If You Like Documentaries...Part 2 (2026)

[I review the Martin Short documentary, "Marty, Life is Short" as well as "The Crash," #1 on Netflix right now and "Man on the Run," all about Paul McCartney and Wings)

Marty, Life is Short (2026)

Martin Short is one of the funniest men on the planet but his life has not been funny.

Yes, Martin, or let's call him Marty, has had a great career in sketch comedy, creating some of the funniest characters both on SCTV and "Saturday Night Live" - Ed Grimley, Jiminy Glick - but he is also a movie star - "Three Amigos," "Father of the Bride" -  and is currently enjoying success with the Hulu series "Only Murders in the Building." He also has two Primetime Emmy Awards, two Actor Awards and a Tony under his belt and was made an officer of the Order of Canada in 2019.  Oh, you didn't know he was Canadian?

But Marty's personal life has not been as fortunate.  He lost his older brother and both of his parents by the time he was 20 and lost his wife of 38 years, Nancy Dolman, a talented actress/singer in her own right, to whom Marty was devoted, in 2010.

The youngest of five children, Marty grew up in Hamilton, Ontario.  His father was a corporate executive for a Canadian steel company and hailed from Ireland.  His mother was Canadian and the concertmistress for the Hamilton Symphony Orchestra. "People were funny in my family." So says Marty.  But sadly, both parents died within two years of each other and Marty's older brother was killed in an accident. 

Before graduating from college (he eventually did), Marty moved to Toronto to try his hand at acting and eventually was cast in a production of "Godspell" where he worked with Victor Garber, Gilda Radner, Eugene Levy, Dave Thomas, Andrea Martin, Catherine O'Hara and Paul Shaffer, who would all play significant roles in Marty's career, and many of whom, along with Marty, would eventually become a part of Toronto's version of Second City, then the Canadian sketch comedy show SCTV and eventually "Saturday Night Live." The rest is comedy history. 

Marty also met his soon-to-be wife, Nancy, during that production of "Godspell," and some might say she was the biggest influence on his life and her presence is felt through this film.

This is an intimate look at Martin Short's life and career. Home movies and some of Marty's best comedy bits abound as well as interviews with his fellow comedians, including the late Catherine O'Hara, who was a significant influence on Marty (the documentary is dedicated to her) and Steve Martin, who has a special bond with Marty and, can I say, doesn't look a bit different from how he looked 30 years ago?!

Marty didn't want to do this documentary, but his good friend, director Lawrence Kasdan ("The Big Chill," "Body Heat"), wanted to do it and direct it, so Marty relented, and I am so glad he did because this is not just about the facts of Marty's life and his many character and comedy moments, it is a highly inspirational journey that you don't want to miss. It's a joyful journey.  Despite the many tragedies in Marty's life, he chose to focus on joy.

Rosy the Reviewer says...this is not your dry facts of a life documentary.  This is an intimate, poignant and inspirational look inside the life and career of, not just a wonderful comedian, but a wonderful husband, father and overall good guy. It was so inspirational and joyful, in fact, that, I must sayyy, I cried a little. And I must sayyy, it's a must see film! (Netflix)

The Crash (2026)

A seventeen-year-old crashes her car into a brick wall at 100 miles per hour, killing her boyfriend and his friend.  Was it an accident or murder?

On July 31, 2022 Mackenzie Shirilla crashed her vehicle into a brick wall in Strongsville, Ohio, killing her boyfriend, Dominic Russo and their friend, Davion Flanagan. Shirilla was a wannabe TikTok influencer, and she and her boyfriend, Dominic, lived together at his parents' house.  They had been together since he was 16 and she was 13.  Davion was a student athlete and part of their large friend group.  

Russo and Flanagan were pronounced dead at the scene while Mackenzie was taken to the hospital seriously injured.  The police initially thought the crash was an accident but an examination of the vehicle deemed it in good working condition and the onboard computer system indicated the accelerator was being pressed at the time of the crash. And it didn't help that the couple had frequent conflicts with Shirilla dominating and threatening Dominic whenever he tried to break up with her. So Shirilla was arrested and tried for murder. And Shirilla doesn't come off well in home movies and social media as she struts around, smokes weed and flips off the camera, but does that make her a murderer?

Though Shirilla was convicted of murder and is currently serving time at the Ohio Reformatory for Women, she has vehemently denied that she murdered her friends, that she does not remember that night and there is a bit of a twist regarding her lack of memory. Her parents and other supporters are also vehement that it was an accident. 

Directed by Gareth Johnson, this documentary is currently the #1 most viewed movie on Netflix and shows footage of the grizzly crash, covers her trial and interviews Shirilla in prison as well as family, friends, supporters and doubters, and leaves it up to the viewer as to whether or not justice was served in this case. 

Rosy the Reviwer says...accident ot murder? You decide. (Netflix)

Man on the Run (2025)

What's a Beatle to do when he is no longer a Beatle?  Well, he reinvents himself.

