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.

Spring Reviews #2 2024

What have I been watching, listening to and reading? Read on…

Books

My Name is Barbra — Barbra Streisand
Superstar actress and singer Barbra Streisand has written her autobiography. And she has a lot to say — as the book is close to 1000 pages long! It covers her early days in New York, to her breakthrough in Funny Girl — to her string of hit movies and albums — and her marriage to Jim Brolin. Every facet of her life is talked about in detail. From her complicated relationship with her mother, past lovers, her son, and the difficulties of being a powerful woman in Hollywood. Plus, she talks about her political activism too. She’s a trailblazer who has been on the world stage since the 1960’s. Thank you for sharing your incredible story with us. Bravo, Barbra, Bravo! Grade: A

TV Streaming

This is Me…Now
Now streaming on Amazon Prime, this is the companion special to Jennifer Lopez’s recent album of the same name. She plays a version of herself on this journey to self-love. There are elaborate musical sequences, fantastic fashions and self-reflection by the woman who’s on her 4^th marriage. Plus, cameos by a bunch of guest stars playing members of the zodiac who are watching out for her: Jane Fonda, Trevor Noah, Kim Petras, Post Malone and more. One of my favorite parts was an elaborate wedding sequence with 3 different grooms! The ending has her doing her take on singing in the rain. I loved it! Grade: A-

The Greatest Love Story Never Told
This companion piece, also on Amazon Prime, is the documentary on the making of the movie special. It details all the hard work that went into the making of the special — costumes, choreography, and special effects too (lots of green screen work). We also see Jennifer and Ben Affleck, along with her manager and publicist talking about the risk with doing something as personal as this. It was refreshing to see someone who always looks so controlled and put together — shown without makeup and having her own self-doubts. She is one super-talented woman — and I am glad she let us into her world. Grade: B+

Beef (Season 1)
This limited series on Netflix recently won at the Emmy Awards for limited series as well as the 2 lead actors in it. Set in Los Angeles, it concerns 2 people, Danny (Steven Yeun) and Amy (Ali Wong) who have a road rage incident that escalates into an extended feud. At first it’s just the 2 of them going after each other, but pretty soon other members of their family and social circles become involved in this mess — that has no end in sight. Yeun I was familiar with, but Wong was a revelation for me. She plays a woman who is multi-faceted, manipulative and sexy even. The ending though, I am not sure about. I think I would have ended it on episode 9. But overall, I really enjoyed it. Grade: A-

Secret Invasion (Season 1)
Samuel Jackson returns as Nick Fury in this Marvel series — now streaming on Disney+. Fury along with his friend, Talos (a skrull) — uncover a plot to conquer the world amongst a rogue group of skrulls. The Skrulls are aliens with green skin who can shape shift into human form. It’s an action-packed show with questions about immigration and cultures colliding. The all-star cast includes Ben Mendelsohn, Olivia Coleman, Kingsley Ben-Adir and Emilia Clarke. Kingsley’s skrull leader Gravik wants to start World War III between the US and Russia — secretly hoping to have to have his own skrull planet. It’s a spy thriller with green aliens. I enjoyed it. Grade: B

Movies

Dune, Part Two
Now in theaters, this is the sequel to 2021’s Dune. Starring Timotheé Chalamet and Zendaya with direction by Denis Villeneuve — this movie furthers the story of Paul Atreides and his quest to seek revenge on those who destroyed his family. It’s an action-packed, visually stunning movie. I probably should have rewatched the first one, as I felt lost at first — but I was still able to get into it. New to the franchise are Austin Butler (in a scene-stealing role as a bald-headed soldier), Florence Pugh, and Javier Bardem. It’s a story of Paul fulfilling his destiny — with echoes of Game of Thrones, Gladiator, and Star Wars. Beautiful production design and cinematography, crazy costumes and memorable characters — and don’t forget the sand worms too. I enjoyed it. Grade: B+

Anatomy of a Fall
Now on streaming, this film is nominated for 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture. Sandra (Sandra Hüller) is a novelist in a remote French town who finds herself accused of her husband’s murder — after his body is found dead on the ground outside their home. Supposedly the husband fell from the 3^rd story window — did he jump? Or did his wife push him? This movie is more aptly titled “Anatomy of a Marriage”. We get insights about the couple’s marriage in the courtroom. The wife had been unfaithful in the past, and the husband had issues with mental health. The movie is half in French and half in English. The couple’s son is also called upon to testify since he found his father’s body. It was interesting to get a glimpse of the French court system with their costumes and procedures. Overall, it was a good movie — even though I think it could have been edited down from it’s 2.5 hour length. Worth a look. Grade: B

Godzilla x Kong: The New Frontier
Now in theaters, this movie brings back Godzilla and King Kong to the Monsterverse. It’s the 38^th film in the franchise! King Kong is living inside Hollow Earth (inside the planet). A distress signal from the Monarch station inside there has a crew descending into the Earth to see what is going on. Meanwhile, the researcher’s daughter is also drawn to there — since she was once on Skull Island with Kong. Kong finds more of his species, only to realize they are not friendly. He will need the help of Godzilla and Mothra to regain order in the world. If you enjoy seeing monsters fighting each other and smashing up things — there is plenty of it. It’s an action-packed movie, that brings fun back to the theaters. It’s a journey to the center of the Earth — with Kong and Godzilla. The humans along for the journey include Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry and Dan Stevens. I enjoyed myself. Grade: B+

Movies Streaming

On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
I rented this movie on Amazon recently — it’s the third movie from Barbra Streisand. Released in 1970, this musical has Streisand playing Daisy Gamble. She seeks the help of a psychiatrist (Yves Montand) who can hyponotize her so she can quit smoking. During the sessions, the Dr. encounters another person in her, Lady Melinda — a 19^th century woman — who ends up marrying a nobleman. Is Daisy crazy, or is she recalling a past life? It’s all a bit strange for a musical comedy— with Streisand basically playing 2 roles. As a musical, I found it lacking in good songs. The music was pretty forgettable other than the title song. Streisand does get to wear some amazing costumes during the moments as Melinda. And she doesn’t have much chemistry with Montand either. It’s a curiosity for sure, but not something I would watch again. I only watched it because Barbra talked about it in her autobiography. Grade: C-

Music Streaming

Thomas Rhett — 20 Number Ones
Country superstar Thomas Rhett gets his first greatest hits compilation. Despite the title, there are 22 songs on here. Special guests include Maren Morris, Jon Pardi and Keith Urban. It includes songs from his first 6 studio albums — including Die a Happy Man, Life Changes and Country Again. It’s a solid collection and an enjoyable listen. Grade: A-

Heart — The Essential Heart
This 2-CD greatest hits collection covers the 2 big periods for this band. The first in the 1970’s when they rocked the airwaves with hits like Barracuda and Magic Man. The second with their comeback in the 1980’s and pop radio hits like These Dreams and Alone. The sisters Wilson (Ann and Nancy) have survived through the decades and are now Rock and Roll Hall of Famers. It’s a comprehensive collection for the legendary group. Grade: A-

Bananarama — Viva
This is the 10^th album from pop-dance duo Bananarama — released in 2009. The deluxe edition comes with 30 songs (including remixes and extras). It’s another fun collection that will have you dancing and singing along. Highlights include Love Comes, The Runner and Run to You. Grade: B+

Justin Timberlake — Everything I Thought It Was
Justin Timberlake is back with his first new album in 6 years — and his 6^th overall. It’s easily his best album in years. He wants to have fun again. Just he is also reflective too. He’s funky, sexy and soulful on this collection. Plus, we get the 2^nd song from NSYNC in the last 6 months also (the first being in the last Trolls movie). Highlights include Fuckin’ Up the Disco, Sanctified, My Favorite Drug and the NSYNC song Paradise. Welcome back, Justin! Grade: A

Thanks for reading! Please sound off in the comments.

Spring Reviews 2024

Happy Spring! What have I been watching, reading and listening to? Read on for my reviews of movies, TV shows, music and books.

