The Reel Dr. Bob

JANUARY 30, 2020

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) DAVID CROSBY: REMEMBER MY NAME– Netflix Disc.

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MOVIES I SAW AT THE THEATER THIS WEEK- NONE

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) 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.

1/26/20- An excellent documentary- I enjoyed it very much. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

1) THE NIGHTINGALE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Clare, an Irish convict settler in 1820s Tasmania, vows revenge when a British officer carries out a violent act against her family. Determined to catch him, Clare hires an aboriginal tracker to lead the pursuit through the Tasmanian wilderness.”

8/2/19- Good reviews from most critics. TRDB.

2) SERENDIPITY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When multimedia artist Prune Nourry is diagnosed with breast cancer at age 31, she decides to turn her experience into art, documenting her medical journey, the changes in her body and the evolution of her body of work.”

10/18/19- Fair reviews at best for this documentary. TRDB.

3) WESTERN STARS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “This intimate rockumentary captures Bruce Springsteen — flanked by his wife and a 30-piece orchestra — as he gives a single live performance of his first studio album in five years, “Western Stars,” at his New Jersey farmhouse.”

10/25/19- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

4) LAST CHRISTMAS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this yuletide romantic comedy, young Kate is grumbling (and jingling) her way through the holidays as an elf at a year-round Christmas store. But when dashing Tom enters her life, down come the walls Kate has built around herself.”

11/8/19- Weak reviews from the critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB.

5) THE GOOD LIAR– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “While looking for his next mark, professional con man Roy Courtnay meets wealthy widow Betty McLeish online. But reeling her in becomes complicated when Roy begins falling for her … and discovers she has secrets of her own.

11/13/19- Fair reviews for this drama starring Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren. Friends have liked it very much. TRDB.

6) WAVES– 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 critics and audiences. TRDB.

12/11/19- Definitely a sleeper- this movie was excellent. TRDB.

7) RAY & LIZ- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Inspired partially by photographer-turned-director Richard Billingham’s memories, this kitchen-sink drama paints a dire portrait of his boyhood growing up in a squalid council estate with an alcoholic dad and a tattooed, chain-smoking mom.”

12/10/2019- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

9) THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT– 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “For 12 years, smart serial killer Jack has committed his crimes as a form of art, expressing his dark perspectives. With the law closing in on him, his exploits become increasingly brazen as he seeks to pull off the perfect murder.”

12/14/18- Weak reviews by the critics and good ones by audiences. TRDB.

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

Recommended-

1) THE LAST FULL MEASURE– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “This fact-based drama charts the story of Vietnam War medic William Pitsenbarger, who proves his valor by refusing to abandon 60 soldiers trapped in an ambush. Decades later, a Pentagon staffer works to have Pitsenbarger awarded the Medal of Honor.”

1/25/20- Mixed reviews from the critics and very good ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) I WISH I KNEW– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Shanghai — the subject of this documentary commissioned for the 2010 World Expo in that city — serves as the world’s largest cargo port as well as the financial capital of China’s global trading empire. As such, it’s been at the fulcrum of the nation’s history and politics since the 19th century. The changes and critical events that have transpired there since the city was opened to foreign trade are closely examined in this cinematic profile.”

1/25/20- Excellent reviews by the critics and fair ones by audiences. TRDB.

3) BEANPOLE– 1/29/20. Synopsis by Netflix.. “During World War II, Iya and Masha form a strong bond while fighting together as anti-aircraft gunners. But when the conflict is over, the two women find themselves struggling to remake their lives amid the wreckage of 1945 Leningrad.”

1/29/20- Very good reviews. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1) QUEZON’S GAME– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Based on a true story of Holocaust heroism during World War II in the Philippines by Filipino President Manuel L. Quezon–who rescued as many persecuted Jews as Oskar Schindler at a time when most countries were turning their backs.”

1/24/20- Terrible reviews with most critics saying that the story was important but that the movie was poor. TRDB.

2) THE GENTLEMEN– 1/24/20. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this star-studded caper, it’s “old money” drug traffickers vs. “new money” marijuana barons as a British drug lord tries to sell his lucrative business to a group of Oklahoma cannabis billionaires — which is easier said than done.”

1/24/20- Weak reviews at best. Even the positive reviews weren’t all that good. TRDB.

3) ZOMBI CHILD– 1/24/20- Synopsis by Netflix. “Unfolding via parallel threads, this tale of zombies and ongoing colonialism shifts between 1962 Haiti and 2017 France as it follows a man raised from the dead to slave in the cane fields, and his granddaughter, who attends a Paris boarding school.”

1/24/20- Fairly good reviews for this horror/sci-fi movie. Not my type of movie. TRDB.

4) JOHN HENRY– Miserable reviews.

5) COLOR OUT OF SPACE– Sci-fi horror and I’ll skip it.

6) THE TURNING– Horror and violence

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) OSCAR SHORTS– Jacob Burns.

REPEATS-

1) 1917– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100. Good reviews. I thought it was so-so.

2) JUST MERCY– Danbury, Cinema 100. Good reviews.

3) CLEMENCY– Cinema 100. Very good reviews.

4) LITTLE WOMEN– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100. Weak reviews but lots of people have enjoyed it- especially women.

5) PARASITE– Bethel, Cinema 100. I didn’t care for it.

6) JOJO RABBIT– Bethel, Danbury. Great reviews- its back in theaters after numerous awards and nominations. Limited screenings in Danbury but not Bethel.

7) KNIVES OUT– Jacob Burns, Danbury. Fair reviews. It has been called a pleasant mystery.

8) UNCUT GEMS– Jacob Burns. Several of my friends walked out. I think I’ll wait until I can see it at home. (limited screenings)

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

1) THE LAST FULL MEASURE– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “This fact-based drama charts the story of Vietnam War medic William Pitsenbarger, who proves his valor by refusing to abandon 60 soldiers trapped in an ambush. Decades later, a Pentagon staffer works to have Pitsenbarger awarded the Medal of Honor.”

1/25/20- Mixed reviews from the critics and very good ones from audiences. TRDB

2) THE GENTELMEN– 1/24/20. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this star-studded caper, it’s “old money” drug traffickers vs. “new money” marijuana barons as a British drug lord tries to sell his lucrative business to a group of Oklahoma cannabis billionaires — which is easier said than done.”

1/24/20- Weak reviews at best. Even the positive reviews weren’t all that good. TRDB.

3) LES MISERABLES– 1/29/20- 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.

4) JUST MERCY– Good reviews

5) 1917- A fair “War is Hell” movie.

6) 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. TRDB.

7) PARASITE– I didn’t care for it but lots of people have.

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- Same as Lake Worth above.

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE-

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

1) LES MISERABLES– 1/29/20- 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.

2) 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.

3) PARASITE– I didn’t care for this well hyped, controversial movie.

4) THE SONG OF NAMES–  Poor reviews but it does sound interesting.

5) CLEMENCY– Very good reviews. (limited screenings)

6) AFTERWARD– Weak reviews- I loved the original ( After the Wedding )