The other night, while breaking matzoh with some folks, we eventually got around to chatting about TV series we watch.

And telling each other about ones they had never heard of but “had to watch.”

No matter apparently to one of my pals that he and I have totally different tastes.

Soon enough the discussion got around to a a couple of national faves, both in their final season.

“Succesion.”

“Ted Lasso.”

What do I think of the last go round of the former on HBO and the latter on Apple TV+?

Listen below and find out.

The post “Succession” & “Ted Lasso”: Final Seasons Reviewed appeared first on CultureMaven.com.

For some of us, Mel Brooks has been a national treasure.

(I actually had a conversation the other day with a friend, who has never found Brooks especially funny. Go figure. Well, to each his/her own, I suppose.)

Frankly, he should be heralded if only for the fact he stole Anne Bancroft’s heart at first blush. Mrs. Robinson. You go, dude.

Anyway, even though he’s 95, the fellow who got his start as a writer on the iconic Show of Shows from the early days of black & white TV in the 50s is back.

There’s an 8 part Hulu series, a sequel to an earlier Brooks work. It is “History of the World Part II.”

Here Brooks has help from 15 or so other writers with the sketch comedy.

Does it work?

Ah, for that, listen to my podcast below:

The post History of World Part II appeared first on CultureMaven.com.

On consecutive nights I viewed these two completely different movies.

Both worth considering if you haven’t seen them already.

“Tár” features award-nominated Cate Blanchett as the very intense conductor of the Berlin Symphony.

Over two and a half hours we get to watch her fall apart from her own flaws.

“Mrs Harris Goes to Paris” stars Lesley Manville in 50s Britain. She’s an eminently decent cleaning lady who dreams of heading to the fashion capitol of the world and purchasing a Dior gown.

The latter was for obvious reasons an easier and more enjoyable watch.

Though Blanchett who is always on her game is captivating, if her character is not very likeable.

For more, listen to my podcast below:

The post “Tár” & “Mrs Harris Goes to Paris”: Film Review Podcast appeared first on CultureMaven.com.

How odd is this new Apple TV+ series featuring Billy Crudup?

Very.

Such that I spent a bit more time explaining or trying to explain it in the podcast below.

Crudup leads a band of traveling salespeople town to town in a marvelous to look at retro futuristic 50s.

What are they selling?

Places to purchase to live on the  . . . moon.

Not a bad premise, but . . .

. . . after watching the first four episodes, I’m not sure what the point here really is.

It’s incredible to look at, worth a peek just for that.

As for the rest, uh, listen up.

The post “Hello Tomorrow”: Review Podcast appeared first on CultureMaven.com.

Knowing my affection for the Crescent City, and its music, as you regular readers do, you’re thinking for sure that I am obsessively inclined to love any documentary which examines New Orleans music.

Truth: Yes.

Truth: There are several however that have left me cold.

Including the recent on about JazzFest. I mean, too much Pit Bull, for heaven’s sake.

But this one, this one, “Take Me to the River: New Orleans,” is a keeper.

Top shelf.

Well conceived.

Well executed.

One of the better docs about the musical creative process I’ve seen.

Now available to be streamed at Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

I explain in detail why in the podcast review below.

— c d kaplan

The post “Take Me To The River: New Orleans”: Review appeared first on CultureMaven.com.

In one of the more absurd phenomena of this movie award season, the folks who run the Oscars launched an investigation into the nomination of Andrea Riseborough, the star of “To Leslie.”

Seriously?

This in a town where Big Hollywood has been wooing voters by various and sundry means for decades?

In their infinite wisdom and beneficence, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences backed off, apparently satisfied there was no chicanery afoot.

Wise move.

For Ms. Riseborough’s performance as a down and out alcoholic avoids just about all the clichés that have evolved with such roles over time.

It is absolutely an award worthy portrayal.

You can watch it on Amazon Prime.

For more on this movie, which would have otherwise go unnoticed, listen to my podcast below.

— c d kaplan

The post “To Leslie”: Film Review Podcast appeared first on CultureMaven.com.

The setting is quiet, insulated and brooding.

An island off Ireland in the 1920s

Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson’s characters have been drinking together in the same bar at the same time with the same faces at the other tables forever.

One day, out of the blue, without explanation, Gleeson tells Farrell he wants nothing to do with him anymore.

Farrell doesn’t understand.

Martin McDonough’s movie is about him trying to figure it out.

As an audience member, I could only partially get an understanding myself.

“Banshees of Inisherin” can be streamed at HBO Max and Amazon Prime.

For more details, and my take on the film, listen to my podcast below.

— c d kaplan

The post “Banshees of Inisherin”: Film Review Podcast appeared first on CultureMaven.com.