February 2024 Movies & More

Here is what captured my interest in February. Numbering picks up from previous months and asterisks indicate programs I had not seen previously. The rating scale is 1-5 cans of tunafish, with 5 being the top.

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

Tech Talk

I appreciate technology as much as the next person. I like the way it makes our lives easier and lets us do things we never thought possible. But that’s not to say it doesn’t present challenges.

In the last month or so, my phone died and I ended up with a new phone AND a smart watch, which is still keeping secrets from me.

It started with the phone, which literally died one day in my arms. Dead as a doornail. Could not be resuscitated. 

Despite all attempts and instructions from Google on reviving it, it was declared legally dead the next day at the Verizon store. I was told that I could take it to a repair place since not much is done at the Verizon store except upsell customers on new models.  Instead, I agreed to pay $50 NOT to have it repaired (I know) and I opted for a replacement phone that would be shipped to me the next day. But it snowed and the phone didn’t arrive for 2 days, which meant I was phoneless! 

Being without a phone was absolute torture. No way to connect if the car broke down. No texts with friends, my huge Wordle streak of two days abruptly halted, my basketball tickets inaccessible. I had to figure out how to retrieve my contacts from the “cloud” or be permanently out of touch (which actually has some degree of appeal). And since I couldn’t access the old phone, just activating the replacement was impossible. Where’s the SIM card? What is the SIM card? Do I need a SIM card? Thanks to YouTube videos, I finally extricated the old one, and I had to use the back of an earring to get it out. 

The morning after it arrived, I showed up at the Verizon store 3 minutes before it even opened on a Sunday for help in activating the replacement. Verizon kept sending me authorization codes by text, and I couldn’t access the texts so I was out of luck.

Ironically, I had made a New Year’s Resolution to cut down on my screen time. Going cold turkey was NOT what I had in mind!

Verizon got the phone going, but I figured I’d just get a new one. I ordered a brand new Galaxy S24, not even in stock yet. They really don’t want people at the store. Their phone stock on hand is minimal since they push you to order online. I know my contemporaries will agree that we want to SEE the phone, HOLD the phone and have someone EXPLAIN the phone. 

They assured me the new zillion dollar phone would be "FREE" (if you don’t count my monthly charges going up) with the trade-in of the replacement phone (the original one had to be shipped to Texas, where I picture a phone mortuary dealing with dead models). I declined ordering the model with artificial intelligence since I didn't really want a phone that is so much smarter than me, but they sucked me into ordering a smart watch that will receive texts and monitor a bunch of health measures. I have three watches that I have purchased or was given in the last year, so I really did not need a new one, but, you know, it keeps track of your pulse and exercise. I hope it doesn’t come with a nagging voice when I’m just relaxing on the couch! Again, it was “free.” I only hope Dick Tracy comes with it to show me how it works. 

As I said, Verizon really does not want you in the store. They replaced the comfy couches they had when I was last there with a hard bench you can sit on while you wait. When you have to sit at a station with a rep who explains how these things are “FREE,” you perch on a stool with virtually no back. Do they NOT have customers over age 60? After all, we are the ones who need the sales pitch and the help. They told me that they would be happy to set up the new phone when it arrives at my house but now they charge $30 for that service, which used to be free. I suppose a seat on the uncomfortable stools will cost money, too, some day. 

I also went to Amazon and ordered a case, screen protectors and a charging block since the phone comes only with a cord and nothing that goes into the wall. I definitely got my $30 worth out of my Verizon service, making them transfer whatever I couldn’t and answer a bunch of questions about the phone AND the watch, which the rep said she should charge me for separately, but she didn’t. I even made her put the glass protector screen on, which she said they don’t do unless you buy it there. I didn’t. Be nice to old people.

The new “FREE” phone is working, protected by my wise advance purchases, and missing just the vast array of photo albums I had on my old phone. All of the pictures are “in the cloud” but sorting them and reassembling the albums would be tedious work, so I’ll just start anew. I have set up the phone to upload them to the Verizon Cloud, Google Photos and Shutterfly. Everything is in multiple places. I only have to figure out how to find them and get them when I want them!

The new “FREE” smart watch is interesting. It tracks your heart rate, exercise (except when I am walking through ShopRite, which somehow doesn’t count). They say it can be used in the pool, but I didn't want to tempt fate. And it recognizes my sleep patterns. It is like Santa Claus. I wear it in bed and it knows when I am sleeping and knows when I’m awake. I feel alternately safe and spooked. It even takes into account the time I am NOT asleep, when I wake up, hit the bathroom and then try to get back to sleep. It breaks down my sleep into periods of light, deep and REM sleep and notes when I am awake. And if I take a nap during the day, that is also recorded. If it can do all of that, why CAN’T it count my steps in ShopRite? Oh, and it also tells the time.

It also offers biometric ID, which means you can open it with your fingerprint. Great when that works, but 75% of the time it acts as though it has no record of my index finger on file.

