Top Ten Picks of the Year so Far

 Here are my top 10 picks in alphabetical order for the first half of 2026:

1.  Alvin Ailey American Dance at LA Music Center-Inspiring and amazing as always

2.   Doc. Film-"Chris & Martina"-Female tennis foes find victorious friendship

3.   Broadway Play GIANT-John Lithgow won a Tony for his portrayal of an antisemitic Roald Dahl

4.   Film: THE INVITE-sexy swingers starring Olivia Wilde, Ed North, Penelope Cruise and Seth Rogen

5.   SF Ballet "BrokenWings"-Frida Kahlo's colorful life in a hypnotic ballet

6.   Series/Apple "Margo's Got Money Troubles" Elle Fanning and Nick Offerman in a quirky drama 

7.   NYC Ballet Returned to LA-Please never go away again

8.   Film: OBESSION-Horror flick; careful what you wish for

9.   Series/Peacock-PONIES-American wives become CIA spies in 1970s 

10. Netflix "Take a Banana for the Road" Taping of Jeff Ross' one man bio on Broadway

Bonus Pick 

11. Series/Apple WIDOW'S BAY-Comedy/horror with Matthew Rhys (can't wait for next season)

THE INVITE-Seth Rogen Should've Been Uninvited to Make this Right

Olivia Wilde directs in stars in THE INVITE which also stars, Ed Norton, Penelope Cruise and the simpering Seth Rogen.  This cleverly written film by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack give a modern riff  to Edward Albee's classic play "Whose Afraid of Virginia Wolfe?".  This 4 character film pairs Rogen and Wilde as married couple; Joe and Angela. They live in apartment building below a sexy, cool couple Hawk and Pina played by Ed Norton and Penelope Cruise. Hawk and Pina's noisy, sexual escapades have been disturbing their neighbors' slumber.  In "Whose Afraid..." the elder couple air their dirty laundry in front of a younger couple creating a tense, uncomfortable get together. In THE INVITE, the couples are the same age except the dirty laundry revealed is from Hawk and Pina. Pina apologizes for the recent late rumblings are attributed to group sex. Joe and Angela are stunned. Angela wants details. Joe for the first time is speechless.  Unfortunately, Joe isn't quiet for long and his whiny, sophomoric shtick he is known for grows old and detracts from the adult discussion of swinging. Wilde as director made smart choices with a stylish filming of a biting, sophisticated sex farce. But, Wilde made a serious error having Rogen as her errant spouse. Otherwise, Cruise as sex therapist Pina, is a sultry swinger who gives the film its vibrant sensuality. Norton as Hawk, Pina's partner in an open relationship is pitch perfect as the cool, confident lothario who charms Angela while trying to placate Joe's mounting antagonism. Pina and Hawk admit they accepted Angela's invite to come by because they intended to invite Angela and Joe to join them for group sex. Now, however, Pina feels they're not ready and finds Joe's anger toxic. Being put off ignites Angela and Joe to want to give it a go. They earnestly plead their case that they're ready to swing the night away. Hawk and Angela retreat to the kitchen for foreplay. Joe and Pina head into Joe's office. Pina's shirtless dancing sends Joe reeling right into the bookcase which comes crashing down sending his back into painful spasms which interrupts Angela's highly coveted orgasm with Hawk.  All these consensual pairings would've been credible and titillating if not for Rogen off-setting the sophisticated, sexual scenarios with his puerile antics that work for his stupid stoner "Pineapple Express" persona. Cruise deserves an Oscar nomination for her role. Norton and Wilde are both superb as well.  And, while Wilde might have earned herself an Oscar nomination for directing, she blew it with her major blunder using Rogen as her bumbling husband. Still, with a 75% impeccable cast and sharp script, it makes this a movie to become entangled in its tense, erotic quadrangle. 

