Netflix Brings SURVIVING BLACK HAWK DOWN

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on Netflix, Ridley Scott and director Jack MacInnes is the intense and harrowing story of the men who lived and talk about SURVIVING BLACK HAWK DOWN.

It is October 3, 1993 and Dave Diemer (US Army Ranger) sits in a diner to talk about that time in Somalia. Why? Because he was there. U.S. Special Forces were being sent to Mogadishu, Somalia looking for those rebels who were loyal to their leader Gen. Mohamed Farah Aidid. The day is the Battle of Mogadishu but it is also known to American soldiers as Black Hawk Down.

Randy Ramglia (US Army Ranger) recalls the day that started out relaxing at the military base in Mogadishu. At the beach, soldiers were enjoying the sun until they are gathered up and returned to base to ready themselves for a mission. That mission? To get in, grab their targets and get out. Brad Thomas (US Army Ranger) recalls his life before the military and his visit to a recruiter office seeing a video of the Army Rangers.

After joining, in July of 1993, the men’s training is halted and soldiers are quickly sent off to Somalia. The country is in the midst of a civil war and, then, President Clinton orders help for the poorest in the region. Diemer, Ramglia and Thomas experience their first night on base of hearing mortar rounds and realize the extent of the danger. They also learn that Aidid was responsible for killing the country’s people and Americans at the embassy and it was no longer going to be ignored. Now, they military is targeting officials of Aidid’s regime if not Aidid himself. The ranger unit wasn’t the first to go in, it was the Delta Force team that took the lead.

Tom Satterly (Delta Force) was part of that force and their mission was Aidid. After getting the information they needed, Delta Force and the Rangers board Black Hawks and fly to the target. They were not on the ground long before being fired on. Everyone in Mogadishu knows the United States military is there. Capturing it is Somalian Ahmed “Five” who speaks of how his country changed from a normal, nice life to one of war. He became a war cameraman and documented the devastation.

In 1992, Operation Restore Hope brought Marines and the UN to help the poorest people of Somalia. At first the people seemed happy to see them but as the strict pressure began to happen, the people turned on the Americans. Then a mission, seen from the ground and Ahmed’s camera provide more anger in Mogadishu and it still haunts Ahmed today. It also led to the change in attitude of the people of Somalia.

On October 3^rd, the plan was shown of the mission to go after Aidid’s lieutenant. The ground convoy and Black Hawks head out. What the soldiers don’t know is the people on the ground were ready to start firing on them – and they did. During the fire fight, three words are heard – Black Hawk down! It is now a rescue mission for the soldiers and a hunt for the angry Somalians.

Larry Perino (US Army Ranger) is monitoring it all and realize the rescue mission has to happen and the soldiers decide to all meet up at the crash site. The Somali’s are also running to the site to capture and/or kill the soldiers. Chaos ensues as roadblocks are stopping rescuers, the Rangers and Delta Force inch forward. Michael Durant (US Pilot) brings in helicopter support for the troops on the ground. Brad Halling (US Ranger) was suppressing fire for the troops on the ground. In the meantime, the Casualty Convoy is still trying to get back to base. As more helicopters go in to help in the fight, another fateful Black-Hawk-down is heard. Rebels are running to that crash site and the soldiers at the first crash site are trapped.

As morning breaks, the second Black Hawk has survivors, pilot Durant is severely injured and captured. Armored convoys are back at the base but it is a quick turnaround. The soldiers want to get back quickly and help those trying to stay alive. Durant is being interrogated but he too just waits hearing the convoy go by. That same morning, Ahmed starts recording at the crash site and it quickly gets back to the soldiers at the base and they are horrified. Then President Clinton makes it clear that hurting any soldiers will not be tolerated and a deal is struck for the return of Durant.

The soldiers who put their lives on the line are angry. Diemer, Halling, Ramglia and Thomas all have an opinion of it until this very day and honestly, who can blame them.

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with over 158 million paid memberships in over 190 countries. Enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films, Netflix is across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere and on any internet-connected screen. For more information, please visit www.netflix.com.

The episodes include This Is Not New York, A Wall of Lead, and No Way Out.

SURVIVING BLACK HAWK DOWN is an intense documentary about one of the most intense firefights. In 2001, Ridley Scott along with Jerry Bruckheimer brought the story to the big screen with the film BLACK HAWK DOWN. The film was, in itself just an assault on the senses but this series allows the viewers to learn the history of what led up to the day in October. It also allows us to hear from the men who decided to be a part of the US Army Rangers, their mission and even surviving is sometimes a day-to-day struggle with the memories.

The series also delves into the Somalian perspective of their country’s civil war, the hope when the UN arrived and what events occurred that changed how they felt. Each Somalian experienced something as well during the Battle of Mogadishu and as much as hearing what the rebels had to say is difficult, it is important to hear.

These first-hand accounts are unfiltered and are recounted in the strongest of terms and feeling. It is so important to dive deeper into this event because it was not just based on the military going in for no reason. Aidid, like other leaders, used propaganda to create a civilian army and that meant emotions running high, so high that the military could never have expected the rebel firefight that happened. Out of it all, the pain and suffering was and is still plaguing all those who lost something that day – the civil war in Somalia still continues.

In the end -  this is the story told by the soldiers who survived it!

 

 

Netflix Stuns with 3 BODY PROBLEM

 

Jeri Jacquin

Premiering on Netflix in an original series from creators David Benioff, D.B. Weiss and Alexander Woo is the fantastical in the story of a 3 BODY PROBLEM.

It is Beijing in 1966 during the Chinese Cultural Revolution when the crowds are cheering on the condemning of professor Ye Zhetai, once highly respected. In the crowd is a daughter Ye Wenjie who watches as her father refuses to deny scientific theories. Even the professors’ one-time students are now against science and pit his own wife against him.

In present day, detectives led by Da Shi (Benedict Wong) makes a shocking discovering in an apartment. A man has taken his own life but it is what they find in his apartment is more shocking than his death. Da Shi has uncovered that at least 30 scientists have been found dead in a months’ time. At the Oxford University Particle Accelerator, Saul Durand (Jovan Adepo) and a colleague Vera are having a discussion on why the science isn’t working and where is God.

Jin (Jess Hong) and friend Auggie (Eiza Gonzalez) are scientists out having a drink and discussing why the accelerators worldwide are not making sense. It is not just their research but experiments all over the world are having the same issues. Auggie can’t help but notice there is something strange in the air, when it finally appears she is shaken and what she sees will not go away.

