Here are a few gems to keep you entertained while you are following directive to STAY HOME! Movies marked with an asterisk are ones I had not seen previously. All are rated on a scale on 1-5 cans of tuna fish. Numbering picks up from previous months.
26. Picture Perfect (1997) – There’s nothing perfect about Kate’s (Jennifer Anniston) life. She is a hardworking ad exec who is single and lives alone. Those qualities seem to preclude her as a candidate for advancement. So when she meets Nick (Jay Mohr), the videographer of a wedding she attends, she prevails on him to pose as her fiancée, inundating him with important information on her life (how she takes her coffee) so she can introduce him to her colleagues and then break up with him, thus giving her the gravitas she needs to impress her bosses. Meanwhile, she is having a fling with colleague and womanizer Sam (Kevin Bacon). It doesn’t take long for us to realize that Kate most likely will begin to find Nick someone she can put into her life legitimately. Very light and moderately charming. 3 cans.
27. The Way Back* (2020) – A sports redemption pictures go, this is one of the better ones. Ben Affleck plays Jack Cunningham, former basketball star at the local high school, who is no longer with his wife and has largely separated himself from the people who care for him. Instead, he shows up at work and drinks, goes home and drinks and goes to the local bar and drinks. Considering Affleck’s well-publicized personal battles with alcohol, in many ways, this movie wasn’t a stretch for him. When Jack is asked to take over as the coach of the high school team where he once starred as a player, he rehearses every possible way to turn down the offer. But he can’t, and instead he emerges as a really good coach who turns the team around. But can he truly redeem himself and find the way back, or will he slip back into his old habits? You will have to see this one to find out – and it is worth it. 3½ cans. This is a good movie, but it is not “Hoosiers,” the ultimate basketball redemption movie.
28. The Factory* (2020) – When a Chinese company took over an abandoned Ohio GM factory to open Fuyako Glass, the optimism for the success of the partnership was high. But the Americans hired by the new company and the culture of the Chinese workers and management resulted in a culture clash. The Chinese were accustomed to exacting standards and long hours, and the Americans did not feel comfortable with the imposed rules. There were safety issues, union issues and training issues. The new company was determined to succeed and make a profit, but at what cost? This is a very absorbing commentary on the working class from two disparate areas of the world, their hopes and aspirations and the reality of business. Catch it on Netflix. 3½ cans.
29. The Women of Troy* (2020) – This HBO documentary tells the story of the emergence of women’s college basketball in the 1980s, led by one of the best players of all-time, Cheryl Miller, leads a supremely talented team from the University of Southern California to two consecutive NCAA titles. Until that time, small schools like Immaculata, outside of Philadelphia, and the Lady Techsters of Louisiana Tech were the elite basketball schools. But with the adoption of Title IX legislation that required schools to fund men and women equally (and not just in athletics), large schools like USC began to dominate. If you are a women’s basketball fan, you will be thrilled to see the exploits of the first generation of women superstars, such as Cynthia Cooper, Kim Mulkey, Nancy Lieberman, Miller and her teammates Pam and Paula McGee, who bring athleticism and razzle-dazzle to the women’s game. This film traces their story on the college level as well as the birth of women’s professional basketball in the US with the formation of the WNBA, affording players an opportunity to continue their post-college basketball careers in the US and make a living. Catch this one since we all missed March Madness. 4 cans.
30. The Karate Kid (1984) – Ralph Macchio plays Daniel, a kid from New Jersey who moves with his mom to California, meets the pretty girl at school (Elizabeth Shue) and gets bullied by the blonde surfer dudes who practice karate – on his face. He is a good kid, just trying to fit in, but the guys won’t give him a chance. When handyman Mr. Miyagy (Pat Morita) offers to teach him karate, Daniel is willing but dubious of his unconventional training approach, which includes waxing a car (“wax on, wax off”), painting a fence and standing on one leg. But the skinny kid somehow manages to pull it all together to compete in an under-18 tournament with the bigger and stronger bully boys. Guess what happens? 3 cans and a cheer for the underdog.
31. The Heart of the Game (2005) – With the possible exception of “Hoop Dreams,” there is no finer documentary about basketball (or sports, in my opinion) than this 7-year look at Coach Bill Resler and his Roosevelt High Rough Riders in Seattle, Washington. A college tax professor, Resler takes on the hapless high school girls basketball team and uses an unconventional approach to urge the girls on to victory. He tells them they are a pack of wolves or tigers, and they abandon traditional offensive sets and swarm the opposition on defense. When the gifted Darnellia Russell shows up (a year after the documentary starts), she brings her considerable basketball skills and sometimes poor attitude to challenge Resler. Will they win the state championship? Will Darnellia overcome her own problems to stay on the team? I know the outcome and yet every time I watch this movie I am thrilled at each basket, each pass, and each game. If you like sports and enjoy documentaries, you’ve gotta have “Heart.” 5 cans.
32. Lost Girls* (2020) – Shannon Gilbert is missing in Long Island, and her mother, Mari (Amy Ryan) is relentless in pushing the police to look for her. During the search, police find the bodies of three other young women, all prostitutes, dumped and unaccounted for. The cops need a push so Shannon is not forgotten as police delve further into the work of what may be a serial killer. Very absorbing and based on a real case. Ryan is terrific as the ferocious mom. 4 cans. Netflix.
