Tommy

Paul Attanasio (Bull) has a new series on CBS starring Edie Falco (Avatar 2). She was a NY cop and only 1 of 3 women in the US with the experience to run an entire police system for a large city like LA. The major of LA is forced to hire a woman after the last chief and several cops where implicated in a scandal. Thomas Sadoski (Newsroom) is the major. The new chief also is dealing with mending the relationship with her daughter. When her daughter was a teen they had an argument. Her daughter wanted to move from NY to LA to live with her father - Edie's character said okay and the daughter resents her for it. All in all, I say: SEE IT - so far so good.

Knives Out

Rian Johnson (Brick) wrote and directed this mystery/comedy. He has a great way of intertwining a tale. I am a huge fan of his film noir movie - Brick. This is a movie with an Agatha Christie kind of feel and a little Murder by Death added it to. The camera work and the actors in this really bring it home. A wealthy, successful writer is murdered. Everyone is a suspect. A famous detective comes to help solve the case with the locals. Daniel Craig (Bond), Chris Evans (Avengers), Jamie Lee Curtis (Halloween), Michael Shannon (Waco), Don Johnson (Miami Vice), Toni Collette (Sixth Sense), and LeKeith Stanfield (Atlanta) all star. It has a great twist, an interesting medical condition, and a dark humour. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Krab Kingz

A new seafood place in Lawrenceville near Frida's. It's Cajun. The only thing I can eat there are the Cajun seasoning fries - good - and cocktail shrimp. Everything else has dairy. All in all, I say: TRY IT

Russell Peters: Deported

He does a stand up show for Amazon. It's not bad. It's not great either. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Leslie Jones: Time Machine

She does a very physical stand up show for Netflix. It has long pauses or sequences that aren't funny. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Rob Delaney: Jackie

He does a stand up show in London for Amazon. He sweats a lot and it's kind of distracting. He talks about gross guy stuff too. Some of it is good. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Aeronauts

I decided to break down and watch this on Amazon. When they say based on a true adventure - they mean very loosely - like hardly. Felicity Jones and Eddie Redmayne (Theory of everything) pair up again for the tale of an entertainer and a scientist going up in a balloon to do an experiment. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - they are good actors, but it's not that special a film.

An American in Paris

This old sing and dance movie is a classic. It's a story about love. It's long, but not bad. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Swing Time

The dancing duo meet and fall in love in this old black and white movie. The dancing is good - the plot sucks. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

A chef - that I don't know - spends the day with a famous person - knew most of them - and they eat. The star takes him to a place for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They talk about a lot of different things, but especially food. It's a series on Netflix. It's good. I was surprised. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Nightflyers

This science fiction show on SYFY that seemed like it might have potential, but it's just strange. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Messiah

Michelle Monaghan (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) is with the CIA and she thinks this guy who claims to be a Messiah is really a terrorist who has something "up his sleeve". I'm not into religious stuff, but I was curious to see where it was all going. He doesn't ever really do anything until the end...maybe. All in all, I say: SEE IT

The Witcher

Based on a cult classic set of books/stories from Australia. Henry Cavill (Superman) is the dude that for money will get rid of your supernatural menace. The guy that follows him and sings about his heroics is hilariously. I've never read the books, and it is cheesy, but damn it's so additive. I watched the whole thing as quickly as I could. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Criminal UK

A show on Netflix that is nothing, but a team of cops trying to get people to confess in "the box". You really find out a lot about the crime just from the interrogation. The acting and writing are good. Apparently, it is also in other countries. I think Spain was next. All in all, I say: SEE IT - good cameos.

