'The Fabulous Dorseys' 4K; Fighting Irish Big Band Theory

 

The two December 2021 releases from The Film Detective provide good reason to rejoice in this less-than-merry holiday season. Our topic du jour is the December 14 4K (also out on DVD) release of  "The Fabulous Dorseys" (1947).  A cool aspect of this example of the big band films of the '40s is that Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey portray themselves in this true Hollywood story.

The Holmes for the Holidays BD gift set of four rare Sherlock Holmes films (complete with rare shorts and other spectacular extras is a subject for a post within in the next few weeks. Having watched three of the films and several of the copious even more rare shorts allows the preview that Detective surpassed its usual excellence. 

The following Detective trailer for the "Dorseys" release awesome highlights both the docu and the drama aspects of this equally educational and entertaining look at the "fathers" of '60s squabbling siblings The Smothers Brothers. We also get a sense of how it all came together when Dad sang along not to mention seeing how something always happens whenever the boys are together. 

Our story begins with the early 20th century childhood of Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey. Wholesome hilarity ensues as failed musician/part-time music teacher Mr. Dorsey suffers through a lesson with a comically inept student when the titular excitable boys come rushing in. This leads to aptly showing that the sons of a cobbler do not always go shoeless.

All of us who despise our siblings can relate to the following scene in which forced labor in the form of practicing music leads to the brothers arguing in a manner that continues well into their childhood. Essentially, Jimmy insists on being the leader of the band despite Tommy wanting to figuratively dance to his own tune. In this regard, one can consider the Dorseys as the fathers of Ray and Dave Davies of The Kinks and the grandfathers of Dan and Warren Zanes of The Del Fuegoes. 

We also meet singer/girl-next-door Jane Howard, who is skilled at getting Les Freres Dorsey to settle down. Her main motivation is to ease the angst of Mrs. Dorsey.

An underlying theme of these opening segments is that laborer Mr. Dorsey does not want his coalminer's sons to have to follow in his sooty footsteps. Anyone who has seen either "Billy Elliot" or the criminally little-known Keanu Reeves film "The Prince of Pennsylvania" can relate to this. 

The game fully is afoot when the action shifts ahead 15 years to the Dorseys having some success with their dreams of travelling together, spreading a little music, and keep moving on. Sadly, they do not always feel happy when they are singing their song, This time, it is Jane who is singing along and keeping harmony within the family. 

These early days are fraught with figurative roadblocks that make even having enough money to eat a dive and stay at a flophouse a challenge. Their piano player bailing at a low point for the group leads to the fateful hiring of movie-palace entertainer Bob Burton. One spoiler is that Bob essentially becomes the cousin, rather than the uncle, of our leads. 

A subsequent highlight of "Dorseys" is a live-radio gig gone amusingly horribly awry. This incident is instrumental (of course, pun intended) to the subsequent break-up of the band. Rather than being a Yoko, Jane risks personal happiness by relentlessly trying to get the bros to hug it out.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, Ma and Pa Dorsey are fretting about their battling offspring. Seeing the impact of the kids not being alright on the 'rents is especially well portrayed. 

All of this leads to the expected Hollywood ending.

The Ballyhoo Films documentary on the aforementioned movies that center around the rock gods, including Frank Sinatra in his younger days, that greatly enhance life in a northern town PERFECTLY demonstrates the blessing and the curse of these always awesome productions. Although watching these shorts after the main feature avoids major spoilers, saving that equally and educational work for a tasty dessert distracts from savoring the miraculously expertly restored main course from Detective.

Ballyhoo does its usual comprehensive job in explaining the societal context of this genre and by informing the viewer of the Kinsey scale from sublime to ridiculous as to what Hollywood releases in this period. Ala the debate as to whether "Die Hard" is a Christmas film, Ballyhoo sparks controversy by labelling the Abbott and Costello movie "Buck Privates," which does feature performances by The Andrews Sisters, as a big band movie. Purists would argue that it is a comedy.

Following the tradition of the cool kids not reading over the Christmas break is behind only being able to mention that this release includes a Cliff Notes essay on the Dorseys. The perfect track record of Detective prompts strong confidence that this one is as well-written as its counter-parts in the Detective library. 

'Hanna-Barbera: The Architects of Saturday Morning' Exhibit at Rockwell Museum is Yabba Dabba Doo Worthy

[EDITOR'S NOTE: An article on an interview with world-class animator/Hanna-Barbera toy collector David Nimitz, who provided the museum every toy for the exhibit, also is on Unreal TV.]

Children of the '60s and the '70s (and other lovers of Saturday morning cartoons) must raise a bowl of tasty sugar-laden cereal that comprises the delicious part of a delicious nutritious breakfast in tribute to Norman Rockwell Museum curator Jesse Kowalski.

This former exhibitionist at the Andy Warhol Museum bringing both his curatorial talent and his love for the Scooby gang and the 1,000s of other Hanna-Barbera creations to Stockbridge, Mass. is why your not-so-humble reviewer and 1,000s of others who have uttered "yabba dabba doo" at least once in their lives have had the privilege of seeing "Hanna-Barbera: The Architects of Saturday Morning" at the Rockwell Museum. Having Kowalski guide me through the exhibit was like personally seeing Willy Wonka show off his chocolate factory.

The copious information that Kowalski shared included that the exhibit has been incredibly popular. He noted that it set a record for Fall shows and blew an exhibit of the work of comic book artist Alex Ross "out of the water."

One Scooby-worthy mystery that Kowalski cannot solve is why the late-'50s H-B cat-and dog series "Ruff and Ready" is a "lost" treasure. The historic significance of this first television effort by "Tom and Jerry" creators Hanna and Barbera includes it being the first Saturday morning show that is all cartoons, rather than a primarily live-action series in which a flesh-and-blood host incorporates cartoons that begin life as theatrical shorts in the program. Speculation regarding "Ruff" not achieving the same status as later H-B offerings is that our animation gods use this show to work out the kinks that their classics lack.

The images below from the exhibit provide a glimpse of what we are missing.

Alas, the exhibit tour did not end with owning the 100s of drawings, animation cels, video clips, and case-smashing worthy vintage merch. that comprises the exhibit. The exhibit catalog, which has reprints of much of the aforementioned art and photos of the aforementioned collectibles, is a nice consolation prize. Buying Funko-style toys of Daphne and Velma of "Scooby" fame when exiting through the gift shop is another highlight.

Folks who have not visited the exhibit have until May 29, 2017 to do so. Parents of K-12 kids particularly have the option of making this an April vacation week activity that the whole family truly can enjoy,

The exhibit fulfills the same ideal as a documentary film in that it equally entertains and informs. The scope extends from the early days of this 60-year partnership/friendship to the near present. Highlights are early rejected sketches of the Flintstones and other classic characters and concepts, such as "Josie and the Pussycats 1,000,000 BC," that never see the light of day.

