Hodgepodge

 Great response to my salute to Local Hero. It is very much appreciated. Now, if only I could find more films like the above to talk about this site may just get popular. Unfortunately, this week, we will have to make-due with the hodgepodge below. As always, differing opinions on topics are always welcome.

​Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. This was the first Star Wars film that I felt I didn’t have to rush off immediately and see. I didn’t and it turns out my instincts were correct. Verdict? While not exactly a total waste of time, I think it’s a bit of a hot mess. Too many plot points crammed into an excrutiating slow-moving story. For the most part, all of the performances are good with special kudos going to Billy Dee Williams, for still be able to get around and flash that winning smile, and Richard E. Grant for being villainous while at the same time totally underused. I really think it is time that the whole production team go back and think this whole Star Wars thing through. In my humble opinion, the best films of the series have been Rogue One and…

​The Mandalorian. This Disney Plus addition is a must see. A perfect blend of the best of Star Wars, Italian Westerns and, yes, even Kurosawa. Baby Yoda is the breakout star of the limited series and Werner Herzog’s villainous turn is worth coming back for. Great guest stars and cameos throughout and, all in all, a much-needed boost to the Star Wars universe. It’s nothing short of brilliant and another feather in the creative cap of director/producer/writer Jon Favreau.

​Paramount’s Jack Ryan and Paramount’s Star Trek: Discovery (both Season 2) are hit and miss. The performances and production values remain high, the major story setting in Jack Ryan not up to the standards set in the premier season. Star Trek Discovery starts out slow, but by episode 6 takes off with a homage to the original that is worth the price of the entire Blu-Ray set. Both shows are still worth watching, in order to be all caught up for the upcoming seasons. Star Trek Discovery is already finishing up its 3rd season and, as yet, Jack Ryan’s fate is yet to be announced.
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The Outsider on HBO is crazy creepy and super great It is based on the novel by Stephen King and all of the performances by everyone in the cast, are topnotch. If this mini-series does not give you a sense of overall dread, I don’t know what will. Jason Bateman, fresh off his hit series Ozark, directs the hell out of the first two episodes and is doing a brilliant job.  The show is not without flaws, one in fact leads to this week’s gripe:
 
With the all the benefits of shooting in high resolution video, we have decided as an entire community to shoot with available light whenever possible. When used sparingly, this can cause anticipation, angst and an overall sense of dread to your project. When used all the time, it can also cause the overwhelming sensation of what the hell am I supposed to be looking at? I am hoping this is actually a trend and not that I am losing my vision. It could also be god’s way of saying I need a new 5 or even 6 k television. Until I find out for sure, can we at least shoot a few shots during the day? Thank you.
 
Okay, now that I have had my, “you kids stay off my yard” moment, we can all get on with our lives. Have a great week and I will see you all next week.

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