Deputy

I watched this FOX show on Hulu. Stephen Dorff (Blade) becomes the new deputy after the old one is killed before elections take place. His wife is Hispanic and a doctor. It's a "good" look at LA sheriffs. It's not bad - the writing isn't always great, but don't have too high an expectation. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Dracula

Danish actor Claes Bang (The Affair) is THE vampire Dracula. He finds himself in present day. It's three episodes on Netflix. It's so bad, it's good. I couldn't help but watch the entire thing on Netflix. There is this one scene where they think they have him locked up securely and a random lawyer shows up. Everyone is like WTF how did a lawyer know "his client" was in a secret facility? Dracula found the lawyer online. How did he get online? The password was Dracula - lol. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Just Mercy

Jamie Foxx (Ray) is a wrongly accused man about to be executed. Michael B. Jordan (Creed) is his lawyer. This is based on the amazing book of the same name. It will frustrate you and make you so sad. There is so much with our justice system especially the states that have the death penalty. All in all, I say: SEE IT

1917

WWI movie. Two soldiers have to get to the front and tell the commanding officer NOT to attack because it's a trap. The cinematography is AMAZING!!! It is so fast, quick, beautiful, and heart pumping. It's overall amazing. All in all, I say: SEE IT - it's also got a ton of cameos.

The Song of Names

Clive Owen (Closer) is a Jewish violinist. Tim Roth (Pulp Fiction) is a British pianist. They meet as kids during WWII. Owen is from Poland and loses his family. It's a story of family, grieving, Jewish experience, and music. It's from the same director as Red Violin and just as beautiful. It is heart breaking. The playing is good - not Joshua Bell good, but good. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Alita Battle Angel

A partially animated movie from Robert Rodriquez (Spy Kids) about a future where people are mixed with robotic parts. It is kind of all over the place and doesn't really make a whole lot of sense. It had potential, but there was too much going on. The only good part - Ed Skrein (Deadpool) - and his butt. Man oh man. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

In a World...

Lake Bell (Bless this Mess) writes, directs, and acts in this movie about a woman that does voice overs. It is funny and different. It's on HBO. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Brittany Runs a Marathon

This comedy is based on a true story. A heavier woman decides to get in shape to run the NYC marathon. She makes friends and discovers how to be one herself. It's a journey of self discovery. It was pretty funny. All in all, I say: SEE IT on Amazon.

Girl in Progress

Eva Mendes (Lost River) is a single mom that keeps uprooting her daughter and ignoring her teen angst while she dates guys. ON Amazon, but not very unique. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Between Two Ferns

Zach Galifianakis (Hangover) has a lot of his friends on this short comedy where a man on public TV interviews stars. All in all, I say: SEE IT on Amazon

Ronny Chieng: Asian Comedian

He does a stand up for Netflix that is funny. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Star Trek Picard

ON CBS all access - decades after the last movie. The Captain quits after Star Fleet decides not to help a species survive a collapsing planet and they decide to ban all synthetics. A woman comes to Picard who turns out to share some "DNA" with Data. It's beautifully done - the graphics and cinematography is amazing. The intro song is gorgeous. I didn't realize how much I missed Star Trek until this started. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Sanditon

Based on an unfinished work by Jane Austin, so you know the female character is strong willed and independent. Theo James (Divergent) and Kris Marshall (Love Actually) also star. A man is trying to get a seaside village to be a tourist attraction, but is having money problems. All of Jane's favorite themes are in play. All in all, I say: SEE IT on PBS. It's Austin afterall!

Dolittle

Loosely based on Dr. Dolittle - the man who can talk to animals. He is on a mission to find a cure for a poison that has been used on the queen. It's different than what you are use to. It's not bad - it's funny - it's suited to kids for sure. The animals are fun and have great personalities. All in all, I say: SEE IT

The Gentlemen

Guy Ritchie (Lock, Stock, and ...) at his very best! This is classic Ritchie. The characters all interweaving - the plot being interwoven throughout - the catchy lines - the tough guys - the tougher women. Amazing cast: Matthew McConaughey (Dazed & Confused) as a weed dealer, Michelle Dockery (Downton)his wife, Charlie Hunnam (SOA) loyal assistant, Jeremy Strong (The Big Short) the bad guy, Colin Farrell (Snatch) the unknown, Henry Golding (Crazy Rich Asians) a bad guy, and Hugh Grant (Four Weddings) the scum-  to only name a few. So, so, so good. All in all, I say: SEE IT - SEE IT NOW