33. After the Wedding* (2019) – Isabel (Michelle Williams) is desperate to secure funding for the orphanage she runs in India, so when she is asked to return to NY to discuss a major donation by a potential benefactor, she reluctantly leaves her charges. In New York, she meets with rich and powerful Theresa (Julianne Moore), who invites her to her daughter’s wedding the next day so they can get to know each other. But Theresa’s husband (Billy Crudup) already knows Isabel. That brief description is all I can supply without spoiling the plot. I hope that’s enough to intrigue you, because the movie is worth seeing. 4 cans.
34. This is a Game Ladies* (2004) – I would rather be watching my beloved Rutgers Women’s Basketball team on the court, but that is not possible since March Madness has been canceled. So instead, I viewed this documentary for the first time, thanks to YouTube. It traces the RUWBB team from right after its loss to Tennessee in the Final Four in 2000 through the next full season with a glimpse of the 2001-2002 squad. Long-time fans will find the familiar faces of Rutgers players from way back and can relive some thrilling victories and agonizing defeats. Above it all is the dominating figure of Coach C. Vivian Stringer as she encourages, cajoles, challenges and leads her young ladies through a season of highs and lows, with her burning desire to make them successful women. 4 cans, but I am biased on this one!
35. The Mighty Macs (2009) – This improbable story is one you wouldn’t believe unless you knew it were true. In 1971, young basketball coach Cathy Rush takes charge of the perennially losing Mighty Macs of tiny Immaculata College outside Philadelphia. There was no gym and only one basketball. The uniforms were pinafores with sashes, and the rules had just changed so the players were no longer restricted to just one area of the court as in the past. NCAA basketball and Title IX did not yet exist. In this impossible set of circumstances and with an unconventional approach to coaching, Rush, aided by a young nun, turned a very small group of players into champions who dominated the sport for three years. Former Rutgers Coach Theresa Shank Grentz, a player on those Immaculata teams, has a cameo as the last nun in the pew. A fun and inspiring story of trust, spirit and innovation. 3½ cans.
36. The Three Faces of Eve (1957) – Joanne Woodward stars in this unusual story of a woman with multiple personalities. Dowdy housewife Eve White has “spells,” starting with a headache and progressing to blackouts, followed by amnesia. Dr. Luther (Lee J. Cobb) can’t figure out what is wrong with her, until one day in his office when alter ego Eve Black emerges. She is a randy woman who flirts with the psychiatrist, who cannot believe what he is seeing. And Eve Black is not the only one crowded into Eve White’s head; there’s Jane, with no Southern accent, who is the sensible one, and who helps stabilize the situation. It takes years of therapy and more frequent spells to finally determine the underlying cause of these personalities, which overpower Eve White. Interesting concept and played with enough nuance and sensitivity for Woodward to win the Oscar. 3½ cans because it seems dated and melodramatic now.
37. Forrest Gump (1994) – This Tom Hanks classic (aside from “Bachelor Party,” has this guy ever made a real dud?) is about life, love, and loss, about celebrating the every man, showing us that we each have some kind of gift to bring to our existence and that you don’t need to be a genius to master life. Yes, it is a fantasy and I generally avoid fantasies, but it is so heartwarming and poignant that it is irresistible. I had not seen it in many years. I am glad I took the time. 4½ cans.
38. Dirty Dancing (1987) – Frances “Baby” Hausman (Jennifer Grey) meets dreamy dancer Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze) at a Catskills resort, takes one look and becomes a great dancer. He’s all wrong for her, of course, but he won’t put her in the corner. Great music and dancing and watching it now makes my heart ache for Swayze. If you need more detail, just see the movie. 4 cans.
39. Self-Made* (2020) – Until Madam C. J. Walker (Octavia Spencer) came along with her hair products empire in the early 1900s, there were no female self-made millionaires in the US. In this Netflix mini-series, Spencer starts as the laundrywoman for Addie, a rich woman with her own hair care business. She won’t hire Madam Walker to do sales because she does not fit the image of the other African-American women who sell and use her products, so Walker sets off to develop better products and succeeds beyond her rival. Walker is an industrious woman with a fierce strength, and she never stops battling to build a factory and grow her business. She hired thousands of black women who went on to their own success, and she was an early philanthropist, giving to historically black colleges such as Spelman. People have criticized this story, saying it glosses over facts, but I am only judging what I see as a story of a fiercely independent woman who was far ahead of her time. 3½ cans.
40. The Princess Bride* (1987) – You just don’t find a lot of good, swashbuckling movies anymore, but if you like heroes and villains and damsels in distress, this one will tickle your fancy. This fantasy is intelligent and very clever with a host of excellent actors who keep their tongues (mostly) out of their cheeks and not overplaying their parts. The bonus was seeing the young Fred Savage as the grandson listening to his grandfather (Peter Falk) tell this good, old-fashioned story. There are memorable characters (Wallace Shawn and Many Patinkin as Inigo Montoya) and lines and silly situations, but it all works in an off-kilter, Monty Python kind of way. Right now, I could use a little fantasy. I cannot believe I had never seen this one! 3½ cans. (I’d give it a 4 but I don’t LOVE fantasies.)
