The Reel Dr. Bob

December 17, 2020

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS- Netflix

2) THE PROM– Netflix

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK-

1) FUNNY BOY– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A young Tamil boy growing up gay in Sri Lanka during the deadly Tamil-Sinhalese conflict.”

12/11/20- Mixed reviews. TRDB.

12/13/20- Boring and similar to many other movies I’ve seen before with all of the stereotypes represented. TRDB

2) FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “A fast living, cynical London music executive heads to a remote Cornish village where he’s pranked by his boss into trying to sign a group of shanty singing fishermen. He struggles to gain the respect or enthusiasm of the unlikely boy band and their families. Soon he’s forced to reevaluate his own integrity and ultimately question what success really means.”

12/15/20- Based on a true story, the movie was fun and I really enjoyed the music. TRDB.

3) THE PROM– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Down-on-their-luck Broadway stars shake up a small Indiana town as they rally behind a teen who wants to go to the prom with her girlfriend.”

12/11/20- Fair reviews from the critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB.

12/15/20- I enjoyed this musical drama very much. Great Meryl Streep.TRDB.

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

NONE THIS WEEK

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NEW STREAMABLE MOVIES-

1) THE PROM– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Down-on-their-luck Broadway stars shake up a small Indiana town as they rally behind a teen who wants to go to the prom with her girlfriend.”

12/11/20- Fair reviews from the critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB. On Netflix

12/15/20- I enjoyed this musical drama very much. TRDB. On Netflix

2) SING ME A SONG– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Offering a look at development’s effect on remote Bhutan when he appeared in the documentary “Happiness” at age 8, young monk Peyangki is back a decade later, tethered to technology and falling in love while struggling to remain on a spiritual path.”

12/11/12- Good early reviews.TRDB. On virtual Cinemas

3) A DOG CALLED MONEY– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Seeking inspiration, musician PJ Harvey travels to Afghanistan, Kosovo and Washington, D.C., with photographer Seamus Murphy. Back in London, she records the resulting album behind a one-way glass wall, inviting the public to observe the process.”

12/11/20- Fair early reviews. TRDB.

4) FUNNY BOY– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A young Tamil boy growing up gay in Sri Lanka during the deadly Tamil-Sinhalese conflict.”

12/11/20- Mixed reviews. TRDB. On Netflix.

12/13/20- Boring and similar to many other movies I’ve seen before with all of the stereotypes (gay issues, religious warfare between tribes) represented. TRDB.

5) TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “On assignment for her TV show, ambitious travel reporter Yoko visits the nation of Uzbekistan hoping to capture a mythical fish on film for her viewers. Instead, she becomes increasingly undone by her unfamiliar surroundings.”

12/11/20- Excellent reviews for this foreign drama. TRDB.

6) GIVING VOICE– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes.  “Students from across the United States audition for a spot in the August Wilson Monologue Competition, culminating in a riveting final round on a Broadway stage.”

12/12/20- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB. On Netflix

7) SAFETY– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. ““Safety” is a drama inspired by the empowering story of former Clemson University football safety Ray McElrathbey (Jay Reeves), a young man facing a series of challenging circumstances, whose dedication and persistence help him to triumph over repeated adversities. “

12/12/20- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB. On Disney +

8) THE BEE GEES– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Brothers Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb find early fame in the 1960s and go on to write over 1,000 songs, including 20 No. 1 hits. This film follows the group’s meteoric rise as they navigate the complexities of working so intimately alongside family.”

12/12/20- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB. On HBO Max

9) THE WEASEL’S TALE– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A retired actress from the golden age of Argentine cinema shares a mansion with her husband, a screenwriter and a director. They will do anything to preserve the world they created for themselves.”

12/12/20- Very good reviews for this drama/comedy. TRDB. In theaters and virtual cinemas.

10) THROUGH THE NIGHT– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “In New Rochelle, New York, day care also means night care for Deloris and Patrick Hogan — owners of a child-care center — as they open their home to the many tots whose parents toil through the night on multiple jobs.”

12/12/20- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB. On virtual cinemas

11) FINDING YINGYING– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Chinese student Yingying Zhang arrives in America to continue her education, she’s filled with optimism. But just weeks later, she vanishes from campus, as recounted in this true-crime documentary that follows her family’s efforts to find her.”

12/12/20- Excellent reviews for this  documentary. TRDB. On virtual cinemas

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SHOWING AT THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS FAU IN BOCA RATON-

1) ASSASSINS- 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “On Feb. 13, 2017, two young women — thinking they were performing a stunt for a prank show — carried out a nerve-gas attack on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s half brother. This documentary investigates the attack and the women’s roles in it.”

12/16/20- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

2) I’M YOUR WOMAN– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Set in the 1970s, this gritty drama follows young mom Jean, who’s living comfortably in suburbia till her hubby runs afoul of his criminal cohorts and disappears. With his foes closing in on Jean, she’s forced to go on the run with the couple’s baby.”

12/4/2020- Fair reviews in general but some of the reviews were pretty good and I would try to see it. TRDB.

3) THE MIDNIGHT SKY- Skip this- awful reviews

4) WILD MOUNTAIN THYME- Skip this also

5) BILLIE– 2019. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In 1971, journalist Linda Lipnack Kuehl set out to write the definitive biography of Billie Holiday. Over 8 years, she tracked down and tape-recorded over 200 hours of interviews with the extraordinary characters that populated the iconic singer’s short, tumultuous life. However, Linda’s book was never finished and the tapes never heard — until now.”

12/2/20- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB. Limited screenings