Awesome verification that your not-so-humble reviewer is in sync with the exhibit is writing the caption for the below image of "The Flintstones" preceding Kowalski telling the tale of a female reporter who responds on seeing it in a pre-exhibit promotional campaign that it deplorably depicts whom your not-so-humble reviewer calls "sexy Wilma." Kowalski states that his respectful response to the real-life Lois Lane includes asking her to consider that this image is from the relative caveman period of the early '60s compared to the more enlightened "Jetsons" era in which we live.

The following samples of this artwork barely scratches the surface of the rare treasures that will delight visitors of the proverbial all ages.



A "Flintstones" toy telephone is one of 300 treasures on loan from the 4,000 items collectibles collection of "Iron Giant" animator David Nimitz.



Version of "The Flintstones" that likely would have increased adult male viewership of the first prime-time animated series.

Another highlight of the show (and a Herculean labor of love by Kowalski) is an interactive touch-screen exhibit with a homepage display of thumbnails of 96 HB characters. Touching a small image opens a page that allows you to read about that character, see video clips with him or her, and listen to related sound effects.

Light-hearted personal disappointment regarding not seeing Goober the disappearing dog of the Scooby clone "Goober and the Ghostchasers" prompted Kowalski to good-naturedly share that he was told to pick 96 characters. He and I both understood that that limitation precluded including the favorite HB creation of every visitor.

An underlying theme of the exhibit that is awesome for folks who suffer from the current big studio practice of producing films that blatantly sacrifice art for commerce is that Hanna and Barbera maintain both quality and the bottom line. The primary technique is the cost-saving practice of limited animation that the exhibit describes. An obvious element of this is the oft-repeating backgrounds on "Flintstones" and other Hanna-Barbera productions.

The audience additionally sees how Hanna-Barbera are true pioneers of television and how they successfully adapt to changing regulatory and cultural environments. This explains how "talking animal" Hanna-Barbera offerings lead to superhero and other action-adventure shows, which leads to animated versions of prime-time hits, which evolve into series such as "The Flintstones Kids" and "A Pup Named Scooby-Doo." (Nimitz began his animation career as a 17 year-old intern on "Pup.") You also will learn how the combination of governmental and consumer influence ultimately kill off Saturday morning cartoons.

Kowalski further proves his entitlement to induction in the Fanboy Hall of Fame in sharing at the end of our sadly less than three-hour tour that he will continue curating animation exhibits for the Rockwell museum. His reasoning that these shows further the objective of the institution to educate the general public about the legendary The Saturday Evening Post illustrator for whom the museum exists makes sense.

The statements of Kowalski that he wants to keep classic cartoons and other animation in pop culture (and that many young visitors do not know about Scooby-Doo) endears him to the heart of your not-so-humble reviewer. Readers of early manifestos know that Unreal TV owes its existence to larger sites rejecting coverage of "TV Land shows" that does not generate enough income to satisfy the suits. The specific founding principles of this boutique site include keeping Lucy Ricardo and Ralph Kramden in the public consciousness.

On a larger level, it is nice to learn that Hanna and Barbera are guys with whom you would want to share a mug of cocoa while watching their creations do the things that endear these men to all of us.

Anyone with questions or comments regarding the exhibit is strongly encouraged to email me. You also can connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.

2021 Gift Guide: CBS Home Entertainment and Film Detective Rule

 

The Christmas newsletter portion of this holiday gift guide is that 2021 was a back to the future year for these posts that primarily focus on DVD and Blu-ray releases. 

Technical and proverbial personal problems (as well as a Covid-accelerated shift in the marketing of physical media) prompted discontinuing the enhanced Matt Nelson Reviews site that stemmed from Unreal TV. Those 1,000s of posts getting irrevocably lost was an unfortunate consequence.

Needing to cut way back on these posts was the main reason for resurrecting Unreal TV.

A guiding philosophy for the below choices comes from the early 2000s teen scifi cult classic series "Roswell." The gift-giving guidelines from that series are that a present should be something that the other person wants but would not buy for himself or herself.

Further guidance comes from the companion series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." The wisdom from those mid-20s actors playing teens is that gift certificates are just like money except for being less useful. 

A personal pet peeve is when a donation is made in my name to a charity. 

Fully separating the wheat from the chaf has been a lagniappe. CBS Home Entertainment and Film Detective have both released some awesome titles and are very supportive of the incredible shrinking reviewer who is trying to share the news about cult titles. These elements support putting CBSHE and Detective titles under the tree. 

The CBSHE recent "Star Trek" OS CS BD set deserves strong praise. This stunning (pun intended) collection of the one that showed that cerebral sells and that almost literally launched 1,000 ships is at the top of the make-a-wish list of your not-so-humble reviewer. 

"Trek" OS is representative of the "TV Land" section of the extensive CBSHE library, which literally runs the gamut from the '50s to the present. An all-time fave is the (reviewed) EPIC 65th anniversary CS DVD set. The value of this desert-island worthy set is that it proves that westerns have much more substance than saloon fights and cattle stampedes.

A ripped-from-today's-headline story as to "Gunsmoke" is as fresh as this morning. A visiting friend remarking that her husband still watches the series prompted showing her my CS set. Her eyes lit up, and convincing her to buy her husband a set was far from futile. 

The aforementioned carnage as to the demise of Matt Nelson Reviews includes the loss of the post on the CS DVD set, which is the personal fave of the CBSHE 2021 releases, of "Beverly Hills 90210." This literal trend setter is the one that has launched 1,000 imitators and parodies. The epicness this time includes S1 of the hilarious 2019 series "BH90210."

Detective fully embracing the sublime, the ridiculous, and the sublimely ridiculous make it a best friend of your not-so-humble reviewer. These (often 4K) releases featuring equally entertaining and educational Ballyho Films documentaries is the icing on the cake.

The (reviewed) "Eegah" release, which includes the riff-heavy "Mystery Science Theater 3000" version of this cult classic, is an all-time fave. The wonderful performance by B-caliber character actor Arch Hall, Jr. and the hilariously cheap production make this one must see. 

Recent comparable Detective releases, which have typically top-notch Ballyho documentaries, include the (reviewed) "Amazing Mr. X" about a conman who will psych you out in the end and the (reviewed) "Frankenstein's Daughter" that notches up the Freud to a level that will make you feel Jung again. 

Saving one of the bests for last, the unparalleled Detective gift set of four Sherlock Holmes films plus a plethora of collectibles is a must-have and give. This perfect gift for anyone who loves classic films and accompanying SWAG, including a 13-month Sherlockian calendar and a notebook for fans who are not clueless, is the epitome of the "Roswell" theory. 

The deadline for ordering the "Holmes" set is November 26, 2021. The blessing-in-disguise as to the December 21, 2021 release date is that it allows giving the lucky recipient a placeholder gift such as a stuffed dog that represents "The Hound of the Baskersville" or a similar Holmes-themed gift and having that loved one deduce the real gift that should arrive in time for an awesome New Year's Eve movie marathon. A post on this set is scheduled for early January 2022. 

The bottom line this time is that awesome loot under the tree delights kids of all ages. These gifts being equally delightful and surprising is the icing on the gingerbread person. CBSHE and Detective releases check all these boxes. 