Contrary to popular opinion, according to Paul, he wasn't the one who broke up The Beatles.  It was John!  However, if you are a hard-core Beatlemaniac, there might not be any real revelations here, but this is an engaging retelling of rock and roll history as Sir Paul himself recounts trying to reimagine his life as an ex-Beatle and coming up with the idea of Wings and what happened after. 

After the Beatles broke up, Paul worried that he wouldn't be able to write again, and according to him, he got into Scotch and drinking too much.  But then along came Linda, who Paul attributes to saving him.  I think Linda always got a bad rap. She was criticized for being American, for being in the band (Paul wanted her there), she couldn't sing, she couldn't play an instrument, yada, yada, yada...but think about it.  She gave up her career as a photographer, lived on a remote farm in Scotland, had four kids and went on the road with Paul, so I am thinking she was probably one of the best things that ever happened to Paul and to his credit, he gives her credit.

Putting Wings together was not easy.  Paul likens it to the movie "Spinal Tap." When he was interviewed by the press he was asked- "Are you too old for rock and roll?"  Paul was 33.  But he was not deterred.  In fact, Paul was the ultimate performer and unleashed himself in Wings. And then Wings played their last concert December 29, 1979 and Paul had to reinvent himself again.  And he did...as Paul McCartney.  His solo career began and the rest is rock history.

The film was directed by Morgan Neville, and McCartney fans will eat up the ’70s home videos, unseen archival footage, performances, and off-camera interviews with family and band members, plus some insightful voiceovers from Chrissie Hynde, Mick Jagger and Sean Ono Lennon (Paul and John made up before John's death), but it's the insights from Paul himself that are intimate and fascinating.

Rosy the Reviewer says...as a young girl, I thought I was going to marry Paul.  I learned so did every other young girl, including Oprah.  So, yes, I ate this up and so will you. (Amazon Prime)

See You Next Time!

If you enjoyed this post, feel free to like it and share it on Facebook, X, or other sites; email it to your friends and/or follow me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/rosythereviewer where I share short reviews about TV shows I am watching, books I am reading and all sorts of other fun stuff that doesn't appear here!

And next time you are wondering whether or not to watch a particular film, check out my reviews on IMDB (The International Movie Database). Go to IMDB.com, find the movie you are interested in.  Scroll over to the right of the synopsis to where it says "Critics Reviews" - Click on that and if I have reviewed that film, you will find Rosy the Reviewer alphabetically on the list (NOTE:  IMDB keeps moving stuff around so if you don't find "Critics Reviews" where I am sending you, look around.  It's worth it)!

The Week in Reviews: Films, Books, Fashion and Fun

[I review movies "World War Z," "Fill the Void," "The Great Gatsby," the Martin Short concert, share a couple of good books and dole out fashion tips.]

**Films**

World War Z (2013)

I have three questions about this movie:

1.  If zombies are the living dead, how come we can shoot and kill them?  Aren't they already dead?
2.  Why do zombies bite people i.e. non-zombies?  Why do they want to turn people into zombies?   What's it to them?
3.  Why did Brad Pitt agree to star in this mess?

Rosy the Reviewer says...the beginning was very intense, but the film became laughable as it went on.  On those grounds alone, though, it could become a cult classic.  But Brad Pitt is one fine looking man.





Fill the Void (2012)

A young Hasidic Jewish woman is pressured into an arranged marriage in this small but compelling Israeli film.  Yadas Haron's performance is exquisite.

Rosy the Reviewer says...an uncritical and rare glimpse inside an ultra-conservative religious group filmed by an adherent of that group.  Fascinating.

The Great Gatsby (2013)

Speaking of fine looking men, Leonardo DiCaprio is one, and I don't think he has yet gotten the acting recognition he deserves.  I was expecting to not like this film as I find Baz Luhrmann a bit over the top as a director, but I really, really liked it.  There have been many attempts to film "The Great Gatsby" and my daughter's theory is that the book doesn't translate well into a movie because the book's strength lies in Fitzgerald's beautiful prose, but I was totally captivated by this film.  I don't think the critics agreed, but this film is definitely worth seeing.  All locations were in Australia.  Could have fooled me.  I thought it really was East and West Egg.

Rosy the Reviewer says...A colorful, poignant take on a literary classic, but I could have done without the modern soundtrack.  Highly recommended.





Mud (2012)

Two young boys befriend a fugitive.  Don't like movies with kids as the main characters and don't like Mathew McConaughey, especially with fake teeth.

Rosy the Reviewer says...if you like movies starring kids and Matthew McConaughey, you might like this but don't expect him to look hunky here.  He doesn't.





Wizard of Oz in 3D

What a fun way to spend an afternoon. 

Went to see "The Wizard of Oz" in 3D and on Imax and what a treat it was. 

