Storm of the Century

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)

Storm of the Century currently streams on Hulu.

This Is Where I Leave You

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.

Half Bad: The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself

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.

The Wrecking Crew

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.

CB Strike

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.

All Creatures Great and Small: Season 3

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.

The Remains of the Day 4K

Happy 30th Anniversary to Merchant Ivory’s The Remains of the Day. Based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel, the new 4K disk deserved an updated review. A perfect film. Click to read Reel Charlie’s review.

The Remains of the Day currently streams on various streaming platforms for a rental fee or free from your public library on disk.

Michelle Obama’s The Light We Carry

Finished reading Michelle Obama’s new book, The Light We Carry. The audiobook is amazing, read by the author. From my Goodreads review,

I have to begin by saying I loved “Becoming.” It was easily one of my favorite books the year it released and an all-time favorite memoir. So when “The Light We Carry” was announced, I wondered if I needed another Michelle Obama book. I thought I would give it a try and see. I got on our library’s wait list and bumped it up a few times, finally beginning to listen to her and hearing how she views the world. This isn’t a cookie cutter self-help book. It’s also not another memoir. Michelle shares with the reader what she’s learned, how she lives her life and why it’s so important to keep moving forward in a positive manner no matter the hatred, bigotry, or viruses that come our way. An amazing book. Perfect timing for me to listen after losing a friend to a stroke last month. We have a choice each day we wake up. We don’t always achieve perfection. I would say I nearly never do. But if my intentions are good and if I can steer myself back after some lows, I can live my life for love and with positive intention. There is so much work to do. We don’t read this book and that’s it. We read books like this to fuel our internal fire. And then we go out into the world and share a moment of goodness with others. And each light helps the world shine brighter and makes positive change a reality. So happy I read this book. Essential.

Yes, we need another book from Michelle Obama. Read it, listen to it, and feel hopeful. 5 out of 5.

The Great British Baking Show: The Professionals: Season 6

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.

Jean 9/102

My Mom, Jean Gould Mellinger Bahr died nine years ago on February 20, 2023. Her birthday is four days later on February 24th. She would have been 102 this year. Yikes. I still miss her like I knew I would miss her. I don’t cry often anymore, except at least once each Christmas holiday, just like she did missing her Mom. And when I experience something I wish I could share with her, sometimes I think, “damnit, I wish I could talk to you…” and other times I just get teary. She lived a great life. She was a quiet, gentle soul whose role as Matriarch still reverberates within my family today. My eldest niece Nikki mentioned to me last month how much she misses talking and visiting with her grandmother.

The last two movies she loved were eclectic, just like her taste in music. The last film she saw in the theater was Milk which she loved. The last thing she, my sister Nancy, and I watched together was Adele’s first recorded concert at The Royal Albert Hall. Every time I hear Adele’s music, I smile a bit remembering my sweet mother. Miss you Jean. I’m glad you’re not here to see the mess this country’s in. You lived through the depression, WWII, and McCarthyism. I carry your love and kindness as much as I can. I get angry too often, and want to punch more than a few people who are trying to tear down this beautiful country. But in my Jean moments, when I truly am your son, I send them all love, let go of what I can’t change on my own, give where I can, and continue reading my book.

Reel Charlie’s reviews:
Milk
Adele: Live at The Royal Albert Hall