My family is coming…

I am pretty excited to be hosting some family members next weekend for a mini-reunion.  I haven’t seen my niece or nephew and their family members since last fall, so it’s high time.  There will be cookouts, s’mores and guitar strumming around our fire pit.  Fingers crossed for sunny days and starry skies.  Our mahjongg ladies are reconvening for a socially distanced lunch get-together and friends are coming to enjoy a socially distanced pizza and movie night.  In the meantime, here are some viewing suggestions for you:

Streaming

A Rainy Day in New York (1 h 32 m)  A young couple arrives in New York for a weekend where they are met with bad weather and a series of adventures.  Uh oh.  Possibly Woody Allen’s lamest film yet. Stars Timothee Chalamet, Elle Fanning, Liev Schreiber, Annaleigh Ashford, Jude Law, and Selena Gomez.  They should all be very embarrassed by their participation in this sadly terrible film. I watched out of sheer curiosity to see its great ensemble cast.  Weirdly, as is the norm, lead male performers end up channeling Woody Allen’s speech cadences.  How odd to see Jude Law sounding like Woody?  Even young Timothee has trouble not sounding a little Woodyish.

The Split (Seasons 1 &2, 12 episodes) The Defoes, a family of female divorce lawyers, are forced to face their past following the return of their estranged father after a 30 year absence.  Stars Nicola Walker, Stephen Mangan, Anthony Head.  I loved this British dramedy. alternately sad and very funny.

Captain Tom’s War (Documentary, 30 m) Former British Army Captain Tom Moore looks back on his time during the Second World War in the brutal Burma campaign, as a million Allied troops from forty nations attempted to repel the invading forces of Imperial Japan from the British colony over almost three years, between 1941 and 1944, in what has since become known as The Forgotten War.  What a life he has lived!  I loved this very short documentary.

HBO

** I’ll be Gone in the Dark (Docuseries: 6 episodes) Gripping examination of the unsolved crimes of the Golden State Killer who terrorized California in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Stars Amy Ryan, Patton Oswalt. Based on the book by Michelle McNamara and directed by Liz Garbus.

Spielberg (Documentary, 2 h 27 m) A documentary on Steven Spielberg, filmmaker.  Includes interviews with relatives, film critics, peers and people who have worked with him.  Great clips from all his films! An amazing life.

Trackers (5 episodes from South Africa) Action series featuring various stories of organized crime, diamond smuggling, Black Rhinos, the CIA and terrorism in CapeTown South Africa.  So unusual for US tv.  From the Cinemax network, known for action series.

Billions (Season 5, 12 episodes) There’s a new villain in town who faces off against Bobby Axelrod. Damian Lewis, Paul Giamatti, and the whole gang return with the addition of Corey Still as the new rival financier.  The cat and mouse game continues!!

Crave

Penny Dreadful: City of Angels  (10 episodes) When a grisly murder shocks Los Angeles in 1938, Detective Tiago Vega and his partner Lewis Michener become embroiled in an epic story that reflects the rich history of the city. Natalie Dormer, Rory Kinnear and Nathan Lane star.

Perry Mason  (8 episodes)  In booming 1932 Los Angeles, a down-and-out defense attorney takes on the case of a lifetime. Stars Matthew Rhys, Tatiana Maslany and Juliet Rylance.

FX

What We Do in the Shadows (Season 2, 10 episodes) Not as great as the movie, but still funny for vampire lovers.  A look into the daily (or rather, nightly) lives of three vampires, who’ve lived together for over 100 years, on Staten Island.

Netflix

Marcella (Season 3, 8 episodes) Eighteen months after the end of Season Two, Marcella has a new life as a deep undercover operative in Belfast, spying on a powerful family that’s running a shady business. Stars Anna Friel.  I loved this intricately plotted and always surprising series.