RIDE or DIE Give it a Try with Octavia Spencer/Hannah Waddingtham/Bill Nighy

The buddy/assassin thriller series on Netflix stars two dynamic dames, Octavia Spencer (Acad. Award "The Help) as Debbie and Hannah Waddingham (Emmy winner for "Ted Lasso") as Judith. The two are the latest in a growing genre of gal pals whose pairing combines and catapults their talents making them omnipotent and hilarious in the process. While the idea of female friendship is not new to the screen, the chemistry between Waddingham and Octavia and their prowess as actors gives RIDE of DIE its drive and keeps the interest alive.  The series uses a lot of flashbacks in its story telling. Judith and Debbie met in their early 20s and became fast and furious riends. Now, both broaching 50, they still love and enjoy being together.  Both are about to hit major stumbling blocks in their lives. Debbie's husband stuns her by asking for a divorce. Judith is on the verge of being unceremoniously retired from her profession which she loves.  Judith has always maintained her occupation as occupation as a forensic accountant. For this femme fatale, her cover is about to be blown. The ladies are both attending a swanky political gala; Debbie accompanying her estranged husband, Judith on a mission to kill. The hit job goes awry and Debbie becomes abducted by Judith who is fleeing from her missed mark who now has a target on her back. Waddingham makes a convincing action hero with her seductive and lethal skill sets. Debbie is horrified by both the facts that Judith kills people and that she never shared this with her. Debbie asks Judith, "You kill people for money?" To which Judith quips, "Yes, otherwise I'd be a serial killer." The mix of comedy and mayhem is marvelous. It seems Debbie is more put off by her friend's deceit than her deadly vocation. The two have a heart to heart about  their kinship and what Judith does professionally proves not a deal breaker in their relationship. Furthermore, Debbie is extremely cunning and resourceful and proves she has what it would take to outsmart the devious villains trying to get back the millions her husband stole. The first rate action scenes and car chases take a back seat to the comedy and camaraderie between Debbie and Judith. Their symbiotic, albeit unlikely relationship is pitch perfect making up for the chaotic flaws in the espionage/crime caper.  Bill Nighy adds his indomitable charisma to his role as Judith's mentor and top director who now wants to force Judith into permanent retirement. RIDE or DIE is a delightful joyride where bad people get killed and female friendship is formidable, surviving all else. 

The series up as decades old best friends in a comic espionage thriller. These two have shared everything except for one tiny detail up until now. Judith has kept her under cover, covert occupation as a hit woman for hire hidden from Debbie. Debbie who has been in a 25 year marriage to a British politician whom she's helped rise in the ranks thanks to her, intelligence and resourcefulness. The night Judith is outed as an assassin to Debbie comes on the night of a swanky, political dinner party in which both women are in attendance. Debbie was attending with her husband who stuns her by asking her for a divorce. Judith is at the gala on assignment to take out a mark. Debbie is devastated by her husband and she's about to get another shocker. While following her target Judith discovers Debbie's husband among several dead bodies in a hotel room. Judith and Debbie cross paths at the gala and leave together. Not only does Judith let Debbie know her husband is dead the two become caught up in a shooting car chase with Debbie at the wheel while Judith returns fire. After eluding their pursuers, Judith explains about her true profession. Debbie is far more upset that Judith kept this not so tiny secret from her all these years and feels their close relationship must be a sham. "You kill for money?" Debbie asks. "Of course. Otherwise, I'd be a serial killer" Judith retorts. Judith makes a sexy and convincing killer, martial arts expert. Her sleuth and fighting skills would give Bond a run his money. Debbie's  

PONIES "Persons of No Interest" Interesting Series-Amateur Amer Women Spies in 70's USSR

The Cold War spy caper series soars on the chemistry between two fish out of water women who are thrust together when their lives overlap in Russia in the 1970s. Emilia Clarke ("Game of Thrones") as Abigail "Bea" and Haley Lu Richardson ("White Lotus") as Twila. Both are wives who've tagged along with their spouses to Moscow while their husbands work for the (shh, don't say it aloud) CIA.  Bea is happily married, highly educated, fluent in Russian and game to support her husband doing secretarial work at the US Embassy while he pursues his espionage career. Twila is a brassy broad raised in a blue color, trailer park. She's lots of street smarts and in a contentious relationship with her husband. On Xmas Eve, the women are escorted from the Embassy's holiday party and told their husbands died in a plane crash. So begins the auspicious pairing of these two disparate dames who sense their being lied to and become  determined to find out the truth. From here suspend handling the truth and go with this skeptical scenario and you'll be in for a scintillating spy escapade with two ingenues new to the sinister, underworld in Russia.  They both decide to remain in USSR and somehow convince their husbands' beleaguered boss, Dane, they could be vital by going undercover to uncover KGB secrets. No one would ever suspect them as agents; they're persons of no interest. Given dangerous assignments they prove more resourceful as undercover agents as their natural talents and proclivities for problem solving take hold. As the stakes get higher, the women become more cunning and find they have each other's back. Back, at CIA headquarters, Dane discovers these two vixens have mettle while meddling into shady, covert operations. Good support comes from CIA agent Ray (Nicholas Podany) whose American wife Cheryl also works as a secretary. Cheryl and Twila have a very funny antagonistic work relationship. Manya, a Russian hawker, provides helpful information to Twila and wry humor.  Andrei is the sexy, ruthless KBG agent out to seduce Bea . Bea is putting herself in danger leading him on to lure information. The look of the series is often dark and moody. It captures the 70s in dress, tone and music. It is the dubious and dynamic pairing of Bea and Twila that brings wit, charisma and caring to a dark thriller that is surprising, chilling and endearing. This clever Peacock series is convincing that together, these women are more than either the CIA or the KGB bargained for. PONIES is an exciting and entertaining series. Don't miss it!