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Saturday, March 14, 2020
The NEW March Madness
This month’s blog entry is a bit different than my usual lighthearted fare. But with the dire news about the spread of the Covid-19 virus surrounding us, I thought it appropriate to reflect on this public health crisis and provide some sourced information to help us all. The material included here was created by me, with references noted and quoted.
The is the year when everything changed.
First, Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna were among a group of 9 people who lost their lives in a helicopter crash.
And then the corona virus, COVID-19, hit.
One NBA player tested positive and the league immediately suspended its season, with hockey, soccer and other sports leagues following suit.
March Madness Basketball games were canceled and conference tournaments were halted in the middle of games after some were played without spectators, cheerleaders, the band, or the fans providing the homecourt advantage. The Rutgers Men's Basketball team was on the cusp of gaining its first berth in the NCAA Tournament since 1991, only to be left with a premature ending to a magical season.
St. Patrick Day parades have been canceled or rescheduled. Baseball’s Opening Day has been postponed.
The stock market crashed.
Other than epidemiologists, had you ever heard of the Corona virus or Covid-19? Yeah, me neither.
Now – and this is subject to change by the time you finish reading this essay – people are dying in Italy, where they have run out of beds and medical care. People are being diagnosed and dying in this country, too, in your town or a neighboring one, and the situation is likely to get worse before it gets better.
Three people mutinied because someone sneezed on an airplane, ending in a forced landing.
People are sneezing into their coats, stripping toilet paper and hand sanitizer from store shelves, and practicing “social distancing,” thus validating all of the introverts who avoided crowds anyway. Today I got the last two bananas at my supermarket and nothing to use to make and freeze a meatloaf. People are hunkering down, hoarding and losing their last bit of sanity.
Concerts, sports events, rallies, weddings and parties are being cancelled. Who wants to take a cruise with the possibility of being quarantined upon returning if someone on the ship tests positive for the virus? Or worse.
Flights are being canceled because people are afraid to fly. And with the tests for the virus being in limited supply, no one knows whether they have been exposed to the virus by a passenger who just hasn’t been diagnosed yet.
Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson announced that they have contracted the virus and are in quarantine in Australia.
Colleges and public schools are closing, leaving college kids with no place to go and no way to get there. Teachers are scrambling to prepare to teach online. People will lose their jobs because they have to stay home and take care of their kids instead of picking them up after school. We may run out of beds in health care facilities, equipment and treatments.
The reality is that no one – even the US, with the best doctors and health care in the world (supposedly) – was prepared to face this worldwide pandemic that has resulted already in thousands of deaths. Diagnostic tests were not available and the vaccines have not as yet been developed. And don’t hold your breath waiting for a cure or a vaccine.
According to the industry group Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers Association, on average, “it takes at least 10 years for a new medicine to complete the journey from initial discovery to the marketplace, with clinical trials alone taking six to seven years on average. The average cost to research and develop each successful drug is estimated to be $2.6 billion.” We don’t have that kind of time.
The threat of further outbreaks remains a reality as we have finally caught up with our own failure to take precautions with our health. Our lack of good hygiene doesn’t help. The CDC says that only 31 percent of men and 65 percent of women wash their hands after using the bathroom. WebMD on its website lists the “12 Hot Spots for Germs,” and they are things many of us experience every day, like using a touch screen to order food or touching the restaurant menu, using those explosive hand dryers (for those who actually wash their hands) or working out at the gym on equipment where the virus’ germs may reside for a period of time.
According to a four-year study conducted by the University of Arizona’s Environmental Research Lab and sponsored by Clorox, “Grocery carts are veritable petri dishes teeming with human saliva, mucus, urine, fecal matter, as well as the blood and juices from raw meat. Swabs taken from the handles and child seats of 36 grocery carts in San Francisco, Chicago, Tucson, and Tampa showed these common surfaces to rank third on the list of nastiest public items to touch, with only playground equipment and the armrests on public transportation producing more disgusting results. In terms of playing host to germs and bacteria, the carts are far worse than public bathrooms, which at least are cleaned more often. Bacteria and viruses such as E. coli, staphylococcus, salmonella, and influenza can live on grocery carts, a sorry fact most shoppers are blissfully unaware of.” That’s OK, the grocery shelves are bare anyway by now.
Some further advice suggests maintaining a 2-week supply of food in the house in case you are quarantined, stocking up on prescriptions you might need during that period and buying over-the-counter meds to treat the symptoms you may contract.
Many stores offer antibacterial wipes these days. Use them. If you are lucky you might find a package of wipes or a bottle of sanitizer on the shelf. Many of us who were careful before the invasion of the virus but who were not exactly germophobes now have begun to rethink how we can minimize our exposure to germs in general and to the Covid-19 virus specifically.
The World Health Organization says:
“Practice respiratory hygiene. Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
“Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene practices, you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19."
When I think of all the times someone accidentally spit on me during a conversation, I shudder.
