The Undoing (2020)

 

A brutal murder in Manhattan has psychologist Grace Fraser's life unraveling as her husband Jonathan is the prime suspect, and at times, so is she.  When Jonathan is finally apprehended, Grace uncovers a plethora of secrets he was hiding.  Thought by many to be a red herring (spoiler alert!) Jonathan did indeed kill his mistress and mother of his child.  My money was on Sylvia Steinetz.

Based on the 2014 novel You Should Have Known, The Undoing has proven to be one of HBO's powerhouse shows, surging higher in the ratings each week.  With the number of British actors cast, it makes you wonder why London wasn't chosen as the setting.  It would save the audience from suffering Nicole Kidman's attempt at an American accent as well as slip ups from several other cast members.  While it lacked in story, the miniseries was beautiful to look at.

The Undoing was filmed in Kingston, East Marion and New York, NY

Location: The Fraser Townhouse

Address: 8 E 63rd Street, New York, NY

Location: The Reardon School

Address: 75 E 93rd Street, New York, NY

This was one of the locations used for The Constance Billiard School For Girls/St. Jude School For Boys on Gossip Girl (2007-2012).

Location: The Alvarez Apartment

Address: 102 E 103rd Street, New York, NY

Location: Elena's Art Studio

Address: 181 Lenox Avenue, New York, NY

Location: Grace's Office

Address: 1107 Fifth Avenue, NY, NY

Location: Franklin Reinhardt's Condominium

Address: 1215 Fifth Avenue, NY, NY

Location: The Police Station

Address: 888 E 6th Street, NY, NY

Location: The Frick Collection

Address: 1 E 70th Street, New York, NY

Location: Donohue's Steak House

Address: 845 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY

Locations Visited: December 2020

Locations Master List

Cast Away (2000)

Fed Ex systems analyst Chuck Noland spends his days streamlining the delivery mogul's depots.  A work call tears him away from Christmas Eve dinner and onto a flight to Malaysia.  A major storm takes down the plane and Chuck washes ashore of an uncharted desert isle.  (Where's Rudolph when you need him?)  Chuck hones his survival skills mustering up food and shelter and passing the time with his friend Wilson.  Unable to stomach coconut water any longer (can you blame him?), he builds a raft to escape back to civilization.  

Watching seven castaways on a twenty-two minute episode of Gilligan's Island (1964-1967) is one thing, but I had reservations about seeing a 2+ hour drama about someone being stranded alone on an island.  I'm not sure too many actors could engage an audience for that scenario but Tom Hanks makes the short list.  He also proves weight loss is not impossible as he whittled away during the year-long filming hiatus.  The tribe, er, critics have spoken with mostly positive reviews and Hanks earned an Oscar nom for his captivating performance.

Canadian and Mobeetie, TX, Memphis, TN USA, Moscow, Russia and Monuriki, Fiji


Location: Kelly Frears' House
Address: 74 Devon Way, Memphis, TN

Location Visited: June 2020

Doubt (2008)

In 1964, Sister Aloysius rules the roost at St. Nicholas School in the The Bronx.  She is highly suspicious of Father Flynn and his interactions with student and altar boy Donald Miller.  Her concerns put Sister James on alert but falls on deaf ears with Donald's mother.  Sister Aloysius calls for Father Flynn's resignation, claiming to have contacted a his previous parish, who confirmed her suspicions, which is later revealed to having never taken place.  He is transferred to another parish and Sister Aloysius believes his resignation confirms his guilt, though she does have doubts.

I was curious to see the film after I missed the 2004 Tony Award-winning Broadway play and unlike Sister Aloysius, I had little doubt ;-) I'd enjoy this movie.  As this was parents' school experience, having attended Catholic school in The Bronx.  I later would have the same schooling during my elementary and high school days with the last vestiges of the nuns who ruled with an iron fist... and wooden rulers!  As an altar boy, I made it through unscathed even though I may have snuck a sip of wine and ate more than my share of unblessed hosts.  Doubt was highly praised upon release, particularly for its stellar cast.  All four lead actors received Academy Award nominations.  Meryl Streep alone has more Academy Award nominations than there are commandments!

Doubt was filmed in The Bronx and New York, NY

Location: Jimmy Hurley's Apartment Building
Address: 1512 Beach Avenue, Bronx, NY

Location: Jake's Candy Shop
Address: 1501 St. Lawrence Avenue, Bronx, NY

Location: St. Nicholas Church
Address: 838 E 165th Street, Bronx, NY  St. Augustine Presbyterian Church 

Location: St. Nicholas School
Address: 1750 Mansion Street, Bronx, NY  St. Anthony's Catholic School

Location: The Church Garden
Address: 487 Hudson Street, New York, NY  St. Luke in the Fields

The garden was not open when I stopped by, but I was able to grab a few shots from the sidewalk...

Locations Visited: January 2020

Locations Master List