Category: Stu’s Reviews

Genre: TV Series 

Grade: A-

Notable People: Created by: Ken Burns

Title: Hemingway

Review: Another blockbuster documentary from the laureate, Ken Burns on the life a times of the great American author and icon. Amazingly well researched and delivered, like of all of Burns’ master works, this is the fascinating story of the brilliant and enigmatic king of American fiction. No stone is left unturned, and the story gets more and more difficult….a truly tragic and not all that sympathetic figure, whose genius shines through despite his many shortcomings. Getting Jeff Daniels to narrate the Hemingway parts is s stroke of genius- he’s prefect. And the steady narration of Peter Coyote, who does almost all of Burns’ work is compelling, as usual. The old photos and videos are worth the price of admission. Three two hour segments, but well worth the six hour investment.

Genre: TV Series

Grade: A

Notable People:  Gillian Anderson, Asa Butterfield, Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey, Created by: Laurie Nunn

Title: Sex Education

Review: Brilliant British show that defies a genre- never sure if it’s primarily a comedy or drama. Extraordinary ensemble cast of young actors portraying life in a an out of control high school in the British highlands. Butterflied, Gatwa and Mackey are pure revelations. The entire cast works on every level, and Ms. Anderson is shockingly funny, in a role that will make you rethink the X-Files or Margaret Thatcher. The music is great, the dialog is great…..this is a don’t  miss show…and it has lots of absurd teen sex.

Genre: Film 

Grade: A-

Notable People:  Alessandro Novola, Leslie Odom Jr, Vera Farmiga, Michael Gandolfini, Ray Liotta, Directed by: Alan Taylor

Title: The Many Saints of Newark

Review: Woke up this morning……found myself a gun……. We revisit the early years of Tony Soprano  gangland family in this HBO Max only -compelling prequel, produce by David Chase, and set in the hot summer of 1967, as Newark burns. Full of complicated race relations and harbingers of things to come. Beautifully shot to show the complex times and driven by a great soundtrack, we see the emergence of the mob family that has become part of our lexicon, as familiar as comfort food. The portrayals of the later day characters as their younger selves is extraordinarily detailed and consistent with the original six season show, as we get to know the much younger Silvio, Paulie and Big Pussy…and Michael Gandolfini playing his father as a teenager (in life and in the film) is dead on. The nuances are fabulous and the inclusion of the irascible Ray Liotta as the family patriarch is a bonus, as is the appearance of the original Big Pussy (Vincent Pastore) playing his own father. This was a delightful two-hour watch.

Genre: TV Series

Grade: B+

Notable People:  Mark Warren, Maimee McCoy Created by: Chris Murray

Title: Van Der Valk

Review: Gerity detective drama set in Amsterdam based on the bestselling novels by Nicholas Freeling. Three-part series of 1 ½ hour episodes that may or may not come back (there was a previous iteration that went for many seasons on Dutch TV). Stories are good and ensemble cast does well. Classic PBS Masterpiece type.  Did not like the use of British actors in main roles, but really liked the Amsterdam setting which is nicely highlighted. Worth a watch.

Genre: TV Series    

Grade: B+

Notable People:  Sandra Oh, Jay Duplass, David Morse, Bob Baliban, Created by: Amanda Peet and Annie Julia Wyman

Title: The Chair

Review: The always entertaining Sandra Oh comes back to series TV with this light and airy performance at the recently promoted Chair of an Ivy-League wannabe English department, and all hell breaks loose. Sweet and charming little show that tackles the foibles of academia and the race and gender politics of organizations. Oh and Duplass are wonderful together and the supporting cast is top notch. Light, but worthwhile fare- not sure if it will return for a second season.