Movies

American Fiction
This movie is now in theater and nominated for 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture. It’s based on the novel Erasure by Percival Everett. Jeffrey Wright stars as Monk, a writer who is frustrated with his career. He keeps hearing how his work is not black enough. On a whim, he decides to write a book that gives into all of the outlandish stereotypes about black life — and to his surprise the book is a hit! Soon there’s talk of awards and turning it into a movie. The movie loves playing with stereotypes and expectations. In addition to the book drama, Monk has family issues to deal with including his mother’s failing health and his irresponsible brother. The strong supporting cast includes Traci Ellis Ross, Issa Rae, Leslie Uggams and Sterling K. Brown. It’s a small movie that brings up big issues. How do we be our authentic selves when other people want to stereotype us and put us in a box? Worth a look. Grade: B+

Maestro
Now on Netflix, this movie is nominated for 7 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actress and Actor. It’s the true story of composer, conductor and musician Leonard Bernstein. In the 1940’s, he courts and marries aspiring actress Felicia Montealegre, despite the fact that he a bisexual man. Bernstein is a driven man passionate about life — his music, his career, and his family. He continues to have relations with men throughout his marriage — causing tensions with his wife. But they stay together and raise 3 children until her death. Bradley Cooper pulls triple duty — as star, director and screenwriter. Carey Mulligan co-stars as his wife. It was an interesting and engaging story about an American icon. My only complaint is the fact that both stars are smoking cigarettes through most of the movie. Even if it is accurate, it just seems irresponsible in this day and age to show it. Grade: B

Lizzo: Live in Concert
Lizzo stars in her first concert special — now streaming on Max. It was filmed at the Kia Forum in Inglewood on her “Special” Tour. It features the singer-rapper along with her troupe of big girl dancers. The show features songs off of her albums — “Cuz I Love You” and “Special”. She’s all about self-love, self-respect and body positivity. The energetic show had the crowd on their feet — and singing along to smash songs like “Truth Hurts” and “About Damn Time”. She’s real and down-to-earth, and you can’t help but feel good listening to her music. In addition to her singing and dancing, she plays her flute on a few numbers too. I had a good time! Grade: B+

Nyad
Now streaming on Netflix and nominated for 2 Oscars, this fact-based drama tells the true story of Diana Nyad. Diana Nyad (Annette Bening) is a competitive athlete and long-distance swimmer. There is one item she has not been able to conquer: swim from Cuba to Florida. At the age of 60, she decides to try again for the swim she tried 30 years prior. The 110-mile journey is treacherous — with weather, water currents and animals (jellyfish and sharks) — all affecting the success or failure of the swim. This inspiring story is for anyone who has been told “no” in their life. Don’t let anyone tell you what you know you are capable of. The supporting cast includes Jodie Foster and Rhys Ifans. It’s an incredible, uplifting tale that will have you cheering in your seat. Grade: A-

The Zone of Interest
Now playing in theaters and nominated for 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture. The movie is in German, with English subtitles. This historical drama tells the story of the Höss family, who live next door to the Auschwitz concentration camp. In 1943, Rudolph Höss is a Nazi commandant at the facility, and his wife, Hedwig, is a housewife and mother. This disturbing movie shows the family having a normal life in their house — while atrocities are going down in the camp. The house has a big backyard and garden including a greenhouse and a swimming pool. The family is shown celebrating a family birthday too. The husband ends up getting promoted, and he is due to report to another location. But the wife will not have it, saying she loves the place and raising their kids there. She even tells her husband to take it up with Hitler. The whole time the family is there, we are treated to sounds coming from the concentration camps, including gunshots, muffled shouts and screams, and mechanical sounds. Not to mention the black smoke coming from the camp. It’s important that we never forget the horrific events of the Holocaust. The director Jonathon Glazer has created a thought-provoking drama about the cruelty of humans. I strongly recommend this movie. Grade: A-

Madame Web
Now in theaters, Dakota Johnson stars as Cassie Webb in this superhero origin story from Sony/Marvel. Cassie is working as a paramedic when she has a near-death experience. After that, she begins having déjà vu — where she sees something that hasn’t happened yet. A subway ride leads her to save 3 young women who she saw being killed in one of her visions. It turns out that the 3 are all connected to her in some way. The man who was trying to kill them was the same man who was doing spider research with her dead mother. He is trying to off the young girls as they themselves become superheroes in the future. The villain,Ezekiel Sims (Tahar Rahim) has spider powers himself and is seen in a spiderman-type suit. I found it mildly entertaining, with some possibilities for more girl-power added to the superhero genre. Grade: B-

Bob Marley: One Love
Reggae music legend Bob Marley gets the bio-pic treatment in this drama now playing in theaters. Starring Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob and Lashana Lynch as Rita Marley. The movie takes us through the years in the late 70’s when his career was exploding and political turmoil was rampant in his home of Jamaica. Bob and his band survive a shooting at his home — only to see him take the stage soon after for a peace concert. After that the band retreats to London to work on their next project. We get glimpses of his past with his band mates, as well his childhood too. We are treated to some of his greatest hits as they are coming together. But the movie still doesn’t get inside the head of the man who is considered music royalty — and he remains a bit of a mystery. Nor did they examine the complex relationship he had with his wife. I enjoyed it but I left wanting to know more. Grade: B+

Killers of the Flower Moon
Now streaming on Apple+ and nominated for 10 Academy Awards, this is the latest from director Martin Scorsese. This movie tells the true story of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma, and the series of murders that decimated their community once they found oil on their lands. Ernest (Leonardo DiCaprio) is recently back from the war, and urged by his uncle, William King Hale (Robert DeNiro), to marry an Indian woman so he can get part of the wealth from the oil. Lily Gladstone plays his wife, Molly. It’s basically the true story of how white men took advantage of people of color for their own benefit. Beware the enemy within or the enemy next door. The fact that they were able to get away with as much as they did is unacceptable and upsetting. It’s an important story that needs to be shared. Did he need 3.5 hours to tell the story? No. It could have easily been cut by an hour. But the performances and the interesting story kept me watching. Grade: B

The Holdovers
Now nominated for 5 Academy Awards, this comedy-drama is the latest from director Alexander Payne. It concerns a teacher (Paul Giamatti) at a boy’s boarding school who is tasked with watching over the students who have nowhere to go over Christmas break. First there is a group of kids, but it ends up being only 1 kid after a few days. The cafeteria manager (played by Da’Vine Joy Randolph) is also in the mix, as she is there to keep the teacher and students fed. Slowly but surely the teacher and student open up and warm to each other. They end up teaching each other a few things about life. Randolph is the favorite to win Best Supporting Actress — as the cafeteria lady and grieving mother — celebrating her first holiday without her child. There’s laughs and heart. Still on the slight side for a Best Picture nominee for me. It’s a story about life, growing up and making the most of your situation. Grade: B-

Past Lives
Now on streaming, this movie was recently nominated for 2 Academy Awards: Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture. Nora and Hae Sung are childhood sweethearts in Korea. Nora emigrates to America with her family, leaving Hae Sung behind. They reconnect over social media 12 years later. They reconnect their friendship over Zoom and talk about getting together in person. But it will be another 12 before that even happens. Director-writer Celine Song has crafted a beautiful and touching tale for these 2 individuals. Greta Lee and Teo Yoo play the adult versions of the characters. They both do a great job and have incredible chemistry. Were these 2 destined to be together, or did they end up on opposite sides of the world for a reason? What if you chose differently in life, and would your life have been better? I was really touched by this movie. Highly recommended! Grade: A-

TV/Streaming

The Crown (Season 6)
Now streaming on Netflix, the acclaimed drama is in its final season. This season covered the final days of Princess Diana, prime minister Tony Blair, the start of William and Kate’s relationship, the Queen’s jubilee, the marriage of Charles and Camilla, and the Queen mulling her own mortality. Over the course of 6 seasons, I have learned a lot about Queen Elizabeth II. The show has been perfectly cast with high-end production values. Imelda Staunton made a great Queen. And my favorite episodes of this season have highlighted her — or her on-screen sister played by Lesley Manville. I could have done without the drama about Diana — since we all lived through it and it was covered endlessly in the tabloids. But overall, I think this was a great show, and I am sorry to see it go. Farewell to the Crown! Grade: A-

