TV Snide: For November 2020

A Hard Day's Night (HBO): It had been a looong time since I saw this, the best of the Beatles films. It's no wonder they are timeless. Their energy, humor, and likeability are far more than enough to mesmerize a viewer for 90 minutes. Not to mention the wack-ball supporting cast. 5 out of 5 stars

The Go-Gos (Showtime): Belinda Carlisle and gang are, like many other rock bands, well worthy of the full documentary treatment. Their story is one embedded in the L.A. late 70s and early 80s punk scene, with the fascinating ups and downs of crossing over into the pop mainstream. 4.5 out of 5 stars

Borat 2 (Amazon Prime): This provides more damning evidence about how incredibly stupid and anti-fact many people across the U.S. remain. How Borat wiggles his way into these people's lives (pretty easily it turns out, whether they are local yokels or the vice president and president's lawyer) is worth the price of the ticket alone. Add to that the belly-laughing comedy of it all and this is one of the year's can't-miss releases. Almost as good as the first Borat. 4.5 out of 5 stars.

High Fidelity (Hulu): I went ahead and watched the first season even though its cancellation will mean no season 2. Any music geek like myself would do so. Zoe Kravitz is great and intentionally unlikeable in a show with a very high bar set by John Cusack and Nick Hornsby. 3.5 out of 5 stars. 

My Sister's Sister (Showtime): Emily Blunt and Mark Duplass are always great, and you have to pull for them in this indie rom-com that goes fairly deep emotionally while remaining light and good-hearted. 3.5 out of 5 stars.