December 2022 Movies & Favorites of the Year

I saw a lot of movies, TV shows, series, plays, etc., in 2022 and here are my favorites. Below that is the list for December, so happy viewing:

I see some themes among my favorites. Austin Butler was a great “Elvis” and Naomi Ackie brought the tragic Whitney Houston to life in “I Want to Dance with Somebody,” but it wasn’t just musical biopics that I enjoyed. Sara Lancashire gave us an inside view of chef Julia Child in the 8-part series “Julia.” Amanda Seyfried starred as Elizabeth Holmes in “The Dropout.” And Miles Teller told the story of how the epic “The Godfather” made it to the screen in his portrayal of producer Al Ruddy. “Grace & Frankie” signed off after 7 seasons and “Dead to Me” after 3. The trio of “The Tindler Swindler,” “Inventing Anna,” and “The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist” showed real stories about people who excelled at living beyond their means and didn’t mind conning others to do it. My favorite documentary was “The Automat” and I admired two series from Ken Burns, “Benjamin Franklin” and “The US and the Holocaust.” Tom Cruise brought his fearless fighter pilot back in “Top Gun: Maverick” and Jeremy Allen White was really hot in “The Bear,” a miniseries about a chef trying to save his family’s restaurant. If you like food, watch that show and the Stanley Tucci series “Searching for Italy.” This year I enjoyed an HBO documentary about Steven Spielberg more than his very good movie “The Fablemans.” But my very favorite movie of the year was a very short subject, #135 on my list, called “The Proposal,” a 90-second video of my nephew Brandon proposing to his girlfriend Julia on the streets of Chicago. It had a very happy ending and we look forward to the continuing series. Happy movies, all! 

December Movies
162.  Spielberg* (2017 HBO) – This lengthy documentary takes a comprehensive look at the life and work of director Steven Spielberg. Imagine being able to make ET and Schindler’s List; The Color Purple and Jurassic Park. He is one of the exceptional directors and a prolific creator of outstanding movies. Reexamining some of them was a treat. 4 cans.
163.  Dead to Me, Season 3* (2022, Netflix) – Here is a hardy farewell to this profanely funny and fierce salute to the impact of grief and the power of friendship. The brilliant Christina Applegate (Jen) and Linda Cardellini (Judy) need to get an Emmy for their performances that they can split in half and enjoy while they watch “The Facts of Life” and guzzle wine. The plot of this third season is too complicated to try to summarize, but, in keeping with previous seasons, there are car crashes, deaths, twists and turns and a plethora of lies. As soon as one of the characters says, “I have something to tell you,” expect a major plot shakeup. There is plenty of comedy and equal parts heart in a series that begins with the friendship between two strangers (who turn out to have much in common) who meet at a grief group. This year there are 10 episodes that conclude the story with plenty of emotion, humor and never-ending profanity. I’m sorry to see it go. 4 cans.
164. Heartburn (1986, HBO) – Writer Nora Ephron exacts cinematic revenge on her real-life ex-husband, Watergate reporter Carl Bernstein, in what could loosely be called a rom-com or dramedy. Meryl Streep plays NY food writer Rachel, who falls in love with DC columnist Mark (Jack Nicholson), gives up her job and moves to Washington to marry him, have babies and hang out with their gossipy friends, whose primary activity is trading theories on who is cheating on whom with whom. That’s all fun and games until Rachel realizes that one of the people they target is having an affair with her self-centered dolt of a husband. They could more easily renovate their dilapidated house than terminate his penchant for straying. I got a kick out of the baby/toddler Rachel totes around, knowing it is Streep’s actual daughter, Mamie Gummer, with her first screen credit. Streep is perfect playing the disheveled Rachel, responsible for 99% of the child care and 100% of everything else, who somehow thinks she can reform her oblivious husband. 3½ cans. He doesn’t deserve her.
165.  The Fablemans* (2022, In the movies) – Steven Spielberg turns the camera on his sometimes off-beat but loving family in this tale of young Sammy Fableman as a boy with a movie camera. Sammy sees his first movie and immediately knows he wants to make movies of his own. And he does, complete with rudimentary special effects. Around him, the family has to deal with Mom’s flightiness and her unconventional take on being a mother, with three sisters and a father who works hard at his job but doesn’t always know how to connect with his wife and son. It’s hard to describe this movie so go see it for yourself. Expect an Oscar nomination for Michelle Williams as the mother/wife/heart of the family. 4 cans.
166.  Emily the Criminal* (2022, Netflix) – The name of this movie is meant to distinguish it from lighter, more frothy fare (“Emily in Paris,” anyone?), and for good reason: Emily is a criminal. She didn’t set out to be a criminal, but she has a lot of debt and is stuck in a job she hates, delivering catering orders, and she already has a bit of a criminal history. So, when she gets an offer she can’t refuse, she doesn’t. She gets herself in deeper and deeper with not such good guys. And her BFF keeps telling her she can get her a legit job (she doesn’t know what Emily is up to) – but she never seems to come through. The money is decent, but as it increases, so does the risk. Emily is one determined woman who empowers herself in this new life even as she looks to get back to a job that won’t add inmate to her resume. Aubrey Plaza is good as the increasingly tough and not-so-innocent Emily. 3½ cans.
167.  Hanukkah on Rye* (2022, Hallmark Channel) – Every now and then you find a movie that captures your imagination through a compelling plot, nuanced performances, interesting twists and turns and brilliant production values. This isn’t that movie. Yes, I succumbed to the holiday spirit in watching a Hallmark movie, but this was about MY holiday – Hanukkah – so I thought that maybe…Let’s just say that it lived up to my tiny expectations. Boy and girl meet cute (think “You’ve Got Mail”), both from families in the deli business, and both with bubbes (grandmothers) who have arranged for a matchmaker to put them together. Then things go awry, so to speak. She (Yael Grobglas, looking like Kaley Cuoco) and he (Jeremy Jordan) are really nice people who just haven’t yet found their besherts (soulmates). Can they be in the same business and in love? Don’t expect me to give away the plot. I remember when the prestigious Hallmark Hall of Fame featured outstanding, memorable movies with stars who didn’t ordinarily do TV, with rich stories and beautiful productions. Hallmark has chosen to forsake their heritage in favor of quantity over quality, and this is the result. This one made me yen for a corned beef sandwich, but the movie is so bland I felt that it would be served on white bread with mayo. Such a shonda (sin)! 2 latkes.
168. Spoiler Alert* (2022, Manville Movies) – Spoiler Alert is the “Love Story” for this time, about a young couple who fall in love and one of them dies (hence the name). But this time the couple is gay and the movie isn’t nearly as cheesy as “Love Story.” Michael is played by Jim Parsons of “Big Bang Theory” fame and his partner Kit by Ben Aldridge, a confident gay man who initially won’t admit to his parents (Sally Field and Bill Irwin) that he is gay. Michael and Kit build a life and a home together, weather rocky times with good friends and Kit’s surprisingly accepting family, and then have to face his diagnosis. This movie is based on a memoir by Michael Ausiello, a TV writer. Despite the title, there are still ways to spoil the story, so I’ll refrain from any more details except to tell you that this movie has so much heart and love that it is worth seeing despite knowing the eventual outcome. And there is one scene that was straight out of one of my favorite movies – which the story makes sure you will recall. 4 cans.
169.  Santa Camp* (2022, HBO Max) – I have to admit that as a Jewish woman, I haven’t spent a lot of time thinking about Santa Claus. But my overall impression has always been that he is a rotund, white man with a big beard and a jolly demeanor. For a Black man like Chris in Arkansas, the lack of diversity among Santas was disappointing enough that he decided to become one for his little girl. He put inflatable Black Santas in his yard and tried to dress up like Santa. For Fin, a developmentally disabled man from Connecticut whose mother was told he would never walk or talk, playing Santa in the local parade was a dream. And so it goes in this warm-hearted documentary where even the traditional Santas are looking for more diversity – including a more active role for Mrs. Claus. So one year at Santa Camp – where existing and would-be Santas sign up to improve their Santa skills –among the traditional Santas were Chris and Finn and a trans man whose only wish was to help kids see themselves in him. Some of their efforts back in their communities were rewarding while others were demeaned, but the very idea that we can think of Santa in a way that makes sense to a young, Black child or a child with gender questions is a step in the right direction. 3½ ho, ho, hos.
170.  Last Chance U* Season 2 of basketball (2022, Netflix) – After a Covid year off, we are back with the East LA College Huskies as they work under the tutelage of Coach John Mosely to go for a championship and hope for scholarships at big college basketball programs. The appeal of these kinds of series goes beyond the sports themselves, providing a glimpse into the lives and desperation of some of these young men and the dedication of the coaches who attempt to raise their games and help them mature as men. This is season 2 for viewers at ELAC and I suspect the last one for Coach Mosely’s team, but I enjoyed all 8-parts with wins and losses on and off the court. 3½ cans.
171.  From the Terrace (1960, Cable) – Melodramatic, corny, classic romance at its best with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward as a couple in a loveless marriage who aspire to get ahead. He gets a big break by rescuing the grandson of the head of an investment firm and taking a job there. She romances her former paramour while her husband stays married to his work, until he meets an unassuming woman from a small town. Skip the details. Just know this is one of my favorite Paul Newman movies. Now, if I could find “The Young Philadelphians,” my day would be perfect. 4 cans.
172.  Mr. Mom (1983, HBO) – Before Michael Keaton became an Oscar-nominated serious actor, he used his great comic timing on comedies such as this one. Here he is Jack Butler, husband, father of 3 and recently unemployed automotive engineer. Replacing Jack as the family breadwinner is his wife, Caroline (Teri Garr), who starts a new career in advertising for sleezy Ron Richardson (Martin Mull). Jack’s attempts to tame the vacuum cleaner and the washer, to change diapers, keep his kids fed and to follow the formula for the school drop-off hilariously show his conversion to Mr. Mom. This movie was written by John Hughes so the script was good, but Keaton elevates it with comic genius. One of my favorite scenes is Jack playing poker with the neighborhood women, all using coupons and rebates to make their bets. I’ll see your Cheerios and raise you a Downy fabric softener. 3½ cans.
173.  Wednesday Morning Breakfast Club (2013, Prime Video) – This super short (47 minutes) movie is about three grumpy old men who gather every Wednesday at the local small-town diner. However, while as treacly as they come, the movie does have a certain charm, as the earnest young waitress Megan (Stacey Bradshaw) works diligently to accommodate their demands (a seat cushion for one, burning hot coffee for another). She eavesdrops on their conversations, as each man discloses bits of his past, experiences in his native country and in the military. She learns by listening that one man recently lost his wife, and she goes out of her way to visit when another is ill. I can’t recommend this movie for most of you, but I did appreciate the reminder that everyone has a story and sometimes we should take time just to listen. 3 cans.
174.  The Phantom of the Open* (2021, Prime Video) – Maurice Flitcroft (Mark Rylance) is a 46-year old husband, a father, a crane operator and an aspiring golfer. Inspired by watching Tom Watson win the British Open in his first try, Mo decides he will do the same, despite never having played a round of golf. This movie – based on a true story – combines fantasy, comedy and pathos as Mo takes on the challenge and sets a new record for futility. Yet he keeps working at it, despite the golf establishment’s attempts to thwart his every try. Sally Hawkins plays his loyal wife. I sprung for a 99-cent rental of this one and it was worth every penny. 3½ cans.
175.  It’s A Wonderful Life (1947, Prime Video – no commercials!) – This iconic James Stewart movie is a beloved Christmas movie that I hadn’t seen in years. You know the story – George Bailey of Bedford Falls has his dreams but something always gets in the way. He marries Mary (Donna Reed), had kids and more dreams (I think my favorite line is when he is frantically trying to solve a problem, looks at the children and asks Mary, “Why did we have all these kids?”). He constantly must deal with Mr. Potter, the meanest and most selfish man in town. When his Bailey Brothers Savings and Loan appears to be going under for the last time, he snaps, and it takes the work of an angel to get him back on track. The moral of the story is that if you have the love of family and friends, you can be rich no matter what. Good Christmas movie that remains a classic after 75 years! 4 cans.
176.  Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas* (PBS) – Who knew that a Jewish person wrote the story of poor Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, different from the other reindeer who used to laugh and call him names? And that the music was also written by a Jew? Mel Torme wrote one of the classic tunes, performed by Nat King Cole, “The Christmas Song” (Chestnuts roasting…you know the rest? From Irving Berlin to Harold Arlen came cherished Christmas songs written by Jewish people. This little nugget of a movie tells you about how Jews who emigrated to the US didn’t feel accepted, even changing their names to fit in. Not that they renounced their faith, but they needed to assimilate. Very interesting. 3½ cans.
177.  Auntie Mame (1958, Movies channel) – The incomparable Rosalind Russell plays the eccentric mapcap Mame in this charmer of a movie. When socialite Mame Dennis is suddenly put charge of her young nephew Patrick, she is determined to “open doors” for him, keeping him from the insufferable Mr. Babcock of the Knickerbocker Bank, which manages his trust fund. Living the good life on Beekman Place in New York and palling around with actress friend Vera, artists and unconventional types, Mame loses her fortune in the 1929 stock market collapse and must muddle through. But Mame is a survivor, and her little family of Patrick, secretary Nora and houseboy Ito bond together until times get infinitely better. This movie delights and moves me every time I see it. The character of Mame is, to me, one of the most memorable to grace the screen. And oh, that Beekman Place apartment is just top drawer! 4½ cans.
178.  I Want to Dance With Somebody* (2022, Manville Cinema) – This biopic of the dynamic, generational talent, Whitney Houston, is hard to watch. First, I had chills through much of the picture as Naomi Ackie brought Houston to life in every performance. And second, you know the ending, and it is tragic. Houston was a singer with a magnificent voice. This film celebrates her talent with many of her iconic songs, all of which are sung by Houston herself but captured expertly by Ackie. When she performed the National Anthem at the Super Bowl, the hair on my arms stood up. When she sings “The Greatest Love of All” at the beginning of the picture and immediately enraptures music mogul Clive Davis (Stanley Tucci in a non-eating role), you realize that Whitney was destined for greatness. The story of her life is well known, so no need to rehash it here. I salute the cast (Tamara Tunie as her gospel-singing mother, Cissy; Clark Peters as her manipulative father, John; Nafessa Williams as her girlfriend, Robin Crawford; and Ashton Sanders as her husband, bad boy Bobby Brown) and especially Ackie, who avoided the cliches and captured what we know of the essence of Whitney with every movement and gesture. Critics aren’t being kind to this movie, but I loved it. 4 Gold Records.
179.  Elf* (2003, HBO Max) – I had somehow missed (or avoided) this Christmas movie for nearly 20 years, but my neighbor cajoled me into watching it and I’m glad I did. Will Farrell is just the right mix of silly and earnest in his title role as Buddy the Elf, forsaken by his earthly mother and adopted to live with the elves at the North Pole. He’s in his 30s when he seeks out his real father (James Caan), a ruthless businessman who doesn’t know he has a son. The cast includes the droll Bob Newhart as the head elf, Mary Steenburgen as Caan’s wife and as a somewhat grumpy Santa, Ed Asner. Buddy has a smile on his face and plenty of Christmas spirit as he adapts to his new world – albeit with curly elf shoes and a hat. We should all be as happy as Buddy. 3½ cans.
180.  Love Actually (2003) – What can I say about this movie that I haven’t said before? I’ll just say this – I love to find special little moments in a movie, and this one is full of them. Emma Thompson’s disappointment when she realizes the necklace was not for her. The BFF of the groom who is in love with the bride and she has no idea until she sees his video of the wedding and realizes it is all about her. The little boy in love with the American girl who races through the airport to say goodbye. Hugh Grant as the Prime Minister of England dancing by himself to “Jump.” This movie is a favorite and a great way to end my year of entertainment. 5 cans.