The WHO continues:
“Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority. National and local authorities will have the most up-to-date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.”
We are told to wash our hands for at least 20 seconds. Lady Macbeth didn’t wring her hands as much as I do now, followed by an application of lotion to prevent dryness and cracking. I saw online a diagram of how to wash our hands properly and realized that at nearly 70 years old, I had not been doing it right.
Stay away from crowds and don’t wear a mask unless you have symptoms but do use hand sanitizer before and after any possible exposure. Last week, as I was flying home, a passenger was wiping down her seat like it was going to be used for surgery. And I had no idea how many times my hands touched my face in the course of a day, which we are told to avoid.
Now I wonder if I could have been exposed to the virus at the BIG 10 Women’s Basketball Tournament, which was held the week before all hell broke loose. If it takes two weeks to develop the virus, I’m smack in the middle of that window.
If you do have symptoms, see your doctor and self-quarantine for two weeks. Watch movies, read books, take a walk, do deep-breathing to help stay as relaxed as possible, and wait. Call your friends and family and use social media to stay in touch since most gatherings are discouraged. Donate to your local food bank, where supplies are limited and donations are down.
I’m not minimizing the severity of this situation by any means, but I am hopeful that we will change our behavior as individuals to improve our hygiene short- and long-term. And I am hopeful that we will get this pandemic under control, because it is deadly.
What a year! And it is only March.
Meanwhile, stay safe, stay healthy and stay connected.
The is the year when everything changed.
First, Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna were among a group of 9 people who lost their lives in a helicopter crash.
And then the corona virus, COVID-19, hit.
One NBA player tested positive and the league immediately suspended its season, with hockey, soccer and other sports leagues following suit.
March Madness Basketball games were canceled and conference tournaments were halted in the middle of games after some were played without spectators, cheerleaders, the band, or the fans providing the homecourt advantage. The Rutgers Men's Basketball team was on the cusp of gaining its first berth in the NCAA Tournament since 1991, only to be left with a premature ending to a magical season.
St. Patrick Day parades have been canceled or rescheduled. Baseball’s Opening Day has been postponed.
The stock market crashed.
Other than epidemiologists, had you ever heard of the Corona virus or Covid-19? Yeah, me neither.
Now – and this is subject to change by the time you finish reading this essay – people are dying in Italy, where they have run out of beds and medical care. People are being diagnosed and dying in this country, too, in your town or a neighboring one, and the situation is likely to get worse before it gets better.
Three people mutinied because someone sneezed on an airplane, ending in a forced landing.
People are sneezing into their coats, stripping toilet paper and hand sanitizer from store shelves, and practicing “social distancing,” thus validating all of the introverts who avoided crowds anyway. Today I got the last two bananas at my supermarket and nothing to use to make and freeze a meatloaf. People are hunkering down, hoarding and losing their last bit of sanity.
Concerts, sports events, rallies, weddings and parties are being cancelled. Who wants to take a cruise with the possibility of being quarantined upon returning if someone on the ship tests positive for the virus? Or worse.
Flights are being canceled because people are afraid to fly. And with the tests for the virus being in limited supply, no one knows whether they have been exposed to the virus by a passenger who just hasn’t been diagnosed yet.
Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson announced that they have contracted the virus and are in quarantine in Australia.
Colleges and public schools are closing, leaving college kids with no place to go and no way to get there. Teachers are scrambling to prepare to teach online. People will lose their jobs because they have to stay home and take care of their kids instead of picking them up after school. We may run out of beds in health care facilities, equipment and treatments.
The reality is that no one – even the US, with the best doctors and health care in the world (supposedly) – was prepared to face this worldwide pandemic that has resulted already in thousands of deaths. Diagnostic tests were not available and the vaccines have not as yet been developed. And don’t hold your breath waiting for a cure or a vaccine.
According to the industry group Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers Association, on average, “it takes at least 10 years for a new medicine to complete the journey from initial discovery to the marketplace, with clinical trials alone taking six to seven years on average. The average cost to research and develop each successful drug is estimated to be $2.6 billion.” We don’t have that kind of time.
The threat of further outbreaks remains a reality as we have finally caught up with our own failure to take precautions with our health. Our lack of good hygiene doesn’t help. The CDC says that only 31 percent of men and 65 percent of women wash their hands after using the bathroom. WebMD on its website lists the “12 Hot Spots for Germs,” and they are things many of us experience every day, like using a touch screen to order food or touching the restaurant menu, using those explosive hand dryers (for those who actually wash their hands) or working out at the gym on equipment where the virus’ germs may reside for a period of time.
According to a four-year study conducted by the University of Arizona’s Environmental Research Lab and sponsored by Clorox, “Grocery carts are veritable petri dishes teeming with human saliva, mucus, urine, fecal matter, as well as the blood and juices from raw meat. Swabs taken from the handles and child seats of 36 grocery carts in San Francisco, Chicago, Tucson, and Tampa showed these common surfaces to rank third on the list of nastiest public items to touch, with only playground equipment and the armrests on public transportation producing more disgusting results. In terms of playing host to germs and bacteria, the carts are far worse than public bathrooms, which at least are cleaned more often. Bacteria and viruses such as E. coli, staphylococcus, salmonella, and influenza can live on grocery carts, a sorry fact most shoppers are blissfully unaware of.” That’s OK, the grocery shelves are bare anyway by now.
