blpkst

A stinker of a script and so leadened that even Oscar winner, Olivia Coleman and the very talented, Benjamin Cumberbatch couldn't pry it off the ground. Don't be fooled by the trailer, all the "laughs" are contained within. The one "token" black gay character has lines so stereotypical and degrading, I wondered how he was able to say them. This film lacks the wit and charm of its predecessor, "The War of the Roses" and it's missing something else akin to comedy, actual humor dark as it was.

"The Roses" does a poor job of showing who these people were and who they are now. In WOTR we are shown who they were and what they have become, as the Michael Douglas character becomes more ambitious and successful, what drove them. It was easy to see Kathleen Turner's character is driven to a murderous rage.

There is none of that build up in "The Roses" and the lines that are marginally amusing are one offs. It was torture sitting through this 90 minutes and such a shame as I really hoped to like it. Don't bother it's a bore.

I recently rewatched this masterpiece of a series (my fifth or sixth time) because I felt like "visiting" people I'd come to know and care about. Even though the drama is set in a funeral home, this series more about living than it is about dying. I'll never forget the utter shock I experienced when one of the major characters is killed five minutes into the pilot. Who saw that coming? Because of this surprise, I realized we were in for something special.

The cast is so amazing, the mother, Ruth Fischer played by Frances Conroy got the role of a lifetime and she doesn't squander it for a minute. Lauren Ambrose as the teenager, Claire made me glad I never had kids, but she handled the role so deftly you'll realize pretty quickly she's less of a nightmare and more just finding her way. She's been given a good foundation of people who love her. Nate, played by Peter Krause is perfect as the prodigal son who returns to the fold only to become what he was running from, marrying women who are not the right fit for him. His brother David, played by Michael C Hall is gay and trying to navigate who is but doesn't want to be. His hunky cop boyfriend, Mathew St Patrick, been through all that and is ready to just be. They are amazing together. (And Mathew St Patrick is one of the most handsome actors ever.) Brenda, played by Rachel Griffiths continue to be a complicated hot mess. Rico played by Freddy Rodriguez is able to convey so much with just a look, joy, disappointment, sadness. The story arcs are amazing and complex. The supernatural element is a nice touch as characters still on earth try to navigate their journeys. Richard Jenkins as the late Nathaniel Fischer is a treat. So many characters added to the mix as the series progresses added so much.

Six Feet Under will get under your skin and affect you deeply. Chances are you'll watch it more than once with relish.

When the series ended, and it's probably the best ending of any series ever, the New York Times the very next day ran an obituary for each character.

Last night we watched a movie made for hulu in 2023 called "Boston Strangler" with Keira Knightly and Carrie Coons who play the "girl" (they were really refered to as girls!) reporters (Loretta McLaughlin and Jean Cole) who took the lead on following the strangler murders as they were horrifically unfolding holding the city hostage and gripped in terror in 1962.

An excellent film with a great cast and every Boston accent is authentic which is some kind of record. Being from Boston, I cringe at an actor's attempt but not this time. The cinematography is good too, murky because the story is that and more. The women reporters came up against sexism every minute of every day, but they stuck with it.

If you enjoy dramas with serious subject matter this is for you. Engrossing!