At the Cinema - March/April 2020

The Way Back – 6

The last movie I saw in a movie theater before they got pandemecized was this massively disappointing drama starring Ben Affleck as the recovering alcoholic who gains temporary redemption when he is called on to coach the basketball team at his old high school where he had been a star.

He of course begins to turn them around, but if you’re a basketball afficionado looking for a great coaching movie, like Hoosiers, you’re going to be disappointed.  I remember refereeing in a YMCA league and dealing with a coach who thought coaching was spending the whole game ignoring his players and yelling at the referees.  I threw him out of a couple of games and he finally got the message, and I can remember the league organizers thanking me, because he had been out of control for years.  Well, Affleck plays that coach, and it’s awful.  Add that to the basketball action, which is terrible, and it’s a real letdown.  The team begins to improve, but for no discernable reason. 

This is particularly surprising since the director of this movie, Gavin O’Connor, directed Miracle about the 1980 US Olympic team.  Miracle is one of the great sports movies, and the hockey action is perfect.  LeBron James is a producer of this movie, so it is inexplicable that they didn’t get the action right.  Affleck tries his best, and it’s obvious he’s playing a version of himself, but there wasn’t much of this movie I bought.

The Invisible Man – 9

This movie was at the local theaters when the world crashed, and then quickly offered on pay per view @ $20.  Sign me up.  This was a dream come true for me – to watch a first run movie in the comfort of my home.  No popcorn temptation, no $5 drinks.  It looks like releases of movies like A Quiet Place 2 will be delayed until we are again able to sit side by side with a stranger expelling droplets, but I hold out hope that, as much as I enjoy a movie on the big screen, they find a way to make a home-viewing model work.  I’m all in.

One model that doesn’t need to change is the one determining Elizabeth Moss’s career.  She continues as a credible and appealing actress who takes on a wide variety of roles.  In this movie, she believes her dead husband is a) back from the dead, b) invisible and c) more than willing to kill her.  This is a well-done thriller that had me on the edge of my ranting couch.  Moss continues her winning streak

Scanning the Satellite

I know what you’re thinking.  You’re thinking that when the house arrest began I would have parked myself in front of Netflix, or Hulu, or Amazon Prime and ripped my way through series after series after movie after documentary.  Instead I have ripped my way through our house with a paintbrush in my hand trying to apply new paint where needed and minimize dripping in places it wasn’t.  So, I haven’t watched as much as you would expect, but here’s what the last 10 weeks have yielded:

Killing Eve (season 3) – 9

Assassin Villanelle is the main reason to drink this show in, although this BBC series can be stunning in its violence.    She may be the most interesting character on television and Jodie Comer is a riveting  Villanelle.  She is totally unique and I’m not sure if she is a one hit wonder or the acting find of the century.   Time will tell, but while time is trying to make up its mind, I’m all in as President of the Jodie Comer appreciation fan club.  That doesn’t mean season 3 is perfect.  Like most season 3’s it is meandering through an inferior story line, trying to find a path to season 4.  It still can be pretty stunning.   AMC has picked season 3 up, but don’t start there.  You must go back and start at the beginning.  Worth the trip.

Ozark (season 1) – 9

I succumbed to the three years of hype about how this was Netflix’s signature series, at least now that we don’t talk about Kevin Spacey anymore.   I found it to be as good as advertised.  The acting is universally superb and it is definitely a unique story line.  Previously when I thought of the Ozarks I thought of the great comedienne Kathleen Madigan, but now I’m going to think of the gray palette of this strangely lit series.  I will admit that I don’t get all the nuances of how Jason Bateman’s Marty Byrde is laundering money, but so far I’m convinced he’s making it work.  A cat has 9 lives, and Marty has wiggled out of about that many dire situations.  Very cool, sporadically violent, with an unbelievable cast of characters inhabiting some great writing.  I’m hooked.

After Life (season 2) – 9

How can one of the great comedians in the world, Ricky Gervais, write such a poignant, funny/sad story about grief?  He has a special talent.  He plays Tony who is grief stricken at the loss of his wife, who appears not through flashbacks, but through Tony’s heartbreaking video viewing.  This show will capture your heart.

Bad Education – 9

 Hugh Jackman can probably clear some spots on his mantel for the awards that will come his way for his wicked performance as real-life Roslyn NY superintendent Frank Tassone.  Tassone was beloved for the results he achieved as he elevated the school district, all the while keeping a treasure trove of secrets, including lovers, embezeling, and plastic surgery.  Even when caught, he’s almost able to whip so much charisma on the school board that they don’t know what to do.  This movie is too good to be anything but true.

Extraction – 6

Netflix apparently felt compelled to try to break the John Wick body count record in the gun porn category with this glossy and super violent movie.  One drug lord has kidnapped the son of a competing drug lord (Bangladesh/Afghanistan territories) and there’s only one semi-alcoholic mercenary who can recover the kid.  His name is Tyler Rake and he is played by Chris Hemsworth, who it can be said has found his life’s calling – knocking off extras.  The internet says he killed 183 people in one scene, so that right there should tell you if this is your type of movie.  I can sum it up like I did John Wick.  When you’re a bad guy and you’re ten feet away from the good guy, it’s always a good idea to, rather than shooting him from a manageable distance, rush forward and engage in some fruitful hand to hand combat. 

Don’t be deterred by the fact that the good guy will extend you no such courtesy should he find himself armed and 10 feet away. 