Jack Rooney (John Bradley) and friend Alex Sharp (Will Downing) are attending a funeral and remembering their friend. Saul, Jin and Auggie are also there and an unexpected guest in Dai Shi. He observes a mysterious guest leaving the service in Mike Evans (Jonathan Pryce) who takes off in an equally mysterious helicopter. The group gathers to talk about old times and what is happening now but Auggie needs air. That’s when she meets a stranger who knows what it is Auggie is going through and taunts her with what can happen at midnight.  

Flashback to 1967 Mongolia as Ye Wenjie (Zine Tseng) is in a work camp where she meets Bai Mulin. Sharing what they can of their lives, things turn difficult for her as those in charge want her to betray others her father knew. Sent to a military base dealing with the Red Coast project, she believes that once inside the gates, she will never leave. Once inside, she witnesses the strange power of a signal sent out and what they are truly doing on the base.

At the Black Palace in London, Da Shi is creating a board filled with names and faces investigating each one. Thomas Wade (Liam Cunningham) discusses what he is finding out about each person in the photos. Jin goes to pay respects to Vera’s mother (Rosalind Chao) and while there, she finds a headset. Vera’s mother tells her to take it believing it to be some video game, when Jin tries it – it is anything but.

It is almost midnight and Auggie asks Saul to go with her to see what the stranger might have been talking about. Looking up at the night sky, what they observe is that the sky is “winking” at them all. But what is it really? Or was it trying to tell them all something larger than they could have ever imagined.

Each has a role to play but what is it to each of them and why - that is what is coming in the 3 BODY PROBLEM!

Wong as Da Shi is a man on a mission to discover how all of these people are connected all while trying to find missing artifacts. A strong presence with a bit of sarcasm thrown in. It will be interesting to watch his role unwrap and what part he plays in the mystery.

Gonzalez as Auggie is the first in the group to discover the internal clock and listens to the mysterious stranger on how to make it stop. Her pressure is on to find out why this is happening and what part her company plays in it. Hong as Jin is the one to discover what Vera’s headset is capable of but it will not be without its dangers and realities. Worrying about Auggie, it doesn’t stop her from jumping into the ‘game’ of the headset.

Tseng as Ye Wenjie is a young woman who is caught up in an era of survival. The loss of her father doesn’t stop the Commission from coming for her as well. Led to the base, she takes it upon herself to learn about what they are doing and makes her own decisions.

Adepo as Saul tries to find answers to the “winking” by covering it up in conspiracy theories. Wanting to just write it off as such, there will come a time when that isn’t going to be possible. Chao as Vera’s mother has her own secrets to tell. Dealing with the death of her daughter, her friends come to pay their respects. Chao gives us past mystery as well as present mystery.

Bradley as Jack decided that being a millionaire candy maker is much more fun than science. That doesn’t mean he still isn’t deep in it when it comes to being with his friend’s pre-candy. I do love when Bradley shows up for a role because I know it will be quirky. Downing as Alex also traded his science life in for that of becoming a teacher. Getting over his romance with Jin is equally as difficult but he has Jack to make him laugh.

Cunningham and Pryce are still the mystery roles that I’m sure will slowly come into play and, since I am a fan of both these actors, I can’t wait to see where their characters go.

Other cast include Marlo Kelly as Tatiana, Sea Shimooka as Sophon, Saamer Usmani as Raj Varma, Gerard Monaco as Collins, John Dagleish as Felix, Stephen Hughes as Anwar Suleiman, Adrian Edmondson as Denys Porlock, Bilal Hasna as Edgar, Ben Schnetzer as young Mike Evans, Aidan Cheng as Reg, and Eve Ridley as Follower.

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with over 158 million paid memberships in over 190 countries. Enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films, Netflix is across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere and on any internet-connected screen. For more information, please visit www.netflix.com.

Episodes include Countdown (directed by Derek Tsang), Red Coast (Derek Tsang), Destroyer of Worlds (Andrew Stanton), Our Lord (Minkie Spiro), Judgement Day (Minkie Spiro), The Stars Our Destination (Minkie Spiro), Only Advance (Jeremy Podeswa), and Wallfacer (Jeremy Podeswa).

3 BODY PROBLEM starts out stunning and catches the attention right away. That’s an excellent way to start because this is a slow telling which is a fantastic way for the audience to understand each of the characters. Be prepared for flashbacks but know that it is a truly interesting foundation for the story moving ahead.

I love the cast because they work so brilliantly together. Yes, there are a few Game of Thrones faces and a face or two from the superhero world but I’m good with it. Nothing wrong with recognizing the potential of actors going past a series that made them famous. In fact, very smart as a way to bring audiences in!

There is a bit of everything in the series, science fiction, mystery, adventure, a trip through history, gaming, science itself and the constant questioning. That’s about all I am going to tell you because this is a series experience and one that I believe will have people talking for quite some time. Netflix has taken a bold move in bringing something unique and powerful for those craving just that.

With all the remakes boring viewers for entertainment to tears, 3 BODY PROBLEM is the solution to wake them back up! Prepare to be blown away in 8 binge worthy stunning and brilliant episodes of the newest offering for the senses.

In the end – are we in a chaotic era?

THE GOOD NURSE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on Netflix from Film Nation and director Tobias Lindholm is the suspense drama based on a true story with THE GOOD NURSE.

Amy (Jessica Chastain) is an ICU nurse trying to make ends meet while also raising a daughter. Learning that her heart is in trouble, Amy continues to work and keeps the condition to herself. Charlie Cullen (Eddie Redmayne) is the new hire who is just as compassionate and caring as Amy which makes for a good friendship.

Daughters Maya (Devyn McDowell) and Alex (Alix West Lefler) are under the care of Jackie (Marcia Jean Kurtz) while Amy works. The great part is that they also enjoy the company of Cullen so it is a really good friendship.

They are both working the night shifts so it is easy for them to share what is happening in each other’s’ lives. When patients pass, Amy believes they should be just as compassionate in death as they should be in life. In the case of one patient, Ana, something seems wrong. Led by Risk Manager Linda Garran (Kim Dickens), they inform the authorities including Det. Danny Baldwin (Nnamdi Asomugha) and Det. Tim Braun (Noah Emmerich).

