Droning On

Welcome to New Jersey, Drone Capitol of the World. Jerseyans cannot figure out why drones are being spotted everywhere these days. Government spying? Extraterrestrials? Keeping an eye on the Trump property? I have gotten a barrage of emails and texts and I have seen social media posts from people who like to take pictures and report these drone sightings to the rest of us. Everyone seems to have a theory. What’s it all about, Alfie?

My sister and I have decided that there are various levels of what we can best call “casual wear.” There are the sweatpants you would never wear outside of the house and there are the better sweats that we have now defined as “dress sweats,” which are acceptable attire for doctor visits and errands, but not for dining or general public viewing. I like the dress sweats idea!

Just so you know, if I find that the toilet paper in your bathroom goes UNDER instead of OVER, I will change it. Maybe not if I went to Buckingham Palace, but otherwise, this will happen anywhere else.

I am no longer capable of sitting down or getting up from a chair without groaning.

No one I know can sleep anymore. Sure, we try to go to bed early, but for me, the earlier I go to sleep, the earlier my FIRST wake-up session will be. I always have to get up to use the bathroom at least once. I know it is not just me, because all of my friends seem to be online and texting by 7 AM at the latest. When I was a teenager and a young adult, if I woke up by 11 AM on a weekend, that was early. And no trips to the bathroom were needed!

When I was working, there was one woman in the office who kept a stash of what we called “the Magic Crackers.” They were made in the shape of butterflies and sold by Pepperidge Farm, and we would ask good old Pat for a few when we had some stomach issues. They worked every time. Bland, but soothing. Just what we needed on a bad tummy day.

Practically no one I know wants to drive at night anymore – or can drive at night. My night driving got much better after my cataract surgery, but I’m only comfortable going to places that are so familiar to me that the car could get there on its own.

I keep the ringer on my cellphone OFF most of the time, so chances are that if you call, I might not pick up. My phone is often in my hand, so I might just see that you called – but I might not pick up anyway! 

How can I break a nail in the shower? I don’t understand. I didn’t shampoo THAT vigorously!

If you use the term “back in the day,” you are officially old.

One of my superpowers is the ability to correctly guess numbers. I do this mostly with the time of day – or night. I can wake up and know the approximate correct time. This skill does me no good in a casino or with lottery tickets, so it is mostly useless. Sometimes I’m so lazy that I won’t even roll over to check the clock to see if I guessed right about the time. I’ll just ask Alexa what time it is. She must be pretty bored with me by now. 

I hear from Kohl's much more often than I do my closest friends. Every day there is a new email offering me Kohl's Cash or telling me I can save 10, 20, 30 or 40%, and that the sale ends that day. And I forget to delete the message so my mailbox is overflowing with Kohl's crap.

I have seen so many clips, promos and appearances by the stars of “Wicked” that I am turned off about seeing the actual movie. I saw the show on Broadway and thought it was way overdone. Let’s say it wasn’t “popular” with me. Truthfully, I loved the original Wizard of Oz movie and as a kid I really looked forward to its one airing on TV every year. My mother used The Wizard of Oz to threaten us – if you don’t do such-and-such, you cannot watch the movie! The expansion of the story and the addition of so many bells and whistles that blow away the original are just too much for me. 

I’m spending too much time looking for things to watch on Prime, Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV+, Max, Peacock, Paramount+ and whatever else I am wasting money on than I spend on actually watching things. It is time to reevaluate my subscriptions and get this stuff under control!

I have no incentive to go to the movies anymore since most of the movies I want to see will be streaming weeks after their debuts. My rule is to wait for them and NOT pay the rental fee, which could be $19.99. If I really want to see a movie at home, I’m willing to rent it for $5.99, but I generally use great restraint and wait for it to be FREE. Free is always better, and I don’t feel so bad watching a movie I end up not liking when I don’t have to pay for it.

A word of advice: Don’t go to the ER on Thanksgiving. There is a skeleton staff on duty and no turkey. Just saying. And don’t go on Yom Kippur, as I did years ago with a kidney stone. There was hardly a doctor in the house!

When I was growing up and we could not open a bottle, my mother used the nutcracker. I knew it was called a nutcracker, but since we never had nuts to be cracked in our house, it wasn’t until I was in college and went to someone’s house where a big basket of nuts was on the table that I finally realized that a nutcracker was intended to be used to crack nuts. I also thought that the pliers were used only to change the channels on the TV when the knob fell off. Years later, when I saw someone using a pair of pliers as a tool, I finally realized that their use was not intended solely for the TV. Live and learn.

How do you put a pillow into a pillowcase? My mother taught me to turn the case inside out, but that doesn’t seem to help. It takes me more time to wrestle the pillow into the case than it does to wash and dry the cases! Where’s Mom when I need her? I’m 74 years old. You would think I would have mastered this skill by now!

This is my last blog entry (except for my year-end movie list) of the year. Over the past 15 years I have published more than 400 times. Sometimes I feel like I am running out of material, and then something like drones over NJ comes along and reawakens my appreciation of the absurd or odd stuff that fuels my writing. I can’t say this will go on indefinitely, but I hope you find my writing entertaining enough to continue to read it. If your attention is beginning to wane, let me know and I will take you off this mailing list (for those of you who receive this material via email; the rest of you can simply ignore the link I put on Facebook). I hope the new year brings me more inspiration to continue to publish and put a smile on your face. Happy holidays and happy new year to all.

November 2024 Movies & More

Here is a short list of movies and programs I watched in November. Ratings are based on a score of 1-5 cans of tuna fish, with 5 being the highest. Programs with an asterisk are ones I had not seen previously, and numbering picks up from last month.

138. Martha* (2024, Netflix) – One name should be enough to identify domestic doyenne, former model, former stockbroker, former inmate Martha Stewart. Martha pioneered the art of entertaining, gardening, decorating, classy crafting and making the rest of us feel woefully inadequate, all the while building an empire that led her to becoming the first self-made woman billionaire. This documentary by R. J. Cutler tells the whole story, with Martha’s rise for a suburban upbringing in Nutley, NJ, to becoming a media mogul with her magazine, TV show and Martha Stewart Omnimedia. She certainly did it her way, and she doesn’t pull any punches in this film. Her reputation as being a five-letter-word (mogul?) is probably legit. She achieved unimaginable success – until it vanished. You may not want to have coffee with her, but her story captured my attention. 3½ cans.
139. Simone Biles: Rising* (2024, Netflix) – I’m starting the month with intense looks at two very strong women – Martha Stewart and the GOAT of gymnastics, Simone Biles. Simone may be small in stature, but she soars in gymnastics, winning seven Olympic Gold Medals over the Rio, Tokyo and Paris games. She has 11 Olympic medals in total. Her feats of flight are miraculous to watch, yet she stays grounded thanks to her family and her own determination. This 4-part documentary focuses on the Paris Olympics (likely her last) and how she got to this point in her career. She had to drop out of the Tokyo competition in 2021 with a case of what the sport refers to as “the twisties,” when a gymnast loses mental control over their movements. Her story is a good one and a promo for taking care of mind and body. This series is a little too long, but I found it addicting enough to watch the whole thing in one day. Let’s not give a score for this one. Let’s just give it a Gold Medal.
140. Sweet Bobby* (2024, Netflix) – This is the kind of movie that could not have existed a decade ago. Kirat is a lovely woman who meets a sweet man, Bobby, and begins a relationship with him online. When he goes through some serious and strange life circumstances, she is there to support him. When he cannot see him in person, she is endlessly understanding. But after more than a decade “together,” suddenly things don’t add up. This documentary peels back the layers of this complicated and frustrating relationship that once again proves that truth is stranger than fiction. 3½ cans.
141. Anatomy of Lies* (2024, Peacock) – This 3-part documentary is the fascinating story of a successful writer for the Grey’s Anatomy TV series whose life wasn’t quite what it seemed. I cannot provide more details without giving the story away, so, if you believe that truth is stranger than fiction, check this one out. 4 cans.
142. An Inside Man* (2024, Netflix) – Ted Danson gives a subtle performance as Charles, a man who applies for a job with a private investigator. His task is to move to a senior citizens complex and work undercover to find out who is responsible for the theft of a valuable piece of jewelry. He is a grieving widower, a former engineering professor, and his innate curiosity and powers of observation are perfectly suited to the assignment. He goes there to do a job but becomes immersed in the lives of his new friends and neighbors. He is so charming in this part, and the show will be back for a new season! 4 cans.
143. Cold Case: Who Killed Jon Benet Ramsey? (2024, Netflix) –  This 3-part documentary series focuses on a case that was almost impossible to ignore when the pretty 6-year old was found murdered in her own home in 1996. Did the police mishandle the evidence? Did they jump to the conclusion that the family was involved?  How big a role did the incessant media coverage play in demanding the parents be charged? There are still plenty of questions surrounding this case, and, despite the title, you will not get the definitive answer. 4 cans.
144. Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy* (2024, Netflix) – I felt great guilt watching this documentary about how we tend to buy much more than we need (I can’t fit even one more Rutgers T-shirt into my drawer) and what happens once we discard the stuff we didn’t need in the first place. Clever marketers constantly encourage us as consumers to buy more and more, and the result is a world overwhelmed by what eventually is garbage. The whole system is out of control and the impact on the planet is already significant. Not exactly a cheery holiday film. 3 cans.
145. Before and After* (1996, Prime Video) – I don’t know how I missed or never even heard of this Meryl Streep-Liam Neeson movie from the last century. It certainly wasn’t one of Meryl’s showy parts – no accent needed. She is a doctor, married to Ben, an artist, when their family is upended by the tragic death of a young woman in their small town. Suddenly, the focus of the investigation is on their teenaged son, who, it turns out, was dating the murder victim. There is evidence to be found, but what is the truth and who will save the day? Good performances, especially on the part of the anguished father (Neeson). 3 cans.

Short & Sweet - November 2024

I went to my retina doctor on Halloween and everyone in the office was dressed like dominoes. I left there seeing spots before my eyes.

At the dentist’s office this month they took my blood pressure. On Election Day!  At the dentist’s office. Isn’t the dentist’s office anxiety-producing all my itself? Needless to say, it was HIGH! I usually don’t mind going to the dentist and the eye doctor, the only places where they DON’T take my blood pressure or make me get on the scale. So much for that. 

Aside from the dentist and the eye doctor, the only other place where I can legitimately avoid the scale is at the dermatologist. She doesn’t care what I weigh. She’s only interested in whether I have skin damage from the sun. And according to her, I have great skin. Clearly, her standard of “great skin” is vastly different from mine.

I feel that I am using too many exclamation points lately. Is all that emphasis needed? And who came up with exclamation points anyway? Now I have started using question marks to excess…

I wish I could sleep as well at 4 AM as I do at 4 PM.

