Receiver/Starting 5

Just like Netflix’s Quarterback, Receiver and Starting 5 are incredible viewing experiences. The shooting, editing, music and storytelling are just off the charts tremendous. Absolutely fascinating all access pass into these athlete’s lives and what it takes for them to compete at the highest level. Especially fun to follow my MN neighbors JJ and Ant.

The Hodag

I finally had the chance to visit Rhinelander, WI and see the Hodag. The Hodag is a legendary Northwoods creature that was discovered during the Paul Bunyan era. Rhinelander does a superb job of playing up the mystique of the Hodag. Statues are everywhere, it is featured at local businesses (like Hodag Honda) and it’s the mascot for Rhinelander High School—voted the “Best High School Mascot in America” no less. For such an elusive creature, if you go to Rhinelander, you can’t miss it…nor should you. Go Hodags!

Jaws

Being the 50th anniversary, I revisited Jaws…it’d been awhile since I last saw it. What a timeless, flawless masterpiece. On this viewing, I was particularly struck by the overlapping, documentary-style dialogue and just how in-the-moment, real, and authentic everything feels…especially the complex bond that forms between the three main characters. Not sure the combo of action, adventure, suspense, and believable characters have ever been done better.

Fallout

I followed up my binge of the Mad Max franchise and Furiosa with season 1 of Fallout. I have hit a temporary limit on post apocalyptic programs, but I’ll be right back in that world for season 2. I’ve never seen a frame of the video game Fallout is based on, so I may have missed the Easter Eggs…but I otherwise thought this show was excellent—especially the visuals. I really liked the detail of the groovy retro-future aesthetic, The Brotherhood of Steel power armor and breakout scene-stealing character: The Ghoul

The Kinks

I like to do complete album studies of bands I’m interested in and recently finished the full discography of The Kinks. Knowing maybe 4 songs going in, this was like discovering The Beatles. Absolutely an incredible band that revolutionized rock, constantly re-invented themselves and never hit a weak spot from 1964 - 1993 (24 albums.) Any one claiming otherwise by citing Percy, Preservation Act 2, Soap Opera or Phobia…you are clearly in a State of Confusion. They are firmly established on my Mt. Rushmore of rock and roll. Just Phenomenal Cats. God Save the Kinks!

Ted Lasso

A lot of hype surrounding this series. I finally got around to watching it and it is better than the hype lead me to believe. Now I want to be a “goldfish” and start back at episode 1 and watch it all again. Everything works. Special shout out to the writers for super-cleverness and playing the long game with major and subtle plot points and jokes.

Mad Max: Fury Road

I’m a fan of the Mad Max saga and decided to give Fury Road another look since I hadn’t seen it since it came out in 2015. Now I can’t stop watching “Making Of” videos on YouTube and my car seems very lame. What an absolutely awesome action extravaganza. This movie probably holds the record for “How’d they do that?” moments.

The Creator

Plot and script—they’re OK…but the visuals in The Creator are spectacular. It’s stunning, sci-fi, fully immersive, gritty realism like I’ve never seen before. AND, I learned this movie was made for $80 million. Looks more like $580 million. Super impressive.

I, Tonya

I heard positive buzz on this 2017 film at the time, but never got around to watching it…I guess I was never too consumed by the events it chronicles. Well, I finally screened it and this is really a masterpiece. Great writing, direction and the acting, acting, ACTING. Wow. Just fabulous. Super impressive…and a very poignant perspective on real events I recall covered at the time for sensationalism and ridicule.

The French Quarter

I had the opportunity to travel to New Orleans for the first time and it did not disappoint. Thoroughly enjoyed experiencing the French Quarter. I was there on business, so not too much time to explore…but in my wanderings, I found this place fascinating and authentic with a truly unique and gloriously weird vibe. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

The Greatest Night in Pop

I’m still feeling the good vibes flowing from this documentary on the night We Are the World was recorded. I definitely have new appreciations for Lionel Richie, Quincy Jones and those who created the vocal arrangements for this song. Powerful and refreshing to see how everyone (except Waylon Jennings) really did check their egos at the door, got to work and blasted positive energy. Too bad Prince couldn’t get out of his comfort zone and join his fellow Minnesota Music Legend—the equally uncomfortable Bob Dylan.

Ian Fleming's James Bond

As a self-proclaimed amateur James Bond scholar, every 8 - 10 years I read the original Ian Fleming James Bond novels in order. This time, I decided to listen to the audio books. In the series I discovered, each novel was read by a top British talent including Kenneth Branagh, Tom Hiddleston, Bill Nighy, Rosamund Pike and Toby Stephens. The effect of the brilliantly lush, poetic prose of Fleming read by these amazing voices provided a heightened sense of the works I did not pick up on in previous reads. The Bond films do have their merits, but they do not truly capitalize on the greatness of the source material. Time for the team behind The Crown to tackle these works one by one and deliver them in series form with the true drama, gravitas and spectacle they deserve.

Beef

A wild and bingeworthy ride through the consequences of anger over a situation that can’t be let go. This show builds and builds getting evermore intense and engrossing. Also, works as a poignant representation of the spiral of anger our country is caught in today.

The Beatles Now and Then - Official Music Video

Wow…simply, wow. Just….wow. I really liked Now and Then when I heard it upon its release yesterday. After seeing the Official Music Video today, I absolutely love it. Masterpiece. This brings the lyrics to life in a way that hits hard with a massive emotional punch. Even though it was written in 1978, coupled with these visuals the lyrics magically conjure visions of John calling out from beyond to the band which (time wounds all heels) will forever be linked in harmony and love. Such very, very strong undertones of joy, humor and beautiful feel-good vibes. Masterpiece finale.

Edgar Winter's Frankenstein

The latest installment of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band just blew the roof off the Mystic Showroom highlighted by Edgar Winter’s live 10+ minute performance of Frankenstein. One of the most unique live musical performances I’ve ever seen as Winter runs around with a keytar playing elite riffs while also launching into killer alto sax and extended drum solos. The Monster was loose!

Hunter Davies on the Beatles

I have a Beatles obsession and read a lot of Beatles biographies and chronicles. There’s a lot of compelling work out there, but having recently finished these two, any Beatles reading can start and stop with the work of Hunter Davies. He’s the only author to have extensive authorized access to the band, their families and inner circle. He presents a lot of insights, anecdotes and stories you don’t see anywhere else.

Quarterback

Excellent series. Really provides an unprecedented humanized look into the lives of 3 NFL QBs. A+ on casting and getting 3 radically different storylines that really couldn’t have played out with more drama. Got a whole new respect for our guy Cousins. Now I’m all psyched up for the ‘23 NFL and Fantasy seasons. Skol Vikings!

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