Frankenstein's Daughter: Suburban Smash Monster Mash

The bright and shiny Film Detective October 26, 2021 4K release of the 1958 cult classic "Frankenstein's Daughter" makes a perfect "bride" for the Detective 4K release of fellow kiddie matinee fodder "The Amazing Mr. X." As the Unreal TV post on the "X" release states, Detective awesomely reminds us that they don't make 'em like that anymore. 

As usual, Detective enhances fanboy viewing pleasure ala Ballyhoo Films labor-of-love documentaries. 36 minutes of the wit-and-wisdom directly from the mouth of "Daughter" auteur in "Richard E. Cunha: Filmmaker of the Unknown" tells the viewer everything that be wanted to know about making B movies but was afraid to ask. 

A highlight of "Filmmaker" is watching Cunha discuss making "Giant From the Unknown," which is another exceptional Detective 4K release. That low-budget opus will make you remember the Alamo. 

The bonus companion piece "John Ashley: Man From the B's" has Ballyho regular talking head/film historian extraordinaire C. Courtney Joyner explore the life-and-times of the titular portrayer of the teen doofus stock character in "Daughter." One spoiler is that Ashley is no Arch Hall, Jr. of the (reviewed) Detective 4k of "Eegah." 

The following Detective promo for "Daughter" goes above-and-beyond by featuring the aforementioned included Ballyho documentaries. A highlight of this is explaining the appearance of the titular creature. 

Two primary themes of "Daughter" set it apart from its fellow '50s thrillers. The larger concept borrows the Hitchcock theme of moving the terror from the spooky house (or castle) on the hill to the center-hall colonial in the 'burbs. The nefarious doings this time occur in what essentially is a man cave. This also feeds on Cold War paranoia by showing that you never know what is going on next door. 

The other notable aspect of "Daughter" reflects the vibe of "I Was a Teenage Werewolf" (1957). Both films are non-canon productions of franchises with universal appeal. They also add a particularly strong "Jekyll and Hyde" element to tales of teen angst. On a related note, "Werewolf" easily could have ben titled "Lycanthrope Without a Cause."

Our story begins with teen slut Suzie, who ultimately gets a Hays Code style comeuppance, finishing up a typical date with her disposable beau-du-jour when she encounters the Hyde of the film. The morning-after action shifts to affable scientist/guardian Carter Morton checking in with his niece/ward Trudy. The disturbed state of the mind of Trudy provide early clues to a Cosby-type situation that proves to be especially sad-but-true. A sociological aspect is girls of the era coming across as Sandra Dee at the cost of fully suppressing their inner Mamie Van Dorn. 

The other primary player is madman-with-an-evil mind/research assistant Oliver Frank, who is very proud of the heritage of his family. His garden-variety deranged assistant adds an awesome touch that makes one hope that he finds a "donor" whom he believes is named Abby Normal.

The plot thickens on the reveal that Frank expresses his frustration as to his lack of game by slipping an unsuspecting Trudy an experimental drug that brings out her ugly side on a few levels. This is a prelude to the primary trauma-and-drama of the film. One confrontation puts the concept of poetic justice to the acid test.

"Daughter" further reflects its time with an odd '50scom epilogue with a highly predictable climax. The message here is that our principals have recovered from the wacky adventure of the previous proverbial 30 minutes and now can laugh about it. As stated above, they do not make 'em like that anymore. 

'Eegah' Blu-ray: Captain Caveman Meets Joel and the Bots

Deity to lovers of classic and/or obscure movies, The Film Detective fully puts the turkey back into Turkey Day with a pristine 4K restoration (complete with "Mystery Science Theater 3000" version) of the 1962 scifi cult classic "Eegah" on November 26, 2019. The Turkey Day tie-in dates back to '90s-era MST3K Thanksgiving marathons of the best episodes of this series that hilariously and relentlessly riffs on movies that are "the worst we can find."

An unintentionally amusing element of "Eegah" is that its 1955 Mexican release date is April 1. 

The true MST3K gems are the ones such as "Eegah" in which the roasted fowl itself is highly entertaining and creator/head writer/host Joel Hodgson (later Mike Nelson, no relation) and the "bots" that join him in watching B-movies are fully on their game both in their riffing and the bumper skits. The voice of experience advises to not eat cereal while watching these frequent trifecta offerings; Apple Jacks will become airborne. 

The ONLY complaints about "Eegah" are that the MST3K gang NEVER mentions the '70s cartoon "Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels" or the 1992 Pauly Shore teencom "Encino Man" and misses a chance for a  PERFECT reference as to wannabe teen idol Arch Hall, Jr. commenting in "Eegah" that he is taking his beloved dune buggy off road. Even moderate MST3K fans are sure to yell out "Roads?! Where we're going, we don't need roads." Lesser sins of omission are not referencing Kristin Shepard or Joe Gillis in a climatic scene, 

The MANY ways in which the almost non-stop clever quips more than compensates for the omissions include a clever reference to the 1963 star-laden comedy "Its a Mad Mad Mad Mad World."

The "True Palm Springs Story" behind "Eegah" is just as entertaining as the action in this film about the titular caveman (Richard "Jaws" Kiel) looking for love in all the wrong places. As blonde surfer dude star Arch Hall, Jr. tells it in an interview for the blu-ray, he and his father simply decide to run a low-budget scifi film up the flagpole and see if any teens salute.

As Hodgson states in a separate DVD extra, the pandering to the target audience includes giving the kids all they love in the form of numerous elements that include rock-and-roll and a character who wants to be a Flintstone (a little baby Flintstone). Hearing about when Joel meets Arch years after brutally verbally bashing the latter is another interview highlight.

Our story fully begins after roughly 10 minutes of (sometimes comically obvious) exposition. Love interest Roxy is driving her two-seater convertible down a desert road when she runs into Eegah (name written in blood). She lives at least another day to tell her tale to father Mr. Miller (Arch, Sr.) and boyfriend Tom (Arch Jr.).

This soon leads to the "watch out for snakes" reference that is an all-time Misties favorite. Mr. Miller then makes a desert crossing that initially gives Tom glee in the form of getting to show off his speed buggy. Subsequent events show that a father and daughter reunion is only a booty call away. 

Their unfortunate incarceration in the land of the lost allows the Millers to meet the parents and to ponce on the origin story of their host. (The missed opportunity here is the Sherwood Schwartz failedcom "It's About Time" that has two astronauts time travel to prehistoric times.)  

It is equally predictable that a successful escape is not the end of the story; Our brother from another era fully finds himself in the modern world on coming in search of his bride. Needless to say that this blast from the past with a variation of a shotgun wedding does not lead to happily ever after. 

The broadest appeal of this pleasure that does not provide any cause to feel guilty is that it is a strong example of the Saturday afternoon matinee fare that delights and amuses in a manner that keeps MST3K initially on the air for 11 years and has it find new life on Netflix. The next layer is that Arch Jr. has infectious youthful exuberance for his role. He literally is born to play an an OC everydude. 

