Month: January 2021

We are nearly a year into this pandemic and many of us miss travelling, miss wandering around our city, miss our friends and while I can’t magically end COVID, I can highly recommend Pretend It’s a City­. Grab a coffee and settle in for an insider’s view of New York City and some truly great conversation between friends.

Martin Scorsese teams up with his long-time friend, Fran Lebowitz, to create some of the best programming I’ve experienced in ages. There are few things in New York as unchanging and as unapologetic as Fran Lebowitz. She likes what she likes and the things she doesn’t like? Meh.  Lebowitz is a writer, thinker, talker and quintessential New Yorker. Her quirks and opinions, published during her time at Interview magazine and Vanity Fair, have made her an icon in her field and in her city.

In the seven, 30-minute episodes, Scorsese films Lebowitz at home on the streets of New York, chatting in the famous social club, Players, and wandering around a sprawling miniature of New York city. In between these segments, Scorsese add clips from previous interviews Lebowitz has done with the likes of Toni Morrison, Spike Lee, David Letterman and more. Lebowitz talks about everything from her disdain for sports, her lousy real estate intuition, her thoughts on cancel culture and her wholehearted devotion to smoking, book collecting and New York City.

During each episode we get a hefty dose of humour mixed with authentic thoughtfulness on important topics. While some might find Lebowitz’s ideas on the topics like feminism and the #MeToo movement antiquated, I find her opinions to be thought provoking and reflective of a person who has lived right in the middle of a time that others can only write about. It is her lived experience and her eclectic collection of friends and acquaintances that makes her who she is. There is an authenticity to Lebowitz’s words that takes the edge off of her blunt delivery and leaves on the conviction of a person speaking their truth. It is refreshing and intoxicating to take in.

As interesting and entertaining as Lebowitz is, the real star of this series is Scorsese’s respect and admiration for Lebowitz. It is clear through the editing, topics and clips that Scorsese adores her and all of her grumpy, quippy, clever ways. His pure enjoyment of his pal is evident in every single conversation and he has produced this series in such a way that it feels as though you are flipping through a scrapbook of collogues depicting a life-long friendship. It’s just beautiful.

So, if you are a bit lonely for your friends, if you love New York City, if you are delighted by witty words then this limited series is sure to delight you. Pretend It’s a City is the series I didn’t know I was waiting for.

Have you ever wondered how realistic spy movies are? Do they really use all those gadgets? Do people really fall for staged romances? Can you really be observed from miles away? What makes the perfect candidate for being a spy anyway? Spycraft, an 8 episode series on Netflix, has all of these answers and more.

Spycraft goes beyond the flashy gadgets and James Bond-esque suave air of mystery to explore how the evolution of technology has changed the spy game over recent decades. With an in-depth look at weapons, surveillance techniques, encryption and special ops this series is fascinating and terrifying as it reveals just how much of our personal information is ripe for the taking for anyone with a little bit of know how.

Each episode carries interviews with historians and experts who discuss some of the most intriguing ops of the past while highlighting the scope of skills and technology it takes to complete missions. From cameras that are so small that they are virtual undetectable, to listening devices that can withstand the force of a bullet to massive satellites designed to record high quality images from space – all of these technologies and more are broken down in this series.

It is not just technology that has change, though. While this series is fairly heavy on the pro-American point of view, it doesn’t take away from the interesting commentary on how espionage has evolved over time. Experts comment on shifting relationships between countries and allies as they compete for information and the global upper hand.

In the end, it’s not only technology and opportunity that contribute to spy mastery; it’s having the right people work with you. Whether they are recruited out of law enforcement training or they volunteer to be an asset in the field, the right people, with the right combination of skill and confidence, can be the difference makers when it comes to the spy game. The final episode of the series breaks down what it takes to be a successful spy and it’s not what you may think.

With reenactments, stock footage and engaging narration, Spycraft is a binge-worthy non-fiction series. It has just the right combination of intrigue, storytelling and cool science to satisfy even the most hardcore techies while being more than capable of holding the attention of those new the the espionage game.

If you are looking for a good old western to binge on this weekend, stop your search and tune into Godless immediately.

Created, written and directed by Scott Frank, Godless, is a seven part miniseries about gunslingers, revenge and redemption. The story revolves around quick draw outlaw, Roy Goode (Jack O’Connell), and the deadly game of cat and mouse he is engaged in with the leader of his former gang leader, and segregate father, Frank Griffin (Jeff Daniels). Caught in the crosshairs of this deadly dispute is the New Mexico mining town of La Belle; a town with a story of its own.

Two years before a wounded Goode stumbled into town, La Belle suffered a catastrophic mine collapse that instantly killed all the men, leaving their widows to sort out survival in the dusty western town. The mine had stayed idle for two years until the long awaited mine company rolled into town to revive the community’s main source of income but the influx of men, ambition and money threatened to upend the fine balance of the townsfolks.