So far, I like it, except when I got an alert at a Rutgers basketball game that said I had fallen down. It wanted to know if it should call for help. I was merely sitting and watching the game at that point, so I don’t know what constitutes an actual fall. My heart rate might have been high, but I hadn’t even stood up, no less fallen down. 

I’m obsessed with the sleep stats. I check every morning and send the reading to my phone. The thing can do an EKG on me, but I have no idea how to interpret the results. I haven’t figured out how to check my email yet, and there are more functions that I need to research. It is nice and bright (except during my sleep time), so I can even see what time it is in the movies. 

As for the “FREE” aspect, the hardware is free, but my monthly fees have increased. But I didn’t have to pay $1000. Kind of. 

If only it knew how many steps I take in ShopRite!

January 2024 Movies & More

Another year, another list of movies, TV shows and other entertainment options. Asterisks indicate programs I had not seen previously. Everything is rated on a scale from 1-5 cans of tuna fish (don't ask), with 5 the top score.
1. On Golden Pond (1981, Cable TV) – Henry Fonda plays octogenarian Norman Thayer Jr. in this classic about a fractured relationship between a father and daughter, starring with his real-life daughter, Jane Fonda, playing Chelsea. And if that isn’t enough acting firepower, Katharine Hepburn is Ethel, his devoted and loving wife who is always trying to broker peace between the two people she loves most. Chelsea brings her dentist boyfriend to the family’s summer place on Golden Pond, where Norman likes to fish and Ethel listens to the loons. When Chelsea and her boyfriend Bill leave for vacation, his 13-year-old smart-ass son Billy (Doug McKeon) is left for a month with the old folks. Miraculously, he and Normal develop the kind of relationship the old poop should have had with his daughter for these many years. I love this movie, and when Fonda hugs Fonda in the end, there isn’t a dry eye in my house. 4½ cans.
2. The Boys In the Boat* (2023, Manville Cinema) – The rowing team from the University of Washington was a novice group with good training and plenty of heart, and with enough skill and perseverance to win qualifying races and go to the 1936 Olympics in Germany.  You would think this could not happen, except that the movie is based on a true story.  A little slow in the beginning as it builds to the climax. 3½ cans.
3. The Color Purple* (2023, Manville Cinema) – I may have just watched the Best Movie of the Year, and it is only January 2! This new version of the stage musical based on Alice Walker’s novel packs a punch – in more ways than one – with exceptional performances by Fantasia Barino as the main character, Celie, and the supporting cast of Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, H.E.R., Hallie Berry and Ciara, all bringing Walker’s characters to brilliant life. I had seen the 1985 Steven Spielberg version of this story, starring Whoopie Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey, but, after 40 years, I did not recall all of the plot, so seeing this and hearing the music was almost an entirely new experience for me. I haven’t shed that many tears at the movies in a long time. 5 cans.
4. The Curious Case of Natalia Grace* (2023, ID Network or MAX) – This 2-season, 12-episode docuseries traces the life of Ukrainian orphan Natalia Grace, who was adopted by an American family at around age six. Or was she? This series casts doubt – rightfully so – on her age, her adoptive family’s treatment of her, her alleged threats to their safety and other stuff that you absolutely cannot make up. She is a little person who deals with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, a rare bone disorder, making it difficult for her to walk. Did she really stand at the foot of her parents’ bed holding a knife? Why did the family “re-age” her and place her in an apartment alone? This is one of the most bizarre real stories I have ever seen, but it did inspire me to change my own age. For the record, I’m now 59 again! 4 cans of absolute shock and strangeness!
5. Good Grief* (2023, Netflix) – Daniel Levy has arrived. After amusing us for six years in the Shitt’s Creek ensemble, here he takes the reins as the writer, director and star of the sad and warm story of Marc, a man whose husband dies in a traffic accident, leaving him to process the grief and try to get on with his life. Surrounded by close friends who each have their own messy lives to contend with, he slowly comes to terms with secrets he did not know about his marriage. Through it all, he changes from the idealization of his marriage to the realities of choices made and yet to be made. I admired Levy’s performance and the bond his character has with his friends, who are his chosen family. You can see his pain as new revelations hit him and change his perspective. Good Grief is GOOD. 3½ cans.
6. American Nightmare* (2024, Netflix) – Imagine being kidnapped, tossed in the trunk of a car, held captive, raped – and the police don’t believe a word of your story. In 2015, that’s what happened to Denise Huskins. This three-part documentary series shows the actual police footage of her boyfriend, Aaron Quinn, being interrogated by the police, who immediately doubt his story. They don’t know where Denise was taken and the incident, which seemed so similar to the new movie “Gone Girl,” is breathlessly reported by the media. The young couple are treated as liars by the police in Vallejo, California and are excoriated by the police, who say they are guilty of perpetrating an elaborate hoax. This series grabbed my attention from the beginning and I couldn’t go to bed until I finished it. 4 cans.