Some further advice suggests maintaining a 2-week supply of food in the house in case you are quarantined, stocking up on prescriptions you might need during that period and buying over-the-counter meds to treat the symptoms you may contract.
Many stores offer antibacterial wipes these days. Use them. If you are lucky you might find a package of wipes or a bottle of sanitizer on the shelf. Many of us who were careful before the invasion of the virus but who were not exactly germophobes now have begun to rethink how we can minimize our exposure to germs in general and to the Covid-19 virus specifically.
The World Health Organization says:
“Practice respiratory hygiene. Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
“Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene practices, you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19."
When I think of all the times someone accidentally spit on me during a conversation, I shudder.
The WHO continues:
“Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority. National and local authorities will have the most up-to-date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.”
We are told to wash our hands for at least 20 seconds. Lady Macbeth didn’t wring her hands as much as I do now, followed by an application of lotion to prevent dryness and cracking. I saw online a diagram of how to wash our hands properly and realized that at nearly 70 years old, I had not been doing it right.
Stay away from crowds and don’t wear a mask unless you have symptoms but do use hand sanitizer before and after any possible exposure. Last week, as I was flying home, a passenger was wiping down her seat like it was going to be used for surgery. And I had no idea how many times my hands touched my face in the course of a day, which we are told to avoid.
Now I wonder if I could have been exposed to the virus at the BIG 10 Women’s Basketball Tournament, which was held the week before all hell broke loose. If it takes two weeks to develop the virus, I’m smack in the middle of that window.
If you do have symptoms, see your doctor and self-quarantine for two weeks. Watch movies, read books, take a walk, do deep-breathing to help stay as relaxed as possible, and wait. Call your friends and family and use social media to stay in touch since most gatherings are discouraged. Donate to your local food bank, where supplies are limited and donations are down.
I’m not minimizing the severity of this situation by any means, but I am hopeful that we will change our behavior as individuals to improve our hygiene short- and long-term. And I am hopeful that we will get this pandemic under control, because it is deadly.
What a year! And it is only March.
Meanwhile, stay safe, stay healthy and stay connected.
Sunday, March 1, 2020
Tina's February 2020 Movies and More
I guess seeing 11 movies in a short month (even though it was Leap Year) is not a bad record, but fewer than my normal total. movies not seen previously are noted wiyh an asterisk (*) and the rating system goes from 1-5 cans of tuna, with 5 the top rating.
15. Parasite* (2019) – I know it got the Oscar for Best Picture and a bunch more accolades, but there was little I liked about this movie. Yes, it was a very original story and well presented, but it did not hold my interest. I was not interested in the story and I don’t enjoy having to read the movie in the subtitles. Just not my cup of tea. 2 cans for the direction and originality.
16. Vick* (2020) – If you recognize the name Michael Vick, it is probably in conjunction with his conviction for conducting a dog-fighting business on his property, rather than because he was a gifted pro football player. This ESPN documentary, part of the “30 for 30” series, take a deep dive into Vick’s life and background, coming from an impoverished area and climbing to incredible wealth and fame, all of which came crashing down around him as a result of his self-acknowledged stupid decision to allow dog-fighting in his compound. Originally from Virginia, where dog-fighting is at least somewhat accepted, Vick allowed the old friends to move into his home and have the run of the house and property in the dog business, building kennels and featuring ghoulish fights between dogs. He was aware but not as deeply involved as the others, and as he saw himself go quickly from the top of his profession to prison and bankruptcy, he was genuinely contrite. Many stories have the “rise and fall” arc, and this one is no exception. Vick is interesting because his abilities on the football field paved the way for future outstanding young, Black quarterbacks who can pass and run with equal skill. Vick was blessed with amazing athletic ability, but little concern with proper training or even how his money was being spent. This is a 2-part documentary that runs for a total of 4 hours, but worth the time. 3½ cans.
17. JoJo Rabbit* (2020) – JoJo (Roman Griffin Davis) is a fresh-faced 10-year old living in Germany with his mother and his imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler (Taika Waititi, who wrote and directed the film). Although he is so young, JoJo has his own political beliefs and he thoroughly endorses the Nazis, even though his mother (Scarlett Johanssen) is hiding a teenaged Jewish girl (Thomasin McKenzie) in their house. His mother is sympathetic towards the persecuted young woman and Jews in general, while young JoJo is a Nazi sympathizer. Hitler is hilarious – if you can imagine that – and this satire looks in parts as if Monty Python had a hand in the script. At one point, the Nazis have to round up German Shepherds, and instead of dogs, they show up with actual shepherds. It is not all fun and games, as war is serious stuff, and the lonely little boy finds himself with just one friend, another young boy who supports the Nazis as the war winds down. This movie has a very fresh approach and is a constant reminder that we have to be taught to hate, to ridicule and disparage people who are not exactly like us. You can’t help thinking of the climate here in this country right now, with antisemitism and racism now so openly practiced. Young Davis gives a superb performance in his role as JoJo. Expect to see him on the screen often. 4 cans.