OBSESSION-A Horror Film Where the Guy Gets the Girl and all Hell Breaks Loose

OBSESSION starts out with our protagonist practicing his pitch for the girl of his dreams to go out with him. Bear (Michael Johnson) is a shy, likable guy that wants girl Nikki (Inde Navarrette). Taking a wink from "Big" Bear goes into a New Age store to buy Niki a gift but comes away with a prize for himself. A make a wish stick. The shtick is the wish stick works - too well. When Bear wishes Nikki "would love me more than anyone else in the world," Nikki finds herself drawn to Bear. A 180 turn around does seem odd but not so much that Bear would look a gift horse in the mouth and the two move in together for a limited time of bliss. Soon things go amiss. Friends Ian (Cooper Tomlinson) and Sarah (Megan Lawless) start noticing Nikki acting bizarre. Bear knows things are even worse than they seem. The relatable premise turns dark and eerie once Bear gets his heart desire and if he only knew how dim the fire and passion that have turned obsessively deranged and destructive. Bear calls a number on the wish stick box with his questions which doesn't give him what he was hoping. It's one of the funniest scenes in the film. Inde Navarrette's tour-de-force performance is electrifying. Nikki's behavior is terrifying, haunting, revolting, sad and hilarious. The pacing, look and mood of the film have a mystique and naturalness that give way to shocking scenes that jump out at you. Director/writer Curry Baker has made a horror film that is creepy, credible and engrossing (and gross at times). Baker also makes a few nods to "Exorcist" and "Fatal Attraction." However, Baker has created something quite original that explores the horrors of getting what you wish for. 

Crime Thriller/Romance TUNER-Turns Flat After A Bit-But Tune In

TUNER is an entertaining crime thriller driven whose premise and prelude are appealing. A promising piano prodigy turned piano tuner's precision ear proves advantageous to cracking into combination safes. Leo Woodall ("White Lotus") plays Niki, the sultry and skillful young piano tuner who partners with Harry, played by the legendary Dustin Hoffman.  Harry and his wife Maria (a terrific Tovah Feldshuh) are the bickering, bantering couple who love each other and Niki whom they regard as their son. The hilarious overture to the film begins with a montage of piano tuning jobs where Harry and Niki have to deal with obnoxious clients. The two are called to repair a piano for an elite musical university where Ruthie (an alluring Havana Rose) is now practicing.  Ruthie, an inspiring composer/pianist is put out by the interruption but there's an undercurrent of attraction between the two. When Ruthie's heirloom piano is drenched by rain she calls up Niki to try to help her save the piano. A love serenade between the two is composed and all is harmonious until Harry needs hospitalization and a miracle to pay his bills. While tuning a piano on an exclusive estate, Niki is unable to work because of noise in the house. Niki has a condition called hypercusis, a hearing condition that make everyday sounds unbearable which is why he dons earplugs at all times. When he scopes out the source of the noise it's coming from the security guards who are trying to drill open a safe. The security "thugs" tell him to get lost unless he can open the safe which he promptly does. Uri (Lior Raz) head boss of bumbling thieves knows a good thing when he see it and promises Niki big money if comes to work for him. Niki is driven to cracking safes to pay for Harry's hospital bills and to have some cash and gifts for Ruthie. The film turns somewhat flat and predictable once it shifts to heist jobs. When Niki wants to stop his life of crime Uri shows up at Maria's home during Harry's memorial and threatens to harm his girlfriend's hands if won't continue. The stellar acting keeps the plot on pitch. The musical scenes and the relationship between Niki, Ruthie Harry and Maria elevate the film. TUNER is an easily watchable film. But once the film shifts key after Harry's death from drama and romance to crime thriller, it becomes something we've seen before. And, what are the odds that the one piece of jewelry Niki swiped to give Ruthie comes back to haunt him? Nevertheless, 

