Cross the Netflix Stream

Good Bye Lenin! Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Wed, 6 May 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Good Bye Lenin! (2003)

Rent Good Bye Lenin! on Amazon Video (paid link)
Written by: Bernd Lichtenberg (written by), Wolfgang Becker (co-author), Achim von Borries & Henk Handloegten &
Chris Silber (collaborator on screenplay)
Directed by: Wolfgang Becker
Starring: Daniel Brühl, Katrin Sass, Chulpan Khamatova, Florian Lukas, Maria Simon, Alexander Beyer
Rated: R
Watch the trailer

Plot
In this German language movie set during 1990, a young man protects his fragile mother from a fatal shock after a long coma, preventing her from learning that her beloved nation of East Germany as she knew it has disappeared.

Verdict
It's difficult to review this when I don't understand the concepts and experiences as deeply as a resident, but it is an interesting companion to The Lives of Others (2006) which presents East Germany as much more dangerous and nefarious. That movie made the country very scary. This film isn't looking at the morality of the government, but the nostalgia a family has for the only life it knows. It's not about which side, but what it's like living there. Alex wants to protect his mother, and just maybe he's concerned about the rapid changes taking place which run counter to everything he's lived. He goes to great lengths to conceal the fall of East Germany. It's a good cause, but is it the right action? We know that ruse can only last for so long. There has to be a parallel with Alex and his country in continuing on a course of action when you know you should stop.
Watch It.

Review
Context is crucial in this movie, so here's a quick primer based on my research. West Germany was allied with the U.S. and western Europe with a democratic government after World War II. East Germany was a one party Communist state controlled by the Soviet Union. Living conditions were better in the west, and many people fled East Germany through Berlin. The Berlin Wall stood for nearly thirty years. Protests, economic failures, and political mistakes sparked the demise of the wall. The Wall's fall marked the end of the Cold War, and East Germany collapsed starting the reunification of the countries. Vladimir Lenin was the founder of the Communist party that shaped East Germany, he wasn't directly involved in the country. Lenin died twenty-five years before East Germany was founded. I can't imagine what it's like to live under this oppressive regime for most of your life, and then the wall is demolished. Now the world has opened, residents have freedom.

Alex's (Daniel Brühl) mother Christiane (Katrin Sass) grows depressed after her husband cheats and leaves. After she recovers, she devotes her time to East Germany's socialist party in finding purpose and to rebuild her life. Alex participates in a demonstration against East Germany's 40th anniversary. He's beaten and detained by cops, and his mother sees this and has a heart attack before lapsing into a coma. During that, General Secretary Honecker resigns and the wall comes down. Christiane missed the first free elections and the Westernization of her country. Her children's lives move on, evolving into a better way of life. Alex used to repair televisions, now he installs satellites.

Daniel Brühl plays Alex

This is set in 1990, so The Matrix (1999) shirt Alex's friend Denis wears immediately threw me. The goof is explained as an idea about Alex's mother's simulated reality. That could be it or just a great cover for a mistake.

Christiane miraculously wakes up, but due to her weakened condition the doctor cautions them that she needs to be shielded from any kind of excitement. Alex is concerned that the fall of her country would be too much for her to bear. He must protect her from the fall of the wall. He wants to fool his mom and pretend the wall never fell, though his sister doesn't agree. Part of it is that she doesn't want to go back to this sparse, controlled life. She finally relents for their mother.

Alex gets his mom and old life back. It's not about the quality of life, but a life with which he's familiar. I don't think he likes East Germany better, but it's all he's known. That combined with his mom's condition has caused him to long for life before his mom was in a coma. Immediately upon bringing Christiane back Alex runs into issues. She's used to the cheap East German food, but now grocery stores have nicer products. He has to buy food and empty it into old containers to maintain the ruse.

We know the charade is destined to fail, but what will trip them up? How long will it continue?

Due to his job, Alex can get television recordings, so when his mom wants a television in her room he uses the old tapes. That eventually becomes Alex and Denis creating fake news stories to explain inconsistencies when a Coca-Cola banner appears outside her window. The 'news' purports it as a socialist invention. How far do you go? Alex is telling many white lies for a good cause, but is it the correct response? He's holding on to what he knows, but is it just easier for him to live in the past? He seemed to adapt well enough when the wall fell, but maybe he missed his mom and didn't mind an excuse to go back in time. We see the changes in East Germany and the rise of capitalism predominantly through Coca-Cola and Burger King logos.

Daniel Brühl, Katrin Sass, Chulpan Khamatova, Maria Simon play Alex, Christiane, Lara, Ariane

Christiane manages to wander out and leave the apartment while Alex is asleep. She's in an unfamiliar world, but I wasn't sure if she realized what was happening. Alex has to create additional 'news stories' to account for what she saw. It's the lies we tell ourself. At this point, the ruse is as much for Alex as it is for his mom. Christiane admits her father defected to the West and she was supposed to follow, but she was afraid of change. It's not much different from what Alex is undertaking.

Alex finally decides to reveal the truth with a new 'news segment' reporting the borders will be opened. What Alex doesn't know is that his girlfriend Lara had already told his mom the truth. She doesn't reveal it to Alex, and he thinks she still believes in her country.

This social construct Alex creates feels relevant to the world today. Alex, like his country, was clinging to an ideal that didn't work. People create and believe their own truth. It's easier to live in what you know and what you want to believe than to accept the world for what it is.

Fackham Hall Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Tue, 5 May 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Fackham Hall (2025)

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Written by: Steve Dawson & Andrew Dawson & Tim Inman & Jimmy Carr & Patrick Carr (written by), Jimmy Carr & Patrick Carr (based on an original idea by)
Directed by: Jim O'Hanlon
Starring: Thomasin McKenzie, Ben Radcliffe, Damian Lewis, Katherine Waterston, Tom Felton, Emma Laird
Rated: PG-13
Watch the trailer

Plot
A new porter forms an odd bond with the youngest daughter of a well-known United Kingdom family, the Davenports, headed by Lord and Lady Davenport who deal with the epic disaster of their eldest daughter's wedding.

Verdict
The problem with parody movies is that they typically tackle a specific property, and that makes the parody a companion piece to the original. It can't stand on it's own as the jokes just aren't as funny without knowing the source material. This is crammed so full of comedy that you almost need to watch it twice to catch it all, but it's also a lot of throw everything in. This offers enough silly jokes and wordplay that if you like slapstick this would provide more than a few laughs, but I don't particular care for slapstick or parody.
Skip it.

Review
This is a Downton Abbey (2010) parody, and the jokes start immediately. The comedy is so dense with background jokes, blink and you'll miss them. The very motto on the estate's sign is a reference to the family's propensity to marry family.

Katherine Waterston, Damien Lewis, Emma Laird play Lady, Lord, Poppy Davenport

Lord Davenport (Damian Lewis) must marry his daughter Poppy (Emma Laird) to cousin Archibald (Tom Felton) to keep the estate in the family. He has no male heirs, but a cousin would suffice. Poppy stops the wedding at the altar and runs off with a manure salesman. Lady Davenport (Katherine Waterston) pushes her other daughter Rose (Thomasin McKenzie) to marry the cousin, but of course she doesn't want to.

Rose falls for the new servant Eric (Ben Radcliffe) who was accidentally hired, originally tasked with getting a message to the Lord. He seems to have forgotten about that.

The comedy can certainly be crude, though there's a running joke that Lord Davenport can't lift a finger for himself with a staff member always behind him, lending a hand. Having watched Downton Abbey makes this much funnier as the show is the basis for most of the jokes.

When Lord Davenport is killed, after narrowly surviving two deaths earlier having been shot twice, new servant Eric is the main suspect.

Rose must marry her cousin to save the estate with Eric in jail. She can't stand Archibald as he's chauvinistic and arrogant. Eric escapes prison to stop the wedding while the housekeeper admits what happened to Lord Davenport.

This never goes long without some kind of joke. To really capture Downton, this needs more marriages and car wrecks. The vicar is quite comical with his inconsistent punctuation leading to ridiculous quotes and commands that stray from the intended text. Lord Davenport's murder scene is absolutely ridiculous. It's a silly movie as parodies often are.

War Machine Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Mon, 4 May 2026 02:00:00 -0400

War Machine (2026)

Watch War Machine on Netflix
Written by: Patrick Hughes & James Beaufort (screenplay by), Patrick Hughes (story by)
Directed by: Patrick Hughes
Starring: Alan Ritchson, Stephan James, Blake Richardson, Dennis Quaid, Esai Morales, Jai Courtney
Rated: PG-13
Watch the trailer

Plot
Army Ranger recruits encounter a mysterious, deadly robot during a training exercise.

Verdict
A military training operation turns into a fight for survival when an extraterrestrial robot lands in the area. The soldier to lead the opposition must overcome past trauma and find a way to unite the troops. The plot is frequently convenient. I don't know how the robot doesn't wipe them out immediately, instead playing a cat and mouse game to prolong the plot. The movie loads Ritchson's character with baggage just so he can get a triumphant moment towards the end. It's a big dumb action movie light on story, and if that's all you want this will deliver.
Skip it.

Review
Two military convoys meet in Afghanistan, with one of them having vehicle trouble. It turns out the man with car trouble is the younger brother of the Staff Sergeant (Alan Ritchson) that just rolled up. The older brother fixes the younger brother's vehicle before they're attacked.

Two years later and the Staff Sergeant/81 has recovered from his wounds and is trying to join the Army Ranger as a promise to his brother. It's on the nose, with the opening scene providing 81 with a goal and past trauma in one. 81 has applied before, being medically denied. We know it's due to injuries from the opening attack. How'd he get medical clearance this time?

Alan Ritchson plays 81

81 quickly establishes he's not a team player. He eats alone and runs ahead of the pack. Army Rangers want a team player, and 81 isn't it. While he's proven his physical strength, concerns linger about his mental state. It's just a way to create drama and a threat to bounce 81 out of the program, but he makes it to the final exercise. The movie has been teasing a strange asteroid approaching Earth the entire movie in the background on news feeds. During the training exercise 81's group encounters a high tech ship. They think it's part of the exercise, but they soon discover it's not. It's an alien or some kind of advanced technology that attacks them. It's convenient this thing landed right where they were training.

81 and only a few others survive. Being training, they have no weapons. 81 has refused to lead the entire time, but now he's pressed into service to keep this unit alive in the face of a giant killer robot. This robot is a merciless killing machine, and it makes no sense how this group lives so long. This robot annihilates the group, leaves a few alive and then departs. The only reason not to complete the job is to provide the movie with more plot. From there the robot takes a few shots and leaves, taking the group out a couple at a time. It's just to pad the run time. As precise and deadly as this robot can be, it's comical the movie goes on so long.

Aside from the robot, this is just a big dumb action movie. Appreciate it for that because this isn't about the logic or plot. 81 devises a way to stop the robot, a connection back to the opening sequence. 81 and 7 (Stephan James) are the only ones that make it back to base. The base hasn't mobilized due to multiple attacks and robots. They had to secure the base first so that 81 could fight the robot unhindered. 81 gets a nice moment where they ask him how he possibly defeated this robot with no weapons. He shares his intel as the military plans an assault. There are robots all over the world which leaves this open to sequels.

This seems to be following a checklist. It provides 81 a goal and trauma early for motivation. He checks all the boxes as the anti-social soldier that's the least likely to lead the team. Of course that means circumstances will force him to save the lives of his squad. It's all so predictable.

The Secret Agent Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Sun, 3 May 2026 02:00:00 -0400

The Secret Agent [O Agente Secreto] (2025)

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Written by: Kleber Mendonça Filho
Directed by: Kleber Mendonça Filho
Starring: Wagner Moura, Carlos Francisco, Tânia Maria
Rated: R
Watch the trailer

Plot
In this Portuguese language film set during 1977, Marcelo hopes to escape Brazil and mercenary killers with his young son after becoming the target of a dictator during a ruthless and tumultuous political period.

Verdict
Later in the movie as this returns to the future, or present depending on your perspective, we see how the time periods connect and how things have changed. Those past events have been forgotten or covered up though the pain and suffering isn't that far away. The movie is a bit messy, but the ending brings it together by putting this story into a context. In the beginning it seems like some kind of action movie or drama, but towards the end it's a tragedy. Corruption upended the lives of many, and their legacy doesn't even endure. Crimes have been concealed, and the guilty got away.
Watch it.

Review
This has an interesting start. Marcelo (Wagner Moura) stops at a gas station where a dead body is lying out front covered by a piece of cardboard. The deceased is a robber that was shot in the act. Being Carnival, the police have been too busy to address the situation. It's cryptic, but this is a movie that's ultimately about the things in plain sight people ignore. If there's no authority to take care of it, the situation doesn't resolve.

Wagner Moura plays Marcelo

Marcelo returns home, though we don't know why. He ends up living with other refugees, and working at the identity card office. He befriends the local, corrupt police chief which could be good protection or create trouble as Marcelo seems to be hiding. We introduced to what appears to be contract killers hired to track him down.

Marcelo meets a resistance leader who wants to interview him. Through that we see how he ended up back at Recife. Ghirotti in essence bought Marcelo's university to further his own business interests and root out the competition. Marcelo isn't on board, and Ghirotti wants to stomp out any resistance. This connects to the present where students are listening to resistance interviews and recordings as they try to piece together what happened.

