The Taste of Things; Dune; Hacks; Stax: Soulville USA; Drops of God; Couples Therapy

Thoughts about what's on the tube for those of us over 50

Looking at the six shows in this blog, I realized that all of them are on subscription services, and for that I apologize. It’s simply a tiny example of how the business is changing. We (baby boomers essentially) have become a niché market, and the networks—mostly interested in large numbers of viewers—want little to do with us. It’s only because of our buying power that they even talk to us. (And most of their talk is about drugs that “we should talk to our doctor about.” )

Having lived as long as we have, we can always look back and see foreshadowing that we missed entirely. We blew it when we welcomed subscription television. (Harumph, harumph.)

MOVIES

The Taste of Things

145 min DRAMA widely available

https://www.yidio.com/movie/the-taste-of-things/246287

Stars: Juliette Binoche, Benoît Magimel

Director: Anh Hung Tran

Writers: Anh Hung Tran, Marcel Rouff

What it is:

1885. Peerless cook Eugenie has worked for the famous gourmet Dodin for the last 20 years. As time went by, the practice of gastronomy and mutual admiration turned into a romantic relationship. Their association gives rise to dishes, one more delicious than the next, that confound even the world’s most illustrious chefs. But Eugenie is fond of her freedom and has never wanted to marry Dodin. So, he decides to do something he has never done before: cook for her.

What else it is:

A lovely, charming romance, with real chemistry between the protagonists (perhaps because in real life they’re in an on/off relationship.)

What it isn’t:

Plot-heavy. Very little ‘happens’ here, but we take such pleasure in their love for each other and for cooking that we don’t miss it at all.

Metacritic (85) https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-taste-of-things/

Dune

Two DRAMAS, totaling 290 minutes, on HBO/MAX.

Stars: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya,

Directed by: Denis Villeneuve

Writers: Denis Villeneuve, Eric Roth, Jon Spaihts, Frank Herbert

What it is:

A mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey, this is the story of a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence—a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential—only those who can conquer their fear will survive.

What else it is

Sci-fi at its best.

What it isn’t:

Strictly for men.

Metacritic:

Part One: (74) https://www.metacritic.com/movie/dune-part-one/

Part Two: (79). https://www.metacritic.com/movie/dune-part-two/

EPISODIC

Hacks

Three seasons of 30 min COMEDIES on HBO/MAX

Stars: Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder

Created by: Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, Jen Statsky

What it is:

An exploration of the dark mentorship that forms between Deborah Vance, a legendary Las Vegas comedian, and an entitled, outcast 25-year-old.

What else it is:

Jean Smart’s Emmy-winning performances alone make this worth watching. It’s also an interesting look at how comedy has changed over the past 40 years, especially with regard to female comedians. Not so much a pro-feminist show as an accurate picture of how women have navigated the changes in business.

What it isn’t:

Predictable. Or riding on reputation. (The third season is undoubtedly the best.)

Metacritic: (86). https://www.metacritic.com/tv/hacks/

Stax: Soulsville U.S.A.

Four one-hour DOCUMENTARIES on HBO/MAX

Stars: Al Bell, David Porter, Carla Thomas

Created by: Jamila Wignot

What it is:

The four-part documentary series is about the history and influence of Stax Records and features archival footage and interviews.

What else it is:

A history course on race relations in the U.S. during the 60s and 70s, especially in Memphis, which is very much a Southern city. It’s also a clear example of the Law of Business which predicts big companies eat small companies.

What it’s not:

Only about the music. Though that’s what drives it, much credit is given to the role of promotion and PR.

Metacritc: (81). https://www.metacritic.com/tv/stax-soulsville-usa/

Drops of God

Eight one-hour DRAMAS on Apple+

Stars: Fleur Geffrier, Tomohisa Yamashita

Created by: Tadashi Agi

What it is:

Camille learns she will inherit her father's wine collection if she passes a series of wine tasting tests against his protege, Issei Tomine, in this French-Japanese drama.

What else it is:

Perhaps the best new series on television. A family drama about legacies and secrets. And an insider’s look at the complexities of wine.

What it’s not:

Familiar. This series takes us to real places that we’ve never imagined.

Metacritic: https://www.metacritic.com/tv/drops-of-god/

I recommended Couples Therapy last March, and gladly do so again.

It’s that good. (And it’s also on YouTube.)

Couples Therapy

4 seasons of half-hour shows (Showtime/Hulu) and YouTube

Stars Dr. Orna Guralnik

What it’s about:

Each season, this documentary series follows four different couples in therapy with a New York psychoanalyst.

What else it’s about:

Great documentary filmmaking. Through hidden cameras, we totally experience what goes on in the sessions. And watch a brilliant therapist at work. This woman is FABULOUS. And we get glimpses of our own relationships in each of the couples.

What it’s not:

Boring. Ever. We’re drawn into these couples’ lives and root for all of them. We’re brought to care.

Metacritic (89) https://www.metacritic.com/tv/couples-therapy-2019