Patrick Yaeger

Ignore negative comparisons to Downton Abbey. I read some and subsequently didn't hold out much hope for this new period series. Thankfully, much to my relief, I am loving The Gilded Age. I highly recommend this new HBO Max show. I'm intrigued by all of the characters' story arcs. I'm drinking in the gorgeous period costumes and design. The actors are all superb.* The writing is very good. The soundtrack is marvelous. The variety of intrigues, classes, scandals, politics, and little dramas are terrifically entertaining. And most importantly, I'm thrilled to finally see a quality modern period drama series set in the New World. Must see! *Please more Audra McDonald!

When I saw that the amazing actor Sarah Lancashire would be portraying Julia Child for an HBO series, I couldn't wait. And the result is more than I could have hoped for. The series (I've seen for episodes so far) gives a heartfelt and charming look into the early days of public television while showcasing Julia Child's wonderful marriage partnership, her fearless ambition as well as her interpersonal savvy, and her rise to and discomfort with unexpected fame. The cast and writing are superb. I'm hooked. This is must see TV.

This uplifting humanist film surprised me with great charm! I'd call it the gentle affirming mirror opposite of the brilliant horrific film The Road (based on the book by Cormac McCarthy). To put it another way: in just under 2 hours, Finch succeeds where Apple's Foundation, in 10+ hours, disappointed. Finch is excellence in operatic sci-fi storytelling that succeeds at delivering awe and emotional authenticity. Most importantly, great script! Beautiful landscapes and cinematography! Tom Hanks delivers another perfect performance of subtlety and empathy. The two dogs (one flesh and one gears) are wonderfully charming. But the real star is the robot animatronic with no facial features other than unmoving eyes. This fiction of real machine + brilliant off camera puppetry + amazing voice acting delivers a subtle performance that connected with me emotionally and delivered depth, intimacy, and believability that took this film to a higher level. I highly recommend Finch if you enjoy dystopian end of the world sci-fi journeys coupled with quality storytelling and a hopeful message centered on empathy, friendship, trust, dignity, love and loss. Must see!