Wintry Mix

I’m not a fan of the “wintry mix.” Or anything with the name “winter” in it. Except this blog entry, that is.

The technician in the retina office tilted back the chair so she could put drops in my eyes and asked me, “Are you comfortable?” It took all of my will power not to answer – in my best Jewish voice – “Eh, I make a living.”

I have come reluctantly to the conclusion that the outcome of any game I attend is not affected by my choice of socks, shirt or any other article of clothing I wear. I’m still superstitious, but I have to face the fact that a shot will go into the basket or not with no regard for my wearing red socks. 

Crudité is nothing more than a fancy word for vegetables that someone couldn’t bother cooking and instead plopped on a platter and served for us to gnaw on.

We are three years (2020, 2021 and 2022) into this pandemic and long after most people have stopped using a mask, I'm still walking around wearing one. I swear it made a difference when a friend who sat next to me at a recent basketball game tested positive for Covid two days later. I was masked and, I guess, protected. I'm used to it, it's no big deal to me, so I will continue to go outside looking like I'm about to knock off a liquor store. Safety first!

I was telling a friend that I often have a dream where someone appears and the next day I will hear from that person. This unfortunately is not the case with Ryan Gosling.

I just had my showerhead replaced with a hand sprayer that latches on to the water supply with a magnet so you can use it as a regular showerhead or a hand sprayer – and I can reach it! The choice of water flow is adjustable from “gentle rainfall” to what could best be described as “massive, intensive storm; evacuate your location immediately.” (I made that up; that isn’t really an option – but it sure feels like it!)  I’m not sure I need to sandblast my body but if it gets rid of a few pounds, sign me up!

If only people wouldn’t ask dumb questions. My friend Kathy, who works for Staples, has a bunch of stories about people coming in to get their ink cartridges refilled – without bringing in the cartridges – or asking the dumbest questions. For me, whenever I order a plain hamburger, I am inevitably asked, “Do you want cheese on that?’ No, because then it would be a cheeseburger! The other day I asked a Walmart employee where I could find liquid hand soap and she asked, “to wash hands?” Yes, that’s the general idea. People, please THINK!

The Pantone Color of the year for 2023 is Viva Magenta 18-1750. It is described by the color experts at Pantone Matching System (PMS) as one that, “vibrates with vim and vigor. It is a shade rooted in nature descending from the red family and expressive of a new signal of strength. Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, and a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative.” I hope that when I die someone will be that effusive in describing me. A dear friend brought the selection to my attention, and as much as I like and approve of the color, it is even better knowing that someone saw the news and immediately thought of me. 

You know I don’t usually decorate for Hanukah beyond lighting my menorah and putting out a couple of tea towels and candles, but this year I was in the mood – and in the Hallmark store – so I thought I would pick up a few little things to brighten the season. I was very disappointed to find only Hanukah cards and gift bags and NO decorative items. So the next time you think I’m not doing enough, I suggest you provide the decorations and I’ll find a place to put them. No glitter, please!

I was trying to find the price of a sweater in Kohl’s recently and I stopped an employee to ask where the price check device was. “We don’t have them anymore,” she replied, adding, “I could check it for you or you can do it on your phone.” I responded, “You can do it for me. I don’t work here.”

And speaking of Kohl’s, if I don’t get an email or a text daily from them, I start to worry whether someone there is sick. No one reaches out to me more than Kohl’s – not my family, my BFF or the rest of my friends. They really, really LIKE me.

Thanks, Consumer Reports, for letting me I am eligible to subscribe to your magazine. What exactly was the criteria or benchmark I had to reach? And thank you, too, Omaha Steaks, for giving me the opportunity to buy overpriced meat in packages that include things I don’t even consume. As a party of one, I’d be eating a LOT of protein if I bought your package of beef. And thank you to all of the places where I have shopped for asking me what my shopping experience was like – sometimes before I receive the package. ShopRite, just so you know, I am not racing home to fill out your survey. And for the car dealer whose service department did a good job, please don’t beg me to give you only the highest marks. You are decreasing the authenticity of the survey. Just let me shop in peace!

I am lamenting the demise of the incandescent light bulb. All I wanted was simple 3-way bulb for a lamp in my family room, but after checking several places in person, I guess I’ll be forced to go online. The alternative is to calculate the lumens and compare that to the traditional light bulbs in several of my lamps because eventually, they will all need to be replaced. I’m sure this is way above my skill set and I doubt this is what Thomas Edison had in mind, although he probably would admire the ingenuity of today’s engineers. UPDATE: I found LCD bulbs that will work for my lamps. However, my choice is either RELAX or REFRESH, which presumably means one is brighter than the other. Will either match the other bulbs in my house? If they don’t, that will drive me crazy!

Alexa seems to have started some sort of sibling rivalry between the Echo in my family room and the Dot in my bedroom. Sometimes I tell the Echo to do something and I hear Dot from the bedroom chime in, trying to get in on the action. And she doesn’t seem capable of telling time well lately either. I have a standard routine with a smart plug on my hallway lamp. Alexa is supposed to turn the light on 40 minutes before sundown. Sometimes the light goes on an hour before sundown and other times, she seems to have lost track of it altogether, so I have to tell her to turn the light on. What’s happening, girlfriend? Asleep at the switch?

I just found a dryer ball comfortably hidden in the sleeve of a sweatshirt I hadn’t worn in months. I hope it had a relaxing vacation because it is now back to work, tumbling around the dryer with its brothers, making my clothes soft and unwrinkled. And he thought he was finally free!

I don’t mind pulp in my orange juice. I kind of like chewing my juice for breakfast.

I do mind crumbs in my toaster, and I especially mind when no amount of shaking can dislodge them so they rattle around.