You know those drug commercials that tout the benefits of some prescription and then warn you not to take that drug if you are allergic to it? How are you supposed to know you are allergic to something unless you take it and have a bad reaction?

There’s an app for everything, right? You buy a pair of shoes and they want you to install their app. My medical records are waiting for me to see – in the app. Do I really need to occupy the space on my phone with every place I go online? I don’t think so. 

I cannot eat scrambled eggs off a paper plate.

Don’t you hate that feeling when you are walking around and your sock slides into your shoe? Or when you suddenly feel your toe going through your sock? I’ve reached the point in life where I just throw the socks away and don’t feel the guilt (except that they do make good cloths to shine my shoes on the rare occasions that I shine my shoes).

The pay for local substitute teachers in my area just went up to $155 a day, a far cry from 1972, when I briefly substituted in my old high school for $22 a day before I started working at J&J, where my weekly salary was all of $125. Of course, the price of gas was under 50 cents a gallon then. But my real point is that despite the growth in the pay rate for teachers, we still don’t pay them enough. 

Now that I am making a concerted effort to drink more water, I feel like I spend half my time filling up the Brita water container, filling my water bottle and making ice. I never knew how much I appreciated the taste of COLD water until I got up a Yeti water bottle.

I’m not a Halloween fan. I don’t like dressing up or scary stuff and I really should not have candy in the house. Luckily, I live in an adult community so there aren’t any kids in the neighborhood to approach the house in costumes I cannot identify. Residents here instead hold a party for the grandkids and anyone who wants to hand out candy puts a paper pumpkin in their window. The kids are happy, the grandparents are happy, and I’m don’t have to bring candy into my house or hear the doorbell ring! Win-win. I’m just an old grouch, I guess.

I made a turkey meatloaf recently that was so bad that if I had ordered it at a restaurant, I would have sent it back. I tried to hold down the calories and, in the process, I eliminated the taste! Ground white meat turkey is dry and lacks flavor anyway, and I only made things worse. This healthy eating is not easy!

I had to go for blood work the other day and I was afraid I would accidentally eat when I was supposed to be fasting! I didn’t.

During the Presidential campaign, Trump asserted that you could send your son to school in the morning and he would come home as your daughter later that day because the schools were doing gender reassignment surgery as, he said, “without parental permission.” So that means my tax dollars are used to fund sophisticated operating rooms capable of performing such complex surgery? And who is supposed to be performing such surgery? The school nurse has to jump through hoops to give out an aspirin. So now school staff is supposed to be combat ready for a gunman AND trained to perform delicate surgery (and with no place for post-op recovery)? Come on! Don’t you think permission to set up the facilities to do on-site surgery might have come up at a school board meeting and would be reported in the local press? Of all of the many lies, misstatements, exaggerations and overstatements he made during the campaign, I found that one the most egregious and the one that could be most easily disproved. Yet, here we are. America. You have been conned. 

My Yankees lost in the World Series after leading in the final game by five runs. The Rutgers football team won 4 straight then lost 4 straight before winning their last two games, making them bowl-eligible. The Jets and Giants disappoint most weeks. But now that college basketball season is starting again, I have optimism and renewed hope for success. The Rutgers men’s team is already making national news with two top freshmen and the women’s team has some outstanding newcomers who hopefully will make them competitive in the very tough BIG 10 conference. Ask me in March if my hope was justified and my dreams came true!

October 2024 Movies & More

Here are the dozen movies and programs I watched in October. New programs that I had not seen previously are marked with an asterisk. All programs are rated on a scale of 1-5 cans of tuna fish, with numbering picked up from the previous months.
126. Rebel Ridge* (2024, Netflix) – This suspenseful action adventure starts off promising. Terry (Aaron Pierre), a man racing on his bike to post bail for his cousin, is literally derailed by the local cops. They want to search his backpack and generally delay him. When they find $30,000 in cash on him, that raises the stakes even more. They let hm go but confiscate the money, complicating his plans. But when he shows up at the police station and comes face-to-face with the Chief (Don Johnson), things only escalate. My objection here is that things get very complicated, despite the help of Summer (Anna Sophia Robb), an officer studying for her law degree who, for some unknown reason, is willing to risk her standing to come to Terry’s aid. And then the movie gets so dark – literally – that I could not tell what was going on. I’ll give this a 3 but with more light, it might have gained a half can.
127. Wolfs* (2024, Apple TV+) – I guess the idea here is to take two popular, attractive actors (George Clooney and Brad Pitt) and throw them into a suspenseful comedy/drama that involves a drug cartel, a young guy running around New York in his underwear after he was seemingly murdered and lots of wisecracking dialog between the stars as they argue with each other. Yeah, I’m not buying it. The plot was senseless, the action stupid, too many bodies are shot and strewn around the streets and you still don’t understand what the hell just happened. I’m only surprised they didn’t bring in Leonardo DiCaprio for a part. 1 can. And that's being generous.
128. Taking Chance (2009, Max) – When young Marine Lance Corporal Chance Phelps is killed in action in the Mideast, his body must be transported back to the US for his family to bury. Lieutenant Colonel Michael Strobl (Kevin Bacon) volunteers to serve as his military escort for his final journey. This beautiful movie honors the young marine, as Strobl and every person responsible for the body takes pains to treat Chance with complete dignity and respect. As Strobl thinks about how his military career has gone, he gains new respect for the sacrifices made by those who gave their lives to serve the US. This was originally a TV movie and one of the better ones. 4 cans.
129. Starbucks Unfiltered* (2018, Prime Video) – I don’t drink coffee and I’ve ventured into the world of Starbucks just a handful of times, mostly for a cup of hot chocolate and a pastry when there was nothing else around. But Starbucks is a ubiquitous brand, like Coca Cola and McDonalds, and can be found nearly anywhere in the world. It was interesting to see its origins, how it sources its coffee and how the company creates a consistent quality of product and experiences from store to store. Maybe the brand is too big (38,000 locations worldwide), and maybe they don’t always treat the growers right. I’m not here for the coffee, just the story, and it held my interest. 3 cans.
130. The Best of Everything (1959, Cable TV) – Before there was “Mad Men,” there was this soapy melodrama about women in the workplace. Joan Crawford is the editor of a paperback book publishing house in NYC, where most of the young women are just trying to get and keep jobs as secretaries. It isn’t easy, what with Crawford’s character rattling them and the men in the office chasing them. They might move up if they charm their bosses. I know this seems like light years ago and things have improved for women since the 1950s, but today the discrimination and pay discrepancies still exist; they are just not quite as obvious. Besides Crawford, there’s Hope Lange, Diane Baker and Suzy Kendall as a would-be actress who finds that show business isn’t any better than the steno pool unless you hook up with the right guy. My favorite part among the men is Dexter, played by Robert Evans, who went on to be a Hollywood mogul. Here he’s a rich young guy just trying to score with Diane Baker. This movie is far from the best of everything but an interesting sociological look back 65 years to the way we were. 3 cans.
131. Killer Heat* (2024, Prime Video) – While this movie fancies itself as a “film noir,” with plenty of suspense, it’s no “Body Heat,” a vastly superior film of the same ilk. Private investigator Nick Bali (Joseph Gordon-Leavitt) is called to Crete to look into the death of Leo, a mountain climber who slipped off the mountain to his death. Or so it seems. But when Nick learns Leo has an identical twin, the possibilities of foul play are doubled. The dead man’s wife (Shaylene Woodley) hired Nick and cooperates in the investigation – to a point – but there are plenty of people with something to gain or something to lose here, so the game is not over yet. The suspense isn’t harrowing, the finale not perfect, but I found this story diverting enough. 3½ cans.
132. Saturday Night* (2024, Manville Cinema) – If the real story of what happened in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of “Saturday Night” in 1975 is anywhere near the frenetic scramble portrayed in this film, it is a wonder not only that the first broadcast happened, but that show creator Lorne Michaels was able to pull this off successfully for now going on 50 years! As the writers and performers get ready to go live, there is a chaotic blend of egotistical young actors, the hubris and brilliance of Michaels, who can barely describe what he expects the show to be, and the last-minute efforts to keep the show under its 90-minute airtime. As on the real show, some things work exceedingly well and others, not so much. I clearly remember that initial show, hosted by comedian George Carlin, and thinking how DIFFERENT it was from the nighttime programs fronted by Johnson Carson and other more conventional comedians. Here we see a manic John Belushi, a clever Dan Ackroyd, the sardonic Chevy Chase – who utters the first ever “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night.” There are too many actors to list but the casting, hair and makeup seemed true to the original Not Ready for Primetime players – Belushi, Ackroyd, Chase, Gilda Radner, Jane Curtain, Larraine Newman and Garrett Morris – and each one of them connected me back to the real players. The show is iconic not just for surviving 50 years, but for continuing to be fresh and unconventional despite the sea of NBC Network “suits” monitoring it. The star here is Lorne Michaels, the creator and driving force behind the show. It was fun seeing it all come to life once more. 3½ cans.
133. Superman* (2024, Montgomery Cinema) – The irony of a healthy man, athletic and stunning on screen as “Superman” and then tragically confined to a wheelchair and respirator is movingly portrayed here in this account of the life and times of actor Christopher Reeve. With a treasure trove of clips showing him engaged in athletics, playing with his kids and having fun with his best buddy, Robin Williams, Reeve seems like the guy all other guys would want to be. But then, after becoming a genuine movie star, Reeve was following his hobby of horseback riding when he was thrown to the ground, never to walk again or breathe on his own. He never stopped trying to get better or raising money for a cure for paralysis, supported and cared for by his wife, Dana. The end comes suddenly for Reeve, following not long after by the death of his wife from lung cancer. His children, now grown, rallied together to help him when he was alive and continue to support the foundation he and Dana sent up to help others. Expect a large lump in your throat and real tears from this sad movie. 4 cans.
134. Superman (1978, HBO) – It seemed only fitting to watch the movie that gave Christopher Reeve his first part as the Man of Steel. He brought his handsome face, chiseled body, his silly outfit and his wry, Clark Kent humor to the part. However, watching this movie again after all these years reminded me that I don’t like movies like this. It took a good 40 minutes until Superman became Superman in this drawn-out film and it was easy to fast forward through parts when Superman is out for a fly-around with Lois Lane (Margot Kidder). Faster than a locomotive, Superman rescues Lois, a train, a helicopter, a dam, some cars and pretty much anything in his wake. He is a hero in the best sense, even if the adventures, based on the classic comic, are as far-fetched as the character. I used to watch the black & white TV show with George Reeve and Phyllis Coates/Noel Neill faithfully each week and loved it. The movie is one I probably could have gone another 50 years without revisiting. Only my opinion, of course, but 2 cans.
135. Starting 5* (2024, Netflix) – I can’t recommend this documentary series – not because I didn’t like it, but I can’t think of anyone in my circles who would sit down and watch a 10-part documentary about five NBA players filmed over the course of the 2023 season. LeBron James, Jason Tatum, Jimmy Butler, Domantis Sabonis and Anthony Edwards are among the league’s biggest stars, and while their basketball accomplishments are given their due, they are also shown as fathers, playing with their kids (in the case of LeBron, worrying about his oldest, Bronny, who last year had a health emergency when he went into cardiac arrest; he has since recovered), interacting with their wives or mothers or significant others. I love behind-the-scenes stuff, and when the girlfriend of the young and not quite mature Anthony Edwards has a baby girl, all his bluster is blown away as he cuddles and talks to his new daughter. Jason Tatum’s son Deuce practically steals the show. These guys are superstars on the court, but to their kids, they are just Daddy. 3½ cans.
136. Woman of the Hour* (2024, Netflix) – Anna Kendrick, who also directed this movie, stars as aspiring actress Cheryl. Her agent encourages her to go on the Dating Game to get some exposure to help her career. Little does she know that one of the three “eligible bachelors” is actually a serial killer, and since she can’t see him (the men are kept on a separate part of the stage), she has no idea how creepy this guy Daniel is. The movie, based on a true story, shows Daniel coaxing women into having their pictures taken, and then he takes them to a pretty location and rapes and/or kills them. The movie is suspenseful, but the guy was so creepy to me that it was distracting. Judge for yourself. 3 cans.
137. Road Diary* (2024, Hulu) – Bruce Springsteen is the genius behind the 50+-year longevity of the inimitable E-Street Band. He writes the songs, arranges them, runs the band and is the ultimate rock performer, putting on a 3-hour show every night. Why? Because, he says, “It is my job.” It is clearly a job he loves, and he is accompanied by people whom he adores and respects and to whom he gives a degree of artistic freedom, even as he figures out how best to tell a story through his music. His goal is to create a special experience for all of the fans, and he succeeds. If you love Bruce, you will love this documentary. If you’re not a Springsteen fan, leave this space immediately. 4 cans.

