Following the trend of The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett continues to elevate the Star Wars universe. Very well told stories that look absolutely extraordinary. The attention to detail in the visuals is incredible. Makes me want to collect and play with the action figures again.
The Movies That Made Us
Finally got around to checking out this series on Netflix. Very inspirational and well told stories about the wild twists, turns, blood, sweat and tears that went into creating a whole bunch of iconic films.
Riverbend Skate Path
In 2022, Warroad Minnesota’s 5.2 mile long Riverbend Skate Path broke the record for the longest skate path in the US. Super fun time roadtripping to this far north Minnesota/Canada border town to check it out…during the first annual FriluftFest no less. Warroad, MN, a.k.a. Hockeytown USA, certainly lived up to its name.
Lost in Space
This has got to be the most underrated series on Netflix. Great cast, story arc and production value. After 3 seasons, it ends on a really high note and nice to see the constantly crisis averting Robinsons finally get a break. Now, how can I get one of those robots…..
Ryan George YouTube Videos
I stumbled upon Ryan George’s Pitch Meeting series and then discovered his countless other hilarious one-man-show videos. This guy is really funny and extremely clever. His video output is immense and it must be a ton of work to constantly develop so much “tight” content, but he makes it look super easy…barely an inconvenience.
Don't Look Up
I just saw my top movie of 2021 on the last day of 2021. Thinly veiled and hilarious social satire…or a hyper-real documentary about the end of the world?
Get Back
I just watched an 8+ hour documentary (over multiple sessions) and as soon as I finished, I want to watch it again. This is an unbelievable, remarkable piece of work. Getting to be a fly on the wall as the Beatles workshop their creative genius is just pure joy. 8+ hours and not a wasted second with this source material. I miss being in that room. Thanks for letting us in!!!
The Suicide Squad
I stumbled into watching this movie…and whoa!! Glad I made it to this party! Hilarious, great action, very visual, awesome soundtrack, rampaging giant alien starfish—this movie has it all.
Top Chef Family Style
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.
