My Holiday Gift to You

Time is passing so quickly that the present feels like a flashback! Case in point: skipped November’s line up. But here to make up for it are four really good bio pics. I may do a mid-December list too, so watch for it.

Last Words (2025 Netflix)I loved this interview with Jane Goodall–part of a “pre-death obituary series”–she died shortly after the film was made. I must admit that Brad Falchuck, the creator and interviewer took some getting used to. (And he’s Gwynyth Paltrow’s husband–oy) Some cringeworthy stuff on his part–not the least of which was calling her “spry”. But all that said, she rose above it all, emerging as an inspirational humanitarian. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BZ0je7I90E Here is a link to the trailer.

John Candy: I Like Me (2025 Prime) John Candy was my all time favorite comedian. Like Jane Goodall, he was extraordinarily likable in real life and sadly died much too young. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s71CLs9meRw

51 Birch Street (2006 Prime–Maybe Kanopy?) More “truth is stranger than fiction” viewing. Filmmaker Doug Block investigates his parent’s relationship and at the same time explores his own history with each parent. The result is a piecing together of a compelling psychological puzzle

Nouvelle Vague (2025 Netflix) In my high school years nothing made me feel more hip than going to the latest French New Wave film. Fast forward many, many years to filmmaker Richard Linklater’s resurrection of the Nouvelle Vague luminaries: Varda, Chabrol, Melville, Truffaut, Rivette (and many others). Linklater has created a lovely comedic homage to these film pioneers, but in particular Godard and the making of his first film “Breathless”.