Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep Movie Review: ****^ The Post (2017)

 This is a movie exploring the inner workings of the Washington Post and the decision to print the Pentagon Papers, secret documents that were stolen.  The documents disparaged the Viet Nam War pointing out that for some time the American government did not think the war winnable.  Howev er they kept on to avoid the embarrassment of losing the war.  Daniel Ellsburg (Matthew Rhys) stole the documents in an efort to end the war.  Ben Bagdikian (Bob Odenkirk) tracks down Ellsburg and gets the documents for the Post.  Bob Bradlee (Tom Hanks) directed the operation, including asking Bagdikian to pursue Ellsburg.  Kay Graham (Meryl Streep) is the publisher at the Post.  Her husband had the position before he passed away.  They take the documents to Bradlee's home rather than to the newspaper office for more security and a more peaceful place.  Bradlee's daughter sells lemonade and his wife (Sarah Paulson) becomes involved in the process.  

This movie is very intriguing as they are decided whether or not to publish or whether or not to wait on things.  Th government already has an injunction against the Nwq York Times about publishing.  Watching the struggle is very interesting.  In the end it is Graham who has to make the final decision.  She has to make the decision several times as more information comes to light.  

This movie was Oscar nominated for best picture and Meryl Streep for best actress.  Steven Spielberg directed.

Movie Review: *****A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)

 This is one of the best movies I have seen in a long time.  It should have won the Oscar for best picture. Tom Hanks is great as Mr. Rogers.  No, Tom Hanks is not exactly like Mr. Rogers, but he is close.  He does capture the essence and the humanity of Mr. Rogers.  The story is about a magazine writer, Lloyd Vogel (Matthew Rhys) assigned to do a story on Mr. Rogers.   The writer comes with his own flaws, estranged from his father (Chris Cooper) who is dying.  This estrangement leads to some problems between he and his wife (Susan Kelechi Watson).  They have a baby.   And Mr. Rogers helps him to deal with his anger, stop living in the past and be there for people.  Mr. Rogers wife is played by Tammy Blanchard and his manager by Enrico Colantoni.  They all do a very good job showing who Mr. Rogers was created.  They also play on the fame of Mr. Rogers, and his facility with giving complements.  His wife says that he actually practices this skill.  The manager is to help him not over extend, and also to help him get away from people.  

Such men as Fred Rogers are a treasure, and Tom Hanks captures that special trait.  

PBS TV Review: ****^Death Comes to Pemberly

 This is a tv miniseries presented on PBS Masterpiece.  There are three episodes.  It is very well done and captures the characters of the previouse PBS miniseries Pride and Prejudice but with all different actors.  Many times I was reminded of the original characters, their mannerisms and personalities, which was very gratifying as this presentation as a continuation of the characters.  The Darcys have a son, and the household is preparing for a ball.  However the preparations are halted after Lydia shows up the the estate in hysterics.  Her husband, and Denny went into the woods, and then two shots were hear, which spooked the horses and they were guided to Pemberly.  

A search party is formed and the discover that Denny has been murdered; and it looks like Wickham is the culprit.  Although Denny and Wickham are best friends.  Lydia was not invited to the ball, due to past issues with Wickham and Darcy's sister; but she came anyway thinking Darcy would not turn her away.

It is clear that Denny and Wickham were having an argument.  And Wickham first said he was responsible for Denny's death; but he insists he did not kill him.  He saw someone else in the woods and shot Denny's pistol in the general direction.  Wickham is arrested and held over for trial.

Other story incudes the courtship of Georgianna by Colonel Fitzwilliam, and the barrister Henry Alveston.  When the drams is at its worse, Eliza's sister Jane shows up to restore calm to Eliza.  She has a way of seeing good.  This story is well told.  It is based on a book by P.D. James.  It was published in 2011 when James was 91.  James is a mistery writer and there is the flavor of mystery and sleuthing in this book.

This story is very well told.  I like coming back to these characters.  The movie maintains their characters very well.

Anna Maxwell Martin as Elizabeth Darcy, Matthew Rhys as Fitzwilliam Darcy, Matthew Goode as George Wickham, Jenna Coleman as Lydia Wickham, Tom Ward as Colonel Fitzwilliam, Eleanor Tomlinson as Georgiana Darcy, Alexandra Moen as Jane Bingley and James Norton as Henry Alveston.