Spring Reviews #3 2024

What have I been watching and listening to lately? Read on for my reviews of movies, TV and music.

Streaming

May December
Now playing on Netflix, this drama was recently nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars. It’s the story of an actress who befriends and shadows the couple who are the subject of a movie she is starring in. It is loosely inspired by the true and sordid tale of Mary Kay Letourneau and Villi Fualaau. In this movie, Julianne Moore and Charles Melton play the couple who got together when the woman was in her 30’s and the boy was just 13. Now they have been together for 24 years and are sending their kids to college. Natalie Portman plays the actress who will be portraying the wife in a movie. Definitely a soapy movie — with great acting from the leads. Portman’s appearance makes the couple revisit their troubled past. It definitely makes you think: can people be forgiven for their actions and is it acceptable if the relationship works out? Worth a look. Grade: B

Movies

Civil War
Now in theaters, this dystopian movie is the latest from director Alex Garland (Annihilation, Ex Machina). A civil war has broken out in America, with the President ordering attacks on major US cities. The coalition forces of the Western States of California and Texas are leading a rebellion to retake the capital. Meanwhile a group of photojournalists (led by Kirsten Dunst and Wagner Moura) take a harrowing journey from New York City to Washington DC — with the hope of confronting the President. We see devastated communities, on-going fights between forces and piles of bodies. It is ultimately a movie about the horrors of war. There are scenes of shocking violence but given how little we have been told of the conflict — we don’t know who we should be rooting for. And why do these photojournalists seem like ambulance chasers to me — with wanting to be in the middle of war zones with bullets flying? I really think the director missed a chance to say something about the current state of politics in this country. He seems like he went out of his way to avoid any references to political parties or movements. I left feeling disappointed and frustrated. Grade: C-

Wicked Little Letters
Now in theaters, this comedy tells the true story of a scandal that rocked Great Britian in the 1920’s. A series of crude and insulting letters are delivered to the residents of a small seaside town called Littlehampton. Starring Oscar winner Olivia Coleman as Edith Swan — a conservative spinster who is the first target of the letters. These letters are filled with 4-letter words and are upsetting to her and her family. She believes it’s her neighbor Rose, played by Jessie Buckely. She’s a single mother with a loose mouth and loose morals. But is the case really that simple? Or is Rose just a scapegoat? It’s a cute little movie that plays with stereotypes and assumptions. The actresses look like they are having fun, and so is the audience. I enjoyed it! Grade: B+

Challengers
Now in theaters, this drama revolves around the world of competitive tennis. Tashi Duncan (Zendaya) is a rising tennis star with everything going for her. She meets 2 young men at a party, Patrick (Josh O’Connor) and Art (Mike Faist) — who are also tennis players— and they both take an interest in her. We see the beginning of a ménage à trois, only to be left wanting for more. The movie keeps bouncing back and forth in time — detailing critical moments in their lives and careers. Tashi marries Art, but still has a thing for Patrick. The movie is stylish and sexy — without much, if any, sex on screen. It’s different to have a woman be in control over the men in her life. But I am not sure who this movie is for or what it is trying to say. Is it a celebration of women’s lib and polygamy? The movie is very homo erotic — and there are plenty of shots of muscles flexing and sweat dripping off the guys. And I halfway believe the guys would be into each other if the girl wasn’t around. Also, every time there is a sexy scene we get dance music playing — like it’s supposed to up the dramatic effect. There is a ton of product placement in this movie — including cigarettes (which the guys both smoke). It definitely could have been better. I would say wait for streaming and save your money. Grade: C

The Fall Guy
Now playing in theaters, this action-romance movie is loosely based on the TV series from the 80’s of the same name. Ryan Gosling plays the stuntman, Colt Seavers, who ends up working on his ex-girlfriend’s directorial debut movie. Emily Blunt plays his ex. Along the way, Colt finds himself wrapped up in a conspiracy involving the lead actor of the movie. The stars have decent chemistry and there are some cute moments. Still not a return to the glory days of romantic comedies. It’s a love letter to stuntmen — and there is something refreshing and nostalgic seeing all of the stunt work that doesn’t involve CGI. The actors are both likable and do their best with the material they are given. It was mildy entertaining, nothing outstanding. Grade: B-

