It’s a countdown week for us as we return to Ontario on Dec. 5. Looking forward to enjoying our last days in the Florida balmyness. Some fitness, some golf, my movie club, my book club, a theatrical outing and a bunch of dinners out with friends. In the meantime, here are some viewing suggestions for you:
On the Big Screen
The Fabelmans (2 h 31 m) Growing up in post-WWII era Arizona, young Sammy Fabelman aspires to become a filmmaker as he reaches adolescence, but soon discovers a shattering family secret and explores how the power of film can help him see the truth. Stars Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Judd Hirsch, Seth Rogen, Jeannie Berlin, and in cameos, Greg Grunberg and David Lynch. I loved this wonderful coming of age movie in which director Steven Spielberg revisits his growing up in an extraordinary family and his development as a filmmaker. At age 75 Spielberg is still producing very high quality films in an age where derivative super-heroes have become the main driver of content made for the big screen. I loved this movie! It was the audience favourite at the Toronto Film Festival and will likely be a nominee at this year’s Oscars.
Live on Stage At the Gulfshore Playhouse
Steel Magnolias (which we are seeing today) was originally produced as a film starring Shirley Maclaine, Olympia Dukakis, Sally Field and Julia Roberts. It’s a story about the connections we forge with others, in times of joy and sadness. Looking forward to it!
ABC
Abbott Elementary (Season 2, 22 episodes) This very sweet mockumentary follows a group of teachers brought together in one of the worst public schools in the country, simply because they love teaching. Great characters and dialogue!
Jeopardy – is back Mon – Fri, Ken Jennings is the permanent regular host, all is well with the world!!! The Tournament of Champions is over! Matt and Mattea have been eliminated, but Amy just won three games in the championship finals! The show continues with a new super contestant Chris Pannullo who has won 15 games so far!! I can’t wait for the most enthralling show on TV to continue.
Apple
Shantaram (12 episodes, based on the 2003 novel by Gregory David Roberts) I read this book on my trip to India in 2009, and found it way too long, so I’m not surprised that this sprawling novel will take 12 episodes to spin its tale. Having watched the first three episodes, all I can say is that Charlie Hunnam’s dialogue coach should be fired for letting him use the worst faux Australian accent I have ever heard. The story briefly is of a heroin addict incarcerated for a robbery who escapes prison and reinvents himself as a doctor in the slums of Bombay; his ties to the crime underworld there lead him to Afghanistan where he partners with a mob boss locked in a battle with Russian criminals. Accent aside, Hunnam is a great choice for the role.
The Mosquito Coast (Season 2, 10 episodes) The second season just began airing. We are still following the dangerous journey of a radical idealist and brilliant inventor, Allie Fox, who uproots his family for Mexico when they suddenly find themselves on the run from the US government. Justin Theroux and Melissa George star. Still very suspenseful and fast paced.
Spirited (2 h 7 m, but seemed much longer) A musical version of Charles Dickens’s story of a miserly misanthrope who is taken on a magical journey. So weird! Huge production numbers that seem to go on forever! A story that could have been aimed at children but has so much naughty language in it that many parents will be horrified. Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell give it their all with their singing and dancing. Watch for Judi Dench in a hilarious cameo role. I am at a bit of a loss on this fever dream of a Christmas story. Remember that I warned you about the language if you decide to sit down and watch it with young children.
Echo 3 (10 episodes) When Amber Chesborough goes missing along the Colombia-Venezuela border, her brother and her husband struggle to find her against the backdrop of a secret war. From the same production team as The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark 30. Echo 3 is adapted from the Israeli series Where Heroes Fly. I’ve seen the first three episodes so far and they have been thrilling subversive action entertainment. Michael Huisman, Luke Evans and Jessica Ann Collins star in the leading roles. If you long for a suspenseful series, this may be your show.
Disney
Andor (Season 1, 12 episodes) Prequel series to Star Wars’ Rogue One. In an era filled with danger, deception and intrigue, Cassian will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a Rebel hero. Stars Diego Luna, Stellan Skarsgard, Genevieve O’Reilly, Anton Lesser, Alastair Mackenzie, Fiona Shaw, Ben Miles and many others. Frankly, I’m not a huge Star Wars fan, but you don’t really have to be one to enjoy this. Think of it as a Mandalorian (which I loved) without the cuteness of Baby Yoda.
HBO/HBO Max
Pennyworth (30 episodes) The origin story of Alfred Pennyworth, a former special-forces soldier living in London and how he came to work for Bruce Wayne’s father. I love this dark alternate universe story!
The White Lotus (Season 2, 7 episodes) The resort is in Sicily now. Jennifer Coolidge returns with a new cast that includes F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hollander, Michael Imperioli, Theo James, Aubrey Plaza, etc.) Enjoy!!!
The Sex Lives of College Girls (Season 2) While grappling with their new status as campus narcs, Bela starts an all-female comedy mag, Whitney embarks on the soccer off-season, and Kimberly explores ways to make up for her lost scholarship – with unexpected help from Leighton. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this series last year which is a creation from Mindy Kaling’s production team. A great coming of age story. Loving it!
