Mr. Jones: A man for all reasons

      
At once a story of the past and a tale for our times, Mr. Jones is one of those movies you fall in love with slowly. At least, the Movie Slut did.

 It stars James Norton (Sidney Chambers in the PBS series Grantchester), and it belongs to her fave genre: journalism flicks. It's also a true story. All of which elevates Mr. Jones to the absolutely must-see category even though Amazon charged an extra $6 for the privilege.

Gareth Jones was a young Welch journalist who interviewed Hitler in the early 1930s and was mocked for his prescient reports of impending disaster. We catch up with him as he finagles a trip to Russia to interview Stalin. He never lands an interview with the Communist Party leader, but comes away with eye-opening news for a world blinded by propaganda.

No, the Movie Slut won't give any more away, but will say that his discovery is an often overlooked chapter in the dark history of the Soviet Union.

"There is only one truth," Gareth tells a fellow journalist.

The Movie Slut plans to see Mr. Jones again. Just to hear that line.

Scapegoat: Trading Places Revisited

Matthew Rhys & Matthew Rhys

John Standing and Johnny Spence could pass for twins and they do in this 2012 movie based on a 1957 book by Daphne du Maurier. John is a nasty, wealthy ner de well who meets Johnny, a decent and honorable teacher, and concocts a scheme to swap lives.

Good guy Johnny is plunged into a world peopled by miserable relatives who have been tarnished by John's selfish behavior, bad business deals, and wasteful spending.

The Movie Slut loves the theme of this flick. One man/woman can make a difference. And sometimes he/she has to move well beyond the comfort zone to enact change.  

Collision: Crash, bang, boom

Kate Ashfield & Douglas Henshall

A six-car pile-up on the A-12 in Britain unites a team of investigators intent on uncovering the cause the deadly accident in this five-part PBS Masterpiece Contemporary series now on Amazon. As the investigation proceeds, the lives of the victims are uncovered and, holy moly, some of these peeps were up to crazy stuff.

Viewers of Collision are a bit ahead of the cracker jack team since they meet some of the characters prior to the crash. Still, unraveling the events is a Herculean task.

And then there's DI John Tolin and Inspector Ann Stallwood. What's up with them?

Collision is a riveting series that is tied up at the end in a most bee-utiful fashion. 

Belgravia: Pssst! It's the secrets, stupid.

It's June 1815. At a ball in Brussles, a young British woman meets a young British man. They fall in love. Twenty-five years and six episodes later, the secret that engulfed them is finally revealed.

Based on the eponymous novel by Julian Fellowes (yes, that Julian Fellowes), this costume drama on Amazon swept the Movie Slut away. Not a fan of Fellowes's Downton Abbey, the MS found all her reservations about that ultra-popular and ultra-annoying series corrected in this engrossing story.

It's not the Movie Slut's modus operandi to give too much away. So just trust her when she says this is television streaming at its best.

Episodes: Five seasons and you'll want more

Tamsin Grieg, Matt LeBland, and Stephen Mangan

Beverly and Sean are a husband and wife British writing team with a successful sitcom on the other side of the pond.

Imagine their excitement when Hollywood calls with an offer to create an American version staring Matt LeBlanc. Yes, Matt LeBlanc of Friends fame.

Imagine their distress when they encounter the clueless and talentless team hired to produce their show. And then there's Matt, the amoral, egotistical, shallow-as-a-puddle star of their show.

Episodes is a hilarious Hollywood spoof, but it's more than that. LeBlanc, playing a rib-tickling version of himself (a post-Friends star) manages to be endearing despite his blatant flaws, as do the other characters in this eminently binge-worthy series.

Daniel Deronda: A Masterpiece

Hugh Dancy is Daniel Deronda 

 

 

George Elliot's 1876 coming-of-age novel comes alive in this BBC limited series now on Amazon. Set in the Victorian era, we meet Daniel who was raised as an English gentleman, although his true parentage remains a secret. The search for his identity uncovers surprising information, which the Movie Slut won't reveal.

In a gambling hall in Germany, Daniel observes an English beauty as she loses all her winnings. They will meet again, of course.

Out for a row on the lake, he encounters another beautiful woman and saves her from drowning herself.

The plot thickens and thickens and thickens as only a brilliant novelist can do. And the series is true to Elliot's plot. But rest assured, it's not all about a young man's love life. The series also shines a light on the nascent Zionist movement and the attitude toward Jews in Victorian England.

A Price Above Rubies: A Gem

To enjoy this 1998 movie now on Amazon it is necessary to suspend with a ton of disbelief. You will also have to overlook some unbelievable coincidences. Then you'll be ready to enjoy this gem.

Renee Zellweger is Sonia, a gemologist's daughter, who enters into an arranged marriage with an ultra-Orthodox man living in an insular New York neighborhood. His loves are God and the rabbi with little left for Sonia.

