Category: Movies

Bingeworthy · Classic TV · Media · Movies · TV

Catching Up

JanetLeave a comment
In the midst of Hollywood Strikes there are still options for viewers

A recent article in the New York Times (read here) is a reminder that even though we are not being inundated by new shows, there is still a lot to watch. A lot.

And you know what? That is a good thing.

One of the things I hate about cable is the dearth of material which results in jacking up the monthly bill. There is nothing like a 3 figure monthly bill for a majority of stuff I don’t have any interest in. 🙁 Streaming can be a bit of a mine field, too.

But here we are with a plethora of material that had been relegated to the ‘I’ll Watch that later’ list. Or, we’ve taken the time to brows our various streaming services (free or paid for) and found a whole host of things we’d forgotten we wanted to see. Now is the time!

And, if you were sharp eyed you discovered that many of your free services had materials that also appear on some of the paid platforms. !!!!!!

Yep, it is true. Granted you might not find all of a series, but you could find just what you want to see and watch enough to determine if adding the subscription cost to your budget is worth it or not. I recently discovered that several series I used to pay for are now available for free elsewhere. Jaw dropped. Money saved.

Another thing I have taken advantage of is the search feature on imdb.com to find out where I can watch something and what it will cost me. I use the same feature on my Roku box. It can be eye opening to see the options.

So, pull up your watch list, grab a pen and paper and make a list of what you want to watch while we wait for Hollywood to sort itself out. Catch up without the need for frustration and annoyance that everyone else has already seen it before you. Who cares?

Grab the popcorn!

Books · Movies · TV

The Full Circle

JanetLeave a comment
Or the potential joy of ending a series.

One of the recent conversation strings in my house lately has been focused on the ending of a series. This refers to books, movies, and even TV shows.

For those of us who have been followers of television series, this time of year can be tricky. If there is a potential for the series to be cancelled, what happens to bring the story to a close? If the series has been cancelled or decided not to come back for a new season, does that mean they have time to create an ending that will tie everything up?

For example, The Big Bang Theory was able to bring the series to a satisfactory close after 12 seasons. On the other hand, Star Trek, The original series, was canceled after 3 seasons leaving Kirk, Spock and McCoy, along with the rest of the Enterprise crew, out exploring the galaxy. One can’t help but wonder what we might have seen if the series had been given a last season to tie up loose ends.

Movie series don’t seem to have the same issues, mainly because there is often no guarantee that a studio will plan ahead to produce the next film in a potential series. We have seen some attempts at that, however, usually ending with questionable results.

Book series can be tricky, too. Writers dealing with boredom can kill off a series faster than a speeding rabbit. One of my favorite authors has produced a series where a new book was released about every 3 years without fail. Imagine the frustration when the latest book came out 4 years late. Yes, 7 years between books. No matter how dedicated the fan might be to the series, it is almost impossible to keep interest and enthusiasm going with such a delay.

What brought all this to mind recently was the release of the third and final season of Star Trek: Picard. Now, I could expound on the fabulous production values and the fabulous cast – and season 3 has had an amazing cast – and all of that would be an honest POV. What stand out, for me at least, was the amazing amount of work that went into writing the season’s storyline.

This was a labor of love produced by people who have been involved in Star Trek in one form or other for decades. The end product gathered together stories, characters, situations from a variety of Star Trek series (and I do mean series plural) to create an end of series show that was unexpected and engaging.

This was a rarity for any medium.

This particular cupcake came along after a couple of years where favorite authors seemed to forget what they were writing and it showed. Where series galumphed along not really attempting to reach even the more modest levels of quality we had seen in earlier seasons. Where a big studio was advised that if the star they were willing to toss aside didn’t return to a big ticket movie series, don’t bother making the next installment.

If you are committed to a book, movie or television series, things matter. Consistency, timing, commitment, and as much transparency as possible between creators and consumers are important from all sides.

What it all boils down to is simply this: without an audience it doesn’t matter if a book, movie or TV show is available. Keeping that audience is important.

