The Reel Dr. Bob

FEBRUARY 13, 2020-

DEAR FRIENDS-

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) ANTIGONE- At the Theater

2) WHERE’S MY ROY COHN?- Netflix Disc.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT THE THEATER-

1) ANTIGONE- 2/7/20. Synopsis by IMDB. “A modern adaptation of the classic Greek tragedy which falls within a social realism. To the law of men, the young Antigone apposes her own sets of values.”

2/7/20- An excellent drama!! TRDB.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK AT HOME-

1) WHERE’S MY ROY COHN?- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “Serving as a good starting point for those seeking to understand what makes President Donald Trump tick, this documentary profiles attorney Roy Cohn, who prosecuted the Rosenbergs, served as Joseph McCarthy’s chief counsel and mentored Trump.”

9/21/19- Fair reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2/10/20- An excellent documentary about an awful man. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK-

1) FOR SAMA– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “The besieged city of Aleppo, Syria, is the setting of this powerful documentary, as director Waad al-Kateab composes a video diary of her searing experiences for her 1-year-old daughter before the family must flee to survive.”

7/26/19- Excellent reviews for this foreign documentary. TRDB.

2) FRANKIE– 10/25/19. Synopsis by Netflix. “After learning that she has just months left to live, famed actress Frankie gathers three generations of her family in the picturesque town of Sintra, Portugal, for an emotionally charged final holiday.”

10/25/19- Fair reviews but it sounds interesting to  me. TRDB.

3) SCANDALOUS– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Generoso Pope Jr. bought the “National Enquirer” in 1952, he rebranded the racing publication as a mass-market tabloid. Through interviews with ex-staffers and media observers, this documentary examines the scandal-filled paper’s influence.”

11/17/19- Fair to good reviews in general for this documentary. TRDB.

4) A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD– 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this heartwarming drama, journalist Lloyd Vogel sets out to profile the host of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”: the iconic Fred Rogers. After approaching his subject with skepticism, Vogel changes his outlook when he forms a friendship with Rogers.”

11/22/19– Excellent reviews from everybody. TRDB.

11/24/19- The critics are right– an excellent, sensitive movie. TRDB. 

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OPENED LAST WEEK-

Recommended-

1) CANE RIVER– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A racially-charged love story in Natchitoches Parish, a “free community of color” in Louisiana.”

2/7/20-Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB. 

2) AND THEN WE DANCED– 2020- Synopsis by Netflix. “In the conservative domain of Georgian dance, gender roles are rigidly defined. So, when Merab — a dancer training at the National Georgian Ensemble — falls for self-assured newcomer Irakli, Merab finds his world thrown into turmoil.”

2/7/20- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

Not Recommended-

1) BIRDS OF PREY(AND THE FANTABULOUS EMANCIPATION OF ONE HARLEY QUINN)- Synopsis by Netflix. “After parting company with the Joker, Harley Quinn joins a bevy of DC Comics superheroes, including Huntress and Black Canary, to save young Cassandra Cain from the icy-hearted mobster Black Mask.”

2/7/20- Good reviews but I’ll skip this movie– Just not my type. TRDB

2) THE LODGE– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Soon to become a stepmom, Grace faces an uphill battle winning over her fiancé’s children until she’s snowed in with them at the family’s secluded lodge. But as their relationship defrosts, psychological demons from her past begin to haunt them all.”

2/7/20- Strictly horror and I will, as usual, skip this one. TRDB.

3) COME TO DADDY– Sounds awful to me

4) WAITING FOR ANYA– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this World War II drama, 13-year-old shepherd Jo and his grandfather hatch a daring plan with reclusive widow Horcada to smuggle Jewish children from their village in occupied Southern France to safety across the border in Spain.”

2/7/20- Most reviewers said that the movie had laudable intentions but they did not like it. TRDB.

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BOB’S PICKS IN WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTIES-

NEW IN THE BURBS-

1) DOWNHILL– Bethel, Danbury, Cinema 100. 2020- Synopsis by Netflix. “When Tom and his family embark on a ski vacation in the Alps, an avalanche disrupts their perfect holiday, leaving them physically unscathed but exposing cracks in the couple’s marriage as Tom’s courage fails in the moment of crisis.”

2/10/20- A remake of “Force Majeure” which I really liked. This one received poor reviews. TRDB.

2) THE ASSISTANT– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100. 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) THE PHOTOGRAPH– Danbury. 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Seeking answers after the death of her famous photographer mother, Mae finds an old picture of her mom that could be the key to her mysterious past. When Mae teams with up-and-coming journalist Michael, their working rapport soon evolves into more.”

2/11/20- No reviews as yet but it sounds interesting. TRDB.

4) BEANPOLE– Jacob Burns. 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 for this drama. TRDB.

5) 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, Cinema 100. A fair “war is hell” movie with excellent scenes and OK script

2) LITTLE WOMEN– Cinema 100. Fairly well liked especially by women

3) PARASITE– Jacob Burns, Bethel, Cinema 100. A not so funny “comedy” that has won many awards

4) JOJO RABBIT- Bethel. Excellent reviews. Back with limited screenings.

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BOB’S PICKS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

THE TRUTH–  2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Returning to Paris to visit her mom — beloved film actress Fabienne — screenwriter Lumir is upset by revelations in Fabienne’s just-published memoir, igniting an emotional showdown between mother and daughter that exposes their painful past.”

2/13/20- Fair reviews for this French drama starring Catherine DeNeuve. TRDB. Showing Friday at 1pm only

1) THOSE WHO REMAINED– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Though 42-year-old doctor Aldo and 16-year-old Klára have survived the Holocaust, the scars remain. When the two Budapest residents meet, a healing father-daughter bond develops — but the innocence of their connection is soon questioned.”

2/11/20- Just 4 reviews so far but they are all excellent. TRDB.

2) DOWNHILL- 2020- Synopsis by Netflix. “When Tom and his family embark on a ski vacation in the Alps, an avalanche disrupts their perfect holiday, leaving them physically unscathed but exposing cracks in the couple’s marriage as Tom’s courage fails in the moment of crisis.”

2/10/20- A remake of “Force Majeure” which I really liked. This one received poor reviews. TRDB.

3) JUST MERCY– Good reviews.

4) 1917– A fair “war is hell” type movie.

5) THE SONG OF NAMES– Good reviews.

6) PARASITE– I didn’t care for this movie but it won many awards.

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- Same as Lake Worth above and in addition showing

“PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE ” THIS FRIDAY ONLY AT 7:35PM

PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE- 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “When hesitant bride-to-be Héloïse refuses to sit for a portrait to entice a marriage proposal, commissioned artist Marianne must observe Héloïse during the day and paint her at night. In the process, Marianne begins to fall for her beautiful subject.”

12/6/19- Excellent reviews for this drama that takes place in 1760 France. TRDB.

C) THE STONZEK THEATE AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE

1) 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.

2) 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 too convoluted. There were some interesting scenes but overall I fail to see what all of the hoop-la was about. TRDB.

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) 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

3) PARASITE– I didn’t care much for this movie. Many others did!

4) THE SONG OF NAMES– Fairly good reviews.

5) 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.