NBC
New Amsterdam (Season 5, 7 episodes listed so far) Maudlin TV returns. Now Max is mourning the loss of his relationship with Helen, there’s a Bollywood salute, Iggy has a new autistic patient, etc. I can’t look away.
Law & Order (Season 22) Dick Wolf’s original series has now returned for yet another season. Dear friends watch this show religiously, because it’s apparently very satisfying for most loyal viewers to have a drama that neatly resolves most episodes within a one-hour format, dealing with both the arrest and legal proceedings in a timely fashion. Wolf is unabashedly pro-police and the series plots are often stolen from the headlines. I love Hugh Dancy as the lead prosecutor and have always enjoyed Jeffrey Donovan who often plays villains, so I’m willing to go along with this series as it’s often very soothing.
Netflix
Dead to Me (Season 3, 10 episodes) The painful aftermath of the hit-and-run brings up bad memories for Jen as Judy receives shocking news about Steve. Ben pieces his memory back together. This very black comedy returns for a third season and I totally binged it! Incredible sadness amongst the joy as one of the characters (played by Linda Cardellini) deals with a terminal diagnosis, and the other lead (played by Christina Applegate) has been diagnosed in real life with multiple sclerosis. Watch for a great supporting turn for James Marsden in his twin brothers role.
Making Athena (1 h) This is the behind the scenes Documentary about the making of Athena by director Romain Gavras. Gavras is seen directing scenes of incredible ferocious action and fury sets the tone for the film which examines the racism, inequality and police violence that wreak havoc on France’s communities of color. The filming of the open sequence, one the is shot in a pronounced single take that emphasizes its impressive craftsmanship. First watch Athena, then watch this documentary.
1899 (8 episodes too many!) Multinational immigrants traveling from the old continent to the new encounter a nightmarish riddle aboard a second ship adrift on the open sea. From the German creators of Dark. One interesting facet of this show is the multi-national cast of characters who each speak their own language. There are many mysteries in this series, and honestly, by the last episode, I was plumb worn out. If you watch for Anton Lesser’s character it is amazing how he plays a very similar role to his character in Andor. Otherwise, watch at your own risk. I am sad about the 8 hours of my life that I will never get back.
PBS
Miss Scarlet and the Duke (Season two, 6 episodes) Eliza Scarlet joins forces with a Scotland Yard Inspector to solve crime in 19th C. London (completed last week, but available with subscription passport to PBS)
Annika (7 episodes) The sharp. witty and enigmatic Di Anika Strandhed, as she heads up a new specialist Marine Homicide Unit (MHU) that is tasked with investigating the unexplained, brutal, and seemingly unfathomable murders.
Magpie Murders (6 episodes) Editor Susan Ryeland gets drawn into a we of intrigue and murder when she receives Alan Conway’s unfinished manuscript of an Atticus Pund mystery. Stars Lesley Manville. (completed least week, but available with subscription passport to PBS)
Peacock
Shadowland (Documentary, 6 episodes) Investigate conspiracy theories and explore the life-changing impact they’re having on supporters and those caught in the crosshairs, to discover whether truth as we’ve known it can survive in the 21st century. This series was based on a series of articles in The Atlantic and frankly, I found it almost unbearably sad to watch.
Paramount
Yellowstone (Season 5, 14 episodes) John Dutton is sworn in as Governor of Montana; as John settles into the powers of his new office, he takes bold moves to protect the Yellowstone from his opponents. All the soap opera elements are back as Beth is blackmailing Jamie, Kayce mourns the loss of a baby, Beth and Rip continue their inexplicable raunchy marriage, etc.
Prime
The People We Hate at the Wedding (1 h 39 m) Family tensions ramp up among siblings in the week leading up to their half-sister’s wedding in the country. Such talent was wasted in this very silly rom com. Among them Allison Janney, Ben Plat, Kristen Bell, Adam Godley, Randall Park, Lizzy Caplan, Tony Goldwyn. Just awful!!!
Streaming
Disenchanted (1 h 59 m) Fifteen years after her happily ever after, Giselle questions her happiness, inadvertently turing the lives of those in the real world and Andalasia upside down in the process. Stars Amy Adms, Patrick Dempsey, Maya Rudolph, Idina Menzel and the delightfully talented James Marsden in another supporting role. This is one incredibly bloated musical fairy tale, but I think the whole family can watch it if your kids and grandkids can stand endless production numbers. Completely kooky and nonsensical, watch at your own risk.
Special Mention
I still try to maintain my Sunday morning ritual of watching CBS Sunday Morning, the most enjoyable newsmagazine show on the air which has been airing since 1979. Now hosted by Jane Pauley, this venerable series never ceases to delight, inform and entertain with its stories about current events, celebrities, and human interest. I feel better each Sunday for having watched it. Kind of like 60 Minutes lite (which I also watch). I also regularly record and watch Stephen Colbert, Bill Maher, John Oliver and Trevor Noah (who just announced his impending departure after 7 seasons) to keep up to date with the news filtered through humour.
Closing Words
Looking forward to another beautiful week in the Sunshine State. I leave you with a wonderful enjoyable piece of content gleaned from the Internet:
What's Lorraine watching? 