THINGS HEARD AND SEEN – a complete waste of time. The ending was never explained and I didn’t understand which ghosts were who or the point of the whole story (beyond the superficial and predictable in which this film excels). Kelly had the same reaction. She even googled the novel which the film is based on and she still didn’t understand the premise or the ending. Don’t bother. If you want a good scare, rewatch Hill House. Zero toasts, zero boyfriends, zero girlfriends.

THE PATRIOT – From the year 2000, this Revolutionary War film offers an interesting perspective on an important battle between the militia (aiding regular soldiers) and the Redcoats which apparently was a turning point in the war. It’s a decent film, especially now when Americans need reminding how important our Democracy is and how hard fought it was to achieve. Mike loved it, of course, because he loves American history (particularly anything to do with the Revolution). But the film is too long and too violent. It could have been reduced to a 2 hours and had a more powerful impact. The battle scenes in particular are tedious and go on forever. Much of the violence is unnecessary. Mel Gibson is the main star and he is believable in the role of a father reluctant to fight but forced into the battle after the loss of his sons. But it is the performance of my boyfriends – Heath Ledger, Jason Isaacs and Chris Cooper who make this film engaging for me. So…cheers from me and Mike. Boyfriends – 3; Girlfriends – 0.

THE GLOAMING – Dana and I are huge fans of this Starz show! Filmed in Australia with an Australian cast, it had me spellbound from episode one. It is an edgy murder mystery incorporating witchcraft and dark magic into the plot. (The witch bit alone is enough to keep Dana and me interested). Add in the excellent work of all the cast, a sophisticated storyline and two mesmerizing, gorgeous leads and voila…..television magic at its finest. Alas, season one dropped right before Covid hit. So filming of season two was delayed and new episodes will not be released until 2022 (curse you pandemic). With only eight episodes in season one, I’m already impatient for the next round. Any fans of this genre will find Gloaming topnotch entertainment! Unanimous toasts. Boyfriends – 1; Girlfriends – 1. Cheers!

OUR SOULS AT NIGHT – This film is a lovely, poignant story of companionship and romance between two older lonely folks. Excellently portrayed by Jane Fonda and Robert Redford, it is an honest look at the dynamics within all relationships and how those relationships affect each other. It’s also a story of redemption, forgiveness and truth. It is a timely piece which addresses issues many of us are currently enduring or may endure in the future. Surprisingly 1 boyfriend and 1 girlfriend in this film – Fonda and Redford are still the bomb, separately and together! A toast to them both! Cheers!

THIS IS A ROBBERY – This four-episode season one documentary details the story of the biggest art heist in the world from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. Occurring in 1990, I found the crime intriguing and wondered why I again had never heard of such a newsworthy event at the time it happened. Authorities believe the heist was organized by one or more crime families (both Irish and Italian) for the purpose of leverage in busting their members out of the slammer. There is also ample evidence the theft could not have been pulled off without help from employees inside the museum. Unfortunately, many of the suspects have long since died (most by murder) and the location of the stolen art along with them. I kept getting the feeling I was watching a James Bond film rather than a real-life saga. It kept me interested, and I was hoping for the mystery to be solved by the final episode. Alas, apparently there is such a thing as a perfect crime…at least until the paintings reveal themselves and give up their secrets.

THE LAST PIRATE KINGDOM – Okay, so y’all know I’m a big fan of documentaries. You may not know I was also a fan of Black Sails on Starz which I thought was a purely fictional account of pirate lore featuring Long John Silver’s rise to his elevated rank in Treasure Island. Imagine my surprise when I watched Last Pirate Kingdom this week and learned that most of the characters in Black Sails were real pirates and much of their story depicted in it was true. Of course, there were some far-fetched deviations from actual facts, but I was thrilled to discover it was historical fiction which is one of my favorite genres in literature and cinema. Fast forward to Last Pirate Kingdom, which is indeed completely fact based, and I was intrigued to learn more about these pirates I was already familiar with and have their tales confirmed. I don’t know what it is about pirates, but there is something alluring about their lives that draws us in. They have been romanticized, to be sure, but I continue to find them fascinating. That it how I describe this documentary. It was fascinating. The actors portraying the pirates in reenactments were all believable. The experts giving us the facts were credible. And I thoroughly enjoyed comparing these pirates with their counterparts in Black Sails. There were even one or two boyfriends and a girlfriend in this piece! I toast them! Well done. Cheers!

ELIZABETH & MARGARET: LOVE & LOYALTY – I enjoyed this documentary revealing a more honest look at the relationship between Queen Elizabeth and her sister, Princess Margaret. After watching The Crown (which I loved, but probably presented a more fictional take on the sisters) and various other “Hollywood” versions of their life together, this one is told through Margaret’s biographer/confidant and other reputable sources making it appear factual. It also features lots of actual footage of the girls from birth until Margaret’s death in 2002. I always enjoy a peek into true Royal life and the revelation that it is often more of a curse than a privilege. Cheers and a toast. No boyfriends or girlfriends.

TINA – Raw, gritty and as brutally honest as Tina Turner herself, this documentary is excellent. I have always admired Tina for both her talent and her courage to overcome gut-wrenching circumstances. She is a consummate professional and more importantly, an exceptional human being. I was mesmerized by every bit of this film whether I was watching performance footage or listening to Tina’s own explicit telling of her life story, laid bare for all of us to see. Dana loved it too. A bottle of toasts to a phenomenal woman and a film which truly honors her journey and inspires the rest of us to carry on! Cheers!!

AUDREY – Fans of Audrey Hepburn will enjoy this documentary of her life. I always thought she was so beautiful and stylish. I knew from previous press releases she was a caring, generous person. I also knew from the same sources her private life was no fairytale, beginning with her childhood. I never knew the full details of her journey until I watched this film. She was a remarkable woman who led a remarkable life. Most of the commentary is in Audrey’s own words or the words of family and close friends. Michael enjoyed it very much as well. Of course, Audrey’s been one of his girlfriends for years. Mine too. Two toasts. One girlfriend, zero boyfriends.