The Reel Dr. Bob

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

DEAR FRIENDS:

QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES OF THE WEEK- None

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MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK-

1) 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. I did NOT like this strange movie and I suggest you skip it. TRDB.

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NEW MOVIES IN THEATERS AND/OR STREAMING-

1) HERE– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Here follows Stefan, a Romanian construction worker living in Brussels who is about to return home to visit his mother, and maybe stay… longer. Using the leftovers from his fridge, he cooks up a big pot of soup and begins handing it out as farewell gifts to friends and family. But while waiting for his car to be fixed, he meets Shuxiu, a Belgian-Chinese woman preparing a doctorate on mosses.”

2/11/24- Excellent reviews for this French drama. TRDB.

 2) DRIFT– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Jacqueline (Two-Time Academy Award nominee Cynthia Erivo), a young refugee, lands alone and penniless on a Greek island, where she tries first to survive and then to cope with her past. While gathering her strength, she begins a friendship with a rootless tour-guide (Alia Shawkat) and together they find the resilience to forge ahead.”

2/11/23- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

3) SUNCOAST– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Inspired by Chinn’s life experience from the early 2000s, follows a teenager (Nico Parker) living with her strong-willed mother (Laura Linney), who must take her brother to live at a specialized facility.”

4) COBWEB– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In the 1970s, Director Kim is obsessed by the desire to re-shoot the ending of his completed film ‘Cobweb’, but chaos and turmoil grip the set with interference from the censorship authorities, and the complaints of actors and producers who can’t understand the re-written ending. Will Kim be able to find a way through this chaos to fulfill his artistic ambitions and complete his masterpiece?”

2/12/24- Fair reviews from the critics and poor ones from audiences for this drama from Korea. TRDB. On Prime and Vudu.

5) ENNIO– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A feature documentary directed by Giuseppe Tornatore about the life and work of legendary composer, Ennio Morricone, including interviews with renowned filmmakers and musicians.”

2/13/24- Excellent reviews from the critics and audiences as well for this documentary. TRDB. In Theaters

6) THE MONK AND THE GUN– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The Monk And The Gun captures the wonder and disruption as Bhutan becomes one of the world’s youngest democracies. Known throughout the world for its extraordinary beauty and its emphasis on Gross National Happiness, the remote Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan was the last nation to connect to the internet and television. And if that weren’t enough change, the King announced shortly afterwards that he would cede his power to the people via their vote and a new form of government: Democracy.

2/13/23- Excellent reviews from all for this documentary. TRDB.

7) PERFECT DAYS– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Hirayama seems utterly content with his simple life as a cleaner of toilets in Tokyo. Outside of his very structured everyday routine he enjoys his passion for music and for books. And he loves trees and takes photos of them. A series of unexpected encounters gradually reveal more of his past. A deeply moving and poetic reflection on finding beauty in the everyday world around us.”

2/12/23- Excellent reviews by the critics and audiences as well for this Japanese drama. TRDB. On Vudu.

8) THE TASTE OF THINGS– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Cook Eugenie and her boss Dodin grow fond of one another over 20 years, and their romance gives rise to dishes that impress even the world’s most illustrious chefs. When Dodin is faced with Eugenie’s reluctance to commit, he begins to cook for her.”

2/11/24- Great reviews by the critics and awful ones from audiences. TRDB.

9) BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE– Awful reviews!!

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MOVIES PLAYING AT THE JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER IN PLEASANTVILLE-

1) THE TASTE OF THINGS-

2) THE ZONE OF INTEREST– See above

3) THE TEACHERS’ LOUNGE–

4) AMERICAN FICTION–

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MOVIES PLAYING AT THE AMC THEATER IN DANBURY-

1) THE TASTE OF THINGS– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Cook Eugenie and her boss Dodin grow fond of one another over 20 years, and their romance gives rise to dishes that impress even the world’s most illustrious chefs. When Dodin is faced with Eugenie’s reluctance to commit, he begins to cook for her.”

2/11/24- Great reviews by the critics and awful ones from audiences. TRDB.

2) THE COLOR PURPLE-

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MOVIES PLAYING AT GREENWOOD FEATURES IN BETHEL, CT-

1) AMERICAN FICTION–

2) THE ZONE OF INTEREST– See above

3) MEMORY (2023)- 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Sylvia (Jessica Chastain) is a social worker who leads a simple and structured life: her daughter, her job, her AA meetings. This is blown open when Saul (Peter Sarsgaard) follows her home from their high school reunion. Their surprise encounter will profoundly impact both of them as they open the door to the past.”

2/14/24- Good reviews by the critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB.

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MOVIES PLAYING IN PALM BEACH Co. NEAR ME-

1) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

a) THE ZONE OF INTEREST–

b) DRIVING MADELEINE–

c) AMERICAN FICTION–

d) THE TEACHERS’ LOUNGE–

e) THE BOYS IN THE BOAT–

2) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY- Same as :Lake Worth above but also playing:

 ORIGIN.- 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Isabel sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite the colossal scope of her project, she finds beauty and bravery while crafting one of the defining American books of our time.”

12/14/23- Fair reviews for this drama. TRDB.

3) THE STONZEK THEATER IN DOWNTOWN LAKE WORTH-

a) THE PROMISED LAND– (Feb-16–18)