She's suffocating in this ritualistic society where a woman's place is in the home. When her brother-in-law offers her a job in his jewelry business, she grabs it only plunging herself into deeper despair. 

The Movie Slut won't say more, only that you're sure to get hooked and watch till the end. 

The Half of It: Cyrano Revisited

Leah Lewis is Elle; Alexxis Lemire is Aster; Daniel Diemer is Paul.

In this updated Cyrano de Bergerac story on Netflix, a high school jock convinces the school's brainy nerd to write letters for him to the girl he loves.

So you think you've been there, seen that. Well, think again.

This version of the old story, written and directed by Alice Wu, takes the leap from a humdrum remake to delightful entertainment because the characters are given great breath, depth, and gentle understanding. Stuck in Squahamish, a stultifying backwater town, each of the three main characters in this coming-of-age love triangle defy stereotypes that could have defined them. Excellent acting seals the deal.

The Movie Slut couldn't rave more.  

A Stranger in Town: A feel-good flick

Frank Morgan, Richard Carlson, Jean Rogers

U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Josephus (Joe) Grant is on vacation, duck hunting in a small town. On his first day, he's shaken down by the fish-and-game warden, who demands an additional fee beyond the hunting license. Incognito as just another hunter, the Justice lands in court where he's defended by a young lawyer, who is also running for mayor.

It soon becomes apparent, in this 1943 movie on Amazon, that the corrupt warden is just the tip of the iceberg. Every official in this town, from the mayor down, is dishonest. Taking the young lawyer under his wing, while remaining undercover, good-guy Joe shows him how to win his cases, as well as the election.

A political dramedy, reminiscent of "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" (1939), this flick is about good prevailing over evil, decency triumphing over corruption, with a love story thrown in for good measure. 

The Trail: Kitchy but Cool

The murder of a teenage girl calls prosecutor Elena Guerra into action. Initially she doesn't want to take the case. Her marriage is on the rocks and she needs to take action to save it. But then, she learns something that compels her to find the killer and bring him or her to justice.

Meanwhile, lawyer, Ruggero Barone, has his reasons for defending this case with everything he's got.

In case you missed it, the actor's names should have tipped you off. This is an Italian crime drama. The eight-part series is streaming on Netflix and worth watching even if it includes a few too many "coincidences" and demands a heap of suspending with disbelief.

Despite its shortcomings it will keep you riveted.

Breathless: Highly Bingeable

Jack Davenport  is Otto Powell

If you were a Mad Men fan, you'll love this six-part PBS Masterpiece series. Set in the early 1960s, in soon-to-be swinging London, it's the story of a group of OB-GYN doctors and the women who love and sleep with them.

Otto Powell, is Jack Davenport, the Dan Draper of the group. He's an alpha male with a mysterious past. He loves women, especially pretty young nurses, but he respects them, too. And he wants to help them, which means breaking some laws in the pre-abortion era.

It's a stylish production in all respects. The Movie Slut is particularly gaga over the glam duds.

The English Game: Bloody Good

Kevin Guthrie as working-class stiff Fergus Suter

Think of Upstairs Downstairs without the stairs.

Yes, The English Game is another historical drama about class distinctions in the country known for its cavernous class divide. But this one is different. It takes place on green fields instead of manor houses and taps a real story for six-engrossing episodes on Netflix.

The story, which begins in 1885, chronicles the expansion of soccer (or Futbahl as it's called on that side of the pond) from an upper class pastime to a national sport that became the most popular game in the world.

Like Downton Abbey, it's a Julian Fellows series. Unlike Downton, the Movie Slut gives it a rave. Don't worry gals. It's not all punts and goals. There are also timeouts for romance, character development and exemplary behavior on and off the field. Think of it as the antidote for life in the time of Covid-19.

 

Unorthodox: A great escape

Amit Rahav & Shira Haas are Yanky & Ester

The first time Esty meets Yanky, she tells him she is different. He's fine with that. But different is anathema in their cloistered Hasidic community in Brooklyn. Still their arranged marriage takes place. For better. Or, as it turns out, for worse.

When we meet Esty, she's escaping the super-restrictive Satmar community and on her way to Germany. Through flashbacks we learn why she's leaving and why Germany is her destination.

Soon Yanky and his dodgy cousin are on her trail, cranking up the suspense.

The four episodes of this Netflix series had the Movie Slut wishing for more. To its credit the series, based loosely by an eponymous memoir by Deborah Feldman, takes a gentle approach to the Satmar customs and rituals while clearly illustrating why Etsy must escape.

If you're a woman who's ever been restrained by your gender, this series will break your heart and put it back together again.

 Expect cheers and tears.

Self Made: Inspired by the life of Madam C. J. Walker

Octavia Spencer is Madam C.J. Walker

Who doesn't love a rags-to-riches story?

And this one has all the elements. C.J. Walker was born in Louisiana in 1867. When we meet her on the Netflix limited series, she's a washerwoman. Make that a washerwoman with big dreams.

