The Boroughs: This 8-part series has been released on Netflix. It is from the Duff Brothers who have previously brought us the ever popular Stranger Things. Rather than being set in 1980s small town with high school students, this tale is set in New Mexico at a retirement community with 70-something actors who are living within it. Starring Alfred Molina (73), Geena Davis (70), Bill Pullman (72) and Alfre Woodard (73) as the older residents it is a creepy story and mystery that these aging stars look to figure out. Episode 1 has Molina, playing Sam Cooper a retired aeronautical engineer being driven to the Boroughs community by his daughter (played by Jenna Malone) and her husband and children. He can’t drive. We learn that his wife selected this community, but before they moved in she passed away from a stroke. It haunts Sam throughout.

I admit that I like this more than I thought that I would. It helped that Alison texted that she was on the last episode and she had enjoyed it. It’s not to say that I don’t have a mind of my own about what I watch, but it is a good endorsement from her. I am a little uncomfortable watching actors who I have known many years playing people in a retirement community when they aren’t that much older than me. Let’s put it this way, they are closer to me in age than I am to 40yo! That is a scary prospect. Still I don’t need to see a 70yo looking to have sex on camera, just sayin’. There is plenty of nostalgia here, with references to Geena Davis in her Thelma and Louise or some references to Coccoon where the aliens provide a life burst for the elderly citizens. What does work is how the characters have more full stories, and have interactions with others that we learn over time. The older people use their life skills to assist in sorting through this colllective problem, whether it be engineering, medical or others. Sure the Head of Security is appropriately creepy as there have to be villains and they’re really not to difficult to spot. I don’t want to give much more away because there are some surprises along the way and it adds to the enjoyment. Things develop and create more intrigue as we learn more about the situation in this community. There is more to all of this than simply a “monster in the walls” as was brought forward early on. Throughout I was wondering what is the motivation of those involved and what is the bigger story. This kept me entertained, and although I could have done without the final stages of it as it was just a little too clean from my standpoint. The truth is that none of us get out of this life alive. Some are just lucky enough to be given longer times than others. Despite love and other motivations, there becomes a time when taking advantage of others (in particular without their knowledge and consent) is something that just doesn’t work well.

Pressure: This true story film starring Andrew Scott, Brendan Fraser, Damian Lewis and Kerry Condon addresses the crucial few days before the Normandy D-Day invasion, operation Overlord and the task of the leaders to agree upon a day. Andrew Scott plays UK/Scotsman James Stagg who is the Allied Forces Chief Meteorologist. He is newly appointed at the recommendation of Winston Churchill and leaves his very pregnant wife behind to work at Southwick House. There he finds the reliable US weatherman friend of Commander Eisenhower Irving Krick played by Chris Messina. Fraser plays Eisenhower. Damian Lewis plays zealous British General Montgomery and Kerry Condon plays Eisenhower’s wartime secretary. Plans have been worked on for months, along with deceptive activities to keep the Nazis guessing about the location for any land invasion into Europe. Thousands of soldiers are ready, planes set for support and an armada of ships ready to invade. The moon phase and the tides have all been taken into account. The last real question left is the unpredictable weather. Northern Europe in June can be very unpredictable with ever changing weather. Eisenhower just wants an answer on whether to go or not. His generals all have their own talking points for recipes for success (waves on sea and clouds above). The story begins with a near impossible request to forecast out 2-3 days in advance. What doesn’t help for Stagg, is his American counterpart Krick who relies on historical weather charts to predict future weather (like June 5th 1925). The tension builds.

History quickly tells you what happened back in 1944. The drama shows the stresses exacted on the participants where thousands of lives are at stake, not including the success of the war effort. A failure can mean many more long months of looking to re-invade the continent. The Germans failure of defeating Britain in the Battle of Britain, and their struggles against the Russians meant that the war was not trending in their direction at this point anyway. But this was a crucial operation.

I enjoyed this movie. I liked seeing the thinking process for James Stagg as he needed to provided a data driven prediction to allow the generals to make their decisions to proceed along with reasoning for his forecast which he sees as being unpopular in this audience. The secondary date for optimal moon and tide presence was June 18th, and this was universally unacceptable for the secrecy of the location. It also would not do for the thousands of troops standing at the ready. I do think that the casting of Brendan Fraser as Eisenhower and Damian Lewis as Montgomery were mistakes. Yes, they have some star power but neither looks much like the men they are playing.

Physically Eisenhower was not a heavyset man, unlike Fraser as he was filmed for this. For Eisenhower too I also don’t believe that the address to the troops made June 6th by radio was him yelling into a microphone. Rather I would suspect that there would be a quiet confidence that he would portray to his men as they undertake a perilous mission. Montgomery as played by Lewis physically bigger (Lewis much larger) but he comes across as fixated on his troops being capable of anything, even without naval and air support. He rants about there being one and only date and nothing else is acceptable. In truth, as is pointed out, if the wave swell is too high, there won’t be any troops to be landing on the beaches to fight. Further, a low ceiling/clouds would take away the necessary air support to assist in the landings along with paratroopers working from behind. Montgomery was a smart general and would know all of this.

Andrew Scott is always excellent in his roles, and he shows well as a serious professional realizing the gravity of what he is doing. All of this despite personal circumstances that would distract even the most focused person. There is a scene at the church before the invasion that shows his struggles with the weight of the advice he has provided. I do think that a general should likely focus more on the associated risks, and in human terms how many of his troops he could stand to lose given options of his choices. Kondon plays an important role as a go-between for the Commander and these men who have a tremendous impact on his decision. Kondon notes how an earlier shown practice of the invasion went so horribly wrong (Exercise Tiger) and the impact it had on Eisenhower. She and Eisenhower are close and he relies on her for insight into those under his command.

This is a topic that I am most passionate about, and I have visited the Normany beaches twice. If you have the chance, go visit as it is a stunning place which emanates historic importance.