NETFLIX

LEO
* * * *
(Animated Cartoon)

Adam Sandler is the creator and the voice of the title character, a lizard who shares his fifth grade classroom aquarium home with a turtle.

Leo and his pal observe the kids and the teacher and make funny observations and comments on their behavior.

Every weekend she sends Leo home with a student. He surprises the kid by talking to him, becoming his friend, and giving him/her some solid advice about growing up, improving him/herself, and finding someone to talk with.

Sandler uses a few songs filled with good messages, motivating the students to do better. The kids respond by winning an award, which the teacher gets credit for.

When Leo ends up in the Everglades the action kicks in, leading to an ending that will satisfy both kids and adults.

This is a true family movie, with a message to kids to find their Leo and talk to him/her.

Sit the family down after dinner and watch it together.

SKIN GAME
*
(Boring Rip-Off)

Netflix usually gets it right, but they bombed on this one.

After the success of the fictional “Skin Game”, where contestants played children’s games with a twist to the death, we have a real-life Skin Game, where contestants play for money.

The series spends too much time interviewing the contestants, filming them between games, and showing coalitions being formed.

The tension is gone because there is no danger. If they lose, they just go home.

I watched three episodes and quit. I don’t know and don’t care who won.

LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND
* * *
(Apocalypse Time)

Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke play Amanda and Clay, a busy New York City married couple who take their kids across the river for a brief vacation at an upscale rural rental house.

They spend the day at the beach, where a huge oil tanker beaches itself.

They settle in for the night when the doorbell rings and the homeowner (Mahershala Ali) and his daughter present themselves, asking to stay overnight. It is a stormy night, the internet and phone have gone out, and strange things are happening in the city.

Amanda and Clay are suspicious, especially Amanda.