Browsing in a neighborhood Little Free Library, I struck gold finding a mint copy of Leonard Nimoy’s 1995 I Am Spock. I’m a fan of Star Trek original series and consider Spock one of the great all time characters of film and TV, so it was a great read. This then prompted me to check out the 1975 prequel I Am Not Spock. However, on Amazon the hardcover goes for $877! $493 used!! and the mass market paperback starts at $40. Fortunately, it was readily available at my local library. So, live long and prosper and look out for any copies of I Am Not Spock at local garage sales…not only a “fascinating” read, but very valuable.
The King of Staten Island
This was sitting in my queue forever and I finally got around to watching it. Really enjoyed the performances in this very personal story and the way things developed at their own pace. Makes me want to go check out Staten Island.
The Matrix
This movie blew me away in 1999. After many years away, I wanted to see if it was as good as I remember….
This movie doesn’t age! The story, the effects, the visuals—visionary! 20+ years later, I still find myself questioning reality. Whoa…
Guster on the Rocks
My wife’s favorite band is Guster, so she could not resist getting us tickets to them headlining at Red Rocks in Colorado. It seems like this band flies under the radar, but they are really talented with an extremely devoted fan base that they truly cater to…and they put on a great live show…in this case, with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra…and this venue was really cool.
ZZ Top: That Little 'Ol Band from Texas
I stumbled across this fascinating and feel good documentary about how ZZ Top became the longest running band line-up in the history of rock. These guys pretty much figured things out right away, had a great manager, a unique look and awesome sound that steadily carried them to worldwide fame while having a lot of fun along the way. Refreshingly positive behind the music story very well told.
Let Him Go
This is a gripping movie. You get wrapped up in the reality of a very deliberately paced human story…and then all heck breaks loose with a glorious cast of lunatics. Kind of a BIG shift, but it sucked me in. Quite the intense ride.
Shtisel
Three seasons of watching the high drama and high mundanities of life go by in this ultra orthodox Israeli neighborhood became almost hypnotic. Really a fascinating, well-crafted, and supremely well acted series. So grab a bowl of cholent, a soda, a Brizel cheesecake, sit back, and enjoy.
Whiplash
I’ve always wanted to see this 2014 gem, but somehow didn’t get the opportunity until now. Wow, was that intense! I think if it was me, I’d settle for being good enough. Worth the wait.
Target Field
It continues to be a rough season for the Twins, but it’s nice to be able to see games live again.
The Mitchells vs. the Machines
This movie was very original, heartfelt, hilarious, always surprising…and with a very unique and innovative animation style. Great family fun.
Cascade Falls in Osceola, Wisconsin
Outlander
At times it can be too slow, too soap opera-y, and Claire’s disregard for the space time continuum can be very frustrating, but enough intrigue to keep me intrigued…and then holy cow does this show repeatedly jump the shark in seasons 3 - 4. Not sure if it was intentional or not, but it gets pretty whacky and oddly entertaining.
Spoonbridge and Cherry
Be it a hockey stick, loon, walleye, Jolly Green Giant, Ball of Twine or Paul Bunyan, we’ve got a lot of glorious “World’s Largest…” sculptures around Minnesota. The Spoonbridge and Cherry is one of Minneapolis’s grandest and most fun landmarks. Worth seeing in all seasons.
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Outstanding performances by Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman and the rest of the superb cast in this extremely well told and important story. Dialogue heavy, yes…but you hang on every word.
Frozen Falls
One of the perks of experiencing all 4 seasons is seeing how that affects local waterfalls. Here’s Minneapolis’s beautiful and majestic Minnehaha Falls in the middle of a polar vortex:
The Luminary Loppet
Big Mouth
Relentlessly filthy…relentlessly hilarious…and yet poignant in a very profane way. Great voice work from a lot of really funny and talented actors.
Bridgerton
Great cast, production value, wardrobe and visuals. This starts as a very fast-paced, fun and fanciful fairytale. The drama builds and the tone shifts about half way through as it builds to the Season 1…(ahem)…climax.
Ready Player One
Remarkable how Spielberg goes from a character-driven, period drama like The Post to a visual extravaganza like this. Amazing range. King Kong v the DeLorean was really cool.
The Wolf of Wall Street
3 hours of conscienceless greed, decadence, debauchery and excess…in a very darkly funny way…which I did not expect. Scorsese is a master.
