Reviews

As usual, Ms Tyson brings it home in an amazing miniseries about the life of the incredible Ms. Harriet Tubman. It's a travesty Tyson wasn't nominated for an Emmy or Golden Globe award for her performance (at least I can't find that information anywhere). I highly recommend this film over the 2018 theatrical film HARRIET. While that film is good, this one is grittier and more realistic. Cynthia Erivo gives an amazing performance (Oscar nominated) in that film as well. Check this one out first though.

Love this small screen biopic of singer\actress Natalie Cole. Considering this was a television film, the production values are very good. All of the leads, Natalie Cole, Diahann Carroll and Theresa Randall do an excellent job here. Carroll embodies the "coldness" of Maria Cole. Randall made me forget I was watching an actress. And of course Natalie kills it as herself (lol). Robert Townsend does the directing duties here. And the use of Natalie's real music helps the authenticity of the film, not to mention she's telling her own story as well. Overall, just a good movie.

I just caught this film on TUBI (an excellent free streaming service). I'd never heard of this film. The cast, Lauren Bacall Richard Chamberlain and Mare Winningham, is what got my attention. They were all amazing here. The story, about tobacco heiress Doris Duke, was very well made. The acting, direction, and writing were all top notch. The miniseries, shown on CBS in 1999, holds up well in 2021. It's a sad tale, covering Ms. Duke's turbulent life: her relationship with her mother and father, her marriages, her adoption, and her relationship with her butler. Though I believe many liberties were taken with the script, this was very well written. The leads do a very good coveting Ms Duke and her butler Bernard. You route for Ms. Duke, and you hate the scheming Bernard. All and all, a very good 2 part miniseries. Thanks TUBI for making these old TV movies available.