Eurovision Song Contest:The Story of Fire Saga (2 h 3 m) When aspiring Icelandic musicians Lars and Sigrit are given the opportunity to represent their country at the world’s biggest song competition, they finally have a chance to prove that any dream worth having is a dream worth fighting for.  Stars Will Ferrell, Rachel McAdams, Pierce Brosnan, Dan Stevens, Demi Lovato, Graham Norton.  I loved this supremely silly film.  If you’ve ever watched the actual Eurovision Song Contest, the production numbers in this film are actually understated. As I love all things Icelandic, I was truly tickled by this parody.  There actually is one song, Husavik, sung by McAdams with a little help from an off screen Icelandic singer named Molly Sanden that is terrific in the same way as the song from The Greatest Showman, This is Me .  Dan Stevens is wonderful as the Russian villain contest frontrunner.

Here are links to both terrific songs:

Husavik:

https://youtu.be/AvzotsxlJLI

This is Me:

https://youtu.be/CjxugyZCfuw

The Woods (6 episodes, in Polish with English subtitles) From the Harlan Coben crime thriller.  Paul Copeland is looking to solve the murder of his sister back in 1994.  I’m only two episodes in, but it’s dark and intriguing and I will stay with it.

NBC/Bell Media/CBC/Citytv/GlobalTV

Global Goal: Unite for our Future This very entertaining musical special followed the summit of European Nations in which $1.5 billion in cash grants and

$5.4 billion in loans and guarantees for a total of $6.9 billion were pledged to combat the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.  Canada has pledged $120 million for the ACT Accelarator, and $180 million for Covid-19 humanitarian and development aid. The US committed $545 million towards Covid-19 relief efforts. Among the participants in the show were: Dwayne Johnson, Coldplay, Jennifer Hudson, Justin Bieber, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Miley Cyrus, Shakira, Usher and many others.

PBS

Grantchester (5 seasons, 31 episodes) A Cambridgeshire clergyman finds himself investigating a series of mysterious wrongdoing in his small village of Grantchester.  A dishy vicar with a knack for solving crimes!!  Why are the idyllic villages of England so crime ridden?

Comic Relief 

Props to the comedians performing from their homes and backyards including Bill Maher, Samantha Bee, John Oliver, Seth Meyers, Colbert, Noah, etc.

Moment of Zen

CBS Sunday Morning has been on at 9 a.m. every Sunday morning on CBS for almost 50 years. I love this inspiring and informative program which always ends with a calming moment of nature.  Do yourself a favour, and start your Sunday viewing with this lovely show.

Closing Words

As life slowly begins to return to normal with patio dining, the reopening of hair and salons, etc.,  it’s wonderful to start doing simple things we used to be able to take for granted. I will be doing a little golfing this week and fortunately, our club now has carts with vinyl partitions now that allow unrelated golfers to share a cart.  The weather has been glorious for the past week, so my fingers are crossed for more great weather.

Here are some parting forwards for you:

Finally, for those interested in this gap between America and Canada on healthcare, I tried to spell it out a bit more in this video. Thank you for spreading this message. We need to break the U.S. free from the greed of the insurance industry. pic.twitter.com/pcSkyMj8ee

