Melete Productions

Melete Productions is honored that "A Declaration of Love," the preface from "Song of Melete," has been cited by the Declaration Projection as a Valentine's Day addition to their collection.

Order a copy for that special someone or enjoy a copy yourself! Information and pricing from a variety of reputable vendors is available at Google Books:

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Song_of_Melete/_ExuBgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0&kptab=morebyauthor =lat_e7:%20401940698%0Alng_e7:%203441133593%0A&ba_loc=47305

Declaration of Love (a Valentine’s Day addition to our project) – Declaration Project When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for Men to no longer shoulder the quiet burdens of a Great Love…. a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel such a Love.

Order your copy of "Song of Melete" and "The Flapdoodle Follies" today. Information and pricing from a variety of reputable vendors is available at Google Books:

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwizwenKlaGEAxWImokEHWv3C0YQiKUDegQIAxAE&q=inauthor:%22E.+L.+Doc+Hunter%22&tbm=bks&sxsrf=ACQVn09m_yxZXLGt_9PyGYdxbRpjzvzpIw:1707581715376

Order your copy of "Song of Melete" and "The Flapdoodle Follies" today on Amazon.com!

https://www.amazon.com/Poetry-Doc-Hunter-Literature-Fiction/s?rh=n%3A10248%2Cp_27%3ADoc+Hunter

Order now on Amazon.com!

Tickle your funny bone. Order your copy of "The Flapdoodle Follies" today!

https://www.amazon.com/Poetry-Doc-Hunter-Literature-Fiction/s?rh=n%3A10248%2Cp_27%3ADoc+Hunter

Order now on Amazon.com!

Order a copy of "Song of Melete" for that special someone or enjoy a copy yourself!

https://www.amazon.com/Poetry-Doc-Hunter-Literature-Fiction/s?rh=n%3A10248%2Cp_27%3ADoc+Hunter

WEEK OF 3.27.2022
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•••••• SERIES & SEASONS
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4★
Snowpiercer, Season 3
TNT via Hulu
Snowpiercer is pure dystopian sci-fi magic. The plot gets snagged here and there with unnecessarily deep interpersonal drama, but the overall thrust of the series is energetic, dark while being hopeful, and endlessly fund to watch. Season three again hits the mark. The trestle bridge crossing to New Eden is a nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat ride that launches the season finale into a fantastic cliffhanger leaving us simply drooling for season four!
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4★
Jamestown, Seasons 1-3
Sky 1 via PBS Passport
It’s certainly not the most historically accurate teledama ever produced, but Sky 1’s “Jamestown” is a compelling and dynamic show well worth watching. The preliminaries: far too many characters display social attitudes entirely out of place for the time-period, slavery is only cursorily addressed, and the impending native holocaust is entirely dismissed with a good dose of what-aboutism. With that said, it’s a very engaging show with interesting character and enough subterfuge to keep the audience glued to the screen. I do wonder how a show almost entirely about to***co farmers, and the utter importance of to***co to the colonial economy, found an audience in a world that has decided that to***co is the biggest of the Big Bad.
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4★
Pieces of Her, Season 1
Netflix (Original)
A very conditional 4 stars. It’s an excellent show but ends with more questions than answers. One of the hallmarks of Netflix-made series is that they never just cut production mid-story, with nary a thought to their audience. The same cannot be said of virtually any network, all of which appear to be utterly indifferent to their customers of their obligation to put an end to whatever story they might be telling. Tere’s precedent enough to be optimistic that Netflix will give us another season “Pieces of Her” and that teased-about answers to the questions left by season one will be revealed. That said, as of this writing, season two has not been confirmed. If it comes about, season one will get four stars happily from us. If not, two might be more appropriate.
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5★
Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Season 7
Disney+ (Original)
The seventh and final season returns to somewhat forgotten (or displaced) characters from the series’ earlier seasons and, by doing so, wraps up existing storylines quite nicely.
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•
•••••• FILMS & SPECIALS
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4★
Death on the Nile (2022)
20th Century Studios via Hulu
“Death on the Nile” is Kenneth Branagh’s second effort as Hercule Poirot and again we find him in excellent form, both as Agatha Christie’s little-grey-cell-working Belgian and as the film’s director.
While a long line of tremendously talented actors – Albert Finney, Peter Ustinov, Ian Holm, Alfred Molina, Orson Welles – have twirled the mustache of this hero, David Suchet will always be the quintessential Poirot for us. That said, Kenneth Branagh is a very close, albeit quite different, second. This adaptation of “Death on the Nile” features edits to the plot, alterations to existing characters, and introductions to new characters not found in the original text. The updates didn’t really change the outcome or make it harder to figure out, leaving one to wonder what was the point of the edits? Was it the vanity of the writers who somehow imagined that they could improve on Christie? Who knows, but they did not, cannot. While beautifully shot and terrifically acted, the film does have a serious flaw that unveiled the entire mystery far too early in the plot. And, as if the filmmaker’s believed their audience to be completely stupid, they repeated that red paint clue relentlessly. Emma Mackey steals the show. If in Netflix’s “Sex Education” her fiery sexuality is subdued beneath the pretense of a confused and troubled teen, it explodes with an intensity and power that impossible to resist in “Death on the Nile.” Her performance is truly mesmerizing.
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•
•••••• WEEKLY DROPS
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4★
Blue Bloods, S12:E17
CBS via Hulu
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4★
Big Sky, S2:E12-14
ABC via Hulu
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4★
Picard, S2:E5
Paramount+ via Amazon Prime Video