Movies · TV

One Thing Really Does Lead To Another

JanetLeave a comment

Recently I found myself indulging in a bit of Old Hollywood Retrospectives via YouTube. I don’t recall the provider but the theme was Old Hollywood Romances. I’m a sucker for old time Hollywood. It really was a different place and time.

Anyway, I found myself not only learning a bit about some seriously gifted actors, but also discovering (or rediscovering) some classic films.

I know I’m not nearly as knowledgeable about many of these films but they piqued my interest for a couple of reasons. First, quite a few were films that I had either not known or forgotten that certain performers had been in them. Second, the subject matter, captured at a time before the sanitation of the various ratings systems, was often eye opening and thought provoking.

I was once again reminded that I really should spend some time to find what I could and sit back to watch.

With the passing of Angela Lansbury, I found myself amazed at her body of work. She was in films as early as her late teens. The mind boggles. I’ve been lucky enough to see clips of some of her work on Broadway, too. What an amazing performer! Her television work was also stellar. Consider taking on a job that required up to 20 hours a day and actually lasted for several years when you are in your 60s. Yeah, I can’t even begin to comprehend how she did it, and did it so well, too. Especially when she included some film work in the middle of the TV work.

I’ve long been a fan of what I think of as craftsman performers. They are the folks who step up, and into character, for a variety of projects. What I think separates them from the majority is that you forget who they are when they are performing a role. If they’ve done their job properly, you don’t think “Oh, that’s So-and-So from … ” They are few true craftsman performers, but lots of folks who step into a role and you rarely not think of the actor’s name as you watch.

If you are inclined, make a list of performers that capture your interest and look up their filmography. imdb.com is a great place to start. Put together a list of those projects you want to see and dive in. You might be surprised at what you can find.

Indulge in a movie night that isn’t the latest and loudest, but something a bit more classic.

Oh, and brace yourself. The ride you embark on could change the way you contemplate entertainment. 🙂

Classic TV · Media · One of My Favorites · TV

Scooby-Doo – Who Knew?

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I have been indulging in some nostalgia while sort of binge watching some of my favorite cartoons.

I was a kid when the Flintstones and Jetsons first appeared on prime time. Long, long before they ever dared visit Saturday morning. I was around when the very first Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? arrived. And, odd as it might seem, I’ve been around for all of the incarnations.

For some of us, cartoons were windows into possibilities, trips through an odd fun-land experience, a ray of sunshine when the world wasn’t really all that sunny. And, that never changed.

A Saturday morning without Bugs Bunny is pretty much a waste. There is something missing that can’t easily be described. That rascally rabbit shaped so much about my outlook on life that he is like my shadow. Toss in Daffy and Elmer and you have the makings for a great day.

These were the premier Looney Tunes cartoons that inspired so many kids and adults. Personally, I preferred Bugs and Daffy to Mickey and Donald any day. Still do.

But back to Scooby and the Gang. They have been such a constant presence over the years that I honestly hadn’t realized just how many incarnations there are. I love the Laff-A-Lympics even though they weren’t Hanna-Barbera’s best. Having all the iconic HB characters in one spot was great!

The original Scooby Gang managed to solve some pretty darn interesting mysteries, too. True, some were a bit, um, lame, but often there were some engaging story lines. This was a kids’ show, right?

A couple of years back I came across Scooby-Doo Mystery Incorporated and thoroughly enjoyed it. A more grown up version of the gang with some engaging story lines, the series is definitely binge worthy.

You can check out more about Scooby and the Gang by clicking HERE.

If you want an easy half hour (or more depending upon your indulgence quotient) find Scooby and the Gang and sit back and relax. Enjoy the humor, groan at the bad jokes, cheer Fred’s always iffy but complicated traps.

Don’t be surprised if you find yourself smiling a bit. 🙂

Movie Night

Forever Plaid

JanetLeave a comment

I could say ‘blame it on the Tony’s’ but that wouldn’t be accurate or fair. The truth is, I enjoy Broadway theatre. Real Broadway theatre. The kind of productions that you can lose yourself in and when you find yourself back on the sidewalk after the final encore you can’t get that song out of your head.

