Ann Key (Ann R Key)

I'm giving this film 3 stars based on its cast. It is a little odd to say the least. The Vandergoot's seemingly live a rather robotic lifestyle in an all-American community, Holland, MI, that seems to be fittingly robotic. Innovcations of tulips and the heavily Dutch ancestry, do not make up for bored housewife Nancy Vandergroot (Nicole Kidman), who looks to optician spouse Fred (Matthew Macfadyen) for sneaky deeds behind her back. With the help of a colleague, she goes poking around and spying on her hubby. Nancy does seem to know whether she living the American dream or nightmare of her own making.

I finished watching the limited series as it did hold my interest. I try not watch all the episodes in one sitting. I enjoyed watching Cush Jumbo in the "The Good Fight," so I decided to check this. Much of it was a convoluted mess. A missing persons report leads to the reopening of unsolved missing persons and murder cases from years ago. It also brought up the past history of ex-stripper and Mother of three Meghan Pierce and some of the people that she was involved. One of those that Meghan was involved was troubled photographer Levine (Richard Armitrage). In short, Meghan's history brings her full circle with her past and also drags her family into it also. Her daughter doesn't trust her, perhaps because of her mysterious employment. I am not sure what her Dad does either. But we do know that Cassie (Meghan) was employed at a strip club called Vipers and is continually drawn back to it by her friendship with the owner.

Well, "Vinyl" did not make it on HBO. This series "The Idol" has a difficult act to follow "Succession" and its group of well trained and highly talented actors. Don't know if this influencer special will make the grade. Episode 1 was a snoozer.

I found the series very interesting and well acted. The rise of the Ottoman sultan and 21 year-old tactician who orchestrated the fall of Constantinople was nice little history spiced with the dramatic effect. It was all action and intrigue between the Mehmet and his Dad; Mehmet' s closeness to his stepmother; his interactions with his advisors. Did not see much of the gratuitous Hollywood-type love scenes, expect those involving the lusty Genovese soldier of fortune. Interesting to see how the Christians perception of the Virgin Mary abandoning the city and leaving it to its fate. Constantinople fell because it was dependent upon the Papacy and it states to support it, but there was not navy or army that could withstand the Islamic onslaught.

I wanted say that it is always enjoying watching the great Helen Mirren. After watching episode one, I will be anticipating the additional episodes. I can say this about the HBO series: it should have been given the "Elizabeth R" production treatment. Elizabeth I is only comparable female monarch who had to deal with palace intrigues of similar magnitude. I guess that the finances were not there for the type treatment the subject really needed.

I view the show strictly as entertainment. If the work by the DNA diagnostic center is accepted in a state family court, then it is a public service (as my sister likes to call programs like this and "Maury"). All of these people who appear on this show and "Maury" should be under some type of court order to support their legitimate children. I think that they took it off the air in the Philadelphia area to hustle other new programming.

I thought that it was a pleasant little romantic comedy. Many scenes that made you smile or laugh. Well acted by a very talented cast, who made the most of their roles. Kudos to Sandra Bullock for carrying the leading lady role and to Bill Pullman, who had the ruggedly handsome furniture maker (used furniture/estate buyer salesman) down pat. Supporting cast was on point. Not much out of place. Girl got her man (though not the one of her fantasy); the guy got his gal (finally got one over his hardcharging, pretty boy brother).

Bill Pullman is always reliable to give a good performance. He plays dedicated police officer who purposely goes against department policy to nab a killer, only to find that his over zealous pursuit backfires.