Laura Lufési, Wagner Moura play Flavia, Ferdinand

The two contract killers manage to track Marcelo down, but we don't see what happens.

A leg recovered earlier in the movie is stolen from the morgue by Ghirotti's adult children. They throw it in the river where this genre shifts and the leg comes to life and jumps around killing people. The scenes are disorienting. It's revealed to be a newspaper article, just as the scenes distract from the movie, the article is a cover for corruption. It's fiction as fact.

This returns to the present day where the student researching Marcello and the resistance track down his son who agrees to an interview. The persecution his father faced is all but forgotten. He was too young to see it, shielded from the events. It's wild that a university professor has to go on the run. The level of corruption is unfathomable. That ties back to the opening scene. The body was there, everyone saw it, but nothing was done. Everyone waited on someone else to take care of it. Instead of the persecution being a stain on the country, students try to piece together the remains as that time period is mostly forgotten. Marcelo should be celebrated for resisting but even his own son has lost track of him.

Life on Mars Series Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Sat, 2 May 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Life on Mars (2008-2009)

Season 1 - 18 episodes (2008-09)
Watch the trailer
Created by: Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec, Scott Rosenberg
Based on: Life on Mars by Matthew Graham, Tony Jordan, Ashley Pharoah
Starring: Jason O'Mara, Michael Imperioli, Gretchen Mol, Havery Keitel, Lisa Bonet
Rated: TV-14

Plot
A present day car accident mysteriously sends a detective back to the 1970s.

Verdict
This pairs time travel and a detective show, withholding the answer to what's actually happening until the last episode. The show stretches credibility. At times it seems the show is Sam's dream as he's in a coma, other times he thinks solving crimes in the past can affect the future. There's a bleed between the past, his present, and what could be the future. Sam is clearly the good guy with his social and moral line. He believes in suspects rights and that women are equals. He's in the minority. With so many episodes this stretches the answers farther than they should be. You'd think someone displaced from time would be more frantic and desperate to return. Towards the end, he's not sure he wants to leave the 70s. The final episode is a nice conclusion that answers everything.
It depends.

Review
I don't know what it was about the late 2000s, and maybe Lost (2004) is the catalyst, but this show along with Daybreak (2006) and Journeyman (2007) all released within a year, lasted one season, and explored some form of time travel.

The premise is wild. Police officer Sam Tyler (Jason O'Mara) is hit by a car while on a case. That transports him back to 1970. He already has the appropriate clothes and car. It has to be a coma or even a death dream. He's a New York cop, and despite all the oddities, it's the Twin Towers that force him to confront that something just isn't right. He goes to his police station, still not sure of what happened. Somehow he transported twenty five years earlier. The first episode makes it seem like a dream. We can hear EMT's trying to revive him. Even Sam hears it.

Jason O'Mara plays Sam Tyler

Sam has to adjust to the cops in 1973 doing whatever they want. Warrants and rules don't matter. His modern day morals constantly clash with everyone around him, but he's able to use his future techniques to solve crime, aided by psychology. The closest thing he has to a partner is Annie Norris (Gretchen Mol). She's a woman in man's world and given no credibility aside from Sam.

Sam keeps running into people he'll eventually meet. I don't know how they don't think he's absolutely bonkers. His prophetic outlooks are dismissed as silly or deranged. I don't know where the line is. Either he's in a coma and everything he experiences is all made up or he really did time travel. We've heard people from the future talking to him like he's in a coma when that time period bleeds over. If that's the truth, it makes the 70s story lines pointless. He often pursues those cases like it could affect the future. Is this some kind of magical realism? Frequently he'll glimpse a vision or a reflection that's the future.

Gretchen Mol plays Annie Norris

Towards the middle of the season he's met his mom and dad. His rules are less strict when it comes to his mom. His dad running out on him is a source of trauma, and it seems he may get to see what happened. Sam also gets involved with his boss's daughter. The show needs to fill the episode count with something. This started out as the clash of progressive, contemporary ideals with the past and now it's just a soap opera. There's also the alien abduction concept. Why is this all over the place?

He finds someone else claiming to be from the future, and there are also cryptic phone calls. By this point the show should have given some indication of what's happening. It seems the show is hedging its bets and keeping all options open.

Thankfully the final episode reveals everything. I'm not sure how this would have gone for another season. It's a sufficient ending. This show has too many problems to be worth watching, but at least they didn't botch the conclusion or end it on a cliff hanger.

SPOILERS

Phineas and Ferb Season 5 Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Fri, 1 May 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Phineas and Ferb (2007-)

Season 5 - 20 episodes (2025)
Watch the trailer
Created by: Jeff 'Swampy' Marsh, Dan Povenmire
Starring: Vincent Martella, Ashley Tisdale, Thomas Sangster, Caroline Rhea, Alyson Stoner, Dan Povenmire, Jeff "Swampy" Marsh, Dee Bradley Baker
Rated: TV-G

Plot
Phineas and Ferb invent, scheme, and stay one step ahead of their older sister Candace. Meanwhile, their pet platypus Perry plots against evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz.

Verdict
It's a show with a simple formula that always manages to be a lot of fun. It taps into the wild possibilities of a kid's imagination, the adventures that only occur during summer, and what could have been. While it doesn't seem as clever as I remember, that could just be nostalgia. I enjoyed this season, and this has more than a few memorable episodes.
Watch It.

Review
The series originally aired for four seasons, ending in 2015, before returning for two additional seasons beginning in 2025.

During summer vacation Phineas and Ferb experience a new adventure every day while their older sister fails to expose their plights. It's a simple concept. The boys create a big project or invention, Candace catches them, tries to expose them to mom, yet she's always a second too late. The b-story is Dr. Doofenshmirtz making some kind of -inator ray to take over the town with secret agent Perry the platypus stopping him. The show creates the adventures you imagined as a kid during summer break. While fun and enjoyable, this season doesn't rank as high as the best ones.

E5: Phineas, Perry, and Ferb

In episode two, Phineas and Ferb build a submarine that looks like a sub sandwich. Candace tries to expose their hi-jinks to mom, but just as mom stumbles upon the submarine, Doofenshmirtz's -inator malfunctions and the submarine is covered in sand. It looks like an entry to the sandcastle contest in which Candace was supposed to be participating. The boys aren't caught, Candace is mad mom never saw, and that's a prime example of each episode.

In another episode, the boy's father's bookcase breaks. They build him a giant bookcase, just before mom sees it, Doofenshmirtz's omnivorous plants destroy it. Phineas and Ferb are resourceful and industrious, but their plights are always grounded in what they can build themselves.

Episode seven is one of my favorite episodes of the season. Candace plans to have her mom wear a Candace suit in the hopes her mom will finally see a scheme and that the reason mom misses every scheme is because she's mom and not Candace. Multiple people end up in several Candace suits, and Candace can't figure out which Candace suit is her mom. Doofenshmirtz creates sentient potato salad.

Bubba Doof and the "forced perspective" joke also stands out.

This season is more self-referential than I recall compared to other seasons. In episode nine the boys create a "fifth season." It doesn't seem as clever, though maybe the years have inflated my affinity for the show. There are also several episodes that focus less on the titular duo and more on the supporting cast.

In episode thirteen, Candace hopes that by being apathetic, maybe mom will see the boys by accident. That plan yields no results.

E17: Dr. Doofenshmirtz, Major Monogram, Carl the Intern, Vanessa Doofenshmirtz, Monty Monogram

The children of Doofenshmirtz and Major Mongram are dating. they bring their fathers together to meet the parents. Buford and his bowl of chowder have an encounter with the carb-away-inator.

In episode eighteen Candace gets to join an adventure with Phineas and Ferb.

This show is so much fun. While it's a kid's show, there's more than enough wit and reference to entertain an adult. I've always enjoyed this show and its creativity.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0400

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Rent E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial on Amazon Video (paid link)
Written by: Melissa Mathison
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Peter Coyote, C. Thomas Howell, Erika Eleniak
Rated: PG
Watch the trailer

Plot
A troubled child summons the courage to help a friendly alien escape from Earth and return to his home planet.

Verdict
This movie was incredibly popular upon release. And while it's sentimental, that's part of the problem. It's too sweet and cute, though depicting an alien as child like was unique. As a kid, you like to see children play the protagonist. Speilberg has always been excellent at tapping into a child's imagination and an adult's nostalgia. Part of the reason my feelings are muted for this is that so many properties have copied this formula and idea. Despite that, it's still Spielberg, and the directing is excellent. There's a reason this movie endures.
Watch it.

Review
It's a cultural classic that shares a few parallels with Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), though that's primarily aliens and Spielberg while shifting the story's focus to a child.

There are no illusions to what this is. While the title is obvious, we see a classic alien space ship in the first scene. We don't see any aliens, but there are plenty of hints. Even the perspective is from a diminutive alien's height. We can assume the humans present are some kind of government agents, and we only see them from the waist down.

Henry Thomas, Robert MacNaughton, Drew Barrymore play Elliot, Michael, Gertie Taylor

The alien is drawn to a nearby town where young Elliot (Henry Thomas) lives. Elliot hears something outside, and upon investigation he encounters E.T. They're both frightened and run away. Elliot's family doesn't believe he saw an alien, telling him it was probably an iguana. That only increases his resolve to find it. He tries to lure E.T. with Reese's Pieces.

Part of this is that Elliot feels neglected, and E.T. is this unique friend. They're both isolated as E.T. wants to get back to his ship. Elliot helps E.T. evade the government agents who remain faceless which makes them more ominous.

E.T. and Henry Thomas plays Elliot

E.T. has some amount of power and a connection to Elliot. E.T. heals a wound and has telekinetic abilities. Even when they're apart, the two share thoughts and emotions. E.T. needs to get home, and he fashions a device out of items around the house to call home. Of course the government agents catch up to E.T. where he falls ill under their watch. Elliot teams up with his brother to save E.T. and get him back to his species.

Part of the appeal for many of Spielberg's movies is a focus on the child that gets to play hero. It's a lot of wish fulfillment and it works. Elliot sets up this happy ending that brings his family together while saving his new best friend. This is a unique portrayal of aliens. While they're often portrayed as aggressive, this was one of the first and certainly best examples of a child like alien. That makes the friendship portrayed between E.T. and the alien all the more touching.

Treme Series Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Treme (2010-2013)

Season 1 - 10 episodes (2010)
Season 2 - 11 episodes (2011)
Season 3 - 10 episodes (2012)
Season 4 - 5 episodes (2013)
Rent Treme on Amazon Video (paid link)
Created by: Eric Ellis Overmyer, David Simon
Starring: Khandi Alexander, Rob Brown, Kim Dickens, Melissa Leo, Lucia Micarelli, Clarke Peters, Wendell Pierce, Steve Zahn, Michiel Huisman, India Ennenga, Phyllis Montana LeBlanc, David Morse
Rated: TV-MA
Watch the trailer

Plot
Residents of New Orleans try to rebuild their lives, homes, and unique culture in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Verdict
The city is a character as much as any of the actors. We're introduced to residents of New Orleans that stayed through or returned after Katrina who now struggle to survive and rebuild. We see their failures and triumphs amidst institutional hurdles. It's fitting that we never see the politicians and legislators that control the money to rebuild. It highlights the disconnect between those in charge and the residents who call the area home. The setting adds a lot of style. While the city never returns to the glory the characters remember, most of them finally mange to find some amount of peace.
Watch It.

Review
Creator David Simon is best known for Homicide: Life on the Street (1993) and The Wire (2002). The structure of this show shares a lot with The Wire, a serialized story with a lot of depth that's character focused. It also shares more than a few actors.

Treme was never a commercial success, and that's why the final season had so few episodes. HBO provided enough capital for a final chapter but not a full season.

Season 1
New Orleans is a city with a unique culture, but it's been devastated by a hurricane. Treme is the neighborhood where most of the characters cross paths. We're introduced to several character that begin to create the fabric of the neighborhood. Antoine Batiste (Wendell Pierce) is a struggling trombonist always looking for his next gig. Tulane English professor Creighton Bernette (John Goodman) is quick to point out that it's criminal neglect the levies failed. Albert "Big Chief" Lambreaux (Clarke Peters) returns to a home in shambles. He's a Mardi Gras Indian chief.

S1E10: Khandi Alexander, Wendell Pierce play LaDonna Batiste-Williams, Antoine Batiste

From the start, all of these characters are engaging; fighting to rebuild their homes, lives, and city. Radio DJ and musician Davis McAlary (Steve Zahn) loves the city, but he's fired for his on-air antics and forced to get a job at a hotel. Likewise Creighton is fired as the University is cutting entire programs to make budget. Albert gets work repairing houses, finding out that the project housing is unharmed but boarded up which prevents people from returning. Janette Desautel (Kim Dickens) struggles to keep her restaurant open while waiting for an insurance payment.

In an attempt to fix the city Davis runs for city council on a comedic platform of pot for pot holes among other things, while Creighton protests the treatment of the neighborhood to bring awareness. His wife Toni (Melissa Leo) is a lawyer that searches for an inmate, LaDonna's (Khandi Alexander) brother, for most of the season. The police lost him, and they're in no hurry to admit the mistake or find him. It's a blight against the city. Albert eventually breaks into the projects to prove a point.

