The Reel Dr. Bob

DECEMBER 26, 2019

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) THE TWO POPES– Netflix Streaming

2) BOMBSHELL– At the Theater

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) BOMBSHELL– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This fact-based drama focuses on a cadre of female Fox News employees who help depose CEO Roger Ailes after several of them — including news anchor Megyn Kelly — accuse him of repeated sexual harassment.”

12/13/19- Weak reviews for this much advertised movie. TRDB.

12/22/19- I liked this movie that dealt with an important, current topic. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) THE TWO POPES– 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.

12/20/19- I enjoyed this movie very much. Great performances by Hopkins and Pryce. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

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 an emotional journey by a woman “of age.” TRDB.

2) THE LIGHTHOUSE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “From the director of the horror classic “The Witch” comes this hallucinatory fable set in the 1890s off the New England coast, where a temperamental old lighthouse keeper and his new assistant push each other to the brink of insanity.”

10/18/19- Excellent reviews but I think I’ll skip it. TRDB.

3) CROWN VIC– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in Los Angeles, this gritty thriller chronicles one tumultuous night on the job for a seasoned patrol officer and his young rookie partner, who must contend with everything from a pair of cop killers to a crazed detective gone rogue.”

11/8/19- Fair reviews. TRDB.

4) 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.

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

1) INVISIBLE LIFE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1950s Rio de Janeiro, sisters Eurídice and Guida long to escape their conservative family home. But after Guida breaks free, she soon returns to Brazil — a fact their father keeps from Eurídice, exiling the siblings from each other.”

12/20/19- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2) TOGO– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “From Disney+, “Togo” is the untold true story set in the winter of 1925 that takes you across the treacherous terrain of the Alaskan tundra for an exhilarating and uplifting adventure that will test the strength, courage and determination of one man, Leonhard Seppala, and his lead sled dog, Togo.”

12/20/19- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

Not Recommended–

1) SHE’S MISSING– 2019 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Slinging hash in a desert diner, Heidi looks to her best friend, Jane, to make life bearable in their dreary town. So, when Jane disappears after failing to win the Rodeo Queen crown, Heidi goes looking for her — and ends up in some dark places.”

12/20/19- Poor reviews in general. TRDB.

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) UNCUT GEMS– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100. Excellent reviews from all

2) LITTLE WOMEN– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100. Reviews by the critics were awful but audiences have liked it very much.

REPEATS-

1) BOMBSHELL– Bethel, Danbury. I liked this movie very much

2) RICHARD JEWELL– Danbury, Cinema 100. Good reviews

3) KNIVES OUT– Jacob Burns, Danbury. Good reviews

4) UNCUT GEMS– Cinema 100. Excellent reviews

5) DARK WATERS– Cinema 100. I liked it very much

6) PARASITE– Cinema 100. I didn’t care for this movie – lots of people did

7) A HIDDEN LIFE– Jacob Burns. Good reviews

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) LITTLE WOMEN– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this contemporary adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s immortal novel, sisters Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy look to their beloved mother and to one another for support as they navigate the rocky path to adulthood in a rapidly changing world.”

9/26/18- Reviews by the critics were awful but audiences have liked it very much. TRDB.

2) UNCUT GEMS- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Howard Ratner, a slick jeweler with an elite client list, finds himself in dire circumstances when somebody steals a valuable cache of his merchandise. With his debts mounting and his foes closing in, Howard makes a string of audacious bets.”

12/13/19- Excellent reviews from all. TRDB.

3) A HIDDEN LIFE– Good reviews and I hope to see it soon

4) BOMBSHELL- I saw this and liked it very much

5) RICHARD JEWELL– Good reviews

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- (see Lake Worth above for comments)

1) LITTLE WOMEN–

2) UNCUT GEMS–

3) A HIDDEN LIFE-

4) BOMBSHELL–

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) THE LIGHTHOUSE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “From the director of the horror classic “The Witch” comes this hallucinatory fable set in the 1890s off the New England coast, where a temperamental old lighthouse keeper and his new assistant push each other to the brink of insanity.”

10/18/19- Excellent reviews but I think I’ll skip it. TRDB.

2) VARDA BY AGNES– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “An unpredictable documentary from a fascinating storyteller, Agnès Varda’s new feature documentary sheds light on her experience as a director, bringing a personal insight to what she calls “cine-writing.”

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

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

1) 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.”

2) A HIDDEN LIFE– Fairly good reviews

3) UNCUT GEMS– Excellent reviews from all

4) THE KINGMAKER– 2019. At age 90, Imelda Marcos — the Philippines’ former first lady — continues to wield enormous influence in the country she and her husband presided over for decades as she steers her son’s bid for the vice presidency.”

11/8/19- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

5) PARASITE– I didn’t care for this movie. Limited screenings

6) ROJO- Generally not my kind of movie but reviews were very good and I will try to see this one. TRDB.