Pandemic Theater

Well, the title of this post isn't strictly accurate, because I'm not going to just recommend movies to watch during the current pandemic and lockdown (which is still going strong on April 28, 2020, in case my future self looks back on these posts to reflect on these weird times), but a couple of other things, too.


You probably don't need my recommendation, but if you haven't watched Ozark yet on Netflix, now is a good time to dive into its 30 episodes (ten per season).  The third season was especially good, telling both a great crime story and (as usual) examining with great sensitivity and skill the normal family dynamics we all go through, the only difference being that those dynamics are often being activated by the stressful crime situation the family is immersed in rather than the more mundane stresses the rest of us face.  But, boy, are those emotions still recognizable.  Give the show a shot if you haven't already.

I sailed through Woody Allen's memoir, Apropos of Nothing, earlier this month, and it was a great, immersive time killer.  If you are at all interested in Mr. Allen's movies, and are willing to at least listen to his side of the story regarding the allegation of abuse from years past (which has regained new traction during the Me Too era), give this interesting and very entertaining autobiography a try.  I just went ahead and bought the book on Kindle, as that seemed easiest during these current strange times.

And the movie I saw recently was Yesterday, about a young musician who wakes up in the hospital after being hit by a car, only to shortly discover that no one but him seems to know about The Beatles and their music anymore.  So, of course, he starts singing Beatles songs in coffee houses and such, claiming the band's works as his own.  The interesting thing is that he doesn't quite become an overnight success, because at least part of the success of The Beatles was the charm of John, Paul, George, and Ringo, but, yeah, eventually the strength of the material does propel our protagonist into the stratosphere.  And then what happens?  Well, see the movie, which is now streaming on HBO.  It's a lot of fun, and a great and fun tribute to the Fab Four.

Save safe, be well, and talk to you all again soon!