Interstellar

I FINALLY got around to watching this 2014 movie. Dang, what took me so long?? What a great, impressive movie. So ambitious. So believable. Looks incredible. And I watched it just as Christopher Nolan intended: on my iPad, in multiple installments during sessions on an elliptical. I definitely want to catch this on the big screen some day. Sadly, I’m not a physicist. I don’t understand gravitational time dilation or the concept of 3-dimensional space inside a 5-dimensional reality…so don’t ask me to explain the ending.

Moonraker Apartments

As a self-proclaimed literary and filmic James Bond scholar, it was a singular moment when I JUST learned I live a mere 11 miles from the Moonraker apartments(!!!)—an apartment complex that has been around since 1968! Stumbling into the outlandishly entertaining Moonraker on network TV in my youth was my gateway to Bond. Incidentally, Moonraker the film bears no similarity to the Fleming novel beyond character names. It is consistently ranked among his best novels and I agree. I wonder if the apartment complex hosts an annual bridge tournament?

The Comedy of Steven Wright and Mitch Hedberg

Thankfully, my YouTube algorithm is giving me a steady diet of Steven Wright and Mitch Hedberg stand-up shorts. Masters of the one-liner and unconventional delivery. While you’re trying to remember 1 joke, they’ve already delivered 3 more. They definitely necessitate repeat viewings. You either love them, hate them, or think they’re OK. Now, I’m off to ascend an out of order escalator to pursue my work in Calcium Anthropology.

Masters of the Universe

I was never into He-Man back in the day, but stumbled upon Masters of the Universe streaming on Prime and was very pleasantly surprised. MotU unapologetically embraces its dorky roots to great effect. It looks fantastic, it’s imaginative, great costumes, has an awesome Brian May guitar score. Instead of trying to get all dark and build some dense mythology, this is just a goofy, fun movie. Made me want to go play with action figures.

Obsession

I went in blind to this film only knowing there was a LOT of hype. I kinda wanted to discount it at first, but then it grew on me and got very difficult to dismiss. Just a superb job of unusual pacing to create a highly sustained, very unsettling, uniquely creepy vibe. That’s all done extremely well, but the singular, critical, indispensable element where the success or failure of this film ultimately lives or dies is the performance of Inde Navarrette as Nikki…and she delivers an absolutely iconic, mesmerizing, revelatory performance. What more could you wish for?….wait—I take that back!!!

Disclosure Day

Just saw Disclosure Day. Looking at reviews post-screening and seeing a lot of negativity. I don’t buy it. This is an excellent film. Interesting, intense, thought-provoking…the unique plotting and the way information is delivered kept my attention glued. OK, maybe it doesn’t hold up air-tight to post-movie scrutiny…but command of the camera and overall Spielbergian feel was at maximum Spielberg. What’s not to like about that? If we ever do blow the cover off an Area 51 extraterrestrial government cover-up, I think it will play out almost exactly like this…but contrary to this narrative, when the footage is disclosed, news producers and the majority of the general public will instantly discredit it as an AI hoax. I guess the cover-up is safe…for now. The truth is out there!

Song Sung Blue

My Hot Take Rule 1 when it comes to a movie you plan on screening: never watch the preview. I stumbled into Song Sung Blue completely blind. Loved it. Major emotional roller coaster. Amazing performances. extremely captivating story supremely well told. Afterwards, I watched the preview and it gave away every major plot point and emotional gut punch. Would have totally spoiled my viewing experience. I give this movie 5 out of 5 Diamonds.

The James Bond Filmography

I’m a self-proclaimed James Bond scholar. I regularly read the original novels, I’ve seen all the films many, many times…but I’ve never watched the films in order(!) When they were all recently released on Netflix, I took up the challenge. Absolutely fascinating experience. I do have unconditional love for this series, but the common thread throughout is: very high ceiling; very low floor. The source material is so, so, SO good--I definitely feel like that gift has been squandered over the decades. The films that by far stood out the most from this review? From Russia With Love, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, For Your Eyes Only, Goldeneye and Casino Royale. Least favorite: Thunderball. All the actors to play Bond are outstanding….but my favorite filmic Bond? …Same answer as from my youth: Roger Moore.

Project Hail Mary

Can’t remember when I saw a movie this epic, engrossing, audience pleasing…and funny. Amazing work from Ryan Gosling—on top of his game and hitting new heights. Speaking of elevating material, It’s “must see TV” when he hosts Saturday Night Live.

“So I met an alien. He’s kind of growing on me. At least he’s not growing in me.” Great stuff.

Peaky Blinders

When I heard Steven Knight will be writing the next James Bond script, it was time for me to finally check out his series Peaky Blinders. Very glad I did. Excellent series—great look, acting, story and overall unique vibe. Mr. Knight can certainly write! I look forward to how he will launch the new Bond. My unsolicited advice: stay true to the original Fleming source material and your mission will succeed

Marty Supreme

Yowza! What a high-stress, high-intensity, havoc-filled rollercoaster ride of anxiety! Not so much of a film as a tense, visceral experience. Certainly an exhilarating and captivating time to be along for the ride. Following up A Complete Unknown with this epic and absolutely powerhouse performance—I do believe Timothée Chalamet currently holds serve as the best actor on the planet.

Tim Robinson

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!!!”

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