Music Streaming

Kenny Chesney — Born
Country superstar Kenny Chesney has released his 20^th studio album — Born. He’s got a successful formula — and he’s sticking to it! He sounds nice on this collection of uptempo songs and ballads, with a little island vibe thrown in. A nice listen for a last Sunday afternoon. Highlights include Take Her Home, Few Good Stories and Thinkin’ Bout. Worth a listen.
Grade: B

Beyoncé — Cowboy Carter
Queen Bey has released her first country album. It’s an ambitious project that succeeds more often than not. Is it really country? It’s country-ish for the most part — with elements of gospel, rap and soul too. She has country superstars Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson on hand for some interludes — too bad she doesn’t sing with either of them. Beyoncé covers Parton’s Jolene with additional lyrics specific to Bey. And she has a couple of strong duet partners in Miley Cyrus and Post Malone. Highlights include her remake of the Beatles’ Blackbird, Protector and Texas Hold’Em. I could have done without the interludes though — hearing them once is fine but they get annoying on repeated listens. And I do think she missed out on getting some current country stars like Miranda Lambert and Kane Brown on this collection. Overall, I do think this is a solid collection and a likely Album of the Year nominee. Grade: A-

Taylor Swift — The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology
Superstar Taylor Swift has released her 11^th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department. It was a surprise double album, that included 16 additional songs for a total of 31 songs. It’s been a hard album to get into for me. Despite repeated listenings, songs are not jumping out at me. It’s more in line with the Folklore/Evermore era than Midnights. This could easily have been edited down to 1 decent album — instead of 2 so-so albums. Special guests include Florence + the Machine and Post Malone. It definitely could have been better. Grade: C+

Shakira — Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran
Latin music icon, Shakira, has released her 12^th studio album. And she’s brought along a number of guest stars including Cardi B., Karol G. Rauw Alejandro and plenty more (including her kids). This Spanish language album details her breakup from her husband and moving from heartbreak to strength. It’s a solid collection of mostly uptempo songs. An enjoyable listen. Grade: B+

TV Shows

The Bear (Season 1)
This series, streaming on Hulu, has been racking up awards for it’s 2 seasons. It’s the story of Carmen (Jeremy Allen White) who runs a sandwich shop in Chicago. The shop was inherited from his addict brother who committed suicide. Carmen was an up-and-coming chef working in a high-end restaurant before taking over the family business. Can Carmy keep the business afloat? And what was his brother hiding? Along for the ride are Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ayo Edebiri and a cast of crazy characters. My main issue with this show is its classification as a comedy. Seriously? I laughed twice in the season, and both times were in the same episode. As a drama it’s not bad. But not sure I will be coming back for season 2. Grade: B-

Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan (Season 1)
The action-drama is now playing on Amazon Prime Video. John Krasinski plays the title character, Jack Ryan, a CIA analyst. He discovers some questionable wire transfers instigated by an Islamic extremist. From there Jack is pulled into helping to catch the terrorist — before the man can wreak havoc on the world. It’s a globe-trotting political action thriller costarring Wendell Pierce and Abbie Cornish. This is a younger and more inexperienced Jack than we have met before in movies such as Clear and Present Danger and Patriot Games. Krasinski is an appealing lead, and there some good action-filled moments in the series. Unfortunately, the series is filled with Muslim and Middle-Eastern stereotypes. And it does come off a bit like a white knight coming to the rescue of some brown people. There’s also a subplot about Jack starting a relationship with a physician — and Krasinksi even gets a nude scene. Grade: B-

Thanks for reading. Please sound off in the comments and let me know what you have been enjoying in entertainment.