Odds & Ends

I had so many cobwebs on my front porch that it looked like I was decorating for Halloween.

Every time I see one of those awful-looking Tesla trucks, I am sure they are headed into combat or that the apocalypse is here, even when they are just innocently parked in the lot at my gym.

Speaking of cars, remember when you could drive into a parking lot and head for the parking spot nearest the door? Then came handicapped parking, so most of those spots were designated for people who had the plates and needed to be close, which I totally understand. Now, I don’t know where to park. There are parking spots for drivers with young children, places to park and charge your electric vehicle, designated spots for picking up your food order or having someone come out and hand it to you, and who knows what’s next? Oh well, I could use the exercise and extra steps on my smart watch.

By the way, if you want to check out at a variety of car makes & models, stop by my upscale gym anytime. From BMWs to Audis to Mercedes and Porsches, you’ll see them all. But lately, I can’t help but notice the large number of Teslas. I guess if you can afford a couple of hundred dollars a month for a gym membership, a luxury car is not out of the question. 

Nothing that is labeled “easy to open” is ever actually easy to open.

Am I the only person who unplugs appliances around the house? It’s not like I unplug a lamp if I’m not using it, but the hairdryer, toaster oven and other kitchen stuff are only plugged in while I’m using them. If I go away for a few days, I turn off and unplug my computer, too. You can’t be too careful, though I’m not sure of the consequences.

Someone needs to tell the makers of cauliflower rice that they are not fooling us at all. Cauliflower pizza crust, mashed cauliflower “potatoes” and rice are cauliflower, not what we are told they are supposed to be.

I wonder how many actual loads I get out of a jug of laundry detergent vs. what is written on the label.

Why do I sneeze twice? And can it be that as I get older, the sneezes are louder? There are so many times I am glad I live alone!

It is so hard to get an appointment with your doctor. My PCP will book an appointment and then insist after she sees me that I come back in 4 or 8 weeks – why, I’m not sure. But if everyone is getting 2 appointments and one they really don’t need, no wonder I can’t get in for the first time! That’s why the proliferation of Urgent Care has occurred and saved the day. I can ALWAYS book an appointment with the local urgent care place, often on the same day, where I can get checked for routine things like cold and flu. I’m not asking them to resolve the complex stuff, but sometimes you just need an antibiotic and boy, does urgent care come in handy. If I waited for the doctor, I’d be cured by the time I saw her!

One of the (many) nice things about retirement is that you can change your sheets on a Tuesday! You don’t have to cram all of your chores, errands and social engagements into Saturday and Sunday.

Like most people my age, I have my share of aches and pains. So, when I got my flu and Covid vaccines, I couldn’t tell if I was sore and achy from the shots, from my aqua exercise class or just from being 73! I was lucky this time – no chills, fever or swelling.

The other day I tripped over my own feet in my driveway and went down in a heap. Luckily, no real harm was done. I fell on my “bad knee,” (of course) and scraped it up. I also scraped my hands. But it could have been so much worse – a broken hip or wrist, or the ultimate indignity of having a neighbor see me fall! I didn’t see my life flash before my eyes, but I had enough time on the way down to realize, hey, I’m falling and this is going to hurt. Those “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” commercials make much more sense to me now.

I have found tons of video clips from exercise instructors that look perfect for easing me gently into a consistent exercise program. But apparently just watching them is not enough. I have to start doing them!

I am spending way too much time on Facebook and other social media. I’ll find something interesting and then an article on the 25 things to get rid of in your house pops up and I can’t resist reading it (instead of actually getting rid of stuff). I’ll be distracted by a post on the best movies, or new books to read, and then I start looking up information to see where I can watch them. Next thing I know, I’m watching a video on how to burp a baby or watching some guy mow and clean up a lawn or someone changing out light switches – as if I would ever attempt any of those things. The list of distractions is endless and apparently, I have no will power to resist going down the rabbit hole. Go read a book, girl!

I called a friend for her birthday the other day and heard the recording say to leave a message. It must have been generated by artificial intelligence, because the instructions sounded like, “Please REcord” your message instead of “Please RECORD.” Was that too hard to understand? 

We are done with fresh peach season and into apple season, and fresh Jersey tomatoes will give way to hothouse varieties. There is no excuse for a New Jersey restaurant to serve tomatoes that look orange and mealy in the summer when there is an abundant supply of bright red and juicy ones all over the state. You can say what you want about New Jersey, but our tomatoes are a reason to live here! That, and the fact that we still don’t have to pump our own gas!

Campbell’s Soup Company has announced that it is dropping the word “soup” from its company name. They have enough other businesses that just including just SOUP in the branding no longer accurately describes the company. In looking into this, I discovered that my beloved Milano Cookies from Pepperidge Farms are in the Campbell’s product line, as are Goldfish crackers, Swanson, Prego and Rao’s spaghetti sauce, V8 Juice, Pop Secret Popcorn, Snyder’s pretzels and Lance crackers. It’s not just about the soup! You can drop the name but please keep the soup!

Is it just me or do other people use Color Catchers in the laundry to prevent color bleeding? I know not to wash my red Rutgers shirts together with white underwear, but sometimes things that you don’t think will bleed DO bleed. And this stuff works as promised.

Has anyone seen my dryer ball? I use four in the dryer and one has escaped. I hope it wasn’t in the sleeve of something I just donated to Goodwill.

When I bought my townhouse in 1983, a local realtor used to drop off gadgets with her name and number of them to promote her services. There were pasta measuring devices and a strainer, a butter spreader, measuring cups, peelers and lots of other handy-dandy items. That was 40 years ago, and I still have and use my original Laura Sampson collection! I wonder if she is still a realtor!

Basketball season officially starts next month and, as usual, I can hardly wait! The Rutgers Men’s team is ranked #25 even before the season starts, and they have some real superstars on the roster. My beloved Rutgers Women’s Basketball team is not that fortunate, coming off a season in which they won just 8 games. But there is nowhere to go but up, and I’ll be there in my usual seat cheering them on and hoping for better days from this year’s talented group. Let’s go, RU!

September 2024 Movies & More

Here are a baker's dozen of programs I watched in September. New programs that I had not seen previously are marked with an asterisk. All programs are rated on a scale of 1-5 cans of tuna fish, with numbering picked up from the previous months.