The Last of Us (Season 1)
Now streaming on Max, this post-apocalyptic drama is based on a video game of the same name.  A pandemic causes a breakdown of society with a fungus turning people into zombies. The series mainly follows 2 characters: Joel (Pedro Pascal), a smuggler tasked with transporting an immune teen girl named Ellie (Bella Ramsey). They make their way from Massachusetts to the middle of America to deliver Ellie (to some scientists) and hopefully meet up with Joel’s brother too. Of course, the zombies are only part of the problem, as humans are the bigger risk. There are bands of survivors heavily armed and suspicious of any strangers. The show has some similarities with “The Walking Dead”, but the pandemic part of it adds to their mistrust of one another. Overall, I enjoyed this season including the gay-themed episode 3. But I do take issue with the last episode of the season — as it really left me not caring about a season 2. Grade: B+

Wednesday (Season 1)
Wednesday Adams (of the Adam’s Family) comes to life in this series — now streaming on Netflix. Jenna Ortega stars as the title character. She’s a social misfit and outcast who ends up at a magical school, Nevermore Academy. There she becomes involved in a murder mystery— trying to find out who or what is attacking people in the woods. She even has a couple of boys interested in her — despite her lack of social graces. It’s a family-friendly show that’s part Harry Potter and part Nancy Drew. I was a bit surprised at how wholesome the show was. I honestly was expecting something a bit darker knowing that Tim Burton was involved. Entertaining, if not especially earth-shattering. Grade: B

The Morning Show (Season 3)
Season 3 of the Apple+ series takes on January 6, big tech and corporate take-overs. John Hamm joins the cast as a billionaire tech guy who is trying to buy the network. Reese Witherspoon’s character is at the Capitol on January 6 — and captures some exclusive footage. Meanwhile Aniston falls for Hamm big time. Definitely an improvement over the lackluster season 2 — but I still have a problem with how they are writing Aniston’s character. I wanted more from her after the whole Mitch situation. Billy Crudup and Mark Duplass also have big story arcs this season. Grade: B-

Books

The Fall: The End of Fox News and the Murdoch Dynasty (Michael Wolff)
This book details the behind-the-scenes drama with the Murdoch family — who run Fox News. There are some similarities with the TV show, Succession. Squabbling siblings with an older father — running a conservative news network — when privately the family is not conservative. The book title is definitely wrong — Fox News is in no-way falling or on its way out. It’s hard to believe that for as much as they hate Trump — they still helped him win office (and he may again). My take is that at this point Fox is too much of a well-oiled machine to slow down or stop — they are making too much money to change course. Plus, with the family being mainly located in Australia — it allows them to distance themselves from it all. I learned a few things about the Murdochs, but still do not have any respect for them or their brand. Grade: B-

CDs/Music Streaming

Jason Mraz — Look for the Good
This is the singer-songwriter’s 7th studio album. It’s a reggae-pop collection of feel-good tunes. It’s all about positivity and gratitude — about making the most of our time here. Surprise special guest Tiffany Haddish even raps on one song! Highlights include Look for the Good, You Do You and Gratitude. The deluxe edition has 6 bonus tracks including a couple of live re-workings of his hits. It will leave you smiling. Grade: B+

Jennifer Lopez — This is Me…Now
This is the actress-singer’s 9^th studio album and her first in 10 years. It’s a sequel of sorts to her album from 2002, This is Me…Then. It’s one of her more personal albums and details where she is at in her life — including back with Ben Affleck. It has been accompanied by 2 Amazon Prime specials also. This is a woman in love and she’s not afraid to sing about it. Highlights include Can’t Get Enough, Hearts and Flowers and Rebound. I am enjoying this reenergized J. Lo. Grade: B

Chris Stapleton — Starting Over
This is the country singer’s 4^th studio album. It is a strong collection of blues-rock oriented country songs. He uses his weathered voice on songs that cover everything from relationships to the Las Vegas mass shooting and his dead dog. I am really starting to like this guy. He definitely deserves all the praise he has gotten. Highlights include the title track, Cold and You Should Probably Leave. Grade: A-

Darius Rucker — Carolyn’s Boy
Named after his deceased mother, Carolyn, this is Rucker’s 6^th county album and 8^th solo album total. He plays it safe on this collection of tunes — which feature a bunch of cliché lyrics about relationships, good times and drinking. He sounds great, but lyrically it is just OK. One of the stand-outs is his cover of Rihanna’s Life Me Up. Never Been Over about a lost relationship is also one of the highlights. It definitely could have been better. Grade: B-

DVD

VH1 Presents Donna Summer: Live & More Encore!
This concert special from 1999 was filmed before an enthusiastic crowd in New York City. I had the VHS of it back in the day, but I was able to get it on DVD. It was nice to see and hear Donna again. She performs her greatest hits including “MacArthur Park”, “I Feel Love” and “Hot Stuff” along with a few new songs from a musical she was developing. Long live the Queen of Disco! Grade: A-

That’s all for now. Thanks for reading. Please sound off in the comments and let me know what you have been enjoying as far as entertainment.

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Winter Reviews #3 2024

What have I been enjoying lately? Read on for my recommendations.

TV Streaming/DVD

Only Murders in the Building (Season 3)
Hulu’s mystery-comedy has entered season 3 — with series stars Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez all back in action. This season centers around the death of the star of Oliver’s new play — played by Paul Rudd. Also, new to the cast this season are Meryl Streep as Oliver’s love interest, and Jesse Williams as a potential suspect. Once Oliver’s play is stopped, he has the bright idea to turn it into a musical to rescue the show. So, we get some catchy new songs over the course of this season. Who wanted Rudd’s character dead? Was it one of his costars in the play, someone behind the scenes, an ex-lover, an angry producer — there are lots of potential culprits. This show has rebounded after a lackluster season 2. And the songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul are Broadway worthy. I enjoyed it. Grade: B

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (Season 1)
Now on Apple+, this series is otherwise known as the Godzilla series. The action jumps between events in the 1950’s and the events of the 2000’s. Back in the 1950’s Godzilla and the titans were just starting to emerge. In the 2000’s two half-siblings investigate the disappearance of their father who was working with Monarch, the covert organization that monitors the titans. Connecting the 2 stories is the character played by both Wyatt Russell and Kurt Russell — in different time periods. There is plenty of personal drama for the characters, as well as encounters with the monsters. What is Monarch trying to hide? And why did Russell’s character not age as fast as he should have? There are moments I liked this series, and at other times I was bored. It’s a bit of a mixed bag and feels drawn out with 10 episodes. I could have done with less personal drama and more monsters. Grade: C+

Blue Beetle
Now streaming on Max, this superhero movie is the origin story for the Blue Beetle. Jamie Reyes (Xolo Mandueña) is a recent first-generation college-grad looking for a job. An interview at Kord Industries, leads him to an encounter with one of the Kord family members who asks him to hold a package. Little does he know that the package contains an ancient artifact called the Scarab. This Scarab latches on to him — and combines with his DNA allowing him to have superpowers. Along for the ride are Jamie’s family — mom, dad, sister, uncle and grandma. Jamie finds himself on the run from Kord, as they want to create a race of super-soldiers with his DNA. The movie has a good mix of humor and action. The supporting cast includes Susan Sarandon, George Lopez and more. And watch out for Grandma (Adrianna Barraza) — she’s got some skills the family didn’t know about. It was a fun watch. Grade: B-