Avenue 5

From the people that created Veep, Hugh Laurie is a captain of a space cruise liner. Things go horrible wrong and some o light that may the entire crew and passengers in space for years. Pretty funny and quick witted. It's on HBO. All in all, I say: SEE IT

JoJo Rabbit

A young boy being raised by his mother played by Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow) has an imaginary friend. His friend is Hitler. After a mishap the boy isn't able to join Hitler youth. He finds his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in the attic and things get a little difficult. Sam Rockwell (Charlies Angels) is the local Hitler youth leader. It is very funny. It's well written and acted. It does have a sad part, but the ending is good. All in all, I say: SEE IT

The Rhythm Section

Jude Law (Closer) is ex-MI5 who helps a woman seek out the people behind the bombing of a plane that killed her family. Blake Lively (Gossip Girl) is the English woman who fumbles her way through. Sterling K Brown (Army Wives) is a ex-CIA guy with some connections. Several of the scenes put us next to her or in her shoes which is disconcerting. All in all, I say: SEE IT - it wasn't bad.

Birds of Prey

Not long after Suicide Squad the Joker breaks up with Harley. She and some kick ass women from the comics join forces to fight the Black Mask. The fight scenes are amazing. It has humor and a lot of action. Margot Robbie (I, Tonya) stars along with Rosie Perez (Fearless), The Huntress played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Gemini Man), and  Ewan McGregor (Zoe). All in all, I say: SEE IT

V-Wars

A series on Netflix that is really, really bad. It's about the spread of vampires based on an ancient once frozen virus. It's so bad - the plot, the editing, the editing, the acting, and the directing. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

The Secret Life of Pets 2

The dogs now have a baby in the house that they love, but they are taking protection to the extreme. There is a side plot as well involving a squeaky toy and cats. It was better than the first, but still difficult to watch as an animated film. I watched it on Netflix. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Wish Man

Biography based on the true story of the man who created the Make a Wish Foundation. It was really bad. It was on Netflix. It had potential, but the acting, writing, editing, and directing were the worst. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

A Private War

IMDb writes, "One of the most celebrated war correspondents of our time, Marie Colvin is an utterly fearless and rebellious spirit, driven to the frontline of conflicts across the globe to give voice to the voiceless.". I stopped it after half an hour. It was a lot, it was rough, and I didn't see the point soon enough to keep watching. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Creed II

I was kind of bored and it was on Amazon Prime, so I watched it. It mirrors the Rocky film when he goes to Russia to fight the man who killed his rival/friend Creed. It's like that. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Kevin Hart: Don't F**k This Up

Kevin Hart reflects on his life and how he has reacted to things. It's filmed like a documentary and gives the audience a look inside his life. We also see interviews with staff and family. It was well done. All in all, I say: SEE IT

The Moodys

Denis Leary (Sirens) and Elizabeth Perkins (Weeds) are parents to three kids. This series on Fox that I watched on Hulu took place over Christmas. It was really well written and acted. I watched it marathon style - it was addictive. All in all, I say: SEE IT - it's funny.

Pokemon Detective Pikachu

On HBO, based on the cards game. A young man can talk to a Pikachu who has lost his memory. The two of them are trying to solve a man's murder. They uncover a conspiracy and relationships are mended. It's strange - I didn't really get the appeal. I did like the parts with Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool) though. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Lumberjanes

Amazon writes, "What's to Love: Lumberjanes is the hit series from the BOOM! Box imprint that features five rad ladies who fight monster baddies with the power of friendship! Written by Noelle Stevenson (Nimona, Adventure Time) and newcomer Grace Ellis, and illustrated by Brooke Allen (A Home for Mr. Easter), this new series has taken comics by storm and placed on many Best-of-the-Year lists, including Comics Alliance, Entertainment Weekly, and Comic Book Resources.What It Is: At Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet's Camp for Hardcore Lady Types, things are not what they seem. Three-eyed foxes. Secret caves. Anagrams! Luckily, Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley are five rad, butt-kicking best pals determined to have an awesome summer together...and they're not gonna let a magical quest or an array of supernatural critters get in their way! The mystery keeps getting bigger, and it all begins here". It's a girl scout kind of camp with a group of different girls who are friends. It's different. All in all, I say: READ IT