7. From the Terrace (1960, Cable TV) – Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward star in this melodramatic adaptation of the John O’Hara novel about a wealthy but unhappily married couple. He is the scion of a modestly wealthy family whose father much preferred the brother who died as a child.  She is from a much richer family and is spoiled and content to run with the society crowd. He loves his work at an investment bank on Wall Street, a job he “fell into” by rescuing the partner’s grandson. They become fabulously wealthy and yet are miserable together. He is always tied up with work, desperate to gain independent wealth. She lusts after him (seriously, who wouldn’t?) but settles for her willing old boyfriend instead.  He doesn’t even understand how unhappy he is until he meets and falls for a much less complicated, pretty woman (Ina Balin) and her life. Will he give up everything for the chance of finally achieving happiness? This movie and “The Young Philadelphians” are two of my favorite Newman movies. 4 cans.
8. One All the Way* (2021, PBS) – This short documentary (about 20 minutes) follows three older men in search of the perfect hot Texas Weiner in and around their hometown, Paterson, NJ. Once a thriving small city, Paterson’s industry has left town and so have many of its residents as the town falls into disrepair. It pains the friends here who remember its glory days and the places they frequented, including the place where one of them proposed to his wife. Some of their favorite hotdog joints are gone, too, but that doesn’t stop them from their quest to eat three with everything each time they go on one of their hotdogs crawls. I only wish my late brother-in-law, who once ran a hotdog truck, could have seen this movie or hung out with the guys. They would have become fast friends. Take 20 minutes and watch this little gem. 3½ cans.
9. Beef* (2023, Netflix) – This 10-part series starts out with a road rage incident between Amy and Danny (Ali Wong and Steven Juen), who race through their California streets looking for revenge against each other. So how does this incident become a series, I asked myself. Each episode provides another layer of their increasingly intertwined lives. His brother, her husband, his sketchy cousin just out of prison, her mother-in-law, his involvement with the church, her high-income job and boss. The series reminded me of a traffic accident that everyone has to stop and see. Once you get started with this series, you’re hooked. It is bizarre, violent, creepy, and amoral. It won a boatload of Emmys, including Best Actor and Actress for Juen and Wong, who were outstanding. Now that it’s over, I hope there is no Season 2. 3½ cans.
10. The Secret Life of the Hospital* (2018, Prime Video) – This documentary gives viewers an in-depth view of operating a hospital in England, from the people who wheel the patients to get their CAT scans done to the people who repair the equipment to be sure it works. So much of what goes on in the hospital takes place behind the scenes, checking blood samples, ordering scans and making sure the chemotherapy drugs are perfect. I was so impressed with the staff, their exacting standards and the dignity with which patients were treated. I found it fascinating. 4 cans.
11. Queer Eye, Season 8* (2024, Netflix) – The Fab Five are back in town – New Orleans this time around – to transform people’s lives. Antoni, Karamo, Tan, Jonathan and Bobby (in his last season) this time out work with a man who is content to cook and eat raccoons, a former nun interested in dating, and a deaf football coach who is taking on more responsibilities at the school for the deaf where he works. In small and seemingly subtle ways, these men change a wardrobe, a house, and a life with love, kindness, caring, and wonderful listening skills. The only bad part of this series is that I binged all 8 episodes in one day and now I have to wait a year for the next season. But it is worth waiting for! 4 cans.
12. 999: Critical Condition* (2018, Prime Video) – If you don’t mind real life blood and guts, surgeons sawing through bones and exposing the brain, then this 4-part documentary series is for you. Like “The Secret Life of the Hospital,” above, it shows what really happens, in this case, in the ER of a British hospital. The care and measures taken by the entire medical team are truly remarkable, as they fight to save the lives of accident victims, people with tumors, stroke victims and more. You only hope that if you have to go to the hospital, that you will be treated with such care and concern. 4 cans.
13. The Greatest Night in Pop* (2024, Netflix) – On a January night in 1985, nearly every important singer and pop star gathered in a Hollywood recording studio to create the magic that was “We Are the World.” It started with Harry Belafonte, renowned musician, actor and activist, who wanted to do something for the starving people in Africa, following a UK effort that produced “Band Aid.” He teamed with Quincy Jones, who brought on Lionel Ritchie, Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder to craft a song that would inspire and move people to action. And if they had proceeded just with that quartet, it probably would have been a smash hit. But no, as this engaging documentary reveals, one after another star was asked and agreed. From Bruce Springsteen to Diana Ross, Billy Joel to Dionne Warwick, from Bob Dylan (who looks a little out of place and uncomfortable) to a nervous Huey Lewis, about 70 people converged in the studio after the American Music Awards and worked all night long until they turned out a memorable record that has raised $63 million – more that $130 million in today’s dollars to aid Africa. This movie is a warm look at who showed up, who didn’t (Prince), who came and went (Waylon Jennings) and it shows how the individual styles and talents of these singers were melded together. It was like watching a good family reunion. My only question was: Why was Dan Ackroyd there? 4 cans.