113. Selling Sunset, Season 8* (2024, Netflix) – The stylish (and over-the-top) real estate ladies of the Oppenheimer Group are back to sell their multi-million-dollar homes in the Hollywood area. The homes are gorgeous, the views spectacular, and the infighting constant. This year we have a case of infidelity to hash and rehash, a dog funeral complete with tattoos made with the dog’s ashes, and the usual changing tide of frenemies. The clothes often look more like lingerie, and certainly not suitable for showing homes and closing deals. Yet, here I am, buying what these ladies are selling. Again. There are 11 episodes this season, perfectly bingeable. Now I have to wait another year? 3½ cans.
114. Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos* (2024, HBO) – Perfect timing for this documentary to come out since just last month I finished rewatching all 7 seasons of The Sopranos. Here, documentary maker Alex Gibney interviews the show’s creator, writer and sometime director, David Chase, about the development of the show from the casting to killing off characters and to that infamous final scene where the screen turns to black. Did Tony Soprano die? Was a shooter waiting in Holsten’s while Tony and his family ate their onion rings? This was a fascinating look at the themes of the show (David Chase’s contrarian mother was a role model for Livia), the characters and the actors who portrayed them. Even Chase seemed surprised by the direction the show took at times. It was grueling for the entire company, with 12 hours on set for everyone. If you like a little behind-the-scenes story and you love the Sopranos, this 2-parter is perfect for you. 4 cans.
115. Moonstruck (1987, PBS) – What can I say about this absolutely delightful movie that I haven’t already said? It is a charming comedy-romance starring Cher, Nicholas Cage, Olympia Dukakis, Vincent Gardenia and Danny Aiello, with John Mahoney in a small but important part, and each actor delivers the goods with panache. If you have never seen it, what are you waiting for? 4 cans.
116. The Boatlift (YouTube) – Tom Hanks narrates this literally uplifting story of hundreds of volunteers who used their boats to safely evacuate people in lower Manhattan after the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. This very short documentary shows the best in people, as a call went out to move people stranded at the piers after the attack. Water taxis and ferries were not enough to handle the thousands of people trying to escape, so the Coast Guard requested that local boat owners help out. They immediately raced to the scene to help strangers in this time of crisis. In just 9 hours, they evacuated thousands of people. You will watch this movie with a lump in your throat and a feeling of hope, knowing that there are good people in this world. 4 cans.
117. Stopping the Steal* (2024, HBO) – Nothing could be further from the heroic actions portrayed in The Boatlift, above, than the despicable behavior of former President Trump and his mob in rejecting the results of the 2020 election and trying to overturn it, leading to the infamous insurrection of January 6. This riveting documentary shows maniacal pressure being foisted on the election officials in Arizona and Georgia by Trump and his lawyers as they insist that the 2020 election was unfair and seek to overturn the results. Every possible path to declare the election illegitimate was proposed by Trump and his lawyers, with the President himself reaching out to election officials to try to coerce them. In fact, several of these officials were Republicans, at least one of whom campaigned for Donald Trump. Despite his threats and the backlash the officials faced from his ardent followers, these officials were determined to uphold the Constitution and preserve the democracy. They are the heroes of the film. 4 cans.
118. Apollo 13: Survival* (2024, Netflix) – It’s not like I don’t know this story; I have watched other documentaries and I am a big fan of Director Ron Howard’s drama, “Apollo 13.” But this one captivated me with its real-time account of what happened to the flight in a near disaster. The footage from NASA and previously recorded interviews depicting the astronauts and their families, combined with the panicked news coverage as people globally watched on in fear adds to the suspense here. This situation was unprecedented; the astronauts had to move to the small lunar landing vehicle because of the damage to the main ship. The engineers and bright minds of NASA had to devise a way to bring the three men back safely when all hope appeared to be lost. Somehow, they saved the day – and the astronauts. 3½ cans.
119. Challengers* (2024, Prime Video) – The challenge here was to get through this incredibly boring movie. Not only was it excruciatingly slow, but the last few minutes were played out in slow motion and often low light. I’m not a fan of filming in the dark because I can’t see what the characters are doing. Finally, the description of this movie lists it as a comedy-drama. Comedy-drama? Did I blink and miss the comedy aspect? Here’s the premise: Two young men are tennis players, both of whom are interested in a pretty, young woman (Zendaya), who is also a tennis player but competes at Stanford instead of turning pro like the men. She seems to appreciate tormenting the two friends and pitting them against each other as they vie for her affections. But even the relationship aspect of the movie was bad – the romance was mostly tepid and the young woman smug. I almost went to the movies to see this one, and then I almost rented it, but if I had paid to see it, I would have kicked myself. 2 cans.
120. Conned* (2023, Prime Video) – When you hear stories about people who seem reasonably intelligent but who are the victims of a scam, you probably think that you would never fall for the con. The four people here did. One woman had worked for the State Department and was an alum of MIT. Yet, when she met a “nice man” who offered to feed her cats AND be her financial advisor, she let him have access to her bank account. Three others had all written books, and their scammers were sure they could represent them and get them each movie deals. But the constant costs to do that and the money the scammers requested never led to any such success. Ironically, all of them got producer credits on this documentary, so they did get to make a movie after all, just not the ones they set out to do. The lesson here is to get it in writing, and if anything smells the least bit fishy, don’t bite. 3½ cans.
121. Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter* (2024, Netflix) – When 14-year old Cathy gave birth to a daughter, she and her mother realized that it would be best for the child to place her for adoption. Cathy had no contact with the child, but many years later, through social media, she learned that she had been missing since the age of 14. With the help of the authorities and amateur sleuths, she was determined to find out what happened, and she was not about to stop until she uncovered the truth. This 2-part documentary reveals the outcome and the gruesome things people do and often get away with. 3½ cans.
122. Big Kitchens* (2015, Prime Video) – If you have ever wondered how big restaurants, hotels and cruise ships manage to keep large groups of visitors happy and well-fed, this 12-part series is for you. From a crab restaurant outside Chicago to legendary Junior’s (the cheesecake people) in Brooklyn, this series examines large restaurants that turn out five-foot pizzas, thousands of pounds of pasta, and how they feed an actual army. I love these kinds of behind-the-scenes stories where they tell you how many pancakes they turn out in a day. I can’t believe I watched the whole thing! 4 cans.
123. My Cousin Vinny (1992, Hulu) – If you are accused of murder, you might want to hire a lawyer with a modicum of trial experience. But the two “yoots” in this case turn to Cousin Vinny (Joe Pesci), straight out of Brooklyn and headed to the South to defend his cousin (Ralph Macchio) and his buddy when they are mistaken for killers. Armed with his limited experience as a lawyer (none in the courtroom) and his fabulous and smart girlfriend, Mona Lisa (Marisa Tomei), Vinny faces off against the opposition and a cantankerous Judge (Fred Gwynne). This movie has a million laughs, is perfectly cast, and always a joy to watch. 4 cans.
124. Will & Harper* (2024, Netflix) – Part documentary, part buddy movie, part road trip, this true story is about the friendship of actor Will Ferrell and his long-time pal and Saturday Night Live collaborator Harper Steele, who, at age 61, transitioned from a man to a woman. Knowing the kinds of dive bars and weird excursions Harper liked when he was a man, Ferrell suggests they go on the cross-country road trip to see how Harper fares as a transgender woman and whether she can enjoy and feel comfortable with these familiar places and activities. Ferrell is interested in Harper’s life and she doesn’t hesitate to answer his questions even as she tries to conquer her fears and longs for acceptance. This is an unconventional but moving film about acceptance, love and friendship. 3½ cans.
125. Nobody Wants This* (2024, Netflix) – Adam Brody is Noah, a charming youngish rabbi looking to move up when he meets Joanne, a cute blond who runs a relationship podcast with her sister. Opposites attract, and these two are off and running. His mother (the wonderful-in-everything Tovah Feldshah) doesn’t like their relationship. Joanne is a “shiksa” (a derogatory Yiddish term for a woman who is not Jewish, particularly a blonde with her hooks into a nice Jewish boy), who, even if she were to convert, would never be the prototypical rabbi’s wife. This 10-part mini-series has very short episodes so bingeing it is easy to do. There are interesting/annoying characters, like his brother and her sister, but the two leads have enough chemistry to overcome their distractions. Good, not great. Shalom. 3½ cans.

September Stuff

Is it just me or did summer FLY by? One minute I was waiting for Mother’s Day to plant flowers and now I have to pull them out and replace them with mums. Memorial Day was one minute and July 4th the next, and we barely got a breath before Labor Day showed up. Time flies, so I guess I must be having fun.

I am always reminded of my mother when football season starts. No, she was not a football fan; quite the contrary. She would be very annoyed when the NFL Sunday games would cause a delay in the start of “60 Minutes.” She would put on CBS and find the game instead and say with exasperation, “Again with the football?”

Just so you know, “Permanent Press” isn’t.

Every time I turn on Yacht Rock Radio, they are playing a song by Christopher Cross or Ambrosia. And really, how many songs are there by Christopher Cross (“Between the Moon and New York City”) and Ambrosia (“How Much I Feel?”) The music on this station, which I think is temporary, is so BLAND!

When you get into a cleaning mode, you need to pounce on it. I made one trip to Goodwill last week and now I am prepared to bring another bag of clothes that I don’t need or want – some still with tags. What WON’T be going to Goodwill is a pair of sweatpants from my freshman year at Douglass in 1968. They were a mandatory purchase for my body mechanics class, along with a long-gone leotard. Somehow, they survived 34 years at J&J, 18 years of retirement, 5 moves and countless cleanouts. And I'm not ditching them now!

I have always pronounced the word “vanilla” as vaNELLa. It wasn’t until I bought a box of “Nilla Wafers” that I realized the “Nilla” is short for vanilla and now I’m chagrined at having said it wrong for my whole life. You know, chocolate never posed these kinds of problems to me.

Remember the old, original TV Guide Magazine? It was small (the size of Reader’s Digest) but contained feature articles, the puzzle and the TV listings for the week. Quite a while ago it morphed into a larger size magazine that still contained those elements and a much larger grid to accommodate an increasing number of channels with the advent of cable. They first started publishing “double issues” and now they publish triple issues. What’s next? A monthly? I had stopped subscribing years ago but my sister gave me a subscription one year and now it is again a habit I can’t break. I read about new shows or movies and snap a quick pic so I can save this info to my phone for future reference. Meanwhile, I have an extensive collection of TV Guide Fall Preview Issues that I have compiled over the years that are nostalgic and fun to look at. Now I would love to sell them and have someone else enjoy reading about the introduction of The Mary Tyler Moore Show or M*A*S*H* and see when Good Times aired. Any takers?

My worst fear was realized recently when I bought a spray can that I could not open. Yes, I pushed in the sides of the top as indicated – or at least I tried – but I could not get the thing to budge. I took it back to CVS and the diminutive cashier somehow muscled it off and made it go flying about 20 feet!  This stuff is supposed to help alleviate the pain in my knee, but it has turned out to be a pain in my…

When my mother had trouble opening a jar, she would get “the big knife” and smack it (not with the blade side) against the jar. It worked every time!

In your house, did you have “the big knife” and the “good scissors?”

I don’t mind letting other drivers take the right of way, but I at least expect a nod, a wave or a pantomimed “THANK YOU” in return. And if we are merging on the highway and I let you go, please go! Don’t hang back, just go!

Remember the old car inspection process in New Jersey? You would arrive and get on a very long line and wait an hour. When you finally reached the station, you had to turn on your blinkers, lights, brights and whatever else and then get out of the car so the inspector – who you could only hope was in a good mood that day – could slam on your brakes. And then you prayed that they put the passing sticker on the windshield. Fast forward to 2024, same inspection station. I arrived just before 11 AM and 20 minutes later I was on my way home. No blinkers, no brake slamming, just emissions. And now you only have to go every two years, not every year. Not much has changed for the better, but this process has.

As much as I relish old TV shows, I wonder who is watching a block of comedies from the 1950s that include “Our Miss Brooks,” “The Donna Reed Show,” and “My Three Sons.” These sitcoms aren’t very funny and the people in the shows have no real burning issues or problems. Sure, I liked these shows in the 1950s and 1960s, but my standards have gotten higher in the last 60 years. 

This Al Gorithum guy is not always right. I keep getting emails about Universal Lacrosse, a sport I have never watched or tried. Finally, I realized I could “unsubscribe,” so I did. What took me so long?

In addition to being inept at folding fitted sheets and at parking the car, I have to admit another shortcoming. I cannot tell if a melon is ripe, and now that I have started eating avocados, I have no idea how to buy them. They seem to go from way too hard to way too soft, and I can’t seem to catch them at the perfectly ripe stage.

Hold on to your pets, friends! According to an outlandish claim made by the Republican nominee for President and his running mate, marauding bands of illegal immigrants are kidnapping Fluffy and Fido and eating them. You simply cannot make this stuff up.

August 30th was the last day of work for my sister, Nancy Gordon Tillman, after 46 years at the Middlesex County Board of Social Services. She was the person everyone went to for help, the person who always worked during the holidays so others could spend time with their families, who "donated" time to coworkers for medical or family emergencies, who trained and mentored so many people in the agency and much more. Since the staff could not work from home, she braved the covid epidemic and trudged into the office as soon as the office reopened (within just a few weeks) and worked all through the quarantine. As much as she hates snow, she would go to work as long as the roads were passable. And I can’t imagine how much money she has doled out for co-workers’ showers, weddings and special occasions over the last 46 years. 

