TOP GUN:MAVERICK – This is a ride!! And there’s no need to have seen the original movie to enjoy this one thanks to its almost identical format and storyline. The inclusion of photos and snippets from the first film helps, too, and is one of the things Kelly and I enjoyed the most. The movie is a bit long with dogfights going on forever. Some of the plot twists are predictable and the fighter jets’ trajectory through a long narrow corridor to reach their target seemed a throwback to the X-Wings in the first Star Wars film as they traveled through a similar maze on their mission to destroy the Death Star. That said, it is a fun adventure to experience in a theatre as we emerge from covid’s grip. I loved feeling the rumble of the seats and hearing the roar of the engines surround me – not to mention some spectacular flying (these pilots are a breed unto themselves) and no use of CGI. Cruise, at 59, is still gettin’ it done. The cocktail peeps break down this way – Sam was bored, Alex and Francine liked it, Kelly and I liked it a lot, Steve loved it. Cheers! Boyfriends – 0; Girlfriends – 0.

KNIVES OUT – Typical murder mystery with lots of familiar names like Daniel Craig (who does a great southern drawl), Jamie Lee Curtis, Don Johnson and Christopher Plummer to name a few. Personally, I was intrigued by the chair made of knives reminiscent of the Iron Throne in Game of Thrones. Agatha Christie fans will enjoy the similarities and homage to her novels. Cheers! Boyfriends – 0; Girlfriends – 0.

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.