There are movies, shows, documentaries and more on my May list. Numbering picks up from previous months, and anything marked with an asterisk was new to me. Five cans is the top rating.
52. Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret* (2023, Manville Cinema) – This adaptation of Judy Blume’s classic book about prepubescence covers all of the awkward territory for young girls, from boys to bodies to breasts. Poor Margaret (Abby Ryder Forston) is an 11-year-old who moves to the suburbs with her family, leaving behind her beloved grandmother (Kathy Bates) and her friends. She has to make new friends, fit into a new school and deal with issues ranging from kissing boys to finding her faith and asking for God’s guidance. Rachel McAdams as her mother has adjusting to do, too, as she tries to fit into the unfamiliar world of PTA projects and her daughter’s near-teenage angst. Since everyone in the theater where I saw it was around the same age as me, we could remember the challenges facing Margaret and you could hear the audience chortling and sighing at many of the moments. This is an endearing look back at times we thought were tough then and now we see as the age of innocence. 3½ cans.
53. The Pharmacist* (2020, Netflix) – When Dan Schneider’s 23-year-old son is murdered in an area near New Orleans that is known as a place where people go to buy drugs, the police express little hope of finding the killer. But that won’t stop Dan, whose unrelenting determination keeps him literally up at night as he resolves to find out who killed his son. This 4-part docuseries shows a man obsessed with tracking down the killer and seeing him punished – but even then he’s not finished. As a pharmacist, Dan notes an increase in healthy-looking young people stopping at the pharmacy to pick up prescriptions of the pain-killer OxyContin. Why do they need it? How are they getting it? Why is one particular doctor issuing so many prescriptions? And how is the manufacturer, Purdue Pharma, increasing the dosage and convincing so many doctors to prescribe it? The opioid crisis is at Dan’s door, and he is determined to stop people from overdosing or getting caught up in addiction and death. This is an engrossing story with Dan as an everyman hero with a tape recorder who is unafraid to use it. If you appreciated the Michael Keaton series “Dopesick,” you should watch this story, too. 4 cans.
54. Somewhere In Queens* (2023, Montgomery Cinema) – Somewhere in this movie are partially likable characters, but the loud, tension-filled Italian family dinners seem to bring out the worst in Leo (Ray Romano, who co-wrote and directed) and his wife (a miscast Laurie Metcalf with an unbelievable New Yawk accent). Their entire lives revolve around their son “Sticks,” a pretty good basketball player whom Leo is pushing toward a college athletic scholarship. Poor Sticks barely communicates, so we don’t know if he is inspired by his father’s enthusiasm or just tired of being pushed. His one bright light is Dani, a cute new girlfriend he clearly adores. Leo actually doesn’t have much to say either; on a visit for Sticks to try out at Drexel, he remarks about the abundance of trees – as if there are none in Queens – and that the gym holds 2000 people. He is involved in the minutiae of his son’s life and can’t – or won’t – let go. I found Romano a sadsack in the part, with his father character pushing, pushing and then denying that he pushed at all. There’s a story here, but the annoying characters are enough to make you not find joy in it. 2½ cans.
55. Queer Eye, Season 7* (2023, Netflix) – The boys are back in town – New Orleans this time around – bringing their special skills and compassion to assist locals overcome their fears and hang-ups in search of their best lives. Whether it is Bobby redoing the “décor” of a fraternity house or adorable Jonathan convincing someone to cut their hair and shave their beard, or Tan providing a wardrobe that fits the size and personality of the lucky recipient or Karamo working to get to the bottom of relationship issues or culinary expert Antoni showing people how to prepare simple but delicious food, each of the Fab Five brings their expertise to make the life better of each person they help. My only regret is that I watched the entire season over the weekend and now I have to wait a LONG time to see Season 8! 4 cans.
56. The Guttenberg Bible* (2023, George Street Playhouse, New Brunswick) – Let’s start with the George Street Playhouse itself. A part of the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, GSP consists of two beautiful, comfortable, state-of-the-art theaters for plays, concerts and one-person shows. There is simply not a bad seat in the house, and the offerings each season are wide enough to please most any taste. This show was written and performed by actor Steve Guttenberg, tracing his desire to be in show business as a 17-year old in Massapequa, Long Island, and going to Hollywood. Getting a role in a commercial for KFC launched him into a career filled with casting people, directors, performers, writers and others who cross his path as he progressed into bigger and better roles. Guttenberg never leaves the stage in this show, and I had to admire his ability to know and deliver so much dialog. He is accompanied by a 90-member cast – all played by two men and one sole woman, cleverly staged and costumed to make you think there were that many people on stage. Guttenberg comes across as a very affable, down-to-earth guy who appreciates and never forgets his family and his roots. I would characterize him as a real mensch – and that’s a high compliment, indeed. 3½ cans and get yourself to a GSP production.