Now she will no longer have to worry about whether her driveway will be shoveled out, the traffic jams that mark the beginning of the school year and the buses on the road. She won’t have to pack her lunch for the next day after dinner, worry about the slippery parking lot at the office or bringing the safest shoes.

When her son gets married at the end of October, she won’t have to deal with going back to work after the wedding. She made many sacrifices for a job that served people in the community for 46 years. She will be able to take her long walks before it gets dark at night and after the sun is up in the morning. She won’t have to battle the sun while driving east in the morning and west coming home. 

I'm so proud of her for her devotion to her job and I know that everyone there will miss her as a colleague and friend. I'm lucky, because I'll get to spend more time with her. She has set the standard of excellence as an employee, mother, wife and sister and she deserves a nice long rest and a healthy and happy retirement. Welcome to the club, Nan!

Movies and More, August 2024

Here are the 16 programs I watched in August. New programs that I had not seen previously are marked with an asterisk. All programs are rated on a scale of 1-5 cans of tuna fish, with numbering picked up from the previous months.

97. Her Name Was Grace Kelly* (2024, PBS) – With an apt name for a woman of grace and beauty, actress Grace Kelly had a short but storied career. At the age of 26, she retired from acting and moved to Monaco to marry Prince Ranier and begin royal duties as the Princess of Monaco. This PBS documentary takes a close look at this talented American actress who became a real-life princess. 3 cans.
98. Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes* (2024, HBO) – I’m glad someone found this treasure trove of recordings of Elizabeth Taylor telling her own story. She was a star as a young girl and only knew fame for her entire life. It’s hard to keep up with the marriages, but between romantic conquests, Taylor turned in some great performances in movies like Who’s Afraid of Virigina Woolf, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Butterfield 8. But it was her romantic entanglements that led to the rise of the paparazzi, a roving mass of photographers determined to get a picture of Liz and her latest paramour.  She started as a star and ended as a fighter for AIDS research. What an interesting life! 3½ cans.
99. Gods of Tennis* (2024, PBS) – This 3-part documentary series takes us back to the rise of tennis in popularity in the 1970s and 1980s, as rivalries between its brightest stars heated up. First there was the emergence of Billie Jean King and Arthur Ashe, not rivals on the court, but in the court of public opinion, with Billie Jean advocating for pay equity and Arthur Ashe taking positions on apartheid. Both Wimbledon winners, they commanded a lot of attention (and it was especially comforting to see Ashe ward off brash young Jimmy Connors). Then Swede Bjorn Borg made it to the top, reeling off consecutive wins at Wimbledon and challenged by his on-court opposite, irreverent John McEnroe. And finally, America’s sweetheart, Chris Evert, was challenged by Czech player and eventual US citizen Martina Navratilova. They played each other nearly 100 times. There are great memories included here and it was fun reliving those times, which is when I initially became a fan watching these players. 3½ cans.
100. The Sopranos (1999-2007, HBO) – HBO launched this outstanding series 25 years ago, and I thought this would be a good time to revisit it, so I watched all 86 episodes in about 6 weeks. There is too much drama and detail to get into in depth here, but the story centers around Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), mob boss, husband and father, who sees a therapist to help him with his problems in between ordering hits on his enemies or knocking them off himself. The nuances (if a brutal show can have nuances) balance the action. The show is so well cast that it is impossible to imagine anyone else playing his beleaguered wife, Carmela (Edie Falco), who knows but doesn’t really want to know the source of his income; his nephew Christopher (Michael Imperioli); his therapist (Lorraine Bracco) and his many cronies – Paulie, Silvio (E Street band member Steven Van Zandt), Pussy, Bobby, Uncle Junior, Janice and his evil mother (Nancy Marchand). The writing is impeccable, the acting superb, the direction is perfection and the locations are familiar to all of us who know NJ. Kudos to creator David Chase and his team for making what can be considered the best series of all time. There is plenty of violence but there is also humor and a deep sense of family – blood family (ironically) and “work” family. If you have HBO Max and have 86 hours to kill, check it out. 5 cans.
101. Presumed Innocent* (2024, Apple TV+) – I remember the original Harrison Ford movie based on Scott Turow’s book. This 8-part series was much darker, tenser and longer than the movie and I honestly couldn’t wait until it ended. Maybe if I hadn’t seen the original movie I would have liked it better. But no one here had any redeeming value; each character was flawed, evil, narcissistic or unfaithful or something that made me not like them or the story. 3 cans.
102. At Witt’s End* (2024, Netflix) – I love a good Dateline-like mystery as much as the next person, but this four-parter on Netflix was excruciatingly long (and was labeled “season 1,” so expect a follow-up; the mystery was not solved at the end of the season). You know the story: Young woman disappears from her local community, everyone says she would never do that, huge search is launched and eventually her body is found. So who done it? You have to go though painstaking police work done over decades to get examine the events. I don’t need such lengthy scrutiny over the possibility of DNA on a cigarette butt from 30 years ago. Maybe this could have been just a one-part program. Pardon me, Netflix, while I return to Keith Morrison and Dateline. 3 cans.
103. Timebomb: Y2K* (2024, Max) – Think about it: 25 years ago we were worried about the impending doom that might result from the dawn of a new millennium. Computers programmed with two digits for the year might inadvertently switch to 1900 instead of 2000. Predictions of systems crashing, of food and other necessities being in short supply, of power outages and other disasters were enough to scare the general population. This documentary features so-called “experts” -- but who could be an expert on something so unprecedented? Here you will see the concern of average Americans, workers and people in our communities as they come to terms with the inevitable passage of time. I hope I don’t ruin it for you when I tell you that we survived. 3 cans.
104. The Accidental Twins* (2024, Netflix) – In the documentary, then two women spot someone they know who doesn’t recognize them, a chain of events begins that leads the confused man to find out he has a twin and a brother he didn’t know he had. The men grew up in different parts of Colombia, each with a brother, unaware that miles away was their real family. There are two sets of identical twins here, accidentally separated when one baby is sent for medical care and returned to the wrong family. What makes us related? How much DNA makes the bond between brothers and how much is the situation in which you are raised? The movie is done with Spanish subtitles so you have to pay attention to understand the action. 3 cans.
105. Wicked Little Letters* (2023, Netflix) – Somebody in the conservative British village of Littlehampton likes to write letters – crude, brash, profane letters – all received by the quiet, shy Edith Swan (Olivia Colman). The meddling neighbors are convinced the culprit is a vocal and tough young Irish woman, Rose (Jessie Buckley), a former friend of Edith, and both the police and the community set out to prove their case. After all, it was Edith who contacted the authorities on her loud and disruptive neighbor, so could these obscenity-filled diatribes be retribution by Rose? This cheeky film is based on a real incident from the 1920s and is well-played here. 3½ cans.
106. Jim Henson, Idea Man (2024, ABC-Disney) – Every now and then someone comes along with an idea for entertainment that is unique to his personality and skill set and like nothing we have ever seen before. Jim Henson was a writer, director, puppeteer – it is impossible to adequately describe the visionary man who brought us the Muppets. This documentary by director Ron Howard explores the mind of Henson, taking us beyond just a list of achievements and providing a chance to understand his artistry from behind the scenes. His Kermit the Frog (which he voiced), Miss Piggy, Big Bird and so many other characters brought joy and education into countless homes. His deal with Children’s Television Workshop introduced his beloved characters to young children, who learned by watching them for free on PBS. The Muppet Show, The Muppet Movie and a stint on Saturday Night Live exposed these characters to a wider, adult audience. Despite his death at the age of 53 in 1990, Henson left behind a huge body of work and a world that continues to flourish in his absence. 4 cans.
107. Daughters* (2024, Netflix) – This documentary is the moving story about a group of men incarcerated in a Washington, DC, prison who are participating in a program called “Dance with Dad.” For 10 weeks, they have to meet as a group with a life coach to prepare them to reunite for one evening with their young daughters, a chance for them to dress up and dance with their girls. The program forces them to reevaluate their relationships with their daughters and their responsibilities as parents. Many of the men have had sporadic or no opportunity to see or spend time with their children, and the little girls are as nervous and excited as their dads. If you watch it, stick around for the very end to see how this 12-year-old program has made a difference. Parts of this – with the children and the dads – just touched my heart. 4 cans.
108. The Murder of Laci Peterson* (2024, Netflix) and 109. Face to Face with Scott Peterson* (2024, Peacock) – These two documentaries were released within a week and each covers the case of Lacie Peterson, a pregnant wife who went missing in 2002 and who subsequently was found dead in a marina miles away from her home in Modesto, California, in the same place where her husband Scott told police he had gone fishing on Christmas Eve day, the day she disappeared. The first program focuses on Laci’s family, their initial support for Scott, and the subsequent fall-out when his affair with Amber Frey is revealed, up through his trial and conviction. The second series starts after the trial, interviewing Scott in prison, where he is serving a life sentence. Peterson rejects the circumstantial evidence in his case and his defense attorneys – including his sister, who became a lawyer to assist with his legal proceedings – are still pointing fingers at the local police department for withholding or failing to investigate clues that could identify someone else responsible. I have followed this case since it started in 2002, when it dominated the news. Watch only if you are a true crime junkie. 3½ cans each.
110. Betrayed* (2024, Hulu) – There are two seasons to this documentary series, each presenting a 3-part story of husbands who have betrayed their wives and families in a most egregious way. I won’t give away their despicable acts, but that’s just part of it. The amount of emotional abuse and manipulation by these men is astonishing. And when they say they are sorry, you naturally wonder if they are sorry for their transgressions or sorry they were caught. This series is disturbing and addictive. 3½ cans.
111. Lie to Fly* (2024, FX and Hulu) – This broadcast is part of “The New York Times Presents,” an investigative series on a wide range of topics. This one focuses on the mental health issues experienced by airplane pilots, whose actions affect the lives of all passengers on board their flights. Pilots with issues that might be addressed by medications the rest of us can take are not able to use those medications and retain their flying status. Some resort to other ways to address their problems, and, as this show reports, some have intentionally crashed their planes because they just could not cope with their problems. The jurisdiction over pilots’ health and safety are unclear, with involvement by the FAA and the National Transportation Board. This is an intriguing issue that needs much more scrutiny. 3 cans.
112. Remembering Gene Wilder* (2024, Netflix) – He was the Cisco Kid in “Blazing Saddles” and Leon Bloom in “The Producers.” Gene Wilder didn’t play ordinary people, and his characters in “Stir Crazy” and “Young Frankenstein,” which he wrote, demonstrate his ability to evoke laughter from the oddball folks he portrayed. The documentary traces his career from stage to screen, his marriage to the late Gilda Radner from “Saturday Night Live” and his last years in the grip of Alzheimer’s. If you like Gene Wilder, don’t miss this one. 3½ cans.

