Streaming reviews--week of November 23, 2020

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1) "Loving"--film--Netflix--2 hours & 3 minutes--when I saw this movie in 2016 at the Gateway Theatre I raved about it and, especially the performance by Ruth Negga--I was very disappointed when the movie 'died' at the box office--I watched it again and felt I was seeing it for the first time--Ruth did get an Oscar nomination for her role and her co-star Joel Edgerton didn't but certainly deserved one--nominated as the best film of 2016 by many critics I will go so far as to say the best film of the decade--based on a true story IT IS A MUST SEE! 2) "Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square"--film--Netflix--1 hour and 34 minutes--combine Dolly Parton and Christmas and what do you get? Tears! Lots of tears! The film is campy (Seems like Debbie Allen g(director and choreographer) hired every gay male dancer she could find), heartfelt, inspiring, soapy and feel good--at first hearing it appears to be more snogs by Parton than dialogue by but the songs are good and she has a first-rate cast singing them--it is a holiday film that will have you crying and will end with you feeling good, maybe even buying the soundtrack for the songs--thanks, Dolly! 3) "Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Story"--film--Netflix--1 hour & 59 minutes--songs, music, dancing, silliness, sappy scenes, robots, toys, etc.,--it is all here--it's Christmas and 'if you believe' anything is possible--directed by and the story plus screenplay by David E. Talbert, this is is a lot 'heavier' than Parton's 'Christmas", good but not as enjoyable--right now I would recommend "Christmas on the Square" over this but it will have you in the 'season' which is what it is about. 4) "Hillbilly Elegy"--film--Netflix--1 hour and 57 minutes--with Oscar-worthy performances by Amy Adams and Glenn Close they are stranded in a screenplay without any much-needed depth--I was surprised to see it was a true story and that made the film by Ron Howard even more disappointing--see the film for the 2 actresses who have both had many nominations but not any wins--so far-- and Howard, along with the screenwriter Vanessa Taylor, lets the ladies down 5) "We Are The Champions"--documentary--Netflix--3 hours & 8 minutes--season 1--6 episodes are you ready for a cheese rolling contest? How about a chili eating o9r fantasy hairstyle contest? No? Well, hang in there because there are a yo-yo, a dog dancing and a frog jumping company coming up! You will shake your head at each, laugh at each, wonder why they are doing it but you won't stop looking!! I don't think I will watch season 2 but I did have a good time watching these first 6 contests and wondered, "What next?" 6) "Sex Education"--series--Netflix--2 seasons for a total of 13 hours & 33 minutes--I am not into and mostly avoid series about teenagers but this got my attention from the beginning and I am now looking forward to season 3--yes, it is all about horny teenagers but it is also sweet, caring and gets you involved wondering where each kid's story will go to and/or end up--a few of the kids reminded me of their counterparts in "A Chorus Line" which may have been one of the main attractions for me--these kids are real with all the drama, misunderstandings, social castes, mistakes, parent problems and life most teenage kids go through for better or worse.