18. Running Scared (1986) – Rarely has an action movie proved so amusing, largely because of the unmistakable chemistry between Chicago cops Ray and Danny (Gregory Hines and Billy Crystal). The two are trailing a drug kingpin Julio (Jimmy Smits) and nearly get killed in a shootout, when their car chases Julio on the El line tracks, and when it ends up in a car crusher. The two actors – best known as a dancer and a comedian – are captivating as they work against the bad guys and even fellow officers to bring down the drug dealer. This movie is so old now that Ray talks on a cell phone the size of a large sneaker, but it remains a treat in the action drama buddy genre. 3½ cans.
19. Unknown (2011) – Here’s what I know: Never get into a cab, an elevator, a car, a train or anywhere else if Liam Neeson is there. This guy gets himself into and out of impossible situations. Here he is Dr. Martin Harris, a scientist who arrives with his wife (January Jones) in Berlin for a conference and loses his briefcase and nearly his mind. The “coincidences” that take place here are beyond the scope of reality, as he gets into an accident on his way back to the airport to retrieve his suitcase, is saved by the heroic cab driver (Diane Kruger) but winds up in the hospital with no identification. (The thought that he could get treated without insurance may be the most mind-boggling aspect of the movie.) When he gets back to the hotel, no one can confirm his identity, including his wife (January Jones), who is now on the arm of another main who claims to be Martin – and this guy (Aidan Quinn) has a valid passport. Go figure. Although parts of the plot seemed preposterous, the movie has enough suspense to hold your interest and dare you to follow it. Just stay away from Neeson! 3½ cans.
20. The Queen (2006) – Helen Mirren does a masterful job in portraying Queen Elizabeth II in this recounting of the death of Princess Diana in 1997. The Queen and her husband, Prince Philip, are away with her son, Prince Charles and “the boys,” Princes William and Harry when the fatal car accident occurs in Paris. Divorced from Prince Charles, Diana was no longer welcome in the Royal Family, and the Queen had no intention of noting her passing, no less celebrating her life, until newly elected Prime Minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) works some diplomatic magic to persuade her to appropriately mark the devastating loss of what he called “The People’s Princess.” The coldness of the Royal Family is evident, although the Queen would have you believe she was only trying to keep her grandsons’ bests interest at heart. If not for Blair’s common sense approach and his increasing sympathy for the monarch, there might have been mutiny against the Crown. 3½ cans.
21. Tell Me Who I Am* (2019) – Twin brothers Alex and Marcus are close, which is invaluable when Alex has a devastating accident that wipes out most of his memory. He trusts Marcus to fill in all of the gaps, which Marcus willingly does. But his recounting of their childhood and later life omits some of the reality of their lives together, which Alex resents when he realizes that Marcus has lied to him for many years. This is a true and painful story. You could not make this stuff up. Fascinating. 3½ cans. Available on Netflix.
22. Fatal Attraction (1987) – It has been 33 years since Glenn Close came unglued in this suspenseful thriller about a one-night stand gone awry. Lawyer Dan (Michael Douglas, looking 33 years younger, virile and gorgeous), has an intense sexual encounter with a business associate while his wife is out of town. Alex (Close) has decided she wants him for more than one night or weekend, even though he is clear about being a happily married husband (to Anne Archer) and father. That’s not enough for Alex, who becomes increasingly threatening and violent as she tries anything to keep Dan in her life. I had not seen this one in years, but it holds up. Better than Douglas, at that. 4 cans.
23. D Wade: Life Unexpected* (2020) – Contrary to the title, this ESPN documentary was not only expected, it was produced over the long career of all-star basketball player Dwayne Wade, with film shot throughout his career. Born and raised in Chicago, young phenom Wade had to overcome enormous challenges of poverty and a mother with a drug addiction. Somehow, those obstacles spurred him on to greatness, as he vowed to succeed and never follow his mother’s behavior. Wade is a good guy, devoted to his children, always encouraging them and accepting them. The film documents his rise from a gifted high school player through college and the pros. I would say the only limitation here is that if you are not a basketball fan, you might not even recognize his name, but if you are, finding out more about D Wade is illuminating. 3½ cans.
24. David Crosby: Remember My Name* (2019) – A creative dynamo addicted to music and drugs, the musician and member of both Crosby, Stills and Nash and CSN & Young (when they added Neil Young), Crosby lives his life in wonder, mostly wondering what the hell happened. He has many regrets about his behavior and time lost to his severe drug habit, which landed him in prison (which probably saved his life). Beyond the examination of the adventures of his life, those he loved and lost (including his treasured bandmates, Steven Stills, Graham Nash and Neil Young), much of this documentary (but not enough, in my opinion) focuses on the incredible music he and the bands wrote and performed. They have a remarkable catalog of popular and meaningful music that defined a generation and the rise of the California sound. I’ll remember his name for sure. 3½ cans.