Here's What I'm Thinking

What is the protocol when you are reading a book for your book club and really dislike it? Do you keep reading so you can participate in the discussion or just put it down and give up?

Apparently, I have no reason to exist on the planet. I am a single, white female who has never given birth, has no cats and not even a man for whom I can be subservient. According to the Republican VP candidate, my vote should not count for much. Let’s just overlook the thousands of dollars I pay in taxes to support other people’s children and our educational system, culture, the arts, infrastructure, etc., all while not utilizing most of the services for which I pay. And I should have no vote? He may be taking that “one man, one vote” thing the wrong way. The only Vance I would vote for is Vivian Vance.

If you follow me on Facebook, you know I was irate when I spotted a bin of BAND-AID Brand Adhesive Bandages knock-offs at ShopRite. The “counterfeit” packages used colors, typeface and design elements so similar to the originals that any consumer could have thought they came from Kenvue, the company that now carries the former J&J consumer products line. Luckily, one of my AADC friends works for Kenvue and she alerted the trademark counsel there for follow-up. I have been retired for 18 years, but there’s still plenty of J&J pride in me!

I feel sorry for the two American astronauts stranded on the space station. They launched in June for what was supposed to be a 10-day assignment, but, due to technical difficulties, they may not be back before the end of the year. They don’t even have their own clothes since NASA had to cut weight and purposely left their suitcases behind, so they are borrowing clothes from other astronauts on board. I would be BEGGING to get out of there! Wearing someone else’s underwear for months? Is there enough food? Does Amazon deliver in space? This situation is NASA’s version of Gilligan’s Island. That was supposed to be a 3-hour tour!

When I open a new loaf of bread, I never take slices from the top of the bag. I always reach down into the loaf, as if the bread there is better or fresher. Don’t ask me why.

I don’t watch any of the “Real Housewives” series, but do we really need “The Real Housewives of Dubai?” It seems like just another location where women with tight outfits, too much make-up and impossible hair can be nasty to each other.

My failure to correctly fold a fitted sheet has been well-documented. But I also could use remedial help in attractively arranging tissue paper in a gift bag. Mine look like they contain used paper that is ready to be thrown out.

Why do keep getting text messages with a security code so I can sign on and pay my medical bills? Is there someone else posing as me and trying to pay those bills? Go right ahead.

By the way, I think of those 6-digit codes I have to enter to verify my identity as my personal cognitive tests. So far, I can still remember all six digits to pass the test and sign on.

I decided to try using biometrics so I wouldn’t have to use a passcode to open my phone. The fingerprint thing has never worked for me, so I tried using my face. At first it worked, but a day later I started getting this message: “Face does not match.” I have one face, I didn’t change my hair or put on makeup, so how could my face have changed? I guess it’s back to the old passcode for me!

Alexa just sent me a reminder to change my furnace filter. I use Alexa to control my thermostat, so she keeps tabs on the filter-changing schedule – although I have never marked down when I have changed the filter. How would my Amazon thermostat know when I last changed the filter? Now Alexa just has to figure out a way to get herself down to the basement and do it for me!

I ordered something from Amazon yesterday at 11 AM and it was delivered to my front door by dinnertime. How do they do that?

I have a really nasty cold right now (I tested negative for Covid). One thing I can advise is not to sneeze while brushing your teeth. Trust me on this.

Macy’s recently sent me a new credit card with a new number. They didn’t know how emotionally attached I am to the original card, which started out as a Bamberger’s card and was my very first credit card! Over the 50 years since I first received it, I have spent many thousands of dollars buying suits and dresses, pants, tops and jackets, housewares, towels, sheets, gifts and more. My account doesn’t get as much of a workout now that I am retired (18 years in!), but I sure kept that store afloat for many years!

If you keep bottles of perfume around long enough (I’m talking years), eventually they all start to smell the same. Except Estee Lauder Youth Dew, whose distinctive fragrance will always conjure up thoughts of my mother. That perfume, like my mother, is timeless.

I could never be a mail delivery person. They have to drive on the wrong side of the road and reach out to place the mail in the mailbox. I would be knocking down mailboxes all over the neighborhood if I had to get that close. I dread going into a parking garage since my short arms can’t reach far enough to grab the ticket without at least releasing my seatbelt, if not having to open the car door to get it.

Every four years I – along with a global audience – fall in love with sports we would never watch, except that they are part of the Olympics. Handball, badminton (vicious), table tennis that is NOT what you played in the basement, speed climbing, water polo, fencing, archery, shooting and so much more get a piece of the Olympic spotlight. Olympic “breaking” gave us a whole new sport, one that provided laughs as the Australian breaker looked like she was doing the Elaine Benes dance from Seinfeld. Of course, there’s swimming and diving, gymnastics and track & field to go along with two kinds of basketball (5 on 5 and 3x3). I’m no expert, but wouldn’t soccer be better if the matches were 60 minutes instead of 90 and if they went into a sudden death overtime, or right into penalty kicks if the match ends in a tie? The opening ceremonies were stunning (if a little long), despite persistent rain, as the athletes paraded down the Seine in boats. I got chills seeing Celine Dion singing in French from the Eiffel Tower. When the 2028 Olympics moves to Los Angeles, will the athletes arrive in caravans on the entangled freeways? In the smog? LA has a tough act to follow, with such breathtaking scenes as the Eiffel Tower and its nearby beach volleyball venue and the setting of the Louvre. Will we be fixated on the old Hollywood sign? I don’t know about what will happen in four years, but I have enjoyed every part of the 2024 Paris Olympics. There was nothing more exciting than seeing the USA Women’s Basketball team win the Gold Medal to extend their unbeaten streak to 61 games and 8 Gold medals. I was especially thrilled that former Rutgers star Kahleah Copper played such a pivotal role in the win, scoring 10 of her 12 points in the 4th quarter with the game on the line. Copper is shining GOLD these days.

Besides the Olympics, this summer is my summer of The Sopranos. My BFF and her husband are watching the entire series and I caught a few from the middle of the run when I visited them in June. That inspired me to tackle the entire 86 episodes, from beginning to end. I had watched the original when it aired, but this refresher course has made me think even more highly of the storytelling, the writing, directing, casting and acting that went into this monumental achievement. The stories are intriguing with plenty of tension and brutality and even some humor. If you’re Italian or from NJ, you will recognize familiar terms and locations throughout the series. I’m also reading the companion book by TV critic Alan Sepinwall, whose recaps in the Star-Ledger after each airing of the original series were as interesting as the show itself. The show aired from January 1999 to its famous final episode on June 10, 2007. I’m watching it in about two months and will miss it when I complete it. What’s next?

Movies & More, July 2024

You're probably immersed in the Olympics (or is that just me?), but when you want a break and are looking for a movie, you might want to consider these. Everything is rated on a scale of 0-5 cans of tuna fish, with 5 the top mark. Movies not previously seen are marked with an asterisk, and numbering picks up from previous months.

