A Few Worthy Watchings

“No good movie is too long and no bad movie is short enough.” Roger Ebert

The “too long award” goes to “Frankenstein 2025”. I’ve never played a video game but I felt like I was playing one. Too much blood, too many special effects. Irony: As in the original, the theme of the film was ostensibly about the dangers of the misuse of technology. For Shelley in the early 19th Century it was electricity, for 21st century humans it is a plethora of technologies that have already been misused–no need to cite these–we all know what they are. Yet the film relies on all of the latter to create its own monster of a film. To be fair, I could only sit through about 40 minutes, so maybe it gets better?

Here are a few not so overwrought:

“Deaf President,Now” (2025 Apple, Prime) Riveting and inspirational, it documents eight days in 1988 where Gallaudet University (the only university for deaf students) was the site of a student rebellion, demanding the appointment of a deaf president.

“Mr. Polaroid” (2025 PBS American Experience or Kanopy) Loved this documentary about Edwin Land and his invention of the polaroid camera. Later politics tell a more unpleasant side of the story, but fascinating nonetheless.

“Jaqueline du Pre–Genius and Tragedy” (2025 PBS and Kanopy) This is a compelling portrait of a world celebrated cellist, considered a true genius. It is heart breaking and beautiful. so glad I watched it.

“Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa” (2023 Netflix) I was not prepared for what an amazing film this is. The subject is a Nepalese woman living in Hartford, Connecticut who is not only the first Nepali woman to reach the summit of Mt. Everest but also the survivor of nine additional successful climbs. I’m not going to say much more about it because you need to watch it–if possible on a big screen. The story and the cinematography is powerful.

“Train Dreams” (2025 Netflix)Beautifully filmed, surreal and meditative as Denis Johnson’s acclaimed novel, this film is a must see.

“Caught By the Tides” (2025 Fandango) You will recognize writer-director Zhangke Jia’s familiar theme of the mostly devastating impacts of China’s modernization–on the environment, the family, relationships and the culture. He uses documentary footage from previous films with scenes from the Three Gorges Dam project, the evidence of its ecologically disastrous effects, and the displacement of more than one million inhabitants as backdrop to a narrative of a dysfunctional relationship. Its perverse and oddly satisfying ending holds its own irony and commentary on the future of China.

“Stand by Me” (1988 Netflix) We have all seen this, but it’s worth a revisit. Rob Reiner was a terrific director and writer. The film stands as a classic and a testament to his extraordinary talents.

Two series of some interest:

“Blue Lights” (2025 Brit Box) Very watchable police series set in Belfast. It intertwines the residuals of The Troubles with contemporary crimes involving drug lords and sex traffickers. And at the same time we follow the personal lives of the crime fighters. The formula is familiar, but the dialogue and characterization is strong enough to binge on it a bit.

“Douglas is Cancelled” (2023 Brit Box/Prime) It’s billed as a comedy, but honestly it feels like a tragedy. ( as my friend Giorgia said when she recommended it “…it gets dark” The first two episodes had me squirming (for spoiler alert reasons) but the second half two episodes take a truly unexpected turn. Its flaws do foster a bit of “well, why didn’t she…” kind of discussion so make sure you line up someone to watch it in preparation for a discussion. Hugh Bonneville is terrific as is Karen Gillan and all the other BBC regulars.