S1E3: Steve Zahn, Melissa Leo play Davis McAlary, Toni Bernette

I can't say I know what New Orleans culture is like, but this at least feels authentic. David Simon called this show a love letter to the city, so there may be a fair bit of nostalgia to the portrayal. We see this city through the perspectives of multiple characters. Their stories are powerful. They love the city, and just want it returned to the former glory.

The final episode provides a nice coda. We see the characters the day before Katrina hit. It's a nice way to end the season. Some run while others prepare to weather the storm, thinking it won't be that bad. I really like this show. At times it feels like a documentary. My favorite part is that it's driven by characters. They're just trying their best.

Season 2

S2 Title Card

Janette gave up on her restaurant and moved to New York, working under a ridiculously demanding chef. She quits her job in spectacular fashion. Toni is still trying to help people in the community, getting some aid from Colson (David Morse). He's a cop trying to fix a broken system. Antoine tries to start a band but ends up working part time as a band teacher. Davis also attempts to start a band. One of the major links between these characters is their hope that the city can return to greatness.

With people returning to the city crime increases, and LaDonna is attacked. Developers also enter the city looking to capitalize. That's highlighted by Nelson Hildalgo (Jon Seda). His cousin does the work and he "sets up" the job without doing anything. That eventually escalates to the city paying them to remediate and then tear down the same houses. Their doing 'as ordered' but it's a disservice to the city and a waste of money.

S1E3: Michiel Huisman, Lucia Micarelli play Sonny, Annie Talarico

This season doesn't feel as busy, but maybe that's because I'm not trying to learn the characters. Sonny (Michiel Huisman) and Annie (Lucia Micarelli) started the show playing music in the streets. She wants to work with other musicians, and he doesn't like that. Along with other events, their relationship grows rocky.

Colson was transferred to homicide with his boss's figuring he'd either root out corruption in the unit or the unit will find a way to bounce him with the digging he's doing. The problem is that he's good police.

S2E3: Kim Dickens, Clarke Peters play Janette Desautel, Albert "Big Chief" Lambreaux

Towards the end of the season Davis is starting to lose his band. He had the idea but not the talent. Nelson has been taking advantage with every step, and he might be facing jail time when one of his cronies is arrested. He was buying houses on speculation knowing the area was going to get rezoned. He's making deals and getting paid while the city crumbles around him.

Through the characters the series explores institutional failings. It's a lot like The Wire, but what this is missing is the tension between criminals and police. That adds a level of excitement this show can't quite match.

Season 3

S3 Title Card

It might be one of my favorite story lines, Antoine becomes quite the teacher. Also Annie is getting interest for a record contract, and Janette gets her own restaurant after a lot of funding from a developer. I like seeing successes for the characters.

Reporter L.P. Everett (Chris Coy) comes down to write a report on crime during Katrina. He soon teams up with Toni who goes after a cop directly in the quest for answers. That soon turns into cops trying to intimidate Toni, L.P., and Toni's daughter.

S3E5: Jon Seda plays Nelson Higalgo

I would love for this to dig into Nelson and how that branches. Money is being mismanaged and lining the pockets of developers, but that plot is relegated to a side story. This season isn't as engrossing, and maybe that's because there isn't an overall goal. So many of these characters were struggling. Now that they find success, what happens next?

The shortcomings of the police and a potential coverup is a big story. Toni is tired of complacency, but her efforts have consequences. Colson tries to help her, but he's limited. He's the only cop we see that wants to make things right, and that just makes his job more difficult as he's pushed out. Other cops in his unit are openly trying to falsely incriminate him. Toni finally gets someone on the record for a police involved shooting, but how far will that go when the odds are against her and the cops stick together? The cops follow the people exposing crimes instead of trying to make things right. In a parallel story, LaDonna has her bar burned down as an act of intimidation when she agrees to testify.

S3E9: David Morse plays Terry Colson

This is a show where you care about the characters and their plights. Unfortunately with Janette and Annie's success they must cede control which neither like. As much as the characters want to see the city rebuilt, that's just not happening.

Season 4

S4 Title Card

The season starts with the election of President Obama. Unfortunately New Orleans isn't making the same progress. Albert is sick, but surprisingly he and LaDonna are an item. Janette left her restaurant, but by contract she can't use her name on her next restaurant. Nelson has returned to Houston once the faucet of free money ran out.

We see a city and a people trying to rebuild with others coming in to capitalize. Nelson wants to do right, but he's not opposed to making money. Politics dictates what happens so he just plays the game. Janette had a developer wanting to capitalize on her name and food, eventually pushing her out. Annie faces a similar struggle. Success seems to mean losing what brought you that acclaim. Albert has fought to maintain tradition, with his son Delmon (Rob Young) living in the two words of New York and New Orleans while trying to take care of his ailing father.

Antoine finally found a way to give back to the community and get a paycheck. Davis was always about the neighborhood, but that meant limited and fleeting successes. Nelson manages to get Janette her name back, promising the developer "100% of nothing." He admits to Janette that despite all the money he made, he never built anything. That's the disconnect, the people spending money to rebuild are never seen. They aren't plugged in to the needs. They throw money at the problem, and that money doesn't make it all the way down. Houses that could be kept are torn down. Houses that are remediated are also torn down. It's a scatter shot approach that yields middling results.

It's a show about the ups and downs of the cast of characters. Despite their hopes for the city, they don't see it pan out. Politics and bureaucratic red tape always seem to get in the way. This is a series that brings the city to life and will further your appreciation for jazz.

Primal Seasons 1-3 Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Primal (2019-)

Season 1 - 10 episodes (2019-20)
Season 2 - 10 episodes (2022)
Season 3 - 10 episodes (2026)
Rent Primal on Amazon Video (paid link)
Created by: Genndy Tartakovsky
Starring: Aaron LaPlante, Laëtitia Eïdo, Fred Tatasciore
Rated: TV-MA
Watch the trailer

Plot
A caveman and a dinosaur bond over unfortunate tragedies and become each other's only hope of survival in a treacherous world.

Verdict
This is a great show featuring masterful story telling. It's a brutal world, and at times this first season feels like the mythical tales of Spear and Fang. The series can be scary and emotional as we watch a man and dinosaur try to survive a harsh land. What's more impressive is that this show accomplishes that with no dialog in the first season. The show is dependent fully on story, and it excels at that. The series exhibits a depth few shows even approach. The animation is great too, providing amazing images and compositions. The show pushes the creativity each season by changing the story arcs. While this seemed to conclude with season two, the third season takes us on a wild ride that changes the premise but tells a story that's still very Primal. Whether it's season arcs or self-contained stories, this show knows how to tell a story.
Watch It.

Review
While I watched the first two seasons in 2022, I didn't write a full review for it, and this show deserves it. With the third season recently released, I watched the entire series.

Season 1
It begins with the plight of a cave man, Spear, in a dangerous time with creatures everywhere that could be the end. After a day of hunting he returns to his cave to find his family under attack from dinosaurs. He's too late. Up to this point there's been no dialog, not that the story required it. Mourning his family, he goes after a T-rex, Fang, but pauses when he sees her two T-rex babies. A larger dinosaur attacks them all with Spear and Fang fighting it off.

This may be a cartoon, but it's brutal. That's fitting for this world. There's no pretense that it's not a cartoon for adults. Just when Spear and Fang think they're safe, another dinosaur attacks. The two are linked by grief and loss. It's a unique idea to pair up a human and dinosaur. In this world strength in numbers helps. I was amazed how much story this show conveys in just twenty minutes, and that's with no dialog. It's amazing and impressive.

S1E1: Spear and Fang

The two warriors have always hunted alone, and now they have to figure out how to work together. While they bicker, they look out for each other. By the end of episode two they've figured out how to live together, creating a formidable killing team.

Spear kills to survive. He doesn't like it, and we see him acknowledge the death he must inflict. That's the world in which they live. In episode three Spear and Fang are confronted by mammoths. We understand why they're fighting. The mammoths want to avenge a death. Spear and Fang want to survive. Every episode exhibits a mastery of artistry and story telling. This is a world full of horrors, but it can also create a touching story.

There are a lot of great shows, but few manage that feat without dialog. It's incredibly creative. This does so much, making other shows that utilize dialog seem like they're using a crutch.

The first season are the myths and legends of Spear and Fang, featuring their adventures and encounters. They've seen some horrors. The first season had a break in episode releases after episode five when Spear rescued Fang from a battle.

In episode six Spear nurses Fear back to health, standing guard at night. I love the story and presentation, but the artistry and framing of the show impresses. This is a wild, fun ride. It's a horror, buddy action adventure, and an emotional journey.

Spear and Fang encounter primitive witches, and the episode manages to turn that into a somewhat touching story. Dinosaur, witch, or human, they can all find common ground.

In the final episode Spear meets another human, Mira, who was kidnapped by slavers. It seems anachronistic that this caveman and another civilization that has boats and language live in the same era, but I suppose it's possible. It makes for a good story. This season ends with the slavers recapturing Mira and sailing away.

The first season is incredible. It does everything right.

Season 2

S2 Title Card

Spear braves the ocean to follow Mira, creating a raft with Fang, but that plan may have been short sighted. He's launched himself into the unknown, but realistically does he have any hope? At the same time, I appreciate how the show upends this story by moving the setting to civilization. This season easily could have continued the adventures of a caveman and dinosaur, but the characters leave the confines of what we know.

Rarely does anything good happen to the pair. It's a brutal world. That's part of what makes this show gripping, but it's also bound by the commitment Spear and Fang have to keep each other alive. It's a primitive instinct that transcends species.

S2E3: Fang and Spear

Spear and Fang are separated, but they both make friends in their own way. They're also both wild animals in a new civilization. Two worlds clash when Fang is caught between another dinosaur and Spear. Spear's inclination is to kill dinosaurs, save for Fang, while Fang kills humans except for Spear.

Spear leaves the village but manages to find Mira. He frees her and her people, but he has to get through a village to do it. If you thought Spear was deadly with a spear or rock, give the man a sword. He slaughters a village and makes an enemy of the Vikings. The Chief returns to a village that's in ruin. We understand the Chief's desire for revenge and also why Spear slaughtered the village.

Episode five is a departure, set in England 1890. A group of men discuss the primitive nature of humans. Then they encounter an escaped inmate that exhibits the primitiveness of a cave man. He also looks similar to Spear. I don't like this episode, though I understand the reference.

While I like the first season due to the focus on simply surviving, the second season is also good. It broadens the setting and shows that humans are dangerous too. They're certainly more cruel. The pair were arguably better off before they found other humans.

S2E7: Fang and Spear

This season is good, but starting with episode seven where the Queen is introduced is an incredible run. An Egyptian Queen captures Spear, Fang, and Mira. She extorts Spear and Fang to raid cities for her. They have no choice, but they finally team up with Kamau to fight the Queen. There's no way the Queen could fight that well against Spear. But this Queen is the first truly evil character we've met. Everyone else at least had an underlying reason for their actions or a desire for revenge. The Queen just wants to destroy.

The Viking chief catches up to Spear, not that he's recognizable anymore as his desire for revenge has transformed him. The visuals in this show are amazing, and what a conclusion. This season has a sense of finality to it, and I wondered where this would go with season three.

Season 3
S3 Title Card

Creator Tartakovsky had stated season three forward would be an anthology, but that plan obviously changed. It explains season two's final episode.

Wow. This season opens by bringing back zombie Spear. Where does the season go from there? This show swings big. Death seems to follow Spear, but that's what happens when you cheat it so frequently. Season two broadened the setting, and season three fundamentally changes the series again.

S3E2: Spear and Spear

This isn't Spear. He can fight like Spear, but he has none of the memories. Zombie Spear has visions of Fang, though he's not sure what it is. When he finds a grasshopper in episode three his protective instincts kick in. Violence was always going to be the end. Much of this show is kill or be killed with most of these creatures just trying to survive. I didn't expect such a touching moment between Spear and the grasshopper.

Episode four flashes back to before Spear's resurrection with Mira and Fang grieving his death.

S3E5: Spear

I assumed originally Spear was resurrected after season two's epilogue, but that's obviously not the case. Mira didn't know he was resurrected as his tomb wasn't in her village. This season is obviously different, and I'm sad that Spear is a shell of himself. Much of this season is him staring blankly. What's his plight as a rotting corpse? This show killed off the main character and made him a zombie. I do appreciate that this show keeps pushing with a focus on clarity of story telling.

This show brings it. The story telling is phenomenal. Spear reunites with Fang and Mira, but Fang doesn't accept him. It's understandable as that's not Spear. Fang's children flock to him, but Fang continually stops them.

Spear and Mira think about each other with Spear sneaking into the village to see their daughter. Spear is gaining memories and function. He's not the zombie to which we were introduced in the first episode. He ends up in an arena, forced to fight any that challenge him. For winning he gets to drink the black liquid that he encountered in season one. Spear is a fighter, and the more black liquid he consumes the more his memories and humanity return. Spear goes to Mira, unaware that they've trekked into the jungle to find him.

S3E10: Spear and Fang

This show is wild. I wondered how it would come back for a third season and it surprised me. The final episode is intense. Mira, Fang, and Fang's kids are all fed the black liquid and battle ensures. It's bad, and Spear is chained, forced to watch everyone he cares about try to destroy each other.

