THE CURRENT WAR (2019) – My rating 7/10

The Current War is a historical drama inspired by the 19th-century competition between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse over which electric power delivery system would be used in the United States (often referred to as the “war of the currents”). Directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon and written by Michael Mitnick. Martin Scorsese and Steven Zaillian also serve as executive producers. Not a lot of action but very informative and very interesting.

“The Current War” opens in the year 1880, with Thomas Edison (Benedict Cumberbatch), revealing his electric lightbulb. He has decided on Direct Current (DC), which is cheaper, cleaner and safer than gaslight but it is limited in range and very expensive. George Westinghouse (Michael Shannon), a successful businessman and inventor himself would like to learn more, so he invites Edison to dinner. Edison snubs Westinghouse who then sets out to prove Alternating Current (AC) is the better technology as it can work over greater distances and at a significantly lower cost. Edison and Westinghouse compete to get cities across the United States to use their system. Meanwhile, a brilliant inventor Nikola Tesla (Nicholas Hoult) arrives in the United States and begins working with Edison, but is disappointed by Edison’s unwillingness to reconsider his ideas and to fulfill what Tesla thought was a financial promise, which Edison passes off as a joke. Edison struggles to find ways to make DC more affordable, while Westinghouse attempts to get the high-voltage AC system to work with motors. And so, the fight for power gets more fierce and much longer.  Of course, the plot has many pockets of interesting discoveries as well as showing the depths at which desperate men will go.

The Current War, A period in time when life was less complicated and people were apprehensive about everything.  Electricity was a huge move forward.  Before it could get off the ground, a simple matter needed to be clarified.  AC vs DC.  This movie was made and due for release in 2017 but because of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, which halted all things Harvey Weinstein, including The Current War, was never released until now.  If you’re not a history buff or have a thirst for historic events, you may want to skip this one. I found this true story interesting but more of a history lesson than a work of entertainment.  After two weeks released, “The Current War” has grossed $4,948,935 and has a 60% Rotten Tomatoes rating. I don’t think this box office flop will be around for another week.  Don’t get me wrong, I liked the movie but not many other people were anxious to see it.  If you like history, Check It Out!

 

DOWNTON ABBEY (2019) – My rating: 10/10

Downton Abbey is a British period drama that represents the continuation of the BBC television series of the same name. The film is directed by Michael Engler and written by Julian Fellowes, who is also the creator and executive producer of the television series. Much of the original cast has returned as they perform the first Downton Abbey movie.  An official state visit by the British Monarchy to Downton Abbey upsets the entire staff and their way of life, as they bend over backward to please the King and  Queen of England. I found Downey Abbey to be one of the year’s best movie and I absolutely loved it.