WEEK OF 3.21.2022
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•••••• SERIES & SEASONS
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4★
Legacies, Season 3
The CW via Netflix
The persistent problem with teenager supernatural drama television is… well, teenagers (almost always played by 20 and 30-somethings). The pedantic romance and other teen drama storylines tend to cut into the meat of these series, diverting and watering down the underlying thrust of these supernatural suspense dramas. Thankfully, violently spinning them out seems to shake off at least some of the nonsense. “The Vampire Diaries,” most famously, was just dripping in sappy, heart-wrenching, star-crossed lover nonsense. The good-one-moment, evil-the-next dynamic of brothers caught in the seemingly endless cycle of a love-hate relationship spurred the series several seasons past its sell-by date. It’s first spin-off, “The Originals,” corrected some of those flaws but really only managed to replace melodramatic love stories with “always and forever” familial drama. (As a general rule, if a series relies heavily on the use of the word “epic” to describe the nature of its portrayed relationships, the writers have generally failed to covey a real sense of an epic story.) Often moving at a painfully slow pace that mimicked the eons of Klaus’s own existence, the series thankfully wrapped up before the audience found itself begging to be “daggered.”

“Legacies,” as the third spin-off in this universe, began with the same energy and format. At first glance, there wasn’t much reason to hope that this series had much more to offer than its predecessors. Thankfully, however, season three takes a turn towards the genre’s spiritual roots, even giving a nod to “the big bad,” a reference that any fan of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” will surely recognize. In fact, “Legacies” season three feels like a return to the magic of the golden age of “Buffy.” Thanks largely to The Necromancer – himself reminiscent of the quirky, quippy, over-the-top villains with smartass lines and witless plots that were so central to “Buffy” – viewers are treated to a monster-of-the-week creature feature. The dynamic of the “Legacies” “Super Squad” mirrors that of “Buffy’s” “Scooby Gang,” and Hope herself is a reasonable stand-in for the Buffy as a (at times annoyingly) head-strong, listen-to-no-one, tunnel-visioned badass. There’s still plenty of teen-drama and on-again-off-again romance to go around – after all, it’s essential to the genre – but “Legacies” deftly succeeds where its forebearers failed in returning viewers to that happy, magical place forged by “Buffy” and an annual apocalypse.