My unscientific survey reveals to me that when the sign on a door clearly indicates push or pull, many people don’t follow instructions and do the opposite. I watched a woman wrestle with the door to the doctor’s office the other day and I was convinced she would be late to her appointment. She finally figured it out.

I wonder whether the people who declare, “That’s not my cup of tea,” actually drink tea. 

My doctor’s office has to give me a script for a diagnostic test and told me they would put it in the mail for me. In the mail? It is 2022! Are you sending it by way of the Pony Express? I was told they can’t email it to me – yet they send me messages all the time to check their stupid portal where there is a message thanking me for making an appointment. I asked if I could stop at the office and pick it up. That’s ridiculous!

A dear friend of mine recently lost her mother, whom I also considered a dear friend. Dorothy attended any and all Rutgers events, first with her husband Jack and daughter Nancy and friend Kathy, and then, when Jack died, with just the girls and often with me. She was a kind, loyal woman of deep faith who loved all things Rutgers. The last time I went to her house for dinner, I couldn’t help but marvel at her extensive collection of Corningware. She had every size, every pattern – and she used them; they were not there just for show. After Dorothy passed away, Nancy gave me one of her biggest containers, knowing I was one of Dorothy’s biggest fans. Every time I see it in my cabinet or storing food in my refrigerator or reheating something in my microwave, I picture Dorothy with a smile on her face. And I know that the food I eat will taste just a bit better because Dorothy is a part of it. 

I was recently on hand for the dedication of the basketball court at the RAC (now called Jersey Mike’s Arena) to retired Rutgers Women’s Basketball Coach C. Vivian Stringer. The floor there now sports her distinctive signature at mid-court. CVS (as we like to call her) has received so many accolades in her 50-year, Hall of Fame coaching career, but she seemed genuinely humbled by the gesture. She was surrounded by friends, family, fans and numerous former players from her coaching days at Cheney State, Iowa and her 27 years at Rutgers. To see the loyalty and love that they have for her tells you all you need to know about a woman who is considered a pioneer, a mentor and a role model. One of her more recent players is coaching at her high school alma mater now and could not attend, but she sent her mother from Chicago, who made sure she Facetimed with her daughter so they could all talk to Coach Stringer. The incredible influence she has had on the lives of her players and people surrounding her makes her the legend we have come to know and love. It is heartwarming to know that all current and future players – men AND women – will be playing on the “C. Vivian Stringer” court. It doesn’t get better than that.

Tina's November 2022 Movies & More

Movies here are rated on a scale of 1-5 cans of tuna fish, 5 being the top rating. Those marked with * are movies I had not seen before. Numbering picks up from previous months.
151.  Buying Beverly Hills* (2022, Netflix) – Just like “Selling Sunset,” this “reality” (I use the term loosely) series focuses on the extraordinary real estate offerings in one of the swankiest locales in the US, Beverly Hills. The Agency – literally the name of the real estate company featured here – is run by Maurice Umansky, the biggest seller of $100 million homes, and staffed by young, attractive agents, some with track records and some just getting their feet wet in the business, which describes his two daughters who work there, Farrah and Alexia. Like the other real estate shows I have watched, there is plenty of music along with drone shots of properties jutting off cliffs or with views for days, women in short skirts and sky-high heels, and men with just the right amount of facial hair. This one has far less drama than “Selling Sunset,” because there is less bitchiness and rivalry (less, not none!). I’m not about to buy a home in Beverly Hills – I would need to win the Powerball lottery to afford a $140 million home! – but a girl can dream, can’t she? This 8-part series goes down smoothly. I was hooked, and I watched the entire series in 2 days. 4 cans, lots of bathrooms, and oh, those chandeliers!
152. The Automat* (2022, HBO Max) – Sit down for a heaping serving of nostalgia with this delicious documentary about Horn & Hardart’s Automats. I didn’t know that these semi-self-serve restaurants were in both Philadelphia and New York, a partnership between Philly-based Horn and NYC-based Hardart. These men grew their business while staying loyal to their employees and treating them and the customers well. Automats in NY were all over the city, with people dropping nickels into the slots to open a window and get a slice of pie or a sandwich or mac & cheese. They were renowned for their baked goods and even had retail stores to sell pies as well as dinners. Many famous people appreciated automats for their variety, their low prices (nickel cups of coffee!) and their camaraderie. You’ll hear Mel Brooks sing the praises – literally – of the automat. I still recall a delicious cup of hot chocolate I had there once, and the magic of those little windows opening so you could retrieve your chosen food! Stop by this movie for the memories of simpler days, simpler food and simpler times. 4 cans.
153.  Armageddon Time* (2022, in the movies) – This movie is a bit too ambitious in its take on race, culture, antisemitism, class differences and generation gaps. Although it takes place in 1980, it touches on themes still prevalent in the American culture and, to make its point, even blatantly hauls the Trump family (just Fred, the father, and daughter, Judge Maryanne) and Ronald Reagan into the story of a sixth-grader who doesn’t quite fit in anywhere. The young Jewish boy Paul doesn’t much like school and would rather draw pictures than pay attention. His best friend Johnny, who is Black, wants to join the NASA. The two dreamers have family issues; Johnny lives with his grandmother, a step away from being scooped up by Social Services, and Paul with his stern father (Jeremy Strong) and sad and harried mother (Anne Hathaway). The light of his life is his grandfather (Anthony Hopkins), who encourages his art and urges him to do the right thing if he sees people being unfairly treated. The story is based on the boyhood of its director, James Gray, whose recollections of his youth are more interesting to him than they were to me. 3 cans.
154.  The Booksellers* (2020, Prime Video) – I must admit that I watched this fascinating documentary with as much guilt as interest, since I have thoroughly embraced both Amazon and my Kindle as my way of buying and reading books due to my eyesight issues. The antiquarian booksellers here, however, can offer collectors something Amazon can’t: Centuries-old books and manuscripts so special that some are bound in human flesh. The booksellers featured here, for the most part, are like collectors, always on the hunt for that rare book, manuscript or collection to add to their stock and ultimately sell to customers. The business has changed over the years, although the women featured here attest to the notion that it is still a business of older, white males. To see some of the rare volumes and some of the unique artifacts was a real treat. If you want action, this movie is not for you. But if you love the feel of a book in your hand, appreciate the art on the jacket and the paper on which it was printed, check out this movie. 3½ books.
155.  California Typewriter* (2016, Prime Video) – Ah, that sound of the keys striking the paper on the platen; the rat-a-tat of striking the keys themselves; the whoosh of the carriage return being used to advance to the next line; the sound of the bell – each one slightly different and unique to the make and model of the typewriter. Typewriter collectors and users may not be as efficient in their work as the process of computer and word processing, but some, like author David McCullough, treasure the pages with the cross-outs and typeovers to reflect back on the creative process. This quirky film looks at these groups, along with an iconic typewriter repair shop in Berkeley, California, where every new old typewriter in for repair is greeted and treated like a friend. Tom Hanks insists on writing thank you notes on one of his many typewriters, while singer-songwriter John Mayer swears he became more creative when he started using one for his many songs. One man takes typewriters apart and uses their inner and outer workings to create original art. The collectors treasure their finds – as Hanks does – and no matter how many they have, they are thrilled to find more. Whatever happened to my blue, plastic Smith Corona Portable, used for papers in high school and college? I no longer have the typewriter, but I do have some of the papers I wrote, and to many in this movie, that’s the point. 4 cans.
156.  Say Hey, Willie Mays* (2022, HBO Max) – I have been a Yankee fan since 1959, so I never remember Willie Mays playing for the New York Giants. He spent the prime of his career with the San Francisco Giants, whose games were not broadcast on the East Coast. But I saw enough of him to recognize his transcendent talent, his ability to power a ball over the fence, his trademark “basket catch,” his skill at stealing bases and throwing runners out. This loving documentary tells more of the story of the man himself, how important he was to the game of baseball and his absolute love of the game. This show hit a home run! 3½ cans.
157.  The Cost of Winning* (2022, HBO Max) – The hopes and dreams of the football players at St. Patrick’s High School in Baltimore rest in their success on the field. The team is so good that other schools in Maryland won’t play them, forcing the cash-strapped school to take on a national (and costly) schedule of highly ranked teams all over the country. This four-part documentary takes on the issues of minority students trying to keep up their grades, dealing with violence in their city, and forming a winning football team, all in hopes of getting out of Baltimore and pursuing their education and football opportunities at the collegiate level. Their success rests at being able to win their games and gain a national reputation so they can be recruited and signed by notable colleges. The kids work hard and try their best, and their devoted coaching staff really seems to care about them as people. This four-part series doesn't come close to the excitement of such similar series as “Last Chance U” or “QB1,” but it was an interesting and realistic look at the challenges faced by schools and their student athletes. 3 cans.
158.  She Said* (2022, at the movies) – In the pantheon of heroic reporter movies that, to me, starts with “All the President’s Men” and continues through “Spotlight,” this true story about The New York Times reporters who brought down sexual abuser and Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein ranks third – but that’s not to denigrate their work or the quality of this film. Meghan Twohey (Carey Mulligan) and Jodi Kantor (Zoe Kazan) have to take their time to try to win the trust of the women who were sexually assaulted, threatened or abused by Weinstein, most of whom were forced to sign “Non-disclosure” agreements that forbade them from talking. Weinstein’s vile treatment of women was a well-known secret in Hollywood and included staffers and not just actresses. What they had in common was their fear about speaking out and jeopardizing their careers. Weinstein is the perfect example of the abuse of power and the humiliation which women suffer while just trying to do their jobs. This story is the perfect example of the power of the press – and TRUTH. 4 cans.
159.  Stillwater* (2021, Showtime) – Matt Damon is Bill Baker, a tough construction guy from Oklahoma whose daughter is in a French jail for killing her girlfriend in Marseille. Despite not understanding the French language or the legal system, Baker is not about to give up establishing this daughter’s innocence and moves to France to fight her case. Damon fits the role perfectly, working every angle he can and getting help and support from a woman and her young daughter whom he meets at his hotel. Given the obstacles, can he work successfully to free her (Abigail Breslin) without getting himself into trouble? This movie was a little long, but it held my interest. 4 cans.
160.  McEnroe* (2022, Showtime) – John McEnroe stormed onto the tennis scene in the late 1980s and quickly earned a reputation for great shot-making and hot-headed behavior. He could hit a winner as often as he could berate the refs. This portrait of the explosive McEnroe tackles his psychological issues and doesn’t steer clear of his questionable actions off the court. I felt like I was listening to a session with his therapist at times. But the tennis – particularly his rivalry with the great and sanguine Bjorn Borg – reminds us of his immense talent and the beauty of top-level competition. 3½ cans.
161.  A Christmas Story Christmas* – (2022, HBO Max) – Ralphie is back in the old homestead on Cleveland Street in this sequel to the classic 1983 film “A Christmas Story.” Here Ralphie (with both eyes intact) is an aspiring author, married and the father of two when he gets a call from his mother that his father has passed away. He takes the family to spend the holidays with Mom and try to revive the joy of the season. Hail, Hail, the old gang is all there – Flick, Schwartz and Randy and the yellow-eyed Scut, now a police officer.  Ralphie’s schemes are no more successful in the 1970s than they were in the 40s or 50s, when the original took place, but the story remains heart-warming holiday nostalgia. At least no one is foolish enough to put his tongue on a frozen steel pole this time! Having seen the sequel, maybe I will take a hiatus from watching the original this year. 3 cans.
 