January Gems

Some things take 2 years and 10 minutes to do. You don’t get around to doing it for 2 years and when you finally do, it takes 10 minutes to get it done.

My sister was having problems with her Alexa, so I suggested she unplug it, wait a few minutes and then plug it in again. I also told her that if I were on life support, she should not try that technique to resuscitate me.

Is it just me or does anyone else see the irony of the star of the movie “Ferrari” being Adam Driver?

It took all the restraint I could muster NOT to lift the lid on the crockpot while my pot roast was cooking (for 8 hours). But I stayed strong and it was worth the wait!

I find it amusing that the word "crockpot" autocorrects to "crackpot."

For the life of me, I don’t understand why the soap I buy comes in a carton that has a closure on the end flap so you can reuse it. Does the manufacturer expect someone to reinsert the soap and store it in the box as it is being used? Make that make sense. What am I missing?

I started the year off right by changing the water filter in the Brita (which I have resolved to use more often to cut down on bottled water), reorganizing the kitchen utensil caddy so the spatulas can be together, cleaning, polishing and sealing the granite countertops in my kitchen, cleaning the washing machine and the refrigerator. Next up is setting up the compact seated elliptical exercise device I bought to get exercise while I watch TV. The first step is opening the very heavy box, which I made the UPS guy move into the house. Now let’s hope it doesn’t end up sitting idly next to the super-duper exercise bike in my bedroom. Ah, those New Year’s Resolutions!

Speaking of New Year’s resolutions, the parking at the health club where I go is jam-packed lately. Once those New Year’s resolutions start to be broken, I should be able to get a much better parking spot. Of course, I AM going there to get exercise, so a little extra walking is for my own good!

It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are, when your song starts playing, you will whip out your air guitar and start lip synching down the aisle at ShopRite, in an elevator or driving your car. And if it is a song by the Temptations, you will be doing the choreography, too.

I don’t think I have ever entered a sauna without saying, “Wow, it is really hot in here!” But isn’t that the point?

Every now and then I hear a commercial/promo for the Structural Steel and Bridge Painters Union on the car radio. It touts the virtues and importance of the organization responsible for maintaining many New York landmarks. I’m just not sure what I am supposed to do with this information. I’m not in the market for a bridge painter and they aren’t asking me for money. What is the target audience and the desired impression/result of this campaign? 

We need some kind of consistency in the use of expiration dates on food. You can find them stamped on the label of this food or the bottle cap of that drink or the bottom of that can. And sometimes they appear in a secret code – or not at all. I’m going to stop buying anything that doesn’t clearly show its expiration or “best used by” date so I won’t need to inspect the item before using. 

I have the world’s most insecure printer. When I send a document to be printed, I get a message that says, “Your printer needs your attention.” Why? Is it feeling left out? Underappreciated? Just do your job and stop whining.

I recently went to a real, brick-and-mortar bookstore. Wow, I forgot the wonder of the place, filled with the smell of new books, the shelves boasting all kinds of notebooks and writing implements, the feeling that I was surrounded by opportunities to learn. I love my Kindle and shopping online at Amazon, but I hope we still have bookstores to experience books live and in person.

I miss the old Lifesavers, the roll with cherry, orange, lemon, lime and pineapple. I was a lime person, so while everyone else vied for the cherry, I was content to go for the green and the lemon. You can still find the rolls at concessions stands at the airport, but the green is now watermelon (why?), and grape stands where lemon used to be. Bring back the originals!

I also miss Nabisco’s Social Tea Biscuits. Not too sweet, not overly buttery, they were a great compromise cookie when eating Milanos made me feel guilty (like every time). From my research, it appears that they are no longer being made. There are other brands that advertise themselves as “tea biscuits,” but I’m not buying it.

There have been a number of storms lately that have caused major flooding in my area and the surrounding communities. I am signed up to receive alerts about closed roads, etc., but that means I can find 50 messages waiting for me when I check my email. By the time I have read one saying a certain road is closed, there’s already an updated message saying that road is open again. I want to get the alerts, but I’m feeling flooded with messages. Pun intended.

The storms also mean that people flock to the supermarket to strip the shelves bare of bread, milk, water and toilet paper, as if we will be housebound without necessities until spring. 

If you ever hear or see me using the word “awesome,” that is a clue that I have been kidnapped, held in captivity and forced to read words not of my own choosing.

Slicing through cardboard boxes for recycling is so much better with a sharp utility knife. It is worth tossing the old one and starting with a new one if you don’t have a lethally sharp blade. 

Late last year, despite having a maintenance contract on my heating and cooling systems, my heat stopped working, luckily not during a major chill or snowstorm, but it was cold enough for me to pack up and head to my sister’s house for a couple of nights. I ended up needing a new thermostat, gas valve and control board, all for the bargain price of about $1500. Happy Hanukah to me!  At least I was able to spend a few nights with my sister until things were repaired.