On  a related note, this "lost episode" release comes two years after the final DVD release of every MST3K episode for which licensing is not a fatal obstacle. (Owning the quickly recalled due to licensing issues Volume 10 is a point of personal pride.) This makes "Eegah" comparable to fans of the classic '50scom "The Honeymooners" getting to own rare episodes of that series that are not part of "the original 39."

It is highly advised to pre-order two copies of the 1,500 copies of this limited-edition release. This allows keeping one for yourself and watching it on Turkey Day and giving the fanboy in your life the second one for a holiday gift.

The only proper way to end these musings is to say "push the button, Frank." 

'The Amazing Mr. X' BD: X Marks the Spot On

 

The two Film Detective October 26, 2021 4K releases double down on the Detective tradition of showing the viewing public that it does not know what it is missing. Our topic du jour is the 1948 thriller "The Amazing Mr. X." An upcoming post will be on the "sister" release of the 1958 kiddie matinee cult-classic "Frankenstein's Daughter." 

The icing on both cakes are the always insightful and entertaining Ballyho Films documentaries that are Detective staples. 

The following SPOILERS-LADEN  promo, which literally will make you say "Damnit, Janet" from Detective perfectly illustrates the awesomely atmospheric style of this literally hauntingly take on "Gaslight." These few minutes alone are sad reminders that they don't make 'em like that anymore. 

Our story begins with heiress Christine hearing the ghostly voice of deceased husband Paul whispering not so sweet nothings into her ear. The Freudian aspects of this include this occurring just as a brand new life is around the bend with neighbor Martin. Younger sister/Patty Duke figure Janet is the primary catalyst for this marriage of convenience.

Worlds collide when Christine meets titular psychic Alexis while using a dark beach as a shortcut to a rendez-vous with Marin. This leads to Christine visiting the home of Alexis, who may not be telling the truth and may psych her out in the end. Impressionable Janet becoming a smitten true believer on joining the action thickens the plot. 

Highlights in this building up the maddening tension include a highly symbolic eerie ghostly manifestation in the boudoir of Janet and a creepy seance at Chez Alexis. We also learn the depths to which a low-down creep will sink to get inside information and to torment a victim. 

The real twist comes roughly mid-way; a PERFECTLY filmed scene shows both that things are not as they seem and that there is no honor among thieves. We also meet the best cast actor in this well-chosen ensemble.

The rest of "X" further enhances the Scooby noir vibe of this lost classic, complete with an unmasking of the villain. The best part of this is that the bad guy would have gotten away with it if not for that meddling kid.

The aforementioned documentary, "Mysteries Exposed: Inside the Cinematic World of Spirtualism," puts "X" in wonderful perspective. One talking head discusses the 19th-century origins of the scammers who literally earn fame and fortune convincing their victims that they can put those suckers in contact with their dearly departed. The "Spiritualism" expert also reveals the tricks of the trade that show that the "X" filmmakers get it right.

The other talking head is a film historian who offers an embarrassment of riches in terms of his insights and film clips as to movie depictions of close encounters with spirits. Showing how "X" earns high marks in that regard provides a fascinating perspective. 

Detective completes this treasury with a written essay on the career of leading man Turhan Bey and behind-the-scenes gossip of "X." 

Briar Barn Inn: Neat and Sedate Boston-Area Retreat

 

Although it is not safe to go back in the water, the Briar Barn Inn in Rowley, Mass. provides a good chance to get your feet wet. This Inn Credible New England perspective is from someone with an "underlying condition" that requires strong preventions against Covid.

The even better news is that the genuinely good folks at this boutique establishment offer an exceptional retreat in a setting that makes it tough to choose between relaxing in your room or on the well-landscaped grounds. 

The property having a tranquil spa and the gourmet Grove restaurant provides two more reasons to choose it for a break from our increasingly cold, cruel world. 

One of many "good citizen" aspects of the Briar Barn is offering graduates of the nearby Governor's Academy (my people call it Governor Dummer) an awesome discount. 

COVID SAFETY

The good news for right-thinking folks who take Covid into consideration when travelling is that the Briar Barn provides peace-of-mind that helps enjoy stays there. This begins with a cleaning protocol that leaves things sparkling and sanitary. 

Each room having windows that open allowed opening  mine on arrival and letting in fresh air for several hours; I left them open most of the day the rest of my stay.

The even better news this time is that every room has an individual HVAC unit that reduces concern as to breathing the same air as other guests. 

COUNTRY STYLE LUXURY 

The "little bit country" "little bit rock-and-roll" appeal of the Briar Barn comes from combining the quality of an upscale cookie-cutter hotel and staying true to the small-town rural location of Rowley, Mass. This burg being 34 miles from the Hub of the Universe (aka Boston) offers its own form of the best of both worlds. 

Getting the comfort of crisp clean bedding, Pottery Barn style furniture, and Lockwood of New York amenities that include awesome bath salts for use in the soaking tub enhances the experience. Artistically combining these elements in a manner that reflects the bucolic setting is the icing on this tasty cake. 

Having a separate sitting area with comfy chairs (or a sofa) provides further bliss by not making the just-right bed a multi-purpose space beyond its traditional uses. 

The value of this extends to almost certainly guaranteeing marital (or significant other) bliss. Personal and anecdotal experience shows that one person in such relationships wants room service and flat-screen televisions, and the other wants the charm of a B-and-B. The Briar Barn, which has EXCELLENT wifi service and hides behemoth screens in cabinets, does not require either person to compromise.

An apt aspect of this is that the Briar Barn earning its reputation as a coveted wedding venue almost ensures that the honeymoon period will last at least until the day after you effectively go to the chapel and get married.

An entirely friendly suggestion for the Briar Barn for the period when Covid and related staffing challenges are a thing of the past is that turn-down service is awesome. NOTHING beats coming back from dinner to find fresh fluffy towels, wiped down surfaces, and a soothing fragrance. Most of us also would not object to finding a small box of gourmet chocolates from nearby Harbor Sweets waiting for us. 

PLACES TO GO, THINGS TO DO 

As indicated above, the tranquility of the room is highly conducive for winding down from enjoying the numerous nearby activities. 

Folks seeking an urban experience (or are in the area for an interview at or visit to a college in the Athens of America) have the benefit of commuter-rail station five minutes from the hotel providing transportation into the proverbial historic north end of Boston. This line also stops in equally historic Salem, Mass. 

The numerous Boston-area colleges and prep schools are equally accessible by car. 

Guest who enjoy their boutique shopping and gourmet dining in a more serene setting can drive 15 minutes to Newburyport, Mass. Personal favorite eateries of this guy who is not fond of seafood are the Black Cow and the Mission Oak Grill. NOTHING beats the hamburgers at Lexi's or the pizza at Abraham's Bagels for cheap eats. 

Equally historic Portsmouth, NH is 30 minutes away; this small city has many of the same shops and dining establishments as Newburyport and quite a few more. 

The undisputed top choice for beaches is the large and pristine Crane's Beach in Ipswich. Mass. This also facilitates eating at the Clam Box along the way. Lists of the best places for fried clams in America almost always place this one in the head of the class. 

The Plum Island Beach outside Newburyport also has its appeal; it is not as nice as Crane's and can have parking challenges. 

