ThurzdayNext

When Mickey and his parents move back to the U. S., they endure a trauma that tears them apart. Starting life anew in his father's hometown, Mickey gets the feeling that all is not as it seems. Mysterious people abound, a new girl he likes disappears, and "Bat lady" who lives in a haunted house knows all about his father. Can Mickey find out what's going on and save his missing friend before it's too late?

Despite a surprising amount of cursing, this series is very funny and comes complete with endearing characters. Mickey's friends are sweet souls who will do anything for him, and vice versa.

Enjoy!

I have to wonder at all the one and three star reviews. I agree with the reviewer who said not to trust any reviewers who watched just one episode. All Rise is a show starring an ethnically diverse cast, all of whom are fine actors. The lead actor is a Black actress, and that makes for a nice change. Simone Missick is excellent as judge Carmichael, a judge who works hard to see justice served, and shows compassion for the people in her courtroom. Her friendship with Mark Callan is heartening, as is her relationship with her partner, even though he appears infrequently.

It's worth your time.

I was so impressed by this documentary. It's unusual that one would be made about someone so young, and as mentioned often, a girl who boxes. The documentarians give it a light touch. They let Claressa and her couch (a surrogate father) tell their story of struggle and success. For Claressa, who grew up with several younger sisters, a single mother who is loving when sober, mean and physically abusive when drunk, making something of herself and taking care of her family are her only two goals in life. The camera follows Claressa everywhere. The film opens with a shot of her, brow furrowed, face, deep in thought, and a crew of reporters puzzled by her demeanor since she'd just won a match. Claressa is upset because even though she won, she'd gotten her lowest scores ever, and she simply couldn't understand why they weren't higher. You immediately see that she is sensitive, thoughtful, and very, very smart.

The film follows Claressa on her quest to become an Olympian at the 2012 London Olympics. First, she travels to China, where she must fight in order to qualify. Opportunity is welcome but presents challenges, as well.

Claressa is from Flint, Michigan, the city known as the place the American government disdainfully forgot. Where children became deathly ill from drinking tap water. You begin to understand the urgency behind Claressa's drive to win.

I won't tell you the ending, but this is certainly worth your time.