Season three fills in the gap we didn't even know existed between the end of season two and the epilogue. It does rewrite the epilogue to be a much happier moment.

At this point season four has not been confirmed nor canceled, but I assume this would begin the anthology story that was supposed to be season three. These three seasons are amazing. The show has proven it can tell larger story arcs as evidenced by each season, and it's not afraid to reinvent the basis. Each season is different but engrossing. This can also tell smaller self-contained stories like the grasshopper in episode three. I can't wait for the next season, I love this show and the stories it tells.

It Was Just an Accident Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0400

It Was Just an Accident [Yek tasadof-e sadeh] (2025)

Rent the movie on Amazon Video (paid link)
Written by: Jafar Panahi (scenario), Nader Saeivar & Shadmehr Rastin & Mehdi Mahmoudian (scenario collaboration)
Directed by: Jafar Panahi
Starring: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Mohammad Ali Elyasmehr, Hadis Pakbaten
Rated: PG-13
Watch the trailer

Plot
In this Persian language film, an unassuming mechanic is reminded of his time in an Iranian prison when he encounters a man he suspects to be his sadistic jailhouse captor. Panicked, he rounds up a few of his fellow ex-prisoners to confirm the man's identity.

Verdict
I don't live in a country where I could be kidnapped as a political prisoner. That alone is difficult to fathom. This is a movie about past trauma and a persecutor who never faced any consequences. Do you take matters in your own hands and right an injustice? Is combating violence with violence the answer? That's what these characters face. There's no government that will intercede on their behalf. They want justice for the crimes inflicted, but they don't know the best way to accomplish that. As the ending hints, you can never truly escape your past. It will always follow you.
Watch It.

Review
Director Panahi's films have been banned in his home country of Iran. In 2010 he was sentenced to six years in prison and a twenty year ban on film making, charged with "propaganda against the Islamic Republic." Panahi continued making movies secretly. Panahi's world as this movie exemplifies is a place where you can be imprisoned for any criticisms of the regime. From there, it's prison and torture as a political prisoner.

Rashid (Ebrahim Azizi) and his family are driving at night when he accidentally hits a dog. He stops but realizes there is nothing to do about the dog. His wife reassures him, pointing out it wasn't intentional. The car starting is a sign, but just miles down the road the car stutters and stops at a nearby garage.

Inside the garage, Vahid (Vahid Mobasseri) hides from Rashid, causing us to wonder why. Vahid has a prosthetic leg that emits a distinct squeak as he walks. Vahid recognizes that sound, and the next day he follows Rashid, knocks him out, and kidnaps him. Vahid believes Rashid is his tormentor when he was wrongly imprisoned for propaganda against the regime, and he wants revenge. Vahid was jailed arguing for workers' rights.

Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari play Vahid, Shiva

When confronted, Rashid argues he's not the guy, and that causes Vahid to pause, doubting his instincts. Rashid states the scars on his leg are fresh. He can't be the guy. While Vahid doubts, this guy has to be willing to say anything in the situation. That and Vahid might be hesitant to kill someone. Violence is what separates him from Rashid. Vashid goes to a friend for help and confirmation. His friend refuses, but sends him to someone else. Being imprisoned for fabricated crimes isn't an isolated event. Vahid drives to wedding photographer Shiva (Mariam Afshari) to identify Rashid. Shiva is in the middle of a session, but the bride was also tormented by this man. None of them can identify their tormentor Eghbal beyond a doubt. Is Rashid Eghbal? They were all blindfolded while in prison. They think it's him, but there's a sliver of doubt.

With the implication that Rashid is Eghbal, the fist scene becomes more ominous. Rashid hit a dog but his wife argues it wasn't intentional and the car starting was a sign. Is the car soon dying also a sign? The fact that he walked into Vahid's shop becomes a marker that he deserves punishment if we play into the signs. Eghbal's violence against many people was distinctly intentional. Is this guy Rashid or Eghbal?

Mohammad Ali Elyasmehr, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi play Hamid, Goli, Ali

All of them are facing this trauma of being wrongfully imprisoned and wanting justice. Is repaying that violence in kind the answer? They have different concerns and ideas, and there's no one way to fix the situation. At this point they're half way there. That's the push and pull. They don't want to resort to the same punishment and torture that Eghbal inflicted, but he also deserves to feel the pain. Why should he get away with what he did, facing no repercussions?

The longer they delay a resolution, the more entangled things become. They decide to go to Rashid's family, posing as friends when Rashid's daughter calls his phone in a panic. Eventually only Vashid and Shiva remain as the others become frustrated. The two tie Rashid to a tree, and after coercion Rashid finally admits he is Eghbal. He states they deserved the punishment they got, and if they didn't, that will be resolved in Heaven. It's such a callous admission.

With the conclusion, Vahid has to wonder if he made the right choice. Then he hears what sounds like Eghbal's squeaking walk. Is it an assertion that the regime will always use intimidation tactics and that's why they can overpower their opposition? Or, and this is where I land, is it a metaphor that Eghbal will always follow Vahid. He'll always hear that squeaking leg due to a trauma and past that's never too far away.

Title Card

Capernaum Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Capernaum [Capharnaüm] (2018)

Rent Capernaum on Amazon Video (paid link)
Written by: Nadine Labaki & Jihad Hojeily & Michelle Keserwany (screenplay), Georges Khabbaz & Khaled Mouzanar (in collaboration with)
Directed by: Nadine Labaki
Starring: Zain Al Rafeea, Yordanos Shiferaw, Boluwatife Treasure Bankole
Rated: R
Watch the trailer

Plot
In this Arabic language film, a 12-year-old boy serving a five-year sentence for a violent crime sues his parents for neglect.

Verdict
This is a powerful movie. It's easy to forget how well off many of us are. We see this kid that's on his own, living in squalor. His parents are only interested in what he can do for them and how he can earn money. The tipping point is when they sell his sister for two chickens. He's distraught, but most of all he doesn't want another kid to live his life. Most kids his age in more developed countries are playing video games. This kid is taking care of a baby and selling drugs on the street. It's a harrowing portrayal of life in another country. While the concept of him suing his parents sounds sensational, by the end of the movie I agreed with him.
Watch It.

Review
What a hook. Why is this kid suing his parents? My first thought is that it's some kind of dodge as Zain (Zain Al Rafeea) is charged with stabbing someone. He's imprisoned and suing his parents for being born, but his parents don't even know his age. Why not? His parents never registered his birth. While I was skeptical at first, Zain's parents have various kids they use for scams and illegal schemes. They also have a toddler chained to a walker. Just a few minutes in, and this is heartbreaking in how these kids live. Zain's sister, I'm guessing adopted, has her first period and he tells her they must hide it from their parents or they'll give her away. He's had to have seen this before with that reaction.

Zain's parents are just looking for a way to capitalize on their kids, developing ways the children can produce and pilfer. At the trial, Zain's dad absolves himself of any responsibility.

Zain Al Rafeea plays Zain

Zain plans to run away with his sister, but his parents sell her for two chickens before he can get her. He leaves by himself, begging for work and food. He meets Tigest (Yordanos Shiferaw) who for some reason has pity on him. Maybe she knows what it's like trying to survive on the streets. She gives him some food and has him care for her baby, Yonas. I was shocked she'd let a stranger that's so young watch her child, but she's also desperately working to provide enough for her and Yonas. Zain is a child caring for a child, and it's clear he's done this before. He likely had to care for his brothers and sisters at home. Obviously his parents weren't doing that.

We see what makes people desperate. Tigest is an illegal immigrant trying to get identification so that her son isn't taken away. Tigest isn't much older than a kid. She and Zain both have little protection. She'd do anything for Jonas, and that's a contrast with Zain's parents who use him as a prop and money making tool. The difference is who suffers and why. While the suffering in the movie may seem extreme or indulgent, this is a realistic depiction of Lebanon.

Boluwatife Treasure Bankole, Zain Al Rafeea play Yonas, Zain

When Tigest is arrested, Zain has no way to find her. He's stealing just so he and Yonas have food, but there's only so much he can do. It's wild to see these kids roaming the street and no one passing by does anything. Everyone is just trying to survive. Zain loses his place to stay, and tries to leave Yonas behind. Yonas doesn't understand and tries to follow, causing Zain to relent. Instead he sells Yonas to Aspro with no other options. Aspro promises to provide Zain with identification and a ticket to Sweden. Zain returns home for his papers where his parents maliciously tell him he doesn't have any papers. In an attempt to hurt him further, they inform Zain his sister is dead. That's when he snaps, and that's why he's in jail.

Zain sues his parents to protect his siblings and to prevent them from having any more kids. He doesn't want any other kids to live his life. At the end of the movie Zain gets photographed for an ID. He's asked to smile, and I didn't realize it until it happened, but it's the first time we've seen that happen the entire movie.

It's so easy to become lost in the comparatively easy problems of a developed nation when compared to a developing, lower income country like Lebanon. While depicting the issues through cute kids like Zain and Yonas can seem manipulative, it's because their lives are so far removed from what developed nations see. Zain's parents really are terrible.

Hamnet Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Hamnet (2025)

Rent Hamnet on Amazon Video (paid link) // Buy the book (paid link)
Written by: Chloé Zhao & Maggie O'Farrell (screenplay by), Maggie O'Farrell (based on the novel written by)
Directed by: Chloé Zhao
Starring: Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Zac Wishart
Rated: PG-13
Watch the trailer

Plot
After losing their son Hamnet to plague, Agnes and William Shakespeare grapple with grief in 16th-century England. Agnes must find strength to care for her surviving children while processing her devastating loss.

Verdict
For the first half of the movie, I wondered why this was so popular. Is it because this is another Shakespeare movie with acclaimed actors which always seems to do well critically? It seems like awards bait, but the first half is the foundation and the second half is what makes this movie; art and grief against relationships fractured and repaired. Through his play Hamlet, Shakespeare gave his son a starring role and his wife closure. It's an excellent conclusion to a movie that desperately needed the boost.
Watch It.

Review
While Zhao garnered acclaim for The Rider (2017), she won the best director Oscar for her followup Nomadland (2020) which also won best picture.

Tutor William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) becomes enchanted by herbalist Agnes (Jessie Buckley), winning her over with a story. At least that's what we see. She soon becomes pregnant and kicked out of her home, moving in with William and his parents who aren't happy about the situation.

Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal play Agnes, William Shakespeare

William is the frustrated writer, and Agnes suggests he go to London though she is pregnant again. She's carrying twins, but she also had a prophecy that predicted only two children at her deathbed. One of the children is stillborn, but Agnes refuses to accept it and demands to see the child, despite tradition, which begins breathing as soon as Agnes touches her. It's ominous, Agnes has seemingly cheated death on behalf of her children Judith and Hamnet. Will death return to collect?

Shakespeare movies by default feel like awards bait. They generally feature an acclaimed director and actors as well as lavish settings and costumes. Shakespeare is such a renowned, mysterious figure, and that's part of the appeal with people desperate to find out more. His stories are often repeated because they're so timeless. A third of the way in, I expected more from this. Zhao's movies have always been about people. We're introduced to his wife and children, but while this features Shakespeare, it's not about him.

The movie frequently returns to the image of the cave in the woods. It has to be symbolic of Agnes being known as a witch and her connection to nature. It also represents life and death. It appeared with the birth of her kids and the death of her hawk.

Judith gets very sick, and Hamnet pleads with her to get better, offering to take her place. We know what that means. Agnes was predicted to have only two children. Either death will take Judith back or take Hamnet in her place. It was foretold.

Jessie Buckley plays Agnes

Shakespeare experiences success in London while Agnes suffers at home. She travels to see his latest play, but she's upset that he used her son's name. It's the co-mingling of grief and art. William's grief elevated his art, creating a play fit for his son Hamnet in Hamlet. As the movie tells us, Hamnet and Hamlet are basically the same name. As the play unfolds, Agnes's anger ebbs as she begins to appreciate what William did. This play is a tribute to Hamnet. His grief and coping has been imbued into the play. Through that, Agnes gets to see her son again. William was able to give Hamnet the role in a play he always wanted, and through the play Agnes was able to confront her grief and finally let go.

I couldn't understand why this movie was so highly regarded until I got to the final sequence. Watching that section of Hamlet is what makes this movie. It's art, grief, and acceptance. It elevates the rest of the movie, and it's the reason this movie is ranked so highly. While the rest of the movie isn't up to the same standard, it does set the stage for the final, amazing sequence. Shakespeare's famous play Hamlet is a tribute to his son, catharsis for him and his wife. We don't just see it, we experience it.

Song Sung Blue Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Song Sung Blue (2025)

Rent Song Sung Blue on Amazon Video (paid link)
Written by: Craig Brewer (written by), Greg Kohs (based on the documentary by)
Directed by: Craig Brewer
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson, Ella Anderson, Michael Imperioli, Fisher Stevens, Jim Belushi
Rated: PG-13
Watch the trailer

Plot
Lightning and Thunder, a Milwaukee husband and wife Neil Diamond tribute act, experience soaring success and devastating heartbreak in their musical journey together.

