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"Anora"
Romantic Comedy/Drama
HULU (also available to rent on other streaming services)
Movie
Should You Watch? No
I sometimes wonder how certain movies get so much award-winning buzz, and when they do, my expectations are so much higher when I watch them. "Anora" is one of those movies. Not a horrible film, but not a film that makes me go around telling everyone to watch it either.
Anora (Mikey Madison) is a stripper who happens to be in the right place at the right time, or so she thinks. She meets the son of a wealthy Russian oligarch and believes her time has come, until his parents find out.
Had Anora been a smarter young woman, she could have played her cards more correctly in the predicament she got herself into. Unfortunately, she folds to the pressure much too soon.
One of my main complaints on this movie is a few scenes get drawn out, making for a longer running time.
Is "Anora" a bad movie and was it worth all the award buzz it received? No. You can watch it though and not be severely disappointed.
Note that this is not appropriate for children.
"American Primeval"
Western Drama/Violence
Streaming on Netflix
One Season — Limited Series
Should You Watch? Yes
It seems with the popularity of the "Yellowstone" franchise that there’s a lot more shows trying to duplicate its success.
"American Primeval" is one of the few (outside of the "Yellowstone" franchise) that have kept my attention. The series follows the conflict between Mormons, settlers, Native Americans, bounty hunters and the U.S. Army. Watch as each character's story intertwines with the others as the show progresses in this very violent and gruesome portrayal of people settling into the Utah Territory in 1857.
With only six episodes lasting about an hour each, you will want to rush through to see what happens next and how each group will either perish or prevail in their endeavors.
"Cobra Kai"
Drama/Action/Comedy
Streaming on Netflix
Six Seasons
Should You Watch? Yes
I cannot say enough great things about "Cobra Kai"! This series has surpassed my expectations, and every season was wonderfully done. One of the best things about "Cobra Kai" is you don’t necessarily have to know the movie franchise, although it helps. It’s great for parents to watch with their kids. Children may be more than likely to go back to watch the movies if they are not familiar with them too.
Before starting "Cobra Kai," you’re probably thinking the main character of the show would be Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) from the movies, but I feel it’s the antagonist (or is he) Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka).
The series really plays devil's advocate as Daniel and Johnny repeatedly clash in the present as they rehash their past. The writers really do a great job of making the viewer wonder had that happened, would this have happened? Did the good guy ruin the other person's life because of their actions?
The kids in the show have their own ordeals to sort out as well, as each karate dojo clashes with the other in large-scale karate fighting scenes.
"Cobra Kai" brings back so many other great characters from the movie franchises, which leads to our two dueling dojo senseis having to team up and put their differences aside to face even greater evils.
Lastly, being an '80s child, I thoroughly enjoyed the music and how both Daniel and Johnny stay true to their genre throughout the six seasons of the series.
A must-watch for the whole family. I’m here for a seventh season too if Netflix decides to bring it back.
View previous Should You Watch? now:
May 2025 - Enlighted, Loudermilk and Running Point.