Season three also features an excellent musical episode that feels like something more than the cast’s need to prove it can sing, and a Star Wars spoof/tribute episode that is particularly well done.
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5★
Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Season 6
Disney+
After a long hiatus, we finally returned to the “Clone Wars” in its penultimate season and find it bittersweet: As much as we enjoy how these “Star Wars” series fill the gaps in the storyline, we’re increasingly sad that there seems to be fewer and fewer gaps to be filled.
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•••••• FILMS & SPECIALS
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2★
Bo Burnham: What (2013)
Netflix (Special)
We like Bo Burnham. We really do. But this early special is simply unwatchable. Spastic, self-indulgent, and audibly painful to listen to, we had to fast forward through pre-recorded sound effects and musical screechings before ultimately giving up the effort.
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4★
The Privilege (2022)
Netflix (Original)
Another entertaining and well-made teen horror from our good friends at Netflix. Netflix has really expanded their market by not only investing in foreign language productions (this one’s in German) but, more importantly, quality dubbing in English and multiple other languages. We’re particularly enamored with the Netflix productions coming out of Germany and the Scandinavian countries. This film isn’t going to win any awards and it’s not great “cinema” in the most artistic sense of the word. It is dark, atmospheric, mysterious, creepy, and good fun to watch.
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5★
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017)
Warner Bros. Pictures via Netflix
With its own take on the legend and mythology surrounding the titular king, this is one of the best-made Arthurian films we’ve seen in a while. It may take some liberties with the cannon but it certainly delivers on action, high-quality production, and quality acting… leaving the more typical low-budget fantasy flicks in the dust. Jude Law is fantastically villainous and Barney particularly like the Ursula-inspired Syrens.
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4★
Sebastian Live (2009)
Amazon Prime Video
The first 15 minutes of Sebastian Maniscalco’s stand-up special feels pretty dated. Flip phone in hand, he walks us through a series of observations about technology that just hold up across time. Thankfully, the bulk of the special is pure Sebastian hilarity. Viewed through a 2022 lens, we’re curious to know if he would make the same artistic choice with the machismo-laden closing segment.
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4★
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
Marvel Studios via Disney+
An action-packed spectacular, don’t eat if you’re watching this one from home. While everyone was orgasmically falling over themselves to proclaim this the greatest film in Marvel’s movie-making history, we would observe that it requires far more reading than might be appropriate for a comic book flick. Is the cultural and literary touchstone that uber nerds would have us believe, we think not. That said, the film does deliver quite a punch and we enjoyed it immensely… just don’t look away form the screen, even for a second, or you’ll miss some critical piece of the puzzle.
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4★
Prometheus (2012)
20th Century Fox via Amazon Prime Video
This was a re-watch for us and a testament to the power of managed expectations. We first saw this flick in 2012 and were sorely disappointed and would have given it only three stars. This time around, we went into the viewing with substantially lower expectations and really enjoyed ourselves. We still desperately want to know WTF is going on and what happens next, but viewed as a mildly elevated creature-feature with no real answers, the film manages to satisfy.
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5★
Don’t Look Up (2021)
Netflix (Original)
Netflix’s witty satire of contemporary American politics, media, and society vis-à-vis the pandemic and “alternative fact” phenomenon is a downright fun and funny flick. Don’t expect knee-slapping yucks, but you’ll get a bevy of good chuckles. Warning: If you’re triggered by science, facts, reality, etc., you might want to pass on this one.
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4★
Pompeii (2014)
Netflix DVD
This was the real diamond-in-the-rough for us this week. Typically fans of anything much to do with the ancient world, this title floated in our queue for years before working its way to the top. We knew next to nothing about the film – including the fact that Kiefer Sutherland plays the cruel villain – and expected little more from it than the low-budget, quasi-documentary-style flicks that tend to languish in the yet-to-be-streamed universe. True, this film was far from box office gold, but it has all the makings of a blockbuster: big names; great performances; expensive sets, costumes, and effects; a compelling plot; despicable bad guys and likeable heroes; and romance and action and drama and intrigue for days!
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•
•••••• WEEKLY DROPS
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4★
Snowpiercer, S3:E9
TNT via Hulu

5★
Picard, S2:E4
Paramount+ via Amazon Prime
Well, this certainly explains Whoopi Goldberg’s earlier appearance. On an unrelated note, the human in this partnership wants the entire Confederation Picard wardrobe. The feline member of the team doubts that it’s available in “tank ass” size.