Interwoven throughout the conflict between Goode and Griffin and the town’s adjustment to outsiders is the story of Alice Fletcher (Michelle Dockery), a ranch owning widow who has a mysterious and complicated past. She forms a deep yet cautious bond with Goode, whom she rescued and tended to after an early confrontation with Griffin. What Fletcher doesn’t understand is just how deep Griffin’s need for revenge against Goode runs and just how far he’ll go to enact it.

This series is so well down. The writing is wonderful and the plot is entirely believable without being predictable. Dockery, O’Connell and Daniels for the perfect triangle of regret and hope. Their chemistry is magic onscreen and they hold the tension between their characters just as expertly as their characters hold their six shooters. The supporting cast is chock full of wonderful character actors, too. Memorable performances by Tantoo Cardinal, Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Merrit Weaver each give the drama the grit and the substance to hold credibility throughout.

Shoot-outs, horse chases, saloon brawls and regrets – Godless has it all. The only downfall of this limited series is that it is a limited series. Just one season. Just seven perfect episodes. Godless is a real, honest to goodness, western with a stellar cast and a smart plot. It just is. Don’t miss it.

Myth and reality are on a crash course in this 2017 documentary that begins as an exposé on the doping culture of professional, competitive cycling but morphs into a commentary on the cost of being a whistleblower.

Cycling enthusiast, Bryan Fogel, began his adventure in doping in 2014, following the Lance Armstrong scandal, to test the system and investigate the loopholes that allow space for athletes to use banned substances to enhance their performances. As Fogel connected with scientist and medical professionals he began to see how those who were supposed to be working against doping efforts were actually enabling doping in competitive sports.

Fogel’s documentary turns an unforeseen corner when he is introduced to Russian anti-doping lab specialist, Grigory Rodchenkov. Initially, Fogel contacted Rodchenkov for advice on his doping regimen and assistance in beating the anti-doping tests during competitions. A bond was formed, almost immediately, between the amateur athlete and the charismatic scientist. Neither had an inkling at the beginning that this friendship would become a partnership in survival.

Within months of beginning filming, Rodchenkov found himself neck deep in the Russian doping scandal. At first he displayed a lot of bravado but in short order he was asked to resign from his position as lead scientist at a government run lab. When a colleague mysteriously dies days later, Rodchenkov turns to his American friend, Fogel, to flee Russia.

What unfolds over the following two years is a global investigation involving multiple countries, several governing bodies of global sports, countless international press outlets and numerous law agencies. In the end, the case, and the documentary, focuses on whistleblowers and the price they pay for eventually speaking the truth to whoever will listen.

Icarus won multiple awards upon its release, including the prestigious Orwell Award at the Sundance Film Festival. At the 90th Academy Awards, Fogel publicly honoured Grigory Rodchenkov and his bravery during his acceptance speech. this sentiment echoed the final image of the film’s credits when Fogel recognized the difficult and dangerous journey of all whistleblowers.

Icarus is one of the most intriguing documentaries I have seen in a while. The story of the doping scandal is interesting in and of itself, but the element of following the path of the whistleblower from before the scandal broke is fascinating. Take the time to catch this flick while it is available exclusively on Netflix.

There is something strangely appealing about watching a post-apocalyptic movie or series in the middle of a world wide pandemic. I joke that for each one I watch I gain a whole new set of skills for survival. Snowpiercer adds a whole new list of skills and scenarios to my repertoire – and its deeply engaging and suspenseful to boot.

This series is a reboot of a South Korean-Czech film of the same name which was based on the French graphic novel, Le Transperceneige. The premiss is that global warming wrecked the planet and in an effort to slow the devastation, scientists over-corrected the climate during a reset that plunged the whole planet into a catastrophic deep freeze. A team of engineers develop a perpetual motion engine that just might be able to sustain life long enough for the planet to thaw.

The wealthy are given the opportunity to invest in the train in return for a first class ticket while others pledge to work as custodians, cooks and brakemen to earn their place on the train. the day the train leaves the station, dozens of unticketed people rush the train, desperate for their last chance at survival. Some are killed in the melee, others are thrown from the train and some, the unlucky few, find a home in the tail of the train.

The train circles the globe for years, with little trouble except for the occasional uprising from the ‘Tailees’ and on the current revolution another kind of revolution is brewing. The carefully structured society begins to crumble as a murder is discovered and a Tailee is brought uptrain to solve it. This access to the other side of the train gives the tail a real chance at rising up and finally getting a voice on the train.

Daveed Diggs (formerly of Hamilton) is brilliant as Andre Layton, former detective and unofficial leader of the Tailees. He gives depth and a sense of realism to his character that makes the whole premiss of the show believable. Jennifer Connelly plays opposite of Diggs as Melanie Cavill, head hostess of the train who is the secret brain of the whole scheme.