The Joe's Playland arcade and other family-friendly attractions at Salisbury Beach a little further outside Newburyport may be the best option for families. 

These excursions, and a handful of related ones, makes it impossible to get bored while staying at the Briar Barn. 

An appealing aspect of this is that this environment facilities a busy day out, returning to your well-cleaned room for an afternoon rest and washing the filth off your body, then going to the on-site Grove restaurant or another dining establishment for a mellow meal, and then coming back for an early night before doing it all over again. 

HOSPITALITY 

The perfect blend of "country" and "rock-and-roll" at the Brian Barn already makes it ideal for visits to the Massachusetts north shore and New Hampshire seacoast. The literal going above-and-beyond provides a terrific reminder of the "good ole days."

Desk clerk extraordinaire Naomi personifies this hospitality. Her friendly greetings as you come and go help brighten the day. She really shined as to a special request.

The delight on checking in includes finding two bottles of tasty Voss water. The twist when making a "please, Sir; may I have some more?" request for additional water was Naomi bringing a six-pack of bottles to the desk.

Bottom Line

All of the above amounts to anticipation of an April 2022 visit to the Briar Barn surely helping ease the pain of a winter of almost complete lockdown discontent. 

'The Stand: Two-Series Collection' BD: King Meets Abrams

 

The unexpected joy regarding the CBS Home Entertainment October 5, 2021 BD release of both the 1994 miniseries and the 2020 Paramount+ limited series of the Stephen King novel "the Stand" relates to the latter greatly exceeding all expectations. 

It seems that the Trump administration and the Covid pandemic provided the cast and crew the necessary perspective to bring the material to life. This is not to mention the clear influence of the JJ Abrams 2004-10 series "Lost."

This release further aptly coincides with the debut of the CBSHE (reviewed) DVD set of S1 of the CBS network  procedural "Clarice." That series tells the tales of the titular fed a year after her adventures around which "The Silence of the Lambs" revolve. 

The following trailer for the 2020 version perfectly illustrates how all the elements combine to successfully bring this story that reflects our times to life. This is particularly apparent as to the performances of Whoppi Goldberg and her equally well-cast peers. 

Our story begins in the wake of the rapid spread of the "Captain Trip" virus that has eradicated 99.4 percent of the human population. The first "chapters" in this production with a strong novel vibe introduces us to the "leftovers" that will drive the primary action. This portion of the film evokes heavy vibes of the film version of  "The Mist" in which King revolves the action around a military experiment gone horribly awry.

These everymen are adjusting to their new normal when they either are assigned to a mission from God or are subject to temptation that leads to declaring that the devil made them do it. 

Goldberg shines (pun intended) as 108 year-old Mother Abagail, who takes a "Field of Dreams" approach to wishing her recruits into a childless cornfield in the most needy plea ever to visit Grandma at the nursing home. Goldberg stating in an interview for the truly special feature "An Apocalyptic Epic: Adapting 'The Stand'" that she has wanted to play Abagail since reading the novel 40 years ago helps explain how her performance is spot-on; this sister can act. 

Alexander Skarsgard does equally well in this portrayal of the Satanic Randall Flagg. The manner in which this quietly sinister stud visits his soldiers is much more of nightmare than a dreamscape. One spoiler is that one recruiting scene will make even the most devout vegetarian crave a roast-beef sandwich.

The good guy "Scooby Doobies" include good ole boy Stu Redman (James Marsden). His being the first identified member of the "chosen people" earns him the distinction of being a guest of the state. This unfortunate incarceration ends when the brass realizes that the virus cannot be contained.

Nick Andros goes from being crucified at the "New Vegas" capital of Flagg to being a mysterious messiah in Boulder, which is where Scooby gang has established their "village." 

The "Really Rottens" include Maineiac Harold Lauder (Owen Teague), who is a stereotypical Columbine-style excitable boy. His obsession with popular girl next-door Frannie Goldsmith (Odessa Young) provides a catalyst for a significant portion of the ensuing trauma-and-drama. 

Fine young cannibal Lloyd Henreid (Nat Wolff) is being driven crazy (and he just can't help himself) when Flagg makes him an offer that he cannot refuse. The manner in which Henreid revels as to his deluded sense of importance among the Vegas decadence is a series highlight.

The must-see gag reel proves that Wolff fully understands his character. This scene shows Wolff going from fully channeling Jack Nicholson in "The Shining" to HILARIOUSLY breaking character on making an equally amusing gaffe. This transformation shows that Wolff clearly should have a better fate than Lauder in the "marry, 'breed', kill" game. 

Amber Heard deserves special props for her portrayal of veteran foster child Nadine Cross, whom Flagg (rather than the Greek gods) destines for his version of greatness. The awesome source material this time is "Rosemary's Baby." 

In true novel fashion, roughly the first third of "Stand" tells the aforementioned backstories and puts the "chess pieces" in their respective positions. This leads to the main story that revolves around the buildup to the final showdown. Although epic, that battle royale turns out to not be so epic lightning in a bottle.

All of this concludes with a special treat for fans of King and "Stand" that further distinguishes it from the 1994 mini-series. The series-finale is an epilogue based on a script that King writes specifically for this production. This highly important Adam and Eve story can be considered the day after the day after tomorrow. We also get a taste of the evil yet to come that shows that you cannot keep a bad man down.

All of this amounts to the chance to compare-and-contrast both versions of "Stand" during the season-of-the-witch and any other time of the year. 

'Clarice' S1 DVD: Awesome End to Silence

 

The CBS Home Entertainment October 5, 2021 DVD release of S1 of the CBS 2021 procedural "Clarice" provides a good chance to discover this series that bridges the generation gap. This is on the ongoing heels of the Paramount+ original series, all of which CBSHE makes available on DVD and BD, that keep the "Star Trek" legacy alive. 

Speaking from the perspective of the "ranger" who directly aided the effort to keep the 2006-08 CBS drama "Jericho" alive, one can only hope that the further adventures of our titular heroine continue on Paramount+ if the series does not get a second season on the once (and future?) Tiffany Network. MANY CBS executives can thank your not-so-humble reviewer for having an ample supply of apple pies back in the day. 

Another aside is that CBSHE even more spectacularly contributes to brokering peace between Gen Xers and Millennials with its recent DVD and BD releases of both the old-school and modern versions of the Stephen King" classic "The Stand." Initial viewing for a pending review shows that the 2020 limited series is a terrific reimaging. 

The strong cast and the awesomely atmospheric cinematography of "Clarice" greatly facilitate "The Silence of the Lamb" fanatics who say "it rubs the lotion on its skin, or it gets the hose again" when we treat dry hands bond with the "kids" who come to this franchise via this series. The treat for us adults is to see how the titular FBI trainee is faring as a full-fledged agent a year after discovering that all's not necessarily well that ends well.

The following "Clarice" promo expertly communicates the theme of the series without providing any spoiler. The Cianti with the farva beans that will make you want to say "Hello, Clarice" is the inclusion of flashbacks to the "Silence" events. 