The police aren’t happy with the length of time the hospital waited to call them making their investigation more difficult. Even more so when they are told that they cannot question staff in a room alone. Linda announces to the nurses that there is a case that is being investigated and it makes them all nervous.

Charlie sees that Amy is struggling and he reiterates that he wants to do whatever he can to help and explains things to daughter Alex. In the meantime, Baldwin and Braun are losing their collective law enforcement patience and let Linda know they understand that she is hiding something.

The investigation starts to heat up as Amy tries to help the police figure out who is responsible and the hospital hides behind itself. What’s more – there may be other patience like Ana.

Chastain as Amy is a mother of two girls and trying to keep it all together. The new health issue is making that even more difficult than ever. That is what Chastain does in this role, manage to keep it together when it becomes even more and more dangerous. Taking on the different and unusual, Chastain has always been the actress who has never put herself into one category of roles and it is always awesome.

Redmayne as Charlie is charming and caring but there is something that causes Amy to question their friendship. Having his own difficulties with not being able to see his kids, he is drawn to Amy and the girls so he can have a bit of something he’s missing in his life. Redmayne gives his character a struggle and a mystery that I love about the roles he chooses.

Asomugha as Det. Baldwin is a man who is not going to stop looking no matter how little evidence they have to go on. Taking it step by step, he works with Amy to do whatever they can with the little they have. Asomugha gives this character strength of character but that doesn’t mean he won’t be shocked in the end.

Emmerich as Det. Braun sees that the one responsible is tricky and has managed to slip through the cracks. Frustration seeps in and the time comes when he will be face to face with questions. Emmerich has always been a straight forward actor who takes his roles to places never expected.

Dickens as Garran is the risk manager at the hospital who clearly understands what is at stake. That doesn’t stop her from working the system that has done nothing to stop the deaths. Dickens is straight forward with a straight face and

Lefler as Alex is a pre-teen that has the attitude to match. She does understand that her mother is ill but at the same time is struggling to understand it all together. She is a strong actress who gives a stellar performance.

Other cast include Judith Delgado as Ana Martinez, Jesus-Papoleto Melendez as Sam Martinez, Myra Taylor as Vivian Neal, Ajay Naidu as Dr. Robert Hind, and David Lavine as Duncan Beattie.

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with over 158 million paid memberships in over 190 countries. Enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films, Netflix is across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere and on any internet-connected screen. For more information, please visit www.netflix.com.

THE GOOD NURSE is a hospital thriller that is filled with twists and unexpected turns. Once again, one woman takes on an establishment that is not only hurting her physical existence but mental as well. Making it clear from the beginning that they will do whatever is necessary to protect themselves, Amy is the only way to find the answers.

One thing that the film says under its breath is that hospitals were not held accountable for anything that happened to patients. That was aggravating to see because it is easy for them to hide with the money and power of good lawyers over patients who do not have the same access.

This is also a crime story because of what happened these patients and who caused it. That is the twists because suspicions are just flipped through distractions and ways around accepting what the truth really is. Yes, I’m been a little bit vague here because I want the viewer to take the same ride through it all as I did.

In the end – this is an unthinkable true story!

Netflix and Stephen King Rings Up MR. HARRIGAN’S PHONE

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on Netflix from writer/director John Lee Hancock based on a novella by Stephen King is MR. HARRIGAN’S PHONE.

Craig (Jaeden Martell) lives in a small town with his father attending church on Sundays trying not to think of his life without a mother. During his time at church, the young Craig meets Mr. Harrigan (Donald Sutherland) and begins an extraordinary friendship. Spending time together, talking about everything together, Craig even introduces the elderly gentleman to a cell phone after winning money on a lottery ticket.

School is a sometimes good and sometimes bad experience for Craig. The few friends Craig has are more acquaintances and the school bully Kenny (Cyrus Arnold) that consistently puts the boys life in peril and threat. Even favorite teacher Ms. Hart (Kirby Howell-Baptiste) tries to help the boy but Craig would rather spend time with Mr. Harrigan.

He tells Mr. Harrigan about wanting to go to college and his hopes for the future as the elderly gentleman listens intently. One day, Craig comes for his visit only to find that Mr. Harrigan has passed away. Devastated to have lost someone that has affected his life so greatly, Craig is even more surprised to learn that Mr. Harrigan has taken care of things for him.

But as the days go on, the cell phone that once belonged to Mr. Harrigan begins to act strangely and Craig now goes through a time of disturbing happenings that he can not possibly explain. He also does not know if he will be able to escape it all.

Martell as Craig is a young man who has lost his mother and tries to fill the void by being a good son to his father. The relationship with Mr. Harrigan is one that does not come with any emotional strings for the boy which is freeing. It allows him to be exactly who he is and Martell gives every bit of that hidden behind the eyes of a boy who wants so much more for his life.

Sutherland as Mr. Harrigan is, as always, so very amazing on the screen. The scene where he talks about the problems with cell phones and where it will lead is so spot on that there is no way to disagree with him. That being said, what happens later on is a little more than anyone can find on Goggle that’s for sure. Sutherland is an actor I have always greatly admired and I never miss anything he is in, good or not-so-good because I know his acting is always going to be straight forward.

Howell-Baptiste as Ms. Hart is the kind of teacher many of us can relate to because we have all had that one (or two) that have made such an impact. Ms. Hart sees Craig’s struggles and knows what is happening with Kenny yet allows the young man to decide for himself how to handle it. Arnold as Kenny is a young man who clearly has a life that is out of control. There is something driving him to choose Craig and it is frightening.

Other cast include Thomas Francis Murphy as Pete, Joe Tippett as Craig’s father, Colin O’Brien as young Craig, Peggy J. Scott as Edna Grogan, Ivan Amaro Bullon as the Sheriff, and Daniel Reece as Deane Whitmore.

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with over 158 million paid memberships in over 190 countries. Enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films, Netflix is across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere and on any internet-connected screen. For more information, please visit www.netflix.com.

If you are looking to be scared out of your wits, then MR. HARRIGAN’S PHONE is not the film for you. This is more of a lessons-to-be-learned type of film with one or two moments thrown in for good measure. From the beginning it is clear that this is a Stephen King story by how it begins and the small town feel within the story.

Being that it came out in October, I was silly enough to think that perhaps it had spooks, frights and a jump now and then but alas no. Instead, the film sort of gave me a lecture on the evils of cell phones with a bit of vengeance from the grave on the side. As Mr. Harrigan finds himself a little hooked on the phone, the cautionary tale lecture on misinformation and ‘fake news’ has a 2020 ring to it which made me groan.

