The Reel Dr. Bob

DECEMBER 2, 2021-

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) THE HUMANS–

2) BURNING–

3) BELFAST–

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK-

1) THE HUMANS– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this affecting drama set at a shabby Manhattan duplex, Brigid Blake and her family gather for a Thanksgiving celebration. But as the evening progresses, grievances are aired, and tensions soon begin to rise.”

Rotten Tomatoes had this to say—  “Erik Blake has gathered three generations of his Pennsylvania family to celebrate Thanksgiving at his daughter’s apartment in lower Manhattan. As darkness falls outside and eerie things start to go bump in the night, the group’s deepest fears are laid bare. The piercingly funny and haunting debut film from writer-director Stephen Karam, adapted from his Tony Award-winning play, The Humans explores the hidden dread of a family and the love that binds them together.”

11/27/21- Excellent reviews for this movie. TRDB.

11/28/21- I liked the movie but less than the critics did. TRDB.

2) BURNING– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Burning takes an unflinching look at the unprecedented and catastrophic Australian bushfires of 2019-2020, known as ‘Black Summer.’ Fueled by climate change, the nation’s hottest and driest summer ever recorded resulted in bushfires that burned over 59 million acres, killed an estimated three billion animals, and affected millions of Australians.”

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MOVIES COMING TO NETFLIX THIS WEEK ON A DISC- RELEASING ON 12/14/21

1) THE CARD COUNTER– 2020. Synopsis by Netflix. “Now making his living as a card shark, military veteran William Tell ekes out a meager existence on the casino circuit. But when a troubled young man seeks Tell’s help in exacting revenge on a mutual foe, he finds himself facing his dark past.”

9/9/21- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.

2) HOLLER–  2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “With her Ohio manufacturing town dying, Ruth Avery may have a ticket out as she’s accepted at a prestigious college. But after joining her brother on a scrap metal crew to raise the tuition, Ruth has second thoughts about leaving her family.”

6/13/21- Very good reviews. TRDB.

3) JUNGLE CRUISE– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Inspired by the classic Disneyland ride, this action-adventure follows persevering scientist Lily Houghton in her search for a fabled tree with healing properties — a quest that takes her into the Amazon jungle with an intrepid riverboat captain.”

7/31/21- Weak reviews by the critics and very good ones by audiences. TRDB.

10/7/21- Something for everyone in this clever. humorous action packed movie. I liked it. TRDB.

4) THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE- 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Dressed to the nines and with a face full of paint, Tammy Faye Bakker preaches a gospel of acceptance and prosperity on “The PTL Club.” But her fall from grace is swift and precipitous after she and her hubby, Jim, are rocked by a series of scandals.”

9/15/21- Fair reviews for this drama. TRDB.

5) SOUTH OF HEAVEN– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Convicted felon Jimmy gets early parole after serving twelve years for armed robbery. Upon his release he vows to give his girlfriend Annie, who is dying of cancer, the best last year of her life.”

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NEW MOVIES IN THEATERS AND/OR STREAMING-

1) DRIVE MY CAR– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Two years after his wife’s unexpected death, Yusuke Kafuku (Hidetoshi Nishijima), a renowned stage actor and director, receives an offer to direct a production of Uncle Vanya at a theater festival in Hiroshima. There, he meets Misaki Watari (Toko Miura), a taciturn young woman assigned by the festival to chauffeur him in his beloved red Saab 900. As the production’s premiere approaches, tensions mount amongst the cast and crew, not least between Yusuke and Koji Takatsuki, a handsome TV star who shares an unwelcome connection to Yusuke’s late wife.”

11/27/21- Excellent reviews for this Japanese drama. TRDB. In Theaters

2) THE HUMANS-2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this affecting drama set at a shabby Manhattan duplex, Brigid Blake and her family gather for a Thanksgiving celebration. But as the evening progresses, grievances are aired, and tensions soon begin to rise.”

Rotten Tomatoes had this to say—  “Erik Blake has gathered three generations of his Pennsylvania family to celebrate Thanksgiving at his daughter’s apartment in lower Manhattan. As darkness falls outside and eerie things start to go bump in the night, the group’s deepest fears are laid bare. The piercingly funny and haunting debut film from writer-director Stephen Karam, adapted from his Tony Award-winning play, The Humans explores the hidden dread of a family and the love that binds them together.”