Our story begins one year after Clarice has gotten her sharp-dressed man. That case has made her the most famous fed since Eliot Ness. Not being untouchable prevents Clarice from avoiding a highly personal assignment to the newly minted FBI Violent Crimes Apprehension Program. The apprehension of our lead includes working for a man who has highly personal extreme prejudice against her.

The mission of ViCAP is to investigate the same type of psycho who is at the center of the "Silence" investigation. The predictable impact on Clarice is triggering horrific memories of both her childhood and of the hostile workplace that play a large role in "Silence," Stating in both cases that she is a lamb to the slaughter is highly apt.

In true 21st-century procedural fashion, the case around which the pilot is centered sets the stage for a season-long story arc. This pattern continues to the S1 final episode that wraps up everything serving equally well as a season or a series finale. 

The trauma this time revolves around discovering two dead women; of course, Clarice is the one to set the investigation on the right track. 

These nefarious doings lead to a literal send lawyers, guns, and money; Dad get me out of this situation. The well-played INTENSELY creepy psychological elements behind the facial corporate greed show that the insult behind the fatal injuries. The direct ties to mythology proves that everything is Greek to us mere mortals. 

The note-worthy side cases include one in which following the evidence leads to connecting the deaths of two boys several years apart. This investigation, like much of "Clarice," comes down to blaming the mother. This EPICLY is the case as to an episode that adds bodacious context to "Silence." 

The copious special features extend well beyond the deleted scenes that provide valuable exposition and the gag reel that lightens the equally psychological and thriller vibe. "The Silence is Over" centers around properly honoring the source material. "ViCAP Views" goes below the surface as to the A, B, and C stories of the S1 episodes.

These sublime elements make adding "Clarice" to your home-video library a no-brainer. 

'A Life At Stake' 4k & DVD: Hollywood Royalty Lupino and Rising Star Lansbury Do Hitchcock

 

Best buddy to cult film lovers Film Detective follows up its (reviewed) recent 4k and DVD releases of That '50s Hidden Scifi Gem "Flight to Mars" with the September 7, 2021 4K and DVD releases of the "from the vaults" indie noir film "A Life At Stake." Watching the 4K version on a Sony Bravia set with a Sony soundbar PROVES that viewing that edition is even better than seeing it on the silver screen.

The following Detective trailer highlights both the epic noirness of "Life" and reminds us of the range of Angela Lansbury. Her perfectly understated portrayal of femme fatale Doris Hillman shows that she is far more than a maternal teapot and equally motherly novelist who saves 100s of friends-and-family from a seat in Old Sparky.

The sultry opening scene of "Life" evokes very strong thoughts of Tennessee Williams. 

Bare-chested principled but disgraced architect/developer Edward Shaw (character actor Keith Andes) does his best James Dean, Tab Hunter, and Howard Roark as he starts his day in his room at a seedy boarding house. The subsequent interaction between "Landlady" (scene-stealer Jane Darwell) and attorney Sam Pearson provides the exposition that sets the game afoot.

The proverbial 25-words-or-less backstory is that the reversal-of-fortune of Shaw is fully attributable to someone who dun him wrong. Rather than hide behind bankruptcy laws ala a certain real-life pharmaceutical company owning family, Shaw is determined to live a life of quiet desperation until he can put right what once went wrong.

Pearson provides salvation in the form of an offer that Shaw (but not the audience) would have been better off refusing. Former real-estate agent/current real housewife Doris wants to back Shaw in a new development.

The initial meeting between Shaw and Doris demonstrates both that most noir couples strive to be Bogie and Bacall and that that legendary couple sets a high standard. However, our leads expertly straining the morality standards of the Hays Code in this scene shows that there is nothing wrong with being number two.

Andes and Lansbury do equally well portraying the parallel increased involvement in the bedroom and the boardroom. This sets the stage for the "Double Indemnity" portion of our program.

One of the best scenes in "Life" centers around a passionate negotiation as to the amount of a life-insurance policy on Shaw that is presented as providing Doris spouse Gus Hillman a safety net as to his investment in the venture. 

Lansbury augments her femme fatale role with domination of  Doris' younger sister in a manner that prompts strong thoughts of the career-high performance of the former in "The Manchurian Candidate." The role of the "innocent" is to introduce a sibling rivalry that triggers Hitchcockian paranoia in Shaw. A subsequent "accident" sets the stage for the rest of the film.

All of this climaxes with the typical Silver Age 11th hour resolution that fully embraces the Hays Code. The clear message here is that karma is an even bigger bitch than the femme fatale.

The accelerated rush to judgment further reflects a contrast that is a pet peeve. 

The brisk 1:15 runtime of "Life" is a literal nice change-of-pace compared to virtually every movie since roughly the '90s. Expressing that most films of the past few decades reflects frustration regarding undue filler, rather than a short attention span. Armchair editing easily proves that 30 minutes of montages and/or unnecessary narration in modern movies should end up on the cutting-room floor. 

Detective provides its typically awesome "drawing-room" wrap-up with a brisk 10-minute special-features documentary titled "Hollywood Hitch-hikers: Inside the Filmmakers." This Ballyhoo Motion Pictures production lives up the name of its best-brains production company. 

"Hollywood" tells the Lucyesque tale of Golden Age star Ida Lupino leaving Warner Brothers to prove that she knows Jack about making movies (and television series). This comes in the form of Lupino and real-life spouse Collier Young starting the Desiluesque production company The Filmmakers. We learn how the parallels with Lucy and Desi extend to marital woes that aptly involve Young hoping that Lupino would have gotten off her duff. 

Detective also includes a breezy informative "Biography, He Wrote" written essay by Jason Ney. Ney provides a figurative 25-words-or-less history on the b-movie career of Lansbury. 

'Flight to Mars' 4k and DVD: Live-Action 'Josie and the Pussycats in Outer Space'

 

The aptly titled July 20, 2021 Film Detective separate special-edition 4k and DVD releases of the 1951 sci-fi classic Flight to Mars" continues the Detective tradition of keeping these cult classics in the public consciousness. 

This typically pristine remastering  of "Flight" is especially notable for evoking thoughts of the '70s Saturday morning cartoon classic "Josie and the Pussycats in Outer Space." That spinoff of a "Scooby" clone has the titular teen bubblegum pop group (and their little cat too) experiencing hilarious earth-threatening perils as those far-out space nuts explore strange new worlds and seek out new life and new civilizations. 

On a more modern level, this release coincides with the heating up of the space race between Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk. 

Once more, IMDb does the heavy lifting for your not-so-humble reviewer by providing an expert synopsis of "Flight." This recap is "five astronauts successfully fly to Mars where they encounter seemingly friendly and advanced inhabitants who harbor covert plans to use their ship to invade Earth." The element of sleeper agents, who are not our favorite Martians, further contributes to the awesome Cold War era vibe of the film.

The following Detective trailer for this release further highlights the awesome kiddie Saturday afternoon movie marathon aspect of "Flight."

