The Reel Dr. Bob

FEBRUARY 6, 2020

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) THE LAST SUPPER– At the Jewish Film Festival of Palm Beach

2) MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN– Netflix Disc.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) THE LAST SUPPER– 2020- Synopsis by IMDB. “It’s January 30th 1933 – the day Hitler comes to power – and the German-Jewish family Glickstein comes together for a family dinner.”

1/30/20- I enjoyed this drama from Germany very much. At the Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival. TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) 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.

2/2/20– I think that the characters were much more interesting than the story itself. Also, I love Edward Norton who wrote, directed, and starred in this movie. I did like it however. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

1) 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.

2) WILD NIGHTS WITH EMILY– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “An unknown side of poet Emily Dickinson — long characterized as a shy spinster — emerges in this sly, sometimes surreal dramedy that recounts her determination to succeed in the literary world and her romantic relationship with her sister-in-law.”

4/12/19- Very good reviews. TRDB.

3) WHAT YOU GONNA DO WHEN THE WORLD’S ON FIRE?- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmed during the summer of 2017 when police killings of African-American men dominated the news, this powerful documentary interweaves stories from disenfranchised black communities in Louisiana and Mississippi as they struggle to find justice.”

8/15/19- Mostly good reviews with some poor ones mixed in. TRDB.

4) FIRST LOVE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “After being diagnosed with a brain tumor, young boxer Leo finds himself thrown into company with a call girl named Monica, who’s unwittingly involved in a drug ring. With nothing left to lose, Leo decides to become her protector.”

9/27/19- Excellent reviews for this Japanese drama. TRDB.

5) GREENER GRASS- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this absurdist comedy that lampoons politeness and social climbers, the denizens of a synthetic suburban community covet everything their neighbors possess — while hiding their searing envy behind overly gracious veneers.”

10/18/19- Excellent reviews for this comedy but honestly it sounds stupid to me. TRDB.

6) PARADISE HILLS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Uma wakes up one morning in Paradise Hills, a high-class treatment facility on an isolated tropical island where well-off families send their daughters to become perfect versions of themselves. But Uma soon realizes that lurking behind all this beauty is a sinister secret. It’s a race against the clock as Uma and her friends try to escape paradise hills before it consumes them all.”

10/25/19- Fair reviews at best for this sci-fi drama. TRDB.

7) FORD V. FERRARI– I didn’t care for this movie

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

Recommended-

1) THE TRAITOR– 1/31/20- Synopsis by Netflix. “As gang war rages in Sicily in the 1980s, Mafia captain Tommaso Buscetta flees to Brazil rather than risk assassination by his foes. After Buscetta is arrested and extradited to Italy, he becomes a critical witness in a mass trial of mob kingpins.”

1/31/20- OK reviews for this gangster movie. TRDB. 

2) THE ASSISTANT– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “After landing a job as an assistant to an entertainment mogul, aspiring producer Jane thinks she has it made. But as she settles into her new role, Jane begins to notice abuses large and small — until finally she must speak up.”

1/31/20- Good reviews. TRDB.

3) JOSE– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Living in poverty with his devout mother, young Guatemalan José finds comfort through casual sex with other gay men. But after falling for a migrant who asks José to run off with him, José must make a choice between his needy mom and his lover.”

1/31/20- Very good reviews. TRDB.

4) INCITEMENT– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set a year before the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995, this fact-based thriller unfolds through the perspective of his killer — law student Yigal Amir — as he evolves from political activist to radicalized extremist.”

2/1/20- Great reviews for this drama. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1) CREATED EQUAL: CLARENCE THOMAS IN HIS OWN WORDS– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Caught in a torrent of public opinion as a U.S. Supreme Court nominee, Clarence Thomas rode out the national controversy after Anita Hill’s accusations of sexual harassment, as recounted in this extensive documentary detailing his personal odyssey.”

1/31/20- Poor reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2) GRETYL & HANSEL– Awful reviews for this “horror” movie.

3) THE RHYTHM SECTION– Terrible reviews for this mystery/violent movie.

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) BECOMING NOBODY– Jacob Burns. 2020- Synopsis by Netflix. “Born Richard Alpert in 1931, Ram Dass — over the course of his life — has morphed from Jewish scion to Harvard professor to counterculture adventurer to spiritual teacher, a momentous journey chronicled in this documentary.”

2/5/20- Poor reviews. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) 1917– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100. I saw this and thought it was just a so-so “war is hell” movie

2) JUST MERCY– Clearview 100. Good reviews

3) CLEMENCY– Clearview 100. Very good reviews.

4) LITTLE WOMEN– Bethel, Danbury, Clearview 100. Fair reviews. It was enjoyed more by women than by men

5) PARASITE– Bethel, Clearview 100. I didn’t care for this movie

6) KNIVES OUT– Jacob Burns, Danbury. This has been called a “pleasant” movie.

7) OSCAR NOMINATIED SHORTS– Jacob Burns.

8) JOJO RABBIT– Bethel, Danbury. EVERYONE I KNOW HAS LOVED THIS MOVIE- SEE IT!!!

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNGY-

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) JUST MERCY– Good reviews.

3) 1917- Just another “war is hell” movies

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. A few friends have liked it. TRDB.

5) PARASITE– I didn’t care for this well-hyped movie.

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

C) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE- OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS

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

1) CITIZEN K- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Oligarch-turned-political-dissident Mikhail Khodorkovsky became rich after the Soviet Union’s collapse but landed in jail when he accused Vladimir Putin’s government of corruption. Now exiled in London, Khodorkovsky continues his anti-Putin activism.”

2/4/20- Excellent reviews from the critics but audiences have not liked it at all. TRDB.

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) 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.

4) PARASITE- I didn’t care for this well hyped movie

5) 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.