I recently subscribed to Broadway HD via Amazon Prime simply because I sorely needed a lot of Broadway. Badly. And, yes, it came about because I’d just seen the Tony Awards (2022) and found myself wishing I could be in New York, grab tickets to every show and indulge. Oh well.

So, what was the first show I watched on Broadway HD? Forever Plaid, of course.

Read about the production here:

The entire production was brilliant and well worth the time. I even found myself wishing it could last a bit longer. (Even though I also found myself wondering if the guys would get an intermission to catch their breath!)

If you love Broadway and would like to indulge a bit I encourage you to check out Broadway HD. You don’t need to be an Amazon subscriber to indulge your passion. Check out the link to see for yourself. 🙂

Movie Night · Movies

Death On The Nile

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I love a good mystery! I love a good story! I love a movie that brings both and mixes them with beautiful photography and interesting twists and turns.

I had the opportunity recently to sit down and watch the 2022 version of Agatha Christie’s Death On The Nile. I’ve long been a fan of the 1978 version (pithy lines and all) so when this newer version was announced, I was intrigued.

The casting was interesting and made use of many a familiar (or unfamiliar) face. The setting is astoundingly beautiful. The story – including the backstory – provided context in ways that the original Christie story might not have.

And, to be honest, I simply can not read Christie. I can watch her. I can listen to her, but I gave up reading her decades ago. Part of the joy of audio books is the ability to have the stories told to you (luxury).

David Suchet will always be my favorite Hercule Poirot. He set the bar quite high. While this current cast is excellent, his is the only presence I really missed. But then… 🙂

If you get a chance to see the film, don’t let it pass you by. And, if you are really lucky and get a chance to see the 1978 version, don’t miss that, either. Maggie Smith is awesome!

A word of caution: Don’t expect the two films to be a copy of each other or of the original book by Christie. They aren’t. Each of the films takes poetic license from the book. Each has its own vision of the story. Enjoy them both!

At this point in time, however, I’m reflecting on beautiful visuals. Beveled glass windows. Stunning colors. And a love story that astounds.

Audiobooks · Books · Media · Movies · TV

To Binge Or Not To Binge

JanetLeave a comment

I admit I’m still trying to maneuver my way through the streaming process. I’ve been around for quite a while. When I began watching TV, there were three – yes 3 – networks, no cable, satellite, recording or streaming. Shocking to some, I know. LOL!

All that means is that I have a different POV than some. And, odd as it might sound, a different appreciation, too. You see, I’m one of those folks who love the extras that were on the DVDs. You know, the behind the scenes, deleted scenes, etc. I’ve spent time on film sets on back lots, and parking lots, too. As a result, I appreciate what it takes to produce what you see on the screen.

I often recall a time when I had two recorders set up to capture a week’s worth of programming that I would work to keep up with in addition to what I watched ‘live’. I haven’t done that in years – mostly because there really wasn’t enough that interested me to watch.

Cable and I have had a mediocre relationship since the beginning. Way back when it was interesting and exciting. Now, the majority is simply boring and repetitive. My opinion, true, but I am certain I’m not the only one who thinks that, too. As a result I haven’t had cable in 2 decades. I have tested it out on occasion just to see if I was missing anything and, much to my dismay, I wasn’t.

I find it interesting that so many cable outlets have discovered that (a) they needed to provide their own material and (b) the audience isn’t going to sit around until they figure it out.

One of the biggest complaints about cable was being stuck with channels you never watch but had to pay for. Streaming took that out of the equation and for the consumer (me) it was the beginning of an entirely new world.

Thanks to On Demand I can pull up things I want to watch when I want to watch and not have to set a machine to capture it all. This means that I can indulge in some amazing programming or ditch a show when it just doesn’t capture my attention.

Which brings me to binging. Some shows are meant to be binged. Some really do need a break in between episodes to allow the viewer (me) to contemplate what I’ve seen.

A few years back I discovered Agents of S*H*I*E*L*D on whatever streaming platform it was on at the time and was hooked. Good thing, too, because – if memory serves – season 4 was coming up. That discovery literally made my summer!