— Wendell Potter (@wendellpotter) June 26, 2020

A “Moment” to Warm the Heart

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  A grandson of slaves, a boy was born in a poor neighborhood of New Orleans known as the “Back of Town.” His father abandoned the family when the child was an infant. His mother became a prostitute and the boy and his sister had to live with their grandmother. Early in life he proved to be gifted for music and with three other kids he sang in the streets of New Orleans. His first gains were coins that were thrown to them. A Jewish family, Karnofsky, who had immigrated from Lithuania to the USA, had pity for the 7-year-old boy and brought him into their home. Initially giving ‘work’ in the house, to feed this hungry child.  There he remained and slept in this Jewish family’s home where, for the first time in his life, he was treated with kindness and tenderness. When he went to bed, Mrs. Karnovsky sang him a Russian Lullaby that he would sing with her. Later, he learned to sing and play several Russian and Jewish songs. Over time, this boy became the “adopted” son of this family (although not legally). The Karnofskys gave him money to buy his first musical instrument; as was the custom in the Jewish families. They sincerely admired his musical talent. Later, when he became a professional musician and composer, he used these Jewish melodies in compositions, such as St. James Infirmary and Go Down Moses.The little black boy grew up and wrote a book about this Jewish family who had adopted him in 1907. In memory of this family and until the end of his life, he wore a star of David and said that in this family, he had learned “how to live real life and determination.” You might recognize his name. This little boy was called: Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong. Louis Armstrong proudly spoke fluent Yiddish! And, some say that, “Satchmo” is Yiddish for “Big Cheeks”!!! Alas, many disagree about the term “Satchmo” as, apparently, it is not the Yiddish translation for “Big Cheeks.” It may have been “Satchel Mouth” shortened?  However, overall, the story is a winner! That’s the important part.

 

and….

On a serious note

 1. There are no bombs raining on our heads.

2. I am not a prisoner held in solitary confinement, as millions are.

3. I am not a refugee trying to escape with my life.

4. I am not standing in line waiting to fill a pot of water.

5. I have access to fresh food and I’m not starving.

6. I have hot running water.

7. My country has not been ruined by years of war.

8. I can reach my friends by phone and check in on them.

9. My friends check in on me because they care about me.

10. Any whiplash I feel about this strange turn of events is itself a sign of privilege.

11. More than half of the world would gladly trade their everyday problems for the modest inconveniences I am experiencing.

12. I may have anxious dreams but I’m dreaming them on a proper bed and I’m not sleeping on the sidewalk.

13. By staying at home, I’m helping the planet rest.

14. As long as I have my mind I can create, imagine, dream and not be lonely.

15. This global crisis connects me to people around the world and reminds me of our common humanity. This is a good thing.

16. When something tragic happens to another country next time, I will respond to it not with superiority, but humility and recognition.

17. I will fight for positive changes and economically just policies in my own country.

18. I am surrounded by books.

19. I am surrounded by love.

20. The trees have already begun to bloom.

Stay safe / Stay healthy

 

Father’s Day, David’s Birthday, Anniversary Celebrations….

We’re back in Toronto for the weekend.  We got to visit with my 96-year-old mother-in-law for the first time since we returned from Florida in March.  She napped through most of our visit which was held outside in blistering heat (we were separated by a wrought iron fence and we were at least 8 feet away from her).  We get to see our children today at a backyard BBQ at our son’s place where we will celebrate Father’s Day, David’s Birthday and our 47th wedding anniversary.  We are thrilled to be seeing everyone, even if it’s socially distanced.  I am off for a walk this morning with two girlfriends and we did the same yesterday.  Life is slowly returning to normal, even if it is with masks and no touching.  Here are some viewing recommendations for your week:

Streaming

Crawl (1 h 27 m) A young woman, while attempting to save her father during a category 5 hurricane, finds herself trapped in a flooding house and must fight for her life against hungry alligators.  I admit, I was forced to run screaming from the living room as I couldn’t withstand the assault on my senses.  My evil son Jon forced me to watch this with him as he gets a huge kick out of seeing me dissolve into hysterics.  For those who love to giggle through creature feature films.

The Trip to Greece (1 h 43 m) Actors Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan travel from Troy to Ithaca following in the footsteps of Odysseus.  For lovers of this series which includes The Trip, The Trip to Italy and The Trip to Spain.  Full of impressions of Michael Caine, Sean Connery, Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, Laurel and Hardy, etc.

Dirty John Season 2 (8 episodes) The true story of Betty Broderick, who shot and killed her ex-husband and his new wife after being driven to the point of madness.  He left her after she supported him through college degrees in Law and Medicine.