C.J. is one tough cookie and uses her determination and 1,000 horsepower drive to build an empire in the women's hair care arena and become the first female self-made millionaire. (Check it out in the Guinness Book of World Records.)

The series takes some liberties with elements of her story. But who cares when it dishes out some first-class entertainment. Even a few song-and-dance numbers. And Blair Underwood as her sometimes husband.

So take a trip back to turn-of-the-century New York. You won't regret it.

Blow the Man Down: It's more than a song

Welcome to Easter Cove, a once quiet fishing village in Maine. Meet sisters Mary Beth and Priscilla. Meet them on Amazon Prime at their Mom's funeral. Alone now, they must run the family business, a fish store, which isn't bringing in the bacon.

Mary Beth (Morgan Sailor) is the wild one. Priscilla, like her late Mom, gets things done.

There's a murder. A coverup. A pesky police detective. And a madame (Margo Martindale). It seems Easter Cove had a randy fisherman problem and the brothel opened to save the village girls.

As an added bonus there's a Greek chorus of singing fisherman.

You can't make this stuff up. But screenwriters Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy did. And the Movie Slut thanks them from the bottom of her sequestered heart.

Click hereto take a Listen

Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears

Essie Davis is Miss Fisher

The glammest gumshoe this side of anywhere is back to cheer us on these dark days. Loyal fans, who followed her on the PBS delight, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (The Australian series is now streaming on Amazon) can indulge with this full-length movie on Acorn.

Set in 1929, the plot revolves around a young Bedouin woman wrongfully imprisoned in Jerusalem, some British soldiers, a humongous emerald, a desert sandstorm, an eclipse... oh, who cares.

As in the series, the real attraction is the fabulous Phryne Fishers, her extravagant wardrobe, her pearl-handled pistol, and her ferocious feminism.

And then there's Detective Inspector John Robinson (Nathan Page). Will those two ever get together?
Watch this flick for the answer.

Miss Virginia: You Go Girl

Uzo Aduba is Virginia and Niles Fitch is her son, James

Who knew? Certainly not the Movie Slut. She thought Miss Virginia (on Netflix) was an inspiring take on a real-life story about a single mom who fights the system and gets her son, and other kids, into schools where they would actually get an education rather than beaten up on the playground.

That was before her eyes were opened. Virginia Waldon Ford is a real mom living in Washington D.C., who fought the system to get her son a scholarship to a private school. On the surface, it seems like a triple F flick: A formidable female fight for her child. And wins. And if you watch the movie in that vein, it works.

Too bad this movie doesn't tell the full story. Even worse, it misrepresents one of the Civil Rights Movement's heroes: Eleonor Holmes Norton, who's portrayed as an elitist legislator who kowtows to private interests.

 "Unforgivable," says the MS.

 Watch at your own risk.

Light Sleeper: Woody Allen it's not

Sleeper, Woody Allen's hysterical 1973 masterpiece is the best medicine for these scary times.

That's what the Movie Slut was thinking when she went on Amazon.

But ooooops.

What appeared on the TV screen was this 1992 Paul Schrader flick that is anything but funny. It is, however, a darn good film. John (Willem Dafoe) is an upscale drug dealer in New York City and Ann (Susuan Sarandon) is his supplier. She's leaving the biz to become a cosmetics entrepenuer. He's rethinking his life.

When a string of murders puts John in police cross hairs, he sets out to prove his innocence.

What elevates this movie above the many other drug dealer flicks (and there are tons of them) is how engaging and likeable these characters are. It's been a long time since MS cared so much about a movie protagonist.

A Good Marriage: That's what she thinks

Joan Allen & Anthony LaPaglia

This 2014 movie on Amazon is based on a book by Stephen King. So far, so good.

Darcy and Bob have been married for more than two decades and by all indications it's a good marriage. Until...

Without issuing a spoiler alert, the Movie Slut will say that Darcy discovers something that reveals hubby isn't the guy she thought he was. In fact, he might be—Eeeeee!—a serial killer.

What should she do? And who's the mysterious man lurking outside her house? Is he the real murderer? Is she in danger!?!

The Movie Slut is glad she stumbled on this thriller while remoting through Amazon's selections. There's something comforting in getting freaked out by a movie monster rather than a terrifying real life event.

Greed: It ain't good

Greed is a could've, should've, would've flick.
It could've been better.
It should've been better.
It would've been better if the script was actually funny. The Movie Slut chuckled a grand total of two times during this disappointing 1 hour and 44-minute flick.

Need she say more?
Of course not. But she will.

Steve Coogan is British billionaire Richard McCreadie, aka, Greedy McCreadie, whose outrageous and exploitive business practices may have seemed hilarious on paper. Not on the screen. This tycoon of fast fashion never met a struggling third-world business he wasn't keen to screw.

Making matters decidedly unfunnier, the film has a tacked on epilogue exposing the egregious way real companies take advantage of poor workers in impoverished countries.

So not funny.