Extraction is a mild distraction

Park Avenue:  Money, Power, and the American Dream – 9

I decided I’d watch this documentary because I love New York city and have always wanted to live in Manhattan for 6 months, (but not right now).  I thought I would see what’s cooking at the hottest address in America.  Turns out a lot.  All I got out of this 2012 documentary was a pretty thorough explanation of how we got to where we are today.  Alex Gibney is now a legendary documentarian, but I’d never heard of this one.  I don’t know how to get you to sit through this.  I wish I did.  It’s important.  You’ll be shaking your head in disgust at the end of this – but I can’t predict which aspect you’ll be disgusted with. 

The Kominsky Method – 10

I am personally distressed that twice in the last month I have parked my car in the garage, unloaded it, and discovered hours later that I forgot to close my door.  Having just turned 67, I can’t decide whether or not the mental or the physical aspect of advancing age is starting to kick extra points on my butt more, but do I have to be sore every single morning?

These “creeping” dilemmas are beautifully addressed in this hilarious Michael Douglas/Alan Arkin Netflix series. It captures the good and the bad of the position in life many of us are finding ourselves.  Well written and acted with gusto by these two Oscar winning national treasures, if you can’t remember where you left your glasses or your keys, why you came into the room, or what you were just talking about, this is the series for you.  

Jerry Seinfeld – 8

It is safe to say the Jerry Seinfeld’s comedy has recently been impacted by the blistering success of his good friend Sebastian Maniscalco.  In his latest standup special of 60 minutes, he is a much more animated, physical stage presence than ever before.  I saw him a few years ago in New Orleans and it was worth it, but he was not like this at all.  Verbally he’s the same wry and brilliant observer of life, but you will probably have to adjust to the moving Jerry.  This special’s first half hour is rather tepid, but the last half hour, where he gets personal about his marriage is comedy gold.  At least it is if you’re married. 

Justified – 9

We are two seasons into this FX series of backwoods Kentucky Deputy Marshall Raylan Givens, played to the hilt by Timothy Olyphant.  Rayland killed a Miami drug lord in a shoot out and no one is happy about it.  The cartel isn’t happy so they are putting a target on his back.  His boss isn’t happy, so he transfers him back to his ole Kentucky home.  His new boss isn’t happy because he knows Raylan will soon be involved in some “justified” shootings.  His ex-wife isn’t happy to see him again, and his old buddy from high school and the coal mines who is now on the other side of the law isn’t thrilled with his presence.  The various families (including his own) that populate the area aren’t pleased to see him.  Other than that, everything is peachy.

Based on an Elmore Leonard series, it is Givens’ “cool” that carries the series.  I’m sure there are people out there who are this cool, but I haven’t met many of them.  

Devs – 9

This Nick Offerman offering (I just had to) on the USA network is every bit as bizarre as Netflix’s The OA, which is saying something I never thought I’d say.  What if you could develop a computer that was so strong it could look into the past.  And the future.  It’s all just bits, right?  Bring back the dead, decide who lives.  It’s all fun and games until it goes haywire

The Sinner (season 3) – 7

While it has its moments, this USA network series has the season 3 blahs as well.  It goes on too long and goes a little over the top.  When the detective is more bizarre than the murderer, you know things are going to get very weird.  

The Last Dance – 10

And lastly, how about the amazing Michael Jordan documentary?  Purportedly about his last season with the Chicago Bulls, it’s really a carefully constructed retrospective of his career.  It accomplishes a couple of things.  First, it hopefully puts to rest the “greatest of all time” argument.  I’ve been a basketball fan since I was a tiny tot and saw almost all of the greats other than Bob Petit and George Mikan.  Jordan is the best basketball player I’ve ever seen, and it’s not close.  Secondly, it’s a great picture of what an assassin he was.  He wanted to take the game-deciding shot.  He was hard on his teammates.  He knew what it took to win and was willing to do whatever it took. 

There are people like this, but they are few and far between.  I’ve known a few, and their intensity and focus, coupled with a hatred of defeat, make them great.  Nothing has been sadder than watching Sports Center with no sports to talk about, but The Last Dance has filled the void.

Lastly,

I’m a 25 year customer of Directv and Congress didn’t renew the law that allows me to watch network feeds of the east and west coast, which I loved (sorry WLOX) so as I ponder my next move a few comments on what I love about the streamers.

Hulu – Ties in with NBC, HBO, and FX among others make this an incredible service.

We have revisited episodes of Buffy, Firefly, Hill Street Blues, The Good Wife, Fargo, and Ally McBeal.  Talk about a deep bench!

Netflix – What a monster!  From shipping DVD’s to your doorstep to almost single handedly killing DVD’s in 10 easy years.  Between their purchases and their original content, one could plant themselves in a recliner and not leave it for years.  Netflix has changed the world.

Amazon Prime – Like Netflix, it must be nice to have unlimited funding, and there are many quality offerings available.

Disney + - Not just Disney movies, but Marvel, and Star Wars.  What could go wrong?  Nothing. 

The Networks – we’re hooked on Manifest, New Amsterdam, The Rookie (our third Nathan Fillion series- but we didn't like the season 1 cliff-hanger) and Late Night with Seth Meyers, but the truth is they continue to struggle versus the deep developmental pockets of their streaming rivals.  Not to mention that most of what is on the streamers is in Pristine 4k HDR which is stunning sight and sound and the networks and the satellites have fallen behind in picture quality.

The Pandemic has changed the world.  It will never be the same.  Streaming and Social Media have us in a death grip of adversarial chatter.  Wealth over Health.  I hope we make the right decisions or we’ll be in a season 3 of our own.