The Reel Dr. Bob

FEBRUARY 1, 2024-

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK-

1) DRIVING MADELEINE– At the Theater

2) AMERICAN FICTION– At the Theater

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK-

1) DRIVING MADELEINE– 2022- Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Madeleine, 92 years old, calls a taxi to take her to the retirement home where she will be living. Charles, a disillusioned driver with a tender heart, agrees to drive by the places that affected Madeleine’s life. Through the streets of Paris, her extraordinary past is revealed. They don’t know it yet, but they will forge a friendship during this drive that will change their lives forever.”

1/13/24- Excellent reviews from the critics and audiences. I liked it very much. TRDB.

2) AMERICAN FICTION– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten tomatoes. “AMERICAN FICTION is Cord Jefferson’s hilarious directorial debut, which confronts our culture’s obsession with reducing people to outrageous stereotypes.”

12/16/23- Very good reviews for this drama and I liked it very much. TRDB.

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NEW MOVIES IN THEATERS AND/OR STREAMING-

1) AMERICAN STAR– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “An assassin (Ian McShane) on a final assignment in Fuerteventura, to kill a man he has never met. When his target is delayed, he finds himself drawn to the island, people and a ghostly shipwreck.”

1/28/24- Fair reviews from the critics and really poor ones by audiences. TRDB. On Prime and others

2) MAMBAR PIERRETTE– Excellent reviews by the critics and by audiences as well. TRDB

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3) THE PEASANTS– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “THE PEASANTS tells the story of Jagna, a young woman determined to forge her own path within the confines of a late 19th century Polish village — a hotbed of gossip and on-going feuds, held together, rich and poor, by pride in their land, adherence to colorful traditions and a deep-rooted patriarchy. When Jagna finds herself caught between the conflicting desires of the village’s richest farmer, his eldest son and other leading men of the community, her resistance puts her on a tragic collision course with the community around her.”

1/28/24- Excellent reviews by audiences but terrible ones from the critics. TRDB.

4) TOTUM– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In a bustling Mexican household, seven-year-old Sol is swept up in a whirlwind of preparations for the birthday party for her father, Tona, led by her mother, aunts and other relatives. As the day goes on, building to an event both anticipated and dreaded, Sol begins to understand the gravity of the celebration this year and watches as her family does the same.” In Theaters

1/28/23- Excellent reviews. TRDB.

5) PICTURES OF GHOSTS– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Downtown Recife’s classic movie palaces from the 20th century are mostly gone. That city area is now an archaeological site of sorts that reveals aspects of life in society which have been lost.”

1/29/24- Excellent reviews for this Brazilian documentary. TRDB.

6) SOMETIMES I THINK ABOUT DYING– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Lost on the dreary Oregon coast, Fran finds solace in her cubicle, listening to the constant hum of officemates and occasionally daydreaming to pass the time. She is ghosting through life, unable to pop her bubble of isolation, when a friendly new coworker, Robert, persistently tries to connect with her.”

1/29/2024- Fair reviews from critics and audiences. TRDB.

7) THE GREATEST NIGHT IN POP– 1/31/24. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “On January 25, 1985, dozens of the biggest names in music convened at a studio in Los Angeles, checked their egos at the door and recorded a song to benefit African famine relief that would alter global pop culture history. The Greatest Night in Pop chronicles the massive undertaking to assemble the world’s most impressive supergroup in a world before cell phones and email. That group of artists — led by the song’s co-writers and two of the most significant musicians of the 20th century — Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie — came from different worlds but united to record “We Are the World.”

1/31/24- Excellent reviews by all for this documentary. TRDB.

8) THE ZONE OF INTEREST-2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, and his wife Hedwig, strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden next to the camp.”

2/1/24- Excellent reviews by the critics and fair reviews from audiences. TRDB.

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MOVIES PLAYING IN WESTCHESTER, NY, DANBURY AND BETHEL–

JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER IN PLEASANTVILLE, NY-

1) THE PROMISED LAND–

2) AMERICAN FICTION–

3) DRIVING MADELEINE–

4) THE ZONE OF INTEREST–

AMC IN DANBURY-

1) AMERICAN FICTION–

2) THE ZONE OF INTEREST–

GREENWOOD FEATURES IN BETHEL, CT-

1) AMERICAN FICTION–

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MOVIES PLAYING PALM BEACH Co.-

1) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

a) THE ZONE OF INTEREST–

b) DRIVING MADELEINE–

c) AMERICAN FICTION–

d) THE BOYS IN THE BOAT–

e) FREUD’S LAST SESSION–

f) POOR THINGS–

g) FAREWELL, MR, HAFFMAN– (Limited Screenings)

2) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

a) THE ZONE OF INTEREST–

b) AMERICAN FICTION-

c) FAREWELL, MR. HAFFMAN–

d) DRIVING MADELEI NE–

e) FREUD’S LAST SESSION-

f) THE BOYS IN THE BOAT–

3) THE STONZEK THEATER IN DOWNTOWN LAKE WORTH- (Fri–Sun)

a) ANATOMY OF A FALL–

(www.thereeldrbob.com)