Verdict
It's a neat story. Who would think that a cover band could reach this level of fame? Mike realizes his shortcomings, but he loves being on stage and finds a way to do that. I imagine part of the appeal was the audience seeing his energy and fervor. It was likely contagious. I haven't seen the documentary, but I wonder if this adds that much to the story. We follow a man that loves to entertain, even if he isn't well known. You can find a way to perform even if it isn't on a 'big stage,' but this movie doesn't develop too far past interesting trivia that a cover band reached such fame.
It depends.

Review
This is based on a true story about the husband and wife Neil Diamond cover band, performing through the 80s and 90s in Wisconsin and surrounding areas.

Mike Sardina (Hugh Jackman) is an impersonator, but he's annoyed by the job. He wants to sing his own stuff. The problem is that nobody wants to hear his songs. He refuses to play the part of Don Ho in the state fair and quits. He meets Claire (Kate Hudson) at the fair who suggests he become a Neil Diamond impersonator. Mike refuses at first, holding Diamond in too high a regard to attempt mimicking him.

Kate Hudson, Hugh Jackman play Claire "Thunder" Cartwright, Mike "Lightning" Sardina

Mike is soon smitten with Claire, and the feeling is mutual. He admits he's not meant to write or be a star, but he loves to entertain people. Their first night together is spent practicing Neil Diamond songs as they decide to pursue the endeavor. They'll call themselves "Thunder" and "Lightning."

Their first show at a bar doesn't go as planned with the promoter mistakenly thinking a biker gang would like Neil Diamond. The other problem is that Neil Diamond's most well known song is "Sweet Caroline," and Mike doesn't want to embrace it. Claire eventually convinces him otherwise. They have to play to the audience and they want that song. Their cover band quickly becomes popular, riding "Sweet Caroline" all the way to the top. That somehow translates to them opening for Pearl Jam.

Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson play "Thunder" and "Lightning"

Half way in is where this takes a turn. Claire is hit by a car while gardening in her yard. She's understandably depressed She and Mike both miss their act, and the future remains unsure. They were better together, though Mike continues impersonating to make some money. They both struggle but finally return to the stage together. They get their big headlining concert.

Throughout the movie, Mike has suffered heart problems. At one point, he comically has his daughter use a defibrillator on him as he doesn't want to cause a fuss. It's that heart issue that adds dramatic flair to his meeting with Neil Diamond. It's not quite how it happened in reality, though we knew the numerous heart issues were leading to something dramatic.

This falls into retelling the story more than developing the characters. I appreciate that Mike realizes he's not destined to be a star but realizes he can still enjoy music on a smaller stage. The movie doesn't do enough with that. This is more interested in portraying the trivia that a cover band reached such fame.

Toni Erdmann Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Toni Erdmann (2016)

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Written by: Maren Ade
Directed by: Maren Ade
Starring: Sandra Hüller, Peter Simonischek, Michael Wittenborn
Rated: R
Watch the trailer

Plot
In this German and English language movie, a practical joking father tries to reconnect with his hard working daughter by creating an outrageous alter ego and posing as a life coach.

Verdict
This starts as a drama about a father and daughter with different outlooks on life. She's focused on her job, he just wants to joke around and amuse himself. There has to be more to their relationship, and we're never privy to her childhood. Their relationship now has to be directly related to the past. Where this pivots is a party Ines holds. Is she finally creating a joke like her father or is the movie making a commentary about the corporate world and how people follow the crowd as a means to fit in and progress? If that's so, is this movie a commentary on what people will endure and ignore in the name of chasing the next promotion or contact? Her father never ascribed to society's rules. It's a good movie, but even now I'm trying to determine if I like it.
It depends.

Review
After the first scene I wasn't sure what this movie was. Winfried (Peter Simonischek) pretends to be two different people just to fool a delivery man dropping off a package. In the next scene he's going out with Joker inspired face paint. While we discover the paint is for a middle school event, Winfried is in no hurry to wash it off. He's a strange man at the least.

Winfried and his daughter Ines (Sandra Hüller) have a strained relationship. She's devoted to her job and disinterested in her father's silly jokes. I'm guessing it's two people that just don't connect. While we never see their past, it also could be that he never took anything serious during her childhood which disappointed her. Winfried may just not know how to connect with her, and his jokes are his awkward attempt.

Peter Simonischek plays Winfried

Winfried shows up at her job, and it appears he's been waiting for her to show up just so he can don another persona. Why? His dog just died and he wants a connection, but does he not know how to be serious or to the point? Instead of telling Ines how he feels directly, he continues with jokes. If I was her I'd be tired of it too. I've only known him for a little while and I'm growing tired. These persona's seem to be a way to avoid anything serious. He might be afraid of vulnerability.

Ines, for whatever reason, brings Winfried along to an event where she's trying to get a meeting with an oil company CEO. Her company has a contract with him, and she wants to extend it. The CEO brushes her off, but when Winfried begins spinning a story about hiring a daughter to replace Ines, the CEO wants to get a drink with him. Ines is irritated about it. This has to exemplify what's between the text. Their relationship now is a reflection of their life growing up. He's always been a distraction. Later Winfried approached Ines and her friends as Toni Erdmann. She doesn't acknowledge knowing him, though she had just mentioned to her friends how difficult her weekend was with her father dropping in unexpectedly. He had to hear that. We can see she's concerned about this game he's now playing, but she doesn't give him away.

Sandra Hüller, Peter Simonischek play Ines, Winfried

This is such a serious movie with such a comedic character. Winfried can't be direct with Ines so he hangs out in her general presence wearing a disguise. It's an odd ruse, and I have to imagine it's a callback to his failings as a father when she was younger as evidenced by their relationship now. Maybe he's never learned how to deal with his emotions or have a serious conversation. She takes him on a business trip, and I couldn't help but wonder why after all that's happened. Hi-jinks of course ensue, and it leads to Winfried taking her to a Romanian family's Easter party where he urges her to sing. It's the first time we've seen her free and unconcerned about work. She quickly rushes off after the song concludes due to the vulnerability.

Peter Simonischek play Winfried aka Toni Erdmann

This takes a turn when Ines is hosting a brunch at her home for coworkers. She opens the door naked, insisting it's a naked party. We see incredulous guests though many comply. This is a parallel to real, fake, and not acknowledging the jokes. Ines ignored Winfried's jokes, and now her guests either reject or accept this party without ever directly addressing the root of what makes it uncomfortable. It's the first time Ines has pulled a stunt like Winfried would. It's this sequence that shifts the movie from a look at a dysfunctional family to an examination of society and the desire to fit in and assimilate like Ines or live life by your own rules like Winfried. From there it's easy to make the leap of everyone mindlessly following along at the party to the business side of this. Ines has this vague job as a consultant that's about telling people what they want to hear or taking the blame for decisions they want to do but don't want the responsibility. The movie jokes that everyone believes a German consultant.

Winfried rejects society's norms, and that's contrasted with Ines. People want normal, and we see how strongly they'll cling to normal and try to fit in when Ines has her party. Society is built on this artifice. Ines ignored Winfried's advances, annoyed by them. When she pulls a similar stunt, I don't think it's an acceptance of Winfried's tactics, but a realization about how when you strive for normal that's all you'll achieve. One can find joy in exploits other than a promotion or the job. Winfried manages to amuse himself every day.

Title Card

Saint Maud Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Saint Maud (2019)

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Written by: Rose Glass
Directed by: Rose Glass
Starring: Morfydd Clark, Jennifer Ehle, Lily Frazer
Rated: R
Watch the trailer

Plot
A pious nurse becomes dangerously obsessed with saving the soul of her dying patient.

Verdict
This explores religion through a new convert that desperately wants affirmation. Is she seeing true signs or imagining them? This draws parallels between Maud and early saints. Some of her acts aren't that dissimilar, but in the present day she seems delusional. She's more focused on her self than the good her acts would do. Throughout the movie I wondered if what we see is distorted by Maud's perspective. The final scene provides that answer in an amazing yet chilling scene. This is a movie that does everything right, achieving it's goal of providing something to consider packaged in a chilling story.
Watch It.

Review
This is Rose Glass's directorial feature debut. She followed it with Love Lies Bleeding (2024).

Maud (Morfydd Clark) is a nurse for Amanda (Jennifer Ehle), a former dancer/choreographer who is nearing the end of her life due to lymphoma. Maud feels her calling is to help people, and she thinks God is calling her to save Amanda's soul. Maud is obsessive, and the other side is that she's very religious. It's a fine line as we wonder whether it's misplaced faith. We also see that she's a recent convert.

Morfydd Clark plays Maud

Maud burns her hand intentionally. Is it an act of frustration while seeking a sign or an act of penance hoping to generate a sign? I expect she'd call it devotion. At a party Amanda mocks Maud for being so pious. Maud tried to drive away her friend earlier due to being a distraction. Maud doesn't react well to the embarrassment. She's desperate for a sign, some kind of validation. At that point, anything could be a sign, interpreted however she chooses. She turns to what amounts to torture. I'm sure she'd say it's purification, but it's not faith it's delusion. She's punishing herself in an effort to achieve a higher plane and greater insight. The line of faith is all but gone. Plenty of ancient saints committed wild acts of servitude and piousness. They're lauded, but in the modern day the same actions look wild.

Morfydd Clark plays Maud

All of this could be Maud dealing with the grief of losing a patient. She wants to make up for it, diving into religion as an escape. Due to her fervor, she wants a sign, affirmation that she's on the right path. Her excitement has divorced her from reality. That's the point the movie is making. The concept of religion can have strange effects, especially when you're desperate for a sign. Maud is so eager to save Amanda that when she realizes Amanda hasn't been moved by the spirit, Maud sees her as a demon. The problem is that we're seeing this through Maud's eyes. She doesn't want to accept what Amanda is saying. It's easier to dismiss her as a demon and distraction.

We see plenty of people that use religion as a ruse or as a way to make money, but with this Maud is so desperate to believe. With no guidance, she falls prey to focusing on what God can do for her instead of focusing on what she can do for people. It was never about the religion, but about herself. In the final scene Maud makes herself a martyr or tribute. The scene features an amazing jump cut.

In the Blink of an Eye Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0400

In the Blink of an Eye (2026)

Watch the trailer
Written by: Colby Day
Directed by: Andrew Stanton
Starring: Kate McKinnon, Rashida Jones, Daveed Diggs
Rated: PG-13

Plot
Three story lines spanning thousands of years intersect and reflect on hope, connection, and the circle of life.

Verdict
It's a neat look at how life repeats, and how humankind is connected from eras that spans tens of thousands of years. This focuses on past, present, and future with a through line between the stories. Birth, death, and family remain a core tenant to civilization. Those three themes persist whether it's the Neanderthal era, the present, or a future where humans plan to colonize another planet. All eras stack upon earlier ones, building on advancements and technology. It's a neat idea, but it doesn't delve deep enough, focused on ideas instead of characters.
It depends.

Review
Colby Day previously wrote Spaceman (2024). Stanton directed Finding Dory (2016) and WALL·E (2008).

This seems like a less ambitious Cloud Atlas (2012), which posited the world and some inhabitants are forever linked across the ages. It's somewhere in the realm of Being Human (1994) where one man is reborn across time periods. This movie looks at the evolution and advancement of humans, drawing a distinct link from Neanderthals to the present day to a future version of humans that colonize another planet.

45,000 BCE: Jorge Vargas, Skywalker Hughes play Thorn, Lark

Three stories focus on a Neanderthal family forty five thousand years ago, anthropologist Claire (Rashida Jones) in the present, and longevity enhanced pilot Coakley (Kate McKinnon) on a spaceship in 2417. The initial question is what's the link. Claire is studying ancient human bones which very well could be the Neanderthal family. She mentions to her mom that her research could lead to living longer. Did her research contribute to Coakley able to live hundreds of years?

The first idea that spans the eras is sickness. The Neanderthal patriarch becomes sick, Claire's mom is sick which causes her to quit her fellowship, and the plants on the spaceship are diseased. That could jeopardize the entire mission to start a new colony. If the plants can't be cured, there won't be enough oxygen to complete the flight. Coakley proposed getting rid of the all the infected plants and killing herself so that there would be enough oxygen for the babies. The computer proposes sacrificing itself and using the server room as a secondary greenhouse. Coakley agrees a bit too quickly. While the computer argued against Coakley's sacrifice based on the sheer dumb luck of humans, the computer seems to be the more sustainable option.

2025 CE: Daveed Diggs, Rashida Jones play Greg, Claire

This looks at three distinct eras; the past, present, and future. Each era affects the next, making technological advancements possible. Despite how things change, there's plenty of overlap.

The Neanderthal family finds a tribe to join, Claire marries Greg (Daveed Diggs) and has children, Coakley fosters these children that rapidly age to inhabit the new colony. The future of the tribe led to civilization. Claire's son starts a company that's behind Coakley's spaceship. As her son states, "the human lifespan to the universe around us has always been the blink of an eye." He's found a way to beat time.

2417 CE: Kate McKinnon plays Coakley

The physical link between the eras is the acorn. The Neanderthal father made it into a necklace for his daughter. Claire finds it during her research and gilds it as a keepsake. She gives it to her son who places it on the spaceship to represent new life. It's a sign of new beginnings, an object that has survived thousands of years. Another tie in is that the Neanderthal funeral pyre is very similar to the future colony's death ceremony. It's a new civilization on another planet, and the start of a new human race.

