned “Black Blood Economy.” In the late 1990s, the Chinese government encouraged impoverished villagers to sell their blood plasma for money, literally bleeding people for profit.”

11/29/19- Just 4 reviews so far and they are all good. TRDB.

9) FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Those interested in experimental works that incite contemplation and debate will find much to chew on throughout the course of this concise, canny effort.”

11/29/19- Good reviews. TRDB.

10) WHITE SNAKE–

11/29/19- Good reviews by audiences but this animated film is just not for me.

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) DARK WATERS– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this legal drama based on a “New York Times Magazine” story, lawyer Robert Bilott — whose specialty is defending chemical companies — takes on DuPont when one of his grandmother’s neighbors accuses the corporation of killing his cattle.”

11/22/19- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2) THE TWO POPES– Cinema 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In a historic encounter, Pope Benedict XVI and his likely successor, Argentine Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, come together to engage in a deep dialogue about the Catholic Church’s present and future, and to find a path forward for its followers.”

12/4/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

3) WAVES– Jacob Burns. 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Set against the vibrant landscape of South Florida, and featuring an astonishing ensemble of award-winning actors and breakouts alike, Waves traces the epic emotional journey of a suburban African-American family–led by a well-intentioned but domineering father–as they navigate love, forgiveness and coming together in the aftermath of a loss.”

11/16/19- Excellent reviews from the critics and audiences. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) KNIVES OUT– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury. Very good reviews

2) A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury. Great movie

3) FORD V FERRARI– Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100. I didn’t care for this movie

4) THE GOOD LIAR– Danbury. Good reviews

5) JOJO RABBIT– Danbury. Very good reviews.

4) MARRIAGE STORY– Cinema 100. Excellent reviews.

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH- Same as Delray below

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

1) KNIVES OUT– Very good reviews

2) DARK WATERS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this legal drama based on a “New York Times Magazine” story, lawyer Robert Bilott — whose specialty is defending chemical companies — takes on DuPont when one of his grandmother’s neighbors accuses the corporation of killing his cattle.”

11/22/19- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

3) A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD– I saw it and liked it very much. I haven’t met anyone yet who has not liked this movie

4) THE GOOD LIAR– Good reviews

5) FORD V FERRARI– I did not care for this movie

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) THE WANDERING SOAP OPERA– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Through interconnected vignettes, this biting satire channels the quintessence of Chile’s soap operas to weigh in on the political, societal and economic turmoil occurring in the aftermath of Augusto Pinochet’s 17-year dictatorship.”

5/17/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

2) 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 self-serving. TRDB.

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

1) HONEY BOY– Mostly good reviews

2) MARRIAGE STORY-Excellent reviews

3) SYNONYMS– Fairly good reviews

4) THE AERONAUTS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1862, hot-air balloon pilot Amelia Wren and scientist James Glaisher soar higher than anyone before them — until their audacious achievement turns into a life-threatening crisis in the thin air of Earth’s upper atmosphere.”

12/4/19- Good reviews. TRDB.

5) PARASITE– I did not care for this movie