November Nuggets

Pumpkin spice season has passed, but now a new product is available for Thanksgiving – Turkey and stuffing-flavored potato chips. One of my friends declared this a good thing, since she can skip making turkey and stuffing and just pass the chips! I shouldn’t be buying chips (I’m really good about that), and the thought of these definitely will not tempt me!

How do you describe someone who is nondescript? I knew someone like this once and I described her as “no jelly, no glaze.” Does that say it all?

It is 2022. Why are we paying for gas with dollars, cents and fractions? What’s the point of $4.29 and 9/10s?  Can’t we just round up? I’m willing to do that. I mean, it’s a tenth of a cent! Gas is so expensive now that what’s another tenth of a cent?

If you remove the W from Women, you get Omen. Think about that!

I have no artistic ability, but I can draw a blank with the best of them.

I’m no longer very athletic – although I used to be a pretty good softball player – but I’m still world class in jumping to conclusions.

It has been almost 2 years, but when I hear Johnny Gilbert say, “And now, here’s the host of Jeopardy,” I still expect him to finish with “Alex Trebek."

If you go to visit the land of your ancestors, can you call it your Landcestors?

I bought $10 worth of tickets for the Powerball lottery but I didn’t win. And that’s too bad, because a bunch of people and charities were going to have a very good year, not to mention a chef who would have had a new, well-paying job planning, preparing, serving and cleaning up from my meals. You know, $2 BILLION goes a long way. The guy behind me on the line to buy tickets was grousing that Uncle Sam takes half. OK, I can make do with ONE BILLION. And don’t forget that the state of NJ takes a cut, he declared. You still come out WAY ahead, I reminded him. I’m just glad he wasn’t a winner. I would hate for him to have to deal with all those taxes. Better I should win (again, I didn’t, so I’m just saying…)

Do I really need an alert to inform me that my package is 10 stops away? Should I be waiting eagerly at the door, or should I try to intercept it on the corner of Here and There? Whenever it gets here is fine with me!

It occurs to me that most of my “walking program” consists of wandering around ShopRite trying to find things when I can’t recall where they are located. I added to the program by walking around CVS today, too. Cue the theme song from “Rocky.”

For someone who can’t seem to park her car evenly within the lines – even with no cars on either side – how is it possible that I was able to parallel park perfectly on the Main Street in Manville the other day on my first try? And while I love a good “pull-through,” either I don’t pull through enough or my car protrudes way past where it should be. Is there a remedial Drivers Ed class I can take?

Here’s a sure sign of aging: You meet friends for lunch instead of dinner. Most of your friends are retired, so they can have lunch without rushing back to the office, and this way no one has to drive at night!

Complete darkness before 5 PM just seems so wrong!

An egg cream contains neither eggs nor cream. Please discuss.

Speaking of eggs, there’s nothing like making yourself a nice plate of scrambled eggs or an egg salad sandwich only to crunch on a shell as you eat. How could I have missed that?

In addition to the many kinds of Oreos you find on the supermarket shelf, you can now customize your Oreos with various toppings. Is this really necessary? First, do we need even ONE MORE variety of Oreos? And second, do you want to pay a bunch more so that you can get sprinkles on them? Just pass me the package of the OGs and a glass of milk and I will be happy!

I’m trying to understand the term “CIVIL WAR.” Isn’t war inherently uncivil?

Recently I passed by a strip mall that featured a barbecue joint, Dairy Queen, Kentucky Fried Chicken, a place for Chinese food, a pizza parlor – and a place for kidney dialysis. I think I get that last one.

What’s with all the military men who set up Instagram accounts and want to follow me? Many say they are single or widowed but they have one thing in common: I block them all. I don’t trust that their information or pictures are really them. Too much coincidence. And after I watched that documentary about the football player with the fake girlfriend, “The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist,” I am leery of anything over social media these days.

When I go to the movies now (which is not nearly as often as I went pre-pandemic), I go on Half-Price Tuesday in Manville. I think I like the movies twice as much for $4 than I do for $8 (daytime, first showing).

Do you ever change your plans because you don’t like the way your hair looks that day, or is that just me?

And speaking of hair, how did I manage to get a cowlick in the back of my hair after all of these years? I can only assume there are changes taking place back there that I am not going to like, and the hair has a mind of its own in trying to protect itself. Or something. And why is it called a cowlick? I could probably Google the answer, but then that question will stay in my search history and the next thing you know, I’ll be getting FB ads about cows.

I have to give credit to the dryer balls I use instead of sheets in the dryer. They are constantly working to find ways to escape, whether it is hiding in the sleeve of a sweatshirt (way down by the cuff, where they are not readily detected) or the corner of the fitted sheet, hoping that once it is put away, they are safe until the next time the sheet is used. I would not be that ingenious if I were in that predicament.

My sister said that she bought candy that was smaller than snack size this year for Halloween. The Kit Kat bars had only one section. With that miniscule size, you can’t exactly sing that theme song: “break me off a piece of that KitKat bar.” Do you remember the joy of scoring the full-size candy? The houses that gave out that stuff were very popular.

I don’t think I am destined to get Real ID. At my first appointment, I arrived well in advance despite getting lost on my way to the South Plainfield facility – a full two months early because I got confused about the date. This time I was booked in Edison and arrived 15 minutes ahead of my appointment, only to find at least 75 people ahead of me (I had time to count them), all waiting outside the office. It turns out there was a gas leak and the building needed to be evacuated after someone was taken away on a stretcher by the EMTs. The person in charge said we could all come back the next day and our appointments would be honored, but I figured the next day would have all of Tuesday’s appointments and all of Wednesday's appointments, which sounded like a bad idea. So, I will go online again to book an appointment and try to get there sometime between 2 months and 15 minutes ahead of schedule. Things could be worse – at least I wasn’t the person carried out on a stretcher.

Tina's October 2022 Movies & More

There is one special movie review here that almost all of you will never get to see. I'll let you figure out which one it is while reading the rest. Numbering picks up from previous months and those movies marked with an asterisk were ones I had not seen previously. Everything is rated on a scale of 1-5 cans of tuna, with 5 being the top.