Is it just me or does everyone else have problems signing into Apple TV+? I don’t use it that often, but when I do a QR code appears on my TV and I’m asked to scan it. That doesn’t work, so I have to go online to sign in. Then I can’t remember my password, so I have to go to my office and check it. All this to find something to watch!

Why is it that to pay my retina bill online, I have to go to the website, sign in, wait for a code, enter the code, confirm that I am NOT a robot and whatever else before they accept my payment? Are there a lot of people out there trying to pay my bill for me? I know, privacy, data security, blah, blah, blah, but I swear it is just ME trying to pay my own bill. Don’t make this so hard!

In the history of “Chopped,” the Food Network cooking competition, has anyone ever successfully made risotto – or at least to the satisfaction of judge Scott Connant? People, give it up. It’s not going to happen. Ever. Potatoes are hard enough but better than the risotto, which, to make correctly, requires constant stirring. You DON’T have the time for that!

Have you noticed the increasing use of nouns as verbs? I just Venmoed money to a friend for lunch. I’m Zooming today at 3 and I’m Googling the definition of verbs and nouns. I can get home by Ubering a ride. My English teachers from Somerville High School are rolling over in their graves.

It’s not easy being me. If the font is changed on a street sign, I notice. The spacing between words on a sign was inconsistent enough to bug me (instead of merely not looking at it). If I see a typo – God forbid – or I hear a sportscaster say he “done” something I start to twitch. I want to tell the designers of People magazine that their font is too small and there are plenty of pages where the type is too light to read properly. I know I am not perfect and I don’t know why I bristle over mistakes that no one else would notice, but this stuff drives me crazy.
 

December 2023 Movies & More Plus 2023 Favorites

In the last month of the year, I managed to squeeze in two dozen movies and more, ending this year just one show short of last year's 180 total. Following this compilation, take a look at the movies and shows that I thought were the best of 2023. Numbering picks up from previous months and titles with an asterisk were new to me. The ratings are based on a scale of 1-5 cans of tuna fish, with 5 being the best. Happy viewing!

