Ellen Sweets

An intelligent view of one of America’s darkest, ugliest periods of political history. We should never forget the names of Edward R. Murrow, brilliant nemesis to Sen. Joseph McCarthy, the ethically challenged bully from Wisconsin who ruined hundreds of honest men and women by falsely associating them communism. “Good Night” captures that period in the 1950s with extraordinary storytelling. It is also an important tribute the the men who made CBS a news force to be reckoned with. Find it. Watch it. It’s not just a movie; it’s a journalism history lesson. Thank you, PBS.

The movie’s appeal for me rested in the absence of noise, violence and big-movie glam. It revolves around a photograph, — and the emotional complexity surrounding it — among members of a multigenerational family that just happens to be black. It is at times atmospheric, joyful and melancholy. There isn’t as much depth of character as I would have liked, but the cast is solid and likable, the music is fabulous and for two hours I completely forgot about Trump, Roger Stone, political debates and focused solely on how a couple would resolve its commitment issues. The ending is pretty clichéd, but so what? Nobody cursed, got stabbed, beaten, shot or blown up — and that was good enough for me.

We are so accustomed to the accelerated pace of many American movies that it’s possible to miss the importance of paying attention to the nuanced opening half-hour of “Shopliftrrs.” That would be a mistake. What a stunning examination of family complexity. You might need to see it a second time. I did.

This is entertaining enough, especially if you’re stuck inside and have 90+ minutes to kill and don’t feel like reading. If you’re seriously into thriller/assassin flicks you’ll figure it out before the big reveal. The Virtuoso is certainly easy on the eye. But if you’re determined to watch, pay attention.

If I’m not careful I’m moving to Laurel!

Bored to death. Watching because recovering from surgery and stuck in the house. Gonna read a book instead. If the wife had good sense she’d move back to The Apple and eke out a sad living selling pottery through an overpriced gallery in Chelsea or something. The delightful kids bear the brunt of parental indecision; the parents live beyond their means; and we viewers are stuck with this dirge of a series.

It’s the perfect “feel good” flick we need these days. It doesn’t matter that it’s predictable storytelling, the ensemble cast is endearing and Woody Harrelson is delightful . I’m glad I made myself sit down long enough to watch it.