Here is what captured my interest in February. Numbering picks up from previous months and asterisks indicate programs I had not seen previously. The rating scale is 1-5 cans of tunafish, with 5 being the top.
14. American Fiction* (2023, Manville Cinema) – This film about a run-of-the-mill novelist takes a satirical turn when frustrated writer Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (Jeffrey Wright) decides to abandon his high brow novels and write something that is so outrageous that it makes him a sensation. He couldn’t attract any interest in what he had been writing, novel, so he adopts a “street style” and gets his new book published under the pseudonym “Stagger Lee.” His new approach pokes fun at the largely white publishing industry that suddenly wants to hear from new, Black voices, such as author Sintara Golden (Issa Rae), a hot new author. He is balancing his need to provide funding for a nursing home for his mother (Leslie Uggams) after his sister (Tracey Ross Ellis) suddenly dies. I loved the family dynamics here and Monk’s reluctance to reveal his identify as he ponders the racial stereotypes that are so prevalent in our society. Sterling K. Brown plays Monk’s brother and the lovely woman from across the street (Erika Alexander) That he begins to date looked like a young Alfre Woodard. Monk is definitely in on the joke. 4 cans.
15. Bitconned* (2023, Netflix) – If only clever people with criminal minds would use their intelligence for the good of society. Not in this documentary. Ray and his buddies are wiseguys who want to be criminals. From selling drugs to selling exotic cars, they always seemed to live the high life – literally. And building an inventory of bitcoins was easier than running a car business (although that one was legit). So, with a little knowledge and a lot of moxie, they pedaled cryptocurrency through a phony website (complete with a fake CEO whose picture was simply a stock photo) to the would-be rich while they made millions. I don’t know much about bitcoin, but anything that looks too good to be true usually is. 3 cans.
16. Rolling Along* (2024, Max) – Former basketball great (Princeton and the Knicks) and NJ Senator Bill Bradley tells his life story in this no-frills one-man performance. There is much more philosophy here than clips of his days on the champion New York Knicks team (and we know how long ago THAT was). Bradley delivers his story with passion and reality. His views on American politics, right to life, racial injustice and the Viet Nam War all develop over time, and he is frank in disclosing how he reached his conclusions, including how, as an evangelical Christian, he walked out of a Billy Graham service and never looked back. Bradley is 80 now, but he is masterful in standing on stage and simply telling his story, on turning back the clock and explaining what life was like and how events influenced his views. And it was worth hearing. 3½ cans.
17. The Many Lives of Martha Stewart* (2024, CNN) – This four-part documentary tells the story of the rise and fall and rise again of a girl from Nutley, NJ, who built an empire and then did something that nearly destroyed it. Martha spent time as a stockbroker and a model but only felt true fulfillment as a baker, decorator, publisher and media mogul. From her best-selling book, “Entertaining,” to her ubiquitous magazine, Martha Stewart Living, she defined how the rest of us should be living. That led to a big company that went public, making Martha a billionaire. But when she got caught doing insider trading, she ended up in prison. Could she come back? Would she? Yes, and she was on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue at age 80! Whether you like or dislike Martha Stewart, her story is a good thing. 4 cans.
18. Fly With Me* (2024, PBS, American Experience) – This documentary traces the history of flight attendants (then called stewardesses) in the growth of the commercial airline industry. But it is also the story of the mistreatment of women in the workplace and a salute to the women who fought for their right to have careers in the airline industry. Unlike men who were pilots, the stewardesses were fired when they reached 32 because they were considered too old. They were not allowed to marry or, God forbid, be pregnant. They were constantly weighed, ostensibly because of the load on the plane (men’s weight didn’t count, I guess?), have their hair cut a certain way, their outfits strictly within the rules and they had to double up on hotel rooms when they traveled (the pilots got their own individual rooms). Some of that changed when the airline marketing campaigns decided to hoist up the hemlines and invite passengers (mostly a male, business clientele at the time) to “Fly Me.” And the workers got fed up, started a union, fought for their rights and sued and won large settlements. This film is the history of a profession that has changed dramatically over time, largely in answer to the justifiable objections of the workers. Worth a look. 3½ cans.
19. Lover, Stalker, Killer* (2024, Netflix) – When auto mechanic Dave met Cari Farmer on a dating app, they both agreed to go out on a casual basis. But soon thereafter, Cari texted Dave about moving in with him. He declined, she disappeared and he began receiving thousands of messages from her. This true crime story is examined in this Netflix documentary. It has plenty of twists and turns, and you have to wonder – as did the authorities – why would Cari abandon her mother and son, leave the state and continue to harass Dave and his former girlfriend. Tune in to find out. 3½ cans.
20. James Brown: Say It Loud* (2024, CNN) – In case you have forgotten or overlooked the genius of the hardest-working man in show business, this in-depth, 4-part documentary brings it all to light. From a poor, abused child in rural Georgia to the apex of entertainment, Brown was a prolific writer, arranger, singer and performer. His creative approach pioneered soul music and funk and influenced countless musicians from hip hop to rap. Seriously flawed in some ways, Brown maintained his independence and unique style. Even if you aren’t a fan of his music, you have to credit James Brown as “the Godfather of soul.” 4 cans.