WEEK OF 3.17.2022
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•••••• SERIES & SEASONS
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5★
Star Trek: Discovery, Season 4
Paramount+ via Amazon Prime
While we have tremendously enjoyed all four seasons of “Discovery,” this most recent season has been the most satisfying. Seasons one and two, in particular, felt like prequels whose primary objective was to set the stage for yet-to-come storylines and adventures. They also seemed unduly preoccupied with establishing the series as young, hip, and woke to the point that they strained credulity. At times, episodes felt more focused on capturing the spirit and culture of early 21st century diversity and inclusiveness than on weaving a story of encounters with new lifeforms and civilizations. Season four, with all the backstory and characters firmly in place, reaches out to new frontiers and captures the true spirit of the Star Trek franchise. The season finale felt like a true homecoming and we can’t wait to see where the crew of the Discovery will boldly go next.
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•
•••••• FILMS & SPECIALS
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5★
Munich – The Edge of War (2021)
Netflix (Original)
Rarely has a film seemed so in tune with spirit of the times as does Netflix’s “Munich – The Edge of War.” It’s ironic that it is a historical drama that so deftly captures the zeitgeist of the current moment in world history and contemporary affairs. One only needs to substitute Putin, Russia, and Czechoslovakia for Hi**er, Germany, and Ukraine to bring the palpable tension and danger of the film’s story into the present moment in world affairs. It is, of course, purely accidental. The film’s makers could no more foresee the present dangers of the world stage than mankind of the 1930s, naively hoping for peace, could foresee the horrors of World War II. The piece depicts an important episode of pre-war history and powerfully conveys a lesson to which we should all be exposed; the film should be required viewing for anyone concerned with – or navigating – contemporary world affairs.

Cinematically, the film is a triumph. Jeremy Irons’ portrayal of Neville Chamberlain is both more sympathetic than we are accustomed to and Oscar-worthy. If for no more than the quality of his eyes, the selection of Ulrich Matthes to play Hi**er was brilliant casting. The plot itself is captivating and progresses with a pulsating sense of urgency and intrigue that will keep viewer riveted to the screen.
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4★
X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019)
Marvel via Disney+
Another fun and entertaining film from the people at Marvel. We can’t decide whether the film is a bit too long or if it’s ample supply of flashbacks and backstory are necessary to carry the plot. Either way, fans of the genre should enjoy this flick.
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3★
The Black Hole (1979)
Disney via Disney+
“The Back Hole” was Disney’s attempt to capitalize on the space adventure craze hitting big and small screens alike in the late 1970s, e.g., “Star Wars” (1977), “Battlestar Galactica” (1978–1979). While considerably more hokey than “Star Wars,” if on par with “Battlestar,” Disney’s foray into the deep space ekes out mildly entertaining film. The story is good and the acting is sufficient for the times. What kills this movie is its completely baffling, unsatisfying, and absurd ending. The folks at Disney clearly had no cohesive notion of what lies beyond the titular back hole and so threw the entire writer’s desk into it: the bad guy apparently does straight to Hell and the good guys hurtle through space to some unknow celestial orb. Cut to credits backed by soaring music reminiscent of “2001: A Space Odyssey” and the audience is left wondering WTF just happened.
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5★
Eternals (2021)
Marvel via Disney+
