The Reel Dr. Bob

October 22, 2020

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7– Netflix

2) RESISTANCE– Netflix Disc.

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MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK-

1) THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7- 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In 1969, seven people were charged by the federal government with conspiracy and more, arising from the protests at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.”

10/16/20- Excellent reviews by critics and audiences. TRDB.

10/16/20- I liked this movie very much. Also, it was a reminder of troublesome times. TRDB.

2) RESISTANCE– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “During the Nazi occupation of France, Marcel Mangel — who would later become legendary mime Marcel Marceau — shelves his artistic ambitions to join a group of Jewish Boy Scouts helping the Resistance smuggle out children orphaned by the Holocaust.”

3/30/20- Weak reviews for this drama but it sounds interesting to me. TRDB.

10/20/20- Not a great movie but I did like it. I didn’t know about Marcel Marceau’s work in the resistance. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX NEXT WEEK- ON DISC AND MAYBE STREAMING AS WELL-

1) 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.

2) FATIMA– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “With World War I raging across Europe, the Virgin Mary appears to a 10-year-old shepherd girl and her two young cousins in Fátima, Portugal. But skeptical family members and government officials are determined to silence the children.”

8/29/20- Weak reviews from the critics and very good ones from audiences. TRDB.

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NEW STREAMABLE MOVIES-

1) DAVIE BYRNE’S AMERICAN UTOPIA– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Rock titan David Byrne’s hit Broadway show “American Utopia” is captured as a concert film featuring an 11-person ensemble that puts on a dazzling performance blending Byrne’s music with amazing choreography.”

10/16/20- Very good reviews for this musical by Spike Lee. TRDB. On HBO and HBO MAX

2) MARTIN EDEN– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Moving the action from California to an Italian port city, this adaptation of Jack London’s 1909 novel follows an uneducated sailor who falls for a rich university student and attempts to remake himself as a writer to win her heart.”

10/16/20- Very good reviews. TRDB. On Kino Marquee

3) THE GODDESS OF FORTUNE-2020. Synopsis by IMDB. “When Annamaria, a longtime friend of Alessandro and Arturo, ask the couple to take care of her children, the relationship between the two men reaches a point of no return.”

10/16/20- Just a few reviews so far but they all look good. TRDB. On virtual cinemas

-4) WHITE RIOT– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “An exploration of how punk influenced politics in late-1970s Britain when a group of artists united to take on the National Front.”

10/16/20- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB. On Virtual Cinemas.

5) THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In 1969, seven people were charged by the federal government with conspiracy and more, arising from the protests at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.”

10/16/20- Excellent reviews by critics and audiences. TRDB. On Netflix.

10/16/20- I liked this movie very much and it was a reminder of troublesome times. TRDB.

6) BELLY OF THE BEAST– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “When an unlikely duo discovers a pattern of illegal sterilizations in women’s prisons, they wage a near impossible battle against the Department of Corrections. Filmed over seven years with extraordinary access and intimate accounts from currently and formerly incarcerated people, BELLY OF THE BEAST exposes modern-day eugenics and reproductive injustice in California prisons.”

10/16-20- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB. On Virtual Cinemas and some theaters

7) SHITHOUSE– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Feeling blue, lonely college freshman Alex attends a campus party where he meets resident adviser Maggie — and the two share a long enchanted evening. But to Alex’s shock, Maggie wants nothing to do with him the next day.”

10/16/20- Excellent reviews for this drama/comedy. TRDB. At select theaters and many platforms.

8) CLOUDS- 2020. Synopsis by IMDB. “Young musician Zach Sobiech discovers his cancer has spread, leaving him just a few months to live. With limited time, he follows his dream and makes an album, unaware that it will soon be a viral music phenomenon.”

10/17/20- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB. On Disney +

9) FREEDIA GOT A GUN– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Devastated after learning her brother Adam was murdered, New Orleans bounce legend Big Freedia uses her platform to raise awareness about the complexities of gun violence, a nationwide epidemic that disproportionally harm Black communities.”

10/17/20- Just 4 reviews so far and all are very good for this documentary. TRDB.

SKIP THESE-

1) LOVE AND MONSTERS- Sounds weak

2) HONEST THIEF- Poor reviews

3) THE DEVIL HAS A NAME- terrible reviews

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THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON-

I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY MATERIAL AS TO HOW THEY ARE MANAGING SEATING DURING THE PANDEMIC

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) SHITHOUSE– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Feeling blue, lonely college freshman Alex attends a campus party where he meets resident adviser Maggie — and the two share a long enchanted evening. But to Alex’s shock, Maggie wants nothing to do with him the next day.”

10/16/20- Excellent reviews for this drama/comedy. TRDB.

4) 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.

5) THE WAR WITH GRANDPA– Terrible reviews