Cop Rock
Now on DVD, this short-lived musical cop show was created by Steven Bochco (LA Law, Hill Street Blues) and William M. Finkelstein. It ran for 11 episodes in the fall season of 1990. It is no lost gem, but it is definitely a curiosity. Like who would think a show like this would work? The show centered on a bunch of cops in LA. The stories all seem pretty timely still: police violence, racism, homelessness, drug addiction, and more. It’s just the breaking out in song — with a full-on production number — is most unexpected. The problem to me, I think, was the tone. It didn’t know to be serious or to be funny. It tried to have it both ways — and I think it could of worked if they had picked one. The actors all had nice voices and were singing live on set. Also, they had all original songs in it — which is hard to do and keep up the quality. A fantastic failure for sure. Grade: B-

Movies

Godzilla Minus One
Now playing in theaters, this action-drama is the 37^th movie in the Godzilla franchise. The movie was filmed in Japanese with English subtitles. The story starts in 1945 near the end of World War II. We meet Koichi, a kamikaze pilot, who feigns technical issues with his plane to avoid the war. Godzilla attacks the military base he is on, and he fails to act when he has the chance to shoot Godzilla. As Godzilla gains powers and make more appearances, Koichi has a chance to redeem himself during an elaborate plan to take the monster down once and for all. There is also a romance subplot involving the pilot and a young woman who has been displaced by the destruction. I was entertained and engaged on how it would all turn out. It is definitely better than any of the recent Hollywood Godzilla movies. A pleasant surprise! Grade: B+

The Iron Claw
This sports drama, now playing in theaters, tells the story of the Von Erich family. The family patriarch was a wrestler back in the day, now he is owner/promotor of his own wrestling association. He has gotten his 4 sons into the business as wrestlers, and their careers take off in the late 70’s — early 80’s. Has the father driven his sons too far? Or will their ambitions take them to the next level or be their downfall? Zac Efron gives an Oscar worthy performance as the default oldest brother (he had a younger brother who died as a child). Kevin Von Erich starts a romance with a local woman while trying his best to beat the family curse that others claim the family has. Heart-breaking and touching, with glimpses of life in and out of the ring of these young men. The strong supporting cast includes Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Maura Tierney and more. Be warned, you may shed a tear or 2. Grade: A-

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Now in theaters, this is the sequel to 2018’s Aquaman from DC Studios. Jason Momoa is back as the title character, with support from Amber Heard, Nicole Kidman, Patrick Wilson and more. New this time is the villain Manta played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Manta is intent on taking down Aquaman and everyone he loves, so Aquaman must reunite with his brother in order to defeat him and save Atlantis. Unfortunately, this movie is a mess. DC still doesn’t know what to do with their superheroes or how to build a franchise. The makers think because Momoa is a likable guy, people will turn out for this piece of crap. Ultimately this move is just CGI nonsense. Definitely skip it. Grade: C-

The Color Purple
Thirty-eight years after the last movie, we get a new version of “The Color Purple”. Billed as a bold new take on a beloved classic, this one is a musical. Starring Fantasia Barrino (American Idol) as Celie, with a strong supporting cast that includes Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Halle Bailey, Colman Domingo, H.E.R. and more. The story remains the same. Celie is a young woman in the early 1900’s who is married off to an abusive man by her abusive father. Her husband forbades her from seeing her sister — her one true friend in the world. It’s not until her husband’s crush, Shug Avery — a singer played by Taraji P. Henson — comes to stay with them, that Celie’s life turns around. Shug helps her see her own beauty, encourages her to leave her husband and stand up for herself. I was surprised at how close to the original the story was. The songs are decent but lack the big showstopper you would expect from a Broadway musical. Ultimately, it’s a story about family, and rising above adversity. I enjoyed it. Grade: B+

Leave the World Behind
Now playing on Netflix, this apocalyptic thriller has 2 Oscar winners squaring off against each other. Written and directed by Sam Esmail (Mr. Robot), Julia Roberts and Mahershala Ali play the leads with support from Ethan Hawke, Myha’la and Kevin Bacon. Julia Roberts’s Amanda, along with her husband and 2 children, arranges a trip out of town at a vacation beach house. It seems that something is going wrong with the world. All cell service is down, animals start acting strangely and a tanker ship just beached itself while they were at the beach. During the night, the house’s owners show up, led by Mahershala’s George and his daughter. They apologize for the inconvenience and ask if they could stay for the night. It’s a modern take on “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” during a world-wide catastrophic event. Should the white couple trust these “intruders” who happen to be black? Are they telling the truth about why they are there? And what is really happening to our country? There is a lot I liked about this movie, but ultimately, I think it didn’t go far enough. With racism and conspiracy theories running rampant in the world, I doubt things would go as smoothly as they did here. Worth a look. Grade: B-

Saltburn
Now on streaming, this is the 2^nd movie from Emerald Fennell, Oscar winner behind “Promising Young Woman.” This story focuses on misfit Oliver, who is struggling to fit in at Oxford College. A chance meeting with another student, the popular Felix (Jacob Elordi) — leads to an invitation to Oliver to join him and his family at their country estate (Saltburn). There he tries his best to fit in with his family — mother, father, sister and cousin. Oliver’s world is shaken when Felix drags him to see his real family. There, Oliver’s lies about his upbringing all come to light. Later in the day, Oliver is treated to a birthday party with 200 strangers. Barry Keoghan stars as Oliver with a strong supporting cast that includes Rosamund Pike, Jacob Elordi, Archie Madekwe and Richard E. Grant. Keoghan goes all in — figuratively and literally — with a scene-stealing nude scene during the finale. He was the best thing about the movie for me. But I struggle with what the director is trying to say with this film. All rich people are bad, and that they are right to not trust poor people? It has echoes of “The Talented Mr. Ripley” — which was a better movie than this. It depicts a world of excess and extremes, with substance abuse, sexuality and violence — all on the menu. It was just OK to me. Grade: C

Mean Girls
Mean Girls gets the musical comedy makeover in this new version of the 2004 film — now in theaters. The story remains the same as the previous version. Cady (Angourie Rice) is a recent transfer student to North Shore High School. She wonders where she fits in with the other students. The Plastics are the mean girls of the school under Queen Bee Regina George (Reneé Rapp). Soon the Plastics clique take Cady under their wing as a social experiment. But when Cady wants the Queen Bee Regina’s ex, things get messy. The supporting cast includes: Auli’l Cravalho, Jaquel Spivey, Bebe Wood, Tina Fey (who also wrote the screenplay) and more. Fans of the original, will love this version too. Songs were taken from the 2017 Broadway show, with some re-worked or dropped for the film version. The cast is very likable, with strong voices through-out. You are sure to leave the theater smiling and humming some of the catchy songs. I loved it! Grade: A-

The Beekeeper
Action star Jason Statham is back on the big screen. He plays Adam Clay, a beekeeper. He rents some property from an old woman played by Phylicia Rashad. She becomes a victim of a phishing scam and loses all of her money. Clay takes it upon himself to find out who is taking money from vulnerable seniors. And he is out to extract revenge for his friend. Little do they know who this man is and what he is capable of. He takes some gas cans and proceeds to burn the call center down that tricked his friend. And that is just the beginning. Clay is an ex-member of a secret government group called “the Beekeepers.” He’s a one-man killing machine who is intend of not stopping until he takes everyone and their corporation down. It’s an action-packed thrill ride that doesn’t let up. The supporting cast includes Jeremy Irons, Josh Hutcherson and Minnie Driver. It’s a fun popcorn movie and Statham’s best movie since “Crank”. Check it out! Grade: B+

Origin
This is the latest from writer-director Ava Duvernay — now in theaters. It’s a fact-based drama based on the writings of Pulitzer-Prize winning author, Isabel Wilkerson. The movie follows Isabel (played by Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor) as she navigates her life after a series of personal tragedies. She begins working on a book about the Caste system — that takes her around the world. The caste system is a society wide system characterized by hierarchy, inclusion and exclusion and purity. She makes the statement that the problems of the world are more than racism — that is just an aspect of the caste system. This movie is not any easy watch. It starts with Trayvon Martin and his subsequent murder. We visit the holocaust in Germany, slave ships and slavery in America, and the poor in India. It is a lot to take in. The supporting cast includes Jon Bernthal, Vera Farmiga, Audra McDonald and Niecy Nash-Betts. At AMC Theaters, the movie is followed with an interview with the director — breaking things down and talking about what we just saw. This is a movie that needs to be watched and discussed. Highly recommended! Grade: A-