5 STAR WEEKEND-Earns a Paltry 3 Despite Star Power Jennifer Garner/Timothy Olypant

"The Five-Star Weekend" based on the bestselling book by Elin Hilderbrand now airing on Netflix. It features an assembly star cast led by the beautiful and bankable Jennifer Garner. Garner plays Hollis Shaw who we meet making a boat load of impressive Xmas cookies with snow covered evergreens outside her cozy kitchen window. The serene scene is interrupted by knocking at her door. The police came to inform Hollis her husband was killed in a car accident. (Her shocked response makes her look like a fish gasping for air.) Next we jump ahead to 6 months later to sunny skies outside the windows of her stunning Cape Cod home on the Vineyard. Hollis is a celebrity chef and an influencer. After breaking down crying on a TV celebrity talk show mourning her husband, her publicist tells her to take time off . She suggests getting together with her closest friends from the varying decades in her life. The chums all come from different periods in her life and backgrounds. What's the worse that can happen? Sadly, nothing worth noting happens that is credible just easily digestible fare in a gorgeous setting with good actors. Regina Hall plays a PR agent for celebrity athletes and is put on sabbatical for a PR crisis of her own making. Chloe Sevigny, plays her best friend since childhood. Chloe's mom helped raised Hollis after her mother died when she was young. Chloe plays a no-nonsense broad with gusto but may soon be facing chemo. D'Arcy Carden plays the garrulous, funny friend who wants to fit in. She may have a few mysterious plot lines. We know of an arch enemy in Judy Greer who was not invited and an unknown legal battles looming. And, the sultry Gemma Chan who only recently joined the gang. She ingratiated herself into Hollis' good graces by following her and developing a connection since her husband's death. (Nothing to be concerned about here). Timothy Olyphant as her old beau from the hood in Nantucket. Will they or won't hook-up? Really? Throw in Hollis' coed daughter, She's keeping things from her mother and falling for the wrong boy back home during the female pow wow weekend designed to ease the widow's grief.  Hollis is super organized along with her culinary skills. She's charted plans for the entire 3 nights which includes a pajama dance party while drunk following a salacious round of truth or dare. If you dare to watch this 8 part series which seems promising given the talent and Hilderbrand's beach book plot.  Know this is light entertainment at best when not cringe worthy schmaltz. There's predictable broad strokes; secrets revealed and spirits healed. I wouldn't throw this show in the trash with the burnt tarte Tatin. It does it best with good ingredients and intentions, but fails to rise to any great expectations.

Doc "Chris & Martina: The Final Set-A LOVE MATCH to LAST-It's a Winner

The sports doc. Chris & Martina is one for the record books and one to be watched. The most captivating  sports rivalry of the 20th C  was not Ali v Frazer, not Magic v Bird. It was Chris Everett and Martina Navratilova on the tennis court. Their records on the courts and their talents on are full display in this easily watchable and very likable documentary. What makes this such a compelling film is their story of lasting LOVE and friendship off the court. And, tennis tore apart their friendship. The film's strength comes from the their deep friendship that has flourished despite having been pitted against each other for their consummate goal to be #1 in the world. The two contrasting athletes in their style of play and demeanor couldn't have been more diverse. They share their drive and what they gave up to achieve their goals. Martina's defection in the 70s from the Czech Republic meant she was separated from her family which was devastating for her. There's a joyful reunion in which Martina brings Chris back home to meet her family years later. Chris also felt tennis demanded all her focus. It took her away from her first husband "I had nothing left to give off the court." Her victory at Wimbledon, while joyful when having received her trophy "left me lying on the floor of my hotel room. It was depression. I realized I had no friends." However, this is not a depressing film. It's actually very uplifting and life affirming film about competition and dealing with diversity. Looking back at the early years of both women as young girls on the courts and their love for the game is delightful.  We see how arch rivals tend to bring out the best in one another. The film is framed by the present cancer battles both women are facing. The comeback and evolution of their love for one another is a tribute to the characters of both women which I came to admire.  It's reassuring to see the support each has within their own family; Martina her wife and Chris her 2nd husband and sons.  Chris says "We were married 20 years and had 3 children together. The caring doesn't go away."  This film wins in a tie breaker with other engaging sports documentaries as on center court are two great foes who fought each other and who found each other as cherished friends. A double bonus is watching the two champions watching their matches together. 

