‘Jack & Bobby’ review
“Jack & Bobby” Season 1 (2004-05, WB), episodes 1-7 – “Jack & Bobby’s” mother (Christine Lahti) is a living, breathing stereotype of a liberal college professor who feels out of sorts in Small Town, Missouri. […]
Political Drama
‘The Post’ fondly recalls the old days of a respected press, war protests (Movie review)
One of my bosses encouraged us to attend “The Post” (2017) – which recently got a wide theatrical release – to rekindle our passion for newspapering. The film encourages some of that spirit, no doubt, but […]
‘Designated Survivor’s’ President Kirkman is a nice guy – and an awful president (TV commentary)
ABC’s “Designated Survivor” strained throughout its first season to show that President Tom Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland) is a good, decent and refreshingly different type of president. But because the show operates on a superficial level, it’s easy […]
Rewatching and reviewing the classics: ’24’ Season 3 (2003-04) (TV review)
After establishing itself as TV’s elite adrenaline rush in the epic Season 2, “24” Season 3 (2003-04, Fox; now streaming on Amazon Prime) gets introspective and examines how family and romantic relationships can suffer under the weight […]
Rewatching and reviewing the classics: ‘24’ Season 2 (2002-03) (TV review)
Now would be a good time to rewatch “24” Season 2 (2002-03, Fox; now streaming on Amazon Prime). Centered on a terrorist nuclear bomb in Los Angeles and the buildup to war in the aftermath of its […]
Rewatching and reviewing the classics: ‘24’ Season 1 (2001-02) (TV review)
With “24: Legacy” premiering earlier this year, I have a perfect excuse to rewatch “24” Season 1 (2001-02, Fox; now streaming on Amazon Prime). Even without “Legacy,” this seems like a good time to get nostalgic about […]
First episode impressions: ‘24: Legacy’ (TV review)
It’s easy to forget how groundbreaking “24” was when it premiered in November 2001 in the wake of 9/11. I need to rewatch that first season (I see that Amazon Prime has it) to get […]
‘Snowden’ is a warm portrayal of a modern hero, but without many surprises (Movie review)
Whether Trump or Clinton wins the election tonight, the NSA’s spying program will continue, so it seems like a good time to watch “Snowden,” the most hyped-up liberty-themed film of the year. Oliver Stone’s chronicle of the […]
First episode impressions: ‘Designated Survivor’ (TV review)
Two episodes into its run, “Designated Survivor” (10 p.m. Wednesdays, ABC) continues to pay lip service to the idea of a president who is in over his head. Indeed, President Tom Kirkman (“24’s” Kiefer Sutherland) SHOULD be […]
‘Ted 2’: Cruise control (Movie review)
It’s probably just coincidence that the Supreme Court decided to rule on gay marriage the same day “Ted 2” hit theaters, although considering some of the Constitution-deaf dissents in that case, maybe some of the justices are […]