Too much heavy stuff going on in the world, so I tend to look for lighthearted movies in the evening.

I do not like slapstick or physical comedy.  Network TV after the news is the Kraft American Cheese of content...the lowest common denominator.  

Found a couple this week that are light, subtle comedies, bordering on RomCom.
Neither are new and we've seen them both before over the years (but fortunately forgot most of the plot lines...happens at our age).

The Intern, with Robert DeNiro was the opposite of the normal tough guy personna for him.  With Ann Hathaway and a solid cast.
And last night, we watched La Dolce Villa again.  Not a huge name cast (mostly very good Italian actors), but a solidly light movie.  Maia Reficco (who?) as the daughter is cute as a bug and Violante Placido (who?) as the mayor are notable.  The trophy wife and I have been to Italy and want to go back and visit friends, so this kinda warm memories. 

Gotten through a couple episodes of The Waterfront (thanks for the tip), but it's a bit dark for these times.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/4555...j-mccarthy

Zygi and Mark have the guys in KOC and KAM that they've always wanted for the franchise. If the Vikings can hit on JJ McCarthy, we are going to see a long and tortured road come to its final mile with a Superbowl trophy at long last somewhere in the near future. The ownership is outstanding.

I keep reading 'Superbowl roster' from analysts and some members of the board for the Vikings this year. Improved roster? Yes. Shored up some weak spots? Definitely. Loved this offseason, moving in the right direction. But raise your hand if you can see Minnesota beating Detroit, the Rams or Philly.....because I can't. How can the #4 seed in the NFC be considered a Superbowl team? I think its a legit question.

We'll keep McCarthy out of this as he's obviously the biggest variable to the team's success or lack thereof. For me otherwise, the biggest would be the offensive line not gelling or living up to the hype. I really, really like what they've done on paper. Love it actually. I've said as much since it all came together in free agency and the Draft. When Minnesota took Jackson with their first pick, I was like 'they get it. They really get it now...they are serious'. But Darrisaw is returning from injury (when?), Fries has yet to practice because of his recovery from a broken tibia and more than likely a rookie will be starting at OG. They need all the TC reps to get ready for the season. 

It seems like everyone is SO sure that this is a top 5 offensive line now and I have to see it first despite being very optimistic about it mostly. Its just this nagging kind of uncertainty for me.

Forget about what I think about MAGA, this hat looks ridiculous in this setting. Maybe if he were out fishing or golfing...

Looks like the big question mark for Minnesota is at QB.  No surprise, there.  The rest of our roster is pretty darn solid and they notate that. 
From Pro Football Talk this morning.
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1. Eagles: The rich get richer. And a new dynasty could be emerging.

2. Chiefs: A Super Bowl loss will only make the Chiefs more determined to get another Super Bowl win.

3. Bills: The window is still wide open, but the Chiefs are still blocking full daylight.

4. Ravens: The window is still wide open, but the Bills and Chiefs are still blocking full daylight.

5. Lions: This year, the regular season will be harder. Which could make them better prepared for the playoffs.

6. Commanders: Have they done enough to close the gap with the Eagles?

7. Rams: A favorable schedule could put them in play for the No. 1 seed.

8. Texans: After two straight appearances in the final eight, they opted to make major changes in an effort to go farther.

9. Buccaneers: Arguably the most underrated team in the entire league, they have the talent to compete with anyone.

10. Broncos: Combining a Sean Payton offense with an improved defense could make things very interesting in the AFC West.

11. Packers: With a new CEO taking over, the pressure could slowly be building on the quarterback, the coach, and the General Manager.

12. Vikings: A proven roster with an unproven quarterback could make for a rollercoaster of a season.

13. 49ers: Don’t be surprised if they rebound all the way to the NFC Championship, and possibly beyond.

14. Bengals: The front office continues to keep the team from being everything it can be.

15. Chargers: In most other divisions, they’d be the favorites to win it.

16. Steelers: They’re going to skew one way, or the other.

17. Bears: The expectations are high again. Can they live up to them?

18. Seahawks: The Geno-for-Darnold swap was a bold one.

19. Cowboys: If they gave out Super Bowls for mismanaging the contracts of key players, they’d have more trophies than anyone.