156.  Having Our Say* (2023, George Street Playhouse) – This two-person play packs in the warmth, humor and pathos as the aging Delany sisters – Sadie, 103, and Bessie, 101 – recall the story of their lives. The history of their family mirrors that of the United States as Black women who were overlooked, undervalued and yet so accomplished; one of them was an educator and the other a dentist. I had read their book (yes, this is based on a true story) many years ago and couldn’t put it down. To see it come alive on the stage of the beautiful George Street Playhouse was a real treat. By the time you read this, the show will have closed, but make sure you check out the offerings of this gem of a theater right in New Brunswick. There’s not a bad seat in the house, there is a wide range of plays and even a few musicals, all imaginatively produced and staged. Support the arts! 4 cans.
157.  Ladies of the ‘80s* (2023, Lifetime) – I was a faithful watcher of the nighttime soaps on TV 40 years ago where the actresses starring here – Linda Gray (Dallas), Morgan Fairchild (“Falcon Crest”), Nicolette Sheridan (“Dynasty” and later “Desperate Housewives”), Loni Anderson (I loved her in her comedic role on “WKRP in Cincinnati”), and the diva of divas, Donna Mills (“Knots Landing”) – are back!  (How did they not include Joan Van Ark?) Amid a plethora of plastic surgery, coiffed in big wigs and way too much make-up, they play stars of the 80s who have reunited for a live Christmas special. It’s OK to be campy if you’re in on the joke, and that’s the case here. The ladies still harbor jealousies, grudges and a few have Emmy bragging rights. They clash and threaten to walk out, but you just know they will hang around for one more big, dramatic show (besides, they can’t walk out in the first 10 minutes or we have no show!). So buckle up, divas and diva lovers, because this will be a bumpy ride. 2 cans
158.  May-December* (2023, Netflix) – This movie is based on the true story of teacher Mary Kay Letourneaux, a 30-something wife and mother who had an affair with a 6th grade student. Here, 20 years later, Gracie (Julianne Moore) is married to Joey (Charles Melton), who was a friend of her son and only 13 when the affair began. Celebrated actress Elizabeth (Natalie Portman) visits the family to prepare for her role as Gracie in a new movie. There is just something so awkward and smarmy here since everyone in the movie and most viewers recall the sordid episode, which saw the real Mary Kay serve time in prison as a sex offender even as she had several children by her teenaged lover. Joey in this movie is still submissive to whatever Gracie says or wants, and her children endure insults by their mother. As Elizabeth watches Gracie, she begins to fall under her spell. 3½ cans.
159.  Bad Surgeon* (2023, Netflix) – I remember this true story about a superstar cardiac-thoracic surgeon who pioneered organ transplants by using plastic windpipes and supposedly stem cells to save his patients. He became rich and famous and got involved with a producer for a TV news show. But his research was suspect and his engagement to the producer did not result in a wedding. This is another “truth is stranger than fiction” tale about a man who is not nearly what he seems. Ask the families of the patients who died or the producer whose heart he broke. 3 parts, 3½ cans.
160.  A Good Person* (2023, Netflix) – Allie (Florence Pugh) starts out as a good person with a very happy life. She is performing music and engaged to a man she really loves. But then there is a tragic car accident and a year later, Allie is addicted to pain killers, living at home with her mother with no prospects and no plans – other than scoring her next fix. Along comes Daniel (Morgan Freeman), a bitter man whose daughter died in that car crash and who is rearing his feisty and resentful 16-year-old granddaughter. The paths of Daniel and Allie cross, but can he accept Allie? Can he care for his rebellious granddaughter? This is not a fun movie to watch, but it has its moments and excellent performances. 3½ cans.
161.  Bob & Don, A Love Story* (2023, You Tube – This adorable 20-minute movie chronicles the long-standing friendship between comedians Bob Newhart and Don Rickles. Their comedic styles could not be more different. Newhart is droll, quiet and observational while Rickles’ manic style of insult humor was pointed and sharp. But the two men and their wives formed a lasting bond. They vacationed together and did all of the things that friends do. The film features clips from their work and their travels together and is worth seeing if you are a fan. 3 cans.
162.  Quiz Lady* (2023, Netflix) – Sandra Oh and Akwafina play mismatched sisters thrown together to pay the large gambling debt belonging to their mother, who has fled her nursing home and is banned from returning. The bookies go after the sisters, even kidnapping their dog, so coming up with the money has an added air of importance. Akwafina’s Anne is hooked on watching a nightly game show (hosted by Will Farrell), and when her irresponsible sister Jenny realizes that Anne knows all of the answers, she figures a scheme to get her on the show to pick up enough money to pay off the debt and ransom the dog. Oh’s character is wacky, funny, frustrating and perfectly played. 3½ cans.
163.  Under Pressure: The US Women’s World Cup Team* (2023, Netflix) – I don’t routinely follow soccer, but sign me up for the World Cup coverage. This 4-part documentary traces the formation of the 2023 squad that consisted of such famous names as Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz while blending in newcomers such as 17-year-old Alyssa Thompson, Sofia Smith and Trinity Rodman. The pressure just to make the team is enormous, and that’s before they face an opponent on the pitch. The National team feels a responsibility to continue the winning legacy that began with the 1999 World Cup Champs, and anything less than winning is unacceptable. This is an emotional experience for players and fans, and the 4 parts went by very quickly. To me, it scored! 3½ cans.
164. The Gilded Age, Season 2* (2023, HBO) – This is a series that needs multiple seasons for at least two reasons: First, it unfolds very slowly, and second, the investment in the sets and costumes needs to be amortized over time because it must be enormous. The series takes place in New York, where the wealthy old guard are being challenged for control of high society by newcomers who have made their money more recently. I like anything starring Christine Baranski, and in this series she is wealthy widow Mrs. Van Rhyn, fiercely protective of the old ways and not at all interested in the nouveaux rich represented by her neighbors, the Russells. This season centers around Mrs. Russell’s attempt to crack the inner circle by starting the new Metropolitan Opera when she cannot get a box at the existing Academy. Aside from Opera Wars, there’s also a love story between spinster sister Ada (Cynthia Nixon) and a new pastor and a few other flirtations among the other characters, which sometimes cross the lines. If you’re looking for action, skip this one, but I still like it. Season 3? We will have to see about that. 4 cans.
