The Reel Dr. Bob

MARCH 4, 2021-

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) PELE– Netflix

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK-

1) PELE- 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “This documentary feature tells the story of iconic footballer Pelé, his quest for perfection and the mythical status he attained.”

2/27/21- Fair reviews from the critics and from audiences as well. TRDB.

3/1/21- Although it was not perfect I liked this documentary very much as it was anchored by the legend himself rather than a whole load of talking heads. TRDB. Netflix.

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NEW STREAMABLE MOVIES-

1) THE UNITED STATES VS. BILLIE HOLIDAY– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “A tragic chapter in jazz great Billie Holiday’s life is candidly depicted in this affecting biopic that recounts her affair with the federal agent in charge of a sting operation designed to ensnare Holiday on drug charges.”

2/27/21- Poor reviews from critics and audiences but how can I not see this movie. TRDB. On Hulu

2) THE FATHER– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Anne has always adored her impish and independent father, who’s approaching 80. But his mind is failing, and as he rejects every caregiver she brings in, Anne finds herself in an anguishing quandary about making her own life choices.”

2/27/21- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB. On Hulu

3) CHERRY— “Cherry” features Tom Holland in the title role as an unhinged character who drifts from dropping out of college to serving in Iraq as an Army medic and is only anchored by his one true love, Emily (Ciara Bravo). When Cherry returns home a war hero, he battles the demons of undiagnosed PTSD and spirals into drug addiction, surrounding himself with a menagerie of depraved misfits.” On Apple TV +

4) MY ZOE– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Geneticist Isabelle shares custody of her beloved daughter, Zoe, with ex-husband James. But their combative co-parenting stops when Zoe suffers a brain hemorrhage, and Isabelle takes a tissue sample to a doctor in Russia in an attempt to clone her.”

2/27/21- Weak reviews but it sounds interesting to me. TRDB. In Theaters

5) THE VIGIL– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “A former member of Brooklyn’s Hasidic Jewish community, Yakov Ronen is drawn back into the fold when he agrees to keep vigil over a recently deceased Holocaust survivor. But as the hours go by, Yakov realizes he’s dealing with a malevolent presence.”

2/27/21- Good reviews by the critics and awful ones by audiences. Horror and violence and I’d skip it. TRDB. On Apple TV and various streaming platforms

6) ‘TIL KINGDOM COME– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In this provocative look at strange political bedfellows, Israeli filmmaker Maya Zinshtein (Forever Pure, DOC NYC 2016) investigates the political alliance between American evangelicals and Israel’s right wing, and their influence on the Trump administration’s foreign policy.”

2/27/21- Great reviews by most critics. TRDB. On Virtual Cinemas

7) UN FILM DRAMATIQUE– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “When Parisian middle school Dora Maar opened its doors, 21 students from its first class began making a movie about their experiences. As the kids mature, so does their filmmaking in this fascinating self-portrait shot over a four-year period.”

2/27/21- Really poor reviews and I’d skip it. TRDB. On cinemaguild.com

8) PELE- 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “This documentary feature tells the story of iconic footballer Pelé, his quest for perfection and the mythical status he attained.”

2/27/21- Fair reviews from the critics and from  audiences as well. TRDB. On Netflix

3/1/21- Although it was not perfect I liked this documentary very much as it was anchored by the legend himself rather than a whole load of talking heads. TRDB. Netflix.

 9)  MY DARLING SUPERMARKET– 2021. This documentary is about a supermarket in Sao Paulo, its customer, and employees. Critics give it positive reviews based on its quirky style. TRDB.

SKIP THIS ONE-

1)  CRISIS– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Framed around the opioid crisis, this topical drama interweaves stories of a merciless drug trafficker, a recovering OxyContin addict and a university researcher who finds out the truth about his pharmaceutical company employer.”

2/27/21- Terrible reviews and you can skip it. TRDB.

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MOVIES PLAYING AT THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON-

1) MINARI- 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A tender and sweeping story about what roots us, Minari follows a Korean-American family that moves to a tiny Arkansas farm in search of their own American Dream. The family home changes completely with the arrival of their sly, foul-mouthed, but incredibly loving grandmother. ”

Netflix had this to say– The patriarch of a Korean family living in Michigan during the 1980s wants to be a farmer in Arkansas, but his family experiences severe culture shock as they try to assimilate and become part of the community.

2/11/21- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB. 

2) MY SALINGER YEAR– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “New York in the 90s: After leaving graduate school to pursue her dream of becoming a writer, Joanna (Margaret Qualley) gets hired as an assistant to Margaret (Sigourney Weaver), the stoic and old-fashioned literary agent of J. D. Salinger.”

3/3/21- Just a few reviews and they are fair at best. TRDB.

3) NOMADLAND- 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “When her rural Nevada company town goes belly up, Fern packs up her van and starts driving. Becoming a modern-day nomad, she finds work and adventure along the way as she travels across the West.”

2/16/21- Excellent reviews by the critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

4) THE AFFAIR- 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In 1930s Czechoslovakia, newlyweds Viktor and Liesel Landauer are filled with optimism and happiness in their new home. But all too soon, extramarital temptations bring out their darkest secrets and desires. As Liesel turns to her sensual friend Hana for the passion she lacks in her marriage, Nazi troops enter the country, threatening the Landauer’s lives and the burning desire between the two women.”

3/3/21- I’ve seen just 1 review and it is poor.  TRDB.