57. It Ain’t Over* (2023, Manville Cinema) – This loving tribute to her grandfather Yogi Berra by Lauren Berra may not go down in history as the best sports movie ever made (see :Brian’s Song” or “Rudy” or “Hoosiers”) or even the best baseball movie ever made (see “The Natural,” “Field of Dreams,” “Bull Durham” or “Bang the Drum Slowly”), but it is near the top of my list. Because of Yogi’s looks, funny comments and humble demeanor, it is sometimes hard to remember that he was one of the most accomplished baseball players of all time, with 11 World Series rings, multiple MVP Awards and records to prove it. He is the last and only player to catch a perfect game in the World Series (Don Larsen in 1956!), and his return to Yankee Stadium after a 14-year estrangement from owner George Steinbrenner after the Boss unceremoniously fired him in 1964 took place on the very day that David Cone pitched a perfect game – while Larsen was on hand, watching with Yogi. Tell me there are no ghosts in Yankee Stadium! This charming look at the wit and wisdom of Yogi shows his many baseball friends and admirers explaining what he did for them and for baseball. Very few things make me cry, but Old Timers Day in Yankee Stadium gets me every time. This movie was like 100 Old Timers Days. The audience at the 12:15 half-price Tuesday screening stood up and applauded when it was over. If you love the game and are a Yankee fan, you cannot miss this movie. 5 baseballs.
58. Selling Sunset, Season 6* (2023, Netflix) – This month the boys of “Queer Eye” were back in town with their positive attitude and mission to improve the lives of everyone they touch. This week the bitches of real estate were back in town, determined to bring the drama even with OG bitch Christine no longer in the cast. These glamourous real estate agents work for the Oppenheim Group in LA and sell giant, attractive, overpriced property to anyone who can afford to spend $25 million. Every house has “amazing” features and breathtaking views. And the ladies themselves look all sparkly and tarted up with their sky-high shoes and cut-up-to-there outfits. One episode in and I was asking out loud, “Who wears clothes like that to work?” This is not exactly PBS fare, but it is my guilty pleasure. A few new women joined the cast, but no point in attempting a summary of the plot line; you either indulge yourself in these fantasy reality shows or you don’t. And I did, binging the entire season in 2 days, which means I have to wait for a long time to see the next season. 4 cans.
59. Angel City* (2023, HB0) – I don’t even watch soccer – unless you count “Ted Lasso” – so I’m not sure why I decided to watch this 3-part documentary about the creation of a new women’s team in Los Angeles, the Angel City Football Club. The people who decided to initiate this venture did so on the premise that there would be enough money to invest in proper facilities, good players and coaches and build a loyal fanbase to sell out their shared stadium. Among the celebrities investing in the franchise, actress Natalie Portman is the driving force, but the investors include Jennifer Garner, Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union, and former US Soccer National Team members with recognizable names, like Abby Wambach and Mia Hamm. The series shows how tough it is to start a new sports team, find the right staff and win games. (They actually do a great job of attracting fans.) The most important thing they needed to get started was a big-time investor, and Reddit creator Alexis Ohanian, husband of tennis legend Serena Williams, stepped up. There is plenty of soccer footage here, as the new team tries to win on the pitch as well as at the bank. With only three episodes covering the first Angel City season, this show is likely to continue next year. And I’ll be watching. 3½ cans.
60. Donna Summer: Love to Love You* (2023, HBO) – Donna Summer was a force of nature in the 1970s as the Queen of Disco. But as this documentary reveals, she wasn’t like the sexually suggestive woman she portrayed in her music. And she was often torn between her desire for success and just wanting to be herself and stay home with her children. She was a talented songwriter who knew how to collaborate successfully with the right people. But even if she had never released another song after “Love to Love You,” Donna Summer would still be remembered for that relentless disco beat and the suggestive moaning on that track. 3½ disco balls.
61. Working: What Do We Do All Day?* (2023, Netflix) – Former President Barack Obama narrates and stars in this 4-part documentary about our economy, the workers who try so hard to make ends meet, the jobs that people with little opportunity to advance hold and the aspirations of people with better education and brighter futures. From housekeepers at New York’s Pierre Hotel to home care aides in Mississippi to people working on driverless cars, this series tackles the disparities in our economy and highlights the people who perform jobs at every level. Every now and then, Obama himself shows up at the workplace to deliver lunch or schmooze with the staff, and his concern and respect for these people is very evident. This is a realistic look at the American workforce and highlights individuals just trying to find their way. 4 cans.