165.  44 Pages* (2016, Prime Video) – As a kid, I considered the best part of going to the doctor’s office was the chance to do the “Hidden Pictures” in Highlights Magazine, where you would look at a black and white drawing and find a carefully hidden elephant in a tree. The magazine was started by a man and wife in 1946 and has faithfully published since that time, with its focus squarely on children between 5-12. The magazine is still family run and still accepts no advertising. This documentary carefully explains the company commitment to children that is reflected in its motto: “Fun with Purpose,” and explains the approach to the articles, puzzles, features and games that appear in each 44-page issue. I could not help but notice that the editorial staff – heavily featured in this film – is almost exclusively white women (there are several men but no people of color). And I wondered what their training was that would qualify them to determine the appropriate kinds of articles to include. The magazine receives thousands of letters from children each year on topics such as sibling rivalries and friendship, and each one is answered by staff members. I didn’t see anything to indicate their training for offering advice and comfort to their young, impressionable readers. Still, the magazine remains popular, has branched out to an online presence and is still in business after 70+ years. 3½ cans.
166.  The Morning Show – Season 3 (2023, Apple TV+) – I started my Apple TV+ subscription several years ago just to see this show, which airs so rarely that I should have dumped the app long ago. This series features Jennifer Anniston and Reese Witherspoon as the media stars of the fictional UBN Network, an overblown operation headed by the loathsome Cory Ellison (Billy Crudup) and where everyone thinks that what they do is the most important job ever. This year, with UBN’s future in doubt, a white knight comes in to rescue the ailing network in the form of tech giant Paul Marks (Jon Hamm), who launches rockets into space and still has enough money to buy UBN and try to turn it around. Maybe. The beautiful sets and inside feeling of a new operation are great, but there is so much here that has no relation to reality that it is hard sometimes to accept the content. There’s plenty of animosity to go around, with potshots at online media that is happy to put out nasty stories – that have probably been leaked by the “legit” media. The performances here are all excellent and this year had pretty of twists. I don’t love the show, but I can’t stop watching. Never mind, it probably won’t be back for at least another year. 3½ cans.
167. Virgin River Season 5 Holiday Special* (2023, Netflix) – Our fictional friends at the cheery town of Virgin River are back with a holiday special filled with Christmas spirit and a side of schmaltz. No town since Stars Hollow in “The Gilmore Girls” has ever looked so ready for the holiday. This is a two-parter that is intended to hold us over until the next block of shows airs. I won’t get into the plot, but the usual cast of characters is back and there are a few hints of what is to come. Plus, we finally find out who is the father of Charmaine’s twins (we already knew it wasn’t Jack). This Christmas diversion doesn’t measure up to the rest of the season but will have to do until they are back for real. 3 cans.
168.  The Holdovers* (2023, Montgomery Cinema) – Actor Paul Giamatti teams with director Alexander Payne in this heartwarming comedy about a cranky teacher at a boys prep school who gets stuck supervising “the holdovers,” a handful of students who cannot go home during Christmas break and must remain on campus. He doesn’t get along with the leader of the pack, who constantly challenges him, but ultimately (as if you couldn’t see this coming) begins a grudging friendship with the lost and lonely teenager. He also bonds with the school cook who is stuck preparing meals for the “holdovers.” This movie is about parent-child relationships and expectations, about kids relating with and fighting with other kids, and about loneliness and loss. 3½ cans.
169.  Sleepless in Seattle* (1993, Amazon Prime) – Who wouldn’t love this lovely movie about Sam (Tom Hanks), a forlorn widower, and his adorable son Jonah (Ross Malinger) whose mission in life is to see his father once again in love and married? So he takes his story to the radio, where women across the country swoon over his tale of sorrow. One of them is Annie (Meg Ryan, queen of rom-coms), already engaged but captivated by the story. If you have ever seen the classic “An Affair to Remember,” you know there is more to the story. I hadn’t seen this movie in years, but today was the right time to relish it again. 4 cans.
170. Filling in the Blanks* (2023, Prime Video) – Growing up with two older brothers, Jon Baime had a happy life and loving parents. But he always felt there was some sort of wall blocking a deeper connection with this father. When he takes a DNA test in his 50s, he is shocked to learn the man he grew up thinking was his father is not related to him. Jon made this documentary about his discovery, as he peeled back the layers of this family history to find what he thought he knew was very little of the truth. Very interesting true story. 3½ cans.
171.  Lessons in Chemistry* (2023, Apple TV+) – Elizabeth Zott is determined to be a chemist, but, as a woman, she is in continually overlooked and passed over, referred to as a mere “lab tech” and expected to make the coffee – until she meets Calvin Evans, a chemistry wiz with the Nobel Prize just waiting for him. These two independent souls somehow end up together, although Elizabeth’s career takes a different path when she is hired to host a cooking show that she treats like a lab project. This was a satisfying limited series, with a terrific performance by Brie Larson as Zott. As usual, the book was better. 4 cans.