I appreciate movies that don't try to explain too much, but I'd like to see more scenes on Claire's son's company and the future in which Coakley lives. I'd also like this to do more to develop the characters. They're an idea that doesn't quite evolve into a formative story. This is a concept on how civilization and ideas repeat and build upon themselves. Problems aren't all that different despite the eras. The next step would be to build on that with a point of view.

Wolfwalkers Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Wolfwalkers [WolfWalkers] (2020)

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Written by: Will Collins (screenplay), Tomm Moore & Ross Stewart (story)
Directed by: Tomm Moore, Ross Stewart
Starring: Honor Kneafsey, Eva Whittaker, Sean Bean
Rated: PG
Watch the trailer

Plot
A young apprentice hunter and her father journey to Ireland to help wipe out the last wolf pack. But everything changes when she befriends a free-spirited girl from a mysterious tribe rumored to transform into wolves by night.

Verdict
While it doesn't feel completely original, it is a perfect distillation and embodiment of these types of stories. Not only is it touching, the animation style only adds to the effect. What results is an absolutely beautiful movie that explores outsiders, forgiveness, and misplaced malice. While the town could live peacefully with the wolves, the Lord Protector wants to take over the forest and oust the wolves. People fear what they don't understand, wanting to destroy it. To understand the other side, you must see it. In this story, Robyn gets to experience it, and that changes her assumptions and feelings about the forest and its inhabitants.
Watch It.

Review
This is part of Tomm Moore's Irish Folklore Trilogy, consisting of The Secret of Kells (2009) and Song of the Sea (2014).

A town living near wolves hires a hunter named Bill (Sean Bean) to rid them of the predators. His daughter Robyn (Honor Kneafsey) wants to be just like him. She ventures into the woods and encounters the wolves. Her pet bird is injured and left behind as her father rescues her. Despite several warnings, Robyn enters the woods again to find her bird has been healed, though she doesn't know how.

The Lord Protector and Bill

These aren't ordinary wolves. They're wolf walkers, people that can transform. This is the old tale of humans that want to destroy what they don't understand. The village could live peacefully with the wolves, bu they don't want to. They prefer to take the woods by force, wanting the resources. The town doesn't even realize what these wolves truly are. While the town's focus is the wolves, scavenging the forest and cutting down the trees would disrupt the entire ecosystem.

Robyn is ensnared by a trap while in the woods and freed by a wolf, though bitten in the process. That wolf happens to be a young girl, Mebh (Eva Whittaker), who reveals her secret to Robyn and heals her wound. Robyn soon becomes a wolf walker herself, though she doesn't realize it at first. She's become what she wanted to hunt. She transforms and manages to frighten everyone in the town. A wolf has breached the walls. She still visits Mebh who provides a glimpse of what it's like to be a wolf.

Robyn and Mebh

Robyn no longer wants to hunt wolves. She tries to convince her father, but he won't listen. She also discovers that Mebh's missing mother is imprisoned by the Lord Protector, the one so adamant the town should eradicate the wolves. Robyn frees Mebh's mother, which leads to the finale. The Lord Proctor leads an attack on the wolf den. He's desperate to destroy it at any cost. There's a tense battle between the Lord Protector, Robyn, and her father Bill.

It doesn't feel like a new story, and it doesn't matter. This is a shining example of this type of tale. It's all the more beautiful due to the animation. The town doesn't like the wolves, though nothing has happened. It's the potential of what could occur. People fear what they don't understand, and in this case some get to see the other side of it, becoming the wolf walkers they hunted. That's the only way to truly understand. Many people, like the Lord Protector, refuse to exhibit any empathy and consider how their actions could affect others.

Opening Title Card

Boy A Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Boy A (2007)

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Written by: Mark O'Rowe (screenplay by), Jonathan Trigell (from the novel by)
Directed by: John Crowley
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Peter Mullan, Shaun Evans, Siobhan Finneran
Rated: PG-13
Watch the trailer

Plot
Jack has to deal with the anger and fear of the neighborhood when it's revealed he was recently released after serving a prison sentence for a violent crime he committed as a child.

Verdict
While well done, it is bleak. Jack tries to start over, but through the course of the movie Jack realizes that he'll never escape his past. This shows us just enough to keep us wondering. Despite the time served, I never thought Jack committed the crime. If he did, it's clear he has changed, but a crime like this can never be forgiven. From a public perspective, he'll never be rehabilitated and fit for society. For a brief moment he thought he had escaped the past, but that's a fleeting experience. His case is a salacious story for the press, and the public seeks his identity under the guise of security.
Watch It.

Review
This marked Andrew Garfield's film debut.

We're introduced to this kid Jack (Andrew Garfield). That's the name he chooses, as we wonder about his past and why he needs a new name. A social worker, Terry (Peter Mullan) helps him learn a new backstory as the police guard him. Through flashbacks we see Jack as a kid that was bullied in school. He meets a kindred spirit in Philip who seems like a bad influence.

In the present we find that Philip is dead. Jack asks Terry if Philip's death was a means of apology. What happened when they were kids or what did they do?

Jack gets a job, and while his coworkers know he spent time in jail, he states it was for stealing cars. We know it's more than that. The way the flashbacks are integrated, they seem like Jack's memories, these thoughts that are always floating in his head, a past that plague him. I wondered about his thoughts as he makes a friend at work and starts going out with a girl. We see that his past is never far removed.

Andrew Garfield, Peter Mullan play Jack, Terry

The first half is Jack reintegrating into life after prison. The mystery is why he went to prison. It seems like he fell into the wrong crowd. What did he do? The press is trying to determine who "Boy A" is, publishing renderings of how he may look now. Jack was convicted of killing a girl. Since he and Philip were minors they were dubbed "Boy A" and "Boy B" during the trial. It was a salacious crime, and that's why Jack had to create a backstory. We find out that Philip was violently abused. It explains why he's prone to aggression. He reveals his abuse to Jack which is an incredibly vulnerable moment.

Jack and his coworker see a car accident and rescue a passenger. They're local heroes, but Jack understandably doesn't like the press. He also can't completely avoid it. He wants to tell his girlfriend about his past, but his social worker urges him not to. If anyone finds out, it could be detrimental.

Everything comes crumbling down. His past is revealed in the paper, his girlfriend goes missing, and his job fires him. Everyone shuns him. From the public's standpoint, he can never be rehabilitated. His crimes are too gruesome to forgive. From what we've seen of Jack, I'd guess Philip committed the murder, taking out his frustrations on someone that insulted him. Philip was deeply disturbed, but since we don't see the event, nor would I want to, we don't know what happened. Both of them were convicted of the crime. It's not an easy watch. Jack's outing is all the more tragic as the social worker's son does it out of jealousy.

Criminals don't always seem as innocent as Jack. His demeanor helps engender sympathy. Even at the end, we wonder about his involvement, but I don't think he did it. Without knowing him, you can't expect anyone to dismiss their fear of him. In the movie, those that know him distance themselves when they find out. Jack went from hero to villain. It doesn't matter what good deeds he does. He'll never be redeemed. He can't go back to isolation, and part of him realizes that he'll never escape the past.

The Pitt Season 2 Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0400

The Pitt (2025-)

Season 2 - 15 episodes (2026)
Rent The Pitt on Amazon Video (paid link)
Created by: R. Scott Gemmill
Starring: Noah Wyle, Sepideh Moafi, Patrick Ball, Katherine LaNasa, Supriya Ganesh, Fiona Dourif, Taylor Dearden, Isa Briones, Gerran Howell, Shabana Azeez, Jalen Thomas Brooks, Kristin Villanueva
Rated: TV-MA
Watch the trailer

Plot
Each season follows one shift with healthcare professionals in a Pittsburgh hospital as they juggle personal crises, workplace politics, and the emotional toll of treating critically ill patients, revealing the resilience required in their noble calling.

Verdict
I love this show. Each week I eagerly anticipated the new episode. With this season I already have the foundation from the first. We know most of the characters with the exception of a new doctor and a few students, and that allows us to focus on various tensions between characters. In episode we get to know them better, and it's a busy holiday weekend that only gets worse with the influx of patients. The staff and the patients all have or feel like they have a narrative and backstory. Character arcs build with each episode as patients come and go. In one shift, we see triumphs, setbacks, and several clashes. The show is never less than riveting.
Watch It.

Review
The series has already been renewed for a third season.

Each episode depicts one hour in the emergency room with the entire season comprising a full shift. The first season just kept getting better with every episode as numerous smaller story lines created the overall plot. Attending physician Dr. Robby (Noah Wyle) tries to hold everything together as there are so many cases from mild to serious. Just as I thought the season couldn't get more intense, a devastating event stresses everyone. At the end of the first season, I couldn't wait for more.

In episode one another shift begins, ten months after the first season. Dr. Robby rides in on a motorcycle without a helmet. You'd think he'd be smarter. This is his last shift before three month sabbatical. I'm willing to be he'll be back next season with his hiatus occurring off-screen between seasons. He'll be replaced by Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi (Sepideh Moafi) who's also on shift to transfer the role. She's more rigid than Robby and jumping right in. There's tension between them, and they've barely met. Langdon (Patrick Ball) is back after his suspension. He was fired last season for stealing drugs. Cassie McKay (Fiona Dourif) rightly turned him in, but she's uneasy with him back, wondering if he's upset about what happened.

Having seen the first season and gotten to know the characters, it makes this season less disorienting. I know most of them now. Knowing Robby, I automatically side with him against Dr. Al-Hashimi, but she just has a different approach. She's a sharp doctor.

There are so many competing stories in this show. Aside from Robby's tension with his replacement, the staff find an abandoned baby, and a child Santos thought was being abused isn't. That's not before the child's father blows up his relationship with his girlfriend with accusations.

We see all kinds of patients and stories, and the narrative remains fast paced. This show isn't afraid to graphically show everything. At the end of the episode three, they find out another hospital will be diverting all of their ambulances to The Pitt. It's already busy due to being the July 4th weekend.

A waitress is admitted with Ebola. A young surgeon comes in to assess, clearly not experienced. Robby tells him they need a grown up. A long time, recurring patient dies, but the staff has little time to grieve. Santos (Isa Briones) messes up an AI translation for her notes as she didn't proofread. Robby thinks it's a gotcha on Dr. Al-Hashimi's methods, but it's not.

S2E7: Isa Briones, Noah Wyle, Sepideh Moafi play Dr. Santos, Dr. Robby, Dr. Al-Hashimi

Episode seven has a sexual assault case. The patient is already dealing with that trauma and has to experience this vulnerable exam, but I appreciate how seriously Dana (Katherine LaNasa) and her nurse in training takes it. Santos has a nice moment with the abandoned baby. For someone not good with kids, she does well. At the end of the episode all of the computers go down. Not only is it a busy weekend, now the systems on which they rely are down.

Episode eight shows us just how much the hospital relies on the internet. Going "analog" creates issues from top to bottom as very few of the staff have ever functioned off line.

If you're squeamish, episode nine's firecracker incident is going to be tough. Mel's (Taylor Dearden) sister comes in with a stomach ache. Mel immediately takes her back, and I wondered if other patients would be upset at the line jumping. Many of them having been waiting for a long time. This occurs ahead of Mel's deposition, so she's already on edge.

Episode ten is where tensions start to overflow. Javadi (Shabana Azeez) already has a fraught relationship with her mother who's a doctor upstairs. Mom comes down to insult her daughter and the ER, stating good surgeons reside upstairs. Dr. Mohan (Supriya Ganesh) has a panic attack that Robby dismisses. Dr. Al-Hashimi later chides him for it. Garcia insults Dr. Al-Hashimi's quick thinking when she operates on kid, stating she'll have to clean up the mess. Al-Hashimi responds that Garcia can thank her for saving the kid's life.

ICE agents bring in a woman that "fell" in episode eleven, and the ripple effect is a lot of patients leaving out of fear. When ICE assaults the detainee patient, nurse Jesse steps in. ICE assaults and detains him too. Langdon finally approaches and apologizes to Santos, but she's not buying. She responds that he shouldn't be even be back. He should have lost his job. The episode ends on a cliff hanger with a violent, drunk patient attacking new nurse Emma. Dana intercedes in the following episode but it also creates tension between her and Robby.

Gerran Howell, Patrick Ball play Whitaker, Langdon

We've been reminded of the countdown to Robby's sabbatical with each episode. In the fourteenth, an ambulance hits his motorcycle. Will that derail his trip? The episode ends with questions after Dr. Al-Hashimi asks Robby about a patient. Robby was already concerned about leaving the hospital on his sabbatical. He wanted his staff and patients to be in good hands.

There's a new doubt in the final episode. There's also a woman who wants a free birth. I've never heard of such a thing. She wants no medical care whatsoever. As Dr. Abbott (Shawn Hatosy) asks her, if you wanted a free birth why did you come to a hospital? It leads to an emergency c-section, and that's wild. Santos and King have a nice moment. Santos can be acerbic, but it's a nice gesture to invite King out to karaoke. As dire as situations in this show can be, we still get these small moments between patients.

The longer Robby stays after his shift ends, the more we wonder if he's avoiding the impending trip. Is this bike trip a means of rebellion, to defy convention, or break the monotony? Several characters have questioned the trip and his safety in undertaking it. Robby is burnt out, and it the end of the season we're still wondering about that trip.