This series is a binge worthy find and thankfully we don’t have to wait long for season two. Its scheduled to drop by the end of January. That leaves just enough time to binge the first season of Snowpiercer so you can get on board this post-apocolyptic thriller for round two!

Well, darn it all. Swear words finally have their own series – and who better to host a show jam packed with curse words than Nicolas Cage? In a benign, collegial setting, Nicolas Cage hosts a conversation on the meanings, uses and evolution of swear words in our society. And it’s a f*cking delightful!

History of Swear Words, a Netflix’s six part series goes beyond the shock factor of repeatedly saying a slew of forbidden words and invites an interesting and in depth second look at how good words became bad and how bad words have become less bad over time. While the famous curser hosts the conversation, Cage leaves the the academic conversation to the professionals. Etymologists, historians and cultural critics weigh in with their thoughts on the evolution of cuss culture.

All of your favourite (or least favourite) words get their 20 minutes of fame. F*ck. Sh*t. B*tch. D*ck. P*ssy. And Damn. And with each episode we get the unvarnished history of the word, its origins and how it morphed it’s way on to the Naughty List. Some words started as common as any word we currently use in polite society and became taboo in recent centuries while others were curses of Biblical proportions that have become less severe over time. Whether a four-letter favourite or a harmless mini-expletive, each word featured has a secret past that the series uncovers.

One of the interesting side notes for this fun and irreverent series is that it is Netflix’s first post-pandemic outbreak production – meaning, that the whole thing was filmed remotely while being entirely unscripted. The cast of Cage and his etymologist buddies is filled out with some of the funniest people in show business as comedians Sarah Silverman, Isaiah Whitlock Jr and Nikki Glaser – along with many more – lend their commentary to the project. The production team also inserted pop culture references and animated shorts to stave of the feel of a monotonous zoom call. And it all works together to make a really entertaining and engaging original series.

History of Swear Words is genuinely funny and unexpectedly informative as it breaks down the words history of the words we love to say – even if we shouldn’t!

The dumpster fire that has been 2020 just might be redeemed by a civilization-ending catastrophe – especially if it is directed by George Clooney. The Midnight Sky is not just another apocalyptic disaster movie. It is a cinematic storytelling experience that fills the small screen with sweeping landscapes from the arctic to the outer limits of space.

Clooney is stepping out once again as director and star and he has picked a doozy of a story. He manages to jam more than 75,000 words of story into a two-hour film without sacrificing the pace and depth of the tale. With cinematography reminiscent of films like The Revenant and Apollo 13 it is as visually appealing to watch as any big budget Hollywood flick.

Adapted from Lily Brooks-Dalton’s book Good Morning, Midnight, in The Midnight Sky Clooney portrays scientist Augustine Lofthouse, who given his life to his scientific pursuit of discovering inhabitable planets. The story opens after an undefined catastrophe, which has made the earth uninhabitable, leaves Lofthouse as the last man alive at a remote, Arctic research station. Because of his terminal illness, he opted not to evacuate the station with the rest of the researchers and chose, instead, to live out his final days monitoring the situation from his research hub.

During his solitary watch at the research station, Lofthouse makes two startling discoveries. The first, a child was left behind during the evacuation. The second, an exploratory space shuttle has decided to return to earth, not realizing it can no longer sustain human life. Lofthouse decides to pack up his young charge to make the treacherous journey to a secondary communication station to warn the shuttle against returning to earth. This decision triggers a chain reaction of events that put Lofthouse, the young girl and the space crew in peril.

Clooney makes some beautiful artistic choices throughout the film but it’s not enough to cover for the deficits of a plot that should have been much more character driven than it was. There were several moments when the characters almost made us believe they were invested in the story, like Kyle Chandler’s replaying the memories of his wife and children while longing for home, but those moments were too few and often times lacked the depth needed to hold the viewer’s attention . While the plot on its own is interesting, the play was missing heart – and we noticed.

All that being said, give The Midnight Sky a watch for its beautiful cinematography and style … and because its been a few years since we’ve seen Mr. Clooney onscreen and we’ve missed him.

In Los Angeles, during the spring and summer of 1985, residents of the San Fernando and San Gabriel communities were terrorized by an elusive phantom of a killer with an insatiable and diverse appetite. He became known as Night Stalker. Netflix has recently released a four part series on the investigation of the crime spree that lasted for more than 160 days.

Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer highlights the crimes, the leads, the near-misses and the eventual capture of the Richard Ramirez. The story is told primarily by the lead investigators, Gil Carrillo, a fresh faced, eager young detective and Frank Salerno, a legend in LA for his work on the Hillside Strangler case. While some considered them an odd pairing, Carrillo and Salerno unique strengths complimented each other and made them a perfect duo to sort the clues that would eventually lead them to the killer.

