Nobody: This 2021 short film running time a little over 1.5 hours stars Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul) playing Hutch Mansell, and his wife, played by Connie Nielson, as an apparent ordinary man with an unknown past speaking about the aftermath of his actions to a couple police officers. In a flashback we see that he in his home had a home robbery, in front of his family, in which he is not able to do anything about it. What is not revealed at that time, which we learn about as an audience, is that he was an “auditor” and is highly skilled in making problems go away. He was well trained in the use of weapons and hand to hand combat. He was a war veteran, and doing his best, like many other similar characters to have a simple life. This was a normal that he craved. Like John Wick, Michael Corleone or any other of these career criminals they wish to escape “the life”. But it always seems to bring them back in.
I like Odenkirk as an actor. I doubt for me he will ever get away from being Saul. This is a good thing. It was a perfect character for him. I don’t picture him as the physical action figure, but more creative, intelligent guy living on the seams of society in that vague grey area between right and wrong. Still in the pivotal moment with these petty thieves, who are obviously not professionals, he makes a choice which he then later needs to correct using his own methods. This movie has a good pace. It comes to a resolution quickly, and is satisfying on that front. I can’t help but think that it has been done as a plot so many times before, and this one isn’t adding much to the genre. It is capable, and shows Odenkirk can do a role like this, and it was good to see Christopher Lloyd in a movie again, playing Hutch’s father. It’s a movie with a number of actors from top movies from back in the 1980s and 1990s who have all aged like the rest of us (like Michael Ironside). Apparently there is a Nobody 2 on the way. This was on Netflix, and filled some time, but was one of those movies that I was forgetting a day later what I had seen and what it was about. So I cannot recommend, but I won’t actively dissuade someone from watching either.
Love is Blind Season 6: The final 1.5 hour episode for this was released earlier this week with the remaining couples and the decision that they had about actually going to the alter. I will say that this has been a satisfying season with those involved. There of course is plenty of drama and flight attendant Chelsea doing her best to maintain her status as the most needy and dramatic of the group! Cliffhangers are provided at the end of epsiodes to keep one watching, but it’s about those couples remaining and whether you like them and cheer for them. On the docket is, as mentioned, the weddings at the altar.
There are some twists and turns to be sure. Choices are made for the sake of television, but more importantly for these people who are recognizing the weight of what they are looking to do. I will say that I was impressed by then parents in this show. They were able to love and support there children in what is a bizarre experiment before the whole world. They provided sage advice, since most of them were divorced and had the benefit of hindsight. I also feel that some of those involved were able to communicate very well in trying situations, notably Jimmy in his relationship with Chelsea. Many men can struggle with talking about their feelings and their reactions to the things that their partner does and says. I was impressed by the ability in their 20s to talk through things. As mind candy goes, this was a good season. It fills some time and can make an evening go by quickly. The success rate with all these relationship shows is extremely poor with marriages and children. But they will continue to make these so long as people want to watch and advertisers and subscribers want to pay.
Somebody Feed Phil: the new season for this Netflix series has been released, and I have enjoyed this in the past. As a foodie, I like to see the meals and the travel logs that Phil provides in his travels around the world to eat. The latest season I have watched actively Scotland, and also Washington DC episodes (DC a less useful effort than others he has done in my opinion with not enough focus on the food) but also Kyoto. I have really enjoyed these, and I have mirrored in the past his travel. Last year in Lisbon Phil provided great suggestions to add to the already amazing scenery in Lisbon and throughout Portugal. Each suggestion including and especially the Restaurante Ponto Final on a jetty on the water. Lovely and memorable!
I love too that he brings along his wife and kids as well. His wife Monica has such a joie de vive always smiling and adding to the laughs. His daughter, in the Scottish episode, reveals how she was a picky eater as a child but has grown and pushes herself to try new things. Phil does some touristy things along the way, some with more success than others. The rowing in Washington kind of went well, but the snorkelling in Iceland was not a success, which of course brings some laughs, which is the intention. Phil brings in local guides, and samples really amazing food in fun locations. When he eats, and he likes, his whole face and body light up! He obviously has a joy in eating and trying new things. I have reviewed episodes for places I have been to, but also watched for other unfamiliar locationss which can give me some travel ideas. I will continue to watch and encourage others to do so.
Mondays With Robbie 