Humans, we are creatures of habit. Ever since the beginning of time, we as a species has lived out lives in categories and order. Recently those routines have been seriously shaken out of balance. Luckily, our entertainment has changed much. We enjoy what we always have. So in that spirit, here are some items you might like if you into a particular taste of genre.
Maybe you are in search of some nostalgia but with an edge to it. Some of you might have seen the Quentin Tarantino’s film “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” a piece of historic revisionism that hit theaters (remember those?) last year. The channel Starz has been showing it as well as other streaming platforms. However another entertaining piece of historic commentary you might enjoy is “Bad Times at the El Royale.” Starring Jeff Bridges and Cynthia Erivo among others, this slow burn of a film on the surface feels like just a heist or Agatha Christie mystery. But when you step back, writer/director Drew Goddard creates a beautiful allegory about the 60s that goes further than Tarantino did. Do check it out on Cinemax and Prime Video.
In the same vein producer Ryan Murphy has mined history for his shows. And if you like his work on FX(American Horror Story and Pose) take a look at “Hollywood” on Netflix, another mirror image look at the golden age of moviemaking. Taking place in late ‘40s LA this stars Patti LuPone, Holland Taylor and Darren Criss among a large ensemble. For those who know Murphy his sense of provocation and camp is no news to you. Just be warned that first few episodes are loaded with sexual situations..It will also be a primer for other shows on currently and coming soon, namely “Penny Dreadful: City of Angels” on Showtime and the new “Perry Mason” show coming to HBO in June.
For those who prefer actual history as well as fans of ESPN docs, the recent presentation “The Last Dance” has been a godsend. Here we are shown the rise of the Chicago Bulls led by Michael Jordan in the 1990s in all aspects. The triumph over adversity is so powerful that elements of this documentary will make you stand up and cheer. Also the old footage of the 90s as well as commercials will make you grin from ear to ear. Currently running on ESPN and ABC, “Dance” has already started and can also be streamed on the ESPN app. Hopefully, there will be an encore presentation so that others can catch up. Also if you have PBS Passport on Apple TV, you can check out Ken Burns’s 11-part “Baseball” in lieu of the lack of a season so far.
Flipping the channels to the classic movie scene, TCM has been showing that old chestnut “Casablanca.” A film that I love, but seen so many times that the dialogue falls out of my mouth before the characters say it. But if you like that film, my suggestion is to seek out “The Third Man.” Shown recently on TCM but also available on Prime Video for rent/buy, Carol Reed’s film takes place in postwar Vienna split into four sectors. Joseph Cotten plays a writer who is beckoned by his friend only to find him dead and no one is what they seem. This European city has the same suspense and treachery that simmers in Bogart’s Morocco, with great supporting work from Alida Valli and Orson Welles. Happy viewing, readers!