Persepolis Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Persepolis (2007)

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Written by: Marjane Satrapi (comic), Vincent Paronnaud (scenario)
Directed by: Vincent Paronnaud, Marjane Satrapi
Starring: Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve, Gena Rowlands
Rated: PG-13
Watch the trailer

Plot
A precocious and outspoken Iranian girl grows up during the Islamic Revolution.

Verdict
It's an engrossing story, and while I was concerned the animation would detract, it only enhances this biography. We see a child grow into adulthood amidst the turbulence of living in Iran. It's history and coming of age as Marjane's life changes amidst outside influences. As a child she can't even fully comprehend what's happening. The story is about her growing up as much as it's about her changing relationship with Iran and what it means to be from that country.
Watch It.

Review
The title is a reference to the ancient capital city of Persia, an ancient city with a revered history in contrast to Iran's negative image after revolution as fundamentalists.

Marjane (Chiara Mastroianni) is this precocious child, not fully away of what's happening. She tells her parents the Shah, Iran's ruler, was appointed by God as that's what her teacher told her. Marjane's parents counter that he wasn't appointed, he's just a dictator. Both her grandfather and uncle were imprisoned by the Shah for their beliefs.

Her uncle reveals stories of his imprisonment and torture. He's not the only one. Marjane and her classmates don't fully understand what that means. They play a game in the schoolyard, stating the loser will be tortured to death. They just don't understand the ramifications of that statement or the world in which they live. They're breaking it down to what they understand which in no way captures the gravity of the what's happening.

Her parents wonder if they need to leave the country as elections lead to someone even more strict. The situation is a lot for an adult and beyond the comprehension of a child. Marjane's uncle is arrested again, and she has to figure out why. Why would God allow that?

As a teen Marjane is into western music and culture. She's criticized for it in this repressive regime. It's never directly addressed, but we hear bomb sirens and see empty shelves. People are aggressive to each other, fighting over food. Marjane and her family hide in the basement at night due to bombing. When Marjane questions a teacher's lies, she's expelled. Her parents send her to France for her protection

This is such simple animation that you almost forget the style due to the strength of the story. It captures the childlike wonder of the world, as desolate as it is with the events happening. Imagine living through wars, bombings, and persecutions. Marjane is sent to Europe for her safety, but it's emotional for everyone in the family when she departs.

The movie is Marjane's relationship to Iran. It's a country that's taken her family members and persecuted her family. She's lied about where she's from, wanting to avoid the complications that being from Iran presents. Towards the end she states directly she's from Iran. Despite the ups and downs of the country and her changing relationship to it, that's still her home.

Rental Family Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Rental Family (2025)

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Written by: Hikari & Stephen Blahut (screenplay)
Directed by: Hikari
Starring: Brendan Fraser, Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto
Rated: PG-13
Watch the trailer

Plot
An American actor in Tokyo struggling to find work lands an unusual gig, working for a Japanese "rental family" agency, playing stand-in roles for strangers. He rediscovers purpose, belonging, and the beauty of human connection.

Verdict
This is a touching story about loneliness and the need to connect. It's not surprising that a service exists to provide people for events, milestones, and companionship. A struggling American actor finds what he was missing while in Japan by working for this company, but unfortunately relationships where one person is paid are unsustainable. The line of pretending for a job and being genuine soon blur, but that doesn't stop feelings being hurt. As a parallel, even he is using one of the oldest services to provide companionship.
Watch It.

Review
Phillip (Brendan Fraser) is an American actor in Tokyo looking for work. His burgeoning career never quite took off. Even beyond the cultural difference, he doesn't fit in. He gets a job to play a "sad American" at a funeral, but he's late and disruptive. He's shocked to realize the deceased isn't dead. This was a special performance.

Phillip is approached by the owner of Rental Family who wants to contract him as their token white guy to fill various roles. The company's clients stage fake events to create an experience. Sometimes they hire actors to avoid a harsh truth. If you're lonely, you can just hire some to play a part in an effort to make your life more complete.

Brendan Fraser plays Phillip

Phillip's first gig is playing a husband in a fake wedding for a woman whose family doesn't accept her partner. He's the one that gets cold feet, hesitant to intervene in people's lives. At the end of the event, he realizes this was the only way for the woman to please her family while avoiding their rejection of her and her partner.

For an actor, this really is the role of a lifetime. The stakes are high, and there are no second takes. Phillip doesn't like messing with people's live, but he's been struggling for work and needs the job.

His next role as a father is challenging as he's playing a deadbeat that has returned years later after abandoning his family. The mother thinks that having both parents will help her daughter Mia get into a private school. Phillip grows closer to Mia, there's no way he wouldn't. He gets an offer for a television show, and he passes so he can continue playing dad.

At the beginning of the movie Phillip would look out the window of his apartment seeing neighbors and feel lonely. They had friends and a family, something he lacked. With this acting job, he has a connection to people even if it's a relationship built on false pretenses. When his role ends, after Mia gets in the school, Phillip doesn't want to stop. He cares for his clients, seeing them as family.

Brendan Fraser, Shino Shinozaki play Phillip, Hitomi

Now lacking a connection, Phillip continues a job that has ended, accompanying former actor Kikuo on a visit to his hometown. The problem is that the man's daughter that hired Phillip had already forbade it.

The whole endeavor crumbles. The company was messing with people's emotions, but it would have stumbled much earlier with the nature of the business. It's too easy to get attached. That happened to Phillip from the very beginning. But it's also easy to believe a service like this could exist. People are lonely and want a connection. As the world has become bigger and more connected, individual communities have become smaller. This movie explores the need for connection. Even Phillip hired a professional with which to spend time, paralleling her job and his. With a prostitute, there's no illusion about the personal and professional boundaries. When that line blurs is when people get hurt.

While Phillip gets in trouble, the other employees of the company rally to exonerate him. Changes are made at the company, but it wouldn't prevent what happened with Phillip getting too close. The company provides a service people obviously want, but the instances we saw was one person buying the service for someone else. That's when the morality blurs; when someone is unaware of the circumstances and the inherent deceit. Fixing that, this isn't any different that Phillip hiring a companion.

Title Card

Blue Moon Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Blue Moon (2025)

Rent Blue Moon on Amazon Video (paid link)
Written by: Robert Kaplow (written by), Lorenz Hart & Elizabeth Weiland (inspired by the letters of)
Directed by: Richard Linklater
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Bobby Cannavale, Andrew Scott, Margaret Qualley
Rated: R
Watch the trailer

Plot
Broadway songwriter Lorenz Hart struggles with alcoholism and mental health as he tries to save face during the opening of Oklahoma!, which he declined to write and is the first project after he separated from his collaborator Richard Rodgers.

Verdict
With one location making it feel similar to a play, we get to know Larry Hart though his ramblings and rants about past successes, current jealousies, and wistful hopes. Hart had the chance to be part of something incredibly successful, and he missed it. He's plying that hurt by dismissing it and trying to romance someone half his age, but that too is a folly. In one character we see triumph and tragedy, and the fears of an artist. Ethan Hawke provides a masterful performance as Hart.
Watch It.

Review
Blue Moon is the song title of Hart's greatest hit with Rodgers, covered by many artists. Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart's songwriting partnership ended due to Hart's erratic behavior and alcoholism. Rodgers went on to partner with Oscar Hammerstein becoming one of the most famous songwriting duos. Their hits include Oklahoma!, The King and I, and The Sound of Music.

This is set in 1943 at a bar after the opening of Oklahoma!. The newly sober Lorenz Hart (Ethan Hawke) rants and raves, speaking to everyone and no one. He derides the newly released Oklahoma!, one of the few dissenters, but he's adamant it's not jealousy. He admits he is bitter that he wrote with Rodgers for twenty five years, and Rodgers' first project without him is the most successful of his career.

Ethan Hawke plays Lorenz Hart

Hart has a way with words, babbling about relationships, writing, plays, and his former partner. When Rodgers and Hammerstein arrive at the bar after the show, Hart as he states "begins the real performance" as he lauds their play. Hart is also there to meet and romance a college student. From the beginning it seems like a delusion, and on a night of missteps and failures, the woman rejects him.

This movie is nearly a one man show for Hawke, and he's impressive in a transformative role that showcases his abilities. I'm sure the stage play like format is on purpose. This never leaves the bar, and Hart does a lot of talking.

This is a movie about artists, their successes and struggles. Rodgers represents success. Hart wonders if his best years are behind him as he feels the sting of his partner's widespread success. Hart questions whether he'll ever accomplish that level of success. Did he miss out? That's the fear of most artists. Have I already peaked? While he criticizes parts of the play, it's a defense mechanism. He doesn't want to admit or face that Rodgers can do better without him. He must shield himself from latching on to what could have been and protect himself from a bleak future where Hart is a has-been.

David Rawle, Margaret Qualley, Ethan Hawke play George Roy Hill, Elizabeth Weiland, Lorenz Hart

In this one night when the movie takes place, Hart interacts with several people that would go on to great success. While that feels a bit too cute, it illustrates how close Hart was to fame. Those around him became famous, Hart became a footnote. He was so close to stardom, but he sabotaged himself being a drunk and unreliable. He had a chance at Oklahoma!, little did he know that Rodgers and Hammerstein would become the most formidable songwriting team in theater history. In this movie Hart only begrudges their first collaboration.

Six Feet Under Series Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Six Feet Under (2001-2005)

Season 1 - 13 episodes (2001)
Season 2 - 13 episodes (2002)
Season 3 - 13 episodes (2003)
Season 4 - 13 episodes (2004)
Season 5 - 12 episodes (2005)
Rent Six Feet Under on Amazon Video (paid link)
Created by: Alan Ball
Starring: Peter Krause, Michael C. Hall, Frances Conroy, Lauren Ambrose, Freddy Rodriguez, Mathew St. Patrick, Jeremy Sisto, Rachel Griffiths, James Cromwell, Justina Machado, Lili Taylor, Richard Jenkins
Rated: TV-MA
Watch the trailer

Plot
This examines the subject of death through the eyes of the Fisher family, who own and operate a funeral home in Los Angeles.

Verdict
Engaging from the beginning as we watch the ups and downs of the Fisher family who just happen to operate a funeral home. The characters often learn from the deceased, holding surreal conversations with them as a means to reveal inner thoughts. The solemnity of the memorial services contrasts with the bickering families leading to those moments as well as the chaos of the Fisher's and their friends' lives. It's a character drama that never falters, focusing on the ups and downs of life. The Fishers realize better than most how short life can be. That's the underpinning of their decisions as they constantly consider what happiness means. The final episode is certainly a contender for all time best, serving as the perfect cap to the series.
Watch It.

Review
This has one of the most heralded finales of any series. It's well deserved, fitting the themes of the show.

This family lives in a funeral home. Death is the family business and has been ever present their entire lives. We see inside the business, and what it's like to live next door to death. The series kicks off when patriarch Nathanial (Richard Jenkins) dies. Throughout the series each episode begins with a death. That death frequently touches characters personally, usually resulting in a conversation with the deceased that provides great insight. While surreal at first, the persistence of these conversations becomes common as a way to bring thoughts to reality. The Fisher's aren't emotionally well adjusted, and that's the source for the show's drama. They're constantly trying to figure out life.

Season 1
Nathanial's death leaves the dysfunctional family reeling. David (Michael C. Hall) is left to take over the business, and prodigal son Nate (Peter Krause) returns. The family confronts death in different ways. Ruth (Frances Conroy) is high strung and emotionally repressive while her daughter Claire (Lauren Ambrose) acts out and isolates herself.

A larger company offers to buy them out, and Nate is eager to sell. David refuses. This is the only job he's known. Nate has a change of heart, hoping that the family business will give his life direction. Ruth wanted to sell when Nate wanted to, but now she again sides with Nate. It's an early manifestation of the feelings David has that Nate is the favorite.

S1E3: Peter Krause, Lauren Ambrose, Frances Conroy, Michael C. Hall play Nate, Claire, Ruth, David

Nate dives into the business he had never intended to join while David shows him the ropes. Through that Nate discovers their father had a second life, having traded funerals for oil changes, weed, and an apartment. Meanwhile David is considered for a church deacon. That's ironic as he's closeted. He's cheating on his boyfriend Keith (Mathew St. Patrick) because he's repressing his feelings and it serves as a way to act out.

The family doesn't express emotions. It's why Nathanial had a second life, Nate ran off, and Claire rebels. That seems to be driven by Ruth who represses her feelings until she reacts violently. The emotional immaturity seems to be the reason most of them sabotage relationships. David has trouble figuring out who he is, constantly making mistakes. He tries to fit what society expects, which never works out.

Nate's relationship with Brenda (Rachel Griffiths) is rocky at best, but her brother Billy (Jeremy Sisto) frequently causes problems. His relationship with Brenda is intimate enough that it bothers Nate.

This show centers around death. We see that through this family, afraid to confront and share fundamental truths. Their relationships are clouded by that. Their job is to create an acceptable version of the deceased that passes through their doors, masking the truth in cases. The line between perception and truth is a part of their business. These characters wrestle with life against the backdrop of a funeral home, mortality adds depth to every consideration

Season 2
Ruth wants to be more open about their lives after finding out David is gay. She's going from zero to one hundred and making everyone uncomfortable. Nate is dealing with a medical diagnosis by not telling anyone and internalizing it. Ruth joins a self help group that gives her a way to describe her emotions by using the metaphor of a house. She undertakes renovations to her "house."