25. The Assistant* (2020) – Julie Garner plays the title role, a young, aspiring movie producer who has taken a job as an assistant to a nameless man (always referred to as “He,” as in “Is he in?”) clearly modeled on convicted sexual predator Harvey Weinstein. The assistant has the most mundane job imaginable, working long hours making copies, washing the office dishes and making lots and lots of arrangements, including booking private flights for the Big Boss Man, getting him to places from his various homes and offices, and using Fabreze to clean stains off the couch (one of the male assistants – who seem higher up on the human bondage scale here – warns, “never sit on the couch.”) But when the assistant is charged with picking up a young woman with whom Mr. Big seems to have established a relationship and getting her into a fancy hotel, she knows what is going on behind the closed doors. So does everyone else, but with their futures on the line, no one wants to drop a dime on the Boss. Garner plays the role with either a bland or fearful expression on her face as she goes about her daily chores, just one of the nameless, faceless assistants (no character in this film even has a name; just lots of pronouns) going nowhere but afraid of getting out of the queue headed for success. I don’t think this movie could have been made even five years ago; I’m not sure it should have been made today, but it certainly shows a toxic workplace and the misogyny that exists in the office. One more thing – and this is a pet peeve of mine – I have never seen real offices as poorly lit as the one portrayed here. It is a common practice in TV shows and movies to show characters working in offices illuminated only by lamps, but in the real world, it is all about ceiling lights that are harsh and unattractive but which provide the light necessary to work! 3 cans and a brighter bulb, please!
15. Parasite* (2019) – I know it got the Oscar for Best Picture and a bunch more accolades, but there was little I liked about this movie. Yes, it was a very original story and well presented, but it did not hold my interest. I was not interested in the story and I don’t enjoy having to read the movie in the subtitles. Just not my cup of tea. 2 cans for the direction and originality.
16. Vick* (2020) – If you recognize the name Michael Vick, it is probably in conjunction with his conviction for conducting a dog-fighting business on his property, rather than because he was a gifted pro football player. This ESPN documentary, part of the “30 for 30” series, take a deep dive into Vick’s life and background, coming from an impoverished area and climbing to incredible wealth and fame, all of which came crashing down around him as a result of his self-acknowledged stupid decision to allow dog-fighting in his compound. Originally from Virginia, where dog-fighting is at least somewhat accepted, Vick allowed the old friends to move into his home and have the run of the house and property in the dog business, building kennels and featuring ghoulish fights between dogs. He was aware but not as deeply involved as the others, and as he saw himself go quickly from the top of his profession to prison and bankruptcy, he was genuinely contrite. Many stories have the “rise and fall” arc, and this one is no exception. Vick is interesting because his abilities on the football field paved the way for future outstanding young, Black quarterbacks who can pass and run with equal skill. Vick was blessed with amazing athletic ability, but little concern with proper training or even how his money was being spent. This is a 2-part documentary that runs for a total of 4 hours, but worth the time. 3½ cans.
17. JoJo Rabbit* (2020) – JoJo (Roman Griffin Davis) is a fresh-faced 10-year old living in Germany with his mother and his imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler (Taika Waititi, who wrote and directed the film). Although he is so young, JoJo has his own political beliefs and he thoroughly endorses the Nazis, even though his mother (Scarlett Johanssen) is hiding a teenaged Jewish girl (Thomasin McKenzie) in their house. His mother is sympathetic towards the persecuted young woman and Jews in general, while young JoJo is a Nazi sympathizer. Hitler is hilarious – if you can imagine that – and this satire looks in parts as if Monty Python had a hand in the script. At one point, the Nazis have to round up German Shepherds, and instead of dogs, they show up with actual shepherds. It is not all fun and games, as war is serious stuff, and the lonely little boy finds himself with just one friend, another young boy who supports the Nazis as the war winds down. This movie has a very fresh approach and is a constant reminder that we have to be taught to hate, to ridicule and disparage people who are not exactly like us. You can’t help thinking of the climate here in this country right now, with antisemitism and racism now so openly practiced. Young Davis gives a superb performance in his role as JoJo. Expect to see him on the screen often. 4 cans.
18. Running Scared (1986) – Rarely has an action movie proved so amusing, largely because of the unmistakable chemistry between Chicago cops Ray and Danny (Gregory Hines and Billy Crystal). The two are trailing a drug kingpin Julio (Jimmy Smits) and nearly get killed in a shootout, when their car chases Julio on the El line tracks, and when it ends up in a car crusher. The two actors – best known as a dancer and a comedian – are captivating as they work against the bad guys and even fellow officers to bring down the drug dealer. This movie is so old now that Ray talks on a cell phone the size of a large sneaker, but it remains a treat in the action drama buddy genre. 3½ cans.
19. Unknown (2011) – Here’s what I know: Never get into a cab, an elevator, a car, a train or anywhere else if Liam Neeson is there. This guy gets himself into and out of impossible situations. Here he is Dr. Martin Harris, a scientist who arrives with his wife (January Jones) in Berlin for a conference and loses his briefcase and nearly his mind. The “coincidences” that take place here are beyond the scope of reality, as he gets into an accident on his way back to the airport to retrieve his suitcase, is saved by the heroic cab driver (Diane Kruger) but winds up in the hospital with no identification. (The thought that he could get treated without insurance may be the most mind-boggling aspect of the movie.) When he gets back to the hotel, no one can confirm his identity, including his wife (January Jones), who is now on the arm of another main who claims to be Martin – and this guy (Aidan Quinn) has a valid passport. Go figure. Although parts of the plot seemed preposterous, the movie has enough suspense to hold your interest and dare you to follow it. Just stay away from Neeson! 3½ cans.
