film & television reviews from Philip Bahr focusing on a gay male gaze | gay film | gay movies | gay television | LGBTQ perspective | classics | indie | television reviews
I watched the final two episodes of Succession: Season 3 in anticipation of the Season 4 premiere , the final season beginning on March 26, 2023. Aside from my awe-struck fan love for the script, acting, editing, sets, locations, and wardrobe, I really caught the taste of how much patriarch Logan Roy has raised a pack of wild animals. All four children possess some form of insanity. Still there are moments to love each of them. Logan not so much. Peripheral characters add a delicious density to the performances. In particular I love the actors Hiam Abbass, Nicholas Braun, Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin, Matthew Macfadyen, Alan Ruck, Sarah Snook, Jeremy Strong, J. Smith-Cameron, Justine Lupe, and Alexander Skarsgård perfectly playing an aloof, asshole tech giant. There’s still time to catch up. Can’t wait for the final season. 4 out of 5.
In 1999, Stephen King wrote the screenplay for the TV movie, Storm of the Century. A little island off the coast of Maine (surprise) prepares for the worst snowstorm in over 100 years. As the storm rages in, a stranger comes to town and people start dying mysteriously. Soon enough the stranger identifies himself and gets put into a jail cell for the duration of the storm. Supernatural elements appear and the familiar King story unfolds of a small town of regular folk facing extraordinary circumstances which may or may not be human in origin. That’s all I’m going to say. This is classic pre-streaming TV movie fare. Lots of fun. Cheesy throughout, silly, but pulls you in. King himself called Storm of the Century his favorite television production. Cast includes Tim Daly, Debrah Farentino, Colm Feore, Casey Siemasko, Jeffrey DeMunn, a very young Julianne Nicholson, and Peter MacNeil (Horvath on Queer as Folk)
Netflix just acquired the 2014 adult family angst film, This Is Where I Leave You starring a gigantic, recognizable cast including Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Adam Driver, Rose Byrne, Corey Stoll, Kathryn Hahn, Connie Britton, Timothy Olyphant, Dax Shepard, and Jane Fonda. This is mediocre Hollywood family drama at its tropiest best. It’s not a bad movie, it’s just not very exciting. A couple of cast changes maybe? But I did make it through – all the way. It could have been so much better. But it is what it is. Maybe good for a streaming surfing Friday night or Sunday afternoon when you don’t really want to be challenged and aren’t in the mood for a cooking show. And if nothing else, it was amazing to see Jane Fonda play a ——- character – finally! No spoiler alerts here. Tame, tame, tame. 3 out of 5.
This Is Where I Leave You currently streams on Netflix.
Thanks to my dear friend Mark for telling me about this wonderful short-lived series, Half Bad: The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself. Should have been multiple seasons, but the powers that be – Netflix – nuked this one after just one. From Deadline,
Based on Sally Green’s YA novel Half Bad, the series tells the story of Nathan Byrne (Jay Lycergo), an illegitimate son of a dangerous witch, Marcus Edge (David Gyasi), struggling to overcome his odds of following the footsteps of his father as he discovers his true identity alongside his friends.
I really grew to love this show so much. Great characters. More sophisticated than a CW/Freeform series, but just as fun. It’s totally worth watching even though it’s only one season. Stand out actors include Jay Lycurgo as Nathan Byrne in the lead – he’s the bastard, Nadia Parkes as Annalise O’Brien – major female power, Emilien Vekemans as Gabriel – finally someone does an homage to Buffy’s Spike and makes him gay, and Karen Connell as Ceelia – a true amazon warrior. Not too much teenage angst, but lots and lots of gore and violence. But they’re witches so it’s ok. LOL. At least for me. 4 out of 5 for this gem.
Half Bad: The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself currently streams on Netflix.
2008 documentary on the studio musicians who created some of the best pop and rock music during the 60’s and 70’s. From the Wikipedia page,
Directed by Denny Tedesco, son of guitarist Tommy Tedesco… and left out of the story was an important historical fact: the bands, in some, but not all, cases, did not play the instruments heard on their records. Instead, the task of recording the perfect tempo, pitch, and timbre fell to a small group of accomplished session musicians.
The Wrecking Crew documents the work of studio players who recorded the tracks for such hits as “California Dreamin'”, “These Boots Are Made for Walkin'”, “Be My Baby”, “The Beat Goes On”, and “Good Vibrations”.
Can’t believe I never discovered this gem of a music documentary before 2023. Outstanding look at the geniuses of this group of musicians, many of whom never got any credit for playing on the records. Fascinating. 4 out of 5.
Carol Kaye on bass guitar.
The Wrecking Crew currently streams on Amazon Prime and Hulu.
J.K. Rowling writes a series of adult mystery novels under the pen name Robert Galbraith. I read the first one. It was ok. Rowling told more than she showed. I never went on to read the other books. Recently I discovered there is a television series based on the books named CB Strike which is the name of the private investigator – Cormoran Strike who solves the cases. I tried watching and nearly made it through the first two episodes from the first novel, The Cuckoo’s Calling. Ultimately it felt flat to me. Not surprising. And why does every damaged investigator/cop have to drink? Not very creative. 2 out of 5. Next.