85. Diane Von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge* (2024, Hulu) – It turns out than fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg is much more than the creator of the famous wrap dress than dominated fashion for so long. She became a princess and part of high society when she married Price Egon Von Furstenberg, which helped her gain connections in the fashion world and build an empire. She didn’t set out to build an empire, but she always wanted to be in charge. This Hulu documentary covers her background, business, family and relationships. What a fascinating woman! 3½ cans.
86. The Bear – Season 3* (2024, Hulu) – Welcome back to the world of fine dining, food perfection – and a torrent of swearing, tension and uncertainty. Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto is more dedicated than ever to making his restaurant, The Bear, stand out among Chicago’s notable establishments, pushing his staff to achieve his vision of perfection, which includes the best ingredients, a menu that changes daily and living with his seeming unattainable list of “non-negotiables” about the food, the ambience in the kitchen and the staff. The usual cast of characters is back with Carmy (Emmy-winner Jeremy Allen White), Syndey the head chef (Emmy winner Ayo Edibiri), Cousin Richie, sous chef Tina (played by Liza Colon-Zayas), who gets a full episode that reveals how she came to the restaurant after an office job, his sister Sugar (Abby Elliot) and mother Donna (slightly less crazy this season as played by Jamie Lee Curtis). The restaurant is going to be reviewed this year and the critics can make a difference in keeping it open since Uncle the backer is ready to pull the plug. This show is billed as a comedy-drama, and some of it is amusing, but more is just tense even in this more refined season. I’m still a fan but would probably rank Season 2 higher than Season 3. Still, 3½ plates of stunningly gorgeous food!
87 and 88. The Man with 1000 Kids* (2024, Netflix) and Sperm World* (2024, Hulu) – Both of these documentaries deal with men who willingly donate their sperm to impregnate women who want to have children but conventional circumstances prevent their success. In the first, three-part series, a blond-haired, blue-eyed man from the Netherlands, Jonathan, connects with women over the internet to make private arrangements to donate his sperm, telling the women that he has only fathered a few babies. But his burgeoning business includes donations not just in the Netherlands but all over Europe and in Africa, assuring that a long line of blond, blue-eyed children (none of the ones included in the series looked anything like their mothers) would populate the world, giving no thought and having no remorse for the possibility of these kids meeting and potentially marrying each other. The baby count for him is more than 1000 children, with accurate numbers hard to verify. In Sperm World, we meet more willing donors who want to give the women something they cannot otherwise achieve, a chance at having children. In both cases, there is no monetary reward for the donations, The men seem happy to help – conventionally or otherwise – and are proud of the too big broods. Most of the activity occurs outside official sperm banks, where records are kept but rules are flaunted. The whole concept here was outrageous to me, especially with the issue of control of women’s bodies under legislative fire. A woman can have, at most, one baby a year (with the exception of multiple births, like twins), and yet there is interest in legislating her rights to terminate a baby under many different circumstances. Men, on the other hand, can impregnate several women a day, or thousands over the course of years, and there’s not issue with that? You cannot make this stuff up! 3½ cans.
89. The Power of the Dream* (2024, Prime Video) – The 144 women of the WNBA have always had to fight hard for their existence: for better wages, maternity leave, charter jet travel. With Nneka Oqwumike as the president of the players union, the players fought to have a say in the league. As far back as 2016, they began focusing on social justice. The shootings of George Floyd and Breanna Taylor galvanized the players to support Black Lives Matter and the Say Her Name Movement, even as the 2020 pandemic led to a season played in “a bubble” in Florida. And for the Atlanta Dream, the fight hit close to home, as co-owner Kelly Lauffler, appointed to the US Senate in Georgia, criticized the team for supporting these movements. Would they get paid in 2020? If they retaliated against Lauffler, would there be repercussions against them? Would they have jobs and health insurance? The memorable movement is well-documented in this thoughtful documentary. The outstanding leadership of the players union and top stars had a profound effect on the players, keeping them focused, organized, inspired and deliberate in their actions. Today, the WNBA is stronger than ever, and I think some of that can be traced to their unity in 2020 and beyond. 4 cans.
90. Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F* (2024, Netflix) – Eddie Murphy brings his classic cop comedy back for another go as his Detroit cop heads again for Beverly Hills to outwit the bad guys and bad cops he encounters. This time he has an estranged daughter to deal with, added to longtime cop buddies Rosewood and Taggert. Murphy still has that charm and the ability to get himself out of the biggest messes. I loved seeing the delightful Bronson Pinchot revive his Serge character. All told, this is an amusing movie with plenty of car/truck/meter maid vehicle chases. Murphy does his thing so well. 3½ cans.
91. The Devil’s Own* (1997, Netflix) – Harrison Ford and Brad Pitt star in this movie about a New York cop (Ford) who unknowingly takes in a member of the Irish Republican Army who is in America to purchase guns for the fight back home. Once Ford realizes what is going on and that his family is at risk, he faces the moral dilemma of how to deal with the young man he likes but who is the cause of violence in New York, where Ford and his family live, and back home in Ireland as part of the IRA. Good story and well done by the stars. 3½ cans.
92. Faye* (2024, HBO) – This documentary offers an in-depth look at actress Faye Dunaway and her stellar career. With multiple Oscar nominations and one win for her role as the ruthless executive in “Network,” Dunaway has played memorable leads in “Bonnie & Clyde,” “Chinatown” and “The Thomas Crown Affair” (oh, that game of chess with Steve McQueen!). However, Dunaway may be best remembered for her portrayal of actress Joan Crawford in “Mommie Dearest,” a serious but too campy tale about Crawford’s fractured relationship with her daughter. Overall, this movie reminded me of how good Dunaway has been and shared some stories I never knew. 3½ cans.
93. The Neon Highway* (2024, Netflix) – Wayne is an aspiring country singer who meets Claude (Beau Bridges), a former country star, and they team up to record Wayne’s song in hopes of setting Wayne on a path to success and Claude back into the spotlight. Old Claude once had connections in show biz, but his glory days are long gone. Convinced they have a bona fide hit on their hands, Claude gets it recorded and waits for their big break. I’m not a connoisseur of country music, but the Neon Highway song was nowhere near hit material to me! There’s not much to see here, so I recommend you bypass The Neon Highway. 2½ cans.
94. Skywalkers: A Love Story* (2024, Netflix) – This documentary is not for the faint of heart. But if your knees don’t get weak at the sensation of being at the top of a spire thousands of feet in the air on a skyscraper or church, this one’s for you. The action centers on Vanya and Angela, two young Russian daredevils who find ways to ascend to the top of a spire on buildings and churches and even on cranes, climbing without any safety harnesses – or authorization – and posing for drone pictures featuring elite gymnast moves. I almost turned this off because the heights were dizzying and the tricks death-defying, but I have to admit the images were spectacular!  3½ cans.
95. Charlie Hustle & The Matter of Pete Rose* (2024, HBO) – Even if you are not a baseball fan, you have probably heard of Pete Rose. Rose is the all-time hits leader in Major League Baseball and owns multiple pages in the record book. Most of what you hear about him now is whether or not he should be inducted into the Hall of Fame. More than 30 years ago, Rose was banned from baseball for illegal sports betting, although for decades he denied he ever bet on baseball. He spent time in prison for tax evasion, was accused on statutory rape and other offenses, but betting on his own sport – his own team – was considered his most egregious sin. Just when you think he may have a chance to redeem himself and qualify for the Hall of Fame, his boorish behavior comes shining through to remind people that Pete is just not a good man. This 4-part documentary examines the man, his gambling and his life. He played baseball with reckless abandon, but he never gave up the hustle. Only watch this show if you are a baseball fan interested in the history of the sport, because Rose is integral to that. 3½ cans.
96. The Fabulous Four* (2024, Manville Cinema) – The title of this movie is misleading. Yes, there are four people in it, but fabulous? Nothing remotely fabulous is in this wisp of a movie that takes four supposed best friends from college and reunites them when one (Bette Midler) announces that she is getting married. Susan Sarandon, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Megan Mulally are the friends, even though their ages don’t match up to having been in school together. The script is so thin it is transparent, and if you cannot figure out where the plot is going, you should never be allowed in a movie again. “80 for Brady” was superficial and improbable, but this (comparison made because the cast is again “older” women) movie lacks any of the fun that the Brady ladies had. What a waste of an award-winning cast! I think the Academies that hand out the Oscars and Tonys are probably demanding the return of their awards by all four leads. I’ll give it a mere ½ can – because it was Half-Price Tuesday and the movie was only $5 – which is akin to saying that the food was terrible and the portions were too small.
 

 

Hazy Days of Summer

To say it has been hot is an understatement. I don't even want to go outside and sit under my awning in this heat, and it is too hot to turn on the grill to make a steak. And it is only mid-July!

Now that I have finished dinner, washed the dishes and cleaned the kitchen, I wonder if I have time for a nap before bed…

I have been driving for more than 50 years, but when I see a police car on the road, I still put my hands at the 10 and 2 o’clock positions on my steering wheel until he is out of sight. 

If I ruled the world, people would not be permitted to share their Wordle scores on social media (really, who cares about your Wordle score?), REPLY ALL would be highly restricted, and one-ply toilet paper would be banned.

I have reached the point in life where I can pull a muscle just by turning over in bed. And if I get a tingling feeling, I don’t know whether I am excited or infected.

How does Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, at 4'8", launch herself 12 feet in the air in her floor routine? I have to use a stepstool to get into my bed and I have a good 4 inches on her!

I could never be a doctor. I’m sure that if I put my butt on that little stool on wheels it would slide right out from underneath me and I’d end up on the floor looking nothing like how a competent doctor should look.

You know what is torture? Putting in your password and waiting with baited breath to see if you can get into the site or the app, praying you got the right one!

Speaking of “baited,” there is a convenience store near my house where there is a sign reading, “Live bait.” I don’t fish, but I’m thinking that selling dead bait would do no one, including the fish, any good.

OK, Alexa, I got your previous warnings about excessive heat and possible rain. Your helpful hints are beginning to sound like nagging!

I thought it was just me until my BFF told me that when she thinks of something to look up on Google, by the time she has accessed the app, she forgets what she wanted to find. I do the same thing. Oh, well, we always said we wanted to grow old together. And now we have!

In a world where women’s sports traditionally received far less coverage than men’s sports, even men are talking about women’s basketball these days, thanks largely to sharpshooter Caitlin Clark. And everyone seems to have an opinion about her or at least about the amount of attention she gets. How could we follow the sport in the past when it wasn’t widely broadcasted? To me, this is all good. At least women’s games are now shown on TV and are in the news. Highlights of Clark and lots of other great players are bringing new fans to watch in person or on TV. I’m thrilled to see more of the sport I love.

I’m not a fan of fireworks. As a kid, I loved but feared the sparklers we somehow acquired for the 4th of July, but now I can’t take the loud booms and big crowds at July 4th celebrations. I prefer to sit in the house watching the Macy’s fireworks display in New York from the safety and comfort of my couch! No traffic, always a bathroom available and when it is over, I’m already home!

I miss paper bags at the supermarket. I will never understand why it is OK for Kohl’s to put just one item in a nice, strong paper bag with handles but my ShopRite can’t put a dozen items in ANY bag except the ones I have to bring in and pack on my own. Please, somebody, make this make sense!

The other day I decided to make a recipe so old that the copy I had was cut out of The Home News had yellowed with age (no date was on the paper). It was from Panico’s in New Brunswick and was for one of my favorite dishes that they made. The remarkable thing was I knew exactly where it was. And I made it that day, and I still love it!

Recently I unearthed my reliable old vegetable steamer from the kitchen cabinet and used it to make fresh green beans. That poor old thing had not seen the light of day since I moved to this house. I was surprised to learn that many of my old friends still have and use theirs. What’s next? My potato masher has been neglected for years, too!

So, we had a July 4th without defending champion Joey Chestnut competing in the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, that paragon of American taste and culture. I love a good dog, but the thought of chomping down dozens of dogs (Chestnut holds the record of 70+ hot dogs) and wet buns (their choice, not a requirement) in a 10-minute period. (I can eat maybe 2.) It is a stomach-turning American tradition that is my guilty pleasure. But Chestnut signed up to promote plant-based hot dogs that compete against Nathan’s all-beef traditional hot dogs and he was dropped from the contest. First, ewww – plant-based hot dogs? And second, who knew there were so many rules in Major League Eating (that’s the name of the official organization)? I guess Chestnut is retired now as the all-time champ while he finds something else to do on July 4.

It's hard to believe that people still fall for scams that ask them to pay for whatever the scammers claim they didn’t pay for by using gift cards. Seriously, why would I believe that a legitimate entity would want me to pay for something with a Target gift card? When in doubt, people, check it out!

I recently had an eye infection that required prescription drops for treatment. The next week my other eye became very irritated from my eye injection and I needed OTC drops. Now the original eye is sore, so I bought more drops and cleverly marked them as right eye, not to be confused with the drops for my left eye. I’m getting really good at giving myself eye drops, but getting tired of looking like the creature from the black lagoon.

I’m here to extol the virtues of Urgent Care. Sure, you want your regular doctor to check you out when something is wrong, but when time is of the essence or you can’t get an appointment for weeks, and it isn’t a life-threatening condition that requires a trip to the emergency room, Urgent Care is a viable alternative. I was scheduled to get on a plane recently and needed to be seen before I left for the airport. At 8 AM that morning, I was in the local Urgent Care office, where they diagnosed my problem and sent a prescription to the local CVS. I was able to get on the plane with medication in my carryon bag and felt so much peace of mind. I have been there so often lately that they know my name when I show up. I’m like Norm entering Cheers for a beer. I would prefer not to have issues requiring immediate attention, but Urgent Care has been a lifesaver (that may be overstating things a bit…).
 

June Movies & More

Just as in May, I managed to see 18 movies, shows, series, etc. It is a wide selection and you should find a few things here that match your interests. Numbering picks up from previous months. Asterisks indicate programs I had not previously seen, and everything is rated on a scale of 1-5 tuna fish cans.