20. Cardinals: There’s a quiet vibe that they might be ready to contend. They’ll have to prove it on the field.

21. Patriots: It’s not crazy to think they can vault to the playoffs.

22. Jets: Even if Aaron Glenn can pull off a Lions-style culture change, it will take a little time.

23. Falcons: Michael Penix Jr. looked good in limited work last year. What will he do as the full-time starter?

24. Colts: Will the Daniel Jones era be a one-year thing, or a new beginning for him and the Colts?

25. Panthers: It’s a huge year for Bryce Young.

26. Titans: Cam Ward could be the guy they need. If so, they’ll rocket up this list once the games start.

27. Raiders: They’re stuck behind three playoff teams in their division — and each of them look like they’re ready to get there again.

28. Jaguars: Can Trevor Lawrence get back to what it once looked like he was becoming?

29. Dolphins: What have they done to get better than they were in 2024?

30. Giants: If the Giants got it right with Jaxson Dart, he should be able to win the Week 1 starting job.

31. Saints: Tyler Shough will need to be the real deal in order to keep them from being in position to have their pick of next year’s quarterback crop.

32. Browns: It’s almost like they try to come up with new ways to be dysfunctional.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/4555...-treatment

"And while the importance of the surveys varies from team to team, some teams, like the Minnesota Vikings, believe the NFLPA survey -- and particularly the assessments of how the team treats families -- has been key to the back-to-back monster free agent classes they signed in 2024 and 2025.

Falcons offensive lineman Chris Lindstrom, who is an NFLPA player rep, said before the report cards were done -- the first was published in 2023 -- when players were going through the free agency process, they had to try to call around to other players they knew to get a feel for the pros and cons of each franchise.

"The survey has had a major impact," 2025 Vikings free agent signing Ryan Kelly said. "Because you're a guy looking for a new home, you've got kids, you have a family. It's like, 'what's the treatment like?' If you treat my family well, I'm going to be happier as a person, I'm going to be happier as a player, I'm going to be in a better mood, and we'll probably have more success."

Kelly spent his first nine seasons with the Colts, a team that was middle-of-the-pack with a B-minus ranking for treatment of families in the most recent survey.

And although it is early in his Vikings career, it didn't take Kelly long to feel like the survey results he had seen were accurate.

"Being only there for a little over 24 hours [to sign his FA contract], we felt that as my entire family was there," Kelly said. "It didn't matter if it was my mom or my dad or my kids or a nanny, everybody felt the love and that goes to show you it's a special place."

Where would KC have a chance to be traded and vie for a starting position? 

Thats not that apparent to me w/out some kind of injury? 

NO and CLE look the weakest to me. Hell, NO may be worst team in league and #1 for Arch sweepstakes..

Looks to me like Kirk is destined to stay in ATL this season...

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Baltimore Ravens Lamar Jackson
Buffalo Bills Josh Allen
Cincinnati Bengals Joe Burrow
Cleveland Browns Joe Flacco/Kenny Pickett/Deshaun Watson/Shedeur Sanders
Denver Broncos Bo Nix
Houston Texans C.J. Stroud
Indianapolis Colts Anthony Richardson/Daniel Jones
Jacksonville Jaguars Trevor Lawrence
Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes
Las Vegas Raiders Geno Smith
Los Angeles Chargers Justin Herbert
Miami Dolphins Tua Tagovailoa
New England Patriots Drake Maye
New York Jets Justin Fields
Pittsburgh Steelers Aaron Rodgers
Tennessee Titans  Cam Ward (drafted No. 1 overall)

Atlanta Falcons Michael Penix Jr.
Arizona Cardinals Kyler Murray
Carolina Panthers Bryce Young
Chicago Bears Caleb Williams
Dallas Cowboys Dak Prescott
Detroit Lions Jared Goff
Green Bay Packers Jordan Love
Los Angeles Rams Matthew Stafford
Minnesota Vikings J.J. McCarthy
New Orleans Saints Tyler Shough (Derek Carr retired in offseason)
New York Giants Russell Wilson (Jaxson Dart drafted in the first round)
Philadelphia Eagles Jalen Hurts
San Francisco 49ers Brock Purdy
Seattle Seahawks Sam Darnold
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Baker Mayfield
Washington Commanders Jayden Daniels