"Sr." Robert Downey Jr Tribute to Sr Should've Stayed in the Family

The family documentary "Sr." is Robert Downey Jr.'s (RDJ) tribute to his beloved father, Robert Downey "Sr."  Celebrity insight, but, if you're not part of the family, don't bother. Most people are familiar with Robert  Downey Jr. (RDJ)the highest paid "actor in the world".  Yet, most people are unfamiliar with the films the senior Downey (RDS) wrote and directed. The reasons being the son is an extremely talented and prolific actor while the father's films are in a word, unwatchable. "Sr." is a mess of a film that despite a lot of footage spent on the editing process, more editing was badly needed.  There is obvious warmth in the relationship between father and son which is endearing though not compelling enough to sustain interest in either the familial connections or the connections to filmmaking as the family's pursuits. Clips from RDS' movies (the only footage in this film in vivd color) attest to the zaniness and off-the beaten tracks of his life's work. However, bizarre moments and characters does not make for an engrossing film. The impact of his counter culture filmmaking lived in the past. Today these films feel gross in an annoying way that neither call for revised interest or a retrospective. The documentary was shot in black and white to lend an artistic aesthetic to elevate the film's appeal. While New York City's beauty lends itself to the starkness of white and black, the film lacks "le coeur a ses raisons" other than to pull at the heart strings watching a son process the flailing health of his father. It felt gratuitous and voyeuristic watching RDJ wipe away tears and confer with his psychiatrist at the prospect of his father's passing. Furthermore, the man being eulogized is engaged in the eulogizing process was baffling and off-putting. Granted, it's refreshing to watch a family biopic where there's true affection demonstrated rather than animosity. Still, it comes off like chopped up home movies spliced together that play only to family members.  I did find watching RDJ as a young boy and young actor quite charming. The destructive years of drugs and alcohol for both are quickly raked over the coals.  Regret is bemoaned by RDS for introducing his son to these destructive vices. Thankfully, healthy outcomes are shared by both. RDS' second wife was lovingly cared for by him throughout her battle with ALS until her death. Rosemarie, RDS' 3rd and final wife up until his death was asked how long she and her husband have been married.  Her repeated answer was 1,500 years. That's about how long it felt watching this mishmash documentary that despite having been made with a tender heart, is not set far apart from other family's personal tribulations and reflections . 

CARRIE PILBY with Nathan Lane, Gabriel Byrne Worth a Watch

CARRIE PILBY (2016) film now on Amazon is not an amazing movie but it is not without its charms. Carrie (a wide eyed Bel Powley) is a 19 year old Harvard grad thanks to an IQ of 186. Of course, this high IQ is both a blessing and a curse. What's a widowed father (Gabriel Byrne) to do but matriculate his daughter into the IVY league since she's way ahead of all the adolescents her age. Well intentioned but not necessarily advantageous to a precocious girl who is really still a young girl pitted into an adult world which doesn't prepare her for a lecherous professor or peers who prefer someone their own age. Having graduated, Carrie finds herself alone in her NYC apartment without a job, friends or family. Her dad is in London where she was raised and she's left to navigate on her own. Well not entirely. Dad has hired his friend, a psychiatrist, Dr. Petrov (played by a steadfast Nathan Lane) to help guide her. Left on her own, Carrie would choose to stay at home and read. This is not a recipe for happiness. But with the kindly encouragement of Dr. Petrov and the job being as a proof reader she finds kindred spirits.  Carrie commences to navigate herself towards a fulfilling life. The movie is actually a lot better than it sounds. The quirky friends she meets at work are likable. So too is the handsome next door neighbor who plays a long winded instrument out on their fire escape. Bryce and Lane add their talents and finesse. This is an easily digestible, diverting film with a heroine whose tough facade belies a heart searching for connections.  Powley's performance is pitch perfect. She's engaging as a bumptious intellect. yet manages to carry off an underlying vulnerability without garnering pity. We see her as the 16 year old college girl who understandably fell prey to an ill-advised affair with her Lit professor and gain insight to her romantic reserves. Pilby's blazing blue eyes emote non-stop.  I was taken in by this film about an intellectual young lady whose emotional maturity is still mostly on par with her chronological age. This movie may not receive high honors but it does earn high above a passing grade. It's a sweet movie to pass the time.