62. Cola Wars* (2018, Story Channel on cable) – If you like soft drinks, you are most likely a fan of either Pepsi or Coke, and you might recall that the two beverage giants went toe to toe to try to win you over in the 1970s and 80s. Remember the “Pepsi Challenge” taste tests and the Michael Jackson commercial for Pepsi in the 1980s when Michael’s hair caught on fire? Coke maintained market leadership but, according to results of the taste tests, Pepsi’s cola was gaining on its rival. And then came “New Coke” in 1985, one ill-advised move by Coke to alter its highly protected “secret” formula to introduce a new flavor that more closely resembled Pepsi. Considered the biggest blunder in marketing history, the New Coke replaced old reliable Coke, leading the Pepsi President to declare that the two companies went eye to eye and the other guy blinked. Coke realized its error and only several months later reintroduced Coke as “Coke Classic,” eventually withdrawing New Coke from the market. Anyway, if you like stories about advertising and marketing, this one is for you. There are so many campaigns and characters here and things you will remember if you were around nearly 40 years ago. 3½ cans of some soft drink.
63. Camelot* (2023, Live on Broadway) – This revival of the classic Lerner & Lowe musical sounds instantly familiar to those of us of certain age. My friends and I played the soundtrack from the movie (along with its contemporary “West Side Story”) incessantly, so the old tunes came back right away. But if you are looking for something really vibrant that explodes off the stage, or something with beautiful production values, Camelot isn’t the one. The performances are fine, but the story dragged and the opening act was so long that my knees were begging to be stretched by intermission. The second act seemed to go on forever, with “If Ever I Would Leave You,” in the beginning of the act, the clear highlight of the show. I think my expectations may have been too high. Liked, it, didn’t love it. 3 cans.
64. Tina (2020, HBO) – When I first saw this documentary about the now-late Tina Turner, I remember thinking that it seemed not only a way to trace her extraordinary life, but also to provide her farewell. The movie is unsparing in its details of the abuse she suffered at the hands of her husband and the way she finally walked away, without a dollar in her pocket. When they divorced, she wanted and took nothing but her name, which she worked hard to restore. When producer Phil Spector drafted her for the vocals on “River Deep, Mountain High,” he created a record that explodes. And then there are her signature pieces, “Proud Mary,” with Tina’s manic dancing and spinning around the stage, and the aptly named, “Simply the Best.” In the 1980s, no one was a bigger star, packing theaters, concert halls and arenas. In her later years, I think she made peace with the trauma she had endured and found a way not just to survive, but to thrive, spending her last years on an idyllic Swiss estate with a much younger husband whom she adored. I’ve read her book, watched the “Tina” documentary, saw the Broadway musical “Tina,” and experienced the concert experience live. I feel a darkness where Tina’s light used to be. Rest well, Queen. Love had plenty to do with it. 5 cans.
65. Being Mary Tyler Moore* (2023, HBO) – As America’s Sweetheart, Mary Richards, on her self-named show, Mary Tyler Moore came into our hearts and living rooms every Saturday night. This loving tribute depicts her ability to bring much of her character into the parts she played. Yet, Mary was complicated and private. She won Emmys and accolades as Laura Petrie on “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” and her own show, but she also had the gravitas necessary to play an emotionally detached mother in “Ordinary People,” for which she received an Oscar nomination. This film shows Mary, warts and all, and humanizes her as not just someone who could turn the world on with her smile. I spent so much of my 20s with Mary and Rhoda, I felt like we were girlfriends, but Mary never confided in me what is in this program. Well worth seeing. 4 cans.
66. Missing* (2023, Netflix) – This suspenseful thriller is presented with much of the content shown as text messages, emails and social media posts, so you cannot fall asleep and follow the plot. Here’s a summary: 18-year-old June is happy to see her mother Grace leave for a vacation in Colombia with new boyfriend Kevin since she can party while they’re gone. She dutifully shows up at LAX to pick them up, but they don’t land. That begins her search, first contacting their hotel, then the authorities about her missing Mom. But June also plays amateur sleuth, searching old messages, dating sites, and other clever ways of unlocking information. I think I’ll call her the next time I forget my password, because she’s really good at coming up with them. The pace stays snappy throughout the film, as you feel a sense of impending danger for the missing mom and for June. And not a word more. Some of this is a bit far-fetched, but I have watched enough episodes of “Dateline” to know that we all leave a trail everywhere we go. 3½ cans.
67. American Gladiators* (2023, ESPN) – This two-part documentary, part of ESPN’s excellent series “30 for 30,” takes a deep dive into the 1980s action-competition show that aired weekend mornings. Hugely muscled “gladiators” with names like Nitro, Blaze and Ice competed against “regular” folks in a series of odd athletic competitions, using padded jousting sticks to pummel each other or a gun that shot balls to catch a competitor. There was plenty of sex, drugs and steroids going on with the stars as the gladiators had to look huge in their spandex outfits and had little time to spend with family and friends. So that’s the first part of the series. The second part spends most of its time trying to conjure up the co-creator of the series, Dann Carr. The guy who brought this concept to TV – where it aired to large and enthusiastic audiences for 7 years, was Johnny Ferraro, a one-time Elvis impersonator. But it was Carr’s concept as a series of games. Ferraro sold it to TV, and little has been seen or heard of Carr since. I actually liked the original series, but this documentary is a bit too much – oversized, like the gladiators themselves. 2½ cans.
