FEBRUARY DIVERSIONS

Looking for ways to fill your time on these cold winter days and nights? Here we go... PODCASTS TO LISTEN TO WHILE EXERCISING OR DRIVING SMARTLESS-Hosts Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett banter with a special guest each episode. The guests are funny, but the hosts are hilarious. Start with the Stephen Colbert interview and then listen to Conan O'Brien's. LITERALLY-Rob Lowe also does interviews with famous people. Lowe is bright, engaging, and a great interviewer. Who Knew? He interjects great stories about his life while doing interviews. Listen to Tiffany Haddish first. Then, go on and listen to David Crosby's interview. MOVIES THE TENDER BAR-This is my movie pick of the year. Loved every minute! Surprisingly, Ben Affleck gives an outstanding performance. George Clooney directed this coming of age movie and did a fabulous job. Don't miss it! Available on Amazon Prime. THE POWER OF THE DOG-Directed by Jane Campion. This is a slow moving dark story with great character development. Have patience, and stay awake, because it's actually quite good. Starring Jesse Plemons, Kirsten Dunst, and Benedict Cumberbatch who all give stellar performances. Available on Netflix. HOUSE OF GUCCI-Ridley Scott directed this movie and I loved every minute! The movie has gotten very mixed reviews. Gaga, Al Pacino, Jared Leto and Adam Driver give fabulous performances. Gaga deserves an academy award for her amazing portrayal of Patrizia Gucci! Totally entertaining flick with great fashion and scenery. Available on Amazon Prime. MUNICH THE EDGE OF WAR- Europe is on the brink of war and the plot is about the 1938 Peace Agreement between Germany and England. The story is relayed from the viewpoint of the Prime Minister of England and two former Oxford graduates. A combination thriller and historical drama, it's not completely accurate. That being said, I liked it. Jeremy Irons as Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, gives a strong performance. Available on Netflix. LICORICE PIZZA-Paul Thomas Anderson directed this 1970's movie set in the San Fernando Valley. The movie got decent reviews, which I can't understand. I couldn't wait to see it, and yet, I was totally disappointed. It's disjointed and goes nowhere. For me, the only redeeming part of the movie was the awesome soundtrack featuring David Bowie, Donovan, Sonny and Cher, McCartney, Nina Simone, and Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood. And, Cooper Hoffman (Phillip Seymour Hoffman's son) does an excellent job as the star of the film. Only in theaters. DON'T LOOK UP-A dark satire about climate change and an impending comet that will destroy the earth. Despite its all star cast, the reviews were not great. Climate change seems to be quite controversial these days! I thought it was terrific and highly entertaining. Do not shut the film off till it is COMPLETELY done with the credits. The film has two additional scenes which are very funny and they occur about 15 minutes after you think the movie has ended. Totally recommend. Available on Netflix. THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH-Joel Coen directs this rendition starring Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand.Great reviews and an Oscar contender. I haven't watched it yet, but supposedly Coen has provided us with one of the best versions of this story. The characters are multi-layered; the black and white cinematography perfection; and his interpretation of the story is gettting raves. Can't wait to see it. On Apple+. SUNDOWN-Away on a family vacation, a call comes in telling the family a tragedy has occured and they must return home. Tim Roth stars in this film that delves into selfishness and nihilism. I'm curious. In theaters only. WHAT TO BINGE ON TELEVISION If you haven't watched YELLOWSTONE, start! You will not be disappointed! Costner and his supporting cast are terrific. Paramont +. If you are a fan of YELLOWSTONE, then you should tune in to 1883 which is a prequel to Yellowstone. Real life couple Tim McGraw and Faith Hill star. Haven't watched it yet. Also on Paramont +. Getting good reviews. OZARK-Season 4 is out and I loved it! Julia Garner is the new "it" girl these days. She is phenomenal! Jason Bateman and Laura Linney are terrific and I strongly recommend this series. This is the only series my husband has ever watched with me... that's saying a lot! On Netflix. INVENTING ANNA-Shonda Rhimes created this series which is being released on February 11th. The plot is about Anna Delvey, an heiress, who stole money from the elite society of New York. Julia Garner from Ozark stars as Anna. On Netflix. THE WOMAN ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE GIRL IN THE WINDOW-Kristin Bell stars in this funny comic thriller. Bell is mourning a loss and drinks too much. Bad things happen-did she really see something or did she imagine it in a drunken stupor? Watch and see! I liked it-entertaining. On Netflix. THE GILDED AGE-Christine Baransky and Cynthia Nixon star in this 1880's period piece. Old money versus the noveau riche, poverty, unemployment, sexuality, and corruption are themes they explore. So far it is excellent. HBO Max. AND JUST LIKE THAT-the Sex and the City cast return but now they are in their 50's! So much fun to watch. SJP looks great and her wardrobe is beyond.... Poor Big...Poor Steve...HBO Max. AS WE SEE IT-An interesting series on the lives of young adults on the spectrum. The issues they have navigating their feelings, their jobs, and their friends are very realistic and compelling. Excellent. On Amazon Prime. HOW I MET YOUR FATHER-Hillary Duff stars in this sitcom about a group of friends. Kim Cattrall didn't return to AND JUST LIKE THAT but she shows up here! Cute,silly,mindless,and easy to watch. On Hulu. SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS-Created by Mindy Kaling, this sitcom follows four 18 year old roommates at a college in Vermont. Kids will love it. And, if college was one of the best times of your life, then I am sure you will love it too! Such fun....HBO Max. THE OFFER-Coming in April. Al Ruddy's series on the making of The Godfather. Armie Hammer dropped out due to his sex scandal and Miles Teller takes his place. Has an all star cast and looks intriguing. Paramount+. HACKS-One of the best shows of 2021! Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder have such great chemistry as a Las Vegas comedian and her 25 year old comedy writer. Each episode surpassed the previous one. Season 2 coming soon. HBO Max. THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL-Season 4 will drop February 18th. Everyone loves this series. I wasn't as enamored with season 3. The series was repetitive and couldn't top it's first 2 seasons. We'll see. Amazon Prime. SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE-Bridgett Everett and Jeff Hiller star in this quirky comedy drama. You will either love this or hate it-no in between. I happen to think the Everett and Hiller are exceptional. Heartwarming and sad all at the same time. HBO Max If you don't feel like binging, there's always the Winter Olympics starting tonight! And then the Superbowl o February 13th! Now you will need some nourishment for the Superbowl...Pizza or Sloppie Joes? Pizza recommendations: Sloppie Joes Tony D's-Caldwell Town Hall-Home of the Original! South Orange Angeloni's-Caldwell Nana's Deli-Livingston Star Tavern-Orange Tony Boys-Livingston Arturo's-Maplewood Livingston Bagel-Livingston Razza-Jersey City Aquila-Little Falls Nonna's-Florham Park Mamma Dags-West Orange Santillo's-Elizabeth Desserts Nola's-Garwood Blue Steel-Bloomfield Palazzone 1960-Italian Pastries. Wayne DP's-Garfield Crowley Cupcakes-(Snickerdoodle)Madison Pizza Vita-Summit Montclair Bread Company-(maple bacon donut)Montclair The Committed Pig(red velvet fried oreo)Summit Sugarlip Donuts(Mr.Cook E. Crunch)Madison Sorrentos-(everything!)East Hanover Saltedbakeshop.com-(yummy cookies)West Orange Donut Plant-(best donuts ever)New York Happy Valentine's Day! PEACE OUT-ONE B