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Well, the good news is that there was an Oscars award show; the bad news is that most people didn’t see many of the nominated movies or performances. The ratings for the show “tanked,” according to Variety. Not one of the movies nominated debuted in theaters. Of the eight nominated films, I saw seven. Two, I highly recommend, “Nomadland” and “Minari.” “Nomadland” not only won best picture but also earned Oscar gold for best actress Frances McDormand, who is honestly pitch-perfect in this role. Chloe Zhao won her statue for her impeccable direction. This film centers around Fern (McDormand) who takes to the road in her van after her husband dies, and her entire town of Empire, Neb., disappears after the U.S. Gypsum plant closes its doors. This movie is a slow, thoughtful, symbolism-packed masterpiece.
“Minari” is the tale of a Korean family who moves to Arkansas to become farmers. This poignant movie subtly pulls on your heartstrings without being predictable in any way. Youn Yuh-jung won the Oscar for best supporting actress. While unknown to most filmgoers, she is the Meryl Streep of Korea. Google her speech. It is priceless!
But the most important takeaway from this weird Oscar production was Tyler Perry’s speech for winning the highest humanitarian award, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. I am a huge Tyler Perry fan, and his speech made me love him all the more. You can Google the speech but his “I refuse to hate someone because they’re Mexican or because they are black or white, or LGBTQ. I refuse to hate someone because they’re a police officer. I refuse to hate someone because they’re Asian. I would hope we would all refuse hate,” quote brought thunderous applause and cheers. It was the highest moment of the night in my opinion.
I would like to do something different this month and recommend three stand-alone episodes that continue the theme Mr. Perry so eloquently brought up. The first is season five, episode 13 of “This Is Us.” The other episodes are “Law & Order SVU,” season 22, episode 12, and my all time fav, “Friday Night Lights” season three, episode 12. On another note, the final stand-alone episode I want to recommend is for parents of middle schoolers. After watching “The Social Dilemma,” I’ve become so concerned about cell phones in young hands. Season three, episode one of “Black Mirror” was written a few years ago, and what’s frightening is that we are already in the midst of the technology this episode is warning us about.
My most favorite series I picked up this month is “Little Voice” on Apple TV. It’s the sweet story of a songwriter in NYC struggling to find her musical voice and navigate forgiving family members. Please do not watch “Them” on Amazon Prime. Just don’t do it. I continue to love “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” on Hulu and Peacock. A friend recommended I take up “A Million Little Pieces” on Hulu, and I’m enjoying it. If you’ve never watched “Downton Abbey,” now is your chance; do it before the newly announced second feature length film is released later this year.
Spring is here! Things are opening slowly, and I look forward to being in the theater regularly again. Until next month, pass the popcorn (and not from six feet) …
“Minari” is the tale of a Korean family who moves to Arkansas to become farmers. This poignant movie subtly pulls on your heartstrings without being predictable in any way. Youn Yuh-jung won the Oscar for best supporting actress. While unknown to most filmgoers, she is the Meryl Streep of Korea. Google her speech. It is priceless!
But the most important takeaway from this weird Oscar production was Tyler Perry’s speech for winning the highest humanitarian award, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. I am a huge Tyler Perry fan, and his speech made me love him all the more. You can Google the speech but his “I refuse to hate someone because they’re Mexican or because they are black or white, or LGBTQ. I refuse to hate someone because they’re a police officer. I refuse to hate someone because they’re Asian. I would hope we would all refuse hate,” quote brought thunderous applause and cheers. It was the highest moment of the night in my opinion.
I would like to do something different this month and recommend three stand-alone episodes that continue the theme Mr. Perry so eloquently brought up. The first is season five, episode 13 of “This Is Us.” The other episodes are “Law & Order SVU,” season 22, episode 12, and my all time fav, “Friday Night Lights” season three, episode 12. On another note, the final stand-alone episode I want to recommend is for parents of middle schoolers. After watching “The Social Dilemma,” I’ve become so concerned about cell phones in young hands. Season three, episode one of “Black Mirror” was written a few years ago, and what’s frightening is that we are already in the midst of the technology this episode is warning us about.
My most favorite series I picked up this month is “Little Voice” on Apple TV. It’s the sweet story of a songwriter in NYC struggling to find her musical voice and navigate forgiving family members. Please do not watch “Them” on Amazon Prime. Just don’t do it. I continue to love “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” on Hulu and Peacock. A friend recommended I take up “A Million Little Pieces” on Hulu, and I’m enjoying it. If you’ve never watched “Downton Abbey,” now is your chance; do it before the newly announced second feature length film is released later this year.
Spring is here! Things are opening slowly, and I look forward to being in the theater regularly again. Until next month, pass the popcorn (and not from six feet) …
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