The series also features interviews from survivors, family members of the lead detectives and other law enforcement officers who were involved in the case. The use of news footage and photographs from the 1985 investigation gives context to the crime and the moment by moment retelling of the investigation.

For weeks it seemed as though they were chasing a ghost but small breaks in the case, such as shoe prints at crime scenes and survivors accounts and descriptions, began to add up to create a profile of the Night Stalker. Though his crimes were escalating in violence, investigators were closing in. In the end, the capture of Ramirez was credited to the community he terrorized, the community that physically stopped him as he attempted to commit another crime, chased him down as he fled and held him until police could arrest him.

The Night Stalker’s reign of terror ended on August 31, 1985. He was tried, convicted on all charges and sentenced to death in the state of California. Though this case was more than 30 years ago, and Ramirez is long dead now, this series is suspenseful from beginning to end. The detectives involved are excellent story tellers who draw you in, moment but moment.

If true crime series are your thing, then be sure to tune into this nail-biter. Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer is an edge of your seat watch for sure.

Recently Netflix tipped their hand and unveiled its lengthy list of upcoming releases for 2021. Stars like Lin-Manuel Miranda, Chris Hemsworth, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Poehler, Amy Adams, Ryan Reynolds and many, many more will be feature in front of the camera and behind as Netflix ups the ante in and effort to take on their streaming competition head on.

The list of upcoming viewing options includes movies, docu-series and original series – a little something for everyone. There are sequels planned and adaptations on the slate as well as numerous fresh and creative offerings in the works. And if reading the list isn’t enough, Netflix has released a star-studded teaser reel that is sure to whet the appetite and get you returning to the small screen week after week throughout 2021.

Here is a sampling of a few of the new releases that caught our eye:

Malcolm & Marie features Zendaya and John David Washington in a Sam Levinson film that is an ode to Hollywood romances of old. Beautifully shot and heart breaking in its honest portray of the complexities of love, This flick is sure to be a February favourite.

The Woman in the Window is a psychological thriller with an impressive cast. Amy Adams portrays an agoraphobic psychologist who witnesses a shocking crime through her window that threatens to unravel her own tenuous sense of safety. Gary Oldman, Anthony Mackie and Julianne Moore are just a few of the impressive actors that round out this cast.

Don’t Look Up features Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence at the helm of star saturated cast with nearly too many names to mention. This political satire follows the journey of two low-level astronomers who are tasked with alerting mankind to the imminent danger of an approaching comet. Watch for appearances from Jonah Hill, Timothee Chalamet, Ron Perlman, Tyler Perry and Meryl Streep.

Tick, Tick … Boom! This one had me at Lin-Manuel Miranda. Yep, he’s behind the camera, taking his first swing at bat as director, and the cast is filled with some of the best of stage and screen. This musical tells the story of Jon, a creative soul who has poured his everything into creating his break, and those who are, in equal parts, love him and are frustrated by his relentless pursuit of success. Andrew Garfield, Vanessa Hudgens and Bradley Whitford are a few of the fan favourites filling out the cast.

For a full list of the upcoming features click here.

Guy Ritchie fans, brace yourself because he’s done it again. The Gentlemen is another action-packed flick with fast talking criminals, intricate, inter-connected storylines and his signature quick-cut action sequences – not to mention the star-studded cast of your dreams!

Matthew McConaughey, Hugh Grant, Charlie Hunnam, Michelle Dockery, Henry Golding and Colin Farrell are just a few of the big names that fill out this stunning cast. Each of them embodies the personalities, quirks and motivations of their respective characters to a T. McConaughey is perfection as the lone American in this melee of British baddies. He portrays, Mickey Pearson, a scholarship student turned cannabis king who is targeted by rivals and wannabe partners as he contemplates retirement.

The story is told and retold through a series of conversations between Fletcher (Hugh Grant) a private investigator hired by a disgruntled tabloid owner and Raymond (Charlie Hunnam), Mickey’s right-hand man. In typical Ritchie fashion, all of the major players in this story are connected and inter-connected with one another through various sketchy business dealings and bizarre happenstance, which make this film a delight in the same vein as Snatch and the Sherlock Holmes film franchise.

While each character is interesting and has their moment to shine, it’s Hugh Grant who steals the show. Plating against the awe-shucks leading man of the last couple of decades, he is emerging as a seriously talented character actor. He fills Fletcher’s boots with whimsy, grit and an excellent style of delivery. There is not a single scene he’s in where he doesn’t thrill and delight.

This whole flick unfolds like a fantastic yarn your old uncle spins over a brew or two where each retelling becomes more outrageous than the last. After all these years, Guy Ritchie still has what it takes to keep us on the edge of our seats, laughing at what we shouldn’t and thrilling us with his fantastical tales. The Gentlemen is gritty, hilarious and well worth the watch.