133.  Truth Be Told: The Fight for Women’s Professional Soccer* (2022, ESPN E60 series) – Women’s Professional Soccer has been around since the glorious World Cup victory by the USA in 1999 in front of a packed Rose Bowl. But several leagues have come and gone in that time, and there’s never a guarantee that any of the teams will have enough money to make payroll. So, the pros settle for less – inadequate training facilities and staff, less money and medical care – and they still fight to extend their careers. So that’s why so many young women in the current NWSL compromise their own safety and security when coaches emotionally or verbally abuse them or worse. They feel like they cannot challenge their treatment or they will be cut from their teams and their careers shortened or worse. A report issued in October lists despicable behavior by many coaches who have sexually assaulted or harassed players who reported them to the league only to have their reports ignored or glossed over. Coaches sometimes lost their jobs but were allowed to get new jobs in other places as officials who were informed of these incidents failed to take action. This kind of disgusting behavior is exactly what we have seen from coaches and team officials responsible for gymnastics, swimming and other sports, where young, vulnerable women are exploited and have no recourse except giving up their dreams and careers. When will this kind of behavior end? When will systems be in place to prevent and punish it? This documentary tells the story, but the coaches shown here are not all of the ones accused in the report compiled for US Soccer who are exerting power over their players and physically or sexually assaulting them. The situation is deplorable. 4 cans.
134.  Flight/Risk* (2022, Netflix) – One crash of a Boeing 737 Max jet in 2018 killed 346 people. The next year, the same model plane crashed, resulting in hundreds more deaths. But this documentary is less about the numbers than about the loved ones left behind with questions about what happened. Reporter Dominic Gates from the Seattle Times takes a hard look into the actions and inactions of Boeing, and whether corners were cut in their attempts to launch the plane. Boeing employee Ed Pierson is a whistleblower who warned the company that the production system was plagued with problems, but his pleas were not seriously considered. Was it the plane itself, the production process or the insistence that despite using a new system, special training for pilots was not necessary? This film takes a hard look at everything and portrays the loss on a human scale. 4 cans.
135. The Proposal* (2022, Limited Engagement) – A young man and woman stroll down a Chicago street hand in hand. He is carrying a jacket in his other hand. Suddenly she spots two flower arrangements next to a fountain, and they stop. She looks surprised, he looks happy. The soundtrack doesn’t reveal their conversation. Instead, it consists of her sister, who was recording the event while crying. They stop, he takes her hand and asks her a question. She is crying as she nods yes. He drops down on one knee and takes a box out of his jacket pocket, opening it to reveal a ring. Surprise ending? No, considering that they went ring shopping together a while back. But props to my favorite nephew, Brandon, for pulling off the romantic surprise and for finding a wonderful young woman, Julia, with whom to spend his life. There are tears and happiness as they embrace and kiss several times. This special video is only a minute and a half, but it is the best thing I have seen all year. I see a bright future for the two people in the cast! I know a lot of work on every detail went into the making of this short-subject, but it was worth it. I love a happy ending. I give this one a “ringing endorsement,” 5 golden rings and a possible Oscar! Mazel Tov!
136.  The Real Mad Men of Chicago* (2022, YouTube) – The Jolly Green Giant, the Marlboro Man, Tony the Tiger and the Pillsbury Dough Boy are all creations of the Leo Burnett Ad Agency, a Chicago-based advertising firm that rivaled the ad men of New York’s Madison Avenue beginning in the 1960s. They made the friendly skies of United come alive and created the “You deserve a break today” campaign for McDonald’s. The documentary illustrates the divergent approaches of Chicago’s Midwest sensibilities vs. the harder sell of the NY agencies. If you are interested in the creative combination of advertising and culture, this documentary is for you. I loved reliving some of the classics, like Charley the Tuna and Morris the Cat. 4 cans.
137.  Luckiest Girl Alive* (2022, Netflix) – The title here is strictly sardonic, because clearly Ani (Mila Kunis) isn’t so lucky after all. Sure, she has a cool job at a women’s magazine with a shot of a position at The New York Times and she’s about to be married to a handsome man from old money, but she often looks like she could kill him with her bare hands. There is trauma and tragedy in her past and her issues are unresolved. You can never relax watching this movie because with flashbacks coming at you that are unsettling, you just wait for the other shoe to drop. Suspenseful and current in its subject matter, but not a fun movie experience. 3 cans.
138.  I’ll See You in My Dreams* (2015, HBO) – Widow Carol (Blythe Danner) is a little lonely but she still has Hazel the dog – at least at the beginning of this film. Carol gardens, hangs out with her older lady friends who live in a nearby retirement community, plays cards and leads a quiet life. But there has to be something more. A speed dating event at the clubhouse is a disaster; trust me, no one would want to date this parade of elderly losers. But on the way out she meets Bill (a still-handsome Sam Elliott), an intriguing guy who has to memorize her number. He is unattached and attractive. She is curious and smitten. She also befriends her much-younger pool boy, Lloyd, who takes her to a karaoke bar where she shows off the singing chops of her younger days. And she and the ladies get into the stash of medical marijuana and come down with a major case of the munchies. When you reach a certain age, life isn’t filled with excitement, it is filled with moments, and Danner does a great, understated job of showing the emptiness and the richness life can bring. This was a lovely little film. 3½ cans.
139. Broadchurch, Season 2* (2013 PBS) – Let’s start with the fact that I didn’t know there WAS a Season 2. And as much as I loved Season 1, the story could have and should have ended there, with the confession of the murderer of young Danny Lattimer. This 8-episode installment introduces a host of new characters and a crime that was only referenced in Season 1 as the trial of the confessed murderer gets underway. There are three female characters who look so similar that I had trouble telling them apart. The plot shifts between the courtroom and way too many scenes of the characters brooding on the bluffs. David Tennant’s Inspector looks like he is about to expire any minute. Will he die before he finally solves the secondary case? Who are all of these new people? Olivia Coleman once again stands out in her role as a beleaguered wife and police officer, but everyone else just seems ticked off or anguished – or both. Sorry, PBS, but you should have ended this story after the superb first season. I understand that there is a third season, but I won’t be watching. 2½ cans.
140.  I Love You, You Hate Me* (2022, Peacock) – If you had children, grandchildren or nieces and nephews in the early 1990s, you undoubtedly were aware of Barney, the ubiquitous purple dinosaur whose show for pre-school kids dominated the airwaves. Barney and his “family” represented love, kindness and diversity, and many young kids were huge fans. However, there were plenty of people who detested Barney. OK, the song could get into your head, and maybe you thought that the world would never really be as nice as it was depicted in the show, but should it have spawned hate groups and physical attacks on the character when Barney appeared in public? The program aired at the beginning of the rise of social media, which led to death threats for the actors and others associated with the show. Creator Sheryl Leach was a Texas mother of a two-year-old, and she could not find age-appropriate programming for her active little boy. She created Barney, whose local popularity rose with a TV show, leading to live shows, a PBS series, plenty of merchandise -- and the rise of incredible vitriol. For all the success and happiness the character of Barney brought to young fans, the Leach family suffered immeasurably. This two-part documentary reveals the sad side of the story of Barney and proves to me, at least, why we can’t have nice things. 3½ cans.
141.  The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks* (2022, Peacock) – The life of Rosa Parks did not begin and end when she refused to give up her seat on a bus in Birmingham, Alabama. Ms. Parks was a civil rights leader and activist, a long-time member of the NAACP and a woman who championed equality her entire life. Her refusal to move to the “colored” section of the bus led to a highly successful bus boycott by Blacks in the city that eventually led to legislation outlawing discrimination on the buses. This documentary traces the life of Rosa Parks from before her famous protest through her activism, fame and role in American history. 3½ cans.
142.  The Woman Who Wasn’t There* (2012, Prime Video) – Tania Head had a harrowing experience as a survivor of 9/11, injured and trapped in the Twin Towers on that fateful day. Even worse, she lost her husband, Dave. She eventually recovered and became active with the WTC Survivors’ Network, where she made friends and frequently shared her story publicly. But a few things didn’t add up. Where were pictures of Tania and Dave? Why wasn’t she in touch with his family? She seemed very convincing, but little by little, things started to unravel. This documentary reminded me of one I saw recently, “The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist.” Truth is stranger than fiction. 3 ½ cans.
143.  The Redeem Team* (2022, Netflix) – When you are selected to play for the USA Olympic Men’s Basketball Team, you are expected to come home with a Gold Medal. But the 2004 team failed in that mission. When it came time to select the coach and squad for 2008, basketball executive Jerry Colangelo made sure the team had a good mix of experienced players and younger ones, such as LeBron James. But when Duke University Coach Mike Krzyzewski was named to head the team of professionals, he was convinced that the one missing piece was Kobe Bryant, the ultimate competitor and a player who would deck his own Lakers teammate to win a game. When James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Paul and the others on the team saw Kobe hitting the gym in the early, early morning, they understood they had to do the same. This documentary follows the team for the year of preparation through the 2008 Olympics in China. What a team! 3½ cans.
144.  Untold Story: Caitlyn Jenner* (2022, Netflix) – Bruce Jenner seemed like the perfect man. The winner of the 1976 Olympic Decathlon Gold Medal, he was dubbed the “world’s greatest athlete,” a title that came after years of dedicated work and training to meet that goal. Confession: I had his picture on my wall and thought he was drop-dead gorgeous. He had a beautiful blonde wife and appeared on every TV talk show and a box of Wheaties. But he wasn’t perfect. He didn’t feel like he was living an authentic life. After several wives and attempts to transition to being a woman full-time, he ultimately became Caitlyn Jenner, who, in this documentary, goes over Bruce’s achievements in the third person. I had forgotten how popular Bruce was, but Caitlyn has had a tougher time, worried about Bruce’s many children (he had to keep up with the Kardashians after all) and he became a she. I can’t even imagine how challenging it was for her to make that transition while staying in the public eye. But I do remember the amazing performance Bruce Jenner turned in as an Olympic champion. 3 cans.
145.  Lou* (2022, Netflix) – I guess if Liam Neeson can star in action movies, so can Allison Janney. Her Lou lives alone in the woods, interacting with people as infrequently as possible. But when the young woman (Jurnee Smollett) living on her property needs her help to find her kidnapped daughter, Lou snaps into action, drawing on her special set of skills that no one would have suspected she has. There is plenty of action and violence here, nothing that would remind you of Janney’s roles as “Mom” or C. J. Cregg in “The West Wing.” If you like suspense, check it out. 3½ cans.
146.  Spotlight (2015, HBO) – How could 90 priests molest young boys in Boston and get away with it? That’s what the “Spotlight” team from The Boston Globe sets out to investigate in 2001 in this dramatization of the real story. The background is simple: Boston is a city full of practicing Catholics and nobody questions the church. But the Globe discovers a few victims of sexual abuse by priests and delves into the records to find numerous priests who were reassigned, on “sick leave” or simply moved from one parish to another without being stopped for their misdeeds. The reporters (Rachel McAdams, Mark Ruffalo and Brian D’Arcy James, led by editor Michael Keaton) keep peeling back the onion to find the corruption, and it isn’t all in the church. You can blame the system and the lawyers, too, but don’t overlook the Globe itself since the paper had been approached with evidence of the charges years before and did not investigate. This is a solid film and an indictment of the practice of passing along problems instead of facing and solving them, much to the detriment of the many victims of this despicable behavior. 4 cans.
147.  Ticket to Paradise* (2022, at the movies!) – Who could resist George Clooney, Julia Roberts and the beauty of Bali, Indonesia, in this light comedy currently in theaters? Their dazzling grins and easy chemistry make this lightweight romp more than acceptable entertainment. Once married, the two have been sniping at each other since their bitter divorce and their parental rivalry over their daughter Lily – until Lily decides to forego starting her career as a lawyer in Chicago in favor of marrying the handsome seaweed farmer she meets in Bali. They don’t want her to make a mistake and end up miserable like her parents, so they fly to Bali and conspire to stop the wedding. I won’t reveal more about the plot, but it is safe to say that you can probably predict some of it. In the hands of other actors, this movie would probably be one I would skip, but the frequent co-stars made it a fun time. 3½ cans.
148.  The Good Nurse* (2022, Netflix) – Charles Cullen was a good nurse. He was competent, empathetic and highly skilled – especially at injecting insulin or digoxin into IV bags that killed his patients. And when suspicions were raised, the hospitals where he worked would simply dismiss him, leaving him free to move to another hospital and do the same thing, saving themselves from any liability. This movie, based on the case that involved my own local hospital, features Eddie Redmayne as Cullen and Jessica Chastain as his fellow nurse Amy, the actual good nurse in the title. Both actors have won the Oscar, but, in my view, there is not enough meat or urgency to this story to help them do it again. I have been around plenty of hospitals, and I’ve never seen one so dimly lit. I had to watch it on my iPad because I could not see the TV screen well enough – even with my greatly-improved, post-cataract surgery eyes. 3½ cans.
149.  Belle Vie* (2022, Netflix) – Oddly located between a McDonalds and KFC in Los Angeles, this once thriving French restaurant has to deal with the shifting climate and challenges of Covid. Charming owner Vincent Samarco has built his small but exquisite little gem by hand, displaying pictures of his native France and his life. But when Covid hits, he is forced to find other ways to survive. This documentary shows him quickly changing to a take-out business, and, as things improve, he constructs an outdoor patio where he can again serve customers who want to dine outside. But then more Covid waves lead to more restrictions. Will his restaurant be a victim of this disease? This was heartbreaking to watch, knowing the heart and soul Vincent put into his place in making it a place of warmth and community. 3 cans.
150.  Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy, Season 2* (2022, CNN) – Speaking of food, actor Stanley Tucci again takes viewers around Italy to discover the best of local and regional cuisine. This delectable 8-part series focuses on everything from stuffed sardines to pasta with pesto, fresh oysters and olive oil. We watch him discover places to eat that include private homes and restaurants and recipes that have been passed down for generations. The terrain can be challenging, but the people who harvest know exactly how to maximize every bit of their delicious haul. You can’t eat what Stanley eats, but you certainly wish you could. 4½ cans.

Odds & Ends

The really big news this month was the engagement of my nephew and his girlfriend in Chicago, where they live. He is my only blood nephew and I am his only – and certainly favorite – aunt. He works in logistics for Amazon, and he had the surprise proposal well planned, complete with itineraries and even a map with circles on it to pinpoint locations. He did it privately, but his fiancé’s sister captured it on video. The entire soundtrack consists of the sister crying. The bride-to-be was crying, too, through her laughter and joy, along with my nephew. Afterwards, he was smiling, laughing, crying and sweating. He looked so completely happy – and relieved, not that she said yes, but that he pulled off a mission on the order of D-Day. The D here is for “diamond.” Mazel Tov, my man!

All Rise! Yankee outfielder Aaron Judge is now the all-time home run king of the American League after belting his 62nd, breaking Roger Maris’ 61-year-old mark of 61 in 1961. I love the symmetry! Judge seems like a very calm, modest guy with no demonstrative swag, who is probably relieved and happy to claim that crown in his free agent year. If he leaves the Yankees for another team, well, we will always have 62 to celebrate!