Marvel’s penchant for long-format filmmaking really pays off with “Eternals.” The story is grandiose and epic enough to warrant a little extra time in front of the screen and moves along at a clip that easily lets viewers forget all about the clock. This movie takes everything that is good about the “Stargate” universe and “Ancient Alien,” sprinkles in a bit of marvel magic, and crams the whole lot into a form-fitting superhero outfit. The result is a fast-paced, story-driven, action-packed adventure of a film.
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5★
Scream (2022)
Paramount via Paramount+ via Amazon Prime Video
Self-aware and self-effacing, this is the best “Scream” movie since the original. The film perfectly captures the feel and excitement of that first film while poking fun at the sequels that fell short enough to inspire a dedicated spoof franchise. We found ourselves smiling throughout entire picture, awash with a sense of youthful nostalgia. We have to admit, we were pleasantly surprised. We went into this viewing with a nagging suspicion that three has-been actors came together in a half-backed plot to capitalize on the glory of the bygone careers. We’re happy to say that we couldn’t have been more wrong. Not only is the latest “Scream” the best thing to happen to the franchise since it began, it captures everything that is good and great about the teen slasher genre.
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3★
Candy Corn (2019)
Epic Pictures via Amazon Prime Video
This low-budget B-flick adopts a retro posture in an attempt to harken back to the “glory days” of late 20th century horror, while failing utterly to tap into the spirit (or scares) of the cinematic gold of that time. Despite the draw of the recognizable Courtney Gains (reliably solid performance) and Candyman’s Tony Todd, the quality of the acting ranged from wooden to downright absurdly high school. The overarching storyline was fairly interesting, even if its potential wasn’t fully realized, and there is plenty of excellent camera work. The absence of anything approximating an actual scare, or creepy vibe for that matter, leaves this film somewhere in the upper 2-star category. It’s a small mercy from Barney that we rounded up.
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3★
A Walk Among the Tombstones (2014)
Universal via Netflix
This isn’t Liam Neeson’s finest work. Don’t get us wrong, we love him, and the picture is fine. Just fine. For us, however, that’s exactly the problem. We somehow expected more. The plot follows the now all-too familiar storyline of a kidnapping gone wrong and the ensuing quest for (bloody) revenge and has all the components you’d expect: a damaged and troubled hero, a sympathetic victim/victims, lots of shoot-em-up action, and solidly detestable and psychotic bad guys. We enjoyed the movie, but it really failed to capitalize on the potential in the plot. SPOILER ALERT: When the villains target several drug traffickers for extortion, why didn’t these powerful underworld figures come together, mobilizing their cadres of arms and men to simply wipe them out? The answer is obvious: Neeson’s character needed a vehicle to be sole hero to win the day. That may have been good for he actor’s brand, but it left the story feeling a bit pointlessly absurd.
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5★
Taylor Tomlinson: Look At You (2022)
Netflix (Original)
Tomlinson’s new Netflix special was a bit of a gamble for us. Though clearly enjoying burgeoning success, we were not familiar with her or her work. Strikingly self-aware, Tomlinson manages to weave her pain and struggle into deeply funny material that left us wanting more. Her naked, raw, and self-effacing delivery of one hilarious insight after another is all the more remarkable coming from a 20-something year-old.
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4★
Chris D’Elia: Incorrigible (2015)
Netflix (Original)
Chris D’Elia’s (fairly dark) performance in season 2 of Netflix’s “You” reminded us how much we enjoyed watching him. We sought out this older special and were glad we did. D’Elia is funny, goofy, spastic, and (sometimes) insightful. This Netflix special does not disappoint.
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•••••• WEEKLY DROPS
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5★
Law & Order, S21:E4
NBC via Hulu

