Mank

 "Mank" tells the story of HErman Mankiewicz, the writer of "Citizen Kane."

The film is a period piece, made in an art house style fashion, in black and white, in the heyday of Hollywood movies.

The movie is told in current day, which in this film is 1940, and in flashback to the 1930s Hollywood. 

The film stars Gary Oldman as "Mank", in his productive time in the studios, and in the 40s when he's been blacklisted in Hollywood. Also in the film are Amanda Seyfried and Lilly Collins.

The film is a wonderful look into what is thought to be the reality of the studio lot life, in the time of Louis B. Mayer, head of MGM Studios. 

The movie also explores the inspiration for "Citizen Kane", which was a satire of the life of William Randolph Hurst. 

The film reminds me of "Singing in the Rain", as it is a glimpse into Hollywood life and movie making the public was never intended to see.

Nominated for an Oscar this year, it's a must see for anyone who loves movies. 

Now streaming on Netflix, 4 stars.

Penguin Bloom

 Based on a true story, "Penguin Bloom" tells the story of the Bloom family who live in Australia. 

One day, the Bloom family finds a wounded magpie bird on the seashore near their home. The family consists of three young boys, a father who is a photographer, and a mother who is one year into living life as a paraplegic, paralyzed from the chest down.

As the boys look after the bird, as it begins to heal, they grow attached to the bird. They name her Penguin, as she is black and white.

Through the course of the story, there comes a time when their mother has to look after the bird. There are days when she can barely get herself out of bed and into her wheelchair. How is she supposed to take care of a bird when she can't, or won't, take care of herself?

As the bird begins to get well, so does the mother. She sees the beauty in life again, all through caring for an ailing bird.

The effect on the family is night and day. They begin a new life together, looking with hope to the future.

There are a few books detailing the relationship with the family and the bird:

-"Penguin the Magpie"-
https://www.amazon.com/Penguin-Bloom-Little-Saved-Family/dp/1782119817/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=penguin+the+magpie&qid=1617049457&s=books&sr=1-1

-"Penguin Bloom: The Odd Little Bird Who Saved a Family"

https://www.amazon.com/Penguin-Bloom-Little-Saved-Family/dp/1782119817/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=penguin+the+magpie&qid=1617049457&s=books&sr=1-1

-"Sam Bloom: Heartache and Birdsong"

https://www.amazon.com/Sam-Bloom-Heartache-Birdsong/dp/0733339794/ref=asc_df_0733339794/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=475818739651&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8829961657498651410&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9016174&hvtargid=pla-919051728201&psc=1

Now streaming on Netflix, 4 stars

If Anything Happens I love You

 "If Anything Happens I Love You" is a short film, an animated film, a silent film.

The movie tells the tale of a father and a mother who are living as shadows of their former selves. 

Their daughter went to school one day, and didn't come home. She was shot and killed while at school

This animated film conveys the horrors of gun violence in American schools. 

This film is a condemnation of a country that won't pass any sensible gun legislation to save our children or ourselves.

The title is a hope, a prayer, a wish, an affirmation.

If I were a parent, and if my child was in school outside the home, I would tell them this every day.

If anything happens, I love you.

Now streaming on NEtflix, 5 stars.

Canvas

 "Canvas" is a short story which tells the tale of a widower who is overcome by grief. 

When his wife was alive, they would spend hours painting together. Now he cannot even look at a blank canvas without being overcome with grief.

When he begins to paint again, color comes back into his life. 

A tale of grief and the resilience of the human spirit, now streaming on Netflix, 3 stars.

Fisherman's Friends

 "Fisherman's Friends" tells the true story about commercial fisherman in the U.K. who sing sea chanties as part of their work and fun.

One weekend, four men arrive at a sleepy little seaside town for a weekend holiday. The friends work in the music industry. One of the four men hears the fisherman sing, and signs them to a multi-million dollar record deal.

Now streaming on Netflix, 3 stars.

Death to 2020

 "Death to 2020" is a hilarious look back at the year that was, 2020. We had a pandemic, a demagogue "President" who lost his Presidency and refused to acknowledge it, and that was only the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

Completely hilarious, angering, endearing, and sad if it weren't true, now streaming on Netflix, 4 stars.

The Dig

"The Dig" casts actors Ralph Finnes and Carey Mulligan in a movie based on a true story. 

In England, a woman, Mulligan, inherits a vast amount of property, which has several large mounds on it. She enlists the aid of an archaeologist to dig into the mounds and discover what lies beneath. 

It is an incredible story, and no one would believe it if it weren't true.

Upon first viewing, the movie put me to sleep. I went back and watched the ending another time. Worth a watch, but not an exciting movie by any means.

Now streaming on Netflix, three stars.