The Reel Dr. Bob

October 8, 2020

DEAR FRIENDS-

I read this week that Regal Theaters will again be closing all of their theaters in the U.S. so I will not be reviewing the Regal Theaters in Palm Beach County

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) DICK JOHNSON IS DEAD– Netflix Streaming

2) KINGDOM OF SILENCE– Showtime

3) FIRST COW– Netflix on Disc.

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK-

1) DICK JOHNSON IS DEAD– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A filmmaker and her elderly father stage his death in various ways to help them face his inevitable demise.”

10/2/20- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

10/2/20- A very unusual film- unique, interesting and I’d recommend it. TRDB. Netflix Streaming

2) THE BOYS IN THE BAND- 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “From director William Friedkin comes this trailblazing 1970s drama about a close-knit group of gay friends’ reunion at their pal’s birthday party, where snippets from each person’s life are revealed throughout the evening. But when the liquor begins flowing freely, and then a straight male guest arrives unexpectedly at the party, the gay men begin to show their true colors — some of which are less than pretty.

10/2/20- Very good reviews. TRDB. On Netflix Streaming

10/3/20- Dated and not nearly as good as the original. I watched for a short time only. TRDB.

3)  KINGDOM OF SILENCE– 2020. Synopsis by IMDB. “An in-depth look at Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s life, work, and murder. Featuring interviews and footage that explore his personal and professional relationships with Saudi rulers, jihadists and fellow global journalists.”

10/2/20- Just 3 reviews noted and they are all excellent. TRDB. On Showtime

10/3/20- Very informative but i got tired of watching and keeping track of the “players.” TRDB.

4) HOW TO BUILD A GIRL– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “To escape her dull life, teen Johanna Morrigan creates a new identity for herself as Dolly Wilde, an acid-tongued, randy music critic. Taking her act to London, she elbows her way to the top of the rock scene — but her nastiness catches up with her.”

5/8/20– Mixed reviews for this comedy. TRDB. 

10/6/20- “Bad” would be a compliment for this ridiculous movie. TRDB.

5) FIRST COW- 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “For soft-spoken Cookie Figowitz, it’s a lonely life cooking for a group of fur trappers in the early 19th century Oregon Territory. But Cookie finds a friend and business partner in Chinese immigrant King Lu.”

3/6/20- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

10/7/20- If this movie were any slower it would be shown in reverse. Despite that observation it did have merit and I’d recommend it. TRDB. Netflix Disc.

COMING TO NETFLIX ON DISC NEXT WEEK-(may be streamable also)- NONE

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NEW STREAMABLE MOVIES-

1) DICK JOHNSON IS DEAD– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A filmmaker and her elderly father stage his death in various ways to help them face his inevitable demise.”

10/2/20- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

10/2/20- A very unusual film- it was unique, interesting and I’d recommend it. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

2) THE BOYS IN THE BAND- 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “From director William Friedkin comes this trailblazing 1970s drama about a close-knit group of gay friends’ reunion at their pal’s birthday party, where snippets from each person’s life are revealed throughout the evening. But when the liquor begins flowing freely, and then a straight male guest arrives unexpectedly at the party, the gay men begin to show their true colors — some of which are less than pretty.

10/2/20- Very good reviews. TRDB. On Netflix

3) ON THE ROCKS– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Doubting the fidelity of her hubby, Dean, as he takes more business trips, stay-at-home mom Laura turns to her playboy dad for advice. When he suggests that they tail Dean all over town, it leads to a comic adventure and growing father-daughter bond.”

10/2/20- Very good reviews for this comedy/drama.  In select theaters

4) KINGDOM OF SILENCE– 2020. Synopsis by IMDB. “An in-depth look at Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s life, work, and murder. Featuring interviews and footage that explore his personal and professional relationships with Saudi rulers, jihadists and fellow global journalists.”

10/2/20- Just 3 reviews noted and they are all excellent. TRDB. On Showtime

10/3/20- Very informative but i got tired of watching and keeping track of the “players.” TRDB.

5) AMERICAN MURDER: THE FAMILY NEXT DOOR– 2020. Synopsis by IMDB. “In 2018, 38-year-old Shanann Watts and her two youngest daughters disappeared in Colorado. With the heartbreaking details emerging, the family’s story made headlines around the world.”

10/2/20- Very good reviews. TRDB. On Netflix

6) THE GLORIAS–  2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Using a bus trip as a framing device, this sweeping biopic chronicles the life of feminist icon Gloria Steinem, from her childhood to her founding of “Ms.” magazine to her role as an activist and crusader for woman’s rights.”

10/3/20- Poor reviews by the critics and by audiences as well but there are enough positive reviews to be tempted. TRDB. On Prime Video and others

7) ETERNAL BEAUTY –Diagnosed with schizophrenia in her early 20s, Jane is finally stable and living on her own. But when she goes off her medication, a new world unspools as she begins a romance with a troubled musician. Fairly good reviews. On Prime Video.

8) A CALL TO SPY– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “At the dawn of World War II, a desperate Winston Churchill orders his new spy agency to train women for covert operations. Together, these female agents help undermine the Nazi regime in France, leaving an unmistakable legacy in their wake.”10/3/20– Fairly good reviews for this drama. TRDB. On Vudu and Prime

9) THE KEEPER– 2019. Synopsis by IMDB. “The love story of a young English woman and a German PoW, a soccer player, who together overcome prejudice, public hostility and personal tragedy.”

7/27/20- Good  reviews for this movie. TRDB. On Kinomarquee.com

10) THE GREAT AMERICAN LIE-The Great American Lie is a documentary film that examines how a US value system built on the extreme masculine ideals of money, power and control has glorified individualism, …  Just 2 reviews so far- 1 up and 1 down. On Amazon and Vudu

SKIP THESE-

1) 12 HOUR SHIFT– Sounds ridiculous and full of blood and gore. On Vudu and Prime Video if you must.

2) POSSESSOR- Inhabiting other peoples bodies. Afraid not!

SHOWING AT THE LIVING ROOM THEATER AT FAU IN BOCA RATON-

1) A CALL TO SPY- 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “At the dawn of World War II, a desperate Winston Churchill orders his new spy agency to train women for covert operations. Together, these female agents help undermine the Nazi regime in France, leaving an unmistakable legacy in their wake.”

10/3/20– Fairly good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2) ON THE ROCKS–  2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Doubting the fidelity of her hubby, Dean, as he takes more business trips, stay-at-home mom Laura turns to her playboy dad for advice. When he suggests that they tail Dean all over town, it leads to a comic adventure and growing father-daughter bond.”

10/2/20- Very good reviews for this comedy/drama.

3) OTTOLENGHI & THE CAKES– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Celebrity chef Yotam Ottolenghi assembles a star-studded team of the world’s most innovative pastry chefs to put on a Versailles-themed culinary gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.”

9/25/20- Mixed reviews, mostly negative. TRDB.

4) SAVE YOURSELVES– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A young Brooklyn couple head to an upstate cabin to unplug from their phones and reconnect with each other. Blissfully unaware of their surroundings, they are left to their own devices as the planet falls under attack.”

9/29/20- Fairly good reviews for this drama/comedy TRDB.

5) THE KEEPER– 2019. Synopsis by IMDB. “The love story of a young English woman and a German PoW, a soccer player, who together overcome prejudice, public hostility and personal tragedy.”

7/27/20- Good reviews for this movie. TRDB.

6) THE NEST– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “An entrepreneur and his family begin to unravel after moving into an old country manor in England in the 1980s.”

10/7/20- Very good reviews for this drama/mystery. TRDB.