I’m not a chef and I never watch cooking shows, but a family member was competing on this one so I had to check it out. Very soon, I was looking forward to the next installment of this 14 episode series more than NFL Sunday…well, my fantasy team has been super disappointing this season…but still, this show definitely won me over. Super impressed with all the chefs. You are certainly all winners!
No Time to Die...well, maybe it's time
As a literary and filmic James Bond super fan, this was just a painful, horrible conclusion to the Daniel Craig Bond era. Craig is a great actor and his casting was inspired, but the mega budget films that followed his brilliant debut in the masterful Casino Royale were just not good (well, at least Skyfall managed to be entertaining.) Really bad scripting and an extremely poorly executed and unnecessary story arc culminated with the bloated fail of NTTD. If James Bond really will return, time to get back to the original Fleming source material.
Narcos: Mexico - Series Finale
What a phenomenal series. Everything worked. Exceptionally well done. Adios!
Squid Game
Believe the hype—this is a gripping, exciting, crazy, stylized, dark and disturbing, DIY Halloween costume inspiring series. Those competitions were in-TENSE! Note to self: triangle…not umbrella.
The Walking Dead - Season 10
Watching on Netflix, I’m always a season behind the rest of the world with this show…so thank you, World, for not giving away any spoilers during that time. Sure, there can be a lot of overly profound and lengthy dialogue, the tangents are seemingly endless, I’ve learned to like Neegan, and there is a high disregard for bloodborne pathogens in this universe…but I don’t care. This is an awesome show with tremendous effects that I always find extremely compelling. But seriously people, can’t we all just get along?
The Badlands and The Black Hills
Unbelievably scenic and otherworldly destination. Had a chance to make a late season visit with my family during MEA Break. We are very fortunate this remarkable, extraordinary, amazing expanse is so accessible to the Twin Cities.
…and I have dug Wall Drug.
Schitt'$ Creek
I finally got around to watching this series. An endearing, positive, remarkably consistent, chemistry laden sitcom that refreshingly breaks boundaries. Also, outstanding work by the wardrobe department and Eugene Levy’s eyebrows.
Jeremy Messersmith
This was a phenomenal show. Gotta admit, I knew very little about this highly regarded Minnesota singer-songwriter previous to this small, fundraiser event…but am now a big fan. The combo of acoustic guitar and cello was a revelation and what totally caught me by surprise, it was half concert and half supremely funny stand-up…complete with a “Box of Inappropriate Questions.” Perfect weather, beautiful setting, awesome live music, hilarious schtick…and everybody got a free kitten!
Spock
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.