MR. HARRIGAN’S PHONE had the potential to be so much more but, then again, had it been more we might have been seeing another version of THE BLACK PHONE that was written by none of than Joe Hill – yes, Stephen King’s son. Makes me wonder if their writing desks are just a little to close to one another!

There is no mistaking that Stephen King is the master writer and I have curled up too many of his books. So much so that the thicker ones never left my side until they were finished. I love his writing and his mastery of storytelling. As an avid reader, I owe many nights curled up in the chair until realizing the sun was coming up to Mr. King. Some stories just don’t capture the feel of the story that unfolds in the readers mind and that’s okay. On to the next!

In the end - some connections never die!

She is the BLONDE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on Netflix from director Andrew Dominik from the Joyce Carol Oates book Blonde is the look at the life of the most recognizable BLONDE in the world.

Norma Jeane Mortenson (Lily Fisher) starts out her life with a mother who has mental issues. Gladys (Julianne Nicholson) puts Norma’s life in danger more than once and all because of what she believes to be true. When a fire breaks out, Gladys does the unthinkable! Driving with Norma in a car going towards the fire telling the police the child’s father lives in the Hollywood Hills.

All of it puts Gladys in a mental institution and Norma going to an orphanage. Skipping ahead to 1940, Marilyn Monroe (Ana de Armas) is slowly getting the attention of Hollywood – and sometimes for the wrong and most depraved reasons. Her relationship with Charles Chaplin Jr. (Xavier Samuel) and Edward G. Robinson Jr. (Evan Williams) makes her feel safe, until her agent tells her to be careful since now the 1953 role in the film Niagara is getting attention.

The problem being, Norma is pregnant and it begins a roller coaster of emotions that make her question her own mental issues. Walking away from Cass and Eddy, she meets Joe DiMaggio (Bobby Cannavale) who is absolutely infatuated with Marilyn Monroe and proposes. While filming Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, she starts getting letters from someone claiming to be her father.  

Joe begins to become violently jealous of the things Norma has done as Marilyn Monroe. After shooting the dress in the windy grate scene from The Seven Year Itch, Joe becomes physically violent and the marriage is over. Soon after, she auditions for the 1955 Broadway play Magda and meets Arthur Miller (Adrien Brody) the playwright. The same thing happens as Miller becomes infatuated with Marilyn Monroe.

Moving to Maine, Norma tries to live the life outside Hollywood and the stage. Thrilled to be pregnant, once again the mental issues come into play when everything goes wrong. The cracks are beginning to show while filming Some Like It Hot and director Billy Wilder is about done with it. Her stress leads to a set doctor continually keeping her medicated.

Soon after, Norma is taken to see JKF in his hotel room. What happens there is more than she can handle because, again, it is about being with Marilyn Monroe the movie star. Returning home she discovers the death of Cass, a gift with a note that sets off an ending the world could never understand.

Ana de Armas makes it clear why she was chosen for the role of Marilyn Monroe. She manages to bring the blonde bombshell to a bit of life with her bleached hair and whispery voice. Was I taken away into this world by her performance? Honestly, occasionally I thought ‘wow, that’s a Marilyn moment’ but other times her voice kept changing and the scenes of nothingness were too long. I didn’t need to spend five minutes of my life watching her tear the house apart for her purse is an example. Then again, on the flip side, she wasn’t given the best material to work with.

Williams as Eddy has finally come into his own for those of us who recognize this actor. In this relationship with Norma/Marilyn, it becomes complicated and a bit vengeful. For those who see a familiarity, Williams was in the hit series VERSAILLES portraying Chevalier. Joining his former castmate is Tygh Runyan who played Fabien Marchal.

Cannavale as DiMaggio was in love with someone who really did not exist. His anger and acts of violence put a bit of a stain on the former beloved baseball player. Cannavale gives DiMaggio the best and worst of a man obsessed. Brody as Miller can play his character in another movie and I’d watch it! Trying to give Norma what she needs while dealing with Marilyn is no easy feat but Brody put in the effort.

Huge shout out to Nicholson as Gladys. Although her role was short, the impact was large and impressive.

Other cast include Toby Huss as Whitey, Ravil Isyanov as Billy Wilder, Catherine Dent as Jean, David Warshofsky as Mr. Z, Michael Masini as Tony Curtis, Caspar Phillipson as JFK, Sara Paxton as Miss Flynn, Rebecca Wisocky as Yvet, Tygh Runyan as Norma Jeane’s Father, Eden Riegel as Esther, Ned Bellamy as Doc Fell, Haley Webb as Brooke and Chris Lemmon as Jack Lemmon.

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with over 158 million paid memberships in over 190 countries. Enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films, Netflix is across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere and on any internet-connected screen. For more information, please visit www.netflix.com.

BLONDE is not a film for everyone and on so many levels. Personally, after sitting for an extensive period of time watching, wondered what the purpose of making this film was. I suppose being a black and white film that it could be under the guise of artistic. The portrayal by the actors is well done with the material given.

My problem lies with the sadistic, gruesome, misogynistic, drawn-out scenes of rape, talking fetuses and that’s just the beginning of my list. The two-hour and forty minutes dragged on from scene to scene of Norma’s victimization and I had to force myself to continue with it. By the end I felt like a dirty accomplice to those who did the victimizing, like a peeping Thomasina!  

Director Dominik gives us nothing more than event after event of horrors to the point of making sure he has put the deep stamp of disgust with the insides of a woman’s body part. In the middle of these acts of terror are flashing cameras and crowds swallowing Norma/Marilyn up time and time again.

This is a film that does not celebrate the life of accomplishments of Norma Jeane and Marilyn Monroe. It is a slaughter of both these women who tried to live in one person.

In the end – watched by all and seen by none!

It is the Return of COBRA KAI with Season 4

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from Netflix and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the next season of the hit series COBRA KAI: Season Four.

Daniel (Ralph Macchio) is working with his group Miyagi-Do and Johnny (William Zabka) is working with his group Eagle Fang with one single goal – deal with Cobra Kai. The two men are not exactly agreeing on the best way to do that. Johnny is dealing with another issue as well, a woman from the past has returned – Ali (Elisabeth Shue).

