The Reel Dr. Bob

AUGUST 22, 2024-

DEAR FRIENDS:

MOVIES I SAW THIS WEEK-

1) DIDI– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In 2008, during the last month of summer before high school begins, an impressionable 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy learns what his family can’t teach him: how to skate, how to flirt, and how to love your mom.”

7/29/24- Excellent reviews for this movie from Taiwan. TRDB.

8/19/24- I don’t know what the critics were thinking. Except for two short scenes- 1 in the beginning and one at the end I found the movie boring. TRDB.

2)  THE TEACHER’S LOUNGE– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Carla Nowak, a dedicated sports and math teacher, starts her first job at a high school. She stands out among the new staff because of her idealism. When a series of thefts occur at the school and one of her students is suspected, she decides to get to the bottom of the matter on her own. Carla tries to mediate between outraged parents, opinionated colleagues and aggressive students, but is relentlessly confronted with the structures of the school system.”

2/8/24- Excellent reviews by the critics and weak ones from audiences. From Germany. TRDB.

8/23/24- I liked this movie and recommend it, especially for new young teachers. TRDB.

NEW MOVIES IN THEATERS AND/OR STREAMING-

1) RED ISLAND– Weak reviews

2) THE GOOD HALF– Poor reviews by the critics and excellent ones by audiences

3) IN THE REARVIEW–

4) CLOSE TO YOU– 2023. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Academy Award Nominee Elliot Page (Juno, The Umbrella Academy, Inception) stars as a trans man who returns to his hometown for the first time in years. On his journey, he confronts his relationship with his family, reunites with a first love, and discovers a newfound confidence in himself. A Toronto International Film Festival premiere.”

8/17/23- Fair reviews at best. TRDB.

5) CALIGULA- THE ULTIMATE CUT. 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Now, 43 years after the 1980 release of historical epic CALIGULA, producer and reconstructionist Thomas Negovan has realized the creators’ original vision with CALIGULA: THE ULTIMATE CUT, a version comprised of entirely never-before-seen footage shot in 1976.

8/17/23- Good reviews. TRDB.

MOVIES PLAYING AT THE JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER IN PLEASANTVILLE-

1) BETWEEN THE TEMPLES– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In BETWEEN THE TEMPLES, Ben (Jason Schwartzman) is a forty-something cantor losing his voice and possibly his faith. Struggling to meet the expectations of his rabbi, congregation, and not one but two Jewish mothers (Caroline Aaron and Dolly De Leon), Ben finds his world turned upside down when his grade school music teacher re-enters his life as an adult bat mitzvah student.”

8/20/24- Very good early reviews. TRDB.

2) SING SING–

3) TWISTERS-

4) GOOD ONE-

MOVIES PLAYING AT THE AMC THEATER IN DANBURY-

1) BETWEEN THE TEMPLES–

2) MY PENGUIN FRIEND–

3) IT ENDS WITH US–

4) DIDI–

MOVIES PLAYING AT THE GREENWOOD FEATURES IN BETHEL-

a) BETWEEN THE TEMPLES-

b) TOUCH–

C) IT ENDS WITH US–

d) MY PENGUIN FRIEND–

MOVIES PLAYING IN PALM BEACH Cc NEAR ME-

1) THE MOVIES OF LAKE WORTH-

a) MY PENGUIN FRIEND–

b) IT ENDS WITH US–

c) BETWEEN THE TEMPLES–

d) THE FORGE– 2024. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Isaiah Wright has some growing up to do. A year out of high school with no plans for his future, Isaiah is challenged by his single mom and a successful businessman to start charting a better course for his life.”

8/22/24- Very early reviews are mixed. TRDB.

2) THE MOVIES OF DELRAY-

a) MY PENGUIN FRIEND–

b) IT ENDS WITH US-

c) DIDI-

d) BETWEEN THE TEMPLES–

3) THE STONZEK THEATER IN DOWTOWN LAKE WORTH-

a) DO NOT EXPECT TOO MUCH FROM THE END OF THE WORLD–

THE REEL DR. BOB–

(www.thereeldrbob.com)