4★
Law & Order: Organized Crime, S2:E16
NBC via Hulu

4★
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, S23:E16
NBC via Hulu

5★
Picard, S2:E3
Paramount+ via Amazon Prime

WEEK OF 3.7.2022
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••• SERIES & SEASONS •••
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4★
You, Season 2
Netflix (Original)
If you liked season one, you’ll love season two. We’ll have to admit: we were hesitant. This series languished, untouched, in our queue long after season three dropped. In our defense, the description and preview don’t really do this little gem justice. Luckily, were nudged in the right direction by someone in-the-know. Unlike movie sequels that often fall short, it’s not unusual for successive seasons of a series to outshine the ones that came before. Season two definitely meets that bar. Far from following a formula established in season one, season two flips the narrative on its head with plenty of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end. This season relies more on supporting characters that feel much more central to the plot. That said, the story does seem to get wrapped up in, and sidetracked by, these characters at times. Push through the detours; you’ll be glad you did.
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5★
The Food that Built America, Seasons 1-3
History Channel via Hulu
American pop history at its finest. You’ll be amazed at what you didn’t know.
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5★
The Last Kingdom, Season 5
Netflix (Original)
Netflix’s The Last Kingdom has always dodged between political intrigue (palace, clan, personal) and the gruesome, bloody violence of medieval warfare. We’re not sure if it’s just our lens of contemporary political discord, but the fifth season seems to tilt more heavily towards the political. Not that there’s any shortage of action-packed sequences and pitched battles. All that we’ve come to expect and love from The Last Kingdom is present in this final season. The bulk of the episodes, however, tend to delve more deeply and profoundly into the intricacies of Anglo-Saxon-Norse-Scottish rivalries and alliances, treachery and betrayal, and political maneuvering aspirational kingdom-building. The result is a highly-charged, emotional, edge-of-your seat culmination of the story of Uhtred, son of Uhtred. Brida’s return is spectacular, opening the door to the series’ greatest messianic villainy, giving viewers the very best kind of villain you love to hate, but leaving us vulnerable and pitying in the end. The series finale centers around a nail-biting final battle and brings the saga to a satisfying ending while acknowledging that this is merely one small chapter in a lager tale that will continue to play out for centuries to come. All-in-all, season five may be the series’ best. It’s everything that fans will expect but with enough twists-and-turns to be anything but predictable.
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5★
Reacher, Season1
Amazon Prime (Original)
We’ll go out on a limb and just say it: It’s better than the Tom Cruz version. Amazon really hit the nail on the head. A fun, witty, smart story filled with smartassery, mystery, and action.
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4★
Masterpiece: Roadkill, Season1
PBS Passport
Hugh Laurie is great in Masterpiece’s Roadkill. If this was a one-and-done, we might have given it a two to three stars. Luckily, season two has been announced, making season one’s less-than-satisfactory ending merely a launching point. To what? We’re not sure. It certainly feels like the real meat of Roadkill is just on the verge of getting flayed… and we can’t wait!
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•
••• FILMS & SPECIALS •••
•
3★
The Bunker (1981)
Netflix DVD
In a mediascape flooded with documentaries and movies (fictionalized or otherwise) depicting the death throes of the Third Reich, there’s nothing particularly special to see here. Viewers won’t see much that they’ve not see before. This made-for-TV film is well done and there’s no bad acting, though there is a bit of bad casting. (Cliff Gorman as Joseph Goebbels is a particularly awkward fit.) The main draw of the film, of course, is Anthony Hopkins as der Führer himself, played with Hopkins’ usual brilliance, intensity, and depth. Other excellent performances are delivered by Michael Lonsdale as Martin Bormann and Richard Jordan as Albert Speer, the latter serving as the film’s (anti)hero. While short on lines, Michael Sheard (Himmler) and David King (Goering) offer uncanny likeness to the real deal. One of the things we liked best about this film was the lack of pretense to accent: Brits spoke like Brits and Americans like Americans, with no attempt at the usual phony, guttural German.

Of all the horror to be witnessed in this portrayal of Hi**er’s last days in the Berlin bunker, we found the blind, delusional, cult-like faith and devotion demonstrated by the women of the staff (mostly cooks, maids, and secretaries) to be the most jarring. Their collective performances were truly disturbing. In the face of self-evident, impending doom, and the madness that came with it, these characters lovingly clung to their leader; the mounting and irrefutable evidence of utter failure, utterly ignored or dismissed. Mania and paranoia seemed to mutually reinforce each other as der Führer shook history with ever-more erratic behavior. The glassy eyes of the devoted, awe-struck staff were both reminiscent of contemporary political cult followers and a reminder of the power of repeated lies and mythos over the weak-minded among us. That alone makes this film worthy of a thoughtful viewing.
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5★
The Adam Project (2022)
Netflix (Original)
We’re not sure that Ryan Reynolds managed to make the Back to the Future of our time, but he came damn close. By any measure, The Adam Project is a great film, full of heart, wit, action, and suspense. You’ll come away feeling like just like your younger self after a formative adventure.
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•
••• WEEKLY DROPS •••
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4★
Snowpiercer, S3:E68
TNT via Hulu

5★
Law & Order, S21:E3
NBC via Hulu

5★
Law & Order: Organized Crime, S2:E15
NBC via Hulu

5★
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, S23:E15
NBC via Hulu

5★
Blue Bloods, S12:16
CBS via Hulu

4★
Big Sky, S2:E11
ABC via Hulu

5★
Picard, S2:E2
Paramount+ via Amazon Prime

5★
Star Trek: Discovery, S4:E12
Paramount+ via Amazon Prime

••• SERIES •••
4★
The Mandalorian, Season 1
Disney+
Full of Star Wars goodness yet leaves us feeling a bit bewildered. Who is that? Where is that? What is that? How?! What?! A great ride of an adventure but, unless you’re a Star Wars uber-geek, you’ll likely want to do a bit of googling to get your bearings.

5★
The Mandalorian, Season 2
Disney+
As good as the Disney-owned Star Wars output is, we have to admit to feeling a bit… dirty, maybe(?) when the Disney logo pops before each episode. That aside, with the terms of engagement fully settled by season 2, viewers can comfortably sit back and enjoy the show.