Kreese (Martin Kove) is also loading up Cobra Kai when he asks Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith) to come and help him train his students but living a different way, Terry declines but there is an itch for the past. Daniel decides to ask Johnny if he wants to team up the two dojos but there egos once again get in the way. Robby (Tanner Buchanan) decides to join Cobra Kai and gives away trade Miyagi-do Karate secrets in order to win. Hawk (Jacob Bertrand) comes up with a winning idea.

Daniel is shocked to learn that his son Anthony (Griffin Santopietro) is not being bullied, but the bully! Daniel and Johnny decide that maybe its time they try to understand one another and maybe even understand their different way of teaching their students. Daniel invites Johnny, Carmen (Vanessa Rubio) and Miguel (Xolo Mariduena) to their home for dinner to talk about things. The idea is for students from both dojos learn from one another.

A bullied Kenny goes to Kreese for help but is rejected as ‘weak’, but Robby wants to help. Johnny is not happy that Daniel has taken an interest in Miguel and Kreese introduces his students to Terry as a new sensei. Amanda (Courtney Henggeler) and Sam (Mary Mouser) see Tory (Peyton List) at her place of work which frustrates her. Finally, there is a face off between Terry and Kreese and Daniel and Johnny.

The confrontation shakes Daniel, and he tells Johnny about the history between the two. Johnny tries to help Daniel, but he doesn’t want to deal with it. After a run in with Cobra Kai and a match between Daniel and Johnny, the upcoming tournament is hanging in the balance.

All-Valley board decides to add some things to the tournament and finally has a girl’s division. The only one not happy about it is Eagle Fang because they don’t have any girl members. That is until they find Piper (Selah Austria) but she joins Cobra Kai instead. Johnny finally tells Miguel about his relationship with Carmen but Miguel surprises him instead.

Both Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang are having issues with the students whether it be in fighting or personal issues that are just weighing them down. Over at Cobra Kai, Kreese begins to think that perhaps it wasn’t a good idea to bring Terry back! It’s prom time as everyone pares up but tensions flare up. Worse, Terry does the unforgiveable to one of Cobra Kai students.

The All-Valley Tournament is brutal as each of the dojos go against one another and notices Miyagi-Do technique. Trying to talk to Robby does not help. Anthony also attempts to make amends to Kenny but is met with fists instead. When the tournament comes down to it, Daniel tells Johnny that perhaps they should mix up their styles and call it ‘Miyagi-Fang’. Once again, Cobra Kai is up to no good as Terry encourages dirty fighting and bribing referees.

Daniel turns to someone that might help them!

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment encompasses motion picture production for television, digital content and theater releases. The studios include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films and Sony Picture Classics. To see what is coming to theaters and to home entertainment please visit www.sonypictures.com.

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with over 158 million paid memberships in over 190 countries. Enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films, Netflix is across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere and on any internet-connected screen. For more information, please visit www.netflix.com.

DVD Bonus Features include Deleted Scenes, Blooper Reel and Karate Dad Featurette.

The cast of COBRA KAI is amazing and this series has captures the world’s attention and my own family as well. Of course, we would be interested, you’d have to be from another planet not to know the 1984 wave that was THE KARATE KID followed by more films. Then, the wave passed, and the kid was reduced to a gawd awful remake (which we won’t talk about here).

Then, in 2018, something wonderful happened! The first season of COBRA KAI made its way onto big and small streaming screens everywhere. Netflix caught on and brought it on board their slate of shows and it has just exploded. Why? Because no one gets to mess with the 80’s generation and our beloved movies and characters.

Having Ralph Macchio and William Zabka lead the way, a new generation gets to geek out with those of us who lived the viewing dream! These two actors have brought back the story and we do not even care that they have aged because, lets be real, haven’t we all? There issues are from the past but, as each season grows, their hard-headedness gets in the way from the one thing they need to grasp – they are actually on the sane side!

Bringing Kove as Kreese and Griffith as Terry back means it is a two-two fight. The kids also have a say in what is happening in their own lives and find out that sometimes what is going on is hard to know. The face kids show out in the world is not necessarily the real face of what is going on at home and in their lives.

So prepare to binge and catch up with COBRA KAI Season 4!

In the end – the Karate Kid saga continues! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE MAN FROM TORONTO

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on Netflix from director Patrick Hughes, Bron and Sony Pictures brings the craziness belonging to THE MAN FROM TORONTO.

Freddie Jackson (Kevin Hart) is a go getter with attempting to sell the world on his exercise equipment on the internet. His ideas are not getting anywhere which worries Freddie who is trying to pamper his wife Lori (Jasmine Matthews) for her birthday by renting a cabin for the weekend.

Dropping her off at the spa, Freddie drives to the cabin to get it set up for their romantic time. When he gets there, Freddie is met by some very dangerous people wanting him to do something despicable! Being called ‘The Man from Toronto’, he is told by Agent Lawrence (Kate Drummond) who stopped the hit that they need his help.

Wanting him to continue to be ‘The Man from Toronto’, they agents tell Freddie everything he needs to know and offer him incentives. Agent Santoro (Jencarlos Canela) is sent to allow Lori a day of shopping to meet Freddie later in the evening. The problem is, someone else is watching what Freddie has been up to.

The Man from Toronto (Woody Harrelson), the real one, is hot on Freddie’s trail. So close in fact that meeting up with other bad guys looks easy. Freddie is now heading to Puerto Rico and the agents have lost him! On the plane, the two men from Toronto come face to face and the Handler (Ellen Barkin) is not happy and brings in reinforcements with The Man from Miami (Pierson Fode).

The Man from Toronto, Randy, sees no other choice but to team up with Freddie and the results are stomach churning. All of this is about a weapon that needs a certain man’s voice and a thumbprint. The killer knows that he has to continue the ruse with Freddie because everyone has now seen a photo of him.

But Freddie has to get back to Lori and Randy goes along only to meet Anne (Kaley Cuoco) who gets the uptight killer to loosen up a bit. Things start to go well until The Man from Miami shows up wreaking a lot of havoc and the agents reconnect and see Freddie with Randy. Agent Davis (Ronnie Rowe) tries to get to them.

The Man from Miami has what he needs to meet with Colonel Marin (Alejandro De Hoyos) and the Handler shows up with the cash Randy wants. As all the bad guys gather together to hear the speech by the new president of Venezuela, the weapon everybody but Freddie wants is in bad hands. Worst of all, Lori has made it clear she does not know her husband anymore.

The new problem is that the Handler does not like what is happening and decides that the only thing left to do it call in all ‘The Man From…’ to send Randy and Freddie on the run!

