Category: Stu’s Reviews

Stu’s Reviews- # THE BIG 700- Film – “A Man Called Otto”

Genre: Film  

Grade: A-

Notable People: Tom Hanks, Mariana Trevino, Rachel Keller, Truman Hanks, Directed by: Marc Forster

Title:  A Man Called Otto

Review: My 3rd trip to the big screen in three weeks, after the Plaque induced 3-year absence, revealed this beautifully quiet film, that had me in tears foe most of two hours, without really being a tearjerker in the pejorative sense. Hanks is masterful. I used to think he was over hyped, but his recent year’s performances have convinced me he is in the top echelon of actors of his generation. In this one, he wears the most amazing permanent scowl and grumbles throughout, almost reminiscent of late stage Clint Eastwood. The story is endearing, from a wonderful novel, and the acting is superb: Trevino is inspiring and casting Hanks’ son, Truman, as his younger self, is brilliant. The supporting cast of eccentric characters is exceptional. This is not a groundbreaking story, but the film is so well done and the acting so perfect, it is well worth a trip to the cinema.

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Stu’s Reviews- #699- Book – “Shadow Woman”- Thomas Perry

Genre: Book     

Grade: A

Notable People: Thomas Perry

Title:  Shadow Woman

Review: This is the third in Perry’s unusual Jane Whitefield series. Jane is a Seneca Indian in far upstate New York who infamously makes people disappear who need to not be found by people with very bad intentions. I was somewhat impressed by the first entry in the series, but each one has grown significantly tighter, more suspenseful, and more intensely psychological. Jane is an extraordinary character who does extraordinary things. The forces of evil she combats are presented in this book in the form of bad, bad Vegas types and a married killer couple, who may redefine sociopathic for any reader. These books may not be everyone’s s cup of tea, but if you have even a minimal interest in the suspense genre, give it a try. When I’m in a real hole, I’m keeping Jane’s number in my pocket. Perry is not prolific with this series, but there have been nine books in 25 years, so you might stay busy for a bit.

Stu’s Reviews- #698- TV Series – “The Empress”- Netflix -1 Season (Austrian- with sub-titles)

Genre: TV Series   

Grade: B+

Notable People: Hanna Hilsdorf, Devrim Lingnau, Melika Foroutan, Svenja Jung, Created by Lena Stahl and Kathanna Eyssen

Title: The Empress

Review: Historical drama set in Austria during the reign of the Hapsburg Empire. Two young people meet. A fateful encounter – the proverbial love at first sight. He is Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary, she is Elisabeth von Wittelsbach, Princess of Bavaria and the sister of the woman Franz is to marry. Chaos follows in many forms not the least of which is the constant verge of war with /Russian end the underlying people’s evolution to take power. The cast is good, the settings and costumes wonderful and the dialog crisp and inventive. Short six- part first season that has already been renewed for a second. Highly entertaining if you like historical semi-fiction.  

Stu’s Reviews- #697- Album – “Sea Change””- Beck

Genre: Album  

Grade: A-/B+

Notable People: Beck Produced by: Nigel Godrich

Title: Sea Change

Review: I have been fascinated by what I’ve heard here and there from Beck for the last 20 years and recently decided to explore further. Started with this highly regarded 2002 eighth studio album release. Recorded over a two-month period in Los Angeles with producer Nigel Godrich, the album features themes of heartbreak and desolation, solitude, and loneliness. For the album, much of Beck’s trademark cryptic and ironic lyrics were replaced by simpler, more sincere lyrical content. The album feels much like a 60s exploratory throwback in the Donovan tradition, but darker. Beck has a great voice and is a really accomplished and tasteful musician and surrounds himself with quality players, when not playing it all himself. Made me interested enough to pursue his catalog further.

Stu’s Reviews- #696- Album – “Meet King Leg””- King Leg

Genre: Album

Grade: A-/B+

Notable People: King Leg Produced by: Dwight Yoakum

Title: Meet King Leg

Review: First album effort from this unusual musician, from 2017. He’s a Yoakum discovery and often shows up on Dwight’s Sirius XM show. Hung around LA for years making music in living rooms until he was discovered, and has not done too much new since, but tours a lot with a cracker jack post-alt country-ish band. I heard a few lush numbers on the radio and really liked his unusual vocal style resembling Jimmy Dale Gilmour and, at times, the great Roy Orbison. Add in the jingly strains of Petty and McGuinn 12 string guitar lore and guitar sounds like the immortal Clarence White has come back to life with the b-bender making a Strat sound like a pedal steel- and there are a lot of elements here to like. That said, some song inconsistency made it a little les thrilling. Hoping to check out more from this interesting artist

Stu’s Reviews- #695- Film – “The Fabelmans”