20. The Queen (2006) – Helen Mirren does a masterful job in portraying Queen Elizabeth II in this recounting of the death of Princess Diana in 1997. The Queen and her husband, Prince Philip, are away with her son, Prince Charles and “the boys,” Princes William and Harry when the fatal car accident occurs in Paris. Divorced from Prince Charles, Diana was no longer welcome in the Royal Family, and the Queen had no intention of noting her passing, no less celebrating her life, until newly elected Prime Minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) works some diplomatic magic to persuade her to appropriately mark the devastating loss of what he called “The People’s Princess.” The coldness of the Royal Family is evident, although the Queen would have you believe she was only trying to keep her grandsons’ bests interest at heart. If not for Blair’s common sense approach and his increasing sympathy for the monarch, there might have been mutiny against the Crown. 3½ cans.
21. Tell Me Who I Am* (2019) – Twin brothers Alex and Marcus are close, which is invaluable when Alex has a devastating accident that wipes out most of his memory. He trusts Marcus to fill in all of the gaps, which Marcus willingly does. But his recounting of their childhood and later life omits some of the reality of their lives together, which Alex resents when he realizes that Marcus has lied to him for many years. This is a true and painful story. You could not make this stuff up. Fascinating. 3½ cans. Available on Netflix.
22. Fatal Attraction (1987) – It has been 33 years since Glenn Close came unglued in this suspenseful thriller about a one-night stand gone awry. Lawyer Dan (Michael Douglas, looking 33 years younger, virile and gorgeous), has an intense sexual encounter with a business associate while his wife is out of town. Alex (Close) has decided she wants him for more than one night or weekend, even though he is clear about being a happily married husband (to Anne Archer) and father. That’s not enough for Alex, who becomes increasingly threatening and violent as she tries anything to keep Dan in her life. I had not seen this one in years, but it holds up. Better than Douglas, at that. 4 cans.
23. D Wade: Life Unexpected* (2020) – Contrary to the title, this ESPN documentary was not only expected, it was produced over the long career of all-star basketball player Dwayne Wade, with film shot throughout his career. Born and raised in Chicago, young phenom Wade had to overcome enormous challenges of poverty and a mother with a drug addiction. Somehow, those obstacles spurred him on to greatness, as he vowed to succeed and never follow his mother’s behavior. Wade is a good guy, devoted to his children, always encouraging them and accepting them. The film documents his rise from a gifted high school player through college and the pros. I would say the only limitation here is that if you are not a basketball fan, you might not even recognize his name, but if you are, finding out more about D Wade is illuminating. 3½ cans.
24. David Crosby: Remember My Name* (2019) – A creative dynamo addicted to music and drugs, the musician and member of both Crosby, Stills and Nash and CSN & Young (when they added Neil Young), Crosby lives his life in wonder, mostly wondering what the hell happened. He has many regrets about his behavior and time lost to his severe drug habit, which landed him in prison (which probably saved his life). Beyond the examination of the adventures of his life, those he loved and lost (including his treasured bandmates, Steven Stills, Graham Nash and Neil Young), much of this documentary (but not enough, in my opinion) focuses on the incredible music he and the bands wrote and performed. They have a remarkable catalog of popular and meaningful music that defined a generation and the rise of the California sound. I’ll remember his name for sure. 3½ cans.
25. The Assistant* (2020) – Julie Garner plays the title role, a young, aspiring movie producer who has taken a job as an assistant to a nameless man (always referred to as “He,” as in “Is he in?”) clearly modeled on convicted sexual predator Harvey Weinstein. The assistant has the most mundane job imaginable, working long hours making copies, washing the office dishes and making lots and lots of arrangements, including booking private flights for the Big Boss Man, getting him to places from his various homes and offices, and using Fabreze to clean stains off the couch (one of the male assistants – who seem higher up on the human bondage scale here – warns, “never sit on the couch.”) But when the assistant is charged with picking up a young woman with whom Mr. Big seems to have established a relationship and getting her into a fancy hotel, she knows what is going on behind the closed doors. So does everyone else, but with their futures on the line, no one wants to drop a dime on the Boss. Garner plays the role with either a bland or fearful expression on her face as she goes about her daily chores, just one of the nameless, faceless assistants (no character in this film even has a name; just lots of pronouns) going nowhere but afraid of getting out of the queue headed for success. I don’t think this movie could have been made even five years ago; I’m not sure it should have been made today, but it certainly shows a toxic workplace and the misogyny that exists in the office. One more thing – and this is a pet peeve of mine – I have never seen real offices as poorly lit as the one portrayed here. It is a common practice in TV shows and movies to show characters working in offices illuminated only by lamps, but in the real world, it is all about ceiling lights that are harsh and unattractive but which provide the light necessary to work! 3 cans and a brighter bulb, please!
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