Hart as Freddie is doing what he does best, crack jokes, be self-deprecating and makes it clear that his character is a jumpy as a cat on a hot tin roof. Hart has wracked up quite a few buddy films and now, opposite Harrelson, he can be sure that anyone else that wants to line up for their shot at another buddy film is going up against a pro. Even his action sequences are hilarious!

Harrelson as Randy ‘The Man from Toronto’ gets to play the straight guy who has a few sensitive issues. He does not min a good fight but put him on the dance floor and he gets a bit jittery and sensitive. He is the straight man and anchor to Freddie’s constant chaos. I enjoy his performance and I think it made me laugh a bit more than Freddie.

Barkin as the Handler is a woman on a mission. Her job is calling ‘The Man from…’ to do jobs that pay a lot. When Randy and Freddie screw up her plans, she is not about to forgive or forget. Nicely done!

Other cast includes Lela Loren as Daniela Marin, Rob Archer as Oscar, Patrick Garrow as Brennan, Martin Roach as Marty, Jason MacDonald as Coughlin, Kyle Gatehouse as Todd, and Alejandro Ampudia as Green Guy.

Netflix is the world’s leading streaming entertainment service with over 158 million paid memberships in over 190 countries. Enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films, Netflix is across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere and on any internet-connected screen. For more information, please visit www.netflix.com.

THE MAN FROM TORONTO is a buddy action comedy that does not waste any time getting the action started. Hart is go, go, go and even until the end, he is still going. He is the energizer bunny of action stars. As Freddie, he openly admits he is more afraid of wife Lori than anything Randy can bring to his life.

Harrelson is the anchor to the madness as he keeps his calm when Hart’s character loses his wits. What I loved about this character the most is that what we think we know about him is not what is true. That being said, watching these two actors together is a comedy that will definetly entertain and having a big screen television will make it even more entertaining!

In the end – hitman meets deadman!

He is Dealing with FATHERHOOD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and Digital from director Paul Weitz, Netflix and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment comes the story of one man dealing with FATHERHOOD.

Matt (Kevin Hart) and wife Liz are so excited waiting for the birth of their daughter but that joy is not to last. After Liz passes, Matt is wrapped up in grief while mother-in-law Marion (Alfre Woodard) consistently tells him that he can not do the job of raising a child alone and should move back to Minnesota where there is family. 

Matt decides that he is going to do what Liz would have wanted and that is to raise their child the best way he can. Returning to work, he lets boss Howard (Paul Reiser) know that his life is now more complicated but to be patient with him. Also on his side are friends Jordan (Lil Rey Howery) and Oscar (Anthony Carrigan).

Years pass and Maddy (Melody Hurd) has grown into a saucy seven-year-old who has a voice of her own. They have found a routine to their life and, as what always happens, someone is about to give Matt a dose of reality. At a friend’s party, Matt meets Lizzie (Deborah Ayorinde) and hit it off so well that even Maddy likes her!

After an accident at school, Matt feels guilty for his relationship with Lizzie and makes a decision that upsets Maddy. Instead of dealing with it, Matt and Maddy go to Minnesota for Marion’s birthday. He is even more upset when he sees that Marion has changed Liz’s room. Wanting to leave, Maddy puts her foot down and tells her father that she wants to stay with family who knew her mother.

Returning home, Matt tries to just move along and is even given a chance to take a higher paying job in the company that will require a lot of travel. Right before he is due to leave, Matt finally has an epiphany about what it means to be a good person but most of all – a good father!

Hart as Matt gets a chance to try his ‘serious’ chops in this role. There are moments of humor and he does get chances to humor-up against his girlfriend and Maddy. But this is an emotional role but Hart delivers.

Hurd as young Maddy is so cool its ridiculous. She has an opinion and has the way she delivers lines is cutting but not murderous. Instead, she is a kid who is in a difficult situation wanting to be with her Dad in everything but wanting to understand having a mother even if it is through her grandmother’s and even Lizzie.

Woodard as Marion is angry at the loss of her daughter and, in a way, blames Matt for everything. Grief tends to do that but instead of supporting his decision to raise his daughter, she finds ways to hurt his feelings and hinder his ability to be secure in his decision. Not cool ma-in-law!

Howery as Jordan is Matt’s friend who does have the best of intentions, its just his delivery system needs serious work. The one person who gets Jordan is Maddy which cracked me up. Carrigan as Oscar is that friend who just doesn’t realize that his mouth runneth over. His intentions are also good but one thing he does tell Matt that he needs to hear – their home is not a home without Maddy in it.

Wise as Lizzie is charming, accepting and understands that Matt is confused by how to be a good Dad while getting into a relationship. She clearly enjoys Maddy’s company as Maddy does hers and it is Matt that gets in his own way.

Other cast include Teneisha Collins as Ms. Burns, Thedra Porter as Anna, Ellen David as Dr. Jarvis, Julian Casey as Frank, Maria Herrera as Sister Kathleen, Frankie Faison as Grandpa Mike.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment encompasses motion picture production for television, digital content and theater releases. The studios include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films and Sony Picture Classics. To see what is coming to theaters and to home entertainment please visit www.sonypictures.com.

Netflix is the world’s leading streaming entertainment service with over 158 million paid memberships in over 190 countries. Enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films, Netflix is across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere and on any internet-connected screen. For more information, please visit www.netflix.com.

MOVIES ANYWHERE gives viewers the ability to download the Movies Anywhere App. With that you can view films by downloading or streaming to your favorite device using a Digital Code. For more information on Movies Anywhere please visit www.MoviesAnywhere.com.

Hart gives us a grieving father who realizes that he would rather chew glass than let his mother-in-law be right about his fathering abilities. The way he goes about getting help might be a little different but at least he is asking. The way he describes Maddy’s newborn problems were enough to have me cracking up.

As Maddy gets older, the questions come about Mom, family and why it is always just the two of them. Matt has put this protective bubble around his daughter without realizing that the consequences will be painful – but for who?

The story is charming, relatable, heart breaking, and funny with a cast that makes it so tissue worthy. Everyone around Matt wants what is best for Maddy but they have to remember that what is best for her is Dad!

In the end – they are in it together!

 

 

 

THE ADAM PROJECT Hits Netflix

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on Netflix from director Shawn Levy is the tale of facing who you are and who you will be with THE ADAM PROJECT.