****  SPOILERS BELOW  ****

Downton Abbey begins in 1927 when Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville), the Earl of Grantham, receives a letter from Buckingham Palace announcing that King George V (Simon Jones) and Queen Mary (Geraldine James) are coming to Downton Abbey as part of a royal tour through the country. Robert’s daughter, Lady Mary Talbot (Michelle Dockery) and son-in-law, Tom Branson (Allen Leech) are the first to learn of the royal visit, which leads to Drama 1: The Countess of Grantham, Violet Crawley, Dowager  (Maggie Smith), is perturbed that Queen Mary’s lady-in-waiting, Lady Maud Bagshaw (Imelda Staunton), will also be coming to Downton with the royal family. Lady Maud is Robert’s cousin and the two families have fallen out over Lady Maud choosing her personal maid, Lucy Smith (Tuppence Middleton) as her heir over Robert.  Drama 2: Occurs when the royal staff arrives, which includes the Royal Butler, Mr. Wilson (David Haig), the Queen’s Royal Housemaid, Mrs. Webb (Richenda Carey),  the snooty Royal Chef, Monsieur Courbet (Philippe Spall) and the King’s Royal Dresser, Richard Ellis (Max Brown) — the Downton staff is affronted by their extreme arrogance. Drama 3: Occurs when Lady Mary believes that Thomas Barrow (Robert James-Collier), Downton Abbey’s butler, will fall short for the royal occasion, so she asks Charles Carson (Jim Carter), Downton’s retired butler, to temporarily resume his former duties, upsetting Barrow. Drama 4: The plumber, Mr. Sellick (James Cartwright) who arrives to repair the broken boiler flirts with Daisy Mason (Sophie McShera), Downton’s assistant cook, upsetting her fiancé, footman Andy Parker (Michael  C. Fox). Drama 5: A man calling himself Major Chetwode (Stephen Campbell Moore), arrives in Downton village. He seeks out Tom, who suspects he is a royal detective involved with security for the royal visit. Lady Mary sees Tom and Major Chetwode leaving a pub together.  Assuming something’s not quite right, she follows them. Drama 6: The king informs the Marchioness of Hexham’s, Edith Pelham (Laura Carmichael), husband, Bertie Pelham (Harry Hadden-Paton), the 7th Marquess of Hexham, that he is to accompany the Prince of Wales on a three-month tour of Africa. This is a problem for Edith who is pleased for Bertie but also upset because she needs him home at the time of the tour. Drama 7: Anna Bates (Joanne Froggatt) discovers that one of the royal staff, Miss Lawton (Susan Lynch) has been stealing from Downton Abbey. She agrees to say nothing provided Lawton returns the stolen items and remakes a ballgown for Lady Edith after the wrong size garment was delivered to her. Drama 8: Downstairs, Anna and John Bates (Brendan Coyle) have a plan to retake the household and restore Downton’s honor. The staff agrees. Drama 9: Thomas Barrow meets Chris Webster (Perry Fitzpatrick), who invites him to a club. Webster takes Barrow to a secret nightclub where the patrons are mostly men dancing together. The police storm the club, arresting everyone. Mr. Ellis of the royal staff is watching from across the street and sees the whole incident. Drama 10: At dinner, the king is impressed by the revised menu and praises his chef’s culinary skills, however, footmen, Mr. Joseph Molesley (Kevin Doyle) is quick to defend Downton and blurts out that the head cook, Mrs. Beryl Patmore (Lesley Nicol) prepared the dinner and that the Downton staff are the ones serving it. Everyone is stunned by Mr. Molesley speaking to the king without permission. Robert apologizes for Molesley’s outburst, but the queen praises Mrs. Beryl Patmore’s cooking and tells the Countess of Grantham, Lady Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) that they are accustomed to people behaving strangely around them.

Meanwhile, Henry Talbot (Matthew Goode), Lady Mary’s husband, arrives home in time to accompany the family to the ball at Harewood. As a self-appointed peacemaker, Lady Isobel Merton (Penelope Wilton) makes an important discovery that should settle an age-old feud. Mr. Carson and his wife, Mrs. Elsie Hughes Carson (Phyllis Logan) discuss Downton Abbey’s future. Carson asserts it will stand for another hundred years with the Crawley family still living in it.

As a fan of the popular BBC TV series, I was happy to see Downton Abbey come to the big screen, despite the long wait of three years since it ended on TV.  From the moment I heard the familiar Downton Abbey music while entering the movie theater, my heart started jumping for joy.  From what I could see of the trailer, the whole cast had reassembled once again to excite us with the ups and downs of a British hierarchy family in the late 1920s.  I learned so much about the culture just watching through-out the 6 seasons that Downton Abbey aired.  The movie didn’t slack on the heartfelt comings and goings of the household.  I found the movie generated much enjoyment with just the right touch of drama and secrets, as well as disappointments.  Downton Abbey left me with hopes of seeing a second movie, but without one beloved character, who I will not disclose at this time.  Make no mistake, there is a lot more story to be told.  I’m trying not to spoil all the surprises or all of the twist and turns this movie has I stored for you. Aside from my love of period pieces, I deem Downton Abbey as one of the better movies of 2019.  It opened with a $31M box office and is slated to pull in much more.  I highly recommend it to all ages — Downton Abbey is just simply delightful.  Check It Out!