I read something recently that said it is OK to split an infinitive (i.e., to SIMPLY split an infinitive…), which brings me a small measure of relief and just a bit less guilt on the rare occasions when it makes sense to me to do that. And most of you have no idea what I am talking about. Oh, is it acceptable now to end a sentence with a preposition, you ask? Hmmm.

I’m not a coffee drinker or a pumpkin-spice-in-everything kind of person, so the flavor of the season is lost on me. However, I salute Hefty for producing a special line of garbage bags – limited edition—which have the pumpkin-spice fragrance. I guess you could say that that makes “scents.”

I makes me sad to see prices in the now incorrectly named Dollar Store increase to $1.25 or more, but I did note that you can buy fake blood there, should that be on your shopping list. I forgot to check the price.

I tried to make myself a special dinner, but I let the chicken cook too long and the sauce became more of a glaze, which would have been fine but there wasn’t enough of it, and, let’s face it, I would have been Chopped if this whole episode had been on TV.

I get mad at myself for a lot of things, but I really get annoyed when I find a stray tissue in the laundry. I put the wet stuff in the dryer and there is tissue everywhere. And there is NO ONE to blame but me!

Here’s how you can tell that it is fall, beyond the obvious signs of the leaves turning color:
•    The Food Network shows all feature items with pumpkin spice and run programs on Halloween (making scary cakes), Thanksgiving and holiday baking.
•    I stop wiggling around in bed looking for the coolest spot on the sheets and instead go back to wearing socks to sleep.
•    I stop buying things to grill and start looking for sales on pot roast for the crock pot or Instant Pot.
•    I have the air conditioning on one day and the heat on the next day.
•    And, of course, there is an ice cream ban in my house until next spring and I start hauling out the soup recipes. I know, I know…

My paprika and cinnamon are a little too close to each other in the spice cabinet. One of these days I am going to have a real surprise in my French toast. This is also true of my mouthwash and cleaning containers. I really don’t want to splash bleach in my mouth.

Alex Trebek hosted "Jeopardy" for 36 years, and before that, the daytime version, hosted by Art Fleming, aired for 10 years. Two years after Alex's death, the show is still going strong and expanding into new versions, such as "Celebrity Jeopardy." The common factor here is the appearance of the name of the game's creator, Merv Griffin, every night. What a legacy!

The people responsible for the constant barrage of commercials and emails about poisoned water at Camp Lejeune ought to stop the ads and instead give the money to the victims. I know, they are trying to alert the potential victims, but they are annoying me!

Just wondering: Why are there SUPERintendents when there are no intendents? Doesn’t the term imply that SUPERS are superior to regular intendents – which don’t exist?

My car and I are both closing in on 72. The car just hit 71,200 and I turn 72 in October. I think I’ll hit 72 first since I’m still not driving very much!

I am happy to report that several months after cataract surgery I am again able to drive at night. My eyes are far from perfect for this task, but the halos around lights are drastically diminished. My goal was to be able to drive to night basketball games, and, with my improved vision and the fact that the car knows the way on autopilot, I’m good to go for the season, which begins on mid-November.

In my gym bag I still carry and use a towel that my mother bought me when I went to college – in 1968! Does that make me frugal, practical or just plain cheap? Please discuss – and be kind!

While I was having a manicure, I couldn’t help noticing the wrinkled skin on my hands and arms and now I understand why Jane Seymour is hawking that cream for “crepey skin” in those informercials in the middle of the night. Send a vat or two my way, Dr. Quinn!

When getting a manicure, the toughest decision is selecting the nail color. I brought an old bottle of dried-up polish with me because I always liked the shade and figured I could match it up with something at the nail salon. The bottle was so old that it had a Caldor price tag on it! And then I wrote down OPI C89 on my calendar so I could remember what I chose. I would have taken a picture of the bottle but I didn’t want to ruin my manicure!

Finally, who is in charge of naming colors, both for nails, paint, crayons, etc.? Sexy red, midnight blush, proud plum – I could make this stuff up. I wonder if there are any openings…

My dermatologist recommended a special powder to be used in a problem area and told me that it is hard to find it in the store. I found it on Amazon when I got home, ordered it and the next day it was waiting on my porch. I couldn’t have made it to CVS and back that fast!

You know all those calls you make to customer service that have a warning that says, “This call may be recorded?” Are they actually recorded? Really? And who is listening to these calls? That would be a pretty dull but doable job. I’d do it from home for the extra $$$. It can’t be that hard.

Why do we take things “with a grain of salt?” Why not a grain of rice? Or a grain of sand?

I’m trying the REAL ID process again next month. I plan to show up on the designated day and time, not two months ahead of schedule as I did the first time!

Someone asked me recently if I had ever bought clothes at Costco. Oh, hell, yeah! They have great workout pants and I have some nicer ones of that ilk that I wear on airplanes. I have also bought t-shirts with a NJ seal on them on the NJ Turnpike and sweatpants and sweatshirts at ShopRite. Kohl’s is looking a little high fashion now to me!

During the depths of the pandemic, when sports were largely closed down, I saw that ESPN programming was covering cornhole tournaments. That looks like a sport that even I could do. Tossing a beanbag into a hole? How hard could that be? Now, despite a plethora of sports available for your viewing pleasure, ESPN is televising an event that I’m sure I could never do: The World Excel Championships. Picture a bunch of Excel experts in the Battle of the Spreadsheets! They compete in 30-minute, head-to-head battles of specific task completion, testing Excel skills, math prowess and God only knows what else. Who’s ready to throw their hat in the Excel ring?

Last month I spent some time extolling the athletic feats of Serena Williams, perhaps the greatest tennis player ever, though you could make a good argument for Roger Federer. Like Serena, Federer has announced his retirement from the tennis tour after a stellar career. Few players have conducted themselves with the class and grace of the magnificent champion Federer. After his final match, playing doubles with archrival and good friend Rafa Nadal, Federer broke down and wept openly. I think Nadal wept almost as much. Pictures of them hugging and then sitting and holding hands will stay in my mind forever. No grunting, not sweating, no swearing, just elegant movement and deadly strokes, Federer is one champion who set a standard all future champions should aspire to achieve. Thank you, Roger.

Word of advice – you have a turn signal. Please use it. And don’t pull into the right lane if you are turning left.

I can’t stand when I allow someone to get into my lane and don’t get that little nod or wave or smile of gratitude or any acknowledgment. People, are we no longer civilized?

Unless you have a disability, you should return your cart to the cart area rather than leave it in the middle of the parking lot.

If you are going to pay by check at the supermarket, please have your checkbook ready, as well as your store loyalty card. The lady in front of me the other day not only did that, but she had to find her credit card to pay. THEN she started bagging. The cashier was done ringing up my order and she was still packing! I managed to work around her. I hope she’s home by now.

Believe me when I tell you that you do NOT have to REPLY ALL to let everyone you agree with someone’s email. There’s another waste of my time. 

And stop reporting on your Wordle results on Facebook. There’s another good reason to withdraw from social media.

Wow, somebody’s grumpy today!

Tina's September 2022 Movies & More

September featured a limited number of movies & more. All are rated on a scale of 1-5 cans of tuna, with 5 at the top of the rankings. Numbering picks up from previous months, and movies marked with an asterisk are ones I have not seen previously.