Rustin
Now streaming on Netflix, this fact-based drama tells the story of Bayard Rustin. Rustin was an openly gay black man and civil rights activist. He was the organizer for the March on Washington in 1963, in which Martin Luther King spoke. Starring Coleman Domingo in the title role (recently nominated for an Oscar), with a supporting cast that includes Chris Rock, Glynn Turman, Audra McDonald and more. The movie focuses mainly on getting the March off the ground and does not give us the complete picture of who he was. We hear some of his backstory, but it is not delved into at length. This true American hero deserves to have his story heard. Definitely worth a look, but it left me wanting to know more. Grade: B+

Poor Things
This movie was recently nominated for 11 Academy Awards and is still in the theaters. It’s the latest from director Yorgos Lanthimos (The Favourite). The movie is definitely a head-scratcher — as it is one of the weirdest Best Picture nominees that I have ever seen. Emma Stone plays Bella — a woman with a child’s brain created by the mad doctor, Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). Bella finds herself being controlled or dominated by the men in her life. First, it’s her creator, who she calls “god” — then by Godwin’s assistant and the man who she runs away with. There is a lot of sex and nudity in this movie as Bella likes the control she has over men with it. It is all very strange and upsetting. My take is that this movie is a pro-choice movie — that women should have the right to control their own bodies. Everything is of-putting from odd camera angles and film techniques to weird and unsettling, orchestral score. The production design is sort of inventive to go with this crazy, fantasy, old-timey, yet futuristic world. The supporting cast includes Ramy Youssef and Mark Ruffalo. Ultimately it was a bit too much for my taste — Poor Things — was not my thing. Grade: C

CDs/Music Streaming

Bananarama — In Stereo
Dance-pop duo Bananarama has released their 11^th studio album. They rightly stick to the dance floor and give us what we expect from them: a good time! Sara and Keren co-wrote most of the tracks on this album. Highlights include Dance Music, Stuff Like That, and Looking for Someone. An enjoyable listen. Grade: A-

Chris Stapleton — Higher
Country superstar Chris Stapleton has released his 5^th studio album with Higher. It’s a spectacular collection of songs that highlight his excellent vocals. It’s a mix of country, folk, soul, blues and classic rock. Highlights are numerous and include The Fire, Think I’m in Love with You, and White Horse. I was really moved by this album. He’s gained a new fan. I loved it! Grade: A

Belinda Carlisle — Kismet
This 5-song EP is Belinda’s first pop record since 1996. All songs are written by Diane Warren, the legendary songwriter who she collaborated with in the 1980’s. It’s great to hear Belinda back in her element and having fun. Highlights include Big Big Love and Sanity. I wish there was a full album, but I will take what I can get. Grade: B+

Kylie Minogue — Impossible Princess
This album from 1997 was Kylie’s 6^th studio album. She is in fine form, and ready for the dance floor.  Highlights include Too Far, Did It Again and Dreams. Considered an experimental record, it incorporated elements of trip-hop, electronica and rock. An enjoyable listen. Grade: A-

That’s all for now. Please sound off in the comments. Thanks for reading.

Year-End Top Tens for 2023

Let’s take a look back on the past year in entertainment. Here are my Top Tens for albums, singles, videos, concerts and movies. 

Movies

1. Barbie
2. Oppenhemier
3. Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour
4. Theater Camp
5. Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé
6. Air
7. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
8. Love to Love You, Donna Summer
9. The Little Mermaid
10. Renfield

TV Shows

1. Queen Charlotte
2. The Crown
3. Grey’s Anatomy
4. Station 19
5. American Idol
6. Riverdale
7. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
8. Succession
9. Andor
10. The Morning Show

Albums

1. Lainey Wilson — Bell Bottom Country
2. Chris Stapleton — Higher
3. Jason Mraz — Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride
4. Tim McGraw — Standing Room Only
5. Brothers Osborne — Brothers Osborne
6. Kylie Minogue — Tension
7. Taylor Swift — Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)
8. Kelly Clarkson — Chemistry
9. Sam Smith — Gloria
10. Dierks Bentley— Gravel & Gold

Singles

1. Flowers — Miley Cyrus
2. Calm Down — Rema & Selena Gomez
3. Dance the Night — Dua Lipa
4. Used to Be Young — Miley Cyrus
5. Fast Car — Luke Combs
6. Need a Favor — Jelly Roll
7. Head & Heart — Joel Corry (feat. MNEK)
8. Never Gonna Not Dance Again — Pink
9. Break My Soul (The Queen’s Remix) — Beyoncé and Madonna
10. Tell It to My Heart — Cash Cash & Taylor Dayne

Concerts

1. Carrie Underwood — Denim & Rhinestones Tour
2. Sam Smith — The Gloria Tour
3. Queen + Adam Lambert — The Rhapsody Tour
4. Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull, Ricky Martin — The Trilogy Tour
5. Janet Jackson — Together Again Tour
6. Shania Twain — Queen of Me Tour
7. Seal — 30^th Anniversary Tour
8. Boy George and Culture Club — Summer Tour
9. John Legend — A Evening with John Legend
10. Quincy Jones 90^th Birthday Tribute: A Musical Celebration

DVDs

1. Spoiler Alert
2. Armageddon Time
3. Till
4. She Said
5. Erasure — Live in Cologne
6. Cop Rock
7. Living
8. High Fidelity
9. Donna Summer — VH1 Presents Live & More Encore
10. Saint of 9/11

As always, comments are kindly welcomed. Let me know what your Top Tens for the past year were.

Winter Reviews #2 2024

What have I been watching and listening to these past few months? Read on for my reviews of movies, TV shows, music, and more.

Movies

Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé
Superstar Beyoncé brings us a concert movie/documentary based on her recent stadium tour and album “Renaissance”. We see the 3 sides of Beyoncé: wife/mother, businesswoman and performer. The tour is one of the most elaborate productions I have ever seen. The show has huge video screens, a fantastic band, awesome singers and dancers, creative production design and lighting. Plus the force of nature that is Beyoncé herself — with all the singing and dancing she is doing during this show. The costumes are stunning, and we get to see different outfits from different cities. We see her connection to her BeyHive — and how they responded to the show. The show is mostly the Renaissance album, with a few select songs from her career. It’s exciting and life-affirming, and will have you dancing in your seat! I loved it! Grade: A

Wonka
Now in theaters, Wonka is a prequel/origin story of the character Willy Wonka. Timothée Chalamet stars as the title character following turns by Gene Wilder (in 1971’s “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory”) and Johnny Depp (in 2005’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”). Wonka is a struggling chocolatier who is trying to get himself established and open a shop. He finds himself stuck in a boarding house run by Olivia Colman. This is a colorful and playful take on the character. Chalamet is charming in the role and does a good job with the singing (who knew!). The supporting cast includes Keegan-Michael Key and Hugh Grant (as an Ommpa-Lompa). The songs are written for this movie, except for a select few reprised from the 1971 movie. It reminded me of the “Paddington” movies, as it shares the same director. I enjoyed it! Grade: B

TV Shows

The Morning Show (Season 1)
Now on Apple+, this drama takes us behind the scenes at The Morning Show — a network morning show like “Good Morning America” or “Today”. Jennifer Aniston stars as Alex Levy and Steve Carrell stars as Mitch Kessler — the co-hosts of the show. After Mitch gets fired for sexual misconduct, Alex struggles to find her footing on the show and in the world. Reese Witherspoon plays a small-time reporter who has a viral video. Alex picks her from obscurity to be her co-anchor pissing off the network and her bosses. The strong supporting cast includes Billy Crudup, Mark Duplass, Nestor Carbonell and Karen Pittman. The season has a lot to say about the #MeToo era, about women in the workplace, and corporate culture. I enjoyed it! Grade: A-

