Netflix and Beyond

In absolute truthfulness the Jonas Brothers did not rent any real estate in my musical realm until Nick married Bollywood icon Priyanka Chopra; a woman of significant beauty, fantastical talents and lauded throughout India. He had to be a man of substance to be her choice. “Power Ballad” featuring Paul Rudd, “Rick Power” a middle-aged wedding band singer in Ireland …

At this point in 2026 meteorologists, aided by advanced technology, are fairly accurate in their forecasts. In the 1940’s it was a different equation especially battling a war in Europe; intense, titillating, action focuses on the 72 hours before the planned D-Day on June 5th, (6th) 1944. Director Anthony Maras (“Hotel Mumbai”) and writer David Haig gift viewers a breathtaking …

Magnificent metaphors directed by 20-year-old YouTuber Kane Parsons; visiting the product of his pristine ingeniousness viewers are positively provoked to crawl among personal cauterized memories; surrealistic artists referenced throughout the rooms; sculptural reminders by Marcel Duchamp, or contemporary creator Juame Plensa goading us to transform our past actions into tools of recovery and discovery. The backrooms bring to the fore …

How fortunate that as a young person I recognized the wealth of opera, music, film and the written word, would befriend me well into my dotage; it has paid off in spades. 2026 to this point has gifted me with two unique protagonists and a historical narrative I am bound to for life. “Safronia” an opera composed by poet laureate …

By far the most innovative, genuine watchable “horror” films in theatres this year. Director/writer Curry Barker handily conquers the genre in the “be careful what you wish for” category; acted to sublimity by Michael Johnston “Bear”, Inde Navarrette “Nikki”; brilliance lies in the simplicity of a “One Wish Willow” a supernatural toy that grants just one irrevocable wish, never reversed …

Rarely do I visit animated or child appropriate films! I was intrigued by “sheep”, Mary’s little lamb, known to be rather clueless, dumb animals; also furry, cute and huggable. But detectives no way! Based on the book by James Swann there is something charmingly simplistic about a flock that resolutely loves mystery stories, gifted every evening by Shepherd “George” (Hugh …

Stultifyingly stylish. Twenty years have passed and the characters are unchanged, robotic and struggling with digital dimensions demanded by director David Frankel. Anne Hathaway (better served in “Mother Mary” where she is brilliant as a “Taylor Swift” lionized, troubled performer) still coiffed in Rapunzel-flowing tresses, smiling vapidly, hiding intelligence behind contemporary fashion, journalist trends. Striving for substantiality as “Andrea Sachs” …

Before all the weirdness and withering into whiteness Michael Jackson was the youngest (1958-2009) of the legendary Jackson 5 founded by their father Joseph in 1964 in Gary, Indiana. He was a tyrannically brutal, controlling, ambitious patriarch of multi-talented progeny. (Coleman Domingo’s depiction borders on demonic divinity).  Recognizing the brilliant versatility of Michael but never addicted to his voluminous notoriety …

I accept defeat in my years’- long quest to eliminate the ubiquitous  bastardization of the word “like”; 2024’s “The Real Pain”, Kieran Culkin (Academy Award for Supporting Actor) and Jesse Eisenberg in competition for most “likes” in a film, that would have been twenty minutes shorter if half of them would have been eliminated. In director Kristoffer Borgli’s “The Drama” …

Following 2025’s scintillating spy thriller “Black Bag” Steven Soderbergh’s “The Christophers” blazingly brilliant duet, between artists “Julian Sklar” (Ian McKellen, is born for the role and takes flight in every provocative scene) and “Lori Butler” (superior Michaela Coel, perpetually taunts Julian); nearing death Julian’s children (“Barnaby”, James Corden, and “Sallie”, Jessica Gunning) hire Lori to complete his unfinished canvasses and …