21. A Beautiful Life* (2023, Netflix) – This may not be the best movie in the world, but wow, can that lead character sing! Elliott (player by singularly-named Christopher) works on the docks in Denmark, sorting lobsters and living on an old boat. He is a low-key guy who rarely cracks a smile or has any fun. But one night his buddy Oliver drags him to a club where Ollie plans to perform for a well-known music manager. Ollie is terrible, but Elliott jumps in to save him and knocks out all in attendance with his gorgeous voice. The woman is impressed enough to offer him a job and a chance to record, but that was Ollie’s dream, not his. Still, with so much talent in performing and songwriting, Elliott could have a bright future if he can overcome his shyness and grab the opportunity. The actor wrote and performed the songs. 3½ cans.
22. Priscilla* (2023, Max) – I’m not so sure this movie sheds any new light on the strange relationship between Elvis Presley (Jacob Elordi) and his much-younger girlfriend/wife, Priscilla (Calee Spaeny as the young Priscilla and Kamilla Kowal as the more mature one). I always thought it bizarre that Priscilla’s parents would allow their teenaged daughter (here as young as 14) to spend time with global star Elvis, who was in his 20s when they met. I mean, if it had been any other guy 10 years older, would the parents have condoned the relationship? From the movie, it seems that Priscilla was well cared for by Elvis’ staff and family, but she’s living with a major star and going to parochial school to get her high school diploma! Elvis got what he wanted, which included not just Priscilla the person but the Priscilla he could dress up and advise (insist) on hair and makeup. The older she became, the taller her hair grew, and there was surely a hole in the ozone layer at Graceland from all of the hairspray used to cement that ‘do in place). Elvis lives a big and opulent life, and Priscilla looks bored and tired of the whole thing, except when she is with the man she loves. I was bored, too. 2 cans.
23. Shattered Glass: A WNBPA Story* (2024, Tubi) – If you are a basketball fan who follows the WNBA and you like stories about contracts, this documentary is for you. It delves into the union that represents the WNBA players as they measure the viability of opting out of the contract with the league once their deal expires. Their goal is to get concessions on issues important to the members, such as maternity leave, charter flights (the teams are required to fly commercial, which is a tough challenge from a scheduling standpoint and also because the players are mostly over 6 feet tall) and more. The focus is on three players, Nneka Ogwumike, the WNBPA president, and two members of the New York Liberty, both new to the team last year, Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart. The film follows them in their daily lives and introduces fans to their families. I realize this film probably has limited appeal to a wide audience, but it was just perfect for me. 3½ cans.
24. The Grapes of Wrath (1940, Cable TV) – A young Henry Fonda stars as Tom Joad in this classic from author John Steinbeck and director John Ford about a family seeking the American dream. The Joad family is forced to flee their native Oklahoma dust bowl by greedy landowners. They take off for California, where there is plenty of farming to be done and migrant workers are needed. But the greedy farm owners are unwilling to pay a living wage and are ready to replace the pickers on hand with new ones who will work for less. Man’s inhumanity to man is on display in numerous confrontations and disappointments. In large part, we are still fighting these same circumstances in the United States – human rights, workers’ compensation, low-cost housing. This film will not lift your spirits but is important to see. 4 cans.
25. Love Story (1970, PBS) – What can you say about a 25-year old woman who died? No, I haven’t given away the story, because those are the opening words as poor Oliver Barrett IV (Ryan O’Neal) sits alone in Central Park mourning the death of this beautiful young wife, Jenny Cavalleri (Ali McGraw). Oliver is a Harvard jock, Jenny a Radcliffe music major when they meet and become smitten with each other. The scion of an enormously rich family, Oliver is determined to make it on his own and has a crusty relationship with his father, Oliver Barrett III. Jenny is a girl from a working-class family and definitely not whom Oliver is expected to marry. But, you know, love conquers all and movie star diseases will get you. I know it’s sappy, I know it is not considered a great film, but sitting down to watch these two beautiful people fall in love, frolic in the snow and try to survive is a guilty pleasure. 4 cans.
26. Ordinary Angels* (2024, Manville Cinema) – When Ed (Alan Ritchson) loses his young wife, he is left to care for their two young daughters with the help of his mother (Nancy Travis). Five years later, Michelle, the 5-year-old, is deathly ill and needs a new liver. Between hospital stays and drugs, he is broke and on the edge of despair when suddenly Sharon (Hilary Swank) comes along. A hairdresser with a wild streak and a bad drinking problem, Sharon reads about little Michelle and is determined to help her and her family. Based on a true story, this movie shows the power of community, as Sharon enlists the people in the town to come through and save this little girl. She is about as ordinary as you can get, but her commitment and actions make her an angel to this desperate family. 3½ cans.