 

SENSE8 – SEASON 2 (2017) – My rating: 9.5/10

The second season of Sense8, a science fiction drama is created by Lana and Lilly Wachowski and J. Michael Straczynski.  If you think my previous review that defined Sense8, season 1, as great — you’re in for a treat, because season 2 is even better.  I didn’t think Sense8 could get better, but it did.  This is a remarkable series.  If you didn’t see season 1 you will need to see it first or you will be totally lost. All 8 characters come together once again to form a Cluster of life changing telepathically shared relationships that’s unlike anything you’ve seen.

You will also need to read my first review of season 1, which outlines Sense8’s purpose.  Season 2’s plot continues with Milton Bailey/Whipers (Terrence Mann) seeking out the 8 sensates for reasons I will not reveal, hoping to whet your appetite. Obviously, I’m truly a fan of this series and highly recommend it.

Siting creative differences, Aml Ameen has been replaced by Toby Onwumere who will take over the role of Capheus “Van Damme” Onyango, otherwise all other actors remain the same as in season 1 but with many new additions.

THE MAIN EIGHT SENSATES

Capheus “Van Damme” Onyango (Toby Onwumere), is a matatu driver in Nairobi. Capheus is a passionate fan of Jean-Claude Van Damme and is trying to earn money to buy AIDS medicine for his mother.
Young Capheus (Gabriel Ouma).

Kala Dandekar, (Tina Desai) is a university-educated pharmacist and devout Hindu in Mumbai who is engaged to marry a man she does not love.
Young Kala (Yashvi Puneet Nagar).

Lito Rodriguez, (Miguel Ángel Silvestre) an actor (still in the closet) who has a Basque background living in Mexico City with his lover, Hernando.

Nomi Marks, (Jamie Clayton) a transgender woman “hacktivist” and blogger who lives in San Francisco with her girlfriend, Amanita. Nomi was born Michael but changed her name to Nomi, which stands for “Know Me”.
Young Nomi (John Babbo) (then called Michael).

Riley Blue née Gunnarsdóttir, (Tuppence Middleton) is an Icelandic DJ who is living in London while trying to escape a troubled past.
Young Riley Gunnarsdóttir (Katrin Sara Olafsdottir).

Sun Bak, (Doona Bae) is the daughter of a powerful Seoul businessman and a burgeoning star in the underground kickboxing world who is plagued by a corrupt sibbling.
Young Sun (Jane Lee).

Will Gorski, (Brian J. Smith) a Chicago police officer haunted by an unsolved murder from his childhood.
Young Will Gorski (Maxwell Jenkins).

Wolfgang Bogdanow, (Max Riemelt) a Berlin locksmith and safe-cracker who has unresolved issues with his late father and participates in organized crime.
Young Wolfgang (Lenius Jung).

OTHER SENSATES

“Whispers”, (Terrence Mann) a sensate who turned against his own kind and who leads an organization determined to neutralize sensates.

Jonas Maliki, (Naveen Andrews) a sensate from a different cluster who wants to help the newly-born cluster of sensates.

Angelica “Angel” Turing, (Daryl Hannah) a sensate from an older.

FRIENDS

Felix Bernner, (Maximilian Mauff) is Wolfgang’s best friend and partner in crime. He is not a sensate.
young Felix (Chiron Elias Krase).

Hernando Fuentes (Alfonso Herrera) is Lito Rodriguez’s lover and a professor of art.  He is not a sensate.

NOTE:  Sense8, season 3 has been CANCELLED. According to a Netflix statement, “the audience was simply “not large enough” to support the show’s vast production costs”.    You can see the 2-1/2 hour finale movie, which is currently streaming on Netflix.  It’s a whopper of an ending.  Check it out!