CB Strike currently streams on Amazon Prime, Hulu, and YouTube premium.
The third season of the beloved modern British version of James Herriot’s novels, All Creature Great and Small grows a bit darker with the specter of World War II looming overhead. It’s still a bright and cheerful show with incredible locations. There’s still sweet animal stories, but also the threat of tuberculosis worries the farmers. James and Helen begin married life. All the characters stretch their romantic wings, at least a bit. And towards the end of the season, we begin to wonder if James and Tristen will join the army. Neither has to because they are vets. But will they anyway? Innocent, and beautiful, the occasional dullness of the plot can be dismissed because the stories all come from good intentions. And points for having a warm and cozy Christmas episode to wrap up the season. 3.5 out of 5.
All Creatures Great and Small currently streams on PBS.
Americans get their first taste of The Great British Baking Show’s spin-off, The Professionals. Starting with Season 6, this series was filmed in 2021, so lots of reference to “last year” as well as contestants, hosts, and judges being quarantined from family and friends throughout the competition. 12 pair of professional bakers team up for the win. Contestants are more stressed. Judges are more hardcore – more criticism, less excuses, as it should be – they’re professionals! Unlike the original, this took me a couple of tries to get through – not as glued to my seat as I am with the amateurs. But still, lots of fun and certainly a good fix in-between regular seasons. More than anything, I miss Noel! 3.5 out of 5.
The Great British Baking Show: The Professionals currently streams in the USA on Netflix.
Second time around watching this pitch perfect series. Bridgett Everett and crew create a beautiful small town lost soul experience. So much connection and so much precision. Click here or on the image for the full review.
Following in our music theme for the week, Jake Shears, lead singer of the band Scissor Sisters releases the first true dance anthem for 2023, Too Much Music – at least from this out of touch, old queen’s vantage point. When’s the last time I’ve been at a club you might ask? As Mother Mucca would say, “never you mind dolly.” Even at this early elder year, I know a good beat when I hear one. Jake’s released the first single from his Last Man Dancing album due out on June 2, 2023. For the next three plus months, we can enjoy shaking our vacuum cleaning booty to this dazzling song, Too Much Music. And in case your worried and wondering, the four words before the title are “There Can Never Be…” so relax and enjoy. Welcome back Jake. 5 out of 5.
In 1999, Stephen King wrote the screenplay for the TV movie, Storm of the Century. A little island off the coast of Maine (surprise) prepares for the worst snowstorm in over 100 years. As the storm rages in, a stranger comes to town and people start dying mysteriously. Soon enough the stranger identifies himself and gets put into a jail cell for the duration of the storm. Supernatural elements appear and the familiar King story unfolds of a small town of regular folk facing extraordinary circumstances which may or may not be human in origin. That’s all I’m going to say. This is classic pre-streaming TV movie fare. Lots of fun. Cheesy throughout, silly, but pulls you in. King himself called Storm of the Century his favorite television production. Cast includes Tim Daly, Debrah Farentino, Colm Feore, Casey Siemasko, Jeffrey DeMunn, a very young Julianne Nicholson, and Peter MacNeil (Horvath on 
Netflix just acquired the 2014 adult family angst film, This Is Where I Leave You starring a gigantic, recognizable cast including Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Adam Driver, Rose Byrne, Corey Stoll, Kathryn Hahn, Connie Britton, Timothy Olyphant, Dax Shepard, and Jane Fonda. This is mediocre Hollywood family drama at its tropiest best. It’s not a bad movie, it’s just not very exciting. A couple of cast changes maybe? But I did make it through – all the way. It could have been so much better. But it is what it is. Maybe good for a streaming surfing Friday night or Sunday afternoon when you don’t really want to be challenged and aren’t in the mood for a cooking show. And if nothing else, it was amazing to see Jane Fonda play a ——- character – finally! No spoiler alerts here. Tame, tame, tame. 3 out of 5.
Thanks to my dear friend Mark for telling me about this wonderful short-lived series, Half Bad: The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself. Should have been multiple seasons, but the powers that be – Netflix – nuked this one after just one. From Deadline,
2008 documentary on the studio musicians who created some of the best pop and rock music during the 60’s and 70’s. From the Wikipedia page,
J.K. Rowling writes a series of adult mystery novels under the pen name Robert Galbraith. I read the first one. It was ok. Rowling told more than she showed. I never went on to read the other books. Recently I discovered there is a television series based on the books named CB Strike which is the name of the private investigator – Cormoran Strike who solves the cases. I tried watching and nearly made it through the first two episodes from the first novel, The Cuckoo’s Calling. Ultimately it felt flat to me. Not surprising. And why does every damaged investigator/cop have to drink? Not very creative. 2 out of 5. Next.
Reel Charlie 