Check Please

Amazon writes, "Eric Bittle may be a former junior figure skating champion, vlogger extraordinaire, and very talented amateur pâtissier, but being a freshman on the Samwell University hockey team is a whole new challenge. It is nothing like co-ed club hockey back in Georgia! First of all? There’s checking (anything that hinders the player with possession of the puck, ranging from a stick check all the way to a physical sweep). And then, there is Jack―his very attractive but moody captain. A collection of the first half, freshmen and sophomore year, of the megapopular webcomic series of the same name, Check, Please!: #Hockey is the first book of a hilarious and stirring two-volume coming-of-age story about hockey, bros, and trying to find yourself during the best four years of your life. This book includes updated art and a hilarious, curated selection of Bitty's beloved tweets". A new kid joins a new college and a new hockey team. All in all, I say: READ IT

In Real Life

Amazon writes, "From acclaimed teen author Cory Doctorow and rising star cartoonist Jen Wang, In Real Life is a sensitive, thoughtful look at adolescence, gaming, poverty, and culture-clash. Anda loves Coarsegold Online, the massively-multiplayer role playing game that she spends most of her free time on. It's a place where she can be a leader, a fighter, a hero. It's a place where she can meet people from all over the world, and make friends. Gaming is, for Anda, entirely a good thing. But things become a lot more complicated when Anda befriends a gold farmer -- a poor Chinese kid whose avatar in the game illegally collects valuable objects and then sells them to players from developed countries with money to burn. This behavior is strictly against the rules in Coarsegold, but Anda soon comes to realize that questions of right and wrong are a lot less straightforward when a real person's real livelihood is at stake.". I thought the writer did a good job relating to the newest generation. I liked it - different. All in all, I say: READ IT

The Silent Patient

A woman is sent to an institution because after the murder of her husband she stopped talking. She didn't talk to the cops, she didn't talk during the trail, and she hasn't talked in therapy...yet. The book is told from the point of view of a psychiatrist - one who wants to become the accused murderers therapist. 60% of the way through I had three guesses as to what the twist would be - the ending and one of my three was right. I found it slow - I didn't like it all being from the man's point of view. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Ouran High School Host Club

A romantic comedy manga written for girls. A club forms at a private school that mirrors host clubs that can be found in Japan. A girl joins and throws the lives of the boys into chaos. It's difficult to read and there is a lot of going on. I read three volumes for a club. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Teen Titans: Raven

Amazon writes, "When a tragic accident takes the life of 17-year-old Raven Roth's foster mom--and Raven's memory--she moves to New Orleans to recover and finish her senior year of high school. Starting over isn't easy. Raven remembers everyday stuff like how to solve math equations and make pasta, but she can't remember her favorite song or who she was before the accident. And when impossible things start happening, Raven begins to think it might even be better not to know who she was before. But as she grows closer to her new friends, her foster sister, Max, and Tommy Torres, a guy who accepts her for who she is now, Raven has to decide if she's ready to face what's buried in the past...and the darkness building inside her.". It got me hooked fast. It's a frustrating power I'm sure. It's well written and drawn. All in all, I say: READ IT 

Sabrina the Teenage Witch

Kelly Thompson writes a re-imagining of Sabrina. It's more supernatural than the original comic and Disney show, but it's less "satanic" than the show on Netflix. It's fun. All in all, I say: READ IT

Hawkeye

Matt Fraction brings us a series on Hawkeye - the Avenger with no powers, but an incredible talent. Forget what you've seen from the movies. This guy has a thing for the ladies. He isn't very disciplined. He gets hurt - a lot. He is blond and hard of hearing, and he has a protege. It's clever, funny, and unique. All in all, I say: READ IT

The Walking Dead 13,14, and 15

13,14, and 15 see the end of the Whisperers and the introduction to a new group. A group that thinks they have it all figured out - living in a new world order. We meet a couple of new and interesting characters as well. There is a nice note to fans at the end of volume 15 - the last of the series. He is done and now all I have is the show - sad. All in all, I say: READ IT