I recently checked my watchlist over on Hulu and found Only Murders In The Building. I sat down to watch the first episode to see if it might make the cut and 5 hours later I’d seen the entire first season. (And that soundtrack is simply delicious!)

Other shows like Murdoch Mysteries or Frankie Drake Mysteries I take a couple of episodes at a time. Both end up on my list after the first run of their season so I am obliged to either wait until the entire season has dropped or keep up with them weekly.

Normally I don’t mind reruns but there is one show I don’t watch as a rerun; NCIS. I love NCIS! For some unknown reason, however, I don’t look for reruns of the series. The entire catalog is on Paramount+, so it isn’t as if it isn’t available.

One thing I have to say is that I appreciate it when providers like Paramount+ or Disney+, to name only two of what is available, provide a wide variety of programming. I’m a PlutoTV fan, too. These providers allow me to pick and choose what I want to see, not what they think I want to see. And, the icing on that cupcake: The price is fair, too.

For an old codger like myself who remembers a time when you made the time to sit down to watch a show or you hoped the rerun would air so you didn’t miss anything, this new era of streaming is almost a wonderland.

To binge or not to binge… Depends upon the day, the inspiration, the show, and whether or not you are ready to move on without taking a break in between.

Right?

Audiobooks · Books · Media · Movie Night · Movies · One of My Favorites

Movie Night: The Hunt For Red October

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Back in 1990 I stepped into one of my local movie theaters to check out a new movie starring Sean Connery and a host of other favorite performers. It was an experience I didn’t expect and has been repeated frequently over the years. The viewing of the film, that is.

The Hunt For Red October came from the Tom Clancy book of the same name, published in 1984. The story is about a high level Russian submarine that may, or may not, be defecting and the high octane multi level chess game (my description) of the efforts to find her before the Russians can sink her.

The film clocks in at 2 hours 15 minutes. It is worth every second.

There’s a funny thing about me and this film. I enjoyed the first viewing so much I went back a few times to try and spot the technical details I enjoy in films. (I’m one of those geeks who love the extras on the DVDs – I love the behind the scenes stuff.) I finally gave up because inevitably I’d find myself walking out 2 hours later having totally gotten lost in the plot. It is that good.

The book, in case you are interested, is as good. If you are not experienced reading Tom Clancy consider this fair warning. He didn’t write small books, nor did he write simple plot lines. Brace yourself with an estimated page count of 387, I don’t recall how many characters or subplot lines. Consider the movie the condensed version. 🙂

Even after all these years, I have no idea how many viewings, I love this film. I must, I own two copies and I have both the paperback and the audio version of the book.

The cast is the cream of the crop. The production values are stellar. The story is compelling, and if you like edge of your seat adventure, this is the film you should see.

Have you seen, or read, The Hunt For Red October?

Movies · One of My Favorites

One of My Favorite Films: ‘Gladiator’

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Rome, in one form or other, has been a part of my life for the better part of thirty years now. I consciously began my appreciation of Rome via the computer game Caesar III. That came about because of a version that arrived already loaded on a new computer. I still play it.

Later, in 2000, I finally got a chance to see a couple of films I’d heard about in actual theaters. While I enjoyed ‘Fantasia 2000’, it was ‘Gladiator’ that captured – and held – my attention.

Side Note

I need to step aside here for a moment to let you know that when something “captures my attention” it usually leads to an obsession that can last for years, involves lots (and lots) of research, and becomes a part of the fabric of my life in some way.

Now where were we? Oh, yes.

I’ve had a life-long fascination with the mechanics of creating film, theater, TV, and other forms of entertainment. It truly is an art form that can evolve to fit the need at the time. Ridley Scott makes amazing movies. The film is the result of years of experience tied with high tech graphics, top of the line performances, and a story that is both compelling and thought provoking. Not to mention a soundtrack that is one of Han Zimmer’s best.

The Story

In a nutshell, ‘Gladiator’ is the story of a Roman General, Maximus, who is at the top of his game. He is chosen by the current emperor of Rome, Marcus Aurelius, to succeed him. Something Maximus doesn’t want and Marcus’ son Commodus, definitely does not want.

