TRAVELS WITH MY FATHER – Another instance in which a show I have never heard of happens to pop up during my Netflix scroll, I decide to give it a few minutes of my time, and it ends up being a jewel! I have also never heard of Jack Whitehall or his now famous father, Michael. I learned Jack is a 20-something British comedian who apparently has had some success in his craft across the pond….not that that cuts any ice with his dad who is completely unimpressed. Dad is a 76-yr-old posh, sophisticated, stuffy, wealthy Brit who has nothing but disdain for his son’s lifestyle. The two embark on a “bonding” journey across Asia for five weeks in an effort to improve their relationship and sort out past grievances. The result is a hilarious adventure between father and son which reveals despite their many differences there is much love between them…..and lots of laughs for the audience. Well done lads! A hearty cheers to you both!

MEN IN KILTS – This romp through Scotland with Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish was disappointing. It’s based on their book, Clanlands, and I was expecting to enjoy it. I’m a big Outlander fan, and a buddy show featuring these two Outlander stars seemed like a hands-down win. Perhaps for die hard Outlander fans it is. One of the clever things they do is weave short bits from the Outlander show into their journey through Scotland. That much is entertaining. I also enjoyed learning about Scottish culture and seeing the beautiful scenery. The repartee between these two actors is lacking, however. The dialogue is not funny and appears forced. And not enough time is spent on each segment in their travels. I get the sense these two actors truly like each other and enjoyed making this show, but it is not enough to keep an audience interested. Dana’s take was the same as mine on all points. Zero toasts and zero boyfriends.

BEHIND HER EYES – This psychological thriller with a splash of supernatural just dropped on Netflix. It kept me interested throughout, and it’s a miniseries, so it was a swift binge. The work is quite good, including the little boy who is excellent. I kept wondering what the twist would be at the end. I figured it out right before it was revealed, only to find there was another completely unexpected revelation which took me totally by surprise. I like when that happens. The lead actor is Scottish and reminds me of Tom Ellis, so that kept my attention too. They are both easy on the eyes and speak with sexy accents. The peeps are unanimous – Cheers! Boyfriends – 1 all around; Girlfriends – 2 each for Dana and Kel, 0 for me.

JOHN ADAMS – This is the miniseries starring Paul Giamatti in the title role which was first released in 2008. It is, in my opinion, one of the best theatrical depictions of the creation of our Democracy and the sacrifice and grit required to accomplish the lofty goal…and not just from the men! The cost was great on every front and we owe a huge debt to all involved. For me, this has always been Paul Giamatti’s finest role. He is perfect in his portrayal of the statesman. Laura Linney excels as his wife, Abigail. They are supported by a superb cast and engaging story – the story of America. I watch this miniseries every President’s Day. I enjoy it every time. And now, more than ever, it is important for us to be reminded of our duty to our country. It is incumbent upon us all to carry forth the freedom torch lit by the forefathers, protect our Constitution and care for our hard-won Democracy – “A Republic – if you can keep it.” -Ben Franklin. Unanimous toasts and cheers to this film, America and our Republic…if we can keep it!

CECIL HOTEL – I reluctantly watched this miniseries under peer pressure from the peeps. I am not into this sort of show at all, but I relented to majority rule…plus it is produced by Ron Howard and Brian Glazer, whose work I respect. So I thought I might be pleasantly surprised. Not. It’s a four episode documentary about the disappearance of Elisa Lam at the Cecil Hotel in Los Angeles back in 2013. Four long episodes of the sordid history of this hotel inviting us to ponder whether this woman vanished due to foul play, mental illness, drugs or supernatural occurrence. Four long episodes wherein the outcome is finally revealed and then we are invited to ponder that as well. I fell asleep and lamented the loss of four hours I can’t get back. That said, folks who are intrigued by this sort of thing may love it. Dana and Kelly both raved about it non-stop. It scared Kelly, (I’m still puzzled over that one) and Dana was so intrigued she binged it from start to finish (kinda puzzled over that too). So the final rating is two toasts from the peeps and zero from me.

HARRIET – I finally watched this film in honor of Black History month. I’ve wanted to see it every since it was released. The film is okay, but the woman herself, Harriet Tubman, was astounding. I was eager to learn of her contribution to the Underground Railroad. I thought her involvement was limited to providing places of safety for escaped slaves to stay along the route (dangerous enough). Her courage, grit and determination went far beyond mere harboring of slaves in secret. Imagine an escaped black slave woman in the 1800s, traveling alone on countless journeys between the North and the South to rescue slaves and lead them to freedom. She even served during the Civil War. Her contribution to the abolitionist movement is nothing short of miraculous. Harriet Tubman is a true American hero who was instrumental in shaping the history of our country. Cheers!!!

KISS THE GROUND – This is an important Netflix documentary on climate change and the solution. Soil! Who knew? I certainly didn’t. Apparently scientists have been working on this for some time. Years. It’s even part of the Paris Agreement (which thankfully we have rejoined) and actually solves many of our other problems as well. I learned a lot and I’m inspired to do my part going forward. Even actions as small as changing our diets, composting or eliminating pesticides give a tremendous jolt to the soil which in turn absorbs carbon monoxide from the air. It’s fascinating and perhaps the Hail Mary we seek at this late hour. A must see film for anyone interested in saving our planet and truly making a difference!

FAKE: THE WINX SAGA – This is a fairy story. Literally. It’s a story about fairies attending a special school for, well, fairies. With a mostly British cast, it’s along the same lines as Sabrina – the Teenage Witch, the Order, and other such magical fantasy adventures. Any viewers who enjoy those shows will enjoy this one. It’s a fun romp into make-believe and magic. So based on that criteria alone, I toast it. It accomplishes the goal. Cheers! 0 boyfriends and 0 girlfriends for me, but millennials may disagree.

JOAN DIDION-THE CENTER WILL NOT HOLD – I knew nothing about the iconic writer Joan Didion until I watched this documentary about her life. I had heard her name, though, and I enjoy documentaries and biographies, so I decided to watch it and perhaps learn a thing or two. I did. In fact, I can’t believe I didn’t know more about her and her books until now. Archival video footage is interspersed with a candid interview conducted by her nephew who also produced this documentary. She has led a fascinating life during some of America’s most interesting times. I found her to be honest, candid and tragic. She has had her share of heartache. I came away with a deep respect for this writer and an interest in reading her books. A heartfelt toast to this woman and her work. Cheers!