5★
The Book of Boba Fett, Season1
Disney+
Boba Fett’s wild west adventure. The crossovers with The Mandalorian bring this full-circle. Deep character development, great action and plot.

5★
Atlantic Crossing, Season 1
PBS
A one-and-done that leaves your wanting more. An interesting take on a little-know story surrounding WWII. Great acting. Good scripts and production values.

5★
Doc Martin, Season 9
Netflix DVD
Pure British magic. Martin Clunes’ greatest role, if not his most iconic. Season 9 reunites viewers with the grumpy, socially-dysfunctional, but good-hearted seaside doc. While Clunes is great, he doesn’t pull it off all on his own. This show is packed with quirky, whacky, and very funny small-town characters played by excellent actors. It all goes into the mix for an up-and-down emotionally ride that invariably leads to some great feel-good moments.

4★
Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, 2019
Netflix
More, Jerry. We want more.


••• FILMS & SPECIALS •••
4★
Against The Ice
Netflix
A slow-burning historical action-drama from Netflix (original) about a turn-of-the-century northern Greenland exploratory expedition. The icy visuals are breathtakingly beautiful and the danger comes through as disturbingly real. (Don’t worry, nobody gets eaten… though it is discussed.) The tension of the deadly journey is only matched by palpable dangers of isolation-induced madness. We would have given this one five stars but the sled dogs meet horrible, gut-wrenching ends. While likely essential for the historical realism of the film, we sacrificed one star in solidarity with our canine friends.

4★
Halloween, 2007
Netflix
This was a re-watch for us. This version of the Michael Myers story tries to recapture the look and feel of the original in that ever-so self-consciously retro style that has become endemic in contemporary film and television. Some of that can be good. Some of it is just downright bad. This felt completely unnecessary. That aside, the 2007 Halloween delivers all the mask-wearing, knife-wielding bad-assery that we’ve come to expect from “Mikey.” We’re sorry to say, though, that the usually terrific Malcolm McDowell’s portrayal of Dr. Samuel Loomis falls short of Donald Pleasence iconic performance in the same role. McDowell, who is best known for his portrayal of over-the-top super villains, brings that same energy to a desperate Loomis trying to stop pending tragedy. Pleasence, with his characteristically measured delivery, gives us a Loomis who has looked into the very eyes of evil and walked away a mildly broken man who knows true terror. In fact, it’s that conveyance of utter terror that plunges the viewer into horror more so than any rote slasher sequence could ever hope to achieve. Nonetheless, Michael Myers is still the scariest guy on the block and this Halloween certainly delivers the thrills and chills.

4★
Texas Chainsaw 3D, 2013
Netflix
The Texas Chainsaw that finally gave poor ole’ Leatherface a happy ending. The film was also an apparent vehicle to showcase Alexandra Daddario’s physique, if not her acting talents. By combining the bloodlust of the chainsaw-wielding maniac with the revenge-motivated murderous impulses of Jason Voorhees, Chainsaw manages to make Leatherface into a sympathetic character. By the end, we found ourselves cheering him on; it’s always fun when the bad guys get exactly what is coming to them.

3★
Chappelle's Home Team - Earthquake: Legendary
Netflix
We can appreciate what he’s trying to do here, but Dave oversold and Earthquake underdelivered. You have to believe that if Earthquake was funny enough to warrant his own Netflix special, he would have gotten there on his own… and long before now. Still, he has his truly funny moments and some insightful material. It’s worth watching for a few good chuckles, just don’t expect Chappelle-level hilarity.

3★
Iron Sky: The Coming Race, 2019
Amazon Prime
While not as good as the original Iron Sky (2012), this little film is still great fun and worth watching. It has everything a self-consciously cheesy action flick should have plus moon n***s, shape-shifting lizard people, the holy grail, dinosaurs, a hollow Earth, aliens, spaceships, and more!


••• WEEKLY DROPS •••
4★
Law & Order: Organized Crime, S2:E14
Hulu
4★
Law & Order, S21:E2
Hulu
4★
Law & Order: Special Victims, S23:E14
Hulu
4★
Blue Bloods, S12:E14-15
Hulu
4★
Big Sky, S2:E10
Hulu
4★
Picard, S2:E1
Amazon Prime
5★
Star Trek: Discovery, S4:E11
Amazon Prime