paul-allaer

As Episode 1 of "Secrets We Keep" (2025 release from Denmark; 6 episodes ranging from 33 to 39 min) opens, a woman named Cecilia comes home from work. She lives in an ultra-wealthy area called North Zealand. Her neighbor Katharina comes over to enjoy a glass of wine (or is that "whine"). Next morning, the Filipino au pair of Katharina goes missing. Cecilia and her own Filipino au pair are determined to get to the bottom of what happened to the missing au pair... At this point we are 10 minutes into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: this is somewhat of a strange mini-series. Let's start with the format: 6 episodes of just over half an hour each, which one would normally associate with a comedy series. This isn't a comedy series. We are dealing with the ultra-rich in Denmark, where au pairs are seemingly the norm. One of Cecilia's co-workers asks her "isn't that a bit colonial?", much to Cecilia's consternation. As for the fate of the missing Filipino au pair, the mini-series is of course very plot heavy, so the less said the better. Then there is the Danish police woman leading the investigation. She is black, but speaks perfect Danish, and she encounters resistance wherever she goes. So the mini-series is also socially heavy. Make of it what you want. The first couple of episodes are a slow-burner but then starting with Episode 3 things get cooking. In the end, these 6 episodes fly by in no time.

"Secrets We Keep" started streaming on Netflix a few months ago and I just stumbled on it the other day. I watched all 6 episodes in a single evening. "Secrets We Keep" is currently rated 100% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, which is outright ridiculous. Nevertheless, if you are in the mood for a foreign mini-series about the mysterious disappearance of an au pair in the world of Danish ultra-wealth, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

As "Fireball: Visitors from Darker Worlds" (2020 release; 97 min.) opens, the immediately recognizable voice-over from Werner Herzog starts informing us, as we watch scenes from Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico. It's not long before we are off onto a global journey to find out more about meteorites, the "visitors from darker worlds" (i.e. Space). At this point we are less than 10 minutes into the documentary.

Couple of comments: I'll just say it upfront: I simply love Werner Herzog documentaries. This one is co-directed by Cliff Oppenheimer, but this is a Werner Herzog movie all the way. I admit I knew absolutely nothing about meteorites and its many variations (micrometeorites, quasicrystals, etc.). So watching this is like discovering a whole new world that I knew literally nothing about. Absolutely amazing stuff. The best moment of the movie comes when Oppenheimer is interviewing an expert, and in a voice-over Herzog tells us "I just had to come from beyond the camera and make a comment", and then he does! Priceless.

Let me state upfront that I had never heard of this documentary and simply stumbled on it on Apple TV. When I saw Werner Herzog's name, I did not hesitate and I watched it the other night. "Fireball: Visitors from Darker Worlds" is currently rated 97% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, which seems a little generous to me. Regardless, if you are in the mood for an entertaining AND educational documentary, or if you simply are a fan of Werner Herzog, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

As "Cherry" (2021 release; 144 min.) opens, we are in the "Prologue 2007", and Cherry, 23 yo Iraq war veteran, is about to rob a bank. Then we go to "Part 1 2002", and Cherry is in college, and one day he meets Emily... At this point we are 10 minutes into the movie.

Couple of comments: this is the latest from the Russo Brothers, best known for their work on a number of Marvel (Captain America and Avengers) movies. This movie couldn't be further away from that. Without going into plot details, this isn't the first movie, nor will it be the last, that looks at the unintended consequences of war veterans returning to the US, and not adjusting well ("Going Home" and "The Deer Hunter" come immediately to mind.) But "Cherry" takes it a few steps further, and in the end it became difficult to watch. Certainly no joy watching it. Tom Holland ("Spider-Man") also is miles away from his comfort zone, and is great throughout, as is Ciara Bravo as Emily. Kudos also for the Iraq war recreations that were done in this film.

"Cherry" had a short US theatrical run in early 2021, and then started streaming in Apple TV, where I watched it just the other night. I had never heard of this movie and simply took a chance. I had no idea what I was in for. The movie is currently rated 57% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, which seems a little harsh to me. If you are in the mood for another movie on a war veteran returning to the US, I'd readily suggest you check out "Cherry", with lowered expectations, and draw your own conclusion.