HOLLYWOOD – I can’t decide if I like this show. I want to like it, but some things about it are extremely off-putting. First, I can’t figure out if it is supposed to be historical fiction or not. Many real players from Hollywood’s 50s era are depicted in the story, but the premise is ridiculous. Black folks writing screenplays, being cast in lead roles and inter-racial relationships onscreen was (sadly) impossible in those days. Then throw in all the gay relationships behind the scenes and sometimes out in the open. Though I know this went on (at least privately), I find the portrayal in this series impossible. Maybe I am missing something. Perhaps this show is supposed to be a commentary on “what if” this occurred in that era? I have no idea. If so, it is failing miserably because I don’t understand what exactly the writers are presenting. Secondly, there is so much decadence in each episode that it becomes exhausting. Still, I keep watching. Maybe it’s because I enjoy the period in Hollywood. Maybe I find some of the actors interesting. Maybe I just want to see it through to the end to finally discover what it is. At any rate – 0 boyfriends, 0 girlfriends and 0 toasts (although one of the peeps seems to enjoy it).

OUTLANDER 5 – Three toasts to the season finale. The rape scene was depicted in a tasteful way while still preserving the horror and violence of the act. Plus Starz posted a disclaimer at the beginning of the episode to fully warn viewers of what they were about to see. Personally, I thought the rape scenes in Jamie and Brianna’s respective storylines were more brutal in their depiction. We all thoroughly enjoyed the 60s dream sequences where an ideal world was playing in Claire’s mind to protect herself from the horror of the reality she was enduring. My boyfriend Murtagh was alive, Marsali was rocking the mod look so much she became my girlfriend and there were many Easter eggs and references to prior scenes. The episode ends on a triumphant note despite the tragedy that has occurred and leaves us all feeling grateful for home and the protection of those who love us. As usual, faithful to the book both in story and dialogue. Storyline changes in the show are rare. Sometimes I like it better (Murtagh stays alive), sometimes I don’t. I preferred the change in this episode where Bree & Roger still end up staying on the Ridge, but it was portrayed as their hearts’ true desire when they tried to travel through the stones back to their own time. Boyfriend meter 1, Girlfriend meter 1. Toasts from all the peeps. Slainte mhah!

DISPATCHES FROM ELSEWHERE – This quirky new show is delightful….quite a departure from the norm. Four folks, each stuck in their lives, are lured into a mysterious game and forced to work together to solve the clues. This unlikely team would ordinarily never cross paths, but discover true friendship as they press on in their quest. The cast includes Sally Field and an intriguing actress, Eve Lindley, as Simone. I find her character (a transgender woman) and her relationship with one of her fellow teammates (a straight man) fascinating. She’s also beautiful and engaging. She definitely makes my girlfriend meter! Boyfriend meter 0. Cheers!

OUTLANDER 5 – Episode 9 was stellar and the kind of story that endears this series to its many fans. Frannie and I loved it. Great bonding scenes between Jamie & Roger, Jamie & Young Ian and Jamie & Claire. It was beautiful and romantic, everything Outlander fans have come to expect. It also kept closely to the book, both in storyline and dialogue. Two toasts. No boyfriends, but Roger and Ian are capturing more of my attention every season. Slainte.

OUTLANDER 5 – Episode 8 was quite a departure from the norm. Francine didn’t like it at all. It was too far outside the box for her. I admit I had to watch it twice and pay closer attention to the opening scene (especially dialogue) to understand the symbolism. Once I did, I found it quite clever and creative. Roger’s hanging ordeal is framed within a silent black & white moving picture. Roger was quite fond of watching them in his own time. He is now starring in one inside his head as he dwells in complete silence for months struggling to overcome the trauma of hanging. Another interesting bit is black & white silence turning to color and sound as Roger chooses life over death. This storyline consumes 80% of the episode, which I think is what lost Francine. In addition, Ian returns after a long absence with the Mohawk. In the books he returns later in the story, and my memory is while he is not himself, he does engage with the family more than in the show. We don’t learn the reason for his distress until later, but I wanted to see glimpses of the old Ian who is still very much a part of who he is now. Rollo was perfect, of course. One toast from me. Francine not so much.