Baby Teeth (1 h 58 m) Milla, a seriously ill teenager falls in love with a drug dealer, Moses, her parents worst nightmare.  Starring Ben Mendelsohn, Essie Davis, and Eliza Scanlen.  Incredibly touching!  Ben Mendelsohn (Animal Kingdom) and Essie Davis (Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries) are wonderful as the parents and Eliza Scanlen is lovely as Milla. I loved this little film.

Crave

Love Life (10 episodes) Anna Kendrick stars in a fresh take on a romantic comedy anthology series about the journey from first love to lasting love, and how the people we’re with along the way make us into who we are when we finally end up with someone forever.

Billions (Season 5, 12 episodes) There’s a new villain in town who faces off against Bobby Axelrod. Damian Lewis, Paul Giamatti, and the whole gang return with the addition of Corey Still as the new rival financier.  The cat and mouse game continues!!

FX

What We Do in the Shadows (Season 2, 10 episodes) Not as great as the movie, but still funny for vampire lovers.  A look into the daily (or rather, nightly) lives of three vampires, who’ve lived together for over 100 years, on Staten Island.

HBO

**Perry Mason (8 episodes) Debuts tonight! In booming 1932 Los Angeles, a down-and-out defense attorney takes on the case of a lifetime. Stars Matthew Rhys, Tatiana Maslany and Juliet Rylance.

Trackers (5 episodes from South Africa) Action series featuring various stories of organized crime, diamond smuggling, Black Rhinos, the CIA and terrorism in CapeTown South Africa.  So unusual for US tv.  From the Cinemax network, known for action series.

Penny Dreadful: City of Angels (10 episodes) When a grisly murder shocks Los Angeles in 1938, Detective Tiago Vega and his partner Lewis Michener become embroiled in an epic story that reflects the rich history of the city. Natalie Dormer, Rory Kinnear and Nathan Lane star.

Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn (1 h 34 m) A look at the life and work of New York power broker Roy Cohn. Directed by Ivy Meeropol, granddaughter of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg who were prosecuted by Cohn, ultimately receiving the death penalty for espionage. Among Cohn’s very notable friends and clients, Donald Trump.

HGTV

Home Town (4 seasons, 49 episodes) Ben and Erin Napier work with each other to change old homes into dream homes in the town of Laurel, Mississippi.  I love this sweet show which is very much about community building as well as displaying the incredible talents of this couple who do way more than just renovate houses.  They are rebuilding a declining town, one house at a time.  It has become my go-to safe place during the pandemic as each show is extremely comforting and inspiring.

Netflix

Da Five Bloods (2 h 34 m) Four African American vets battle the forces of man and nature when they return to Vietnam seeking the remains of their fallen squad leader and the gold fortune he helped them hide.  Full disclosure:  I am not a huge Spike Lee fan.  I find his films heavy handed and overly messaged.  This contrived story never felt real to me and I admit that I didn’t last through the whole story, so I probably missed the big payoff at the end.  Great performance from Clarke Peters and Delroy Lindo are both cast standouts.

Into The Night (6 episodes) When a mysterious cosmic disaster strikes Earth, survivors on an overnight flight from Brussels race to find refuge and escape the sun’s rays.  Again, forced by my son Jon to watch this sci fi film, I was delighted to find it extremely original and well done.  An international cast headed by Laurent Capelluto (whom some may recognize as the Gallic Mr. Bean character from the French mystery series Black Spot).  I loved this series!

The Politician (Season 2, 7 episodes) Payton continues his political climb, running for the New York State legislature.  Ben Platt, Judith Light, Bette Midler star.  Delightful political satire from Ryan Murphy.

PBS

Grantchester (5 seasons, 31 episodes) A Cambridgeshire clergyman finds himself investigating a series of mysterious wrongdoing in his small village of Grantchester.  A dishy vicar with a knack for solving crimes!!  Why are the idyllic villages of England so crime ridden?