Genre: Film

Grade: A-

Notable People: Paul Dano, Michelle Williams, Seth Rogan, Judd Hirsch, Gabriel LaBelle, Jeannie Berlin,  Directed by: Stephen Spielberg

Title:  The Fabelmans

Review: So- in the middle of a massive winter storm with drifting snow piles and minus 6 on the gauge, I headed down to North Columbus for my first real movie theater visit since COVID. Having been mulling it over for weeks, and finally rambled through the Rotten Maters reviews, and picked a matinee out, loaded up with airlines snacks in my pocket and mask in hand and headed down the Rt. 23 corridor…and…what delight……Only person in the theater, Barco-lounger seating and this absolutely wonderful film by Spielberg, chronicling his origins and his very early obsession with filmmaking. The cast is outstanding; LaBelle is brilliant as the awkward Jewish Jersey youngster who finds love and meaning behind the camera, Dano is a star portraying his early IBM computer genius dad and Williams is to die for. All of them upstaged by a ten-minute appearance by the very aged Hirsch, in an over the top role that I would give him and Oscar for, and top the whole shebang off with a macabre avid Lynch cameo, portraying an old and nuts John Ford, the infamous director who Spielberg met early I his career. The Bubby’s, the great furniture, the dress, the accents and the only known film portrayal of making salami and eggs for dinner. I loved everything about this movie…what a great afternoon…even worth the challenging snow drive.

Stu’s Reviews- #694- Book – “Eye of the Needle”- Ken Follett

Genre: Book   

Grade: A

Notable People: Ken Follett

Title:  Eye of the Needle

Review: This 1978 novel by the author of The Pillars of the Earth medieval trilogy may be one the greatest spy thrillers ever written. A semi-factual account of the battle of deception between Hitler and the Allies surrounding the decoding of where the penultimate D-Day attack will occur. Th abate of wills and spy tactics would ultimately decide the key to victory for either side. One enemy spy knows the secret to the Allies’ greatest deception, a brilliant aristocrat and ruthless assassin — code name: “The Needle”. Only one person stands in his way: a lonely Englishwoman on an isolated island, who is beginning to love the killer who has mysteriously entered her life. Follett is a truly gifted and exceptional writer, who is still actively writing. His sense of nuance and character is shockingly good-you will feel like you are there and can connect to the investments of the characters fully. It does not hurt that he is extraordinarily well informed historically. He is my favorite lit discovery of the last year.

Stu’s Reviews- #693- Film (TV) – “Pillars of the Earth”

Genre: Film (TV)

Grade: A-/ B+

Notable People: Ian Mcshane, Matthew Macfayden, Eddie Redmayne, Hayley Atwell, Rufus Sewell, Directed by: Sergio Mimica- Gezzen for a screenplay by Ken Follett

Title:  Pillar of the Earth Mini-Series

Review: Wonderful min-series (8 part) adaptation of the brilliant Follett novel (see my book review from earlier this year) chronicling the building of cathedrals in England in the 12 the century. Filled with religion, war, lust, romance and all manner of devilry. An epoch production with Golden Globe performances by the detestable McShane and Atwell. Far exceeded my expectations for translating a massive and complicated book. Cost to stream was high, so got it from the local library on Blue Ray/DVD.

Stu’s Reviews- #692- Book – “Death and Judgement”- Donna Leon

Genre: Book  

Grade: A-/ B+

Notable People: Donna Leon

Title:  Death and Judgment

Review: The fourth installment in this endless series featuring Commisario Guido Brunetti of the Venice police is a complex plot involving sex trafficking across continents. Lovingly set in Brunetti’s adored Venice and full of political commentary on the state of the Italian leadership, it does not fail to entrance with suspense, thoughtfulness and humor throughout. Leon is very fine writer and Brunetti a masterful character. Leon dos not put a huge focus on the character development of the peripheral regulars, which is a small disappointment, but the book are so engaging that it hardly matters. Ready for #5.

Stu’s Reviews- #691- TV Series – “Ted Lasso”- Apple TV -2 Seasons

Genre: TV Series       

Grade: A

Notable People: Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, Phil Dunster, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt Created by Sudeikis, Hunt and Bill Lawrence

Title: Ted Lasso

Review: This absolutely brilliant, hilarious and poignant series follows Ted Lasso, a successful American college football coach who is hired to coach an English soccer team in an attempt by its owner to spite her ex-husband. Lasso tries to win over the skeptical English market with his folksy, optimistic demeanor while dealing with his total inexperience and ineptitude in regard to the “real football”. The formidable cast is brilliant, the writing never misses a beat, and the combination of absolute hilarity and poignancy is superb. Sudeikis is consistently dead on in one of the funniest roles to be seen in some time, and his duels with his co- stars are memorable- particularly with the uber-laconic Hunt. Could not get enough this show-a masterpiece in 30 minutes. Season 3 reportedly on the way.