NETFLIX

TICK, TICK...BOOM
* * * *
(Innovative musical about Jonathan Larson)

Andrew Garfield received an Oscar Best Actor nomination for his role as Jonathan, the playwright of “Rent.”

Jonathan was turning 30 in the ‘90s, living a Bohemian lifestyle and working in a diner while trying to write the Great American Broadway Musical in a rundown apartment with his gay roommate.

Jonathan works day and night to complete the musical (not “Rent”) in time for his workshop before the one and only Sondheim and other pillars of the Broadway big shots.

There are obstacles in his way, including being broke, many of his friends dying of AIDS and a girlfriend who has been offered a dancing position at Jacobs Pillow in the Berkshires.

The movie is woven together brilliantly with scenes of Jonathan composing the musical, actors rehearsing to dialogue and clever music he composed, and all of this wrapped in an actual stage production.

Garfield gives a passionate performance of an agonizing artist trying to survive and succeed.

We missed this great film when it first came out and were happy to see it back on Netflix.

SERVANT OF THE PEOPLE
* * * ½
(Ukrainian TV series)

Before Volodymyr Zelenskyy became the leader of the Ukraine, he was a promising actor and comedian in his native country.

Zelenskyy produced a popular TV show beginning in 2015 that poked fun at the government and political leaders, starring as a history teacher whom his students enter him in the race for president.

He wins.

Life imitates art in this clever, funny and inside peek at Ukrainian politics, politicians and people.

WINDFALL
* * * *
(Eerie, suspenseful, episodic thriller)

Dinner was ready, but I couldn’t turn off this eerie, suspenseful, episodic thriller that had me completely engrossed.

A man breaks into an isolated millionaire’s home.

The couple returns as he is ransacking the house. He locks them in the sauna. They escape and are recaptured.

They will be let go unharmed in a negotiated $500,000 ransom to be delivered to following day.

Who is this man and why is he doing this?

Who are the couple and what secrets are they hiding?

They must spend 24 hours together waiting for the ransom.

Lots of things happen to add to the suspense before the shocking and surprising ending.

Great writing!