YouTube

Saturday Night Seder (1 h 11 m) I came late to this Passover celebration which was produced to raise funds for the CDC Foundation’s Coronavirus Emergency Response Fund.  Passover stories and songs are performed by an all-star cast that includes Pamela Adlon, Jason Alexander, Reza Aslan, Mayim Bialik, Rachel Brosnhan, Andy Cohen, Darren Criss, Fran Drescher, Cynthia Erivo, and many others.  Loved it!

Comic Relief 

Props to the comedians performing from their homes and backyards including Bill Maher, Samantha Bee, John Oliver, Seth Meyers, Colbert, Noah, etc.

Moment of Zen

CBS Sunday Morning has been on at 9 a.m. every Sunday morning on CBS for almost 50 years. I love this inspiring and informative program which always ends with a calming moment of nature.  Do yourself a favour, and start your Sunday viewing with this lovely show.

Closing Words

Lots of golf this week as I am actually playing in a Ladies Day at Lambton, our city golf club.  Seeing friends to celebrate our anniversary on the actual day!  The weather has been very summery and thank goodness, we got our air conditioning working yesterday after spending a very sticky night in our condo when we arrived on Friday.  Enjoy the week wherever you are.  Here are some surprising words of leadership from Arnold Schwarzenegger to carry you through your week:

My boys are here…

After not seeing my two sons since March, it has been delightful to have them both here (plus two gigantic dogs) for the weekend. We have been out walking with them and of course hunkering down to watch some TV together. We have consumed copious quantities of food and drink and just enjoyed each others’ company. Here are some viewing recommendations for you:

Netflix

The Night Clerk (1 h 30 m) Voyeuristic hotel clerk becomes the subject of a murder investigation. Stars Tye Sheridan, Ana de Armas, Helen Hunt, John Leguizamo. This is a very understated little suspense film about a young man with Asperger’s syndrome who becomes a murder suspect.  Keeps you wondering right up until the last moment.

Amazon Prime

The Poison Tree (2 episodes) A haunted woman will go to any lengths necessary to protect her family and the secrets she keeps from them.  Incredibly soapy little miniseries, but it does star Matthew Goode (Downton Abbey, The Good Wife).  Very wacky plot line with someone who does actually come back from the dead!

Line of Duty (also titled Ligne d’attaque on IMDB) Not the really good British series, but the 2019 American film directed by Steven C. Miller. This unintentionally relevant action film starring Aaron Elkhart, Giancarlo Esposito and Ben Mackenzie shows what happens when a police officer’s actions are caught on camera as he tracks a kidnapper. At one point the officer turns on the teenage reporter who is pursuing him and tells her how police have to make split second decisions when confronting subjects with guns. This movie was almost universally panned when it came out, but somehow in the wake of the Floyd George killing it may have gained some traction. I loved seeing Ben Mackenzie who was so valiant as Jim Gordon on Gotham play an irredeemable villain in this.

CBC Gem

Luther Season 5 (4 episodes) I hadn’t watched this series in ages but came back to catch up with it recently. Idris Elba stars as a very tough London detective. He’s always very watchable.

Streaming

Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian (Season 1, Episode 7) This behind the scenes look at the making of the series The Mandalorian  focuses on the musical score behind the series.  The award winning Swedish composer/producer Ludwig Gunnarson takes us through the composing and scoring process of the terrific music behind the series.

Dirty John Season 2 (8 episodes) The true story of Betty Broderick, who shot and killed her ex-husband and his new wife after being driven to the point of madness.  He left her after she supported him through college where he earned both a M.D. and a law degree from Harvard Law School.

The King of Staten Island (2 h 16 m)  Scott has been a case of arrested development since his firefighter dad died. He spends his days smoking weed and dreaming of being a tattoo artist until events force him to grapple with his grief and take his first steps forward in life.  A little long and slow, but very sweet in the end. Stars Pete Davidson (who I hate on SNL but actually like in this), Marisa Tomei, Bill Burr.