The Morning Show (Season 2)
Season 2 picks up right after the events of Season 1. Alex has left the show and Bradley (Witherspoon) is co-hosting the Morning Show with someone else. There soon is an empty chair there, and a plan is made to bring Alex back to the show. Unfortunately, the show continues the story of Mitch and his struggles to rebuild his life. I could care less about this. Aniston is saddled with reacting to a tell-all book that is coming out that threatens her livelihood. Witherspoon’s character has struggles on screen and off. Considering the time period, I really think this season missed the mark. They deal with the COVID crisis and the upcoming election in 2020 in passing, where I think they should have been the focus. I didn’t buy Aniston’s fear about her sexual past coming to light. I was disappointed. Grade: C

Music

Janelle Monáe — The Age of Pleasure
This is the singer-actress’s 4^th album, recently nominated for Album of the Year. It’s a vibey collection of songs that transitions from one to another like a mixtape. You get that she is having fun making music with her friends, as there are a number of guest stars including Grace Jones. It’s a decent collection without any real stand out single for me. I still admire her and her artistry even if this not my favorite. Grade: C+

SMASH — Bombshell
Why am I buying a 10-year old album from a cancelled TV show? Because of the music! Say what you want about the TV show, but these songs still hold up. The show about creating a Broadway show about Marilyn Monroe — had some great moments courtesy of Katharine McPhee, Megan Hilty, Bernadette Peters, Leslie Odom Jr. and more. Highlights include: Let Me be Your Star, The 20th Century Fox Mambo and History is made at Night. Worth a listen! Grade: B+

Ed Sheeran — Autumn Variations
This is Ed’s 7^th album, and the second one this year! He said there would be no singles or video promotions for this project. It was inspired by the life changes that he and his friends went through in the previous year. I found it to be a solid collection — you get both sides: the singer-songwriter Ed and the pop-star Ed. Worth a listen. “Amazing” should have been a single. Grade: B

Duran Duran — Danse Macabre
Veteran new-wave group Duran Duran has released a Halloween-themed album in “Danse Macabre”. You get new versions of some Duran Duran fan favorites (Night Boat, Secret October) along with some new songs and cover songs (Paint it Black, Super Freak) too. It’s a comprehensive collective that celebrates their legacy while adding to it. An enjoyable listen! Grade: A-

Dolly Parton — Rockstar
Music superstar has delivered on her promise of recording a rock album — after being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. And she’s brought along plenty of friends and fans — everyone from Stevie Nicks, Sting, Ann Wilson, Pat Benatar, Simon Le Bon, Pink, Paul McCartney and many more! Most of the album is Dolly’s take on classic rock songs from The Police, the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Queen, the Rolling Stones and more. Plus, there are a few new songs added in the expansive 2-album set of 30 songs. Dolly sounds great — and makes the songs her own. Some of the singers don’t sound very good — I’m looking at you, Steve Perry and Kevin Cronin. And I could have done without some of the spoken ad-libs on Dolly’s part. But it’s a solid collection and an enjoyable listen. I would be interested in hearing a complete rock album of originals next time— if there is a part 2 to this. Grade: B+

Lisa Stansfield — Deeper
This is Lisa’s 8^th studio album. She wrote most of the tracks along with her husband who produced it along with Snowboy. I liked the previous studio album “7” more than this one. But there are still moments where she shines. Highlights include: Billionaire, Never Ever, Hercules, and Butterflies. A decent listen. Grade: B-

That’s all for now. Thanks for reading. As always, comments are kindly welcomed.

Winter Reviews 2024

What have I been watching and listening to these past few months? Read on for my reviews of movies, TV shows, music, and more.

CDs/Streaming

Taylor Swift — 1989 (Taylor’s Version)
Taylor’s re-recordings continue with her version of 2014’s “1989”. This was Taylor’s first official pop recording, and the re-records do their best to recapture the sound of the originals. The extras on here are the weakest compared to some of the other Taylor’s versions extras. There are 5 new songs “from the vault” — but no lost gems here. I say stick with the original. Grade: B-

Cher — Christmas
Singer, actress and icon Cher has released her first Christmas album after 60 years in the business! It’s a strong collection of pop standards and new tunes — that will have just dancing and singing along. Special guests include: Stevie Wonder, Michael Bublé, Darlene Love and Cyndi Lauper. The first single “DJ Play a Christmas Song” recently gave Cher a #1 holiday song! I loved it! Grade: A-

TV Shows

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Season 1)
Now streaming on Amazon Prime, this fantasy adventure series is based on the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit). The story is set thousands of years before the events of those books. We still get all the different creatures of middle Earth: hobbits, elves, orcs, dwarves and more. It is an action-packed show with high production values. I did keep waiting for someone or something to connect with the “The Lord of the Rings” movies. And we finally get the making of the rings near the end of the series. There’s a lot to keep track of. And the show has taken some criticism for its racially diverse cast. I am fine with it. Overall, I liked it. But not sure how it goes forward or distinguishes itself from the other LOTR iterations. Grade: B-

Movies

The Marvels
Marvel Studios latest is now in theaters. It’s the sequel to 2019’s Captain Marvel, as well as the continuation of the storyline from the Disney+ series “Ms. Marvel.” Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) finds her powers entangled with those of Kamala Khan and Monica Rambeau — such that they trade places in the universe when they use them. The three must band together to help save the universe and restore order to the world. This is one of the slighter Marvel entries — the tone is very goofy and silly at times reminiscent of the last 2 Thor movies. It’s colorful and playful — and doesn’t need 3 hours to tell it’s story (it clocks in at 1 hour, 45 minutes), Samuel Jackson is along for the ride as Nick Fury, and if you liked Goose the cat from the first one, you are in for more of that. It was OK. Grade: B-

Flora and Son
Now streaming on Apple+, this musical comedy-drama tells the story of Flora (Eve Hewson) and her relationship with her rebellious teen son, Max. Flora is trying to connect with her son and gives him a guitar she rescues from the trash. He rejects the gift, but she decides that she is going to learn it herself. She starts taking lessons on Zoom from a songwriter in Los Angeles (played by Joseph Gordon Levitt). She bonds with the guitar teacher and finds out about her son’s love of music and creating beats/raps. Soon mother and son are creating music together and finding common ground. It’s a feel-good movie, with some catchy songs. My biggest complaint about the movie was the cussing throughout… I don’t think it was needed. Worth a look. Grade: B

Next Goal Wins
Now in theaters, this comedy is the latest from director Taika Waititi. It’s the story of the American Samoa soccer team, and their journey to redemption after a devastating loss at the Word Cup. The team brings in a new coach played by Michael Fassbender to help them get it together. In the process, he learns more about himself, island culture and the lives of his new make-shift team family. Based on a true story, this movie has heart and humor. It’s a feel-good movie that will leave you smiling. It’s also interesting that a transgender player is part of the story too. I liked it. Grade: B

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
This prequel is the 5^th movie in The Hunger Games franchise. It’s an origin story for the character of Coriolanus Snow, the future leader of Panem. Set 64 years before the first film, we meet Snow as a young man who is assigned to mentor a young woman named Lucy Baird in the 10^th annual Hunger Games. The 2 leads are perfectly cast with Tom Blyth as Coriolanus and Rachel Zegler as Lucy.  We get a glimpse of the early games as well as a possible romance between the 2 main characters. The strong supporting cast includes Peter Dinklage, Viola Davis and Jason Schwartzman. The film was directed by Francis Lawrence who directed the 2^nd through 4^th films in the series. If you liked all of the other movies, you will enjoy this one too. Grade: B

Wish
This is the latest from Disney Animation — now playing in theaters. This fantasy musical tells us the story of Asha, a young girl who is hoping to be the apprentice for the powerful sorcerer king, Magnifico. Magnifico has taken the people’s wishes and keeps them locked up — only to grant some of them over time. When Asha wishes on a falling star, she soon has the star following her around and interacting with her and her friends. She decides to rescue the wishes of her family members from the sorcerer — and return them to her family. Featuring new songs from hitmaker Julia Michaels along with Benjamin Rice. And featuring the voices of Ariana DeBose and Chris Pine. It’s a story of family, finding your self-worth and striving for your dreams. I enjoyed it. Plus, there are nods to other Disney movies thrown in — as this marks the 100^th year of the Walt Disney company. Grade: B+

Books

Britney Spears — The Woman in Me
Pop star Britney Spears has written her autobiography “The Woman in Me”. We hear about her unhappy childhood to her rise to pop princess with “Baby, One More Time”. Plus, we get the details about her love life, mental health challenges and her conservatorship. Fans will eat this up! While I enjoyed it overall, I do wish she went into more details with some periods of her life. The book is a scant 275 pages long. I was left wanting to know more. And it does NOT go into her recent divorce either. Grade: B-

That’s all for now. Thanks for reading. As always, comments are kindly welcomed.