11/27/21- Excellent reviews for this movie. TRDB. In Theaters and on Showtime platforms

11/28/21- I liked the movie but less than the critics did. TRDB.

3) WRITING WITH FIRE– 2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In a cluttered news landscape dominated by men emerges India’s only newspaper run by Dalit women. Chief reporter Meera and her journalists break traditions, redefining what it means to be powerful.”11/27/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. In Theaters

4) BOILING POINT– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “On the busiest night of the year at one of the hottest restaurants in London, charismatic, commanding head chef Andy Jones (Stephen Graham) balances along a knife’s edge as multiple personal and professional crises threaten to destroy everything he’s worked for. A surprise visit from a health and safety inspector sets the staff on edge as the overbooked hotspot begins to fill with guests.”

11/27/21- Excellent reviews by the critics and fair ones by audiences. TRDB. On several streaming platforms

5) A BOY CALLED CHRISTMAS– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “An ordinary young boy called Nikolas sets out on an extraordinary adventure into the snowy north in search of his father who is on a quest to discover the fabled village of the elves, Elfhelm. Taking with him a headstrong reindeer called Blitzen and a loyal pet mouse, Nikolas soon meets his destiny in this magical, comic and endearing story that proves nothing is impossible. Adapted from the bestselling book by Matt Haig.”

11/28/21- Fair to good reviews for this children’s movie. TRDB. On Netflix

6) KEEP SWEET-2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Warren Jeffs was the Prophet of the FLDS, an offshoot of Mormonism. Jeffs demanded absolute loyalty, and instituted complete adherence to the religion, requiring strict dress codes, banishing community celebrations and casting out followers who didn’t fall in line. His controversial reign ended with a conviction for sexual assault with underage girls, landing him in jail for life. Ten years after his arrest, those left behind attempt to rebuild their community.”

11/28/21- Just 1 review so far- from the NY Times- and it is poor. TRDB. On Discovery +

7) BURNING– 2021.Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. Burning takes an unflinching look at the unprecedented and catastrophic Australian bushfires of 2019-2020, known as ‘Black Summer.’ Fueled by climate change, the nation’s hottest and driest summer ever recorded resulted in bushfires that burned over 59 million acres, killed an estimated three billion animals, and affected millions of Australians. .

11/28/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. I saw it and I agree! TRDB.

8) ‘TWAS THE FIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In this true-life twist on a holiday fable, Jeremy Morris brings a whole new meaning to Christmas spirit when his extravagant seasonal display sparks a dispute with his neighbors that lands them all in court.”

11/28/21- Just 2 reviews for this documentary and they are both excellent. TRDB. On Apple TV +

9) LICORICE PIZZA– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Paul Thomas Anderson returns to one of his favorite settings — California’s San Fernando Valley — for this coming-of-age tale about a high school student who’s also juggling the demands of being a successful child actor.”

SKIP THIS–

1) BRUISED–

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MOVIES SHOWING IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY AND IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CT-

A) JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER IN PLEASANTVILLE, NY

NEW-

1) BENEDETTA–  2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A 17th-century nun becomes entangled in a forbidden lesbian affair, but it’s her shocking religious visions that threaten to shake the Church to its very core.”

12/1/21- Very good reviews. TRDB.

REPEATS-

1) HOUSE OF GUCCI- 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “House of Gucci is inspired by the shocking true story of the family behind the Italian fashion empire. When Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga), an outsider from humble beginnings, marries into the Gucci family, her unbridled ambition begins to unravel the family legacy and triggers a reckless spiral of betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately… murder.”

11/24/21- Fair reviews from the critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) C’MON C’MON- 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Johnny (Joaquin Phoenix) and his young nephew (Woody Norman) forge a tenuous but transformational relationship when they are unexpectedly thrown together in this delicate and deeply moving story about the connections between adults and children, the past and the future, from writer-director Mike Mills.”

12/1/21- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

3) THE FRENCH DISPATCH– Limited Screenings

4) BELFAST– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “BELFAST is a movie straight from Branagh’s own experience. A nine-year-old boy must chart a path towards adulthood through a world that has suddenly turned upside down. His stable and loving community and everything he thought he understood about life is changed forever but joy, laughter, music and the formative magic of the movies remain.”

11/10/21- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

12/1/21- I liked this movie very much. Lucky there were sub-titles. TRDB.