OUTLANDER 5 – Last night’s episode (#7) was riveting and heartbreaking, keeping closely to the book. My boyfriend, Murtagh, finally meets his end. Murtagh dies during the Battle of Alamance instead of on the battlefield at Culloden, but the same book dialogue between he and Jamie is written into the scene. I always enjoy hearing lines and seeing important events taken directly from the books. I’m sure Diana Gabaldon is pleased. It was a fitting death, but I will miss the character of Murtagh and the fine actor who plays him, Duncan Lacroix, very much. I’m also grateful his character remained in the show far longer than in the books, and with much greater impact on the story. Sam Heughan did an excellent job portraying all the losses. And there was a delightful surprise. Graham McTavish who played Dougal Mackenzie returned in the role of Dougal’s son. I recognized his voice immediately, even before his younger character appeared on screen. Creative, clever casting that will make viewers smile. And Graham, too, as I’m sure he will be appearing in future episodes as the story moves forward. Frannie & I both raise our glasses to this one. And a special toast to my boyfriend who will not be seen in future episodes but served us well. RIP Murtagh. Slainte.

DR. SLEEP – Mike and I have wanted to see this film since it first opened in theatres. We were both fans of Stephen King’s book along with a few other peeps in our group. We finally had an opportunity under the coronavirus shelter-at-home orders. The film was proceeding fairly well until the end. Intended as a sequel to The Shining where Danny Torrance is now an adult and very much following in the footsteps of his tormented father, the film should have provided the same redemptive resolution found in the book. In fact, that was my favorite part of the book, and I was very much looking forward to seeing it portrayed on screen. Dan Torrance is forced to return to the Overlook Hotel, face his demons once and for all, employ them to fight the current evil force he encounters in this story, and then the coup de grace…he’s failing until his father’s spirit assists him with the final push necessary to overcome the evil energies and redeem them both. Instead, the film’s ending became a cheesy remake of the original Shining movie (with a lot of corny nods to its predecessor). Dan perishes the same way as his father, overtaken by the malevolent hotel ghosts and the exploding boiler. I would love to know what Stephen King thinks of this drastic change to his great story. I hated it. So did Mike. The film also lacked a proper depiction of the steam people. Scenes and events are pieced together quickly and disjointedly in an already very long film. It’s surprising since the film is directed by Mike Flanagan who usually churns out good stuff – most recently The Haunting of Hill House on NewFlix (although I have to say I wasn’t a fan of the ending of that one either, despite the topnotch quality of the series overall.) The actors in Dr. Sleep did a great job in spite of these major flaws. And kudos to the casting of actors who strongly resemble characters from the original film. I’m going to take this opportunity to also voice my opinion of the original Stanley Kubrick film with Jack Nicholson. I think I was the only one who completely disliked this film. I definitely was the only one of folks I know. There was a remake of it with Stephen Weber and Rebecca De Mornay delivered as a mini-series over several nights some 20 years ago. That one, which few people know about, stuck completely to the original story. It was filmed at the Stanley hotel in Colorado where King wrote the book and was the basis for the Overlook. I cared about Jack & Wendy Torrance, I believed they loved Danny and each other, I was rooting for them all they way. I love this remake and continue to watch it on dvd. In the original, Jack was a nasty jerk, Wendy was a screeching nag and I wanted the hotel to consume them both. So, zero toasts and boyfriends for Dr. Sleep (except for the cat which was beautiful), zero toasts and boyfriends to the original Shining film, and two toasts and one boyfriend in the remake. Cheers!

OUTLANDER 5 – Frannie and I are in complete agreement this is the best episode of the season so far. I find the most interesting ones are always those that focus on family, time travel and the intertwining of relationships through the centuries. The same is true of the books. Cheers!! (No boyfriends in this one though)

THE JOKER – This is not my kind of film, but Mike has wanted to watch this movie since forever, so the two of us sat down to view a few days ago. We only made it through half of the picture. The joker’s character was so disturbingly sad and pitiful, I couldn’t watch any more. For Mike, the character caused his already high level of anxiety to spike. We both saw enough to agree Joaquin Phoenix was phenomenal and deserved the Oscar.