Winter Reviews 2023

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

Movies

The Creator
Now in theaters, this sci-fi action movie shows us a future where AI is everywhere and threatens our way of life. John David Washington stars as Joshua — an elite operative who must hunt and kill “The Creator” — the elusive architect of advanced AI. What he finds though is a young AI girl, that he knick-names Alfie. How could this young girl be the weapon that he was warned about? He takes the girl under his wing as they try to out-maneuver those that want to kill her. It’s an action-packed movie with thrilling special effects. The supporting cast includes Gemma Chan (as Washington’s love interest) as well as Ken Wantanabe and Allison Janney. It reminded me a bit of “Terminator” — with an adult watching out for a child who has the key to the future. Not perfect, but still engaging and worth talking about. Grade: B

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour
Now playing in theaters, this is the concert movie filmed on Taylor’s recent stadium tour of the same name. So, if you couldn’t get a ticket to the show, here’s your chance to see it up close. It’s a 2 hour and 45-minute extravaganza that covers the last 17 years of her career. Filmed at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood — you get a high-energy show with elaborate staging, choreography, costumes and all the hits you know and love from Taylor. She breaks the show into “eras” defined by the albums she released. Some how she is able to connect with fans on a personal level despite the stadium setting. The audience in the movie theater was clapping after every song — at the show I attended. I loved it! Grade: A

CDs

Dan + Shay — Bigger Houses
County-pop duo Dan + Shay have released their 5^th album. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. They’ve found a successful formula and haven’t messed with it. These songs will play well at country radio and adult-contemporary too. Highlights include: the title track, Save Me the Trouble and Then Again. Though there is one song aimed for county stations only in “We Should Get Married”. It’s an enjoyable listen, if nothing earth-shaking. Grade: B+

Debbie Gibson — Winterlicious
Eighties teen-pop singer Debbie Gibson has released her first Christmas album. It’s a solid collection of covers and original songs. Special guests include Joey McIntyre and her dad, Joe. The new songs show she hasn’t lost her songwriting skills — they are all strong. Grade: A-

Alicia Keys — Santa Baby
The R&B star’s first Christmas album is a smooth jazz, soulful collection of standards and a few originals. This would be a nice collection to play at your fancy dinner party. Grade: B-

Imagine Dragons— Live in Vegas
This is the soundtrack to the concert movie of the same name. You get the hits such as Radioactive, Demons, Believer and more. Plus, album cuts and fan favorites from their 6 studio albums. It’s an entertaining listen, and a good souvenir from the show. Grade: B

TV Streaming

Imagine Dragons— Live in Vegas
Now playing on Hulu, this concert was filmed before a hometown crowd at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Dan Reynolds and company deliver a lively, hit-packed show that shows why they are so popular. You get all sides of the band — from arena rockers to singer-songwriter vibes along with some hip-hop flourishes. I saw this show in person and was a bit underwhelmed with this concert movie. And why did Dan Reynolds pull back on his sexiness? At the show I saw, he had his shirt off for a good portion of the show. He keeps it on the whole time here. I still like how they deal with issues such as mental health, personal worth and striving to be your best. And it’s great that they are LBGTQ allies also. Grade: B

Thanks for reading. As always, comments are kindly welcomed.

Fall Reviews #3 2023

What have I been watching and listening to? Read on…

Movies

Bottoms
Now playing in theaters, this raunchy teen comedy is built around 2 unpopular lesbians, PJ and Josie (played by Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri). The girls decide to start a fight club at school with the hopes of hooking up with other girls by graduation. It’s definitely offbeat and subversive. Marshawn Lynch almost steals the show as the kids’ faculty advisor for the club. It’s  also quite bloody and a bit wicked too. There’s a lot of potential here, just not sure they lived up to it. I could have used some more laughs. Grade: B-

Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story
Now playing in theaters, this drama tells the story of how a young man named Jann Mardenborough went from playing games in his bedroom to being a real-life race car driver. The game “Gran Turismo” was developed as a racing simulator — and soon became a fan favorite for it’s realism. Jann wins a video game competition to join the GT Academy with a chance to become a real racer. He soon realizes that it’s not so easy in the real world — and that driving involves skills and athleticism that he must develop. Starring Orlando Bloom, David Harbour and Archie Madekwe as Jann. The movie is an under-dog story set in the world of race car driving. Director Neil Blomkamp has a keen eye and the racing sequences are very exciting. I enjoyed it. Grade: B+

Dumb Money
Now in theaters, this movie tells the story of Keith Gill (Paul Dano) who under the screen name Roaring Kitty, leads a stock surge for Game Stop on Wall Street. Based on true events, it’s one of the first movies I have seen that feature the pandemic.  Gill is a regular guy who makes funny videos with stock tips on YouTube. The video resonates with a major audience and has them investing in the stock market — specifically Game Stop. This gets the Wall Street guys upset, and they bet against it, hoping that it would fail. Similar in vibe and tone to “The Big Short” — the all-star cast includes Shailene Woodley, Seth Rogen, Pete Davidson, America Ferrera and more. Who doesn’t want to see the regular guy win? I was entertained. Grade: B

DVD/Streaming

65
Now on streaming, this sci-fi movie has Adam Driver playing a space pilot who crash lands on a mysterious planet. He soon finds out he is not the only human there, as he finds a young girl. Problem is the planet is not hospitable to humans — as dinosaurs are roaming free. Another rip-off of better movies including Jurassic Park. It was an OK movie at best for me. Grade: C

Bumblebee
Now on streaming, this movie is the 6^th installment in the Transformers film series. It’s the origin story for the Transformer known as Bumblebee. Hailee Steinfeld is the one that discovers the VW beetle that transforms into Bumblebee. It’s not heavy on mythology or back stories compared to some of the other films in the series. It’s a girl and her transformer. Decent story, and it’s got some heart. Better than average. Grade: B+

Theater Camp
Now playing on Hulu, this comedy tells the story a struggling youth summer camp. It’s a camp for the arts — singing, dancing, acting, etc. Every year the camp puts on several plays including an original musical. This year, the camp is putting on a play about the owner, who is struggling with health issues in the hospital. Meanwhile her fame-seeking son is trying to keep the camp afloat — with knowing nothing about running a business. The kids are all hoping that this camp leads to a career in the arts. The cast is great (including Ben Platt, Molly Gordon and more) has natural musical-comedy talent. It’s funny and had me laughing out loud through-out. If you are a fan of musicals, coming of age movies, and movies like Camp Rock, then this one is for you. I loved it! Grade: A-

Wham!
Now playing on Netflix, this documentary recounts the rise of the pop duo, Wham! (Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael). Forty years after their debut album, the group is getting this documentary. Told by the guys themselves, as well as by those who knew and worked for them. A scrapbook format is used to highlight their short, but successful career. We get a lot of behind-the-scenes footage we have never seen, as well as fun TV and concert footage. I was a fan of the group back in the day, and it was fun to relive their heyday. I do wish that it went into more depth with the struggles George was going through — being a closeted gay pop star. Ultimately, it’s the story of 2 friends who chased their dream and made some fun pop songs. Grade: B+

