Category: All Posts

Asteroid Memories

I’ve been busy managing legal and financial matters requiring my attention. Not fun, but necessary.

Despite that, I went to a Regal Cinema to see Asteroid City, and I think I’ve finally stopped confusing Wes Anderson with Paul Thomas Anderson. I will borrow my pal Samjay’s catchall movie review and say, “I liked it.”

Watching Asteroid City, the premise of people gathering for an event, the mannered acting, and the alien visitation combined to remind me of Stardust Memories.

End-eavour Morse Coda

Sunday on PBS will be the series finale of Endeavour. I’ve been binge re-watching all of the previous episodes on Amazon Prime to get ready for the final three, recorded from GBH Boston.

Some of the cases that Morse solves are preposterous, but that’s true of every murder mystery show. The point of the series is, of course, the soap opera continuity of the relationships between the principle characters.

Along with Morse, I’m an admirer of Joanie, with Sarah Vickers as the girl next door who happens to be the boss’ daughter.

Dakota Blue Richards, as officer Trewlove, was in the show for several seasons. Morse kept the relationship professional, even after she suggested they should sleep in the same bed when posing as a married couple for an undercover assignment.

A favorite supporting character is the distinguished and well-spoken Dr. DeBryn, played by James Bradshaw. He has a catchphrase, “Shall we say 2 O’Clock?”

Anton Lesser as Superintendent Bright starts off as a prickly martinet who is doubtful of Morse’s resourcefulness to the point of undermining him. Bright comes to be a staunch advocate for Morse, and as the eldest member of the cast he evolves into a finely nuanced character.

Troubled Classic Movies

After the first round of layoffs at Turner Classic Movies, TCM Underground was cancelled. I was talking with someone last weekend who was enough of a TCM Underground fan that he cancelled his cable TV service.

Reassurances from the new axe-wielding boss at Warner Discovery that, despite his recent removal of the TCM management team, the station will continue as before aren’t convincing me, or most anyone else it seems.

The New Yorker’s film critic is calling TCM a national treasure.

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/turner-classic-movies-is-a-national-treasure

The final movie that was shown on TCM Underground was that sterling classic of compelling inhuman drama by Ed Wood, Bride of the Monster.

Another source of classic movies, the Movies! TV Network, is no longer being broadcast on Boston television. The only way to watch it is online with the FrndlyTV service. I might give it a try.

https://try.frndlytv.com/