Margo’s Got Money Troubles, S1 — Apple TV | The debut novel I reviewed was better, but props to Elle Fanning for her comfort level with on-screen nudity! I enjoyed Michelle Pfeiffer’s performance as well, but the mom is not so forgiving in the book. Another character, a love interest spawned by Margo’s OnlyFans work, was excluded entirely, but I think may figure prominently in a season 2, which will have to create story far beyond the book.
ESPN Jeopardy — Hulu | Really enjoyed this twist on the classic game, featuring ESPN personalities and some other celebs asking questions in sports-only categories. I was pretty damn good at it, I must say, but the champion (no spoilers) after 10 episodes really did earn the trophy!
How to Get to Heaven from Belfast — Netflix | This follow-up mystery from the creator of Derry Girls didn’t have quite the same charm, but it was fun to watch as a family in the waning weeks of summer. Subtitles are a must for the brogue.
Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder | I got a little overly excited after watching the first couple episodes of the Little House on the Prairie remake on Netflix with Greta, so thought I’d see what made the books so enduring. It was fun reading about Midwestern prairie life in the 1930s, but I’m not a pre-teen girl so won’t be finishing the books.
The Same Door by John Updike | I’m not even sure how I obtained this early 1950’s short story collection but it gathered dust for years until I cracked it open this month and was reminded once again what good writers can do. Superlative stuff.
Partita by Barbara Kingsolver | I begged for an advance copy of this October novel from the publicist — Kingsolver’s first since winning the fiction Pulitzer for Demon Copperhead last year — and was rewarded with a lovely story about the power of piano music, the barriers of class in our society, and living with regrets.
Supergirl — Amazon | New character, same super problem. How to make any plot interesting when the protagonist is omnipotent? It didn’t help that Carey kept calling her “Stupidgirl” because of her poor decision making — repeatedly telling actress Milly Alcock that she should use her laser eyes all the time to mitigate risk.
Spider-Man: Homecoming/Far From Home/No Way Home — Disney+ | In preparation for Spider-Man: Brand New Day in theaters, Carey and I binged all three of Tom Holland’s movies about the web-slinger from 2017, 2019 and 2021. Thumbs up for the first and third, but the second, set overseas with Jake Gyllenhaall playing Mysterio, was pretty bad.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day — Theatrical | A little long, but enjoyable. It was more fun watching immediately after re-viewing the rest of the Tom Holland movies. The trailer made it seem like Scorpion was going to be a bigger problem, but I guess that’s because they didn’t want to spoil the big reveal. Looking forward to the X-Men reboot!
Greenland 2: Migration — HBO | I’ll admit I dozed a bit during this one on a Friday night, but what I saw wasn’t super compelling. It lacked the end-of-the-world feel that made the original so propulsive and the stakes feel so high.
Elevation — Hulu | The actress from the Greenland movies, Morena Baccarin, stars in this made-for-Hulu drivel, along with Anthony Mackie, as the father of a young boy with a lung disease. Both have the misfortune of living in a world where monsters have wiped out anyone in the human race who lives 8,000’ or less below sea level. What to do when the son needs medicine that can only be found “below the line?” You really don’t need to watch for an answer.
The Christophers — Amazon | Never saw this 2025 Soderbergh film starring Ian McKellen, so was happy to see it surface on Amazon. I got a little lost in the plot at one point and was unsure who did what to which set of paintings, but Wikipedia explained it all to me so I’ll give it 3 out of 5 stars. McKellen is a giant.
At last, The Christophers review! Arguably, the lack of clarity regarding authorship is a boon to a film that is about forgery. Is 3/5 an Ebert thumbs up? A lot of variety this month!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to say, yes, Roger would give it a thumbs up at 3 outta 5. Did you guys watch Margo? That's the book I mailed you years ago, right?
ReplyDeleteHaven't watched the show but read the book you sent. (Still have it on my shelf if you want it back!) I liked the book and don't feel compelled to watch the show, other than to compare it to the book. Your tepid review did not convince me.
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