172.  Maestro* (2023, Netflix) – Actor Bradley Cooper plays Leonard Bernstein in this ambitious depiction of the loves and lives of the legendary conductor and composer. As immense as Bernstein’s talent, so is Cooper’s as the star, co-writer and director of this opus. Much of the story is occupied by Bernstein’s self-proclaimed love of people – which he doesn’t limit to the wife he adores, Felicia (Carey Mulligan), as he drifts to attractive men that he cannot resist. He is clearly a man of many passions, whether he is pouring himself exhaustively into writing such works as the score of “West Side Story” or conducting a symphony with such flair that I was exhausted just watching him! Outwardly, he seems happy and in love with Felicia, but you can see that he is never fully satisfied by the people or world in which he lives. Cooper brings incredible physicality to the role, adapting to the image of Bernstein smoking incessantly and coaxing the best performances out of an orchestra with hair and sweat flying that leave him spent. Kudos to Bradley Cooper for a portray of an immensely talented but conflicted man. Intense! 4 cans.
173.  Fisk, Season 2* (2023, Netflix) – This sardonic and amusing Australian comedy is back for another (short) season of action in the law offices of The Gruber group. Helen Fisk is stuck among a collection of quirky characters that can make you laugh or want to leave town. Nothing is easy for poor Helen, whether it is getting her morning coffee from a shop that no longer sells coffee to getting a key to the restroom. The six episodes run just 30 minutes each, so tune in for a few good chuckles. 3½ cans.
174.  David McCullough, Painting with Words* (2008, HBO) – I first remember seeing historian David McCullough when he became the resident voice of several Ken Burns documentaries. An accomplished author, McCullough here tells his own story about how he began writing books (on the same, old, manual typewriter in a “shed” without a phone or any other amenities). His work is deeply detailed and makes the reader feel they know such historical figures as John Adams and Harry Truman; his books on each man earned him a Pulitzer Prize. McCullough spends so much time researching them, reading their diaries and letters, that he feels he knows them, too. He does his own narration in this documentary and even sings a few songs. This is the story of a man doing what he loves and enjoying every minute. 4 cans.
175.  Gypsy (1994, Cable TV) – Bette Midler is a manic Mama Rose in this TV version of the musical about the life of entertainer Gypsy Rose Lee. Rose is desperate for her “girls,” her daughters Baby June and Louise, to have the career in show business that she never had, and she pushes them into acts on the vaudeville circuit despite their reservations or, in Louise’s case, lack of talent. This show is based on the real Gypsy Rose Lee, who became a stripper when Mama sells her out to keep the show biz dream alive. I’m a big Bette Midler fan, but here she is such a presence on the small screen that you can practically hear her chewing the scenery. Let’s just say that she plays Mama Rose to the hilt, and when she does her final number, “Rose’s Turn,” you realize it was all about Mama all along. This is a show whose songs you can come out of the theater humming (or out of the living room, since it was made for TV), such as “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “Let Me Entertain You,” and “Some People,” which Midler handles with enthusiasm and aplomb. A little over the top, but worth seeing. 4 cans.
176. The Holiday (2006) – Two women with unhappy love lives decide to swap homes to get away from it all for a few days. Cameron Diaz is Los Angeles-based movie trailer editor Amanda and Kate Winslett is Iris, living in England and in unrequited love with a British cad who has just gotten engaged. The women don’t know each other but find each other’s homes online and decide to swap, with Amanda seeking refuge in a lovely English cottage while Iris lands in Amanda’s modern LA home. Do I have to tell you that they almost immediately meet men who are much better for them than the men they had been seeing? Jude Law is particularly fetching as Iris’ brother, who stops by her cottage and encounters Amanda and finds an immediate mutual attraction. For Iris, a movie music composer played by Jack Black is also coming off a bad relationship. No one here is looking for love and planning NOT to go home, but it is a movie, after all, and a very pleasant one at that, so, as Shakespeare said, all’s well that ends well. 4 cans.
177. Murphy’s Romance (1985, On Demand) – In my opinion, James Garner is underappreciated for his body of work. In this movie he plays Murphy Jones, local pharmacist and friend to all in a small Arizona town. When divorced single mother Emma (Sally Field) moves to town, they strike up a friendship; she needs help and he is a helpful kind of guy. Murphy won’t disclose his age but he is clearly much older than 30-something Emma. When her ne-er-do-well ex-husband shows up to win her back, Murphy sees right through the loser; it takes Emma a little longer. Garner is charming in a low-key way and this is another gritty version of Sally Field, full of determination and purpose. I might have to see “Norma Rae” next. 4 cans.
178.  The Iron Claw* (2023, Manville Reading Cinema) – Zac Efron is larger than life (Literally; wait until you see his physique!) in this story about a family of professional wrestlers. The father (Holt McCallany) has trained his 4 sons to dominate in the ring, even as he establishes a pecking order for who he wants to be the National Champion. Efron is Kevin, the oldest and most responsible brother, but all are extremely close. However, tragedy seems to follow them, which scares Kevin. With a bad haircut or bad wig (reflective of the time period), Efron bears no resemblance to this “High School Musical” character. All of the actors playing the brothers (Jeremy Allen White from “The Bear,” Harrison Dickinson and Stanley Simons) give outstanding performances. The women – Lily James as Kevin’s eventual wife and Maura Tierney as his mother) – have more subtle roles to play but are equally good. The movie is based on the actual Von Erich family, which makes the story sadder and realistic. 4 cans.
179. Love Actually (2003, Netflix – but leaving on December 31!) – What can I say about this movie that I haven’t said before? I’ll just say this – I love to find special little moments in a movie, and this one is full of them. Emma Thompson’s disappointment when she realizes the necklace was not for her. The BFF of the groom who is in love with the bride and she has no idea until she sees his video of the wedding and realizes it is all about her. The little boy in love with the American girl who races through the airport to say goodbye. Hugh Grant as the Prime Minister of England dancing by himself to “Jump.” This movie is an all-time favorite and a great way to end my year of entertainment. 5 cans.

My 2023 Favorites:

It Ain't Over

Maestro

Ted Lasso

The Bear

Barbie

Oppenheimer

All the Queen's Horses

Beckham

A Man Called Otto

Nyad