For our last streaming article of the year, I decided to go with an eclectic mix of films, mini-series, documentaries, TV shows, and made for television movies. Some have holiday themes, but others caught my eye or found a special place in my heart.
Sometimes I struggle with the idea of watching films or series with no good guys. I’ve missed many excellent films and series with exciting storylines and exceptional acting, but I need to believe imperfect people living ordinary lives can do extraordinary things without selling drugs, getting drunk, high, or stealing. Entertainment versus reality can be a slippery slope when we start accepting bad behavior as normal or we assume there are no truly evil people, and the world is perfect.
I strive for balance in what I watch. I like happy endings, but I realize we don’t always get them. Not all great love stories begin with conflict. Sometimes opposites do not attract, and sometimes the bad boy/girl are truly bad, and there’s nothing you can do to redeem them.
The best entertainment makes us laugh or cry, and touches our heart. Sometimes it offers us the ultimate escape from our problems, or it makes us question our lives and our sense of humanity. It should never leave us feeling less than. Like we need to be wealthier, more attractive, dress or behave a certain way or be more successful/popular for all our problems to disappear.
Lecture over. Here are my December picks. Enjoy!
Death by Lightning – This Netflix original is about the life and assassination of President James Garfield. Garfield was never supposed to be president, but his surprise nomination rocked the political world and attracted the attention of an unhinged conman who tried unsuccessfully to gain fame and fortune in the new administration. When it didn’t work, he decided his best road to immortality was to assassinate the president. The most important historical facts are accurate, which is rare for Hollywood. The acting is exceptional. Michael Shannon is Garfield. Matthew MacFadyen is Charles Guiteau (the assassin), and Nick Offerman gives a brilliant performance as Chester A. Arthur, Garfield’s vice president.
The Family Man – Jack (Nicholas Cage) loves his extravagant single lifestyle and high-powered career, but a name from the past reminds him of his ‘road not taken.’ After Jack prevents a convenience store robbery during the holidays, the intended perpetrator gives him a glimpse of the life he could have had. At first he’s horrified to be a middle class family man, but life with Kate (Téa Leoni), the woman who got away, and two beautiful children starts to change him. I was instantly charmed by Makenzie Vega who plays Annie, his daughter. Available to stream with a subscription to Netflix, Peacock, or Amazon Prime. Watch for a fee on YouTube, Apple TV, Google Play Movies &TV, or Fandango at Home.
Hit Man – is a romantic crime comedy film starring Glen Powell and Adria Arjona about a New Orleans police contractor who poses as a hitman as he tries to save a woman in need. It’s loosely based on a true story. It’s available with a subscription to Netflix.
Bill Russell: Legend – This documentary about the life of basketball legend, Bill Russell. Available with a subscription to Netflix
Mistletoe Murders -This Hallmark Mystery is back for Season Two. Emily Lane (Sarah Drew) owns a Christmas shop in a small and employs Violet, the daughter of a local detective, Sam Wellner (Peter Mooney). Emily has a secret past she’s trying to escape from, but when a murder happens, she’ll risk everything to help find the killer. It’s well acted, and the glimpses of her past with an organization known as Chimera are sprinkled in with just enough frequency to keep us interested. Along with her budding romance with Wellner comes the challenges of keeping her past secret and the people she loves safe. Clever plots and intrigue without the gore and explicit scenes. Free on Xumo Play and Sling TV. Available with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video, Hallmark+, Philo, Hulu, YouTube, YouTube TV, and for a fee on Apple TV or Fandango at Home.
Concrete Cowboy – Based on the novel Ghetto Cowboy, which was inspired by the real urban African American horse riding culture in Philadelphia. It stars Idris Elba (Harp), Caleb McLaughlin (Cole), Lorraine Toussaint (Nessie), Jharrel Jerome (Smush), and Byron Bowers (Rome). After repeatedly getting in trouble at school, Cole is sent to live with his estranged father Harp. He is exposed to the ‘cowboy culture’ as well as the drug culture as he tries to find a way forward. Available on Netflix with a subscription.
The Roses is based on the 1981 novel The War of the Roses by Warren Adler. It is the second film adaptation. The first (titled The War of the Roses) stars Mihael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. Ivy (Olivia Colman) and Theo (Benedict Cumberbatch) seem to have the perfect marriage until one of the buildings he designed is destroyed by a storm because of the giant sail he insisted on placing on the roof. After his career implodes, Ivy’s career as a chef takes off and their lives spiral into a pattern of resentment and spitefulness. This dark comedy is superbly acted. You will love and hate both Ivy and Theo, and you’ll laugh and cry about their antics. Available with a subscription to Hulu or Disney+. Available for a fee on YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple Tv, Fandango at Home, or Amazon Prime Video.
A Christmas Story Christmas – Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) is all grown up and married with two kids. He’s an aspiring author taking a year off work to write the next great American novel and find a publisher, except his sci-fi masterpiece keeps getting rejected. Days before they are scheduled to go home to his parent’s house, Ralphie’s dad dies. Ralphie questions his future as he deals with the loss of his father and reconnects with childhood friends and foes. It’s a fitting sequel to the original Christmas classic. Available with a subscription to HBO Max, YouTube, Hulu, Amazon prime Video, or YouTube TV. Available for a fee on Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, or Fandango at Home.
Ira Finkelstein’s Christmas – Ira isn’t looking forward to Hanukkah in Miami, so he switches his plane ticket with a boy heading to a snowy Christmas in Washington. Snow, Christmas trees, stockings, presents, and Christmas dinner. What could possibly go wrong? Available for free on Tubi, Amazon prime Video, and PLEX, Also available with a subscription to Peacock.
Full Court Miracle – An African American former college basketball star is convinced by a group of Jewish boys to coach their winless basketball team. It’s a fun movie with a message about hope inspired by the courage and faith of Judah Maccabee. It’s also loosely based on a true story.