My Top Three This Week
Greetings to all my semi-constant readers. Sheltering in place for the second month and we are all adjusting to the new normal. Indoor entertainment, cooking, zooming, watching a lot of TV has been on the rise. But most important is reaching out by phone or facetime to talk to friends and family. A text or email does not replace voices and the laughter of someone you love. I already have some new content - new to me anyway.So here goes:
1) Belgravia on Epix is the Julian Fellowes fix we have been waiting for since beloved Downton Abbey has departed. Set in 1815 the story follows a Sophia the daughter of James and Anne Trenchard as she and Edmund Bellasis the son of a very wealthy English family have an ill fated passionate evening that marks the beginning and the end. Edmund is killed tragically at war and Sophia gives birth to a baby boy. Twenty-five years later in the fanciest part of London -Belgravia , Lady Brockenhurst , Edmund's mother finds out a secret from Anne Trenchard that threatens to rock society. Tamsin Greig gives an epic performance as Anne and Harriet Walter as Lady Brockenhurst are the perfect arch rivals. Great acting from Alice Eve and Tom Wilkenson round out a perfect cast. #Belgravia
1) Unorthodox on Netflix is a four episode dramatic series that explores the world of a New York Hasidic community of arranged marriages and surviving traditions that are practiced in this tight knit group. A young Esty revolts against the expectations of her new husband Yanky and his overbearing family and flees to Berlin for a new life. But her husband and a henchman Moishe chase after her as she starts a new life and a possible connection with her mother who also escaped the sequestered life. Rich cinematography and wardrobe along with a inside perspective make this a must watch. Great performances from Amit Rahav as Yanky and Jeff Wilbusch as the ominous Moishe as well as Alex Reid as Esty's mother. The standout performance is from the fabulous Israeli actress Shira Haas as the heartbreaking Esther (Esty) Shapiro . She is an actress to watch for 2020 and should win an Emmy for this performance. #Unorthodox
3) Mrs. America , a miniseries now streaming on FX/Hulu is tailor made for the acting chops of all the fine actresses starring in this drama centered around the ERA movement of the 70s. The attention to the finest detail, wardrobe and cinematography gives this an additional edge that make this on my must watch list. The finest nuanced role of course goes to the treasure that is Cate Blanchett as the indomitable Phyllis Schlafly. The power struggles between powerful men and the woman trying to reclaim their own is a fascinating watch. Each episode centers around a particular strong woman who was part of the STOP ERA or the ERA itself. Betty Friedan, Bella Abzug, Shirley Chisholm and Gloria Steinem to name a few. As the fight to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment rages, the heat is turned on during an embroiled battle that is so timely during this political climate we now live in. The role /roll call of famous women appearing on this is mind boggling - Tracey Ullman, Margo Martindale, Rose Byrne, Sarah Paulson, Jean Tripplehorn, Elizabeth Banks and the ever fabulous Uzo Aduba as Shirley Chisholm. #MrsAmerica
Bonus: Work in Progress on Showtime will make you laugh , break your heart and educate you all at the same time. Mental illness is a very tough subject in the comedy world but creator and star Abby McEnany does just that . Abby is a 45 year old lesbian on the brink of suicide. Dealing with Depression and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. she has given herself a timeline before she commits the actual act based on 180 almonds she has carefully laid out to mark the countdown. But then she meets someone who changes who she thinks she is and who she might become. The tight-wire act between laughing and crying is what makes this so special . There are some fine performances here - Julia Sweeney playing herself is a great story line and she is also the executive producer and Celeste Pechous a best friend anyone would want and Theo Germaine as Chris the trans man who turns Abby's life around. The Chicago locale is an added bonus that is almost a character in the series. #Workinprogress
1) Unorthodox on Netflix is a four episode dramatic series that explores the world of a New York Hasidic community of arranged marriages and surviving traditions that are practiced in this tight knit group. A young Esty revolts against the expectations of her new husband Yanky and his overbearing family and flees to Berlin for a new life. But her husband and a henchman Moishe chase after her as she starts a new life and a possible connection with her mother who also escaped the sequestered life. Rich cinematography and wardrobe along with a inside perspective make this a must watch. Great performances from Amit Rahav as Yanky and Jeff Wilbusch as the ominous Moishe as well as Alex Reid as Esty's mother. The standout performance is from the fabulous Israeli actress Shira Haas as the heartbreaking Esther (Esty) Shapiro . She is an actress to watch for 2020 and should win an Emmy for this performance. #Unorthodox
3) Mrs. America , a miniseries now streaming on FX/Hulu is tailor made for the acting chops of all the fine actresses starring in this drama centered around the ERA movement of the 70s. The attention to the finest detail, wardrobe and cinematography gives this an additional edge that make this on my must watch list. The finest nuanced role of course goes to the treasure that is Cate Blanchett as the indomitable Phyllis Schlafly. The power struggles between powerful men and the woman trying to reclaim their own is a fascinating watch. Each episode centers around a particular strong woman who was part of the STOP ERA or the ERA itself. Betty Friedan, Bella Abzug, Shirley Chisholm and Gloria Steinem to name a few. As the fight to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment rages, the heat is turned on during an embroiled battle that is so timely during this political climate we now live in. The role /roll call of famous women appearing on this is mind boggling - Tracey Ullman, Margo Martindale, Rose Byrne, Sarah Paulson, Jean Tripplehorn, Elizabeth Banks and the ever fabulous Uzo Aduba as Shirley Chisholm. #MrsAmerica
Bonus: Work in Progress on Showtime will make you laugh , break your heart and educate you all at the same time. Mental illness is a very tough subject in the comedy world but creator and star Abby McEnany does just that . Abby is a 45 year old lesbian on the brink of suicide. Dealing with Depression and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. she has given herself a timeline before she commits the actual act based on 180 almonds she has carefully laid out to mark the countdown. But then she meets someone who changes who she thinks she is and who she might become. The tight-wire act between laughing and crying is what makes this so special . There are some fine performances here - Julia Sweeney playing herself is a great story line and she is also the executive producer and Celeste Pechous a best friend anyone would want and Theo Germaine as Chris the trans man who turns Abby's life around. The Chicago locale is an added bonus that is almost a character in the series. #Workinprogress
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