122.  Flagrant Foul* (2022, Netflix) – When you are an NBA referee, making great money, and you understand the rules prohibiting ANY KIND OF GAMBLING and you do it anyway, are you crazy? Real-life ref Tim Donaghy fell in with the wrong crowd, started gambling on sports (any sports gambling is prohibited by the league) and then gave inside info to his gambler/bookie friends, but soon progressed into betting – ON GAMES HE REFFED! Did he make calls favorable to the team he picked? Were other refs involved? There’s plenty of finger pointing, but it doesn’t matter. Donaghy went to prison and was lucky he wasn’t locked up longer. 3 cans.
123. Edie* (2017, Prime Video) – Don’t tell older people that they can’t do something. Just don’t. Edie Moore (Sheila Hancock) is 83 and for the past 30 years she has been stuck caring for a husband she doesn’t much like. When he dies, she is free to follow her dreams – to climb a mountain in the Scottish Highlands. She has some camping experience and some very antiquated equipment, so she enlists the aid of a young man (Kevin Guthrie) from the local camping store to replace her gear and train her for the climb. This is a heartwarming drama about dreams at any age and realizing that you don’t need to subscribe to the stereotypes that people place on you. 3½ cans.
124.  Hell of a Cruise* (2022, Peacock) – This documentary will not be featured in the promo materials for the Carnival Cruise Line. Passengers boarding the Diamond Princess in the Far East in March of 2020 thought they were in for the trip of a lifetime – but just not this way. Those who survived certainly found their experience unforgettable as the new COVID virus boarded along with them. This film reminds us of how little was known in the beginning stages of the virus but also shows how unprepared and unresponsive cruise company officials were in dealing with a deadly illness that they confidently dismissed. By day 7, there were already 174 cases, passengers were quarantined and the ship was forbidden from docking for several weeks. It might be too soon for this reminder, but watching this movie certainly validated my fears about ever going on another cruise. 3½ cans.
125. June Again* (2022, Prime Video) – June (Noni Hazelhurst) is an elderly woman with dementia living in a nursing home, where she can barely speak or recognize friends or family. By some miracle, suddenly she is lucid again, and she breaks out of the home and tracks down her family members, her former home and even the wallpaper factory she used to run. Somehow, this turns into a buddy-like movie, where, for at least a while, June is June again. Sweet but slow. 3 cans.
126. Father Stu* (2022, Prime Video) – Mark Walhberg plays the unlikely hero of this film about a boxer who becomes a priest. Stuart Long hasn’t had an easy life. He decides to leave boxing, goes to Hollywood to be an actor, falls for a good Catholic girl and starts going to church, where his life changes completely. Wahlberg, who produced and self-funded this true story, shows that Stu is not your typical priest. Before he becomes a man of the cloth, he drinks, he swears and he brawls with everyone. If the story were not true, I wouldn’t believe it for a minute. There is plenty of heart in this movie along with sadness and a strange kind of calm. Also starring seldom-seen Malcolm McDowell and Mel Gibson (who did an excellent job but whom I abhor) and Jackie Weaver as Stu’s mother. I thought it dragged a bit, but worth seeing. 3½ cans.
127. Abbott Elementary* (2022, ABC, HBO Max, On Demand) – I don’t usually include broadcast TV series, but Abbott Elementary deserves special recognition. Conceived and created by the clever Quinta Brunson and inspired by her mother’s career as a teacher, the show uses warmth and humor to deliver this workplace comedy showing teachers coping with meager resources, a self-centered (but hilarious) principal and a host of willing students who can be unruly. The revelation here is Brunson herself, as she plays Janine Teagues, a young, dedicated teacher who brings enthusiasm and energy to her students at a Philadelphia school (you want so much for her to succeed). You can’t take your eyes off the screen for a moment, because Brunson and the cast frequently break the fourth wall, looking directly at the camera, and missing their reactions would be a big loss. Both Brunson and Rutgers alum Sheryl Lee Ralph won Emmys for the series, Brunson for writing and Ralph the Best Supporting Emmy for her role as Barbara Howard, a veteran, calm, sage of a teacher who has put up with less than she needs for so long. I finished the first season in time for the second season to debut in September, and I’ll make sure to catch the episodes much earlier this time around. 4 cans and a couple of Emmys.
128. Mr. Holmes* (2015, Pluto TV) – Aging and retired inspector Sherlock Holmes is facing the last chapter in his illustrious career with the reality that his fading memory is rendering him unable to solve an old case. Living in a private home outside London with a housekeeper (Laura Linney) and her young son Roger (Milo Parker), Holmes is not content to simply tend to his beloved bees and he tests his recollection of the details of the case. Flashbacks show him tracking down a woman whose husband has hired Holmes, but can he recall enough to solve it? Sir Ian McKellen brings a world-weary 93-year-old to life with his slow, deliberate movements as he labors on the details. This is not an action movie by any means, but there are plenty of twists and turns. 3½ cans.
129. The US and the Holocaust* (2022, PBS) – Man’s inhumanity to man is on full display in documentarian Ken Burns’ devastating look at the Holocaust, Hitler’s efforts to exterminate all European Jewish people before and during WWII and the deplorable way the US stood by and watched the tragedy unfold. I cannot bear to go through the details; I could barely summon up the strength to watch this three-part program, but it is one that must be seen, taught and retained forever. The American people in general did not want fleeing Jews to come into the US and the government set strict quotas on visas for those desperate people attempting to emigrate. If history can teach us a lesson, this is one that must be learned. 5 cans.
130.  Sidney* (2022, Apple TV+) – This loving tribute to actor Sidney Poitier comes just months after his death earlier this year. From his poor background in the Bahamas, Poitier came to the US barely able to read but somehow managed to become one of the best actors in the annals of Hollywood and a cultural icon. Oprah Winfrey, an unabashed admirer of Poitier, produced this documentary, which includes plenty of interviews with Poitier, his wives, his daughters and his contemporaries. If you are a fan – or even if you are not – it is worth watching for the film clips of his many stellar performances and his role in civil rights.  3½ cans.
131.  I Used to Be Famous* (2022, Netflix) – Life was great 20 years ago for Vinnie D, the bleached blonde front man for a British Boy Band. But now, the glitz is gone, and Vince is hustling around town trying to book gigs at local pubs, desperate for a job in music. When Stevie, a talented, young, autistic drummer, jams with him on a park bench, he feels a connection and they quickly form a duo despite some limitations and the hesitancy of Stevie’s mother. Can this duo open the musical doors for Vince once again?  Can music restore his life and career? Tune in to find out. 3 cans and some terrific drumming.
132.  Yankees-Dodgers – An Uncivil War* (2022, ESPN) – As Sophia Petrillo would say – picture it: Yankee Stadium, 1977, Reggie Jackson at the plate. Three first pitches, three screaming shots over the fence, three home runs as the Yankees humbled the Dodgers in the World Series. This documentary is a reminder of that Yankee team, which made as many headlines off the field as on it, led by fiery manager Billy Martin, gruff catcher Thurman Munson and the ever-present New York media, who reported each and every detail. Meanwhile, 3000 miles away, the too-good-to-be-true Steve Garvey led the Dodgers to the top of the National League but not without resistance from some of his teammates, who thought the camera-ready first baseman was a phony. There were plenty of outsized personalities on both teams, and if you are a fan of either team back on the 70s, you remember it well. Still, this stroll down a sometimes bumpy memory lane was fun to watch. 3½ cans.

September Silliness 2022

Considering my doubts about the need for and viability of the British monarchy, I am surprised at how sad I am about the death of Queen Elizabeth II. She had been Queen for almost as long as I have been alive, a steady presence who outlived her many prime ministers, US Presidents and other important historical figures. It will be difficult to get accustomed to hearing "King Charles," but he has been in the on-deck circle for his entire life, so I guess it's his time. I have nothing but respect for the late Queen, who dedicated her life to serving her country, including in the Armed Forces. It wasn't a job she pursued or was even expected to have, but when it was thrust upon her, she served with distinction and dedication. Rest well, Your Majesty.

Why do people refer to “the four corners of the earth” when we know that the earth is round? We do, don’t we?

When I look in the mirror, I alternate between “you don’t look so bad” and “what the hell happened here?”

As of August 31, Costco has on its showroom floor a giant snowman, a display of lighted reindeer and other reminders that Christmas is a mere 4 months away!

I hate knowing I’m late when I haven’t even left the house yet!

I was going to give someone a piece of my mind on the phone the other day, but then I realized that I couldn’t spare it.

New episodes of “Jeopardy” are back on the air, so you will have to forgive me if everything I say is in the form of a question.

There are so many reusable grocery bags in my trunk that there is barely enough room for the groceries.

Where did I get so many reusable water bottles? I’m trying to remember to use them and to stop using bottles of Poland Spring. More washing but less recycling!

My GPS tells me, “Prepare to make a right.” How much preparation does this require? Is there a course I have to take, a certification I need? Sure, if I am driving on the interstate, I should get over to the right-hand lane to turn right, but if I am driving in town or on a two-lane road, trust me, I’m prepared to make that right.

For someone who watches as much TV as I do, I'm somewhat embarrassed to admit that I never have watched any of the shows nominated for an Emmy Award as best drama. I've only watched “Abbott Elementary,” “Ted Lasso” and “Hacks” on the comedy side, and I stopped watching “Mrs. Maisel” this year. I started watching “The White Lotus” and hated it, so I stopped. It looks like I have some catching up to do now!

I have watched too many episodes of “Dateline.” When I watched one recently about a woman who vanished, I noticed the nice pictures of her on the screen and wondered what pictures of me would be used if I ever disappeared. That’s crazy!

Can we talk about the absolute annoyance of “REPLY ALL” to emails? I live in a senior community, and everyone here seems to think we want to see them tell EVERYONE that they have cast their ballot for the HOA Board, or that they like a picture of a tree or a bird that Shirley posted, or that they, too, might have seen a coyote but they aren’t sure. People, get a life! I don’t want to opt out of the messages, because when someone posts that they loved their new neurologist or painter, that might be useful to keep. But the other stuff is a waste of time and mailbox space!

Why do people – especially athletes – say that they have “given 110%?” Isn’t 100% the top of the scale? Have we cranked up the volume from 10 to 11 now? (Raise your hand if you get that reference.)

I recently got a package from Amazon in a big cardboard box that had this message on it: “This box is suitable for use as a diorama.” I don’t have kids and I was in school before someone invented the cruelty that is a diorama, but shouldn’t any large box be suitable for that purpose? If you were a desperate parent trying to help your child at the last minute with a school project, wouldn’t you have stashed away a box or two for this purpose?

If you cough – not sneeze – and someone says, “God bless you,” should you explain it was a cough, not a sneeze, which doesn’t generally merit a “God bless you,” or merely say “thank you?” And does it matter? I know you’re thinking NO.

I wonder why we sneeze, and why we sneeze multiple times. I exhausted myself one morning with a sneezing fit before my feet even hit the floor.

I can’t remember life before Adjust-a-Size paper towels, but I don’t think I could live without them now.

What kind of violence takes place in my washing machine? Things come out of there inside-out, upside-down and backwards. The socks are smart enough to try to escape the torture. 

I recently spent an hour on line at the inspection station where I amused myself by filing my nails and watching people taking their driving tests. One person had three tries to parallel park before they finally got it right. I feel your pain! One of the few times in my life that I parallel parked perfectly was on my driver’s test, which I still consider a major achievement. Remember when cars did not have power steering? Wrestling your car into a parking space was a real workout! Hence the trepidation about parallel parking!

Car inspection in NJ used to be so scary. You never knew whether your inspector woke up surly that day and you were going to fail. When the person in the little booth at the end of the lane finally scraped off your sticker, you just prayed you passed. Now, there is no more slamming on the brakes or checking your high beams. It is strictly an emissions test – yet I still sweat it out until the car passes!

Desperately seeking bagels. When was the last time I had a decent bagel, one with an actual hole in the center that didn’t look like a hard roll? What I am finding these days are doughy, fat bagel pretenders that don’t even fit into the toaster. When it comes to good bagels, bigger isn’t necessarily better.

I sprained my thumb recently while taking a nap. Apparently, I tucked it under my chin inadvertently and leaned on it the wrong way. I had a neck pillow right there, but I just conked out. I’ll survive.

I have been watching tennis all summer, it seems. At the US Open, legend Serena Williams put on a great show before bowing out in what MIGHT be her last hurrah in Flushing Meadows. She will go down in history as the greatest female tennis player ever, objections from Margaret Court notwithstanding. And the men ushered in a new era with the ascension of 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz to the World #1 ranking with his thrilling win over Casper Ruud, displacing the usual triumphant triumvirate of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Thanks to Serena for a lifetime of thrills, and here’s to many more victories from young Mr. Alcaraz. 

Public Service Announcement: For those of you following my very successful experience with cataract surgery who have been told that you are developing cataracts, I recommend that you take an aggressive approach to have the surgery done. Push to get it done sooner rather than later. It took 5 years for mine to get to the point where I really NEEDED the surgery, but could I have gotten it after 2 years or 3? It's great now finally being able to see clearly, but I wish I had done it sooner. No one suggested that at all. We were just "keeping an eye" on my cataracts. Talk to your eye doctor and speed up the process if you can. Why should we suffer when we could enjoy improved vision sooner?

While waiting in the treatment room for my eye injection, I looked around and realized I was able to read almost everything in the room, including a colorful diagram all about the retina and wet macular degeneration, which is what I have. I had never been able to read it before. When the doctor came in, I pointed to the poster on the wall and said to the doctor, “Do you see that poster?” He said yes and looked at me quizzically. “So do I,” I declared.

One last medical thing: The doctor’s office always sends out reminders to arrive 15 minutes before my appointment. Why, so I can wait that extra 15 minutes watching bad TV in the waiting room? I never arrive late, but I am there within 5 minutes of my scheduled time, usually not a minute sooner!