SENSE8 (2015) SEASON 1 – My rating: 9/10

First, let me say Sense8 isn’t for everyone. As a matter of fact, if you can get through 1 and a half episodes without giving it the kiss of death, then it’s probably for you. Sense8 starts off in a sea of confusion but once you are able to unravel the pieces, OMG and wow, wow, wow. It is one of the most brilliant series in the Science Fiction category I’ve seen, bar none. Kudos to the Warchowski duel and Michael Straczynski, there’s no stopping their talent. 8 people from around the world labeled “Sensates“ are able to connect mentally and share each other’s lives, thoughts and experiences without being seen by anyone outside of their shared cluster. Their adventure is “an experience you’ll not soon forget”, is an understatement. The series was filmed in 9 cities all over the world.  They included the following:   Chicago, San Francisco, London, Berlin, Seoul, Reykjavík, Mexico City, Nairobi and Mumbai. All 12 episodes of season 1 became available for streaming on Netflix June 5, 2015.  On August 8, 2015, Netflix announced that it had renewed the show for a second season.

The first episode focuses on the initial connection of all 8 of these sensates, which happens when a woman named Angelica, who is being hunted by a mysterious adversary named Whispers, kills herself to avoid capture. Before she does this, she uses her unique abilities to awaken the powers of 8 other people around the world, connecting these “sensates” into a cluster. The 8 begin to experience the beginnings of their psychic connections with each other via hearing what the others hear and seeing what the others see.  Watching these sensates helping one another and taking on each other’s task in crisis is amazing.

THE MAIN EIGHT SENSATES

Capheus “Van Damme” Onyango (Aml Ameen), is a matatu driver in Nairobi. Capheus is a passionate fan of Jean-Claude Van Damme and is trying to earn money to buy AIDS medicine for his mother.
Young Capheus (Gabriel Ouma).

Kala Dandekar, (Tina Desai) is a university-educated pharmacist and devout Hindu in Mumbai who is engaged to marry a man she does not love.
Young Kala (Yashvi Puneet Nagar).

Lito Rodriguez, (Miguel Ángel Silvestre) an actor (still in the closet) who has a Basque background living in Mexico City with his lover, Hernando.

Nomi Marks, (Jamie Clayton) a transgender woman “hacktivist” and blogger who lives in San Francisco with her girlfriend, Amanita. Nomi was born Michael but changed her name to Nomi, which stands for “Know Me”.
Young Nomi (John Babbo) (then called Michael).

Riley Blue née Gunnarsdóttir, (Tuppence Middleton) is an Icelandic DJ who is living in London while trying to escape a troubled past.
Young Riley Gunnarsdóttir (Katrin Sara Olafsdottir).

Sun Bak, (Doona Bae) is the daughter of a powerful Seoul businessman and a burgeoning star in the underground kickboxing world who is plagued by a corrupt sibbling.
Young Sun (Jane Lee).

Will Gorski, (Brian J. Smith) a Chicago police officer haunted by an unsolved murder from his childhood.
Young Will Gorski (Maxwell Jenkins).

Wolfgang Bogdanow, (Max Riemelt) a Berlin locksmith and safe-cracker who has unresolved issues with his late father and participates in organized crime.
Young Wolfgang (Lenius Jung).

OTHER SENSATES

“Whispers”, (Terrence Mann) a sensate who turned against his own kind and who leads an organization determined to neutralize sensates.

Jonas Maliki, (Naveen Andrews) a sensate from a different cluster who wants to help the newly-born cluster of sensates.

Angelica “Angel” Turing, (Daryl Hannah) a sensate from an older.

FRIENDS

Felix Bernner, (Maximilian Mauff) is Wolfgang’s best friend and partner in crime. He is not a sensate.
young Felix (Chiron Elias Krase).

Hernando Fuentes (Alfonso Herrera) is Lito Rodriguez’s lover and a professor of art.  He is not a sensate.

Overall, I have never been so mesmerized and captivated over a series.  Sense8 airs on Netflix and season 1 is divided among 12 episodes.  Season 2 is out and is divided among 11  episodes and even better than season 1.  Check it out, but be prepared to binge watch.

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