MOVIES
September 5 - 9
The Munich Olympics that took place in September 1972 were marred by an unspeakable tragedy when 11 Israeli athletes were held hostage by 8 members of Palestine’s Black September terrorist group.
Eventually there was a bloody shootout at the airport. ABC Sports, who had the coverage of the Games
that year suddenly had to transform into a news organization, and their
coverage, anchored by the great Jim McKay, was broadcast around the world as
events unfolded.
This movie takes place entirely in the ABC Control room. The filmmakers, led by director Tim Fehlbaum, expertly interweave archival footage into the new footage. The ABC's crew's decision-making during this difficult time was impeccable. I remember watching this happen and the grace of Jim McKay as he follows the events. This is an excellent historical drama. Don’t miss it.
Anora – 9
Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Director, 5 Oscars in all.
So I decided to watch it.
This is the story of a hooker who marries a Russian mobster’s son,
so I shouldn’t have been surprised at the graphic nature, but I didn’t expect to
see a movie that would have been rated XXX in my youth. No, I'm not exaggerating.
If you have a prudish bone in your body, this isn’t the movie for
you.
But, there’s no doubt it’s a good movie that picks up steam as it
goes along. Mikey Madison was an obscure
actress until she landed this plum role and knocked it out of the park.
But, best picture? I don’t
think so.
I’ve already professed my love for “A Complete Unknown” and if you
don’t believe me it’s playing on Hulu now.
Working Man (2019) - 8
Speaking of Hula, this is an obscure movie about a factory shutdown, and how
one man fights back. It’s farfetched but
one of those movies that has you rooting hard for an underdog.
STREAMING/BINGING
and what’s left of Network Television
Adolescence – 10
Not a perfect series, but it sure created a buzz. There are 4 episodes, each taking place in
real time, in one continuous shot. Those
of us who love movies, love that gimmick.
It’s done so well, that you hardly notice.
But, it’s the horrible story that has everyone talking. A young 13 year old boy is accused of killing a female classmate. Could that be true? Could he have done that? Why would he have done it?
As the facts are revealed, there’s a lot to learn about today’s society, and
none of it is pretty. There are new
terms (manosphere, incel), there are painful scenes, and each of the four episodes stands on its
own. At times the story moves
slowly. I think those that remember this
will each remember something different.
What I will remember is the 2nd episode where
detectives go to the school to investigate the crime. I was stunned. If this is the way school kids act today,
things are worse than I thought.
Reacher – 10
In the third season of Reacher, the body count mounts as Jack Reacher
dispatches one bad guy after another with no regret or repercussions. This is great story telling and execution
and I have no idea why it’s not a weekly TV series with let’s say 26 episodes a
year. It’s brutal television, but about
as entertaining as the action genre gets, mostly because of the inspired
casting of Alan Richton as Reacher.
Running Point – 9
I enjoyed this thinly veiled story about Jeannie Buss and the Lakers way more
than I should have.
Kate Hudson stumbles into the job as President of the LA
Waves, and it’s pretty decent TV. Quippy
and fast-moving, if it wasn’t about the Lakers I would have enjoyed it even
more.
DOCUMENTARIES
Celtics City -10
Bill Simmons is known for many things.
He was a great sportswriter for ESPN.
His HBO talk show was a dud. His
Music Box Documentaries for HBO are terrific.
He is very rich because he sold his Ringer podcast network to Spotify.
He is also known for being an obnoxious Boston sports fan. So while we wait patiently for a documentary on the Patriots reign of terror, he settled for chronicling the history of the Boston Celtics and their decades long dominance of the Lakers. If you love basketball, you’ll love the stories of Bob Cousy, Bill Russell, John Havlicek, Larry Bird, and Paul Pierce. The highlight is the grainy black and white footage of Larry Bird’s first practice. It’s priceless
Dear Zachary – 9
I read somewhere that this was the most heart-wrenching documentary of all-time
and that tempted me into the pain.
It was.
Don’t watch it.
You’ve been warned.
STAND-UP
Lewis Black: Thanks for Risking Your Life – 8
Lewis Black packs a suitcase full of outrage and takes it on the road with him. He’s got a special delivery and spits and snarls his way through a compact little act full of laughs.
