The Reel Dr. Bob

APRIL 15, 2021

DEAR FRIENDS:

OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEND A NEWSLETTER AS I TRANSITION FROM FLORIDA TO WESTCHESTER COUNTY,NY

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) NEWS OF THE WORLD– On Demand

2) LOVELESS– Netflix Disc.

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MOVIES I SAW LAST WEEK-

1) NEWS OF THE WORLD– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Five years after the end of the Civil War, Capt. Jefferson Kyle Kidd crosses paths with a 10-year-old girl taken by the Kiowa people. Forced to return to her aunt and uncle, Kidd agrees to escort the child across the harsh and unforgiving plains of Texas.”

12/25/20- Very good reviews for this drama/western including several excellent ones and a few negatives as well. Tom Hanks stars. TRDB.

4/11/21- I liked the movie but I didn’t feel the suspense that others did. Hanks is great as usual. TRDB. 

2) LOVELESS– 2017. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this riveting morality tale, Boris and Zhenya are so intent on their vitriolic marital battles that they don’t notice initially when their 12-year-old son disappears during one of their protracted fights. Now, they must join forces to find him.”

12/1/17- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

4/15/21- An OK movie with lots of unresolved anger. A marital therapist could have a ball here. TRDB.

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COMING TO NETFLIX ON DISC- NONE THAT I CAN RECOMMEND

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 NEW MOVIES– In Theaters or Streamable

1) MOFFIE– 2019. Synopsis by Netflix. “For 16-year-old Nicholas van der Swart, completing his compulsory military service in 1981 South Africa means hiding the fact that he’s gay — a punishable crime at the time. But keeping his secret becomes even harder as he falls for another recruit.”

4/10/21- Excellent reviews by the critics and poor ones from audiences. TRDB. In Theaters and on Google Play and other streaming platforms

2)  SHIVA BABY– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “While at a Jewish funeral service with her parents, a college student has an awkward encounter with her sugar daddy and her ex-girlfriend.

4/9/21- Excellent reviews by the critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB. Can be viewed on Prime.

3) FUTURE PEOPLE: THE FAMILY OF DONOR 5114– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Executive produced by Jason Momoa, and filmed over eight years, Rothman follows a group of adolescents who discover that they were conceived from the same sperm donor, forming an unlikely family of familiar strangers. There are presently 37 half-siblings, and counting. FUTURE PEOPLE explores the complexities of alternative conception while defining a new realm of modern family.”

4/11/21- Just 3 reviews noted and they are all good. TRDB. On Discovery+

4) THE TUNNEL–  2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this disaster flick, the roads are clogged with folks headed home for the holidays when a fuel truck crashes in a tunnel and traps them inside. Chaos ensues as the tanker explodes, with rescuers fighting through a blizzard to reach the travelers.”

4/11/20- Mostly good reviews. TRDB. In Theaters and on varius platforms

5) LOOKING FOR A LADY WITH FANGS AND A MOUSTACHE– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “As ambitious young Tenzin endeavors to open a coffee shop in Kathmandu, he’s beset by otherworldly visions, which he’s told presage his death. With only a week to save himself, he must embark on a spiritual journey of self-discovery.”

3/11/21- Good early reviews. TRDB.

6) SLALOM– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this timely tale from the world of elite sports, 15-year-old Lyz Lopez is accepted to a ski club known for developing future star athletes. But when she realizes she’s being groomed for more than skiing, Lyz faces increasingly tough choices.”

4/11/21- Excellent reviews for this French drama. TRDB. In select theaters and on virtual cinemas

SKIP THESE-

1)  GIANTS BEING LONELY– Terrible reviews in NY Times. On  Vudu and others

2)  THE POWER– Awful reviews by audiences but good ones by the critics. Sounds like lots of horrowl. On Shudder

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

1) FRENCH EXIT– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “With her husband long dead and his fortune running out, New York City socialite Frances Price decides to relocate to a friend’s vacant Paris apartment. Boarding a cruise ship with her cat and aimless adult son in tow, Frances heads for a new life.”

2/14/21- Weak reviews by the critics and by audiences as well. It sounds quirky enough that I would give it a try. TRDB.

2) SHIVA BABY– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “While at a Jewish funeral service with her parents, a college student has an awkward encounter with her sugar daddy and her ex-girlfriend.

4/9/21- Excellent reviews by the critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

3) SLALOM– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this timely tale from the world of elite sports, 15-year-old Lyz Lopez is accepted to a ski club known for developing future star athletes. But when she realizes she’s being groomed for more than skiing, Lyz faces increasingly tough choices.”

4/11/21- Excellent reviews for this French drama. TRDB.

4) THE COURIER– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “During the Cold War, an English businessman is tapped to help execute a covert operation for the CIA and MI6, acting as a messenger to pass leaked information from a senior Russian intelligence officer to prevent a nuclear war.”

3/17/21- Fair to good reviews. TRDB.

5) 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. 

6 SIX MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT– Poor reviews and I’d skip it (limited screenings)