The Reel Dr. Bob

JANUARY 23, 2020

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) THE CHAMBERMAID– Netflix Disc.

2) THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON– Netflix Disc.

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MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK AT THE THEATER- NONE

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MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK AT HOME-

1) 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.

1/17/20- Very, very slow- could have used more editing but as a whole it wasn’t bad. TRDB.

2) 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.

1/18/20- A feel good road movie and that’s it. I liked it anyway. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

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. 

2) 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 but many of my friends have loved this movie and I’ll definitely see it. TRDB.

3) 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.

4) MS. PURPLE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. ” Working as a karaoke hostess in Los Angeles’ Koreatown, young Kasie isn’t equipped to care for her dying dad when his home-care nurse quits. With no other choice, Kasie turns to her estranged brother for help, and the two begin a wary reconciliation.”

9/3/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

5) 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.

10/22/19- A tribute to courage and fortitude. I liked it. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

Recommended-

1) WEATHERING WITH YOU– 2020- Synopsis by Netflix. “In this coming-of-age tale, an ephemeral love affair develops between Hodaka, who’s run away to Tokyo, and Hina, who has the ability to make the sun shine on a rainy day. But Hina’s powers may ultimately doom their budding romance.”

1/17/20- Excellent reviews by the critics and audiences for this animated movie. TRDB.

2) VHYES– 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this offbeat comedy, 12-year-old Ralph is camcorder crazy, constantly filming his antics and recording late-night TV shows. But when he inadvertently tapes over his parents’ wedding video, he captures the first signs of a divorce in the offing.”

1/17/20- Good reviews in general for this comedy. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1) DOLITTLE- Terrible reviews from the critics and fair ones from audiences. Coming attractions looked stupid!

2) BAD BOYS FOR LIFE– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “This third installment of the “Bad Boys” franchise finds Miami cops Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett together again, this time to help take down a ruthless drug cartel boss — who’s intent on killing Mike.”

1/17/20- Good reviews but not my kind of movie. TRDB.

3) INTRIGO: DEATH OF AN AUTHOR– 2020- Synopsis by Netflix. “In this tense, riveting thriller starring Academy Award® winner Ben Kingsley (Ghandi), an author plots the murder of his wife—but her body is never found, and he’s convinced that she’s still alive.”

1/17/20- I’ve seen just 4 reviews and they are all poor. TRDB. 

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) CLEMENCY– Jacob Burns, Cinema 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “As the longtime warden of a high-security prison, Bernadine Williams has overseen the execution of a dozen inmates. But her tacit connection with the next prisoner slated for execution, Anthony Woods, propels her into a deep emotional conflict.”

12/26/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) 1917– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100. 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “At the height of World War I, two British soldiers battle to survive a single day of ferocious combat, facing death at any moment in a landscape littered with the corpses of their comrades-in arms.”

12/26/19- Excellent reviews by critics and audiences alike. TRDB.

1/14/20- An excellent piece of film making but I have to say that I felt it was repetitive, sometimes Hollywoodish and I wondered if the lead character had 9 lives. TRDB.

2) LITTLE WOMEN– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100. 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, especially women. TRDB.

3) KNIVES OUT– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury. A “pleasant mystery” is what people have said

4) JOJO RABBIT– Bethel. Excellent reviews from the critics and I can’t wait to see it.

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

6) UNCUT GEMS– Jacob Burns. Haven’t seen it yet– several friends walked out.

7) JUST MERCY– Danbury. Good reviews.

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) JUST MERCY– Fair to good reviews

2) LITTLE WOMEN– Poor reviews but people have liked it– especially women

3) 1917– A war is hell movie. I thought it was just so-so

4) THE SONG OF NAMES– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This sweeping drama charts the story of two Jewish friends: young Londoner Martin and Polish refugee Dovidl, a talented violinist. When Dovidl vanishes shortly before his first recital, it takes Martin more than three decades to unravel the mystery.”

12/28/19- Poor reviews but it does sound interesting and a friend liked it very much. TRDB.

5) PARASITE– I didn’t care for it

6) JOKER- Back for another run after all of its nominations

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

1) ADVOCATE– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Defying tradition and fighting biases in the Israeli legal system, Jewish attorney Lea Tsemel has spent her career defending Palestinians in court, as chronicled in this compelling documentary that includes reflections from those closest to her.”

1/4/20- Excellent reviews from all. TRDB.

2) 63 UP– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Three of the original subjects of Michael Apted’s documentary series are absent in this ninth installment, but the rest return — at age 63 — to tell their continuing life stories, providing a poignant reminder of the human spirit’s resilience.”

1/21/20- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

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

1) AFTERWARD– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this timely documentary, Jerusalem-born psychoanalyst Ofra Bloch travels from New York City to Germany, Israel and Palestine to talk with people she was raised to see as enemies, delving into the psychological obstacles to peace.”

1/10/20- Few reviews for this documentary but they are all good and it sounds interesting. TRDB.

2) CLEMENCY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “As the longtime warden of a high-security prison, Bernadine Williams has overseen the execution of a dozen inmates. But her tacit connection with the next prisoner slated for execution, Anthony Woods, propels her into a deep emotional conflict.”

12/26/19- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

3) THE SONG OF NAMES– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This sweeping drama charts the story of two Jewish friends: young Londoner Martin and Polish refugee Dovidl, a talented violinist. When Dovidl vanishes shortly before his first recital, it takes Martin more than three decades to unravel the mystery.”

12/28/19- Poor reviews but it does sound interesting and a friend liked it. TRDB.

4) PARASITE– I didn’t care for this very hyped movie

5) 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.

6) MARRIAGE STORY– I really enjoyed this movie. Limited screenings