Commodus is so adamant that Maximus does not replace him, he murders his father and, when he takes the role of emperor and Maximus walks out on him instead of vowing loyalty, has Maximus’ family murdered and the general sent off into slavery.

What happens next is one of the best epic stories of the last 20 years. If you haven’t seen it,

You can find out more about the film by clicking here.

Rome was the first city to hold 1 million people. Ever.

To get a better idea of what Rome was and the impact it had on the world, check out this article from the Britannica: Click HERE

The idea of Rome, just like the idea of Greece, has been a part of most of our society and culture for millennia. These cultures have informed many of the choices and decisions made when we developed our own societies and cultures.

There is a lot of learn, absorb, integrate as we watch ‘Gladiator’. The film is one of those rare gems that allow us to glimpse a lost world and recall a time when things were very different, and very modern, to the world we live in.

At the end of the day, ‘Gladiator’ is a film that resonates on many levels and is worth taking the time to watch.

Books · Movies

Artemis Fowl

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I can’t quite wrap my head around the fact that the Artemis Fowl book series, written by Eoin Colfer, is 20 years old. Frankly, it just doesn’t seem possible. And yet…

The books, aimed at a Young Adult audience, brought together mythical creatures and Humans in a way that we hadn’t really seen before. Not, at least, in the same way. Artemis is not your typical youngster. And that is the ultimate understatement.

If you are interested check out Eoin Colfer’s website: https://www.eoincolfer.com/artemis-fowl

I haven’t yet caught up with the later additions to the family saga; the Fowl Twins books, but I’ll be sure to add them to my list.

From Book to Film

I’d like to say I learned a valuable lesson with the Harry Potter books and films. That is, do not – Repeat: DO NOT – expect the film to be as detailed or intricate as the books.

I’m thinking it was around film 5 that the lesson might finally have become ingrained. But I could be in error there.

Lovers of books that are made into movies or TV shows run the not uncommon risk (?) of being disappointed. Why? Simple. Time. There simply is not enough time to take the book word by word and move it into a film medium.

It might sound simple and easy but the end result just can’t justify any part of that exercise. The time and cost to actually produce the filmed product would exceed every expectation and the end result would be a disaster. The first book in the Fowl series is not that long and the resulting film, with the necessary edits, etc., still resulted in a film under two hours. Most audiences won’t want to sit through a longer film

So, do not expect the book to be the film. In fact, one thing that helped me with the Potter films was to not read the book close to the time I watched the film. I gave my brain time to ‘forget’ things so when I watched the film, it was fresh and relatively new.

The Film

First, can I just say how amazing Judi Dench is? I never, ever sit down to watch her work and am not amazed at the end result.

Second, the casting of this film is amazing. I really, really, enjoyed each and every character – the performers brought so much to the table with their efforts.

Third, Kenneth Branagh has shown a level of skill, of deftness of touch, with this film. He kept the target audience (kids) in mind every second of the way, so the audience wasn’t overloaded with graphic monsters, dark and dank settings.

In short, he wasn’t playing to adults with the standard blow things up, excess violence, not to mention graphic gore with the plot secondary to all the special effects. From some of the reviews I’ve read, this seems to have confused folks a lot. <shrug>

Granted, he could have treated us to every second of Artemis searching for the language to unlock the query to find the … … … you get the idea. The film would have gone from under two hours to over three for that alone.

The film actually gives us every piece of information we need to understand what is happening in the story. Yes, a little more information about how certain things do, or don’t, work might have been helpful, Especially if the viewer isn’t a student of myth lore.

Overall, I liked the end result. It was just the right balance of material. It has a beautiful design and the soundtrack is delicious.

Since I am one who might end up nodding off or foraging when a film loses my attention, this was a pleasant change. No pauses. No napping. No foraging.

Final Thoughts

I recommend both the books and the film. I encourage you to remember to leave some space/time between the books and the film, but both are worth your time and attention. Don’t embark with any preconceived ideas, however. Let the story unfold as written.

Enjoy!