Adam Reed (Walker Scobell) is a young boy living with Mother Ellie (Jennifer Garner) as they both deal with the death of Dad and husband Louis Reed (Mark Ruffalo). Adam has a problem that not only does he deal with the sadness of mom and asthma, but he suffers from a mouthy problem which gets him in trouble.

After being sent home from a fight at school, Adam realizes his mother is going on a date and cannot help but make a few snide comments. Left at home doing what boys do when they are left alone, four-legged friend Rocket runs off and Adam follows. Into the woods behind the house, he discovers what looks like something blew up!

Following Rocket again, Adam goes into what was his father’s workshop and there is a stranger! Clearly wounded but Adam goes into protective mode but when the two start talking – they both realize they are looking into the faces of each other. Twelve-year-old Adam is staring up at his grown-up self but it is their sarcasm that is a match.

Grown up Adam broke through his time into young Adam’s and there are problems. A woman named Maya Sorian (Catherine Keener) wants something from pilot Adam and sends a killer named Christos (Alex Allari Jr.) to chase him across the galaxy. Pilot Adam is also stunned when he is saved by his wife Laura (Zoe Saldana) and young Adam is impressed.

The only way to stop all of this is for both Adams to go through another portal in space to go back and see their dad Louis who is stunned to see them both. There is no time to chat as they must get to Sorian building and retrieve Louis’ research and keep it out of Maya’s hands!

Two wise-cracking Adams and a dad in the middle on an adventure and reconnection of love is everything.

Reynolds as the pilot Adam gives his usual straight forward wise cracking performance and has a bit of fun with the science fiction aspect of the story. He continues to find roles that allow him to be hilarious and there certainly is not anything wrong with that. I prefer his humor with a biting edge and perfect delivery. Playing opposite young Scobell as the twelve-year-old Adam is nothing short of perfection bouncing off one another with timing that is stunning. Scobell gives as good as he gets while getting a chance to see a bit of his future and a look at what he has been ignoring in his present. Both well done.

Garner as Mom Ellie is dealing with what all young widows with a child deal with – the pain of trying to handle a household, working and making sure the bills are paid. Trying to stay attached to her young son, she sees the problems he has dealing with the death of his dad and not sure how to handle it. Garner takes this sweet role and gives her character the same understanding she does when playing a Mom.

Ruffalo as Dad Louis gets a second chance to see his sons’ (odd to say, isn’t it?) and say some things he wanted to, go on an adventure of a lifetime, and watching both his boys do what they do best because both are dang smart. Ruffalo is funny, sweet and ready to take on whatever he needs to.

Saldana as wife Laura gets the chance to keep her time travelling space boots on and protect her husband as much as she can through time. Keener as Maya is a woman who seems to enjoy chasing pilot Adam through the galaxy. He is like a thorn stuck and it is irritating her to no end. Yes, she wants what he took but Keener gives Maya the look of a woman who just wants to squash Adam like a bug for her own reasons.

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with over 158 million paid memberships in over 190 countries. Enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films, Netflix is across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere and on any internet-connected screen. For more information please visit www.netflix.com.

THE ADAM PROJECT is a fun family film that will make kids laugh as well as adults. Having Reynolds and Scobell play the same person at different ages means there are jokes everyone can understand. The wise cracking duo are evenly matched in delivery and Scobell must have taken ‘Reynolds’ lessons to be able to upstage his co-star once or twice.

I see parallels to other “time-travel-meeting-younger-self” films and the bonus here is the fast action and sharp humor that I always enjoyed. Watching it with my granddaughter, she was laughing so much and yelling at the bad guys at the same time. That’s what watching film should be like, generational fun and being comfy at home with our favorite white cheddar popcorn and pj’s.

In the end – the past meets the future!

THE STARLING Flies onto Netflix

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on Netflix from director Theodore Melfi comes a story of loss, grief and dealing with THE STARLING.

Lilly (Melissa McCarthy) and husband Jack (Chris O’Dowd) are dealing with a loss in their family. Jack is so distraught that he is in a facility to receive therapy and medication. Lilly deals with her anxiety by working at the local supermarket being watched over by boss Travis (Timothy Olyphant).

It is suggested to Lilly that she seek therapy of her own with Dr. Larry Fine (Kevin Kline) once therapist turned small town veterinarian. Their connection is cock-eyed at best but going home she realize that her home is surrounded by painful memories. Making a change Lilly decides to put a garden in her front yard.

Digging and planting, she is side swiped by a starling who is not happy about her presence. Lilly is not about to let a bird stop her and the battle between human and bird is on! What Lilly does not realize is that the universe works in mysterious ways. Seeing Dr. Fine and dealing with a starling along with a husband Jack and his issues, she becomes more and more aware of what she wants for her life.

This is where grief and happiness learn to co-exist!

McCarthy as Lilly is her usual hysterical self but, in this role, there is also an element of grief that, although may cause a few chuckles, is completely understandable. What Lilly learns in this process is that everyone grieves differently and once that is accepted, healing can begin. McCarthy is sweet, brave, understanding but bubbling underneath the surface is her own anger and when it comes to the surface – stand back!

O’Dowd as husband Jack is so swallowed up by grief that he does not see that his wife is struggling as well. He finds reasons to stay as it is which means he does not have to accept the challenge of continuing on with life which is the goal. The telephone scene between O’Dowd and McCarthy is so tender and yet strong because it is the turning point for them both and I loved it.

Kline as Dr. Fine is quirky and yet under that is a compassion he is sees for Lilly and Jack. Its not that Lilly does not take pot shots at him because boy does she, yet Kline’s character sees the potential for them both. It is so good to see Kline in a film again doing what he does best, being that voice and figure of reason when everyone else has gone a little mad.

Shout out to Olyphant as the supermarket manager who always has something interesting to say at the wrong times. Also, to Skyler Gisondo as Dickie, a young man who befriends Lilly and is curious about the starling. Finally, to Loretta Devine who cracked me up as Velma.

Other cast include Daveed Diggs as Ben, aura Harrier as Sherri, Rosalind Chao as Fawn, Kimberly Quinn as Regina, Jesse Garcia as Hector, Edi Patterson as Margie, Emily Tremaine as Alice and Ravi Kapoor as Dr. Manmohan.

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with over 158 million paid memberships in over 190 countries. Enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films, Netflix is across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere and on any internet-connected screen. For more information, please visit www.netflix.com.

