BROTHERS BY BLOOD – Character study into childhood events affecting adult choices within the dynamics of a small-time Irish crime family in New York. Matthias Schoenerts, one of my faves, delivers his usual subtle (but intense) performance. I always find the thoughtfulness of his work interesting. I didn’t quite understand the final scene, but I liked this film nonetheless. It has an artsy Cannes Film Festival feel to it and very little violence for a mobster movie. Cheers! Boyfriends – 1; Girlfriends – 0.

GEORGE CARLIN’S AMERICAN DREAM – The life and times of iconic comic George Carlin are honestly revealed in this two-part HBO documentary. It’s excellent. Featuring commentary from his daughter, his first and second wives, many comics who were his peers in the industry and even George himself, we get a true picture of the human being behind the stage persona. As is often the case, hidden personal drama and pain allows for the creation of biting humor and truthful (albeit acerbic) observations in front of an audience. I learned a few things about the man I first discovered in college. And it’s astonishing how much of the bullshit he called out on stage way back when continues today. I miss the voice that was silenced in 2008, and I’m left pondering how George would have worked the intervening years of bullshit into his act now. There is certainly no shortage of material. Cheers, George and thanks!

GASLIT – Splendid new series on Starz revealing behind the scenes drama among major players in the Watergate scandal, both personal and political. I suspect that a decent portion of the story is fabricated, but it’s intriguing and great entertainment nonetheless. Everyone delivers stellar performances, but the three leads are exceptional. Sean Penn is completely unrecognizable as himself transforming seamlessly into John Mitchell, Nixon’s Attorney General. Julia Roberts as his wife, Martha Mitchell, is outstanding. But my favorite is Dan Stevens, (Matthew from Downton Abbey) as John Dean. I always look forward to his scenes and wonder if the real John Dean was as manic, naive and full of himself as he is being portrayed. He is also a chronic liar which, if accurate, probably came in handy during the Nixon administration, although if memory serves Dean was largely responsible for bringing Nixon down. Unanimous toasts from the peeps! Cheers! Boyfriends – 1; Girlfriends – 0.

THE FIRST LADY – I’ve been looking forward to this series on Showtime for weeks. It’s an interesting depiction of three First Ladies – Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford and Michelle Obama. I like the way three distinct eras are showcased in every episode allowing us to compare how each First Lady handled (or didn’t) similar situations and events according to her own particular personality, background and time period. It’s also an education which I very much enjoy as a history buff. For instance, I never knew FDR’s disability was due to contracting polio as an adult while swimming in a lake. Gillian Anderson is marvelous as Eleanor Roosevelt. She seems to have a knack for portraying iconic political women. Michelle Feiffer is decent as Betty Ford. Viola Davis, while a talented actress, falls short as Michelle Obama. She constantly moves her mouth in a weird configuration I have never seen Michelle Obama do, and it is a major distraction and bothersome throughout the piece. O-T Fagbenle nails Barack Obama’s cadence and laid back demeanor, but there is no chemistry or passion between he and Viola like we see with the real Obamas. Plus it seems he is sometimes so focused on capturing Obama’s outward behavior that he isn’t believable delivering the lines. Keifer Sutherland also nails FDR’s cadence and mannerisms. Both he and Aaron Eckhart (as Gerry Ford) deliver decent performances. I’m watching for the history lesson. One toast to standout Gillian. Cheers! Boyfriends/Girlfriends – 0.

DEATH ON THE NILE – this latest version of Agatha Christie’s who-dun-it is directed by Kenneth Branagh who also stars as Hercule Poirot. I’m not a big fan of Agatha Christie, or murder mysteries in general, but I enjoy Branagh’s films, so I watched. It’s the typical bit with the usual suspects, both the characters and the big names who portray them. Branagh and Rose Leslie (Ygritte from Game of Thrones) deliver great French accents, but there’s really nothing unique about this film to set it apart from countless others of the genre. Cheers. Boyfriends/Girlfriends – 0.

THE CIRCUS: INSIDE THE GREATEST POLITICAL SHOW ON EARTH – this series began in 2016 when Mark Halperin, John Heilemann and Mark McKinnon put their collective political expertise to good use taking us behind the scenes with the presidential candidates, following them across country and venues as they vied for their party’s nomination. I don’t know how long the two Marks and John intended the show to run, maybe only up to the election, but it is now in season 7 and remains popular. I have heard good things about it since its inception, but resisted the temptation to watch because I am exhausted of all things political. This week I gave it a go. I am only on episode 8 of the first season, and I find it fascinating even though I know the outcome. In some ways, hindsight has made it that much more interesting. I am now eager to hear what these three have to say going forward, and what further details may be revealed, as I soldier on with them until arriving at 2022. Cheers Fellas!! Boyfriends/Girlfriends – 0; Villains/Scoundrels – plenty.

OUR GREAT NATIONAL PARKS – Marvelous documentary consisting of five episodes, each dedicated to a specific national park, mostly in other countries. Only one is in the U.S., Monterey Bay Marine Park off the coast of Monterey in northern California. Focused on conserving wildlife and environments, and narrated by Barack Obama, this piece allows us to glimpse rare animals and habitats up close while inspiring us to do our part to protect our planet for the good of all. Interesting, informative and enjoyable. Cheers! Boyfriends/Girlfriends – all the animals.