69. Restless - Being Paul Newman (PBS) – For most of his life, Paul Newman had to overcome the attention paid to his incredibly good looks and beautiful blue eyes in order to be accepted for his talent as an actor and a director. We should all have such problems, right? But think about his movies: Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid, The Sting, Hud, Hombre, Cool Hand Luke, The Verdict, The Hustler and its follow-up, The Color of Money, and my personal faves, Slap Shot, The Young Philadelphians and From the Terrace. He and his wife, Joanne Woodward, made a formidable Hollywood team (who resided in Connecticut), collaborating on movies as actors but also on movies that Paul directed, like Rachel, Rachel. This documentary was a great review of the outstanding work both accomplished in their careers. And looking at Newman is a treat for the eyes! 3½ cans.
70. Nothing in Common (1986, Movies Channel on cable TV) – I never hear anyone discuss this movie, but I love it. Hanks is a smooth-talking ad man in Chicago who chases women and runs great campaigns. He doesn’t pay much attention to his parents (Jackie Gleason and Eva Marie Saint, both standouts in their roles) until they separate after many years of a distant marriage. Their lives complicate his, especially when his father undergoes a medical crisis. This movie, in my opinion, deserves more acclaim. Catch it if you can. 4 cans.
71. MoviePass, MovieCrash* (2024, HBO) – MoviePass sounded like a great idea. You sign up, pay a monthly fee, and you can book a ticket to any movie, in any theater at any time. The company’s founders realized that they needed more capital to expand their business, have the technology and staff in place and that they should work with the movie theater chains. But the chains didn’t want to give up their share and the new investors took over the company, ousting Stacy Spikes and his business partner, Muta’Ali. Outside investor Mitch Lowe came in and insisted on dropping the price to $10 a month and amping up subscriptions, which meant that every single showing would cost MoviePass money they could not recover. This documentary shows how these arrogant businessmen kept promising what they could not deliver (profits, for example) to investors and a constant flow of movies to subscribers. I was one of them initially, and I remember how they kept changing the parameters; first the movies were unlimited, then they were restricted to only some movies and only so many tickets per month. Like so many movies about greedy “businessmen,” this one tells the whole ugly but fascinating story, right down to bankruptcy and criminal charges. But this one might just have a happy ending. 3½ cans.
72. The Notebook: The Musical* (2024, Broadway) – The Broadway musical version of the beloved tearjerker Nicholas Sparks novel cannot help but be compared to the movie version, starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. If you haven’t experienced either of those versions of the story, you might be confused by the three sets of main characters here in Broadway, each portraying leads Noah and Allie at different stages of their lives. If you do know the story, then you can gird yourself for the inevitable ending and try to enjoy the love story as it evolves. While I will always prefer the movie version, I was nonetheless enamored with the actors and the innovative staging that included a rain sequence that made me worry that someone would slip on the wet stage. The performers had strong voices and gave their all to the largely forgettable songs, but each provided character information for the audience. At just the right moment, the predominantly female audience began sniffling and whipping out much-needed tissues. If you like schmaltzy stories of young and lifelong love, this one’s for you. 4 cans and a box of tissues.
73. Sue Bird: In the Clutch* (2024, Netflix) – Sue Bird defined the point guard position in women’s basketball for two decades. Even toward the end of her career with the WNBA’s Seattle Storm, when she wasn’t as fast and couldn’t jump as high, she stayed on top because of her dedicated fitness regime and her smarts. Her college coach, the legendary Geno Auriemma, pushed her to excel (not that she needed much motivation; she is addicted to winning), and she became the smartest player on the floor. This fascinating documentary traces her career from Syosset to Seattle, with championships on the college and professional level and five Olympic Gold Medals. She is also the all-time WNBA leader in assists. Her no-look passes were a thing of beauty! She also became a leader off the court, pushing for equality, equal rights and social justice. If you’re a women’s basketball fan, even if you can’t stand UConn, you will love this. 4 basketballs.
74. Hit Man* (2024, Netflix) – Glen Powell is having a moment. The actor has popped up in multiple movies and has a major star turn here as a reluctant contract killer who secretly works for the police so he never actually has to kill anyone. He’s also a college professor. And he co-wrote the script. (Next, he’ll sell you popcorn…) His character is doing a fine job as an undercover operative until he tells one of his potential clients that she shouldn’t hire him to kill her husband, and then he falls in love with her (Adria Arjona). The movie was cute and entertaining, but I saw the plot miles away. Still, Powell has a lot of appeal and he’s just getting started. He needs a really GOOD movie to establish himself as the next George Clooney! 3½ cans.
75. Brats* (2024, Hulu) – If you watched such popular movies as St. Elmo’s Fire, The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink in the 1980s, then you have seen the work of the infamous “Brat Pack.” Coined in a New York Magazine article, the term stuck – and in many ways haunted and halted the careers of Andrew McCarthy, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, Rob Lowe and Demi Moore, all of whom were perceived to be fast friends (they weren’t), entitled young actors (not really) who were taking over from the “old Hollywood.” Instead, the negative connotation of the term led to restrictions on their respective movie projects and overall careers. Many haven’t seen each other for 30 years. So Andrew McCarthy set out to make a documentary to examine the effect of the article and reunite with his former colleagues. All of them (minus Ringwald and Nelson, who don’t appear) acknowledge the negative aspects but admit to some good that came out of a shared experience they all endured. This movie is talky and preachy at times, but McCarthy seems like a thoughtful guy just trying to figure things out and share his thoughts with those who went through what he did. And Rob Lowe is still gorgeous! 3½ cans.
76. How Disney Made America* (History Channel) – A man, a vision and a mouse. This series, The Brands That Made America, on the History Channel covers the popularity of Disney and how Walt Disney is responsible for so much of today’s culture. From creating Mickey Mouse and the beloved characters to figuring out how to match sound with animated images, to creating the animations themselves, Walt Disney was a visionary with high standards of quality in every aspect of the operation. He created the concept of the theme park – not an amusement park with roller coasters and Ferris wheels, but a whole new world. He set the stage for merchandising tied to his movies and TV shows; when I was a kid, everyone wore those Davey Crockett coonskin hats! This 6-part series takes an-depth look at the origins that led to an empire. The part about building Walt Disney World on hundreds of acres of unused marsh lands in Florida was especially intriguing. 4 cans.
77. King of Collectibles, Season 2* (2024, Netflix) – Last year we were introduced to Ken Goldin, owner of a memorabilia company best known for its ability to find and sell some of the most iconic sports memorabilia. This year, Ken and company are going after items outside their usual fields of interest, including some of Reggie Jackson’s classic cars, lots of Pokemon cards and even a mummified hand purported to be from Cleopatra (good luck authenticating that one). It is interesting to see the kinds of things people collect and to see Goldin and co trying to talk big collectors into parting with some of their prized possessions. The joy on their faces comes for both winning the consignment on a really good collection (and their anticipated percentage of the sale) but also their enthusiasm in uncovering a genuine Honus Wagner card in great shape, or the torches used for the Olympic flame. This show is definitely not everyone’s bailiwick, but I got a kick out of seeing some of these rare and precious finds. 3½ cans.
78. Spamalot* (2024, Villagers Theater) – Somehow in the past 20 or so years, I never got around to seeing the musical Spamalot. But $18 tickets for a local production 10 minutes from my house were enough to get me there, and I am SO GLAD I WENT. The hysterically funny, clever script, brought to you by the Monty Python gang, had me smiling and chuckling for two hours. This production had a large and talented cast with plenty of juicy parts and captivating songs. The performers were in on the joke, hammed it up when appropriate and delivered a first-rate performance. There are so many jokes and homages included that you had to be fast on your feet to get the references to Fiddler on the Roof, Grease and other well-known shows. Every time I go to a local theater for an enjoyable performance like this, I tell myself I need to do this more often. I loved it! 4 cans.
79. Six* (2024, Chicago, live theater) – This exuberant musical tells the story of the six wives of Henry VIII, a scoundrel who beheaded two of them. The six actresses, who stay on stage throughout the rollicking show, dance and sing their way through their marriages and ultimate fates in a funny, risqué and extremely entertaining nonstop 90 minutes of live theatre. I happened to be in Chicago and a group of us spent a delightful evening enjoying this show. If it comes to your town, don’t miss it! 4 cans.
80. Federer: 12 Final Days* (2024, Prime Video) – When tennis great Roger Federer announced his retirement from the sport he dominated for 14 years as a champion, it attracted plenty of attention and tributes. He wanted to play in one last tournament, an exhibition called the Laver Cup, which brough his European team to London to face an American squad. This intimate account spares no emotion as he says goodbye to competition and especially to his dear friend and frequent opponent Rafael Nadal. Their beautiful friendship is highlighted. Federer will be remembered as an elegant, graceful player who always demonstrated his skills and respect for the game. Plagued with knee injuries, he knew his playing days were over, but he also knew how tough it would be to say goodbye. 3½ cans.
81.  Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini* (2024, Hulu) – This three-part documentary is another entry in the “Truth Is Stranger than Fiction” category. Maybe you remember the 2017 abduction of pretty young housewife Sherri Papini and how she remained missing for 22 days. Her anguished husband cooperated in every way with the police and FBI as they tried to find her. And then the story gets really interesting. No spoilers here, but you can’t make this stuff up. This compelling series is very well done and should not be missed for those who are interested in true crime drama. 4 cans.
82. Thelma* (2024, Manville Cinema) – Thelma Post (June Squibb in her first leading role) is a 93-year-old widow who does her needlepoint, goes to lunch with her few remaining friends and spends time with her loving grandson, who patiently explains to her how to work her computer. So when June gets a call, allegedly from her grandson Danny, she’s told he has caused an accident and she must send $10,000 to an attorney at a local address immediately. She follows the instructions and only later learns that her grandson is fine and she has been the victim of a scam. The police can’t do much about it, but Thelma is a force. She joins up with old friend Ben (Richard Roundtree, in his last role), and they hop on this electric scooter to pursue the bad guys, like Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible. Sure, there are plenty of stereotypes about older people, but they they are made with warmth and repect. Thelma is feisty, funny and resourceful, someone you would want on YOUR side when the action happens. Check out this sweet and lovely little movie, based on a true story. 4 cans.
83. Stevie Van Zandt, Disciple* (2024, HBO) – Best known as Bruce Springsteen’s musical brother for the better part of the last 50+ years, Little Stevie is so much more than a side man. He is a singer and songwriter, arranger, producer, manager, solo artist, a political activist who helped end apartheid in South Africa, and a notable actor. His Silvio Dante in The Sopranos was Tony Soprano’s consigliere, much as Stevie played that role with Bruce. This documentary covers all of the hats (and scarves, etc.) that Little Steven has worn since his early days performing in bands in Asbury Park. He is shown with wit, warmth and commitment. 3½ cans.
84. Owning Manhattan* (2024, Netflix) – As a fan of Million Dollar Listing, Selling Sunset and other shows about luxury real estate, I was naturally drawn to this new limited series about successful New York City real estate firm owner Ryan Serhant and his company. The series is much like Selling Sunset, expect that SS takes place in California so all the gorgeous, zillion-dollar properties have infinity pools. In Manhattan, the luxury properties have stunning views of the city and its iconic buildings. As in the other series, there is lots of office drama and pressure to sell ultra-expensive properties (Ryan & Co have an exclusive on a $250 million dollar penthouse that has to be seen to be believed). In just 8 episodes, one realtor and her team quit and another unscrupulous one had to be fired. The apartments are spectacular and I can’t wait for season 2! 4 cans.