Our story stereotypically begins with the best brains on earth making the final preparations to go where no one has gone before. The concern at this time ahead of both lunch and launch is whether this fantastic voyage will be a one-way trip. Of course, the intrepid crew includes the stoic military man, the dedicated scientist, and the token babe with the overlapping personal connections with the group-at-large.

B-movie legend Cameron Mitchell, whose IMDb profile lists 242 credits, stars as journalist Steve Abbott. Bud Abbott ventures into outer space a year later.

Steve  Abbott is along for the ride and to mac on the aforementioned modern woman. This allows us to see the extent to which Earth girls are easy. 

Of course, the group encounters the obligatory meteor shower on the way to the red planet. This leads to the equally required dramatic landing.

On arriving, the "pussycats" discover the same reason that Mars seems deserted that all humans learn. The first predictable spoiler is that the inhabitants of that planet have gone underground. The equally anticipated threat is that Mars requires a long-term solution to sustaining life more than it needs women. 

The ensuing delightfully cartoonish trauma-and-drama in this live-action film revolves around dissent among the leaders of the planets (think Jor-el v. Zod) as to the best course of action. Ala "Josie," a nefarious plot involves the earth ship being a critical element of a plot to establish Mars 2.

All of this culminates in the predictable final showdown just ahead of the final countdown, which includes an element of the Sherwood Schwartz failedcom "It's About Time." The latter has time-travelling astronauts contending with actual neanderthals.

Detective also comes through with its typically stellar extras. These include an insightful written essay on "Flight" and two documentaries on producer Walter Mirisch.

Boy Scout Confidential: The Profane and The Personal

The first disclaimer in this diversion into Blogland is that the above image of a scoutmaster is from a Google search for a photo for this "expose" of the Boy Scouts of America. The photo being from a newspaper article about criminal and civil charges as to claims of molesting scouts is apt. Your not-so-humble reviewer has no personal knowledge of this case beyond what the article reported.

The second disclaimer is that the BSA is VERY aware that I am not seeking anything tangible from them. I repeatedly have requested that the organization put me in touch with my regional director, whom I was able to track down to his 2011 BSA job, so that I can get his perspective. I also asked the BSA for a meaningful verbal apology as to my experience. It is clear that the BSA is unwilling to provide either remedy. 

The modern relevance to the following story as old as the first Bush administration is that things apparently never change at the BSA. The latest large chapter in the seemingly never ending story of scoutmasters preying on scouts has once more triggered memories of a horrific 18-month tenure as a district executive. This has culminated in a recent vivid stress dream from those bad old days. 

The callous disregard by current boy scout employees and volunteers literally has added insult to the old injury. Most current BSA officials whom I contacted this week ignored my calls.

When asked to respond to my report of regular emotional and verbal abuse by my direct BSA supervisor from the perspective of a human being, a scout executive, and a HR professional, a high-ranking national office staffer characterized my experience as "unpleasant." He added that no one is guaranteed a "nice" manager. I hung up on him.

The lack of response has included no follow-up as to a call for a hotline set up to address misconduct by scout volunteers and employees. 

As mentioned above, our story occurs in the era of clunky wireless landline telephones and MS-DOS. The names of the not-so-innocent have been changed or omitted to protect your not-so-humble reviewer from legal action by the evil scouting empire. 

I was a relatively fresh-faced recent college graduate with dual interest and experience in non-profit management and in making the world a little better place. This dated back to running the blood drives my junior and senior years at my boarding school. 

Meeting a BSA employee at a party led to what I thought was the "capital" idea of applying to that organization. I naively believed the hype that the BSA merely was an organization that let kids spend weekends in the great outdoors and that taught them the importance of being excellent to each other. 

This was just before the anti-gay and other offensive policies of the BSA made headlines. I soon learned of the broader fascist nature of the organization.

My boss being a retired Marine and not grasping the realities of civilian life warrants referring to him as The Great Santini. This also provides the perspective that the BSA provides a haven for former jarheads, squids, flyboys, and dogfaces without doing enough to get them to accept that the war is over.

It is worth noting that a BSA employee could have been fired in this era for living with a girlfriend. Santini told me as well that the fascism extended to ANY UNSUBSTANTIATED report of  ANY unscoutlike behavior also being a terminable offense without ANY chance to respond to such a claim. I would joke with friends that the BSA was lucky if at any one time I met two-out-three elements of the scout ideal of being physically strong, morally straight, and mentally alert. 

Conversely. numerous consistent statements as to a district-level female volunteer regularly sweating up the sheets with the married Santini and equally wed male volunteer did not cause any concern. My knowledge of these events is limited to what other volunteers told me. The behavior of my boss toward this woman and his habit of hulking out on me on a few occasions on which I dun her wrong PURELY in his mind is consistent with the word on the hiking path. 

My background made my service area of predominantly nice suburbs apt. Unfortunately, the BSA neglected to consider whether Santini would respond well to a typical boarding school boy who was a boy scout "virgin." His calling me "preppy scum" within five minutes of our meeting set the tone for the next year-and-a-half. 

The event that epitomizes the abuse that I endured and that INDICATES that BSA policies that are designed to protect scouts from pedophiles are not worth the paper on which they are written occurred roughly one year into my employment. These policies include a statement that essentially directs an abundance of caution as to a questionable candidate. 

The rest of the background as to this incident is that the BSA is designed to be an ENTIRELY volunteer-run organization. We over-worked and under-paid staffers are supposed to let them call the shots and to just provide the resources that they require to complete their labors of love (and sometimes lust). In that regard, I was an excellent and well-liked "soldier." 

My fateful trip into Hell this time began with returning a call from a man, whose name I do not recall but will call Mr. Horton in reference to a "very special episode" of the '80scom "Diff'rent Strokes." Horton reported that the volunteer who oversaw the merit-badge program, whose name I also do not remember, rejected his application to be a photography merit-badge counselor. 

My spidey sense was  tingling as to Horton appealing a decision to deny him a position that literally would allow him to be alone in a dark room with boys. Horton saying what sounded like a very creepy tone "I like working with boys" sealed his fate in my eyes.

I explained to Horton that volunteers decided such matters, but that I would call the volunteer. In speaking with that volunteer, it was very cleat that we were on the same page. I thought that the matter was resolved when I called Horton back and politely told him that his appeal failed.

I was sitting in my desk in the large cubicle farm where all district executives of every level "grazed" when Santini came blustering in as usual the next day. He walked up to my desk near stairs that allowed virtually the entire building to hear what occurred there and glowered at me as was oft the case.

Santini growled that Horton had called him; the fact that Horton was trying alarmingly hard to get in a darkroom with scouts apparently did not concern Santini.

In stating the reasons for my action, I told Santini about Horton stating in a creepy voice that he likes working with boys. The face of Santini got even redder than it typically did when he spoke to me, and he bellowed at the top of his voice that he likes working with boys. He then just as loudly repeated that statement at least five times, naming a different high-ranking volunteer each time.

For the record, I NEVER got a sense that Santini did bad bad things with scouts. 

Santini then told me to give him the merit-badge application, grabbed it out of my hands, scrawled his signature on it, and ordered me to bring it to the registration office. NO ONE in our office EVER responded to that misconduct.. I still sincerely hope that Horton never molested a scout and am deeply bothered that I never will get peace-of-mind as to that. 