B) AMC IN DANBURY, CT

1) HOUSE OF GUCCI– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “House of Gucci is inspired by the shocking true story of the family behind the Italian fashion empire. When Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga), an outsider from humble beginnings, marries into the Gucci family, her unbridled ambition begins to unravel the family legacy and triggers a reckless spiral of betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately… murder.”

11/24/21- Fair reviews from the critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) C’MON C’MON– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Johnny (Joaquin Phoenix) and his young nephew (Woody Norman) forge a tenuous but transformational relationship when they are unexpectedly thrown together in this delicate and deeply moving story about the connections between adults and children, the past and the future, from writer-director Mike Mills.”

12/1/21- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

3) KING RICHARD– 2021. “In this fact-based drama, Compton, California’s public tennis courts serve as unlikely training grounds for siblings Venus and Serena Williams as their determined father begins grooming them early for professional careers.”

MOVIES SHOWING  IN PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL-

A) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH- (Open Fri–Sunday)

1) HOUSE OF GUCCI- 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “House of Gucci is inspired by the shocking true story of the family behind the Italian fashion empire. When Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga), an outsider from humble beginnings, marries into the Gucci family, her unbridled ambition begins to unravel the family legacy and triggers a reckless spiral of betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately… murder.”

11/24/21- Fair reviews from the critics and good ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) KING RICHARD– 2021. “In this fact-based drama, Compton, California’s public tennis courts serve as unlikely training grounds for siblings Venus and Serena Williams as their determined father begins grooming them early for professional careers.”

3) BELFAST- 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “BELFAST is a movie straight from Branagh’s own experience. A nine-year-old boy must chart a path towards adulthood through a world that has suddenly turned upside down. His stable and loving community and everything he thought he understood about life is changed forever but joy, laughter, music and the formative magic of the movies remain.”

11/10/21- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

12/1/21- I liked this movie very much. Lucky there were sub-titles. TRDB.

B) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- (Open Fri–Sunday)

1)  HOUSE OF GUCCI- 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “House of Gucci is inspired by the shocking true story of the family behind the Italian fashion empire. When Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga), an outsider from humble beginnings, marries into the Gucci family, her unbridled ambition begins to unravel the family legacy and triggers a reckless spiral of betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately… murder.”

C) THE LIVING ROOM THEATERS AT FAU IN BOCA RATON

1) BELFAST- 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “BELFAST is a movie straight from Branagh’s own experience. A nine-year-old boy must chart a path towards adulthood through a world that has suddenly turned upside down. His stable and loving community and everything he thought he understood about life is changed forever but joy, laughter, music and the formative magic of the movies remain.”

11/10/21- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

12/1/21-I liked this movie very much. Lucky there were sub-titles. TRDB.

2) C’MON C’MON– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Johnny (Joaquin Phoenix) and his young nephew (Woody Norman) forge a tenuous but transformational relationship when they are unexpectedly thrown together in this delicate and deeply moving story about the connections between adults and children, the past and the future, from writer-director Mike Mills.”

12/1/21- Very good reviews for this drama. TRDB.

3) JULIA– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “JULIA tells the story of the legendary cookbook author and television superstar who changed the way Americans think about food, television, and even about women. Using never-before-seen archival footage, personal photos, first-person narratives, and cutting-edge, mouth-watering food cinematography, the film traces Julia Child’s surprising path, from her struggles to create and publish the revolutionary Mastering the Art of French Cooking (1961) which has sold more than 2.5 million copies to date, to her empowering story of a woman who found fame in her 50s, and her calling as an unlikely television sensation.”

11/13/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.

4) WRITING WITH FIRE–  2020. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In a cluttered news landscape dominated by men emerges India’s only newspaper run by Dalit women. Chief reporter Meera and her journalists break traditions, redefining what it means to be powerful.”11/27/21- Excellent reviews for this documentary.

5) KURT VONNEGUT: UNSTUCK IN TIME- 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. –  KURT VONNEGUT: UNSTUCK IN TIME is a dazzling, worthy tribute to Vonnegut and a compelling introduction for the uninitiated. The feature documentary — the first of its kind on Vonnegut — is a deep, immersive dive into the author’s upbringing and his creative output.

D) THE STONZEK THEATER AT THE LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE- Not available at this time. The documentary about Kurt Vonnegut might remain from last week.