S2E12: Lauren Ambrose, Frances Conroy, Michael C. Hall play Claire, Ruth, David

This family is trying to find direction in their lives, influenced by funerals and the people that come come through their doors. Nate is staring down mortality with his diagnosis while David has a few flings before getting back together with Keith. Claire graduates high school, focusing on art.

Brenda breaks up with Nate when he admits an ex is pregnant with his child. She doesn't mention the many flings and affairs she's had the entire season after they got engaged. She's scared of commitment, and it's self sabotage under the guise of material for the book she's writing. Blaming Nate is an easy out that absolves her of responsibility.

You empathize with these characters. They're confused, lost. All of them are seeking affection and acknowledgement. Their upbringing has made that challenging. Most of them, when they get close to someone tend to push everyone away.

Season 3
This seasons opens with a heavy episode with Nate facing death due to his condition. He explores his life and what it could have been as he's on the operating table. Despite his fears, he survives.

Between seasons Nate married his pregnant ex Lisa (Lili Taylor) after she moved to Los Angeles. She's basically taking care of two children, her child and her boss. That eventually leads to her quitting the job. That becomes micromanaging Nate. He's conflicted; trying to hold on to his free spirited youth while realizing he's settled down with a wife and kid and didn't even realize that. It doesn't help that Lisa is jealous over Brenda, though she won't say it.

S3E1: Mathew St. Patrick, Michael C. Hall play Keith, David

This show captures intrusive thoughts so well when characters enter a new situation and expect the worst before they snap back to reality. Keith and David have moved in together, but they're having a hard time. Keith is from an angry family that harshly expresses their feelings. David's family repressed all emotions. That dichotomy hampers communication.

The funeral home has a new intern, Arthur (Rainn Wilson). He and Ruth begin an odd relationship. He seems to want a mother figure, and she seeks companionship. Unsurprisingly that ends. Ruth quickly falls for George (James Cromwell). His lack of emotional maturity, leads to rash decisions.

Lisa goes missing towards the end of the season which sends Nate spinning.

Season 4
Nate deals with the events of last season. It's a devastating blow, and he quits the funeral home.

Ruth and George married quickly last season. It's no surprise when that deteriorates. Arthur is jealous and leaves, though his relationship with Ruth wasn't sustainable. Ruth becomes more irritated with George due to several past wives and children he failed to mention. She made a poor decision, and she's now trying to put all the blame on George.

David experiences a wild attack. He's robbed, forced to drive his assailant around, and smoke crack. It stretches credibility. No thief would remain with a mark for so long. It's dangerous for everyone. The point is the ramifications and questions for David. Why didn't he do more to get away? I get it's an important character development for David, but it feels clumsy.

I don't like this season as much. George is annoying, though that's certainly by design. Who didn't see that marriage failing? David's PTSD is understandable, but the altercation that led to it is a lot. This show keeps coming back to Nate and Brenda. Why not let it go?

Season 5
This is the final season, and it soon begins to seem like it. Plot lines are approaching a conclusion.

Claire and Billy are together. Billy meets old friends and becomes dissatisfied with being just a professor. He stops taking his medication. Claire doesn't realize it, but we know that will not go well. Similarly Frances is still with George in a situation that will also soon dissolve. Ruth suggests they move, but she doesn't plan to move with him.

Ruth is such a frustrating character. She gets mad when George moves on despite the fact she wanted to get rid of him. She's emotionally immature, repressed. That explains why she's so annoying. When it happens, her emotions spill out tumultuously.

S5E4: James Cromwell, Jeremy Sisto play George, Billy

Brenda and Nate are pregnant while David and Keith consider a surrogate and adoption. They end up adopting what turns out to be two boys. They're jumping into the deep end.
Brenda and Nate can't help but act self destructively. It's been the case since nearly the first episode.

Claire drops out of college and is irritated when Ruth stops her trust fund. Claire gets a job temping, a stark contrast to her free wheeling time in college as an artist.

Episode nine ends with Nate having a seizure. It's the beginning of the end as characters address the ramifications. It sends everyone spiraling. The final episode is the first one that begins with a birth instead of a death. There's also talk of selling the business. Claire gets a job in Chicago and drives away, that's interspersed with flash forwards that show the life and end of all the characters. It's rightly hailed as one of the best finales, and I would agree. In a series that showcased how people died, it's only fitting we see the end of the characters. It's an incredibly touching moment that does so much without any exposition.

It's a series that explores how you live by how others die. The Fisher family sees the regrets, desires, and ambitions of the many deceased they see. They're constantly reminded of the tenuous grasp on life. Is that the reason their lives are chaotic or does it only act as a catalyst? The show is distinctly focused on the evolution of these characters, and that's what drew me in, watching them endure successes and failures and continuing to face every day.

Millennium Seasons 1-2 Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Millennium (1996-1999)

Season 1 - 22 episodes (1996-97)
Season 2 - 23 episodes (1997-98)
Season 3 - 22 episodes (1998-99)
Buy Millennium on Amazon Video (paid link)
Created by: Chris Carter
Starring: Lance Henriksen, Megan Gallagher, Terry O'Quinn, Klea Scott
Rated: TV-14

Plot
A former FBI profiler with the ability to look inside the mind of a killer begins working for the mysterious Millennium Group which investigates serial killers, conspiracies, the occult, and those obsessed with the end of the millennium.

Verdict
Despite rave reviews the first season never grabbed my attention. I wanted more on this overarching plot about the end of the world approaching, but in each episode Frank gets a case that exemplifies the worst in humans. He stares off into space and divines the answer. The episodes become routine soon enough, and the depravity of the crimes was never appealing. While I had planned to watch the series, after the first season I had no desire to continue. I decided to give the second season a chance after reading the show was overhauled after the initial season. It's a better season, attempting to add an overarching narrative, but their goals are vague. In many episodes Frank encounters a case with no conclusion. We don't know why the suspect commits the crime and usually they get away. Frank's job is to look at a case but not produce any results. His group has lofty goals that are completely unclear.
Skip it.

Review
Created by Chris Carter during the height of The X-Files (1993), this series was canceled after just three seasons. A seventh-season episode of The X-Files, "Millennium" featured Frank Black as a conclusion to the series.

I watched this when it released, curious to see what Carter would do next. I quit after a few episodes. This time around, I don't like the show any more. Reading other reviews, several people suggest skipping season one and starting with season two as the show was overhauled between seasons. I hadn't planned to continue after season one, but I was curious why this seems so popular. The second season is better, but it doesn't shift my opinion.

Season 1
Frank Black (Lance Henriksen) was a cop, then FBI. Now he's consulting for the Millennium Group, and in the first episode he's looking into a stripper's murder.

S1E5: Lance Henriksen plays Frank Black

It's a dark show. Investigating murders, visions, and obsessions takes a toll on Frank and everyone involved with the cases. The show posits the violence is related to the potential end of the world as the millennium ends. I wondered if the group for which Frank works had a grander plan, a mission for the dawning of a new age, but this show is just Frank probing the darkest recesses of the human imagination. It was never as interesting as I hoped. Each episode is Frank involved in a depraved case.

I was going to watch the entire series, but I barely made it through the first season. There's no character development, just sadistic murders. The twisted cases no one can fathom get old quickly. I couldn't subject myself to another season. I have to imagine the only reason this got more than one season was because Chris Carter was riding the success of The X-files and had more leeway than the average show runner. After reading other reviews, curious about this show's popularity, the second season shifted to a serialized story, bringing in The X-files alums Glen Morgan and James Wong as show runners. Due to that, I tentatively gave the second season a chance.

Season 2
I didn't enjoy the first season, but many reviews claim this season is better. I was skeptical but gave it a chance. It's better than the first, but it's not enough to make a difference.

This season starts with a bang when Frank's wife is abducted. I already like this season more than the first after just a few scenes. In the second episode Frank encounters feral dogs. By the end of the episode I'm not sure why anything happened. A new house disrupts the balance with the dogs reacting to that? Episodes are unsatisfying. Episode three reveals human genome testing is occurring, but that's it. There's no implication of what that means or its purpose. It's just these shadowy figures pulling strings.

This series introduces such a weird situations, but it doesn't provide resolutions. It's The X-files without the charm or purpose. While this season is better than the first which reveled in dark and depraved for the sake of it, I still wonder what's the point of the show. The millennium is coming and weird things are happening, but what does it mean? What's the end game? The end of the world is nigh, but that's so vague. If it were true I'd think Frank and Peter (Terry O'Quinn) would be more desperate and frantic. Nothing is ever solved.

Episode 14 is especially depraved with a criminal killing victims online. We don't know why, the suspect isn't caught, and we never find out why. That's typical for this show, attributing these strange crimes to to the approaching end times.

S2E15: Terry O'Quinn plays Peter Watts

This season explores the Millennium group and their focus and schism on religion as rival factions emerge. It's a lot of intrigue but not always something tangible. Even towards the end of the season it feels like the show is still dancing around the plot. What does any of this mean, and why am I watching this?

This season does have a few comedic episodes. In episode 21, demons sit around complaining about how modern times make their jobs pointless. Human are driving themselves to depression without any outside help required.

The final two episode feel like a series finale. I wasn't sure how the show could come back for a third episode, so I had to watch the first episode of the third season. The answer is that season three ignores the events. The Fox network refused to commit to a third season, even as the writing for the finale began. Without confirmation there would be a third season, the show created a finale.

While season two is better than season one, it's not enough to make me like this show. I had said I'd quit after season one. I probably should have. There's no way I'm going to watch season three. Granted, I hear that's easily the worst. This show presents interesting ideas about the end of the world tied to the end of the millennium and how religion fits into that, but it's only ideas and notions. It doesn't develop the narrative. I still can't completely explain what this show is about. Frank is this adept investigator that I don't think ever solved a case. He's brought into assist on cases, finds something incredibly odd, then just leaves for the next one. It's easy to compare this to The X-files because the creators are the same and this one explore similar conspiratorial ideas. Unfortunately it's nowhere near as engaging.

John from Cincinnati Series Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0400

John from Cincinnati (2007)

Season 1 - 10 episodes
Rent John From Cincinatti on Amazon Video (paid link)
Created by: David Milch, Kem Nunn
Starring: Bruce Greenwood, Rebecca De Mornay, Austin Nichols, Ed O'Neill, Luke Perry, Keala Kennelly, Luis Guzmán, Willie Garson, Matt Winston, Garret Dillahunt, Brian Van Holt, Jim Beaver, Greyson Fletcher, Dayton Callie, Paula Malcomson, Emily Rose, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Jennifer Grey
Rated: TV-MA

Plot
In the coastal town of Imperial Beach, California live three generations of Yosts: surfing royalty with a family curse until a stranger arrives.

Verdict
It's no surprise this only got one season. A simple stranger with supernatural powers infiltrates the lives of the dysfunctional Yost family. Without knowing John's purpose, other than to generate plot lines, and the comically shallow characters, there just isn't much to this show. John is the most interesting, but that's only because he's a child like, Christ character that's completely underdeveloped. With this season, his only purpose seems to be reuniting this surfer family. I was never sure if the show wanted to be a comedy or a drama. It dabbles in both and it frequently feels like the characters are acting like their characters instead of inhabiting them.
Skip it.

Review
Milch is best known for creating NYPD Blue (1993) and Deadwood (2004).

The series focuses on the Yost family, comprised of three generations of surfers. They're facing hard times as surfing popularity has waned. Patriarch Mitch (Bruce Greenwood) has become disillusioned with the sport despite running a surf shop. Butchie (Brian Van Holt) is a washed up former star basically living on the street, but Butchie's son Shaun (Greyson Fletcher) who lives with Mitch has great potential and hopes to get sponsored.

E2: Brian Van Holt, Austin Nichols play Butchie, John

John (Austin Nichols) appears out of nowhere. He's easily the most interesting and mysterious character. He's drawn to Butchie who initially sees him as some kind of mark of which he can take advantage. John repeats what others say, devoid of his own thoughts, but he can also produce whatever is needed given the situation when asked to empty his pockets.

At the end of the first episode, John has brought the Yost family together to one spot but why?

E9: Austin Nichols, Greyson Fletcher, Brian Van Holt, Chandra West play John, Shaun, Butchie, Tina

Characters begin to realize something is different about John. Butchie isn't dope sick, Shaun breaks his neck and miraculously recovers, and Mitch begins to float sporadically. John seems mentally deficient, parroting what people tell him, but sometimes there is information embedded in his ramblings. Initially it seems like his purpose is to help the Yost family, but as the season progresses he's bringing the community together. John is this Christ figure, cryptically talking about his father and the word, but towards the end of the season his miracles consist of producing whatever he needs and astral projection. His ultimate purpose remains unclear. After Shaun recovers, he and John disappear.

It's an odd premise, but the characters just aren't interesting enough. In the final episode John and Shaun surf back into the show, though it's unclear where they've been. John is a savior, but to what end? Is it just for the Yost family? In future seasons would he have surfed into the lives of other families? This leaves so many questions open. That and a lot of characters waiting for their moment that never comes means I was relieved when the final episode concluded.