It brought back many memories.  My Dad bought me the 78 records of the movie and I don't mean just the soundtrack, it was the entire movie.  As I watched the film I realized I knew every word of the script and songs!  I also remembered that when I first saw the film, we went over to my grandparent's house to watch it because they had a color TV and we didn't.  When the movie started, I cried because the movie was in black and white.  I thought something had gone wrong with their television.  I haven't seen a feature film in 3D before and I am a believer.  I just wish I hadn't seen the preview for the new 3D Hobbit movie (which I am definitely going to see now), before Wizard came on.  It just can't compete with the modern effects, but it still has some surprises.

I was wishing I could take my grandson to this, but as I thought about it, I wondered if the classic films like this can compete with the Disney films like "Cars," my little grandson's favorite film and one he is an authority on.  The classic films move at a slower pace than many of the current offerings aimed at children, even with the added 3D effects.

Here is what went into converting the film to 3D.

Any classic films you think would benefit from the 3D makeover?

  

Rosy the Reviewer says...if you have little ones, take them to this.  Or if you just want to have some happy memories, take yourself. 

Just for fun, here are some "Wizard of Oz" factoids (thanks to IMDB):

• The horses in Emerald City palace were colored with Jell-O crystals. The relevant scenes had to be shot quickly, before the horses started to lick it off.
• Many of the Wicked Witch of the West's scenes were either trimmed or deleted entirely, as Margaret Hamilton's performance was thought too frightening for audiences.
• The ruby slippers were silver (like in the book) until MGM chief Louis B. Mayer realized that the Technicolor production would benefit from the slippers being colored.
• The famous "Surrender Dorothy" sky writing scene was done using a tank of water and a tiny model witch attached to the end of a long hypodermic needle. The syringe was filled with milk, the tip of the needle was put into the tank and the words were written in reverse while being filmed from below. (We've come a long way with special effects)!
• During the "Wash and Brush Up Co." scene in the Emerald city, the lyrics "We can make a dimpled smile out of a frown/Can you even dye my eyes to match my gown" are sung in counterpoint to the orchestra playing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow." 
• In 2007, the American Film Institute ranked this as the #10 Greatest Movie of All Time. 

For more trivia, click here.

And if you are a Pink Floyd fan, you will enjoy the coincidences between the film and their "Dark Side of the Moon" album, which can also be found on that trivia link.  It's really quite amazing considering the band denies any connection.

**Concerts**

Martin Short at the Paramount

He was all over the place - he sang, he told stories, he was Jiminy Glick and Ed Grimley and it was hilarious.  I can't imagine anything scarier than doing a one-man show - up there all alone on the stage - but he pulled it off, 90 minutes of Martin Short hilarity.  Hard to believe he is 63.  He moves around the stage like a young man.

Rosy the Reviewer says...If he comes to your town, go see him.  You will have a wonderful night.

And did I tell you I have my tickets to see Cher?



Well I do!

**Books**

The Astor Orphan  (2013) by Alexandra Aldrich

A memoir by an ancestor of John Jacob Astor, one of the richest men of the earliest 20th century, except she was a poor relation.  I like to read about rich folks but this one misses the mark.  Doesn't really shed much light on this dynasty.

Rosy the Reviewer says...Kind of a bore.  Not enough stuff about rich people.  You can skip this one.

The Girl: Life in the Shadow of Roman Polanski (2013)  by Samantha Geimer

Here is the "real story" of the infamous rape case involving Roman Polanski and an underage girl and why he left the U.S. never to return. 

Rosy the Reviewer says...This won't win any writing awards, but it's a compelling story  with a twist in that "the girl" feels Polanski got a bum rap.

**Fashion**

According to Harper's Bazaar, there are 10 key buys for fall. 

Mmmmm...I wonder how my wardrobe measures up?

Ankle boots - check

Soft cuddly oversized clutch -

   Does a koala backpack count?

Turtleneck

   I already have one of those.  It's called my neck.

Tulip skirt

   Yeah, but I may never wear a skirt again

Hand held bag

   Nope but does a gym bag count?

White coat

   Not a chance.  That's all I need.  I would look like Frosty the Snowman

White pant

   Yes, but, hey, it's after Labor Day.  I thought those were a no-no

Motorcycle jacket

   Sigh.  Yes.  I just need a motorcycle and someplace to wear it

Chelsea boot

   In case you don't know what a Chelsea boot is (I didn't) it's a "low flat jodhpur style boot," if that helps - "the ultimate work to week-end shoe."  Since most of my days are weekends, not sure if I need this

  

Over-the-knee boots

   Yes, but I can no longer pull them over my knees.

Just for fun, I thought I would add Sofia Vergara's "Must Haves," from the same Harper's Bazaar issue, but she lost me at the Van Cleef and Arpels necklace.

Other tips:

Mixing prints is a hot trend for fall. 

The key is to keep everything in the same color palette.  Here is my attempt.  A Nordstrom saleswoman complimented me so I must be on the right track. 

And the double chin in this picture is an optical illusion.

And smoking slippers are also hot. 

These are not slippers in the "hang around the house" sense.  These are meant to be seen!

 What are your fall fashion tips?

Well, that's it for this week.

See you next week when I will share 25 things you don't know about me.  I just know you can't wait!

Until then, I wish you much happiness!

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