Sci-fi, bad blood and housing

The Dropout on Hulu

 I finished the series feeling bad for the patients who were lied to and some of the employees of Theranos. None of the main players deserve sympathy. Elizabeth Holmes and Sunny Balwani deserve every day they spend behind bars. 

 I’m still baffled by the number of supposedly smart people on the Theranos board and the investors who were fooled by them. How do you spend millions of dollars without seeing the science? How? 

 The Walgreens guys were a hilariously great addition. Only one of them was a scientist who cared to see the labs, and the rest were, I guess, just doing their jobs and trying to make the right business deals to make Walgreens profitable. But putting those machines into Walgreens for patient use without checking the science made them villains. 

 Still, I was greatly entertained by them and their banter. The Katy Perry song part was 10/10. 

 The scene when John Carreyrou (played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who is becoming one of my favorite actors) and his editor Judith Baker bring in the Theranos lawyers and get them to admit to using tech that’s not theirs? Chef’s kiss. 

The Menu

 “The Menu” is without a doubt one of my favorite movies of the year (I know it’s early, but I stand by it). 

 It’s ultimately about a man losing his love and passion for his craft because wealthy people see it as a status symbol and don’t actually appreciate what he creates. Anya Taylor-Joy is a delight in any and everything, and I particularly love how her character’s profession aligns so much with the theme. She understood what it was like to provide a service to people who don’t view her as an actual human being. 

 The movie was so chilling and thrilling and had some truly memorable moments. (Ebon Moss-Bachrach is also in this!)

Andor

 People are saying “Andor” is the best Star Wars show, and I completely agree even though I’ve never seen “The Mandalorian.”

 It’s a Star Wars show but it doesn’t always feel like it. I think that’s because while the timeline leads up to the rebellion, it’s a heist/survival story at its core. Diego Luna revived his role as Cassian Andor (I will argue that “Rogue One” might be the best Star Wars movie) and this man never disappoints. 

 The prison episodes were the best. I’m ecstatic there will be more seasons. I want to see more of Syril Karn and Dedra Meero, who are excellent villains. 

The Banshees of Inisherin 

 I love Irish accents. What glorious sounds and a wonderful way of speaking. Colin Ferral is amazing in everything, as is Barry Koeghan, who is one of the most versatile actors on screen these days. This story about a broken friendship between two adult men is so heartwarming and touching and devastating. I’m so happy this movie exists. 

 It will tug at your heartstrings. 

After Earth

 Jaden Smith can hold his own in front of a camera. I was worried that this sci-fi movie, which is about two characters played by Will Smith and his son Jaden who get stranded on a planet, would be a disappointing nepotism movie. It is not. I truly enjoyed it and I would watch a sequel if they made one. It reminded me a little of “Annihilation,” which is one of the best sci-fi movies ever. (Sidenote: how is Oscar Isaac in so many amazing sci-fi shows? I should write a column rating his roles)

Show Me a Hero: A Tale of Murder, Suicide, Race, and Redemption

 Author/journalist Lisa Belkin did more than deliver a nonfiction municipal drama about housing. She created a record of one the struggles one American city went through to desegregate their population. 10/10 book. I emailed her to tell her how much I loved it. 

 (The HBO miniseries stars Oscar Isaac because he is pleasantly inescapable.)