Stateless (6 episodes from Australia) Inspired by true events; a woman escaping a cult, a refugee fleeing with this family, a father trapped in a dead-end job, and a bureaucrat on the verge of a national scandal find their lives intertwined in an immigration detention centre. We got back to this series after pausing it mid-episode 1, as I simply couldn’t handle the sadness. After watching all 6 episodes, I have to say it is very worthwhile. You will never look at the refugee crisis, asylum seekers, etc. again without feeling more empathy for their struggle. Produced by Cate Blanchett it has a great cast that includes Blanchett, Dominic West and Yvonne Strahovski. Heartbreaking.

PBS

Prince Albert: A Victorian Hero Revealed (60 m) Examines Prince Albert’s role in shaping British culture, governmental policy and international relations in Victorian Britain. For those of you chomping at the bit for more episodes of Victoria.

*Grantchester ( Returns tonight for Season 5, 6 episodes) Tom Britney is the new dishy vicar with a knack for solving crimes.  Robson Green is his amiable police detective friend. In episode 1, when a dead student from a prestigious all female college is found dead, Will and Geordie must infiltrate the murky world of campus politics and university societies.

**Beecham House (Debuts tonight on Masterpiece Theatre; 6 episodes) I watched this very British period drama earlier this year.  A look at the lives of residents living in a Delhi mansion during the cusp of 19th Century British colonialism.  Stars a very swashbuckling Tom Bateman.  If you long for a British historical costume drama, this is your show! Mysteries abound.

HBO

Trackers (5 episodes from South Africa) Action series featuring various stories of organized crime, diamond smuggling, Black Rhinos, the CIA and terrorism in CapeTown South Africa.  So unusual for US tv.  From the Cinemax network, known for action series.

 

Penny Dreadful: City of Angels (10 episodes) When a grisly murder shocks Los Angeles in 1938, Detective Tiago Vega and his partner Lewis Michener become embroiled in an epic story that reflects the rich history of the city. Natalie Dormer, Rory Kinnear and Nathan Lane star.

I Know This Much is True (7 episodes) Middle-aged Dominick Birdsey recounts his troubled relationship with Thomas, his paranoid schizophrenic twin brother, and his efforts to get him released from an asylum. Starring Mark Ruffalo, Archie Panjabi, Juliette Lewis, Rosie O’Donnell, Melissa Leo, Kathryn Hahn, etc. From the Wally Lamb novel.

Crave

Love Life (10 episodes) Anna Kendrick stars in a fresh take on a romantic comedy anthology series about the journey from first love to lasting love, and how the people we’re with along the way make us into who we are when we finally end up with someone forever.

Billions (Season 5, 12 episodes) There’s a new villain in town who faces off against Bobby Axelrod. Damian Lewis, Paul Giamatti, and the whole gang return with the addition of Corey Still as the new rival financier.  The cat and mouse game continues!!

FX

What We Do in the Shadows (Season 2, 10 episodes) Not as great as the movie, but still funny for vampire lovers.  A look into the daily (or rather, nightly) lives of three vampires, who’ve lived together for over 100 years, on Staten Island.

Comic Relief

Props to the comedians performing from their homes and backyards including Bill Maher, Samantha Bee, John Oliver, Seth Meyers, Colbert, Noah, etc.

Moment of Zen

I am watching CBS Sunday Morning while I write this morning. They just had a heart warming segment on two millennials who run Movie Clubs for seniors in Long Term Care homes.  I am missing my Florida movie club members and long for the days of being able to discuss movies in person with my friends. As well, there are intriguing segments on choosing a Biden running mate, Melania Trump, Ron and Bryce Dallas Howard, and creating nature scenes in miniature.