I have been trying to set up an appointment to get my Real ID for months, but the only available time slots seemed to be in Cape May, Camden or Elizabeth. So, when I noticed openings in South Plainfield, I snagged one fast for August 30. I printed out my confirmation and assembled 512 pieces of ID that were enough for everyone at the agency. I hit the road nice and early for my 10:15 appointment, and even though I got lost, I still arrived early. It turns out that I was 2 months early, because the date I had booked was actually October 21! The date on the confirmation I proudly pulled out to show the clerk read October 21. What? How could that be? I knew I had a hold on that date for something important that I had to do so I wouldn’t have scheduled anything at that time. I asked whether they could take me anyway since I was already there, but, no, that would have been way too easy. So, I went home and made another appointment - in November! And forget South Plainfield; I'm heading to Edison and I know exactly where the MVA agency is located.

August 2022 Movies & More

There are plenty of mini-series on this month's list, which is almost all new programs to me. Movies are rated on a scale of 1-5 cans of tuna, with 5 being at the top. Movies marked with an asterisk are things I had not seen previously. Numbering picks up from previous months.

108.  As We See It* (2022, Prime Video) – This mini-series is a revelation, a look at the lives, loves, accomplishments and disappointments of three 25-year-olds on the autism spectrum sharing an apartment. Sosie Bacon (daughter of Kevin and Kyra Sedgwick) is their aide, helping them accomplish modest goals and steering them into better decisions than they might make on their own by giving them genuine care and love. The three leads are actually on the autism spectrum, and each delivers a stellar performance in portraying the ways their lives are affected. Bacon tries to care for them while making big life decisions of her own, selflessly putting their well-bring first. The series was created and developed by Jason Katims, who worked on two of my favorite series, “Friday Night Lights” and “Parenthood.” Give this one a chance. 4 cans.
109.  The Last Movie Stars* (2022, HBO Max) – Actor Ethan Hawke put together this loving tribute to actors Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward with a comprehensive look at their lives and work. Newman was widely credited as the bigger star, while Woodward was recognized as the better actor. To create this homage, Hawke took transcripts from audio tapes Newman had recorded with his friend Stanley Stern (which he later, inexplicably, destroyed) and had a variety of actors read them. They reveal two imperfect people: He admittedly drank too much and, although she adored her children, she admitted that having them was detrimental to her career. There is much respect paid here to the craft of acting, but I’m in it for the clips. I think I need to fill in the Woodward collection because God knows I’ve seen almost everything that Newman ever did – minus “The Silver Chalice.” A bit disjointed and sometimes too adoring, this 6-part documentary includes plenty of interviews with their friends and children to round out the picture of the couple as people. 4 cans.
110.  Shania Twain: Not Just a Girl* (2022, Netflix) – Shania Twain exploded on the country music scene in 1995. Soon she was acclaimed as the first true crossover artist as she built a huge following with her pop and rock songs, touring internationally and becoming a global superstar. This Netflix documentary delivers the goods – her many #1 hits, her spectacular live performances, her signature videos. There is just the slightest mention of her divorce from her husband and producer, Mutt Lange, and a look at how she nearly lost her voice because of Lyme disease. Of course, she’s not just a girl. Man, she feels like a woman! 3½ cans.
111.  Broadchurch (2013, PBS) – I can’t believe it has been 9 years since I first got hooked on this British murder mystery series. Danny Lattimer is an 11-year-old boy whose dead body is found on a beach early one morning in the British town of Broadchurch. His family is devastated, the town is shocked at the crime and there are plenty of suspects. David Tennant plays the lead detective, assisted by Olivia Colman, an actress I had never seen before this series. She turns in a flawless performance as a detective and a mother. I’m not going to spoil this whodunit, but I absolutely recommend that you watch it if you can. 4 cans.
112.  All the President’s Men (1976, On Demand) – It has been 50 years since five men hired and bankrolled by a sitting president and his henchmen broke into the Democratic National Headquarters of the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C. Looking at that crime through the lens of January 6, 2021, you can’t help seeing frightening comparisons. I think you know whodunit in this one. But have we learned NOTHING since 1972? Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely; and people who support a martinet and refuse to stop him from abusing that power will eventually pay the price. At least we hope so. Redford, Hoffman, Robards – Outstanding movie. 4½ cans.
113.  13 Lives* (2022, Apple TV) – Director Ron Howard puts together the agonizing account of the daring rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach who were trapped in a cave in Thailand during an unexpected monsoon. The ingenuity and bravery of the rescuers and the young boys makes this a suspenseful film, even if you remember the actual incident. My only gripes are that you have to depend on subtitles since much of the dialog is in Thai language and it was hard to tell who was whom since the divers/rescuers all wore masks and wetsuits. Not Howard’s finest work but still suspenseful. 3 cans.
114.  D.B. Cooper, Where Are You?* (2022, Netflix) – That’s the question the authorities, private investigators and followers of this strange incident have been asking since 1972, when an ordinary looking man boarded a plane headed from Portland to Seattle. He slipped the flight attendant a note demanding $200,000 and four parachutes and, upon landing, took off on another flight, where he simply opened the door and jumped out, never to be seen again. Did he crash to earth and die? Or is he one of several possible men who have been tracked and trailed for years. D.B. Cooper has become a cottage industry, with “Cooper Con” gatherings attended by “Cooperites” who are fascinated with the story and relish doing some amateur sleuthing of their own. Despite the authorities focusing on one or two candidates, the real D.B. Cooper has never been found. And so the story continues. 3½ cans.
115.  The Captain* (2022, ESPN) – Derek Jeter was born to be the shortstop of the New York Yankees, a position he played for his entire major league career. In this 7-part look at his life, there are numerous interviews with players, members of the media, his family and friends – all of which tell you little more than you already knew, and Derek likes it that way. Like the series on basketball legend Michael Jordan, this documentary shows a proud, accomplished man filled with competitive fire who remembers every slight and negative comment anyone made about him. Jeter bristles in the spotlight, freely admitting that he did not want to be the center of attention. He is inherently humble and loyal but spent his career guarded in his approach to the media. Here he is much more candid and forthcoming than he was in interviews with reporters, but here he controls the narrative since he and his agent produced the series. We get to see him in his latest chapter, as a husband and devoted “girl dad.” Not as addictive as Jordan’s “The Last Dance,” still, it is “number 2, Derek Jeter, number 2” (imagine Bob Sheppard’s voice here). 3½ cans.
116.  The Princess* (2022, HBO) – This documentary takes a different approach in recounting the life and death of Princess Diana by using no narration, no host, no script. Instead, the entire program relies on montages of news footage in tracing the woman who-would-be-Queen from a shy 19-year-old to a forlorn 36-year-old, divorced from Prince Charles and her fairytale life – which wasn’t much of a fairytale anyway. There are copious clips of the courtship, the engagement, the marriage and the eclipse of Charles as the popular Princess emerges as a true force and asset for the Royal Family. There are coy shots of Charles’ real love, Camilla Parker-Bowles, slipped in throughout the footage. Included as well are snippets from the graphic tapes of conversations between Charles and Camilla, Princess Di’s interview where she says there were three people in her marriage, and her admission of her own infidelity. Ironically, so much of the footage shows the paparazzi following her every move, including chasing down the car that crashed and killed her 25 years ago in Paris. The outpouring of affection for her following her tragic death was truly heart-warming. She was “the People’s Princess.” 3½ cans.
117.  Citizen Ashe* (2022, HBO Max) – When I started watching this bio of the late Arthur Ashe, I momentarily forgot about him as a tennis player. Hard to believe, since he was iconic as one of the first Black male tennis players to gain prominence and the first to win at Wimbledon. I was thinking of all the things he did outside of tennis with his modest social activism (he certainly wasn’t strident), his community work and how he dealt with AIDS. At 36, Ashe had a heart attack; a subsequent related procedure that required a blood transfusion led to his AIDS. He wasn’t aways an activist because he felt that if he were too aggressive, he and all other Black players would suffer the consequences. This documentary portrays him as he evolved. He and his tennis contemporary, Billie Jean King, became probably the most admired and influential champions of their sport and their impact and reputations continue today. 3½ tennis balls.
118.  The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist* (2022, Netflix) – Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o was a force in college football in 2012, a punishing player, a leader, and a candidate for the Heisman Trophy. He led his team to an undefeated season before losing to Alabama in the National Championship game. But Te’o lost more than a game when it was reported that his grandmother and his girlfriend, Lennay Keuka, died on the same day. He was all over the news with reporters clamoring for the sad story. Only Lennay didn’t exist. Huh? Te’o had established an online relationship with what he thought was a beautiful young woman in California. They exchanged text messages and often talked on the phone, just not via Facetime because she always had an excuse. Sure she did, because she was the invention of Ronaiah Tuiasosopo, a young man who set up one of the greatest “catfishing” schemes ever. Te’o was warm and loving. He and his family got to know Lennay and her “family,” all created by the catfisher. Once he got started, he didn’t know how to stop, so he killed her off. The initial sympathy for the young athlete turned derisive once the news was leaked that she never actually existed. How could he be so badly duped? Was he in on it? What did he know and when did he know it. Tuiasosopo, who now identifies as transgender, tries to evoke sympathy for herself but instead comes across as a manipulative, immature sociopath. Teo’s football career and his life were adversely affected by this charade, where he was a victim. You can’t make this stuff up – except Tuiasosopo did just that. 3½ cans.
119. Selling the OC* (2022, Netflix) – Ever since one of the “Real Housewives” flipped over that table, so-called “reality” TV has been finding ways to create drama among cast members. The sister show to “Selling Sunset” about a real estate agency selling high end homes, this new version moves to beautiful Orange County, California, where homes as high as $106 million are pitched by the realtors for their size, amenities and magnificent views. The agents are good to look at, too, if you like hard-bodied young men and botoxed, plasticized women. The drama here is self-inflicted; who is flirting with whom and who called whom a “bitch” are standard scenarios. Every now and then someone actually sells a house, too. This 8-part limited series has too many cast members – oops, I mean “agents” – to try to keep track of the alliances. But with “Selling Sunset” between seasons, this one had to take up the gap. 2½ cans. But the houses and the views are sensational!
120.  Loot* (2022, Apple TV+) – I don’t watch much on this streaming service, but this erstwhile comedy starring Maya Rudolph sounded like a winner. Rudolph is Molly, who catches her cheating billionaire husband and divorces him, leaving her with a Melinda Gates-sized settlement. Molly discovers that she also gets to run a philanthropic organization that funds promising projects to help the needy around Los Angeles, but she manages to nearly destroy it with her lack of experience or finesse. I won’t bother to give you more details. I should have cashed out of “Loot” way before the 10th and final (one can only hope) episode. I felt short-changed. 2 cans.
121.  My Life as a Rolling Stone* (2022, EPIX) – This 4-part series uses plenty of interviews and years of footage to introduce viewers to the four mainstays of the ultimate rock & roll band, The Rolling Stones. Mick, Keith, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts each brought something special to the band. Watching these “biographies” reminded me of their immense contribution to music. If you’re a fan – or even if the Rolling Stones are NOT your favorite band (that would be me, but with massive respect) – you may find their stories as fascinating as I did. 4 cans – one for each Rolling Stone profiled.