The converse this time is that I once escorted one group of scouts and their leader on a trip  to a scout camp in Maine and another group back. My spidey sense did not tingle at all as to either scout leader.

BSA policies require that adult leaders shower separately from scouts and sleep in different rooms. I, but not the scout leaders, diligently adhered to those rules,. Although I have a strong level of confidence that nothing improper occurred as to either group, this journey INDICATED that adult leaders do not follow the rules. 

Other tales of the sordid lives of BSA employees and volunteers must wait for another day. These include Santini forcing me almost literally to the breaking point as to a back injury after I repeatedly told him this 5'8" 150 pounds (which still are my stats) guy could not do the assigned literally hard labor. 

'Your Honor' DVD: Cranston Does Classic Grisham

The CBS Home Entertainment June 15, 2021  Blu-ray and DVD releases of S1 of the Bryan Cranston drama "Your Honor" is the latest example of Showtime following the tried-and-true British model. Programs from across the pond fairly strictly adhere to the philosophy that producing 10-or-so high-quality episodes each series (my people call them seasons) is preferable to producing 22-or-so mediocre or bad offerings. 

The following trailer outshines the ability of your not-so-humble reviewer to convey both the spirit and the tone of this series that expertly sets a strongly Shakespearean story in New Orleans. The influence of a lesser scribe is in the form of "Honor" having strong overtones of the early classic novels of John Grisham. The following trailer conveys the concept and the intensity of the program in roughly two minutes.

Cranston stars as judge/widower/highly-symbolic marathoner Michael Desiato. His portrayal of this family man, officer of the court, and friend to virtually all perfectly showcases the range of Cranston, whose better-known characters include hilariously hapless sitcom dad Hal on "Malcom in the Middle" and very complex and conflicted parent Walter White on "Breaking Bad." The common thread as to these three very different roles is that any son (or daughter) could only hope to have as loving and dedicated a parent as the Cranston character if he or she is the victim (or cause) of a series of unfortunate circumstances.

The fortunate son in this case is the aptly named Adam Desiato. The original sin of this teenager with a license to drive is a fatal hit-and-eventually run of peer/motorcyclist Rocco Baxter. The rest of this story is that this accident occurs immediately in the wake of an unnerving encounter while Adam is honoring the memory of his mother on the first anniversary of her being the victim of random violence.

On arriving home, the instinctive behavior of Adam includes a spot-on scene straight out of "Macbeth" before fessing up to dad (aka King Hal). Michael keeps a surprisingly cool head and offers his son strong support while requiring that he does the right thing.

The game changer is an eleventh hour realization that Rocco is the son of crime boss Jimmy Baxter and his Lady MacBeth style spouse Gina. The portrayal of Gina by Hope Davis makes it a crime if she does not win an Emmy for that role.

Realizing that Adam confessing ensures that the boy literally or figuratively will end with a pair of cement Nikes prompts Michael to concoct a hasty plan to conceal the guilt of his offspring. The manner in which this plan unravels with massive collateral damage is the epitome of the butterfly effect.

The epic trauma-and-drama fully amps up when typical lower-class black teen Kofi Jones becomes the fall guy merely for being at the wrong place at the wrong time. The manner in which the Baxters bring a weapon of mass destruction to a knife fight soon puts Michael in a very tough spot as both a father and a judge. 

The lengths to the courtship of Adam's father is endangered once again proves that our lead wants to ensure that his son, who constantly is his own worst enemy, has a future that is bright that he has to wear shades. The idea is not so much that a youthful indiscretion should no ruin a promising career than it is that the punishment would not fit the crime. 

Of course, all this leads to a season-finale climax that reflects the principle of such an episode serving equally well as the end of a season and of a series. The worlds dramatically collide in a manner that delivers what can be considered justice of Biblical proportions. This conclusion further proves that fools these mortals be. Whether we get a "Part II" remains to be seen. 

The special features consist of deleted scenes, many of which should not have ended up on the editing room floor. 

'Star Trek: Lower Decks' S1: Far Out Space Nuts

The CBS Home Entertainment May 18, 2021 separate DVD, Blu-ray, and steelbook releases of "Star Trek Lower Decks" S1 provides Trekkies, Trekkers, and "virgins" who do not subscribe to streaming service Paramount+ a chance to watch arguably the best "fun for all ages" animated series of 2020. This fun continues when S2 hits Paramount+ on August 12, 2021.

This release coincides with the wonderful CBSHE DVD releases of "Beverly Hills 90210" and "BH90210" Complete Collection and "CSI:NY" Complete Series." Reviews of both sets sadly have been destroyed along with the 1,000s of other posts on Unreal TV 2.0 (aka Matt Nelson Reviews) thanks to the resistance is futile business model of Weebly.

The following CBSHE "captain's log" as to "Lower Decks" expertly describes the concept of this brilliant and stunningly crisp series that is highly BD worthy. "Join rule-breaker Beckett Mariner, aspiring captain Brad Boimler, rookie D'Vana Tendi and part-Cyborg Sam Rutherford as they attempt to navigate the most mysterious corners of our universe with very little experience... and even less authority."

"Lower Decks" creator/writer Mike McMahan puts his time on the wonderfully subversive "Back to the Future" animated homage "Rick and Morty" to good use. Boimler (phenomenally voiced by Jack Quaid) and fellow grunt Mariner provide hilariously contrasting views and 'tudes as they go about their menial duties on Federation ship "Cerritos" that lacks the glory of the fleet flagship "Enterprise."

A prime example of the second-tier status of the "Cerritos" is a follow-up second second-contact mission that lacks the prestige of making first contact with a "new civilization." The hilarious opening credits that are full of pilot error further reflect this vibe. 

The wonderful blend of "Trek" lore and slackercom "Workaholics" is particularly strong in an episode that is centered around the "buffer time" that dates back to "Trek" OS. The concept is that the grunts exaggerate the amount of time that a task will take so that the bridge crew is impressed when it is completed ahead of schedule. A typical slip-of-the-tongue by Boimler results in Captain Freeman (Dawnn Lewis) comically tightening up deadlines.

Freeman gets one of the best lines of the series in a scene in which she states that putting Mariner in the brig does not do any good because Mariner likes the brig. A reference to "TOS" in a later episode runs a close second. 

The true genius of "Lower Decks" is how Team McMahan PERFECTLY serves up a tongue-in-cheek depiction of the otherwise exemplary performance of the Federation officers around whom the other "Trek" series are based. These include Boimler experiencing a comical effect of transporter mishap (poor Porthos) and an episode involving a life-threatening holodeck malfunction. We further get regular references to the heroic legends of "Trek" lore. Speaking of which, Jonathan Frakes and Marina Sirtis awesomely reprise their TNG roles in the "Lower Decks" season finale.

The below-the-surface fun of "Lower Decks" relates to comprehending the aforementioned references. These truly run the gamut from the sublime to the ridiculous. One can only hope that this series lives long and prospers as it boldly goes where no animated series has gone before.