Closing Words

Although it’s unusually chilly this weekend, there have been beautiful blue skies.  This week  promises some golf, a walk on the Bruce Trail, and a possible get-together with my Mahj group, even if it’s only for tea and catching up.  Here are some uplifting words and videos for you:

They’re Back! Those wonderful Church Bulletins! Thank God for the church ladies with typewriters. These sentences appeared in church bulletins or announcements.

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The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.   
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Scouts  are saving aluminium cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.  
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The sermon this morning: ‘Jesus Walks on the Water.’The sermon tonight:‘Searching for Jesus.’  
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Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands. 
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Don’t let worry kill you off – let the Church help.   
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Miss Charlene Mason sang ‘I will not pass this way again,’ giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.   
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For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs.   
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Next Thursday there will be try-outs for the choir. They need all the help they can get.   
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Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.  
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A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.   
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At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be ‘What Is Hell?’ Come early and listen to our choir practice. 
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Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones. 
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Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered. 
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The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.  
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Pot-luck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM – prayer and medication to follow.
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The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.  
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This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.  
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The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday   
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Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM . Please use the back door.  
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The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare’s Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.

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Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.

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The Associate Minister unveiled the church’s new campaign slogan last Sunday:’I Upped My Pledge – Up Yours.’

 

Trying not to obsess over the images from the U.S….

It’s been a bit of an odd week.  The news on TV has been overwhelmingly distressing in its coverage of the aftermath of the Floyd George killing. I played some decidedly unsatisfying golf with some lovely people where I was forced to walk the golf course instead of my usually relaxing drive in a cart because of Covid restrictions.  I had a lovely afternoon with some good friends relaxing on a porch visit. I have waged ceaseless war with the squirrels and chipmunks who have nothing better to do than forage for food all day long from my well stocked bird feeders. Today we are having some friends over for a fireside brunch and then we are treating ourselves to a Prime Rib dinner from our local Scotch emporium (The Dam Pub) which we are delivering to friends and hoping to consume in their beautiful backyard along the Beaver River. Sadly the temperature is a bit on the chilly side today, but the sky is blue and there is no rain in the forecast.  Now for some viewing recommendations:

Crave

Laurel Canyon: A Place in Time (2 episodes) This documentary pulls back the curtain on a mythical musical world and provides an up-close look at the lives of the musicians who inhabited it. There are wonderful interviews and archival footage of the many musicians including The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash (and sometimes Young), The Mamas and The Papas, The Monkees, The Eagles, etc. in the late sixties. A nostalgic trip to that age of Flower Power.

Love Life (10 episodes) Anna Kendrick stars in a fresh take on a romantic comedy anthology series about the journey from first love to lasting love, and how the people we’re with along the way make us into who we are when we finally end up with someone forever.

CBC Gem

White House Farm (6 episodes, from the UK) This series revolves around the true story of a fateful night in August 1985 when five members of the same family are murdered at an Essex farmhouse, and the ensuing police investigation and court case that follows.  Stars Freddie Fox, Alexa Davies, Mark Addy, Gemma Whelan, Stephen Graham.  Dark and gritty.

Netflix

Black Spot (2 seasons, 17 episodes, in French with English subtitles) A police chief and an eccentric new prosecutor investigate a string of grisly crimes and eerie phenomena in  an isolated town at the edge of a forest.  The French do a very good job at creating eerily suspenseful stories in weirdly isolated towns.  If you enjoyed Les Revenants (The Returned) you will love this one set in the very mysterious Villefranche.

Amazon Prime

Homecoming (Season 2, 7 episodes) Second season of a series centered around the mysterious Geist Group, an unconventional wellness company and their equally unorthodox program, the Homecoming Initiative.  Stars Janelle Monae and Chris Cooper.  I found this season to be very hard to engage with. It stars with a woman waking up in a canoe – with no memory of how she got there, or even who she is.  Very mysterious.

Apple TV Plus

Trying (8 episodes) All Jason and Nikki want is a baby, but it’s the one thing they just can’t have. So, they decide to adopt.  With their dysfunctional friends, screwball family, and chaotic lives will the adoption panel think they’re ready to be parents?  Rafe Spall and Imelda Staunton star. Delightful!

