Out of Sight

Late 1990's release: George Clooney is a serial bank robber who does all his work with charm and charisma. Of course, having robbed over 200 banks, it is inevitable that that you spend some time in prison. But that is not the life for George so he breaks out and heads straight to his next score. Unfortunately (or fortunately), during the escape he encounters US Marshal Jennifer Lopez and the chemistry is immediate. The rest of the movie is her chasing him and him chasing her. A nice little dance. Can't believe I haven't seen this before.

4 stars (out of 5)

Coin Heist

Set at an upper crust private high school, the headmaster is arrested for embezzling money from the schools endowment. To overcome the family shame, his son and a mismatched cohort devise a plan to steal from the U.S. Mint and replenish the endowment. It's the only way to keep the school open ... right? While being both improbably and unrealistic and overly simplistic, this plays as a poor cousin to The Breakfast Club in terms of teen ensemble movies. 

3 stars (out of 5)

My All-American

Historical fiction story of Freddy Steinmark, an undersized underdog who played safety for a couple years for Texas in the late 60's. He was the heart and soul of a national championship team and played through tremendous physical adversity. Classic feel-good sports bio. 

4 stars (out of 5)

Quizlady

Awkwafina remains one of my favorite actresses. Here she is paired with Sandra Oh. The two sisters are put in a position where they need to come up with a bunch of money to bail their mom out from some gambling debt. But this premise is really secondary to the relationship building that adult siblings do. Awkwafina is the awkward, people fearing, trivia savant who needs her sister to push her into doing something that she loves and is good at. Will Ferrell brings a nice, subtle supporting role as the quiz show host. 

4 stars (out of 5)

Percy Jackson and the Olympians (serial)

A nice short series following modern day Percy as he discovers his demi-god self, makes some friends, and goes on a quest to find Zeus' "master bolt" and prevent all out war between the gods. A good mixture of modernization and fantasy, kid character development and questioning the status quo. Lightweight and straight forward, but also no real flaws. What I was hoping for with The Kid who would be King and a retelling of Arthur's knights. 

4 stars (out of 5)

The Coroner (serial)

2 seasons

In a small Aussie town, the Coroner works with her police seargent friend to investigate and solve murders. In the same vein as New Tricks and Murder in Paradise, this is a feel good, low tension murder investigation series. 

4 stars (out of 5)

Bank of Dave

An car salesman in rural England (meaning non-London) has been making small private loans to those in his community, functioning as a micro-lender/micro-bank. In order to be legal, he applies to the banking regulators to be approved as a small bank. They don't want it (it could break capitalism) but his Ted Lasso level of optimism pushes forward. Every character is charming (except the bankers of course) and we get a big concert fundraiser at the end. 

3 stars (out of 5)

The Last Repair Shop

Documentary short featuring four vignettes of workers in the LA Unified School District instrument repair shop. The district provides band instruments to its students, resulting in frequent damage. But this is really more about the workers, their passion and how they got to the shop. only about an hour - feel good biography

4 stars (out of 5)

The Hill

For a feel good, underdog sports story, this was one of the most slow developing plots I have seen in awhile. And even so, not a surprise was in sight. Ricky Hill has always dreamed of being in the majors, but his degenerative bone disease was an obvious impediment. We get to follow his fight to the top, overcoming all the sports naysayers as well as his own southern, itinerate pastor father. Guess what, in the end he makes it. So surprises, and pretty OK.

3 stars (out of 5)