CDs

Luke Combs — Gettin’ Old
Country star Luke Combs has released his 4^th studio album, a companion to his 3^rd album, Growin’ Up. It’s a rumination on life, where we are at, and how much time we have left. Highlights include You Found Yours, Still and a remake of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car”. I enjoyed it. Grade: B+

Lisa Stansfield — Seven
Released in 2014, Lisa’s 7^th album is a strong collection of soulful, retro-tinged songs. Highlights include So Be It, The Rain and Carry On. The special edition comes with 4 bonus live tracks recorded in Manchester. I am sorry I waited so long to get this! I love it! Grade: A-

Westlife — Where We Are
The 9^th album from the Irish boy band has their trademark harmonies and catchy songs. Highlights include What About Now, the title track and I Will See You Again. Grade: B-

No Doubt — Push and Shove
This album from 2012 was the 6^th and final album from No Doubt. It’s a solid collection of reggae-tinged rock songs. Highlights include the title track, Looking Hot and Sparkle. Gwen Stefani and the gang have delivered another fun collection. Grade: B

Lainey Wilson — Bell Bottom Country
Recently named Entertainer of the Year at the CMA Awards, singer Lainey Wilson has produced one of the best albums of the year. Fiery, sweet, rockin’ and twangy — it’s today’s country and an ode to the past too. I can’t stop listening to it! The highlights are many — Grease, Hold My Halo, Watermelon Moonshine, Heart Like a Truck. She even has a remake of 4 Non-Blonde’s “What’s Up”. This is the sound of a future superstar. Grade: A

Tim McGraw — Standing Room Only
Tim McGraw proves why he is a superstar on his 16^th studio album. It’s a solid collection of well-written songs that touch the heart and get you moving. Highlights include the title track and Her. I can’t wait to hear these songs in concert next year. Grade: B+

Brothers Osborne — Brothers Osborne
Brothers TJ and John Osborne are back with their fourth studio album. It’s the first album since TJ came out of the closet in 2021. It’s got foot-stompin’ songs, along with tender ballads. I like the direction that the group is going in. Highlights include: Nobody’s Nobody, Rollercoaster (Forever and a Day), and Might as Well Be Me. Grade: A-

Kylie Minogue — Tension
Pop superstar Kylie Minogue is back with her 16^th album. And she’s back firmly in today’s dance music — after a few trips with retro-inspired and country-influenced records. It’s the lead up to her residency in Las Vegas, which explains why there is a song called Vegas High. Highlights include: Padam Padam, Tension and 10 Out of 10 (with Oliver Heldens). You will be dancing the night away with this one. Grade: A-

TV Shows

The Boys (Season 3)
Amazon Prime’s The Boys continues to be the twisted version of comic book heroes. Homelander is really the superhero version of Trump. Butcher and the gang are still out to take him down — except this time they have some help from compound V — which makes Hughie and Butcher have superhero capabilities. Violent, irreverent, and often funny. Not for everyone that is sure. Grade: B

Heartstopper (Season 2)
Season 2 of Netflix’s Heartstopper continues the budding romance of Charlie and Nick. Is Nick ready to tell his friends at school about it? Is Charlie dealing with some issues from the past? Plus, their circle of friends get more storylines —especially the friendship and possible romance between Elle and Tao. I like these characters and want to see more. Grade: B+

That’s all for now. Please sound off in the comments. Thanks for reading. Until next time…

Fall Reviews #2 2023

What have I been watching and listening to lately? Read on for my take on movies, TV shows, music and more.

Movies

Oppenheimer
Writer-director Christopher Nolan brings us his latest movie — now playing in theaters. Based on the true story of physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer who is seen as the father of the atomic bomb. Cillian Murphy stars as Oppenheimer with a large supporting cast that includes Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett, Rami Malek and more. The story primarily focuses on Oppenheimer’s lead on the Manhattan Project — and the challenges the team faced with producing a working nuclear weapon. We also get glimpses of the complicated man behind the science in his personal relationships. And his battle with the US government over security concerns after the war. An interesting story with strong performances, great production design, cinematography, sound and more. Sure to be a major Oscar contender in 2024. Grade: A-

Streaming/DVD

Duran Duran: A Hollywood High
Now on streaming, this concert film/documentary has the veteran new-wave band discussing their connection to Los Angeles as well as playing highlights from their 2022 album “Future Past.” The band performed a small intimate show on a rooftop in the shadow of the Capitol Records building in Hollywood. The songs are worthy additions to their song catalog — and stand up against their big hits (which they perform a few of in this show). Worth a look. Grade: B

Fire Island
Now on Hulu, this romantic comedy has a group of gay friends traveling to Fire Island for their annual trip. It’s loosely inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Classism and romance complicate their week-long get-away. The story mainly focuses on 2 Asian American men (Noah played by Joel Kim Booster who also wrote the script) and his friend Will (played by Bowen Yang). Can Noah find something besides a hook-up and can Will find romance with a white guy? I liked the camaraderie of the friends, not so much for the romance. Stereotypes abound, and there is too-much emphasis on substance abuse for laughs. It’s a worthy effort, if not quite successful. Grade: C+

TV Shows

Gossip Girl (Season 2)
Now streaming on Max, this is second (and final) season of the re-boot of this show. I knew going in that the show had been cancelled, but I still watched it anyways. I should have skipped it. The Julien character is still a problem, and I don’t see why anyone would want to be around her. The best part was when they brought in Georgina Sparks (played by Michelle Trachtenberg) from the original series. The ending seemed to indicate they knew they were being cancelled. Definitely best to stick with the original series. Grade: D

The Crown (Season 5)
Season 5 has the show being recast for the third and final time. Imelda Staunton stars as Queen Elizabeth and Jonathan Pryce as Prince Phillip. The season covers the years 1991-1997. So besides the Queen having to deal with questions about the relevancy of the monarchy, we get plenty of Charles and Diana and the fall-out of their marriage. Now that we are getting into more familiar territory, the show is losing some of its appeal — at least for me. In the first couple of seasons, I learned a lot about the Queen and the royal family. Now, not so much. The acting is still strong, as well as the production design. We’ll see how they wrap things up for Season 6. Grade: B-

Nancy Drew (Season 4)
The fourth and final season has Nancy and her friends trying to figure out the mystery of the sin eater — and how she can break the love curse with Ace. There are some creepy/scary moments as well as the personal dramas of all the main characters too. I wish the series lasted longer. But I will take what I got. Grade: B-

Riverdale (Season 7)
The 7^th and final season has Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead and friends all stuck in the 50’s after the events of the previous season. They are still in high school and navigating a changing world. Only 1 friend knows about their lives in other timelines — and the core group learns of this later on. Not my favorite season by far — I will miss these characters though. And it was nice to find out what happens to them all in the future also. Grade: B-

High School Musical, the Musical, the Series (Season 4)
The fourth and final season of the Disney+ series has the gang tackling “High School Musical 3” as their senior production. Plus, trying to figure out relationships and life after high school. It’s a pretty queer season, as it highlights 2 queer couples. You get some catchy songs and relationship drama – but it is all figured out in the end. Gone from this season is break-out star Olivia Rodrigo who left after season 3. Sorry to see this gang go. Grade: B

Music

Joss Stone — LP1
Stone’s 5^th album was produced by Dave Stewart of Eurythmics fame, who also co-wrote most of the songs. It’s a bit of a departure for her — with a more rock, blues edge. She seems to have lost some of the magic that made her earlier recordings so special. She’s done better. Grade: C

Jason Mraz — Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride
Singer-songwriter Jason Mraz returns with his 8^th studio album. The big surprise is how much fun he brought back into the music — and he gets us dancing too! Lead single “I Feel Like Dancing” has him channeling Justin Timberlake and the disco era. It’s a delightful collection of dance pop songs (You Might Like It, Feel Good Too)— with some soul-searching songs (Irony of Loneliness) thrown in too. Who knew he could make a sexy song called ‘Pancakes & Butter”? It’s his best album in years. I love it! Grade: A-

That’s all for now. Thanks for reading. Please feel free to sound off in the comments.