The cast of “The Boroughs” is populated with actors – Geena Davis, Alfred Molina, Bill Pullman and Alfre Woodward – that elicit feelings of nostalgia.
That group appeared in a number of films from the ‘80s and ‘90s that today are considered iconic. It’s of little surprise that despite its definitive 21st century origins, this Netflix series provides the same sense of comfort.
When learning the series, created by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews, is produced by the Duffer Brothers, creators of “Stranger Things,” everything clicks into place.
The series offers that “Stranger Things” with senior citizens kind of vibe that also reminds of the Ron Howard sci-fi classic “Cocoon” from 1985.
Set in a desert retirement community that will remind some of the notorious Villages in Florida, tells the story of a group of seniors who find not everything is what it appears in their alleged retirement paradise.
Sam Cooper (Molina) finds himself in the development after the sudden death of his wife that still haunts him. He doesn’t want to be there and resents the fact his daughter has deemed it best for him. There he meets the gregarious and overly friendly local lothario Jack (Pullman), Judy (Woodard) and Art Daniels (Clarke Peters) and Renee (Davis).
Reluctant to socialize initially, Cooper finds himself drawn into a mystery when one of the group dies unexpectedly, eventually turning the remaining members into amateur detectives as it becomes increasingly clear the community and its owners are at the center of something sinister.
Addiss and Matthews craft a show with plenty of charm to go with the sci-fi secret at the heart of the story. That allure comes courtesy of a cast that is more than up to the task in delivering the goods to make this all work.
The series, currently streaming on Netflix, gives the service another bonafide hit.
Streaming: All episodes on Netflix
Grade: B+
Nicolas Cage finally gets to play a superhero with “Spider-Noir’
Actor Nicolas Cage has always had a thing for comic books and superheroes. At one point in his career, he was rumored to be playing Superman (a portion of his test for that character can be seen in the film “Flash”). Given his skills, he probably would have killed in the part.
But I’m glad he didn’t because Cage, early in his career in films such as “Moonstruck,” was known for providing his characters with an element of quirkiness and specific tics he developed. It’s difficult to see Superman as “quirky,” but Ben Reilly in “Spider-Noir” proves to be the perfect vehicle for his portrayal of an alternate universe Spider-Man, a private detective working during the Great Depression.
Reilly is certainly the reluctant good guy in the role after retiring his alter-ego upon the death of a loved one. His mantra: “no powers, no responsibility.”
It’s most assuredly a different take on the character.
However, superheroes can rarely resist their better nature when called upon to save the world or, in this case, New York City.
While he’s content to work on low-level P.I. cases, it becomes apparent that the activities of a local crime lord, Silvermane (the always enjoyable Brendan Gleeson), who has only amassed more power since Reilly’s self-imposed exile, will require a change.
While some will look at “Spider-Noir” and see just another comic book adaptation. Cage’s presence and scripts in the eight-episode Prime Video series make this an enjoyable romp.
Adding to the Oren Uziel’s original take on the Spider-Man character, who is not named Peter Parker, is that he his assorted collaborators capture the tone and look of many a film from the noir genre. During viewing I half expected a virtual Humphrey Bogart to step out from the shadows.
It’s fun, relevant and infinitely bingeable.
Streaming: Prime Video
Grade: B+
Catching up with a gem in ‘Margo Has Money Problems’
A trip to the Bahamas and two weddings threw the writing of this column out of sync. During that span, I missed seeing a true gem in David E. Kelley Apple TV’s “Margo’s Got Money Problems,” starring Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer and Nick Offerman.
On its surface it’s a story about Margo (Fanning), a young woman who finds herself pregnant and abandoned by the father who happens to be married.
She’s broke, desperate and has never had much in the way of stability in her life courtesy of parents Shyanne (Pfeiffer) and Jinx (Offerman). She does what everyone in her situation would – becomes an OnlyFans creator.
It’s raw, realistic and very funny, providing the memorable line of the year: “There are no victims in Bloomingdale’s.”
It’s got the laughs, but more importantly, the performances. Check it out.
Apparently, lots of children stream as ‘Bluey’ tops one chart
The children’s mainstay “Bluey” proves its streaming power for the week ending April 26th as it notches the No. 1 slot for in overall views. Here are the top five programs overall, in originals and films:
Overall
Original
Movies
George M. Thomas covers a myriad of things including sports and pop culture, but mostly sports, he thinks, for the Beacon Journal.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: ‘Boroughs’ another Netflix hit; Nicolas Cage has Spider-Man take
Reporting by George M. Thomas, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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