THE STARLING is a charming, heart-felt film that does not forget to make us laugh, even about things that are uncomfortable in this life. McCarthy handles herself in a way that reminds me – well, of me! That is her uncanny quality, to take on serious roles that are relatable. If you have not watched her in the series Nine Perfect Strangers playing Francis Welty, then you are really missing something wonderful.

O’Dowd gives us the other side of the coin as a man who climbs inside his emotions and lives there in grief. He refuses to see things through the eyes of his wife and that’s how deep his sadness goes. It is a dark place to be and O’Dowd does not hold back giving us another grief perspective.

The cast is wonderful together and I absolutely adored the scenes between McCarthy and Kline. Their repartee had a bit of a snippy bite on McCarthy’s side, but Kline’s character held his ground. Kline gives his character the understanding that grief can bring out the worst in human nature, but compassion is there waiting when they are ready.

The interaction between Lilly/McCarthy and the starling is creative, clever and hilarious. This is another battle to be fought but there comes a moment when both human and bird realize that a compromise of emotion needs to be reached, yet a starling will always be a starling.

THE STARLING is a film to enjoy for all reasons.

In the end – hope starts small!

 

The 20th Anniversary of 9/11 Brings Films and Documentaries to Netflix

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Netflix as the 20^th Anniversary of 9/11 draws near, there are a few documentaries and a film that talk about that terrible day.

 

WORTH

Beginning with director Sara Colangelo’s film WORTH stars Michael Keaton as Kenneth Feinberg, a lawyer who wants to do something after seeing what has happened on 9/11.

Congress turns to Feinberg to be responsible for the September 11^th Victim Compensation Fund. Coming up with a ‘formula’ for payment to families, basically he now is determining something he once asked of his law students, “how much is a life worth?”  One person fighting against his formula is Charles Wolf (Stanley Tucci) who lost his wife in the twin towers.

Working with his head of operations Camille (Amy Ryan), the interviews begin as the clock ticks on those who need to apply. There is one person willing to hear what Wolf has to say is Priya Khundi (Shunori Ramanathan) who then continues to ask Feinberg to listen to the people.

As the stories unfold, Feinberg finds himself torn between what he can and can not do for the people who are trying to show him that it is about justice for their loved ones. This is film is about the stories and one man who needs to listen.

Keaton as Feinberg is absolutely brilliant and its not just because I am a Keaton fan. His take on Feinberg is hard, focused on data and formulas and lives in his ‘lawyer suit’ as a justification for issues that are consistently brought. Watching Keaton go through the stages of understanding, his character is on a learning curve he could never have imagined. Well done sir! It takes a character brought to the screen by Tucci in the form of Charles Wolf that stands by his principles and wants to help others find their voices.

Tucci as Charles is equally as brilliant as a man who is dealing with his own deep grief yet wants to make sure that the families do not fall through governmental cracks. Reuniting with Keaton after their work on the 2015 film SPOTLIGHT. In that film Tucci is a lawyer who is trying to right the wrongs, so the character of Charles is something he is good at playing and believing. Again, Tucci is an actor who embraces every character he plays, and it shows.

Other cast include: Talia Balsam as Dede Feinberg, Laura Benanti as Karen Donato, Chris Tardio as Frank Donato, Ato Blakson-Wood as Darryl Barnes, Carolyn Mignini as Gloria Toms, Victor Slezak as John Ashcroft, Marc Caron as Bart Cuthbert and Clifton Samuels as Oliver.

In the end – what is the value of life?

 

TURNING POINT: 9/11 and the War on Terror

Next is the five episode limited series TURNING POINT: 9/11 and the War on Terror by director Brian Knappenberger. Beginning with the images we all know surrounding the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, there is a brief telling of the terrorists responsible for the nightmare of that day.

Then, the documentary uses a few episodes to tell the story of Iraq, Afghanistan and the soldiers who have fought those wars. In their own words, a few soldiers tell their story of what they experienced and their understanding (or lack of understanding) for the reasons they are fighting. From weapons of mass destruction to the continuation of the war in Afghanistan, the documentary gives the facts as those narrating and in-the-know can share.

The hunt of Osama bin Laden is sprinkled in the documentary with both Presidents Bush and Obama.

Documentaries about 9/11 are always difficult to watch because they bring up memories for us all as to where we were when it happened, to those who lost loved ones, to those who escape the destruction etc.

This documentary is geared more toward the politics. There is actually nothing in this documentary that I have not seen in other documentaries and that is a bit disappointing. What would have kept my interest more is if they would have gone into more detail about the terrorists such as where did they come from, how did they manage to do the things that they did and what caused them to do what they did in more than general details.

That being said, it does remind us that even with the death of Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden, there are issues that continue on Guantanamo Bay and Afghanistan. Coming back to the beginning story of 9/11, the detainees at Guantanamo Bay are the biggest issues and the government is now prosecuting them with concerns about terrorist groups.

The episodes include They System Was Blinking red, A Place of Danger, The Dark Side, The Good War, and Grave of Empires.

The question becomes – what does the United States do with those who were part of trying to bring our country down?

In the end - history casts a long shadow.

 

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with over 158 million paid memberships in over 190 countries. Enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films, Netflix is across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere and on any internet-connected screen. For more information please visit www.netflix.com.

WORTH is a film that goes inside an issue that most people have no idea about. Learning that there was even a value placed on human life after 9/11 is a bit shocking to accept but even more difficult is the process in which these families had to deal with the aftereffects. It is an important story and I believe it is well done with Keaton and Tucci leading the way.

The documentary TURNING POINT is less so but only in that the issues brought forward are something I have heard before. Listening to the stories told by those who were a part of this history is important but, as I said before, there has to be a way to tell us more about those who participated that we know so little about.

Hussain and bin Laden are names we all know because most of us have lived through it all. The wars, soldiers, death and destruction. As a mother of a soldier, I have witnessed the aftereffects of the mistakes made under the guise of taking care of business for those that have returned home.

As the 20^th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, there will be more to hear, more memories, seeing the attack through videos etc., and the pain felt once again over and over. That being said, we also cannot forget how our country got here as the finality of Afghanistan has come to a close as well.

That is where the duality comes from, I suppose. We feel so deeply the sadness and anger of 9/11 and yet we do not know what to do with those emotions and we do not have answers of how can this happen and, even worse, can it happen again now that the Taliban is back in control of Afghanistan?

We can only be alert and have a hope that peace can hold in place.