PopaHALLics #98 "Steve Was Wrong"
In a rare instance, Steve admits he was wrong about the merits of a TV show. But which one? We also review "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," "Abbott Elementary," "Transatlantic," "Dream Horse," and take another look at "Wednesday," "Ted Lasso," "The Mandalorian," and the novel "The House Across the Lake."
Theaters:
- "The Super Mario Bros. Movie." In this animated action comedy, plumber Mario must stop villain Bowser from conquering the world. With the voice talents of Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black, and more.
Streaming:
- "Abbot Elementary," ABC, Hulu, and other streaming services. Quinta Brunson created and stars in this mockumentary sitcom about a teacher at a poorly funded, predominately black school in Philadelphia.
- "Transatlantic," Netflix. This "historical fiction drama" chronicles a journalist's quest to arrange safe passage out of France for more than 2000 refugees in danger from the Nazis. Gillian Jacobs, Cory Michael Smith, and Corey Stoll head the cast.
- "Wednesday," Netflix. Smart, sarcastic, and a little dead inside, Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) tries to solve a spooky mystery at Nevermore Academy in this "horror comedy" from twisted mister Tim Burton.
- "Dream Horse," Hulu. This 2020 movie is based on a true story. A small-town Welsh bartender (Toni Collette) enlists the help of friends and neighbors to breed, sponsor, and race a horse named Dream Alliance.
- "Ted Lasso," Apple +, and "The Mandalorian," Disney +. Steve feels both these popular shows have lost their way a bit during their third seasons.
Books:
- "The House Across the Lake," by Riley Sager. This best-selling suspense novel is set up like Hitchcock's "Rear Window": A drunken actress spying on her neighbors at a remote lake suspects a software entrepreneur is trying to murder his wife, a former supermodel, for her money.