A historical reenactment of sorts of the first night that SNL went live. Basically the behind the scenes leadup to "Live... from NY... it's Saturday Night". Lorne Michaels is the star of this telling as he works to put all the pieces together for something that no-one thought could happen and was improbable at best. Great characterizations of Belushi, Chase, Crystal, and a bunch of comics I should know but don't. This was fun and funny.
4 stars (out of 5)
A 9 episode reality series following a Vancouver BC logging outfit over the course of a logging season. The team has a "float camp", which is a large dorm-barge that operates as their base of operations in highly remote work areas. I love seeing the variety of things that go on with a big operation like this (the fallers, the mechanics, river tug operators, etc.). I get tired of the every episode discussion of money that seems to be used to remind us of the tension. It is not necessary as the rest of the story is sufficient to keep everyone interested.
4 stars (out of 5)
Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx team up for a spy, action, drama. The two are former black ops CIA spies who have left the business and raised a "normal family" for 15 years. But they are discovered and pulled back into the life as Foxx had stolen a "magic key" back when they were faking their death. So a pretty typical plot line that, I believe, is supposed to be novel based on the witty banter and chemistry between the stars. But it is mostly just a typical offerings.
3 stars (out of 5)
Season 4
This French PBS series follows Astrid Nielson, an autistic police officer who works in the documents archive. Astrid continues to navigate social integration and the novelty of relationship with new boyfriend Tetsu and Stepbrother Niels. Astrid continues to be the driving force in all investigative break throughs with the team. So entirely predictable. And entirely enjoyable. One of my favorite police procedurals of recent years.
5 stars (out of 5)
A Japanese period drama which plays out as a treasure hunt / action thriller. A former soldier who seems to have acquired some sort of invincibility in battle joins up with an indigenous girl in the hunt for a treasure stash of gold that was stolen from locals in the prior generation. They are seeking the map (tattoo'd on the skin of a bunch of escaped convicts) and run into both a rogue military unit and a criminal mob seeking the same map. I thought is was going to be a standalone movie, but apparently it is a part one since the gold was not found :)
3 stars (out of 5)
Set in the star wars universe, four kids accidentally find a space ship and launch it into hyper space. Turns out they have become the owners of a pirate ship, and have no idea how to get back to their home planet of At Attin, since it is largely an galactic myth - rumored to hold endless wealth. The kids have to grow up quickly, learn to trust each other and find a way home. Quite fun.
4 stars (out of 5)
