Genre: TV Series  

Grade: A-

Notable People: Sam Elliott, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Isabel May, Lamonica Garrett, Created by: Taylor Sheridan

Title: 1883

Review: The cosmic cowboy origin story of the hit Paramount series, Yellowstone, is a pleasant surprise. A sweeping western featuring Elliott and a reluctant McGraw leading a bunch of in- over- their heads German immigrants on a massive trail ride from south Texas to the sweet valleys of the Willamette in Oregon, is nothing if not a frank and brutal telling of what these ambitions resulted in. Sam is Sam- just getting older, but still the best cowboy in the biz; McGraw is a shocking revelation- an absolute born natural worthy of award think. newcomer May is a heartbreaker I every sense of the word. Hill does not have the same acting genes as her husband, but is ok. You will feel like you have been through the trail drive yourself when it is over. Maybe get carried away in the end in sappiness, but still well worth it. Majestically shot and scored. I’d be shocked if there is not a next edition to continue to set the historical stage for the Yellowstone of today- quite the franchise happening here. We don ‘t have this network for streaming so got the DVD set from our local library.

Genre: TV Series   

Grade: B+

Notable People: Jella Haase, Dmitrij Schaad, Julius Feldmeir, Created by: Hanno Hackfort

Title: Kleo

Review: After the fall of the Berlin Wall, a former spy killer is set free and embarks on a revenge spree against the people who conspired to betray her. That basic plot hardly describes this absolutely wacko dramedy from Germany. Haase as Kleo is so over the top nuts that she is fascinating-a combination of the mad hit woman from Killing Eve and Uma Thurman in Kill Bill, but even more unpredictable. And, Schaad is the perfect foil as the bumbling West German cop trying to get a real case. The show goes all over the continent and at times you will just laugh out loud. Really bizarre- but a lot of fun. Second season is a no brainer.

Genre: TV Series   

Grade: A-

Title: Mo

Notable People: Mohammad Amer, Teresa Ruiz, Omar Elba Created by: Mohammad Amer, Ramy Youssef

Review:  Every once in a while I find we need comic relief from the crime, war and interpersonal dramas that we watch, so we often turn to Netflix for half hour lite. This one was a really good surprise. Crated by Ramy (who has his own half hour Palestinian comedy) and Amer, who stars in the show- and is somewhat of a cult standup comic in the American- Arab community.  The fictional Mo is a Palestinian refugee, living in Houston, one step away from asylum on the path to U.S. citizenship, who straddles the line between two cultures, three languages and “a ton of bullshit.” Amer is a very funny guy though I am sure I miss some of the inside humor as an American white guy. This show does for Arabs and olive oil what My Big Fat Greek Wedding did for Greeks and Windex. And, amazingly, features the superb one off “Elon Musk jizzing Teslas into space” , though maybe it does not ring as well without context…laughed a lot-worth a watch.  

Genre: TV Series            

Grade: B+

Notable People: Murray Bartlett,  Connie Britton, Jennifer Coolidge, Alexandra Daddario, Steve Zahn, Jake Lacy, Created by: Mike White

Title: The White Lotus

Review:  this limited six episode HBO series was sent my way by Feel the Connoisseur. It’s a very quirky show focused on the guests and high level employees of an exclusive Hawaii resort. The characters are just the right side of believable, but the relationships are potent. Nicely shot and with flashes of humor that make it not be tedious. The ensemble cast is quite good and Murray Bartlett as the closeted, coke snorting, out of control – yet impeccably behaved Hotel manager is well worth the price of admission. I had no idea while watching that this show dominated the 2021 Emmys in its category- would never have guessed, but it has been renewed for a second season to take place in Sicily, with some cast member returning, and a wacked out who’s who of others.

Genre: TV Series  

Grade: NR

Title: Midnight Mass

Review:  Oh boy, this is one very strange show. Could not bring myself to rate it, though got totally sucked in to this well acted mixing of soapy drama, mysticism, supernatural and full out bizarreness. The plot centers on an isolated island community that experiences supernatural events after the arrival of a mysterious priest. Creative shooting in the remote setting lend to the isolation and sense of evil from the get-go. Not for everybody, but I was pleased to get this referral from my friend, Bob (who happens to be my financial advisor). Definitely a one and done series. If you like kinky supernatural, this one may be for you.

Notable People: Notable People: Zach Gilford, Kate Siegel, Hamish Linklater, Samantha Sloyan, Rahul Kohli, Kristin Lehman, Henry Thomas. Camille Cottin, Gregory Montel, Created by: Mike Flanagan