Never heard of this guy until I stumbled into the movie Friendship…which I found quite compelling…which lead me to discover his sketch comedy series I Think You Should Leave. I definitely appreciate a good comedy, but seldom laugh out loud. This show is SO absurd, SO unpredictable, and SO committed to the bit that nearly every sketch has me bursting into hysterics. That was particularly awkward when I recently watched a bunch of episodes on a flight. I know this show won’t be for everyone, but for whatever reason, it is setting its own unique standard of hilarity for me.
Edgar Wright
I recently revisited Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and Baby Driver. In my opinion, Edgar Wright is the greatest filmmaker working today. I can watch his movies over and over and over again and always catch something new. Always be on the edge of my seat. Always be highly entertained. Such a unique and compelling vision for cinematic action, comedy, story, character, dialogue, sound and of course EDITNG. No one shoots for the edit like this guy.
Black Mirror Season 7
Black Mirror is my favorite show of the streaming era. What a treat it is to experience a new season and bask in its brilliance. I made sure to avoid any trailers, summaries, etc. and went into each episode as a complete blank slate, letting them unfold and envelop me in their dark, tangled webs. When this show works, it works like no other…even when it doesn’t quite work…it still works!
3:10 to Yuma
I’m a big fan of author Elmore Leonard and currently reading his entire library in order. I just watched this 2007 adaptation of Leonard’s short story by the same name. This is a masterpiece Western and just a great film. Definitely reinforces Seth MacFarlane’s thesis from his highly entertaining A Million Ways to Die in the West.
Quarterback: Season 2
As someone who has the privilege to film people and tell their story, I am once again in awe of and completely blown away by what is achieved in the Netflix Sports documentaries. With an all access pass and backed up by the incredible cinematography of NFL films, this is documentary story-telling at its best. Narrative, visuals, pacing, etc.—the whole game plan is flawlessly executed. This show once again has me whipped up for another NFL/Fantasy season. As the 3 featured QBs say (about a billion times), “Let’s GO!!!”
The Terminator
I revisited this favorite film of my youth to see if it still holds up for me. Sure, some effects are a little dated…but many others are still absolutely epic…and the story! Yikes!—what seemed like Sci-Fi 40+ years ago is quite believable now. Wow, was this movie ahead of its time. “Young” me saw this as an all-out action extravaganza. “Adult” me was deeply moved by the power of the emotional core at the heart of the story and the total belief in Sarah Connor’s arc from hapless to the mother of all action heroes. This is a masterpiece.
Game of Thrones
I read the books way back when, so needed to let those memories get very hazy before I finally tackled watching the series. Wow, what a saga—worth the wait! Sometimes a little too talky…not all tangents are equally intriguing…but by the hellfire of Drogon does this series look awesome. It just gets more and more epic. Amazing cast; attention to detail with wardrobe and locations is incredible; extremely hateful villains; best battle sequences I have ever seen (except for The Battle of Winterfell—that was a looooong night.) Like the building of The Wall, Game of Thrones is nothing short of legendary.
Sinners
A character study?…Gangster film?…Period piece drama?…Vampire horror musical??? Whatever Sinners does, it does extremely well…and same for whoever is doing it. Intense, thought provoking, original. The power of music is truly immortal. Stay for the credits!
Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning
Great finale to this outstanding series. Really, I don’t think anyone else comes close to the action scenes these films achieve. Tom Cruise putting his life in peril for our entertainment certainly gives these a heightened sense of realism and intensity. I saw this epic in IMAX—just a super fun and impactful theater experience…reminded me how much I miss those experiences.
The White Lotus
Murder takes a holiday! There’s plenty of drama, plenty of memorable moments and just the right amount of simmering dread. The cast, the settings, the intertwined storylines, the kooky discordant soundtrack all superbly come together in this eminently bingable series.
This is the Tom Green Documentary
I was a big fan of The Tom Green Show back in his MTV days. Great to reconnect. This is a super inspiring story about how he stayed true to an original vision and achieved his dreams. Definitely an entirely unique comedy pioneer many years ahead of his time. Also, just seems like a nice guy who is grateful to his parents for tolerating all the hilarious grief he put them through.
A Real Pain
This incredibly watchable and captivating film breezes by way quicker than its already breezy and quick 90 minute run time…and just when you’re ready for some big resolution or moral…it ends…leaving it up to you to consider the many layers and what it all means. Simple, complex, unexpected, thought provoking…well told.
Severance: Season 1
As Homer Simpson said while watching Twin Peaks: “Brilliant. I have absolutely no idea what’s going on.” That’s right—embrace the mystery! Severance constantly barrages you with bizarrity and inexplicable weirdness…while ever so lightly and expertly trickling in hints, clues and subtle exposition. It’s so unique, intriguing, tense, visually arresting and often funny that it has quickly vaulted to Black Mirror level for favorite show of the streaming era. They are playing the long, long, looooooonnnnnng game here. I hope to Kier that it all pays off.
A Complete Unknown
On the 2nd day of 2025, I just saw what I believe is the best movie of 2024. Every aspect of this film was at full brilliance. As a proud Minnesotan and Dylan completist, I thought this film perfectly captured the essence of this freewheelin’ musical enigma and his eternal works. Completely captivating. On a scale of 1 - 10, I give A Complete Unknown a 61.
The Bay Area
Just had a chance to spend some quality time in the Bay Area—San Francisco, Berkeley, etc. With its extreme abundance of natural and urban landscapes, the distinct architecture…this area really can’t be beat for scenery and just an overall unique vibe. I’ll never tire of exploring and getting to better know this region.
Shrinking
Ouch! I got emotional whiplash on this rollercoaster watching these relationships constantly careen back and forth between “resentment” and “soul mate” all amid a warm haze of “unconditional love.” It’s all so quick, clever, funny, and often brilliantly performed that you welcome the ride…but I’m thinking two seasons is enough.
Society of the Snow
I had this in my queue for a long time and finally got around to screening. Wow. Can’t believe how unbelievably viscerally well this incredible story about the 1972 Uruguayan Andes plane crash was told. This is the definition of a powerful film that stays with you long after it is over.
Receiver/Starting 5
Just like Netflix’s Quarterback, Receiver and Starting 5 are incredible viewing experiences. The shooting, editing, music and storytelling are just off the charts tremendous. Absolutely fascinating all access pass into these athlete’s lives and what it takes for them to compete at the highest level. Especially fun to follow my MN neighbors JJ and Ant.
Nobody Wants This
This series is really engaging, makes you think…and is consistently funny. Very tightly written, sub 30-minute episodes breeze by while maneuvering very believably around this uniquely delicate relationship drama. Mazel tov and Bring on season 2. L’chaim!
The Hodag
I finally had the chance to visit Rhinelander, WI and see the Hodag. The Hodag is a legendary Northwoods creature that was discovered during the Paul Bunyan era. Rhinelander does a superb job of playing up the mystique of the Hodag. Statues are everywhere, it is featured at local businesses (like Hodag Honda) and it’s the mascot for Rhinelander High School—voted the “Best High School Mascot in America” no less. For such an elusive creature, if you go to Rhinelander, you can’t miss it…nor should you. Go Hodags!