Documentary Channel

Bang: The Bert Berns Story (1 h 34 m) I must admit, I did at first wonder if this was a mockumentary about the  music business as it consisted of so many talking heads, however once I got over my doubts, I was engaged by this story of music meets the mob.  It’s a biography of ’60’s hitmaker and 2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Bert Berns. As both a composer and producer he was responsible for a string of hits in the ’60’s.  Great archival footage of the era.

What’s With the Jews? (documentary, 60 m) A great summary of why people tend to dislike and envy Jews.  Their contribution to humanity is enormous, unique and exceedingly difficult to explain. How does .02% of the world’s population produce so many prominent musicians, architects, lawyers, doctors, journalists, comedians and directors. Watch to find out.

AMC

Killing Eve (Season 3, 8 episodes) After Eve is shot by Villanelle, she’s trying to move on.  Villanelle is also moving on, until she is approached by someone from her past.  Carolyn is being undermined at work and Kenny is looking for more information about the 12. Starring Sandra Oh, Jodie Comer, Fiona Shaw Harriet Walter.  The cat and mouse game continues.

HBO

Penny Dreadful: City of Angels (10 episodes) When a grisly murder shocks Los Angeles in 1938, Detective Tiago Vega and his partner Lewis Michener become embroiled in an epic story that reflects the rich history of the city. Natalie Dormer, Rory Kinnear and Nathan Lane star.

I Know This Much is True (7 episodes) Middle-aged Dominick Birdsey recounts his troubled relationship with Thomas, his paranoid schizophrenic twin brother, and his efforts to get him released from an asylum. Starring Mark Ruffalo, Archie Panjabi, Juliette Lewis, Rosie O’Donnell, Melissa Leo, Kathryn Hahn, etc. From the Wally Lamb novel.

Crave

Billions (Season 5, 12 episodes) There’s a new villain in town who faces off against Bobby Axelrod. Damian Lewis, Paul Giamatti, and the whole gang return with the addition of Corey Still as the new rival financier.  The cat and mouse game continues!!

CTV

Transplant  (13 episodes) Canadian! An ER doctor, who fled his native Syria to come to Canada must overcome numerous obstacles to resume a career in the high stakes world of emergency medicine.  Transplant refers to a Syrian transplanted to Canada, not to the medical term.  Stars John Hannah, Torri Higginson, Hamza Haq and a host of Canadian actors. So far, I have found this show to be extraordinarily touching.

FX

Mrs America (9 episodes) Conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly leads an unexpected fight against the Equal Rights Amendment movement during the 1970’s. Stars Uzo Aduba, Elizabeth Banks Cate Blanchett, Rose Byrne.  Great cast!!!

What We Do in the Shadows (Season 2, 10 episodes) Not as great as the movie, but still funny for vampire lovers.  A look into the daily (or rather, nightly) lives of three vampires, who’ve lived together for over 100 years, on Staten Island.

Comic Relief

Props to the comedians performing from their homes and backyards including Bill Maher, Samantha Bee, John Oliver, Seth Meyers, Colbert, Noah, etc.

Moment of Zen

Still anticipating watching this morning’s episode of CBS Sunday Morning.  Today’s features include looks at how America has changed in the eyes of the world; the week’s protests against police violence; racism and white privilege; and an interview with SNL star Pete Davidson who is promoting his new , mostly-autobiographical movie  “The King of Staten Island.”

Closing Words

After a week of being horrified by the images of protests against police brutality coming from the US, I long for escape. This week of social and political upheaval; of protests peaceful and violent; of eulogies and photo ops; and of cries for justice and change have made me appreciate all the more the opportunity to escape into stories of a more peaceful and simpler time.  I leave you with two videos sent by a friend this morning.  Hopefully you will find them as uplifting as I did.